The Click

June 17th - June 23rd

No fancy introductions here; welcome to this week's The Click. A mediator, of sorts, between you and your TV and the anime programs poised to be watched. But first, the ground rules: all dates and times are tentative, subject to change, and are listed in the Eastern time zone.

So, as I was outside and about, doing my regular “having a life, away from the computer and TV” thing (which I do quite frequently, actually, all the time), I saw something a tad odd. The long-forgotten early 90's dub of Tekkaman Blade, re-titled to Teknoman for that era's hip and happenin' children, was on DVD. Now, that struck me as rather odd, for a number of somewhat uncomfortable reasons I'm unable to articulate at the moment, but perhaps the most striking one being that nobody aside from myself and maybe two other people on the internet can honestly remember watching that show. The objective qualities of the series itself aside, the market for such an item must be microscopic. Downright infinitesimal. Teensy, even.

So if something as rightfully obscure as Teknoman can be afforded a DVD release, what about all the other cult-ish anime dubs currently deteriorating in their respective copyright holder's garage? Where's their love? Future DVD releasing-people, I offer you this highly-researched and incredibly, awesomely scientific list:

Dragon Warrior
Yes, there was an anime series based upon the then-renamed Dragon Quest games. Yes, it only aired some 12 episodes. Yes, nobody but the most nostalgia-addled dunderpates would care. But, one would think they could slap on a sticker that said something to the effect of, “Features Designs and Stuff by the Guy Who Made DRAGON BALL Z!!! And You Guys LOVED The CRAP Out of That Show!”

Star Blazers
I'll admit this particular series falls well outside my own nostalgia realm, but I know plenty of men with varying lengths of beard, ranging from .5 to a full 3.4 feet, would KILL for season sets (rather than those "saga" DVDs that are already out) of the US-friendly adventures of Leiji Matsumoto's spacefaring battleship, the Yamato.

8th Man
About now you ask yourself, “is the author honestly pulling for DVD releases of these shows, or is he simply rattling off ancient anime series for a poorly-planned attempt at ego flagellation?” The correct answer is: only slightly. Regardless, I did run into a grainy, bootleg copy of an episode of this 1965, black-and-white show during my early college years. And, like most students fresh into secondary education, I was helping to script a no-budget independent zombie movie. The producers of said zombie movie had an awfully large collection of campy, oddball, kitschy cartoons, in addition to copious amounts of illegal substances, natch. 8th Man was notable mostly for the American-animated opening, wherein the titular 8th Man fought aliens in outer space. In the series proper, the 8th Man typically fought earth-bound bad guys by donning disguises. No aliens, no outer space.

And, of course, I can't pass up yet another opportunity to plug...

Samurai Pizza Cats
Saban, man, you're killing me. Nothing, save perhaps the public flogging of Uwe Boll, would bring me greater joy on this earth than a proper boxset release of this show. Aside from an off-the-charts nostalgia rating, Samurai Pizza Cats (acronymed to “SPC” by us cool kids) has the distinct advantage of being objectively, seriously funny and entertaining. Unlike the various 8th Men and Teknomen, SPC has aged with grace and wit, perhaps due to current series that attempt to emulate its success (I'm looking at you, Duel Masters) sucking so bad at it. You could count it as my birthday, Christmas, Kwanzaa, AND Arbor Day present if you would merely release it.

Random aside: While I'm on the subject of asking anonymous DVD publishers for immense favors, could you please, Bandai, release season sets for Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex? The single-disc releases are becoming a bit difficult to track down, and there is of course the space and cost issue of buying a 52-episode series over a span of 12 individual discs.

I should probably get to the actual content now.

Naruto
(Cartoon Network)
Saturday June 17 9:00pm - Episode 38 "Narrowing the Field: Sudden Death Elimination"

A slow week? Yep. Aside from a totally kickass Naruto episode, anyway.

This week sees the start of some of my favorite moments thus far in the series – lots of action plus drama, with appropriate bits of backstory thrown in for good character developmental measure. This episode marks the beginning of the Third Stage of the Chunin Exam in earnest, as the village elders pit the various pre-and post-adolescent shinobi against each other in order to “simulate inter-village warfare.” Basically, an excuse for lots of super-cool ninja fights. Check it out.

The rest of the new newness continues as follows:

OTHER PREMIERES:

Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo
(Cartoon Network)
Saturday June 17 10:00pm - Episode 33 "It Ain't Over 'Til the Fat Lady Sings"

Hearkening back to the DVD release pleading that preceded this week's installment: Toei, why aren't there any Bo-bobo DVDs yet?!? It's such an odd thing, seeing a somewhat-major anime property without a proper DVD release. Hell, seeing ANY anime property without a DVD release is incredibly odd. I thought DVDs were the big moneymaker for anime properties.

I honestly don't know what this episode is about, but I will take this time to let you all know that I promise to stop using the phrase “anime properties” for the duration of this week's column.

Case Closed
(YTV)
Saturday June 24 12:00am - Episode TBA

I've seen numerous conflicting schedules for the tail-end of YTV's Bionix block, so don't be surprised if what you thought was a new Case Closed episode instead became a repeat of the first season of Ghost in the Shell. If it isn't, great! Watch. If it is, lame! Watch anyway, because Ghost in the Shell is a pretty good show, and then afterwards write an angry letter to YTV about how Case Closed is pretty awesome.

Chrono Crusade
(Showtime Beyond)
Friday June 23 9:00pm - Episode 19 "Atonement"

As we approach the denouement of Chrono Crusade, numerous questions are answered and plot threads intertwined. Such as: will Rosette and Joshua finally meet? Who, exactly, are Aion's mysterious “Twelve Apostles”? And why, exactly, do they call nun clothes “habits”?

Eureka 7
(Cartoon Network)
Sunday June 18 12:00am - Episode 10 "Higher Than the Sun" (Repeats Sun Jun 18 3:00am)

A massive tectonic shift causes a substantial amount of Trapar, that neon-colored pseudo-sciency air stuff the characters use to airboard, to erupt into the atmosphere. Instead of mulling the effects such a large eruption of pollution could cause to their atmosphere, Renton and the rest of the Gekkostate fly on over to have some fun “lifting.” Alas, they run afoul of a nearby military base, affording Holland an opportunity to reflect upon his deep, dark past(tm).

Fullmetal Alchemist
(YTV)
Friday June 23 10:00pm - Episode 17 "House of the Waiting Family" (Repeats Sat Jun 24 1:00am)

Ed and Al arrive in their childhood home of Rizenbul for some sorely needed repairs. A calm, character-focused episode that acts as a nice stopgap before the truly gut-wrenching scenes to follow from the conclusion of Season 1.

IGPX
(Cartoon Network)
Saturday June 17 10:30pm - Episode 18 "Puzzled"

My DVR finally recorded IGPX!!! And as such, I can, with some confidence, hopefully provide a perfunctory outline of the events to follow, in case such a thing would convince you to watch. This week, Team Satomi enjoys a hectic rematch against their big Season 1 rivals, Team Velshtein. Marvelous!

Inuyasha
(Cartoon Network)
Wednesday June 21 12:30am - Episode 151 "Kagome's Instinctive Choice" (Repeats Wed Jun 21 4:00am)

SPOILER ALERT!!!

A certain character who has been featured prominently throughout the series turns out to be alive. I mean, if you've been paying attention to the show thus far it's been ostensible from the first moment, but whatever.

END SPOILER ALERT!!!

(YTV)
Friday June 23 9:00pm - Episode 146 "The Fiery Bird Master, Princess Abi" (Repeats Sat Jun 24 2:30am)

Princess Abi, a Fiery Bird Master, lays siege upon hapless villagers and of course Inuyasha and the others will have none of this unnecessary siege-ing.

One Piece
(Cartoon Network)
Saturday June 17 9:30pm - Episode 72 "Zero"

As Luffy's crew moves closer to their inner sanctum, the Baroque Works members have a formal, civil chat regarding the Straw Hat crew, and later discuss Oprah's Book Club selection.

Pokemon
(Kids WB)
Saturday June 17 10:00am - Episode  "The Saffron Con"

Saffron City hosts a Pokemon contest, and you can be sure that our eponymous Pokemon crew will be there to participate. Much like a Dog Show, only with more Pokemon violence.

Pokemon Chronicles
(Cartoon Network)
Saturday June 17 7:00pm - Episode 4 "Deliberd's Dilemma; Snorlax Snowman"

Awesome alliteration, or tepid titling? You be the judge. And by “be the judge,” I mean, you can watch this winter-themed Pokemon Chronicles episode in the middle of summer, and dream of electric snowball fights with Pikachu and various Pokemons making snow angels. Outside, meanwhile, your car's steering wheel heats up under the hot sun, causing you very painful burns on your hands and fingers when you hop in to drive to work, and you would've put on that steering wheel cover you just bought, but you were late enough to work as it is.

Samurai 7
(Independent Film Channel)
Saturday June 17 10:30pm - Episode 12 "The Truth" (Repeats Sun Jun 18 1:30am, Thu Jun 22 10:30pm, Fri Jun 23 11:00am)

When it is revealed that a traitor is in their midst, the various samurai face an ethical dilemma over said traitor's punishment. “Sent to bed with no snack” is immediately ruled out.

Yu-Gi-Oh! GX
(YTV)
Saturday June 10 12:00pm - Episode 39 "The Dark Scorpions"

A nefarious group of no-goodniks dubbed the “Dark Scorpion Grave Robber Group” invade the Yu-Gi-Oh School of Hard Knocks, and it's up to the students to take 'em down. With cards.

MOVIES/SPECIALS

Blood: The Last Vampire
(Encore Action)
Saturday June 17 7:30pm (Repeats Sun Jun 18 5:30am)

Digimon: The Movie
(Toon Disney)
Thursday June 22 5:00pm

If you are the sort of person that would be browsing the TV guide guide and see Blood: the Last Vampire, or Digimon: the Movie, and think to yourself, “Hey, I wouldn't mind watching that!” you've no doubt already done so. If you are the sort of person who has already seen either one of these features and would think to yourself, “Hey, I wouldn't mind watching that again,” you've no doubt seen either one of these features twice. However, if you are the sort of person that would happen upon the broadcast of either one of these features and wouldn't mind seeing either for a third time or perhaps even more, then I believe I have just made your day.

I'll see you all next week. Most of you, maybe. Hopefully. I suppose there's some repeats left, if you're into those. Bye folks!

REPEATS/STRIPS

Battle B-Daman
(YTV)
-Tue Jun 20 3:30pm - Episode 23 "Who's Who?"
-Thu Jun 22 3:30pm - Episode 24 "Twisted Sister Act"

Beyblade
(YTV)
-Sat Jun 17 5:30am - Episode 10 "Battle in the Sky"
-Sat Jun 17 1:00pm - Episode 15 "Going for the Gold"
-Tue Jun 20 5:30am - Episode 11 "Bye Bye Bit Beast"
-Wed Jun 21 5:30am - Episode 12 "Adios Bladebreakers"
-Thu Jun 22 5:30am - Episode 13 "Crouching Lion, Hidden Tiger"
-Fri Jun 23 5:30am - Episode 14 "The Race Is On"

Chrono Crusade
(Showtime Beyond)
-Sat Jun 17 1:35am - Episode 18 "Four People" (R Mon Jun 19 12:00am, Fri Jun 23 12:20am)

Cowboy Bebop
(Cartoon Network)
-Sun Jun 18 1:30am - Episode 24 "Hard Luck Woman" (R Sun Jun 18 4:30am)

Digimon
(ABC Family)
-Sat Jun 17 7:00am - Episode 50 "Joe's Battle
-Sun Jun 18 7:00am - Episode 51 "The Crest of Friendship"

(Toon Disney)
-Sat Jun 17 9:30pm - Episode 200 "All Aboard the Tag Team Express" (R Sun Jun 18 2:30am)
-Sun Jun 18 9:30pm - Episode 201 "To Make the World Go Away"
-Tue Jun 20 9:30pm - Episode 50 "Joe's Battle" (R Wed Jun 21 2:30am)
-Wed Jun 21 9:30pm - Episode 51 "The Crest of Friendship" (R Thu Jun 22 2:30am)
-Thu Jun 22 9:30pm - Episode 52 "Piedmon's Last Jest" (R Fri Jun 23 2:30am)

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

Fullmetal Alchemist
(Cartoon Network)
-Sat Jun 17 11:30pm - Episode 13 "Flame vs. Fullmetal" (R Sun Jun 18 2:30am)
-Tue Jun 20 12:30am - Episode 44 "Hohenheim of Light" (R Tue Jun 20 4:00am)

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
(Cartoon Network)
-Sun Jun 18 12:30am - Episode 2 "Testation" (R Sun Jun 18 3:30am)

(YTV)
-Sat Jun 24 12:30am - Episode 14 "Yes"

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG
(Cartoon Network)
-Thu Jun 22 12:30am - Episode 15 "Pat" (R Thu Jun 22 4:00am)

Gundam SEED
(YTV)
-Fri Jun 23 9:30pm - Episode 42 "Lacus Strikes" (R Sat Jun 24 1:30am)

Inuyasha
(Cartoon Network)
-Sat Jun 17 11:00pm - Episode 136 "A Strange Invisible Demon Appears" (R Sun Jun 18 2:00am)

Magical DoReMi
(4KidsTV)
-Sat Jun 17 7:00am - Episode 2 "Now I Am a Witchling"
-Sat Jun 17 7:30am - Episode 3 "Being Dorie; Being Reanne"

Mirage of Blaze
(Encore WAM)
-Sat Jun 17 4:30pm - Episode 2 "Posessor From the Darkness" (R Sun Jun 18 1:30am, 6:30am)
-Sun Jun 18 4:30pm - Episode 3 "An Imperfect Awakening" (R Mon Jun 19 1:30am, 6:30am)
-Mon Jun 19 4:30pm - Episode 4 "Premonition of a Chain Reaction" (R Tue Jun 20 1:30am, 6:30am)
-Tue Jun 20 4:30pm - Episode 5 "Endless Conflict" (R Wed Jun 21 1:30am, 6:30am)
-Wed Jun 21 4:30pm - Episode 6 "Golden Emblem" (R Thu Jun 22 1:30am, 6:30am)
-Thu Jun 22 4:30pm - Episode 7 "Memories of Hateful Anguish" (R Fri Jun 23 1:30am, 6:30am)
-Fri Jun 23 4:30pm - Episode 8 "At the End of Obsession" (R Sat Jun 24 1:30am, 6:30am)

Naruto
(Cartoon Network)
-Mon Jun 19 9:00pm - Episode 5 "You Failed! Kakashi's Final Decision"
-Tue Jun 20 9:00pm - Episode 6 "A Dangerous Mission! Journey to the Land of Waves"
-Wed Jun 21 9:00pm - Episode 7 "The Assassin of the Mist"
-Thu Jun 22 9:00pm - Episode 8 "The Oath of Pain"

(YTV)
-Fri Jun 23 8:00pm - Episode 28 "Eat or Be Eaten: Panic in the Forest" (R Sat Jun 24 2:00am)

Neon Genesis Evangelion
(Cartoon Network)
-Tue Jun 20 1:00am - Episode 25 "Do You Love Me?" (R Tue Jun 20 4:30am)
-Wed Jun 21 1:00am - Episode 26 "Take Care of Yourself" (R Wed Jun 21 4:30am)
-Thu Jun 22 1:00am - Episode 1 "Angel Attack" (R Thu Jun 22 4:30am)
-Fri Jun 23 1:00am - Episode 2 "The Beast" (R Fri Jun 23 4:30am)

New Dominion Tank Police
(Encore Action)
-Sat Jun 17 1:00am - Episode 1 "Launch Tank Police"
-Sat Jun 17 1:30am - Episode 2 "Charles Brenten, Master Detective"
-Sat Jun 17 2:00am - Episode 3 "Limit the Tube Way"
-Sat Jun 17 2:30am - Episode 4 "The Chase"
-Sat Jun 17 3:00am - Episode 5 "Conflict City"
-Sat Jun 17 3:30am - Episode 6 "End The Dreaming"

One Piece
(YTV)
-Sat Jun 10 4:00am - Episode 24 "Pearl Jam"

Paranoia Agent
(Cartoon Network)
-Tue Jun 20 1:30am - Episode 9 "Etc." (R Tue Jun 20 5:00am)
-Wed Jun 21 1:30am - Episode 10 "Mellow Maromi" (R Wed Jun 21 5:00am)
-Thu Jun 22 1:30am - Episode 11 "No Entry" (R Thu Jun 22 5:00am)
-Fri Jun 23 1:30am - Episode 12 "Radar Man" (R Fri Jun 23 5:00am)

Peacemaker
(Showtime Beyond)
-Sun Jun 18 12:15am - Episode 1 "Cherry Blossoms"
-Sun Jun 18 12:45am - Episode 2 "Will"
-Sun Jun 18 1:10am - Episode 3 "Crimson" (R Sun Jun 18 11:30pm, Fri Jun 23 12:45am)
-Fri Jun 23 9:30pm - Episode 4 "Shadow"

Pokemon
(Cartoon Network)
-Mon Jun 19 5:00pm - Episode 337 "Gulpin It Down"
-Tue Jun 20 5:00pm - Episode 338 "Exploud and Clear"
-Wed Jun 21 5:00pm - Episode 339 "Go Go Ludicolo!"
-Thu Jun 22 5:00pm - Episode 340 "A Double Dilemma"
-Fri Jun 23 5:00pm - Episode 341 "Love, Petalburg Style!"

(YTV)
-Tue Jun 20 5:00am - Episode 373 "Vanity Affair"
-Wed Jun 21 5:00am - Episode 374 "Where's Armaldo?"
-Thu Jun 22 5:00am - Episode 375 "A Cacturne for the Worse"
-Fri Jun 23 5:00am - Episode 376 "Claydol Big and Tall"

Pokemon Chronicles
(YTV)
-Sat Jun 10 5:00am - Episode 21 "Big Meowth, Little Dream"

Samurai 7
(IFC)
-Sat Jun 17 4:00pm - Episode 11 "The Village"

Samurai Champloo
(Cartoon Network)
-Sun Jun 18 1:00am - Episode 7 "A Risky Racket" (R Sun Jun 18 4:00am)

Texhnolyze
(Encore Action)
-Wed Jun 21 12:00am - Episode 1 "Stranger"
-Wed Jun 21 12:30am - Episode 2 "Forfeiture"
-Wed Jun 21 1:00am - Episode 3 "Texhnophile"
-Wed Jun 21 1:30am - Episode 4 "Synapse"
-Wed Jun 21 2:00am - Episode 5 "Loiter"

Transformers Cybertron
(Cartoon Network)
-Mon Jun 19 6:00am - Episode 32 "Balance"
-Tue Jun 20 6:00am - Episode 1 "Fallen"
-Wed Jun 21 6:00am - Episode 2 "Haven"
-Thu Jun 22 6:00am - Episode 3 "Hidden"
-Fri Jun 23 6:00am - Episode 4 "Landmine"

(YTV)
-Sat Jun 17 1:30pm - Episode TBA

Ultimate Muscle: The Kinnikuman Legacy
(4KidsTV)
-Sat Jun 17 10:00am - Episode 33 "The Ultimate Challenge"

Vandread
(Encore WAM!)
-Sat Jun 17 4:00pm - Episode 7 "First Stage: Easy Life" (R Sun Jun 18 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Sun Jun 18 4:00pm - Episode 8 "First Stage: Impossible!" (R Mon Jun 19 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Mon Jun 19 4:00pm - Episode 9 "First Stage: More Barbaric Than Heaven" (R Tue Jun 20 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Tue Jun 20 4:00pm - Episode 10 "First Stage: White Love" (R Wed Jun 21 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Wed Jun 21 4:00pm - Episode 11 "First Stage: Together" (R Thu Jun 22 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Thu Jun 22 4:00pm - Episode 12 "First Stage: They Don't Care About Us" (R Fri Jun 23 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Fri Jun 23 4:00pm - Episode 13 "First Stage: To Feel the Fire" (R Sat Jun 24 1:00am, 6:00am)

Yu-Gi-Oh!
(YTV)
-Sat Jun 17 4:30am - Episode 173 "Fighting for a Friend, Part 5"
-Tue Jun 20 4:30am - Episode 174 "Grappling With a Guardian, Part 1"
-Wed Jun 21 4:30am - Episode 175 "Grappling With a Guardian, Part 2"
-Thu Jun 22 4:30am - Episode 176 "Grappling With a Guardian, Part 3"
-Fri Jun 23 4:30am - Episode 177 "A Duel With Dartz, Part 1"

Yu-Gi-Oh! GX
(Cartoon Network)
-Sat Jun 17 6:30pm - Episode 20 "The Maiden in Love"

Zatch Bell!
(Cartoon Network)
-Mon Jun 19 4:30pm - Episode 54 "Battle in the Park: Zatch vs. Kiyo?!" (R Sat Jun 24 12:00am)
-Tue Jun 20 4:30pm - Episode 55 "Penny's Counterrattack! Assassins on the Loose"
-Wed Jun 21 4:30pm - Episode 1 "The Lightning Boy From Another World"
-Thu Jun 22 4:30pm - Episode 2 "A Freezing Spell"
-Fri Jun 23 4:30pm - Episode 3 "The Second Spell"