The Click

June 10th - June 16th

Hi! Welcome to the Click. If you're new here, or haven't really been paying attention, you should know beforehand that all dates and times are tentative and subject to change, and all times listed are Eastern.

So, the Funimation Channel launched this week, which is cause for both celebration and concern. Celebration, because Funimation's catalog includes some absolutely dynamite titles, including some that truly have the potential to be mainstream blockbusters. Concern, because they have a long, scary, bumpy, pothole-filled road ahead of them. Gone are the days of cable narrowcasting, of which I refer to cable outlets targeting a specific audience through a thin array of similar programming instead of offering broader, more accessible fare – which is what most cable outlets do these days. One need only look at G4, and how they've seemingly ditched their “games and tech” formula for repeats of the old Comedy Central castoff “The Man Show.” Of course, we're also forgetting the 800-pound elephant in the room, the already-established 24-hour anime network. I've neglected to include them in my listings because, honestly, it's rather asinine to list every anime airing on a network that exclusively airs anime; not to mention that they're install base is criminally low. If the Anime Network, with its superior marketing campaign and successful Video-On-Demand service, can't convince cable and satellite companies to sign on board, how can Funimation compete? Especially when their million-dollar franchise, Dragonball Z, still belongs to another network?

So, Funimation, good luck with this. Kodocha on TV is something I've always wanted and you guys are doing that, which is awesome. Just hang in there.

FEATURED PROGRAM(S)

New Dominion Tank Police
(Encore Action)
-Wednesday June 14 12:00am - Episode 1 "Launch Tank Police"
-Wednesday June 14 12:30am - Episode 2 "Charles Brenten, Master Detective"
-Wednesday June 14 1:00am - Episode 3 "Limit the Tube Way"
-Wednesday June 14 1:30am - Episode 4 "The Chase"
-Wednesday June 14 2:00am - Episode 5 "Conflict City"
-Wednesday June 14 2:30am - Episode 6 "End the Dreaming"

Have I completely lost it? Yes, probably. Will anyone aside from stoned, TV-addled, unemployed insomniacs actually watch all of this? Of course not. Should I stop writing using questions, as it is but a blaring sign of what an unfit writer I am? Absolutely.

However, try to look at it from my perspective. There won't be any big, new shows until at least the fall. There's plenty of great shows still airing – Samurai 7, Naruto, et al – but you already know where they are and how good they are. Thus, I chose something so unmistakably different from every other series listed here in a desperate but hopefully worthwhile ploy to seem interesting. So, this Tuesday night-slash-Wednesday morning, you can, if you're so inclined, watch all six episodes of the New Dominion Tank Police OAV series. This is genuinely good stuff, too – lots of explosions, goofy pratfalls, and a stultifying amount of Masamune Shirow-designed mecha.

OTHER PREMIERES:

Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo
(Cartoon Network)
Saturday June 10 10:00pm - Episode 32 "Enter Bo-bo Patchiggler! Is That How It's Spelled?"

This week on Bo-bobo, he does... things. Also, there's some weird things that happen, and, maybe he “fuses,” Dragonball Z-style, with his friends into an unstoppable fighting force? I dunno, I wasn't paying attention.

Case Closed
(YTV)
Saturday June 17 12:00am - Episode TBA

Because Case Closed was unceremoniously yanked and then quickly replaced on YTV's Friday night Bionix block, I don't have an episode number or title. However, you can be certain that it'll be different, and therefore new, from any of the episodes that aired previously.

Chrono Crusade
(Showtime Beyond)
Friday June 16 9:00pm - Episode 18 "Four People"

Chrono, Rosette, and the rest of their nun-related gang take a fun, carefree trip to the carnival! But is this just a fun trip, or a recipe for disaster???

Eureka 7
(Cartoon Network)
Sunday June 11 12:00am - Episode 9 "Paper Moon Shrine" (Repeats Sun Jun 11 3:00am)

The Gekko makes a detour over the ruins of a city called the “Beautiful City of the Sky.” Seeing that the moniker is awfully specific, Renton ditches the Gekkostate for some leisurely airboarding. Also notice that Eureka 7 is back at its normal, not-quite-as-terrible timeslot!

Fullmetal Alchemist
(YTV)
Friday June 16 10:00pm - Episode 16 "That Which Is Lost" (Repeats Sat Jun 17 1:00am)

While on a train to Rizenbul for repairs, Ed and Al become separated. Al finds himself at the mercy of an underaged shoplifter, while Ed encounters a distraught older gentlemen who questions Ed's devotion to the theory of “equivalent exchange.” Dour theological ponderings, this week on FMA!

IGPX
(Cartoon Network)
Saturday June 10 10:30pm - Episode 17 "The White Snow"

My DVR seriously hates this show. Honestly and truly, every week since the new season started it's literally been a battle to try and get the damn thing to record it. This week, I think I'll set it for a Manual Recording. Or maybe put a loaded gun next to it. Or threaten to gum it up with peanut butter. Something. This week on IGPX: robots, racing, bickering amongst the teammates, slammin' beats.

Inuyasha
(Cartoon Network)
Wednesday June 14 12:30am - Episode 150 "The Mysterious Light That Guides the Saint"

Inuyasha and his perplexed companions mull over the identity of the mysterious archer who shattered Hakudoshi's barrier. Meanwhile, Princess Abi and her demon birds slaughter a village of innocents who are trapped in a cave.

(YTV)
Friday June 16 9:00pm - Episode 145 "Bizarre Guards at the Border of the Afterlife!" (Repeats Sat Jun 17 2:30am)

On their way to the Border of the Afterlife, Inuyasha and co. encounter some Bizarre Guards!

Mirage of Blaze
(Encore WAM)
-Saturday June 10 4:30pm - Episode 11 "Eternal Blaze" (Repeats Sun Jun 11 1:30am, 6:30am)
-Sunday June 11 4:30pm - Episode 12 "Choices of Conflict" (Repeats Mon Jun 12 1:30am, 6:30am)
-Monday June 12 4:30pm - Episode 13 "Twilight of Beyond" (Repeats Tue Jun 13 1:30am, 6:30am)

I guess Mirage of Blaze is new to the US television landscape, but as you can see, it won't be new for long. That is because Encore WAM enjoys airing shows seven-days-a-week, uninterrupted, for eons. For the uninitiated, Mirage of Blaze is one of those anime series based on a series of long, endless novels that feels really truncated and rushed. Essentially, your everyday High School Student finds out he is the Reincarnation of (a fuedal lord) and must defeat lots of evil spirits.

Naruto
(Cartoon Network)
Saturday June 10 9:00pm - Episode 37 "Surviving the Cut! The Rookie Nine Together Again!"

Naruto's plucky squad, along with the equally plucky secondary characters, arrive for the third segment of the rigorous Chunin Exam. Lots of staredowns and verbal abuse ensues.

One Piece
(Cartoon Network)
Saturday June 10 9:30pm - Episode 71 "Odd Numbers"

Luffy and his sand-addled pirate crew finally reach the town of Yuba, only to make a startling discovery. Meanwhile, the villainous Baroque Works members shore up their numbers.

Peacemaker
(Showtime Beyond)
Friday June 16 9:30pm - Episode 3 "Crimson"

Yes, this show premiered two weeks ago; were it not for the tender caress of New Super Mario Bros., I would've surely noticed it. The young, plucky Tetsu has been brought along as a ward for the powerful assassins of the Shinsengumi, but what challenges lie in waiting? Affix your eyeballs to the indicated date, time, and cable channel for the answer.

Pokemon
(Kids WB)
Saturday June 10 10:00pm - Episode 413 "Caterpie's Big Dilemma"

A Caterpie-type Pokemon-thing scales a suspicious lookalike of Tokyo Tower; but as we all know, Japan doesn't exist in anime made for kids, so it's all in your imagination.

Pokemon Chronicles
(Cartoon Network)
Saturday June 10 7:00pm - Episode 2 "The Legend of Thunder, Part 2"

Ever feel like Pokemon proper feels too grounded and focused with all this hibbery-hoo about having a “main character?” Then look to Pokemon Chronicles, which broadens the Pokemon canvas to astounding new heights! Well actually, it simply re-packages old TV specials and shorts already aired in Japan into 21-minute chunks. And if you watched last week, here's part 2 of what you were watching before!

Samurai 7
(Independent Film Channel)
Saturday June 10 10:30pm - Episode 11 "The Village" (Repeats Sun Jun 11 1:30am, 6:30pm, Tue Jun 13 11:45am, Thu Jun 15 10:30pm)

The ever-diligent samurai finally find themselves at Kanna Village, but it is suspiciously vacant. It is a mystery!

Yu-Gi-Oh!
(KidsWB)
Saturday June 10 11:30am - Episode 224 "The Final Duel, Part 4"

Correction: last week I mistakenly identified “Atem” (gesundheit), Yugi's current dueling opponent, as an “enemy.” He is not an “enemy.” Merely a good friend that they call up once in a while, maybe he's on their MySpace, regardless however, Yugi is indeed dueling him.

Yu-Gi-Oh! GX
(YTV)
Saturday June 10 12:00pm - Episode 38 "Get Yarr Game On"

A pirate fellow by the name of Ancis challenges Jaden to a duel... in Davy Jones' Locker.  That's pirate-speak for “the ocean.”

Zatch Bell
(Cartoon Network)
Saturday June 10 8:00pm - Episode 55 "Penny's Revenge! Assassins on the Loose!"

Penny, the jilted former Inspector Gadget sidekick (have I made this terrible joke/reference before?), returns with three resurrected Mamodo to finish off Zatch and Kiyo but good.

 MOVIES/SPECIALS

Dead Leaves
(Encore Action)
Saturday June 10 12:00am

Blood: The Last Vampire
(Encore Action)
Saturday June 10 1:00am

It's the curiously-violent Production I.G double feature, back again because sub-rate cable networks typically don't have enough new programming to last an entire week without “special encores” to eat up time.

Pokemon: Destiny Deoxys
(Cartoon Network)
Friday June 16 11:30am

The new(est) of the Pokemon films to hit US shores makes its presence known on the Cartoon Network. Sadly, I won't potentially ingratiate anyone with any sort of pithy jokes, so you Pokemon fans go ahead and watch to your hearts content. Watch the crap out of it.

Merrily we leave the greener fields of fresh content and features, and traipse into the murkier depths of repeats. There is, however, plenty of joy to be found – Paranoia Agent is still kicking around at 1:30 in the morning, while Naruto gets a comfy spot having its repeats at 9:00pm starting Monday – so give it a good once-through. I'll be around next week with more fun! Or, maybe not fun, but I will be back.

REPEATS/STRIPS

Battle B-Daman
(YTV)
-Tue Jun 13 3:30pm - Episode 21 "Great B-DaBalls of Fire"
-Thu Jun 15 3:30pm - Episode 22 "The Rapid and the Powerful"

Beyblade
(YTV)
-Sat Jun 10 5:30am - Episode 5 "Draciel of Approval"
-Sat Jun 10 1:00pm - Episode 14 "The Race Is On"
-Tue Jun 13 5:30am - Episode 6 "Dragoon Storm"
-Wed Jun 14 5:30am - Episode 7 "Thirteen Candles"
-Thu Jun 15 5:30am - Episode 8 "Bladin' in the Streets"
-Fri Jun 16 5:30am - Episode 9 "Showdown in Hong Kong"

Chrono Crusade
(Showtime Beyond)
-Mon Jun 12 12:00am - Episode 17 "Accomplices" (R Fri Jun 16 12:15am)

Cowboy Bebop
(Cartoon Network)
-Sun Jun 11 1:30am - Episode 23 "Brain Scratch" (R Sun Jun 11 4:30am)

Digimon
(ABC Family)
-Sat Jun 10 7:00am - Episode 48 "My Sister's Keeper"
-Sun Jun 11 7:00am - Episode 49 "The Crest of Light"

(Toon Disney)
-Sat Jun 10 9:30pm - Episode 198 "Bad to the Bones" (R Sun Jun 11 2:00am)
-Sun Jun 11 9:30pm - Episode 199 "Now You See It Now You Don't" (R Mon Jun 12 2:00am)
-Tue Jun 13 9:30pm - Episode 47 "Ogremon's Honor" (R Wed Jun 14 2:30am)
-Wed Jun 14 9:30pm - Episode 48 "My Sister's Keeper" (R Thu Jun 15 2:30am)
-Thu Jun 15 9:30pm - Episode 49 "The Crest of Light" (R Fri Jun 16 2:30am)

Dragon Ball GT
(YTV)
-Sat Jun 10 3:30am - Episode "The Two-Star Dragon"

Dragon Ball Z
(Cartoon Network)
-Sat Jun 10 7:30pm - Episode 96 "Fight With Piccolo"

Fullmetal Alchemist
(Cartoon Network)
-Sat Jun 10 11:30pm - Episode 12 "The Other Brothers Elric, Part 2" (R Sun Jun 11 2:30am)
-Tue Jun 13 12:30am - Episode 43 "The Stray Dog" (R Tue Jun 13 4:00am)

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
(YTV)
-Sat Jun 17 12:30am - Episode TBA

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG
(Cartoon Network)
-Sun Jun 11 12:30am - Episode 2 "Night Cruise" (R Sun Jun 11 3:30am)
-Thu Jun 15 12:30am - Episode 14 "Poker Face" (R Thu Jun 15 4:00am)

Gundam SEED
(YTV)
-Fri Jun 16 9:30pm - Episode 41 "Trembling World" (R Sat Jun 17 1:30am)

Inuyasha
(Cartoon Network)
-Sat Jun 10 11:00pm - Episode 135 "The Last Banquet of Miroku's Master" (R Sun Jun 11 2:00am)

Magical DoReMi
(4KidsTV)
-Sat Jun 10 7:00am - Episode 25 "New Witch on the Block"
-Sat Jun 10 7:30am - Episode 26 "That Darn Evil Cat"

Mirage of Blaze
(Encore WAM)
-Tue Jun 13 4:30pm - Episode TBA (R Wed Jun 14 1:30am, 6:30am)
-Wed Jun 14 4:30pm - Episode TBA (R Thu Jun 15 1:30am, 6:30am)
-Thu Jun 15 4:30pm - Episode TBA (R Fri Jun 16 1:30am, 6:30am)
-Fri Jun 16 4:30pm - Episode 1 "Fated Destiny" (R Sat Jun 17 1:30am, 6:30am)

Naruto
(Cartoon Network)
-Sat Jun 10 12:00am - Episode 35 "The Scroll's Secret: No Peeking Allowed!"
-Sat Jun 10 8:30pm - Episode 36 "Clone vs. Clone: Mine Are Better Than Yours!"
-Mon Jun 12 9:00pm - Episode 1 "Enter: Naruto Uzumaki!"
-Tue Jun 13 9:00pm - Episode 2 "My Name is Konohamaru"
-Wed Jun 14 9:00pm - Episode 3 "Sasuke and Sakura: Friends or Foes?"
-Thu Jun 15 9:00pm - Episode 4 "Pass or Fail: Survival Test"

(YTV)
-Fri Jun 16 8:00pm - Episode 27 "The Chunin Exam Stage 2: The Forest of Death" (R Sat Jun 17 2:00am)

Neon Genesis Evangelion
(Cartoon Network)
-Tue Jun 13 1:00am - Episode 21 "He Was Aware That He Was Still a Child" (R Tue Jun 13 4:30am)
-Wed Jun 14 1:00am - Episode 22 "Don't Be" (R Wed Jun 14 4:30am)
-Thu Jun 15 1:00am - Episode 23 "Rei III" (R Thu Jun 15 4:30am)
-Fri Jun 16 1:00am - Episode 24 "The Beginning and the End" (R Fri Jun 16 4:30am)

One Piece
(YTV)
-Sat Jun 10 4:00am - Episode TBA

Paranoia Agent
(Cartoon Network)
-Tue Jun 13 1:30am - Episode 5 "The Holy Warrior" (R Tue Jun 13 5:00am)
-Wed Jun 14 1:30am - Episode 6 "Fear of a Direct Hit" (R Wed Jun 14 5:00am)
-Thu Jun 15 1:30am - Episode 7 "MHz" (R Thu Jun 15 5:00am)
-Fri Jun 16 1:30am - Episode 8 "Happy Family Planning" (R Fri Jun 16 5:00am)

Peacemaker
(Showtime Beyond)
-Sun Jun 11 11:30pm - Episode 2 "Will" (R Mon Jun 12 6:20pm, Fri Jun 16 12:45pm)
-Wed Jun 14 8:05pm - Episode 1 "Cherry Blossoms" (R Thu Jun 15 5:30am)

Pokemon
(Cartoon Network)
-Mon Jun 12 5:00pm - Episode 332 "Delcatty Got Your Tongue"
-Tue Jun 13 5:00pm - Episode 333 "Disaster of Disguise"
-Wed Jun 14 5:00pm - Episode 334 "Disguise Da Limit"
-Thu Jun 15 5:00pm - Episode 335 "Take the Lombre Home"
-Fri Jun 16 5:00pm - Episode 336 "True Blue Swablu"

(YTV)
-Tue Jun 13 5:00am - Episode 369 "Gaining Groudon"
-Wed Jun 14 5:00am - Episode 370 "The Scuffle of Legends"
-Thu Jun 15 5:00am - Episode 371 "It's Still Rocket Roll to Me"
-Fri Jun 16 5:00am - Episode 372 "Solid As a Solrock"

Pokemon Chronicles
(YTV)
-Sat Jun 10 5:00am - Episode 20 "Trouble in Big Town"

Samurai 7
(IFC)
-Sun Jun 11 6:00pm - Episode 10 "The Journey"

Samurai Champloo
(Cartoon Network)
-Sun Jun 11 1:00am - Episode 6 "Stranger Searching" (R Sun Jun 11 4:00am)

Transformers Cybertron
(Cartoon Network)
-Mon Jun 12 6:00am - Episode 27 "Critical"
-Tue Jun 13 6:00am - Episode 28 "Assault"
-Wed Jun 14 6:00am - Episode 29 "Starscream"
-Thu Jun 15 6:00am - Episode 30 "United"
-Fri Jun 16 6:00am - Episode 31 "Cybertron"

(YTV)
-Sat Jun 10 1:30pm - Episode TBA

Ultimate Muscle: The Kinnikuman Legacy
(4KidsTV)
-Sat Jun 10 10:00am - Episode 17 "Roxanne Rocks!"

Vandread
(Encore WAM!)
-Sat Jun 10 4:00pm - Episode 26 "Second Stage: Trust" (R Sun Jun 11 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Sun Jun 11 4:00pm - Episode 1 "First Stage: Boy Meets Girl" (R Mon Jun 12 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Mon Jun 12 4:00pm - Episode 2 "First Stage: And... I've Lost My Way" (R Tue Jun 13 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Tue Jun 13 4:00pm - Episode 3 "First Stage: This is the Path I Choose To Live" (R Wed Jun 14 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Wed Jun 14 4:00pm - Episode 4 "First Stage: I Want to Know More About You" (R Thu Jun 15 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Thu Jun 15 4:00pm - Episode 5 "First Stage: Sweet Temptation" (R Fri Jun 16 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Fri Jun 16 4:00pm - Episode 6 "First Stage: What a Wonderful World" (R Sat Jun 17 1:00am, 6:00am)

Viewtiful Joe
(Kids WB)
-Sat Jun 10 8:00pm - Episode 3 "Dude, Did You Say 'Viewtiful?'"

Yu-Gi-Oh!
(YTV)
-Sat Jun 10 4:30am - Episode 168 "Paradise Found"
-Tue Jun 13 4:30am - Episode 169 "Fighting For a Friend, Part 1"
-Wed Jun 14 4:30am - Episode 170 "Fighting For a Friend, Part 2"
-Thu Jun 15 4:30am - Episode 171 "Fighting For a Friend, Part 3"
-Fri Jun 16 4:30am - Episode 172 "Fighting For a Friend, Part 4"

Yu-Gi-Oh! GX
(Cartoon Network)
-Sat Jun 10 6:30pm - Episode 18 "The King of Copycats, Part 1"

Zatch Bell!
(Cartoon Network)
-Mon Jun 12 4:30pm - Episode 49 "Dr. Riddles and the Majestic Twelve"
-Tue Jun 13 4:30pm - Episode 50 "The Sixth Spell"
-Wed Jun 14 4:30pm - Episode 51 "The Masked Mamodo"
-Thu Jun 15 4:30pm - Episode 52 "My Beloved Zatch"
-Fri Jun 15 4:30pm - Episode 53 "So Giaku! The Water Dragon of Rage!" (R Sat Jun 17 12:00pm)