TOM

TOM (Toonami Operations Module)  is a sardonic, wisecracking robot who is the second and current host of Toonami . He has undergone four different incarnations in his nearly eight years at the helm of the block. TOM is the custodian of the Absolution. TOM and SARA's (the AI of the ship) primary responsibilities include ensuring the ship is properly maintained as well as broadcasting the Toonami signal to the world. TOM frequently throws out one-liners and, like Moltar before him, gives sage advice to viewers about moral issues like bravery and standing up for what's right. frequently, he'll pass along video game reviews, people interviews, and other various commentary.

TOM v.1
The original version of TOM was a small, pudgy robot with his feet, hands, and head connected to his body by thin black joints. TOM made his broadcast debut on Saturday, July 10, 1999, five minutes before the first Midnight Run episode at approx. 11:55 pm. After ascending to the bridge of the Absolution he made his first speech:

“So it's a brand new Toonami, but the mission objectives remain the same. My name is TOM. I'm the new Moltar. Welcome aboard the Ghost Planet Space Ship Absolution, Cartoon Network's first and only interstellar broadcast and exploration vehicle. I'll give you the tour later. From this day forward she is completely responsible for all Toonami transmissions. I'm takin' you guys into the new millennium! No big changes now, same show, same attitude; new place to do it, new guy to do it with. I'm not going to waste any more time, let's get back into it. Later.”

After more than a year as host of Toonami, the original version of TOM met his end in the September 2000 event The Intruder, when a mysterious red blob invaded the Absolution. When TOM went to investigate, the blob sent him flying out into deep space. After returning back to the ship, TOM attempted to destroy the blob, but his laser blaster was ineffective against it. Ultimately, the blob engulfed TOM inside an elevator and destroyed him.

TOM v.2
After TOM's sacrificial act in The Intruder, Sara, the AI aboard the Absolution, downloaded TOM's memory matrix (which included all his memories, thoughts, and persona) into a new chassis and activated the unit aboard the Absolution. Dubbed TOM 2, this version of TOM was a taller, leaner model with larger hands and feet, and a sleeker head unit. Overall, TOM 2 looked to be a more battle-hardened version than his predecessor, and this quality was immediately put to the test when Sara informed TOM 2 he would have to go out and plant explosive charges on the starboard engine to save the Absolution.

TOM 2 assumed the duties previously carried out by his former self, including the broadcast of Toonami from the Absolution. In the September 2001 event Lockdown, Tom demonstrated his ability to keep the Absolution up and running by single handedly getting the ship's nuclear reactor and conduit systems back online. In the September 2002 event Trapped in Hyperspace, TOM again took on the role of Absolution’s defender when the ship became infected with a virus shortly after entering hyperspace. TOM was able to get the ship's essential operation systems back online before crashing into Earth, and ultimately saved Sara from the virus, earning TOM a moment of affection from Sara.

TOM 2 met his end in the March 2003 comic "Endgame" after a space pirate named Orcelot Rex broke into the Absolution to steal Sara. After attempting to protect the Absolution TOM abandoned the ship, which was later destroyed, to pursue Sara's abductor, but in his second confrontation with the robot his body was destroyed. TOM 2, and all further incarnations of the character from this point out, were voiced by veteran voice artist Steve Blum.

TOM v.3
When the remains of TOM 2 were thrown into a discard pile, TOM encountered a number of friendly robots, called the Dronomeks, who rebuilt his body. This rebuilt TOM, dubbed TOM 3, succeeded in saving Sara and defeated Orcelot Rex. Afterwards, TOM 3 took command of a newly-built space ship, which he dubbed Absolution II to resume his duties transmitting Toonami. Unlike his previous incarnations, TOM 3 had a more muscular look. This was also the first TOM to have five fingers on each hand. His nuclear reactor was located in his upper chest.

This version of TOM remained in service for four years, from March 17, 2003 until March 10, 2007 at which point it just mysteriously disappeared. His demise has yet to be disclosed on-air and on-line. In the opening of his version, TOM 3.0 is coming back to the Absolution in a fighter pilot. It lands there. Then TOM 3.0 gets out of the elevator. He runs into three Clyde 52's with surprised, maybe mad faces when TOM was saying "Look out, comin' through". He then enters a dark room with graphic features. You can see three tubes on the window. TOM then says "Its gonna be close". He sits down in a chair with buttons on the sides. TOM then presses one side 3 times and on one of the tubes, the 2003-2004 Toonami logo is shown and the intro ends. This was the 2003 version. The 2004 version showed Clyde 53s' drilling red lasers into the surface of a desert planet. They then shoot blue lasers back to the ship and the ones on board put some card in a machine. Then a white, full-bodied version of SARA appears and says, "Alright TOM, we're ready." Then TOM 3.0 sitting in his usual chair presses the buttons and begins the broadcast saying, "I love this job." The Ship then fires a white ray blast and a different Toonami logo appears and that intro ends.

TOM v.4
The fourth, and final incarnation (until May 26, 2012) of TOM is perhaps the most controversial according to longtime fans of the block. This incarnation has a much smaller body than his predecessor and has a frame with rusted metal and peeling body paint. No longer a visored robot, this is the first and only TOM to have facial features. Creators wanted the new TOM without the helmet, as well as look more organic compared to his past incarnations.

At the start of the tenth year, TOM's hosting responsibilities were scaled back considerably. He was seen only during the opening and continuity promotions, while his new assistants Flash and D direct the broadcast process. In addition, this is the first TOM unit to not have custody of any version of the spaceship Absolution, which had been the base of operations for the block since July 1999.

TOM 4.0 officially ended the Toonami block in September of 2008. D and Flash are seen readying Jungle Base for permanent shutdown, and TOM thanks the viewers, flies away, and says "bang.", a reference to voice actor Steve Blum's previous role as Spike Spiegel from Cowboy Bebop. The speech was as follows:

"Well, this is the end, beautiful friends. After more than eleven years, this is Toonami's final broadcast. It's been a lot of fun. We'd like to thank each and every one of you who made this journey with us. Toonami wouldn't have been anything without you. Hopefully we've left you with some good memories. So, until we meet again, stay gold. Bang."

TOM 4.0 most recently appeared on the revived Toonami block, having a conversation with the current TOM 3.5. Both TOMs stated that they should tell a story someday, about presumably TOM 4.0's origins, and TOM 4.0 stated that running Toonami was all up to TOM 3.5 now. This conversation proved that TOM 3.0 and 4.0 are different models and hinted at a possible T.I.E. event in the future.

This incarnation has been criticized very negatively because this TOM doesn't have the same design or a back story like the former incarnations. Also, as of  2012, there hasn't been any online nor on-air explanation about the change in appearance of TOM, though some have made guesses. According to the executives, they didn't have the time to create a TIE when they developed him. Many blame the late night Adult Swim block for Toonami's demise as the block begun airing anime on Saturday nights shortly after Toonami ended, beginning on September 27, 2008. On the same day, Cartoon Network stated that Adult Swim would be its "main source for anime". On December 31, 2012 Creators of Toonami, Jason DeMarco and Gill Austin admitted on the Toonami Tumblr page that they "would definitely want to go back in time and not have a TOM with a face."

TOM v.3.5 (HD Model)
The fifth incarnation of TOM was revealed on May 23, 2012 to the public via an Adult Swim commercial. Well many thought that this was TOM V3, this is, in fact, a new TOM as his suit is a bit different. He is also the very first incarnation to speak profanity. His back story has yet to be revealed as he has only been onscreen during commercial breaks for short periods of time. He returned with an array of all new content including speeches, game reviews, bumpers, promos, and more. The current intro is very short. The Absolution is also very similar to the original, but is not completely upgraded due to Toonami having a tight budget. In the "toonami verse" TOM 3.5 is just an upgraded version on the TOM 3 model.

TOM 3.5 also recently had a conversation with TOM 4.0. Both TOMs stated that they should tell a story someday, about presumably TOM 4.0's origins, and TOM 4.0 stated that running Toonami was all up to TOM 3.5 now. This conversation proved that TOM 3.0 and 4.0 are different models and hinted at a possible TIE event in the future. On March 10 2013 it was announced at MomoCon that Tom 3.5 would be upgraded to Tom 5 along with the absolution. It was also announced that a comic will be released detailing how Tom 3 became Tom 4, how Tom 4 became Tom 3.5 and how Tom 5 came to be.

TOM v.5
TOM 5 is the yet to be introduced heir apparent to the captain's chair aboard the Absolution. His presence was confirmed during MomoCon 2013, at which time it was revealed that he will be relieving the current host, TOM 3.5, and will be taking command of a new and yet to be revealed Absolution MK.III.

At present, due to the ongoing development and a corresponding lack of available information, little is officially known of this TOM model beyond the above state facts, however based on the MomoCon panel's question and answer session it is believed that his presence and pending assumption of Toonami-related duties will be explained in an untitled web-comic slated for release in the near future.

Trivia

 * Two years after Toonami was originally cancelled, Cartoon Network brought back TOM as a character in the MMORPG FusionFall. By finding groups of Clyde 51s you could get the suits from TOM's 1st through 4th incarnations.
 * TOM's body never rusts.
 * TOM 3.0 appeared as an easter egg in Sly 2: Band of Thieves, being a gadget used to gain the attention of guards.
 * During his many game reviews, TOM has shown an interest in adventure and shooter/FPS games. He usually gives fighting games a low grade (6s mainly) due to lack of storyline.