The Click

April 29th - May 5th

Charging ever onward despite frequent and especially vocal protest, welcome once again to this week's iteration of The Click! Before we begin, there's two brief things I'd like to discuss.

One: Star Blazers the Movie? Huh? Greenlit? There's a pretty long list of classic TV anime that I'd love to see adapted by Hollywood – and not because I seriously think they need to be updated and featuring live actors, but honestly because big-budget movie adaptations sort of breed this hardcore fanboyism during their production that's difficult not to be swept up in – and, honestly, Star Blazers isn't exactly one of them. Not so much because I have something against the show (which I do, kinda; it is my PERSONAL OPINION AND NOT THAT OF ANYBODY ELSE'S OKAY that Star Blazers doesn't hold up quite as well compared to other series that predate it), but rather that they've tried to make a Star Blazers movie before, only to have a completed and reportedly awkward script and several years in development hell to show for it. Instead, for the love of God, get those live-action versions of Astro Boy and Lupin III out the door already! You've got Genndy Tartakovsky hoping to direct the former, and Gerald R. Molen producing the latter, which means these movies actually have the possibility of not only being finished, but also being good. Oy.

Two: the newly-revealed Kids WB fall schedule. Yu-Gi-Oh!'s disappearance was expected – the show's ratings have been struggling and were the reason it vanished for such a long hiatus this past season, as well as the fact that only a handful or so episodes remain before the series ends. Pokémon's cancellation, though, is a real surprise. Slipping ratings were, again, cited as the reason for the decision, but if that's true, why has the show been centered as an “anchor” for the Kids WB block for an entire hour or sometimes more over the past year? If I were to don my tinfoil conspiracy theory helmet, I might suggest that the change comes from Nintendo's decision to pull the series from 4Kids' hands and produce it themselves, unfortunately that theory has more holes than the Catacombs under Rome. No matter; the decision probably came from the fact that Pokémon's heyday as a pop culture juggernaut are long since finished, and Kids WB, facing new management from the “CW” merger, decided to place more emphasis on domestic, original series from WB Animation Studios rather than cheap, tawdry acquisitions. I'm sure Pokémon can find somewhere else to call home, albeit no longer on Saturday mornings. Cartoon Network would be proud to have it, unless they need more room for more repeats of Saved by the Bell and Dumb and Dumber.

On to this week's TV programming, keeping in mind that all times and dates are tentative and subject to change, all times listed are Eastern, please keep all hands and feet inside the vehicle at all times, thank you.

Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo
(Cartoon Network)
Saturday April 29 10:00pm - Episode 26 "Dengaku Man, Pixie or Pitbull — He'll Love You or Hate You!"

Did anybody seriously think Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo could make it all the way to 26 episodes? I know that despite my irrational, somewhat disturbing love for Bo-Bobo and his follicle frolics, I too was skeptical that the show could find itself an audience aside from idiots such as myself. Yet, while the show is nowhere near a smashing success, it still frequently ranks among Cartoon Network's 50 most-watched telecasts each month, and the show reaching the 26 episode “landmark” stands as a testament to the fact that others, other human beings, living and breathing souls, find this animated collection of random jokes and dadaist non-sequitur amusing.

I am not alone.

In this week's episode, after Dengaku Man, a private military contractor, is found dead, suspicion eventually leads Bo-Bobo and Jelly Jiggler to Hatenko, the younger brother of a man who died because of Dengaku Man's incompetence, and Service-Man, Beauty's former co-worker who had witnessed the tragic events in Iraq. Gasser returns to defend Jelly Jiggler and Hatenko, and in the courtroom Hatenko drops the bombshell that he knows where Dengaku Man and his men were keeping an Iraqi prisoner of war, a wanted terrorist. Don Patch and Bo-Bobo butt heads over whether or not to let Hatenko get away with murder in order to get their hands on the prisoner.

OTHER PREMIERES:

Case Closed
(YTV)
-Friday May 5 10:30pm - Episode 5 "The Time Bomb Express"

Conan, Death's personal three-foot bespectacled Reaper, relaxes on a cross-country train ride only to discover two suspicious men in black suits. When their appearance slowly matches up with Conan's memory of the men who poisoned him, as well as a briefcase carrying enough explosions to send the train sky-high, Conan uses the detective-est of his detective skills to save his fellow passengers.

Chrono Crusade
(Showtime Beyond)
-Friday May 5 9:00pm - Episode 12 "Holy Night"

In this very special Christmas episode of Chrono Crusade, Rosette clashes with the Magdelene Order over the production of the Christmas play, and frequently rants about the rampant state of commercialism encroaching upon the “true spirit” of Christmas. Also, she uncovers more clues about Joshua's whereabouts.

Duel Masters 2.0
(Cartoon Network)
-Saturday April 29 7:00pm - Episode 8 "Surprise!"

Given that I haven't seen this episode before and neither has anybody else, I unfortunately have little to offer in the form of a synopsis. However, I can guarantee that if you need puns, card-battling, and characters frequently breaking the fourth-wall and engaging in somewhat maddening self-referential conversations, this new episode of Duel Masters 2.0 should have you covered.

Eureka 7
(Cartoon Network)
-Sunday April 30 12:00am - Episode 3 "Motion Blue" (Repeats Sun Apr 30 3:00am)

The Gekkōstate find themselves in a thorny situation as the United Federation Forces shuts down the only airport that would guarantee their escape. Later, Eureka offers Renton the chance of a lifetime. Guys, honestly, the show DOES get better. Why won't you listen to me? Do I sound to desperate?!?

Fullmetal Alchemist
(YTV)
-Friday May 5 10:00pm - Episode 10 "The Phantom Thief" (Repeats Sat May 6 1:00am)

The boys run afoul of a scantily-clad, alchemy-using thief and her pursuer, a rather Inspector Zenigata-looking type. Definitely one of the silliest of all the FMA episodes, but there's just enough foreshadowing and plot development to excuse all the tomfoolery.

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG
(Cartoon Network)
-Sunday April 30 12:30am - Episode 22 "Reversal Process" (Repeats Sun Apr 30 3:30am)

When a live nuclear bomb is found and its target being the Dejima refugees, once again Section 9 is called into action. Chief Aramaki senses that something smells fishy regarding this incident and the Information Bureau, so Batou is sent in to investigate. Unfortunately for him, Batou is the quiet, introspective type, while the agent he investigates happens to be a loudmouth, ill-tempered braggart. Do they uncover the mystery of this terrible incident, or does Batou and his alter-ego sign with CBS for a 22-episode sitcom? Find out!

Inuyasha
(Cartoon Network)
-Wednesday May 3 12:30am - Episode 144 "Hosenki and the Last Shard" (Repeats Wed May 3 4:00am)

Inuyasha, eager to return to his father's tomb, requires more “information” from Myoga, the elusive flea that pops up whenever the characters require another McGuffin.

(YTV)
-Friday May 5 9:00pm - Episode 139 "The Great Duel at Shoun Falls" (Repeats Sat May 6 2:30am)

Inuyasha meets ninja demon, ninja demon and Inuyasha fight; but will Kagome be rescued, and will she and Inuyasha exchange heated words over matters of little import in order to retain their required dramatic tension? And do rhetorical questions really count if you already know the answers? Find out!

Naruto
(Cartoon Network)
-Saturday April 29 9:00pm - Episode 31 "Bushy Brow's Pledge: Undying Love and Protection!"

Rock Lee, eager to defend Sakura and her incapacitated teammates from the deadly Sound Village Ninjas, reacquaints said Ninjas' faces with the ground.

(YTV)
-Friday May 5 8:00pm - Episode 34 "Akamaru Trembles: Gaara's Cruel Strength!" (Repeats Sat May 6 2:00am)

Three episodes and one continent later, Kiba, Hinata, and Shino come across a heated battle between Gaara of the desert and a ragtag group of nondescript ninjas. When Gaara's incredible abilities are made crystal clear, the trio are left with that sick, lumpy feeling in the back of their collective throats.

One Piece
(Cartoon Network)
-Saturday April 29 9:30pm - Episode 65 "Humps, Bumps, and Chumps"

One Piece somewhat non-gloriously returns to premieres with this episode, wherein Luffy and his pirate crew brave the dry and dusty dangers of the Alabasta desert. My sympathy for these fictional, animated characters is low, being that I've lived in Arizona for nearly all of my life. Aw, too hot? Suck it up, you hand-drawn, nonexistent wimps.

Samurai 7
(Independent Film Channel)
-Saturday April 22 10:30pm - Episode 5 "The Drifter" (Repeats Sun Apr 30 1:30am, Wed May 4 11:30pm, Fri May 5 2:30am)

While scouting for new recruits, Kirara and her slowly increasing band of rebels encounter a kindly but extremely skilled woodchopper. They attempt to recruit the talented swordsman, but can they convince someone who has yet to take another's life? These moral dilemmas and more, this week on Samurai 7!

Sonic X
(4KidsTV)
-Saturday April 29 10:00am - Episode "A Fearless Friend"

Given that, once again, nobody has seen this episode of Sonic X, I'd just like to mention that I recently finished playing “Sonic Rush” for the Nintendo DS. It is the first Sonic game in many, many years that hasn't made me cry tears of frustration and pain.

Viewtiful Joe
(Kids WB)
-Saturday April 29 8:00am - Episode 23 "Crush Hour"

Joe and Alastor exchange quips, barbs, childish insults, and eventually blows. I suppose I should mention that Joe's future on Kids WB is uncertain, so if you like the show, start watching like you've never watched before. But don't start a web petition. Please, for the love of every deity invented by man, don't start a web petition.

Yu-Gi-Oh!
(Kids WB)
-Saturday April 29 11:30am - Episode 218 "The Dark One Cometh, Part 4"

Unlike Viewtiful Joe, however, Yu-Gi-Oh!'s fate is certainly sealed. No matter, the show“jumped the shark” around forty-five seconds and five frames into episode twelve of season two. Snort.

Yu-Gi-Oh! GX
(YTV)
-Friday May 5 6:00pm - Episode 33 "Field of Screams, Part 3"

Yes, yes, Yu-Gi-Oh! is almost over. The jubilant cries of the creators and patrons of www.yugiohtotallysucks.com will only last for so long, as their shouts of joy are sure to be silenced by the premiere of this new (in Canada) episode of Yu-Gi-Oh!'s spinoff series. With 300 life points left, can Jaden outlast Camulla's evil vampire-type powers? And yes, I just made that link up, though to be safe I wouldn't click on it. Never know where those “PUNCH SADDAM!” flash games are going to pop up to destroy your computer and soul.

Zatch Bell
(YTV)
-Friday May 5 8:30pm - Episode 32 "Shion's Secret"

Shion reveals her true colors (not a natural blonde!) to Zatch and Kiyo, who are faced with the difficult choice of helping a friend or doing what's right. It's educational, plus magic battling monster-children. Neat!

MOVIES/SPECIALS

Pokémon: Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon
(Kids WB)
Saturday April 29 10:00am

Despite Pokémon's recent vote-of-no-confidence on the part of Kids WB, here they are this week airing a special hour-long double episode. An evil mastermind creating lots of cloned, “mirage” Pokémon? And only Ash and Pikachu can stop him? Sounds about right.

Digimon: The Movie
(Toon Disney)
Wednesday May 3 5:00pm

The less successful of the “-mon”s has it's US feature-length debut rerun yet again this week. Aside from some amusingly crazy animation, as well as the tidbit that one of the directors of the piece was on tap to direct Howl's Moving Castle before falling out with Hayao Miyazaki, there really isn't any good reason to watch this. Plenty of mediocre and ignoble reasons to watch this, however.

Now for the reruns, but I'll see you all next week!

REPEATS/STRIPS

Battle B-Daman
(YTV)
-Sat Apr 29 7:30am - Episode 13 "Hog Wild" (R Sat Apr 29 2:00pm)
-Tue May 2 3:30pm - Episode 9 "The Bull Supremacy"
-Thu May 4 3:30pm - Episode 10 "The Bull Identity"

(Cartoon Network)
-Fri May 5 6:00am - Episode 17 "There's B-DaBattle in My Soup"

Beyblade
(Toon Disney)
-Mon May 1 9:30pm - Episode 62 "The Evil Island of Dr. B" (R Tue May 2 2:30am)
-Tue May 2 9:30pm - Episode 63 "Bring Me Dranzer" (R Wed May 3 2:30am)
-Wed May 3 9:30pm - Episode 64 "Testing One, Two, Three" (R Thu May 4 2:30am)
-Thu May 4 9:30pm - Episode 65 "Gideon Raises Gerry" (R Fri May 5 2:30am)
-Fri May 5 9:30pm - Episode 66 "Show Me the Bit Beasts" (R Sat May 6 2:30am)

(YTV)
-Sat Apr 29 5:30am - Episode 128 "Familiar Faces"
-Sat Apr 29 1:00pm - Episode 8 "Bladin' in the Streets"
-Tue May 2 5:30am - Episode 129 "What a Blast"
-Wed May 3 5:30am - Episode 130 "Changing Gears"
-Thu May 4 5:30am - Episode 131 "And Then There Were Two"
-Fri May 5 5:30am - Episode 132 "Let the Games Begin... Again"

Chrono Crusade
(Showtime Beyond)
-Mon May 1 12:00am - Episode 11 "Beast" (R Fri May 5 12:10am)

Cowboy Bebop
(Cartoon Network)
-Sun Apr 30 1:30am - Episode 17 "Mushroom Samba" (R Sun Apr 30 4:30am)
-Fri May 5 12:30am - Episode 12 "Jupiter Jazz, Part 1" (R Fri May 5 4:00am)

D.I.C.E.
(YTV)
-Sat Apr 29 2:30pm - Episode 5 "The Monster of Lupis Sea"

Digimon
(ABC Family)
-Sat Apr 29 7:00am - Episode 36 "City Under Siege"
-Sun Apr 30 7:00am - Episode 37 "Wizardmon's Gift"

(Toon Disney)
-Sat Apr 29 9:00pm - Episode 176 "Darkest Before Duskmon" (R Sun Apr 30 2:00am)
-Sun Apr 30 9:00pm - Episode 177 "Home Again, Takuya Returns" (R Mon May 1 2:00am)
-Tue May 2 7:30pm - Episode 163 "The Odd One Out" (R Wed May 3 12:30am)
-Tue May 2 10:00pm - Episode 27 "The Gateway to Home" (R Wed May 3 3:00am)
-Wed May 3 7:30pm - Episode 164 "Welcome to My Nightmare" (R Thu May 4 12:30am)
-Wed May 3 10:00pm - Episode 28 "It's All in the Cards" (R Thu May 4 3:00am)
-Thu May 4 7:30pm - Episode 165 "Can't Keep a Grumblemon Down" (R Fri May 5 12:30am)
-Thu May 4 10:00pm - Episode 29 "Return to Highton View Terrace" (R Fri May 5 3:00am)

Dragon Ball GT
(YTV)
-Sat Apr 29 3:30am - Episode 44 "The Resurrection of Cell and Frieza"

Dragon Ball Z
(Cartoon Network)
-Sat Apr 29 7:30pm - Episode 92 "Goku's Alive"

Fullmetal Alchemist
(Cartoon Network)
-Sat Apr 29 11:30pm - Episode 6 "The Alchemy Exam" (R Sun Apr 30 2:30am)
-Tue May 2 12:30am - Episode 37 "The Flame Alchemist, the Bachelor Lieutenant and the Mystery of Warehouse 13" (R Tue May 2 4:00am)

G.I. Joe Sigma Six
(4KidsTV)
-Sat Apr 29 10:30am - Episode 7 "Jungle"

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
(YTV)
-Sat Apr 29 12:00am - Episode 6 "Meme"

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG
(Cartoon Network)
-Thu May 4 12:30am - Episode 8 "Fake Food" (R Thu May 4 4:00am)

Gundam Seed
(YTV)
-Fri May 5 9:30pm - Episode 35 "The Descending Sword" (R Sat May 6 1:30am)

Inuyasha
(Cartoon Network)
-Sat Apr 29 11:00pm - Episode 133 "The Woman Who Loved Sesshomaru, Part 1" (R Sun Apr 30 2:00am)

Magical DoReMi
(4KidsTV)
-Sat Apr 29 7:00am - Episode 13 "Parsley and Rosemary"
-Sat Apr 29 7:30am - Episode 14 "A Tall Order"

Mew Mew Power
(YTV)
-Sun Apr 30 7:30am - Episode 4 "Pooltergeist"

Naruto
(Cartoon Network)
-Sat Apr 29 12:00am - Episode 29 "Naruto's Counterattack: Never Give In!"
-Sat Apr 29 8:30pm - Episode 30 "The Sharingan Revived: Dragon-Flame Jutsu!"

Neon Genesis Evangelion
(Cartoon Network)
-Sun Apr 30 1:00am - Episode 26 "Take Care of Yourself" (R Sun Apr 30 4:00am)

One Piece
(Cartoon Network)
-Mon May 1 10:00pm - Episode 20 "Respecting Sanji"
-Tue May 2 10:00pm - Episode 21 "Recipe for Disaster"
-Wed May 3 10:00pm - Episode 22 "The Red Footed Pirate"
-Thu May 4 10:00pm - Episode 23 "The Better Swordsman"

(YTV)
-Sat Apr 22 4:00am - Episode 17 "The Scrub in the Shrub"

Pokémon
(YTV)
-Sat Apr 29 12:00pm - Episode 393 "Deceit and Assist"
-Tue May 2 5:00am - Episode 345 "Grass Hysteria!"
-Wed May 3 5:00am - Episode 346 "Hokey Pokémon"
-Thu May 4 5:00am - Episode 347 "Whiscash and Ash"
-Fri May 5 5:00am - Episode 348 "Me, Myself and Time"

Pokémon Chronicles
(YTV)
-Sat Apr 29 5:00am - Episode 16 "Journey to the Starting Line!"

Samurai 7
(Independant Film Channel)
-Sat Apr 29 2:30pm - Episode 3 "The Entertainer"
-Sat Apr 29 3:00pm - Episode 4 "The Loner"

Samurai Champloo
(Cartoon Network)
-Tue May 2 1:00am - Episode 7 "A Risky Racket" (R Tue May 2 4:30am)
-Wed May 3 1:00am - Episode 8 "The Art of Altercation" (R Wed May 3 4:30am)
-Thu May 4 1:00am - Episode 9 "Beatbox Bandits" (R Thu May 4 4:30am)
-Fri May 5 1:00am - Episode 10 "Lethal Lunacy" (R Fri May 5 4:30am)

Street Fighter II V
(Encore WAM!)
-Sat Apr 29 4:00pm - Episode TBA (R Sun Apr 30 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Sat Apr 29 4:30pm - Episode TBA (R Sun Apr 30 1:30am, 6:30am)
-Sun Apr 30 4:00pm - Episode TBA (R Mon May 1 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Sun Apr 30 4:30pm - Episode TBA (R Mon May 1 1:30am, 6:30am)
-Mon May 1 4:00pm - Episode TBA (R Tue May 2 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Mon May 1 4:30pm - Episode TBA (R Tue May 2 1:30am, 6:30am)
-Tue May 2 4:00pm - Episode TBA (R Wed May 3 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Tue May 2 4:30pm - Episode TBA (R Wed May 3 1:30am, 6:30am)
-Wed May 3 4:00pm - Episode TBA (R Thu May 4 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Wed May 3 4:30pm - Episode TBA (R Thu May 4 1:30am, 6:30am)
-Thu May 4 4:00pm - Episode TBA (R Fri May 5 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Thu May 4 4:30pm - Episode TBA (R Fri May 5 1:30am, 6:30am)
-Fri May 5 4:00pm - Episode TBA (R Sat May 6 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Fri May 5 4:30pm - Episode TBA (R Sat May 6 1:30am, 6:30am)

Transformers: Cybertron
(Cartoon Network)
-Mon May 1 6:00am - Episode 1 "Fallen"
-Tue May 2 6:00am - Episode 2 "Haven"
-Wed May 3 6:00am - Episode 3 "Hidden"
-Thu May 4 6:00am - Episode 4 "Landmine"

(YTV)
-Sat Apr 29 1:30pm - Episode TBA
-Fri May 5 7:00pm - Episode TBA

Trigun
(Cartoon Network)
-Tue May 2 1:30am - Episode 7 "B.D.N." (R Tue May 2 5:00am)
-Wed May 3 1:30am - Episode 8 "And Between the Wasteland and Sky" (R Wed May 3 5:00am)
-Thu May 4 1:30am - Episode 9 "Murder Machine" (R Thu May 4 5:00am)
-Fri May 5 1:30am - Episode 10 "Quick Draw" (R Fri May 5 5:00am)

Vandread
(Encore Action)
-Sat Apr 29 12:00am - Episode 17 "Second Stage: Everything"
-Sat Apr 29 12:30am - Episode 18 "Second Stage: Somedays"
-Sat Apr 29 1:00am - Episode 19 "Second Stage: Original Smile"
-Sat Apr 29 1:30am - Episode 20 "Second Stage: Please Kiss My Cheek"
-Tue May 2 1:30am - Episode 24 "Second Stage: Paradise"
-Wed May 3 12:00am - Episode 21 "Second Stage: Reality"
-Wed May 3 12:30am - Episode 22 "Second Stage: Embrace Everything"

Yu-Gi-Oh!
(YTV)
-Sat Apr 29 4:30am - Episode 139 "The Final Face Off, Part 2" (R Tue May 2 4:30am)
-Sat Apr 29 8:00am - Episode 210 "Village of Vengeance, Part 2"
-Wed May 3 4:30am - Episode 140 "The Final Face Off, Part 3"
-Thu May 4 4:30am - Episode 141 "The Final Face Off, Part 4"
-Fri May 5 4:30am - Episode 142 "The Final Face Off, Part 5"

Yu-Gi-Oh! GX:
(Cartoon Network)
-Mon May 1 5:00pm - Episode 6 "The Shadow Duelist, Part 2"
-Tue May 2 5:00pm - Episode 7 "Duel and Unusual Punishment"
-Wed May 3 5:00pm - Episode 8 "For the Sake of Syrus"
-Thu May 4 5:00pm - Episode 9 "Family Business"
-Fri May 5 5:00pm - Episode 10 "Tag Team Trial, Part 1"

Zatch Bell
(Cartoon Network)
-Mon May 1 4:30pm - Episode 21 "Another Zatch"
-Tue May 2 4:30pm - Episode 22 "The Dancing Mamodo"
-Wed May 3 4:30pm - Episode 23 "Go For It, Ponygon!"
-Thu May 4 4:30pm - Episode 24 "Apollo, the Free Traveler, Part 1"
-Fri May 5 4:30pm - Episode 25 "Apollo, the Free Traveler, Part 2"