Brief Summary
This video explores the history and cultural impact of Toonami, Cartoon Network's action-animation programming block. It covers Toonami's origins in the mid-90s, its rise to prominence with anime like Dragon Ball Z and Sailor Moon, its various iterations and hosts (Moltar, Tom), its expansion into music and gaming, its initial cancellation in 2008, and its triumphant return via Adult Swim in 2012. The video highlights Toonami's role in introducing anime and other media to Western audiences, shaping tastes, and creating a lasting legacy.
- Toonami's creation and early struggles to introduce anime to Western audiences.
- The block's rise to prominence with shows like Dragon Ball Z and Sailor Moon.
- Toonami's expansion into music, gaming, and total immersion events (TIEs).
- The block's initial cancellation in 2008 and its revival on Adult Swim in 2012.
- Toonami's cultural impact on a generation of viewers.
Introduction to Toonami
The speaker introduces Toonami as an iconic programming block with a legacy spanning generations. Toonami offered a unique blend of Japanese animation, hip-hop-inspired beats, and early CG visuals, creating a memorable experience for viewers. The speaker emphasizes Toonami's role in introducing anime to a wider audience and shares his personal connection to the block.
The Genesis of Toonami
In the mid-90s, Cartoon Network sought to expand its programming and attract a new audience. Executive Mike Lazo, along with Sean Atkins and Jason DeMarco, spearheaded the creation of Toonami, focusing on action-based animation and drawing inspiration from the Japanese animation scene. Overcoming the challenge of introducing unfamiliar Japanese content, Lazo utilized the Space Ghost Coast to Coast property to build the design of Toonami, incorporating Moltar as the first host. Michael Kahill played a crucial role in shaping Toonami's vibe through editing sessions that combined hip-hop music, skateboarding clips, and untranslated anime footage.
The Launch and Early Years
Toonami premiered on March 17, 1997, but initially faced roadblocks in securing the desired programming. While Voltron was available, it was an edited version. Despite creative freedom in design, the block faced uncertainty due to mediocre ratings. The turning point came in 1998 with the addition of Sailor Moon, which had been dropped by USA Network. This success paved the way for acquiring Dragon Ball Z, a show that significantly boosted Toonami's viewership and popularity, making Japanese animation more accessible to Western audiences.
Late 90s Revamp and Midnight Run
In July 1999, Toonami underwent a revamp, replacing Moltar with a robot host named Tom, voiced by Sonny Strait, and setting the show on the spacecraft Absolution. Despite the changes, the mission remained the same. Sean and Jason navigated the success of Toonami while dealing with increased oversight. The introduction of Midnight Run provided an outlet for more uncensored anime content. Toonami also collaborated with artists like Gorillaz and Daft Punk, showcasing their music videos and further establishing itself as a tastemaker.
The 2000s: Expansion and Total Immersion Events
Toonami continued to grow in the 2000s, adding shows like GeForce, Gundam Wing, and Batman. The brand introduced Total Immersion Events (TIEs), starting with "The Intruder" in 2000, which involved interactive storylines, flash games, and viewer participation. This event led to Tom's upgrade to Tom 2, voiced by Steve Blum. In 2001, Toonami expanded to Kids WB, but the branding didn't align well with the content. The regular Cartoon Network block continued to thrive, with events like "Lockdown" in 2001, featuring tie-in games and sweepstakes.
Continued Success and a Shift in Direction
Toonami maintained its popularity in 2002 and 2003, showcasing various anime and action cartoons. The Kids WB version ended in June 2002, returning the extra hour to the Cartoon Network block. TIEs and sweepstakes continued, promoting properties like Super Mario Sunshine. In 2003, Toonami celebrated giant robot anime and released a CD of its iconic music. Tom was upgraded to Tom 3. In 2004, the weekday afternoon block was moved to Saturday nights, targeting an older audience. Sarah received a new look and voice actress.
Later Years and Cancellation
From 2004 to 2008, Toonami continued as a Saturday night block, adding new shows and uncut versions of anime like Dragon Ball Z. In 2007, the 10-year anniversary was celebrated with the introduction of Tom IV and special movie premieres. However, in September 2008, Cartoon Network announced the cancellation of Toonami, citing low ratings. The final broadcast aired on September 20, 2008, with a farewell message from Tom.
The Return of Toonami
After years of absence, Toonami was revived on Adult Swim as an April Fool's joke in 2012. The positive response on social media led to its official return on May 26, 2012. The revived Toonami featured a lineup of classic and new anime, expanding to over six hours. In 2013, Tom 5 premiered with a new look for Sarah. New shows and movies were added, and a new TIE was announced.
Toonami's Evolution and Continued Run
In 2015, Toonami's runtime was reduced, but the block continued with new shows and the "Intruder 2" TIE, leading to a new look for the block and Sarah's transformation. In 2016, another "Intruder" installment was announced, resulting in a new ship and Sarah's new form. The block's length fluctuated, and a new micro-series, "The Sand Whale and Me," was announced. In 2017, Toonami's length increased, adding shows like Dragon Ball Super and a revived Samurai Jack. "The Countdown" TIE further developed the story of Tom and Sarah.
Peak and Present Day
In 2018, Toonami reached its peak, running for seven hours and acquiring licenses for more anime than ever before. Shows like My Hero Academia and Boruto joined the lineup. In 2019, the block was reduced to five hours, but new shows like Demon Slayer were added. "The Forge" TIE introduced Tom 6. Throughout the 2020s, Toonami's runtime varied but remained a consistent four-hour block. TIEs like "Cosmo Samurai" and "The Return" continued to expand the Toonami universe. As of 2023, Toonami continues to thrive, showcasing new and classic anime.
Toonami's Legacy and Conclusion
Toonami has become a central hub for anime, embracing both classic and new series. The block's success is attributed to its programming, vibe, and encompassing of various media forms. Toonami introduced viewers to anime, music, and video games, creating lasting memories. The speaker shares his personal experiences with Toonami and invites viewers to share their own.
