Avatar: The Last Airbender Review: Nickelodeon's Modern Classic
9.5/10 — Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005)
Pros
- Brilliant character arcs
- Rich world-building
- Funny and emotional
Cons
- Some filler episodes
- Uneven animation in places
Twelve-year-old Aang, the last Airbender and the Avatar, is frozen for a hundred years and wakes to find the Fire Nation has conquered the world. With his friends Katara and Sokka he sets out to master all four elements and end the war.
What works
The world-building, inspired by Asian cultures and martial arts, is rich and consistent, and the characters grow in believable ways. Zuko’s redemption arc is among TV’s best, and Uncle Iroh is a delight. The series balances humour with surprisingly serious themes of war and trauma.
Where it falters
A few filler episodes in book one are weaker, and the animation is occasionally uneven.
Verdict
Smart, moving and fun for all ages. A masterpiece of children’s television.
