The latest animated series set in the beloved Avatar universe, Avatar: Seven Havens, has premiered to overwhelmingly positive reviews, achieving a 100 percent critic score on Rotten Tomatoes. Audience reception is also strong, with an 81 percent positive score on the Popcornmeter. The series is available now on Paramount+.
Critics have lauded Seven Havens for its fresh take on the world, compelling new characters, engaging writing, and impressive soundtrack. Several reviews highlighted its ability to recapture the magic of its predecessors, Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra. The series is described as a "return to form," successfully blending familiar elements with a "part-Mad Max, part-Jean 'Mœbius' Giraud" aesthetic, as noted by Mashable. TheWrap pointed out that the show excels in its "engrossing, rich and entertaining episodes," reminiscent of the franchise's earlier animated successes. IGN found the first three episodes to be "thrillingly emotional, beautifully animated, and stunningly scored."
However, a point of contention across several reviews is the animation's fluidity. Some critics and fans, as noted in earlier reactions to trailers, have described the art style as "cheap" or "fanmade." GamesRadar, while appreciating the series' potential, expressed disappointment that the animation "can't make sequences that follow look any better." Gizmodo similarly noted that while the series has "potential," its animation "feats" need to sync up with its "engrossing reshuffling of its rich worldbuilding."
Despite these criticisms, the narrative strength of Seven Havens has been a significant point of praise, particularly given that the plot of Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender was a point of contention for some fans. The New York Times emphasized that the franchise's core appeal lies in its "storytelling, which is simultaneously simple and ambitious," a quality Seven Havens appears to deliver.
The return of original showrunners Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, who re-engaged with the franchise after their professional relationship with Netflix's live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender series concluded, is seen as a key factor in the new show's quality. This collaboration has reportedly steered the series back towards the strengths that defined the original Avatar saga.
Adding to the positive reception, Paramount announced during New York Comic-Con that Avatar: Seven Havens has already been greenlit for seasons three and four. This decision, potentially influenced by the early critical success and strong fan anticipation, ensures the continuation of the series on Paramount+. Variety noted that the series successfully cultivates curiosity about its world and introduces "another quirk to the Avatar legend," hinting at further unique developments. Slant Magazine observed that Seven Havens "never leans too heavily on what came before," promising a "fuller exploration of the show's distinctive world."