By Peter W. Smorynski
[Editorial: Anime!]
March 17, 1997. Deep space. On the Ghost Planet, the decision was made to fire an experimental cannon. That afternoon, an unidentified object burst through Earth’s atmosphere and blazed a luminous trail across the sky. Trying to control the frenzy sweeping the globe, authorities tracked down the UFO to its impact site at an undisclosed tropical location. Upon discovery, newspapers everywhere reported the object in question was a small sentient alien satellite developed by the off-world Ghost Planet Industries. Its name was Clyde 49, and it brought with it an intergalactic broadcast signal known only as TOONAMI.
In the Spring of ’97, this was the opening to the Cartoon Network’s newest action-cartoon block. Backed by bumping beats and related via CG visuals, this sixty-second opening was the beginning of a fantastic journey for many a young mind. While simply meant to be the latest stand-in for a line of action-cartoon program packaging, Toonami would transcend these humble origins and take on a life of its own no less astounding than the fictional sci-fi tale that introduced and surrounded the block. Sean Akins, Jason DeMarco, and a team of creative-driven individuals infused their interests and passions into the framework of the block, and under their guidance the block became something unlike anything else to this day. Toonami became a living, breathing community, where its CG broadcast station could come under attack, and the audience could help; where decisions on presentation and programming needed to be made, and the viewers could cast their vote; where its CG hosts could live, die, and be reborn; where artwork and interests could be shared on-air; and where positive idealism and creativity were encouraged and promoted for all.
Toonami was all these things and more.
After nearly twelve years of inspired international content, the final transmission of Cartoon Network’s Toonami was broadcast on September 20, 2008. Yes, the experiment of Toonami may be remembered for its successful marketing of anime in America and its advancement of TV/online interactivity, but the highest achievement of Toonami was neither of these. Toonami wove a tapestry throughout the imaginative Eastern and Western animated worlds it presented on a daily basis, creating a cohesive visual narrative that was greater than the sum of its parts. The Eastern shows it presented alongside the Western programming, such as Gundam Wing, Outlaw Star, Blue Submarine #6, and Dragon Ball Z, challenged viewers with mature issues and content such as the politics of peace, the struggle for identity, humankind’s integral relationship with nature, and the resiliency required to overcome life’s many hurdles. The themes within these shows and others were echoed on the block during the CG host’s interviews, music videos, and speeches on topics like Courage, Teamwork, Individuality, Teaching, Anger, Brains vs. Brawn, Heroes, Experience, and Dreams. While the block suffered from downsizing in its later years, Toonami’s parting message, related through the final iteration of its host, TOM-4, was to “Stay gold.” In other words, to keep your innocence, individuality, dreams, and a positive outlook close to your heart. As TOM-4 flew away into the galactic sunset of the last Toonami broadcast, the torch of carrying this message was passed on to those who grew up with Toonami, both new and old. In this, potentially, is the definition of the block’s greatest achievement and future legacy: the birth of the Toonami Generation.
The core of the Toonami Generation is comprised primarily of individuals from Generation Y (born roughly between 1982-1994). A segment of this generation was at a young, impressionable age when Toonami arrived, and the block became a centerpiece of entertainment and broadening horizons for them, particularly between 1997 and 2001. Toonami, which playfully called itself “a revolution,” sowed the seeds of strength and change in many young minds. Go to any Toonami online fan community today, and you will see stories of how the block got individuals through tough times—such as a death in the family; or how it gave them courage to be themselves when support was lacking; and, of course, how it inspired them creatively to pursue various artistic and academic endeavors. Even with its ups and downs, Toonami was a hip, positive constant throughout all of the rapid changes occurring on the world stage. It was a place where creativity and dreams lived, and lived to the fullest vibrancy; a daily (later weekly) event to look forward to and a place to hang out after school; and also a common conversation starter and an agent of beginning dialogues about larger issues.
From Clyde 49 and Moltar on the Ghost Planet to TOM and SARA on the intergalactic broadcasting vessel the Absolution to Flash and D on a new planetary base station, Toonami was a phenomenon. What other TV cartoon block was advertised in schools, movie theaters, and theme parks, had its own soundtrack, and had so much of an effect on the anime and cartoon broadcasting industry in the United States? Yet despite all of these amazing credits to its creative vision, I contend that the fruit of its greatest contribution is still to come. If Toonami’s viewers can “stay gold,” a creative revival may eventually flourish, where reality and dreams coexist, spreading hope and confidence to all. Toonami promoted creativity and dreams to pre-teens, teens, and young adults even as creativity and dreams were overshadowed and increasingly frowned upon. Now, the torch has been passed. And now the Toonami Generation must rise and carry creativity to the next generation in their own way. Will the call ultimately be answered? Stay tuned.
…The revolution was televised. (Kids Love it!) *Flash!*
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