Avatar: The Last Airbender - TV-Y7
TV Rating: TV-Y7
Network: Nickelodeon Cast: Dante Basco, Jack De Sena, Zach Tyler
Genre: Children, Cartoons, & Animation
Available on: 
DVDDownload
Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this show isn't a one-dimensional display of cartoon violence. The well-developed fantasy material includes a spiritual aspect that underlies much of the plot, making it an epic martial arts tale, rather than a bang-'em-up show. Pre-screen a few episodes to see whether the action is appropriate for grade-schoolers.
Families can discuss the martial arts tradition, concepts of reincarnation, and elemental imbalance. What would you want to come back as in another life? What skills does martial arts help teach?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Joly Herman
AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER epic fantasy about a time -- "long ago" -- when mythological tribes of people were represented by the elements water, earth, air, and fire -- may look like a video game send-up, but it's really closer to Japanese-style anime.
Imbalance has fallen on the people as a result of the Fire Nation having declared war on all of the other tribes. Harmony has fallen to the wayside, forcing the surviving tribes to scatter to the winds. All the while, a uniting force has been missing for a century's time, as war has been raging. This force is embodied by the Avatar -- a being who encompasses mastery and balance of all of the elements. This peaceful presence had been lost to the world -- that is, until he comes to life in the body of an 11-year-old boy named Aang.
Though Aang is the last of his tribe, he possesses a happy-go-lucky nature, which immediately endears him to the siblings who have discovered him (along with his flying water bison named Appa) frozen in the ocean. They soon realize the extent of Aang's powers and accompany him on his quest to realize his past and his present place in the world.
Mixing magical fantasy and comedy, martial arts challenge sequences with Godzilla-style monsters, Avatar goes beyond the everyday action cartoon, bringing an interesting mix of Asian mysticism and epic fiction to the small screen. Take note -- adults may enjoy this one as much as the kids do.
Other good action cartoons for this age group include Jackie Chan Adventures and Johnny Test.
Rate It!
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ViolenceThis is a martial arts-themed cartoon. Tribes are at war, though traditional Asian concepts of honor and respect are integrated into the action as well. |
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Social BehaviorThe narrator is a female whose powers initially bring Aang back to life. Elders are present and generally revered; however, the teenage males act irrationally and often aggressively. |
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