Parents' Guide to

Avatar: The Last Airbender

By Joly Herman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

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

TV Nickelodeon Kids' Animation 2005
Avatar: The Last Airbender Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

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age 7+

Based on 124 parent reviews

Cloud853
Cloud853 Adult
August 16, 2022
age 6+
One of the best western pieces of anime. Some of the greatest character development that kids and adults will relate to. Heck every living soul should watch avatar! There was a lot going on in the show only the adults will pick up on, my little brain could not comprehend when watching this as a kid. Rewatching it again as an adult it became a very special show to me It is one of those shows you should let your kid watch. So they can watch it again as an adult and understand more and appreciate characters like Iroh/zuko.
BenTheReviewerGuy
BenTheReviewerGuy Adult
February 28, 2022
age 11+

Great English Anime

Ithink that if you want your kid too watch a family friendly show for all avatar is great. Its set in a world where there are four nations Water, Earth, Fire, Air. which benders can use for good or for bad. If your kid gets spooked easily then do not watch The episode The PuppetMaster it is in my opinion the scariest avatar episode. But I rate the show 5 stars
See all 124 parent reviews

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.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (124 ):
Kids say (354 ):

An epic fantasy about mythological tribes of people were represented by the elements water, earth, air, and fire, this 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: The Last Airbender 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.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the martial arts tradition, concepts of reincarnation, and elemental imbalance in Avatar: The Last Airbender.

  • What would you want to come back as in another life? What skills does martial arts help teach?

  • How do the characters in Avatar: The Last Airbender demonstrate courage and integrity? Why are these important character strengths?

TV Details

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