Ani-Monday on Sci-Fi Channel

Ani-Monday, one of the newest additions to the wild world of anime is also the newest conquest by Sci-Fi Channel to gain viewers. For those of you that don't know, Ani-Monday consists of anime programming between 11 PM to 1 AM on Mondays. This television block may be new to the Sci-Fi Channel, but many people have no idea that Ani-Monday isn't the first stab at anime programming for the Sci-FI Channel.

History Lesson-

Fact is, back in the 90's the Sci-Fi Channel aired anime movies on Saturday mornings. These movies include Akira, Tenchi Muyo In Love, and an anime based on the popular fighting game Fatal Fury. Many believe that Sci-Fi Channel stopped airing these anime movies because of poor ratings, which wasn't uncommon for anime during that time.

Nevertheless, it seems as if the Sci-FI Channel didn't even try. They unintentionally killed the hopes and dreams of anime fans due to weak advertising and last minute rescheduling. Needless to say, rescheduling at the last minute can destroy ratings for any television program. Over eight years later, the cable network that let them down so many years ago surprised anime fans.

The New Age-

During the 90's, anime hadn't yet exploded with popularity in the North American markets. Times have changed, and in May 2007 the Sci-Fi Channel announced that they would once again begin airing anime. This time around the anime programming would be aired in a weekly block under the name "Ani-Monday." Manga Entertainment provides all of the content for Ani-Monday.

Manga Entertainment, is known for such anime films as X, and happens to be the anime distribution arm of Starz Media. The first airing of Ani-Monday premiered with Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex Solid State Society. Which was of course censored because of sexual themes, that goes for all other anime film and shows on Ani-Monday.

Ani-Monday Line-up-

For some time the Ani-Monday schedule was expanded to Tuesday nights, shortly after the schedule was changed again to normal Monday only viewing. The Sci-Fi Channel seems to switch between shows such as Tactics, Neonin, Tokko, Street Fighters II V, and Macross Plus, just to name a few. Typically showing movies such as Read or Die, and Karas: The Revelation around 12 PM.

In late 2008, Ani-Monday also started featuring anime from different American anime distribution companies. Fans were pleased when Sci-Fi's Ani-Monday picked up Gurren Lagann, and Mobile Suit Gundam 00.

Reception-

Fans were pleased to hear that Sci-Fi Channel would be bringing back anime programming. For many people, the only other cable network that airs anime is Cartoon Network's Adult Swim block. However, it seems that fans of anime question Sci-Fi Channel's choice of anime. Manga Entertainment has very good anime, however they tend to gravitate more to action genres of the popular animation.

One thing everyone can agree on, this time Sci-Fi channel seems to be taking things seriously and advertising Ani-Monday with humorous commercials. Nevertheless, if Ani-Monday has any hopes of beating Adult Swim to ratings, they will need to reconsider the blocks schedule. Adult Swim airs from 10:30 PM to 5:30AM, and they show anime such as Death Note, Bleach, and Blood+.

Most of those shows that Adult Swim airs, totally blow every anime that Ani-Monday has out of the water. So it would be wise for Ani-Monday to change the schedule or get better anime. If you disapprove of Adult Swim in any way, Ani-Monday is a very good alternative and should be considered. The competition between the two networks could turn out to be a good thing.

Final Score- 8 Out of 10 (10 Being Perfect, 1 Being Worst.)

Overall, Sci-Fi Channel's Ani-Monday block does deserve attention, and has the potential to beat Adult Swim in ratings. Keep an eye on Ani-Monday for the next few years, hopefully one day Sci-Fi Channel will stop wasting money on B movies no-one watches, and start spending more money on better anime.