Angel Tarragon
Dawn Dragon
I didn't realize that Mako was one of the stars of this show. I love his acting. Spoiler me rotten as to what is good about the show and why I should be watching it.
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AVATAR: How Good Is It and/or Why Should I Be Watching?
- Thread starter Angel Tarragon
- Start date
Darth Shoju
First Post
Hmmmm I'll take a stab...
1) Clean, smooth animation. Western style and very colourful and unique. Martial arts consultants are listed in the credits and the hand-to-hand combat is top-notch.
2) The story in a larger sense isn't original, but its presentation is a breath of fresh air IMO. Mixes a lot of Asian culture (of various kinds) in with some Inuit.
3) Characters that are deep and believable. Performances are subtle yet evocative. Storyline is fairly straight-forward yet compelling and layered. It is epic and humble at the same time. Plots are accessible to young audiences as well as old.
To summarize, it is one of my favourite cartoons of all time and possibly the best fantasy TV show I've ever seen. All IMO of course.
1) Clean, smooth animation. Western style and very colourful and unique. Martial arts consultants are listed in the credits and the hand-to-hand combat is top-notch.
2) The story in a larger sense isn't original, but its presentation is a breath of fresh air IMO. Mixes a lot of Asian culture (of various kinds) in with some Inuit.
3) Characters that are deep and believable. Performances are subtle yet evocative. Storyline is fairly straight-forward yet compelling and layered. It is epic and humble at the same time. Plots are accessible to young audiences as well as old.
To summarize, it is one of my favourite cartoons of all time and possibly the best fantasy TV show I've ever seen. All IMO of course.
Truth Seeker
Adventurer
Angel Tarragon
Dawn Dragon
I deserved that.Truth Seeker said:
OW! Not sure if I deserved that.Truth Seeker said:
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Thanks for the heads up TS!
Donovan Morningfire
First Post
If you want the skinny on Avatar and don't mind reading spoilers galore, then look no further than the Avatar: Last Airbender page on our good buddy Wikipedia.
That should get you up to speed.
And definitely pick up the boxed set. This is probably one of the best animated TV shows to air on any network since the DCA/Timmverse. It gets a bit silly at times (it is aimed at kids), but is a lot deeper than most kids' shows. But speaking as a gamer and DM, the show has a very well-constructed background setting, the characters grow and develop (there's a huge difference between Zuko in Season 1 and Season 2) and for the most part the series is internally consistant; only possible continuity error that I'm aware of is who was the Earth Kingdom Avatar before Roku; Season 2 suggests Kyoshi but there's a scene in Season 1 that indicates it was a man.
Mako's work in the series is always a treat (Iroh rules!), and the fact that the main heroes are mostly teenagers of similar age to their characters helps a bit. Just be careful about drinking anything when Sokka opens his mouth; the boy is the king of one-liners in that show. Cactus juice, it'll quench ya
That should get you up to speed.
And definitely pick up the boxed set. This is probably one of the best animated TV shows to air on any network since the DCA/Timmverse. It gets a bit silly at times (it is aimed at kids), but is a lot deeper than most kids' shows. But speaking as a gamer and DM, the show has a very well-constructed background setting, the characters grow and develop (there's a huge difference between Zuko in Season 1 and Season 2) and for the most part the series is internally consistant; only possible continuity error that I'm aware of is who was the Earth Kingdom Avatar before Roku; Season 2 suggests Kyoshi but there's a scene in Season 1 that indicates it was a man.
Mako's work in the series is always a treat (Iroh rules!), and the fact that the main heroes are mostly teenagers of similar age to their characters helps a bit. Just be careful about drinking anything when Sokka opens his mouth; the boy is the king of one-liners in that show. Cactus juice, it'll quench ya
Truth Seeker
Adventurer
.......Frukathka said:
edemaitre
Explorer
Why you should watch "Avatar: the Last Airbender"
I agree with those who posted above that Nickelodeon's "Avatar: the Last Airbender" is worth watching, and not just because the late Mako was one of the voice actors. Now in its second or third season (I've already preordered the season collection of DVDs), "Avatar" has a good combination of Chinese mythology, Japanese/Korean animation, and sympathetic characters accessible to young Western audiences (the people we want to get into fantasy in order to keep our hobby alive).
You like bits of steampuk and social commentary? Got it. How about strange creatures? "Avatar" has large, semi-intelligent hybrids of real-world animals that make excellent companions/steeds/opponents. Powerful elemental magic? Check (see also "The Wanderers/El Hazard"). Lost cities, and living ones with contending factions? Enough with subtle differences to challenge any party. Realistic "Non-Player Characters"? If you watch for long enough, you'll begin to observe a strong supporting cast (with occupational classes familiar to fantasy role-players). Humor, romance, pathos? It's all there, but not heavy-handed.
I agree that the quality of the animation is the best we've seen since the Dini/Timm version of the D.C. Comics universe from the 1990s until last year, and just enough happens in each half-hour episode to keep you coming back for more. "Avatar" has already given me several ideas for my D&D3.5 campaign, and even if it's not as popular as the Harry Potter franchise, Disney's latest musical, or the SciFi Channel's Friday lineup, my wife and I will be following Ang and company's adventures...
I agree with those who posted above that Nickelodeon's "Avatar: the Last Airbender" is worth watching, and not just because the late Mako was one of the voice actors. Now in its second or third season (I've already preordered the season collection of DVDs), "Avatar" has a good combination of Chinese mythology, Japanese/Korean animation, and sympathetic characters accessible to young Western audiences (the people we want to get into fantasy in order to keep our hobby alive).
You like bits of steampuk and social commentary? Got it. How about strange creatures? "Avatar" has large, semi-intelligent hybrids of real-world animals that make excellent companions/steeds/opponents. Powerful elemental magic? Check (see also "The Wanderers/El Hazard"). Lost cities, and living ones with contending factions? Enough with subtle differences to challenge any party. Realistic "Non-Player Characters"? If you watch for long enough, you'll begin to observe a strong supporting cast (with occupational classes familiar to fantasy role-players). Humor, romance, pathos? It's all there, but not heavy-handed.
I agree that the quality of the animation is the best we've seen since the Dini/Timm version of the D.C. Comics universe from the 1990s until last year, and just enough happens in each half-hour episode to keep you coming back for more. "Avatar" has already given me several ideas for my D&D3.5 campaign, and even if it's not as popular as the Harry Potter franchise, Disney's latest musical, or the SciFi Channel's Friday lineup, my wife and I will be following Ang and company's adventures...
D.Shaffer
First Post
Lost temples, Prophecy, Chosen Ones, Elemental martial arts, steam tech, war, sieges, romance, espionage, sabotage, hidden agendas, cute animal sidekicks, love triangles, psychotic teenager villain and her all girl squad, flying bison, cabbage guy, hippies, insane king, Uncle Iroh, and more half breed animals then you can shake a stick at
Toss in a hefty dose of Chinese mythology and Asian culture, authentic martial arts as the basis of the 'bending' styles, real calligraphy, and tons of research to make it look right, and you have a VERY good show.
Toss in a hefty dose of Chinese mythology and Asian culture, authentic martial arts as the basis of the 'bending' styles, real calligraphy, and tons of research to make it look right, and you have a VERY good show.
Chaldfont
First Post
I agree with most of what's been said here: intelligent, well-drawn, realistic martial arts with fantastically cool elemental powers.
But here's what I like best: I can watch it with my three-year old. You know how many cool shows there are that you can watch with your little kid? Not many. Most shows suitable for her viewing are intolerable to adults (anyone who has had to sit through an episode of "Wonder Pets"--my heart goes out to you). Most shows I consider cool involve some combination of violence, sex and rough language.
Oh, and Momo. Momo's cool.
But here's what I like best: I can watch it with my three-year old. You know how many cool shows there are that you can watch with your little kid? Not many. Most shows suitable for her viewing are intolerable to adults (anyone who has had to sit through an episode of "Wonder Pets"--my heart goes out to you). Most shows I consider cool involve some combination of violence, sex and rough language.
Oh, and Momo. Momo's cool.
stevelabny
Explorer
Um... it's cool because of Momo
and the occasional appearance of a platypus bear
and of course how could anyone forget FOO FOO CUDDLYPOOPS
and of course because of APPA. Everything is better with Appa.
Avatar is cool because it mixes all these incredibly cute aminals that make you go "awww", enough comedy to make you laugh, enough action to make you want to take martial arts lessons, enough emotion to make you cry and enough drama to make you tune in everyweek.
It's a "kids show" with an evil government who hypnotizes those who don't play along, sword wielding ninjas, and the background of a world at war.
It's got more butt kicking female characters than Buffy. (just don't tell the Mattel that, they refuse to make a complete action figure line)
It's got haiku-rap-battles, ancient underground libraries, some of the best fight scenes ever filmed and the greatest recurring character ever, the cabbage merchant!
In short, it's got everything you could possibly want in a show, and some thing you never even thought to ask for.
and the occasional appearance of a platypus bear
and of course how could anyone forget FOO FOO CUDDLYPOOPS
and of course because of APPA. Everything is better with Appa.
Avatar is cool because it mixes all these incredibly cute aminals that make you go "awww", enough comedy to make you laugh, enough action to make you want to take martial arts lessons, enough emotion to make you cry and enough drama to make you tune in everyweek.
It's a "kids show" with an evil government who hypnotizes those who don't play along, sword wielding ninjas, and the background of a world at war.
It's got more butt kicking female characters than Buffy. (just don't tell the Mattel that, they refuse to make a complete action figure line)
It's got haiku-rap-battles, ancient underground libraries, some of the best fight scenes ever filmed and the greatest recurring character ever, the cabbage merchant!
In short, it's got everything you could possibly want in a show, and some thing you never even thought to ask for.
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