IMAnimation (Japanese: イマニメーション, romanized:Imanimēshon) is a Japanese late-night anime programming block planned and produced by TV Asahi under the TV Asahi Animation label and under the All-Nippon News Network affiliation, which launched on October 2024. The block airs on Saturday nights from 23:30 to 24:00 JST (effectively Saturday nights from 11:30 p.m. to Sunday midnight JST).

The block received an extension in 2025, titled IMAnimation W(イマニメーション, Imanimēshon Daburu), which airs on the same channel and its affiliates on Wednesday nights from 23:45 to 24:15 JST (effectively Wednesday nights from 11:45 p.m. to Thursday 12:15 a.m. JST). excluding ABC Television which airs the block from 25:03 to 25:33 JST (effectively Thursday mornings from 1:03 to 1:33 a.m. JST), following after Knight in Night[ja].

History

Prior to the creation of the block, the timeslot was originally used for the Saturday Night Drama[ja] TV drama programming block from 2001 to 2024, as well as variety programs occasionally. On June 24, 2024, the block is officially announced, and is the second late-night anime network timeslot on TV Asahi following NUMAnimation, which previously aired in a local timeslot prior to October 2020. Following the announcement, the TV Asahi Animation label was created in order to house the block, as well as NUMAnimation, Doraemon and Crayon Shin-chan. The second season of Blue Lock became the first program to air on the timeslot.

IMAnimation W

On December 17, 2024, TV Asahi announced an extension of the block, titled IMAnimation W. Like with IMAnimation, its timeslot was also originally used for variety programs; it is the third late-night anime programming block on the network. Your Forma became the first program to air on the timeslot.

Titles

#BlockTitleStart dateEnd dateEps.StudioNotesRef.
1IMBlue Lock vs. U-20 JapanOctober 5, 2024December 28, 202414Eight BitBased on the manga series by Muneyuki Kaneshiro and Yusuke Nomura[ja]. Second season and sequel to Blue Lock.
2IMBaban Baban Ban VampireJanuary 11, 2025March 29, 202512GainaBased on the manga series by Hiromasa Okujima[ja].
3IM WYour FormaApril 2, 2025June 25, 202513Geno StudioBased on the light novel series by Mareho Kikuishi[ja] and Tsubata Nozaki.
4IMFrom Old Country Bumpkin to Master SwordsmanApril 5, 2025June 22, 202512Passione Hayabusa FilmBased on the light novel series by Shigeru Sagazaki and Tetsuhiro Nabeshima[ja].
5IM WHell Teacher: Jigoku Sensei Nube (part 1)July 2, 2025September 24, 202513Studio KaiBased on the manga series by Shō Makura[ja] and Takeshi Okano.
6IMFermat KitchenJuly 5, 2025September 27, 202512DomericaBased on the manga series by Yūgo Kobayashi[ja].
7IMThe Banished Court Magician Aims to Become the StrongestOctober 4, 2025December 20, 202512GekkouBased on the light novel series by Alto and Yuunagi[ja].
8IM WWandanceOctober 8, 2025December 24, 202512Madhouse Cyclone Graphics[ja]Based on the manga series by Coffee.
9IM WHell Teacher: Jigoku Sensei Nube (part 2)January 7, 2026March 25, 202613Studio KaiSecond part of Hell Teacher: Jigoku Sensei Nube.
10IMDead AccountJanuary 10, 2026March 28, 202612SynergySPBased on the manga series by Shizumu Watanabe[ja].
11IMAkane-banashiApril 4, 2026TBATBAZexcsBased on the manga series by Yuki Suenaga[ja] and Takamasa Moue[ja].
12IM WGals Can't Be Kind to Otaku!?April 8, 2026TBATBATMS EntertainmentBased on the manga series by Norishiro-chan and Sakana Uozumi.
13IMJaadugar: A Witch in MongoliaJuly 2026TBATBAScience SaruBased on the manga series by Tomato Soup[ja].
TBAIM WMagic Knight RayearthOctober 2026TBATBAE&H ProductionBased on the manga series by Clamp.
TBAIM#Zombie SagashitemasuOctober 2026TBATBAStudio CometBased on the manga series by Katsuwo.

Notes

See also

  • Late-night anime programming blocks in Japan
  • Other anime programming blocks by ANN NUMAnimation, airing on Sunday mornings ANiMAZiNG!!!, airing on Sunday mornings

External links

  • (in Japanese)
  • (in Japanese)