Toonami panel joins MomoCon convention in Atlanta

MomoCon, Atlanta's fast-growing convention of anime, animation, gaming and costuming, has added to its schedule a panel celebrating Cartoon Network's Toonami programming block.

This new panel adds to a schedule already packed with events featuring celebrity guests, including voice actors, writers and cosplayers. Toonami holds a special place in the history of animation as a significant influence in introducing Americans to anime, Japanese animation.

Jason DeMarco, co-creator of the Toonami block, and Steve Blum, the voice of Toonami's host T.O.M., will answer fan questions in the segment's first live Q&A panel since Toonami's return last May. Blum is also known as the voice of iconic character Spike Spiegel on Toonami's Cowboy Bebop.

The Cartoon Network restored the Toonami programming block in response to massive online support from fans, following an April Fools' Day Prank. Fans expected to see another rerun of cult film The Room, but the network broadcast six hours of episodes from Toonami's classic lineup. Episodes came complete with Toonami bumpers featuring the show's bipedal robotic host T.O.M. (voiced by Blum).

The following day, Cartoon Network's Adult Swim team tweeted fans and posted a hashtag #BringBackToonami, resulting in fans swarming Twitter, Tumblr and other social media channels to voice their support.

Within two months, Toonami returned in the Saturday late night block from 12 midnight to 6 a.m. DeMarco credits the fans for the successful return, saying, "THEY (the fans) DEMANDED IT… and Adult Swim listened!" On the eve of Toonami's return, DeMarco was promoted to vice-president of Marketing for Cartoon Network and Adult Swim, a position that he continues to hold.

As to his upcoming appearance at Momocon, DeMarco expressed a great deal of excitement. MomoCon's panel, he said, "is the first Toonami panel in many years. We're looking forward to meeting our fans and hearing their questions, as well as revealing some new stuff!"

Blum's influence and voice are synonymous with Toonami’s success and appreciation among fans. His voice-acting resume includes anime hits Samurai Champloo, Cowboy Bebop and The Big O, with the latter being a huge hit on Toonami and a series in which he voiced the protagonist.

"For years, Toonami served as a destination for a generation," says Blum. "It was a safe place to go after school. A cool place to visit late at night." Regarding its recent revival, Blum said, "I'm proud to take part in bringing Toonami goodness to the next generation and will be stayin' gold for a long time to come."

Blum is also the voice of X-men's Wolverine in recent Marvel animated series, among others. He was recently awarded the Guinness World Record for being the most prolific video game actor, clocking 261 credited appearances as of May last year.

To be held from March 8 to 10, MomoCon 2013 will mark the first Atlanta convention appearance for Blum. It takes place at the Atlanta Hilton, 255 Courtland Street NE.

The cost is $30 for early birds, $40 for a three-day ticket at the door. Children under six are admitted free.

MomoCon 2013 features celebrity guests from anime, animation, and video games, including animation writer, producer, and legend Mike Reiss (Simpsons, The Critic), anime voice actor Brina Palencia (Black Butler, Spice and Wolf, Borderlands), and popular gaming voice actors Jennifer Hale (Mass Effect, Marvel vs Capcon, Multiple Star Wars Games) and Mark Meer (Mass Effect, Baldur’s Gate). Local celebrities Amber Nash and Lucky Yates of FX's Archer will also be returning.