Anime and manga are two of the most popular cultural exports of Japan. They have found a boisterous audience in the West, significantly dominating pop culture and even outselling domestic comics. Characters from My Hero Academia and Attack on Titan are as prevalent at conventions as Marvel’s Avengers or DC’s Justice League. Streaming services continue to invest heavily in anime programming, from upcoming Junji Ito adaptations to continuations for Avatar: The Last Airbender, the latter of which arriving more than ten years after the series received its last episode. It’s hard to ignore just how popular anime and manga have become in such a relatively short time.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
Now, with the advent of the streaming age, it’s easier than ever to get your Japanese animation whenever and wherever you want. This spells trouble for Adult Swim’s Toonami. It was, at one point, the most accessible way to view some of the most beloved anime series. But, it now faces a conundrum – how can a cable programming block compete with streaming?
Toonami Made Anime Accessible
Warner Bros. Television
If you’re a fan of anime, you’ve likely heard of Adult Swim’s programming block Toonami at some point in your life. Airing every Saturday night, it was originally one of the most readily accessible sources of anime for the West, introducing an entire generation to the likes of Dragon Ball Z, Mobile Suit Gundam, and Voltron. While the block originally ended in 2008, it was briefly revived as part of Adult Swim’s annual April Fools’ pranks in 2012 before being permanently reinstated in May. Since then, the block has continued to air new episodes of currently-running anime in addition to other adult-oriented programs owned by its parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery.
The revival of Toonami in 2012 even brought a few surprises – namely, Space Dandy. It was the first time an anime series premiered on Toonami before airing in Japan. Original programming has also filled Toonami’s line-up in recent years, with shows like Blade Runner: Black Lotus and Shenmue: The Animation being co-produced by both Adult Swim and Crunchyroll.
But the entertainment world has changed significantly since 2012. On-demand streaming, next-day availability, and exclusive licensing deals have quickly taken over as the most readily available way to access anime. While some shows are available on Adult Swim’s website or HBO Max, there isn’t much available compared to dedicated streaming services.
Toonami’s Shift to the Horror Genre
Toonami is no stranger to horror. Over its history, it’s been home to a multitude of horror anime from the admittedly few offerings available, including Akira, Paranoia Agent, and Hellsing Ultimate. While its parent network is more well known for its relaxed atmosphere and colorful experimentation, the late-night setting also happens to fit well for spooking the viewer. After all, it had no qualms about introducing “screamers” into several of its channel bumpers to promote the surrealist horror show The Heart She Holler. Some bumpers even became legendary for just how unsettling they were.
Take, for instance, “The Dawn is Your Enemy,” a channel bumper that served to transition Adult Swim into the daytime programming of Cartoon Network. The low industrial hum, the startling detail of a pair of eyes staring directly at the viewer, and the looming threat of something creeping just above the horizon scared the Hell out of many a young viewer.
Keeping this in mind, Toonami’s 25th Anniversary brought the announcement of a brand new, original anime series with it: Housing Complex C. It follows the story of Kimi Shirokado and Yuri Koshide as the duo encounter increasingly strange occurrences emanating from their housing complex. As the bodies of animals begin to pile up and tenants begin disappearing from the property, a world of horror lies in wait for not just Kimi and Yuri but all the housing complex.
The four-episode miniseries was conceived as a stop-gap following production delays of Uzumaki, an adaptation of Junji Ito’s prolific series that was initially announced in 2019. While Housing Complex C may have been made for that purpose, it reflects a gradual shift in programming priorities for the Toonami.
Capitalizing on its ability to produce exclusive shows, Toonami has started shifting focus towards an unexpected direction: being a home for horror anime. According to an exclusive interview with ComicBook, Jason DeMarco and Maki Terashima-Furuta – co-founder of Toonami and producer of Housing Complex C, respectively – discussed that there is currently a gap in available horror anime. Based on the positive reception towards Housing Complex C and hype for the upcoming Uzumaki adaptation, there’s potential for Toonami to carve out a unique niche for itself in a sorely lacking market. Whether new shows will be based on existing properties made by mangakas or be wholly original remains to be seen.
Can Toonami Compete With Streaming?
Realistically, Toonami is at a severe disadvantage when compared to streaming services. Though GameRant reported that Warner Bros. Discovery “has no plans to change” Toonami, stagnant ratings and increased competition from streaming services have put it in a precarious spot. The cancellation of Batgirl and rumors that Cartoon Network was on the chopping block certainly haven’t helped matters.
Nonetheless, with the success of Housing Complex C and the upcoming Uzumaki adaptation, it looks like Toonami may successfully transition into its newfound niche. The block has always had a relatively low profile compared to other Adult Swim programming, but placing its bets on horror anime may give it an edge over its competition.
