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Oh it's Nickelodeon? I didn't realize that. I thought it looked interesting but it also had the look of a "typical cheaply produced series with filler eps".
Sounds like there's a large fanbase, I'll have to check the series out.
Posts: 1236 | Registered: Mar 2002
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I've only seen a couple episodes, but it looks really cool. I think I'm going to look for it in the movie rental store.
Posts: 3950 | Registered: Mar 2006
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We love it here. 10 year old, 13 year old and me. My brother said it's an adaptation (reimaging?) of a Japanese legend, but I won't let him get me down LOL
Posts: 4515 | Registered: Jul 2004
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It's a good show, and I'm not usually (read: pretty much never) a fan of anime. And I'm a little outside the target audience too, hehe. I blame my sister.
I've said before that I think it's the best cartoon on Nick since they canceled Hey Arnold.
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The thing about Avatar is that it's not anime, per se. It's American animation that is drawn in the anime style.
I've not seen the series, either but I'm actually thinking about watching something because so many people seem to be really into it. Maybe I'm missing out?
Posts: 3389 | Registered: Apr 2004
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This show is good enough for children of all ages, i.e., like Harry Potter, it's fun for adults and kids. I've only caught a few episodes, but those I have seen were very good. I've been thinking about buying the DVD for the season set. But I have a few questions for you diehards: Does the series have an overall story arc, or is just the one premises and each episode stands alone and doesn't move the overall story foreward? For example, do Aang's powers develope more as the series progresses and does the series build in complexity like a Lost or Heroes?
Posts: 407 | Registered: Mar 2006
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quote: Does the series have an overall story arc, or is just the one premises and each episode stands alone and doesn't move the overall story foreward? For example, do Aang's powers develope more as the series progresses and does the series build in complexity like a Lost or Heroes?
I LOVE Avatar. There is definitely a story arc that develops as the series progresses. Much like Harry Potter, it seems to get darker as it further develops. I recommend it for everyone!
I am curious what will happen after 4 Seasons. Each season revolves around one kingdom, and there are only 4 kingdoms--Earth, Wind, Fire, Water.
Water and Earth are the first two seasons.
Posts: 2445 | Registered: Oct 2004
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This is a show the whole family makes time for-- we all gather around and watch it together. It's fun and funny but also complicated enough to reward those who notice details.
I had to talk the boys our of naming our new kitten "FooFooCuddlyPoops" I'm anxious to see how the quest plays out, and I'm not huge fan of things Nick.
Posts: 9293 | Registered: Aug 2000
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I wasn't aware that this was a show; I just assumed that it was a thread about the Wii game of the same name. Anybody played it? I thought about getting it, but the tepid reviews made me reconsider.
Posts: 16059 | Registered: Aug 2000
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The game is based off the show. The game is okay but the show is far better. *Note, I played the game for the gamecube not the Wii.
Posts: 503 | Registered: May 2005
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My whole family (self, wife, 10 year old, 7 year old, 5 year old, and 3 year old) loves the show.
We've watched it since Season 1 and are eagerly awaiting Season 3.
For me, the martial arts styles are the fascinating thing. The designers matched different martial fighting styles to each element (air, earth, fire, water). Very interesting.
The show also deals a lot with choosing one's path, rather than being acted upon.
I highly recommend it - especially watching from the beginning.
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I'm not a fan of Avatar; poor animation, poor voice acting, trite, uninteresting storyline, dull one dimensional characters. The whole thing is very...shallow.
I can see how kids would like it, though, the same way I can see how kids would like Dragonball Z.
Posts: 4313 | Registered: Sep 2004
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Ooh...please don't go there. Don't mention DBZ, and not because I hate the series, but because I hate the English edited version of it. The main reason I hate it is not voice acting, which I detest anyway, it's the way it was presented. I feel that the American version enphasized the violence in order to make it more appealing to boys. I can't tell you how much it hurts to hear the infamous "Rock the Dragon" song. I felt like they filled it with the whole "GARR!! I want to see blood!" shebang. Almost like the Lord of the Flies chant over and over.
I originally watched Dragon Ball, DBZ and DBGT from the Mexican broadcast and I loved it. The story line, characters, music and songs are all very much alive to me. I watched the series not because of all the fighting, but because of the values that it presented and the character of Goku. The story was unaltered, the music was unaltered, and it preserved the feel of the original version. Heck, even all the nudity is there. I once saw an episode of Dragonball where Goku bares it all and you see his penis and whatnot. I watched this episode when I was a little girl of maybe 10 and my mother was there with me. She didn't flip out in the scene, which was cut from the American version btw, because she understood that Goku, who he was around 12 and looked like 5, was just a little kid acting on innocence. She actually laughed a lot. The reason that he took off his pants was because he was with some fortune teller, who was actually a spy from Red Ribbon, and she kept telling him that he had two balls with him (the Dragonballs). Goku was like "0.0! She's so good! I never told her I had balls!" and so he takes of his pants to show her and compliments her for her clairvoyance. For those of you who don't know, Goku grew up with his grandfather in isolation until his grandfather died. The first woman he ever saw was Bulma at the beginning of the series, when he was 12. He didn't know what a woman was, which was why he kept asking Bulma why she had breast and why she didn't want him to see her naked. He didn't understand what the difference was between boys and girls.
This kind of adds to the reason that I adore Goku, because even after he grew up, he still remained a child at heart.
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I think Avatar is one of the best animated series I've ever seen. Sometimes the humor can be a little childish, but then again, it is partially directed at kids. However, there is plenty of stuff that is funny for adults. You can tell the writers wanted to appeal to both audiences. Most cartoons nowadays bug the heck out of me. The only reason I ever stumbled upon this was because my brother-in-law showed me some episodes from the 1st season on DVD, and I trust his judgment. Great show, and compared to most other animated shows, I thought it was actually quite un-shallow. The first couple episodes didn't hook me that much, but after that I started to really like it. It helps that I love the subject-matter, too, even if it is Americanized.
My wife loves it, too, and of course, my 3 1/2-yr old son does.
Posts: 684 | Registered: Aug 2001
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I like this show too, but I'm frustrated by never having seen the starting episode and I'm missing a lot of backstory as I catch episodes more or less at random and out of sequence.
Posts: 4344 | Registered: Mar 2003
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i have both full seasons on my computer. i really liked season 2 and like toph. i cant wait for next week when season 3 starts. theres a video promo for season 3 somewhere. i saw it the other day.
Posts: 813 | Registered: Nov 1999
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quote:I am curious what will happen after 4 Seasons. Each season revolves around one kingdom, and there are only 4 kingdoms--Earth, Wind, Fire, Water.
I'm pretty sure the show is only going to be three seasons as each season deals with Aang's mastery of an element. He's had Wind from the beginning so the third season should tie up everything.
I wish it was longer though. Should be interesting if those movies ever get made.
I love the show and prefer watching the episodes in order. Though some episodes have a "filler" feel because they're more fun or relaxed (the cave episode with the hippies comes to mind) there are still points which move the story forward.
I agree with the Harry Potter comparision. It has definently gotten darker as the plot thickens. My favorite part though is the character development. Its really good for a "kid show."
Posts: 1733 | Registered: Apr 2005
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Actually I read somewhere that due to the popularity of the show, it might just get extended past 3 seasons.
I'm not sure how to react to that though. One of my favorite elements of the show is the fact that it feels so confidently paced towards a conclusion. I mean, I saw the entire second season in a matter of days!
We'll see how it plays out though...
Posts: 722 | Registered: Jul 2004
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I figured the first three seasons would deal with him learning how to master the three other elements that he didn't already know, and then Season 4 would be his confrontation(s) with Prince Zuko, Uncle Hiro and eventually the Fire Lord.
Posts: 4515 | Registered: Jul 2004
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hmm, that would be cool. i doubt it tho cuz im pretty sure book 3 is fire. dont know how they can leave out all those firebenders from the book of fire.
Posts: 813 | Registered: Nov 1999
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Yeah, I kind of see Zuko and Iroh as taking some part in Aang's study of fire-bending. They have more than one reason to team up if they'd just take the time to think about it. Course, even if Zuko comes around he'd try a double-cross and we all know that would work out sooo well.
The third season is going to be explosive to say the least.
Posts: 1733 | Registered: Apr 2005
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umm, dont we aleady know who is going to teach aang fire-bending? its that fire guru from season one right? i cant remember his name, but the previous avatar told him h has to teach aang firebending.
Posts: 813 | Registered: Nov 1999
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Just to make sure, there aren't new episodes airing now are there? I hope I'm not missing anything.
Posts: 1401 | Registered: Jun 2004
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I've only seen a couple episodes, but just those few have already convinced me that it's worth getting into. I have always enjoyed anime art, but they usually don't have very good storylines. Avatar looks like an exception.
Posts: 16 | Registered: Dec 2006
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A lot of anime that makes it over here and becomes 'big' has bad storylines, but there's plenty of anime with excellent storylines. I like Avatar a lot, but the overall story is simplistic.
Posts: 15770 | Registered: Dec 2001
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Ang merely has to master as many elemental styles as he can and save the world. But that prince from the Fire Nation has a great sub-plot going for him. I like a character that can hover between good and evil without being whiney about it. Plus the Waterbender sister and the blind chick are both awesome.
I just wish they'd play some repeats that aren't all of them lost in the desert looking for Apa, the flying bison.
Posts: 2283 | Registered: Dec 2003
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I think there are some things that could be modified somewhat, but it would mean sacrificing the ease of comprehension for kids. I think retaining that's a worthy goal, so I also think the series is completely satisfying (given the constraints).
I just don't think its a good example of a series where the overarching story is what is compelling. Avatar's qualities are best exemplified in the characters and the vignettes, in my opinion.
Posts: 15770 | Registered: Dec 2001
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Hmmmm, Aang both with and without hair. I'm guessing that's Sokka armored and on the bison's back. Kitara looks so very much older. I'm glad to see Toth is still with them. And Zuko still confuses me.
Definitely looking forward to the new season!
Posts: 4515 | Registered: Jul 2004
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So, here's a question--if I can get the first season DVD set of Avatar at Best Buy on sale--should I?
Posts: 3658 | Registered: Jan 2002
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Well, if I don't like it, and give it to someone who does, I've still spent $45 of my money on it. Though I will say, I like what I've seen of Zuko and Iroh so far (Mako rocks), and some of what I've seen of the rest of the cast.
Posts: 3658 | Registered: Jan 2002
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quote:Originally posted by Altáriël of Dorthonion: The thing about Avatar is that it's not anime, per se. It's American animation that is drawn in the anime style.
The style reminds me of Japanese animation - especially the way their faces change in an exaggerated way when they are shocked or angry. I was surprised to find out it was American-made. The concept is cool, the dialogue witty and the bending (especially the fight scenes) are awesome.
I loved the first two series. I and a young friend (he's 13) are eagerly awaiting Season 3 so we can get back to our regular Thursday night Avatar viewings. We arrange our snacks, high-five at the end of the Kitara's opening speech (which we can both quote perfectly down to the last syllable) and settle in for new Avatary goodness.
I even created some shirt designs based on the series, though I didn't use the official symbols, because I didn't want to break copyright. Also the designs kind of grew out of some other designs I'd done with the four elements. Here's the link to the store if you want to have a look.
Anyway, good to know there are some fans here. It's be cool to have some people to chat with about it once we're watching series 3.
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So what does everyone think of Season 3? The first episode didn't impress me but I loved the most recent one, "Sokka's Master," and so hopefully it'll just improve as the season goes on. I felt the same about Season 2 so I'm hopeful.
Posts: 1733 | Registered: Apr 2005
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i feel like there were some important parts, but a lot of the season so far is fluff. being the last season i was thinking it would be more into the main storyline. how can they end it all this season at this rate, assuming the Book of Fire is the last one. also, when do we get to hear Iroh talk?? im still looking forward to hearing how the new guy fills in. next episode should be good when they meet that new bad guy.
Posts: 813 | Registered: Nov 1999
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quote:i feel like there were some important parts, but a lot of the season so far is fluff.
Yep.
1. The Earth King just lost the war. Now is not a good time to take a vacation and "see the world." 2. Why is attacking the Fire Nation during an eclipse any better than attacking them at night? 3. Toph's family was rich and influential. When someone invades your country, I would imagine that they come for the rich and influential first -- but she's not at all concerned about this.*
I'm going to do some speculating below so tread wisely.
[*But then, I suspect they might kill her off by the end of the season. And regarding "space-earth" (from the last episode), I think I know where the writers are going with it. I just hope they remember that Sozin's Comet is mostly water.]
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I'm anxious to see how the quest plays out, and I'm not huge fan of things Nick.
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