As a little boy, Nickelodeon was one of my favourite channels to watch. A lot of classic shows that I always loved to watch: Fairly OddParents, Spongebob, Hey Arnold!, Rugrats, Kenan and Kel, The Amanda Show, Drake and Josh. I could name a lot right now if I wanted to. I always enjoyed watching those shows and was never disappointed. I can't say the same nowadays, a lot of shows on Nick don't impress me right now.
I was only around 3 or 4 years old when Avatar: The Last Airbender (or The Legend of Aang, as they call it in the UK) premiered. I remember seeing it air on Nick and also CITV on the weekends, and even on school mornings. But as a young boy, I never managed to follow the story. I wasn't used to cartoons like this, and normally, I'd be watching more friendlier shows like Spongebob, Recess and Johnny Test. As I got older, I forgot about the show, and just started watching anything that interested me on TV.
But Nicktoons aired an old episode of Avatar back in 2013 around 9 or 10pm. I was 12, and watching it interested me, but again, I didn't get what was happening. So, after watching it and trying my best to understand it, I decided to start watching the series from start to finish, which I did on the February 2014 half-term. And God damn, it was one of my greatest decisions.
Some people might be asking me: so what is this Avatar show you speak of? Avatar: The Last Airbender is an animated series, that premiered in 2005 on Nickelodeon. Created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, the show follows the adventures of the "Avatar" Aang and his companions, Sokka and Katara (and later Toph & Zuko in the second and third seasons) as they travel to a lot of places, trying to help Aang master the four elements (Earth, Water, Fire and Air) and defeat the Fire Nation.
So here's a little backstory. Over 100 years ago, Fire Lord Sozin, ruler of the Fire Nation, planned a world war to expand the territory and influence of his nation. However, the "Avatar" (apparantly named Roku) prevented Sozin's plans, defeating the nation. Unfortunately, after those events, the "Avatar" never came back. 100 years later, we see that the original Avatar passed away and was reincarnated as a 12 year-old boy named Aang. He learns of this status, and tries to escape with his bison Appa, but they were both forced into the ocean by a storm, encasing them both in an iceberg. Siblings Sokka and Katara discover Aang and manage to get him out of the iceberg.
The series consists of 61 episodes: 20 each in the first and second seasons, and 21 in the third season. Each season is referred to as "Books", which are named after the elements Aang needs to master: Water, Earth & Fire. The episodes are "chapters".
Avatar is of American origin, but takes a lot of Japanese anime influence with its style. The creators manage to keep the best out of both, with an anime look, but American sense of playfulness and humor, along with characterization. Aang is obviously the reincarnated Avatar, who is 12 years old and the last surviving Airbender. Throughout the series, Aang learns the three elements: Water, Earth and Fire, seeing that he had already mastered Air. He recruits Sokka and Katara on a quest to save the world from the Fire Nation. Sokka is the oldest of the siblings, and is a 15 year-old warrior of the Southern Water Tribe. He's the comic relief on the show, and has an immature and humourous side throughout the series. But he is seen as a warrior, who takes his role as protector seriously, especially when it comes to his sister or protecting his people from the Fire Nation. Katara, unlike her older brother, is a 14 year-old waterbender of the Southern Water Tribe (the only waterbender of the Tribe actually), so she has the ability to telekinetically control water and ice. She is seen as smart and a heroine in the series, and has a kind and generous personality.
Other characters include Toph and Zuko. Toph is a blind Earthbender, who has the ability to telekinetically control the solid earth and ground. She was born blind and has extensive earthbending skills which allow her to sense movements around her using vibrations. She appears in the second season, travelling with Aang and the siblings, and also teaching Aang earthbending. Prince Zuko is the son of Fire Lord Ozai and is an incredibly powerful Firebender. At the start of the series, he was the main antagonist, who wanted to capture Aang in honour of his father and to restore his right to the throne. Over time, he sympathizes with the oppressed and in the third season, learns that Avatar Roku, the previous incarnation, was his maternal great-grandfather which leads to his decision to teach Aang firebending.
Avatar: The Last Airbender tells a very interesting story. The plot of the Avatar, the four elements and war is something that can really interest a range of audiences, from kids to grown adults. There's more to it than just a regular show full of adventurous episodes. It tells a tale of trying to save the world from evil, and knowing yourself. Throughout the series, this is what Aang does, and also a lot of characters. At the start of the series, Aang only knew how to control air, but manage to improve himself when mastering the other three elements, which helped him defeat the Fire Nation. Zuko was an evil person who wanted to impress his father so bad, but realised it wasn't worth it, especially when he had his sister Azula coming from him. He later learned that he was the maternal great-grandson of the Avatar Roku and it was great to see him know more about himself and try to do more good this time,
The show blends a lot of storytelling elements together very well: action, comedy, romance, drama and character. It makes the show worth more than it actually is. The comedic character of Sokka, the kind and (sometimes) stubborn Katara, the fun Aang, the aggressive and serious Zuko and a lot more. Unlike a lot of shows, there's a lot more variety in the characters, and it isn't like they're all the same person. And I love it, with each character, there's a lot to show.
The first season (Water) is more of a quick introduction. We get to know the characters and how they're like. It's a very friendly season, and it's nice to get a glimpse of the characters' personalities, and also see Aang and the siblings travel many places for Aang to master waterbending. Zuko's aggressive self and the pain and stress he goes through to capture Aang and impress his father is something eyecatching and interesting to watch. Book 2 (Earth) is a lot darker, and is a lot more in-depth as we see the characters mature and understand their responsibilities. The culture of the Four Nations is enriched a lot more. Aang, Sokka and Katara make new friends, enemies and connections, and even learn new powers. Zuko's story starts to develop and I love it, he starts to become the most interesting part, and there's a lot more to him than just a guy that wanted to restore his right to the throne by capturing Aang. Book 3 (Fire) is a lot slower than the rest, to be honest. But we still get a lot from it. Sokka is a lot more mature and isn't just the comedic character he was on the first and second seasons. Zuko learns more about himself and turns from an antagonist to one of the main protagonists of the series. Aang's growth throughout the series is amazing though. I love how at first, he was seen as a fun and childish person, but has managed to mature throughout the series and begin to know himself as he masters the four elements.
Overall, I love this show. It's so good that I'm actually surprised that it's a Nick show, to be honest. Nickelodeon actually made a good decision accepting this show and not just airing comedy all the time. It has creativity, shows a lot of progression/growth and variety of characters. The anime influence is on point, and I love how they were inspired by a lot of cultures, which helped make this show a special masterpiece in the film and television industry. The plot is incredible, the characters and voice acting are impressive and each episode really flows well and aren't just randomly scattered episodes in each season. The show tells an interesting story, which leaves audiences with a overwhelmed feeling.
So here's a little backstory. Over 100 years ago, Fire Lord Sozin, ruler of the Fire Nation, planned a world war to expand the territory and influence of his nation. However, the "Avatar" (apparantly named Roku) prevented Sozin's plans, defeating the nation. Unfortunately, after those events, the "Avatar" never came back. 100 years later, we see that the original Avatar passed away and was reincarnated as a 12 year-old boy named Aang. He learns of this status, and tries to escape with his bison Appa, but they were both forced into the ocean by a storm, encasing them both in an iceberg. Siblings Sokka and Katara discover Aang and manage to get him out of the iceberg.
The series consists of 61 episodes: 20 each in the first and second seasons, and 21 in the third season. Each season is referred to as "Books", which are named after the elements Aang needs to master: Water, Earth & Fire. The episodes are "chapters".
Avatar is of American origin, but takes a lot of Japanese anime influence with its style. The creators manage to keep the best out of both, with an anime look, but American sense of playfulness and humor, along with characterization. Aang is obviously the reincarnated Avatar, who is 12 years old and the last surviving Airbender. Throughout the series, Aang learns the three elements: Water, Earth and Fire, seeing that he had already mastered Air. He recruits Sokka and Katara on a quest to save the world from the Fire Nation. Sokka is the oldest of the siblings, and is a 15 year-old warrior of the Southern Water Tribe. He's the comic relief on the show, and has an immature and humourous side throughout the series. But he is seen as a warrior, who takes his role as protector seriously, especially when it comes to his sister or protecting his people from the Fire Nation. Katara, unlike her older brother, is a 14 year-old waterbender of the Southern Water Tribe (the only waterbender of the Tribe actually), so she has the ability to telekinetically control water and ice. She is seen as smart and a heroine in the series, and has a kind and generous personality.
Other characters include Toph and Zuko. Toph is a blind Earthbender, who has the ability to telekinetically control the solid earth and ground. She was born blind and has extensive earthbending skills which allow her to sense movements around her using vibrations. She appears in the second season, travelling with Aang and the siblings, and also teaching Aang earthbending. Prince Zuko is the son of Fire Lord Ozai and is an incredibly powerful Firebender. At the start of the series, he was the main antagonist, who wanted to capture Aang in honour of his father and to restore his right to the throne. Over time, he sympathizes with the oppressed and in the third season, learns that Avatar Roku, the previous incarnation, was his maternal great-grandfather which leads to his decision to teach Aang firebending.
Avatar: The Last Airbender tells a very interesting story. The plot of the Avatar, the four elements and war is something that can really interest a range of audiences, from kids to grown adults. There's more to it than just a regular show full of adventurous episodes. It tells a tale of trying to save the world from evil, and knowing yourself. Throughout the series, this is what Aang does, and also a lot of characters. At the start of the series, Aang only knew how to control air, but manage to improve himself when mastering the other three elements, which helped him defeat the Fire Nation. Zuko was an evil person who wanted to impress his father so bad, but realised it wasn't worth it, especially when he had his sister Azula coming from him. He later learned that he was the maternal great-grandson of the Avatar Roku and it was great to see him know more about himself and try to do more good this time,
The show blends a lot of storytelling elements together very well: action, comedy, romance, drama and character. It makes the show worth more than it actually is. The comedic character of Sokka, the kind and (sometimes) stubborn Katara, the fun Aang, the aggressive and serious Zuko and a lot more. Unlike a lot of shows, there's a lot more variety in the characters, and it isn't like they're all the same person. And I love it, with each character, there's a lot to show.
The first season (Water) is more of a quick introduction. We get to know the characters and how they're like. It's a very friendly season, and it's nice to get a glimpse of the characters' personalities, and also see Aang and the siblings travel many places for Aang to master waterbending. Zuko's aggressive self and the pain and stress he goes through to capture Aang and impress his father is something eyecatching and interesting to watch. Book 2 (Earth) is a lot darker, and is a lot more in-depth as we see the characters mature and understand their responsibilities. The culture of the Four Nations is enriched a lot more. Aang, Sokka and Katara make new friends, enemies and connections, and even learn new powers. Zuko's story starts to develop and I love it, he starts to become the most interesting part, and there's a lot more to him than just a guy that wanted to restore his right to the throne by capturing Aang. Book 3 (Fire) is a lot slower than the rest, to be honest. But we still get a lot from it. Sokka is a lot more mature and isn't just the comedic character he was on the first and second seasons. Zuko learns more about himself and turns from an antagonist to one of the main protagonists of the series. Aang's growth throughout the series is amazing though. I love how at first, he was seen as a fun and childish person, but has managed to mature throughout the series and begin to know himself as he masters the four elements.
Overall, I love this show. It's so good that I'm actually surprised that it's a Nick show, to be honest. Nickelodeon actually made a good decision accepting this show and not just airing comedy all the time. It has creativity, shows a lot of progression/growth and variety of characters. The anime influence is on point, and I love how they were inspired by a lot of cultures, which helped make this show a special masterpiece in the film and television industry. The plot is incredible, the characters and voice acting are impressive and each episode really flows well and aren't just randomly scattered episodes in each season. The show tells an interesting story, which leaves audiences with a overwhelmed feeling.
No comments:
Post a Comment