ICv2 picks anime phenomenon and flop of the year

It's apparently Manga & Anime Day at Thought Balloons.

ICv2.com continues its 2004 Anime Awards with Anime Phenomenon of 2004 ("Anime Goes Late Night") and Flop of the Year (retro anime):

The Cartoon Network remains one of key anime venues in the U.S., but it is the Network's Toonami block, which currently airs on Saturday nights and especially the late night Adult Swim block that are the key TV sales drivers for anime. Inuyasha, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, Wolf's Rain, .hack//SIGN, Full Metal Alchemist and Case Closed have all benefited from late night exposure on the Cartoon Network.

Another key late night anime venue is Anime Unleashed, begun by Tech TV and continued on the G4 video game-oriented network that acquired Tech TV. G4 has a built-in tech-savvy, teen-and-older audience that is a great fit for anime. In 2004 Anime Unleashed really hit its stride with a number of hot series (primarily from Geneon) including Last Exile, Gungrave, Read or Die the TV, and Gad Guard.