For many anime fans in the West, Toonami was the gateway—a curated mix of style and story that introduced an entire generation to Japanese animation. Launched in 1997 on Cartoon Network, Toonami originally aired in the early evening on weekdays, with a lineup that quickly became iconic. As its audience aged, the block evolved too, shifting into a late-night weekend slot and eventually becoming part of Adult Swim’s Saturday programming lineup—where it continues to showcase both cult favorites and contemporary hits.

Between the sleek interstitials, the chill voice of its A.I. host TOM, and its emphasis on serialized storytelling, the block felt like more than TV—it felt like a mission to unpack an assortment of anime offerings. And before streaming made anime accessible everywhere, Toonami made it feel like a personal security blanket.

Now, nearly three decades later, here are seven of the greatest anime ever aired on Toonami—series that helped define eras, expand fandoms, and leave a permanent mark on pop culture.

Dragon Ball Z

The Shonen Powerhouse That Started It All

There’s no separating Toonami from Dragon Ball Z. Airing daily during its weekday run, DBZ was the series that turned casual viewers into diehard fans. Goku’s journey from Saiyan warrior to Earth’s ultimate protector was packed with massive stakes, endless power-ups, and rivalries that became legendary. For many, it was the first taste of long-form, serialized anime storytelling.

The pacing was wild (looking at you, Namek saga), but the emotional payoffs were unforgettable. It wasn’t just about fights—it was about friendship, sacrifice, and believing in yourself even when the odds were galactic. DBZ truly shaped Toonami as much as it shaped modern anime fandom.

Cowboy Bebop

Cool, Gritty, and Timeless

When Cowboy Bebop joined Toonami’s late-night lineup, it introduced a different flavor of anime—moody, mature, and deeply cinematic. Following a crew of spacefaring bounty hunters, the show blended jazz, noir, sci-fi, and Western influences with a level of finesse rarely seen in animation.

It wasn’t afraid to slow down, to explore loss, regret, and identity in ways that stuck with viewers long after the credits rolled. The action was sharp, but the atmosphere did most of the heavy lifting. With a killer soundtrack and a finale that hit hard, Cowboy Bebop became a milestone in Toonami history—and proof that anime could resonate far beyond its target demo.

Outlaw Star

High-Energy Space Adventure with Heart

Often compared to Cowboy Bebop due to its sci-fi setting, Outlaw Star brought a more chaotic, energetic vibe to Toonami’s lineup. Gene Starwind, the show's cocky and impulsive lead, was equal parts hero and hot mess. His journey across the stars in search of the Galactic Leyline mixed high-stakes action with moments of real emotional grit.

Needless to say, fans were still hooked by its inventive worldbuilding, weirdly incredible tech (caster shells, anyone?), and the unpredictable charm of its crew. It wasn’t perfect, but its imperfections made it all the more endearing. A quintessential cult hit.

Yu Yu Hakusho

Spirit World Battles and One of Anime’s Best Friend Groups

Yu Yu Hakusho didn’t necessarily explode with the same flash as DBZ, but it snuck up on viewers and became a sleeper favorite. What started as a supernatural detective story quickly morphed into a tournament-heavy, emotionally rich saga that proved it was capable of some major thematic events. Yusuke Urameshi was the anti-hero we didn’t know we needed—sarcastic, hotheaded, but fiercely loyal.

The fights were smart and brutal, the power scaling was satisfying, and the character arcs (looking at you, Hiei and Yusuke) had real weight. Its blend of street-level grit and spirit-world fantasy made it feel grounded even as the stakes got massive. Easily one of Toonami’s most rewarding watches.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Complex, Compelling, and Complete

Toonami featured both versions of Fullmetal Alchemist, but Brotherhood—a more faithful adaptation of the manga—is the definitive version. With tight pacing and a carefully plotted story from beginning to end, it followed brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric as they grappled with loss, guilt, and the limits of power in a world governed by alchemy.

It was dark, hopeful, philosophical, and action-packed all at once. Unlike some long-running shonen series, Brotherhood had a clear arc and a deeply satisfying conclusion. It respected your investment, and on Toonami, it found a whole new generation ready for an anime that could balance big action with big questions.

Michiko & Hatchin

Criminally Underrated and Unapologetically Bold

A standout among Toonami’s later-era programming, Michiko & Hatchin broke the mold. Set in a fictional, Latin American-inspired country, the series followed the uneasy alliance between a wild, impulsive woman and the young girl she busts out of foster care. It was part road trip, part coming-of-age drama, and totally unique.

With a soundtrack drenched in funk and samba, and visuals that veered away from the standard anime style, it felt raw and real. The themes—freedom, survival, and found family—promised an immersive watch for viewers, and its emotional core was unshakable. Toonami gave this one a platform it may not have had elsewhere, and it deserves way more recognition.

Attack on Titan

The Modern Blockbuster That Took Over the World

By the time Attack on Titan arrived on Toonami, anime had already gone mainstream—but AOT still managed to make waves. Its early episodes were quite literally shocking in their brutality and tension, hooking viewers with giant, man-eating monsters and a central mystery that deepened with every season.

While the Japanese dub is a beloved production in itself, Toonami helped bring the series to viewers who may not have been plugged into simulcasts, giving it a broader reach on American television. As the show evolved from horror-action to political thriller to existential drama, it proved that anime could still reinvent itself—and shake up the conversation.