Toonami and Viz team up to offer anime on the web...

[Mr. Analog]

Toonami Jetstream, a partnership between Cartoon Network and Viz Media, will launch on July 17. The ad-supported site will offer free, full-length episodes of shows including Naruto, Samurai Jack, Hikaru No Go, MAR, and The Prince of Tennis. ICv2 News reports that Toonami Jetstream will also host the American premier of Zoids Genesis. The site will be refreshed with new episodes weekly, and will offer an archive of previously run episodes. ICv2 has published an interview with Viz Media Executive Vice President John Easum regarding the Toonami Jetstream partnership.



http://www.icv2.com/articles/home/8571.html

[Tonnica]

This could be good! Though I paused when I read this:



"For certain titles, VIZ Media will also continue to provide our DVD consumers with a variety of exciting bonus options ranging from "uncut" and/or original Japanese language subtitles episodes, to behind the scenes features and more."



That suggests to me they're not going to be selling the uncut versions of these shows over Toonami Jetstream. For some anime that's no problem (re: Hikaru no Go - I think there are two punches thrown in about 24 volumes worth of content and Zoids deals with any violence in the robot battles very cleanly). For other anime (re: everything else especially action anime) this can be a hot topic. Kid friendly cut anime often gets snubbed immediately.



Hopefully they decide to give the choice to purchase uncut or subbed episodes. I am -not- buying any more of the english dub of Naruto than I already have.