Joshua L. Balboa is a central character from the anime Plastic Little, serving as the navigator aboard the starship Cha-Cha Maru. He has a background as a former member of the military forces of the planet Yietta, an experience that heavily influences his demeanor and actions throughout the story. Described as a pragmatic yet fun-loving individual, Balboa often finds himself second-guessing the decisions made by those around him, a habit that stems directly from his military training. This tendency toward caution and strategic thinking occasionally puts him at odds with his colleagues, most notably leading to an argument with his fellow crew member Mikhail. Despite these occasional conflicts, Balboa is a deeply reliable and loyal ally. In moments of extreme crisis, his true character shines through, and he can always be counted on to support the ship's captain, Tita. When Tita sustains a grave injury during a confrontation with a rogue military faction led by the tyrant Guizel, Balboa takes decisive action to rescue both his captain and another key character, Elysse.

Balboa’s primary role on the Cha-Cha Maru is that of a navigator, and he is exceptionally skilled at this task. However, his most notable ability is his tactical genius, a direct product of his years of military service. He possesses a sharp and inventive mind that can assess complex combat situations and devise effective strategies using whatever resources are available. This talent is demonstrated when he repurposes standard hunting equipment, originally designed to snare cloud whales and jellysnakes, into effective weaponry. Using these improvised tools, he is able to attack and defend the Cha-Cha Maru against sophisticated threats such as torpedoes and underwater lasers, allowing Tita to mount a successful counter-offensive against Guizel when the villain deploys a devastating Gravity Defusion Array against the colony of Yietta. His physical appearance is characterized by gray hair worn at ear length and yellow eyes.

The character's personal history is complex and marked by a profound secret. His true identity is Andy Farlong, a former soldier belonging to the elite Triple Omega class. In the past, he was forced to kill his friend, Jeff Greis, at Jeff's own request to end his suffering. Following this traumatic event, Andy Farlong assumed the identity of Joshua L. Balboa to escape his past. This hidden background resurfaces when a mysterious client who knows his real name confronts him, forcing Balboa to face his history while protecting his new family aboard the Cha-Cha Maru. This past reveals a man driven by a need for redemption and a desire to protect his current comrades from the shadows of his former life.