Adult Swim reigns supreme when it comes to April Fools’ Day shenanigans, and over the years, they’ve delivered some truly unforgettable moments. From mustaches to mind-bending surprises, here are some of the network’s best April 1 pranks:
2004 – Mustache Madness Adult Swim kicked off its tradition of April Fools’ Day hijinks with a simple yet effective gag – mustaches on everything! Characters in every show sported comically drawn mustaches, setting the stage for years of outrageous pranks to come.
2007 – Aqua Teen Hijinks Just days before the release of Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film For Theaters, Adult Swim pulled a fast one on fans by airing the entire movie on TV. But there was a catch – it played in a tiny box, muted, while regular programming continued. Talk about building anticipation!
2012 – Toonami Returns In a move that sent shockwaves through the fan community, Adult Swim brought back Toonami on April Fools’ Day 2012. What started as a prank evolved into the real deal, with Toonami returning as a Saturday night staple thanks to overwhelming fan support.
2017 – Rick and Morty Surprise Fans were in for a treat on April Fools’ Day 2017 when Adult Swim dropped the season 3 premiere of Rick and Morty out of nowhere. The unexpected release sent fans into a frenzy and set the stage for another epic season of interdimensional adventures.
2018 – Subs Over Dubs Anime fans got a surprise on April Fools’ Day 2018 when Adult Swim aired their Toonami block with original Japanese voice acting and English subtitles. It was a fun twist that added a new layer of enjoyment for viewers.
2020 – Night of Premieres In 2020, Adult Swim pulled out all the stops with a night of premieres hosted by Post Malone. From new episodes to pilot releases, fans were treated to a slew of fresh content that kept them glued to their screens.
2021 – Adult Swim Jr. Turning the tables on traditional programming, Adult Swim rebranded as “Adult Swim Jr.” for April Fools’ Day 2021. With kid-friendly intros and dubbed episodes, it was a hilarious twist that had fans of all ages laughing along.
2022 – Pibby’s Return Following the success of “Learning With Pibby,” Adult Swim brought back the beloved character for April Fools’ Day 2022. Pibby and Bun-Bun made surprise appearances in rerun episodes, adding an eerie and unforgettable touch to the evening’s lineup.
Each year, Adult Swim proves that April Fools’ Day is no joke when it comes to delivering memorable pranks and surprises. With their creativity and wit, they continue to keep fans entertained and guessing year after year.
