Avatar: Seven Havens has made a strong first impression with critics. The first three episodes of the new animated series premiered on Paramount+ last night, and the show currently holds a 100 per cent critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes. Its audience rating is also positive, with an 81 per cent Popcornmeter.
The early response is especially encouraging because the series faced criticism before launch. Some viewers described the animation as “cheap” or “fanmade” after the second trailer appeared in July. Reviews still identify uneven or insufficiently fluid animation as the main weakness, but the characters, writing and music have received broad praise.
A promising new chapter for Avatar
Reviewers generally agree that the storytelling is doing the heavy lifting. Seven Havens introduces new protagonists, a damaged post-apocalyptic setting and a fresh mystery without simply repeating the structure of its predecessors. The show’s world remains colourful and imaginative, while its themes focus on connection, responsibility and the possibility of rebuilding.
Several reviews highlight the emotional impact of the opening episodes, along with a soundtrack that gives key scenes considerable weight. The visual design retains the anime-influenced 2D style, softly glowing colours and distinctive creatures associated with the wider franchise. The result is recognisably Avatar, even as the setting and story move in a different direction.
There are caveats. The initial group of characters has not completely settled into a unified team, and the story does not introduce an obvious villain in the manner of earlier series. Some critics also consider the opening slow. Even so, the episodes create enough curiosity about the world, its six havens and the future of bending to keep the larger story compelling.
What the reviews are saying
- Mashable praised the return of bending action and animal companions, while describing the setting as a bold blend of Mad Max-style survival and imaginative European science-fiction art.
- TheWrap viewed the animated episodic format as a return to the franchise’s strongest foundation after the disappointing Avatar Aang film and poorly received live-action adaptations.
- IGN called the opening emotional, visually impressive and strongly scored, while noting that the slower start and lack of a clearly defined major antagonist may test some viewers’ patience.
- TV Guide said the series is aimed more directly at children than The Legend of Korra, but remains rewarding for adults thanks to its detailed architecture, creatures and character designs.
- The New York Times praised the continuation of the established visual language and the franchise’s ability to make its storytelling feel both straightforward and ambitious.
- Variety found that the six episodes supplied for review leave some relationships underdeveloped, but said the show’s expanding mythology and world-building create useful momentum.
- GamesRadar remained disappointed by the animation, arguing that powerful musical moments cannot consistently compensate for weak-looking sequences.
- Gizmodo described the premiere as slow to begin, but saw genuine potential in a series that appears willing to reshape the setting rather than rely on familiar brand elements.
- The Hollywood Reporter responded positively to the franchise’s continuing interest in young characters who grow and change without losing their sense of hope.
- Slant Magazine appreciated that the sequel does not depend too heavily on earlier stories, although it felt the series is still working out exactly what it wants to become.
The original creators are back
Although Seven Havens is streaming on Paramount+, its creative circumstances are linked to Netflix’s live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender. Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, the original showrunners of both The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra, returned to the animated universe after their professional relationship with Netflix broke down following the live-action series.
Their involvement helps explain why the new show appears comfortable changing the franchise’s status quo while retaining its central ideas. Reviews repeatedly point to that balance: Seven Havens is recognisable, but it is not presented as a simple continuation of Aang or Korra’s journeys.
Seasons three and four are already planned
Viewers concerned about investing in another unfinished franchise story also have some reassurance. During a panel at New York Comic-Con last night, Paramount announced that seasons three and four of Avatar: Seven Havens are already greenlit. The announcement’s connection to the strong early reviews is unclear, but it gives the series room to develop its mythology beyond the opening episodes.
For readers who follow the wider world of screen and interactive entertainment, RETROCADE’s Arcade Blog covers related gaming and industry news, while our arcade videos explore the culture surrounding games on screen and in the arcade. If the series inspires a home setup, the arcade machine buying guide is a useful starting point before choosing a cabinet.
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