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 Friday 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 and Fridays. On January 4, 2002, the Midnight Run also lost the Friday time slot due to the extension of Cartoon Cartoon Fridays, which began airing from 7:00 PM to 6:00 AM. However, on February 21, 2002, the Midnight Run reclaimed the Thursday time slot, and began airing Monday-Thursday. The block then continued to air Monday through Thursday until it was cancelled in early 2003.

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
 * Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone
 * 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
 * Tenchi in Tokyo

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
 * 3 Tracks from Toonami: Deep Space Bass: "Mad Rhetoric" "Advanced Robotics" 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, an extra hour was added to the Midnight Run because of daylight savings time. During the extra hour the DBZ film Dead Zone aired. This schedule consisted of: This schedule only existed on October 30, 1999.
 * 12:00 AM - Dragon Ball Z
 * 12:30 AM - Sailor Moon
 * 1:00 AM - Ronin Warriors
 * 1:30 AM - Dragon Ball Z
 * 1:00 AM - Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone
 * 2:00 AM - The Powerpuff Girls
 * 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

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 - 22, 2000 Lineup
On November 6th, Tenchi Muyo replaced Gundam Wing in the lineup. This schedule consisted of: This schedule existed from November 6-22, 2000.
 * 12:00 AM - Dragon Ball Z
 * 12:30 AM - Tenchi Muyo!

November 23 - December 28, 2000 Lineup
On November 23rd, Tenchi Universe replaced Tenchi Muyo! in the lineup. This schedule consisted of: This schedule existed from November 23 - December 28, 2000.
 * 12:00 AM - Dragon Ball Z
 * 12:30 AM - Tenchi Universe

December 29, 2000 - January 12, 2001 Lineup
On December 29th, Tenchi in Tokyo replaced Tenchi Universe in the lineup. This schedule consisted of: This schedule existed from December 29, 2000 - January 12, 2001.
 * 12:00 AM - Dragon Ball Z
 * 12:30 AM - Tenchi in Tokyo

January 15 - March 23, 2001 Lineup
On January 15th, Outlaw Star replaced Tenchi in Tokyo 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. The Midnight Run was pre-empted on June 1, 2001 by Cartoon Network's June Bugs marathon. 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 30, 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 30, 2001.
 * 12:00 AM - Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team
 * 12:30 AM - Outlaw Star

August 31, 2001 (Midnight Run: Special Edition) Lineup
On August 31st, the regular Midnight Run schedule (12:00-1:00 AM) was pre-empted for a special music video marathon titled Midnight Run: Special Edition. This schedule consisted of: This schedule only existed on August 31, 2001.
 * Toonami: Walking Stick (Mad Rhetoric)
 * Daft Punk: One More Time
 * Daft Punk: Aerodynamic
 * Daft Punk: Digital Love
 * Daft Punk: Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger
 * Toonami: Ignition (Advanced Robotics)
 * Toonami: Broken Promise (Dreams)
 * Gorillaz: Tomorrow Comes Today
 * Gorillaz: 19-2000
 * Gorillaz: Clint Eastwood
 * Kenna: Hell Bent

September 3 - 7, 2001 Lineup
On September 3rd, the schedule returned to normal. 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 September 3-7, 2001.
 * 12:00 AM - Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team
 * 12:30 AM - Outlaw Star

September 10 - October 9, 2001 Lineup
On September 10th, Dragon Ball Z returned to the lineup at 12:00 AM, replacing Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team. This schedule consisted of: This schedule existed from September 10 - October 9, 2001.
 * 12:00 AM - Dragon Ball Z
 * 12:30 AM - Outlaw Star

October 10 - 29, 2001 Lineup
On October 10th, Outlaw Star was replaced in the 12:30 AM time slot by Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team. On October 30th, the Midnight Run was pre-empted by a 24-hour Scooby-Doo Marathon. This schedule consisted of: This schedule existed from October 10-29, 2001.
 * 12:00 AM - Dragon Ball Z
 * 12:30 AM - Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team

October 31, 2001 Lineup
On October 31st, the regular Midnight Run lineup was pre-empted by the film Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone, which aired from 12:00-1:00 AM. This schedule only existed on October 31, 2001.
 * 12:00 AM - Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone

November 2, 2001 Lineup
On November 2nd, the lineup returned to normal. This schedule consisted of: This schedule only existed on November 2, 2001.
 * 12:00 AM - Dragon Ball Z
 * 12:30 AM - Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team

November 5 - 14, 2001 Lineup
On November 5th, Gundam 0080 replaced Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team in the 12:30 AM time slot. This schedule consisted of: This schedule existed from November 5-14, 2001.
 * 12:00 AM - Dragon Ball Z
 * 12:30 AM - Gundam 0080

November 16, 2001 (Midnight Run: Special Edition) Lineup
On November 16th, the regular Midnight Run schedule (12:00-1:00 AM) was pre-empted by a rerun of the special music video marathon titled Midnight Run: Special Edition, which previously aired on August 31, 2001. This schedule consisted of: This schedule only existed on November 16, 2001.
 * Toonami: Walking Stick (Mad Rhetoric)
 * Daft Punk: One More Time
 * Daft Punk: Aerodynamic
 * Daft Punk: Digital Love
 * Daft Punk: Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger
 * Toonami: Ignition (Advanced Robotics)
 * Toonami: Broken Promise (Dreams)
 * Gorillaz: Tomorrow Comes Today
 * Gorillaz: 19-2000
 * Gorillaz: Clint Eastwood
 * Kenna: Hell Bent

November 19 - 30, 2001 Lineup
On November 19th, the schedule returned to normal. This schedule consisted of: This schedule existed from November 19-30, 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. On December 24th, the Midnight Run was pre-empted by Cartoon Network's 24-hour Christmas Party. On December 31st (technically January 1st), Toonami presented A Night of New Year's Eve-il, a special 4-hour viewer's choice marathon from 12:00-4:00 AM which pre-empted the regularly scheduled Midnight Run lineup. On January 4, 2002, the Midnight Run lost its Friday time slot due to the extension of Cartoon Cartoon Fridays, which began airing from 7:00 PM to 6:00 AM. 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 - October 30, 2002 Lineup
On February 11th, Dragon Ball replaced Outlaw Star in the 12:30 AM time slot. On February 21st, the Midnight Run reclaimed the Thursday time slot, and began airing Monday-Thursday once again. From April 1st-4th, the Midnight Run was pre-empted by a special presentation of Boomerang which aired from 11:00 PM to 2:00 AM each day. From April 22nd-29th, Toonami held an online sweepstakes titled the Midnight Run/Bandai Sweepstakes. There was no Midnight Run on July 2nd, due to The Iron Giant 24-Hour Marathon. The block was also pre-empted on October 31st, due to Courage's Trick or Shriek Marathon. This schedule consisted of: This schedule existed from February 11 - October 30, 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. Midnight Run was also pre-empted on December 31st, due to Adult Swim's New Year's Eve Bash!. 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