The latest season of Netflix's JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, titled Steel Ball Run, has broken a 14-year tradition by deviating from its established pattern of using Western music for its ending sequences. This change has reportedly sparked significant backlash from dedicated fans who have come to associate the anime with a specific musical aesthetic. The season's new ending theme, "Dead or Alive" by Japanese rapper Yuki Chiba (formerly Kohh), stands in stark contrast to the previously featured Western artists.
Since the anime adaptation began in 2012, each season has incorporated songs that resonated with the manga's creator, Hirohiko Araki, and were often licensed at considerable expense. This practice included iconic tracks such as Yes's "Roundabout" for the first two parts, and later selections like the Bangles' "Walk Like an Egyptian" and Savage Garden's "I Want You." The use of "Roundabout" in particular became a cultural phenomenon, intrinsically linked with the series' "to be continued" moments and contributing to its widespread popularity.
The introduction of "Dead or Alive," a contemporary Japanese hip-hop track, has been met with disappointment. Fans have noted that the musical shift feels like a departure from the series' established identity. The anime's opening theme, "Spin" by Kroi, has been seen as more aligned with the season's Western setting, but the ending's change has proven more contentious.
A Shift in Production and Legacy
Behind this change is a shift in music production responsibilities and the passing of a key figure. Hiroyuki Omori, the Warner Bros. Japan producer who was instrumental in securing Western music licenses for the anime and respected Araki's creative input, passed away in 2024. Sources suggest that responsibility for music production transitioned from Warner Bros. Japan to Warner Music Japan starting with Steel Ball Run. In 2025, Yuki Chiba signed a significant deal with Warner Music Japan aimed at advancing his global career, which reportedly included collaborations within the anime music sphere as the company increases its focus on the medium.
This business decision by Warner Music Japan to spotlight one of its artists appears to have taken precedence over licensing Western music, a choice that may have underestimated the strong connection the international fanbase has with the series' musical history. The controversy highlights a broader concern among fans that the anime might be losing its unique identity in the absence of Omori's guiding influence and established creative choices.
Fan Reaction and Future Possibilities
The fan outcry surrounding the music choice comes after a period of significant fan engagement that influenced the anime's release schedule. Following the initial two-part premiere of Steel Ball Run in March 2026, a lack of communication from Netflix regarding the continuation of the series led to widespread fan protest. This pressure ultimately prompted Netflix to announce a weekly release schedule for the anime's second stage. It remains to be seen whether continued debate over the ending theme could lead to further adjustments, such as a potential change in the music for Steel Ball Run.
Steel Ball Run is currently streaming on Netflix.