The Click

December 30th to January 5th

Greetings, everyone, for a special New Years tinged edition of The Click! Much like last week, though, aside from the debut of a brand new show, things are relatively quiet on the TV front - to which the networks are largely blameless, as these winterly holidays aren't particularly conductive to TV ratings. Rather than throw new episodes out there to die alone and afraid in the cold, rerun marathons and movies take their place. Fortunately, though, these are some pretty cool marathons; Seven full hours of Bleach, and thirteen hours of Naruto. Just so you'll have something to watch, I suppose, while preparing yourself mentally and physically for the usual New Years bacchanalian shenanigans.

OBLIGATORY CAVEAT: Remember, all dates and times are tentative, all times listed are Eastern, a wasted youth is better by far than a wise and productive old age

FEATURED PROGRAM(S)

Afro Samurai
(Spike TV)
Thursday January 4 11:00pm - Episode 1 "Revenge" (Repeats Thu Jan 4 11:30pm, Fri Jan 5 12:30am, Sat Jan 6 1:30am)

It's finally here! The multi-million dollar collaboration between one of Japan's most prolific animation studios, Gonzo, and the reeve of movie badassery, Samuel L. Jackson. The buzz has been hot on this show for some time - both for the general attention garnered by its star, as well as rumors of a wildly insane production budget and numerous delays. The exciting thing about Afro Samurai is that it's new to me, all of you, and most everybody outside of its own production staff. It hasn't aired yet in Japan, and near as I can tell, neither Spike TV nor Funimation decided to bother with sending out any advance promotional copies. Will this be another dead-on-arrival Samuel L. Jackson buzzkill in the vein of Snakes on a Plane? Or will it actually be as cool as its potential indicates? I'll certainly be watching to find out; hopefully the rest of you will follow my brave example.

PREMIERES:

.hack//Roots
(Cartoon Network)
Saturday December 30 5:00am - Episode 8 "Starting"

Haseo and his two hangers-on, Tabby and Sakisaka, venture forth into the grimy depths of "The World" in order to gather Virus Cores. Later, they visit the official "The World" forums and gripe about grinding, PvP content, and endgame.

Bleach
(YTV)
Friday January 5 10:30pm - Episode TBA

I was highly suspicious about any new episodes of anything airing on YTV's "Bionix" block last week, so I labeled most everything as "TBA" - that's "to be announced" for those not kept abreast on your acronyms - and it turns out I was right! YTV took the Adult Swim route, opting instead for a marathon of Inuyasha movies to combat what is typically one of the lowest-rated weeks of the TV year. This week? Things should probably return to normal; unfortunately, as typical when I'm trying to cover Canadian TV, I don't even know what normal is, so we'll keep things as TBA again.

Cut me some slack, here. I live about as geographically far apart from Canada while still living in North America.

Cowboy Bebop
(Razer)
Wednesday January 3 8:30pm - Episode 2 "Stray Dog Strut"

Thankfully, though, Razer keeps their schedules air-tight and online for literally months in advance, so all the good little boys and girls know that Cowboy Bebop, one of the irrefutable best animated series ever, marches onward with its second episode. Jet and Spike are looking to score the bounty on an elusive thief, with both of them eventually being thwarted by Ein, the world's smartest Welsh Corgi.

Eureka 7
(YTV)
Friday January 5 9:30pm - Episode TBA

Fullmetal Alchemist
(YTV)
Friday January 5 10:00pm - Episode TBA (Repeats Sat Jan 6 1:00am)

Up in Canada-land; Eureka 7 hits its stride, and Fullmetal Alchemist draws closer to its finale. Maybe. Or maybe there's an According to Jim marathon in its place? Man, fat people are so hilarious!

Gad Guard
(G4TechTV Canada)
-Monday January 1 8:30pm - Episode 15 "A Garden in the Sun"
-Tuesday January 2 8:30pm - Episode 16 "The Day We Bare Our Fangs"
-Wednesday January 3 8:30pm - Episode 17 "Gun-Sword-Beast"
-Thursday January 4 8:30pm - Episode 18 "The Logic of Those Who Leave"
-Friday January 5 8:30pm - Episode 19 "A Road Companion"

No need to feel superior over your glut of premiere episodes compared to our surplus of repeats, Canada - most of these shows we're done with already, and are moldy and probably bad. I wouldn't want them anyway. This week on Gad Guard: Hajiki and friends run afoul of a dangerous arms smuggling ring, Hajiki threatens to leave town, and other GAD-related dramatic action!

Idaten Jump
(Cartoon Network)
-Thursday January 4 6:00am - Episode 9 "Rain"
-Friday January 5 6:00am - Episode 10 "Revelations"

Another week, another pair of new episodes about the Bestest Bike-Racer Ever and his (mis)adventures alongside his schoolyard chums on his metaphorical and literal race to the top! All in a timeslot that leads people to think that airing this show is merely a contractual thing and that it was never meant to actually be viewed by anyone.

Naruto
(YTV)
Friday January 5 8:00pm - Episode TBA (Repeats Sat Jan 6 2:30am)

This week, Naruto matches his ninja wits against the terrifying board of network programmers, who have seemingly taken the previous two weeks vacation and have left their schedule a complete mess, causing a poor, undeserving anime-on-TV writer much undue grief.

Samurai Champloo
(Razer)
Wednesday January 3 8:00pm - Episode 2 "Redeye Reprisal"

Samurai Champloo returns, alongside the excellent Cowboy Bebop, to brighten up an otherwise mediocre week on the Northern side of the North Americas. Mugen, Jin, and Fuu, the newly united band on the run, is pursued by a band of brigands, led by a guy whom Mugen kinda "disarmed" in the literal sense.

MOVIES/SPECIALS

Appleseed
(Encore Action)
Saturday December 30 12:00am (Repeats Sat Dec 30 1:10pm)

This movie feels somewhat new for the Encore Networks standard, in the sense that it's been at least two weeks or so since they last aired it. In fact, I might actually tune in to this broadcast out of curiosity - I viewed the CGI Appleseed movie on DVD when it was released last year, and remember being bored and underwhelmed, however movies typically have an opinion shelf life in my brain for exactly one year, so to keep things current I might as well give it another shot.

Spirited Away
(Cartoon Network)
Saturday December 30 6:30pm

Howl's Moving Castle
(Starz Edge)
Sunday December 31 11:20am (Repeats Sun Dec 31 9:00pm)

More Ghibli! Spirited Away takes over the three hours typically reserved for Toonami programming, which means Prince of Tennis and MAR were only on the air once before they were pre-empted, which must me some kind of record. Howl's Moving Castle, meanwhile, takes up well-earned space on one of Starz' myriad of premium movie channels; what "Edge" Howl has, precisely, eludes me, but I'm sure it'll come to me.

That's it for this week's new and noteworthy shows! Below lies a dank pit of reruns and such! I'll be back next week with a brand new haircut, suit, and tie!

REPEATS/STRIPS

Beyblade
(Toon Disney)
-Sun Dec 31 9:30pm - Episode 117 "Sleepless in Madrid" (R Mon Jan 1 2:00am)

Bleach
(Cartoon Network)
-Sat Dec 30 11:00pm - Episode 1
-Sat Dec 30 11:30pm - Episode 2
-Sun Dec 31 12:00am - Episode 3
-Sun Dec 31 12:30am - Episode 4
-Sun Dec 31 1:00am - Episode 5
-Sun Dec 31 1:30am - Episode 6
-Sun Dec 31 2:00am - Episode 7
-Sun Dec 31 2:30am - Episode 8
-Sun Dec 31 3:00am - Episode 9
-Sun Dec 31 3:30am - Episode 10
-Sun Dec 31 4:00am - Episode 11
-Sun Dec 31 4:30am - Episode 12
-Sun Dec 31 5:00am - Episode 13
-Sun Dec 31 5:30am - Episode 14

Chrono Crusade
(Showtime Beyond)
-Mon Jan 1 12:15am - Episode 22 "Sayonara" (R Fri Jan 5 2:40am)
-Fri Jan 5 9:00pm - Episode 23 "The Noise"

Daigunder
(Toon Disney)
-Sun Dec 31 10:30pm - Episode 1 "The Dream Begins" (R Mon Jan 1 3:00am)

Digimon
(Toon Disney)
-Sun Dec 31 9:00pm - Episode 142 "Azulongmon Explains It All" (R Mon Jan 1 1:30am)
-Mon Jan 1 8:00am - Episode 153 "D-Reaper's Feast" (R Tue Jan 2 2:30am)
-Mon Jan 1 10:30pm - Episode 175 "From Dawn to Duskmon" (R Tue Jan 2 3:00am)
-Tue Jan 2 8:00am - Episode 154 "Jeri Fights Back" (R Wed Jan 3 2:30am)
-Tue Jan 2 10:30pm - Episode 176 "Darkest Before Duskmon" (R Wed Jan 3 3:00am)
-Wed Jan 3 8:00am - Episode 155 "Such Sweet Sorrow" (R Thu Jan 4 2:30am)
-Wed Jan 3 10:30pm - Episode 177 "Home Again, Takuya Returns" (R Thu Jan 4 3:00am)
-Thu Jan 4 8:00am - Episode 156 "All Aboard" (R Fri Jan 5 2:30am)
-Thu Jan 4 10:30pm - Episode 178 "Sockit Takuya" (R Fri Jan 5 3:00am)
-Fri Jan 5 8:00am - Episode 157 "Lobomon: Warrior of Light" (R Sat Jan 6 2:30am)
-Fri Jan 5 10:30pm - Episode 179 "Alone but Never Alone" (R Sat Jan 6 3:00am)

Fullmetal Alchemist
(Cartoon Network)
-Tue Jan 2 12:30am - Episode 26 "Her Reason" (R Tue Jan 2 4:00am)
-Wed Jan 3 12:30am - Episode 27 "Teacher" (R Wed Jan 3 4:00am)
-Thu Jan 4 12:30am - Episode 28 "All Is One, One Is All" (R Thu Jan 4 4:00am)
-Fri Jan 5 12:30am - Episode 29 "The Untainted Child" (R Fri Jan 5 4:00am)

G.I. Joe Sigma 6
(4KidsTV)
-Sat Dec 30 10:00am - Episode "Hidden"

Gokusen
(Encore WAM)
-Sun Dec 31 4:00pm - Episode 5 "Ooedoo Clan in Crisis" (R Mon Jan 1 2:00am, 8:00am)

(Encore Action)
-Tue Jan 2 12:00am - Episode 1 "Rookie Teacher With a Secret Is Born!" (R Tue Jan 2 11:05am)
-Tue Jan 2 12:30am - Episode 2 "Duel! Shin vs. Ojou?" (R Tue Jan 2 11:30am)
-Tue Jan 2 1:00am - Episode 3 "Kuma's First Time"
-Wed Jan 3 12:00am - Episode 4 "Oju Goes Blond! Whodunnit?" (R Wed Jan 3 11:40am)
-Wed Jan 3 12:30am - Episode 5 "Ooedoo Clan in Crisis" (R Wed Jan 3 12:10pm)
-Wed Jan 3 1:00am - Episode 6 "Kyo-san's Knockout Performance"
-Thu Jan 4 12:00am - Episode 7 "Shirokin Boy's Choir? Say What?" (R Thu Jan 4 3:30am, 12:00pm)
-Thu Jan 4 12:30am - Episode 8 "The Class Trip Into Hell Begins" (R Thu Jan 4 12:30pm)
-Thu Jan 4 1:00am - Episode 9 "Schoolground Battle Without Honor" (R Thu Jan 4 1:00pm)
-Fri Jan 5 12:00am - Episode 10 "School in the Crosshairs"
-Fri Jan 5 12:30am - Episode 11 "Shin Drops Out of School"
-Fri Jan 5 1:00am - Episode 12 "Shirokin High Closing"
-Fri Jan 5 1:30am - Episode 13 "Yakumi's Final Act of Honor"

Inuyasha
(Cartoon Network)
-Tue Jan 2 1:00am - Episode 1 "The Girl Who Overcame Time and the Boy Who Was Just Overcome" (R Tue Jan 2 4:30am)
-Tue Jan 2 1:30am - Episode 2 "Seekers of the Sacred Jewel" (R Tue Jan 2 5:00am)
-Wed Jan 3 1:00am - Episode 3 "Down the Rabbit Hole & Back Again" (R Wed Jan 3 4:30am)
-Wed Jan 3 1:30am - Episode 4 "Yura of the Demon Hair" (R Wed Jan 3 5:00am)
-Thu Jan 4 1:00am - Episode 5 "Aristocratic Assassin, Sesshomaru" (R Thu Jan 4 4:30am)
-Thu Jan 4 1:30am - Episode 6 "Tetsusaiga, the Phantom Sword" (R Thu Jan 4 5:00am)
-Fri Jan 5 1:00am - Episode 7 "Showdown! Inuyasha vs. Sesshomaru" (R Fri Jan 5 4:30am)
-Fri Jan 5 1:30am - Episode 8 "The Toad Who Would Be the Prince" (R Fri Jan 5 5:00am)

Kirby: Right Back At Ya!
(4KidsTV)
-Sat Dec 30 8:00am - Episode 29 "Cappy New Year"

Mirage of Blaze
(Encore WAM)
-Mon Jan 1 4:30pm - Episode 1 "Ill Fated Destiny" (R Tue Jan 2 2:30am, 8:30am)
-Tue Jan 2 4:30pm - Episode 2 "Possessor From the Darkness" (R Wed Jan 3 2:30am, 8:30am)
-Wed Jan 3 4:30pm - Episode 3 "An Imperfect Awakening" (R Thu Jan 4 2:30am, 8:30am)
-Thu Jan 4 4:30pm - Episode 4 "Premonition of a Chain Reaction" (R Fri Jan 5 2:30am, 8:30am)
-Fri Jan 5 4:30pm - Episode 5 "Endless Conflict" (R Sat Jan 6 2:30am, 8:30am)

Mon Colle Knights
(Toon Disney)
-Sun Dec 31 11:00pm - Episode 1 "Just Another Mon-Day" (R Mon Jan 1 3:30am)

Naruto
(Cartoon Network)
-Sun Dec 31 9:00am - Episode 42 "The Ultimate Battle: Cha!"
-Sun Dec 31 9:30am - Episode 43 "Killer Kunoichi and a Shaky Shikamaru"
-Sun Dec 31 10:00am - Episode 44 "Akamaru Unleashed! Who's on Top Now?
-Sun Dec 31 10:30am - Episode 45 "Surprise Attack: Naruto's Secret Weapon"
-Sun Dec 31 11:00am - Episode 46 "Byakugan Battle: Hinata Grows Bold!"
-Sun Dec 31 11:30am - Episode 47 "A Failure Stands Tall!"
-Sun Dec 31 12:00pm - Episode 48 "Gaara vs Rock Lee: The Power of Youth Explodes"
-Sun Dec 31 12:30pm - Episode 49 "Lee's Hidden Strength: Forbidden Secret Jutsu"
-Sun Dec 31 1:00pm - Episode 50 "The Fifth Gate: A Splendid Ninja is Born"
-Sun Dec 31 1:30pm - Episode 51 "A Shadow in Darkness: Danger Approaches Sasuke"
-Sun Dec 31 2:00pm - Episode 52 "Ebisu Returns: Naruto's Toughest Training Yet"
-Sun Dec 31 2:30pm - Episode 53 "Long Time No See: Jiraiya Returns"
-Sun Dec 31 3:00pm - Episode 54 "Summoning Jutsu: Wisdom of the Toad Sage"
-Sun Dec 31 3:30pm - Episode 55 "A Feeling of Yearning, a Flower Full of Hope"
-Sun Dec 31 4:00pm - Episode 56 "Live or Die! Risk it All to Win it All!"
-Sun Dec 31 4:30pm - Episode 57 "He Flies! He Jumps! He Lurks! Chief Toad Appears!"
-Sun Dec 31 5:00pm - Episode 58 "Hospital Besieged: The Evil Hand Revealed"
-Sun Dec 31 5:30pm - Episode 59 "The Final Rounds: Rush to the Battle Arena"
-Sun Dec 31 6:00pm - Episode 60 "Byakugan vs. Shadow Clone Jutsu"
-Sun Dec 31 6:30pm - Episode 61 "Ultimate Defense: Zero Blind Spot"
-Sun Dec 31 7:00pm - Episode 62 "A Failure's True Power"
-Sun Dec 31 7:30pm - Episode 63 "Hit it or Quit It: The Final Rounds Get Complicated"
-Sun Dec 31 8:00pm - Episode 64 "Zero Motivation: The Guy With Cloud Envy"
-Sun Dec 31 8:30pm - Episode 65 "Dancing Leaf, Squirming Sand"
-Sun Dec 31 9:00pm - Episode 66 "Bushy Brow's Jutsu: Sasuke Style"
-Sun Dec 31 9:30pm - Episode 67 "Late for the Show, But Ready to Go! The Ultimate Secret Technique is Born"

Oban Star-Racers
(Toon Disney)
-Sat Dec 30 8:30am - Episode 2 "Hostilities Break Out"
-Sat Dec 30 10:00pm - Episode 1 "A Fresh Start" (R Sun Dec 31 2:30am)
-Sun Dec 31 8:30am - Episode 3 "Grave Like Groor"
-Tue Jan 2 1:30am - Episode 7 "Treacherous Like Toros" (R Fri Jan 5 9:00pm, Sat Jan 6 1:30am)

Peacemaker
(Showtime Beyond)
-Sun Dec 31 11:45pm - Episode 7 "Suzu" (R Fri Jan 5 3:10am)
-Fri Jan 5 9:30pm - Episode 8 "Love"

Pokemon
(Cartoon Network)
-Tue Jan 2 7:00am - Episode 417 "The Saffron Con"
-Tue Jan 2 5:00pm - Episode 381 "Beg, Borrow and Steal"
-Wed Jan 3 7:00am - Episode 418 "A Hurdle for Squirtle"
-Wed Jan 3 5:00pm - Episode 382 "Absol-ute Disaster"
-Thu Jan 4 7:00am - Episode 419 "Pasta Lavista!"
-Thu Jan 4 5:00pm - Episode 383 "Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snorunt"
-Fri Jan 5 7:00am - Episode 368 "Clamperl of Wisdom"
-Fri Jan 5 5:00pm - Episode 384 "Do I Hear a Ralts?"

Pokemon Chronicles
(Cartoon Network)
-Tue Jan 2 5:30pm - Episode 16 "Luvdisc is a Many Splendored Thing"
-Wed Jan 3 5:30pm - Episode 17 "Those Darn Electabuzz!"
-Thu Jan 4 5:30pm - Episode 18 "The Search for the Legend"
-Fri Jan 5 5:30pm - Episode 21 "Of Meowth and Pokemon"

Saiyuki Reload
(Encore WAM)
-Mon Jan 1 4:00pm - Episode 1 "Run" (R Tue Jan 2 2:00am, 8:00am)
-Tue Jan 2 4:00pm - Episode 2 "Wanted Dead or Alive" (R Wed Jan 3 2:00am, 8:00am)
-Wed Jan 3 4:00pm - Episode 3 "Lethal Weapon" (R Thu Jan 4 2:00am, 8:00am)
-Thu Jan 4 4:00pm - Episode 4 "Negative Energy" (R Fri Jan 5 2:00am, 8:00am)
-Fri Jan 5 4:00pm - Episode 5 "Voice" (R Sat Jan 6 2:00am, 8:00am)

Samurai 7
(Independant Film Channel)
-Sat Dec 23 8:00am - Episode TBA
-Sat Dec 23 8:25am - Episode TBA

Samurai Deeper Kyo
(Encore WAM)
-Sun Dec 31 4:30pm - Episode 5 "Tears of the Assassin" (R Mon Jan 1 2:30am, 8:30am)

Shinzo
(Toon Disney)
-Sat Dec 30 4:00am - Episode 1 "The Awakening"
-Sun Dec 31 10:00pm - Episode 17 "The Great War" (R Mon Jan 1 2:30am)
-Tue Jan 2 4:00am - Episode 2 "Bee-Ware the Hunters"
-Wed Jan 3 4:00am - Episode 3 "Web of Evil"
-Thu Jan 4 4:00am - Episode 4 "Day at the Park"
-Fri Jan 5 4:00am - Episode 5 "Kiri"

Transformers Cybertron
(Cartoon Network)
-Mon Jan 1 6:00am - Episode 42 "Ambush"
-Tue Jan 2 6:00am - Episode 43 "Challenge"
-Wed Jan 3 6:00am - Episode 44 "Duel"

Voltron
(Cartoon Network)
-Tue Jan 2 5:30am - Episode 44 "Magnetic Attraction"
-Wed Jan 3 5:30am - Episode 29 "Sleeping Princess"
-Thu Jan 4 5:30am - Episode 39 "The Sincerest Form of Flattery"
-Fri Jan 5 5:30am - Episode 52 "A Transplant for the Blue Lion"

Yu-Gi-Oh!
(4KidsTV)
-Sat Dec 30 9:30am - Episode 12 "Trial by Red Eyes"