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Locomotion was a TV channel that aired in Latin America until July 31, 2005. It was also broadcasted in Portugal and Spain. It was dedicated mostly to alternative and adult-oriented animation. Due to the large share of Japanese animation titles the channel aired, it was specially popular among anime fans from the continent, since it had proven to be a good source of that style of animation in those countries.
Aside from its anime-oriented programming, Locomotion was also dedicated to showing works of experimental animation from all over the world throughout the day. During the early years of its existence, its programming block during the morning, known as "80's TV", included American animation from the 80's.
Known for having very few new programming updates on its late era, the channel seemed to put little effort into keeping its viewers, as portrayed by its intensity to broadcast VJ projects, but which could be seen before and after every single show broadcast.
"Loco"
During the late 90's Locomotion included one of these VJ projects called "Loco". It was a 3-D Rendered character which mostly appeared on commercial breaks, he normally made comments, said and did non-sense stuff that made the viewer laugh. The mascot disappeared as the channel changed its image. There was a brief and last reference of "Loco" when Animax replaced Locomotion, which is the part where the special agents sent to save Locomotion, they receive a call from "Loco" before he gets killed.
Acquisition
Locomotion was bought by Sony Pictures Entertainment Latin America on January 2005, and it officially ceased to exist at 11:00 a.m. of July 31 of the same year. From then on, the network's name was changed to Animax, a new channel which began to air different anime series from various genres such as comedy, horror and others.
List of Anime titles aired by Locomotion
- Agent Aika
- Ah! My Mini-Goddesses
- Blue Seed
- Boogiepop Phantom
- Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040
- Burn Up Excess
- Candidate for Goddess
- Cowboy Bebop
- Cybuster
- Cyber Team in Akihabara
- Earth Girl Arjuna
- Eatman
- Eatman 98'
- Éx-Driver
- Gasaraki
- Gene Shaft
- G-Force - Also known as "Gatchaman" (Aired on Locomotion's early days)
- If I see you in my Dreams
- Let's Dance with Papa
- Lupin the III - Also known as "Cliffhanger"
- Neon Genesis Evangelion
- Neo Ranga
- Nightwalker
- Oh! Super Milk-Chan
- Pet Shop of Horrors
- Rahxephon
- Ranma ½ - Only shown in Locomotion Spain and Portugal
- Robotech - see also Macross
- Saber Marionette J
- Saber Marionette J to X
- Serial Experiments Lain
- Silent Möbius
- Soul Hunter - Also known as "Sekaiden Houshin Engi"
- The Red Baron
- Those Who Hunt Elves
List of Anime movies and OAV's aired by Locomotion
- Ah! My Goddess (OAV)
- Akira
- A Piece of Phantasmagoria
- Banner of Stars
- Birdy the Mighty
- Blue Submarine No. 6
- Burn Up W
- Compiler (OAV)
- Ellcia
- Ghost in the Shell
- Glassy Ocean
- Gunsmith Cats
- Jin-Roh
- Macross ("Do You Remember, Love?" movie)
- Martian Successor Nadesico - The Prince of Darkness
- Noiseman Soundinsect - though it was shown as experimental animation
- Power Dolls
- Tenamonya Voyagers
- Saber Marionette R
- Saber Marionette J Again
- Shutendoji
- Suikoden Demon Century - Based on the famous Psx and Ps2 video games
- Sukeban Deka
- The City Hunter movies
- The Dirty Pair movies
- Virgin Fleet
- Yakumo Tatsu
List of cartoon satires and other adult cartoons aired by Locomotion
- The Critic - From the producers of The Simpsons
- Duckman
- South Park
- Stressed Eric
- Bob and Margaret
- Dr. Katz
- Crapston Villas
- Aeon Flux - MTV animation created by Peter Chung
- The Maxx - MTV animation
- The Head - MTV animation
- Lilly Pond
The titles above belong to British and American companies, most of them come from the Comedy Central channel and associated with Channel 4 from Britain.
Locomotion also had an hour block called "Locotomia" where international experimental animations where aired.
The Wallace and Gromit movies where also aired along with other British animated short films.
About Locomotion's VJ and design projects
Locomotion was not only about adult animation and Anime. On the last years of being on air, locomotion seemed to be interest also in Graphic Design and techno music (House and Lounge or Chill-Out). Thanks to Locomotion, groups like Boeing and Miranda! began their career, today being recognized by MTV.
Locomotion had a 30 min. block, called Fracto, where they featured music and design experiments that could be considered as experimental animation.
External links
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