Toonami Anticipation Thread

[Aquadementia]

Bottom Line People:
You need to watch if you want more, and you need to watch it LIVE. DVR'ing and watching it later doesn't carry the same weight as the watching it in progress and not skipping the ads. If you are going to record it, just keep the TV tuned in the background... we need to make this count!

Ya know, with all this technology to be able to tweet a beloved cartoon block back into existance, you'd think we'd have a more accurate way to measure ratings/viewership by now.

It's like an electoral college for TV shows, except terrible.

Doesn't TiVo track how many times you rewatch a Victoria Secret commercial, or have I just been paranoid all this time?

So, maybe TiVo Toonami, early and often.

 

[Kindness King]

Only people with Nielson boxes effect ratings. The rest of us may as well not exist (except to help spread the word and promote the block).

Unfortunately, yes. Because of the limitations of the Neilsen system, not every household counts. But a large part of why they're bringing back Toonami and not leaving it as just an April Fool's joke is because people spread out word on Twitter, Facbook, etc. leading to the turnout their ratings reflected.


Toonami fans who don't have Neilsen boxes just need to do what they did last April again.

 

[Justy]

My main disappointment is that the block will repeat from 3:00-6:00 am. I understand repeating Bleach and the new shows (plus maybe Brotherhood), but doing the same with the others seems pointless. I would have rather had 4 hours+2 hours of repeats, but, given their tight budget, I can live with it for a start.


I fear, though, that some execs (and a lot of Toonami fans) are making too much about anime's presence on the block. As someone who's watched both Toonami and Adult Swim from their inceptions, I've witnessed how both blocks started and have evolved over the years. Toonami was started as a block for ACTION CARTOONS, including anime. It did tons to expose viewers tg anime like Sailor Moon and Dragonball Z, but those titles' success and overexposure tend to make most people think Toonami was only for anime. As others have said, CN has access to non-anime shows that could run during Toonami, including Megas XLR, Symbionic Titan, and possibly some old DC shows they could air--I'm sure teens and young adults up during the wee hours would watch something like those. Thinking outside the box, they could even air some of the Fresh TV shows with edgy content that CN wouldn't air during the day.

I especially hope that Panty and Stocking shows up at some point. Some parts of the show are very similar to toons that CN have produced in the past and I think the audience will perceive that and it will become a fan favorite.

 

[Captain Maverick]

My main disappointment is that the block will repeat from 3:00-6:00 am. I understand repeating Bleach and the new shows (plus maybe Brotherhood), but doing the same with the others seems pointless. I would have rather had 4 hours+2 hours of repeats, but, given their tight budget, I can live with it for a start.


I fear, though, that some execs (and a lot of Toonami fans) are making too much about anime's presence on the block. As someone who's watched both Toonami and Adult Swim from their inceptions, I've witnessed how both blocks started and have evolved over the years. Toonami was started as a block for ACTION CARTOONS, including anime. It did tons to expose viewers tg anime like Sailor Moon and Dragonball Z, but those titles' success and overexposure tend to make most people think Toonami was only for anime. As others have said, CN has access to non-anime shows that could run during Toonami, including Megas XLR, Symbionic Titan, and possibly some old DC shows they could air--I'm sure teens and young adults up during the wee hours would watch something like those. Thinking outside the box, they could even air some of the Fresh TV shows with edgy content that CN wouldn't air during the day.

I especially hope that Panty and Stocking shows up at some point. Some parts of the show are very similar to toons that CN have produced in the past and I think the audience will perceive that and it will become a fan favorite.

which is why shows like boondocks and the new series black dynamite would be a good fit for this toonami there not anime but they have anime like animation...if that makes sense.i mean one of the shows i remember from toonami was Megas Xlr and Samurai Jack both great shows for toonami.

my hope is when deadman or casshern end there runs theyll replace it with tiger and bunny

 

[Cartoon X]

which is why shows like boondocks and the new series black dynamite would be a good fit for this toonami there not anime but they have anime like animation...if that makes sense.i mean one of the shows i remember from toonami was Megas Xlr and Samurai Jack both great shows for toonami.

my hope is when deadman or casshern end there runs theyll replace it with tiger and bunny

I agree with these sentiments 100%. Especially in the case of Black Dynamite, which could be made into a Toonami exclusive series if they wanted it to, and I definately think it not only could bring in variety into the block, but remind everyone, executives and viewers, that Toonami is not just for anime, but an outlet for the finest action cartoons around. In addition, it seems like could be very popular with [adult swim] viewers who normally abstain from anime, and could thus potentially draw in new viewers into the block.

I also hope that they have plans or some sort of strategy not to let the block fall into the repeat rut that [adult swim]'s action block so often did. My hope is that they pick up a long running series like Fairy Tail or One Piece (the latter of which Mr. DeMarco does want back on the air!) so that they can have a consistent hour of premieres all year long, which would definately help to keep viewers watching while they scramble to acquire new shows and work within their budget.
The placement of Casshern Sins on the block makes me believe that they are willing to air any anime that they both like and can acquire within their budget. I'm hoping for newer shows like Inuyasha: The Final Act, Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt, and Tiger & Bunny, of course, but I'll even be fine with older shows like Gundam Wing if they turn out to be more affordable.

Anyway, I still hold the opinion that Cowboy Bebop and Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG's placement on the current lineup is only temporary; a stall for time until they can acquire new/old shows for the block. I suppose we will not know until July if my theory is correct, but I certainly hope it's true. I know Toonami now has a shoestring budget, but it'd be nice if [adult swim] would be willing to care about it's survival and support it with the right promotion and resources.

A fleeting dream, I'm afraid.

 

[Spideyzilla]

Sounds like they're still testing the water. They're not spending much money on it so it can be yanked quickly if it doesn't do well. Also, shouldn't the background of this forum be more Toonami reflective? Not saying bring back the outer space background (that would be nice, however) but at least call it the Adult Swim/Toonami Forum, maybe stick a picture of TOM there, etc.

 

[Cartoon X]

Sounds like they're still testing the water. They're not spending much money on it so it can be yanked quickly if it doesn't do well. Also, shouldn't the background of this forum be more Toonami reflective? Not saying bring back the outer space background (that would be nice, however) but at least call it the Adult Swim/Toonami Forum, maybe stick a picture of TOM there, etc.

The forum has been called the [adult swim]/Toonami forum for the last few days now. But yes, a picture of T.O.M would be nice to have here.

As for Toonami doing well, I honestly doubt it's going to do worse. Afterall, most of the same shows from [adult swim] action are still there, not to mention, for saturday night reruns, they already carried acceptable ratings. With the new shows, and the Toonami packaging, I definately think the block will do better than [adult swim] action has been doing recently.

The only problem is that they seem to want double the previous ratings. I have to look into it more in regards to the other shows, but as for Bleach, not even Toonami is going to get it to two million viewers at this point. I really hope they reconsider their expectations and aim for the more feasible "every show on the lineup gets around/over one million viewers" instead. But unless everyone stops watching anime on saturday nights or something, Toonami should be able to stick around for the short term future, if not the long term.

 

[ToonFaithful]

The forum has been called the [adult swim]/Toonami forum for the last few days now. But yes, a picture of T.O.M would be nice to have here.

As for Toonami doing well, I honestly doubt it's going to do worse. Afterall, most of the same shows from [adult swim] action are still there, not to mention, for saturday night reruns, they already carried acceptable ratings. With the new shows, and the Toonami packaging, I definately think the block will do better than [adult swim] action has been doing recently.

The only problem is that they seem to want double the previous ratings. I have to look into it more in regards to the other shows, but as for Bleach, not even Toonami is going to get it to two million viewers at this point. I really hope they reconsider their expectations and aim for the more feasible "every show on the lineup gets around/over one million viewers" instead. But unless everyone stops watching anime on saturday nights or something, Toonami should be able to stick around for the short term future, if not the long term.

I don't think Adult Swim Action was considered a block in the recent years. No bumpers, no packaging, no computerized voice from the original run. It was basically Bleach, FMAB, and so on. What year did [AS] stop airing the original ASA bumpers? Early 2004?

 

[macattack]

Somewhere around there. Adult Swim did give Saturday its own bump package (such as the silhouettes) until 2010, however. Since 2010, though, it's been the random, strange stuff that doesn't suit anime well at all.

 

[ToonFaithful]

Somewhere around there. Adult Swim did give Saturday its own bump package (such as the silhouettes) until 2010, however. Since 2010, though, it's been the random, strange stuff that doesn't suit anime well at all.

Ah, yeah, now I remember. When they made the switch to HD. That bump package you were talking about, can you link it to me on YouTube

 

[macattack]

Ah, yeah, now I remember. When they made the switch to HD. That bump package you were talking about, can you link it to me on YouTube

I've got no idea how to find it, I've spent fifteen minutes on Youtube looking.

 

[ToonFaithful]

I've got no idea how to find it, I've spent fifteen minutes on Youtube looking.

Ah, no worries then and thanks for trying. On my iPod Touch and I'm too lazy to switch apps lol. Maybe Bumpworthy has it?

 

[The Huntsman]

I just hope everybody has a tempered reaction when the ratings come out. If they're high, fans can't get too cocky, as twitter support always dies off after a while and the ratings will level off. If they're low, the network can't get too scared, as it's going to take time to build things up. As I mentioned before, when the guy was answering questions on twitter, I asked him what the ratings needed to be for the block to be a success and he said double what the line-up had been getting. Can somebody post what the block's usual ratings were?

 

[Sketch]

I'm more shocked by what's NOT there than what is. Congratulations to Andrew/Sketch for being psychic, though. AS seems to have gotten his favorite.

Actually that would be Tiger & Bunny but I got Durarara last year (though perhaps I regret that now) and with DeMarco and one other person giving Manning second and third opinions on which shows to go for I think Tiger & Bunny has a very good shot at airing on Toonami.

Deadman Wonderland was just a guess for something they might play since it's a mystery series with very little fanservice but I'm surprised they got it now that I've seen how violent it really is. That is a nice change of pace

I never would have guessed Casshern Sins, at least not after it hit DVD. That opens up a lot of possibilities for older shows that are not previous Toonami or AS series but did not get a lot of exposure.

Hopefully Toonami is a success. With 3 premieres and a few of the most beloved anime among American viewers it should do adequately and with that much adored Toonami atmosphere even the lower rated shows should do pretty well.

 

[BrianLeague]

I just hope everybody has a tempered reaction when the ratings come out. If they're high, fans can't get too cocky, as twitter support always dies off after a while and the ratings will level off. If they're low, the network can't get too scared, as it's going to take time to build things up. As I mentioned before, when the guy was answering questions on twitter, I asked him what the ratings needed to be for the block to be a success and he said double what the line-up had been getting. Can somebody post what the block's usual ratings were?

Here are some ratings from Saturday, May 12: http://sonofthebronx.blogspot.com/2012/05/adult-swim-ratings-may-7-13-2012.html


12:00 AM Bleach - 1.079 million viewers
12:30 AM Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood - 0.800 million viewers
1:00 AM Durarara - 0.743 million viewers
1:30 AM Kekkaishi - 0.755 million viewers
2:00 AM Fooly Cooly - 0.724 million viewers
2:30 AM Cowboy Bebop - 0.646 million viewers
3:00 AM Big O - 0.628 million viewers
3:30 AM Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG - 0.643 milliion viewers
4:00 AM Bleach- 0.806 million viewers
4:30 AM Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood - 0.740 million viewers
5:00 AM Durarara - 0.778 million viewers
5:30 AM Inuyasha - 0.748 million viewers

Saturday, May 5: http://sonofthebronx.blogspot.com/2012/05/adult-swim-ratings-april-30-may-6-2012.html

12:00 AM Bleach - 0.726 million viewers
12:30 AM Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood - 0.630 million viewers
1:00 AM Durarara - 0.573 million viewers
1:30 AM Kekkaishi - 0.531 million viewers
2:00 AM Fooly Cooly - 0.458 million viewers
2:30 AM Cowboy Bebop - 0.433 million viewers
3:00 AM Big O - 0.397 million viewers
3:30 AM Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG - 0.370 milliion viewers
4:00 AM Bleach- 0.375 million viewers
4:30 AM Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood - 0.385 million viewers
5:00 AM Durarara - 0.360 million viewers
5:30 AM Inuyasha - 0.431 million viewers

Saturday, April 28: http://sonofthebronx.blogspot.com/2012/05/adult-swim-ratings-april-23-29-2012.html

12:00 AM Bleach - 1.051 million viewers
12:30 AM Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood - 0.923 million viewers
1:00 AM Durarara - 0.720 million viewers
1:30 AM Kekkaishi - 0.740 million viewers
2:00 AM Fooly Cooly - 0.650 million viewers
2:30 AM Cowboy Bebop - 0.595 million viewers
3:00 AM Big O - 0.507 million viewers
3:30 AM Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG - 0.445 milliion viewers
4:00 AM Bleach- 0.434 million viewers
4:30 AM Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood - 0.373 million viewers
5:00 AM Durarara - 0.331 million viewers
5:30 AM Inuyasha - 0.389 million viewers

Here's some older ratings, including the ratings from April Fools Day when Toonami aired:

Spoiler

Saturday, April 15: http://sonofthebronx.blogspot.com/2012/04/adult-swim-ratings-april-9-15-2012.html

12:00 AM Bleach - 1.154 million viewers
12:30 AM Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood - 0.914 million viewers
1:00 AM Durarara - 0.714 million viewers
1:30 AM Kekkaishi - 0.645 million viewers
2:00 AM Fooly Cooly - 0.677 million viewers
2:30 AM Cowboy Bebop - 0.572 million viewers
3:00 AM Big O - 0.493 million viewers
3:30 AM Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG - 0.427 milliion viewers
4:00 AM Bleach- 0.433 million viewers
4:30 AM Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood - 0.439 million viewers
5:00 AM Durarara - 0.388 million viewers
5:30 AM Inuyasha - 0.450 million viewers

Saturday, April 7: http://sonofthebronx.blogspot.com/2012/04/adult-swim-ratings-april-2-8-2012.html

12:00 AM Bleach - 0.935 million viewers
12:30 AM Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood - 0.678 million viewers
1:00 AM Durarara - 0.600 million viewers
1:30 AM Kekkaishi - 0.569 million viewers
2:00 AM Fooly Cooly - 0.607 million viewers
2:30 AM Cowboy Bebop - 0.525 million viewers
3:00 AM Big O - 0.533 million viewers
3:30 AM Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG - 0.454 milliion viewers
4:00 AM Bleach- 0.473 million viewers
4:30 AM Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood - 0.493 million viewers
5:00 AM Durarara - 0.511 million viewers
5:30 AM Inuyasha - 0.589 million viewers

Saturday, March 31 (TOONAMI): http://sonofthebronx.blogspot.com/2012/04/adult-swim-ratings-march-26-april-1.html

12:00 AM Bleach - 1.010 million viewers
12:30 AM Dragon Ball Z - 0.999 million viewers
1:00 AM Gundam Wing - 0.806 million viewers
1:30 AM Techi Muyo - 0.773 million viewers
2:10 AM Outlaw Star - 0.786 million viewers
2:42 AM Big O - 0.769 million viewers
3:12 AM Yu Yu Hakusho - 0.706 million viewers
3:41 AM Blue Submarine No. 6 - 0.595 milliion viewers
4:20 AM Trigun- 0.561 million viewers
4:53 AM Astro Boy - 0.502 million viewers
5:23 AM Gigantor - 0.414 million viewers

Saturday, March 24: http://sonofthebronx.blogspot.com/2012/04/adult-swim-ratings-march-19-25-2012.html

12:00 AM Bleach - 0.822 million viewers
12:30 AM Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood - 0.552 million viewers
1:00 AM Durarara - 0.416 million viewers
1:30 AM Kekkaishi - 0.354 million viewers
2:00 AM Fooly Cooly - 0.371 million viewers
2:30 AM Cowboy Bebop - 0.370 million viewers
3:00 AM Big O - 0.385 million viewers
3:30 AM Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG - 0.429 milliion viewers
4:00 AM Bleach- 0.419 million viewers
4:30 AM Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood - 0.399 million viewers
5:00 AM Durarara - 0.291 million viewers
5:30 AM Inuyasha - 0.319 million viewers

Saturday, March 17: http://sonofthebronx.blogspot.com/2012/04/adult-swim-ratings-march-12-18-2012.html

12:00 AM Bleach - 1.003 million viewers
12:30 AM Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood - 0.945 million viewers
1:00 AM Durarara - 0.711 million viewers
1:30 AM Kekkaishi - 0.599 million viewers
2:00 AM Fooly Cooly - 0.494 million viewers
2:30 AM Cowboy Bebop - 0.437 million viewers
3:00 AM Big O - 0.381 million viewers
3:30 AM Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG - 0.350 milliion viewers
4:00 AM Bleach- 0.337 million viewers
4:30 AM Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood - 0.329 million viewers
5:00 AM Durarara - 0.323 million viewers
5:30 AM Inuyasha - 0.403 million viewers

Saturday, March 10: http://sonofthebronx.blogspot.com/2012/03/adult-swim-ratings-march-5-11-2012.html

12:00 AM Bleach - 0.940 million viewers
12:30 AM Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood - 0.826 million viewers
1:00 AM Durarara - 0.711 million viewers
1:30 AM Kekkaishi - 0.676 million viewers
2:00 AM DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME - 0.592 million viewers
3:00 AM Big O - 0.614 million viewers
3:30 AM Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG - 0.610 milliion viewers
4:00 AM Bleach- 0.575 million viewers
4:30 AM Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood - 0.593 million viewers
5:00 AM Durarara - 0.519 million viewers
5:30 AM Inuyasha - 0.498 million viewers

Saturday, March 3: http://sonofthebronx.blogspot.com/2012/03/adult-swim-ratings-february-27-march-4.html
12:00 AM Bleach - 0.846 million viewers
12:30 AM Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood - 0.603 million viewers
1:00 AM Durarara - 0.458 million viewers
1:30 AM Kekkaishi - 0.375 million viewers
2:00 AM Fooly Cooly - 0.375 million viewers
2:30 AM Cowboy Bebop - 0.287 million viewers
3:00 AM Big O - 0.308 million viewers
3:30 AM Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG - 0.252 milliion viewers
4:00 AM Bleach- 0.330 million viewers
4:30 AM Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood - 0.343 million viewers
5:00 AM Durarara - 0.290 million viewers
5:30 AM Inuyasha - 0.347 million viewers

 

[Sketch]

And may I stress that is not normal ratings for the encore block. Bleach's encore actually beat the first run airing of FMA and the Durarara encore beat the first run of Durarara along with everything from 1:30-4AM. Yet FMA's encore was a bit below Durarara's encore.

April 28th is probably the most normal of all those weeks. DeMarco said they are looking to double the current ratings so taking the April 28th ratings I made up a chart that can roughly estimate what they're looking for.

12:00 1.051 / 2.102 / 2 Million
12:30 0.923 / 1.846 / 2 Million
01:00 0.720 / 1.440 / 1.5 Million
01:30 0.740 / 1.480 / 1.5 Million
02:00 0.650 / 1.300 / 1 Million
02:30 0.595 / 1.190 / 1 Million
03:00 0.507 / 1.014 / 1 Million
03:30 0.445 / 0.890 / 900,000
04:00 0.434 / 0.868 / 800,000
04:30 0.373 / 0.746 / 700,000
05:00 0.331 / 0.662 / 600,000
05:30 0.389 / 0.778 / 800,000

That would make Saturday look a lot better ratings wise, especially if most of those viewers are 18-49.

I actually agree that they probably should have moved Bleach to 1 AM to give Deadman and Casshern the benefit of airing before 1 AM or at least give Deadman Midnight and put Bleach between Deadman and Casshern.

If you consider The Boondocks at 11:30 almost always beats Bleach at Midnight then trying other shows right after The Boondocks is the best choice they can make. They rightfully assume no anime will do better than Bleach in that all important Midnight slot but if they don't give any other show a chance there then it's a self-fulfilling prophecy. Any show is bound to do better between The Boondocks and Bleach that it will after Bleach and putting Bleach between Deadman and Casshern gives the viewers a little breather from the heavy stuff in both shows.

Anyone asking why they aren't going back to the beginning with FMA:B should consider the viewers who have been watching it since the first episode of this run. They stand to lose more viewers starting over than continuing. They will probably pick up a few viewers if they continue while maintaining the viewers they already have. Where as starting over will tick off the current viewers and leave them questioning if they'll ever see the end on Adult Swim. FMA:B isn't exactly the hardest show to watch through other legal means. If you lose your current viewers to a restart they're not going to trust Adult Swim again, especially if they are viewers who were watching DRR or Kekkaishi this run only to get cheated out of seeing the entirety of either series.

 

[HG Revolution]

12:00 1.051 / 2.102 / 2 Million
12:30 0.923 / 1.846 / 2 Million
01:00 0.720 / 1.440 / 1.5 Million
01:30 0.740 / 1.480 / 1.5 Million
02:00 0.650 / 1.300 / 1 Million
02:30 0.595 / 1.190 / 1 Million
03:00 0.507 / 1.014 / 1 Million
03:30 0.445 / 0.890 / 900,000
04:00 0.434 / 0.868 / 800,000
04:30 0.373 / 0.746 / 700,000
05:00 0.331 / 0.662 / 600,000
05:30 0.389 / 0.778 / 800,000

If that's their standard for success, I don't know how realistic that is, unfortunately. I can't see that many new viewers getting into Bleach; even accounting in people who follow the show but don't watch it on AS usually, the most I can see watching it would be 1.5 million perhaps. Hopefully the drop isn't steep from that to Deadman and then again to Casshern. I can see the first run to average around a million viewers and I could see the doubled ratings in the encore being possible but I'm afraid the total viewers won't be as high as they need.

 

[AndrewSP]

Here are some ratings from Saturday, May 12: http://sonofthebronx.blogspot.com/2012/05/adult-swim-ratings-may-7-13-2012.html


12:00 AM Bleach - 1.079 million viewers
12:30 AM Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood - 0.800 million viewers
1:00 AM Durarara - 0.743 million viewers
1:30 AM Kekkaishi - 0.755 million viewers
2:00 AM Fooly Cooly - 0.724 million viewers
2:30 AM Cowboy Bebop - 0.646 million viewers
3:00 AM Big O - 0.628 million viewers
3:30 AM Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG - 0.643 milliion viewers
4:00 AM Bleach- 0.806 million viewers
4:30 AM Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood - 0.740 million viewers
5:00 AM Durarara - 0.778 million viewers
5:30 AM Inuyasha - 0.748 million viewers

All the shows got over 600k total viewers? What happened that week?

 

[gtadbzman]

I haven't been to Toon Zone in a minute, but of course I had to come back after hearing Toonami was returning. I'm completely stoked. Casshern Sins and Deadman Wonderland look very interesting. I just hope that they can continue to make Toonami interesting. The only thing that kind sucks is I wish it would start earlier like at 10 or 11 but oh well. Can't wait for this Saturday!

 

[macattack]

All the shows got over 600k total viewers? What happened that week?

They couldn't have been waiting for those elusive Toonami promos could they?

Anyone asking why they aren't going back to the beginning with FMA:B should consider the viewers who have been watching it since the first episode of this run. They stand to lose more viewers starting over than continuing. They will probably pick up a few viewers if they continue while maintaining the viewers they already have. Where as starting over will tick off the current viewers and leave them questioning if they'll ever see the end on Adult Swim. FMA:B isn't exactly the hardest show to watch through other legal means. If you lose your current viewers to a restart they're not going to trust Adult Swim again, especially if they are viewers who were watching DRR orKekkaishi this run only to get cheated out of seeing the entirety of either series.

AS did pull the rug out of the people watching DRRR!! and Kekkaishi. I don't think there's going to be a huge backlash over it but I am curious why those shows, despite performing better than GITS and Bebop, got pulled. Did DeMarco and company simply decide they didn't want Kekkaishi or DRRR!! to be "Toonami" shows? Or was it because DRRR!! and Kekkaishi honestly clash with the violent and REALLY dark moods that Casshern and Deadman Wonderland offer?