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Avatar: The Last Airbender

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 5, age appropriate for kids over 8; suggested age 8.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Asian mysticism meets epic fiction in top-notch 'toon.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 8 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    Though the show is intended more to entertain than to educate, kids might learn something about martial arts traditions.

  • Messages:

    More thoughtful than your average action cartoon, this show includes themes that touch on bigger-picture issues like spirituality and duty.

  • Role models:

    Aang is a happy-go-lucky hero who receives lots of help on his quest. The narrator is a female whose powers initially bring Aang back to life. Elders are present and generally revered, but the teenage males sometimes act irrationally and often aggressively.

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    This 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.

  • Sexy stuff:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Avatar: The Last Airbender was written by Joly Herman

Parents need to know that this series 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. As long as you're OK with the show's level of action, it's a fine pick for grade-schoolers.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about 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?
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More on Avatar: The Last Airbender

What’s the Story?

In AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER, 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 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.
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Is It Any Good?

An epic fantasy about a time -- "long ago" -- when mythological tribes of people were represented by the elements water, earth, air, and fire -- Avatar: The Last Airbender may look like a video game send-up, but it's really closer to Japanese-style anime. 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.
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    pie or pie
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0

    OMG AWSOMENESS

    BEST ACTION SHOW ON NICK BESIDES DANNYPAHTOM I LOVE IT AND THE LAST EPISODE OMG SO AWSOME!!!!!! ON AGES 8 AND UP OH AND THE PARENT WHO SAID GREAT FOR KIDS IN THIRD GRADE WELL SHES RIGHT AND THIS SHOW CAME OUT THE SAME MONTH I GOT TO THIRD GRADE PS NOW IM IN 5TH OH AND THE SHOW ENDED AWSOMELY

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
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  2. Kid Reviewer Age 8
    cookiedude111
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 5.0

    good show

    its a good show somewhat funny but has kissing in it

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
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  3. Adult Reviewer
    Helo Bumbeno Cuc ...
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Great for kids that are mature but still young, such as third grade.

    I love this show! It is a great adventure series with an awesome plot!

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  4. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    pen7777
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Really good!

    I really like this show! Its good for almost any age.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  5. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Jazzy456
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Perfect for older kids

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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