New Ka Anival Anime Block Launches on Tuesday Nights

Kansai TV and Fuji TV announced on Thursday that they are starting a new late night anime block. It will run on Tuesday nights at 11:00 p.m. under the playful name Ka Anival.

The block opens with Tune In to the Midnight Heart, which premieres on January 6. Looking further ahead, the lineup is set to include The Ghost in the Shell, Marriage Toxin, and Super Psychic Policeman Chojo.

The name itself is a fun bit of wordplay on the word carnival. It blends a sound for Tuesday in Japanese, a nod to anime, and a hint at the idea of a bar or tavern, while the two exclamation points stand in for the 11:00 p.m. start time.

The broadcasters say the goal is to create a slot where everyone can gather in front of the television at night and enjoy a run of anime designed to draw viewers in.

My take: A cozy late night block built around gathering to watch together is a really charming idea. With a lineup like this, it sounds like a fun way to end a Tuesday.