JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run finally arrived on Netflix with weekly episodes from 25 September. Fans barely had time to celebrate before Episode 2’s credits started a fresh fight. Netflix’s social replies are now packed with one message: change the outro.
Table of Contents
Why the Outro Matters?
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure has a beloved tradition of closing its seasons with licensed songs from outside Japan. Here are a few past picks:
| Season | Ending Song |
|---|---|
| Phantom Blood / Battle Tendency | “Roundabout” by Yes |
| Stardust Crusaders | “Walk Like an Egyptian” by The Bangles |
| Diamond Is Unbreakable | “I Want You” by Savage Garden |
| Stone Ocean | “Distant Dreamer” by Duffy |
Since Steel Ball Run is set during an 1890 American horse race, many fans expected a period-fitting classic rock or folk track. Instead, Episode 2 introduced an original song, “Shinukaikiruka” (“Dead or Alive”) by Japanese rapper Yuki Chiba. Within hours, fans were posting edits that swapped in tracks like “A Horse With No Name” and “The Chain.”
The Producer Controversy
The anger deepened when fans noticed the song’s producer, Lukasz Gottwald, better known as Dr. Luke. In 2014, Kesha accused him of sexually assaulting her in 2005. He denied the allegation and countersued for defamation. Their legal dispute ended in a 2023 settlement, with neither side admitting wrongdoing. Many viewers argue his name doesn’t belong on the franchise at all.
Is Netflix the Right Target?
Probably not. Netflix distributes the series but has no creative control over it. Choices like the ending theme are made by the production committee, which in this case falls largely on Warner Bros. Japan. Still, Netflix is the global face of the show, so its accounts are taking the heat, including posts that have nothing to do with JoJo. This follows an earlier fan campaign over the release schedule, which ended with weekly episodes.
Will the song change? That’s unclear. Replacing it would be tough, especially if a major Western track had to be licensed after release, but the fandom has made its wishes clear. For more anime and streaming news, keep an eye on Technosports.
FAQs
Q1. Why are fans upset about the Steel Ball Run ending theme?
It breaks the tradition of licensed Western songs, and its producer, Dr. Luke, is controversial because of past allegations that he denied.
Q2. Can Netflix change the song?
Unlikely. Netflix is only the distributor, and the decision rests with the production committee, mainly Warner Bros. Japan.
