The Click

March 11th-March 17th

Welcome to yet another iteration of The Click, everyone!  Before I begin with this week's coterie of anime airings, I'd like to thank everybody for giving me their feedback on the first column in the forums.  It's nice to know that, unlike me, other people don't spend almost every waking moment scouring their TV listings for stuff to record onto the DVR, and hence were surprised by the sheer volume of anime airing in the deepest, darkest corners of the airwaves.  Thanks, guys!  I need a hug now.

Once again, remember that all dates and times listed are eastern/pacific, and everything is tentative up until the very last second.  Something like, say, a cultural revolution wherein all of society collectively stands up, and says “no more!” which leads to the populace destroying their televisions in a grand statement of individualism conquering consumerism.  Stuff like that happens all the time.

Fullmetal Alchemist
(Cartoon Network)
-Sunday March 12 12:00am - Episode 50 "Death" (Repeats Sunday March 12 3:00am)
It's rare for anime based on a manga to match their source material – especially in FMA, where it diverted away from the manga midway through the series to tell its own story. Typically this is only done when the anime producers need “filler” to pad out running time lest the story catch up too far with the original manga. Or, in the case of Rurouni Kenshin, where the producers decided the show just wasn't stupid enough. However, it is especially rare for anime to surpass their original source in the process.
There aren't enough superlatives in my thesaurus to describe how wickedly cool the Fullmetal Alchemist finale is. But, I'll try:  It's really, really cool. All this stuff happens, and it is just way cool. Specifically, Ed fights Envy in a desperate battle to save Al from the grip of Dante, and the whole thing ends with a cliffhanger that'll tingle the spine, but in a good way.

OTHER PREMIERES:

Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo
(Cartoon Network)
-Saturday March 11 10:00pm - Episode 21 "Good-bye Bo-bobo! The Final Showdown"
Fresh from the “World of Blabs-a-Lot,” Bo-bobo faces off against Captain Battleship in a grand display of nose-hair, double-takes, and general anime goofiness. Next Week: Bo-bobo discusses his latest selection for the “Bo-bobo Book Club,” as well as helpful home hints!

Fullmetal Alchemist
(YTV)
-Friday March 17 10:00pm - Episode 3 "Mother" (Repeats Sat Mar 18 1:00am)
Canadian viewers, despair not! You may not be privy to the FMA finale for a while yet, but at least you're getting the show. Looks like all those internet petitions paid off; good work, guys.
This is a fantastic episode regardless; light on action and heavy on plot, but it really displays the emotional center the series thrives on. Ed and Al recount their happier days with their mother, as well as the devastation they faced when she passed away.

G.I. Joe Sigma Six
(4KidsTV)
-Saturday March 11 10:30am - Episode 13 "Operation: Zeus, Part 2"
Can the Joes stop COBRA's fiendish plans, as well as dismantle the rampaging ZEUS mecha? I'm not sure, but my money is on: probably.

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
(YTV)
-Saturday March 11 12:00am - Episode 25 "Barrage" (Repeats Thu Mar 16 11:30pm)
With Section 9 rounded up and in custody, a desperate move by Chief Aramaki puts the Tachikomas in danger. To be honest, I got a little bit choked up at the end of this episode, so fair warning: bring the tissue box. And hug your tank-like, sentient robots and let them know that you love them.

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG
(Cartoon Network)
-Sunday March 12 12:30am - Episode 15 "Pat" (Repeats Sun Mar 12 3:30am)
More Tachikomas! In this episode, the Tachikomas forgo a scheduled maintenance in order to poke around the “Individual Eleven” case on their own.

Inuyasha
(YTV)
-Friday March 17 9:00pm - Episode 132 "Miroku's Most Dangerous Confession" (Repeats Sat Mar 18 2:30am)
Inuyasha rescues Sango and Miroku from a village of demon-controlled women. Hah! I thought all women were controlled by evil, anthropomorphic demons! Am I right, fellas? Also, airline food, what's the deal?

(Cartoon Network)
-Wednesday March 15 12:30am - Episode 137 "An Ancestor Named Kagome"
This episode, Al informs Dr. Beckett that he can't leap out of feudal Japan until he helps transport a cursed sword to a sacred waterfall for a purification ritual. Except, replace “Al” with “Kagome,” and “Dr. Sam Beckett” with “Inuyasha.” Also, there is no time-travel. In fact, this isn't an episode of Quantum Leap at all.

Magical DoReMi
(4KidsTV)
-Saturday March 11 7:00am - Episode 25 "New Witch on the Block"
-Saturday March 11 7:30am - Episode 26 "That Darn Evil Cat"
A whole dang hour of saccharine-sweet, “magical girl” fun. This week, an evil cat gives the girls bad luck! But, somehow, in spite of it all, everything turns out okay. I think, anyway.

Naruto
(YTV)
-Friday March 17 8:00pm - Episode TBA (R Sat Mar 18 2:00am)
Will there be a new Naruto here? Or is the show taking a break? Those aren't hypothetical questions, by the way – I'd seriously like to know. Failing that, some unsubstantiated rumors would work for the time being.
All signs point to a month-long Naruto break, however – notice how there aren't any new episodes scheduled for the Cartoon Network this Saturday, as they've opted to double-up premieres of Zatch Bell and One Piece instead; meanwhile, in the coming weeks Naruto's normal time-slot will be pre-empted by Studio Ghibli films. Nonetheless, Viz has dubbed 26 episodes which is more than enough for both YTV and Cartoon Network to rerun the show into oblivion until production on the next batch of episodes is finished.

Neon Genesis Evangelion
(Cartoon Network)
-Friday March 17 12:30am - Episode 22 "Don't Be" (R Fri Mar 17 3:30am)
This is the episode with the infamous “elevator” scene. You see, it's genius because it displays the inner turmoil and frustration of the characters, and isn't a cheap way around actual animation at all. Or possibly both. Anyway, tune in for Asuka's troubled past, her falling synch-ratio, and some seriously messed up childhood trauma.

One Piece
(Cartoon Network)
-Saturday March 11 9:00pm - Episode 62 "Oh Brother!"
-Saturday March 11 9:30pm – Episode 63 “All Dried Up”
I know 4Kids loves cheesy titles, but, good god. They could've at least gone the high road, opting for a take on the Coen Brothers' film “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” But, this? Shameful. Regardless, the title is apropos to the fact that it deals with Luffy's brother, “Trace,” (original name: “Ace,” but we all know that kids won't watch any cartoon where secondary characters have names that begin with vowels) who decides to tag along with the Straw Hat crew.

Pokemon:
(KidsWB)
-Saturday March 11 10:00am - Episode 397 "Saved by the Beldum"
-Saturday March 11 10:30am - Episode 398 "From Brags to Riches"
Sadly, this isn't the episode where the characters realize that it's impossible to “Catch 'em all!” when Nintendo can invent new Pokemon whenever the mood strikes them. No, these are the episodes where Ash and his crew prove themselves at the Hoenn League Tournament.

Sonic X
(4KidsTV)
-Saturday March 11 10:00am - Episode 71 "Hedgehog Hunt"
Sonic the Hedgehog, Knuckles the Echidna, and Lewis the Green-Toed Pygmy Marmoset find themselves stranded on a strange planet, until an old friend comes to their aid.

Texhnolyze
(Encore Action)
-Wednesday March 15 12:00am - Episode 17 "Dependence"
-Wednesday March 15 12:30am - Episode 18 "Throne"
-Wednesday March 15 1:00am - Episode 19 "Heavenward"
-Wednesday March 15 1:30am - Episode 20 "Hades"
This week on Texhnolyze, there's a rampage of beings known as “Shapes,” a creepy-looking Obelisk, the truth about the world, of “Lux,” and ghosts. Spooky!

Transformers Cybertron
(Cartoon Network)
-Saturday March 11 7:00pm - Episode 27 "Critical"
AND LO, The Lord Optimus of Prime dideth shine his light upon the bodies of those that had fallen, so that Scattershot, Red Alert, and Hot Shot may live once more, and fulfill thye Autobot's duty upon the earth. Amen.

Yu Yu Hakusho
(Cartoon Network)
-Saturday March 11 5:30am - Episode 109 "Love and War"
There's certainly some war in this episode, as Hiei battles against his former ally, Mukuro. But, where's the love? Does it go in the middle of the episode, much like a creamy love nougat on the inside of a “War” candy bar? Or possibly as a dessert, after a full-course meal of war? It remains to be seen. So see it.

Zatch Bell
(YTV)
-Friday March 17 8:30pm - Episode 26 "A Day With Zatch"
A day with Zatch may be fun, but possibly illegal, given the little tyke's predilection for random nudity and lightning blasts. Regardless, enjoy “A Day With Zatch,” as Zatch learns a little, loves a little, and gets a little bit in touch with his feelings.

(Cartoon Network)
-Saturday March 4 8:00pm - Episode 49 "Dr. Riddles and the Majestic Twelve"
-Saturday March 4 8:30pm – Episode 50 “The Sixth Spell”
“Dr. Riddles,” the jilted one-time sidekick to novelty song DJ “Dr. Demento,” arrives to thwart our heroes and get back his Weird Al records.

That's it for all the new content this week. There's plenty of repeats, however, which could look brand new if you, say, watch them upside down. Or with those cool 3D glasses! Both are guaranteed to give you a headache so bad, you won't be able to understand much of anything – it would seem like a whole new show!

REPEATS / STRIPS

.hack//Sign:
(YTV)
-Mon Mar 13 11:30pm – Episode 20 “Despair” (R Fri Mar 17 10:30pm)

Battle B-Daman:
(Cartoon Network)
-Fri Mar 17 6:30am - Episode 11 "Monkey Business"

Beyblade:
(Toon Disney)
-Sat Mar 11 4:30pm - Episode 48 "Victory in Defeat" (R Sat Mar 11 9:30pm)
-Sun Mar 12 4:30pm - Episode 49 "A Wicked Wind Blows" (R Sun Mar 12 9:30pm)
-Tue Mar 14 7:00pm - Episode 24 "Viva Las Vegas" (R Wed Mar 15 12:00am)
-Wed Mar 15 7:00pm - Episode 25 "My Way or the Highway" (R Thu Mar 16 12:00am)
-Thu Mar 16 7:00pm - Episode 26 "Catch a Shooting All Star" (R Fri Mar 17 12:00am)

Cowboy Bebop
(Cartoon Network)
-Sun Mar 12 1:30am - Episode 10 "Ganymede Elegy" (R Sun Mar 12 4:30am)

Digimon
(ABC Family)
-Sat Mar 11 7:00am - Episode 22 "Forget About It"
-Sun Mar 12 7:00am - Episode 23 "Weregarurumon's Diner"

(Toon Disney)
-Sat Mar 11 6:00pm - Episode 162 "Island of Misfit Boys" (R Sat Mar 11 11:00pm)
-Sun Mar 12 6:00pm - Episode 163 "The Odd One Out" (R Sun Mar 12 11:00pm)
-Tue Mar 14 4:30pm - Episode 84 "Ultimate Antihero" (R Tue Mar 14 9:30pm)
-Wed Mar 15 4:30pm - Episode 85 "Opposites Attract" (R Wed Mar 15 9:30pm)
-Thu Mar 16 4:30pm - Episode 86 "If I Only Had a Heart" (R Thu Mar 16 9:30pm)

Dragon Ball Z
(Cartoon Network)
-Mon Mar 13 10:30pm - Episode 82 "Namek's Destruction"
-Tue Mar 14 10:30pm - Episode 83 "A Final Attack"
-Wed Mar 15 10:30pm - Episode 84 "Approaching Destruction"
-Thu Mar 16 10:30pm - Episode 85 "Gohan Returns"

Fullmetal Alchemist:
(Cartoon Network)
-Tue Mar 12 12:30am - Episode 30 "Assault on South Headquarters" (R Tue Mar 12 3:30am)

Gundam SEED:
(Cartoon Network)
-Sat Mar 11 5:00am - Episode 37 "Divine Thunder"

(YTV)
-Tue Mar 14 11:30pm – Episode 15 “The Respective Solitudes”
-Fri Mar 17 9:30pm - Episode 28 "Kira" (R Sat Mar 18 1:30am)

Inuyasha:
(YTV)
-Mon Mar 13 11:00pm – Episode 107 “Inuyasha Shows His Tears for the First Time”
-Tue Mar 14 11:00pm – Episode 108 “The Secret of the Pure Light”
-Wed Mar 15 11:00pm – Episode 109 “Hidden in the Mist: Onward to Mt. Hakurei”
-Thu Mar 16 11:00pm – Episode 110 “Enter Bankotsu, the Leader of the Band of Seven”

Naruto:
(Cartoon Network)
-Sat Mar 11 12:00am - Episode 22 "Chunin Challenge: Rock Lee vs. Sasuke"

Neon Genesis Evangelion
(Cartoon Network)
-Sun Mar 12 1:00am - Episode 19 "Introjection" (R Sun Mar 12 4:00am)

One Piece:
(Cartoon Network)
-Mon Mar 13 4:00pm - Episode 48 "Saving Nami"
-Mon Mar 13 10:00pm - Episode 15 "The Long Arm of the Claw"
-Tue Mar 14 4:00pm - Episode 49 "Rapid Rabbits"
-Tue Mar 14 10:00pm - Episode 16 "The Cat's Ninth Life"
-Wed Mar 15 4:00pm - Episode 50 "Avalanche!"
-Wed Mar 15 10:00pm - Episode 17 "The Scrub in the Shrub"
-Thu Mar 16 4:00pm - Episode 51 "The Big Climb"
-Thu Mar 16 10:00pm - Episode 18 "Zolo's Pledge"
-Fri Mar 17 4:00pm - Episode 52 "Tony Tony Chopper"

RahXephon (Anime Unleashed)
(G4)
-Sat Mar 11 12:00am - Episode 11 "Empty Circuit of Evil"
-Sat Mar 11 12:30am - Episode 12 "The Black Egg"

Samurai Champloo
(Cartoon Network)
-Tue Mar 14 1:00am - Episode 5 "Artistic Anarchy" (R Tue Mar 14 4:00am)
-Wed Mar 15 1:00am - Episode 6 "Stranger Searching" (R Wed Mar 15 4:00am)
-Thu Mar 16 1:00am - Episode 7 "A Risky Racket" (R Thu Mar 16 4:00am)
-Fri Mar 17 1:00am - Episode 8 "The Art of Altercation" (R Fri Mar 17 4:00am)

Shinzo
(Toon Disney)
-Mon Mar 13 6:30pm - Episode 15 "Mechano City" (R Mon Mar 13 11:30pm)
-Tue Mar 14 6:30pm - Episode 16 "The Giant Robot" (R Tue Mar 14 11:30pm)
-Wed Mar 15 6:30pm - Episode 17 "The Great War" (R Wed Mar 15 11:30pm)
-Thu Mar 16 6:30pm - Episode 18 "The Secrets of the Seven" (R Thu Mar 16 11:30pm)

Texhnolyze
(Encore Action)
-Sat Mar 11 12:00am - Episode 13 "Vista"
-Sat Mar 11 12:30am - Episode 14 "Rejection"
-Sat Mar 11 1:00am - Episode 15 "Shapes"
-Sat Mar 11 1:30am - Episode 16 "Strain"

Transformers Cybertron
(Cartoon Network)
-Mon Mar 13 6:30am - Episode 5 "Space"
-Tue Mar 14 6:30am - Episode 6 "Rush"
-Wed Mar 15 6:30am - Episode 7 "Speed"
-Thu Mar 16 6:30am - Episode 8 "Collapse"

Trigun
(Cartoon Network)
-Tue Mar 14 1:30am - Episode 5 "Hard Puncher" (R Tue Mar 14 4:30am)
-Wed Mar 15 1:30am - Episode 6 "Lost July" (R Wed Mar 15 4:30am)
-Thu Mar 16 1:30am - Episode 7 "B.D.N." (R Thu Mar 16 4:30am)
-Fri Mar 17 1:30am - Episode 8 "And Between the Wasteland and Sky" (R Fri Mar 17 4:30am)

Vandread:
(Encore WAM!)
-Sat Mar 11 2:00am – Episode TBA (R Sat Mar 11 7:08am)
-Sat Mar 11 5:00pm – Episode TBA (R Sun Mar 12 2:00am, 7:00am)
-Sun Mar 12 5:00pm – Episode TBA (R Mon Mar 13 2:00am, 7:00am)
-Mon Mar 13 5:00pm – Episode TBA (R Tue Mar 14 2:00am, 7:05am)
-Tue Mar 14 5:00pm – Episode TBA (R Wed Mar 15 2:00am, 7:02am)
-Wed Mar 15 5:00pm – Episode TBA (R Thu Mar 16 2:00am, 7:02am)
-Thu Mar 16 5:00pm – Episode TBA (R Fri Mar 17 2:00am, 7:00am)
-Fri Mar 17 5:00pm – Episode TBA (R Sat Mar 18 2:00am, 7:00am)

Viewtiful Joe!
(KidsWB)
-Sat Mar 11 8:00am - Episode 7 "Attack of the Slugoon Platoon"

Witch Hunter Robin:
(YTV)
-Wed Mar 15 11:30pm – Episode 2 “Addicted to Power”

Yu-Gi-Oh! GX:
(Cartoon Network)
-Mon Mar 13 4:30pm - Episode 23 "The Little Belowski"
-Mon Mar 13 5:00pm - Episode 24 "The New Chazz"
-Tue Mar 14 4:30pm - Episode 25 "The School Duel, Part 1"
-Tue Mar 14 5:00pm - Episode 26 "The School Duel, Part 2"
-Wed Mar 15 4:30pm - Episode 27 "Grave Risk, Part 1"
-Wed Mar 15 5:00pm - Episode 28 "Grave Risk, Part 2"
-Thu Mar 16 4:30pm - Episode 29 "Doomsday Duel, Part 1"
-Thu Mar 16 5:00pm - Episode 30 "Doomsday Duel, Part 2"
-Fri Mar 17 4:30pm - Episode 31 "Field of Screams, Part 1"
-Fri Mar 17 5:00pm - Episode 32 "Field of Screams, Part 2"