Screen Rant

Joel Balkovec-Anime Features Writer

Joel Balkovec

Anime Features Writer

About Joel Balkovec

From Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Joel Balkovec is an Anime Features Writer for Screen Rant.

He is a professional writer and editor whose creative writing, narrative non-fiction, and reporting have appeared on various local and international websites.

For Screen Rant, he writes primarily about Fantasy and History-themed anime and cult classic animes from the 80s through the 2000s.


Read his articles here, follow him on X at https://twitter.com/thisisjnb and read his creative writing at https://realmgard.com.

Author Details

Joel Balkovec is an Anime Features Writer for Screen Rant. He is a professional writer and editor whose creative writing, narrative non-fiction, and reporting have appeared on various local and international websites.

For Screen Rant, he writes primarily about Fantasy and History-themed anime and cult classic animes from the 80s through the 2000s.

Industry Focus

Fantasy and History-themed anime and vintage cult classic animes from the 80s through the 2000s.

Favorite Media

Mononoke, Dragon Ball, Escaflowne, Captain Harlock, Pokémon, Inuyasha, Sailor Moon, Bubblegum Crisis, Azumanga Daioh, various cult classic animes from the 80s through the 2000s.

Boruto Part 2 Is Already Leaving One Of Its Main Characters Behind 1
Boruto Part 2 Is Already Leaving One Of Its Main Characters Behind

Kawaki became the main villain at the end of Boruto but he seems to have already lost all his relevance in Two Blue Vortex, where he shows no growth.

The cast of Spy x Family 1
Spy x Family's Most Underrated Character Proves What Makes the Series so Fresh

Spy X Family's most underrate side character, Daybreak, is the perfect representation of what makes the ongoing series so special.

The Visions of Escaflowne Key Visual 1
One Classic Anime is the Isekai Mechs Series Fans Didn't Know They Needed

After never being aired in full in the United States, the mecha isekai anime series The Vision of Escaflowne deserves much more attention than it gets

10 Most Surprising Anime That Actually Taught Fans Something 1
10 Most Surprising Anime That Actually Taught Fans Something

Whether it's history, science, or economics, thanks to anime, it's possible to learn some cool things from unexpected anime sources.

10 Best Sci-Fi Anime on Crunchyroll 1
10 Best Sci-Fi Anime on Crunchyroll

From retro classics to currently airing series, Crunchyroll's library of Sci-Fi anime contains some can't-miss series.

Dragon Ball cast in Dragon Ball Super 1
How Old is the Cast of Dragon Ball in Super?

It's hard to track the age of the Dragon Ball cast, so fans may be wondering how exactly old Goku and friends are at the time of Dragon Ball Super.

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Digimon 02 Reboot Movie Gets Official US Release Date

The latest reboot movie in the iconic Digimon franchise will get special screenings in 750 theaters across the United States.

Strongest Anime Swords 1
10 Most Powerful Anime Swords

Legendary swords that stand out above other fictional weapons and have earned their place as the iconic weapons of iconic heroes.

Yamcha proves he's not pathetic in Dragon Ball. 1
Dragon Ball Fans Missed Yamcha's True Important Role In The Story

Despite the jokes about his strength, from the beginning of Dragon Ball Yamcha has always been written to serve a very important narrative role.

Saitama and Fubuki. 1
A One-Punch Man Hero Group Just Gained An Incredibly Powerful Asset

Fubuki tried to recruit Saitama as the newest member of the Blizzard Group, but instead she got another powerful and dangerous asset.

10 Strongest Anime Mechs of All Time 1
10 Most Iconic Mechs in Anime History

Giant robots, brilliant artificial intelligence, and cybernetic super-soldiers: anime's most important mechs, inspiring awe for decades.

Dragon Ball Super Super Hero Gohan Watching 1
How To Watch Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero was a smash hit, and here's everything fans need to know about how to watch Dragon Ball's newest movie.

Manako Saitama and Flashy Flash 1
A Beloved One-Punch Man's Side Character Return Is The Key To A Huge Mystery

One-Punch Man sees the return of one of the series' most beloved side characters, who could help explain the huge mystery that is God.

Every Naruto Movie In Order (And The Best Way To Watch Them) 1
Every Naruto Movie In Order (And The Best Way To Watch Them)

Naruto is one of the anime series with the most movie spin-offs, but all 11 movies can be easily found and watched online.

Sakura and Boruto strength of a hundred karma 1
A Forgotten Boruto Mystery Could Make A Comeback In Two Blue Vortex

A potential plot tease that was forgotten about almost immediately could end up having major implications for Boruto: Two Blue Vortex going forward.

Best Anime Not Set In Japan 1
10 Best Anime Not Set in Japan

Despite the industry's focus on Japan, there are many anime set in the real world outside Japan that are well worth watching.

10 Best Sci-Fi Anime With Female Leads 1
10 Best Sci-Fi Anime With Female Leads

From iconic anime, to underrated cult classics and new favorites, an ever-increasing number of Sci Fi anime feature female protagonists.

Weirdest Slice of Life 1
10 Weirdest Slice of Life Anime

Anime is well known for exploring deliberately fanciful, whimsical, and weird spins to be put on the slice of life genre.

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Zom 100 Anime Goes on Indefinite Hiatus After Mountain of Delays

The anime adaptation of Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead has recently been announced as being put on indefinite hiatus with no return date.

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My Hero Academia Would Have Been A Lot Better If It Stayed True To Its Premise

My Hero Academia could have been even better by staying true to its premise of a powerless Deku working to become a hero without a Quirk

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