JoJo's Latest Season Abandons Its Signature Western Music Tradition
Steel Ball Run, the newest season of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure on Netflix, has departed from the long-standing tradition of featuring iconic Western songs in its ending credits. Every previous season since 2012 had ended with Western artists like Yes, the Bangles, and Enigma, a practice influenced by manga creator Hirohiko Araki's own musical preferences. The new ending theme by Japanese rapper Yuki Chiba has sparked considerable fan backlash online.
The iconic ending credit sequences have been a defining feature of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure since its 2012 debut, with each installment carefully selected from Western artists based on creator Hirohiko Araki's personal music taste. The practice became so recognizable that the "Roundabout" sequence from the series' opening chapters transcended anime fandom and entered mainstream pop culture consciousness, significantly boosting the show's popularity beyond its initial audience.
The shift toward Japanese hip-hop represents a notable departure from this established identity. Industry observers suggest the change stems partly from organizational restructuring in music production oversight, raising questions about whether future creative decisions will continue to diverge from what fans consider core to the franchise's aesthetic and appeal.
This development could affect how anime productions approach international fan expectations and creative continuity following key personnel transitions. For the gaming and anime community, the controversy highlights tensions between creative evolution and maintaining beloved traditions. Streaming platforms and studios may face pressure to balance cost considerations with audience investment in established artistic identities. The broader question of how franchises navigate change after influential figures depart could influence production decisions across the entertainment industry.