10 Best Toonami Anime That Made Everyone An Anime Fan

For many anime fans who discovered the medium in the 1990s and 2000s, Toonami was the gateway. Before streaming made anime easily accessible, Toonami was one of the few places to watch both classic and current series. While its popularity has waned, it remains a fondly remembered part of anime’s past.

Toonami, both in its original run and its revival, has consistently featured some of the best anime available. Its most popular shows were particularly impactful, and it’s clear why so many people became anime fans through watching Toonami.

10) Hamtaro

TMS Entertainment’s Hamtaro follows Hamtaro, a little hamster who belongs to a girl named Hiroko Haruna. When Hiroko is at school, Hamtaro and his friends – a group called the Ham-Hams – explore their neighborhood and have adventures. These adventures are usually fun and lighthearted, though sometimes they face more serious challenges.

Hamtaro is well-known for being different from most of the action-packed shows on Toonami, but it’s thankfully just as enjoyable thanks to its humor and endearing characters. Despite how unusual it might seem, Hamtaro feels like an important piece of Toonami’s past, and it still holds up wonderfully today.

9) Deadman Wonderland

In the anime Deadman Wonderland, Ganta Igarashi is wrongly convicted of murder and imprisoned in Deadman Wonderland. This prison holds individuals with a strange ability called Branches of Sin, which lets them control their blood as a weapon. Ganta has this power too, and he must battle his way to freedom to uncover the truth behind his conviction.

Deadman Wonderland played a key role in bringing Toonami back, and its exciting action and unique style have made it surprisingly memorable. Even though it only ran for a short time, Deadman Wonderland has definitely left its mark on Toonami’s history, and it’s likely to stay that way.

8) Zatch Bell!

Kiyo Takamine’s ordinary life changes completely when a strange boy named Zatch Bell shows up, claiming they need to become friends. Zatch isn’t just a handful—he’s a demon fighting to become king of the demon world, and Kiyo is the one who can unlock his incredible lightning powers during battles.

I remember when Zatch Bell! first appeared on Toonami in the 2000s – it was a fantastic show! It had a really great mix of action, humor, and genuinely touching moments. It was a hit right away. Unfortunately, Toonami stopped airing it partway through the second season, and the English dub was cut short too. But even though it didn’t get its full run, Zatch Bell! still stands out as one of the most memorable anime Toonami ever showed.

7) Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann

Studio Trigger’s Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann tells the story of humanity hiding underground, terrified of the Spiral King and his Beastmen army. When a young digger named Simon discovers a strange robot, he begins a journey to liberate not just humanity, but the entire universe from oppression.

Many fans consider Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann to be one of the best original anime ever made. Its stunning and dynamic animation perfectly matches its incredibly exciting story, making it easy to understand why. Though it first aired in 2014, Gurren Lagann didn’t become a huge hit on Toonami right away, but its exceptional quality has earned it a dedicated following.

6) Attack on Titan

In the anime Attack on Titan produced by MAPPA, humanity’s final fortress is breached by man-eating Titans after a hundred years of peace. This tragedy impacts Eren Yeager’s family deeply, and he vows to eliminate all Titans, unaware of the immense challenges that lie ahead.

Despite major changes to its original storyline, Attack on Titan is widely considered a masterpiece thanks to its stunning animation and richly developed characters and world. It’s likely the most important anime series of recent years, and its broadcast on Toonami significantly contributed to its popularity.

5) Mobile Fighter G Gundam

The anime Mobile Fighter G Gundam is set in the future, where countries compete for global leadership through a fighting tournament using giant robots called Gundams. Domon Kasshu represents Neo-Japan, and while he aims to win the Gundam Fight, he’s also searching for his estranged brother, Kyoji, and trying to discover the secrets surrounding a powerful, enigmatic Gundam known as the Dark Gundam.

Although G Gundam isn’t as highly praised as other Gundam series, its over-the-top style, exciting action, and surprisingly deep story make it one of the very best. While it wasn’t the first Gundam anime shown on Toonami, it’s hard to imagine any other series that could have been more impactful or enjoyable.

4) Yu Yu Hakusho

Studio Pierrot’s Yu Yu Hakusho follows Yusuke Urameshi, a troublemaker who unexpectedly saves a child’s life, sacrificing himself in the process. He’s given a second chance at life with new spiritual abilities, and now works as a spirit detective, defending humans from dangerous demons.

Yu Yu Hakusho is a beloved anime from the 1990s, known for its exciting fights, memorable characters, and surprisingly good English voice acting. Even after all these years, it’s clear why fans still consider it a classic. Although it didn’t complete its original broadcast on Toonami, it remains a significant and iconic part of the channel’s legacy.

3) Naruto

The anime series Naruto, produced by Studio Pierrot, follows Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja who is disliked by his village because he contains a powerful and dangerous spirit, the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox. Determined to prove himself, Naruto dreams of becoming the Hokage, a village leader, and gaining the acceptance of everyone around him. His journey is filled with challenges and conflicts, ultimately leading him to fight to save the world.

Naruto is a fantastic action anime with a compelling story and a lot of heart, making it a perfect example of classic shonen. It played a huge role in popularizing anime and defining Toonami in the 2000s, which explains why it’s become such a beloved and iconic series.

2) Sailor Moon

Toei Animation’s Sailor Moon follows Usagi Tsukino, a somewhat clumsy and tearful girl, who discovers that her world is threatened by terrifying creatures from outer space. She receives the power to transform into Sailor Moon and must team up with other Sailor Scouts to defeat these threats and save the world.

While Toonami generally appealed to male audiences, Sailor Moon definitely stood out and deserved its spot thanks to its enjoyable characters, captivating story, and consistently excellent animation. Sailor Moon is already considered a classic, and its popularity on Toonami helps explain why.

1) Dragon Ball Z

Toei Animation’s Dragon Ball Z continues the story of the original Dragon Ball anime. Five years after his victory over Piccolo, Goku is enjoying family life, but he’s quickly pulled back into fighting dangerous new enemies. During these battles, it’s revealed that Goku is actually a member of a powerful alien race called the Saiyans.

With its amazing action and witty writing, Dragon Ball Z is undeniably one of the most famous anime series ever made, and it remains legendary even today. It was the most iconic anime on Toonami, and many still consider it the best show the block ever offered.

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2025-11-21 19:15