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| Toonami first hit the air on March 17, 1997. The block was originally hosted by Moltar of Space Ghost Coast to Coast fame, who broadcast Toonami from Ghost Planet. In June 1999, TOM and The Absolution took over the show. Since then, Toonami has weathered the Intruder, countless program changes and a whole lotta Dragonball Z--all in the name of bringing you, the viewer, the finest action cartoons ever made. |
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| TOM (Toonami Operations Module)-2 is the latest iteration of the TOM chassis. TOM-1 was destroyed when the Intruder invaded The Absolution in 2000. SARA, The Absolutions onboard AI, is constantly improving the few spare chassis kept onboard the ship in case of emergency. TOM is the captain of The Absolution, plotting its course as it makes its way through the uncharted regions of space. When he finds a show, a game, or just has a thought, he sends the information back to the children of Earth. Without TOM, who knows where Toonami would be today. |
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| SARA is a model designed by Professor William Gill. Gill was one of the pioneers of a new way of looking at AI that he called "non-linear imaging capacity," an artificial intelligence with the ability to learn not only from cause/effect experiences, but able to learn simultaneous tasks and their relationships to one another within the context of a larger whole. Processing the sum total of this information is something humans can do, but until recently no "program" could mimic this ability. Gill also created an emotion chip (modifiable) for the SARA AI that allowed for a further depth of character. The SARA AI became, for a time, a standard option on many of the larger freighter- and tanker-sized starships. SARA could act as navigator, pilot, maintenance crew and even captain for deep-space operations. Eventually SARA was replaced by the now popular "BOB" AI, also developed by Gill. Yet to this day, the SARA matrix is considered a highly reliable AI fit for just about anything. The Absolution, being a larger (M) class starship, came with a SARA matrix onboard (factory standard). SARA has only recently been activated on the ship. TOM, The Absolution's custodian droid, discovered that running a vessel of the size and complexity of the Absolution, while also delivering the finest action cartoons possible, was growing increasingly harder to accomplish on his own. As a result, Tom activated the SARA matrix. Being an Artificially Intelligent robot himself, Tom discovered that he enjoyed SARA's company--and she enjoyed his. The rest, as they say, is history. |
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| The Clyde 50s were developed by TOM. A close relative of the original Clyde, the Clyde 50s were designed to have slightly fewer personality flaws. They are not Artificially Intelligent beings; they are merely robots. TOM designed them to be floating cameras/toolboxes with a wide range of functions, but not much in the way of consciousness. This way, they wouldn't get in too much trouble. Theoretically. The Clyde 50 runs on an anti-gravity power cell, which allows minimal propulsion but great maneuverability. The full extent of the Clyde 50's powers are only known by TOM, and he isn't talking. We do know the Clydes all come with at least four telephoto lenses, though their range remains a mystery. They also have ultraviolet and infrared spectrum-imaging capabilities. The Clyde 50 isn't the first, and won't be the last, but it is a TOM original. |
| Clyde 49 |
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The G.P.S.S. Absolution is an M-class starfreighter designed for deep space navigation and exploration. The ship is over 850 meters (or nine football fields) long. The Absolution is powered by a liquid-fusion turbine reactor located in the center of the ship. Two engines on either side distribute the energy generated by the reactor and create thrust. The Absolution is capable of hyperspace, faster-than-light travel. With a heavily armored outer hull, the ship is capable of withstanding a huge amount of punishment. The Absolution has been modified a great deal by both TOM and SARA, who have made various improvements and modifications over the years. Toonami is broadcast to Earth from The Absolution's master control room.
WARNING: this movie file will take long to get loaded on you computer if you have Dialup Internet Service. For those with DSL/Cable or a T1 line, you should have no problem. |
