Toonami

Toonami is an animated programming block geared towards action-oriented programming, primarily consisting of American animation and Japanese anime. Originally an afternoon and evening block on Cartoon Network, it is now a late night animation block on Adult Swim. It was created by Sean Akins and Jason DeMarco and produced by Williams Street. The name is a portmanteau of the words "cartoon" and "tsunami", suggesting a "tidal wave" of animated shows.

Toonami initially ran on Cartoon Network from 1997 to 2008. In its original run, the block was famous for showcasing action anime that became widely popular with American audiences; including Dragon Ball Z, Sailor Moon, Ronin Warriors, Gundam Wing, Tenchi Muyo!, Outlaw Star, Zoids, The Big O, Yu Yu Hakusho, Rurouni Kenshin, Naruto and One Piece. It was also recognized for its distinctive space-themed backdrop, anime music videos, drum and bass-flavored soundtrack, and host (a robot named T.O.M., short for Toonami Operations Module).

In 2012, Adult Swim relaunched Toonami as an adult-oriented animated block, which continues as a Saturday night action block. Shows from the older lineup have occasionally returned, along with newer shows such as Bleach, Soul Eater, Sword Art Online, Space Dandy, Naruto Shippuden, Attack on Titan, Dragon Ball Z Kai, Kill La Kill, Akame ga Kill! and Parasyte -the maxim-.

Toonami (Australia)

Toonami (a portmanteau of the words cartoon and tsunami) is a registered trademark of Cartoon Network, used initially for action-oriented programming blocks on Cartoon Network television channels worldwide, mostly showing American cartoons and Japanese anime, originating in Australia on July 7, 2001 and ended on September 2006.

History

Toonami launched on Cartoon Network Australia on 7 July 2001 as an outlet for action animation. Most of its lineup consisted of anime, including already popular shows such as Dragon Ball Z, as well as the Australian premiere of Cardcaptors and exclusives such as Mobile Suit Gundam Wing and YuYu Hakusho. Occasionally it also broadcast action cartoons from the United States such as Batman Beyond.

On its launch, Toonami broadcast on Saturday evenings from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm and on Sunday afternoons from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Each day's programming was repeated in the Toonami "Late Run" from 11:00 pm to 1:00 am. Toonami soon expanded to weekdays, and for a number of years could be seen seven days a week. Although time-slots varied, the main Toonami block remained on weekday afternoons; in 2005 it was airing weeknights from 6.00pm, with mini-marathons playing on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Toonami (Asia)

Toonami is a television channel that launched in Asia on 1 December 2012. It is operated and distributed in Asia by Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific, Inc., a Time Warner company. It is named after the programming block seen in the U.S, using the logo introduced in 2004 but with different branded promos.

Toonami's on-air content

Toonami is billed as the "ultimate home of the superhero" and "a dedicated destination for action enthusiasts". With content also available on its website, the brand promises a multi-platform experience. Featured action franchises include Young Justice, Dragon Ball Z, and Batman: The Brave and the Bold. The programming line-up also includes Cartoon Network original series such as Generator Rex and Ben 10: Alien Force. The channel is available in English, but with Mandarin Chinese and Thai options in Taiwan and Thailand, respectively.

Social media

Turner's Asia Pacific MD and Senior VP, Sunny Saha, claims the brand is created "for fans, by fans" and audiences are invited to connect with Toonami via Twitter, Facebook and YouTube where regular video content is shared with an online following. Toonami Asia's YouTube channel is divided into featured playlists. One month after the launch of Toonami, its Facebook page had more than 28,000 likes. Its Twitter feed has 250 subscribers since October 2012.