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Title: Avatar: The Last Airbender, also known
as Avatar: The Legend of Aang in several countries including the UK
Developer: Nickelodeon
Creators: Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko
Running Time: 23 minutes approx. (One episode)
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Fantasy
Country of Origin: United States
Aired On Channel: Nickelodeon
Series Run: 21 February 2005 - Present
No. of Episodes: 40 aired of 60 (in production)
Our Rating: 9/10
First Season: Book One: Water - contains the first 20 chapters
(episodes) aired 21 February 2005
Second Season: Book Two: Earth - contains the second 20 chapters
(episodes) aired on 17 March 2006
Third Season: Book Three: Air? - Coming soon in 2007... |
About
Avatar: The Last Airbender, (also known as Avatar: The Legend of Aang) is
an increasingly popular American TV animation, co-created and executively
produced by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko and first broadcasted
on Nickelodeon on 21 February 2005, it is many Asian influences, including
anime, (Studio Ghibli's and Hayao Miyazaki's works in particular) martial
arts and elemental magic, and follows the story of a twelve-year-old boy
named Aang who is the last in a long line of 'Avatars'. These powerful beings
are master of all elements and are vital in the world's ever shifting balance.
However, just before the great war with the Fire Nation when his people
needed him most, Aang vanished from the world for many years, trapped
in a huge block of ice with his faithful flying bison, Appa. The series
starts one hundred years after this event when two young siblings called
Katara and Sokka from the Water Tribe find Aang and release him from his
icy prison. Soon after they find out his true identity as the Avatar who
betrayed the world a century ago and decide to join him in his quest to
stop the Fire Nation and restore the world's balance.
The animation of Avatar: The Last Airbender is strongly based on Japanese
anime, and is sometimes mistaken for it. This is understandable though,
as the series is such a blend of American cartoons and Japanese anime that
it can hardly be called either.
Originally intended for a young audience, Avatar: The Last Airbender,
sometimes thought of as "childish" is in reality an amusing
tale of wonderful characters, beautiful animation and edge-of-your-seat
action. The series' immense popularity has spawned forty episodes over
two seasons and Nickelodeon are already planning season three to air in
America in 2007.
Story
" Water. Earth. Fire. Air.
Long ago, the four nations lived together in harmony. Then everything
changed when the Fire Nation attacked. Only the Avatar, master of all
four elements, could stop them. But when the world needed him most, he
vanished.
A hundred years passed and my brother and I discovered the new Avatar,
an airbender named Aang, and although his Airbending skills are great,
he still has a lot to learn before he's ready to save anyone.
But I believe, Aang can save the world."
- Katara's Introduction to Avatar
Our story begins with a twelve-year-old Airbender named Aang. He is the
last in a long lines of 'Avatars', these powerful beings are master of
all elements and are vital in the world's ever shifting balance. Trapped
inside a huge boulder of ice for a hundred years with only his flying
bison, Appa, for company, Aang is rescued by two siblings of the Water
Tribe, a young Waterbender named Katara and her older brother Sokka who
had lost their mother to the Fire Nation. They soon find out Aang's identity
as the new Avatar and the circumstances in which he was imprisoned in
the iceberg a century ago.
When the Fire Nation attacked a hundred years ago the other nations fell
beneath their power and any who opposed were slaughtered. Without the
Avatar to maintain the world's balance, the Fire Nation soon acquired
dominance and any resistance were scattered and forced into hiding.
After a troubled visit to his old home, the Air Temple, Aang desides to
face his destiny as the Avatar and stop the Fire Nation at all costs,
but to do so, he must master all four elements. But close behind them
is the banished prince, Zuko, and his uncle, Iroh. Both are skilled Firebenders,
albeit outcasts from their own country. Their goal is to capture the Avatar
and hand him over to the Fire Lord who seeks to destroy the Avatar before
Aang puts a stop to his cruelty.
Along his journey, Aang befriends a lemur from the Air Temple who he names
Momo, an Earthbender king named Boomi from Omashu and many more. However,
he makes more enemies then friends when the Firebender general Zhao and
the Fire Nation's princess, Azula, (sister to Zuko) attempt to capture
the Avatar before each other.
The war continues and the people are suffering, it's all up to Aang now
to perform his duty as the Avatar and save the world, but time is quickly
running out as a danger rapidly approaches and with every passing day
the Fie Nation approach their ultimate goal. Aang must master the elements
and with his friends, restore balance before it is too late...
Review By Amber
Plot - 9/10
Animation - 9/10
Voice Actors - 9/10
Music - 8/10
Replay - 7/10
Overall - 9/10
Plot - 9/10
The story starts with a twelve-year-old boy named Aang who is the last
in a long line of 'Avatars'. These powerful beings are master of all elements
and are vital in the world's ever shifting balance.
However, just before the great war with the Fire Nation when his people
needed him most, Aang vanished from the world for many years, trapped
in a huge block of ice with his faithful flying bison, Appa. The series
starts one hundred years after this event when two young siblings called
Katara and Sokka from the Water Tribe find Aang and release him from his
icy prison. Soon after they find out his true identity as the Avatar who
betrayed the world a century ago and decide to join him in his quest to
stop the Fire Nation and restore the world's balance.
The plot is told at a steady but gripping pace, with a balanced amount
of action, adventure and comedy. Their are a good few twists and some
wonderful ideas, such as the animals which are all half of two different
creatures, such as 'Wolf Bats' and 'Elephant Koi' and the inspiring 'bending'
art which allows gifted people to 'bend' their certain element.
The introduction of the 'Spirit World' and the 'Avatar State' bring in
more levels of interest and depth to the story and the characters, such
as Iroh and Zuko, are developed so vividly they come alive on screen.
There's much more to come though, and hopefully this tale will be unravelled
some more in the upcoming seasons.
Animation - 9/10
The animation is simply beautiful. Dramatic landscapes and intricate cities
bring such depth to the visual experience and the characters are drawn
in a refreshing, clean and crisp anime style. Overexaggerated expressions
really add to the characters and jokes, while the action and battles are
dynamic and exciting.
A few areas of the series is made in CGI, (such as complex locks on the
inner Air Temple) which is blended with the surrounding art extremely
well.
No detail is missed in in this amazing example of American "anime"
and I certainly hope it continues to amaze. A round of applause and a
pat on the back to all the animators out there.
Voice Actors - 9/10
For once here is a great show with great acting. It's wonderful to see
such amazing actors as Dante Basco, Jason Isaacs and Mako, who sadly passed
away 21 July 2006, a truly incredible actor who will sorely be missed.
The casting is excellent, all of the voices suit their respective characters
and bring them to life. The script also is quite a high standard.
Music - 8/10
The music is fantastic, a perfect song for a perfect situation. Although
some pieces aren't very memorable, it certainly fits with each scene.
The most memorbale would definitely be the main theme which plays at the
beginning and end of the show, it has a great eastern sound which suits
the other eastern influences of the series brilliantly.
Replay - 7/10
Although it's certainly worth viewing a second or third time to pick up
extra plot details, the jokes are never as funny the second time 'round.
Nevertheless, don't let it put you off, you don't know what you may have
missed.
Overall - 9/10
Overall I think the co-creators of Avatar: The Last Airbender definitely
have something here. It's got action, comedy, romance, great animation
and a unique story. Let's hope that Nickelodeon let them continue this
wonderful show.
- Written by Amber
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