The Click

May 13th - May 16th

Another week, another deluge of TV listings heretofore known as The Click. This is a pretty sparse update this week, both in the sense that good, new shows are in short supply, and also in the sense that I'm in the middle of moving AND obsessively checking various gaming websites for updates from E3. I'll confess: I've imbibed the Nintendo Kool-Aid. I will be buying as many Nintendo Wii's as possible. Warioware and Duck Hunt? You had me at “hello.”

Anyway, I did want to bring up one thing that I hope and pray will spark some discussion in the forums. What role, if any, do fansubs play in the recent slipping TV ratings for big adult-aimed shows such as Fullmetal Alchemist and Inuyasha? I've heard this theory a couple of times in various tinfoil hat-style conspiracy ideas as to why these shows have lost a significant portion of their 18-34 audience over the past year or so. However, bittorrent downloads for episodes of big anime are in the same league as folks downloading bittorrent episodes of prime-time TV shows like Desperate Housewives, House, and others. The difference being, those prime-time network shows have a stable, built in audience in the millions. Do all those tens of thousands of fansub downloaders really have a negative impact upon the TV airings of their respective shows?

Here's a scenario: Bleach is set to premiere this September on Adult Swim. Much like Naruto's premiere the year prior, I can foresee plenty of the former fansub viewers checking out the premiere episode out of curiosity, in order to see how the dub voices stand up as well as any potential edits or whatever. But, Naruto was meant for an audience far younger than Bleach, an audience generally unfamiliar with fansubs and bittorrent and whathaveyou. Once that curiosity subsides, will the hardcore, fansub-watching Bleach aficionados abandon the TV dub? Let's get some discussion going.

And now, on with the show(s). As per usual, all times and dates are tentative, all times listed are eastern, et cetera.

Naruto
(Cartoon Network)
-Saturday May 13 9:00pm - Episode 33 "Battle Formation: Ino-Shika-Cho!"

There's nothing interestingly kooky or outstanding on this week, so I'll go with the old standby: a new Naruto episode. Watch and listen with rapt attention as Ino, Shikamaru, and Chouji come to Sakura's aid against the seemingly unstoppable Sound Ninjas, who seem to have no qualms with sacrificing their own teammate to assure victory. Can the ragtag group of rookies manage to overcome the bloodthirsty trio? Let's get some discussion going.

OTHER PREMIERES:

Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo
(Cartoon Network)
-Saturday May 13 10:00pm - Episode 28 "Mortal Match! Fist of the Nose Hair vs. Fist of Rice!"

Bo-Bobo takes an alternative route this week, opting to engage the audience by reading aloud from James Joyce's “Ulysses.” Later, Bo-Bobo fights a giant, anthropomorphic wheelbarrow.

Case Closed
(YTV)
-Friday May 19 10:30pm - Episode 7 "The Case of the Mysterious Gifts"

A Doctor who has been receiving mysterious notes and cash for the past two years enlists the aid of Conan and his bumbling parent or guardian when he receives a threatening letter. The tables seem to turn when Conan focuses his investigation on the past of the Doctor himself. Featuring special guest star Hugh Laurie.

Chrono Crusade
(Showtime Beyond)
-Friday May 19 9:00pm - Episode 14 "Prayer"

Once arrived in San Francisco, Chrono passes out from a feverish fever, sending Rosette on a tour through the foggy city for a potential remedy.

Duel Masters 2.0
(Cartoon Network)
-Saturday May 13 7:00pm - Episode 10 "Makeover"

More cards, more puns, more crummy dialogue, and more product placement than any one person could possibly hope for. I couldn't find a plot synopsis for this episode, unfortunately, but using my highly advanced deductive prowess I can imagine that there's maybe a card battle or two involved, and characters spend a lot of time agonizing over every move via internal monologue.

Eureka 7
(Cartoon Network)
-Sunday May 14 12:00am - Episode 5 "Vivid Bit" (Repeats Sun May 14 3:00am)

Renton does his best to “fit in” with the cool kids in the Gekkōstate, but he still feels awkwardly out of place. Talho, meanwhile, takes the young'un shopping and the two learn an awful lot about each other. Bonding, this week on Eureka 7.

Fullmetal Alchemist
(YTV)
-Friday May 19 10:00pm - Episode 12 "The Other Brothers Elric, Part 2" (Repeats Sat May 20 1:00am)

Ed and Al learn the troubling secret behind the “red water” that seems to be poisoning the town, and cooperate with their former dopplegangers to put a stop to it. Insert “Soylent Green” reference here.

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG
(Cartoon Network)
-Sunday May 14 12:30am - Episode 24 "Nuclear Power" (Repeats Sun May 14 3:30am)

As Section 9 stealthily maneuvers their way through the Dejima uprising to deliver the sought-after nuclear device to the military, it seems as though their every move is being watched and predicted by the Self-Defense Ground forces. Will they make it? Or will they not make it, but instead make it SEEM like they didn't make it, and then in the end everything turns out okay?

Inuyasha
(Cartoon Network)
-Wednesday May 17 12:30am - Episode 146 "The Fiery Bird Master, Princess Abi" (Repeats Wed May 17 4:00am)

While traveling through the Land of Fire, Inuyasha and co. encounter a mysterious bird-controlling demon lady seemingly connected to Naraku. Methinks a fight occurs.

(YTV)
-Friday May 19 9:00pm - Episode 141 "Entei, the Demon Horse Unleashed" (Repeats Sat May 20 2:30am)

Entei, the demon horse, is unleashed. Also, Naraku is involved.

Naruto
(YTV)
-Friday May 19 8:00pm - Episode 36 "Clone vs. Clone: Mine are Better Than Yours!" (Repeats Sat May 20 2:00am)

As the second stage of the Chunin exam draws to a close, Naruto and Sasuke set their sights on capturing the scroll held by the ninjas from the Village Hidden in Rain. But Naruto and Sasuke's hot tempers seem to disrupt their plan, and Kabuto seems to be offering the team more than they bargained for.

One Piece
(Cartoon Network)
-Saturday May 13 9:30pm - Episode 67 "Tough Bluff"

Luffy's thirsty, desert-wandering crew encounters a group of hooligans pretending to be rebels, but instead of a Mad Max-style showdown, they concoct a plan to see if the “rebels” are truly capable after all.

Pokémon
(Kids WB)
-Saturday May 13 10:00pm - Episode 409 "Rough, Tough Jigglypuff"

Ash meets a desperate father in need of a Jigglypuff for his daughter; Ash agrees to help capture and sell the poor creature into what is essentially indentured servitude.

Samurai 7
(Independent Film Channel)
-Saturday May 13 10:30pm - Episode 7 "The Friend" (Repeats Sun May 14 1:30am, Thu May 18 11:30pm, Fri May 19 2:30am)

Kambei and the other samurai meet up with an old friend while on the lam, and learn of a secret passage they can take to escape. Who will stay behind and fight, and who will leave with the others? If they do there could be trouble, but if they don't it could be double.

Viewtiful Joe
(Kids WB)
-Saturday May 13 8:00am - Episode 25 "In the Belly of the Jadow Beast"

Joe infiltrates the Jadow base, and totally slams a Mountain Dew and psyches-out those lame-os, hardcore.

Yu-Gi-Oh!
(Kids WB)
-Saturday May 13 11:30am - Episode 220 "The Final Journey"

I have a feeling this will be “final” in the same terminology as “Final Fantasy.” In any case, new Yu-Gi-Oh! You know what to do.

Yu-Gi-Oh! GX
(YTV)
-Friday May 19 6:00pm - Episode 35 "Sibling Rivalry"

Jaden is recruited in a high-stakes battle to preserve the academy from being bulldozed, but he must use a severely crippled deck with only 500 attack points and other such Yu-Gi-Oh! jargon.

Zatch Bell
(YTV)
-Friday May 19 8:30pm - Episode 34 "Sunset Soaked in Tears"

With the evil Doctor having possession of the mystical mirror, Zatch and Kiyo are the only ones who can stop him. Featuring special guest star Hugh Laurie.

That's all that's new, and here's all that's old. Er, “vintage.” Makes it sound classier. See you next week!

REPEATS/STRIPS

Battle B-Daman
(YTV)
-Sat May 13 7:30am - Episode 15 "The Good, the Bad and the B-Daman" (R Sat May 13 2:00pm)
-Tue May 16 3:30pm - Episode 13 "Hog Wild"
-Thu May 18 3:30pm - Episode 14 "That's What Friends Are For"

(Cartoon Network)
-Fri May 19 6:00am - Episode 19 "Watt Are You Waiting For?"

Beyblade
(Toon Disney)
-Mon May 15 9:30pm - Episode 72 "Battle Tower Showdown" (R Tue May 16 2:30am)
-Tue May 16 9:30pm - Episode 73 "Max Takes One for the Team" (R Wed May 17 2:30am)
-Wed May 17 9:30pm - Episode 74 "The Bigger the Cyber Driger... The Harder It Falls" (R Thu May 18 2:30am)
-Thu May 18 9:30pm - Episode 75 "Ghost in the Machine" (R Fri May 19 2:30am)
-Fri May 19 9:30pm - Episode 76 "Raising Kane!" (R Sat May 20 2:30am)

(YTV)
-Sat May 13 5:30am - Episode 138 "Boris, the Blade Stops Here"
-Sat May 13 1:00pm - Episode 10 "Battle in the Sky"
-Tue May 16 5:30am - Episode 139 "The Bega Challenge"
-Wed May 17 5:30am - Episode 140 "Bega on the Rise"
-Thu May 18 5:30am - Episode 141 "Rebel Alliance"
-Fri May 19 5:30am - Episode 142 "Back to Basics"

Chrono Crusade
(Showtime Beyond)
-Mon May 15 12:05am - Episode "Hellfire"
-Fri May 19 12:25am - Episode 13 "Older Sister"

Cowboy Bebop
(Cartoon Network)
-Sun May 14 1:30am - Episode 19 "Wild Horses" (R Sun May 14 4:30am)
-Fri May 19 12:30am - Episode 11 "Toys in the Attic" (R Fri May 19 4:00am)

D.I.C.E.
(YTV)
-Sat May 13 2:30pm - Episode 7 "The Vanishing Planet"

Digimon
(ABC Family)
-Sat May 13 7:00am - Episode 40 "Enter the Dark Masters"
-Sun May 14 7:00am - Episode 41 "Seasick and Tired"

(Toon Disney)
-Sat May 13 9:00pm - Episode 180 "The Dark Heart of Friendship" (R Sun May 14 2:00am)
-Sun May 14 9:00pm - Episode 181 "Zoe's Unbelievable Adventure" (R Mon May 15 2:00am)
-Tue May 16 7:30pm - Episode 169 "No Whamon" (R Wed May 17 12:30am)
-Tue May 16 10:00pm - Episode 33 "Out on the Town" (R Wed May 17 3:00am)
-Wed May 17 7:30pm - Episode 170 "Beastie Girl" (R Thu May 18 12:30am)
-Wed May 17 10:00pm - Episode 34 "The Eighth Child Revealed" (R Thu May 18 3:00am)
-Thu May 18 7:30pm - Episode 171 "The Swiss Family Digimon" (R Fri May 19 12:30am)
-Thu May 18 10:00pm - Episode 35 "Flower Power" (R Fri May 19 3:00am)

Dragon Ball GT
(YTV)
-Sat May 13 3:30am - Episode "Hurry Goku! Goku! The Great Strategy to Escape From the Hades"

Dragon Ball Z
(Cartoon Network)
-Sat May 13 7:30pm - Episode 94 "Black Fog of Terror"

Fullmetal Alchemist
(Cartoon Network)
-Sat May 13 11:30pm - Episode 8 "Be Thou for the People" (R Sun May 14 2:30am)
-Tue May 16 12:30am - Episode 39 "The Secret of Ishbal" (R Tue May 16 4:00am)

G.I. Joe Sigma Six
(4KidsTV)
-Sat May 13 10:30am - Episode 9 "Polar"

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
(YTV)
-Sat May 13 12:00am - Episode 8 "Missing Hearts"

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG
(Cartoon Network)
-Thu May 18 12:30am - Episode 10 "Trial" (R Thu May 18 4:00am)

Gundam Seed
(YTV)
-Fri May 19 9:30pm - Episode 37 "Divine Thunder" (R Sat May 20 1:30am)

Inuyasha
(Cartoon Network)
-Sat May 13 11:00pm - Episode 135 "The Last Banquet of Miroku's Master" (R Sun May 14 2:00am

Magical DoReMi
(4KidsTV)
-Sat May 13 7:00am - Episode 17 "Sketches of Pain"
-Sat May 13 7:30am - Episode 18 "The Flora Test"

Naruto
(Cartoon Network)
-Sat May 13 12:00am - Episode 31 "Bushy Brow's Pledge: Undying Love and Protection!"
-Sat May 13 8:30pm - Episode 32 "Sakura Blossoms!"

Neon Genesis Evangelion
(Cartoon Network)
-Tue May 16 1:00am - Episode 5 "Rei, Beyond Her Head; Rei I" (R Tue May 16 4:30am)
-Wed May 17 1:00am - Episode 6 "Showdown in Tokyo; Rei II" (R Wed May 17 4:30am)
-Thu May 18 1:00am - Episode 7 "A Human Work" (R Thu May 18 4:30am)
-Fri May 19 1:00am - Episode 8 "Asuka Strikes" (R Fri May 19 4:30am)

One Piece
(Cartoon Network)
-Mon May 15 10:00pm - Episode 28 "The Crack of Don"
-Tue May 16 10:00pm - Episode 29 "The New Crew"
-Wed May 17 10:00pm - Episode 30 "The Mermen"
-Thu May 18 10:00pm - Episode 31 "Thief With a Heart of Gold"

(YTV)
-Sat May 13 4:00am - Episode 19 "King of the Busboys"

Pokémon
(YTV)
-Sat May 13 12:00pm - Episode TBA
-Tue May 16 5:00am - Episode  "Take This House and Shuppet"
-Wed May 17 5:00am - Episode  "A Shroomish Skirmish"
-Thu May 18 5:00am - Episode  "Unfair Weather Friends"
-Fri May 19 5:00am - Episode  "Who's Flying Now?"

Pokémon Chronicles
(YTV)
-Sat May 13 5:00am - Episode 16 "Luvdisc is a Many Splendored Thing"

Samurai Champloo
(Cartoon Network)
-Sun May 14 1:00am - Episode 2 "Redeye Reprisal" (R Sun May 14 4:00am)

Sonic X
(4KidsTV)
-Sat May 13 10:00am - Episode "Ship of Doom"

Street Fighter II V
(Encore WAM!)
-Sat May 13 4:00pm - Episode TBA (R Sun May 7 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Sat May 13 4:30pm - Episode TBA (R Sun May 7 1:30am, 6:30am)
-Sun May 14 4:00pm - Episode TBA (R Mon May 8 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Sun May 14 4:30pm - Episode TBA (R Mon May 8 1:30am, 6:30am)
-Mon May 15 4:00pm - Episode TBA (R Tue May 9 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Mon May 15 4:30pm - Episode TBA (R Tue May 9 1:30am, 6:30am)
-Tue May 16 4:00pm - Episode TBA (R Wed May 10 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Tue May 16 4:30pm - Episode TBA (R Wed May 10 1:30am, 6:30am)
-Wed May 17 4:00pm - Episode TBA (R Thu May 11 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Wed May 17 4:30pm - Episode TBA (R Thu May 11 1:30am, 6:30am)
-Thu May 18 4:00pm - Episode TBA (R Fri May 12 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Thu May 18 4:30pm - Episode TBA (R Fri May 12 1:30am, 6:30am)
-Fri May 19 4:00pm - Episode TBA (R Sat May 13 1:00am, 6:00am)
-Fri May 19 4:30pm - Episode TBA (R Sat May 13 1:30am, 6:30am)

Submarine 707 Revolution
-Wed May 17 12:00am - Episode 1 "Mission: 01"
-Wed May 17 1:00am - Episode 2 "Mission: 02"

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

(YTV)
-Sat May 13 3:00am - Episode TBA (R Sat May 13 1:30pm)
-Fri May 19 7:00pm - Episode TBA

Trigun
(Cartoon Network)
-Tue May 16 1:30am - Episode 15 "Demon's Eye" (R Tue May 16 5:00am)
-Wed May 17 1:30am - Episode 16 "Fifth Moon" (R Wed May 17 5:00am)
-Thu May 18 1:30am - Episode 17 "Rem Saverem" (R Thu May 18 5:00am)
-Fri May 19 1:30am - Episode 18 "Goodbye for Now" (R Fri May 19 5:00am)

Vandread
(Encore Action)
-Sat May 13 12:00am - Episode 25 "Second Stage: Secret"
-Sat May 13 12:30am - Episode 26 "Second Stage: Trust"

Yu-Gi-Oh!
(YTV)
-Sat May 13 4:30am - Episode 148 "The Creator Returns"
-Sat May 13 8:00am - Episode 212 "Village of Vengeance, Part 4"
-Tue May 16 4:30am - Episode 149 "Deja Duel! Part 1"
-Wed May 17 4:30am - Episode 150 "Deja Duel! Part 2"
-Thu May 18 4:30am - Episode 151 "An Unexpected Enemy"
-Fri May 19 4:30am - Episode 152 "My Freaky Valentine, Part 1"

Zatch Bell
(Cartoon Network)
-Mon May 15 4:30pm - Episode 30 "Zatch and Tia: A Fierce Combination"
-Tue May 16 4:30pm - Episode 31 "The Cute Transfer Student"
-Wed May 17 4:30pm - Episode 32 "Shion's Secret"
-Thu May 18 4:30pm - Episode 33 "The Joining of the Three"
-Fri May 19 4:30pm - Episode 34 "Sunset Soaked in Tears"