Locomotion (TV channel) facts for kids
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| Broadcast area | Ibero-america |
|---|---|
| Slogan | Animation*young-adults*digital era (1999–2001) Mundo Locomotion 100% happy (2001–2004) Animestation (2004–2005) |
| Headquarters | Miami, United States Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | Spanish Portuguese |
| Picture format | 480i - 4:3 (SDTV) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | The Hearst Corporation (1996–2005) Claxson Interactive Group (1996–2002) Corus Entertainment (2002–2005) Sony Pictures Television (2005) |
| History | |
| Launched | November 1, 1996 |
| Closed | July 31, 2005 |
| Replaced by | Animax |
Locomotion was a special TV channel in Latin America. It showed lots of anime and other animated shows. The channel was mostly for older teens and young adults. It broadcast movies, TV series, and short films.
Locomotion started on November 1, 1996. It closed down on July 31, 2005. You could also watch it in Portugal and Spain for a while.
At first, Locomotion showed cartoons for all ages. But they didn't want to compete with channels like Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network. So, by 1998, they started showing more unique and adult animation. By 2000, they focused on Japanese animation and other cool animated series from around the world.
Contents
- What was Locomotion all about?
- Loco, the Channel Mascot
- Cool TV Show Blocks
- The End of Locomotion
- Anime Shows on Locomotion
- Anime OVAs on Locomotion
- Other Animated Shows on Locomotion
- Animated Movies on Locomotion
- Shows Locomotion Planned to Air
- Short Experimental Animations
- Locomotion's VJ and Design Projects
- See also
What was Locomotion all about?
Locomotion became known for its Japanese animation shows. They aired popular titles from companies like ADV Films and Bandai Entertainment. The channel also showed adult cartoons such as South Park and Duckman.
Locomotion was also a place for experimental animation. This meant they showed creative and unusual animated works. They even had video jockeys who used video art. The channel's main offices were in Miami, United States.
Loco, the Channel Mascot
One fun part of Locomotion was a computer-made character called Loco. This character was created by "Modern Cartoons". Loco often appeared during commercial breaks. He would make funny comments and do silly things.
Loco was a popular mascot for the channel. However, he disappeared when the channel changed its look. When Animax took over Locomotion, there was a small nod to Loco. In a special video, agents tried to save Locomotion. They got a call from Loco right before he was "killed."
Cool TV Show Blocks
Locomotion organized its shows into different themed blocks. Here are some of them:
- 80's TV: This block showed popular cartoons from the 1980s.
- Anime Loving: As the name suggests, this was for anime fans.
- Japanimotion/JapanOK!: This block featured the best Japanese animation. It included hidden anime gems, movies, and series.
- Animafilms: This section was for amazing international animated films.
- Fracto: This block showed experimental animation. It also played techno music.
- Cortos Locomotion: These were short films shown between TV programs.
- Love Vision: This block featured short animations and experimental music.
- Replay: This was a chance to watch the best shows from the past week.
- Kapsula: This block highlighted great experimental animation directors. People could even send in their own work.
The End of Locomotion
Sony Pictures Entertainment Latin America bought Locomotion in January 2005. After Sony bought it, Locomotion stopped showing non-anime programs. The channel wanted to focus only on anime.
Locomotion officially stopped broadcasting at 11:00 a.m. on July 31, 2005. The channel then became Animax.
Some of Locomotion's anime shows moved to Animax. These included Vandread and Serial Experiments Lain. Other non-anime shows from Locomotion found new homes. For example, South Park started airing on MTV Latin America. Bob and Margaret moved to Adult Swim.
Anime Shows on Locomotion
Locomotion aired many exciting anime series. Here are some of the titles:
- Alexander Senki
- Blue Seed
- Boogiepop Phantom
- Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040
- Burn Up Excess
- Candidate for Goddess
- Cybaster
- Cyber Team in Akihabara
- Cowboy Bebop
- Earth Girl Arjuna
- Eat-Man
- Eat-Man '98
- Gasaraki
- Gene Shaft
- If I See You in my Dreams
- Let's Dance With Papa
- Lupin III
- Neon Genesis Evangelion
- Nightwalker — The Midnight Detective
- Oh! Super Milk-Chan
- Petshop of Horrors
- Ranma ½
- Red Baron
- Robotech
- Saber Marionette J
- Saber Marionette J to X
- Serial Experiments Lain
- Silent Möbius
- Soul Hunter
- The Adventures of Mini Goddess
- Those Who Hunt Elves 1 y 2
Anime OVAs on Locomotion
Locomotion also showed Original Video Animations (OVAs). These are anime films or series made directly for home video.
- Agent Aika
- Afroken
- Birdy the Mighty
- Blue Submarine No. 6 (Aonorokugo)
- Burn Up W
- City Hunter: Bay City Wars
- City Hunter: Million Dollar Conspiracy
- Compiler
- Compiler Festa
- Dirty Pair: Flight 005 Conspiracy
- Ellcia
- éX-Driver
- Gunsmith Cats
- If I see you in my Dreams
- Labyrinth of Flames
- Ninja Resurrection
- Oh! My Goddess
- Power Dolls
- Tenamonya Voyagers
- Saber Marionette R
- Saber Marionette J Again
- Sakura Mail
- Shutendoji
- Suikoden Demon Century
- Sukeban Deka
- Tarepanda
- Virgin Fleet
- Welcome to Pia Carrot!! 2 DX
- Yakumo Tatsu
Other Animated Shows on Locomotion
Besides anime, Locomotion aired many other animated series. These came from different countries like the US and UK.
- Æon Flux
- Bob and Margaret
- Captain Star
- Crapston Villas
- Cuttlas
- Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist
- Duckman
- Gary and Mike
- Gogs
- Home to Rent
- Journey to Infinity
- Quads!
- Pond Life
- Ren and Stimpy
- Rex the Runt
- Robin
- South Park
- Stressed Eric
- The Critic
- The Head
- The Maxx
Animated Movies on Locomotion
Locomotion also showed a variety of animated films.
- Akira
- Alexander Senki
- City Hunter: Bay City Wars
- City Hunter: Magnum with Love and Fate
- City Hunter: Million Dollar Conspiracy
- Dirty Pair: Project Eden
- Fallen Angels
- Flatworld and The Making of Flatworld
- Ghost in the Shell
- Glassy Ocean
- Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade
- Juego de niños
- La Vieille Dame et les Pigeons (Old Lady and the Pigeons)
- Martian Successor Nadesico: The Prince of Darkness
- Megasónicos
- Opera Imaginaire
- Phantom 2040
- Rail of the Star
- Robert Creep
- The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love?
- The Tale of Shim Chung
- Torpedo
- Truckers
- Vampiros en la Habana
- Wallace and Gromit: A Close Shave
- Wallace and Gromit: A Grand Day Out
- Wallace and Gromit: The Wrong Trousers
Many of these films came from MTV Networks and Channel 4 in Great Britain. Locomotion also had a block called Locotomia. This block showed international experimental animations. The Wallace and Gromit movies and Flatworld were also shown.
Shows Locomotion Planned to Air
Locomotion had bought the rights to show these titles. But the channel closed before they could broadcast them. These shows later aired on Animax Latin America.
- .hack//Legend of the Twilight
- .hack//SIGN
- Di Gi Charat Nyo
- DNA²
- Galaxy Angel
- Pita Ten
- Ran, The Samurai Girl
- Stratos 4
- Wolf's Rain
Short Experimental Animations
Locomotion was also known for showing many unique short experimental animations.
- A Chairy Tale (1957)
- Abductees
- Alice in Plasmaland
- Anna and Bella
- A Piece of Phantasmagoria
- Arnold Escapes From Church
- At The Ends Of The Earth
- Bob's Birthday
- Boogie Doodle
- Dada
- Dots
- El Egoísta
- Historia del Gato y la Luna
- Hen Hop
- How Wings Are Attached to the Backs of Angels
- I'm Your Man
- Jolly Roger
- La Leyenda de la Canoa Voladora
- Lennart's Top Tips
- Lupo the Butcher
- Mad Doctors of Borneo
- Manipulation
- Meat Love (1989)
- Mindscape
- Monkey Love
- Neighbours (1952)
- Next
- Noiseman Sound Insect
- Opus Dei
- Os Salteadores
- Prelude to Eden
- Promethevs
- Screen Play (Takako and Naoki)
- Steel Life
- Street of Crocodiles
- The Balance
- The Cat Came Back
- The Fly
- The Monk and the Fish
- The Sandman
- The Stain
- The Big Snit
Locomotion's VJ and Design Projects
Locomotion was more than just a channel for animation. In its later years, it also focused on graphic design and electronic music. This included House and Chill-Out music.
Locomotion helped launch the careers of groups like Boeing and Miranda!. These groups later became famous on MTV. The channel had a 30-minute block called Fracto. This block showed music and design experiments, often with experimental animation.
See also
In Spanish: Locomotion para niños
