Avatar: The Last Airbender- Book 1 Review

In one of the biggest showings of "welcome to the party, pal," I have finally checked out a show that my wife and friends have been raving about for years: Avatar: The Last Airbender. I don't know why I missed out on this show when it originally aired around 2005. I guess it just wasn't my cup of tea at the time. With that said, I never knocked the show or anyone that liked it. I knew it was a landmark in animated programming for a reason, so I knew I would get to it eventually. I have finally been able to sit down and watch the first book (not season, BOOK), and here are some of the thoughts I've gathered on the show as a whole. This won't be as in-depth as some of my earlier review series, because those are for franchises I'm familiar with. This a show that I'm going into with a fresh mind, so I'd rather focus on the actual characters and story arcs than actual episodes. That being said, there are a number of filler episodes that don't add a whole lot to the season-long narratives, but I still find those episodes enjoyable. Even the lesser important episodes are still great episodes to watch and I think that's a testament to the showrunners devotion to the series and the great characters and moments they've created. So, without further ado, here's my analysis on Book 1: Water.


Analyzing the Avatar: Aang, voiced by Zach Tyler Eisen, was a really easy protagonist to follow. You can get behind the idea that he's this great and powerful Avatar, due to his action scenes and abilities. But you also can see that he's a kid, with much to learn. You don't fault him for it because he's a kid. There are many episodes that play towards his emotional side and his impulsiveness, and the viewer knows that they'd probably be in the same spot if they were Aang. Great and wise warrior he may not be fully yet, but you get the idea that he definitely will be with time and practice. I really enjoy that, playing to the classic story of living up to your own potential and destiny, along with playing up to the fables and mythologies of previous Avatars. He's got a lot to live up to, the highest of hypes, and he's willing to do it at this point. You have to respect that.

The Warriors of the Water Tribe: Katara, voiced by Mae Whitman, was the character I probably gravitated towards the least, while Sokka, voice by Jack DeSena, was the one I liked the most. For Katara, she's just kinda there for a while. Playing up that she's Aang's love interest, and not much else. Towards the end of the season she gets a great episode that develops her Waterbending skills and rising to the occasion when a tribe refuses to train her because she's a woman. I liked what I saw in that episode and hope she grows more and more in that direction, and less in the direction of generic female love interest. As for Sokka, I really liked his humor and courage. He's a warrior in training to be sure, but he's also very foolish and silly. But his humor is very much like my own, so I couldn't help but fall in love with the character, especially when there's much more on the surface than just jokes.

The Fuel of the Fire Nation: And then we have some very diverse antagonists. By that, I mean we have 2 characters that are definitely villains, but have their own motivations and agendas that have them teetering on the sides of anti-heroes every now and then. Prince Zuko, voiced by Dante Basco, really shatters that spoiled rotten vibe early on when we are given his backstory on how he's banished. He's confident in his abilities, but way too proud and confident for his own good. He's flawed, but sympathetic. And we see that he actually does have respect for someone, his Uncle Iroh, voiced by Mako. Iroh is another great amount of comic relief, but also comes with great wisdom and knowledge to help guide Zuko. He's like Yoda, just not green and a little more of a perv. These two characters kept the Fire Nation from being full blown bad guy stereotypes and were very interesting characters to follow in Book 1.

Creature Feature: The show offers a lot of creative and memorable creatures, but the two most famous are definitely Momo and Appa, both voiced by Dee Bradley Baker. Both are awesome side characters to add to the adventure and have different uses. Appa is Aang's friend and means of transportation, while Momo is strictly there as a faithful sidekick. Momo is great and all, but look at Appa!!! He's so fluffy!!! Who wouldn't want a flying bison after seeing him? He's like a cross between Totoro and that strange cat bus thing. AND did I mention he freaking flies!!!!

Airbending Aesthetics: Everything technical on the show, from the music, to the action, to the animation style feels like its own thing. If it's inspired by something else, it comes together and forms its own tone. The aesthetics have become so memorable and popular over the last decade, that they helped me get acquainted with the show before I ever sat down to watch it. I knew of the music and I'd seen the quality of animation. What really threw me for a loop was the action. It is very fast and tight, so I absolutely appreciate how much time and energy went into making those crisp fight scenes. Learning about the fighting styles that are emulated in the various element bending is also a plus because it helps create that mythology between the groups and gets you to notice the differences in fighting techniques early on. You can easily see the differences between Aang and Zuko when they fight not just by the elements they use, but how they use them, the posture and stances they use, and the emotions they channel. It makes the fight scenes a combination of mental, emotional, and physical chess and I really get behind stuff like that.

Final Thoughts: In short, I was really surprised how quick I took to this show and its characters. I only hope to see them grow and evolve further as the show continues on. My wife and friends are quick to inform me that the quality in Avatar: The Last Airbender only improve throughout the Books. The very thought that Book 1: Water could be the weaker season has me absolutely baffled, but they've watched the show longer than I have so I'll take their word for it. We have great but flawed main hero, humorous but brave supporting characters, layered villains, gripping action, stellar animation, enchanting music, and an easy to follow narrative. Take all of my copper pieces and give more of this show please!


Avatar: The Last Airbender and images are copyrighted by Nickelodeon Animation Studios