The Shonen Universe ‘25: Spoons, Toons and Anime
Cartoons. We love’em.
Depending on the year, age, and genre, we’ve all experienced the action, drama, and choreographed fight scenes of cartoons. The colors, the characters—whether you loved G.I. Joe, Thundercats, SilverHawks, X-Men, Spider-Man, Gargoyles, or possibly Dragon Ball Z—there was this amazing feeling about waking up in the morning, plopping yourself in front of the TV, and watching the best and greatest in animated features. But there was also a shift in media distribution as well. Cable television changed everything.
As more channels appeared, a shift from Americanized animated features turned into foreign media.....namely anime. Gone were the 30-minute adventures and storylines where if you missed an episode, a new adventure began the next Saturday, and replaced were storylines involving Sayians, Spirit Detectives, Gundams, Hunters, Princess Guardians and Intergalactic Bounty Hunters.....and we loved the hell out of them.
The anime vibes were so niche—the plots, the drama, the comedies, the coming-of-age moments for some of the characters. As they matured, so did we. For some, these characters felt like our brothers, sisters, cousins, even parents. The lives they lived—the loss of friends, the isolation, transmutations, the space travel, even the journeys—were something more. Yet, as we watched them, there was one region within the digital ecosystem that flooded our personal timelines with amazing anime content....Toonami.
Toonami
Toonami—the famed network that introduced many to the world of anime. Approximately 27 years ago, (1997), Cartoon Network launched Toonami, bringing anime classics such as Naruto, One Piece, Sailor Moon, Mobile Suit Gundam Wing, Tenchi Muyo!, Trigun, and many others to western audiences. Its [Toonami] dedication to the art form was so grand that, on one occasion, Toonami presented a month of movies celebrating the life and work of Hayao Miyazaki in honor of his 65th birthday...
Fast forward to today, and that same love for anime lives on—just in a different setting, with bigger screens and even bigger vibes. And as I sit here in the NiteHawk Theater, in seat 1907, in Brooklyn, NYC, I can’t help but reflect—and thanks to Secret Formula’s: Spoons, Toons and Anime, I get that nostalgic feeling again, eating cereal and watching some of the illest anime on the big screen.
Hosted by Secret Formula’s (SF) Michael and Nell and creative designer and fellow cosplayer Vantacreates, fans were treated to breakfast delights, a series of anime contests, and a finale that I can only describe as the most epic anime send-off of any gathering.
L to R: Michael, Vantacreates, and Nell
SideNote: Secret Formula is an events company that focuses on bringing people together through pop culture. Their event, Spoons, Toons, and Booze is a testament to this dedication giving grown-ups the opportunity to be a kid again as they watch classic cartoons, eat a bowl of cereal, and partake of “adult beverages.”
Hosts VantaCreates and Nell led guests through trivia challenges and debates over the greatest anime series of all time. Whether newcomers to anime or seasoned veterans of the genre, attendees loved this unique twist of selecting which anime to watch based on the drinks they ordered.
Having the privilege of speaking with VantaCreates, I gained insight into her passion for anime, cosplay, and creating immersive experiences for fans.
JW: Could you tell us about Spoons and Anime’?
VC: Spoons, Toons and Anime’. Tonight is our Shonen edition. Spoons and Toons is a Saturday morning cartoon, but throughout the week; so, they have [events] once or twice a week, where you can come and watch your favorite cartoons and enjoy a bowl of cereal. There are about 10-15 different types of cereal that you can come and enjoy and there is a menu of over 200 different types of cartoons.
This is our Shonen edition where we’re showing different anime episodes; you can come and choose whichever anime to watch and we have a few prizes and games to play...its going to be a great night.
SideNote: VantaCreates is a Brooklyn-born pop culture enthusiast, prop maker, and cosplayer dedicated to celebrating diversity within the cosplay community. her love for anime began with Ranma ½ in elementary school, where afternoons spent in the manga section of Barnes & Noble sparked a lifelong passion for the genre.
JW: What’s your favorite anime?
VC: My favorite is Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood.
JW: Why the NiteHawk [Theater]
VC: I’ve partnered with Spoons and Toons because I went to some of their events, and I had a really great time. They’re partnered with NiteHawk and I thought this would be perfect, especially in Brooklyn where they’re tons of anime fans.
JW: Now is it safe to say, Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood is your favorite anime, is it also your favorite manga?
VC: No...I’m not a big manga reader. Some of my favorites have been the Promised Neverland, and Shingeki no Kyojin—Attack on Titan. Those are some of the best stories, great art... I love both of those equally for different reasons and there both kind of dark.
JW: Final Question, what is your favorite video game?
VC: Skyrim...I own Skyrim on five different platforms. It was one of the first games I purchased for the XBOX 360. I love Skyrim and I can spend hours playing. I’m also a big Kirby fan. Kirby is my “main” in Smash (Super Smash Bros.). But Skyrim all the way.
Absolute Cinema
Guests were treated to a selection of cinematic experiences that encompassed both modern and retro anime. Additionally, patrons were also treated to a selection of cereal. I couldn’t help but take in the moment when I saw my favorite brand—Lucky Charms. Magically delicious, I grabbed my bowl, poured, and even had the option to add extra marshmallows. A dream realized. I always wondered if there was a way to get more marshmallows, and Secret Formula did the heavy lifting, blessing guests with the ultimate cereal experience.
Naruto
Starting with Naruto, guests witnessed the legendary battle between Rock Lee and Gaara during the Chūnin Exams. Fans were reminded of our beloved taijutsu warrior, Rock Lee, as he opened the first five of the eight gates, known as a forbidden technique, to increase his strength. Yet, nothing compared to that iconic moment when he dropped his ankle weights from the statue making him even faster. It was then that many viewers gave Rock Lee his well-deserved props for dedicating himself to taijutsu (hand-to-hand combat) and, for the first time, making Gaara experience pain.
Mashle
Next was Mashle, where we witnessed Finn Ames battling Carpaccio Luo-Yang of the Orca Dorm. We saw Finn’s magical ability to switch places with his attacker and noted his incredible endurance to pain to protect his friend, Mash Burndead. With Carpaccio’s ability allowing him to transfer pain to his victims by stabbing himself with what appears to be a mystical dagger and assisted by a magical angelic demonic nurse with bandages covering its eyes; in the end, it was Burndead who gave Carpaccio a true lesson in pain, friendships, and narcissism.
Blood Blockade Battlefront
The 3rd feature of the night. We were clueless. Guests, myself included, were introduced to an anime not commonly known among the populated, Blood Blockade Battlefront. Written and illustrated by Yasuhiro Nightow, this manga series follows Leonardo Watch, a young photographer who gains the mystical All-Seeing Eyes of the Gods—but at the devastating cost. In search of answers, Leonardo relocates to Hellsalem’s Lot (formerly NYC), a chaotic city teeming with supernatural issues, and joins Libra, a secret organization dedicated to battling demons and dangerous otherworldly terrorists.
Guests were introduced to the character Blitz T. Abrams, aka “Lucky Abrams.” His luck, the result of curses placed on him by the Blood Breed (vampires), is caused by the entire species cursing him, making these curses cancel each other out and creating a dangerous after-effect wherever he is present.
We were also introduced to Leo’s eye and how it sees beyond the scope of the supernatural. The Eye of the Gods indeed.
One Piece
But the final feature of the night was legendary. Voted 1st place against contenders Haikyu, Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood, and Yu Yu Hakusho, One Piece’s Luffy transforming into Gear 5 stole the show and became the premiere event of the evening, as many gathered, drank, and voted on this gem of an anime feature. (<—-Click to watch)
Secret Formula’s Ultimate Special Moments.
In between these beautiful moments, Vantacreates and Nell had contests for guest as they played Name that Anime Tune and Character Silhouettes. Many asked to participate, many wanted to play, but a few were choses, with two crowed victorious as they won drink passes, pop culture prizes and upcoming tickets to their next event. #shoutout to Anne, Patrick, Leo and Chase for the anime moments, amazing energy and their superb knowledge of anime.
Final Thoughts.
Events like Spoons, Toons, and Anime remind us why we fell in love with cartoons and anime, and their stories in the first place: the fights, the emotional highs and lows; even the connections we form—not just with the characters, but with fellow fans. From resaying scripts to physically reproducing anime action scenes to relive our favorite episodic moments, anime has embedded themselves into our lives and personal histories. For me, my first tattoo was of Vegeta and his character arcs got me through some heavy moments in my life; so for me I’m more than grateful, I’m inspired, especially in places like Spoons, Toons, and Anime, where nostalgia and community come together. …..
And as I sit here in the NiteHawk Theater, eating my marshmallow-packed Lucky Charms and vibing with the energy of the room, it became clear—anime isn't just a phase, it’s a passion, an incredible community, and a way we see ourselves reflected in the world, animated or otherwise.
With Spoons, Toons, and Anime, we came together, relived the magic of Toonami and enjoyed a Saturday morning filled with anime fans on a weekday.
Definitely looking forward to the next one.
Respect.
