Steel Ball Run Anime Direction Emphasizes Manga Panel Size and Sound Effects: Director Yasuhiro Kimura Interview

To celebrate the worldwide exclusive early streaming release of the anime Steel Ball Run: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, an official interview with director Yasuhiro Kimura has been released.

The Core Is the Buddy Dynamic Between Johnny and Gyro

ーーFollowing JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind, you are now directing Steel Ball Run: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. How did this come about?

Kimura:
It actually started toward the end of the dubbing sessions for Golden Wind, when I told a Warner Bros. producer that I wanted to work on Steel Ball Run. It has finally become a reality this time.

ーーWhat did you consider most important when adapting this work into an anime?

Kimura:
I see this work as having two core elements: “technique” and “Stand.” Gyro Zeppeli’s steel balls come from technique, while Stands are supernatural entities separate from technique. These two opposing yet coexisting elements also reflect 1890s America, the setting of the story. It was a transitional era where horses and automobiles, as well as old and new values, coexisted. I found that contrast fascinating, and since it also resonates with the modern world, I made sure to depict it clearly.

Maintaining the Rhythm of the Original Manga

ーーWhat did you focus on when working on the script?

Kimura:
First, I thought about what makes this work strong. Above all, it’s the buddy dynamic between Johnny Joestar and Gyro Zeppeli. I tried not to cut their interactions or dialogue as much as possible. The original series spans 24 volumes, but compared to previous parts, the panels are larger, making it easier to turn the pages smoothly. In the anime, we aim to preserve that reading rhythm and pacing.

ーーThe panel size is a key factor?

Kimura:
Yes. While Golden Wind still strongly reflects the context of a shonen manga, Steel Ball Run became more like a seinen work after its serialization moved magazines. Because of that, if we applied the same direction as Golden Wind, it would feel out of place. We paid close attention to balancing how much of the signature JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure style to retain and how much to tone down.

Sound effects are another important element of JoJo. Even after the magazine change, their appeal remained the same, but if we included too many in the anime, they would feel excessive. So we adjusted the balance to ensure existing fans would not feel unsatisfied. As a result, the visuals may feel slightly more mature.

Character Direction

ーーCould you tell us about the appeal of Johnny Joestar from your perspective?

Kimura:
It’s the fact that he has no brakes. Once he decides to do something, he moves forward without hesitation. I think that decisiveness is cool, and in a way, it represents his youth.

ーーWhat kind of direction did you give to Shogo Sakata, who plays Johnny?

Kimura:
Not just Sakata, but all the cast members had thoroughly read the original work, so I hardly needed to give detailed direction. Both Sakata and Yohei Azakami, who plays Gyro, were excellent from the very beginning. We selected actors like that during the audition process.

ーーWhat about Gyro Zeppeli?

Kimura:
In the “1st STAGE,” there is still some distance between him and Johnny, so he may be a bit difficult to understand. But as the story progresses and he begins to clearly express his thoughts, he becomes even more compelling. In other words, his “unknowable” nature is part of his charm. He can seem friendly, yet incredibly cold. When he laughs with his “nyoho” expression, it’s amusing, but in life-or-death battles, he becomes very intimidating. We emphasized that mysterious unpredictability.

Message to Fans

ーーFinally, do you have a message for fans who are looking forward to the release?

Kimura:
While this is a new series, I believe it is easy to watch both for those who have followed JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure so far and for those who are new to it. The entire team is working with full dedication, so please look forward to it.

Source : ORICON NEWS