Avatar: Seven Havens debuts on Paramount+ as reviews differ on animation
In short
Avatar: Seven Havens begins on Paramount+ on October 9, with a story set 225 years after The Legend of Korra. Reviewers praised aspects of its premise, while GamesRadar+ criticised inconsistent animation and hard-to-follow action.
Read the full story 1 min read
Avatar: Seven Havens debuts on Paramount+ on October 9, according to GamesRadar+ and IGN. The new animated series takes the franchise into a post-apocalyptic setting 225 years after The Legend of Korra, IGN and Polygon reported. Its reviewers describe a world in which survivors live in seven havens after a mysterious cataclysm, rather than the four-nation setting of the earlier series. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The story follows Pavi and her long-lost twin Nisha, according to GamesRadar+ and The Seattle Times. The Seattle Times describes Pavi as a nine-year-old orphaned earthbender, voiced by Saheli Khan, who bears the role of Avatar in an era when the title is associated with demons. She wanders the walled city of Ellora with Geet, a cat-monkey voiced by Dee Bradley Baker, before befriending the airbender Jae, voiced by Major Curda. [ 1 , 4 ]
Polygon reported that the survivors blame the cataclysm on the previous Avatar, Korra, while leaving the circumstances mysterious. In its account, Ellora's benders are conscripted to protect the city from storms, bandits and deteriorating infrastructure, but their numbers are declining. GamesRadar+ highlighted the mystery surrounding the twins' apparent shared Avatar status and what happened to them and the wider world as drivers of the first season. [ 1 , 3 ]
The reviews differ on the execution. GamesRadar+ found the premise and narrative threads compelling but criticised inconsistent animation and action that was difficult to follow. Its review covered six episodes, while IGN's recap and review covered the first three. Polygon's headline called the series a near-perfect follow-up. The Seattle Times praised its characters, themes and animation, while saying greater focus and direction would help it reach its predecessors' level. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Why it matters
The series moves the Avatar story into a post-apocalyptic world where survivors live in seven havens. Its reviews assess a new cast and setting alongside the franchise's earlier animated shows.
Key facts
- The series launches on Paramount+ on October 9. [ 1 , 2 ]
- IGN and Polygon place the story 225 years after The Legend of Korra. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The story involves long-lost twins Pavi and Nisha. [ 1 , 4 ]
- GamesRadar+ criticised the animation and action, while The Seattle Times praised the animation and expansion of the franchise. [ 1 , 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The reviews differ in their assessments of animation quality. GamesRadar+ calls the animation inconsistent, while The Seattle Times praises it; these are reviewers' opinions.