Avatar: The Last Airbender

[snick_backup]

I've just watched the first ep, and folks, I think I might be hooked. If you were going to write a character just for me in something like this, you might as well have written Katara; most of my usual annoyances with anime (OTT emotions, childishness) seem to be absent or underplayed; and the worldbuilding is both engaging and not obviously stupid. (I foresee many happy moments of deciding which element I'd choose to be.) Plus: winter! And either really excellent dubbing, or a show originally scripted in English; either way, I appreciate avoiding the dubbing/subs question.

I do notice that all the animals have extra pairs of limbs. Also that the flying bison is like a shaggy cross between Totoro and the Cat Bus.

ETA: And I notice that the credits use the same font as BtVS!

(icon chosen because of everyone on BtVS, Andrew would convert most naturally to an anime character, seems to me)

Comments

[deird1]

WOO!!!!!!

Yes, it's undubbed. Originally in English - but brilliantly Asian...



It really is an excellent show. Keep watching. It only gets better from here. :)

[snickfic]

YAY! I'm really enjoying so far. I'm trying to think of the last SFF show I saw that started out this strong in terms of world and conflict development. Plus I like the characters, which is usually my trouble spot with anime.

And it's due pretty much entirely to you. I wouldn't have given it a second glance except you've been so enthused, and I trust your good taste.

[quinara]

Hahaha, I think Katara's non-anime-ness was one of the reasons I didn't get into this show - she came across as far too irritatingly sensible to me, while the boys got to dash around like her silly children... But then, I like anime to follow anime rules. ;)

[deird1]

Out of interest, how much of the show did you see? The character dynamics change a fair bit over time...

[quinara]

I watched most episodes through to The Cave of Two Lovers, when I decided it couldn't ever really work out in a way that would gel with what I want from anime... :(

[penny-lane-42.livejournal.com]

Tell me when you get about halfway through S1, and I'll start watching it concurrently. :D

[snickfic]

Ooh! Ooh ooh! I'd love to watch something concurrently with you and be able to share the squee and stuff. Yes. But it'll likely be a few weeks, because I'm back home now on dial-up, sweet dial-up.

[snickfic]

Well, I'm through episode 10 ("Jet") now. So whenever you feel like starting, feel free. I should warn you that I'm kind of slow, though. Darn RL. *g*