The first season of Avatar: Seven Havens has concluded, and its showrunners, co-creator Michael Dante DiMartino, and showrunners Sehaj Sethi and Ethan Spaulding, have shed light on the finale's revelations and the path forward for the animated series.
Honoring Eric Bauza
Before delving into the series' narrative, the team paid tribute to the late actor Eric Bauza, who voiced multiple characters in Seven Havens. "Eric meant a lot, obviously, to the show," said Spaulding. "He's all over Seven Havens, and his contribution to animation in general is so prevalent. He's going to leave a big hole." Sethi added that Bauza was "an absolute delight" and "the kindest person," noting his extensive career beyond Seven Havens, including a role in Avatar: The Last Airbender. DiMartino recalled Bauza's early start in voice acting and expressed sadness over the loss.
Pavi and Nisha's Divergence
The season finale saw Pavi step up as the Avatar, unlocking her Root Chakra and embarking on a journey to the Floating Isles with airbender Jae. Meanwhile, Nisha remained in the Haven of Ellora. This separation was a deliberate choice, stemming from the showrunners' desire to explore the sisters' growth apart. "What is it going to be like now when they're apart? How are they going to grow apart from one another into their respective roles? That was really interesting to me," Sethi explained. Spaulding also noted the benefit of splitting the characters for broader world-building.
The Floating Isles and Beyond
Pavi's next destination, the Floating Isles, is described as a "more chill place compared to Ellora" with a different cultural vibe. The showrunners confirmed that the series will visit all Seven Havens within its planned four-season run, moving at a faster pace than the first season, which focused solely on Ellora. "That’s the full story," DiMartino stated regarding the four-season arc.
Mysteries of the Avatar Cycle
Questions surrounding Pavi's connection to the Avatar Cycle and the presence of twin Avatars remain. Sethi cryptically responded to inquiries about Pavi being the "real" Avatar, assuring that "all of those questions are answered" in future episodes. The vision of past Avatars, including Korra, during Pavi's Root Chakra unlock was clarified as a nod to previous depictions, with DiMartino emphasizing that Pavi has not fully reconnected with Korra or the Avatar Cycle. The fate of Asami was also addressed, with Sethi confirming her death in the series' timeline and hinting at more about her relationship with Korra in Season 2.
Exploring Darker Themes
The season delved into darker territory with the revelation that Nisha accidentally caused her parents' deaths. Sethi noted that the series was always intended to be darker, tackling complex situations and placing young characters in mature positions. DiMartino confirmed that the tragic backstory involving Nisha's family was a core element planned from early development, essential for character development and the overall narrative.
Representation and Relevance
Seven Havens has been lauded for its increased LGBTQ+ representation. DiMartino contrasted the current supportive environment with the pushback faced during The Legend of Korra, highlighting the evolving landscape of children's animation. The showrunners also discussed the series' relevance to contemporary issues, explaining that they aimed to explore timeless themes of humanity and societal struggles, which happen to resonate strongly in the current climate.
The Writing Process
The showrunners admitted that balancing the series' structural requirement of aligning with the Seven Chakras with the organic emotional journeys of Pavi and Nisha was the most challenging aspect of writing. "This is the hardest show I've ever worked on," Sethi stated, detailing the extensive efforts to reconcile the overarching concept with character development.
The Future of Avatar
Looking ahead, three more seasons of Seven Havens are planned, alongside a new series, Avatar Kuruk: Wave of Chaos. DiMartino confirmed that work is already underway on Books Three and Four of Seven Havens. The team expressed openness to future Avatar projects, including potential films, pending greenlights from Paramount+.