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| Is Toonami A Failed Experiment? |
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The question popped up in a memorable ad campaign on Toonami a couple of years ago. Violent images and chaotic moments were played throughout the promo. It was a dark times for the block, as they thought that the block was going to become extinct. Of course, they stopped airing the promos, but the question remains. There have been alterations to the original vision, favoring more anime than old-school and Western animation. And though there has been a lot of change and the people tend to like it, the block remains popular because of the fact that they take risks, and make no apologies about it.
Toonami is essentially THE block of choice for most anime fans. Afterall, seeing what other networks had to offer, including Fox's defunct Anime Invasion and the clearly Toonami-inspired Made in Japan block on Fox Family, there is clearly no substitute for this block. However, Toonami's far from perfect, as Western products and old-school shows are all but excluded from the block, which is unfortunate. Afterall, Toonami is the home of the best action cartoons on the planet. The block should reflect that. So, I'll ask the question again. Is Toonami a failed experiment? No. Despite its obvious flaws, Toonami is still the best thing out there. They showcase a lot of shows people would have never expected to see anywhere else. I mean, who would have imagined that a show like Gundam Wing, Tenchi, or Outlaw Star broadcasted anywhere? Also, Toonami gave new life to shows like Dragon Ball Z, Sailor Moon, Superman, and Batman. The former two spawned "new" episodes over the past two years while the latter two's success on the block spawned the development of a new series uniting the two legends based on the popular Justice League franchise. Toonami is a survivor. It's obvious that a lot of obstacles have been created to hinder the block. Bad schedules, cancelled weekend editions, and the like have plagued the block, and despite it on, the fans still came in droves. Though at times it may seem that the block is in dire straits, but relax, Toonami will still be around. As long as there are fans out there, as long as there is a demand for good action-animation, there will be a Toonami. So, if anybody out there is reading this, I'm not trying to be abrasive. I'm just saying that, well, Toonami is a great format. But, it could be much, much better. All you have to do is open your horizons, take chances (you'll make mistakes along the way, but that's normal), and be experimental. Afterall, Toonami was created based on these foundations, and you know how that grand experiment turned out!
Jeff Harris |