Toonami: Midnight Run

The Midnight Run was a Toonami programming block that ran from July 10, 1999 to January 9, 2003. Initially the block ran from 12:00 AM to 5:00 AM ET on Saturday nights. On March 6, 2000, the block was shortened to one hour, but began airing Monday through Thursday from 12:00 AM to 1:00 AM ET. However, on September 6, 2001, Adult Swim took over the time slot on Thursdays. After Adult Swim's premiere, the Midnight Run only aired Monday through Wednesday until February 21, 2002, when it reclaimed the Thursday time slot. The block then continued to air Monday through Thursday until it was cancelled in early 2003. The block did not air on Fridays due to Cartoon Cartoon Fridays.

The Midnight Run tended to be less censored than its daytime counterpart, allowing more blood and violence. The Midnight Run also had special events including Midnight Run: Special Edition, which first aired on August 31, 2001 and featured an hour of animated music videos. Another special event saw Dragon Ball Z take over the Midnight Run for one week from March 26-30, 2001. The long time Toonami host TOM also made his first appearance on the initial Midnight Run on July 10, 1999.

1999-2000: Original 5 hour Format

 * Cartoon Roulette
 * Dragon Ball Z
 * G-Force: Guardians of Space
 * Jonny Quest: The Real Adventures
 * The Powerpuff Girls
 * ReBoot
 * Robotech
 * Ronin Warriors
 * Sailor Moon
 * Thundercats
 * Voltron

2000-2003: 1 hour Format

 * The Big O
 * Dragon Ball
 * Dragon Ball Z
 * G Gundam
 * G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero
 * Gundam 0080
 * Gundam Wing (Uncut)
 * Mobile Suit Gundam: 08th MS Team
 * Outlaw Star
 * Tenchi Muyo!
 * Tenchi Universe

Midnight Run: Special Edition
Midnight Run: Special Edition first aired on August 31, 2001 and an encore was aired later in the year on November 16, 2001.


 * "Hellbent" by Kenna
 * "19-2000" by Gorillaz
 * "Clint Eastwood" by Gorillaz
 * "Tommorrow Comes Today" by Gorillaz
 * "One More Time" by Daft Punk
 * "Aerodynamic" by Daft Punk
 * "Digital Love" by Daft Punk
 * "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" by Daft Punk
 * 4 Tracks from Toonami: Deep Space Bass (including "Mad Rhetoric " and "Dreams")

July 10 - September 25, 1999 Lineup
Toonami's first Saturday (technically Sunday) Midnight Run. There was no Midnight Run on August 21, 1999 due to a Cartoon Cartoon Weekend marathon. This schedule consisted of: This schedule existed from July 10 - September 25, 1999.
 * 12:00 AM - Dragon Ball Z
 * 12:30 AM - The Powerpuff Girls
 * 12:45 AM - Sailor Moon
 * 1:15 AM - ReBoot
 * 1:45 AM - Dragon Ball Z
 * 2:15 AM - Sailor Moon
 * 2:45 AM - Thundercats
 * 3:15 AM - Robotech
 * 3:45 AM - Voltron
 * 4:15 AM - The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest
 * 4:45 AM - Cartoon Roulette

October 2 - 16, 1999 Lineup
On October 2nd, Ronin Warriors was added to the lineup at 1:15 AM and Jonny Quest: The Real Adventures was removed from the lineup. There was no Midnight Run on October 23, 1999 due to a Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! marathon. This schedule consisted of: This schedule existed from October 2-16, 1999.
 * 12:00 AM - Dragon Ball Z
 * 12:30 AM - The Powerpuff Girls
 * 12:45 AM - Sailor Moon
 * 1:15 AM - Ronin Warriors
 * 1:45 AM - Dragon Ball Z
 * 2:15 AM - ReBoot
 * 2:45 AM - Sailor Moon
 * 3:15 AM - Thundercats
 * 3:45 AM - Robotech
 * 4:15 AM - Voltron
 * 4:45 AM - Cartoon Roulette

October 30, 1999 Lineup
On October 30th, due to the extra hour added by the end of daylight savings time, the full 5-hour block was able to air from 12:00-4:00 AM. This schedule consisted of: This schedule only existed on October 30, 1999.
 * 12:00 AM - Dragon Ball Z
 * 12:30 AM - The Powerpuff Girls
 * 12:45 AM - Sailor Moon
 * 1:15 AM - Ronin Warriors
 * 1:45 AM - Dragon Ball Z
 * 1:15 AM - ReBoot
 * 1:45 AM - Sailor Moon
 * 2:15 AM - Thundercats
 * 2:45 AM - Robotech
 * 3:15 AM - Voltron
 * 3:45 AM - Cartoon Roulette

November 6 - December 25, 1999 Lineup
On November 6th, the schedule returned to normal. There was no Midnight Run on December 18, 1999 due to the Mil-Looney-Um marathon. This schedule consisted of: This schedule existed from November 6 - December 25, 1999.
 * 12:00 AM - Dragon Ball Z
 * 12:30 AM - The Powerpuff Girls
 * 12:45 AM - Sailor Moon
 * 1:15 AM - Ronin Warriors
 * 1:45 AM - Dragon Ball Z
 * 2:15 AM - ReBoot
 * 2:45 AM - Sailor Moon
 * 3:15 AM - Thundercats
 * 3:45 AM - Robotech
 * 4:15 AM - Voltron
 * 4:45 AM - Cartoon Roulette

January 1 - February 26, 2000 Lineup
On January 1st, G-Force replaced Robotech in the 3:45 AM time slot. This schedule consisted of: This schedule existed from January 1 - February 26, 2000.
 * 12:00 AM - Dragon Ball Z
 * 12:30 AM - The Powerpuff Girls
 * 12:45 AM - Sailor Moon
 * 1:15 AM - Ronin Warriors
 * 1:45 AM - Dragon Ball Z
 * 2:15 AM - ReBoot
 * 2:45 AM - Sailor Moon
 * 3:15 AM - Thundercats
 * 3:45 AM - G-Force: Guardians of Space
 * 4:15 AM - Voltron
 * 4:45 AM - Cartoon Roulette

March 4, 2000 Lineup
On March 4th, a second episode of G-Force replaced Voltron in the 4:15 AM time slot. This was the Midnight Run's final Saturday lineup before shifting to a weeknight format. This schedule consisted of: This schedule only existed on March 4, 2000.
 * 12:00 AM - Dragon Ball Z
 * 12:30 AM - The Powerpuff Girls
 * 12:45 AM - Sailor Moon
 * 1:15 AM - Ronin Warriors
 * 1:45 AM - Dragon Ball Z
 * 2:15 AM - ReBoot
 * 2:45 AM - Sailor Moon
 * 3:15 AM - Thundercats
 * 3:45 AM - G-Force: Guardians of Space
 * 4:15 AM - G-Force: Guardians of Space
 * 4:45 AM - Cartoon Roulette

March 6 - November 3, 2000 Lineup
Toonami's first weeknight Midnight Run included the premiere of an unedited version of Gundam Wing and reruns of Dragon Ball Z. The Midnight Run was pre-empted on June 2, 2000 due to the June Bugs marathon. There was also no Midnight Run on August 25, 2000 due to a Cartoon Cartoon Weekend marathon. This schedule consisted of: This schedule existed from March 6 - November 3, 2000.
 * 12:00 AM - Gundam Wing (Uncut)
 * 12:30 AM - Dragon Ball Z

November 6 - 27, 2000 Lineup
On November 6th, Tenchi Muyo replaced Gundam Wing in the lineup. This schedule consisted of: This schedule existed from November 6-27, 2000.
 * 12:00 AM - Dragon Ball Z
 * 12:30 AM - Tenchi Muyo!

November 28, 2000 - January 12, 2001 Lineup
On November 28th, Tenchi Universe replaced Tenchi Muyo! in the lineup. This schedule consisted of: This schedule existed from November 28, 2000 - January 12, 2001.
 * 12:00 AM - Dragon Ball Z
 * 12:30 AM - Tenchi Universe

January 15 - March 23, 2001 Lineup
On January 15th, Outlaw Star replaced Tenchi Universe in the lineup. This schedule consisted of: This schedule existed from January 15 - March 23, 2001.
 * 12:00 AM - Dragon Ball Z
 * 12:30 AM - Outlaw Star

March 26 - 30, 2001 Lineup
On March 26th, Outlaw Star was removed and Dragon Ball Z took over both time slots of the Midnight Run for one week only. This schedule consisted of: This schedule only existed from March 26-30, 2001.
 * 12:00 AM - Dragon Ball Z
 * 12:30 AM - Dragon Ball Z

April 2 - May 25, 2001 Lineup
On April 2nd, The Big O took over the 12:30 AM time slot. This schedule consisted of: This schedule existed from April 2 - May 25, 2001.
 * 12:00 AM - Dragon Ball Z
 * 12:30 AM - The Big O

May 28 - July 20, 2001 Lineup
On May 28th, The Big O was removed and Dragon Ball Z took over both time slots of the Midnight Run. This schedule consisted of: This schedule existed from May 28 - July 20, 2001.
 * 12:00 AM - Dragon Ball Z
 * 12:30 AM - Dragon Ball Z

July 23 - August 23, 2001 Lineup
On July 23rd, Dragon Ball Z was removed from the lineup and replaced by The 08th MS Team at 12:00 AM and Outlaw Star at 12:30 AM. There was no Midnight Run on August 24th due to the Cartoon Cartoon Fridays: Big Pick Weekend. This schedule consisted of: This schedule existed from July 23 - August 23, 2001.
 * 12:00 AM - Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team
 * 12:30 AM - Outlaw Star

August 27 - November 2, 2001 Lineup
On August 27th, Dragon Ball Z returned to the lineup at 12:00 AM replacing The 08th MS Team. In addition, Outlaw Star was replaced in the 12:30 AM time slot by Dragon Ball. Beginning on September 6, 2001, there was no Midnight Run on Thursdays due to the debut of Adult Swim. This schedule consisted of: This schedule existed from August 27 - November 2, 2001.
 * 12:00 AM - Dragon Ball Z
 * 12:30 AM - Dragon Ball

November 5 - 30, 2001 Lineup
On November 5th, Gundam 0080 replaced Dragon Ball in the 12:30 AM time slot. This schedule consisted of: This schedule existed from November 5-30, 2001.
 * 12:00 AM - Dragon Ball Z
 * 12:30 AM - Gundam 0080

December 3, 2001 - February 6, 2002 Lineup
On December 3rd, Outlaw Star replaced Gundam 0080 in the 12:30 AM time slot. This schedule consisted of: This schedule existed from December 3, 2001 - February 6, 2002.
 * 12:00 AM - Dragon Ball Z
 * 12:30 AM - Outlaw Star

February 11 - November 1, 2002 Lineup
On February 11th, Dragon Ball replaced Outlaw Star in the 12:30 AM time slot. There was no Midnight Run on July 2, 2002, due to The Iron Giant 24-Hour Marathon, and on October 31, 2002, due to the Courage's Trick or Shriek Marathon. This schedule consisted of: This schedule existed from February 11 - November 1, 2002.
 * 12:00 AM - Dragon Ball Z
 * 12:30 AM - Dragon Ball

November 4, 2002 - January 9, 2003 Lineup
On November 4th, Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball were removed from the lineup and replaced by G Gundam and G.I. Joe at 12:00 AM and 12:30 AM respectively. There was no Midnight Run on December 24, 2002, due to The Christmas Party marathon. This schedule consisted of: This schedule existed from November 4, 2002 - January 9, 2003.
 * 12:00 AM - G Gundam
 * 12:30 AM - G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero