WATCH/LISTEN: J Balvin Lends His Voice to Solo Leveling and Tells Us Which Character He’d Share a Meal With

This week on The Anime Effect: We hear from J Balvin about how his love of anime began and how it has impacted his music. Plus, LeAlec and Alex chat with GWAR about adopting Pochita, how they relate to the characters of Dragon Ball Z and more!

In our audio-exclusive episode we fill you in on the latest in the anime world including the Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2 release update, the upcoming MLB x Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba collab, and more!

Episode 55 of The Anime Effect is now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere else you listen to your podcasts! If you’re waiting to watch the video episode, it’ll be live on Crunchyroll and YouTube at 7 p.m. ET.

Listen or Watch on:

APPLE PODCASTS

SPOTIFY

CRUNCHYROLL

YOUTUBE

⬆️

Episode 55 Summary

In this week’s news episode, LeAlec, Leah and Nick discuss Monster Hunter Wilds breaking records, the new My Hero Academia: Vigilantes trailer being released, among other updates.

Plus, we talk to J Balvin about his gateway anime and his plans for more anime tattoos, while GWAR shared their thoughts on adding a Gundam to the band and their favorite retro anime. All that and more onThe Anime Effect!

Topics Discussed in Episode 55

• J Balvin

• Knights of the Zodiac: Saint Seiya

• Captain Tsubasa

• Dragon Ball Z

• Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

• Colores

• Solo Leveling

• GWAR

• Devilman

• Golgo 13

• Samurai Champloo

• Chainsaw Man

• Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind

• Akira

• Pokémon

• Captain Harlock

• One-Punch Man

• Gundam

• Predator

Topics Discussed in Audio-Exclusive Episode

• Mario Day

• Attack on Titan

• Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End

• My Hero Academia: Vigilantes

• Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

• Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle

• D-BOX

• It’s Tough to be a Bug!

• Major League Baseballl

• Monster Hunter Wilds

• Little Shark’s Day Out

• BOCCHI THE ROCK!

• Hamtaro

• Bananya

• Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider

• Inu-Oh

• Promare

• Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress

• Angel Beats

• Don’t Hurt Me, My Healer!

• Magic Maker: How to Make Magic in Another World

• Fuse: Memoirs of the Hunter Girl

• Diebuster

• FUUTO PI

News Featured in Episode 55 – Audio Only

• Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2 Anime Reveals New Visual, January 2026 Release

• My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Anime Releases New Main Trailer, Will Stream on Crunchyroll

• Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle First Movie International Release Dates Announced

• MLB x Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Collaboration Revealed with New ufotable Short

• Monster Hunter Wilds Sells 8 Million in 3 Days, Breaking Capcom Record

• Little Shark’s Day Out Anime Movie Reveals 2nd Key Visual, New Characters

• Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider Anime Adaptation Announced

Hosts & Special Guests in This Week’s Episode

• J Balvin, Global Music Superstar

• GWAR, American heavy metal band

• LeAlec Murray, Host

• Nicholas Friedman, Host

• Leah President, Host

• Alex Lebl, Co-host

Stay updated on The Anime Effect

• Listen on Apple Podcasts

• Listen on Spotify

• Watch on Crunchyroll

• Watch on YouTube