A Guide to Shows Currently Featured on Cartoon Network's Toonami Block

Toonami has been a name synonymous with action cartoons since its inception in 1997. With its move to Saturday evenings in 2004, many fans find that it's now but a shadow of its former self. Let's take a look at the current shows gracing the Toonami block (all times are Eastern).

7-8PM- TEEN TITANS
Teen Titans has proved to be a quick ratings-grabber for the block since they began premiering new episodes in 2004. The series features caped superhero Robin (of Batman fame) duking it out with supervillains with the help of his teammates, the Teen Titans. Each character brings something different to the table: Robin is your typical leader, Cyborg is the muscular tough guy with a heart of gold, Starfire is the sweetheart who wants nothing more than for everyone to get along, Raven is the dark, brooding loner, and Beast Boy is the comic relief. Despite their vast differences, the characters work together quite well, and make for a very amusing team. The show can go from dark and action-packed to mind-numbingly silly at the drop of a hat, definitely part of it's charm. Unfortunately, the series was cancelled in 2006, and now does little more but pad the Toonami block and drum up decent ratings.

8-8:30PM- STORM HAWKS
An episodic action series about a group of teens who do battle against the evil Cyclonian Empire in the world of Atmos. With a classic battle between good and evil, genuinely funny humor, and charming characters, it's little wonder the show moved from normal Cartoon Network to a seemingly long-lasting position on the Toonami lineup. Unlike many of the other shows on the block, don't expect a big storyline; just a fun action series.

8:30-9:30PM- NARUTO
The adventures of a boy striving to become the greatest ninja ever has been Toonami's biggest hit since its debut in 2005. I mean, what could attract the attention of kids more than 12-year-old ninjas going around beating up bad guys? The series gets rather dark and graphic at times, but has several lighthearted (and quite amusing) episodes. As of this writing, what many consider the best arc in the series has started airing. What it is, I'll leave it to you to check out! Currently Toonami airs the rerun of the previous episode at 8:30, then a new episode at 9, with another new episode set to replace Bobobo at 9:30 in the near future. Yes, it's that popular.

9:30-10PM- BOBOBO-BO BO-BOBO
Since 2005, Bobobo-Bo Bo-Bobo has been the craziest show on the Toonami block. Bobobo is on a quest to rid the world of the evil Chrome Dome Empire, who spreads its terror by hunting down everyone and anyone with hair and making them completely bald. Along the way, he'll meet Beauty, one of the only sane persons in the show, Don Patch, the crazy candy guy who loves creating havoc, Jelly Jiggler, a gelatin man who's also a glutton for punishment, Softon, a brooding ice cream...head...man, and more. As you may imagine, the series is wacky, insane, and nonsensical. Believe it or not, there is a storyline underneath all of the nonsense, and you may actually find yourself wondering what will happen next. Unfortunately, the series was cancelled in Japan after episode 76, and its end is near on Toonami, soon to be replaced by another new episode of Naruto.

10-10:30PM- ONE PIECE
One of the most popular anime series of all time, One Piece debuted on the Toonami block in 2005. The series stars Monkey D. Luffy, who is off on a quest to become the king of the pirates and find the legendary treasure One Piece. The series, formerly dubbed by 4Kids Entertainment, proved to be a decent ratings grabber for Toonami, and now proves to be even more popular with its new dub courtesy of FUNimation Productions as of September 29th. Currently there are no signs of the series slowing down in either Japan or America.

10:30-11PM- DRAGONBALL Z
Toonami's most popular show of all time, chronicling the adventures of Goku and his friends as they do battle with aliens, androids, wizards, and more. This series has been a staple for the Toonami block for nearly a decade. It wrapped up production in America back in 2003, and has been seen off and on on Toonami since then. Currently they're airing the Cell saga, what many fans consider the most popular in the series, with no signs of the series leaving any time soon.