JoJo’s Bizarre Adventures: Steel Ball Run Episode 6 Ending Explained

Building on the intrigue of Gyro Zeppeli’s mysterious past since the very beginning, the sixth episode of the ongoing course of “Steel Ball Run” finally sheds light to his background, letting viewers know his motives to join the cross-continent race. Previously, Johnny, Gyro and Mountain Tim faced yet another new threat in the form of the terrorist, Oyecomova, a bombmaker with explosive Stand who belongs from Gyro’s home country, Naples, and had a vendetta against Zepelli family. A clash with Oye allowed Johnny to learn bits about Gyro’s past life, and eventually the duo managed to take down Oye by default using their skillset.

Spoilers Ahead 

Johnny and Gyro have almost reached the midpoint of the second stage of the race, and they finally come across the zombie horse map to which the King of Naples had sent for Gyro. Having sustained severe injuries during his battles with Boombooms and Oye, Gyro is in need of recovery, and the horse’s healing abilities will play an instrumental role in that. Strangely enough, the zombie horse turns out to be a horse drawn on a mountainside with medicated threads, which Gyro uses to stitch his wounds. Gyro reveals his father is also a renowned medic in his homeland, and there seems to be estrangement in the relationship between the father-son duo. 

The narrative focus shifts to 15 years earlier, in 1875 at Naples, when a nine years old Gyro greets royal messenger at the doorstep of Zeppeli mansion. The messenger has arrived to fetch Gyro’s father, Gregorio Zeppeli, an esteemed doctor who is known to rich and poor alike with utmost care, for royal duties in the castle. Before leaving, Gregorio shares his own principle with his eldest son, Gyro, mentioning that a man needs a map to navigate the wilderness in his heart. On one occasion, Gregorio decides to let Gyro know about the mysterious Spin technique, the rotational movement which he believes to be the fount of all creation, which has been passed down through generations in the Zeppeli family. How they acquired the skill, or whether it’s an extension of their Stand, remains unknown. As a young Gyro leaves Gregorio’s study, failing to snatch the steel ball off of his father’s grip, he gets fascinated to see Gregorio has taught him the first lesson of Spin. 

Four years later, a thirteen years old Gyro is asked by Gregorio to accompany him to his royal duties. Gyro is surprised to see their stagecoach is not moving towards the castle, and upon being asked about it, Gregorio strangely emphasizes his responsibilities towards his family. Gyro is shocked out of his wits when he realizes that aside from being a doctor, his father is also the magistrate/ executioner of Naples, the royal duty Zeppeli family has been carrying for 380 years. Much to his bewilderment, Gyro sees the Spin technique is used to pacify death row inmates before their execution, to deliver a swift, painless death. Gyro knew his father as a lifesaver, and his new identity as someone who takes life and takes pride for it as family legacy, shakes him to the core. Still, he strengthens his nerves to do what must be done, as Gregory’s role will be passed down to him when he becomes 25 years old. Months before the present timeline, as Gyro is about to reach the age when he is going to replace his old man as magistrate/ executioner, he is revealed to have mastered the Spin technique to perfection. 

As Gyro prepares himself to take over the mantle of his father, a troubling situation tests his mettle and morals. Marco, a young kid who used to shine shoes at a baron’s mansion, is sentenced to death by the court. His only sin was to serve the baron who travelled against the king, and according to the royal law, which is considered ordained by the divine, he is accused of treason and hence,  is charged with capital punishment. Gyro feels terrible upon realizing that like him, the boy too was simply carrying his family legacy through his honesty and hard work. Troubled, Gyro decides to challenge the court’s verdict, which displeases Gregorio, as he believes Zeppelis shouldn’t concern themselves with the ethical nature of judgment. As Gyro shares his moral dilemma with his old man, Gregorio reveals how he has deliberately avoided emotional entanglements through the years, so it doesn’t meddle with his responsibilities as an executioner. He advises Gyro to do the same and cut off sentimentality from his system. 

No matter how much Gyro tries to compose himself by believing it is his destiny to accept such reality, he can’t accept the injustice that is going to happen with Marco. Going beyond familial expectations, responsibilities, and royal duties, Gyro challenges the system which punishes the weak and helpless. When the royal messenger learns of Gyro’s dilemma, he realizes how driven he is to save the poor boy’s life. The royal messenger reveals the king will pardon Marco, if Gyro is able to bring glory to his country, Naples, by winning the esteemed Steel Ball Run in America. Gyro realizes he has found the map to one’s heart, the true purpose his father, Gregorio, used to mention about – his destiny is to save a child from the oppressive laws which seek to suppress the weak. While most participants are chasing fame, wealth, power, for Gyro, the sole motivation to win the race is to save an innocent boy’s life. Truly, this episode establishes the emotional core of the series, and lets viewers learn a bit more about the character Gyro Zeppeli really is. 

As the narrative shifts to the present timeline, Johnny and Gyro are seen being chased by yet another Stand user killer participant, a German, named Fritz vin Stroheim, who can pop out a gun out of his hands and shoot. Gyro gets shot several times but using his Spin, he somehow manages to negate the effects of the bullets. Both Gyro and Johnny fall to the ground, and holding Johnny at his gunpoint, Stroheim tries to force Gyro to drop his steel balls. He knows about Gyro’s Spin abilities, however, Gyro manages to overpower him by blitzing him with the speed and Spin of his weapons. As the dust settles, Gyro prepares to go through the last lap, Johnny can’t help but ask what might be the reason for Gyro to be hounded by so many crazed killers? He believes there is a personal vendetta of some sorts which is attracting all the murderous Stand users, although Gyro scoffs at his opinion and rudely dismisses Johnny, asking him to leave if he can’t stomach all the hurdles that Gyro is going to face on his way forward. 

Before Johnny can climb back on his horse, he notices a strange gash wound on his left hand, which suddenly spreads across and a hideous, ghastly hand appears from underneath. Johnny freaks out as the ghastly hand launches a strange beam, and the sixth episode concludes on an eerie note. Perhaps Johnny’s Stand powers are showing its full potential, or perhaps there is more to this strange occurrence than meets the eye. In any case, the upcoming episodes are going to get more exciting as the second stage of Steel Ball Run begins its final lap.