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Toonami
Logo used since July 26, 2025
Network
Launched
  • March 17, 1997; 28 years ago (1997-03-17) (Cartoon Network)
  • July 30, 2001; 24 years ago (2001-07-30) (Kids' WB)
  • May 26, 2012; 13 years ago (2012-05-26) (Adult Swim)
Closed
  • June 28, 2002; 23 years ago (2002-06-28) (Kids' WB)
  • September 20, 2008; 17 years ago (2008-09-20) (Cartoon Network)
Country of originUnited States
OwnerThe Cartoon Network, Inc.
(Warner Bros. Discovery)
HeadquartersAtlanta, Georgia
FormatAnime and action animation
Running time
  • 3.5 hours
Voices of
Official websitewww.adultswim.com/videos/toonami/

Toonami (/tuːˈnɑːmi/ too-NAH-mee) is an American late-night television programming block that broadcasts Japanese anime and American action animation. It was created by Sean Akins and Jason DeMarco and currently produced by Williams Street, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Television Studios. The block is owned by The Cartoon Network, Inc., a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery. The name is a portmanteau of the words "cartoon" and "tsunami".[1] The block currently airs every Saturday night from 12:00 to 3:30 a.m. ET/PT.[a]

Toonami initially premiered as a weekday afternoon block on Cartoon Network in 1997. It ran in this format until 2004, when it transitioned to a Saturday evening schedule. The block aired until its initial closure in 2008. During its original run (1997–2008), Toonami primarily targeted older children and adolescents aged 7–18. It became known for showcasing action-oriented programming, particularly Japanese anime, which gained widespread popularity with American audiences. The block was distinguished by its space-themed aesthetic, anime music videos, drum-and-bass-influenced soundtrack, and its robot host, T.O.M. (short for Toonami Operations Module).

On May 26, 2012, Toonami was relaunched as a late night block on Adult Swim. This iteration rebranded Adult Swim's Saturday night action block (originally inherited from Toonami's Midnight Run block), which primarily features anime deemed too mature for daytime programming.

On May 31, 2024, a new Friday afternoon block called Toonami Rewind debuted. It aired from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET/PT and showcased classic anime series. Toonami Rewind complemented Checkered Past, a Monday–Thursday block featuring older Cartoon Network series. However, on December 19, 2024, it was announced that Toonami Rewind would shut down on December 27, 2024.

Broadcast history

[edit]

Cartoon Network (1997–2008)

[edit]

1997–99: Moltar era

[edit]

Toonami was Cartoon Network's primary action-animation block. The block premiered on March 17, 1997, with ThunderCats, Cartoon Roulette, Voltron, another episode of Roulette, and The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest respectively as its first programs.[2] It first took the place of Power Zone, the Super Adventures block's most recent iteration on Cartoon Network, which had been a mainstay of the network since its introduction on October 1, 1992.[3] Toonami was originally a spin off of Space Ghost Coast to Coast (since first host Moltar was a character on Coast to Coast) and aired weekday afternoons. The block was originally hosted by Space Ghost villain-turned-producer Moltar (voiced by C. Martin Croker) at the Ghost Planet Industries building from March 17, 1997, to July 9, 1999.[4]

1999–2000: T.O.M. 1 era

[edit]

On July 12, 1999, Cartoon Network retired previous host Moltar and relaunched Toonami with a new environment, the Ghost Planet Spaceship Absolution, and a new host, a robot named T.O.M. (voiced by Sonny Strait), which introduced viewers to him with this speech:

So it's a brand new Toonami, but the mission objectives remain the same. My name is TOM. I'm the new Moltar. Welcome aboard the Ghost Planet Spaceship Absolution, Cartoon Network's first and only interstellar broadcast and exploration vehicle. I'll give you the tour later. From this day forward she is completely responsible for all Toonami transmissions. I'm taking you guys into the new millennium! No big changes now, same show, same attitude; new place to do it, new guy to do it with. I'm not going to waste any more time, let's get back into it. Later.[5]

Soon afterwards, the first program of the T.O.M. era, the Sailor Moon episode "The Cosmetics Caper", premiered. It introduced The Powerpuff Girls on Toonami, becoming the first Cartoon Network original series on the block. Also introduced that day was the Midnight Run, a late night block. It was originally a five-hour Saturday night block (technically Sunday) at midnight EST until March 2000, when it moved to weeknights in an hour-long format until January 2003.[6][7] It consisted of anime such as Dragon Ball Z, Sailor Moon, Voltron, Robotech, Mobile Suit Gundam Wing, The Big O, and Outlaw Star. Midnight Run tended to have more blood and violence than its daytime counterpart, even running an uncut version of Gundam Wing between March and November 2000.[8][9] One special edition that started on Friday, August 31, 2001, featured music videos such as "Clint Eastwood" by Gorillaz, and songs by Daft Punk from their 2001 album Discovery, the music videos of which constitute the 2003 Japanese-French musical Interstella 5555, and Kenna's "Hellbent".[10] Another event was Dragon Ball Z taking over the Midnight Run for a week starting on March 26–30, 2001.

A Saturday morning incarnation, Toonami Rising Sun, ran from 2000 to 2001 at 9:00 am to noon. It later ran from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, then 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. This block was somewhat hampered to avoid competing with sister network Kids' WB.

Starting in September 2000, Toonami presented special interactive events known as Total Immersion Events (TIEs). These TIEs took place both on-air during Toonami and online at the official site, Toonami.com, and always occurred the week that the block's most popular series, Dragon Ball Z,[11] returned for a new season. The first TIE was The Intruder, which introduced T.O.M.'s companion, an AI matrix known as Sara (voiced by Sally Timms, singer for the British band The Mekons) The Intruder was an eight episode mini-series that aired during Toonami from September 18 to September 22, 2000—November 6, 2000 to November 24, 2000. It involved the Absolution being attacked by an alien blob known only as "the Intruder", which ultimately devoured T.O.M.

2000–03: T.O.M. 2 era

[edit]
Toonami logo used from February 21, 2000, to March 14, 2003; temporarily revived on March 18, 2017, until April 15, 2017, for its 20th anniversary

Though The Intruder resulted in the destruction of T.O.M., he was soon after upgraded by S.A.R.A. from a short Bomberman-esque character to a taller, sleeker, deeper-voiced incarnation dubbed T.O.M. 2 (voiced by Steve Blum, who has since been the voice of all subsequent incarnations of the character).[12]

On May 15, 2001, Cartoon Network released Toonami: Deep Space Bass, the official soundtrack album to the TV block.

From July 30, 2001, until June 28, 2002, Kids' WB (also owned by Time Warner) aired a Toonami block that was, more or less, the Kids' WB lineup with the Toonami name.[13] Although Toonami on Kids' WB brought over shows such as Sailor Moon, Dragon Ball Z, and The Powerpuff Girls to broadcast television, it was critically panned by industry observers, who noticed that the action branding of the block - which had added shows such as Generation O!, Scooby-Doo, and The Nightmare Room, a live-action series created by Goosebumps author R. L. Stine - did not translate content-wise.[14] And while the cross promotion between Cartoon Network and Kids' WB did allow for series to be shared between the networks, most of these only lasted a short period of time. This included Dragon Ball Z and Sailor Moon appearing on Toonami on Kids' WB for only two weeks, and Cardcaptors appearing on the main Toonami block on Cartoon Network for only two weeks. In spring 2002, Kids' WB announced that they would drop the Toonami name from their weekday lineup, once again making the Toonami brand exclusive to Cartoon Network.[14]

The TIE, Lockdown, aired between September 17–21, 2001, and included the introduction of CartoonNetwork.com's first MMORPG, called "Toonami Lockdown", as well as a record-breaking amount of page views and ratings for the network.[15] In Lockdown T.O.M. fights to save the Absolution from an attack by a giant trash compactor.[16] Trapped in Hyperspace, the next TIE, ran the week of September 16–20, 2002. Sara gets taken offline by a computer virus named Swayzak, and TOM is trapped in hyperspace. He manages to defeat Swayzak before the Absolution hits Earth.[17] The game tie-in for this event is lost.

During the week of February 24–28, 2003, Cartoon Network aired on Toonami "Giant Robot Week," a five-day special based on mecha series, which were licensed by A.D. Vision. The series shown were Neon Genesis Evangelion, Gigantor, Robotech, Martian Successor Nadesico, and Dai-Guard.[18]

2003–07: T.O.M. 3 era

[edit]

In March 2003, TOM was revamped into a more muscular figure. This was explained in-universe as him being rebuilt after fighting a space pirate named Orcelot Rex in the comic Endgame. His voice also became more humanlike.

In September 2003, a mini series premiered introducing a new, 2D universe. Immortal Grand Prix (IGPX), created by Toonami producers Sean Akins and Jason DeMarco, and produced by anime studio Production I.G, aired in five short installments, serving as a pilot for the second Toonami original series, which premiered in November 2005.[19]

On April 17, 2004, Toonami was moved from weekday afternoons to a Saturday evening slot, where it aired regularly for four hours starting at 7:00 pm EST.[20] A new lighter-toned action block, Miguzi, premiered two weekdays in its place.[20] Toonami also replaced the block known as Saturday Video Entertainment System (SVES). The reason behind the changes were that the network thought Toonami's audience had gotten older than what was desired for weekday afternoon programming.[21][22][23][24] The new Toonami lineup showcased anime such as Naruto, Rave Master, Duel Masters, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, One Piece, Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo, Zatch Bell!, and Pokémon Chronicles, as well as premiered North American productions including Teen Titans, Megas XLR, The Batman, Justice League Unlimited, and IGPX, Toonami's first and only original production co-produced by Production I.G and Bandai Entertainment. Sara got a full body during this period, and became more anime-esque, along with her voice actress being changed to British actress and Red Dwarf star Samantha Robson.

In 2006, the block decided to celebrate their anniversary and Hayao Miyazaki's 65th birthday by having a four-week celebration called "A Month of Miyazaki" in which they aired a Studio Ghibli film each week. The parent company of Cartoon Network had already done so earlier in the year on a sister channel, Turner Classic Movies and wanted to repeat it again.[25] The promotion also included original CG animation created for the block.

Although Megas XLR was the first original American-made franchise to actually debut on the block, it was initially a Cartoon Network original that was planned to air on Friday nights. Other Cartoon Network action properties, namely Samurai Jack, Teen Titans, and Justice League, aired on Toonami, but were not exclusive to the block until their final seasons.

2007–08: T.O.M. 4 era and cancellation

[edit]
Toonami logo used from March 17, 2007, to September 20, 2008, its initial shutdown

On January 27, 2007, a teaser commercial aired during the Xiaolin Showdown marathon on Cartoon Network, featuring closeup shots of larger Clydes (the remote robot explorers that have been a fixture of Toonami since the beginning) and two new robot A.I's along with the date "3/17/07" and T.O.M.'s chest emblem glowing blue. On March 17, Toonami celebrated its 10th anniversary with a new packaging and numerous montages celebrating the block. T.O.M. was revamped into a shorter robot with more humanoid facial features who was a commander of a jungle control room and aided by two new robots, Flash (Tom Kenny) and D. (Dave Wittenberg) The montages included a look at past hosts, former logos, and a decade's worth of clips and voice-overs from shows that aired on Toonami. There were a total of four montages, each with different clips, and three were one minute long.

As part of the anniversary (and to coincide with Cartoon Network's March Movie Madness event), Toonami planned another month of movies:

On September 20, 2008,[26] at the Anime Weekend Atlanta convention in Atlanta, Georgia, Cartoon Network announced that they had cancelled the Toonami block due to low ratings. Toonami then aired its final broadcast later that same evening. The final show to air on the block was a rerun of Samurai Jack at 10:30 PM. Employees who worked on the block moved to other parts of the channel, except for Dennis Moloney, who left Turner to work for Disney. Toonami Jetstream remained with the Toonami name until January 30, 2009. At the end of Toonami's final airing, T.O.M. 4 ended the block with a brief, final monologue, backed by the song "Cascade" by Tycho:

Well, this is the end, beautiful friends. After more than 11 years, this is Toonami's final broadcast. It's been a lot of fun, and we'd like to thank each and every one of you who made this journey with us. Toonami wouldn't have been anything without you. Hopefully, we've left you with some good memories. So, until we meet again, stay gold. Bang.[27]

After Toonami's final episode on TV, Toonami Jetstream's subsequent shutdown in 2009 marked the end of this incarnation until the brand's revival in 2012.

Adult Swim (2012–present)

[edit]

2012–13: T.O.M. 3.5 era

[edit]

On April 1, 2012, Adult Swim aired the Toonami block for their annual April Fools' Day prank, in which would be the annual airing of The Room.[28] After airing that week's scheduled episode of Bleach, the Toonami-related programming continued throughout the night, featuring shows such as Dragon Ball Z, Mobile Suit Gundam Wing, Tenchi Muyo!, Outlaw Star, The Big O, YuYu Hakusho, Blue Submarine No. 6, Trigun, Astro Boy (1963), and Gigantor. The following day, Adult Swim posted a message to their Twitter page, simply stating, "Want it back? Let us know. #BringBackToonami".[29] On April 4, Adult Swim followed up this tweet with one stating, "#BringBackToonami We've heard you. Thank you for your passion and interest - stay tuned."[30] On April 8, Adult Swim aired two bumpers about the Toonami tweets and answered with "[we're listening]" and "[we're looking into it]".[31]

On May 16, Adult Swim posted a message on Facebook announcing that Toonami would return on May 26.[32] The network issued a press release later that day confirming the block's revival as a Saturday late-night action block.[33] Toonami made its return on May 26, with an initial lineup consisting of current Adult Swim Action programs, along with premieres of Deadman Wonderland and Casshern Sins. On August 18, Samurai 7 and Eureka Seven replaced Deadman Wonderland and Cowboy Bebop. In essence, the revived block is very similar to the Midnight Run of the original, airing uncut programming as well as having more mature themes.[34]

On October 6, Toonami expanded to a full six hours; Sym-Bionic Titan and ThunderCats were added to the block.[35] Tenchi Muyo! GXP was announced as the next premiere on November 3, as was the return of Inuyasha.[36] On November 22, Toonami announced they would air uncut episodes of Naruto, and confirmed that Bleach would enter reruns for eight weeks, beginning on December 1.[37]

On January 6, 2013, Toonami introduced a new blue color scheme, after using a similar scheme to introduce Inuyasha on November 3 of the previous year. New episodes of Bleach began on January 26. On February 16, Soul Eater began airing on Toonami, replacing Samurai 7.[38] During MomoCon, new designs for both T.O.M and the Absolution were unveiled, along with the announcement that overall design of the block would be changed.[39]

2013–19: T.O.M. 5 era

[edit]

On April 27, 2013, Toonami premiered its new look, featuring the return of supporting host Sara (now voiced by Adult Swim staff member Dana Swanson.) In December 2013, Toonami aired various films for the whole month similar to A Month of Miyazaki which aired years prior. The programming was called "Toonami Month of Movies". The first film included in the lineup was Akira, which marked the first R-rated film to be aired on Toonami. All of the films shown were new for the network.[40]

To kick off 2014, Toonami premiered the anime Space Dandy on January 4, even before Japan. The anime ran for two seasons and 26 episodes before ending that September. The block introduced a new aesthetic on April 6. This new look also featured the return of the Ninja Tune record label to Toonami.[41] In December 2014, Toonami celebrated a second "Toonami Month of Movies". This time, they aired two films each week instead of one. The airing not only included new, extended versions, and old films previously aired on Toonami but also the final episodes of Hellsing Ultimate.

Intruder II, the first Total Immersion Event since Toonami's 2012 revival, began on November 7 and concluded on December 20, 2015, with Sonny Strait reprising his role as The Intruder with Steve Blum, who also is The Intruder and TOM 5.[42] On December 2, 2015, Adult Swim announced that a new season of Samurai Jack was being produced. It ended up premiering on Toonami in March 2017.[43][44][45] The conclusion of Intruder III in 2016 led to another new look to Toonami.[46]

On December 31, 2016, Toonami aired its first subtitled anime broadcast with the music video of Porter Robinson and Madeon's Shelter, produced in collaboration with A-1 Pictures and Crunchyroll.[47] However, the subtitled parts in both the start and end of the music video have been removed due to an unknown error. As of right now, it is unknown that the full version of the music video could air in the future, besides being available on Crunchyroll and Robinson's YouTube channel.

A fifth T.I.E. titled Countdown was released from November 4 through November 25, 2017. It centers T.O.M. being sent into the future where SARA takes over the Vindication after passing through an unknown nebula while his future counterpart travels to the present to destroy the ship to prevent her from becoming evil. The event concluded with T.O.M. having scratches and minimal damage on his body.[48]

On March 20, 2018, Production I.G. and Adult Swim announced that two new seasons of FLCL, FLCL Progressive, and FLCL Alternative would premiere on Toonami in 2018, with the date set for June 2 at 11:30PM.[49][50][51][52] On April Fools' Day 2018, Toonami was entirely dubbed in Japanese and kicked the prank off by airing a preview of the first episode of FLCL Alternative in Japanese with English subtitles.[53] The Toonami logo was also changed to Japanese (stylized as トゥナミ). Toonami followed the sneak preview by airing the film Mind Game and aired programming after that was originally scheduled after Black Clover, except Iron-Blooded Orphans, in original Japanese with English subtitles. The English dubbed version of all of the programs that have aired on that week, including a review of Nier Automata, except for the sneak preview of FLCL Alternative, as well as Mind Game and Scavengers, would air a week later. TOM was voiced by Masa Kanome, a Japanese stunt actor who had been in a Wolverine movie, and Sara was voiced by Fusako Shiotani.[54] Sentai Studios was responsible for producing English subtitles for TOM and SARA's dialogue.

On September 29, Toonami expanded to seven full hours from 9 PM to 4 AM with Boruto: Naruto Next Generations as the marquee addition.[55] On December 13, it was announced that Toonami would remove Dragon Ball Z Kai and Samurai Jack from its lineup, cutting the block down to 6 hours. Also, the block would be moved back and would air from 11 PM-5 AM, starting on January 5, 2019, because of Adult Swim taking back the 8 PM hour from Cartoon Network.[56]

On January 24, it was announced that Toonami would remove Pop Team Epic and Iron-Blooded Orphans from its lineup, cutting the block down to 5 hours.[57]

On May 13, 2019, Adult Swim announced that Toonami would be shifting its whole block thirty minutes earlier, starting at 10:30 PM and ending at 3:30 AM, cutting a half-hour rerun of Family Guy. The changes began on May 25, 2019.[58]

On May 24, 2019, MomoCon announced that a new T.I.E., The Forge, would begin airing on November 9.[59]

On June 27, 2019, it was announced that Toonami would be shifting its whole block back at 11:00 PM and ending at 4:00 AM, in addition to premiering Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma at 1:00AM. The changes began on July 6, 2019.[60] On July 4 at Anime Expo and on Facebook, it was announced that Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba would be joining the block this Fall. On July 20, it was revealed that Fire Force would be joining the block at 1:00 AM.[61] On July 7 at RTX 2019, it was announced that Gen:Lock would be joining the block on August 3.[62] On August 16, it was announced that Toonami would expand 30 minutes and reshuffling its block with Dr. Stone at 12:00 AM.[63]

2019–present: T.O.M. 6 era

[edit]

During the Total Immersion Event in November 2019, T.O.M. 5 was killed by the Forge Commander, in which T.O.M. called him "Booger", in episode 4 of The Forge. This signaled the ending of TOM 5's service as the host of Toonami's programming block, which began back in 2013.[64] This iteration of T.O.M. was the longest running host in Toonami history.[64] In episode 5, SARA revived TOM by using the Forge to create a new body, therefore, occurring the birth of T.O.M. 6.

On January 8, 2020, it was announced that Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of Underworld would premiere on the network on January 18.[65] On January 23, it was announced that Toonami would be reducing the block to five hours, as Fire Force was ending its run; the new block aired from 11:00 PM to 4:00 AM.[66] On February 6, it was announced that the block would lose another one and a half hours, as Dr. Stone was ending its run, while reruns of The Promised Neverland and Attack on Titan would also cease. This reduced the length of the block to three and a half hours, which aired from 11:30 PM to 3:00 AM.[67] On April 8, it was announced that Toonami would be reduced to a three-hour block, as Sword Art Online: Alicization - War of Underworld was ending its run.[68] On April 15, it was announced that Paranoia Agent would premiere on April 25 and that Food Wars: Shokugeki no Soma would be removed from the block until a new agreement was struck for the next season.[69] On June 3, it was announced that the run of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind would be put on hold due to dubbing production problems associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Adult Swim original series Ballmastrz: 9009 temporarily replacing it on Toonami starting on June 6.[70]

On July 26, it was announced that JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind would be returning on August 1, starting with episode 29. That same day, block runner Jason DeMarco tweeted that Toonami had six original projects in total in the works, including three that were unannounced at the time.[71] On July 28, the second season of Fire Force was confirmed with an expected air date of October 24, however it was later rescheduled to November 7.[72] On August 4, it was announced that Toonami: Dark Knights was confirmed for DC FanDome has 4 Batman movies in two weeks, including Batman: Year One, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Part 1, Batman: Gotham Knight, and Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Part 2 with an expected air date of August 15, however it was later again on August 22.[73] On August 22, it was announced that Assassination Classroom would premiere on August 29.[74] On October 20, it was announced that Sword Art Online: Alicization - War of Underworld would be returning on November 7, starting with episode 39.[75] On November 16, it was announced that Primal was confirmed as the marathon on November 28 for the entire season.[76] On December 11, it was announced again that Toonami Wonder Woman night was confirmed for DC FanDome has the entire regularly scheduled lineup was pre-empted by back-to-back movie presentations, including Wonder Woman: Bloodlines and Justice League: The New Frontier on December 19.[77] On December 24, 2020, it was announced that SSSS.Gridman would premiere in January 2021. On December 28, 2020, it was announced that Toonami would be increasing the block back to four hours as Attack on Titan would return on January 9, 2021.[78]

Logo from March 20, 2021, to March 19, 2022

On February 1, 2021, it was announced that Black Clover would be returning to February 13, starting with episode 137. On February 10, 2021, it was announced that Food Wars!: The Third Plate would be returning on February 27, to replace Assassination Classroom. On March 17, 2021, it was announced that The Promised Neverland would be returning as the season two premiere on April 10.[79] On June 8, 2021, it was announced that Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon would premiere on June 26.[80] On July 13, 2021, it was announced that Harley Quinn was confirmed as the marathon on August 7 for the entire season. However, the final episode of the season was not aired that night due to an unknown error. On November 10, 2021, it was announced that for one night only, Toonami would receive an extra night of programming on November 26, 2021. The lineup featured Shinichiro Watanabe's Blade Runner Black Out 2022 short, the live-action Blade Runner 2049 film, and the first three episodes of Blade Runner: Black Lotus.[81] However, the block's on-air branding package was not used that night due to the runtime of the film.

Logo from March 26, 2022, to July 19, 2025

On January 8, 2022, Toonami announced that they would be airing a new show every week "for the next month or so" beginning with the second season of Assassination Classroom.[82] They later announced the arrival of Made in Abyss, return of One Piece, premiere date of Shenmue: The Animation, and arrival of the second part of the fourth season of Attack on Titan.[83][84][85][86] On February 19, 2022, a second round of Cosmo Samurai episodes began premiering to celebrate the block's 25th anniversary, with Sentai Studios producing the English subtitles.[87][88] On March 13, 2022, it was announced that a new T.I.E., The Return, would air in two parts to celebrate the block's 25th anniversary.[89] Running for two minutes each, the event saw TOM 6 and SARA v4 going to the GPS Absolution Mk. XIV, an upgraded version of the Absolution that was sent back in time from 250 years in the future, for the next graphical rebrand, and the Forge is now abandoned. On March 17, 2022, a new original series, Housing Complex C, was announced for a 2022 release and two new seasons of FLCL for 2023.[90][91] On April 7, 2022, it was announced that Lupin the 3rd Part 6 would premiere on the block, replacing Made in Abyss on April 16. On May 18, 2022, it was announced that an original anime series directed by Sunghoo Park, titled Ninja Kamui, would premiere on Toonami.[92]

On March 29, 2023, during Adult Swim's initial press release for its expansion to 7:00 PM, it was announced that encore episodes of Unicorn: Warriors Eternal and My Adventures with Superman would run inside the block.[93] On July 20, 2023, it was announced that a new original series directed by Shinichirō Watanabe and animated by MAPPA, titled Lazarus would premiere on the Toonami block.[94] On October 28, 2023, it was announced that the Mugen Train Arc of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba would premiere on November 11 alongside cour 2 of Dr. Stone: New World and HD remastered episodes of IGPX by Discotek Media to promote their Blu-Ray release in 2024 on November 5, 18 years to the day the show originally first broadcast on the original Toonami block, as part of its DST bonus hour.[95][96][b] On November 17, 2023, it was announced at Anime NYC that the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba: Entertainment District Arc would air on January 13, 2024, while Aniplex of America also announced that Lycoris Recoil would debut the following week on January 20, 2024.[97][98]

On March 16, 2024, Toonami ran a special 4-hour Dragon Ball Z Kai marathon from 2 to 6 AM in honor of the original manga author Akira Toriyama who died two weeks prior. The marathon included the first 8 episodes of the Saiyan Saga alongside an opening tribute from TOM and SARA.[99] On May 17, 2024, it was announced that a new Friday afternoon block titled Toonami Rewind would begin airing on May 31 from 5 to 7 PM. Initial programming includes the 2014 Viz Media redub for Sailor Moon, Dragon Ball Z Kai and the original Naruto series.[100][101] On August 17, 2024, Rick and Morty: The Anime was premiered on the block during the summer of 2024, with its English dub airing on Adult Swim, while the Toonami encores were shown in Japanese with English subtitles. On September 28, five years after it was announced, Uzumaki made its debut on the line-up. Like Rick and Morty: The Anime, the show also aired in Japanese with English subtitles on Toonami while its English dub aired on Adult Swim, but in a dissimilar fashion, the subbed episodes were the linear premiere episodes while the Thursday episodes on Adult Swim were dubbed encores of the premieres. On October 8, 2024, was announced that Invincible Fight Girl is making a premiere on Toonami on November 2.[102] On October 18, 2024, it was announced at New York Comic Con that Mashle: Magic and Muscles would premiere on November 9 of the same year, along with the return of the Blue Exorcist rebroadcasting season 1, starting November 2.[103] On December 14, 2024, Adult Swim announced that the Toonami Rewind program block would end at the end of the year and be replaced by a re-expansion of its Checkered Past block on January 3, 2025.[104]

Some of the shows that recently aired on Toonami Rewind, such as Sailor Moon and Naruto, now carried over to Toonami on Saturday nights starting January 11 and 25, respectively.[105] On January 24, 2025, it was announced that Lazarus would be coming to the block in April 2025, alongside a near-simulcast on TV Tokyo and its affiliates in Japan, accompanied by the release of a new poster visual.[106][107] On February 7, 2025, Toonami announced that FLCL: Grunge would return to the block on February 22, alongside with two episodes of Blue Exorcist. On February 22, 2025, it was announced that the Adult Swim original series Common Side Effects would be making its Toonami debut March 1 at 12:30 am, also FLCL: Shoegaze will return to the lineup on March 15. On February 27, it was announced that Lazarus would premiere on April 5 at midnight on the block and, hours later, on TV Tokyo in Japan.[108] On March 8, Toonami removed Dragon Ball Z Kai and brought back the double One Piece slot at 2:00 AM. On April 11, 2025, it was announced that Toonami would broadcast a music video film titled Ginger Root's Shinbangumi on April 26, with Sailor Moon being pre-empted for one week due to the program.[109] On April 25, 2025, it was announced that Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War and Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga would debut on the block beginning on May 17, 2025.[110] On June 5, 2025, it was announced that Dragon Ball Daima would be premiering on the block on June 14, 2025 at 12:30 AM.[111] On June 13, 2025, Toonami announced that a My Adventures with Superman season 2 marathon would air on July 5 to promote the then-upcoming Superman film. On June 27, 2025, it was announced that a Lazarus marathon would air from 11:00 PM through 5:30 AM on July 12, in Japanese with English subtitles. On July 4, 2025, was announced that Dragon Ball Daima would be airing a power hour, airing back-to-back episodes from midnight to 1:00 AM, as well as a regular slot for the English-subbed version of Lazarus at 2:30 AM. To accommodate the schedule change, Sailor Moon was entirely removed from the lineup. On July 11, 2025, it was announced that Dandadan would be premiering on the block on July 26 at 12:30 AM.[112] On that day, a new Toonami logo debuted, with no tie-in T.I.E. On August 8, 2025, it was announced that Blue Exorcist: Shimane Illuminati Saga would be premiere on the block starting August 23, 2025.[113]

Online video services

[edit]

Toonami Reactor

[edit]

On March 26, 2001, Cartoon Network launched Toonami Reactor, their first online streaming video service.[114] The three-month service featured streaming episodes from Dragon Ball Z and Star Blazers, the latter of which was an online-exclusive series. Editorial content was provided by the now-defunct Animerica Magazine, published by Viz Media. After the three-month "trial run" was over, Cartoon Network took it offline and completely revamped it.

On November 14, 2001, Cartoon Network relaunched Toonami Reactor with all online-exclusive programs such as Star Blazers, Patlabor: The TV Series, Harlock Saga, and Record of Lodoss War, as well as videos from Daft Punk and Toonami-themed games. In the summer of 2002, Toonami Reactor was revamped again under the Adult Swim aegis and, in a joint venture with Viz's Weekly Shonen Jump, programmed it as "Adult Swim Pipeline." It featured episodes and/or manga chapters from One Piece, Naruto, Shaman King, YuYu Hakusho, and Sand Land.[115][116]

Toonami Jetstream

[edit]
Main article: Toonami Jetstream

On April 25, 2006, Cartoon Network and VIZ Media announced plans[117] to launch Toonami Jetstream, a new ad-supported streaming video service featuring Toonami series like Naruto, Samurai Jack, Megas XLR, and IGPX, and the Internet webcast premieres of Hikaru no Go, MÄR, Eyeshield 21, The Prince of Tennis, MegaMan Star Force, Kiba, MegaMan NT Warrior, and Zoids: Genesis, the latter two of which were never streamed.

Toonami Jetstream launched on July 17, 2006[118] (after a brief unofficial sneak preview that began on July 14), and offered episodes of Naruto, Hikaru no Go, MÄR, Zatch Bell!, Pokémon, Blue Dragon, Samurai Jack, Kiba, Storm Hawks and Transformers: Animated.

On January 31, 2009, Toonami Jetstream was discontinued.[119] Since then, many of the shows aired until cancellation aired on Cartoon Network Video on its main website.

In 2012, Adult Swim rebranded their action videos section as "Toonami shows". It initially featured content from Durarara!!, which never aired on the Toonami block but was still available in Adult Swim's syndication library due its airing from the previous year.[120]

Toonami: Pre-Flight

[edit]

On February 27, 2015, adultswim.com launched the online show Toonami: Pre-Flight hosted by Toonami producers Jason DeMarco and Gill Austin.[121] The first two episodes premiered on a Friday at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time, and was then moved to Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time until September 25, 2015, when the show was moved back to Fridays at 6:30 p.m. Eastern time. Each episode features a series highlight, a weekly topic and other featurettes like sneak peeks at promos and spots, as well as announcements, and segments from voiceover talent Steve Blum and Dana Swanson. Toonami has also done panels from MomoCon, San Diego Comic-Con, Dragon Con and Anime Expo which they've streamed as part of Pre-Flight either live or on tape delay. On November 14, 2020, Toonami: Pre-Flight aired its final episode.

Crunchyroll

[edit]

The anime-oriented streaming service company Crunchyroll became a sibling asset to Adult Swim after AT&T's acquisition of Time Warner, and its subsequent acquisition of the remaining shares in AT&T's existing venture Otter Media. In March 2019, Adult Swim and Otter were briefly placed under Warner Bros. as part of a corporate reorganization. The corresponding announcement stated that there would be synergies between Toonami and the service; the two properties had already announced a collaboration on Blade Runner: Black Lotus, an anime series set within the Blade Runner universe.[122][123] In July 2020, Adult Swim and Crunchyroll announced a new anime series collaboration, titled Fena: Pirate Princess.[124] At the virtual Crunchyroll Expo in September 2020, the two entities announced yet another collaboration titled Shenmue: The Animation, an anime series based on the video game series by Sega.[125] The collaboration between Toonami and Crunchyroll was ended after Sony Pictures Entertainment/Aniplex acquired Crunchyroll in 2021.[126]

Current schedule

[edit]

All times shown for each slot are Eastern.

Effective for the broadcast night of October 25, 2025:

Time 12:00 a.m. 12:30 a.m. 1:00 a.m. 1:31 a.m. 2:09 a.m. 2:49 a.m.
Series Dragon Ball Daima* Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War* Uzumaki (English dub) Uzumaki (English dub) Uzumaki (English dub) Uzumaki (English dub)

* Indicates first-run episode premiere for the block

Programming

[edit]
Main article: List of programs broadcast by Toonami
  • Bold text indicates shows that had any form of world premiere on the block, excluding English dub-only premieres.

Cartoon Network (1997–2008) / Kids' WB (2001–02)

[edit]
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008

Adult Swim (2012–present)

[edit]
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026

Video game reviews

[edit]

Throughout its history, Toonami has aired brief reviews of video games during commercial breaks. The reviews are primarily written by Jason DeMarco and based on his own experiences with the games. Transcripts of the reviews could also be found on Toonami's website, including for games that did not have a corresponding video such as Batman: Dark Tomorrow, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Halo 5: Guardians, The Matrix Online, Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup, Animal Crossing: Wild World, Mega Man Battle Network, Samurai Jack: The Amulet of Time, The Powerpuff Girls: Relish Rampage, Costume Quest 2, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Cartoon Network: Battle Crashers, Spider-Man: Battle for New York, Killer Instinct, Doom Eternal, Shovel Knight, Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time, Rise of the Tomb Raider, Call of Duty: Black Ops III, Need for Speed: Carbon, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, Injustice: Gods Among Us, Spyro: A Hero's Tail, Splashdown: Rides Gone Wild, Doom 3: Resurrection of Evil, Far Cry 5, Guitar Hero, Gran Turismo 6, Cartoon Network: Block Party, Cartoon Network Racing, Cartoon Network Speedway, Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor, Need for Speed: Underground 2, Need for Speed Rivals, Street Fighter V, Ben 10: Protector of Earth, Samurai Jack: The Shadow of Aku, Steven Universe: Save the Light, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge, Codename: Kids Next Door  – Operation: V.I.D.E.O.G.A.M.E., Cartoon Network Universe: FusionFall Heroes, The Lego Ninjago Movie Video Game, Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb, Cuphead, Cookie Run: Kingdom, X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse, Star Wars Trilogy: Apprentice of the Force, Spider-Man 2, Reigns: Game of Thrones, Medal of Honor, Perfect Dark, Front Mission 3, Grandia, and Sonic the Hedgehog. The rating system for games was originally 1–5, until it was increased to a 1-10 scaled in 2000. Beginning in March 2021, games also receive three additional individual ratings for graphics, sound, and gameplay.[127]

Seven games have received ratings not based on the 1-10 scale. Dropship: United Peace Force was given a "?" rating, because TOM could not get past the sixth level.[128] Similarly, Slender: The Eight Pages also received a "?" rating, because TOM was too frightened to continue playing.[129] Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag was given an "ARRRRRR!" rating to reflect on the game's pirate theme.[130] Assassin's Creed: Valhalla received "a barbaric yawp".[131] 198X received an "Incomplete 7/10" due to the game's short length and hints of a sequel.[132] Ninja Kamui: Shinobi Origins received a "N/A" rating due to being not released at the time of the review. It was also mentioned that it is available for pre-order.

International

[edit]

Outside the United States, Cartoon Network aired Toonami blocks in a lot of countries such as in Australia from 2001 to 2006. In the United Kingdom, Toonami was a standalone channel from 2003 to 2007. In December 2012, Toonami was launched as a standalone channel in Asia-Pacific. Similar channels were launched in India in 2015, France in 2016 and Africa in 2017. The Southeast Asian and Indian channels have since been closed by 2018.

Australia

[edit]
Main article: Toonami (Australian TV programming block)

The programming block was launched in 2001 in Australia as a weekend block on Cartoon Network. It aired on Saturday from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm and on Sunday from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm with a repeat on both nights from 11:00 pm to 1:00 am. The programming was then converted to a weekday block shortly thereafter. The programming was dropped from the channel in August 2006.

Canada

[edit]

Although the block does not air on Adult Swim, owned by Corus Entertainment, some of its programming on the Toonami block airs on that channel. Historically, anime has been aired on Adult Swim's sister channel YTV until the early 2010s.

France

[edit]
Main article: Warner TV Next

The French version of the Toonami television channel was launched on February 11, 2016. It was operated by Turner Broadcasting System France, in France, Switzerland, Morocco, Madagascar and Mauritius. The channel adopted its current branding on 4 September 2023 to Adult Swim on Warner TV Next.[133]

India

[edit]
Main article: Cartoon Network (India)

An Indian version of Toonami was first launched as a block in 2001 and was then followed by a stand-alone channel in 2015. It ceased operations on May 15, 2018.

Japan

[edit]

The Japanese version of Toonami was first launched as a programming block for Cartoon Network Japan on July 22, 2002. In contrast to its American and international counterparts, the Japanese version of Toonami aired North American action cartoons instead of anime. It ceased operations in 2008.

Latin America

[edit]

On December 2, 2002, Cartoon Network premiered the Toonami block, replacing a similarly themed block, Talisman. The weekend block of Toonami was then replaced by the premiere of Adult Swim in Latin America on October 7, 2005. In 2007, Cartoon Network cut the Toonami block completely from the channel.[citation needed]

In its substitution, in January 2010 a very similar block was created, which was known as Animaction, and it was broadcast on Wednesdays at midnight. This block aired both action and anime programming before being phased out in April 2011.[citation needed]

Toonami was revived on Cartoon Network in partnership with Crunchyroll beginning on August 31, 2020. The revived Toonami block runs every weeknight from 12 a.m. to 1 a.m. local time.[134] The block aired for the last time on August 30, 2022, as the partnership has expired after 2 years.

On April 11, 2022, Warner TV premiered a new programming block similar to Toonami, which is known as Wanimé.[citation needed]

On August 22, 2023, it was announced that the block would return again as part of a new 24-hour Adult Swim channel, originally was to debut on October 31 of the same year,[135] although that did not happen and instead the channel is airing a similar block like Adult Swim Action, the predecessor of the block in United States.[136]

Pakistan

[edit]

Toonami was launched as a programming block on Cartoon Network in Pakistan and ran from 2004 to 2013.[citation needed]

Poland and Central Europe

[edit]

Toonami was launched as a programming block on Cartoon Network in 2002 on CEE feed. It was aired mostly on weeknights from 8pm to 9pm and from 1pm to 2pm on weekends. Broadcasting hours were changed many times. CEE Toonami offered American action cartoons, as well as anime. Block was closed in 2006.[citation needed]

Southeast Asia

[edit]
Main article: Toonami (Asian TV channel)

A stand-alone Toonami channel was launched in Southeast Asia replacing Boomerang on December 1, 2012. Although it replaced Boomerang, the channel was relaunched in 2015 alongside Toonami. The channel shut down on March 31, 2018, making it the longest running stand alone channel of all of them, lasting six years.

Sub-Saharan Africa

[edit]

A Toonami television channel was launched in sub-Saharan Africa on June 1, 2017. It was available on Kwesé satellite television platform.[137]

Following Kwesé TV's closure, Toonami was removed on November 1, 2018.[138]

The African Toonami was relaunched on March 27, 2020, as a pop-up channel on DStv[139][140][141] until mid-May 2020 when it was relaunched as a permanent channel on StarTimes (channel 306 satellite, 355 DTT).[142][143] It was relaunched in November 2020 on TelkomONE, but it was moved to the new launch of SABC+ on November 17, 2022, in South Africa.

UK & Ireland

[edit]
Main article: Toonami (British and Irish TV channel)

Toonami was launched as a programming block on Cartoon Network in the UK and Ireland in 2001. In October 2002, it then became part of CNX, a new spin-off channel. Almost a year later, CNX was relaunched as Toonami in 2003 turning the block into a stand-alone channel. The channel shut down on May 24, 2007, replaced by a 24-hour Cartoon Network Too.

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Toonami

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Toonami is an American television programming block that specializes in broadcasting Japanese anime and action-oriented animation, distinguished by its sci-fi themed presentation featuring an animated host navigating a fictional spaceship. Launched on March 17, 1997, by Cartoon Network as an afternoon block targeting children and teens, it quickly became a cultural touchstone for introducing dubbed anime series to mainstream U.S. audiences. Co-created by producers Sean Akins and Jason DeMarco under the supervision of Cartoon Network executive Mike Lazzo, the block debuted with shows like Thundercats, Voltron, and The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest, soon incorporating anime staples such as Dragon Ball Z and Sailor Moon. The block's innovative format included interstitial segments with hosts like Moltar—a lava monster voiced by —and later the robot TOM, voiced initially by and subsequently by , who delivered intros, game reviews, and music videos amid the programming. Toonami's early success stemmed from its curation of high-energy action content, including and , which helped drive ratings peaks— alone generated over $3 billion in Asian profits by 1999 and set viewership records in the U.S. By blending imported with original elements like extreme sports clips and viewer polls, it fostered a dedicated fanbase and significantly expanded anime's reach beyond niche markets, influencing merchandise sales and cultural perceptions of the medium. Facing declining ratings and network shifts, Toonami was discontinued on September 20, 2008, after over a decade on air. It briefly returned as an April Fools' Day prank on April 1, 2012, before a permanent revival on May 26, 2012, as a late-night block on Adult Swim, Cartoon Network's mature-oriented sister network. The revival expanded its lineup to include modern hits like Attack on Titan, My Hero Academia, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, and One Piece, while pioneering U.S.-Japan co-productions such as IGPX: Immortal Grand Prix (2005), Space Dandy (2014), and multiple seasons of FLCL (2018–2023). Marking its 25th anniversary in 2022 with specials like The Return and new originals such as Housing Complex C, Toonami has continued to evolve, airing every Saturday night on Adult Swim as of November 2025 with recent projects including Ninja Kamui, Rick and Morty: The Anime, and Uzumaki.

Overview

Concept and format

Toonami is an action-oriented animated programming block that debuted on on March 17, 1997, initially as a weekday afternoon lineup targeting children and teenagers with a mix of edited imports and Western action cartoons such as and Thundercats. The block was co-created by Sean Akins, then a creative director at , and Jason DeMarco, who aimed to introduce and popularize Japanese to Western audiences by curating high-energy content that appealed to young viewers seeking adventure and excitement beyond standard children's fare. This foundational approach positioned Toonami as a gateway for in the U.S., blending imported series with familiar animated staples to build a dedicated fanbase. Central to Toonami's identity is its distinctive hosted format, set aboard the fictional spaceship—a nuclear-powered vessel serving as the broadcast hub for interstellar signal transmission. The programming is framed by charismatic hosts like Moltar in the early years and later T.O.M. (Toonami Operations Manager), who deliver intros, outros, and bumpers featuring dynamic visuals, thematic music, and countdowns to the next show, creating an immersive "transmission from " narrative. A unique element includes integrated reviews, often presented by T.O.M. during commercial breaks, scoring titles on criteria like and to tie into the block's action theme and engage gaming-interested youth. Following its 2012 revival as a Saturday night block on , Toonami evolved to target older teens and adults, incorporating more mature themes such as violence, psychological depth, and subtle sensuality in series like and . Content ratings shifted predominantly to TV-14, reflecting reduced compared to the original era's stricter edits for broadcast standards, though occasional alterations for elements or excessive gore persist under network guidelines. This progression has allowed Toonami to maintain its role in bridging to Western viewers while adapting to a more sophisticated audience.

Hosts and presentation style

Toonami's original host was Moltar, a CGI-animated character from the universe, who operated from the bridge of the spaceship. Voiced by , Moltar introduced the block's programming with a gruff, authoritative demeanor, often delivering motivational speeches, video game reviews, and commentary on viewer-submitted content to create an immersive sci-fi atmosphere. In 1999, Moltar was retired in favor of T.O.M. (Toonami Operations Module), marking a shift to a robotic host designed to embody the block's evolving technological theme. T.O.M. 1, a squat silver-and-blue robot voiced by , debuted during a special "" event and served as the initial replacement, emphasizing a mechanical, no-nonsense presentation. By 2000, following the "Total Immersion Event: The Intruder" storyline where T.O.M. 1 was destroyed by an alien antagonist, T.O.M. 2 emerged as a upgrade with enhanced humanoid features, voiced by , who has provided the voice for all subsequent versions. T.O.M. 3 arrived in 2003 as a more futuristic, muscular iteration rebuilt after battling Orcelot Rex, while T.O.M. 4 in 2007 featured a controversial redesign with a smiling face intended for a younger audience but criticized for its unsettling appearance. The revival introduced T.O.M. 3.5 as an interim version bridging the hiatus, followed by the armored T.O.M. 5 in 2013, designed for a mature audience with reinforced plating reflecting ongoing narrative threats. In 2019, T.O.M. 6 received a redesign with sleeker lines and continued Blum's voicing, incorporating modern digital glitches and AI elements in its animations. The block's presentation style revolved around a cohesive sci-fi , with hosts like T.O.M. and later co-host SARA—a holographic AI companion voiced by Dana Swanson—interacting aboard the to frame episodes as interstellar broadcasts. Opening sequences evolved from Moltar's techno-infused montages of action clips to T.O.M.-era intros featuring custom-edited footage set to electronic and hip-hop tracks, such as the recurring "Heavy" theme by Joe Boyd Vigil. Shift music, including variations of the iconic "You're Watching Toonami" , signaled program transitions with pulsating synths and bass drops to maintain momentum. elements like fold-ins—animated bumpers where the screen visually "folds" to transition into commercials or the next show—added a dynamic, origami-like flair, while interactive segments showcased viewer mail, , and polls, fostering community engagement. Occasional cameos from or villains like the Intruder tied into multi-episode arcs, such as demoting Moltar in backstory comics or T.O.M.'s battles in Total Immersion Events, enhancing the block's serialized storytelling.

Broadcast history

Moltar era (1997–1999)

Toonami launched on March 17, 1997, as a weekday afternoon programming block on , initially airing from approximately 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET and featuring action-oriented animation targeted at older children and teens. This debut replaced the network's previous afternoon action block, Power Zone, and introduced a structured format with host Moltar providing commentary from a simulated . The block quickly gained traction through its innovative presentation, including high-energy promos set to drum-and-bass music and a signature countdown clock that built anticipation between shows. Rapid popularity growth in 1997 and 1998 prompted expansions, with Toonami adding a Saturday evening slot starting July 19, , from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET, which shifted to 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET in July 1998 and ended on October 3, 1998. These changes reflected the block's rising appeal, as executives noted increasing viewer engagement and requests for more content, leading to broader integration of and classic cartoons into the lineup. By late 1998, the format had solidified signature elements like promos and the clock as core to its identity, enhancing the immersive experience for audiences. Programming began with syndicated action series such as , , and The Real Adventures of , alongside segments like Cartoon Roulette featuring shorts from libraries. Shifts occurred in 1998 with the addition of titles, including on June 1 and on August 31, which diversified the block toward Japanese imports while maintaining a mix of Western animation. These inclusions marked a pivotal evolution, blending established favorites with emerging to appeal to a growing demographic of young viewers discovering the genre. The era's impact was evident in viewership milestones, with episodes drawing up to 1.7 million households by September 1999, representing Cartoon Network's largest audience for an anime premiere at the time and driving overall block ratings upward. This success underscored Toonami's role in popularizing among American children, fostering a cultural gateway that introduced concepts like epic battles and serialized storytelling to mainstream kid TV audiences during the late 1990s.

T.O.M. 1 era (1999–2000)

In July 1999, Toonami underwent a significant transition by retiring its original host Moltar and introducing T.O.M. (Toonami Operations Module), a robotic host voiced by , aboard the newly established Ghost Planet Spaceship Absolution. This change marked the beginning of the T.O.M. 1 era, accompanied by the addition of SARA, an AI companion voiced by , and a new overarching narrative centered on the Absolution's interstellar broadcasting mission. The shift was part of a broader relaunch aimed at refreshing the block's presentation, with T.O.M. assuming control following Moltar's "demotion" in the storyline. The programming block saw adjustments to enhance accessibility and content variety, including the debut of the Midnight Run on Saturday nights from midnight to 5 a.m., which featured reruns of weekday episodes in an uncut format alongside music videos to appeal to older audiences. The weekday afternoon slot maintained its core structure but incorporated more mature anime titles, such as Gundam Wing, to expand beyond family-friendly action cartoons while adhering to broadcast standards. These refinements helped sustain viewer engagement during the late 1990s, with promotional efforts addressing Y2K anxieties through themed bumpers that humorously depicted T.O.M. navigating potential technological disruptions. Key developments included early integration with Cartoon Network's website for interactive Total Immersion Events (TIEs), such as the 1999 "Intruder" storyline where T.O.M. battled an alien threat in a multi-platform narrative funded by advertisers. Cross-promotions with the WB Network facilitated shared airings of select action series on weekends, broadening Toonami's reach. Ratings remained strong, with flagship program drawing approximately 1.7 million households in late 1999, reflecting the block's sustained popularity among 7- to 18-year-olds.

T.O.M. 2 era (2000–2003)

The T.O.M. 2 era marked a significant for Toonami, introducing a redesigned host and expanded scheduling to capitalize on the growing popularity of among younger audiences. In September 2000, the block launched its first Total Immersion Event (TIE), "The Intruder," a five-part animated mini-series that depicted an alien parasite invading the spaceship, resulting in "battle damage" to the original T.O.M. unit. This narrative culminated in the debut of T.O.M. 2, a sleeker cyborg redesign voiced by , who assumed the role for all subsequent iterations. The upgrade featured enhanced visual effects and a more futuristic aesthetic, aligning with Toonami's space-themed branding. Accompanying the host change was a refreshed musical score composed by Joe Boyd Vigil, which incorporated electronic and ambient elements to underscore the block's action-oriented identity during this period. Toonami's production values saw further enhancements, including interactive online components tied to the TIEs, allowing viewers to engage with the storyline through CartoonNetwork.com. These elements helped maintain viewer immersion, building on the block's reputation for blending programming with original storytelling. Scheduling adjustments in 2001 positioned Toonami for broader reach. On May 14, 2001, the weekday block shifted to a 5:00–7:00 p.m. ET slot, entering to attract after-school audiences more effectively. This two-hour window emphasized high-energy and action cartoons, fostering habit-forming viewing habits. Additionally, from July 30, 2001, to June 28, 2002, Toonami expanded via a brief crossover partnership with Kids' WB!, rebranding their weekday afternoon lineup that featured select Toonami staples like alongside network originals. This collaboration aimed to leverage synergies between and properties but ended after one season due to shifting priorities. Major events during this era highlighted Toonami's push into more mature content while navigating broadcast standards. In February 2003, .hack//SIGN premiered as a key acquisition, airing episodes that explored themes and marked one of the block's early forays into simulcast-style programming from Entertainment. Although edited for , it represented Toonami's growing emphasis on narrative-driven series amid the anime boom. Promotional efforts included innovative tie-ins, such as the Toonami Total Immersion Tour, a branded bus campaign that visited conventions and events to promote the block's TIEs and upcoming shows, enhancing fan engagement through live demos and merchandise. Viewership trends reflected Toonami's peak influence, with popular series like Yu Yu Hakusho drawing strong viewership, contributing to the block's status as a cultural touchstone for anime introduction in the U.S. However, early signs of competition emerged from networks like and , which ramped up animated action programming, pressuring Toonami's market share by 2002–2003. Despite this, the era solidified Toonami's role in popularizing , setting the stage for further evolutions.

T.O.M. 3 era (2003–2007)

The T.O.M. 3 era marked a transitional period for Toonami, beginning on March 17, 2003, with the debut of the third iteration of its robotic host, featuring a sleeker, more streamlined design characterized by a metallic blue-and-white and enhanced battle-ready . This redesign was introduced through the online comic "Toonami: Endgame," which depicted a narrative of interstellar conflict where the previous host, T.O.M. 2, was destroyed during a space battle against the pirate Orcelot Rex, who also kidnapped the ship's AI, SARA; T.O.M.'s severed head was recovered by a group of robots, leading to his reconstruction and upgrade into T.O.M. 3 aboard a new vessel, the Absolution II, to resume broadcasting operations. In an effort to sustain and expand its audience amid shifting viewing habits, Toonami experimented with scheduling changes during 2004–2005, initially maintaining daily weekday afternoon airings before transitioning to a consolidated Saturday night block from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. ET/PT starting April 17, 2004, which was later reduced in duration as part of Cartoon Network's broader strategy to reposition the block. This move to late-night Saturday slots targeted older teens with a focus on action-oriented programming, allowing for content that appealed to a maturing demographic while freeing up weekday afternoons for the new interactive block Miguzi. Key programming decisions emphasized edgier anime titles, such as the premiere of Naruto in September 2005 and continued runs of series like Rurouni Kenshin and Gundam SEED, which featured more intense themes of violence, strategy, and moral complexity compared to earlier blocks. To complement traditional broadcasts, Toonami launched the ad-supported broadband service Toonami Jetstream on July 17, 2006, in partnership with , offering on-demand streaming of full episodes from shows including , , and to reach viewers increasingly turning to online platforms. However, the era faced challenges from declining viewership, with average audiences dropping to around 1–2 million by the mid-2000s due to audience fragmentation from emerging streaming and competition from other networks, prompting internal decisions to refine the anime focus, such as prioritizing high-impact series while scaling back expansion efforts. These factors set the stage for further adjustments in subsequent years.

T.O.M. 4 era (2007–2008)

The T.O.M. 4 era marked the final phase of Toonami's original run on , debuting in 2007 with a redesigned robotic host voiced by , which drew criticism for its simplified, childlike appearance reminiscent of . This iteration introduced new sidekick characters, Flash and D, to share hosting duties alongside T.O.M. 4, aiming to refresh the block amid declining popularity. The design shift occurred under the leadership of Cartoon Network president Stuart Snyder, who oversaw efforts to appeal to younger audiences. Programming during this period narrowed significantly, centering on reruns and new episodes of as the primary draw, with the block reduced to a three-hour Saturday evening slot starting at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT. Other series like Zatch Bell! and One Piece had largely phased out by late 2007, leaving Naruto as the sole anime staple by 2008, reflecting internal acknowledgments that the lineup had devolved into repetitive content without fresh hits to sustain interest. In December 2007, Toonami experimented with a temporary move to Friday nights for special marathons, such as extended Naruto airings, before returning to Saturdays. This adjustment aimed to boost visibility but failed to reverse the trend of low engagement. On September 20, 2008, Toonami concluded its 11-year original run with a special finale episode featuring T.O.M. 4 bidding farewell to viewers, airing after the final episode at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT. The cancellation stemmed from persistently low ratings, averaging under 1 million total viewers and poor performance in the kids' demographic (2-11), as prioritized rebranding toward original live-action and younger-skewing content like . Snyder later emphasized that the decision was "simply about numbers," with the block unable to compete against emerging priorities. The end sparked significant fan backlash, with dedicated viewers launching online petitions demanding Toonami's restoration and criticizing the network's handling of programming. One petition highlighted frustrations over inadequate promotion and overreliance on Naruto reruns, gathering signatures from upset fans who viewed the block as a cultural cornerstone. In the aftermath, remaining shows like transitioned to other slots, including afternoon and late-night airings, while the network shifted resources away from toward its live-action pivot. This era's closure underscored Toonami's challenges in evolving with shifting viewer habits and network strategies.

Hiatus period (2008–2012)

Following the abrupt cancellation of the Toonami block on September 20, 2008, amid declining viewership, shifted focus to other programming formats, with key anime titles like continuing to air in alternative time slots rather than as part of a dedicated action block. The final Toonami transmission featured episodes of , Ben 10: Alien Force, and , ending without fanfare beyond a brief farewell from host T.O.M., leaving viewers to process the end through online discussions filled with for earlier eras of the block. During the four-year hiatus, dedicated fans organized online petitions and efforts to advocate for Toonami's return, reflecting a growing demand for curated programming amid shifting viewing habits. These campaigns intensified around 2011–2012, with hashtags like #BringBackToonami emerging as rallying points on platforms such as , where a related push following a 2012 test airing amassed over 10,000 retweets in short order. Although exact signature counts for pre-2012 petitions vary, the collective fan activism highlighted Toonami's enduring cultural footprint, pressuring network executives to reconsider the block's viability. Internally at Adult Swim, Jason DeMarco, Toonami's co-creator and then-VP of marketing at Cartoon Network, championed revival efforts by collaborating on conceptual tests to gauge interest. In early 2012, DeMarco worked with Adult Swim head Mike Lazzo to produce a pilot-like April Fools' Day broadcast featuring The Room under the Toonami banner, which unexpectedly drew massive online buzz and positive feedback, paving the way for formal planning. DeMarco emphasized the need for strong ratings to secure additional resources, underscoring his ongoing advocacy for adapting the block to Adult Swim's late-night audience. This period coincided with the rapid expansion of anime streaming platforms, notably , which launched in 2006 and grew substantially by offering episodes and ad-supported access, amassing millions of users by 2012 and altering consumption patterns away from linear TV. The shift toward on-demand viewing via services like and diminished the novelty of scheduled blocks but also informed Toonami's potential revival strategy, positioning it as a premium, appointment-style experience for mature fans on rather than daytime network TV.

T.O.M. 3.5 era (2012–2013)

Toonami relaunched on on May 26, 2012, as a two-hour programming block airing late Friday nights at midnight Eastern Time, targeting an adult audience with action-oriented . This revival brought back T.O.M. 3.5, a high-definition retrofit of the original T.O.M. 3 model, positioned aboard a modified spaceship for hosting duties. The block initially ran from midnight to 2 a.m., featuring repeats until 6 a.m. to fill the extended late-night slot. The format shifted to emphasize uncut versions of anime series, aligning with Adult Swim's mature programming standards, while incorporating stylized intros that blended Toonami's legacy aesthetic with the network's irreverent humor. T.O.M. 3.5, voiced by Steven Blum, handled primary hosting, with Sara returning as co-host, voiced by Adult Swim staffer Dana Swanson. Custom "pre-flight" segments and bumpers provided transitions between shows, maintaining the immersive feel of past eras but tailored for late-night viewers. The debut lineup opened with ongoing series Bleach at midnight, followed by premieres of Deadman Wonderland and Casshern Sins, then Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG, and Cowboy Bebop. Initial ratings were robust, with drawing 860,000 total viewers and topping its time slot among adults 18-24 (a 14% increase from the prior year) and men 18-34. also ranked #1 among men 18-24 and 18-34 in its slot, signaling strong appeal to the target demographic despite some internal notes that performance was solid but required improvement for sustainability. In response to viewer feedback and metrics, the lineup underwent rapid adjustments, such as rotating in titles like by summer.

T.O.M. 5 era (2013–2019)

The T.O.M. 5 era marked a period of significant growth and narrative evolution for Toonami on , beginning with the introduction of the fifth iteration of the host robot in late April 2013. Following a dramatic storyline arc where the —the fictional spaceship serving as Toonami's broadcast platform—was attacked by the malevolent entity known as the Forge Commander, T.O.M. underwent an armored upgrade to T.O.M. 5, featuring a bulkier, battle-ready design with enhanced weaponry and a more imposing presence. This upgrade was unveiled during the block's programming on April 27, 2013, coinciding with Adult Swim's announcement of schedule adjustments that shifted Toonami to Saturdays at midnight Eastern Time, allowing for a more consistent late-night slot aimed at adult audiences. The storyline, which played out through interstitial segments narrated by T.O.M. and co-host S.A.R.A., emphasized themes of resilience and adaptation, setting the tone for ongoing narrative threads involving system upgrades and interstellar threats throughout the era. Building on the success of the relaunched block, Toonami experienced key expansions in programming duration, reflecting strong viewer engagement and Adult Swim's confidence in the format. In early 2014, the block extended from its initial two-hour runtime to three hours, adding slots for additional anime titles and fostering deeper immersion in serialized content. This growth continued into 2015, when Toonami expanded further to five hours, enabling the inclusion of more diverse programming, including experimental additions like the live-action parody series Titan Maximum, which aired reruns to bridge anime blocks with Western sci-fi humor. These extensions were driven by rising demand for in the U.S. market, with partnering closely with for rights, allowing near-simultaneous broadcasts of popular series shortly after their Japanese airings. A landmark acquisition during this period was , which premiered on Toonami on May 3, 2014, drawing massive audiences and solidifying the block's reputation for high-stakes action . Viewership during these years typically averaged between 800,000 and 1 million households per night, with peaks exceeding 1.5 million for premieres, establishing Toonami as a ratings powerhouse within 's lineup. Throughout the era, Toonami maintained narrative continuity through interstitial arcs that advanced T.O.M.'s storyline, including further "upgrades" depicted in response to escalating threats from antagonists like the Anti-Toonami Alliance, which simulated battles interrupting broadcasts and reinforcing the block's immersive, sci-fi wrapper. These elements not only entertained but also tied into promotional tie-ins, such as fan events at conventions like . However, by 2018, the block faced industry-wide challenges from trends, which eroded traditional cable viewership across networks. In response, implemented schedule tweaks, including minor time shifts and content rotations to optimize against declining linear TV metrics, while emphasizing digital streaming integrations to retain audiences. Despite these hurdles, the T.O.M. 5 era cemented Toonami's role as a cultural staple for enthusiasts, averaging sustained viewership and paving the way for future evolutions.

T.O.M. 6 era (2019–present)

The T.O.M. 6 era began with the conclusion of the Total Immersion Event "The Forge" on December 14, 2019, introducing T.O.M. 6 as the new host following the destruction of T.O.M. 5 in the storyline. Voiced by , T.O.M. 6 featured a more battle-worn design with a stretched and enhanced robotic aesthetics, tying into the narrative of survival and adaptation aboard the spaceship. This incarnation debuted amid the block's shift to Adult Swim's late-night schedule, emphasizing a futuristic, immersive presentation style. In early 2020, the caused significant production delays for several dubs, leading Toonami to adjust its programming block by shortening it to start at midnight ET and incorporating more filler episodes or repeats to maintain consistency. These disruptions affected shows like : Golden Wind, which went on hiatus after episode 28 due to dubbing setbacks, resuming in August 2020. The era's narrative elements, including references to a "future" timeline in T.O.M.'s monologues, resonated with the real-world isolation themes during the pandemic. Recent developments in the era include the cancellation of the nostalgic Toonami Rewind block on December 27, 2024, which had aired classic series like and on Fridays, replaced by extended Checkered Past programming amid shifting priorities at . In January 2025, returned to the main Toonami lineup after a 25-year absence, premiering on January 25 at 3:00 a.m. ET with the original English dub, marking a revival of early Toonami staples. The block also featured a marathon of the English dub on January 4, 2025, from midnight to 2:30 a.m. ET, highlighting horror ahead of its full integration. Halloween 2025 programming on October 25 included an marathon and FLCL: Shoegaze specials, emphasizing seasonal thematic shifts. Additionally, a Lazarus half-season marathon aired on May 10, 2025, replaying the first six episodes to build anticipation for ongoing arcs. Schedule evolutions have maintained a core five-hour block from midnight to 5:00 a.m. ET on Saturdays, incorporating double episodes for select series to accommodate simulcast pacing. Blue Exorcist Season 2 (Beyond the Snow Saga) joined on November 8, 2025, at 12:30 a.m. ET, alongside ongoing runs of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, which added new arcs in 2025. New titles like Dan Da Dan premiered in the fall of 2025 at 2:00 a.m. ET, blending supernatural action with the block's established shonen focus. As of 2025, Toonami's viewership averages 100,000 to 200,000 total viewers per broadcast, with lead shows like Daima drawing around 159,000 in September 2025, according to Programming Insider data. Amid rising competition from streaming platforms like and , industry discussions highlight concerns over the block's long-term sustainability, citing stagnant cable ratings and the shift toward on-demand anime consumption, though has reaffirmed no immediate changes to the format.

Online services

Toonami Reactor

Toonami Reactor was an early online streaming and interactive platform launched by on March 26, 2001, during the T.O.M. 2 era, serving as a digital companion to the television block. It debuted as a 12-week test offering on-demand access to 40 episodes of from the Frieza Saga and 26 episodes of , optimized for high-speed connections while providing limited content for 56K dial-up users. Initial features emphasized interactivity, including character profiles functioning as episode guides with trivia questions, fan polls for opinions on shows, and exclusive editorial content from magazine displayed alongside streams. Users could also submit and engage with four original Flash-based games—two tied to and two specific to Toonami—enhancing community involvement. The platform evolved through its peak from late 2001 to 2003, expanding beyond the initial trial after positive reception. In November 2001, it relaunched with additional online-exclusive programming, such as Patlabor: The TV Series, Harlock Saga, and Record of Lodoss War, alongside Daft Punk music videos as exclusive clips. Interactive elements grew to include more Flash games, ongoing polls for viewer feedback, and integrations with Toonami's on-air video game reviews, allowing users to access related content like game tips and tie-in promotions. By summer 2002, it incorporated partnerships with Weekly Shonen Jump under an Adult Swim-branded revamp called "Adult Swim Pipeline," broadening its appeal to older audiences with enhanced streaming and community tools. Operated by Cartoon Network's digital arm, CN Interactive, Toonami Reactor contributed to the network's online expansion, building on the main CartoonNetwork.com site's early success of 4 million visitors in its 1998 debut month. The platform attracted a substantial youth audience, with its user base growing into the millions amid rising adoption, as Toonami itself drew peak viewership of over 2 million households weekly during this period. It ceased operations around 2005, transitioning amid broader technological shifts toward advanced video-on-demand and the decline of dial-up compatibility, paving the way for later services like Toonami Jetstream. Toonami Reactor played a pivotal role in fostering the pre-social media online anime community, offering one of the first legitimate streaming options for U.S. fans and encouraging interactive engagement that deepened loyalty to the block's hosts and programming. By providing accessible exclusives and user-driven features, it helped bridge television viewing with digital interaction, influencing how anime enthusiasts connected and discussed series like in online forums and chats tied to the site.

Toonami Jetstream

Toonami Jetstream was a free, ad-supported online broadband streaming service launched by in partnership with on July 17, 2006, during the T.O.M. 3 era of the Toonami programming block. The service provided on-demand access to full-length episodes of Toonami-aired series, allowing viewers to stream content directly through the dedicated website at ToonamiJetstream.com. It integrated with 's broader online portal, expanding the block's reach beyond traditional television by offering episodes weeks in advance of their TV premiere dates. The platform featured uncut episodes of popular series such as , , , and later additions like Kiba and Zatch Bell!, with new content uploaded regularly to coincide with or precede broadcast schedules. Beyond standard episodes, Jetstream included exclusive pilots, short films, music videos, and video game reviews tied to Toonami properties, enhancing fan engagement with behind-the-scenes material and promotional content. In its early months, the service delivered over 9.5 million video streams, demonstrating significant early adoption among broadband users seeking ad-interrupted but accessible anime viewing. Jetstream operated as a pioneering effort in anime streaming during a period when platforms like YouTube were emerging, providing a dedicated space for action-oriented animation and helping to bridge television and digital distribution for Toonami's audience. The service remained active until its closure on January 30, 2009, following the cancellation of the Toonami block in September 2008, though select content like Naruto episodes transitioned to Viz Media's own streaming site. Its model of pre-broadcast online availability laid groundwork for later developments in anime digital delivery by major networks.

Toonami Pre-Flight

Toonami Pre-Flight is a weekly live-streaming launched by on February 27, 2015, serving as a digital companion to the Toonami block. Hosted by Toonami creators Jason DeMarco and Gill Austin, the hour-long episodes stream on adultswim.com every Saturday at 11:00 p.m. ET, immediately preceding the Toonami broadcast. The format features discussions on current and past Toonami shows, host picks for themes like favorite video games or movies, interviews with guests such as voice actors (e.g., as T.O.M.), and sneak peeks at upcoming programming. Episodes often include segments on news, fan questions, and promotional content to build excitement for the night's lineup. Available for free streaming without a cable subscription, Pre-Flight episodes are also archived as podcasts on platforms like , , and iHeart, accumulating hundreds of thousands of views and fostering community engagement on social media. The show aims to deepen fan interaction during Toonami's era, providing behind-the-scenes insights and thematic tie-ins that enhance the viewing experience. It has evolved to include live events and special episodes, such as those tied to anniversaries, contributing to Toonami's sustained popularity among young adult audiences as of 2025.

Streaming partnerships

Toonami's streaming partnerships have evolved since the to complement its television broadcasts, enabling simulcasts and on-demand access for audiences through third-party platforms. An early notable collaboration occurred in 2015 with , which licensed Parasyte -the maxim- for its uncut English dub premiere on Toonami starting October 3, while providing streaming availability on for extended viewing of the series' Toonami-exclusive episodes. In March 2019, Adult Swim expanded its relationship with Crunchyroll through a comprehensive programming and distribution agreement, positioning Crunchyroll as a key content partner for Toonami. This deal facilitated the delivery of dubbed anime episodes to Toonami's Saturday night block alongside global simulcast streaming on Crunchyroll, with examples including Dragon Ball Super (which Toonami aired from 2017 and continued streaming post-agreement) and later series like Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 in 2024, where episodes streamed same-day on Crunchyroll following Toonami dubs. Recent expansions in 2025 further highlighted these ties, with the addition of : Kyoto Saga (Season 2) to Toonami's May lineup for the first time, offering on-demand streaming access on to broaden reach beyond linear TV. Similarly, Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War joined Toonami's lineup on May 17, 2025, with streaming rights managed through Disney+ and for on-demand availability, reflecting diversified partnerships amid industry shifts. As of November 2025, ongoing series like : Beyond the Snow Saga (Season 4) continue with same-day streaming on . These collaborations have supported a hybrid model, enhancing Toonami's accessibility while navigating Discovery's 2025 corporate separation, which influenced content acquisition strategies without disrupting core operations.

Programming

Cartoon Network and Kids' WB era (1997–2008)

The original Toonami block on premiered on March 17, 1997, as an afternoon programming slot targeting children and teenagers with action-oriented , initially drawing from the network's library of American shows before incorporating Japanese . Early staples included (1985–1989 series reruns from 1997–2002), (1984–1985 series from 1997–2000), and (1985 adaptation from 1997), which helped establish the block's focus on heroic adventures and themes. By 1998, integration began with the addition of (seasons 1–2 from 1998–2001 in the DIC and Cloverway dubs), marking Toonami's entry into the genre and attracting a broader audience, including female viewers. The core lineup expanded significantly in the late and early , featuring around 50 series over the era, with (1998–2003 in the and dubs) becoming the block's flagship program after its debut on September 13, 1998, airing edited versions of major arcs like the and Cell sagas. Other key anime additions included Tenchi Muyo! (1995–1996 OVA series from 1999–2000), (1995–1996 series from 2000–2002 via partnership), and crossovers from such as (2000–2003 series from 2001–2002), blending Western superhero animation with Toonami's anime-heavy slate. These programs, totaling over 1,000 episodes across the block, emphasized high-stakes battles and character growth, with content edited for violence, language, and themes to suit family viewing. Notable later additions highlighted Toonami's growing emphasis on anime, including Yu Yu Hakusho (1992–1994 series from 2003–2005 in Funimation's dub, heavily censored for supernatural violence) and Naruto (2002–2007 series from 2005–2008, aired in a censored Viz Media dub). Acquisitions were facilitated through strategic partnerships: Saban Entertainment handled early distributions like Sailor Moon after its USA Network run ended, while Funimation collaborated on Dragon Ball Z and later titles, providing in-house dubs that replaced initial outsourced versions. 4Kids Entertainment's involvement grew with shows like One Piece (1999 series from 2005–2008, using their child-friendly dub until Funimation took over in 2007), though their edits—such as toning down mature elements—drew criticism and were gradually phased out in favor of less altered Funimation productions. Programming trends during this period reflected a deliberate shift from magical girl narratives, exemplified by Sailor Moon's ensemble-driven fantasy, toward shonen action series focused on individual heroism and prolonged battles, as seen in the dominance of Dragon Ball Z and Naruto. This evolution aligned with rising U.S. demand for Japanese imports, boosted by Toonami's scheduling on weekday afternoons until 2004 (when it moved to Saturdays due to content concerns) and brief Kids' WB synergies for broader reach. The block concluded on September 20, 2008, after airing a diverse mix that popularized anime for Western audiences.

Adult Swim era (2012–present)

Toonami's revival on commenced on May 26, 2012, introducing an initial lineup centered on uncut English-dubbed tailored for a mature audience, including the U.S. television premiere of at 12:30 a.m. ET, alongside reruns of classics like . This block marked a shift from the original era's edited content for younger viewers, emphasizing unrated presentations with violence, language, and thematic elements intact to appeal to older fans. The lineup also incorporated ongoing series such as and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, establishing Toonami as a dedicated destination on the network. Over the years, Toonami expanded significantly through key acquisitions of high-profile anime, premiering Attack on Titan on May 3, 2014, at 11:30 p.m. ET, which drew substantial viewership with its intense, uncut depiction of humanity's struggle against Titans. Subsequent additions included the English dub of One-Punch Man on July 16, 2016, highlighting satirical superhero action, and My Hero Academia starting May 26, 2018, covering all three seasons at the time to showcase quirk-based heroism in a school setting. In 2021, Toonami ventured into original productions with Blade Runner: Black Lotus, an animated cyberpunk series premiering on November 13, blending neo-noir elements from the franchise in an uncut format. These selections, often sourced from partners like Funimation, contributed to a catalog exceeding 50 unique series by the early 2020s, with rotations emphasizing seasonal anime premieres. Post-2015, Toonami increasingly focused on dubs, airing English versions shortly after Japanese broadcasts to align with global release schedules, as seen with and later titles like . This approach fueled ongoing debates within the anime community about dubs versus subtitles, with Toonami's high-quality English adaptations—produced in collaboration with and for series like and One Piece—praised for accessibility while purists argued for original audio fidelity. By prioritizing uncut episodes, the block issued content warnings for graphic violence and mature themes, such as those in and , ensuring viewers were alerted to potentially disturbing material. Recent expansions as of 2025 include premieres of Dragon Ball Daima (October 2024), Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War (May 2025), Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga (May 2025), Season 2 (November 2024), and the horror series (October 2025), alongside marathons of FLCL Shoegaze, reflecting continued emphasis on shonen action, sequels, and original content through partnerships like . Overall, Toonami has aired over 150 seasons across its run as of November 2025, rotating fresh content to maintain engagement with evolving viewer preferences.

Current lineup

Weekly schedule

The Toonami block airs on Saturdays from midnight to 4:00 a.m. ET on , spanning a standard four-hour duration that typically features rotations of two episodes per series to accommodate ongoing programming. This structure includes an opening host segment led by T.O.M. 6, interspersed commercial breaks, and a closing fold-out sequence, with occasional marathons—such as the Halloween special or : binge—that override the regular lineup for thematic events. Following the cancellation of the Toonami Rewind nostalgia block at the end of 2024, the schedule has shifted emphasis toward premiering new episodes of current series, including expanded slots for select titles. For instance, in Fall 2025, received doubled episodes in the 1:00 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. ET slots to accelerate its narrative progression. The block is accessible via traditional cable providers carrying as well as the official Adult Swim streaming app, which offers on-demand viewing without requiring a login for select content. Programming generally carries TV-14 or TV-MA ratings, reflecting mature themes like and suitable for adult audiences.

Ongoing series

As of November 19, 2025, Toonami's ongoing series rotation features continuing seasons of major titles, typically maintaining 4–6 active series across its slots with 8–12 episodes per programming block. is a core ongoing entry, with its third season (Shimane Illuminati Saga) having premiered on Toonami in August 2025; the fourth season (Beyond the Snow Saga) debuted on November 8, drawing approximately 145,000 viewers in prior Shimane airings and via . Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War's English dub premiered on Toonami in May 2025, with parts 1 and 2 having aired; part 3 ("The Conflict") is scheduled to premiere , 2025, sustaining viewership near 110,000 per episode from earlier parts, also available via simulcast. Dragon Ball Daima continues airing its Daima Saga episodes into late 2025, following its Toonami debut in 2024, with recent episodes maintaining strong viewership in the 100,000–150,000 range. Season 2 (The Divine Visionary Candidate Arc) premiered on November 8, 2025, at 1:00 a.m. ET, continuing from its first season's popularity. One Piece airs ongoing dubbed episodes, with a new arc on Zou island beginning November 8, 2025, at 1:30 a.m. ET following the conclusion of the Dressrosa and Silver Mine arcs, available via . Recent conclusions include Dan Da Dan, whose first season aired from July 26 to October 12, 2025, averaging around 107,000 viewers. Past revivals and specials in 2025 include (January 25 to June 28), Uzumaki marathons (January and October Halloween), and : Shoegaze marathon (October with bonus November 1). Lazarus aired its first season from April 5 to June 29, 2025, with a subbed marathon on July 12, averaging around 170,000 viewers during its run. Overall, 2025 seasons have seen consistent viewer metrics of 100,000–200,000 per slot, with simulcasts enhancing global reach through .

Additional features

Video game reviews

Toonami's video game reviews began in 1997 alongside the launch of the programming block, with host Moltar delivering the first segments during commercial breaks. These short features, typically lasting 30 to , provided commentary on popular titles and concluded with ratings on a scale of 1 to 10, initially using a 1-to-5 system before expanding in 2000. The reviews tied into Toonami's action-oriented theme by highlighting games with intense , storytelling, and visuals that appealed to the block's young audience. As Toonami evolved, the review format adapted with the transition to host T.O.M. in 1999, incorporating CGI integrations for more dynamic presentations from the spaceship set. Early examples included coverage of in 1999 and Final Fantasy X in 2001, where T.O.M. praised innovative mechanics and narrative depth. Over the original run, approximately 80 reviews were produced, spanning consoles like PlayStation, , and , with a focus on titles that resonated with fans through elements like RPG elements or fast-paced action. Production involved capturing authentic gameplay clips, often sourced directly from the games, combined with hosted narration that evaluated aspects such as graphics quality, storyline coherence, and replayability. Scripts were crafted by Toonami producers like Jason DeMarco, ensuring the segments remained concise yet informative, avoiding spoilers while encouraging viewership. The review feature was discontinued following the cancellation of the original Toonami block in 2008, amid declining ratings and shifts in Cartoon Network's programming strategy. It left a lasting influence on the network's later gaming content, such as integrated segments in other shows, though no direct equivalent has appeared in the 2012 revival.

Promotional elements

Toonami's promotional elements have played a key role in establishing its distinctive sci-fi aesthetic and immersive branding, featuring visual and audio transitions that separate the block from standard programming. bumpers often incorporated T.O.M.'s voice delivering warnings such as "Parental discretion advised" before more intense content, accompanied by era-specific designs like cybernetic explosions and digital glitches to signal show transitions. These bumpers evolved across decades, from the late ' metallic, spaceship-themed animations to the 2010s' darker, electronic-infused visuals that maintained a sense of . The block's intros and outros further reinforced this branding, with themes shifting from hip-hop beats in the 1997 launch—featuring Moltar as host—to electronic and drum-and-bass tracks by the early 2000s under T.O.M.'s guidance aboard the . Intros typically unfolded with fold animations that revealed the upcoming show's title against a cosmic backdrop, while outros wrapped segments with motivational monologues from T.O.M., such as reflections on perseverance, ending in phrases like "Until we meet again. Stay gold" during the 2008 finale. By the 2013 Adult Swim revival, intros adopted a more minimalist electronic style, syncing with T.O.M.'s upgraded design to preview lineups without overt narration. Advertisements integrated seamlessly into the block, promoting Cartoon Network events, tie-in merchandise like Dragon Ball Z toys, and upcoming episodes through high-energy spots with action clips and glowing green timecards. Each era produced unique promotional assets, including custom promos for series debuts and crossovers, designed to hype viewer engagement while preserving the block's futuristic tone. These elements often carried positive messaging, emphasizing themes of self-belief and resilience amid explosive visuals. In the 2020s, Toonami adapted these promotional components for digital platforms, releasing remastered bumpers and intros on and to celebrate milestones like the 25th anniversary in , where classic promos such as the "Broken Promise" AMV returned. Short-form content like glitching nightmare sequences and battle clips now serves as online bumpers, sustaining immersion during hostless airings and extending the brand beyond linear TV. In 2024, Toonami introduced the short-lived Toonami Rewind block (May–December) with new electronic-style bumpers and promotional content for series such as Daima and .

International versions

Australia

Toonami launched as a programming block on on July 7, 2001, featuring action-oriented animation primarily consisting of series. The block was hosted by the same characters as the U.S. version, Moltar and later T.O.M., but incorporated regional bumpers tailored for Australian audiences to introduce shows and provide transitions. It initially aired on weekends, with Saturday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday afternoons from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., later expanding to weekdays before concluding on August 4, 2006. The lineup emphasized anime titles, building on pre-existing popularity of series like , which had aired on Australia prior to the block's debut. Other key programs included Australian premieres such as Cardcaptors and exclusives like , Zoids: New Century, and , alongside American animated series like . Approximately 30 series aired overall, with content often featuring localized edits to comply with Australian broadcast standards, including censorship of violence and language in shows like and for family viewing suitability. premiered on the block in 2006, using an edited English dub with regional openings. Reruns of Toonami programming appeared on other networks in the and , including for select episodes, though without the dedicated block format. No full Toonami block returned after 2006, with occasional marathons on until the channel's closure in on May 13, 2025. In the 2020s, former Toonami series became available via streaming on , integrated as an add-on to Prime Video since October 2024, providing access to edited and uncut versions without a branded block.

Canada

Toonami's programming reached Canadian audiences through simulcasts of the U.S. feed on select cable providers starting in 1997, coinciding with the launch of , Canada's bilingual animation channel. YTV, another key Canadian youth network, began airing Toonami staples like in English during this period, using the Saban/Ocean dub from 1997 onward. These early broadcasts introduced action anime to Canadian viewers without a dedicated local block, relying on proximity to U.S. signals for full access. From 2001 to 2008, developed dedicated action programming blocks that mirrored Toonami's focus on and animated action series, such as the 2003 launch of Kapow! featuring titles like and . Later iterations, including the Action Force block by , continued this emphasis with series like Batman: The Brave and the Bold and , airing in afternoon and weekend slots. Adaptations for bilingual audiences were prominent, with French dubs tailored for viewers on ; for instance, received a localized French version broadcast in the province. English-language edits aligned closely with U.S. standards, including content adjustments for younger demographics to meet CRTC guidelines on children's programming, which mandate limited advertising and age-appropriate material in kids' blocks. The 2012 revival of Toonami in the U.S. corresponded with the launch of a dedicated channel in by Teletoon Canada Inc., incorporating an block that aired select Toonami-associated series like and without the Toonami branding. This integration allowed Canadian viewers access to revived content via the new 24-hour service introduced in 2019 by . Currently, ongoing Toonami series such as are available through streaming platforms like and in , often with both subbed and dubbed options. Unique events during the 2000s included promotional marathons on and YTV, such as extended airings to build audience engagement while adhering to CRTC requirements for a minimum of Canadian-produced content in children's schedules—typically 10-12 minutes per hour of priority programming. These efforts highlighted Toonami's influence on Canadian fandom, fostering bilingual viewership and regulatory-compliant adaptations.

Europe

Toonami adaptations in Europe have primarily taken the form of localized programming blocks and standalone channels on feeds, tailored to regional languages, broadcasting regulations, and audience preferences for action anime and animation. These versions emphasized French, English, Polish, and other dubs to broaden accessibility, often airing popular series like and alongside Western animated action shows. Unlike the U.S. original, European iterations frequently navigated stricter EU content guidelines, resulting in edits for violence, suggestive themes, and language to comply with youth protection standards set by bodies like the . In , Toonami debuted as a dedicated action block on France in 2002, running evenings and featuring French-dubbed such as Gundam Wing to appeal to older children and teens. The block continued until around 2008 before a revival as a full-fledged channel launched by Turner France on February 11, 2016, marketed as the "Home of Superheroes" with a lineup blending imports and original animations. This channel, available via cable and satellite providers like Canal+ and , focused on 24/7 programming for the 6-12 age group but included teen-oriented content in dubs, remaining active into the 2020s with expansions to French-speaking territories like and . The and saw Toonami launch as a weekday evening block on UK in late 2000, initially airing three hours of action programming including anime dubs and shows like . By October 2002, it integrated into the CNX spin-off channel targeting 7-15-year-olds, evolving into a standalone Toonami channel in September 2003 under Europe. This dedicated network broadcast until May 2007, when it rebranded to amid a portfolio overhaul to focus on content, ending the channel's run after four years of operation. A brief integration appeared in 2015 on Fox UK, offering late-night Toonami-style anime blocks before shifting to streaming dominance; reruns of key series later appeared on in the to fill action slots. In Poland and Central Eastern , Toonami started as a nighttime block on the Cartoon Network CEE feed on November 4, 2002, targeting markets like , , and with Polish-dubbed including , which aired from 2003 onward. The block aligned with the Hyper programming strand on Teletoon+ (launched in 2001), which emphasized action and for tweens, running select Toonami content until 2014 when Hyper+ rebranded. Post-2020, former Toonami series gained renewed visibility through Max streaming in Poland, offering dubbed libraries of classics like amid the platform's anime push before its transition to Max in 2023.

Asia

Toonami was introduced in as a programming block on in July 2001, as part of the channel's expansion to a 24-hour service targeting action-oriented animation, including Japanese . The block quickly gained traction among children aged 4-14, becoming the second most-watched channel in kids' (4:00-8:00 p.m.) in cable and satellite households during May-July 2001, with an audience share of 7.4% by mid-2002 and reach in 15 million homes by the early 2000s; ratings grew 73% from April 2001 to April 2002. Popular shonen series like and aired with dubs to appeal to local viewers, contributing to Toonami's peak popularity in the 2000s amid high demand for action . In and , Toonami originated as a programming block on around 1999, offering localized content with dubs in languages such as Malay and to cater to diverse audiences. By the , the block evolved, with some content shifting to channels like Beyond before the launch of a dedicated 24-hour Toonami channel across in early 2013, replacing and focusing on and action series. The channel operated until the end of March 2018. Post-closure, former Toonami programming has been available through streaming services such as Asia. This regional expansion highlighted Toonami's role in fostering fandoms through accessible dubs and programming tailored to local preferences. In , Toonami had limited presence, primarily through test broadcasts on Japan in 2005 and collaborations like the co-production of IGPX: Immortal Grand Prix, an original series that premiered on the U.S. Toonami block but reflected cross-cultural ties between and Japanese studios. Overall, Toonami's adaptations in Asia emphasized shonen genres, driving cultural impact by introducing localized experiences that boosted regional fandoms; by 2025, former Toonami staples like continued to thrive on platforms such as Asia, where it ranked as the most-watched series in the first half of the year with 40 million views.

Latin America and Africa

Toonami launched as a programming block on in on December 2, 2002, featuring action-oriented and animation dubbed in Spanish and Portuguese to cater to regional audiences. The block aired popular series such as and Yu-Gi-Oh!, replacing an earlier themed segment called , and continued until 2008 before a brief return on I.Sat from 2015 to 2016. In August 2020, and revived Toonami in as a nightly block from midnight to 1 a.m., Monday through Friday, starting with and , both dubbed in Spanish and Portuguese. This partnership aimed to reintroduce to the region after a 13-year hiatus, emphasizing dubbed content to broaden accessibility. The block ran until August 2022, after which select Toonami series became available via streaming on platforms like HBO Max in the 2020s. Toonami has seen notable popularity in countries like and , where anime viewership leads , driven by dubbed broadcasts that resonate culturally. However, the region faces significant challenges from audiovisual , with and reporting losses exceeding $4 billion combined in 2022 due to illegal streaming sites. By 2025, expanded streaming access to Toonami titles in , offering both dubs and subtitles to combat and sustain fan engagement. In , Toonami debuted in 2017 as a dedicated channel on Kwesé TV pay-TV, targeting and action animation fans with series like from . WarnerMedia expanded the channel in 2020 to StarTimes, noting its three-year presence and focus on dubbed content in English, with some adaptations including local languages like for shows such as . The block has aired approximately 10–15 series, emphasizing family-friendly action amid limited distribution in the region. Across and , Toonami adaptations often include cultural edits to tone down violence for younger viewers, aligning with local broadcast standards while preserving core narratives. Overall, the regions have featured around 40 unique series since , prioritizing dubbed imports over to reach diverse, non-English-speaking audiences.

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