Mr. Idea Box

Honestly, I don't know which is the stranger replacement for Futurama: Dexter in the afternoon, or Home Movies in the early morning. Doesn't stop me from appreciating their returns in the moment. Yeah, but to do that, they'll have to pay royalties to Andy Merrill. Something tells me they won't want to do that anytime soon.

The list may be alphabetical, but that doesn't mean Adult Swim shouldn't celebrate this. At least in CSE's case.

If Netflix does buy WBD, that may spell trouble for the Academy Awards. If they stick to a theatrical release barrier, that restricts a lot of WB's output going forward. Yeah. But could you blame us? Thank you. I tend to get the two confused, but never to this extent. I'll edit it if you want.

I personally don't know who will buy WB. But I do have some ideas for a post-Skydance world. As previously stated, the Ellisons want to buy ALL off WBD, including the cable networks. I will preface this by saying Adult Swim folds into Comedy Central, Cartoon Network and Nicktoons Network merge, and Boomerang becomes Discovery Family's overnight block, if not the new look of it. However, Toonami either shuts down by the year's end, or moves to the combined CN and Nicktoons channel. In the event of a shutdown, I would hope they try to cap off its run by airing its older programming, mirroring the 2012 prank. In the event of a move to the combined network, I could see Avatar: The Last Airbender getting one of the available rerun slots, given its newfound status as "American anime". In terms of pickups, Crunchyroll stays away from Toonami even after all this, meaning My Hero Academia and the rest won't finish their runs on the quote-on-quote "anime block". Memes of Fry Cook Deku come back as a result. Yaiba and One-Punch Man are put on the block, mainly as the final pickups from the licensor of Inuyasha and Bleach. MAWS Season 3 airs in the summer, to capitalize on Supergirl. Ninja Kamui's second season airs...somewhere in 2026. Its third season, on the other hand, is cancelled. All this to say, Toonami isn't long for this world. No matter what happens to WB.

I'm glad that the trend of annual Toonami predictions is being kept alive. I'm also glad that my workload in predicting these things gets to take its own holiday. The finale dates check out on my end of the sector. However, I would argue they'd use this as an excuse to dump Naruto before the contract runs out, as it's clearly the oldest show on the block by that point. As for Dan Da Dan, I'd prefer if it got doubled up, since Blue Exorcist and Mashle would have conveniently premiered seven episodes by the end of December. If I recall correctly, Ninja Kamui is slated for a second and third season. If that's still the case, I can see S2 of NK getting a comfy midnight slot somewhere this year. In that event, I'd bet that Jiro gets demoted to 12:30. Super Mutant Magic Academy, on the other hand? If we're not getting the premieres, we're absolutely getting the reruns. I'd be shocked if Toonami's still around in 2027, so Bleach being part of their first post-M&A reset might help their case. The jury's still out on Demon Slayer and Dan Da Dan IMO, although I can't say I disagree with you on BE's fifth season. But One Punch Man Season 3? I'm afraid I don't know how bad it looks. Judging by the responses I've seen online, maybe that's a good thing. That doesn't sound good. What's worse is that Shonen Jump has the same opinion on its own material, usually ending newer manga in 20 chapters or less. Not necessarily a vote of confidence in the East, either. I hope you're right about this. Because if changes do happen to Toonami, I feel like their 30th anniversary would be their last. Pretty much the same as yours, frankly. With a few minor additions. 1: To get the most money's worth, most of 2026's rerun fodder will be Bleach: TYBW, as they have a 40-episode backlog already. Ditto that for Blue Ex. 2: Rooster Fighter will get a rerun slot in the summer. Whether it's at 2 AM, 2:30, or 3 AM, I am currently unsure. 3: Perhaps they'll use a marathon to put 3 AM to pasture in 2026.

Well, folks? Today's the big day. We will find out whether WB will be a hood ornament for Everest, have a Rabbit supplanted by a Peacock, be forced into a streaming-first climate, or split in two as initially intended. Whatever happens after that, just know that it's been a nerve-wracking few weeks, and I'd be glad just to get some closure.

Truth be told, I'm on pins and needles regarding WB's new owners.

Yeah, that tracks. Also, I have an announcement: I will hold off on trying to predict the next year of Toonami until the WB deals are settled. As it stands, things are currently too muddled.

"Like Mickey Mouse?" "Well..." (sigh) "...yes."

This has a 20% chance of working in WB's favor.

This most likely means One-Punch Man's next season won't be on Toonami in the immediate future. If the block survives past April 2026, maybe it'll show up. If nothing else, the increased competition with Crunchyroll, Netflix, and Hulu has proven that anime doesn't need to be constrained by linear means anymore. Still, part of me will miss it FWIW.

So, which of the shows is getting shafted to make room for Primal? My bet's on Naruto.

I mean, if you say that "someone cut off Creepy Nuts", they wouldn't think about Toonami OPs. They'd think about getting fixed instead. I will now pause for someone to mention Genndy Tartakovsky in response.

Maybe they're aware of the implications of "cutting off Creepy Nuts", as far as US audiences are concerned? That's my best guess, anyway.

I gotta say I didn't expect that.

I will say this: Down to Earth has the soul of a WB project, while Elf and Warrior has the look of one. Kinda surprised they didn't reveal an adaptation for Wayne Family Adventures in the mix, because that would've definitely turned heads.

Update: If Swimpedia is to be believed, then AS is keeping Futurama around and making it their new lead-out program at 5 AM. I think that's good.

While I would agree that those shows would fit at this point, that would end up further confusing people. Not to mention require other shows to be CN's lead-in and lead-out programming.

Adult Swim airing just two Fox shows? On paper, that sounds nice. But when you realize that the two shows will air from 5 to 11 PM, likely airing in three-hour blocks each? Not as much in practice. Also, if Family Guy's return was only for one year, why would they devote three whole nights to the show back in January? If the rumors surrounding KOTH, Futurama, and now Family Guy wind up true, then it doesn't give me much hope.

That is not good in the slightest.

Okay, I will concede that Futurama is not long for Adult Swim for the second time in its history, considering they only air 90 minutes a week. Exclusively on Saturdays after Toonami, Primal, and UWE. But if King of the Hill goes, then the network has to fill a lot more shoes beginning at 5 PM. Maybe they can fill the slots with Bob's Burgers, but that would just make people hate the show due to oversaturation. In any case, Step 1 in Adult Swim's new guidebook is under way, and we haven't even hit 2026 yet. Unless they try and get KOTH to stick around, that is.

Sounds reasonable. Do you think One Piece would reclaim their usual slot in the new year, or is 1:30 AM their new time on Toonami for long?

That, or they rush through Blue Exorcist so all 12 episodes premiere in eight weeks. I hope you're right, but I know it's a long shot.

That really could've been worse, as far as Nov-Dec Toonami schedules go currently. If the worst thing about it is Dan Da Dan airing before One Piece, then it's a pretty okay lineup. I'd say we'll only get one year end marathon in December this year, given how much money they've spent for this lineup. In Primal's case, I still think it'll be airing at 12 or 12:30. 1 AM may be stretching things, but I can still see it airing that late, if necessary. I mean, One Piece is obligatory, and likely at Toei's whims, whereas Dan Da Dan is a big grab that actually made headlines online. If money talks, I can see why Toonami would choose Momo and Okarun over Luffy and Sanji. Even if it's during a new arc. Given the choice between the two options, I'd also try rerunning the first two cours for my money's worth. While that would be great to hear, I don't think they'd be that kind with so few weeks to spare. If anything, OPM will be a 2026 pickup. I too am curious as to how this will fare. I think the reason why Bleach has the top spot again is because they don't have the same amount of faith in BE or Mashle. At least, not unless they're desperate, which I'd bet dollars to donuts they will be in December. However, it will be an issue next year. Definitely the case. I mean, only a third of the series has aired in Japan. Like it or not, Toonami isn't in a good enough state for a simulcast like Funimation or HiDive.

Paramount Skydance, Netflix, Comcast, Apple... At this rate, it wouldn't phase me if rumors started spreading about Disney wanting to buy WB again. Yes. I said "again". https://screenrant.com/disney-buy-warner-bros-2016-merger-details/