"Toonami" News & Discussion Thread

[J'onn J'onzz]

Robin I suppose is sort of a Superman sidekick because he was in hundreds of silver age Worlds Finest issues with Batman and Superman… and he worked with Superman in Super Friends, but primarily he’s a Batman sidekick, and Batman isn’t in this show so Robin won’t be either unless that changes in season 4. If Batman and Robin were in 3, you know they’d be spoiling it in promos. as Nightwing he absolutely isn’t Superman’s sidekick. He rarely even teams up with Superman after he went off to college. It’s just a nostalgic name from his youth for his new identity when he outgrew Robin. I’d actually like to see Mark Waid’s Supergirl/Robin tsundere dynamic from Worlds’ Finest carry over to animation. Make it a love triangle with Jimmy getting jealous Robin is taking Supergirl/Android 18 from him haha.

This season is focused on Death of Superman/Reign of the Supermen 1990s story arcs though. If Superman dies and gets replaced, Lois can’t really be going on too many dates with Clark, can she? Plus this is Toonami. The promo is gonna show action over romance, even though Dan Da Dan bumpers often mention romance the weekly episode promos are a mix of romance and action. Like there was one episode promo where Okarun is just in class thinking about Momo. Or comedy oriented promos like Jiji in the anatomical model. So, I bet once we get weekly episode promos of MAWS it will be more well balanced. But of course a season trailer needs to show off action with Superboy and Cyborg Superman.

Rooster Fighter marathon, oh well. It’s to be expected after an original finishes its run. We are never getting another subbed run of an anime on Toonami. Just as well, I’ve ignored the past subbed runs anyway. There’s no need to put extra expenditure into getting RF Japanese version just to air it for one night. They have to pay it off by airing reruns at 3:30 if they did that. Not worth it. Besides Viz wants people to subscribe to Hulu and watch subbed anime there.

 

[PicardMan]

For the second year in a row a controversial Toonami original wins the Crunchyroll Award for best Original (non adaptation) anime with Lazarus winning, Winners of The Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026. Rooster Fighter is an adaptation, so a threepeat isn't possible. Fans of the other nominees are as salty as last year when Ninja Kamui won.

 

[ramblin]

For the second year in a row a controversial Toonami original wins the Crunchyroll Award for best Original (non adaptation) anime with Lazarus winning, Winners of The Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026. Rooster Fighter is an adaptation, so a threepeat isn't possible. Fans of the other nominees are as salty as last year when Ninja Kamui won.

I don't know why anybody takes this award show seriously haha

 

[Conttactt]

For the second year in a row a controversial Toonami original wins the Crunchyroll Award for best Original (non adaptation) anime with Lazarus winning, Winners of The Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026. Rooster Fighter is an adaptation, so a threepeat isn't possible. Fans of the other nominees are as salty as last year when Ninja Kamui won.

This years list of other nominees was a little meh, so it doesn’t feel as out of line as last year, but it’s still pretty hard to believe.

Is this award series an actual community vote, or do the CR staff just arbitrarily decide behind the scenes? Cause if it’s behind the scenes, I could see it winning cause of “dude Watanabe lmao”.

 

[TnAdct1]

This years list of other nominees was a little meh, so it doesn’t feel as out of line as last year, but it’s still pretty hard to believe.

Apocalypse Hotel was "a little meh"?!

Personally, I would also blame Takara/Tomy for this, as I could have easily seen Princession Orchestra as a possible nomination had it actually given a proper overseas streaming release (instead of people relying on fansubs).

 

[PicardMan]

This years list of other nominees was a little meh, so it doesn’t feel as out of line as last year, but it’s still pretty hard to believe.

Is this award series an actual community vote, or do the CR staff just arbitrarily decide behind the scenes? Cause if it’s behind the scenes, I could see it winning cause of “dude Watanabe lmao”.

I believe its a mix between a judging panel and fan votes. The winner of most awards seems to be whichever show has the flashiest action, that's probably what got Lazarus the win for best Original (Ninja Kamui probably got the award for the first half of the show before the CGI mechs).

 

[wonderfly]

From the front page of AnimeSuperhero.com:

"Toonami Schedule Update (June 6, 2026): Rooster Fighter Makes Six Hour Flight"​

"Toonami has announced their latest schedule via the official Toonami Facebook page. The page’s latest post tells us for one night only, Toonami expands to six hours, starting an hour early and ending an hour late. On June 6, Rooster Fighter will have concluded. As is customary, a full series marathon of the latest Toonami anime is airing the week after its May 30 finale.

Rooster Fighter will be airing all 12 episodes from 11:00 PM-5:00 AM on June 6. Toonami will be marathoning English dub of Rooster Fighter. Currently Rooster Fighter is occupying the midnight slot on Toonami."

Read the full schedule here.

 

[Conttactt]

Well, the online schedule has revealed what Facebook would not.

Blue Exorcist reruns from S1 ep 1 replaces the MAWS rerun

MAWS S3 rerun replaces the Rooster Fighter rerun at the end of the block

Disappointing news for anyone expecting BE S5 this year, assuming the schedule sticks. We had a BE rerun false start a few months back.

 

[Yojimbo]

Well, the online schedule has revealed what Facebook would not.

Blue Exorcist reruns from S1 ep 1 replaces the MAWS rerun

MAWS S3 rerun replaces the Rooster Fighter rerun at the end of the block

Disappointing news for anyone expecting BE S5 this year, assuming the schedule sticks. We had a BE rerun false start a few months back.

Wow, didn't expect them to rerun it from the very start. Yeah, if they run that all the way... Blue Night is not in the running anymore. But on the plus side, that could be good news and imply they hunting still and may be a new title joining the block and taking the slot of Dan Da Dan once its run is over.

 

[Conttactt]

Wow, didn't expect them to rerun it from the very start. Yeah, if they run that all the way... Blue Night is not in the running anymore. But on the plus side, that could be good news and imply they hunting still and may be a new title joining the block and taking the slot of Dan Da Dan once its run is over.

I used to be optimistic for uncertainty, but these days it just breeds despair since we know they are not above phoning it in with reruns or double OP. And even some potential pickups are awful options like OPM S3.

If they do get something new, I’d assume they stall at least one week, so the new thing doesn’t immediately run into the 4th of July marathon. I just hope they at least give us the courtesy of announcing before we are a week deep in July.

Ah, who am I kidding? They wouldn’t even announce this schedule update that was only a rerun adjustment. They love keeping us in the dark as a long as possible for no reason.

 

[J'onn J'onzz]

Well, the online schedule has revealed what Facebook would not.

Blue Exorcist reruns from S1 ep 1 replaces the MAWS rerun

MAWS S3 rerun replaces the Rooster Fighter rerun at the end of the block

Disappointing news for anyone expecting BE S5 this year, assuming the schedule sticks. We had a BE rerun false start a few months back.

Remember blue exorcist was in the better cartoon show promo along with Lazarus. Despite neither running currently. I’m a little surprised MAWS is getting encores instead of Lazarus reruns at 3:30. I guess Rooster Fighter encores at 3:30 worked out well enough for that formula to stick. I don’t really care either way, since nothing new will air that late.

 

[Conttactt]

Remember blue exorcist was in the better cartoon show promo along with Lazarus. Despite neither running currently. I’m a little surprised MAWS is getting encores instead of Lazarus reruns at 3:30. I guess Rooster Fighter encores at 3:30 worked out well enough for that formula to stick. I don’t really care either way, since nothing new will air that late.

Probably less about it working, and more them being told that’s how it’s gonna be whether they like it or not.

Ninja Kamui ends a couple weeks after this, so that’s probably where they park Lazarus.

It’s just frustrating to not finish BE before starting it over for a gargantuan rerun. Toonami needs to have a reality check on how patient people are willing to be.

 

[Yojimbo]

5/27: Pre-orders showed up for a limited edition Blu-ray steelbook for Rooster Fighter season 1. Set for August 4. $100, woof but 136 page artbook sounds interesting.

5/28: Clip for the Rooster Fighter season finale.

 

[Conttactt]

We knew a week ago, but here’s the official word.

Pretty disappointing update, and baffling why they felt it needed to be hidden for as long as it was. Looking at over 60 weeks before Blue Exorcist even has a chance at S5, so I’d probably just go ahead and watch it.

Next up on the rotation list is Dan Da Dan and Ninja Kamui. I’d say pretty good odds Kamui is replaced by Lazarus, so we don’t need to think about that too much.

Dan Da Dan is a bit of a wildcard though. BE S5 is out the window as an option, sequel wise that leaves OPM S3, a truly abhorrent option, or a micro season of Demon Slayer that is mostly just a training arc.

Any other options anyone can think of that would slot well at 12:30?

 

[RunoMisaki573]

We knew a week ago, but here’s the official word. View attachment 319007

Pretty disappointing update, and baffling why they felt it needed to be hidden for as long as it was. Looking at over 60 weeks before Blue Exorcist even has a chance at S5, so I’d probably just go ahead and watch it.

Next up on the rotation list is Dan Da Dan and Ninja Kamui. I’d say pretty good odds Kamui is replaced by Lazarus, so we don’t need to think about that too much.

Dan Da Dan is a bit of a wildcard though. BE S5 is out the window as an option, sequel wise that leaves OPM S3, a truly abhorrent option, or a micro season of Demon Slayer that is mostly just a training arc.

Any other options anyone can think of that would slot well at 12:30?

I'm guessing X-Men '97 or Go! Go! Loser Ranger!. The former has more ratings than MAWS anyways, and since the hype for the upcoming X-Men '97 Season 2 is building up, why not air Season 1 on Toonami? I missed out on the series when it aired on FXX.


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[PicardMan]

Any other options anyone can think of that would slot well at 12:30?

I wonder if anime licensed by Remow are on the table since they seem to share to every streaming platform. Tougen Anki is one of the most derivative titles out there, but its got all the over the top flashy action you'd expect in a battle shonen. Kill Blue is a part of the wacky assassin shonen trend that Toonami has dabbled a little in (Assassination Classroom seems to be the granddaddy of the subgenre).

 

[J'onn J'onzz]

I'm guessing X-Men '97 or Go! Go! Loser Ranger!. The former has more ratings than MAWS anyways, and since the hype for the upcoming X-Men '97 Season 2 is building up, why not air Season 1 on Toonami? I missed out on the series when it aired on FXX.


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Toonami can’t even air HBO Max’s suicide squad isekai, let alone Disney shows like X-Men 97.

 

[Light Lucario]

I'm guessing X-Men '97 or Go! Go! Loser Ranger!. The former has more ratings than MAWS anyways, and since the hype for the upcoming X-Men '97 Season 2 is building up, why not air Season 1 on Toonami? I missed out on the series when it aired on FXX.


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I highly doubt that Disney would allow Toonami, or really any channel that they don't own, to air X-Men '97. They would rather use that series as another way to encourage people to get a Disney+ subscription than let it air on another channel.

 

[Yojimbo]

I'll still bet on Fire Force final season. Bumpers taking advantage of the summer for 'things are firing up' pun and all. Pleasantly be surprised if it's a new acquisition like Gachiakuta from Kodansha.

 

[CNFan1995]

Also hoping for My Hero Academia Season 7 and the Final Season still airing on Toonami.