Water. Earth. Fire. Air. Sorry, had to do it. Yes, I’ve started my third anime series reviews! And this one is of Avatar: The Last Airbender. Some argue this might be considered a cartoon, but since I include anime and cartoons under anime reviews, that doesn’t even matter which. My background with the series is pretty simple. I saw a couple episodes as a kid, and loved the idea. I watched the movie and thought it was decent. (I had no idea) then not to long ago I went back and watched the series, and I thought it was nothing short of amazing. Now since I’m getting bored of DBZ and Naruto reviews, it’s time to start fresh again! Luckily this one isn’t nearly as long to finish! Thank God for short anime. Anyway enough about me, let’s start with the review! The first episode of Avatar happens to be the single episode with a separate opening. It easily tells you how there are four nations, all under a different element. But the fire nation went to war on the other three, and the only one who could stop them was the Avatar. But lucky nations, the Avatar happened to have vanished a hundred years ago. The Avatar intro wasn’t really a singy song, but it was timeless and still helped bring the idea to kids and anyone watching minutes in. And just the fact that one is different just makes it a little more special. I won’t cover the whole episode, but we go from two siblings (Sokka and Katara) as they accidentally unleash an iceberg with a boy within who’d been frozen inside alongside a giant Byson, which is an enormous Buffalo. And it ends as another teenage boy named Zuko who is a fire nation warrior, finds the Avatar, and seems intent on either killing him or something along those lines. Ultimately we meet some really interesting characters. Sokka we can tell is a comedic relief, and although wants to be a leader, isn’t taken seriously although he wants to be. Katara at first seems like a free spirited kind protagonist that may or may not grow overtime, but she doesn’t annoy you in the least. Zuko seems like a hothead, and will remain a hothead for the rest of the series. (You would be so wrong) And lastly Aang is a really fun, somewhat naïve and charismatic protagonist. Ultimately it sets up a really strong idea for the show, while also getting to know the main characters, while also starting the story. You can tell with some lines in the voice acting the voice actors are still getting used to their job and character, but that’s only with several lines. If I was watching this for the first time I’d probably give a seven or eight, but since I’m already a fan, and this holds nostalgia and really cool moments for people coming back, it gets an elite. It’s a kick-ass way to start what looks to be a really just fun and charming series. There’s also a hint of epic, which is always welcome.
Episode 1 Review (The Boy In The Iceberg)