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The Click
March 31 - April 6

by Brian Hanson,

Ah, springtime. That most vaunted of all seasons, wherein blue skies and cool breezes frequent, and, if Bambi has taught us nothing else, the entirety of wildlife is engaging in wanton, furious copulation. What better time, then, to shelter yourself from the hedonism of nature in order to sit at home and watch some TV! That's where The Click comes in, carrying a veritable buttload of anime on TV listings for the coming week. Remember, though, that all dates and times are "tentative" and that all times listed are of that mysterious Eastern timezone.

I should also remind everyone that April Fools' Day is this week, so if you notice something amiss about this week's column, just keep that in mind. That is to say, when I jotted down the notes I use to write this particular column, I made a big note that said "april fool's edition!!!!!!!" with exactly that many exclamation points. What, if anything, will come of it? Regardless, let's move on.



Spider Riders
(Kids WB)
Saturday March 31 11:00am - Episode 20 "Hero Act"

I've had unkind things to say about Spider Riders in the past, it's true - but this episode utterly shattered my expectations, providing a dissertation's worth of subtext and social commentary in its meager 21 minute running time! The basic plot goes as the various Spider Riders themselves discover a traveling theater troupe, whose main cast of actors mysteriously quit before the final night of rehearsal for their newest play. The Riders, then, assume the various roles, in a move the recalls the play-within-a-play format of Shakespeare's classic A Midsummer Night's Dream, along with several clever allusions to Shakespeare's forgotten masterpieces Twelfth Night and Titus Andronicus. After a rousing Kubrickian sci-fi tribute, a surrealist ballet sequence that recalls Tarkovsky's finest, and a final robo-insectoid battle that represents conflicting political ideologies and their peaceful resolution, it definitely wins the most-coveted Click Pick of the Week. And all other weeks, from now on!

PREMIERES:

.hack//Roots
(Cartoon Network)
Saturday March 31 5:00am - Episode 21 "Defeat"

Is .hack//Roots as burgeoning with subtext as the noble Spider Riders? My initial observation is: not quite. This week, Haseo rampages through another swath of players, only to be defeated by another Tri-Edge survivor.

Basilisk
(Independent Film Channel)
Friday April 6 11:30pm - Episode 14 "Fallen Flower" (Repeats Sat Apr 7 5:15am)

I often ask myself: am I lazy enough to merely copy-paste an entry I've already written, should the same episode need to be featured twice? Typically, the answer is yes. Such as right now: This week on that-other-ninja-show, a major defection in the ranks of one of the opposing clans causes confusion, turmoil, and swelling and discomfort around the defected area.

Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad
(MuchMusic)
-Sunday April 1 1:00pm - Episode 7 "Lucilla" (Repeats Sun Apr 1 5:00pm, Mon Apr 2 12:00am, Tue Apr 3 7:00pm, Wed Apr 4 12:00am, 4:00pm)
-Sunday April 1 1:30pm - Episode 8 "Broadcast in the School" (Repeats Sun Apr 1 5:30pm, Mon Apr 2 12:30am, Tue Apr 3 7:00pm, Wed Apr 4 12:30am, 4:30pm)

I understand that TV ratings information are held captive by the five or six billionaire old men who pretty much run the world in their secret subterranean fortress, but man what I would give to see how Beck is doing in regards to those all-important TV ratings right now. I hope it's phenomenal, but I have this sinking feeling it's lagging far behind whatever MTV's The Real World repeats are running in Canada. This week sees the put-upon Koyuki deal with his ever-worsening bully problem, while trying to literally mend things between him and his would-be bandmate Ryusuke.

Bleach
(Cartoon Network)
Sunday April 1 12:00am - Episode 28 (Repeats Sun Apr 1 3:00am)

What do you call an episode of Bleach where Ichigo and the gang run about the Soul Society with their proverbial heads cut off, dodging enemies hither and thither? You'd call it this one, episode 28, right here.

Blood+
(Cartoon Network)
Sunday April 1 12:30am - Episode 4 "Dangerous Boy" (Repeats Sun Apr 1 3:30am)

Saya, the much put-upon unwitting warrior against the Vampire-ish “Chiropteran” menace, must stop one of her beleaguered friends from taking matters into his own hands. You know how those “matters of life and death” are.

Cowboy Bebop
(Razer)
Sunday April 1 9:00pm - Episode 15 "My Funny Valentine"

Canny Bebop viewers were already well aware that the sultry Faye Valentine was hiding a few dark secrets; here, then, is the episode which attempts to shine some light on Faye's character, along with the requisite amounts of car chases and hip music that every episode of Bebop entails.

Elemental Gelade
(ImaginAsianTV)
Tuesday April 3 5:00pm - Episode 10 "The Lustful and Greedy Battle Arena of Miriald-Trey" (Repeats Tue Apr 3 8:00pm, Wed Apr 4 12:30am, 12:00pm)

How can a “battle arena” be “lustful”? Do I even want to know? Those of you with ImaginAsianTV should let me know. I mean, if it isn't terribly disturbing.

Eureka 7
(Cartoon Network)
Sunday April 1 1:00am - Episode 47 "Acperience 4" (Repeats Sun Apr 1 4:00am)

Renton and Eureka and their diminutive cohorts take a trip to the “Command Cluster,” where they are schooled in the ways of Corallian 101; specifically, where and how the Corallian came about.

Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo
(ImaginAsianTV)
Tuesday April 3 6:30pm - Episode 10 "A Letter From Edmond" (Repeats Tue Apr 3 9:30pm, Wed Apr 4 2:00am, 1:30pm)

To put it simply, in the grand expanse of plot known as Gankutsuou, things happen. To get mildly more specific, the funeral for a man named Edmond Dantes sends shivers down the spines of many, while Villefort's shenanigans to spy on the Count are somehow involved.

Gundam SEED Destiny
(YTV)
Friday April 6 9:30pm - Episode 5 "Unhealing Scar" (Repeats Sat Apr 7 1:30am)

“Unhealing” isn't a word. That kind of makes it harder for me to take this swirling space opera featuring enormous bipedal interstellar robots seriously, if they can't even be bothered to use SpellCheck. Anyway, for those willing to suspend disbelief regardless of spelling errors, Athrun, Shinn and others attempt to save the Earth from the shattered debris of a falling space colony known as Junius 7.

Hikaru no Go
(ImaginAsianTV)
-Monday April 2 8:30am - Episode 3 "Akira Bares His Fangs" (Repeats Tue Apr 3 5:00am)
-Tuesday April 3 8:30am - Episode 4 "Kaga of the Shogi Club" (Repeats Wed Apr 4 5:00am, 5:30am)
-Wednesday April 4 8:30am - Episode 5 "Prediction of an Awakening" (Repeats Thu Apr 5 5:00am)
-Thursday April 5 8:30am - Episode 6 "A Game of Beauty" (Repeats Fri Apr 6 5:00am)

The show that single-handedly introduced the ancient game of “Go” to doe-eyed Japanese schoolchildren everywhere is here on American shores. Of course it's been on American shores for a while now, both on DVD as well as being streamed on the web – but nevermind that, as anyone will tell you that until something has either been on TV in the US, or remade into a live-action feature by Hollywood, it isn't culturally relevant. This week on the animated escapades of white stones versus black stones, Hikaru, our protagonist, is discovered by his Go-playing peers that his Go skills are amazing, and induct him into their Junior High Go League.

Idaten Jump
(Cartoon Network)
-Thursday April 5 6:00am - Episode 15 "Who's Who?"
-Friday April 6 6:00am - Episode 16 "Duel"

I have to admit I'm a bit puzzled as to why this series is targeted towards children – the frequent, uncensored nudity, numerous eviscerations and decapitations, instances of foul utterances, and all-around gritty atmosphere are an odd choice for a series about bike-racing aimed at children. Maybe they know something I don't, I guess.

Kyoh Kara Maoh!
(ImaginAsianTV)
Tuesday April 3 5:30pm - Episode 10 "The Demon Hand Approaching!" (Repeats Tue Apr 3 8:30pm, Wed Apr 4 1:00am, 12:30pm)

Here's another episode of Kyoh Kara Maoh, for those of us who simply don't get enough shirtless, effeminate men in our viewing diet. This week, more bi-curiously suggestive haberdashery!

The Law of Ueki
(ImaginAsianTV)
Tuesday April 3 6:00pm - Episode 10 "The Law of Justice That Never Comes" (Repeats Tue Apr 3 9:00pm, Wed Apr 4 1:30am, 1:00pm)

After being trained by Onimon, the spunky Ueki fights against the vicious Kuro Kage, who has a sad past that is narrated via his younger brother, leading lots of forced bathos and hand-wringing. And fighting.

Naruto
(YTV)
Friday April 6 8:00pm - Episode 75 "Sasuke's Decision: Pushed to the Edge"

No new Naruto in America-Land this week, as the Cartoon Network would prefer all of us to watch Spirited Away instead. A noble thought, however we've already seen Spirited Away. Millions of us own it. YTV, though, keeps the premieres crankin’ with this one, seeing the embattled Sasuke confront his inner demons and his physical limits to attempt to stop the ruthless Gaara.

Samurai Champloo
(Razer)
Sunday April 1 9:30pm - Episode 15 "Bogus Booty"

If there's one thing to take away from this week's (Canadian) Champloo episode, it's this: Mugen like it rough.

Trigun
(G4TechTV Canada)
-Monday April 2 8:30pm - Episode 2 "Truth of Mistake"
-Tuesday April 3 8:30pm - Episode 3 "Peace Maker"
-Wednesday April 4 8:30pm - Episode 4 "Love and Peace"
-Thursday April 5 8:30pm - Episode 5 "Hard Puncher"
-Friday April 6 8:30pm - Episode 6 "Lost July"

Good golly, I hadn't realized that Canada had yet to receive Trigun either, until one of my wonderful readers mentioned it. At least steps are being made to do right by you guys – G4TechTV is rollin’ out the goods, as Trigun takes over the coveted prime-time slot after Gun Sword's end. Watch, laugh, learn, and love as the wanted man Vash the Stampede inspires millions of would-be cosplayers with his inimitable style.

Zatch Bell
(YTV)
Friday April 6 8:30pm - Episode 63 "Burrah! Victoream's Anger!"

Zatch and Kiyo fight valiantly to destroy (but not kill, parents) Victoream, that Mamodo who loves Melon and also fighting, I guess. I have no idea where “Burrah!” comes from. It sounds like a horrible disease of some sort.

MOVIES/SPECIALS

Spirited Away
(Cartoon Network)
Saturday March 31 7:00pm

Steamboy
(Encore Action)
Sunday April 1 4:30pm

(Encore WAM)
Monday April 2 10:00am (Repeats Mon Apr 2 6:00pm)

The Weathering Continent
(Encore WAM)
Monday April 2 10:00pm

Akira
(Encore Action)
Tuesday April 3 4:20pm

A pretty darn good selection of features this week, including heavy-hitters like Spirited Away and Akira, along with the better-than-you-think-it-is Steamboy and the probably-a-bit-worse-than-you-remember-from-those-fuzzy-fansubs The Weathering Continent.

I suppose, then, that my allotted time for this week is over. I will be back, though, for another seven days’ worth of televised, animated joy! Below are the repeats that round out any good TV diet.

REPEATS/STRIPS

10 Tokyo Warriors
(Encore Action)
-Sat Mar 31 12:00am - Episode 4
-Sat Mar 31 12:30am - Episode 5
-Sat Mar 31 1:00am - Episode 6

Big O
(Cartoon Network)
-Sun Apr 1 5:00am - Episode 13 "RD"

Chrono Crusade
(Showtime Beyond)
-Mon Apr 2 12:00am - Episode 11 "Beast" (R Fri Apr 6 12:50am, 8:30pm)
-Fri Apr 6 9:00pm - Episode 12 "Holy Night"

Digimon
(Toon Disney)
-Sat Mar 31 11:00am - Episode 21 "Home Away From Home"
-Sun Apr 1 11:00am - Episode 22 "Forget About It!"
-Sun Apr 1 9:00pm - Episode 155 "Such Sweet Sorrow" (R Mon Apr 2 1:30am)
-Mon Apr 2 8:00am - Episode 13 "The Legend of the DigiDestined" (R Tue Apr 3 2:30am)
-Mon Apr 2 10:30pm - Episode 36 "City Under Siege" (R Tue Apr 3 3:00am)
-Tue Apr 3 8:00am - Episode 14 "Departure for a New Continent" (R Wed Apr 4 2:30am)
-Tue Apr 3 7:30pm - Episode 16 "The Arrival of Skull Greymon"
-Tue Apr 3 10:30pm - Episode 37 "Wizardmon's Gift" (R Wed Apr 4 3:00am)
-Wed Apr 4 8:00am - Episode 15 "The Dark Network of Etermon" (R Thu Apr 5 2:30am)
-Wed Apr 4 7:30pm - Episode 17 "The Crest of Sincerity"
-Wed Apr 4 10:30pm - Episode 38 "Prophecy" (R Thu Apr 5 3:00am)
-Thu Apr 5 8:00am - Episode 19 "The Prisoner of the Pyramid" (R Fri Apr 6 2:30am)
-Thu Apr 5 7:30pm - Episode 18 "The Piximon Cometh"
-Thu Apr 5 10:30pm - Episode 40 "Enter the Dark Masters" (R Fri Apr 6 3:00am)
-Fri Apr 6 8:00am - Episode 20 "Earthquake of Metal Greymon" (R Sat Apr 7 2:30am)
-Fri Apr 6 10:30pm - Episode 42 "Under Pressure" (R Sat Apr 7 3:00am)

Elemental Gelade
(ImaginAsianTV)
-Sun Apr 1 10:00pm - Episode 9 "The Secret of Razfe Ankle" (R Mon Apr 2 2:00am, 2:00pm)

Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo
(ImaginAsianTV)
-Sun Apr 1 11:30pm - Episode 9 "I Dreamed a Dark Dream" (R Mon Apr 2 3:30am, 3:30pm)

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
(Cartoon Network)
-Tue Apr 3 12:30am - Episode 25 "Barrage" (R Tue Apr 3 4:00am)
-Wed Apr 4 12:30am - Episode 26 "Stand Alone Complex" (R Wed Apr 4 4:00am)
-Thu Apr 5 12:30am - Episode 1 "Section 9" (R Thu Apr 5 4:00am)
-Fri Apr 6 12:30am - Episode 2 "Testation" (R Fri Apr 6 4:00am)

Gokusen
(Encore WAM)
-Sun Apr 1 4:00pm - Episode 1 "Rookie Teacher With a Secret is Born!" (R Mon Apr 2 2:00am, 8:00am)
-Mon Apr 2 4:00pm - Episode 2 "Duel! Shin vs. Ojou?" (R Tue Apr 3 2:00am, 8:00am)
-Tue Apr 3 4:00pm - Episode 3 "Kuma's First Time" (R Wed Apr 4 2:00am, 8:00am)
-Wed Apr 4 4:00pm - Episode 4 "Oju Goes Blond! Whodunnit?" (R Thu Apr 5 2:00am, 8:00am)
-Thu Apr 5 4:00pm - Episode 5 "Ooedoo Clan in Crisis" (R Fri Apr 6 2:00am, 8:00am)
-Fri Apr 6 4:00pm - Episode 6 "Kyo-san's Knockout Performance" (R Sat Apr 7 2:00am, 8:00am)

(Encore Action)
-Tue Apr 3 12:00am - Episode 1 "Rookie Teacher With a Secret is Born!"
-Tue Apr 3 12:30am - Episode 2 "Duel! Shin vs. Ojou?"
-Wed Apr 4 12:00am - Episode 3 "Kuma's First Time"
-Wed Apr 4 12:30am - Episode 4 "Oju Goes Blond! Whodunnit?"
-Thu Apr 5 12:00am - Episode 5 "Ooedoo Clan in Crisis"
-Thu Apr 5 12:30am - Episode 6 "Kyo-San's Knockout Performance"
-Fri Apr 6 12:00am - Episode 7 "Shirokin Boy's Choir? Say What?"
-Fri Apr 6 12:30am - Episode 8 "The Class Trip Into Hell Begins"

Inuyasha
(Cartoon Network)
-Tue Apr 3 1:00am - Episode 113 "The Sacred Vjara and the Mystery of the Living Buddha" (R Tue Apr 3 4:30am)
-Tue Apr 3 1:30am - Episode 114 "Koga's Solitary Battle" (R Tue Apr 3 5:00am)
-Wed Apr 4 1:00am - Episode 115 "Lured by the Black Light" (R Wed Apr 4 4:30am)
-Wed Apr 4 1:30am - Episode 116 "The Exposed Face of Truth" (R Wed Apr 4 5:00am)
-Thu Apr 5 1:00am - Episode 117 "Vanished Into a River of Flames" (R Thu Apr 5 4:30am)
-Thu Apr 5 1:30am - Episode 118 "Into the Depths of Mt. Hakurei" (R Thu Apr 5 5:00am)
-Fri Apr 6 1:00am - Episode 119 "Divine Malice of the Saint" (R Fri Apr 6 4:30am)
-Fri Apr 6 1:30am - Episope 120 "Fare Thee Well: Jakotsu's Requiem" (R Fri Apr 6 5:00am)

Kyo Kara Maoh
(ImaginAsianTV)
-Sun Apr 1 10:30pm - Episode 9 "The Stolen Treasure" (R Mon Apr 2 2:30am, 4:30am, 2:30pm)

The Law of Ueki
(ImaginAsianTV)
-Sun Apr 1 11:00pm - Episode 9 "The Law of Onimon's Training" (R Mon Apr 2 3:00am, 5:00am, 3:00pm)

Mirage of Blaze
(Encore WAM)
-Sun Apr 1 4:30pm - Episode 1 "Ill Fated Destiny" (R Mon Apr 2 2:30am, 8:30am)
-Mon Apr 2 4:30pm - Episode 2 "Possessor From the Darkness" (R Tue Apr 3 2:30am, 8:30am)
-Tue Apr 3 4:30pm - Episode 3 "An Imperfect Awakening" (R Wed Apr 4 2:30am, 8:30am)
-Wed Apr 4 4:30pm - Episode 4 "Premonition of a Chain Reaction" (R Thu Apr 4 2:30am, 8:30am)
-Thu Apr 5 4:30pm - Episode 5 "Endless Conflict" (R Fri Apr 6 2:30am, 8:30am)
-Fri Apr 6 4:30pm - Episode 6 "Golden Emblem" (R Sat Apr 7 2:30am, 8:30am)

Naruto
(Cartoon Network)
-Mon Apr 2 5:30pm - Episode 54 "Summoning Jutsu: Wisdom of the Toad Sage"
-Tue Apr 3 5:30pm - Episode 55 "A Feeling of Yearning, A Flower Full of Hope"
-Wed Apr 4 5:30pm - Episode 56 "Live or Die! Risk it All to Win it All"
-Thu Apr 5 5:30pm - Episode 57 "He Flies! He Jumps! He Lurks! Chief Toad Appears!"
-Fri Apr 6 5:30pm - Episode 58 "Hospital Besieged: The Evil Hand Revealed"

Oban Star-Racers
(Toon Disney)
-Sat Mar 31 1:30am - Episode 25 "Unlikely Alliances"
-Sat Mar 31 8:30pm - Episode 23 "Cruel Like Kross"
-Sun Apr 1 2:30am - Episode TBA
-Sun Apr 1 8:00pm - Episode 1 "A Fresh Start" (R Mon Apr 2 2:30am)
-Mon Apr 2 9:00pm - Episode 3 "Grave Like Groor" (R Tue Apr 3 1:30am)
-Fri Apr 6 9:00pm - Episode 4 "In Like Flint" (R Sat Apr 7 1:30am)

Peacemaker
(Showtime Beyond)
-Sun Apr 1 11:35pm - Episode 20 "Blade" (R Fri Apr 6 1:15am)
-Fri Apr 6 9:30pm - Episode 21 "Battle Array"

Pokemon
(Cartoon Network)
-Mon Apr 2 6:30am - Episode 377 "Where's Armaldo?"
-Mon Apr 2 5:00pm - Episode 462 "Pinch Healing"
-Tue Apr 3 6:30am - Episode 378 "A Cacturne for the Worse"
-Tue Apr 3 5:00pm - Episode 463 "Gathering the Gang of Four"
-Wed Apr 4 6:30am - Episode 379 "Claydol Big and Tall"
-Wed Apr 4 5:00pm - Episode 464 "Pace: The Final Frontier"
-Thu Apr 5 6:30am - Episode 380 "Once in a Mawile"
-Thu Apr 5 5:00pm - Episode 465 "Once More With Reeling!"
-Fri Apr 6 6:30am - Episode 381 "Beg, Borrow and Steal"
-Fri Apr 6 5:00pm - Episode 466 "Home Is Where the Start Is"

Saiyuki Reload
(Encore WAM)
-Sat Mar 31 4:30pm - Episode "Sad Memory" (R Sun Apr 1 8:30am)

Samurai Champloo
(Cartoon Network)
-Sun Apr 1 1:30am - Episode 21 "Elegy of Entrapment, Verse 2" (R Sun Apr 1 4:30am)

Samurai Deeper Kyo
(Encore WAM)
-Sat Mar 31 4:00pm - Episode 7 "Keichou Era Battle Royal" (R Sun Apr 1 8:00am)

Shinzo
(Toon Disney)
-Sat Mar 31 4:00am - Episode 2 "Bee-Ware the Hunters"
-Sat Mar 31 8:00am - Episode 9 "Gyasa"
-Sun Apr 1 8:00am - Episode 10 "Mushrambo: The Ultimate Samurai"
-Tue Apr 3 4:00am - Episode 3 "Web of Evil"
-Wed Apr 4 4:00am - Episode 4 "Day at the Park"
-Thu Apr 5 4:00am - Episode 5 "Kiri"
-Fri Apr 6 4:00am - Episode 6 "Battling Daku"
-Sat Apr 7 4:00am - Episode 7 "Into the Jungle"

Transformers Cybertron
(Cartoon Network)
-Mon Apr 2 6:00am - Episode 29 "Starscream"
-Tue Apr 3 6:00am - Episode 30 "United"
-Wed Apr 4 6:00am - Episode 31 "Cybertron"

Voltron
(Cartoon Network)
-Sun Apr 1 5:30am - Episode 1 "Space Explorers Captured"
-Tue Apr 3 5:30am - Episode 36 "Lotor's Clone"
-Wed Apr 4 5:30am - Episode 37 "Lotor's New Hit Man"
-Thu Apr 5 5:30am - Episode 38 "Raid of the Red Berets"
-Fri Apr 6 5:30am - Episode 39 "The Captive Comet"

Yu-Gi-Oh!
(4KidsTV)
-Sat Mar 31 10:00am - Episode 37 "Yugi vs. Pegasus: Match of the Millennium, Part 3"
-Sat Mar 31 10:30am - Episode 38 "Yugi vs. Pegasus: Match of the Millenium, Part 4"


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