Jojo's Bizarre Adventure connects Frieren to MyAnimeList's new #1 anime

A new anime series debuted on Netflix last week, and it's none other than this Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run. Steel Ball Run a long-awaited manga has finally been brought to life, and fans are loving it. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 7 has become a worldwide sensation, and just 1 episode out, it's rising to the top on MyAnimeList with its ratings. In the process, it also came to Frieren and successfully managed to even out its score, while still having the potential to surpass it in the future and become the best-rated anime of all time.

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Analysis of the rise to unprecedented popularity of part 7

Jojo's Bizarre Adventure Part 7 Popularity

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is an iconic series that began in 1987 illustrated by Araki. Jojo was always popular as a manga, it would finally get a proper anime adaptation in 2012 by David Studios. Since then, every two years, fans have been adapting a new JoJo part. In 2026, the fan favorite, Steel Ball Run got its anime adaptation on Netflix, and needless to say, fans are loving it. The first episode of Jojo Part 7 was released last week, and it has received high ratings across all platforms. Viewers are already enthralled with what was delivered in the first episode of the animation. The characters all seem interesting and the concept of horse racing around the United States is one that fans will want to continue. With such an exciting concept and decent adaptation, it's no surprise to know that Jojo Part 7 has become incredibly popular around the world.

Although many fans expected JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 7 to be extremely popular, many did not expect it to become the highest rated anime series on MyAnimeList. That being said, until it was massively downvoted, Jojo's Bizarre Adventure Part 7 actually beat out both Frieren Season 1 and Frieren Season 2 to be the new highest rated anime on MAL.

Because Hirohiko Araki's masterpiece rivals Freerain

JoJo Part 7 Steelball Run Rivals Friaren Mall Ratings

After a downvoting war on the platform, JoJo Part 7 and Freren Season 1 are now neck and neck with a score of 9.26 out of 10. Meanwhile, Friaren season two has been left in the dust and after heavy downvoting, it may leave the top ten on the platform. Previously, this anime season topped as the highest-rated anime for a while.

Araki's masterpiece, Steel Ball Run, is beating Frieren without access to the same level of production as before. Part 7 is completely driven by its amazing story. While the adaptation itself isn't bad, it doesn't compare to the treatment Freire received from Madhouse Studios. Frieren is a series that has a light story but benefits greatly from top-notch direction and animation. The main reason why Jojo is loved as much as it is, boils down to the fact that the story is so fun and exciting. It is also an iconic series that is loved by fans all over the world.

How Steel Ball Run elevates JJBA to the pinnacle of the anime industry

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure has a long history of success among anime fandoms. While many fans loved Jojo Part 1, it was nothing out of the ordinary. Although Part 2 was popular, it wasn't until Part 3, Stardust Crusaders, that the series really took off. With that, the series began to set itself apart from the rest, especially with the introduction of stands. Over the years, Jojo became more and more popular with each episode, reaching its height with episode five, Golden Wind.

Overall, while all the previous seasons were incredible, it's clear that JoJo Part 7 is elevating the series to a whole new level. Most fans agree that the Steel Ball run is the best-written part in the entire manga. Unlike its predecessors, Part 7 kickstarts a whole new timeline. Set in its own universe, its potential was always going to be huge, and Araki delivered.

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A long-term battle for MAL's No. 1 spot is underway

MAL Number One Location JoJo Bizarre Adventure Frieren

Frieren became the highest rated anime of all time in 2023 on MAL. With this new record set by the series, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood has been toppled from its top spot after more than a decade of reigning on the platform. It was key, and since then, the battle for the number one spot on the platform has only intensified, especially now with the debut of Jojo Part 7.

In the next couple of weeks, the battle for the number one spot is definitely going to get more intense especially with the new episodes of Steel Ball Run dropping. Frieren won't be able to change Season 1's ratings much, while Steel Ball Run has plenty of opportunities to rise above. This could be the end of Frieren's reign and the beginning of Jojo's era, and fans can't wait to see how it all unfolds.