The Click

December 15 - 21

Ah, mid-December. The crisp, cool air has an eerie stillness, beckoning us in equal amounts to frolic forth amongst the tundra and bundle up indoors, and cozily sip our favorite warm beverage of choice next to the fireplace. Unfortunately, I have done neither of these things, so pardon my somewhat Grinch-ian holiday perspective, but nonetheless! I am here to write The Click, and you are here to read it, or at least one would assume.

Two things before I begin with the lugubrious list-making: Code Geass on Adult Swim? It's great that they're, uh, diversifying their lineup a bit, and new shows are always welcome, but this seems like a strange choice. It's a slick, well-designed, well-animated, popular-in-Japan show, obviously, but its essentially the same cut-from-the-same-cloth Evangelion-ish mecha show that's riddled Japanese airwaves for a while, and it seems odd that they'd air it considering they could simply re-run Evangelion itself or Eureka 7 or something and achieve (likely) the same ratings. Granted, I've only seen a half-dozen episodes, and I'd be more inclined to watch more of it once its on TV, but I still find it an odd choice.

Second! Shameless self-promotion! For those probably none of you who think that The Click does not provide sufficient amounts of Brian Hanson writing per week, I am starting a blog, I guess, even though I don't read many blogs myself and to be honest I hate the way the word "blog" sounds and there's only one update and I'm terrible at self-promotion so I'll just shut up right now.

Anime: Drawing a Revolution
(Starz)
Monday December 17 9:00pm (Repeats Tue Dec 18 12:35pm, Thu Dec 20 11:00pm, Fri Dec 21 7:05am)

(Starz Edge)
Friday December 21 8:00pm

This should be a well-meaning, hopefully entertaining look at the influence of anime in the western world, with a few high-profile guests waxing somewhat-philosophical on how Ghost in the Shell rocks and such. But! It also features a noteworthy appearance by ANN's own sultry siren of song, Bamboo Dong. Bamboo is one of the most delightfully funny and intelligent people I've ever had the pleasure of meeting, and in fact it was some four years ago that I got my first shot at anime journalism when I wrote a guest column for Shelf Life, so I certainly owe her quite a bit in that regard. So show Bamboo some love, will you? Mad props, mad props.

PREMIERES:

Black Lagoon
(G4TechTV Canada)
Friday December 21 8:00pm - Episode 9 "Maid to Kill"

That kooky Black Lagoon Company reaches their target destination on their latest job, but a deadly maid gives the roughneck crew a literal run for their money.

Bleach
(YTV)
Friday December 21 10:30pm - Episode 41 (Repeats Sat Dec 15 2:00am)

Those cheeky Bleach guys arrive at Rukia's cell to rescue the poor damsel, but the powerful Byakuya proves too great an opponent, prompting a surprise appearance by that lurking feline, Yoruichi.

Blood +
(Adult Swim)
Sunday December 16 12:30am - Episode 37 "To the Level of Sheer Madness" (Repeats Sun Dec 16 4:00am)

Those goofy Blood+ fellas are having their hands full with the murderous Carl, who enlists the aptly-named Corpse Corps to put an end to Saya's vampire-slaying ways.

Death Note
(Adult Swim)
Sunday December 16 12:00am - Episode 9 "Encounter" (Repeats Sun Dec 17 3:30am)

(YTV)
Friday December 21 10:00pm - Episode 9 "Encounter" (Repeats Sat Dec 22 1:30am)

Those crack-ups from Death Note continue their iron-fisted quest to best one another, as L infiltrates Light's university to study the little scamp from up close.

Desert Punk
(Starz Edge)
-Wednesday December 19 12:00am - Episode 9 “All That Glitters” (Repeats Thu Dec 20 2:10pm)
-Wednesday December 19 12:30am - Episode 10 “A Little Bit of Wisdom” (Repeats Thu Dec 20 2:40pm)

Those silly saps from Desert Punk are at it again! This week the Desert Punk is lured by a promising ten-million-yen bounty, and later matches wits and brawn against a deadly creature guarding a long-lost treasure.

Digimon
(Toon Disney)
Monday December 17 8:30pm - Episode 226 "The Rise of RizeGreymon!" (Repeats Tue Dec 18 1:00am, Fri Dec 21 8:30pm, Sat Dec 22 1:00am)

Those callipygian cats from Digimon are Digi-volving and Digi-hatching from Digi-Eggs all over! And there's some plot about the Real World being overtaken by evil creatures from the Digi-World underlying the whole thing.

Dinosaur King
(4KidsTV)
Saturday December 15 9:30am - Episode 16 "All Fired Up!"

Okay, this sounds pretty cool: Those nasty dudes from the Alpha Gang arm a dinosaur with a freakin' flame thrower and it goes on a rampage. Or at least a TV-Y7 rampage.

Ergo Proxy
(G4TechTV Canada)
Thursday December 20 8:00pm - Episode 22 "Bilbul"

The trippy troupe from Ergo Proxy discovers Vincent's "true" abilities, and the disastrous consequences of it. Metaphysical meanderings abound!

Gundam Seed Destiny
(YTV)
Friday December 21 9:30pm - Episode 37 "Thunder in the Dark" (Repeats Sat Dec 22 2:30am)

The gutsy gang of Gundam Seed Destiny waste no time reacting to Athrun's recent convict status, or they would if they weren't being attacked by rival forces.

Last Exile
(G4TechTV Canada)
Sunday December 16 8:00pm - Episode 22 "Queen Delphine" (Repeats Mon Dec 17 12:00am)

The lively lot from Last Exile struggles against the villainous Queen Delphine, who brainwashes one of their comrades to attempt to uncover The Secret. And no, I speak not of Rhonda Byrne's smash-hit self help book.

Naruto
(Cartoon Network)
-Saturday December 15 9:00pm - Episode 122 “Fakeout: Shikamaru's Comeback!”
-Saturday December 15 9:30pm - Episode 123 “The Leaf's Handsome Devil”

Those knightly ninja of Naruto continue their individual fights, death be damned! Only their fights grow much more desperate and deadly by the minute, until the last-minute appearance of a certain eyebrow-ed comrade.

One Piece
(Cartoon Network)
Saturday December 15 10:00pm - Episode 115 "Skypiea: The Clouds of Angel Beach”

Those persevering pugilists of One Piece meet their first new friend in Skypiea, and learn of the mystical Sky Island's many ins and outs, ups and downs. But mostly ups, because its the sky. Obviously.

Pokemon
(Cartoon Network)
Saturday December 15 9:30am - Episode 507 "A Stand Up Sit Down!”

Those pusillanimous party-animals of Pokemon train diligently for their next big Pokemon battle - a rigorous two-on-two fracas that will test their Pokemon skills! So to speak.

Requiem From the Darkness
(G4TechTV Canada)
Saturday December 15 8:00pm - Episode 9 "Kowai - The Lone and Strange" (Repeats Sun Dec 16 12:00am)

That rascally rapscallion Momosuke finds yet another gruesome specter to add to his storybook; a tragic creature whose resurrection spells disaster for not only himself, but all those around him. Dreary.

Saiyuki Reload Gunlock
(AZNTV)
-Monday December 17 8:30pm - Episode 22 "Strategy ~checkmate~" (Repeats Tue Dec 18 1:30am, 5:30am)
-Tuesday December 18 8:30pm - Episode 23 "Breakthrough ~battle royal~" (Repeats Wed Dec 19 1:30am, 5:30am)
-Wednesday December 19 8:30pm - Episode 24 "Mortal Combat ~sunny day~" (Repeats Thu Dec 20 1:30am, 5:30am)

The swingin' syndicate of Saiyuki Reload grow weary of constant demon attacks and battles, threatening to disband the tightly-knit brigands - until a greater enemy arises. Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer, as the old platitude states.

Shin Chan
(Adult Swim)
Tuesday December 18 12:30am - Episode 26 (Repeats Tue Dec 18 4:00am)

That scampy little scofflaw, Shin Chan, emerges in his last new episode for what is probably a while, so enjoy it folks! Because you really don't get enough poop jokes delivered by a stoic preschooler on TV these days.

Texhnolyze
(G4TechTV Canada)
Saturday December 15 8:30pm - Episode 22 "Myth" (Repeats Sun Dec 16 12:30am)

The tumultuous turf of Texhnolyze comes crashing down, both literally and figuratively, in the final episode. Is the city of "Lux" finished? Will Ichise survive? Like I'm gonna spoil anything for you, Canadians.

Tokyo Underground
(G4TechTV Canada)
Sunday December 16 8:30pm - Episode 22 "Concentration: Invitation to Killing Field" (Repeats Mon Dec 17 12:30am)

Those turkey-filled tough-guys... wait, let me start over. Those... trunk-like, tarp-wielding... Screw it. This week on Tokyo Underground: Our hero fights another villain with a dark secret!

MOVIES/SPECIALS

Blood: The Last Vampire
(Sci Fi)
Monday December 17 11:00pm

Dead Leaves
(Sci Fi)
Tuesday December 18 12:00am

This week's Sci Fi channel offerings are the same tired hour-long features that have been clogging the cable airwaves since long before I started writing this thing, so I would better spend my time playing video games or crocheting or preparing a lovely dinner for a loved one or a pet or something.

Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade
(Encore Action)
Saturday December 15 11:35am (Repeats Sat Dec 15 6:30pm, Wed Dec 19 9:40am, 4:50pm)

(Starz Edge)
Monday December 17 3:00am

Appleseed
(Starz Edge)
Monday December 17 7:15am

(Encore Action)
Tuesday December 18 1:20pm

(Encore WAM)
Friday December 21 12:00pm (Repeats Fri Dec 21 9:30pm)

These movies are staler than my month-old Thanksgiving leftovers. And twice as slimy. Euuck.

Anyway! You know the drill by now, I hope: same time next week, same great TV listing shenanigans! Bye y'all!

REPEATS/STRIPS

Ayakashi
(ImaginAsianTV)
-Sun Dec 16 10:00pm - Episode 7 "Yotsuya Ghost Story, Part 3" (R Mon Dec 17 2:30am, 2:00pm)
-Tue Dec 18 5:30pm - Episode 8 "Yotsuya Ghost Story, Part 4" (R Tue Dec 18 8:30pm, Wed Dec 19 1:00am, 12:30pm)

Blood+
(Adult Swim)
-Tue Dec 18 1:00am - Episode 35 "Tomorrow Without Hope" (R Tue Dec 18 4:30am)
-Wed Dec 19 1:00am - Episode 36 "Mismatched Feelings" (R Wed Dec 19 4:30am)
-Thu Dec 20 1:00am - Episode 37 "To the Level of Sheer Madness" (R Thu Dec 20 4:30am)
-Fri Dec 21 1:00am - Episode 1 "First Kiss" (R Fri Dec 21 4:30am)
-Sat Dec 22 1:00am - Episode 2 "Magic Words" (R Sat Dec 22 4:30am)

Cat's Eye
(ImaginAsianTV)
-Mon Dec 17 9:30am - Episode 25 "Tolls of the Bell" (R Tue Dec 18 5:30am)
-Tue Dec 18 9:30am - Episode 26 "Love From Luna Island" (R Wed Dec 19 5:30am)
-Wed Dec 19 9:30am - Episode 27 "Luna Island Hanging on a Thread" (R Thu Dec 20 5:30am)
-Thu Dec 20 9:30am - Episode 28 "Lost Memory" (R Fri Dec 21 5:30am)
-Fri Dec 21 9:30am - Episode 29 "The Magnificent Show" (R Sat Dec 22 5:30am)

Chrono Crusade
(Showtime Beyond)
-Sun Dec 16 6:15pm - Episode 17 “Accomplices” (R Sun Dec 16 11:20pm, Fri Dec 21 3:20am)
-Sun Dec 16 11:45pm - Episode 18 “Four People” (R Fri Dec 21 3:45am)
-Mon Dec 17 12:10am - Episode 19 “Atonement” (R Fri Dec 21 4:10am)
-Mon Dec 17 12:35am - Episode 20 “Temptation” (R Fri Dec 21 4:35am)
-Fri Dec 21 8:00pm - Episode 21 “Mary Magdalene”
-Fri Dec 21 8:30pm - Episode 22 “Sayonara”
-Fri Dec 21 9:00pm - Episode 23 “The Noise”
-Fri Dec 21 9:30pm - Episode 24 “Chrono”

Desert Punk
(Starz Edge)
-Mon Dec 17 1:00pm - Episode 1 “The Demon and the Double Ds”
-Mon Dec 17 1:30pm - Episode 2 “Rock, Paper, Scissors”
-Mon Dec 17 2:00pm - Episode 3 “Fire Dragon Kong”
-Mon Dec 17 2:30pm - Episode 4 “An Ace in the Sand”
-Mon Dec 17 3:05pm - Episode 5 “The Price of Water”
-Mon Dec 17 3:35pm - Episode 6 “Wandering Lust”
-Mon Dec 17 4:05pm - Episode 7 “Age Before Beauty”
-Mon Dec 17 4:35pm - Episode 8 “A Dog in Heat”

Digimon
(Toon Disney)
-Mon Dec 17 10:00pm - Episode 143 “Song of a Sakuyamon”
-Tue Dec 18 10:00pm - Episode 144 “Janyu's Ark”
-Wed Dec 19 10:00pm - Episode 145 “Homeward Bound”
-Thu Dec 20 10:00pm - Episode 146 “Reunion”
-Fri Dec 21 10:00pm - Episode 147 “Beelzemon's Big Day”

Dragon Ball Z
(Cartoon Network)
-Sat Dec 15 10:30pm - Episode 151 "What is the Tournament?"

Eiken
(Encore Action)
-Fri Dec 21 7:05am - Episode 1
-Fri Dec 21 7:40am - Episode 2

Ergo Proxy
(Fuse)
-Sun Dec 16 2:30pm - Episode 10 “Cytotropism”
-Sun Dec 16 3:00pm - Episode 11 “Anamuneshisu”
-Sun Dec 16 3:30pm - Episode 12 “Hideout”
-Sun Dec 16 4:00pm - Episode 13 “Wrong Way Home”
-Sun Dec 16 4:30pm - Episode 14 “Ophelia”
-Sun Dec 16 5:00pm - Episode 15 “Who Wants to be in Jeopardy!”
-Sun Dec 16 5:30pm - Episode 16 “Busy Doing Nothing”
-Sun Dec 16 6:00pm - Episode 17 “Terra Incognita”
-Sun Dec 16 6:30pm - Episode 18 “Life After God”
-Sun Dec 16 7:00pm - Episode 19 “Eternal Smile”
-Sun Dec 16 7:30pm - Episode 20 “Goodbye Vincent”
-Sun Dec 16 8:00pm - Episode 21 “Shampoo Planet”
-Sun Dec 16 8:30pm - Episode 22 “Bilbul”
-Sun Dec 16 9:00pm - Epsiode 23 “Deus Ex Machina”
-Thu Dec 20 2:00am - Episode 1 “Awakening”
-Thu Dec 20 2:30am - Episode 2 “Confession”

Eureka 7
(Adult Swim)
-Tue Dec 18 1:30am - Episode 11 "Into the Nature" (R Tue Dec 18 5:00am)
-Wed Dec 19 1:30am - Episode 12 "Acperience-1" (R Wed Dec 19 5:00am)
-Thu Dec 20 1:30am - Episode 13 "The Beginning" (R Thu Dec 20 5:00am)
-Fri Dec 21 1:30am - Episode 14 "Memory Band" (R Fri Dec 21 5:00am)
-Sat Dec 22 1:30am - Episode 15 "Human Behavior" (R Sat Dec 22 5:00am)

Fullmetal Alchemist
(Adult Swim)
-Sun Dec 16 1:30am - Episode 8 "The Philosopher's Stone" (R Sun Dec 16 5:00am)

Inuyasha
(Adult Swim)
-Sun Dec 16 2:00am - Episode 33 "Kikyo, Captured by Naraku" (R Sun Dec 16 5:30am)
-Tue Dec 18 2:00am - Episode 34 "Tetsusaiga and Tenseiga" (R Tue Dec 18 5:30am)
-Wed Dec 19 2:00am - Episode 35 "The True Owner of the Great Sword" (R Wed Dec 19 5:30am)
-Thu Dec 20 2:00am - Episode 36 "Kagome Kidnapped by Koga, the Wolf Demon" (R Thu Dec 20 5:30am)
-Fri Dec 21 2:00am - Epsiode 37 "The Man Who Fell in Love With Kagome" (R Fri Dec 21 5:30am)
-Sat Dec 22 2:00am - Episode 38 "Two Hearts, One Mind" (R Sat Dec 22 5:30am)

Kami Chu
(ImaginAsianTV)
-Sun Dec 16 9:30pm - Episode 12 "Mysterious Adventure" (R Mon Dec 17 2:00am, 1:30pm)
-Tue Dec 18 5:00pm - Episode 13 "We Do As We Like" (R Tue Dec 18 8:00pm, Wed Dec 19 12:30am, 12:00pm)

Naruto
(Cartoon Network)
-Mon Dec 17 10:30pm - Episode 96 “Deadlock: Sannin Showdown”
-Tue Dec 18 10:30pm - Episode 97 “Kidnapped: Naruto's Hot Spring Adventure”
-Wed Dec 19 10:30pm - Episode 98 “Tsunade's Warning: Ninja No More”
-Thu Dec 20 10:30pm - Episode 99 “The Will of Fire Still Burns”

Oban Star-Racers
(Toon Disney)
-Sun Dec 16 2:30am - Episode 20 “Secret Like Sul”
-Mon Dec 17 2:30am - Episode 21 “Ominous Like O”

Orguss
(ImaginAsianTV)
-Mon Dec 17 8:30am - Episode 26 "Breakdown" (R Tue Dec 18 5:00am)
-Tue Dec 18 8:30am - Episode 27 "Message" (R Wed Dec 19 5:00am)
-Wed Dec 19 8:30am - Episode 28 "Come Back Lover" (R Thu Dec 20 5:00am)
-Thu Dec 20 8:30am - Episode 29 "Choice" (R Fri Dec 21 5:00am)
-Fri Dec 21 8:30am - Episode 30 "Outside" (R Sat Dec 22 5:00am)

Paradise Kiss
(ImaginAsianTV)
-Sun Dec 16 10:30pm - Episode 8 "Tokumori" (R Mon Dec 17 3:00am, 2:30pm)
-Tue Dec 18 6:00pm - Episode 9 "Designer" (R Tue Dec 18 9:00pm, Wed Dec 19 1:30am, 1:00pm)

Pokemon
(Cartoon Network)
-Sat Dec 15 9:00am - Episode 506 "Top-Down Training"
-Sun Dec 16 10:30am - Episode 488 “Borrowing on Bad Faith”
-Sun Dec 16 11:00am - Episode 489 “Faces With Steelix Determination!”
-Mon Dec 17 7:00am - Episode 498 "An Angry Combeenation"
-Mon Dec 17 3:00pm - Episode 486 “Mutiny in the Bounty”
-Tue Dec 18 7:00am - Episode 499 "All Dressed Up With Somewhere to Go!"
-Tue Dec 18 3:00pm - Episode 487 “Ya See We Want An Evolution”
-Wed Dec 19 7:00am - Episode 500 “Buizel Your Way Out of This”
-Thu Dec 20 7:00am - Episode 501 “An Elite Meet and Greet”
-Fri Dec 21 7:00am - Episode 502 “A Secret Sphere of Influence”

Remi
(ImaginAsianTV)
-Mon Dec 17 6:00am - Episode 49 "Two Mothers" (R Mon Dec 17 9:00am, Tue Dec 18 4:30am)
-Tue Dec 18 6:00am - Episode 50 "The First Spoken Word: Remi!" (R Tue Dec 18 9:00am, Wed Dec 19 4:30am)
-Wed Dec 19 6:00am - Episode 51 "A New Journey" (R Wed Dec 19 9:00am, Thu Dec 20 4:30am)
-Thu Dec 20 6:00am - Episode 1 "Remi, Boy of Chavanon Village" (R Thu Dec 20 9:00am, Fri Dec 21 4:30am)
-Fri Dec 21 6:00am - Episode 2 "Remi, Child of Fate" (R Fri Dec 21 9:00am, Sat Dec 22 4:30am)

Saiyuki Reload
(Encore WAM)
-Sat Dec 15 4:00pm - Episode 1 “Run” (R Sun Dec 16 1:00am, 8:00am)
-Sun Dec 16 4:00pm - Episode 2 “Wanted Dead or Alive” (R Mon Dec 17 1:00am, 8:00am)
-Mon Dec 17 4:00pm - Episode 3 “Lethal Weapon” (R Tue Dec 18 1:00am, 8:00am)
-Tue Dec 18 4:00pm - Episode 4 “Negative Energy” (R Wed Dec 19 1:00am, 8:00am)
-Wed Dec 19 4:00pm - Episode 5 “Voice” (R Thu Dec 20 1:00am, 5:15am, 8:00am)
-Thu Dec 20 4:00pm - Episode 6 “Sad Memory” (R Fri Dec 21 1:00am, 8:00am, 1:30pm)
-Fri Dec 21 4:00pm - Episode 7 “Little Will” (R Sat Dec 22 1:00am, 8:00am)

Samurai Champloo
(Adult Swim)
-Sun Dec 16 1:00am - Episode 3 "Hellhounds for Hire" (R Sun Dec 16 4:30am)

Samurai Deeper Kyo
(Encore WAM)
-Sat Dec 15 4:30pm - Episode TBA (R Sun Dec 16 1:30am, 8:30am)
-Sun Dec 16 4:30pm - Episode 25 “The One That Surpasses Tach” (R Mon Dec 17 1:30am, 8:30am, 1:20pm)
-Mon Dec 17 4:30pm - Episode 26 “The Ballad of the Samurai” (R Tue Dec 18 1:30am, 8:30am)
-Tue Dec 18 4:30pm - Episode 1 “Road to Armageddon” (R Wed Dec 19 1:30am, 8:30am)
-Wed Dec 19 4:30pm - Episode 2 “Wanted Dead or Alive” (R THu Dec 21 1:30am, 8:30am)
-Thu Dec 20 4:30pm - Episode 3 “The Machine Made Dolls” (R Fri Dec 21 1:30am, 8:30am)
-Fri Dec 21 4:30pm - Episode 4 “The Creeping Nightmare” (R Sat Dec 22 1:30am, 8:30am)

Shin Chan
(Adult Swim)
-Wed Dec 19 12:30am - Episode 1 "Shin's Allowance - A Very Wrong Engagement - Loopy in the Sky With Demons" (R Wed Dec 19 4:00am)
-Thu Dec 20 12:30am - Episode 2 "Pee Strike" (R Thu Dec 20 4:00am)
-Fri Dec 21 12:30am - Episode 3 "Honor and a Penis" (R Fri Dec 21 4:00am)
-Sat Dec 22 12:30am - Episode 4 "The Unbearable Sadness of Being - A Fistful of Bunny" (R Sat Dec 22 4:00am)

Shinzo
(Toon Disney)
-Tue Dec 18 4:00am - Episode 28 “Lanancuras Unbound”
-Wed Dec 19 4:00am - Episode 29 “Mushrambo Meets His Match”
-Thu Dec 20 4:00am - Episode 30 “Mushra's Mission”
-Fri Dec 21 4:00am - Episode 31 “Soul Survivor”
-Sat Dec 22 4:00am - Episode 32 “Long Live Yakumo”

Sonic X
(4KidsTV)
-Sat Dec 15 10:30am - Episode 33 "Project Shadow"

Special Duty Combat Unit: Shinesman
(Encore Action)
-Wed Dec 19 9:05am - Episode TBA

Tenjho Tenge
(Fuse)
-Sat Dec 15 1:00pm - Episode TBA
-Sat Dec 15 1:30pm - Episode TBA
-Sat Dec 15 2:00pm - Episode TBA
-Sat Dec 15 2:30pm - Episode TBA
-Sat Dec 15 3:00pm - Episode TBA
-Sat Dec 15 3:30pm - Episode TBA
-Sat Dec 15 4:00pm - Episode TBA
-Sat Dec 15 4:30pm - Episode TBA
-Sat Dec 15 5:00pm - Episode TBA
-Sat Dec 15 5:30pm - Episode TBA

Transformers Cybertron
(Cartoon Network)
-Mon Dec 17 6:00am - Episode 12 "Ambush"
-Tue Dec 18 6:00am - Episode 13 "Challenge"
-Wed Dec 19 6:00am - Episode 14 “Duel”
-Thu Dec 20 6:00am - Episode 15 “Leader”
-Fri Dec 21 6:00am - Episode 16 “Showdown”

Yu-Gi-Oh! GX
(4KidsTV)
-Sat Dec 15 7:30am - Episode 122 "Night of the Living Duelist"