The Click

March 24th - March 30th

Oh, damn. Is it that time already? I should probably put some pants on, first. Ahem.

Welcome back to The Click! Or just welcome, if you've never read it before. It's pretty good, if I may say so myself. So, basically, I take all the anime that's floating around the television landscape for the coming week, bring them all together, and sit them all down for a nice, quiet family gathering I like to call The Click, with all the silent resentment such events entail! Remember, though, that all the times and dates listed are tentative, and all times listed are Eastern. If at any time you find yourself forgetting these two very important caveats, please shut off your computer and any adjacent electronic devices immediately and do not turn them back on, until such a time that you feel your capacity for short-term memory is sufficient.

Bobobo-bo Bo-Bobo
(Cartoon Network)
Saturday March 24 8:30pm - Episode 54 "The War of the Roses... or Lilacs... or Daffodils"

In case you regular readers haven't noticed, I really like Bobobo-bo Bo-Bobo. So much so, that it makes me rather sad that it's one of the most frequently pre-empted seres on the entirety of the Cartoon Network. Yes, Mr. Cartoon Network Executive, I'm sure that a certain percentage of your coveted 9-14 boys demographic, and for the sake of argument let's say approximately 400,000 of them, would prefer watching direct-to-video Hellboy and Iron Man cartoons. However, none of those approximately 400,000 boys aged 9-14 are me, so therefore I think the statistics remain in my favor. So stop pre-empting Bo-Bobo, because it makes a person on the internet upset. If you can live with such a direct affront on your tiny, blackened conscience, then I truly pity you.

PREMIERES:

.hack//Roots
(Cartoon Network)
Saturday March 24 5:00am - Episode 20 "Pursuit"

In yet another weekly installment of Clever Play On The Word "MMO" TV, Haseo turns into one bad mother in his unending quest for the Tri-Edge, leaving the dried husks of former "PK"-ers in his wake. I shudder to think of the day when the .hack writers discover the perverse world of Second Life.

Basilisk
(Independent Film Channel)
Friday March 30 11:30pm - Episode 13 "A Swarm of Butterflies" (Repeats Sat 31 5:40am)

Remember when "Ninja Scroll" was by-and-large considered the epitome of the Japanese anime artform by stoner college idiots nationwide? Bad times. Anyway, it finally dawned on me that Basilisk is based upon the same source material that Ninja Scroll so loosely borrowed, albeit much more faithfully. I don't know why I bothered to write any of that out for posterity's sake, but allow me to say that at the time I made that discovery it all seemed very brilliant and amazing in the "why didn't I notice this earlier?" sort of way.

Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad
(MuchMusic)
-Sunday March 25 12:00pm - Episode 5 "Beck" (Repeats Mon Mar 26 12:00am, Tue Mar 27 7:00pm, 11:00pm, Wed Mar 28 4:00pm, Fri Mar 30 8:00pm)
-Sunday March 25 12:30pm - Episode 6 "Hyodo and the Jaguar" (Repeats Mon Mar 26 12:30am, Tue Mar 27 7:30pm, 11:30pm, Wed Mar 28 4:30pm, Fri Mar 30 8:30pm)

In case it hasn't been said before, kudos to MuchMusic! They not only took a chance on a slow-building, character-based anime series that is devoid entirely of ninja action, but they're actively promoting it and making damn sure people at least take notice. Remember when MTV aired Heat Guy J in the US? Yeah, me neither; maybe if they took the steps MuchMusic has, that wouldn't have happened. In this week's crop of new Beck, the band settles on their name, while the erstwhile Koyuki deals with choir practice and the school bully.

Bleach
(Cartoon Network)
Sunday March 25 12:00am - Episode 27 (Repeats Sun Mar 25 3:00am)

Also, remember when Adult Swim ran tons of commercials and other forms of advertisements to ensure that people would take notice of Bleach? That is a trick question because they did neither of those things; regardless, enough people took notice of Bleach through sheer dumb luck that it's still around; this episode in particular features the denouement of the scuffle between Ikkaku and Ichigo, while the rest of the Soul Society intruders continue their separate ways to try to elude the Soul Reaper cabal.

Blood+
(Cartoon Network)
Sunday March 25 12:30am - Episode 3 "The Place Where It All Started" (Repeats Sun Mar 25 3:30am)

Remember when Adult Swim... nevermind. This week on Blood+, George explains to Saya the truth about her past!

Cowboy Bebop
(Razer)
Sunday March 25 9:00pm - Episode 14 "Bohemian Rhapsody"

I worked hard and tirelessly to find a way to work in the line "Scaramouche, scaramouche, can you do the fandango?" into this brief episode summary, but to no avail. So there it is for its own sake. Aside from being the undisputed best song ever made, this is also a fine episode of Cowboy Bebop, wherein the crew works hard and tirelessly to discover the culprit behind a series of heists at interstellar toll booths, with only a single chess piece as their only clue.

Elemental Gelade
(ImaginAsianTV)
Monday March 26 5:00pm - Episode 9 "The Secret of the Port Town, Razfe-Ankur" (Repeats Mon Mar 26 8:00pm, Tue Mar 27 5:00pm, 8:00pm)

Space pirates, doe-eyed one-dimensional caricatures that wield bizarre weaponry that seemingly functions only when a random, mispronounced English verb is yelled - if that's your cup of tea, Elemental Gelade is for you! But only those of you with ImaginAsianTV.

Eureka 7
(Cartoon Network)
Sunday March 25 1:00am - Episode 46 "Planet Rock" (Repeats Sun Mar 25 4:00am)

In this Eureka-centric episode, our azure-tinted heroine undergoes another frightening transformation, and it's finally made clear to the audience why, exactly, she keeps those snotty kids around.

Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo
(ImaginAsianTV)
Monday March 26 6:30pm - Episode 9 "I Dreamed a Dark Dream" (Repeats Mon Mar 26 9:30pm, Tue Mar 27 6:30pm, 9:30pm)

Properly summarizing Gankutsuou is practically an exercise in futility, considering the series in itself is a stylish summary of Alexandre Dumas' classic, which is itself a dense tome of around forty-three plot twists per page. I suppose I could be all vague and cryptic with stuff like, "Franz is invited by the Count to a 'secret' meeting with a friend, while Albert hears hints and whispers of the Count's dark past!" That works, I guess.

Gundam SEED Destiny
(YTV)
Friday March 30 9:30pm - Episode 4 "Stardust Battlefield" (Repeats Sat Mar 31 1:30am)

Athrun, the rival-slash-friend of Gundam SEED's protagonist, shows up for the curtain call that is Gundam SEED Destiny in order to kick a lot of Gundam ass, this time guiding the civilian ship Minerva through an ambush.

Gunslinger Girl
(Independent Film Channel)
Friday March 30 11:00pm - Episode 13 "Shooting Star: Stella Cadente" (Repeats Sat Mar 31 5:10am)

Series finale! For those of you hoping the series would end with a literal bang, with crazy John Woo-esque gunplay and martial arts, prepare to be disappointed; this is a solemn ending, featuring the comatose Angelica, whose condition is worsening with every moment, while the other girls and their Big Brothers attempt to strengthen their bonds.

GunXSword
(G4TechTV Canada)
-Monday March 26 8:30pm - Episode 23 "Everyone's Song"
-Tuesday March 27 8:30pm - Episode 24 "End of Dreams"
-Wednesday March 28 8:30pm - Episode 25 "Idiots Are Those Who Use Armor"
-Thursday March 29 8:30pm - Episode 26 "Van of Dawn"

"Gun Ehhcks Sword" wraps up its voluminous Canadian broadcast tour this week; will the wayward Van finally score it big, and what of the mysterious Carmen? And other such questions? I keep trying to fit the word "denouement" in here but I recall that I already used it earlier. Damn.

Idaten Jump
(Cartoon Network)
-Thursday March 29 6:00am - Episode 13 "Guardian"
-Friday March 30 6:00am - Episode 14 "City"

In order to provide atheists more fodder for questioning the existence of God in such a cruel, unjust world, Idaten Jump! It has bikes, racing bikes, and the kids who race atop them.

Kyoh Kara Maoh
(ImaginAsianTV)
Monday March 26 5:30pm - Episode 9 "The Stolen Treasure" (Repeats Mon Mar 26 8:30pm, Tue Mar 27 5:30pm, 8:30pm)

Effeminate dude Yuri, pronounced the new "Demon King" in a strange new toilet-land, continues his trek to find a way home, while eluding the advances of members of both sexes and those that wish to depose the discontent lad of his ill-gotten "Demon King" throne. Plus wackiness!

The Law of Ueki
(ImaginAsianTV)
Monday March 26 6:00pm - Episode 9 "The Law of Onimon's Training" (Repeats Mon Mar 26 9:00pm, Tue Mar 27 6:00pm, 9:00pm)

Ueki, with his EPA-approved powers to turn trash into trees, trains with Onimon in order to endure a much tougher opponent known as Kuro Kage. I sense a common theme here of training and then fighting, followed by more training and fighting.

Naruto
(Cartoon Network)
Saturday March 24 9:00pm - Episode 80 "The Third Hokage, Forever..."

Orochimaru slinks away, having won the fight against the Third Hokage but losing the use of his arms, and with his plan of annihilating the Leaf Village ruined; afterwards, the Konoha faithful gather 'round to pay their respects to their fallen leader. Solemness surrounds us!

(YTV)
Friday March 30 8:00pm - Episode 74 "Astonishing Truth! Gaara's Identity Emerges!"

Shino fights Kankuro to buy Our Heroes some time, the Third Hokage and Orochimaru fight on a rooftop, and Sasuke catches up with Gaara. In order to fight. There is a lot of fights this week, on Naruto.

One Piece
(Cartoon Network)
Saturday March 24 9:30pm - Episode 84 "Trading Faces"

Cartoon Censorship Law 101: You can still have a hairy man wear makeup and dance around in a tutu, and he can still have a very stereotypically "gay" voice, but god forbid if you make any reference to actual ballet. That would just be in poor taste. So enjoy this match between Mr. 2's "crazy karate" and the lollipop-smoking Sanji!

Samurai Champloo
(Razer)
Sunday March 25 9:30pm - Episode 14 "Misguided Miscreants, Part 2"

Have I mentioned how awesome this show is? I can't seem to recall. Because it is, very. Anyway, Mugen enacts his revenge against his former pirate comrade after learning of his true and diabolical intentions.

Spider Riders
(Kids WB)
Saturday March 24 11:00am - Episode 19 "Lumen's Love"

The so-called Spider Riders, who are action heroes that ride spiders for those who are confused, must stop the forlorn Lumen from handing over the sought-after "Oracle Key" to the evil bugs.

Zatch Bell
(YTV)
Friday March 30 8:30pm - Episode 62 "Impact of the V! Very Melon!"

I know that this episode of Zatch Bell involves a plucky little mamodo named Victoream who simply loves melons. I know that. I am consumed, however, with a desire to know what on earth I must do in order for the words "Impact of the V! Very Melon!" to make any sense to me. Those are English words and letters, but under to current standards of English comprehension does that phrase make any cognitive sense.

MOVIES/SPECIALS

Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade
(Encore Action)
Saturday March 24 12:00am (Repeats Wed Mar 28 2:15pm)

Karas: The Prophecy
(Encore Action)
Monday March 26 9:00am (Repeats Tue Mar 27 12:00am)

Appleseed
(Encore Action)
Monday March 26 4:30pm

Gundress
(Encore Action)
Thursday March 29 12:00am (Repeats Thu Mar 29 3:35pm)

Pokemon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea
(Cartoon Network)
Saturday March 24 4:30pm

A Pokemon movie for the kiddies, along with the same-old-same-old crop of movies on Encore's secondary channels. I would describe my reaction to this week's feature selection as a "yawn."

I suppose I can call it a week, then; I'll be back with more listings and things that might possibly be construed of as "fun" in some fashion! Below are repeats! I enjoy using exclamation points!! Bye everyone!!!

REPEATS/STRIPS

10 Tokyo Warriors
(Encore WAM)
-Sun Mar 25 11:40am - Episode TBA
-Sun Mar 25 12:08pm - Episode TBA
-Sun Mar 25 10:00pm - Episode TBA
-Sun Mar 25 10:30pm - Episode TBA
-Mon Mar 26 3:00am - Episode TBA
-Mon Mar 26 3:30am - Episode TBA
-Tue Mar 27 12:00pm - Episode TBA
-Tue Mar 27 12:30pm - Episode TBA
-Thu Mar 29 11:40am - Episode TBA
-Thu Mar 29 12:08pm - Episode TBA
-Thu Mar 29 9:30pm - Episode TBA
-Thu Mar 29 10:00pm - Episode TBA

(Encore Action)
-Fri Mar 30 12:00am - Episode 1
-Fri Mar 30 12:30am - Episode 2
-Fri Mar 30 1:00am - Episode 3
-Fri Mar 30 5:45am - Episode TBA

Afro Samurai
(SpikeTV)
-Wed Mar 28 10:00pm - Episode TBA

Big O
(Cartoon Network)
-Sun Mar 25 5:00am - Episode 12 "Enemy Is Another Big"

Chrono Crusade
(Showtime Beyond)
-Mon Mar 26 12:10am - Episode 10 "Horn" (R Fri Mar 30 12:50am)
-Fri Mar 30 9:00pm - Episode 11 "Beast"

Digimon
(Toon Disney)
-Sat Mar 24 11:00am - Episode 19 "The Prisoner of the Pyramid"
-Sun Mar 25 11:00am - Episode 20 "Earthquake of Metal Greymon"
-Sun Mar 25 9:00pm - Episode 154 "Jeri Fights Back" (R Mon Mar 26 1:30am)
-Mon Mar 26 8:00am - Episode 8 "Evil Shows His Face" (R (R Tue Mar 27 2:30am)
-Mon Mar 26 10:30pm - Episode 30 "Almost Home Free" (R Tue Mar 27 3:00am)
-Tue Mar 27 8:00am - Episode 9 "Subzero Ice Punch!" (R Wed Mar 28 2:30am)
-Tue Mar 27 7:30pm - Episode 111 "Now You See It Now You Don't"
-Tue Mar 27 10:30pm - Episode 31 "The Eighth Digivice" (R Wed Mar 28 3:00am)
-Wed Mar 28 8:00am - Episode 10 "A Clue From the Digi-Past" (R Thu Mar 29 2:30am)
-Wed Mar 28 7:30pm - Episode 112 "A Question of Trust"
-Wed Mar 28 10:30pm - Episode 33 "Out on the Town" (R Thu Mar 29 3:00am)
-Thu Mar 29 8:00am - Episode 11 "The Dancing Digimon" (R Fri Mar 30 2:30am)
-Thu Mar 29 7:30pm - Episode 113 "Not As Seen On TV"
-Thu Mar 29 10:30pm - Episode 34 "The Eighth Child Revealed" (R Fri Mar 30 3:00am)
-Fri Mar 30 8:00am - Episode 12 "DigiBaby Boom" (R Sat Mar 31 2:30am)
-Fri Mar 30 10:30pm - Episode 35 "Flower Power" (R Sat Mar 31 3:00am)

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
(Cartoon Network)
-Tue Mar 27 12:30am - Episode 21 "Eraser" (R Tue Mar 27 4:00am)
-Wed Mar 28 12:30am - Episode 22 "Scandal" (R Wed Mar 28 4:00am)
-Thu Mar 29 12:30am - Episode 23 "Equinox" (R Thu Mar 29 4:00am)
-Fri Mar 30 12:30am - Episode 24 "Annihilation" (R Fri Mar 30 4:00am)

Gigantor
(Cartoon Network)
-Sun Mar 25 5:30am - Episode 12 "Badge of Danger"

Hikaru no Go
(ImaginAsian TV)
-Thu Mar 29 8:30am - Episode TBA
-Fri Mar 30 5:00am - Episode TBA
-Fri Mar 30 8:30am - Episode TBA

Inuyasha
(Cartoon Network)
-Tue Mar 27 1:00am - Episode 105 "The Ghastly Steel Machine" (R Tue Mar 27 4:30am)
-Tue Mar 27 1:30am - Episode 106 "Kagome, Miroku and Sango: Desperate Situation" (R Tue Mar 27 5:00am)
-Wed Mar 28 1:00am - Episode 107 "Inuyasha Shows His Tears for the First Time" (R Wed Mar 28 4:30am)
-Wed Mar 28 1:30am - Episode 108 "The Secret of the Pure Light" (R Wed Mar 28 5:00am)
-Thu Mar 29 1:00am - Episode 109 "Hidden in the Mist: Onward to Mt. Hakurei" (R Thu Mar 29 4:30am)
-Thu Mar 29 1:30am - Episode 110 "Enter Bankotsu, Leader of the Band of Seven" (R Thu Mar 29 5:00am)
-Fri Mar 30 1:00am - Episode 111 "The Big Clash: Banryu vs. Wind Scar" (R Fri Mar 30 4:30am)
-Fri Mar 30 1:30am - Episode 112 "The Barrier of Hijiri Island" (R Fri Mar 30 5:00am)

MAR
(Cartoon Network)
-Sat Mar 24 10:00pm - Episode 5 "Alviss, the Mysterious Young Man"

Mirage of Blaze: Rebels of the River's Edge
(Encore Action)
-Wed Mar 28 12:00am - Episode 1 "Dearest Wish"
-Wed Mar 28 12:35am - Episode 2 "Tiger's Eye"
-Wed Mar 28 1:10am - Episode 3 "Wind of the River's Edge"

Naruto
(Cartoon Network)
-Mon Mar 26 5:30pm - Episode 50 "The Fifth Gate: A Splendid Ninja Is Born"
-Tue Mar 27 5:30pm - Episode 51 "A Shadow in Darkness: Danger Approaches Sasuke"
-Wed Mar 28 5:30pm - Episode 52 "Ebisu Returns: Naruto's Toughest Training Yet"
-Thu Mar 29 5:30pm - Episode 53 "Long Time No See: Jiraiya Returns!"

Oban Star-Racers
(Toon Disney)
-Sat Mar 24 8:30pm - Episode 21 "Ominous Like O" (R Sun Mar 25 2:30am)
-Sun Mar 25 8:00pm - Episode 22 "Revelations" (R Mon Mar 26 2:30am)
-Mon Mar 26 9:00pm - Episode 24 "Canaletto's Revenge" (R Tue Mar 27 1:30am)

Peacemaker
(Showtime Beyond)
-Sun Mar 25 11:40pm - Episode 19 "Sky" (R Mon Mar 26 5:30am, Fri Mar 30 1:15am, 6:55pm)
-Mon Mar 26 6:15pm - Episode 17 "Hollow"
-Fri Mar 30 9:30pm - Episode 20 "Blade"

Pokemon
(Cartoon Network)
-Sat Mar 24 9:00am - Episode 423 "Wheel... of... Frontier!"
-Sat Mar 24 9:30am - Episode 424 "May's Egg-Cellent Adventure"
-Sun Mar 25 5:00pm - Episode 456 "Channeling the Battle Zone"
-Sun Mar 25 5:30pm - Episode 457 "Aipom and Circumstance"
-Mon Mar 26 6:30am - Episode 372 "Gaining Groudon"
-Mon Mar 26 5:00pm - Episode TBA
-Tue Mar 27 6:30am - Episode 373 "The Scuffle of Legends"
-Tue Mar 27 5:00pm - Episode TBA
-Wed Mar 28 6:30am - Episode 374 "It's Still Rocket Roll to Me"
-Wed Mar 28 5:00pm - Episode TBA
-Thu Mar 29 6:30am - Episode 375 "Solid As a Solrock"
-Thu Mar 29 5:00pm - Episode TBA
-Fri Mar 30 6:30am - Episode 376 "Vanity Affair"

Prince of Tennis
(Cartoon Network)
-Sat Mar 24 10:30pm - Episode 5 "The Snake Shot"

Saiyuki Reload
(Encore WAM)
-Sat Mar 17 4:30pm - Episode 17 "Wish" (R Sun Mar 18 2:30am, 8:30am)
-Sun Mar 18 4:30pm - Episode 18 "Critical Day" (R Mon Mar 19 2:30am, 8:30am)
-Mon Mar 19 4:30pm - Episode 19 "Farewell" (R Tue Mar 20 2:30am, 8:30am)
-Tue Mar 20 4:30pm - Episode 20 "Chase" (R Wed Mar 21 2:30am, 8:30am)
-Wed Mar 21 4:30pm - Episode 21 "Don't Cry" (R Thu Mar 22 2:30am, 8:30am)
-Thu Mar 22 4:30pm - Episode 22 "Pain" (R Fri Mar 23 2:30am, 8:30am)
-Fri Mar 23 4:30pm - Episode 23 "Dawn" (R Sat Mar 24 2:30am, 8:30am)

Samurai Champloo
(Cartoon Network)
-Sun Mar 25 1:30am - Episode 20 "Elegy of Entrapment, Verse 1" (R Sun Mar 25 4:30am)

Samurai Deeper Kyo
(Encore WAM)
-Sat Mar 24 4:00pm - Episode 26 "The Ballad of the Samurai" (R Sun Mar 25 2:00am, 8:00am)
-Sun Mar 25 4:00pm - Episode 1 "Road to Armageddon" (R Mon Mar 26 2:00am, 8:00am)
-Mon Mar 26 4:00pm - Episode 2 "Wanted Dead or Alive" (R Tue Mar 27 2:00am, 8:00am)
-Tue Mar 27 4:00pm - Episode 3 "Red Mirage" (R Wed Mar 28 2:00am, 8:00am)
-Wed Mar 28 4:00pm - Episode 4 "The Creeping Nightmare" (R Thu Mar 29 2:00am, 8:00am)
-Thu Mar 29 4:00pm - Episode 5 "Tears of the Assassin" (R Fri Mar 30 2:00am, 8:00am)
-Fri Mar 30 4:00pm - Episode 6 "The Duel at Hibiya Bay" (R Sat Mar 31 2:00am, 8:00am)

Shingu: Secret of the Stellar Wars
(ImaginAsianTV)
-Sat Mar 24 4:30am - Episode TBA
-Mon Mar 26 6:00am - Episode TBA (R Mon Mar 26 9:00am)
-Tue Mar 27 4:30am - Episode TBA (R Tue Mar 27 6:00am, 9:00am)
-Wed Mar 28 4:30am - Episode TBA (R Wed Mar 28 6:00am, 9:00am)
-Thu Mar 29 4:30am - Episode TBA (R Thu Mar 29 6:00am, 9:00am)
-Fri Mar 30 4:30am - Episode TBA (R Fri Mar 30 6:00am, 9:00am)

 

Shinzo
(Toon Disney)
-Sat Mar 24 4:00am - Episode 29 "Mushrambo Meets His Match"
-Sat Mar 24 8:00am - Episode 7 "Into the Jungle"
-Sun Mar 25 8:00am - Episode 8 "Reptiles"
-Tue Mar 27 4:00am - Episode 30 "Mushra's Mission"
-Wed Mar 28 4:00am - Episode 31 "Soul Survivor"
-Thu Mar 29 4:00am - Episode 32 "Long Live Yakumo"
-Fri Mar 30 4:00am - Episode 1 "The Awakening"

Transformers Cybertron
(Cartoon Network)
-Mon Mar 26 6:00am - Episode 26 "Revelations"
-Tue Mar 27 6:00am - Episode 27 "Critical"
-Wed Mar 28 6:00am - Episode 28 "Assault"

Voltron
(Cartoon Network)
-Tue Mar 27 5:30am - Episode 52 "A Transplant for the Blue Lion"
-Wed Mar 28 5:30am - Episode 46 "Attack of the Fierce Frogs"
-Thu Mar 29 5:30am - Episode 30 "Lotor Traps Pidge"
-Fri Mar 30 5:30am - Episode 37 "Doom Boycotts the Space Olympics"

Yu-Gi-Oh!
(4KidsTV)
-Sat Mar 24 10:00am - Episode 35 "Yugi vs. Pegasus: Match of the Millennium, Part 1"

-Sat Mar 24 10:30am - Episode 36 "Yugi vs. Pegasus: Match of the