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Steel Ball Run #12
スティール・ボール・ラン #12 ジャンプコミックス: 遺体への条件友情への条件
Very good overall quality. Please keep in mind that this manga is in Japanese and that there may be some slight yellowing due to the age of the paper. Please feel free to ask us any questions you may have.
192 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2007
6 people are currently reading
247 people want to read
About the author
Hirohiko Araki
659 books2,090 followersHirohiko Araki ( 荒木飛呂彦) is a Japanese manga artist. He left school before graduation from Miyagi University of Education.
He enjoys the baseball manga Kyojin No Hoshii (Star of the Giants); the video games Mario Kart and Bomberman; and likes Prince and other African-American singers, as well as jazz, rock, and rap.
He is a recipient the Tezuka Award for manga.
He enjoys the baseball manga Kyojin No Hoshii (Star of the Giants); the video games Mario Kart and Bomberman; and likes Prince and other African-American singers, as well as jazz, rock, and rap.
He is a recipient the Tezuka Award for manga.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
June 21, 2020
This was a good bit of fun! After some prolonged battles, it's nice to mix things up with a puzzle/minigame stand. Steel Ball Run consistently keeps things fresh, only dragging at 2 points until now (Tomb of the Boom and Silent Way). I enjoyed seeing how Gyro and Johnny went about trying to get rid of their fortune. They have such a fun dynamic and feel really natural together.
The whole thing concludes with some of the most gruesome violence I've seen in Shonen. It's a real shock to go from lighthearted comedy to this gory shootout. It wasn't really necessary- I'd have been perfectly happy for things to play out without the need for violence. But for what it's worth, the shootout was well done. I keep going back to it since I haven't watched a lot of westerns, but the gunshots and screams from Django Unchained often play in my head during these battles. It's not something that a lot of people probably think about, but sound effects are going to do wonders for the intensity of these fights. If SBR ever makes it to animation, of course.
Something that the anime will have to figure out is something that has bothered me for much of the action- Johnny's movement. I'm really torn on this. On one hand, I think it's fantastic that the protagonist has a disability and still participates in the action scenes uninhibited. In the other hand, I feel the approach to how these scenes play out could be improved. It's difficult to paint a mental picture of what happen between panels and Johnny seems to have no issue closing distance despite being on the ground and paralyzed from the waste down. For example, in the scary monsters fight, Johnny keeps up with Gyro when running through the sewers and jumping off the cliff. In the sewer scene, Gyro might be holding onto Johnny (the posing and awkward angles makes it difficult to tell). But he doesn't seem to be holding Johnny for the jump. There are other examples of this happening with other fights. Don't get me wrong; I love that someone from a drastically underrepresented population is taking up the leading role. I just conflicted about how Araki seemingly cops out on that representation in certain moments. But I'm certainly open to having my mind changed if I've accidentally been insensitive here.
Anyway, "the ball that hit the net" is an interesting metaphor. As I understand it, this describes a situation where things could go one of two ways, often depending on an impossible choice. Gyro's father says such situations can't be made by a single man; that what happens is "in the realm of god". He says this, right before asking his son to make a decision, stating that it is their familial obligation. Aside from realistically portraying patriarchal medicine, this situation reveals a good bit about how Gyro's father thinks of himself. While I don't think it's fair to say that Gyro's dad sees fit to play God, he clearly sees himself as something outside of man. The fact that he is actually playing God isn't relevant right now- I'm talking about how Gyro's father understands himself. Maybe it goes back to the idea that the Zepelli family are supposed to be tools in service of the royal family. However, it's hard to reconcile this anti-humanistic worldview with the decision laid out before Gyro. Gyro is being made to choice between the life of a mother or a child. It seems inevitable that sentiment is going to come into play here. Gyro's father tries to spell it out in more concrete, """rational""" terms. But no matter how you frame it, Gyro is being asked to make a value judgement. But maybe none of this matters to them. When the ball hits the fence, there is no wrong side for it to land on. There's a world of difference in the consequences of which side the ball lands on, but neither is wrong. The only wrong decision would be if the ball never landed- if Gyro didn't decide.
I don't feel that I can properly reflect on what this all means for Johnny until I come to grips to what exactly the corpse means to him. There's the obvious religious symbology. Even the more secular terms I could use to describe its meaning (purpose, rebirth) can easily be ascribed religious connotations. It's a really nice moment regardless and I can still resonate with the emotions of it.
Something I've noticed is that Jojo has conditioned me to think in more concrete ways. So much of the series' runtime has been spent trying to scientifically examine and understand the powers of stands, the world, and how they interact. Characters, while lovable, often don't have a lot of emotional nuance. But Steel Ball Run's biggest moments are the sort of thing you should just vibe with. I'm not busting out that old chestnut of "just turn your brain off", but I am saying to soak in the quiet moments. Which is something that Jojo has actively taught its readers not to do thus far.
The whole thing concludes with some of the most gruesome violence I've seen in Shonen. It's a real shock to go from lighthearted comedy to this gory shootout. It wasn't really necessary- I'd have been perfectly happy for things to play out without the need for violence. But for what it's worth, the shootout was well done. I keep going back to it since I haven't watched a lot of westerns, but the gunshots and screams from Django Unchained often play in my head during these battles. It's not something that a lot of people probably think about, but sound effects are going to do wonders for the intensity of these fights. If SBR ever makes it to animation, of course.
Something that the anime will have to figure out is something that has bothered me for much of the action- Johnny's movement. I'm really torn on this. On one hand, I think it's fantastic that the protagonist has a disability and still participates in the action scenes uninhibited. In the other hand, I feel the approach to how these scenes play out could be improved. It's difficult to paint a mental picture of what happen between panels and Johnny seems to have no issue closing distance despite being on the ground and paralyzed from the waste down. For example, in the scary monsters fight, Johnny keeps up with Gyro when running through the sewers and jumping off the cliff. In the sewer scene, Gyro might be holding onto Johnny (the posing and awkward angles makes it difficult to tell). But he doesn't seem to be holding Johnny for the jump. There are other examples of this happening with other fights. Don't get me wrong; I love that someone from a drastically underrepresented population is taking up the leading role. I just conflicted about how Araki seemingly cops out on that representation in certain moments. But I'm certainly open to having my mind changed if I've accidentally been insensitive here.
Anyway, "the ball that hit the net" is an interesting metaphor. As I understand it, this describes a situation where things could go one of two ways, often depending on an impossible choice. Gyro's father says such situations can't be made by a single man; that what happens is "in the realm of god". He says this, right before asking his son to make a decision, stating that it is their familial obligation. Aside from realistically portraying patriarchal medicine, this situation reveals a good bit about how Gyro's father thinks of himself. While I don't think it's fair to say that Gyro's dad sees fit to play God, he clearly sees himself as something outside of man. The fact that he is actually playing God isn't relevant right now- I'm talking about how Gyro's father understands himself. Maybe it goes back to the idea that the Zepelli family are supposed to be tools in service of the royal family. However, it's hard to reconcile this anti-humanistic worldview with the decision laid out before Gyro. Gyro is being made to choice between the life of a mother or a child. It seems inevitable that sentiment is going to come into play here. Gyro's father tries to spell it out in more concrete, """rational""" terms. But no matter how you frame it, Gyro is being asked to make a value judgement. But maybe none of this matters to them. When the ball hits the fence, there is no wrong side for it to land on. There's a world of difference in the consequences of which side the ball lands on, but neither is wrong. The only wrong decision would be if the ball never landed- if Gyro didn't decide.
I don't feel that I can properly reflect on what this all means for Johnny until I come to grips to what exactly the corpse means to him. There's the obvious religious symbology. Even the more secular terms I could use to describe its meaning (purpose, rebirth) can easily be ascribed religious connotations. It's a really nice moment regardless and I can still resonate with the emotions of it.
Something I've noticed is that Jojo has conditioned me to think in more concrete ways. So much of the series' runtime has been spent trying to scientifically examine and understand the powers of stands, the world, and how they interact. Characters, while lovable, often don't have a lot of emotional nuance. But Steel Ball Run's biggest moments are the sort of thing you should just vibe with. I'm not busting out that old chestnut of "just turn your brain off", but I am saying to soak in the quiet moments. Which is something that Jojo has actively taught its readers not to do thus far.
May 14, 2020
Memes in this volume:
V wholesome :)
V wholesome :)
December 9, 2020
The conclusion of the Sugar Mountain arc gave me life. Seriously–It was the quasi-queer JoJo content that I was so hyped about from the start. The arc itself was so different from what we've seen before! And Johnny putting Gyro over the Holy Corpse and his own goals told us more about character than every chapter before. My favourite chapter of all JoJo parts for sure. I loved it SO MUCH.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2026
Another banger. Change of space for stand user encounter. I think the combination of the physical force stand user and a mini game stand user was a good juxtaposition of impending doom.
Up to this point most if not all stand battles included a physical element, but I found sweet mountain to actually be the most enjoyable fight so far. Without the physical element, the impending doom felt real in the way that existential dread takes a hold on someone as a time limit comes looming towards you.
Up to this point most if not all stand battles included a physical element, but I found sweet mountain to actually be the most enjoyable fight so far. Without the physical element, the impending doom felt real in the way that existential dread takes a hold on someone as a time limit comes looming towards you.
April 11, 2025
GOD. THIS IS SO FUCKING COOL. bro them just trying to spend all of their money and them getting MORE MONEY. ugh. but like.... i cant express enough how much i love love LOVE johhny and gyro. their dynamic is actually like so perfect.gyro really helping out johnny and THEN JOHHNY GIVING EVERYTHING UP TO SAVE GYRO. BRO IT DOESNT GET MUCH BETTER THAN THIS. and now we have my QUEEN LUCY STEEL. like my woman is PLOTTING (but also shes only 14 like i literally wish she could just be a girl)
September 20, 2020
I was too close to crying for comfort. I love Gyro and Johnny.
February 28, 2024
Połowa już za mną...
February 4, 2026
"Hey... How about we make a toast, before we get our horses?
"To what...? We've lost everything.
Dude this gave me shivers ;(
"To what...? We've lost everything.
Dude this gave me shivers ;(
April 21, 2025
Lucy Steel might just be The Character of all time.
March 2, 2022
gay rights booba tree fruits????? thanks i love it
February 9, 2019
this is the content i signed up for!!!
Land of Promises arc is so fun, I like the stand battle when it's not fighting but more like puzzle solving? weird survival mind game? Whatever you call it, this was good!
Gyro and Johnny had lots of fun and touching moments together in this volume. I love them a lot.
Per tradition of last couple of volumes, we are finishing the volume on Lucy. and oh boy. Lucy is on a mission and this mission involves seducing sapphic First Lady to gain access to a place she needs to be. I'm intrigued and worried but ultimately excited!
Land of Promises arc is so fun, I like the stand battle when it's not fighting but more like puzzle solving? weird survival mind game? Whatever you call it, this was good!
Gyro and Johnny had lots of fun and touching moments together in this volume. I love them a lot.
Per tradition of last couple of volumes, we are finishing the volume on Lucy. and oh boy. Lucy is on a mission and this mission involves seducing sapphic First Lady to gain access to a place she needs to be. I'm intrigued and worried but ultimately excited!
January 5, 2024
4.5/5 Loved the setting and the battle in this one. But what is the story of this whole manga?
September 4, 2024
"Hey... How 'bout we make a toast, before we get our horses?
"To what...? We've lost everything.
😭😭😭
"To what...? We've lost everything.
😭😭😭
November 28, 2024
gotta love the LGBTQ+ community
July 6, 2024
Encontré ingenioso toda la pelea entre Gyro y Johnny contra Tatoo you, donde fue un momento de alta tensión, y si bien muchas veces no entendí completamente el movimiento de los personajes, me entretuve bastante. Pero el volumen tiene tres fases, y siento que cada fase es mejor a la anterior. La segunda parte está centrada en una pequeña reflexión que realiza Gyro sobre decidir la vida de una madre o un hijo, un poco como tuvo que hacerlo Johnny con las partes del cuerpo del famoso santo. Dudo que haya perdido los poderes, probablemente se haya quedado con una vértebra, la cual fue dada por Hot Pants, pero el dolor viene sobre el conflicto que tuvieron, haciéndose sentir completamente impotente sobre la decisión de dejad lo que tanto le costo conseguir. La vida de Gyro o su vida, un momento para el recuerdo, y también una evolución hermosa del personaje, donde si bien lo notamos muy terco y apático con los demás, poco a poco se va volviendo más determinado con las acciones que debe tomar para futuro. Y finalmente, la última parte (y la mejor por lejos) está enfocada en la búsqueda de la infiltrada por parte del presidente, donde ya sabemos que se trata de Lucy, ella deberá no solo ocultar su identidad, sino al mismo tiempo arrebatarle el corazón al presidente. De esta manera, empieza buscando las lecturas preferidas de la primera dama, y se da cuenta de sus gustos (en todo sentido), por lo que sin titubear comienza su plan para arrebatar el corazón y salvar la vida de su marido y de ella.
November 15, 2023
Series: Steel Ball Run #12
Rating: 3 stars - I liked it
In this volume we see Johnny and Gyro race against the clock to try and use all the stuff they got from Sugar Mountains tree. It takes them a while because their attempts backfire and they end up with more money instead of less. It was a bit amusing. Unfortunately they have to use everything given to them including the mummy pieces so they have now lost all the pieces they have. This was an interesting volume. Sugar Mountain was a very cool stand with an ability that would be hard to beat.
CW: gun violence, death, and wounds.
Rating: 3 stars - I liked it
In this volume we see Johnny and Gyro race against the clock to try and use all the stuff they got from Sugar Mountains tree. It takes them a while because their attempts backfire and they end up with more money instead of less. It was a bit amusing. Unfortunately they have to use everything given to them including the mummy pieces so they have now lost all the pieces they have. This was an interesting volume. Sugar Mountain was a very cool stand with an ability that would be hard to beat.
CW: gun violence, death, and wounds.
December 29, 2022
Really liked the unique and engaging fight and trial that spawned the encounter. It was touching to see what the heroes are willing to sacrifice for other people to be saved, and of course the drawing was top notch as well.
I am a sucker for indirect battles and this one was cool to see play out with following the rules of the trial. I also felt that this played with suspense and tension really well, including the final chapter
I am a sucker for indirect battles and this one was cool to see play out with following the rules of the trial. I also felt that this played with suspense and tension really well, including the final chapter
January 1, 2025
El arco de Sugar Mountain ha sido mi favorito. Bizarro, divertido, original, emocionante... La escena en la que Gyro y Johnny brindan bajo la nieve después de que Johnny se sacrificase por Gyro es, sin duda, la mejor del manga hasta ahora. La desesperación de Johnny, la mirada de Gyro...
Entre esa escena y Lucy metiéndole mano a Scarlet, volvemos a lo de siempre con JoJo's. No es homosexual pero a la vez, sí.
Entre esa escena y Lucy metiéndole mano a Scarlet, volvemos a lo de siempre con JoJo's. No es homosexual pero a la vez, sí.
April 8, 2023
4 estrellas.
Muy bien, este tomo fue una combinación de ansiedad, impotencia, desesperación y miedo, las situaciones por las que pasan Johnny y Gyro son sumamente desesperantes, más viendo los resultados, y que por un momento parece no llegar a ser bueno para ellos, pero confio en que harán las cosas bien.
Rezo porque Lucy Steel se encuentre bien.
Muy bien, este tomo fue una combinación de ansiedad, impotencia, desesperación y miedo, las situaciones por las que pasan Johnny y Gyro son sumamente desesperantes, más viendo los resultados, y que por un momento parece no llegar a ser bueno para ellos, pero confio en que harán las cosas bien.
Rezo porque Lucy Steel se encuentre bien.
April 23, 2024
**Will contain spoilers**
SBR Volume 12: One of my favorite arcs takes place in this volume - the Sugar Mountain arc. It was so gripping, I felt like I desperately needed to know what on Earth was going on.
I was holding on to the edge of my seat while they tried to get rid of all of the money and items. I was so impressed with the bar fight visuals. Johnny is always doing too much, it stresses me out.
This all culminates with Gyro becoming part of the tree, and Johnny realizing that he would need to give up the corpse parts to truly 'use up' everything. His devastation is palpable, and although he's been a crybaby since day one (said with love), these tears are different. He has given up hope, lost everything, and is utterly devastated.
The panel where he and Gyro toast is beautiful. One of my favorites in the entire series of Jojo.
SBR Volume 12: One of my favorite arcs takes place in this volume - the Sugar Mountain arc. It was so gripping, I felt like I desperately needed to know what on Earth was going on.
I was holding on to the edge of my seat while they tried to get rid of all of the money and items. I was so impressed with the bar fight visuals. Johnny is always doing too much, it stresses me out.
This all culminates with Gyro becoming part of the tree, and Johnny realizing that he would need to give up the corpse parts to truly 'use up' everything. His devastation is palpable, and although he's been a crybaby since day one (said with love), these tears are different. He has given up hope, lost everything, and is utterly devastated.
The panel where he and Gyro toast is beautiful. One of my favorites in the entire series of Jojo.
October 24, 2024
sobbed when Gyro was turned into a tree. fully thought he'd died. then i turned two pages and he was literaly fine. i seriously thought johnny was gonna keep the corpse part oh my god. i cried so hard. also the gay stuff at the end oh mygod. it took me so long to process those pages just bc what. this is truly peak fiction
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2021
those who lose have everything to gain …
loved the sugar mountain arc!! the president and his goons are closing in on the traitors identity and Lucy is henceforth freaking out but she has found a very homosexual way to achieve closer access to the president lol ;)
loved the sugar mountain arc!! the president and his goons are closing in on the traitors identity and Lucy is henceforth freaking out but she has found a very homosexual way to achieve closer access to the president lol ;)
March 5, 2024
This is one of my favorite volumes of the part so far. Loved the story at the end of the Sugar Mountain story. It felt like a very JoJo way to conclude that story, ridiculous and bizarre one might say. And wow that ending, what a surprise.
August 12, 2024
Estuvo intensismo
El stand de Valentine es la hostia y me encanta el poder ver una misma escena desde todos los puntos de vista. Realmente, no pasa mucho, pero incluso el ver los mismos...cinco minutos? Desde estas perspectivas sirve también como estudio de personaje
El stand de Valentine es la hostia y me encanta el poder ver una misma escena desde todos los puntos de vista. Realmente, no pasa mucho, pero incluso el ver los mismos...cinco minutos? Desde estas perspectivas sirve también como estudio de personaje
January 13, 2020
Sugar mountain arc was fun
February 13, 2020
Pretty good 7th part of Jojo’s bizarre Adventures and far from the best! This series lacks awesome intense fights and the story of this series was dull😭😁❤️❤️
December 6, 2022
The fight between Johnny & Gyro and Tattoo You! & Sugar Mountain was fun. Reading this in black and white was wonderful. The colourized scans were much less legible. The final trade was interesting.
July 26, 2023
Por lejos el volumen mas random de todo sbr, el arco de sugar mountain es increible y los tipos estos que parecen mr smiths de matrix. MUY gracioso.
July 28, 2023
nope, nevermind
Eleven Men vs Gyro and Johnny is the BEST stand battle in all of JoJo
Change my mind
Eleven Men vs Gyro and Johnny is the BEST stand battle in all of JoJo
Change my mind
September 12, 2023
Gyro and Johnny trying to get rid of ridiculous amounts of money is top tier comedy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews