The Click

May 20th - May 26th

Along comes another iteration of The Click, and with it, televised joy for all. Also with it, are the usual caveats: all dates and times are tentative, all times listed are eastern, also don't sit so close to the TV, it's bad for your eyes.

Before I forget, thanks for all the responses I received in the forums for last week's question. Most seemed to be in agreement that fansubs had little impact on their viewing decisions; poor scheduling and promotion did, however. I think I can agree with that.

And with that, I have yet another burning, insatiable question for the lot of you. An anime series, constructed for an American TV audience, that WASN'T a kiddie show or toy commercial. And I don't mean an anime-inspired show written and directed in the US, a la Avatar: The Last Airbender. Would you watch it? Or would it feel too artificial for your collective tastes? I ask because Spike TV and Samuel L. “Snakes on a Plane LOL” Jackson are betting that you will once Afro Samurai hits the airwaves later this year, and let's not forget another little show on the Cartoon Network that has it's season premiere this week...

IGPX
(Cartoon Network)
Saturday May 20 10:30pm - Episode 14 "A New Challenge"

I can't exactly say I blame people for avoiding this series during it's first season. NASCAR-like racing robots? Not entirely the most compelling premise in the world. But, I'm here to say, the show is surprisingly fun. The animation is unmistakably top-notch, of course such is the norm for Production I.G. The real standout for me is that the show ISN'T just a series of nonstop, frantic, headache-inducing mech battles. Thankfully, the show knows when to pull back on the action and focus on the characters, though somewhat contrived and dubbed by slightly confused “celebrity voice talent” they may be. However, the plot threads that weave together each crazy, slick-looking mech race are interesting enough to keep your attention span from sliding off the TV and into, say, spending your remaining half-hour leveling up in World of Warcraft. It's a fast-moving, fun little piece of mech anime lovingly made by people that love mech anime. Besides, if you don't watch it, Jason DeMarco and Sean Akins at the Cartoon Network might be out of a job. They're too cool for that. C'mon.

OTHER PREMIERES:

Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo
(Cartoon Network)
-Saturday May 20 10:00pm - Episode 29 "Bo-bobo and Rice: Instant Rice - Ready in Half an Hour?"

Case Closed
(YTV)
-Friday May 26 10:30pm - Episode 8 "The Art Museum Murder Case"

An over-enthusiastic Renfaire fanatic takes their love of a medieval painting too far when he/she kills an art museum owner who planned to demolish the museum to make way for a Casino. Then Conan drops by, and solves the crime. The End.

Chrono Crusade
(Showtime Beyond)
-Friday May 26 9:00pm - Episode 15 "Pursuer"

A strange man with the strange name of Duke Duffau arrives at the Magdalene Order, claiming to also be in search of Aion. Should they trust a man named Duke Duffau? A name that conjures up images of a stocky man with a toothy grin, clad in a black cape, curling his handlebar mustache while tying a damsel to the railroad tracks? Stay tuned!

Eureka 7
(Cartoon Network)
-Sunday May 21 12:00am - Episode 6 "Childhood" (Repeats Sun May 21 3:00am)

Renton is tormented by the three children on board the Gekko, and when one of their pranks threatens the entire ship and all of its denizens, everybody learns a valuable lesson. Whichever one that is.

Fullmetal Alchemist
(YTV)
-Friday May 26 10:00pm - Episode 13 "Flame vs. Fullmetal" (Repeats Sat May 27 1:00am)

In order to continue his research into the Philosopher's Stone, Ed makes a deal with Col. Mustang to engage in a good ol' fashioned Alchemist's Duel. Sadly, nobody wins by turning into a microscopic bacteria, a la Disney's “Sword in the Stone.”

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG
(Cartoon Network)
-Sunday May 21 12:30am - Episode 25 "This Side of Justice" (Repeats Sun May 21 3:30am)

It's a four-pronged disaster on this week's Ghost in the Shell; the Major finds herself with strange bedfellows when she and Kuze are trapped under a mound of rubble, the Chief attempts to dissuade the Prime Minister from launching a full-scale nuclear attack, Batou attempts to dissuade the Self-Defense Forces from riling up the Dejima refugees any further, and those lovable Tachikomas have to decide how to handle a nuclear submarine headed straight for Dejima.

Inuyasha
(Cartoon Network)
-Wednesday May 24 12:30am - Episode 147 "The Tragic Love Song of Destiny, Part 1" (Repeats Wed May 24 4:00am)

It's FLASHBACK EPISODE TIME! Seeing as the series was approaching 150 episodes, the producers decided it would be kinda nice to give one of their most prominent characters a proper backstory. Enjoy, as Kaede narrates a two-parter about Kikyo's life as a priestess, the Shikon jewel, and her betrayal at the hands of Naraku.

Naruto
(Cartoon Network)
-Saturday May 20 9:00pm - Episode 34 "Akamaru Trembles: Gaara's Cruel Strength!"

Kiba, Shino, and Hinata run afoul of Kankuro, Temari, and Gaara, whom are in the midst of fighting a rather one-sided battle against a trio of thugs from the Village Hidden in the Rain. Sadly, I've run out of names that I can name-drop so unsurreptitiously.

(YTV)
-Friday May 26 8:00pm - Episode 37 "Surviving the Cut! The Rookie Nine Together Again" (Repeats Sat May 27 2:00am)

The so-called “Rookie Nine” have somehow beaten the odds and survived the second round of the Chunin Exam. But what dangers befall them in the third round? Before long, the Third Hokage arrives and explains to the remaining students that, yes, violence is the answer, and that they'll all be fighting each other in a massive tournament. Get your giant, novelty foam “#1” gloves ready!

One Piece
(Cartoon Network)
-Saturday May 13 9:30pm - Episode 68 "Kids of the Kingdom"

On their continuing trek through the vicious desert, Vivi tells the Straw-Hat crew of her childhood friend, and the ties that bind her to the beginning of the rebel revolt. Politics? In an anime about rubber-powered pirates? Yup.

Pokemon
(Kids WB)
-Saturday May 20 10:00pm - Episode 410 "On Cloud Arcanine"

May and Drew conspire to capture an Arcanine, leading it to a life of forced violence for the amusement of small children while keeping it locked away in a cramped “Pokeball” no larger than a softball. But, then, they discover that it's a mother! And that would be wrong, separating the mother from her pups. All that violence and stuff, though, is fine.

Samurai 7
(Independent Film Channel)
-Saturday May 20 10:30pm - Episode 8 "The Guardians" (Repeats Sun May 21 1:30am, Thu May 25 11:30pm, Fri May 26 2:30am)

The ever-expanding band of peasants and samurai meet up with Hinoka, a humble girl employed by the powerful “Guardians.” Trouble, like always, soon arrives, and the samurai must face the decision to become involved in complicated political matters. With swords!

Viewtiful Joe
(Kids WB)
-Saturday May 20 8:00am - Episode 26 "It All Comes Down to a Dude Named Joe"

This may well be the end of Viewtiful Joe on Saturday Morning television, so be sure to jam this into your eye-sockets if you need some totally wicked and radical entertainment to totally thrash your brain and, stuff.

Yu-Gi-Oh!
(KidsWB)
-Saturday May 20 11:30am - Episode 221 "The Final Duel, Part 1"

This is Part 1 of the five-part finale that actually, legitimately, ends the Yu-Gi-Oh series. I can predict hurrahs by some, huzzahs by others, and silent, faint sighs by the rest. Nonetheless, Yugi duels the powerful Atem, wherein the winner or loser could define the fate of the world. So to speak.

Yu-Gi-Oh! GX
(YTV)
-Friday May 26 6:00pm - Episode 36 "Duel Distractions, Part 1"

A character with the unfortunate name of “Bastion” fumbles and mumbles with his deck while dueling more evil Shadow-people. I really, really don't think it's a spoiler to announce who wins this duel.

Zatch Bell
(YTV)
-Friday May 26 8:30pm - Episode 35 "The Final Mirror Battle"

Just to clear up any confusions over the title, the one thing that's “final” is the “battle,” in the sense that this is the very last time they will “battle” over this “mirror.” Hope that makes things easier. Anyway, Kiyo and Zatch fight the eeeevil Dr. Hakase and his eeeevil mamodo, Grisor! Again, no spoiler as to who wins.

MOVIES/SPECIALS

Black Magic M-66
(Encore Action)
Wednesday May 24 12:00am

Wasn't this just on? Yes, yes it was. So, if you missed it the last time, or if you enjoy seeing things twice, here it is again. Robots, Masamune Shirow, 80's, et cetera.

Inuyasha: Affections Touching Across Time
(YTV)
Saturday May 20 9:00pm (Repeats Sun May 21 12:00am)

The first of the Inuyasha movies gets trotted out once again for those of you on the Northern side of the continent. This is the sort of movie that is typically followed by gestures of “eh,” or “meh,” or my personal favorite, “weh.” If you're in a “weh” kind of mood, this is the film for you!

Zatch Bell! - Friends Getting Stronger
(Cartoon Network)
Saturday May 20 8:00pm

Viz, frustrated by not being able to cut their big properties such as Zatch Bell and Naruto to 4Kids-like ribbons, has instead focused their editing bloodlust into a far more confusing albeit acceptable practice. After every 26 episode “season” of Zatch Bell, it looks like we can look forward to an hour-long clip show “special” featuring every big battle, wild cartoonish doubletake, and other such moments hand-picked by the Zatch Bell dub folks. They did it last September when the show reached 26 episodes, and here they are again, picking up after episode 52. I find it a bit odd for a US studio to craft their own clip shows out of anime they own, but whatever floats your boat, Viz.

Of course, there still lies the endless, ceaseless torrent of repeats for you all to watch, in case none of the newer stuff didn't catch your fancy. I'll be around next week with more TV-related stuff!

REPEATS/STRIPS

Battle B-Daman
(YTV)
-Sat May 20 7:30am - Episode 16 "Everybody's Got a Hungry Heart" (R Sat May 20 2:00pm, Thu May 25 3:30pm)
-Tue May 23 3:30pm - Episode 35 "The Good, the Bad and the B-DaMan"

(Cartoon Network)
-Fri May 26 6:00am - Episode 20 "With a Little Help From My Friends

Beyblade
(Toon Disney)
-Mon May 22 9:30pm - Episode 77 "Cyber Dragoon Takes Control" (R Tue May 23 2:30am)
-Tue May 23 9:30pm - Episode 78 "Building the Perfect Beast" (R Wed May 24 2:30am)
-Wed May 24 9:30pm - Episode 79 "Hot Rock" (R Thu May 25 2:30am)
-Thu May 25 9:30pm - Episode 80 "Bad Seed in the Big Apple" (R Fri May 26 2:30am)
-Fri May 26 9:30pm - Episode 81 "Get a Piece of the Rock!" (R Sat May 27 2:30am)

(YTV)
-Sat May 20 5:30am - Episode 143 "And Justice Five for All"
-Sat May 20 1:00pm - Episode 11 "Bye Bye Bit Beast"
-Tue May 23 5:30am - Episode 144 "When You Wish Upon a Star"
-Wed May 24 5:30am - Episode 145 "Sing Ming Ming Sing"
-Thu May 25 5:30am - Episode 146 "Refuse to Lose"
-Fri May 26 5:30am - Episode 147 "Max to the Maxx"

Chrono Crusade
(Showtime Beyond)
-Mon May 22 12:00am - Episode 14 "Prayer" (R Fri May 26 12:15am)

Cowboy Bebop
(Cartoon Network)
-Sun May 21 1:30am - Episode 20 "Pierrot Le Fou" (R Sun May 21 4:30am)
-Fri May 26 12:30am - Episode 17 "Mushroom Samba" (R Fri May 26 4:00am)

D.I.C.E.
(YTV)
-Sat May 20 2:30pm - Episode 8 "Five Seconds to Interplanetary War"

Digimon
(ABC Family)
-Sat May 20 7:00am - Episode 42 "Under Pressure"
-Sun May 21 7:00am - Episode 43 "Playing Games

(Toon Disney)
-Sat May 20 9:00pm - Episode 182 "Stuck in Sakkakumon With You" (R Sun May 21 2:00am)
-Sun May 21 9:00pm - Episode 183 "The Darkness Before Dawn" (R Mon May 22 2:00am)
-Tue May 23 7:30pm - Episode 172 "Bizarre Bazaar" (R Wed May 24 12:30am)
-Tue May 23 10:00pm - Episode 36 "City Under Siege" (R Wed May 24 3:00am)
-Wed May 24 7:30pm - Episode 173 "Trailmon vs. Trailmon" (R Thu May 25 12:30am)
-Wed May 24 10:00pm - Episode 37 "Wizardmon's Gift" (R Thu May 25 3:00am)
-Thu May 25 7:30pm - Episode 174 "You Want Fries With That?" (R Fri May 26 12:30am)
-Thu May 25 10:00pm - Episode 38 "Prophecy" (R Fri May 26 3:00am)

Dragon Ball GT
(YTV)
-Sat May 20 3:30am - Episode "The Fierce Battle..."

Fullmetal Alchemist
(Cartoon Network)
-Sat May 20 11:30pm - Episode 8 "Be Thou for the People" (R Sun May 21 2:30am)
-Tue May 23 12:30am - Episode 40 "Scar" (R Tue May 23 4:00am)

G.I. Joe Sigma Six
(4KidsTV)
-Sat May 20 10:30am - Episode 10 "Honor"

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
(YTV)
-Sat May 20 12:00am - Episode 9 "Chat! Chat! Chat!"

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG
(Cartoon Network)
-Thu May 25 12:30am - Episode 11 "Affection" (R Thu May 25 4:00am)

Gundam SEED
(YTV)
-Fri May 26 9:30pm - Episode 38 "Decisive Fire" (R Sat May 27 1:30am)

Inuyasha
(Cartoon Network)
-Sat May 20 11:00pm - Episode 136 "A Strange Invisible Demon Appears" (R Sun May 21 2:00am)

(YTV)
-Fri May 26 9:00pm - Episode 141 "Entei, the Demon Horse Unleashed" (R Sat May 27 2:30am)

Magical DoReMi
(4KidsTV)
-Sat May 20 7:00am - Episode 19 "Uncle Nick and the Sidekick"
-Sat May 20 7:30am - Episode 20 "Get on the Bus"

Naruto
(Cartoon Network)
-Sat May 20 12:00am - Episode 32 "Sakura Blossoms!"

Neon Genesis Evangelion
(Cartoon Network)
-Tue May 23 1:00am - Episode 9 "Both of You, Dance Like You Want to Win" (R Tue May 23 4:30am)
-Wed May 24 1:00am - Episode 10 "Magma Driver" (R Wed May 24 4:30am)
-Thu May 25 1:00am - Episode 11 "The Day Tokyo-3 Stood Still" (R Thu May 25 4:30am)
-Fri May 26 1:00am - Episode 12 "Don't Make Others Suffer for Your Personal Hatred" (R Fri May 26 4:30am)

One Piece
(Cartoon Network)
-Mon May 22 10:00pm - Episode 32 "Marked Marksman"
-Tue May 23 10:00pm - Episode 33 "It Takes a Thief"
-Wed May 24 10:00pm - Episode 34 "Belle of the Brawl"
-Thu May 25 10:00pm - Episode 35 "You Dirty Rat!"

(YTV)
-Sat May 20 4:00am - Episode 20 "Respecting Sanji"

Pokemon
(Cartoon Network)
-Mon May 22 5:00pm - Episode 318 "Candid Camerupt!"
-Tue May 23 5:00pm - Episode 319 "I Feel Skitty!"
-Wed May 24 5:00pm - Episode 320 "Zigzag Zangoose"
-Thu May 25 5:00pm - Episode 321 "Maxxed Out!"
-Fri May 26 5:00pm - Episode 322 "Pros and Con Artists"

(YTV)
-Sat May 20 12:00pm - Episode TBA
-Tue May 23 5:00am - Episode 357 "Sky High Gym Battle!"
-Wed May 24 5:00am - Episode 358 "Light's Camerupt, Action!"
-Thu May 25 5:00am - Episode 359 "Crazy as a Lunitone"

Pokemon Chronicles
(YTV)
-Sat May 20 5:00am - Episode 17 "Those Darn Electabuzz!"

Samurai Champloo
(Cartoon Network)
-Sun May 21 1:00am - Episode 3 "Hellhounds for Hire, Part 1" (R Sun May 21 4:00am)

Sonic X
(4KidsTV)
-Sat May 20 10:00am - Episode "An Underground Odyssey"

Street Fighter II V
(Encore WAM!)
-Sat May 20 4:00pm - Episode TBA (R Sun May 21 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Sat May 20 4:30pm - Episode TBA (R Sun May 21 1:30am, 6:30am)
-Sun May 21 4:00pm - Episode TBA (R Mon May 22 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Sun May 21 4:30pm - Episode TBA (R Mon May 22 1:30am, 6:30am)
-Mon May 22 4:00pm - Episode TBA (R Tue May 23 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Mon May 22 4:30pm - Episode TBA (R Tue May 23 1:30am, 6:30am)
-Tue May 23 4:00pm - Episode TBA (R Wed May 24 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Tue May 23 4:30pm - Episode TBA (R Wed May 24 1:30am, 6:30am)
-Wed May 24 4:00pm - Episode TBA (R Thu May 25 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Wed May 24 4:30pm - Episode TBA (R Thu May 25 1:30am, 6:30am)
-Thu May 25 4:00pm - Episode TBA (R Fri May 26 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Thu May 25 4:30pm - Episode TBA (R Fri May 26 1:30am, 6:30am)
-Fri May 26 4:00pm - Episode TBA (R Sat May 27 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Fri May 26 4:30pm - Episode TBA (R Sat May 27 1:30am, 6:30am)

Submarine 707 Revolution
-Sat May 20 12:00am - Episode 1 "Mission: 01"
-Sat May 20 1:00am - Episode 2 "Mission: 02"

Transformers Cybertron
(Cartoon Network)
-Mon May 22 6:00am - Episode 13 "Hero"
-Tue May 23 6:00am - Episode 14 "Race"
-Wed May 24 6:00am - Episode 15 "Detour"
-Thu May 25 6:00am - Episode 16 "Savage"

(YTV)
-Sat May 20 3:00am - Episode TBA (R Sat May 20 1:30pm)
-Fri May 26 7:00pm - Episode TBA

Trigun
(Cartoon Network)
-Tue May 23 1:30am - Episode 19 "Hang Fire"
-Wed May 24 1:30am - Episode 20 "Flying Ship"
-Thu May 25 1:30am - Episode 21 "Out of Time"
-Fri May 26 1:30am - Episode 22 "Alternative"

Yu-Gi-Oh!
(YTV)
-Sat May 20 4:30am - Episode 153 "My Freaky Valentine, Part 2"
-Sat May 20 8:00am - Episode 213 "Village of Vengeance, Part 5"
-Tue May 23 4:30am - Episode 154 "My Freaky Valentine, Part 3"
-Wed May 24 4:30am - Episode 155 "The Challenge"
-Thu May 25 4:30am - Episode 156 "Fate of the Pharaoh, Part 1"
-Fri May 26 4:30am - Episode 157 "Fate of the Pharaoh, Part 2"

Yu-Gi-Oh! GX
(Cartoon Network)
-Sat May 20 6:30pm - Episode 16 "Duel Giant"

Zatch Bell!
(Cartoon Network)
-Mon May 22 4:30pm - Episode 35 "Final Mirror Battle"
-Tue May 23 4:30pm - Episode 36 "Collision: Zatch vs. Naomi"
-Wed May 24 4:30pm - Episode 37 "Battle in Hong Kong, Part 1"
-Thu May 25 4:30pm - Episode 38 "Battle in Hong Kong, Part 2"
-Fri May 26 4:30pm - Episode 39 "Invisible Hunter"