Top 5: New Toonami Shows

Last time, I took a trip down memory lane with a list of my five favorite shows that were on Toonami back when it was on Cartoon Network. Today, I'm going to do a list of my favorite shows from "new Toonami". Now, I have not missed a night of Toonami since it returned back in May 2012 (DVRs are an awesome invention), and I've made it a thing to watch the entire night. This was a tough list, as the number of great shows vastly outweighs the number of bad shows that have been on Toonami since 2012, but I got it down to five. Here's my top 5 new Toonami shows.

 

5. Deadman Wonderland

Toonami returned with the English dub premiere of this 12-episode treat. Deadman is the story of Ganta, a middle school boy whose classmates are all murdered by a mysterious man in a red cloak. He is wrongfully convicted for the deaths, and is sent off to Deadman Wonderland, a grotesque combination theme park and maximum security prison. It soon becomes apparent that Ganta is a "Deadman", which allows him to use his own blood as a weapon. He then has to compete against other Deadmen in a fighting exhibition that only a few upper-class elite are allowed to watch. Sadly, the series was cut short, and the "ending" that was written for episode 12 leaves way too many questions unanswered and Ganta still stuck in prison. Despite this, Deadman Wonderland is still worth checking out.

 

6. Sym-Bionic Titan

 Genndy Tartakovsky's last Cartoon Network show was a love letter to the mecha genre of anime that starred three aliens from the planet Galaluna: Princess Ilana, her guard Corporal Lance, and their robot Octus. The three fight off attempts to kill Ilana by monsters known as the Muttraddi with their mech suits. When the situation demands it, Octus and the two mechs can combine into a giant super-mech through a "Sym-Bionic" bonding process. Outside of fighting Muttraddi, the three attempt to blend in to human society by attending high school, with Octus taking the name Newton. Tartakovsky did a wonderful job taking the tropes of a mecha anime and translating it to a more American-friendly show. If you love giant robots, you shouldn't miss Sym-Bionic Titan.

3. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Few anime have made me really think about serious matters, and the FMA series is one of them. Brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric learn a lesson about trying to play God when they attempt to resurrect their mother with alchemy. This leaves Al merely a soul bonded to a suit of armor and Ed missing an arm and a leg. Ed replaces his limbs with metal prosthetics, or automail, and becomes a military-sponsored alchemist with the codename Fullmetal. Brotherhood follows the Elrics as they search for a way to restore their bodies, and along the way they uncover a dark secret about the country they call home. Refreshing for a shonen action series, FMA has much more strategic battles which have realistic consequences. The series' take on alchemy adds a unique flair, and a few references to real chemistry are a nice touch. Definitely a show worthy of being showcase by TOM.

2. One Piece

One Piece again takes the number two spot on my list. I've said quite a bit already about the show last week, so I won't be redundant here. It's no less addicting than it was six years ago, and I hope that it can find the perfect audience for it here in the States.

1. Cowboy Bebop

Many Toonami fans are now very annoyed by Cowboy Bebop, saying it's overstayed its welcome. I personally agree, but that doesn't change the fact that Bebop is an amazing show. The adventures of bounty hunters Spike Spiegel, Jet Black, Faye Valentine, and Edward as they chase bounty heads across the Solar System is awesome entertainment. Bebop's more realistic take on events is a refreshing change of pace compared to the supernatural powers shown in most other anime. If you know someone who thinks there is nothing more to anime than DBZ-type shows, show them Bebop. And with a Blu-ray release coming soon, which I am eagerly anticipating, you might have a great way to do just that.

Honorable Mentions

There was a few other series that I would feel bad if I didn't mention them. Soul Eater, Samurai 7, IGPX, and Thundercats are all of the same top-notch quality as the series I mentioned on this list.

That's all for today. I'm trying to see if I can get a regular posting schedule going, so I'll hopefully see you next week.