Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 2 Review: Series Levels Up in Every Way
- Lance
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Netflix's Avatar: The Last Airbender returns with a strong Season 2, and after watching this season, the first thing that stood out to me was just how much bigger everything feels. ( Including Aang; PAUSE). Everyone knows the first season was filmed during the pandemic so a lot of things were limited so I was happy when I saw the drastic quality difference within the first few minutes of episode 1.
The increased budget is immediately noticeable. From the action sequences to the visual effects, this season looks significantly better than the first. The opening episode, "Somewhere Safe," features some impressive bending battles that look like they were pulled straight out of the animated series while still feeling unique to the live-action adaptation.
Gordon Cormier continues to do a great job as Aang. One of the things I enjoy most about his performance is that he still feels like a kid carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. Aang is continuing his journey to master the elements, and the show does a good job balancing the fun side of the character with the responsibilities that come with being the Avatar.
Kiawentiio's Katara continues to be one of the highlights of the series. You can really see how much she has grown as a waterbender since Season 1. The show spends time showcasing her abilities and her confidence, and some of the waterbending effects this season are genuinely impressive. The chemistry between Katara and Aang is also on another level this season.
Ian Ousley remains a scene-stealer as Sokka. His humor lands throughout the season, but the series also continues to explore the more serious side of the character. His interactions with Suki, played by Maria Zhang, add some entertaining moments and emotional depth without taking over the main story.
On the other side of the world, Dallas Liu once again shines as Zuko. His storyline remains one of the most compelling parts of the show. The struggle between who he is and who he wants to be continues to make him one of the most interesting characters in the series. Paul Sun-Hyung Lee is also fantastic as Uncle Iroh, bringing the same warmth and wisdom that made fans fall in love with the character in the animated show.
Elizabeth Yu's Azula finally gets more time to shine this season, and she is every bit as intimidating and calculating as fans would hope. The show also introduces more of the relationships surrounding Azula, giving fans a better understanding of her world and the people closest to her.
This season introduces one of the most anticipated characters from the original series: Toph. Miya Cech absolutely nails the role. From the moment she appears on screen, she captures everything fans loved about the animated version. She's confident, funny, stubborn, and incredibly powerful. The visual effects used to bring her earthbending abilities to life are some of the best the series has produced so far.
What continues to impress me most about this adaptation is its ability to recreate iconic moments from the animated series while expanding on them in meaningful ways. It respects the source material without feeling like a shot-for-shot remake. At least that can be said for this season more than season 1.
Season 2 feels bigger, more confident, than what came before. The action is stronger, the visual effects have improved, and the cast continues to grow into these beloved characters. The writing is a lot stronger as well.
If you're a longtime fan of Avatar: The Last Airbender, there's a lot here to be excited about. I had reservations about this season but if I am being honest, they had me hooked within the first few episodes. This season expands upon the source material in a lot of ways and I really hope you guys enjoy them as much as I did.
Sidenote Ty Lee and Mai are just as crazy as Azula.
What did you think?
Loved it
Hated it
So/So