What is "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 and ended on September 20, 2008, it is currently (as of May 18, 2016) a late Saturday night adult-orientated 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, Mobile Suit Gundam Wing, Tenchi Muyo!, Outlaw Star, Zoids: New Century Zero, 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 from its forerunner, Midnight Run. 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!, Parasyte -the maxim-, Hunter × Hunter (2011), Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans, and One-Punch Man.

Toonami was a British children's channel which aired from September 2003 to May 2007.

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.

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 is a 24-hour channel in India and a former block on India's first kids channel, Cartoon Network. Turner International India, a Time Warner Company, the owner of India's leading kids' entertainment channels, Cartoon Network and Pogo, launched Toonami on 26 February 2015. The channel is dedicated to bringing high-octane animated action to kids, superhero fans and their families across the country.

Commenting on the launch Siddharth Jain, Managing Director of Turner International India, said, "It is a real proud moment for Turner to bring in a channel like Toonami to our young Indian audiences – we now offer a robust entertainment experience for all ages and interests. A highly successful international brand, it will meet the growing demand for premium quality action-adventure and superhero content."