The Click

August 26th - September 1st

What's up, fellow TV addicts, couch potatoes, and other unflattering terms meaning you spend far too much time in front of a glowing box! This is The Click, a compilation of Japanese anime cartoon-things on TV in North America. Or at least a comparable simulacrum. First, be forewarned; without prior knowledge that all the dates and times listed are tentative, and all times are in the Eastern timezone, the act of actually watching the listed programs could turn into a disastrous exercise fraught with tears and profanity.

Speaking of tears and profanity, I'd like to mull on something for a moment. As much of a fan as I am of irrationally blaming everyone and everything aside from myself for all of society's ills, it seems like the new popular sentiment amongst the internet rabble is that it's Adult Swim's fault their anime shows “don't get ratings.” They don't advertise their shows, their timeslots are crappy, they say mean things about anime fans, et cetera. All of those are true to some extent, I admit, but there are a few explanations as to why those things happen, not to mention why in certain circumstances these “low ratings” don't particularly matter.

NUMBER 1-ONE) For all the good advertising and promotion can do, what if, say, the male 18-34 demographic Adult Swim and its advertisers covet so, simply don't want to watch anime? Despite the many strides our lovable chosen hobby has taken, winning Academy Awards and whatnot, the stigma of being for children and grown, lonely men with skin conditions is a seemingly insurmountable one. Not exactly Adult Swim's fault, that.

NUMERO B) For all the hibbery-hoo about ratings and the suckage thereof, Adult Swim sure doesn't seem to want to get rid of anime. They've got two big new shows premiering in two weeks, with a third being given a week-long “test run.” Could be because, on average, anime does alright for itself. Given the timeslots, of course. Obviously Adult Swim could get much better ratings by replacing all their anime shows with reruns of Friends, but the bottom line is that they show anime because they like it. Er, most of it. I hope none of them liked Reign: The Conqueror.

PART 3) Do the anime companies that license stuff to Adult Swim care too much about ratings? When they're very good, yes. When they're bad, eh; they're still guaranteed to sell around 50,000 or more DVDs. Any TV broadcast means exposure, and exposure is good.

That's more than enough complaining over complaints for one week; actual content abounds!

Shin-Chan
(Cartoon Network)
-Saturday August 19 11:30pm - Episode 3 (Repeats Sun Aug 22 2:30am, Thu Aug 24 12:30am, 4:00am)
-Tuesday August 22 12:30am - Episode 1 (Repeats Tue Aug 22 4:00am)
-Wednesday August 23 12:30am - Episode 2 (Repeats Wed Aug 23 4:00am)
-Friday August 24 12:30am - Episode 4 (Repeats Fri Aug 24 4:00am)

Now here's something interesting. Funimation has once again taken a gamble with one of Japan's hugely successful shows, but instead of tailoring it for younger audiences, as it has been in Europe and other markets, Funimation is literally peppering the dub with lots of curse words, potty jokes, and lewd, self-referential humor.

For those of you keen on the “News” aspect of ANN, you're all well aware that Shin-Chan isn't technically a new show just yet. This week begins a continuous run of six cherry-picked episodes that Adult Swim will run for about a week or so; in other words, the jury is still out on this one. I've seen some of the clips Funimation has posted on their recently-updated Shin-Chan website, and there's potential there, but I need to check out a full episode to see whether or not all the re-tooling was a good idea. And so should you, gentle readers!

If crudely-drawn kids' shows given a profane makeover that might be funny sounds like too much of a gamble, there's a few other gems strewn about this week's stable of anime premieres:

OTHER PREMIERES:

Basilisk
(Razer)
Thursday August 31 5:30pm - Episode 9 "Farewell" (Repeats Fri Sep 1 12:30am, 1:00pm)

Gennosuke of the Kouga clan has captured the MacGuffin-er, scroll. Yes, scroll. And, the rival Iga clan plans their vicious counterattack, but Gennosuke's smitten would-be beau, Oboro, pleads for peace between the two factions. Did I mention that there are ninjas in this show? Because there are.

Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo
(Cartoon Network)
Saturday August 26 10:00pm - Episode 42 "Bo-bobo Braves the Board Game That's Bery, Bery Bothersome"

Bo-bobo bites a butt, before becoming baffled by buffoonery and barters for bats. Alliteration: my anti-drug.

Case Closed
(YTV)
Saturday September 2 12:00am - Episode  "Lights, Camera... Murder"

Conan visits a movie set, a murder happens, everyone on the set is a suspect. Another day, another corpse, in other words.

Eureka 7
(Cartoon Network)
Sunday August 27 1:00am - Episode 18 "Ill Communication" (Repeats Sun Aug 27 4:00am)

Renton and the crew find themselves somehow in a mine, and there they meet Breetani, a miner. Who, coincidentally, happens to be in the same mine. While mining. Anyway, Renton is more than happy to show off his Nirvash to the kindly stranger, but has the old man seen the Nirvash before?

Fullmetal Alchemist
(YTV)
Friday September 1 10:00pm - Episode 27 "Teacher" (Repeats Sat Sep 2 1:00am)

Ed and Al's talented Alchemy instructor, Miss Izumi, returns to harass her former pupils and uncover the latest scrapes her apprentices have wound up in. But what secrets of her own await to be uncovered? I mean, I already know, but maybe you don't.

Inuyasha
(YTV)
Friday September 1 9:00pm - Episode 156 "Final Battle at the Graveside! Sesshomaru Versus Inuyasha" (Repeats Sat Sep 2 2:30am)

Inuyasha's taking a bit of a break on Adult Swim, but it'll be back mid-October for a special two-week marathon run to finish off the series. Sounds grim, I know, but our friends to the North still have a steady stream of premieres left that should last them 'til the end of the year. This week: Naraku attempts to capture the last jewel shard held by Hosenki, but Sesshomaru makes a dramatic appearance and gums up the whole operation.

Naruto
(Cartoon Network)
Saturday August 26 9:00pm - Episode 49 "Lee's Hidden Strength: Forbidden Secret Jutsu"

Rock Lee faces insurmountable odds against the demonic sand-wielding Gaara, but the plucky young lad has an ace up his sleeve – a “forbidden secret jutsu,” that could turn the tide of the match, but at what cost? Something dire, no doubt.

Oban Star-Racers
(ABC Family)
Sunday August 27 8:30am - Episode 13 "Make Way!"

Neither I nor anybody else knows what this week's episode is about, but the last episode had the Earth's star-racer getting destroyed, and Molly coming to terms with her absentee father, so hopefully we can have more drama and explosions to look forward to.

Pokemon Chronicles
(Cartoon Network)
Saturday August 26 7:30pm - Episode 14 "Journey to the Starting Line!"

A new trio of fresh-faced Pokemon enthusiasts arrive at Professor Oak's lab to receive their Pokemon starter kit, but still wind up paying an extra 50 bucks for the damn extended warranty plan. Anyhow, a Pokemon-related mishap happens and the starter Pokemon scatter in fear, and the newbie trainers have to track 'em down, Predator-style.

Samurai 7
(Independent Film Channel)
Saturday August 26 10:30pm - Episode 22 "The Divide" (Repeats Sun Aug 27 1:30am, Thu Aug 31 11:30pm, Fri Sep 1 2:30am)

The once-band-of-seven-Samurai splinters even further apart, when Katsushiro gives his two-week notice. And once Ukyo's plan becomes clear, the remaining five Samurai must plan their next course of action. Responsible samurai plan ahead.

(Razer)
Thursday August 31 5:00pm - Episode 9 "The Bandits" (Repeats Fri Sep 1 12:00am, 12:30pm)

Flashing backward a good thirteen episodes, and Kikuchiyo finds himself captured by a rogue band of bandits, leading to much hemming and hawing over a traitor in their midst.

Shin-Chan
(Cartoon Network)
-Tuesday August 29 12:30am - Episode 5 (Repeats Tue Aug 29 4:00am)
-Wednesday August 30 12:30am - Episode 6 (Repeats Wed Aug 30 4:00am)

Shin-chan concludes its six-episode test run this week, and finally having seen a couple of the completed episodes, allow me to lend this series my official SEAL OF RECOMMENDATION. I had no idea that indie comic/Space Ghost: Coast to Coast alumnis Evan Dorkin and Sarah Dyer were behind this revamped adaptation; knowing that, its no wonder the “punched up” dub is as funny as it is. Try as ADV might with their stable of “parody” dubs, but they wish they were this clever. Here's hoping Shin-chan gets a full season order soon.

Trinity Blood
(Razer)
Thursday August 31 6:00pm - Episode 9 "The Belfry of Downfall" (Repeats Fri Sep 1 1:00am, 1:30pm)

Unfortunately I haven't seen this far into this particular series, but I would surmise that this episode contains more super-awesome vampire-slaying action of some sort. We American folk have to wait another two weeks before our first televised exposure to this series, so you Canadians better relish this hopefully-soon-to-be-shortlived moment of superiority.

Yu-Gi-Oh! GX
(YTV)
Saturday August 26 12:00pm - Episode 48 "Rise of the Sacred Beasts, Part 1"

Jaden battles the school superintendent, who has summoned the aforementioned Sacred Beasts. You know, cards, monsters, stuff like that.

(Cartoon Network)
-Monday August 28 5:30pm - Episode 58 "A New Breed of Hero, Part 1"
-Tuesday August 29 5:30pm - Episode 59 "A New Breed of Hero, Part 2"
-Wednesday August 30 5:30pm - Episode 60 "Pop Goes the Duel"
-Thursday August 31 5:30pm - Episode 61 "I've Seen the Light"
-Friday September 1 5:30pm - Episode 62 "A Greater Porpoise"

Yu-Gi-Oh Spinoff: Season 2 continues with Jaden fighting a tough new rival named Asten, and lots of other card-wielding players in his second year at Duel Academy. Although, you have to wonder how much a degree from “Duel Academy” is actually worth these days. It's probably all about the networking, anyway.

Zatch Bell
(Cartoon Network)
Saturday August 19 9:30pm - Episode 64 "The Fierce Attack of Dalmos! Battle on Top of the Sand"

Zatch and Kiyo fight yet another power hungry evil mamodo; this time, for some much-needed insurance, Tia is entrusted with their spellbook to avoid any book-burnings and mamodo deaths.

MOVIES/SPECIALS

Kai Doh Maru
(Encore Action)
Saturday August 26 8:00pm (Repeats Mon Aug 28 6:20am, Fri Sep 1 12:00am, 12:00pm)

Black Magic M-66
(Encore Action)
Sunday August 27 11:40pm

Gundress
(Encore Action)
Thursday August 31 12:00am

The Weathering Continent
(Encore Action)
Friday September 1 3:00am

There are no more words to describe these movies. So, I”ll simply list a couple of my favorite words to make up for it. Fortuitous. Simulacrum. Jovial. Parsimonious. Tiddly-winks.

And with that juvenile display of thesaurus acumen, I'm out. Below, you'll find reruns. Some good, some bad, some slightly smelly. I'll be back next week!

REPEATS/STRIPS

Basilisk
(Razer)
-Sat Aug 26 10:00pm - Episode 8 "Cage of Blood" (R Sun Aug 27 1:00am, 11:00am)

Battle B-Daman
(YTV)
-Tue Aug 29 3:30pm - Episode "With Friends Like These"
-Thu Aug 31 3:30pm - Episode "Meet the Neo Shadow Alliance"

Beyblade
(YTV)
-Sat Aug 26 5:30am - Episode "La Isla Bey-Nita"
-Sat Aug 26 1:00pm - Episode "My Way or the Highway"
-Tue Aug 29 5:30am - Episode "The Island of No Return"
-Wed Aug 30 5:30am - Episode "The Evil Island of Dr. B"
-Thu Aug 31 5:30am - Episode "Bring Me Dranzer"
-Fri Sep 1 5:30am - Episode "Testing One, Two, Three"

Big O
(Cartoon Network)
-Tue Aug 29 1:30am - Episode "The Third" (R Tue Aug 29 5:00am)
-Wed Aug 30 1:30am - Episode "Hydra" (R Wed Aug 30 5:00am)
-Thu Aug 31 1:30am - Episode "Twisted Memories" (R Thu Aug 31 5:00am)
-Fri Sep 1 1:30am - Episode "The Big Fight" (R Fri Sep 1 5:00am)

Chrono Crusade
(Showtime Beyond)
-Mon Aug 28 12:00am - Episode "Sinner" (R Fri Sep 1 12:10am, 8:30pm)
-Fri Sep 1 9:00pm - Episode "Militia"

Daigunder
(Toon Disney)
-Sat Aug 26 10:00pm - Episode "Battling With Style"
-Sun Aug 27 10:00pm - Episode "Loose as a Caboose"

Digimon
(Toon Disney)
-Sat Aug 26 9:30pm - Episode "Snakes, Trains and Digimon" (R Sun Aug 27 2:00am)
-Sun Aug 27 9:30pm - Episode "Back to Nature, Back to Battle" (R Mon Aug 28 2:00am)
-Tue Aug 29 9:30pm - Episode "United We Stand" (R Wed Aug 30 2:30am)
-Wed Aug 30 9:30pm - Episode "Fusion Confusion" (R Thu Aug 31 2:30am)
-Thu Aug 31 9:30pm - Episode "The Insect Master" (R Fri Sep 1 2:30am)

Dragon Ball GT
(YTV)
-Sat Aug 26 3:30am - Episode "Super Saiyan 4 Vegeta"

Dragon Ball Z
(Cartoon Network)
-Sat Sep 2 12:30am - Episode 100 "The World Awakens"

Fullmetal Alchemist
(Cartoon Network)
-Sun Aug 27 12:00am - Episode 21 "The Red Glow" (R Sun Aug 27 3:00am)
-Tue Aug 29 1:00am - Episode 9 "Be Thou for the People" (R Tue Aug 29 4:30am)
-Wed Aug 30 1:00am - Episode 10 "The Phantom Thief" (R Wed Aug 30 4:30am)
-Thu Aug 31 1:00am - Episode 11 "The Other Brothers Elric, Part 1" (R Thu Aug 31 4:30am)
-Fri Sep 1 1:00am - Episode 12 "The Other Brothers Elric, Part 2" (R Fri Sep 1 4:30am)

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
(Cartoon Network)
-Sun Aug 27 12:30am - Episode 10 "Jungle Cruise" (R Sun Aug 27 3:30am)

(YTV)
-Sat Sep 2 12:30am - Episode "Annihilation"

Gigantor
(Cartoon Network)
-Tue Aug 29 5:30am - Episode "The Plot to Seize Gigantor"
-Wed Aug 30 5:30am - Episode "Space Submarine"
-Thu Aug 31 5:30am - Episode "Gigantor Who?"
-Fri Sep 1 5:30am - Episode "The Robot Olympics"

The Gokusen
(Encore WAM)
-Sat Aug 26 4:00pm - Episode 6 "Kyo-san's Knockout Performance" (R Sun Aug 27 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Sun Aug 27 4:00pm - Episode 7 "Shirokin Boy's Choir? Say What?" (R Mon Aug 28 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Mon Aug 28 4:00pm - Episode 8 "The Class Trip Into Hell Begins" (R Tue Aug 29 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Tue Aug 29 4:00pm - Episode 9 "Schoolground Battle Without Honor" (R Wed Aug 30 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Wed Aug 30 4:00pm - Episode 10 "School in the Crosshairs" (R Thu Aug 31 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Thu Aug 31 4:00pm - Episode 11 "Shin Drops Out of School"

Gundam SEED
(YTV)
-Fri Sep 1 9:30pm - Episode "It's Name: Gundam" (R Sat Sep 2 1:30am)

Inuyasha
(Cartoon Network)
-Sun Aug 27 1:30am - Episode 145 "Bizarre Guards at the Border of the Afterlife" (R Sun Aug 27 4:30am)

Naruto
(Cartoon Network)
-Sat Aug 26 8:30pm - Episode 48 "Gaara vs Rock Lee: The Power of Youth Explodes"
-Mon Aug 28 10:00pm - Episode 17 "White Past: Hidden Ambition"
-Tue Aug 29 10:00pm - Episode 18 "The Weapons Known as Shinobi"
-Wed Aug 30 10:00pm - Episode 19 "The Demon in the Snow"
-Thu Aug 31 10:00pm - Episode 20 "A New Chapter Begins: The Chunin Exam"

(YTV)
-Fri Sep 1 8:00pm - Episode TBA (R Sat Sep 2 2:00am)

Oban Star-Racers
(ABC Family)
-Sat Aug 26 9:30am - Episode 12 "The Will to Win"

(Toon Disney)
-Sat Aug 26 8:30pm - Episode 11 "Silent Like Spirit"
-Sun Aug 27 8:30pm - Episode 12 "The Will to Win"
-Mon Aug 28 7:30pm - Episode 13 "Make Way!" (R Tue Aug 29 12:30am)

One Piece
(YTV)
-Sat Aug 26 4:00am - Episode 8 "Who Gets the Last Laugh?"

(Cartoon Network)
-Sat Aug 26 10:30pm - Episode 60 "Boogie Powder"

Peacemaker
(Showtime Beyond)
-Sun Aug 27 11:30pm - Episode "Gaze" (R Thu Aug 31 8:05pm, Fri Sep 1 12:35am)
-Fri Sep 1 9:30pm - Episode "Thoughts"

Pokemon
(KidsWB)
-Sat Aug 26 10:00am - Episode "Solid As a Solrock"

(Cartoon Network)
-Mon Aug 28 5:00pm - Episode "Date Expectations"
-Tue Aug 29 5:00pm - Episode "Mean With Envy"
-Wed Aug 30 5:00pm - Episode "Pacifidlog Jam"
-Thu Aug 31 5:00pm - Episode "Berry, Berry Interesting"
-Fri Sep 1 5:00pm - Episode "Less Is Morrison"

(YTV)
-Tue Aug 29 5:00am - Episode "Caterpie's Big Dilemma"
-Wed Aug 30 5:00am - Episode "The Saffron Con" (R Fri Sep 1 5:00am)
-Thu Aug 31 5:00am - Episode "A Hurdle for Squirtle"

Pokemon Chronicles
(YTV)
-Sat Aug 26 5:00am - Episode 9 "The Blue Badge of Courage"

(Cartoon Network)
-Sat Aug 26 7:00pm - Episode 13 "Training Daze"

Samurai 7
(Razer)
-Sat Aug 26 9:30pm - Episode 8 "The Guardians" (R Sun Aug 26 12:30am, 10:30am)

(IFC)
-Fri Sep 1 11:30am - Episode TBA

Samurai Deeper Kyo
(Encore WAM)
-Sat Aug 26 4:30pm - Episode "The Boy From the Deep Forest" (R Sun Aug 27 1:30am, 6:30am)
-Sun Aug 27 4:30pm - Episode "Crossing Souls" (R Mon Aug 28 1:30am, 6:30am)
-Mon Aug 28 4:30pm - Episode "Satan Again" (R Tue Aug 29 1:30am, 6:30am)
-Tue Aug 29 4:30pm - Episode "Our Friend Red Tiger" (R Wed Aug 30 1:30am, 6:30am)
-Wed Aug 30 4:30pm - Episode "Road to Armageddon" (R Thu Aug 31 1:30am, 6:30am)
-Thu Aug 31 4:30pm - Episode "Wanted Dead or Alive" (R Fri Sep 1 4:00pm, Sat Sep 2 1:00am, 6:00am)

Shin-Chan
(Cartoon Network)
-Sat Aug 26 11:30pm - Episode 4 (R Sun Aug 27 2:30am)
-Thu Aug 31 12:30am - Episode 1 (R Thu Aug 31 4:00am)
-Fri Sep 1 12:30am - Episode 2 (R Fri Sep 1 4:00am)

Spider Riders
(KidsWB)
Sat Aug 26 10:30am - Episode "The Enemy Below"

Street Fighter II V
(Encore WAM)
-Fri Sep 1 4:30pm - Episode 1 "The King of the Air Force" (R Sat Sep 2 1:30am, 6:30am)

Submarine 707 Revolution
(Encore Action)
-Mon Aug 28 7:15am - Episode 1 "Mission: 01" (R Tue Aug 29 12:00am, 12:00pm)
-Mon Aug 28 8:15am - Episode 2 "Mission: 02" (R Wed Aug 30 12:00am, 12:15pm)

Super Milk-Chan
(Cartoon Network)
-Sun Aug 27 5:00am - Episode 7

Transformers Cybertron
(Cartoon Network)
-Mon Aug 28 6:00am - Episode 18 "Champions"
-Tue Aug 29 6:00am - Episode 19 "Ice"
-Wed Aug 30 6:00am - Episode 20 "Honor"
-Thu Aug 31 6:00am - Episode 21 "Primal"
-Fri Sep 1 6:00am - Episode 22 "Trust"

(YTV)
-Sat Aug 26 3:00am - Episode "Landmine" (R Sat Aug 26 1:30pm)

Trinity Blood
(Razer)
-Sat Aug 26 10:30pm - Episode 8 "Silent Noise" (R Sun Aug 27 1:30am, 11:30am)

Viewtiful Joe
(KidsWB)
-Sat Aug 26 11:30am - Episode "It All Comes Down to a Dude Named Joe"

Yu-Gi-Oh!
(KidsWB)
-Sat Aug 26 7:00am - Episode "Dungeon Dice Monsters, Part 1"
-Sat Aug 26 7:30am - Episode "Dungeon Dice Monsters, Part 2"

(YTV)
-Sat Aug 26 4:30am - Episode "The Final Duel, Part 3"
-Tue Aug 29 4:30am - Episode "The Final Duel, Part 4"
-Wed Aug 30 4:30am - Episode "Getting Played"
-Thu Aug 31 4:30am - Episode “Divide and Conquer"
-Fri Sep 1 4:30am - Episode "Reunited at Last"