Avatar: the last airbender

Four nations, among them people able to master an element : fire, earth, air, water. The subtle balance of the word rely on the shoulder of the avatar, a unique person able to master all the elements. Alternatively born in one of the nations, he or she must ensure that no one prevails. When an avatar dies, another is born in another nation, always in the same order. But the fire nations decides to disrupt this immutable order. While the avatar, an airbender, is still a child, it attacks the capital of the airbenders. Sent away by his master, the avatar is swept away by a storm and trapped in a glacier. When two siblings deliver him, hundred years later, he discovers another world, dominated by the fire nation. And he is still almost powerless. accompanied by his new friends, he embarks on a journey to acquire the powers he lacks and restore balance.

An entertaining and philosophical journey

The images are very beautilful. The series is a good way to relax and dream a little without stress. In the first season, it has trouble choosing its tone and its audience: too serious for children, too light and even naive for teens and adults. The main topic is war and responsibility, making impossible, cruel choices. At the same time, the plot is treated with lightness and humor. It’s a little unsettling. Season 2 is more mature and profound, growing with the Avatar. The philosophy of each people, reflecting their element, is better explored.

The characters, whose complexity is more developped in season 2, reflect this sense of being in the middle of the road. Several of them will change side, sometime coming back to their original one. With each encounter, we catch a glimpse of several possible paths, which enriches the plot. The second season confirms that this series is not only entertaining but also intriguing. I’m looking forward to the next season.

This series is a reboot after a movie released in 2010 and an animated series in 2005-2009 (Nickeledeon)

2 seasons, ongoing, 17 episodes (50 mn), 2024- Netflix

With :

• The Avatard and his friends : Gordon Cormier / Aang, Kaiwentiio / Katara, Ian Ousley / Sokka, Miyako (from s. 2) / Toph Beifong, Maria Zhang / Suki, Danny Pudi (Community) / Sai, Rekha Sharma (Battlestar Galactica) / Amita
• The fire nation : Dallas Liu / Prince Zuko, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee (The Mandalorian & Ahsoka) / General Iroh, Elizabeth Yu / Azula, Daniel Dae Kim / Fire Lord Ozai, Ken Leung / Commander Zhao (s. 1), Momona Tamada / Ty Lee, Thalia Tran / Mai
• Other characters : Chin Han (Marco Polo) / Long Feng (s. 2), Yvonne Chapman / Kyoshi, Lourdes Faberes (s. 2) / General Seung, Utkarsh Ambudkar / King Bumi, Christal Yu / Lady Beifong (s. 2), Dichen Lachman (Altered Carbon) / Yanchen