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March 19th, 2008: Why Toonami?
Topic Started: Mar 19 2008, 10:27 AM (2,282 Views)
Nick
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Founder and Major Domo
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An explanation for the newbies, and a reminder for the veterans.

http://www.toonamifan.com/toonamiwhy.html
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macattack
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Watch Your Head.
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Toonami is something that came out before its time, so to speak. Years after it was created, there was nothing like it. There still isn't anything like it.

Jetix tries to imitate it, but that's all it is, an imitation. Jetix relies on old programming (much of which Toonami actually ran), a couple of originals that don't perform all that well, and hacked-up anime, much like the old Toonami had to do pre-2000, and even has the TV-Y7FV barrier that Toonami had to deal with for so long.

Canada's Bionix comes closest to emulating the Toonami "feel", but Bionix isn't really a Toonami-style block. It is really Toonami and Adult Swim's saturdays smashed together, a block where Avatar: The Last Airbender is followed up by Death Note, and Futurama (!) is promoted during airings of Naruto.

There is only one Toonami out there, and that's why it remains special even with imitators abound and it constantly has to fight for survival, as CN has sought to kill or weaken Toonami multiple times throughout the block's history. From the music to the presentation to the actual shows and what Toonami's done for the action-animation business, to how Toonami's gotten involved with its viewers and made the viewers feel like they are part of Toonami, that's why the block remains special.
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tytheartist
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That was good read.

And one part hit me hard:

"It's probably pretty hard to get the idea if you just saw Toonami for the first time a little while ago. In fact, without first-hand experience of the block's beginnings and prime years, I would hazard a guess that it's basically impossible to become a true fan."

We are understood by each other because we have that common bond. And only those who have been there from the early years will understand.

God this site never ceases to amaze me. Keep on making the faithful proud Nick.
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Jeff Harris
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Well said, Nick.

I'm probably the last of the old guard still around, still updating, still celebrating the legacy of "a better cartoon show." Glad to see I'm not the only who recognizes what Toonami really is.

There would be no anime industry without Toonami.

That's a blunt statement, but it's a true statement. Bandai would still be seen as only the maker of Power Rangers toys if Toonami never acquired Gundam Wing, Outlaw Star, and The Big O. Tenchi Muyo would be a curiousity largely unseen by the masses. Dragon Ball Z would have been seen as a failure and never even considered a marketable brand, let alone the inspiration for a major Hollywood-made motion picture.

Hell, there wouldn't be a Jetix without Toonami. There wouldn't even be an Anime Network without Toonami. There wouldn't be a FUNimation without Toonami, let alone a FUNimation Channel, because Toonami gave FUNimation an environment to play in as well as helped give the company the confidence to acquire more shows and even launch their own network. There wouldn't be an Adult Swim without Toonami. Viz would still be known only as the publisher of Animerica and Ranma 1/2 videos.

Like I said at the site, the anime industry owes a debt to Toonami, and at times, I feel it's time for them to pay it back.

When was the last time you saw people create a site around a programming block? You've never seen a TGIF site or a blog dedicated to Must See TV. You'll see individual show sites, but ones based on a programming block is rare. The connection with Toonami is still there, even if people try to move away from the block. It's a part of you, especially if you've grown with the block over the years like the Toonami faithful.

That's another thing. Are there any Adult Swim Faithfuls? Fans yes, but would you fight to save it? Jetix fans are plentiful, but it doesn't connect with the viewers. Toonami was the first and the last programming block to actually appreciate and acknowledge the fans and viewers without mocking them. That's why the fanbase of Toonami is still strong.

That's probably why the article resonated with me. Well said, Nick.
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Zipper
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Jeff Harris
Mar 19 2008, 01:00 PM
Like I said at the site, the anime industry owes a debt to Toonami, and at times, I feel it's time for them to pay it back.

I've read this on one of your recent articles but never really understood what you meant. How would the anime industry go about "paying back its debt" to Toonami?
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Jeff Harris
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Zipper
Mar 19 2008, 03:44 PM
I've read this on one of your recent articles but never really understood what you meant. How would the anime industry go about "paying back its debt" to Toonami?

One can't easily pay off a debt that huge. Seriously, Toonami created and cultivated the current generation of anime fans in its 11-year run.

But they could vocally support the block publicly and in the negotiation rooms of Cartoon Network.

Take for instance Viz Media.

Viz knows how much Toonami has done for their business, and they've been partners in many Toonami-oriented endeavors starting with Toonami Reactor and currently providing programming for both the on-air block (most notably Naruto) and Jetstream. Viz could easily say (and actually have said) that they acknowledge and respect the contributions Toonami has made to the anime industry over the years as well as influencing business decisions on their side. They could also force Cartoon Network to continue supporting the Toonami block on-air and online or else they could lose Viz-owned properties to other outlets, including Naruto.

Naruto could survive without Cartoon Network. I'm not sure if the opposite is true considering it's one the their biggest properties.

Other studios and distributors could take a similar stance because for the first time ever, they actually have the upper hand. Cartoon Network is taking Japanese animation for granted, and because of the dwindling space allotted to anime that isn't Pokemon or Naruto, anime studios could feel that they could take their highly desired properties elsewhere. This includes the now seemingly open spaces of Toon Disney, Nicktoons, and even The N.

The recent acquisition of Marvel programming by Nicktoons proves they're willing to enter the action-animation business in a big way, and what's a bigger message to Cartoon Network to support Toonami than Viz threatening to bring Naruto to Nicktoons and having it paired with Avatar everyday in primetime or bringing Bleach to The N?

Not that that's an option or even in the cards, but if Viz takes Naruto and Bleach away from Cartoon Network, that would be a blow to the network that many network executives and anime distributors would notice as a sign of mismanagement and ill-fated decisions. Toonami is the heart of Cartoon Network, and if the heart fails, the body would follow. And they don't want Naruto, a major component of the heart, to go away because it'll only lead to a domino effect.

And that's the truth.
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Rizwan the Captive Member
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Quote:
 
I'm probably the last of the old guard still around, still updating, still celebrating the legacy of "a better cartoon show."

Daikun still updates at the Infolink, but I don't know if that's concidered "old guard, " but it was the site that the survivors of the "Digital Arsenal Crash" that I've heard about, went to continue the legacy.

Quote:
 
Glad to see I'm not the only who recognizes what Toonami really is.

Come on Jeff, you're not alone here. None of the people at this site wouldn't be here if we all didn't feel the same way about Toonami. And like Nick said: "Without the fans, Toonami is nothing." We're all in this dude.

And Nick, all I can say is, well freakin' done.
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Rizwan the Captive Member
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whoa, something wonky with my pc. I'll post again later
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Linkpre
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That was a great article Nick. It remindered me what Toonami is all about and why it's worth fighting for. Toonami holds a special place in my entertainment life because of how different it was. It's the only block where there were specific promos, life lessons and fun little music videos. The "Space" and "Dreams" promos are especially memorable. I still remember right in the middle of the Space promo when all you could hear was that Gundam character breathing in space. I remember thinking that was the one of the coolest things ever.
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Rizwan the Captive Member
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This is something I just watched while watching IGPX on DVD, disk one. It's an interview with Akins and DeMarco about the show, but it has relevance to Nick's article and other stuff too. I'll just paraphrase the thibgs they said that are relevant to the article. Most of it is word for word though.

Music was just another way to separate the show, so that it felt different, that it was a new style, kind of a Toonami style. Music in general is a key way to separate a show. You won't necessarily be able to put your finger on it, but when you watch the full presentation of the show, if it sounds real good, you'll read that show as a higher quality show. And it doesn't feel like anything else, and that's what we wanted. We wanted it to feel like its own...entity. And think when you watch it, when the music and sound come together, it doesn't feel like any other show. And that's what we were going for from day one.

Like I said, this has relevance to Nick's "packaging and culture" point, but this doesn't just aply to music, but to Toonmai itself. And this interview gives me new hope, that Toonami is in much better hands than we think it is. They love it, and they know we love it, and they seem to know what we want. If you have the means, I definitely recommend watching this interview. Lots of great stuff. Just thought I'd share.
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sonofnight
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Linkpre
Mar 20 2008, 12:10 AM
I still remember right in the middle of the Space promo when all you could hear was that Gundam character breathing in space. I remember thinking that was the one of the coolest things ever.

I love that part too. It makes me remember why I started watching Toonami in the first place. It's definitely the best action block around, and we've all seen the impact it has. One of my fondest memories is when Tom2 said, "You're welcome." on the 5th Birthday of Toonami. It was definitely one of the proudest moments of my life to be part of something so innovative.
The article was very moving and I feel that with Revolution11, we the fans can definitely make a huge difference.
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The History Follower
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Perosnally I feel this is where Revolution 11 should have started. Not making demands at CN and WS but with reminding people what Toonami was about.
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Robert
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Great article. But it's a little too true. The Toonami I love exists in the past and Cartoon Network seems to get weaker everyday. Wait, I think I finally have an idea for an article. :o
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Jeff Harris
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The History Follower
Mar 20 2008, 07:42 PM
Perosnally I feel this is where Revolution 11 should have started. Not making demands at CN and WS but with reminding people what Toonami was about.

But that's the thing.

One of the biggest reason the Toonami Inner Circle Alliance was created IS to remind people what Toonami is all about. We've been doing it for about a decade now, but it's almost to the point that nobody cares.

People care more about the shows than the block itself, and TICA exists to showcase the block itself. Even wrote that into the mission statement of TICA. The X Bridge (my domain) and ANX does commentary and history, Tyler, Zogg, and Beefy preserve the visual history of the block at the Arsenal, Daikon and the others provide current information as it happens, and the Toon Zone forum houses the community part. Toonami Fan represents the third generation Toonami fansites and reflective of that side of the fanbase by bringing all generations in a place where they could commentate.

As I said, I've explained "Why Toonami" many times on the site for about a decade(including when I presented Revolution 11, though most folks don't really read TXB, and I've gone on to accept that), and Nick presented his version of why Toonami does exist and why it should continue to exist.

Nice touch opening up with "Welcome to Toonami," in case I didn't mention it before, Nick.

Revolution 11 isn't making demands towards Williams Street at all. On the contrary, TICA knows and respects how much they've done. But when it comes to Cartoon Network, they need to be reminded what Toonami is all about, why it must continue, why it's still relevant, why it is what it is and how it must be presented on their end. Williams Street could only do so much, but they are still employees of Cartoon Network, and they're the ones that need to be awaken.

That's why we fight. We've been reminding people what Toonami is all about for years now. Now is the time to remind Cartoon Network themselves.
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echo
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Good article.
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billyarnie
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Quote:
 
That's the long-term danger facing the block - that as we older Toonami Fans move on with our lives, there won't be any new adherents to fill the ranks. A return to the three factors mentioned above would be a great first step towards bolstering Toonami's reputation and attracting new obsessors.

Because without the fans, Toonami is nothing.

You, Nick, Jeff, Andrew & many more, embody the love for Toonami. From the beginning, Sean Akins & Jason DeMarco designed Toonami to be more than an Action-Adventure Cartoon Block. Cartoon Network already had those with "Super Adventures", "Power Zone" & the previous incarnations, but nothing clicked. Thanks to Moltar & the various versions of TOM, Toonami clicked! Those of you that have only been around since Mar. 17, 2007 or later, it's easier to say "So What?" So? Without you watching, but more important, without your input, if Toonami doesn't die, it stays insignificant & an afterthought. Toonami can still reach 20 years old & Cartoon Network can reach 25, but if Toonami is only on 2 hrs./week & CN has minimized action cartoons even more than now, Toonami, Cartoon Network & [adult swim] might as well be dead.
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jayngfet
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here's another reason why...


this.isn't.over.

so long as I see a tom onscreen or a block with the name theres a chance for glory, so long as the older fans keep commenting it aint over, we may be relativly old but we're not dead damnit
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billyarnie
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Sorry for bumping a month-old thread... Nick, an idea popped into my head this morning as I started thinking about Toonami. What about an article on "What Made Toonami Toonami"?
Rather than starting to write away, I started going throught the archives & re-read this article. Point #2 pretty much says what I wanted to say: It was the packaging & presentation that made that "action/fantasy/adventure" block the Toonami we grew to love. As you also said, Toonami created a framework for a culture that fans built a community around. That community still keeps interest in Toonami alive... at least among ourselves & if Cartoon Network decides to pay attention, maybe to others again.

If anyone shows interest about an article, please reply or PM here... especially you, Nick! ;) If I did it, I would expand & list in detail the components, plus indicate what has still carried over today to CN & the current Toonami.
For example, the "extreme sports" segments on Toonami became the Toonami KLIK street skate tour & CN's Props in 2007. Here's the Props launch page with a video of the 2007 winners (16 finalists & 9 winners). Click "See the Finalists" & you get to the 2008 page with 10 finalist videos up (5 more coming today, May 5 & the final 5 next Monday). Out of the 20 finalists, there will be 6 winners.
Edited: The 2008 page was updated this morning. There are now 15 finalist videos online & the rest next week. I'm sure voting opens then for the 6 winners.
Edited... Again! DANG! I just checked the 2008 page & played a few videos. The final 5 show up on May 19 & I'm sure voting for the Winning 6 starts then too. Sounds like Sweeps Month & maybe you see the Winners the 1st Week of June. We'll see...

Edit the Third: All 20 finalists are up. Voting for the 6 winners starts June 30. Depending on how long voting is open, a Props special with the winners should air in late August or early September. Could the winning videos air 1 by 1 as part of the new Friday block? Who knows?! I don't mind that, I just don't want CN to preempt Toonami or the new block with a Props special.

I'm sure there will be a 2008 Props special on CN with the winners. When should it air? Hopefully on Fried Dynamite or preempting part of it. They can encore it during DAS (Dynamite Action Squad), too. If they have to give it primetime, there's a 2 full hours unused Saturday night before Toonami. CN, Do Not... Repeat... DO NOT preempt ANY part of Toonami with your 2008 Props, like you did with the 2007 special for an hour!!
Am I supportive of the Props project? Absolutely! It has a little Nickelodeon feel to it, but some of these kids could be future athletes, musicians, etc. in 10-15 years. CN should showcase the best & give them credit... my bad, Props. Just don't mess with Toonami... Again!
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