For early animation enthusiasts in the West, Toonami was the Holy Grail. When the weekday afternoon comics block began in 1997, it gave die-hard fans of the medium the opportunity to catch up on the most popular series of the overall zeitgeist, from blockbuster hits such as; sailor moon and Dragon Ball Z to more niche products such as outlaw star and Big O later. In late 1999, a surprising addition to the lineup quickly gained a devoted fan base. Now, more than 25 years after it first appeared on Cartoon Network, Ronin Warriors It's back in the spotlight for the best reasons, and there's good reason to be excited.
20 nostalgic animations that aired on Toonami in the 2000s
Throughout the 2000s, Toonami aired some great anime that longtime fans will remember. These nostalgic examples are proof.
It was confirmed in June 2025. Ronin Warriors We're getting an official sequel from the original studio, Sunrise. The show, which first aired in Japan in 1988, inspired three OVA sequels in the late '80s and early '90s, but this is a bigger deal, bringing the characters and story to a new audience with updated animation mixed with an always-welcome dose of nostalgia.
while Ronin Warriors The Toonami run ended rather quickly, in March 2001, and its impact was surprisingly profound. Case in point: My husband claimed to only remember the show in passing, but when asked, he was able to quickly recall the names of the five main characters, along with the main antagonist. The series blended the superhero genre with fantasy and shonen-style action, leaving a lasting impression on viewers, whether they realized it at the time or not.
Ronin Warriors were a staple of early Toonami.
Some people in the United States may have caught it, but Ronin Warriors It was added to Cartoon Network's Toonami lineup on September 27, 1999 on USA Network or the Sci-Fi Channel in the mid-90s, where it found a larger audience of dedicated anime fans. The action animated series tells the story of five young warriors who must fight against the ancient evil Talpa who are trying to destroy the planet. A century ago, he was banished to the Nether Kingdom with his armor split into nine pieces. Four were given to the Dark Warlords of Talpa, representing corruption, cruelty, illusion, and poison. The remaining five pieces went to the titular fighters who remained on the side of good.
The best animated villain of all time
Great antagonists make stories interesting, and these animated villains are without a doubt one of the best of all time.
The characters are where the series shines the most. Each of the five main warriors symbolizes a specific virtue, something every parent is willing to expose their children to. (They also have some very cool samurai armor to boot, which translated well to toy releases at the time). Ryo, the unofficial leader of the group, advocated for justice. Kento for Justice; Wise man, for grace; Cye, for trust; And Rowen wants wisdom. These tenants, along with their respective base abilities and unique personalities, made it easy for viewers to pick a favorite character or see themselves in one or all of the Ronin Warriors (or Samurai Troopers, as they are known in Japan).
Ronin Warriors Many of the character names were changed and dubbed in the West with an English theme song, which is less common today. It also featured some ambitious voice acting and localization changes that detracted from its traditional Japanese cultural roots, leading many to seek out the original version to enjoy it as originally intended. Still, while the nostalgia factor has led people to revisit the heavily edited international releases, fans now finally have new content to enjoy after decades of reruns.
Nearly 40 years after the original series was released in Japan, a Ronin Warriors sequel has finally been released.
first episode of Yoroi Shinden Samurai Trooperssequel Ronin WarriorsAfter it was first announced in the summer of 2025, many fans were shocked to learn that this was not a remake, considering the time between the two releases, the numerous advancements made in animation since the original was released in 1988, and the finale of the original series that seemed to tie the perfect bow. However, in Episode 1, the problem was resolved. Yoroi Shinden Samurai Troopers Not a direct sequel at all, It features a lot of completely new characters and contains a bit more violence than those who were interested in Toonami at the time might have expected. It contains some cameos and callbacks, but without going into spoilers, it quickly becomes clear that this isn't your mom's thing. Ronin Warriors.
Yoroi Shinden Samurai Troopers is available to watch on Crunchyroll. Episode 1 premiered on January 6, and new episodes air every Tuesday. Original series are also streaming on the service.
Interestingly, the first episode of the new series includes some music that was popular in Japan in the 80s, but unexpectedly not the songs that appeared in the original show. Instead, it's a simple pop hit that harkens back to simpler times, and those familiar with Japanese pop culture will likely be taken aback by the unexpected addition. The animation is vibrant and colorful, and while not everyone will agree with the art direction, it's definitely an attention-grabber. Especially considering the now quiet palette of the past. Fans looking to relive the Toonami days may be in two camps regarding the new release, but it may take a few more episodes for people to find out exactly where they are.
A number of hit anime series are scheduled to return in early 2026. Do a jujutsu and Freeren: Beyond the end of the journey Return in January. Other shows receiving new seasons this year include: hell's paradise, Oshinoko, fire brigadeand apothecary diaryThe next few months will be an especially exciting time for fans of the medium. Here's hoping some other releases that have been dormant for a long time will also come back in the same way. Ronin Warriors.
