Since the animated adaptation of Hirohiko Araki’s manga JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure premiered in 2012, the series has developed a dedicated following. Alongside memes and fashion, its soundtrack became a core element of its identity. However, the latest season streaming on Netflix, Steel Ball Run, has faced online debate over its musical choices.
Breaking a 14-year tradition
Until the release of Steel Ball Run, every ending theme used in the anime adaptation featured a Western song, such as Yes’s “Roundabout,” the Bangles’ “Walk Like an Egyptian,” and Pat Metheny Group’s “Last Train Home.” This tradition was established with input from manga creator Hirohiko Araki, who suggested tracks he listened to while writing.
Warner Bros. Japan producer Hiroyuki Omori previously oversaw the production and secured licenses for these songs despite high costs. Following Omori’s death in 2024, production responsibilities for the music shifted from Warner Bros. Japan to Warner Music Japan starting with Steel Ball Run.
A shift in music strategy
Discussing the controversy on a YouTube show for the Anime Music Journal channel, music writer Ryuichi Sumikawa explained that Warner Music Japan preferred to spotlight one of its major artists. Japanese rapper Yuki Chiba—formerly known as Kohh—signed a deal with Warner Music Japan in 2025 focused on accelerating his global career, leading to the selection of his song “Dead or Alive” as the ending theme for episode 2.
While described as an understandable business decision by commentators, the choice of a contemporary Japanese hip-hop track clashed with the expectations of international fans accustomed to Western ending themes. The debate follows earlier fan frustrations surrounding the show’s release schedule on Netflix.
