Six episodes into its first season, Avatar: Seven Havens proves that franchise creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konieyzko are unafraid of tearing apart and rebuilding the universe that fans fell in love with two decades ago.
Shepherded by executive producer/showrunner Ethan Spaulding and co-executive producer Sehaj Sethi, the new show lovingly honors the legacy of Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Kora but takes the franchise in a bold new direction. With the post-apocalyptic setting of Mad Max and the mystery box narrative of Lost, the Paramount+ original series introduces us to a fascinating new setting and a menagerie of mysteries while maintaining the heart, humor, and world-building of its predecessors.
As expected from Avatar Studios, Seven Havens introduces a host of lovable new characters. Our twin protagonists, Pavi (Saheli Khan) and Nisha (Aishu Devan), are instantly charming; Pavi in particular is endearingly weird and continues Avatar’s respectful representation of characters with disabilities. Airbenders Jae (Major Curda) and Karthik (Akshay Khanna) bring a brotherly and paternal energy that make them instant surrogates for viewers that grew up with Aang and Korra. And MVP Dee Bradley Baker continues to demonstrate his unparalleled ability to bring delightful hybrid-animals to life as he voices cat-monkeys Geet and Ruhi. Despite the many mysteries introduced over the first six episodes, these characters and the vibrant South Asian-inspired world they occupy remain the heartbeat of the show and rarely feel overshadowed by fanservice and lore.
Those viewers expecting the Spirited Away-esque artwork of The Last Airbender and darker tone of The Legend of Korra, however, may find themselves somewhat disappointed. As befitting its younger protagonists, the series is less mature in its dialogue and humor. And the animation is more inspired by Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind than the other Miyazaki films that influenced Nickelodeon’s previous depictions of this universe. These differences may be jarring to some but should not be construed as flaws. The action sequences, filled with fantastical feats of bending, remain electric. Similarly, Jeremy Zuckerman’s synth-based score is a notable departure from the sound of the past two series but is still spellbinding and perfectly tailored for this puzzling post-apocalyptic world.
Fans should rest assured that the future of the Avatar universe, despite the destruction of so much they held dear, remains bright. Anchored by the same cultural roots, thematic depth, and character-driven storytelling of the franchise’s previous installments, Seven Havens is a worthy successor and promises to be a captivating journey for a new generation.
