The Click

December 1 - 7

Oy! Hard to believe its been another week already, but alas, here we are, ready for another of what I hope is fun-filled frolics and fanciful finagling here on The Click!

But first, if I may be allowed to be somewhat serious for one brief fleeting moment: There's been lots of worrisome hand-wringing, on this website especially, regarding the so-called "death" of the anime industry lately. No, I won't delve into the same tired fansub debates that have been tread elsewhere by much more talented and seasoned industry veterans than I - no, no! Their points are very valid - the long-standing business method of releasing anime on DVD is increasingly threatened by newer methods of digital distribution and streaming internet video, yes, but there's something I think that stands opposite that dour viewpoint that reflects the subject of This Here Column. Television!

TV airings have, since the turn of the 21st century anyway, significantly lured more cumulative anime viewers into the fold than any blurry YouTube fansubs ever have. And, so long as networks like the Cartoon Network and Adult Swim and YTV are staffed by people who both love and understand anime, they will continue to do so. My only worry in this regard is the seeming dearth of quality, "mainstream" friendly shows that are available to these networks. For every Death Note that comes around to wow viewers with its intricate plot, sophisticated characterization, and slick animation, there are dozens of low-rent adaptations of dating sims and painfully sophomoric romance-comedies, which certainly have a very vocal and dedicated fanbase, but aren't quite going to set any ratings records if they were aired on TV, except possibly the very lowest ones. We're not likely to get any more of the wild experimentation such as in the mid-Toonami days, when titles like Outlaw Star and Big O were served up to mainstream viewers with favorable results - because honestly, those kinds of shows don't really exist anymore.

But that's enough slightly grim prognostication: On with the listings!

Eureka 7
(Adult Swim)
-Tuesday December 4 1:30am - Episode 1 "Blue Monday" (R Tue Dec 4 5:00am)
-Wednesday December 5 1:30am - Episode 2 "Blue Sky Fish" (R Wed Dec 5 5:00am)
-Thursday December 6 1:30am - Episode 3 "Motion Blue" (R Thu Dec 6 5:00am)
-Friday December 7 1:30am - Episode 4 "Watermelon" (R Fri Dec 7 5:00am)
-Saturday December 8 1:30am - Episode 5 "Vivid Bit" (R Sat Dec 8 5:00am)

Fire up those TiVos, folks, 'cause Eureka 7's back on Adult Swim! An unfortunate ratings disappointment due to its inability to properly fit within the rigid confines of TV's demographic-obsessed tableau, Eureka 7 is too dark and violent for kids and too colorful and chirpy for adults. Nonetheless, it's an utterly solid series, with sharp writing, wonderfully appealing designs, and a brisk, highly entertaining story. Check it out in case you missed it the first time.

Oh, and uh, just in case you're in Canada and missed my column last week (shame on you, by the way; they are archived on this very site and are easily found!): Check out the "Super Channel" on Monday nights for a bevy of programming courtesy of Manga Entertainment! Tokko, Street Fighter, Noein, Tactics, and others! If that does not excite you in some way then you should be properly medicated!

PREMIERES:

Black Lagoon
(G4TechTV Canada)
Friday December 7 8:00pm - Episode 7 "Calm Down, Two Men"

As the once-geeky Rock learns the ins-and-outs of proper pirate-ing, such as cursing like a sailor and brawling heavily, he is dispatched by his captain to deliver some things in town, but his rocky relationship with a fellow crewmate might make things difficult. Yo-ho, yo-ho.

Bleach
(YTV)
Friday December 7 10:30pm - Episode 39 (Repeats Sat Dec 8 2:00am)

Ichigo fights Zaraki, loses, is transported to some odd alternate realm where he achieves his true inner strength thanks to the soul of his Zanpakto, fights again, you know the drill.

Blood +
(Adult Swim)
Sunday December 2 12:30am - Episode 35 "Tomorrow Without Hope" (Repeats Sun Dec 2 3:30am)

Saya and her erstwhile combat companion find shelter in an abandoned church in the middle of a heated battle, until yet another group of bad guys surrounds them. Hopefully none of them shout "Say yer prayers!" in a non-ironic fashion.

Death Note
(Adult Swim)
Sunday December 2 12:00am - Episode 7 "Overcast" (Repeats Sun Dec 2 3:00am)

(YTV)
Friday December 7 10:00pm - Episode 7 "Overcast" (Repeats Sat Dec 8 1:30am)

Ah, I love it when America and Canada synchronize their anime schedules. It means the ideal for world peace is not dead, not at all! This week, Light attempts to use the Death Note for a far more sinister purpose, using it to kill the pursuers that are hot on his trail.

Desert Punk
(Starz Edge)
-Wednesday November 5 12:00am - Episode 5 "The Price of Water"
-Wednesday November 5 12:30am - Episode 6 "Wandering Lust"

The boob-obsessed boob, the titular "Desert Punk", saves a village from having their water supply plundered, and later becomes stranded in the harsh desert after challenging a rival gang to a duel.

Digimon
(Toon Disney)
Monday December 3 8:30pm - Episode 224 "The Vile of Vilemon!" (Repeats Tue Dec 4 1:00am, Fri Dec 7 8:30pm, Sat Dec 8 1:00am)

Thomas and his Digi-Pals make a trip to the good ol' U S of A to study Digimon on a global scale. Until, of course, the aptly-named Vilemon shows up.

Dinosaur King
(4KidsTV)
Saturday December 1 9:30am - Episode 13 "Child's Play"

The dinosaur featured in this week's episode of Dinosaur King is the Pachycephalosaurus. I'm sure there's probably a story in there about good guys fighting bad guys or something.

Ergo Proxy
(G4TechTV Canada)
Thursday December 6 8:00pm - Episode 20 "Goodbye Vincent"

Things get awfully heady in today's episode of Ergo Proxy; is Vincent merely a figment of Re-l's imagination? Like, woah.

Gundam Seed Destiny
(YTV)
Friday December 7 9:30pm - Episode 35 "Eve of Chaos" (Repeats Sat Dec 8 2:30am)

Shinn and Athrun prepare for another full-out assault on the Earth Alliance as dictated by their increasingly suspicious commander, which of course sows the seeds of doubt. Which is sort of not the right thought to have when piloting big robots into big battles.

Last Exile
(G4TechTV Canada)
Sunday December 2 8:00pm - Episode 20 "Grand Stream" (Repeats Mon Dec 3 12:00am)

The Sylvana crosses the so-called "Grand Stream" for their coveted MacGuffin, but it proves to be more elusive than originally thought. Though that's kind of the nature of MacGuffins.

Naruto
(Cartoon Network)
-Saturday December 1 9:00pm - Episode 118 "The Vessel Arrives Too Late"
-Saturday December 1 9:30pm - Episode 119 "Miscalculation: A New Enemy Appears"

Naruto and the remaining others finally catch up to the comatose Sasuke, but due to Orochimaru's trickery, retrieving him proves difficult. And violent.

(YTV)
Friday December 7 8:00pm - Episode 115 "Your Opponent is Me!"

Meanwhile, three episodes prior: Shikamaru's plan to trick the Sound Village flunkies into surrendering Sasuke fails, and the ninja quartet is nearly done in by the spider-like Kidomaru, until Neji steps up to the plate in grand fashion. More violence!

One Piece
(Cartoon Network)
Saturday December 1 10:00pm - Episode 113 "Take to the Sky: Ride the Knock Up Stream"

Having caught the "Southbird" and fixed their ship and saved the treasure from the bad pirates, the straw-hat crew finally makes their way to the fabled Skypeia. Unless the "Knock Up Stream" accidentally kills them, anyway.

Pokemon
(Cartoon Network)
Saturday December 1 9:30am - Episode 505 "Steamboat Willies"

In a plot that hearkens back to all those stories of kids stabbing each other over rare Pokemon made popular by attention-starved local news outlets circa 1999, Ash and the others take their cheery Pokemon on a lovely cruise ship to relax - until the boat leaves with all their Pokemon, and no Trainers. So much more efficient than stabbing.

Requiem From the Darkness
(G4TechTV Canada)
Saturday December 1 8:00pm - Episode 7 "Katabira Katsuji - Katabira Crossroads" (Repeats Sun Dec 2 12:00am)

Momosuke, a known lover of the morbid and grotesque, is tipped off to a strange location where dead womens' bodies are left to rot. Sounds lovely, until Momosuke recognizes one of the corpses.

Saiyuki Reload Gunlock
(AZNTV)
-Monday December 3 8:30pm - Episode 16 "Revival ~sympathy~" (Repeats Tue Dec 4 1:30am, 5:30am)
-Tuesday December 4 8:30pm - Episode 17 "Onslaught ~intruder~" (Repeats Wed Dec 5 1:30am, 5:30am)
-Wednesday December 5 8:30pm - Episode 18 "Misgivings ~hesitation~" (Repeats Thu Dec 6 1:30am, 5:30am)

Sanzo and his effete gang of seemingly nebbish but actually quite destructive pals are out to kick demon ass, as well as the asses of those who slaughter demons mercilessly, because really, demons are people too. Just twisted and evil, is all.

Shin Chan
(Razer)
-Monday December 3 10:00pm - Episode 23 (Repeats Tue Dec 4 1:30am)
-Monday December 3 10:30pm - Episode 24 (Repeats Tue Dec 4 2:00am)

What kind of ribald revelry will that little scam Shin Chan get involved in next? I honestly have no idea, and neither will anybody else in the US until later in the month, so if you're in Canada and get the Razer channel, get to watchin'.

Texhnolyze
(G4TechTV Canada)
Saturday December 1 8:30pm - Episode 20 "Hades" (Repeats Sun Dec 2 12:30am)

Ichise, on the cusp of unraveling the many mysteries of the world of Lux and the surface world and lots of other psychological horrors and things that permeate the landscape of Texhnolize, is challenged to a duel. How quaint!

Tokyo Underground
(G4TechTV Canada)
Sunday December 2 8:30pm - Episode 20 "Assassin: The Trap of the Magnetic User" (Repeats Mon Dec 3 12:30am)

The put-upon but still chillingly upbeat hero protects his love interest against a powerful, magnet-wielding assassin. The power of love shines through, as always! Except of course for real life, where the power of love leaves you feeling empty and destitute.

MOVIES/SPECIALS

Howl's Moving Castle
(Starz Edge)
Monday December 3 3:05am

The Weathering Continent
(Starz Edge)
Tuesday December 4 6:50am

Karas: The Prophecy
(Encore WAM)
Sunday December 2 2:00am (Repeats Sun Dec 2 11:45am, 7:50pm, Thu Dec 6 7:45pm)

Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade
(Encore Action)
Sunday December 2 6:15pm (Repeats Thu Dec 6 8:20am, 8:15pm, Fri Dec 7 4:00am)

Appleseed
(Encore Action)
Monday December 3 11:45am (Repeats Mon Dec 3 6:20pm, Fri Dec 7 1:20pm, 11:50pm)

A metric buttload of movies are on this week, but sadly they're the same ones they've been running EVERY week since I started writing The Click long ago, when men were men and women were women, and tacos were far more delicious than they are currently, and other nostalgist recollections.

Speaking of, below lies the usual repeats in case you feel the burning desire to re-watch things! And with that damning faint praise, I'm out! I'll be back next week, with a seven-thousand-word treatise on the further state of the industry and how it is related to me getting a very fast, very expensive car for Christmas.

REPEATS/STRIPS

Ayakashi
(ImaginAsianTV)
-Sun Dec 2 10:00pm - Episode 5 "Yotsuya Ghost Story, Part 1" (R Mon Dec 3 2:30am, 2:00pm)
-Tue Dec 4 5:30pm - Episode 6 "Yotsuya Ghost Story, Part 2" (R Tue Dec 4 8:30pm, Wed Dec 5 1:00am, 12:30pm)

Bleach
(Adult Swim)
-Tue Dec 4 12:30am - Episode 50 (R Tue Dec 4 4:00am)
-Wed Dec 5 12:30am - Episode 51 (R Wed Dec 5 4:00am)
-Thu Dec 6 12:30am - Episode 52 (R Thu Dec 6 4:00am)
-Fri Dec 7 12:30am - Episode 1 (R Fri Dec 7 4:00am)
-Sat Dec 8 12:30am - Episode 2 (R Sat Dec 8 4:00am)

Blood+
(Adult Swim)
-Tue Dec 4 1:00am - Episode 25 "The Red Shield" (R Tue Dec 4 4:30am)
-Wed Dec 5 1:00am - Episode 26 "Those Who Serve Saya" (R Wed Dec 5 4:30am)
-Thu Dec 6 1:00am - Episode 27 "Paris, Je T'Aime" (R Thu Dec 6 4:30am)
-Fri Dec 7 1:00am - Episode 28 "Limited Existence" (R Fri Dec 7 4:30am)
-Sat Dec 8 1:00am - Episode 29 "Cursed Blood" (R Sat Dec 8 4:30am)

Cat's Eye
(ImaginAsianTV)
-Mon Dec 3 9:30am - Episode 15 "Bodysuit Flying at Night" (R Tue Dec 4 5:30am)
-Tue Dec 4 9:30am - Episode 16 "Monday is Smiling Day" (R Wed Dec 5 5:30am)
-Wed Dec 5 9:30am - Episode 17 "Bullets Suit Death Best" (R Thu Dec 6 5:30am)
-Thu Dec 6 9:30am - Episode 18 "No Way to Run" (R Fri Dec 7 5:30am)
-Fri Dec 7 9:30am - Episode 19 "Only Say Good Night to You" (R Sat Dec 8 5:30am)

Chrono Crusade
(Showtime Beyond)
-Sun Dec 2 11:45pm - Episode 9 "Joshua" (R Fri Dec 7 2:35am)
-Mon Dec 3 12:10am - Episode 10 "Horn" (R Fri Dec 7 3:05am)
-Mon Dec 3 12:35am - Episode 11 "Beast" (R Fri Dec 7 3:35am)
-Mon Dec 3 1:00am - Episode 12 "Holy Night" (R Fri Dec 7 4:05am)
-Fri Dec 7 8:00pm - Episode 13 "Older Sister" (R Sat Dec 8 2:40am)
-Fri Dec 7 8:30pm - Episode 14 "Prayer" (R Sat Dec 8 3:05am)
-Fri Dec 7 9:00pm - Episode 15 "Pursuer"
-Fri Dec 7 9:30pm - Episode 16 "Believer"

Digimon
(Toon Disney)
-Sat Dec 1 5:30pm - Episode 23 "Weregarurumon's Diner"
-Sun Dec 2 5:30pm - Episode 24 "No Questions, Please"
-Mon Dec 3 10:00pm - Episode 130 "Kazu & Kenta's Excellent Adventure"
-Tue Dec 4 10:00pm - Episode 131 "Motorcycle Madness"
-Wed Dec 5 10:00pm - Episode 132 "Blame It On Ryo"
-Thu Dec 6 10:00pm - Episode 133 "Goliath"
-Fri Dec 7 7:00pm - Episode 223 "Curse This Curse: Marcus' Bad Day"
-Fri Dec 7 10:00pm - Episode 137 "Rabbit Transit"

Dragon Ball Z
(Cartoon Network)
-Sat Dec 1 10:30pm - Episode 149 "Ghosts From Tomorrow"

Ergo Proxy
(Fuse)
-Thu Dec 6 2:30am - Episode TBA

Fullmetal Alchemist
(Adult Swim)
-Sun Dec 2 1:30am - Episode 6 "The Alchemy Exam" (R Sun Dec 2 5:00am)

Inuyasha
(Adult Swim)
-Sun Dec 2 2:00am - Episode 21 "A Wicked Smile, Part 1" (R Sun Dec 2 5:30am)
-Tue Dec 4 2:00am - Episode 22 "A Wicked Smile, Part 2" (R Tue Dec 4 5:30am)
-Wed Dec 5 2:00am - Episode 23 "Kagome's Voice and Kikyo's Kiss" (R Wed Dec 5 5:30am)
-Thu Dec 6 2:00am - Episode 24 "Enter Sango the Demon Exterminator" (R Thu Dec 6 5:30am)
-Fri Dec 7 2:00am - Episode 25 "Naraku's Insidious Plot" (R Fri Dec 7 5:30am)
-Sat Dec 8 2:00am - Episode 26 "Secret of the Jewel of Four Souls Revealed" (R Sat Dec 8 5:30am)

Kami Chu
(ImaginAsianTV)
-Sun Dec 2 9:30pm - Episode 10 "I Choose You" (R Mon Dec 3 2:00am, 1:30pm)
-Tue Dec 4 5:00pm - Episode 11 "Love is Missing" (R Tue Dec 4 8:00pm, Wed Dec 5 12:30am, 12:00pm)
-Tue Dec 4 11:00pm - Episode 14 "Dream Colored Message"

Moonphase
(AZNTV)
-Sun Dec 2 1:00am - Episode TBA
-Sun Dec 2 1:30am - Episode TBA
-Sun Dec 2 2:00am - Episode TBA
-Sun Dec 2 2:30am - Episode TBA
-Tue Dec 4 2:00am - Episode TBA
-Tue Dec 4 2:30am - Episode TBA
-Tue Dec 4 3:00am - Episode TBA
-Tue Dec 4 3:30am - Episode TBA

Naruto
(Cartoon Network)
-Mon Dec 3 10:30pm - Episode 88 "Focal Point: The Mark of the Leaf"
-Tue Dec 4 10:30pm - Episode 89 "An Impossible Choice: The Pain Within Tsunade's Heart"
-Wed Dec 5 10:30pm - Episode 90 "Unforgivable! A Total Lack of Respect"
-Thu Dec 6 10:30pm - Episode 91 "Inheritance! The Necklace of Death"

Oban Star-Racers
(Toon Disney)
-Sun Dec 2 2:30am - Episode 16 "Nervous Like Ning & Skun"
-Mon Dec 3 2:30am - Episode 17 "Optimized Like Ondai"

Orguss
(ImaginAsianTV)
-Mon Dec 3 8:30am - Episode 16 "The Factory" (R Tue Dec 4 5:00am)
-Tue Dec 4 8:30am - Episode 17 "Seventeen" (R Wed Dec 5 5:00am)
-Wed Dec 5 8:30am - Episode 18 "Sisters" (R Thu Dec 6 5:00am)
-Thu Dec 6 8:30am - Episode 19 "Time Slip" (R Fri Dec 7 5:00am)
-Fri Dec 7 8:30am - Episode 20 "Broken Through" (R Sat Dec 8 5:00am)

Paradise Kiss
(ImaginAsianTV)
-Sun Dec 2 10:30pm - Episode 6 "New World" (R Mon Dec 3 3:00am, 2:30pm)
-Tue Dec 4 6:00pm - Episode 7 "Butterfly" (R Tue Dec 4 9:00pm, Wed Dec 5 1:30am, 1:00pm)

Pokemon
(Cartoon Network)
-Sat Dec 1 9:00am - Episode 504 "One Big Happiny Family"
-Sun Dec 2 10:30am - Episode 484 "O'er the Rampardos We Watched!"
-Sun Dec 2 11:00am - Episode 485 "Twice Smitten, Once Shy"
-Mon Dec 3 7:00am - Episode 488 "Borrowing on Bad Faith"
-Mon Dec 3 3:00pm - Episode 476 "Not On My Watch Ya Don't"
-Tue Dec 4 7:00am - Episode 489 "Faces With Steelix Determination!"
-Tue Dec 4 3:00pm - Episode 477 "Mounting a Coordinator Assault"
-Wed Dec 5 7:00am - Episode 490 "Cooking Up a Sweet Story"
-Wed Dec 5 3:00pm - Episode 478 "Arrival of a Rival"
-Thu Dec 6 7:00am - Episode 491 "Oh Do You Know the Poffin Plan!"
-Thu Dec 6 3:00pm - Episode 479 "A Staravia Is Born"
-Fri Dec 7 7:00am - Episode 492 "Getting the Pre-Contest Titters!"
-Fri Dec 7 3:00pm - Episode 480 "Leave It to Brocko"

Remi
(ImaginAsianTV)
-Mon Dec 3 6:00am - Episode 39 "Hurry to Paris!" (R Mon Dec 3 9:00am, Tue Dec 4 4:30am)
-Tue Dec 4 6:00am - Episode 40 "Remi is an Englishman!" (R Tue Dec 4 9:00am, Wed Dec 5 4:30am)
-Wed Dec 5 6:00am - Episode 41 "Met at Last: Mother and Father!" (R Wed Dec 5 9:00am, Thu Dec 6 4:30am)
-Thu Dec 6 6:00am - Episode 42 "Driscol's True Identity" (R Thu Dec 6 9:00am, Fri Dec 7 4:30am)
-Fri Dec 7 6:00am - Episode 43 "Crest of the Milligan House" (R Fri Dec 7 9:00am, Sat Dec 8 4:30am)

Saiyuki Reload
(Encore WAM)
-Sat Dec 1 4:00pm - Episode 1 "Tiny Dream" (R Sun Dec 2 1:00am, 8:00am)
-Sun Dec 2 4:00pm - Episode 2 "Lovely Baby" (R Mon Dec 3 1:00am, 8:00am)
-Mon Dec 3 4:00pm - Episode 3 "Black Crow" (R Tue Dec 4 1:00am, 8:00am)
-Tue Dec 4 4:00pm - Episode 4 "Secret Ambition" (R Wed Dec 5 1:00am, 8:00am)
-Wed Dec 5 4:00pm - Episode 5 "Opposite" (R Thu Dec 6 1:00am, 8:00am)
-Thu Dec 6 4:00pm - Episode 6 "Wish" (R Fri Dec 7 1:00am, 8:00am)
-Fri Dec 7 4:00pm - Episode 7 "Critical Day" (R Sat Dec 8 1:00am, 8:00am)

Samurai Champloo
(Adult Swim)
-Sun Dec 2 1:00am - Episode 1 "Tempestuous Temperaments" (R Sun Dec 2 4:30am)

Samurai Deeper Kyo
(Encore WAM)
-Sat Dec 1 4:30pm - Episode 1 "Cold Blood Illusion" (R Sun Dec 2 1:30am, 8:30am)
-Sun Dec 2 4:30pm - Episode 2 "Pitch Black Flashback" (R Mon Dec 3 1:30am, 8:30am)
-Mon Dec 3 4:30pm - Episode 3 "The Boy From the Deep Forest" (R Tue Dec 4 1:30am, 8:30am)
-Tue Dec 4 4:30pm - Episode 4 "Crossing Souls" (R Wed Dec 5 1:30am, 8:30am)
-Wed Dec 5 4:30pm - Episode 5 "Satan Again" (R Thu Dec 6 1:30am, 8:30am)
-Thu Dec 6 4:30pm - Episode 6 "Our Friend Red Tiger" (R Fri Dec 7 1:30am, 8:30am)
-Fri Dec 7 4:30pm - Episode 7 "Perfect Victory" (R Sat Dec 8 1:30am, 8:30am, 11:40am)

Shinzo
(Toon Disney)
-Tue Dec 4 4:00am - Episode 18 "Secrets of the Seven"
-Wed Dec 5 4:00am - Episode 19 "Feathered Fiend"
-Thu Dec 6 4:00am - Episode 20 "The Two Mushrambos"
-Fri Dec 7 4:00am - Episode 21 "A Battle of One"
-Sat Dec 8 4:00am - Episode 22 "A New Beginning"

Sonic X
(4KidsTV)
-Sat Dec 1 10:30am - Episode 31 "Revenge of the Robot"

Special Duty Combat Unit: Shinesman
(Encore Action)
-Thu Dec 6 3:30am - Episode TBA

Tenjho Tenge
(Fuse)
-Mon Dec 3 12:00am - Episode TBA
-Mon Dec 3 12:30am - Episode TBA

Transformers Cybertron
(Cartoon Network)
-Mon Dec 3 6:00am - Episode 2 "Balance"
-Tue Dec 4 6:00am - Episode 3 "Darkness"
-Wed Dec 5 6:00am - Episode 4 "Memory"
-Thu Dec 6 6:00am - Episode 5 "Escape"
-Fri Dec 7 6:00am - Episode 6 "Family"

Yu-Gi-Oh! GX
(4KidsTV)
-Sat Dec 1 7:30am - Episode 120 "Inter-Dimension Detention"