The Click

July 1st - July 7th

Salutations, couchdwellers! It's The Click, your weekly guide of everything and anything anime on US TV. With minor exceptions, of course. The Usual Caveats: All times and dates listed are tentative, all times are in the eastern time zone, and other such what-have-you.

For those throngs of you who were perhaps wondering, “What happened to The Click LAST week, Brian? D'you screw that up somehow?” the answer is this. I was engaged in a vicious, highly barbarous three-pronged struggle between the evil forces of my regular job, my visiting family, and my daunting duties as an impavid internet columnist. I seemed poised to deliver my column on time despite their best efforts, but alas! They finally bested me, by way of having me ignore that damned “attachment” button when I sent the e-mail to my editors. And that's what really happened. Kung-fu and magic abounded.

Nonetheless, things are slowly resorting back to normal. And for those proud west-coasters who are headed to Anime Expo this weekend, I too will be amongst the hoi polloi, so be sure to say hi if you happen across a pale, scrawny white guy with a big, neon sign that reads “I WRITE 'THE CLICK' FOR ANIMENEWSNETWORK.COM!!!!!!! FREE GLOMPS!!!!!” Of course, I'm only kidding. About the “glomp” part.

Down to business we go...

FEATURED PROGRAM(S)

Macross Plus
(Encore Action)
-Saturday July 1 12:00am - Episode 1 "A.D. 2040 (Deep Space)"
-Saturday July 1 1:00am - Episode 2 "Brain Waves"
-Saturday July 1 1:30am - Episode 3 "Investigation"
-Saturday July 1 2:30am - Episode 4 "It's Time to End This"

Every couple of weeks or so it seems, Encore's expanded cable-and-satellite only “action” channel likes to dig up some ancient anime relic of yesteryear, and I no doubt play right into their hands by telling you to watch it. Oftentimes I do this because, while not being very good, they are easily the most interesting thing to watch on that particular week.

This week, however, is different. Macross Plus is, easily and without doubt, the best anime show on TV this week. Hyperbole? No, no sir. Cold hard fact? Yes, yes indeed.

You see, long ago, venerable studio Sunrise once housed some of today's top anime talents under one convenient roof, before they slowly drifted off into other projects. The stars that made shows like Samurai Champloo, Cowboy Bebop, Escaflowne, and dozens of others shine were all on display here, making Macross Plus one of the most revered anime OAVs ever made. While the show itself is over a dozen years old, the writing, animation, and especially music (by wünderkind Yoko Kanno) feels as fresh as ever. Do check it out, won't you?

Unfortunately, all is not totally well within the confines of the Encore Action network. For this week, they are airing one of the most putrid, irrefutably awful piles of anime crap produced in the past decade. And for that, they are highlighted in the first (and hopefully last)...

SPOTLIGHT OF SHAME!!!

Eiken
(Encore Action)
-Tuesday July 4 7:30pm - Episode 1 (Repeats Wed July 5 3:00am)
-Tuesday July 4 8:00pm - Episode 2 (Repeats Wed July 5 3:30am)

One would hope Encore Networks received some kind of massive, upfront bribe for daring to put this on the air. What other reason would they have for airing what is, undeniably, soft-core porn for creepy shut-ins with a fetish for Brobdingnagian breasts? And on the Fourth of July, even. I highly doubt our founding fathers would approve of this. Shame, shame, a million shames!

If super-cool transforming mechs or scarily large mammaries aren't your thing, here's what else is new this week:

OTHER PREMIERES:

10 Tokyo Warriors
(Encore Action)
-Tuesday July 4 12:00am - Episode 1 (Repeats Tue July 4 12:00pm)
-Tuesday July 4 12:30am - Episode 2 (Repeats Tue July 4 12:30pm)
-Wednesday July 5 12:00am - Episode 3 (Repeats Wed July 5 12:00pm)
-Wednesday July 5 12:30am - Episode 4 (Repeats Wed July 5 12:30pm)
-Thursday July 6 12:00am - Episode 5 (Repeats Thu July 6 12:00pm)
-Thursday July 6 12:30am - Episode 6 (Repeats Thu July 6 12:30pm)

Encore Action sure is busy these days. Currently being run into the ground are all six episodes of this entertaining yet somewhat forgettable OAV series; modern-day teenage reincarnations of ten powerful feudal-era warriors must fight against an onslaught of demons wrought by the recently-freed-from-centuries-of-captivity “Demon King.” Check it out if whatever repeats on Adult Swim don't catch your fancy.

Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo
(Cartoon Network)
Saturday July 1 10:00pm - Episode 35 "King Nose Hair Presents: The Follicle Follies of the Future"

This week on Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo: Utter nonsense, followed by outright insanity, with just a dash of crazed hilarity. Possibly some nutty shenanigans? Who knows!

Case Closed
(YTV)
Saturday July 8 12:00am - Episode 14 "Mystery Mastermind"

Conan and his bumbling would-be legal guardian track down a distraught girl's missing father; but when the father winds up murdered the following day and the distraught girl winds up kidnapped, it's up to our favorite bespectacled detective to find out what's up.

Chrono Crusade
(Showtime Beyond)
Friday July 7 9:00pm - Episode 21 "Magdalene"

As the series nears its finale, the titular Chrono takes us all into a flashback-related journey into his past, covering such events as: his previous partnership with Aion, his first love, and her fated death.

Eureka 7
(Cartoon Network)
Sunday July 2 12:00am - Episode 12 "Acperience-1" (Repeats Sun July 2 3:00am)

This episode of Eureka 7 is rated TV-PG for intense space combat and cartoon violence. The space combat and violence stem from the intense battle between the Gekkōstate and the powerful warship, Izumo.

Fullmetal Alchemist
(YTV)
Friday July 7 10:00pm - Episode 19 "The Truth Behind Truths" (Repeats Sat July 8 1:00am)

When Ed and Al make their shocking discovery about the Philosopher's Stone through Doctor Marcoh's notes, the boys face a troubling dilemma; do they press forward, knowing full well of the consequences? Or do they abandon their quest, despite all their time and effort? Plus other ponderings!

The Gokusen
(Encore WAM)
-Saturday July 1 4:30pm - Episode 2 "Duel! Shin vs. Ojou?" (Repeats Sun July 2 1:30am, 6:30am)
-Sunday July 2 4:30pm - Episode 3 "Kuma's First Time" (Repeats Mon July 3 1:30am, 6:30am)
-Monday July 3 4:30pm - Episode 4 "Oju Goes Blond! Whodunnit?" (Repeats Tue July 4 1:30am, 6:30am)
-Tuesday July 4 4:30pm - Episode 5 "Oedo Clan in Crisis" (Repeats Wed July 5 1:30am, 6:30am)
-Wednesday July 5 4:30pm - Episode 6 "Kyo-san's Knockout Performance" (Repeats Thu July 6 1:30am, 6:30am)
-Thursday July 6 4:30pm - Episode 7 "Shirokin Boy's Chōir? Say What?" (Repeats Fri July 7 1:30am, 6:30am)
-Friday July 7 4:30pm - Episode 8 "The Class Trip Into Hell Begins" (Repeats Sat July 8 1:30am, 6:30am)

Encore Networks' younger, more happenin' brother, Encore WAM!, decides not to be left in the dust of its older and far geekier sibling by also picking up some new anime hotness. This oddly designed yet rather entertaining mostly-comedy series introduces us to the life of one Kumiko Yamaguchi, a young teacher out to straighten up her delinquent students and totally rock the house of Japan's stultifying education system. Her relation to a highly secretive and highly dangerous Yakuza organization, however, is the big twist to this show. Yakuza teachers! Crazy.

IGPX
(Cartoon Network)
Saturday July 1 10:30pm - Episode 20 "Comeback"

After a couple of weeks of behaving like a good child, my DVR decided it hated me once again, by refusing to record IGPX. To be fair, however, it wasn't quite its fault; rather, a minor power outage due to an intense electrical storm was to blame. However, since I am in no position to challenge the wrath of mother nature, I will instead turn my ire to something far less hazardous. Anyway, I'd imagine that “comeback” refers to Team Satomi's resurgence to the top of their league after a few catastrophic previous matches, but what do I know.

Inuyasha
(Cartoon Network)
Wednesday July 5 12:30am - Episode 153 "The Cruel Reunion of Fate" (Repeats Wed July 5 4:00am)

Sango's precocious, previously possessed younger sibling, Kohaku, slashes through armed castle guards in an attempt to destroy Naraku's current incarnation, that of an infant. I blame GTA for Kohaku's sudden and terrible turn to violence.

(YTV)
Friday July 7 9:00pm - Episode 148 "The Tragic Love Song of Destiny, Part 2" (Repeats Sat July 8 2:30am)

Part two of the until-now glossed over backstory of Kikyo, the jilted priestess. I'd make a joke, but it's such a tragic love song, after all.

Naruto
(Cartoon Network)
Saturday July 1 9:00pm - Episode 40 "Kakashi and Orochimaru: Face-to-Face"

Kakashi uses his crazy kung-fu ninja magic to conceal Sasuke's cursed mark, but when Orochimaru arrives on the scene, it may all be for naught! Or will it? Naught or not! Ha! God I'm clever.

One Piece
(Cartoon Network)
Saturday July 1 9:30pm - Episode 74 "Caged!

Luffy's crew rides into the treacherous Rainbase hotel, only to wind up trapped in a special cage that weakens cursed-fruit-power holders. Chaser also winds up in this cage, and continues to bizarrely release smoke  out of his mouth which is shaped oddly as though he were holding two cigars in them. How strange that would've been.

Pokémon Chronicles
(Cartoon Network)
Saturday July 1 7:30pm - Episode 7 "We're No Angels"

Wasn't “We're No Angels” an Elvis Costello song? No, wait, it was... uh, while I figure this out, you all just watch this Pokémon spinoff. It's about Team Rocket, and a village, and a mad scientist that no one understands.

Samurai 7
(Independent Film Channel)
Saturday July 1 10:30pm - Episode 14 "The Offering" (Repeats Sun July 2 1:30am, Mon July 3 6:30pm, Thu July 6 11:30pm, Fri July 7 2:30am)

As the war in Kanna village continues, the samurai attempt a dangerous mission to sneak aboard the enemy's ship. And you know that by “ship” I mean spaceship, right? Because this is like Kurosawa's The Seven Samurai, only in the future.

Spider Riders
(Kids WB)
-Saturday July 1 10:00am - Episode 1 "The Inner World"
-Saturday July 1 10:30am - Episode 2 "Never Give Up!"

I missed the premiere of this Canadian-funded, Gonzo-animated kids' show a couple of weeks ago, so here it is; technically a rerun, but I'm willing to make exceptions because, hey, arbitrary rules are made to be arbitrarily broken. Seeing that the post-pubescent audience for shows like these tend to know what they're watching and would rather do so without smug elitists like myself making snide comments, I'll leave you be. Go on, and watch young “Hunter Steele” do battle in a mysterious subterranean world known as “Arachnia.”

Zatch Bell
(Cartoon Network)
Saturday June 24 8:00pm - Episode 57 "Battle on the Sand: Brago vs. the Silent Rulers"

Sherri and Brago, the anti-hero antithesis of our main duo Kiyo and Zatch, battle a trio of ancient Mamodo known as, as the title indicates, the “Silent Rulers.”

That's all, except for reruns. Have a lovely weekend, and I'll see you next week!

REPEATS/STRIPS

Battle B-Daman
(YTV)
-Tue July 4 3:30pm - Episode 27 "For a Few B-DaBalls More"
-Thu July 6 3:30pm - Episode 28 "High Stakes"

Beyblade
(YTV)
-Sat July 1 5:30am - Episode 20 "It's All Relative"
-Tue July 4 5:30am - Episode 21 "Practice Makes Perfect"
-Wed July 5 5:30am - Episode 22 "Blading With the Stars"
-Thu July 6 5:30am - Episode 23 "Showdown in Vegas"
-Fri July 7 5:30am - Episode 24 "Viva Las Vegas"

Chrono Crusade
(Showtime Beyond)
-Sun July 2 8:00pm - Episode 20 "Temptation" (R Mon July 3 12:00am, Thu July 6 7:00pm, Fri July 7 12:30am)

Cowboy Bebop
(Cartoon Network)
-Sun July 2 1:30am - Episode 26 "The Real Folk Blues, Part 2" (R Sun July 2 4:30am)

Digimon
(ABC Family)
-Sat July 1 7:00am - Episode 54 "The Fate of Two Worlds"
-Sun July 2 7:00am - Episode 55 "Enter Flamedramon"

(Toon Disney)
-Sat July 1 9:30pm - Episode 204 "Lucemon on the Loose" (R Sun July 2 2:00am)
-Sun July 2 9:30pm - Episode 205 "End of the LINE" (R Mon July 3 2:00am)
-Tue July 4 9:30pm - Episode 56 "The Digiteam Complete" (R Wed July 5 2:30am)
-Wed July 5 9:30pm - Episode 57 "A New Digitude" (R Thu July 6 2:30am)
-Thu July 6 9:30pm - Episode 58 "Iron Veggiemon" (R Fri July 7 2:30am)

Dragon Ball GT
(YTV)
-Sat July 1 3:30am - Episode "Scheming Seven Starred Dragon"

Fullmetal Alchemist
(Cartoon Network)
-Sat July 1 11:30pm - Episode 15 "The Ishbal Massacre" (R Sun July 2 2:30am)
-Tue July 4 12:30am - Episode 46 "Human Transmutation" (R Tue July 4 4:00am)

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
(Cartoon Network)
-Sun July 2 12:30am - Episode 4 "Intercepter" (R Sun July 2 3:30am)

(YTV)
-Sat July 8 12:30am - Episode 16 "Aq2O"

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG
(Cartoon Network)
-Thu July 6 12:30am - Episode 17 "Red Data" (R Thu July 6 4:00am)

Gundam Seed
(YTV)
-Fri July 7 9:30pm - Episode 44 "Spiral of Encounters" (R Sat July 8 1:30am)

Inuyasha
(Cartoon Network)
-Sat Jun 24 11:00pm - Episode 137 "An Ancestor Named Kagome" (R Sun Jun 25 2:00am)

Magical DoReMi
(4KidsTV)
-Sat July 1 7:00am - Episode 6 "Witch Conya of the Lunaverse"
-Sat July 1 7:30am - Episode 7 "Believing Belinda"

Mirage of Blaze
(Encore WAM)
-Sat July 1 4:00pm - Episode 2 "Posessor From the Darkness" (R Sun July 2 1:00am, 6:00am, Mon July 3 4:00pm, Tue July 4 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Sun July 2 4:00pm - Episode 1 "Fated Destiny" (R Mon July 3 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Tue July 4 4:00pm - Episode 3 "An Imperfecting Awakening" (R Wed July 5 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Wed July 5 4:00pm - Episode 4 "Premonition of a Chain Reaction" (R Thu July 6 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Thu July 6 4:00pm - Episode 5 "Endless Conflict" (R Fri July 7 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Fri July 7 4:00pm - Episode 6 "Golden Emblem" (R Sat July 8 1:00am, 6:00am)

Naruto
(Cartoon Network)
-Sat July 1 8:30pm - Episode 39 "Bushy Brow's Jealousy: Barrage of Lions Unleashed"
-Mon July 3 9:00pm - Episode 13 "Haku's Secret Jutsu: Crystal Ice Mirrors"
-Tue July 4 9:00pm - Episode 14 "The Number One Hyperactive, Knucklehead Ninja Joins the Fight"
-Wed July 5 9:00pm - Episode 15 "Zero Visibility: The Sharingan Shatters"
-Thu July 6 9:00pm - Episode 16 "The Broken Seal"

(YTV)
-Fri Jun 30 8:00pm - Episode 30 "The Sharingan Revived: Dragon-Flame Jutsu"

One Piece
(YTV)
-Sat July 1 4:00am - Episode 26 "Here We Go A Ghin"

Paranoia Agent
(Cartoon Network)
-Tue July 4 1:30am - Episode 4 "A Man's Path" (R Tue July 4 5:00am)
-Wed July 5 1:30am - Episode 5 "The Holy Warrior" (R Wed July 5 5:00am)
-Thu July 6 1:30am - Episode 6 "Fear of a Direct Hit" (R Thu July 6 5:00am)
-Fri July 7 1:30am - Episode 7 "MHz" (R Fri July 7 5:00am)

Peacemaker
(Showtime Beyond)
-Sun July 2 7:30pm - Episode 5 "Moon" (R Sun July 2 11:30pm, Thu July 6 7:30pm, Fri July 7 12:55am)
-Fri July 7 9:30pm - Episode 6 "Warrior"

Pokémon
(Cartoon Network)
-Mon July 3 5:00pm - Episode 347 "Wiscash and Ash"
-Tue July 4 5:00pm - Episode 348 "Me, Myself and Time"
-Wed July 5 5:00pm - Episode 349 "A Fan With a Plan"
-Thu July 6 5:00pm - Episode 350 "Cruisin' for a Losin'"
-Fri July 7 5:00pm - Episode 351 "Pearls Are a Spoink's Best Friend"

(YTV)
-Tue July 4 5:00am - Episode 381 "Do I Hear a Ralts?"
-Wed July 5 5:00am - Episode 382 "The Great Eight Fate!"
-Thu July 6 5:00am - Episode 383 "Eight Ain't Enough"
-Fri July 7 5:00am - Episode 384 "Showdown at Linoone"

Pokémon Chronicles
(YTV)
-Sat July 1 5:00am - Episode 1 "The Legend of Thunder, Part 1"

(Cartoon Network)
-Sat July 1 7:00pm - Episode 6 "Cerulean Blues"

s-CRY-ed
(Cartoon Network)
-Tue July 4 1:00am - Episode 5 "Mimori Kiryu" (R Tue July 4 4:30am)
-Wed July 5 1:00am - Episode 6 "Zetsuei" (R Wed July 5 4:30am)
-Thu July 6 1:00am - Episode 7 "Asuka Tachibana" (R Thu July 6 4:30am)
-Fri July 7 1:00am - Episode 8 "Mad Script" (R Fri July 7 4:30am)

Samurai 7
(IFC)
-Sat July 1 3:30pm - Episode 12 "The Truth"
-Sat July 1 4:00pm - Episode 13 "The Attack"

Samurai Champloo
(Cartoon Network)
-Sun July 2 1:00am - Episode 9 "Beatbox Bandits" (R Sun July 2 4:00am)

Spider Riders
(Kids WB)
-Sat July 1 11:00am - Episode 3 "First Impressions"
-Sat July 1 11:30am - Episode 4 "Smells Like Team Spider"

Transformers: Cybertron
(Cartoon Network)
-Mon July 3 6:00am - Episode 10 "Search"
-Tue July 4 6:00am - Episode 11 "Deep"
-Wed July 5 6:00am - Episode 12 "Ship"
-Thu July 6 6:00am - Episode 13 "Hero"
-Fri July 7 6:00am - Episode 14 "Race"

(YTV)
-Sat July 1 3:00am - Episode 14 "Race"

Ultimate Muscle: The Kinnikuman Legacy
(4KidsTV)
-Sat July 1 10:00am - Episode 35 "Hanzo vs. Ninja Ned"

Yu-Gi-Oh!
(YTV)
-Sat July 1 4:30am - Episode 183 "Rise of the Great Beast, Part 1"
-Tue July 4 4:30am - Episode 184 "Rise of the Great Beast, Part 2"
-Wed July 5 4:30am - Episode 185 "Unwanted Guest, Part 1"
-Thu July 6 4:30am - Episode 186 "Unwanted Guest, Part 2"
-Fri July 7 4:30am - Episode 187 "Let the Games Begin! Part 1"

Yu-Gi-Oh! GX
(Cartoon Network)
-Sat July 1 6:30pm - Episode 22 "The Duel Off, Part 2"

Zatch Bell
(Cartoon Network)
-Mon July 3 4:30pm - Episode 9 "The Third Spell"
-Tue July 4 4:30pm - Episode 10 "The Elite Mamodo"
-Wed July 5 4:30pm - Episode 11 "The Invincible Folgore"
-Thu July 6 4:30pm - Episode 12 "Sherry's Rhapsody of Life"
-Fri July 7 4:30pm - Episode 13 "Rematch: Zatch and HYDE Meet Again"
-Sat July 8 12:00am - Episode 56 "The Light of Hope, Saifogeo"