The Click

August 12th - August 18th

Avast, me hearties! It's... a couple weeks late on the whole “Pirates of the Caribbean” bandwagon, I know, but you try to afford first-run movies while fending off a cabal of loan sharks, several illegitimate children, and a rather unfortunate addiction to practically every abusive substance known to man. And seriously, pirates are fun and all, but not three hours long-fun.

Anyway. Welcome to The Click! I've got lots of TV anime goodies this week, or maybe not, depending upon how big an Inuyasha fan you happen to be. In which case, go read a book, or do something else summer-related before this glorious season ends in a massive explosion of back-to-school sales. Yes, the warmest months of the year are drawing to an unceremonious close, which means, for me, the fall TV season fast approaches! Here's some things to keep an eye on:

Naruto: I fully realize by now that telling people to “keep an eye on” a ubiquitous title like Naruto is quite pointless, but it'll be interesting to see if all the strides the series has taken over the past year will continue; will the audience continue to grow? Will it stagnate? Or will it experience some sort of horrible drop-off, signaling the kind of apocalyptic imagery that makes Tim LaHaye all hot and bothered?

The Funimation Channel: Despite being somewhat crippled by Funimation's own inability to leverage their two most powerful shows (Fullmetal Alchemist and Dragon Ball Z, natch; those are both locked exclusively to Cartoon Network), their recent upstart cable network seems to be progressing along at a decent clip. Unfortunately it seems it'll take a while to even reach ADV's Anime Network, due to them not having an attractive Video-On-Demand companion to entice cable and satellite providers. However, Kodocha on TV! That's just awesome.

Bleach: Will people actually watch Bleach? I suppose the correct answer is probably something along the lines of, “no duh,” but seriously: Adult Swim's anime ratings have been remarkably inconsistent as of late, and while brisk DVD sales are all but assured, the actual numbers of eyeballs on the screen sure isn't.

Saturday Mornings: Despite the formidable power of logic, Fox affiliates nationwide disregarded the sad facts of 4KidsTV's lame viewership and renewed 4Kids' flailing block of kids anime for another season of middling performance. Their big guns for the fall? The “moe”-tastic Pretty Cure, and another Yu-Gi-Oh spinoff. Meanwhile, KidsWB will become cradled by the UPN/WB merger network, “CW,” and will have a fall lineup seemingly devoid of any anime for the kiddies, what with Yu-Gi-Oh finished and Pokemon jumping ship to the Cartoon Network for new episodes. The fate of the alright-I-guess Viewtiful Joe and the Canadian import Spider Riders remain unclear. Not that this is such a huge loss, as Saturday Morning cartoons have been slowly declining since the advent of cable, but nonetheless.

Inuyasha Movie 3: Swords of an Honorable Ruler
(Cartoon Network)
Saturday August 12 11:00pm (Repeats Sun Aug 13 2:00am)

Or, as an amusing Adult Swim commercial “bump” phrased it, “Inuyasha the Movie 3: The Story of My Baby's Daddy.”  Yes, this third foray into feature-length Inuyasha fodder prominently features Inuyasha and Sesshomaru's pop, as well as the swords bequeathed to the siblings by said patriarch. Then a bad guy appears, and Inuyasha and Sesshomaru have to work together and avoid killing each other, all that stuff. As most anime shows-turned movies go, this one is pretty good, is animated rather well, and generally lots of fun for Inuyasha fans young and old.

OTHER PREMIERES:

Basilisk
(Razer)
Thursday August 17 5:30pm - Episode 7 "Blood Sucking Seductress" (Repeats Fri Aug 18 12:30am, 1:00pm)

Next in this animated adaptation of the well-known-in-Japan-anyway “Kouga Ninpou-chou” novel, Gennosuke of the Kouga ninja clan tries to keep his cool whilst being held hostage by the rival Iga clan. Tensions mount, you know, that sort of thing.

Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo
(Cartoon Network)
Saturday August 12 10:30pm - Episode 40 "The Fall of Halekulani and the Winter of Discontent"

Bo-bobo fights Halekulani by throwing stuff around and turning into a turd, or something. Spoiler: I will laugh and applaud along to all of this.

Case Closed
(YTV)
Saturday August 19 12:00am - Episode 20 "Fashion Sense"

Conan investigates yet another grisly murder, when a hopeful young model-wannabe is killed in her own home after an interview with a powerful designer. Sleuthing abounds!

Fullmetal Alchemist
(YTV)
Friday August 18 10:00pm - Episode 25 "Words of Farewell" (Repeats Sat Aug 19 1:00am)

One of the saddest episodes of FMA ever! While Ed and Al blithely continue along with their search for the Philosopher's Stone, Hughes and the recently-hired Sciezka uncover a bit more about the Lab 5/Homunculus debacle than they should have.

IGPX
(Cartoon Network)
Saturday August 19 12:00am - Episode 25 "Hostile Contradiction"

Do I know what goes on in this episode? Does anybody? No, but watch it anyway. All of the recent episodes have been an absolute blast, and simple statistics show that this trend of goodness will continue unabated. Being that this is the penultimate episode, as well, one can expect Team Satomi's trip to the IGPX finals to end on quite an inauspicious cliffhanger. Again, trusting statistics to be accurate, anyway.

Inuyasha
(YTV)
Friday August 18 9:00pm - Episode 154 "The Demon Linked With the Netherworld" (Repeats Sat Aug 19 2:30am)

Inuyasha's final season has taken a short hiatus in the US, but continues along in the land of Mounties and round, bologna-like “bacon.” This week, Naraku doesn't take Abi's letter of resignation too well, leading Inuyasha and the others to leap to her (as well as Abi's captive mother) defense.

Naruto
(Cartoon Network)
Saturday August 12 9:00pm - Episode 47 "A Failure Stands Tall!"

The ninja beat-down continues on Naruto, featuring the culmination of the grand sibling rivalry between Hinata and Neji Hyuuga. The outcome becomes possibly fatal, however, as Neji refuses to relent his assault and Hinata refuses to take the loss, despite the overwhelming odds. My sister and I, our worst squabbles were fought with Street Fighter II and paper-rock-scissors. I'm sure if we knew ninjitsu things would've been quite similar.

Oban Star-Racers
(Toon Disney)
Monday August 14 7:30pm- Episode 11 "Silent Like Spirit" (Repeats Tue Aug 15 12:30am)

Again, I don't know what goes on in this episode, but the important thing is that I am going to watch it and that means you should as well. It's quality!

Pokemon Chronicles
(Cartoon Network)
Saturday August 12 7:30pm - Episode 12 "Celebi and Joy!"

A young lad and a time-traveling Pokemon take a magical journey in order to save a life. I guess when you don't have a Delorean or a bespectacled, frazzle-haired mad scientist to accompany you, a Pokemon will have to suffice.

Samurai 7
(Independent Film Channel)
Saturday August 12 10:30pm - Episode 20 "The Execution" (Repeats Sun Aug 13 1:35am, Thu Aug 17 11:30pm, Fri Aug 18 2:30am)

Whilst the now-powerful Ukyo's plan reveals itself, Kambei awaits a brutal execution, and the others arrive for his rescue. Now, say it in your cliched-announcer voice: But will they make it in time?!? Thank you.

(Razer)
Thursday August 17 5:00pm - Episode 7 "The Friend" (Repeats Fri Aug 18 12:00am, 12:30pm)

Meanwhile in Canada, 13-episodes prior: Kambei and the others arrive at a peaceful village, and Kambei reunites with an old war buddy. Can he convince his old friend to abandon his newfound happiness to fight alongside them? I mean, I wouldn't, but that's just me.

Samurai Deeper Kyo
(Encore WAM)
-Saturday August 12 4:30pm - Episode 10 "Cold Blood Illusion" (Repeats Sun Aug 13 1:30am, 6:30am)
-Sunday August 13 4:30pm - Episode 11 "Pitch Black Flashback" (Repeats Mon Aug 14 1:30am, 6:30am)
-Monday August 14 4:30pm - Episode 12 "The Boy From the Deep Forest" (Repeats Tue Aug 15 1:30am, 6:30am)
-Tuesday August 15 4:30pm - Episode 13 "Crossing Souls" (Repeats Wed Aug 16 1:30am, 6:30am)
-Wednesday August 16 4:30pm - Episode 14 "Satan Again" (Repeats Thu Aug 17 1:30am, 6:30am)
-Thursday August 17 4:30pm - Episode 15 "Our Friend Red Tiger" (Repeats Fri Aug 18 1:30am, 6:30am)

In case your diet is sorely lacking of samurai shows, Samurai Deeper Kyo has a full week's worth of evil-repressing, bad guy-slaying action for your tender palette. This week: Kyo flashes back to his life prior to his demon infestation, encounters a mysterious boy in the woods, and fights all kinds of stuff.

Trinity Blood
(Razer)
Thursday August 17 6:00pm - Episode 7 "Never Land" (Repeats Fri Aug 18 1:00am, 1:30pm)

Abel Nightroad (man I love saying that name for some reason) is sent to investigate reports of several freighters being attacked by vicious vampire fairies. Yes, vampire fairies. Vampire fairies. Anne Rice meets Brian Froud?

Yu-Gi-Oh! GX
(YTV)
Saturday August 12 12:00pm - Episode 46 "Amnael's Endgame, Part 2"

While Jaden continues his duel against the eeevil-sounding Amnael, the fiend's true identity is discovered! It sends shockwaves across the Yu-Gi-Oh community, which quickly subside and are promptly forgotten about.

Zatch Bell
(Cartoon Network)
Saturday August 12 8:00pm - Episode 62 "Impact of the V! Very Melon!"

I'm fairly certain if Viz decided to simply leave the episode titles in Japanese, they would make more sense than whatever gobbledygook nonsense I'm looking at right now. “Very Melon”? I'm not sure I want “very melon.” Anyway: Zatch and Kiyo encounter a kooky mamodo named Victoream, who has a voracious appetite for, as the title implies, melons.

MOVIES/SPECIALS

Black Magic M-66
(Encore Action)
Monday August 14 12:30pm

Gundress
(Encore Action)
Wednesday August 16 3:15pm

The Weathering Continent
(Encore Action)
Sunday August 13 3:30pm (Repeats Wed Aug 16 6:40am)

These movies/OAVs have all been aired before. They will, most definitely, be aired again. Oh, and of course, they are all available on DVD. Out of the three, I would recommend: reading a book.

That's all for the week, I'll be back the next! Especially since the con season is now over and I won't send my editors tardy articles while they're scurrying about downtown Baltimore. Tee-hee.

REPEATS/STRIPS

10 Tokyo Warriors
(Encore Action)
-Mon Aug 14 5:10am - Episode TBA

Basilisk
(Razer)
-Sat Aug 12 10:00pm - Episode 6 "Longing in the Rain" (R Sun Aug 13 1:00am, 11:00am)

Battle B-Daman
(YTV)
-Tue Aug 15 3:30pm - Episode TBA
-Thu Aug 17 3:30pm - Episode 39 "Over Troubled Water"

Beyblade
(YTV)
-Sat Aug 12 5:30am - Episode 50 "New and Cyber Improved"
-Sat Aug 12 1:00pm - Episode 22 "Blading With the Stars"
-Tue Aug 15 5:30am - Episode 51 "Final Showdown"
-Wed Aug 16 5:30am - Episode 52 "Shot Down in Flames"
-Thu Aug 17 5:30am - Episode 53 "Search for Mr. X"
-Fri Aug 18 5:30am - Episode 54 "Unseen and Unleashed"

Big O
(Cartoon Network)
-Tue Aug 15 1:30am - Episode 13 "RD" (R Tue Aug 15 5:00am)
-Wed Aug 16 1:30am - Episode 14 "Roger the Wanderer" (R Wed Aug 16 5:00am)
-Thu Aug 17 1:30am - Episode 15 "Negotiation With the Dead" (R Thu Aug 17 5:00am)
-Fri Aug 18 1:30am - Episode 16 "Day of the Advent" (R Fri Aug 18 5:00am)

Chrono Crusade
(Showtime Beyond)
-Sat Aug 12 2:35am - Episode 2 "Contractor" (R Mon Aug 14 12:00am, Fri Aug 18 12:20am)
-Fri Aug 18 9:00pm - Episode 3 "Servants"

Digimon
(ABC Family)
-Sat Aug 12 7:00am - Episode 107 "To Fight or Not to Fight"
-Sun Aug 13 7:00am - Episode 108 "It Came From the Other Side"

(Toon Disney)
-Sat Aug 12 9:30pm - Episode 115 "Much Ado About Musyamon" (R Sun Aug 13 2:00am)
-Mon Aug 14 2:00am - Episode 116 "Divided They Stand"
-Tue Aug 15 9:30pm - Episode 183 "Darkness Before Dawn" (R Wed Aug 16 2:30am)
-Wed Aug 16 9:30pm - Episode 75 "The Crest of Kindness" (R Thu Aug 17 2:30am)
-Thu Aug 17 9:30pm - Episode 76 "Davis Cries Wolfman" (R Fri Aug 18 2:30am)

Dragon Ball GT
(YTV)
-Sat Aug 12 3:30am - Episode 58 "Li Shenron Claims the Power of the Seven"

Dragon Ball Z
(Cartoon Network)
-Sat Aug 19 12:30am - Episode 98 "Suicidal Course"

Fullmetal Alchemist
(Cartoon Network)
-Tue Aug 15 1:00am - Episode 1 "To Challenge the Sun" (R Tue Aug 15 4:30am)
-Wed Aug 16 1:00am - Episode 2 "Body of the Sanctioned" (R Wed Aug 16 4:30am)
-Thu Aug 17 1:00am - Episode 3 "Mother" (R Thu Aug 17 4:30am)
-Fri Aug 18 1:00am - Episode 4 "A Forger's Love" (R Fri Aug 18 4:30am)

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
(YTV)
-Sat Aug 19 12:30am - Episode 22 "Scandal"

Gigantor
(Cartoon Network)
-Tue Aug 15 5:30am - Episode "The Atomic Flame"
-Wed Aug 16 5:30am - Episode "The Incredible Speed Machine"
-Thu Aug 17 5:30am - Episode "The Monster Magnet"
-Fri Aug 18 5:30am - Episode "Target Jupiter"

The Gokusen
(Encore WAM)
-Sat Aug 12 4:00pm - Episode 2 "Duel! Shin vs. Ojou?" (R Sun Aug 13 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Sun Aug 13 4:00pm - Episode 3 "Kuma's First Time" (R Mon Aug 14 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Mon Aug 14 4:00pm - Episode 4 "Oju Goes Blond! Whodunnit?" (R Tue Aug 15 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Tue Aug 15 4:00pm - Episode 5 "Oedo Clan in Crisis" (R Wed Aug 16 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Wed Aug 16 4:00pm - Episode 6 "Kyo-san's Knockout Performance" (R Thu Aug 17 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Thu Aug 17 4:00pm - Episode 7 "Shirokin Boy's Choir? Say What?" (R Fri Aug 18 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Fri Aug 18 4:00pm - Episode 8 "The Class Trip Into Hell Begins" (R Sat Aug 19 1:00am, 6:00am)

Gundam SEED
(YTV)
-Fri Aug 18 9:30pm - Episode 50 "To a Future That Never Ends" (R Sat Aug 19 1:30am)

Inuyasha
(Cartoon Network)
-Sun Aug 13 1:30am - Episode 143 "3000 Leagues in Search of Father" (R Sun Aug 13 4:30am)
-Tue Aug 15 12:30am - Episode 132 "Miroku's Most Dangerous Confession" (R Tue Aug 15 4:00am)
-Wed Aug 16 12:30am - Episode 133 "The Woman Who Loved Sesshomaru, Part 1" (R Wed Aug 16 4:00am)
-Thu Aug 17 12:30am - Episode 134 "The Woman Who Loved Sesshomaru, Part 2" (R Thu Aug 17 4:00am)
-Fri Aug 18 12:30am - Episode 135 "A Strange Invisible Demon Appears!" (R Fri Aug 18 4:00am)

Kirby: Right Back at Ya!
(4KidsTV)
-Sat Aug 12 7:30am - Episode 9 "The Fofa Factor"
-Sat Aug 12 9:30am - Episode 39 "Prediction: Predicament, Part 2"

Magical DoReMi
(4KidsTV)
-Sat Aug 12 7:00am - Episode 9 "A Runaway Fairy"

Naruto
(Cartoon Network)
-Sat Aug 12 8:30pm - Episode 46 "Byakugan Battle: Hinata Grows Bold!"
-Mon Aug 14 10:00pm - Episode 9 "Kakashi: Sharingan Warrior"
-Tue Aug 15 10:00pm - Episode 10 "The Forest of Chakra"
-Wed Aug 16 10:00pm - Episode 11 "The Land Where a Hero Once Lived"
-Thu Aug 17 10:00pm - Episode 12 "Battle on the Bridge! Zabuza Returns!"

(YTV)
-Fri Aug 18 8:00pm - Episode 2 "My Name is Konohamaru" (R Sat Aug 19 2:00am)

Oban Star-Racers
(ABC Family)
-Sat Aug 12 10:30am - Episode 10 "Resistant Like Rush"
-Sun Aug 13 7:30am - Episode 1 "A Fresh Start"
-Sun Aug 13 8:00am - Episode 2 "Hostilities Break Out"
-Sun Aug 13 8:30am - Episode 3 "Grave Like Groor"
-Sun Aug 13 9:00am - Episode 4 "In Like Flint"
-Sun Aug 13 9:30am - Episode 5 "Cruel Like Ceres"
-Sun Aug 13 10:00am - Episode 6 "Playful Like Paradice"
-Sun Aug 13 10:30am - Episode 7 "Treacherous Like Toros"
-Sun Aug 13 11:00am - Episode 8 "Agile Like Aikka"
-Sun Aug 13 11:30am - Episode 9 "Surprising Like Super-Racer"

(Toon Disney)
-Sat Aug 12 8:30pm - Episode 9 "Surprising Like Super-Racer"
-Sun Aug 13 6:00pm - Episode 1 "A Fresh Start"
-Sun Aug 13 6:30pm - Episode 2 "Hostilities Break Out"
-Sun Aug 13 7:00pm - Episode 3 "Grave Like Groor"
-Sun Aug 13 7:30pm - Episode 4 "In Like Flint"
-Sun Aug 13 8:00pm - Episode 5 "Cruel Like Ceres"
-Sun Aug 13 8:30pm - Episode 6 "Playful Like Paradice"
-Sun Aug 13 9:00pm - Episode 7 "Treacherous Like Toros"
-Sun Aug 13 9:30pm - Episode 8 "Agile Like Aikka"
-Sun Aug 13 10:00pm - Episode 9 "Surprising Like Super-Racer"

One Piece
(YTV)
-Sat Aug 12 4:00am - Episode 6 "The Beast Breaker"

(Cartoon Network)
-Sat Aug 12 9:30pm - Episode 56 "Let's Get Ready to Rumble"
-Sat Aug 12 10:00pm - Episode 57 "The Once and Future King"

Peacemaker
(Showtime Beyond)
-Sun Aug 13 11:30pm - Episode 11 "Plot" (R Fri Aug 18 12:45am)
-Fri Aug 18 9:30pm - Episode 12 "Big Brother"

Pokemon
(KidsWB)
-Sat Aug 12 10:00am - Episode 370 "The Scuffle of Legends"

(Cartoon Network)
-Mon Aug 14 5:00pm - Episode 376 "Claydol Big and Tall"
-Tue Aug 15 5:00pm - Episode 377 "Once in a Mawile"
-Wed Aug 16 5:00pm - Episode 378 "Beg, Borrow and Steal"
-Thu Aug 17 5:00pm - Episode 379 "Absol-ute Disaster"
-Fri Aug 18 5:00pm - Episode 380 "Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snorunt"

(YTV)
-Tue Aug 15 5:00am - Episode 405 "A Real Cleffa-Hanger!"
-Wed Aug 16 5:00am - Episode 406 "Numero Uno Articuno"
-Thu Aug 17 5:00am - Episode 407 "The Symbol Life"
-Fri Aug 18 5:00am - Episode 408 "Hooked on Onix"

Pokemon Chronicles
(YTV)
-Sat Aug 12 5:00am - Episode 7 "We're No Angels"

(Cartoon Network)
-Sat Aug 12 7:00pm - Episode 11 "A Date With Delcatty!"

Samurai 7
(Razer)
-Sat Aug 12 9:30pm - Episode 6 "The Fool" (R Sun Aug 13 12:30am, 10:30am)

Samurai Deeper Kyo
(Encore WAM)
-Fri Aug 18 4:30pm - Episode 1 "Road to Armageddon" (R Sat Aug 19 1:30am, 6:30am)

Spider Riders
(KidsWB)
-Sat Aug 12 10:30am - Episode 6 "Spider Riders Ball"

Super Milk-Chan
-Sun Aug 13 5:00am - Episode 5 "Rice Cakes Stretching and Shrinking"

Texhnolyze
(Encore Action)
-Sat Aug 12 12:00am - Episode 9 "Wiggle"
-Sat Aug 12 12:30am - Episode 10 "Conclusion"
-Tue Aug 15 12:00am - Episode 11 "Vagrant" (R Tue Aug 15 4:30am, 12:00pm)
-Tue Aug 15 12:30am - Episode 12 "Precognition" (R Tue Aug 15 12:30pm)
-Wed Aug 16 12:00am - Episode 13 "Vista" (R Wed Aug 16 12:00pm)
-Wed Aug 16 12:30am - Episode 14 "Rejection" (R Wed Aug 16 12:30pm)
-Thu Aug 17 12:00am - Episode 15 "Shapes" (R Thu Aug 17 6:15am, 12:00pm)
-Thu Aug 17 12:30am - Episode 16 "Strain" (R Thu Aug 17 12:30pm)
-Fri Aug 18 12:00am - Episode 17 "Dependence" (R Fri Aug 18 12:00pm)
-Fri Aug 18 12:30am - Episode 18 "Throne" (R Fri Aug 18 12:30pm)

Transformers Cybertron
(Cartoon Network)
-Mon Aug 14 6:00am - Episode 8 "Collapse"
-Tue Aug 15 6:00am - Episode 9 "Time"
-Wed Aug 16 6:00am - Episode 10 "Search"
-Thu Aug 17 6:00am - Episode 11 "Deep"
-Fri Aug 18 6:00am - Episode 12 "Ship"

(YTV)
-Sat Aug 12 3:00am - Episode 2 "Haven" (R Sat Aug 12 1:30pm)

Trinity Blood
(Razer)
-Sat Aug 12 10:30pm - Episode 6 "Sword Dancer" (R Sun Aug 13 1:30am, 11:30am)

Ultimate Muscle: The Kinnikuman Legacy
(4KidsTV)
-Sat Aug 12 10:00am - Episode 1 "A Legacy Reborn"

Viewtiful Joe
(KidsWB)
-Sat Aug 12 11:30am - Episode 18 "V-Watch Out!"

Yu-Gi-Oh!
(KidsWB)
-Sat Aug 12 7:00am - Episode 195 "One Step Ahead, Part 2"
-Sat Aug 12 7:30am - Episode 196 "Sinister Secrets, Part 1"

(YTV)
-Sat Aug 12 4:30am - Episode 213 "Village of Vengeance, Part 5"
-Tue Aug 15 4:30am - Episode 214 "Name of the Game"
-Wed Aug 16 4:30am - Episode 215 "The Dark One Cometh, Part 1"
-Thu Aug 17 4:30am - Episode 216 "The Dark One Cometh, Part 2"
-Fri Aug 18 4:30am - Episode 217 "The Dark One Cometh, Part 3"

Yu-Gi-Oh! GX
(Cartoon Network)
-Sat Aug 12 6:30pm - Episode 28 "School Duel"
-Mon Aug 14 5:30pm - Episode 48 "Rise of the Sacred Beasts, Part 1"
-Tue Aug 15 5:30pm - Episode 49 "Rise of the Sacred Beasts, Part 2"
-Wed Aug 16 5:30pm - Episode 50 "Magna Chum Laude"
-Thu Aug 17 5:30pm - Episode 51 "The Graduation Match, Part 1"
-Fri Aug 18 5:30pm - Episode 52 "The Graduation Match, Part 2"