I’m probably the last person you would expect to review a TV show, but you’ll probably note that this one is rather old. My daughter got it on video from a friend of hers, and I’m watching it along with her and her brothers.
Avatar – The Last Airbender is set in an earth-like oriental-themed world where the four elements can be bent to serve humans through “bending”. There are four main nations, one for each element, and for a long time they were in balance and at peace. This was partly due to the existence of an Avatar, a person who can bend all four elements to his/her will. Like the Dalai Lama, the Avatar is reborn into someone new each time, and they are able to access those collective memories from time to time. But a hundred years ago the Fire Nation began a quest to conquer the other nations, and just at that crucial time the Avatar disappeared.
It turns out that the Avatar at the time was a twelve-year-old acolyte air-bender, and hadn’t been the Avatar for very long–not long enough to have actually mastered the other three elements. In trying to flee his destiny he got stuck in a storm, plunged into the ocean, and frozen, along with his flying bison. They are found in the present by a brother and sister from one of the water tribes, and together they go on a quest to help Aang, the Avatar, master the three other elements and stop the Fire Nation. They are at first opposed by Prince Zuko, son of the current Fire Lord, but his plot arch goes in a different direction when he falls out of favor with his father.
The result is a series that, though aimed at kids, is surprisingly complex. There is comic relief aplenty (usually at the expense of poor Sokka, the only non-bender in their adventuring party), but there is considerably amount of depth as well, and some rather poignant and touching moments. For me, often more fulfilling than the adventures of Aang and his friends, is the side-plot of Prince Zuko and his uncle Iroh. This is perhaps because Zuko’s is the character arch with the farthest distance to cover, but also because Uncle Iroh is such a likeable character, both jovial and wise, powerful and yet secretive. Their interactions are quite enjoyable to watch.
(As a side note, I just found out that the voice of the Fire Lord, Ozai, is Mark Hamill.)
We’re only part way into season two of three, but I’m quite invested in seeing the series through. For a Cartoon Network show, I’m finding it not too campy or predictable to enjoy. I also enjoy the frequent animal “mashups”, such as the sabertooth moose lion in a recent episode (whose baby is absolutely adorable!) and the turtleducks.
For an American attempt at anime style, it’s a pretty good story. It’s steeped in Asian culture and folklore, and the fighting styles of the four elements are based on actual martial arts styles. I won’t say you get smarter just watching it, but the setting does seem to possess more weight than that of your average cartoon series.
As I said, I’m enjoying it, and I’m glad my daughter’s friend chose to give it to her.