![]() ![]() This is not a homogenous fantasy world, and such worldbuilding implies a rich, labyrinthine history that extends well beyond what we’re shown in the episodes of the television series.Īnd then there’s Amaya. It’s beautiful, and an extension of what made the worldbuilding in Avatar so unique at the time. The human kingdom of Katolis eschews ridiculous online cries for “historical authenticity” and is instead filled to the brim by people of various ethnicities, and women fills all roles in the society, from guards, to mages, to soldiers, and beyond. Siblings Claudia and Soren fill a complex role as both antagonists and friends of Callum and Ezran. Harrow’s late wife was a heroic and respected warrior. (So much so that I wonder if she’s an intentional homage.) King Harrow is a dreadlocked black man with a biological son and a white step son. Ellis, a young girl from a mountain-side village, rides a wolf and brings to mind Binabik from Tad Williams’ classic Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn trilogy. Though set in a stereotypical western European fantasy world-a trope Avatar purposefully broke away from-it’s full of a wide, varied group of characters. The core trio of Callum (a young mage), Ezran (heir to the throne), and Rayla (an inexperienced elvish warrior), fill predictable roles-its a coming-of-age tale from many angles-but the cast surrounding them is wonderful, and full of many secondary characters that breath life into the world. Like Avatar, The Dragon Prince is full of wondrous magic, great action, beautiful set pieces, terrific characters, and rich relationships.Īvatar (and Korra) always did a great job with representation and diversity, and The Dragon Prince is no different. Much of the series revolves around the titular Dragon Prince, and the trio’s efforts to undermine their warring factions in an effort to build a bridge and renew the bond that existed between humans and elves until it was broken a thousand years earlier. The Dragon Prince is the story of Callum, Ezran, and Rayla, unlikely companions who are thrust into the middle of a thousand year old conflict between humans and elves. In many ways it’s the follow-up to Avatar that I’ve been waiting for. Ehasz (along with Justin Richmond) has returned to the world of YA fantasy with a new show on Netflix, The Dragon Prince. One notable exclusion from the Korra staff was Aaron Ehasz, and now, with hindsight, I realize how many elements of Avatar likely originated with him. It took itself a bit too seriously at times, its storytelling was fraught with melodrama, and thanks to never quite knowing if it would get another season, the pacing of the overall narrative was rocky. In a lot of ways, Korra was missing the heart and soul that made Avatar so special. ![]() Though I enjoyed it in its entirety, and appreciate many of the elements it introduced to the series ( Korrasami <3), it failed to capture me in the same way as Avatar. Korra did many things right (and its third season is particularly good), but it’s much more of a roller-coaster in terms of quality compared to its predecessor. There’s not a wasted frame, not a wasted word, and that’s something that can be said about so few pieces of fiction, no matter the medium.Ī season of The Legend of Korra (a follow-up set in the same world with some of the original creators involved) was already out when I finished Avatar, and I unabashedly jumped on board, expectations unfairly high. Every episode, even the sidestory episodes that don’t directly involve Aang’s plot against plight against the Fire Nation, like the previously mentioned “Tales of Ba Sing Se,” all serve a purpose in the tale, revealing more about the characters and their world. In fact, even if pressed, I’d find it difficult to find a point in the entire series where pacing is ever an issue. I discovered Avatar at a difficult time in my life, and it helped me through a period of (what I now recognize as) depression.Īvatar: The Last Airbender is a remarkably consistent piece of storytelling that retains its quality from the first episode to the last. ![]() It’s an absolutely delightful show, which makes it so much more effective when it hits you with an emotional hammer. I wrote at length about what I think makes Avatar: The Last Airbender so magical, but the gist is that Avatar was able to imbue levity and colour into every facet: from its humour and character building, to its plot, worldbuilding, and visual design. I didn’t discover it until a few years ago (after a friend bugged me endlessly to watch it) and my eventual experience bingeing it was life-changing. I’ve made no secret of how much I adore Avatar: The Last Airbender. ![]() Opinion Thoughts on The Dragon Prince (Netflix, 2018) ![]()
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