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 in 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.
History
Prior to the creation of the block, the timeslot was originally used for the Saturday Night Drama 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
| # | Block | Title | Start date | End date | Eps. | Studio | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | IM | Blue Lock vs. U-20 Japan | October 5, 2024 | December 28, 2024 | 14 | Eight Bit | Based on the manga series by Muneyuki Kaneshiro and Yusuke Nomura. Second season and sequel to Blue Lock. |
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| 2 | IM | Babanba Banban Vampire | January 11, 2025 | March 29, 2025 | 12 | Gaina | Based on the manga series by Hiromasa Okujima. | |
| 3 | IM W | Your Forma | April 2, 2025 | June 25, 2025 | 13 | Geno Studio | Based on the light novel series by Mareho Kikuishi and Tsubata Nozaki. | |
| 4 | IM | From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman | April 5, 2025 | June 22, 2025 | 12 | Passione Hayabusa Film |
Based on the light novel series by Shigeru Sagazaki and Tetsuhiro Nabeshima. | |
| 5 | IM W | Hell Teacher: Jigoku Sensei Nube (part 1) | July 2, 2025 | September 24, 2025 | 13 | Studio Kai | Based on the manga series by Shō Makura and Takeshi Okano. | |
| 6 | IM | Fermat Kitchen | July 5, 2025 | September 27, 2025 | 12 | Domerica | Based on the manga series by Yūgo Kobayashi. | |
| 7 | IM | The Banished Court Magician Aims to Become the Strongest | October 4, 2025 | December 20, 2025 | 12 | Gekkou | Based on the light novel series by Alto and Yuunagi. | |
| 8 | IM W | Wandance | October 8, 2025 | December 24, 2025 | 12 | Madhouse Cyclone Graphics |
Based on the manga series by Coffee. | |
| 9 | IM W | Hell Teacher: Jigoku Sensei Nube (part 2) | January 7, 2026 | March 25, 2026 | 13 | Studio Kai | Second part of Hell Teacher: Jigoku Sensei Nube. | |
| 10 | IM | Dead Account | January 10, 2026 | March 28, 2026 | 12 | SynergySP | Based on the manga series by Shizumu Watanabe. | |
| 11 | IM | Akane-banashi | April 4, 2026 | June 20, 2026 | 12 | Zexcs | Based on the manga series by Yuki Suenaga and Takamasa Moue. | |
| 12 | IM W | Gals Can't Be Kind to Otaku!? | April 8, 2026 | June 24, 2026 | 12 | TMS Entertainment | Based on the manga series by Norishiro-chan and Sakana Uozumi. | |
| 13 | IM | Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia | July 4, 2026 | September 12, 2026 | 12 | Science Saru | Based on the manga series by Tomato Soup. | |
| 14 | IM W | From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman (season 2) | July 8, 2026 | September 23, 2026 | 12 | Passione Hayabusa Film |
Sequel to From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman. | |
| 15 | IM | I'm Looking for Zombies | October 3, 2026 | TBA | TBA | Studio Comet | Based on the manga series by Katsuwo. | |
| 16 | IM W | Magic Knight Rayearth | October 7, 2026 | TBA | TBA | E&H Production | Based on the manga series by Clamp. | |
| TBA | IM | Akane-banashi (season 2) | January 2027 | TBA | TBA | Zexcs | Sequel to Akane-banashi. | |
| TBA | IM | Fate Rewinder | April 2027 | TBA | TBA | Bones Film | Based on the manga series by Fūta Kimura. |
