Author's Note (Steel Ball Run)

Previous:
Stone Ocean

Steel Ball Run

Next:
JoJolion

In every volume of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, the front folded flap of the dust jacket usually contains a picture of Hirohiko Araki himself, and more than often a quotation. The quotes featured below the picture are always different from each other, and are usually about Araki expressing his opinion on certain subjects. These subjects can be about anything, including information about characters or the story itself. The following quotes and pictures below are from the volumes of Steel Ball Run.

Comments

Chapter	Translation	Original

SBR Chapter 1

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is embarking into a parallel world. Now since it is no longer JoJo, it is called Steel Ball Run.

ジョジョの奇妙な冒険P(パラレルワ)ワールドに突入した。そしてジョジョでなくなったっていう事でSBR(スティール・ボール・ラン)

SBR Chapter 2

My goal for 2004 is to take up golf. I've never played a single round.

2004年の目標はゴルフを始める事。やった事一ぺンもないから。

SBR Chapter 3

I went to Kyoto for the first time in my life and saw Mt Fuji for the first time in my life from the Shinkansen train.

生まれて初めて京都に行き、途中新幹線の車内から、生まれて初めて富士山を見た。

SBR Chapter 4

The best food I ate on my trip to the Southwest was at Burger King.

アメリカ南西部取材旅行で一番おいしかった食べ物は「バーガー・キング」だな。

SBR Chapter 5

SBR Chapter 6

The editorial staff has changed from Mr. Shima the 8th to Ms. Beiko the 9th. Thank you Shima-san.

編集担当が、8代目嶋さんから9代目瓶子さんに変わりました。嶋さん感謝。

SBR Extra Chapter 1

"Aomaru Jump" is a magazine that focuses on artists who draw unusual works.

「青マルジャンプ」は変わった作品を描く作家さん中心の雑誌だそうで楽しみです。

SBR Chapter 7

I've been listening to Norah Jones' new album and the soundtrack to 'The Gunman of the Sunset'.

最近よく聴いてるCDはノラ・ジョーンズの新譜と「続・夕日のガンマン」のサントラ

SBR Chapter 8

For some reason, I feel at home when I look at catalogue books. Recently I've been looking at a book with pictures of the interior of Butik's I.

カタログ本を見てると、なぜか心が落ち着く。近頃見てるのはブティクのI(インテリア)だけの写真が載った本

SBR Chapter 9

Cooking. Spaghetti carbonara. It's so deep. You have to be really quick or the eggs will clump up.

料理。スパゲティーカルボナーラ。奥が深い。スゲッ手早くやらないと卵がかたまっちまうんだよね

SBR Chapter 10

「変人偏屈列伝」が単行本で3月19日(金)発売。10年に1回しか出ない3冊目の短編集。

Chapter	Translation	Original

SBR Chapter 11

SBR is a 31-page serial, but will take a break every 10 weeks. The 2S second stage will resume in June.

SBR(スティール・ボール・ラン)は31P連載です。が、10週位ごとに休むことになりますのでよろしく。2S(セカンドステージ)再開は6月頃。

SBR Chapter 12

This is the year I meet a lot of cartoonists. I've met 11 of them, not for work, but in private.

今年はよく漫画家に会う年だ。仕事ではなく、プライベートで。11人に会った。

SBR Chapter 13

Are Finnish people really Xylitol gum chewers?

フィンランドの人たちって本当にキシリトールガムばっか噛んでる国民なの?

SBR Chapter 14

I know I complain about this every year, but during the rainy season, it's hard to run the bends because the paper gets wet.

毎年のグチだけど梅雨シーズンは原稿用紙が湿るのでべンが走りにくくて困る。

SBR Chapter 15

Suddenly I became allergic to the fruit mango. It's my favourite fruit but I can't eat it anymore.

突然、フルーツのマンゴーのアレルギーになった。大好物なのに食べられなくなった。

SBR Chapter 16

I sent flowers to cartoonist George Asakura on his birthday, and he sent me double the amount in return. It's not good.

漫画家ジョージ朝(あさ)倉(くら)が誕生日だったので花を贈ったら、倍のお返しが来た。やばいよ。

SBR Chapter 17

I got a bottle of very expensive wine, so I took it with me on holiday, but it got damaged.

超高級ワインもらったんで、旅行先で飲もうと持ってったら、痛んでしまった。

SBR Chapter 18

The postman and courier who deliver in my neighbourhood know I'm asleep, so they never bring it in the morning.

近所を配達してる郵便と宅配は寝てるの知ってるので、午前中ぜったい持って来ない。

SBR Chapter 19

I heard that the bookshop was out of stock, but I was too embarrassed to ask, "Do you have a book called The Legend of Guts? I'm too embarrassed to ask.

本屋で品切れらしいんだけど「ガッツ伝説って本ありますか？」って恥ずかしくて聞けない。

SBR Chapter 20

There was a cockroach at work. I used half a bottle of pesticide to get rid of it, but I was scared to death. I'm afraid they'll come back.

仕事場にゴキブリが出た。殺虫剤半分使って始末したんだが、そっからが恐い。復活しそうで。

Chapter	Translation	Original

SBR Chapter 21

I don't really like mecha, except for Thunderbirds, but I collect them all.

メカって、そんな好きじゃあないんだけど「サンダーバード」は別。1〜5号全部集める。

SBR Chapter 22

JC "Steel Ball Run" (3) and (4) will be on sale at the same time on Thursday 4 November.

JC(コミックス)「スティール・ボール・ラン」③と④が11月4日(木)同時発売になるので、よろしく。

SBR Chapter 23

I've been trying to find a good walking route lately, but it's hard to find one that isn't stressful with all the traffic.

最近の課題はよい散歩コースを探すこと、車の通行などストレスのないコースはなかなかない。

Chapter	Translation	Original

SBR Chapter 69

It's been a long time since I've commented and I'm really nervous, UJ, keep up the good work.

コメント、本当久しぶりでマジ緊張します。UJ、これからもよろしく。

SBR Chapter 70

This year I got to meet Mr. Mikiya Mochizuki and Mr. Kishin Shinoyama. I want to grow old like them.

今年に入り望月三起也先生、篠山紀信先生と会えた。あんな風に年をとりたいです。

SBR Chapter 71

I went to Kyoto. When I told the locals that I was a maiko, they told me that I was an imposter.

京都へ行った。「舞妓さんだッ」って言ったら、「あれパチもん（にせ者）や」って地元の人に言われた。

SBR Chapter 72

This spring, I went to see cherry blossoms three times. It's a good season to enjoy all the beauty of the flowers, birds, wind and moon.

今春は、花見を3回しました。「花鳥風月」全部しみじみ楽しめる良い季節ですなあ。

SBR Chapter 73

I wanted to buy something I wouldn't forget, so I purchased an 80,000 yen umbrella. The idea was a little too optimistic. I lost it.

忘れ物しないようにと8万円もする傘買ったが、甘い考えだった。失くした。

SBR Chapter 74

A friend of mine is going to appear in Atsushi Watanabe's "Kenmon no Tanken". I'm sure they made him and his wife play the guitar.

友人が渡辺篤史さんの「建もの探訪」に出演だって。きっと夫婦でギター弾かせられたな。

SBR Chapter 75

I don't really like cats, but I'd like to meet the "Cat Station Chief" in Wakayama. I'd like to meet him.

ネコ、あまり好きじゃあないけど、和歌山の「ネコの駅長」。会いたいです。

SBR Chapter 76

I liked the movie "96 Hours". Thank you for this miraculous masterpiece, stylish and tear-jerking.

映画『96時間』良かったです。スタイリッシュで泣けるという奇跡の傑作、ありがとう。

SBR Chapter 77

In summer, I was afraid of cicadas. I'd go up to them and they'd say, "Are you dead? and when I got close to it, it would come back to life like a zombie with a "Gee! and they come back to life like zombies.

夏、蝉が怖くて。「死んでる？」と近づくと『ギ！』ってゾンビみたいに甦るところ。

SBR Chapter 78

I like to collect CD's with paper jackets, but there are so many that are sold out.

CDの『紙ジャケット』ってのを集めるの趣味にしてるけど、売り切れスゴい多い。

Chapter	Translation	Original

SBR Chapter 79

I'm super happy to have a good pizza place in my neighbourhood. It's also a good meeting place.

近所にうまいピザ屋が出来て、超幸せです。良い打合わせ場所としても。

SBR Chapter 80

The first thing I did in the new year was to watch Mario Kart. It's usually a horror movie...

新年一番最初にした事は『マリオカート』でした。普通はホラー映画だけど…。

SBR Chapter 81

I went shopping and met Ah-chan from Perfume. What are the odds? Was it fate? No?

買い物行ったら「Perfume」のあ～ちゃんに会った。どんな確率？運命の人？（違うか？）

SBR Chapter 82

My favourite political character is Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. He looks happy.

好きな政治家のキャラクターは伊の「ベルルスコーニ」首相。ハッピーそう。

SBR Chapter 83

I went to the new Mitsubishi Ichigo Museum. It's a red brick building from the Meiji era. Amazing!

新しい『三菱一号美術館』に行きました。赤レンガの明治の建物復刻。凄ッ！

SBR Chapter 84

CD, Jeff Beck's new album, very good. Sure and prayerful rock.

CD。「ジェフ・ベック」のニューアルバム、超良いです。確かで祈りのようなロック。

SBR Chapter 85

Lately I've been really into art exhibitions and zombie movies. I want to immerse myself in both of them.

最近本当、「絵画展」と「ゾンビ映画」を観てます。どちらもずっと浸っていたい。

SBR Chapter 86

We've had a series of lucky land mishaps recently. A leak upstairs. Water pouring down on me at work.

最近、ラッキー・ランド災難続き。上の階で漏水。仕事場に水が降って来た。

SBR Chapter 87

We went to Mr. Chiba Tetsuya's house. I thought it was truly a historical building where all those masterpieces were born.

ちばてつや先生宅へ。まさに、あの名作たちが生まれた歴史的建造物だと思いました。

SBR Chapter 88

The 'word' you used the most this summer was 'hot'. How many times a day? Maybe dozens of times.

今年の夏、一番多く使った「ワード」は「暑い」ですね。一日何回？まさか何十回かも。

Chapter	Translation	Original

SBR Chapter 89

We are very happy to be able to carry the mikoshi. I carried it again this autumn.

『お神輿』って元気もらえますね。この秋も担がせていただきました。

SBR Chapter 90

When I got the flu shot, I was told that it wouldn't hurt, but it did. I cried.

インフルエンザの予防接種、「痛くない」と言ってたのに痛かった。泣いた。

SBR Chapter 91

I am addicted to the Twilight series. I want to suck blood, but I can't.

映画『トワイライト』シリーズにハマりました。血吸いたいのに吸えないね。

SBR Chapter 92

Happy New Year! I wish you all the best with JoJo this year.

謹賀新年。今年も『ジョジョ』をよろしくね。

SBR Chapter 93

I've been to New York. It was so cold that I thought I was going to die, and I thought Johnny was great.

NYへ行って来ました。死ぬかって寒さで「ジョニィ」は偉いなと思いました。

SBR Chapter 94

I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the people in Sendai and all other areas affected by the disaster.

地元・仙台をはじめ、全ての被災地の方々に心よりお見舞い申し上げます。

SBR Chapter 95

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for completing "SBR". See you in Part 8 "Jojolion".

『SBR』心より完結大感謝。第８部『ジョジョリオン』でお会い致しましょう。

SBR Volume 1

Quote	Picture
“ In substance, I drew Steel Ball Run as the seventh part of the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure saga. However for the readers who might begin with this volume, I preferred not to insist too much on that filiation. The problem is that to completely bury one's past work in order to create a brand new one is in my opinion, a bad habit for any mangaka. Indeed I think it's important to find a theme which carries on from book to book in the works of an author... ” —Hirohiko Araki

SBR Volume 2

Quote	Picture
“ Since seasons pass and man evolves during his life, I think it's important to build what we call the "theme of a work" by basing oneself on the foundations of their previous works, and that wanting to cut oneself one from that past is a mistake we shouldn't make. Thus, in Steel Ball Run, you will meet characters whose names are similar to some protagonists of the "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure" saga. I'd want you to see them as incarnations from a parallel universe, and not as ancestors. However, the theme of this part stays the same, an eulogy of the human. Let's see together what will happen to these people plunged in that strange race that is life! ” —-Hirohiko Araki

SBR Volume 3

Quote	Picture
“ Lately, I have taken a particular interest in a "ball" too. In fact, what I want to talk about is a 70 to 80 centimeters wide ball full of air an chemical resin used for physical exercice. I've been told that making it bounce while sitting or jumping while holding it in the hands straightens up the spine and pelvis. By instinct, I didn't understand how such faint movements could do that; so, being naturally suspicious, I had to watch professional athletes using it to convince myself of that method's effectiveness, which is also said to firm up internal organs. ” —-Hirohiko Araki

SBR Volume 4

Quote	Picture
“ One thing that amazed me about things related to the 'sphere shape'... I was watching an 'Aikidou' video, and this young man in a 'hakama' grabbed the head of a man who looked like he was 60 (Who was the master.) The master grunted, 'Hun!' and shook his head in the shape of a sphere. The young man flew approximately 2 meters in the air. It makes you think he just jumped on purpose, since he was thrown so easily. But I don't think it was fake, since the video cost over 10,000 yen. I'd like to be thrown once (somewhere soft). ” —Hirohiko Araki

SBR Volume 5

Quote	Picture
“ In late 1980, when I had the opportunity to shake Tezuka Osamu-Sensei's hand, I thought to myself, 'Wow, the hand of a cartoonist is so soft and fluffy!" Also, when I shook the hand of Oyama Masytatsu, sensei of Karate, my reaction was, 'Whoa! So he actually smashes bottles and stuff with these soft hands..." And so I decided that all "Experts" must have soft hands. Nobody has ever told me that I have soft hands, but I'm sure that Gyro's hands are all soft and fluffy. ” —Hirohiko Araki

SBR Volume 6

Quote	Picture
“ Women tend to do it more often, but have you ever been told that you looked like someone else? For my part, people used to tell me I looked like James Spader, the actor who played in Stargate for instance... But lately, I've been told that I looked more like Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa, or to Prince's album 1999. Among other likeness that have been found, there's Jackie Chan, Masakuza Tamura, a dog, a horse, a cloud, a car and Rock the vampire from Osamu Tezuka's work... All of this is puzzling me! ” —-Hirohiko Araki

SBR Volume 7

Quote	Picture
“ I've realized that I've reached my mid- 40's and if I'm to live up to 70 or 80, then I've already passed the half-way point. This is a semi-difficult topic, but I'm starting to wonder if this is okay the way things are going. Am I walking the 'right path'? There is a need for 'satisfaction' and both Gyro and Johnny are seeking 'satisfaction' in this race. This is in fact the theme of this series. (Continued in Vol. 8) ” —Hirohiko Araki

SBR Volume 8

Quote	Picture
“ Sometimes I wonder what 'the right path' is. Sometimes I wonder what would happen if I were to go down the wrong path, in pursuit of things like love, or justice. How are we supposed to distinguish between the '2' paths, the right or the wrong? Will anyone ever tell us? If we were to hurt the one we loved because we loved them, what are we supposed to do? Gyro and Johnny, and everyone else involved in this race, is the option available to them under these cirumstances to 'pray'? ” —Hirohiko Araki

SBR Volume 9

Quote	Picture
“ Movies that I've seen recently and thought were fantastic were works by Micheal Mann (like 'The Insider' and 'Collateral'), the Jason Bourne series, and besides those, the TV series '24'. The main characters in these works all have a sense of professionalism, and they act without hesitation: it's as if their determination transcends normal notions of 'good and evil'. I can sense a deeper sense of humanity through these characters. When I place myself in these characters' shoes, I can feel myself tearing up, and though all of these works are suppose to be 'cool', I always feel a burning sensation in my gut. And the Number 1, in that respect, is 'Heat'. ” —Hirohiko Araki

SBR Volume 10

Quote	Picture
“ It's something that was given to me, but I have a swimsuit calender hanging on the wall of my workplace. In short, I have 12 pictures of girls in bathing suits in my office. Nothing naughty. But anyways, every time the month changes, I have to flip the page to the next girl, and somehow, that makes me feel incredibly melancholy. 'Goody bye, September girl. I guess we'll never meet again.' That's how it makes me feel. And then I flip, and think, 'Wow, October's not bad either!", and that makes me think of how I'm already betraying the September girl... So, what I'm trying to say here is, that a year goes by really quickly. ” —Hirohiko Araki

SBR Volume 11

Quote	Picture
“ Recently, I've been thinking a lot about 'numbers'. For example, 'money'. Though everyone thinks that it's better to have a lot than a little, it seems like once someone gets too much of it, they become burdened with it. This also applies to that wonderful, beneficial invention of cars- too many of them, and they become an inconvenience. Bad for the atmosphere, too. And us humans? I believe that each individual life is important of course, but if one day there existed a country with more than ten billion people... That's a scary thought. ” —Hirohiko Araki

SBR Volume 12

Quote	Picture
“ There are things called 'angry seasons' for me. It's a time when I strangely start to get aggravated by the world's rules and regulations; but even more bizarrely, when that phase goes away, I start to think that those same things that I was irritated by are now great! Most recently, two horror movies called 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning' and 'The Texas Chain Killer: Beginning' came out, and mistakenly I bought the wrong DVD. Hey! (Note: 'The Texas Chain Killer: Beginning' is called 'Hoboken Hollow' in America) But when my 'angry season' passes, I'll probably think that it was good that I bought two interesting-looking horror movies. ” —Hirohiko Araki

SBR Volume 13

Picture

SBR Volume 14

Quote	Picture
“ I often see the phrase 'horse and man as one' in racing magazines or in historical novels, and it supposedly means that the rider can synchronize his or her movements with their horse, so that they're almost one entity. When I draw Gyro and the others on their horses, I feel like I really understand what that phrase means, though I don't ride horses myself. I can't tell you specifically which ones they are, but when I sometimes get a racing panel to look just right, it feels good, because the figures seem to fit well with one another. It just leads me to believe that humans and horses are biologically suited for one another. ” —Hirohiko Araki

SBR Volume 15

Quote	Picture
“ So I've recently found out that some people are intimidated by me-- people I've met for the first time during interviews always say 'man, I was so nervous the whole time!' That worries me. Apparently, people perceive me as similar to a character that I made in the past, 'Rohan Kishibe', and that's why they get so nervous. I'm not the same as him, though. I'm the type of person that, when eraser bits or a drop of ink gets into my tea during work, will drink it anyways. I really want people to say 'man, I always relax in front of Araki', instead. I guess I need to work on myself more. ” —Hirohiko Araki

SBR Volume 16

Quote	Picture
“ I love horror movies more than eating a good three meals a day. The cheaper they are, the more B-rated they are, the more I love them. I watch these movies with the utmost respect for them, and their cinematic vision somehow gives me a sense of ease. However, There are some elements of horror movies that I can never agree with: Number 1: Whenever one of the characters try to call someone on their cell phones, they either have no service, or they've run out of batteries. Number 2: Even though the character only has a limited number of bullets, they get trigger-happy during the worst times and then they run out of bullets later. Number 3: When the camera slowly zooms in on a main character's back, but when he or she turns around to look behind him or her, no one is there. What's the point of using that camera technique if no one is there?! I can't forgive this. I always want to tell them to go and redo the damn scene. ” —Hirohiko Araki

SBR Volume 17

Quote	Picture
“ Do you know the song "In the Desert Under the Moon"? When I was a kid, one friend used to listen to me sing it and always had a tear in his eyes. At the time, his sensibility stupefied me but I realize that I am highly sensitive too. I'm sensible not to a song but a certain type of background: a curved and sloping street with a wire fence on the side, like what can be found near schools. Well, this straight up kills me. Whenever I come into such a street, be it in Japan or elsewhere, a wave of nostalgia takes me and a tear appears in my eye...I don't even know why. Anyway, I'm always bawling when I take a photo of these streets. ” —Hirohiko Araki

SBR Volume 18

Quote	Picture
“ While writing 'Steel Ball Run', I recently noticed a common feature among the characters that appear in it, and that is that they have the desire to go home. That is, they're looking for places to go home to and meanings for their going home. The latter at least is for Gyro whom has a hometown to go back to. So far, the only one among all the characters whom was able to find that was 'Mountain Tim'. Even as the author writing 'SBR', as I write, it sometimes feels really harsh and it makes me really want to leave this race and "go home". But I can't go home yet. Not until I can find the meanings for the characters to go home. ” —Hirohiko Araki

SBR Volume 19

Quote	Picture
“ Heads up to all the young people out there. Stop climbing trees as soon as you read this. However, ignoring my friendly wisdom is even more dangerous. Policemen are already looking for you. Especially throughout the Tokyo city center. I know, I know, climbing trees is just too damn cool to give up. But, consider the following: The moment you relinquish your tree-climbing desires is the moment you avoid falling on your ass and looking like a complete buffoon stuck in the hospital. Dislocating your pelvis, scraping your knees, or kicking the bucket can be just the beginning. Furthermore, your mental health comes in question the second your foot encounters bark. Now, a special message to any of you crazies reading this advice while hanging out on a tree branch, 'RETURN TO EARTH!' I understand you wish to defy gravity and the natural order of the entire planet, but climbing trees is the wrong way to do it. Hopefully, this message inspires every one of you to come to your senses and discover new found respect for your own well-being. ” —Hirohiko Araki

SBR Volume 20

Quote	Picture
“ I'm afraid of 'false eyelashes' falling in my house...... Great long ones fall off in hallways and in the bathroom. When there's bad lighting they really freak me out. I imagine they might be moving, it's a real 'horror'. (I can't say who specifically, but) I picked some up and threw them in the garbage and this person said "Why're you throwing those away? I'm still using them!" Then they picked the things up and put them on a shelf. I was really indignant, but also I was even more afraid. ” —Hirohiko Araki

SBR Volume 21

Quote	Picture
“ This is an actual conversation I had.- 'Eh? Don't you know 'Wakeru-kun?'... 'No. I'm afraid I don't.' 'Really? It's Wakeru-kun. Wakeru-kun!' 'Really, who is he?' 'Do you really not know him? Wakeru-kun, he parts his hair. He's incredibly popular. Sensei, you're from Sendai, aren't you?' 'Eh. yes. I am from Sendai, but...Is he like Shiga's 'Hikonyan' or Nara's 'Sento-kun', like a city's mascot character?' 'He's been a big sensation ever since I took his post. Sensei, I can't believe you don't know him in spite of being a pro mangaka and all, WAHAHAHA!' "How would I know..?' (The end. Was that good?) ” —Hirohiko Araki

SBR Volume 22

Quote	Picture
“ The work known as drawing 'pictures' is 'infinite'. You can keep drawing on one sheet forever wondering where the best place is to end. And 'story'. For example, you can have the setup of a 'lover' falling to the bottom of a deep hole, but there's a situation where if a 'friend you don't like' can take the lover's place if you push them in, saving that 'lover's' life. Then what would you do in that situation? Would you push in the guy you hate? I have a feeling that's not the 'right action', if you think about it, the answers can 'infinitely' disappear. By the way, with 'drawings' they're completed when your own 'heart' wants them to end. That's my personal opinion. ” —Hirohiko Araki

SBR Volume 23

Quote	Picture
“ Recently, something that has been on my mind is people that put on 'performances'. These people's biggest goal is to 'be the center of attention', so I honestly can't tell what is they're actually trying to do. Those people are abundantly talented so they try to extend into many different fields and never try to quietly master one single thing. Is it art, or is it politics? Is it a rescue operation or is it business? I feel like they're a particularly extraordinary and uncanny part of society. I can really think of no way to unite these clashing goals. ” —Hirohiko Araki

SBR Volume 24

Quote	Picture
“ With this, Volume 24, the Steel Ball Run race is completed. Everyone, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you for being such loving readers. Just what was the 'holy corpse' that appeared here? I never explained it thoroughly right up to the end, but I wrote it as a symbol of 'purity'. I think that the sensation of 'purity' is an extremely important sense. Like how concepts such as the dis-function between good and evil, virtue and what should be respected, can be understood instinctively. You can be sure that the one who obtains the 'corpse' would also attain 'happiness'. ” —Hirohiko Araki