Midnight Run Cartoon Network Block Network Cartoon Network Launched July 10, 1999 Cancelled January 9, 2003 Runtime 5 hours (July 10, 1999 - March 4, 2000)

1 hour (March 7, 2000 - January 9, 2003) 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.[1]

In 2000, the block was shortened to one hour, running Monday through Thursday from 12:00 AM to 1:00 AM ET, until September 2001 when Adult Swim took over the time slot on Thursdays. After Adult Swim's premiere, the Midnight Run only aired Monday through Wednesday until February 2002[2], when it reclaimed the Thursday time slot. The block aired Monday through Thursday until the block 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 first Midnight Run on July 10, 1999.

Programming

1999-2000: Original 5 hour Format

2000-2003: 1 hour Format

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.

Schedules

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.

October 2 - December 25, 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 and on December 18, 1999 due to the Mil-Looney-Um marathon. This schedule consisted of:

This schedule existed from October 2 - December 25, 1999.

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.

March 4, 2000 Lineup

This was the Midnight Run's final Saturday lineup before shifting to a weeknight format.[3] This schedule consisted of:

This schedule only existed on March 4, 2000.

March 6 - November 3, 2000 Lineup

Toonami's first weeknight Midnight Run. There was 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.

November 6 - 27, 2000 Lineup

On November 6th, Tenchi Muyo replaced Gundam Wing in the lineup.[4] This schedule consisted of:

This schedule existed from November 6-27, 2000.

November 28, 2000 - January 12, 2001 Lineup

On November 28th, Tenchi Universe replaced Tenchi Muyo! in the lineup.[5] This schedule consisted of:

This schedule existed from November 28, 2000 - January 12, 2001.

January 15 - March 23, 2001 Lineup

On January 15th, Outlaw Star replaced Tenchi Universe in the lineup.[6][7] This schedule consisted of:

This schedule existed from January 15 - March 23, 2001.

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.[8] This schedule consisted of:

This schedule only existed from March 26-30, 2001.

April 2 - May 25, 2001 Lineup

On April 2nd, The Big O took over the 12:30 AM time slot.[9][10][11] This schedule consisted of:

This schedule existed from April 2 - May 25, 2001.

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:[12][13]

This schedule existed from May 28 - July 20, 2001.

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.[14][15] 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.

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. 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.

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.

December 3, 2001 - February 6, 2002 Lineup

On December 3rd, Outlaw Star replaced Gundam 0080 in the 12:30 AM time slot.[16][17] This schedule consisted of:

This schedule existed from December 3, 2001 - February 6, 2002.

February 11 - November 1, 2002 Lineup

On February 11th, Dragon Ball replaced Outlaw Star in the 12:30 AM time slot.[18][19][20][21][22] 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.

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.[23] 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.

Gallery

Toonami - Tom 1st Introduction (1080p HD) Tom's 1st Introduction during 1st Midnight Run Toonami Promos - The Midnight Run 5 1st Midnight Run Lineup Toonami - Midnight Run Long Promo 2 (With Ronin Warriors) 2nd Midnight Run Lineup Toonami - Double Whammy Midnight Run Promo (1080p HD) 5th Midnight Run Lineup Toonami - Midnight Run (DBZ & Tenchi Muyo) 1080p HD 6th Midnight Run Lineup (Tenchi Muyo!) Toonami - Midnight Run (DBZ & Tenchi Universe) (1080p HD) 6th Midnight Run Lineup (Tenchi Universe) Toonami - Midnight Run (DBZ & Outlaw Star) 1080p HD 7th Midnight Run Lineup Toonami - Midnight Run Short Promo (Double DBZ) 1080p HD 8th Midnight Run Lineup Toonami Midnight Run Promo (Big O and DBZ) 9th Midnight Run Lineup Toonami - Midnight Run (08th MS Team & Outlaw Star) 1080p HD 11th Midnight Run Lineup Dragon Ball Z Toonami Midnight Run promo 12th Midnight Run Lineup Toonami - Gundam 0080 Promo (1080p HD) 13th Midnight Run Lineup Midnight Run Lineup - Fall 2002 Final Midnight Run Lineup