The Steel Ball Run: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure anime has sparked a new controversy after fans reacted strongly to its newly revealed ending theme, “Shinukaikiruka” (“Dead or Alive”) by Yuki Chiba. The song debuted with the second episode on September 25, and viewers have since flooded Netflix’s social media replies with demands for the ending to be changed.
The backlash is not simply about the song itself. Much of the discussion centers on Lukasz Gottwald, better known as Dr. Luke, who is credited as the song’s composer and producer. His involvement has drawn renewed criticism because of his highly publicized legal dispute with singer Kesha.
Why JoJo Fans Expected Something Different
The reaction is also tied to JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’s long-running relationship with memorable Western songs. Previous anime parts famously used tracks such as Yes’ “Roundabout,” The Bangles’ “Walk Like an Egyptian,” Savage Garden’s “I Want You,” and Duffy’s “Distant Dreamer.”
That history led some fans to expect Steel Ball Run to continue the tradition with another recognizable song that suited the series’ 1890 American setting. Instead, the production selected an original track performed by Japanese rapper Yuki Chiba.
The official JoJo portal confirms that “Shinukaikiruka” was released digitally on September 25 alongside the creditless ending sequence.
Netflix has become the most visible target of the criticism because it is the exclusive global streaming platform for the current Steel Ball Run episodes. However, the available production information does not indicate that Netflix selected the ending song.
The anime is produced through the JoJo production structure involving Warner Bros. Japan and the production committee, while Netflix handles worldwide streaming. Warner Bros. Japan’s official announcement confirms that the second and third stages are streaming weekly on Netflix and identifies Chiba’s song as the ending theme.
Whether the backlash results in any change remains uncertain. Replacing an officially released ending would also involve music production and licensing considerations, meaning international fan pressure may not lead to an immediate change.
For now, Steel Ball Run continues its weekly Friday release schedule, with 11 episodes planned for the second and third stages.
