One of the freebies on iTunes Store last week, which is still available this week, is an animated series called Skyland. This is a half hour bit of animated adventure that has a Japanese style (sans the big shimmering eyes) and an improbable story line (which, I suppose, is also in the anim� style), but it's nonetheless a good watch. I've actually watched the free episode twice since downloading, it's that enjoyable.

Lena and Mahad of Skyland

The premise goes like this: the Earth was somehow shattered into thousands of pieces which now orbit what's left of the Earth's core. Many of these floating hunks of rock are habitable and have been colonized by what's let of the human race, who call their strange world Skyland.

Water is scarce in Skyland, and the evil dictatorial government, called The Sphere, tax the survivors heavily. The Sphere is also interested in any human who may be sajins, people possessing telekinetic powers fueled by the sun. The Sphere use sajins to keep its less capable subjects in line.

The Skyland story revolves around a pair of siblings, Mahad and Lena, and their quest to resist, and ultimately defeat, the evil Sphere.

I told you that the story was improbable, but you should check it out anyway; and your kids may like it as well. The animation is smooth and has a 3-D quality that looks unfinished somehow, especially in the faces of the characters, but that doesn't detract from the story at all. The voices and dialogue, while nothing to write home about, is good enough to keep the story moving and is easily understood.

The free episode is part one of a two part premier called "Dawn of a New Day." I hate it when they leave you hanging like that, but I don't think you'll mind spending 2 more bucks to at least see what happens in this episode.

Skyland appears on NickToons Network, a cable network that may not be available in your area. So, in order to watch Skyland in its entirety you may have to buy all the episodes. Currently, iTunes has only four.

Another freebie on the iTunes Store this week gives a nod to our Spanish speaking friends with Amor y Fortuna (Love and Fortune), a show appearing on Telemundo.

Amor y Fortuna

My Spanish is horrible, but I'm trying to improve it, and one way is to watch TV shows where only Spanish is spoken. So, if you're like me, shows like Amor y Fortuna are welcomed even if you can understand only a tenth of what's being said. Of course, those of you who do speak Spanish now have something other than music to use your iPod for, which is always a good thing.

The 37' 52" free episode is called "Decisiones" (Decisions). I can't tell you whether it's worth your time or not, but it's there on the iTunes Store and it's free. You decide.

Other freebies at the iTunes Store: