The Click

December 9th - December 15th

Salutations and other formal greetings! Somehow another week has elapsed, and that means I need to begin my weekly ritual of focusing all of my innate talent and abilities towards compiling and writing about that most vaunted of subjects, anime on TV. Remember that all dates and times are tentative, all times listed are Eastern, don't tug on Superman's cape, et cetera.

This is going to be a relatively laid back Click iteration this week. Instead of some long-winded diatribe about videogames or Objectivist treatise, I'm going to forgo any sort of introduction and simply lay out all the TV goodness you kind folks enjoy. Except for those that don't receive any sort of enjoyment from television. Vegans, in other words.

Voltron
(Cartoon Network)
-Tuesday December 12 5:30am - Episode 17 "My Brother is a Robeast"
-Wednesday December 13 5:30am - Episode 18 "Zakron is Dying"
-Thursday December 14 5:30am - Episode 19 "The Buried Castle"
-Friday December 15 5:30am - Episode 20 "Pidge's Home Planet"

As much fun as watching Gigantor at 5:30 in the morning after a particularly rough night on the town, Voltron is the sort of show that hits much harder with myself and doubtless others in my demographic. Not to mention how Adult Swim has awesomely decided to stream a small handful of episodes online via their free broadband video service, "The Fix." The usage thereof has allowed me to view my first episode of Voltron since I was a wee lad. I have to admit, as much (well deserved) grief we give to companies like 4Kids that edit their anime properties to bits, Voltron is fun as hell. And everybody is miraculously saved offscreen thanks to needless expository dialog! Awesome!

PREMIERES

.hack//Roots
(Cartoon Network)
Saturday December 9 5:00am - Episode 5 "Distrust"

If you actually stay up until 5:00am to watch this show because you don't have TiVo, and it doesn't immediately put you to sleep, you deserve some kind of award. Anyway, watch in a bleary-eyed, half-asleep stupor as what appears to be a glitch in "The World"'s clever virtual facade.

Basilisk
(Razer)
Thursday December 14 5:30pm - Episode 24 "Requiem" (Repeats Fri Dec 15 12:30am)

Two ninja enter; one ninja leaves! The beaten, poisoned, and all around effed-up Gennosuke fights against the advantageously unharmed Oboro. For honor.

Bleach
(Cartoon Network)
Sunday December 10 12:00am - Episode 14 (Repeats Sun Dec 10 3:00am)

Rukia explains the cold, hard truth behind the extermination of the Quincy clan, to which Uryu is a direct descendant, by the Shinigami some two centuries prior. Uryu understandably has misgivings about that, but he and the quarreling Ichigo must put their quirky differences aside to fight a menacing, newly formed Hollow.

(YTV)
Friday December 15 10:30pm - Episode 15

Like a stopgap between story arcs, enjoy this silly and rather un-fulfilling filler episode! Kon attempts to adapt to a new life as a lifeless yet highly libidinous stuffed creature, all with the usual comic pratfalls.

Daigunder
(Toon Disney)
Sunday December 10 10:30pm - Episode 27 "The Battle for Ryugu" (Repeats Mon Dec 11 3:00am)

Remember last week, when I said that it was the "last Daigunder ever"? Turns out I was speaking directly from my own posterior. My shapely, highly toned posterior. Since compiling last week's listings, four more Daigunder episodes previously unlisted have appeared. Guess the Toon Disney janitor found a couple more unaired episodes? If you're big on Daigunder, this is of course very good news, so celebrate by watching it.

Eureka 7
(Cartoon Network)
Sunday December 10 12:30am - Episode 33 "Pacific State" (Repeats Sun Dec 10 3:30am)

After a continued series of blunders and mishaps, Holland makes the kind of brash, surprising decision regarding the Gekkostate that traipses into that dangerous dominion known as "Spoiler Territory."

(YTV)
Friday December 15 9:30pm - Episode 14 "Memory Band"

After a tumultuous trip to the Corallian Zone, Dominic, Stoner, and other Gekko members ponder some of the mysteries surrounding Ehh-oo-rechh-ah, the Nirvash, and life and stuff.

Fullmetal Alchemist
(YTV)
Friday December 15 10:00pm - Episode 41 "Holy Mother" (Repeats Sat Dec 16 1:00am)

As Lior stands upon the cusp of all-out war with the Military, Ed learns of Scar's trickery to deceive innocent soldiers into becoming part of the ingredient list for the concoction of the Philosopher's Stone, which of course prompts the diminutive conjurer to warn his military superiors. Later: bad things happen!

Gad Guard
(G4TechTV Canada)
-Tuesday December 12 8:30pm - Episode 1 "Looking Up at the Same Sky"
-Wednesday December 13 8:30pm - Episode 2 "Putting the Pieces Together"
-Thursday December 14 8:30pm - Episode 3 "On a Street Corner in Night Town"
-Friday December 15 8:30pm - Episode 4 "With Bright Eyes"

Last week I made a dire prognostication to the effect of "G4TechTV in Canada will be showing nothing but reruns from now!" This happened to be wholly incorrect - I was mistaking G4TechTV Canada for the more-familiar (from my own perspective) American iteration, which re-ran 13-episode batches of their anime before canceling it entirely. Oops, I mean, "shifted due to programming error." Turns out the Canadian branch has learned of our failures, and has new Gad Guard lined up to fill the R.O.D. TV void.

Gad Guard? Whassat? A delivery boy named Hajiki accidentally opens a mysterious package, and discovers and soon bonds with a cubic piece of advanced technology known as a GAD! Gad-zooks!

Idaten Jump
(Cartoon Network)
-Thursday December 14 6:00am - Episode 3 "Rush"
-Friday December 15 6:00am - Episode 4 "Trap"

I scoured the dregs of YouTube to see if anything, at all would crop up about this bike-racing show. All I discovered was the second Japanese opening. After viewing the entire one minute and thirty-eight seconds of animation, I've postulated that Idaten Jump is another generic "toyetic" anime foisted upon children by opportunistic toymakers, in this case Hasbro. Feel free to angrily disagree if the show contains actual depth and character outside of the 98-second show open.

Kirby: Right Back at Ya!
(4KidsTV)
Saturday December 9 8:00am - Episode 100 "Fight to the Finish"

Just like Daigunder above, somebody at 4Kids uncovered another batch of unaired Kirby episodes somewhere. In this one, a new villain named The Cloaked Nightmare goes on a nonviolent rampage and Kirby is enlisted to help.

Naruto
(Cartoon Network)
Saturday December 9 9:00pm - Episode 65 "Dancing Leaf, Squirming Sand"

The marquee event of the Chunin Exams finally arrives, as Sasuke returns from his dormancy in order to, hopefully, pound the sadistic Gaara's face into the proverbial ground.

(YTV)
Friday December 15 8:00pm - Episode 59 "The Final Rounds: Rush to the Battle Arena" (Repeats Sat Dec 16 2:30am)

Rewind six episodes and we're suddenly at the very beginning of the final stage of the Chunin Exam, and Naruto is suffering from some serious cold feet. But with some encouraging words from both Hinata and Konohamaru, everybody's favorite catchphrase-spouting ninja is ready to rumble, erupting with newfound zest and zeal. Huzzah!

Oban Star-Racers
(Toon Disney)
-Thursday December 14 9:30am - Episode 22 "Revelations"
-Friday December 15 9:30am - Episode 23 "Cruel Like Kross"

These episodes have probably aired before, since Toon Disney's "Jetix" schedule has been rather screwy lately. Still, these two are new to me, and therefore, they must be new to everybody else. This week: Molly and her teammate Jordan attempt to reach civilization after being stranded in a desolate ravine following an intense race, leading to a revelatory run-in with the native creatures of Oban and the nature of the "Ultimate Prize."

One Piece
(YTV)
Friday December 15 7:30pm - Episode 41 "Switched Blades" (Repeats Sat Dec 16 3:00am)

Recent news of 4Kids' halted production of the One Piece dub has sparked plenty of conversation. Personally, I think having terrible One Piece is better than having no One Piece whatsoever; yes, an ideal situation would be a reputable company such as Funimation or whathaveyou purchasing the languid One Piece rights from 4Kids, but that's a scenario that seems costly and unlikely. For those Canadians among you feeling perhaps full of pity over the fate of One Piece, enjoy what may be the last opportunity to "enjoy" some "new" episodes with this little adventure, featuring Zo(r)(l)o and his acquisition of some fine new cutlery. Er, swords.

Pokemon
(Cartoon Network)
-Monday December 11 8:00pm - Episode 454 "May, We Harley Drew'd Ya"
-Tuesday December 12 8:00pm - Episode 455 "Thinning the Hoard"
-Wednesday December 13 8:00pm - Episode 456 "Channeling the Battle Zone"
-Thursday December 14 8:00pm - Episode 457 "Aipom and Circumstance"

The endless stream of new Pokemon seemingly stops this coming Thursday, though the reruns will no doubt remain ever vigilant. For those of you that enjoy Pokemon, and all joking aside there are a lot of you, watch as Ash and buddies compete in the Kanto Grand Festival.

R.O.D. the TV
(G4TechTV Canada)
Monday December 11 8:30pm - Episode 26 "From There On"

R.O.D. ends this Monday, as the eponymous Paper Sisters battle against the Great British Library. This winter, the Dewey Decimal System gets his.

Samurai 7
(Razer)
Thursday December 14 5:00pm - Episode 24 "The Oaths" (Repeats Fri Dec 15 12:00am)

Katsushiro races towards the besieged Kanna village, swearing to protect the village despite an onslaught from the Capital and their weapons of wanton violence and such.

Trinity Blood
(Cartoon Network)
Saturday December 9 11:30pm - Episode 14 "The Ibelis III: A Mark of Sinner" (Repeats Sun Dec 10 2:30am)

Several of the "Inquisition" airships fall under the control of the enemy vampire forces, whilst Abel and Esther and the others struggle to defeat a skilled undead assassin. There's a Monty Python "Spanish Inquisition" reference to made here, but damned if I can't think of one.

(Razer)
Thursday December 14 6:00pm - Episode 24 "The Crown of Thorns II: The Lord of Oath" (Repeats Fri Dec 15 1:00am)

The Contra Mundi, self-described "enemy of the world," somehow finds itself against the world as members of AX and the Inquisitorial Department and humans and vampires and everyone puts up the good fight.

Yu-Gi-Oh! GX
(Cartoon Network)
Saturday December 9 7:30pm - Episode 83 "Schooling the Master"

Zane, a student searching for a powerful, sealed deck of cards, finds himself fighting against Chancellor Sheppard for honor or power or something, I really don't know. I think in Yu-Gi-Oh, even simple handshakes are substituted for a frantic card duel.

Zatch Bell
(Cartoon Network)
-Saturday December 9 9:30pm - Episode 72 "Sing for Your Lives! The Terrible Belgim E. O."
-Saturday December 9 10:00pm - Episode 73 "Dr. Riddles, You'll Always Be My King"

My precious Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo gets the axe this week as those afro-hating villains at Cartoon Network make more room for the lightning-barfing antics of Zatch Bell. Anger seethes through every letter I type, you Cartoon Network people! Bo-bobo's imminent DVD release lessens some of the sting. Some.

Anyway, Zatch's buddy Parco Folgore attempts to impress the "Terrible Belgim E.O." with his sultry voice, with not-so-sultry results.

(YTV)
Friday December 15 8:30pm - Episode 49 "Dr. Riddles and the Majestic Twelve"

Dr. Riddles, the hilariously named villain, traps the book-wielding duo in a series of elaborate traps and mazes before confronting them and seemingly defeating them, until the tables turn somehow!

MOVIES/SPECIALS

Pokemon: Jirachi Wish Maker
(Cartoon Network)
Monday December 11 11:30am

Ehh.

Steamboy
(Encore Action)
Saturday December 9 4:20pm (Repeats Sun Dec 10 1:30am)

4 20? Pot joke!

(Encore WAM)
Thursday December 14 7:40pm

7 40 doesn't lend itself to any pot jokes that I'm aware of, so ehhh.

Dead Leaves
(Encore Action)
Wednesday December 13 2:40am

Meh.

Karas: The Prophecy
(Encore Action)
Tuesday December 12 2:20am

(Encore WAM)
Wednesday December 13 9:30pm

Mehhhh... s'alright, I guess.

Of course, "s'alright" pretty much describes everything on TV this week. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is what we in the writing business call bringing everything "full circle." I'll be back next week, with a fond look back at the year 2006! Below: repeats!

REPEATS/STRIPS

Beyblade
(Toon Disney)
-Sun Dec 10 9:30pm - Episode 114 "When in Rome... Let it Rip!" (R Mon Dec 11 2:00am)

Chrono Crusade
(Showtime Beyond)
-Mon Dec 11 12:00am - Episode 19 "Atonement" (R Mon Dec 11 5:30am, Thu Dec 14 7:10pm, Fri Dec 15 1:45am, 8:35pm)
-Fri Dec 15 7:45pm - Episode 17 "Accomplices"
-Fri Dec 15 8:10pm - Episode 18 "Four People"
-Fri Dec 15 9:00pm - Episode 20 "Temptation"

Digimon
(Toon Disney)
-Sun Dec 10 9:00pm - Episode 139 "Give a Little Bit" (R Mon Dec 11 1:30am, Tue Dec 12 8:00am, Wed Dec 13 2:30am)
-Mon Dec 11 8:00am - Episode 138 "Lionheart" (R Tue Dec 12 2:30am)
-Mon Dec 11 10:30pm - Episode 160 "Ladies and Gentlemen: The Beetlemon!" (R Tue Dec 12 3:00am)
-Tue Dec 12 10:30pm - Episode 161 "A Molehill Out of a Mountain" (R Wed Dec 13 3:00am)
-Wed Dec 13 8:00am - Episode 140 "The Battle Within" (R Thu Dec 14 2:30am)
-Wed Dec 13 10:30pm - Episode 162 "Island of Misfit Boys" (R Thu Dec 14 3:00am)
-Thu Dec 14 8:00am - Episode 141 "No Mon is an Island" (R Fri Dec 15 2:30am)
-Thu Dec 14 10:30pm - Episode 163 "The Odd One Out" (R Fri Dec 15 3:00am)
-Fri Dec 15 8:00am - Episode 142 "Azulongmon Explains it All" (R Sat Dec 16 2:30am)
-Fri Dec 15 10:30pm - Episode 164 "Welcome to My Nightmare" (R Sat Dec 16 3:00am)

Dragon Ball Z
(Cartoon Network)
-Sat Dec 16 12:30am - Episode 125 "Seized With Fear"

Eiken
(Encore Action)
-Thu Dec 14 3:00am - Episode 1
-Thu Dec 14 3:30am - Episode 2

Fooly Cooly
(Cartoon Network)
-Tue Dec 12 1:30am - Episode 1 "Fooly Cooly" (R Tue Dec 12 5:00am)
-Wed Dec 13 1:30am - Episode 2 "Fire Starter" (R Wed Dec 13 5:00am)
-Thu Dec 14 1:30am - Episode 3 "Marquis de Carabas" (R Thu Dec 14 5:00am)
-Fri Dec 15 1:30am - Episode 4 "Full Swing" (R Fri Dec 15 5:00am)

Fullmetal Alchemist
(Cartoon Network)
-Tue Dec 12 1:00am - Episode 18 "Marcoh's Notes" (R Tue Dec 12 4:30am)
-Wed Dec 13 1:00am - Episode 19 "The Truth Behind Truths" (R Wed Dec 13 4:30am)
-Thu Dec 14 1:00am - Episode 20 "Soul of the Guardian" (R Thu Dec 14 4:30am)
-Fri Dec 15 1:00am - Episode 21 "The Red Glow" (R Fri Dec 15 4:30am)

G.I. Joe Sigma 6
(4KidsTV)
-Sat Dec 9 10:30am - Episode "Trap"

Gokusen
(Encore WAM)
-Sat Dec 9 4:00pm - Episode 10 "School in the Crosshairs" (R Sun Dec 10 8:00am)
-Sun Dec 10 4:00pm - Episode 11 "Shin Drops Out of School" (R Mon Dec 11 2:00am, 8:00am)
-Mon Dec 11 4:00pm - Episode 12 "Shirokin High Closing" (R Tue Dec 12 2:00am, 8:00am)
-Tue Dec 12 4:00pm - Episode 13 "Yakumi's Final Act of Honor" (R Wed Dec 13 2:00am, 8:00am)
-Wed Dec 13 4:00pm - Episode 1 "Rookie Teacher With a Secret is Born!" (R Thu Dec 14 2:00am, 8:00am)
-Thu Dec 14 4:00pm - Episode 2 "Duel! Shin vs. Ojou?" (R Fri Dec 15 2:00am, 8:00am)
-Fri Dec 15 4:00pm - Episode 3 "Kuma's First Time" (R Sat Dec 16 2:00am, 8:00am)

Inuyasha
(Cartoon Network)
-Tue Dec 12 12:30am - Episode 162 "Forever With Lord Sesshomaru" (R Tue Dec 12 4:00am)
-Wed Dec 13 12:30am - Episode 163 "Kohaku, Sango, and Kirara: The Secret Flower Garden" (R Wed Dec 13 4:00am)
-Thu Dec 14 12:30am - Episode 164 "Possessed by a Parasite: Shippo, Our Worst Enemy" (R Thu Dec 14 4:00am)
-Fri Dec 15 12:30am - Episode 165 "The Ultimate Key to Defeating Naraku" (R Fri Dec 15 4:00am)

Mon Colle Knights
(Toon Disney)
-Sun Dec 10 11:00pm - Episode 14 "Oh Brother!" (R Mon Dec 11 3:30am)

Naruto
(Cartoon Network)
-Sat Dec 9 8:30pm - Episode 64 "Zero Motivation: The Guy With Cloud Envy"

Oban Star-Racers
(Toon Disney)
-Sat Dec 9 8:30am - Episode 18 "Monstrous Like Muir"
-Sat Dec 9 10:00pm - Episode 20 "Secret Like Sul" (R Sun Dec 10 2:30am, Tue Dec 12 9:30am)
-Sun Dec 10 8:30am - Episode 19 "The Origin of the World" (R Mon Dec 11 9:30am)
-Tue Dec 12 1:30am - Episode 4 "In Like Flint" (Fri Dec 15 9:00pm, Sat Dec 16 1:30am)
-Wed Dec 13 9:30am - Episode 21 "Ominous Like O"

One Piece
(Cartoon Network)
-Sat Dec 9 10:30pm - Episode 71 "Odd Numbers"

Paranoia Agent
(Cartoon Network)
-Sun Dec 10 1:30am - Episode 7 "MHZ" (R Sun Dec 10 4:30am)

Peacemaker
(Showtime Beyond)
-Sun Dec 10 6:10pm - Episode 4 "Shadow" (R Sun Dec 10 11:30pm, Mon Dec 11 5:00am, Thu Dec 14 7:35pm, Fri Dec 15 2:10am)
-Fri Dec 15 9:30pm - Episode 5 "Moon"

Pokemon
(Cartoon Network)
-Sat Dec 9 9:00am - Episode 448 "New Plot, Old Lot"
-Sat Dec 9 9:30am - Episode 449 "Going for Choke"
-Sat Dec 9 7:00pm - Episode 424 "May's Egg-Cellent Adventure"
-Sun Dec 10 5:00pm - Episode 432 "Queen of the Serpentine"
-Sun Dec 10 5:30pm - Episode 433 "Off the Unbeaten Path"
-Mon Dec 11 7:00am - Episode 409 "Numero Uno Articuno"
-Mon Dec 11 5:00pm - Episode 417 "The Saffron Con"
-Tue Dec 12 7:00am - Episode 410 "The Symbol Life"
-Tue Dec 12 5:00pm - Episode 418 "A Hurdle for Squirtle"
-Wed Dec 13 7:00am - Episode 411 "Hooked on Onix"
-Wed Dec 13 5:00pm - Episode 419 "Pasta Lavista!"
-Thu Dec 14 7:00am - Episode 412 "Rough, Tough Jigglypuff"
-Thu Dec 14 5:00pm - Episode 368 "Clamperl of Wisdom"
-Fri Dec 15 7:00am - Episode 413 "On Cloud Arcanine"
-Fri Dec 15 5:00pm - Episode 369 "Really, Really Relicanth"

Pokemon Chronicles
(Cartoon Network)
-Mon Dec 11 5:30pm - Episode 1 "The Legend of Thunder, Part 1"
-Mon Dec 11 7:30pm - Episode 4 "Pikachu's Winter Vacation; Deliberd's Dilemma; Snorlax Snowman" (R Thu Dec 14 5:30pm)
-Tue Dec 12 5:30pm - Episode 2 "The Legend of Thunder, Part 2"
-Wed Dec 13 5:30pm - Episode 3 "The Legend of Thunder, Part 3"
-Fri Dec 15 5:30pm - Episode 5 "The Family That Battles Together Stays Together"

Samurai 7
(Independant Film Channel)
-Sat Dec 9 8:00am - Episode 19 "The Mutiny"
-Sat Dec 9 8:25am - Episode TBA

Samurai Champloo
(Cartoon Network)
-Sun Dec 10 1:00am - Episode 7 "A Risky Racket" (R Sun Dec 10 4:00am)

Samurai Deeper Kyo
(Encore Action)
-Sat Dec 9 12:00am - Episode 1 "Road to Armageddon" (R Sat Dec 9 12:00pm)
-Sat Dec 9 12:30am - Episode 2 "Wanted Dead or Alive" (R Sat Dec 9 12:30pm)
-Tue Dec 12 12:00am - Episode 3 "Red Mirage" (R Tue Dec 12 12:00pm)
-Tue Dec 12 12:30am - Episode 4 "The Creeping Nightmare" (R Tue Dec 12 12:30pm)
-Wed Dec 13 12:00am - Episode 5 "Tears of the Assassin" (R Wed Dec 13 6:35pm)
-Wed Dec 13 12:30am - Episode 6 "The Duel at Hibiya Bay" (R Wed Dec 13 7:05pm)
-Thu Dec 14 12:00am - Episode 7 "Keichou Era Battle Royal" (R Thu Dec 14 12:00pm)
-Thu Dec 14 12:30am - Episode 8 "Demon Spear Cries" (R Thu Dec 14 12:30pm)
-Fri Dec 15 12:00am - Episode 9 "The Blind Smile" (R Fri Dec 15 12:00pm)
-Fri Dec 15 12:30am - Episode 10 "Cold Blood Illusion" (R Fri Dec 15 12:30pm)

(Encore WAM)
-Sat Dec 9 4:30pm - Episode 10 "Cold Blood Illusion" (R Sun Dec 10 8:30am)
-Sun Dec 10 4:30pm - Episode 11 "Pitch Black Flashback" (R Mon Dec 11 2:30am, 8:30am)
-Mon Dec 11 4:30pm - Episode 12 "The Boy From the Deep Forest" (R Tue Dec 12 2:30am, 8:30am)
-Tue Dec 12 4:30pm - Episode 13 "Crossing Souls" (R Wed Dec 13 2:30am, 8:30am)
-Wed Dec 13 4:30pm - Episode 14 "Satan Again" (R Thu Dec 14 2:30am, 8:30am)
-Thu Dec 14 4:30pm - Episode 15 "Our Friend Red Tiger" (R Fri Dec 15 2:30am, 8:30am)
-Fri Dec 15 4:30pm - Episode 16 "Perfect Victory" (R Sat Dec 16 2:30am, 8:30am)

Shinzo
(Toon Disney)
-Sat Dec 9 4:00am - Episode 18 "Secrets of the Seven"
-Sun Dec 10 10:00pm - Episode 14 "The Dark Spirit of Destruction" (R Mon Dec 11 2:30am)
-Tue Dec 12 4:00am - Episode 19 "Feathered Friend"
-Wed Dec 13 4:00am - Episode 20 "The Two Mushrambos"
-Thu Dec 14 4:00am - Episode 21 "A Battle of One"
-Fri Dec 15 4:00am - Episode 22 "A New Beginning"

Transformers Cybertron
(Cartoon Network)
-Mon Dec 11 6:00am - Episode 30 "United"
-Tue Dec 12 6:00am - Episode 31 "Cybertron"
-Wed Dec 13 6:00am - Episode 32 "Balance"

Yu-Gi-Oh!
(4KidsTV)
-Sat Dec 9 9:30am - Episode 7 "Attack From the Deep"
-Sat Dec 9 10:00am - Episode 8 "Everything's Relative"