Yes, I will admit it, I absolutely adore both the Avatar: The Last Airbender TV series and the Kung Fu Panda movie trilogy. Possibly even more than Scooby Doo. I mean I devour most things Scooby Doo but I also know they have their faults.
These two animated “series”, however, are almost perfection personified. Both have to do with martial arts. Each has a level of depth and character development for a children’s series that is incredible to behold. Depth not always found in so-called adult fare, either.
The people who put these two series together didn’t just throw some fun at kids. They tell intricate stories with depth and heart. Stories portrayed against backdrops of first class worldbuilding, too. Don’t believe just me, here are a couple of videos, one for each, that argue for them being called masterpieces. Sounds like a lofty claim but these are just one of many, seriously many, videos for each I could’ve chosen on the topic.
If you haven’t watched either of these properties,
you will be spoiled by the following videos.
You have been warned!
Avatar The Last Airbender (TV series 2005-2008)
Kung Fu Panda (movie trilogy 2008/2011/2016)
Now, just so you know I’m not exaggerating when I say I love these two I will add that it’s not simply that I re-watch them… regularly. I do. It’s also that I get such a kick out of watching YouTube reaction videos for both. There is just something so satisfying about watching people who are expecting “kiddie” fare slowly sit up straighter when they realize that isn’t what they are watching. These are both something a lot more than “just for children”.
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