Toonami is bringing backseveral of the anime classicsthat helped its rise to prominence. Cartoon Network announced that, beginning on May 31, it will start airing a new programming block called Toonami Rewind dedicated to showcasing two hours of throwback anime at an earlier time than the standard Adult Swim schedule. Its first batch of shows will include the originalSailor Moonairing at 5 p.m. ET, followed by two episodes ofDragon Ball Z Kaistarting at 5:30 p.m. ET and finallyNarutoat 6:30 p.m. ET. It’s unclear what if any other classic anime will be featured in the future.
Beginning in 1997, Toonami is largely responsible forintroducing an entire generation of Western viewersto the medium of anime by sharing the biggest shows to cross over from Japan. Although the animation block featured more than just anime, withThunderCatsandSamurai Jackamong the other programs to air, it is most remembered for the action-oriented Japanese favorites it introduced, fromSailor Moonand the originalDragon Ball Zto other stone-cold classics likeYu Yu Hakusho,Inuyasha, andOne Piece. This new block looks to celebrate the history of the storied anime broadcast and give it a more regular presence ahead of Adult Swim.
Adult Swimhas since kept Toonami going strongas its late Saturday night home for anime. Although it was briefly taken off the air from 2008 through 2012, it currently runs from 12:00 a.m to 3:30 a.m. with episodes ofnewer anime likeMy Hero AcademiaandAttack on Titanas well as original series likeFLCL: ShoegazeandBlade Runner: Black Lotus. Its most recent success was its action seriesNinja Kamuy, which debuted to solid reviews earlier this year on February 10.
What Does the Future Hold for Toonami?
While the Toonami Rewind slate will showcase the sparkling past of the pivotal anime block, the future looks bright as well. One of the most anticipated Adult Swim-produced projects coming to Toonami is an adaptation of Japanese horror masterJunji Ito’s magnum opus,Uzumaki. Originally announced back in 2019, the series wasdelayed indefinitely back in 2022, with Adult Swim’sJason DeMarcocommenting that the anime will be released when it’s ready.
Early clips and imageshave been extremely promising, however, creating high expectations for the project after the underwhelming releases ofJunji Ito CollectionandJunji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of the Macabre. Also on the docket isLazarus, the upcoming new anime project ofCowboy BebopandSamurai ChamploodirectorShinichirō WatanabewithJohn Wick’sChad Stahelskiattached to plot out its action sequences.
Toonami Rewind begins airing on Cartoon Network starting at 5 p.m. on May 31. To get ready for the trio of classic anime series, check out the trailer forSailor MoonSeason 1 below.
Sailor Moon
A group of schoolgirls discover they are incarnations of super-powered alien princesses, and use their abilities to defend the earth.
