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A Fan’s Thoughts on Avatar: Seven Havens

Do you know those stories where someone leaves the house to get something, but when they get back, they find their home destroyed? That feeling sums up what the Avatar fandom is feeling right now. The one consolation is that the house is not a metaphor for the state of the fandom itself but for the world Avatar takes place.

Earlier this month, Avatar: The Last Airbender reached an important milestone as it celebrated its 20th anniversary. The franchise has continued to thrive, growing even more popular since being added to streaming platforms. A new animated film is due to come out in theaters in 2026, and rumors spoke of even more projects in the pipeline. Then, less than a day before its 20th birthday, the creators of the show announced the next chapter in the world of Avatar, Avatar: Seven Havens.

Then, people started reading the synopsis…and started to worry.

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What Happened to the World of Avatar?

The details remain scarce, but it seems that (hopefully) decades after the events of Legend of Korra, the world of Avatar experienced a disaster of potentially apocalyptic proportions. The nations as we knew them are likely gone or only survive in small pockets. That alone is a bittersweet pill to swallow, as it could mean many places we came to know throughout the franchise no longer exist. Or, if they do, they may no longer be recognizable. However, the worst part about the synopsis for Seven Havens is it says that Korra’s successor as the Avatar is no longer considered humanity’s savior, but a destroyer. That line alone has left many fans asking the same question:

“What the heck happened to make things get so bad?!?!”

Korra Still Can’t Catch a Break.

From what I’ve seen based on the comments, the general consensus seems to be that something horrible happened to Korra. Something that marred the Avatar’s reputation so badly that all of humanity turned on them. However, as to what happened and where Korra fits into all this, fans remain divided. Some people believe that Korra could have been directly responsible for whatever catastrophe rocked the world. Others believe that she might have been set up and made out to be the bad guy. And some think it’s both: she might have caused a disaster, but only because the alternative would have been far too horrific to be allowed to happen. What is certain, though, is that we are missing a great deal of context that Seven Havens will hopefully provide.

As for what I think, I’m in the camp that she is getting unfairly blamed for whatever happened to leave the world in the state it’s in during Seven Havens. I also think that this is a deliberate ploy by DiMartino and Konietzko to discuss the hate that Korra got.

Korra Wasn’t a Bad Avatar, you Know!

As a show and as a character, Korra has become infamous for being a divisive character. Many OG fans consider her an inferior successor to Aang, and her detractors cite her shortcomings throughout the show. The most egregious, though, is the fact that she got Raava ripped out of her and their connection to her past lives severed, resetting the Avatar Cycle altogether. In other words, fans may never get to see Aang, Roku, Kiyoshi, and the other past Avatars again!

They’re not wrong to be upset. I loved Aang, and the idea that we may never see him again as a guide to future Avatars is heartbreaking. However, I do not consider what happened to be entirely Korra’s fault.

like how can you look at this and say yeah this is korra’s fault pic.twitter.com/yroson2O5m

— c (@racerkuvira) February 22, 2025

Keep in mind that Korra was fighting an uphill battle when she went into that fight with Unalaq. She knew this, and so she tried to get help from the President of the United Republic. And he refused to do anything, thinking it better to defend Republic City. To this day, I believe that if Raiko had sent support, Korra wouldn’t have had to fight so many enemies at once, and Unalaq and Vaatu wouldn’t have been able to rip Raava out of her. What makes it even worse is that, afterward, Raiko still blamed her for the destruction UnaVaatu caused!

Korra Had a Tough Act to Follow, and She Knew it

A big theme in The Legend of Korra is how people would not stop comparing her to how great Aang was, which is understandable. Like many, I grew up watching Aang and wasn’t entirely comfortable with seeing someone succeed him. But does that mean Korra was an inferior successor? No! People held her to these impossible standards and wanted her to be as good a character as Aang was. And while Aang was an amazing character, he wasn’t perfect and made mistakes—many Avatar’s made mistakes during their lifetimes. The whole reason the Avatar Cycle started was because Avatar Wan made a mistake. But the entire point of the Avatar is that they’re not this perfect being that can solve everything.

The point of the Avatar being human is for them to be flawed and mess up like everyone else. That’s part of being human; regardless of their godlike power, the Avatar is still human. And through their collective experiences, Raava also learned what it meant to be human. That’s something that plenty of Korra haters seem to forget, and it’s something that people during the time of Seven Havens will have to remember.

But with that rant out of the way, what do you guys think? Does this sound like something you’re going to watch? Do you think the premise of Seven Havens is a mistake? Let’s get some fan discussion going!

And be on the lookout for a second part talking about the other big thing regarding Seven Havens.

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My Picks for the Top Ten Animated Shows of the 2010s

By the time 2010 rolled around, almost all the cartoons I loved watching had ended their runs. As a result, I thought I grew out of them and started getting into documentary channels. Thankfully, the 2010s saw an animation renaissance that dragged me back into cartoons. I have no regrets whatsoever.

As we close out the 2010s, I thought it would be appropriate to look back on the decade’s animation renaissance. Thus, I’m giving you my picks for my top ten favorite cartoons of the 2010s. But first, some ground rules:

1. The shows have to have started after January 1st, 2010. Shows that started before then don’t count.
2. Each of these picks are shows that I watched. I know this means I’ll miss great shows like Bojack Horseman, but that’s how it is. Sorry in advance
3. I’m not counting anime. A show can be anime-esque or based on it, but anime itself is off the table.

With that out of the way, let’s get started!

Adventure Time (2010-2018)

What time is it? ADVENTURE TIME! In 2010, this gem created by Pendleton Ward premiered on Cartoon Network. Telling the story of Jake the shapeshifting dog and Finn the human boy, Adventure Time follows their adventures in the magical, post-apocalyptic land of Ooo. However, as time passed, the show began to build itself into something more than a cartoon.

Thanks to a combination of a strong supporting cast, deep mythology, overarching stories and willingness to tackle mature themes, Adventure Time became a massive hit for Cartoon Network. In fact, I largely credit it for kickstarting this animation renaissance, with Cartoon Network benefiting the most. In addition, many of the show’s staff went on to create equally popular shows like Steven Universe, O.K. K.O.! Let’s be Heroes, Over the Garden Wall, and more. This show was amazing, and it’s legacy will no doubt be felt for decades to come.

Avatar: The Legend of Korra (2012-2014)

I consider Avatar: The Last Airbender to be one of the greatest cartoons of all time. Thus, imagine my joy when I learned Nickelodeon was making a sequel called The Legend of Korra? Taking place 70 years after the end of A:TLA, Legend of Korra, the show follows the titular character as she fulfills her role as the new Avatar. However, Korra has to face enemies that make her question if the Avatar has a place in the world anymore.

Aside from continuing the story of my favorite cartoon, I loved Korra for multiple reasons. Firstly, it knows that the returning fan base were now teens and young adults. As such, it wasn’t afraid to touch on darker issues that reflect real world history like inequality, oppressive governments, and fanaticism. Secondly, it expanded upon the already rich world of its predecessor, adding more backstory. It even goes so far as to show us the Avatar’s origins, which is really cool. Thirdly, there’s plenty of callbacks to the original show.

Sadly, the show suffered from a scheduling problem during its run. By Season Three, they started dropping the episodes in huge chunks; then midway through it, they move it exclusively to streaming. As a result, the show ended sooner than necessary. It’s still a good show, but this move by Nick makes it less impactful in the end.

DuckTales! (2017- Present)

Of all the reboots I’ve seen to classic shows, the 2017 reboot of DuckTales! may be one of the best. This reboot reimagines the cast and premise of the classic 80s cartoon for a new generation of fans. The end result is a cartoon that captures the spirit of its predecessor while being able to stand as its own thing.

I’ve made my love of DuckTales! known in the past, so I’m going to bullet point what I like most about it.

• The callbacks and references to the original show and the Disney Afternoon cartoons of the 80s and 90s
• The art style’s reminiscent of 1950s comics
• The voice cast is incredible. They gave the Triplets different voice actors and personalities
• Della Duck becomes a prominent character
• That theme song!

Bottom line, this show’s worth watching.

Gravity Falls (2012-2016)

Disney’s first, and likely biggest, success from this decade’s animation renaissance, Gravity Falls is to the Mouse what Adventure Time is to Cartoon Network. The show follows the twins Dipper and Mabel Pines as they spend their summer vacation in the titular Oregon Town. However, they soon find out that the place is a magnet for weirdness and supernatural phenomena. With their new friends and con-artist Grunkle Stan, the two (mostly Dipper) work to uncover the mysteries behind the town and the danger threatening it.

Speaking of which, Gravity Falls revolves around mysteries. Creator Alex Hirsch loved throwing in mysteries and clues for fans to solve, from ciphers in every episode to a real-life scavenger hunt following the series finale. As a result, Gravity Falls attracted a large adult fan base that still supports the show years after it ended. In addition, like Adventure Time, several people who worked on Gravity Falls have gone on to create their own successful shows. Given the influence it’s had on Disney, it’s safe to say that Gravity Falls remains one of the most important cartoons of the 2010s.

Regular Show (2010-2017)

Don’t let the title fool you; it’s anything but. Regular Show follows the lives of Mordecai and Rigby, two slacker best friends working together in a second-rate Park. At least, they’re supposed to; in reality, they try to find ways to get out of work. This usually leads them to get into surreal misadventures that they have to get out of.

As a millennial and a young adult, J.G. Quintel’s creation really spoke to me. On the surface level, Regular Show was laden with pop culture references that many millennials would understand. However, underneath the surreal nature and references, it was a show about two guys going through the trials of young adulthood. It was goofy, heartfelt, and exciting, and an all-around good time. Heck, they even made going into space for the final season entertaining. Most shows would have jumped the shark by doing that!

Rick and Morty (2015- Present)

Few shows have ever been as amazing as Rick and Morty. Then again, I don’t think we’ve ever had a show like Rick and Morty. Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon’s sci-fi comedy follows the adventures of the titular duo. Rick’s the cynical genius who does whatever he wants because he knows nothing matters, and Morty’s his well-meaning but naive grandson. Now name a sci-fi story or scenario, add them in, and you’ve got Rick and Morty.

As I’ve made clear in the past, I’m a huge fan of Rick and Morty. It’s the show that’s not afraid to ask deep, philosophical questions while doing the absolute dumbest things. It’s funny and low-brow, yet also intelligent and philosophical. Also, it’s the show that single-handedly forces McDonald’s to bring back their Szechuan dipping sauce. I can’t think of another show that can do that! Rick and Morty is awesome!

RWBY (2013- Present)

The only web-based show on this list, Roosterteeth’s mega-hit RWBY has been called the first Western anime. In a world filled with dark creatures called Grimm, people called huntsman and huntresses battle to protect the people. The series itself follows the members of the titular team RWBY, Ruby, Weiss, Blake, and Yang, as they become huntresses and protect the world from evil.

Created by the now deceased Monty Oum, RWBY’s become one of the most popular anime in the world. I can’t even count how many people I see cosplaying the characters at conventions. I think part of the appeal comes from how it crosses various genres of anime. It’s got all the action and epic music of Shonen, the premise’s reminiscent of the magical girl genre, and the first three seasons are like a high-school/slice of life.

My favorite thing about RWBY, though, is how its existence shows how prevalent the influence of anime has become. Instead of merely importing it from Japan, now we’re exporting it to Japan! If you haven’t seen RWBY yet, I recommend you watch it. It’s a great gem of the ongoing animation renaissance.

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic (2010-2019)

Who knew that a show about traditionally girl toys would turn into a cultural phenomenon? My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic was created by Lauren Faust and served as the fourth iteration of the My Little Pony line. It follows the adventures of six friends as they learn about the importance of friendship and being nice to each other. That may sound lame on paper, but in reality, it’s really good.

Despite being aimed at kids and being about a toy line meant for girls, MLP: FIM broke the mold. The show was filled with a lot of action, the characters had three-dimensional depth to them, and was genuinely fun to watch. It made it cool for boys and adults to like things traditionally meant for girls. That alone makes it good enough to put on this list. In addition, it had some all-star talent working on it, like Tara Strong as the lead role.

Steven Universe (2013-Present)

Whereas shows like Legend of Korra and MLP opened the door on gender norms, Steven Universe knocked down the door, and the wall for good measure. The show follows the titular character, a half-human, half-alien boy, as he grows up and learns about himself and his place in the world.

It would be an insult to say that Steven Universe is nothing short of revolutionary. It goes out of its way to deal with topics few cartoons dared to tackle. From the aforementioned challenging of gender roles to encouraging the acceptance of the LGBT community, Steven Universe has helped change our culture for the better. I’m willing to bet that this show will go down as one of the most important cartoons in history. It’s a shining example of the best this animation renaissance has to offer people.

Star vs the Forces of Evil (2015-2019)

Considering how much it’s been brought up on this blog, it should be no surprise that this wound up being here. Instead of explaining it again, here’s a video that does the job for me:

I’m well aware that the fourth and final season wasn’t as great as it could have been. Furthermore, as much as I love how the finale lets Star and Marco remain together, I know some fans didn’t like it. That said, let’s not forget that at its peak, Disney was pushing Star vs as it’s flagship cartoon on Disney XD. When the 2-hour TV movie “The Battle for Mewni” premiered, it was trending on Twitter. In short, yes the show could have stuck the landing better. However, I don’t think it detracts from the fact that it was a good show. The fact that so many people want more of Star vs serves as a testament to how good it can be. If Disney does more with it, I’ll be thrilled. Until then, I still think it’s one of the best cartoons of the decade.

Also, there’s some really good fan fiction of it out there.

The 2010s Animation Renaissance

So, do you agree with my picks? For that matter, do you agree that this decade saw an animation renaissance take place? If I didn’t mention a cartoon you like, then leave a comment telling me about it down below. I know I missed a lot! Happy New Year!

Click here to see more stuff recapping past years.

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5 Cartoons That Encourage LGBT Pride

I’ve wanted to do something to celebrate Pride Month all of June, but I couldn’t find the time, let alone what to do. Then a realization hit me: I have seen a notable increase in depictions of LGBT+individuals in animation in recent years. Adult cartoons have done it for a while, but recent years have seen kids cartoons show LGBT+ people openly or talk about related issues.

The cartoons we watch as kids not only make us laugh but teach us how to view the world. So, showing positive depictions of the LGBT+ community is going to teach kids that these things are acceptable and normal, which is good. Thus to celebrate the end of Pride Month, I’m giving you my top 5 picks of cartoons with positive LGBT+ depictions.

#5-The Legend of Korra

In 2012, Nickelodeon released a sequel to the hit show Avatar: the Last Airbender, Avatar: The Legend of Korra. While every bit as breathtaking and action-packed as its predecessor, A: TLoK ended up cementing its place in animation history for its portrayal of LGBT characters.

At the start of the show, the titular Korra developed a mutual crush on her friend, Mako, which led to the two becoming a couple. After realizing their relationship wasn’t going to work out, they decided to end it and stay good friends. Afterward, Korra started getting close to her friend Asami, a bond that strengthened as the series neared its end. When the series finale arrived, the show chose to end its run with Korra and Asami setting off on vacation together. The final shot of the series had them silently stare lovingly into each other’s eyes before the credits rolled. If there’s any doubt, though, the show’s creators confirmed in blog posts that the two were in a romantic relationship.s

This moment was a ground-breaker for western children’s animation; and considering that A:TLA and A:TLoK were already groundbreaking, that’s saying something. The confirmation of Korrasami was the first time a western kid’s cartoon had LGBT leads or an LGBT main character. When I saw the hints that the show had dropped, I was in disbelief, and admittedly, a little weirded out. I remember thinking, “are they doing this? Are we ready for this in a kid’s show?” Then I came to a realization: if it made Korra happy, then I was okay with it. Who am I to deny love?

#4- Star vs. The Forces of Evil

At one time, it would have seemed crazy for a company like Disney to show same-sex couples on their shows. The last few years, though, have seen them do just that. While Gravity Falls does have a gay couple in its cast, I chose Star vs. The Forces of Evil for this list because of its portrayal of LGBT relationships and challenging gender roles.

Marco Diaz, Boy Princess

Fans of the show know Marco Diaz as the hoodie-wearing, karate-loving best friend/boyfriend of Star Butterfly. While Marco’s more than proven himself capable of being very masculine (look at the abs), he’s also a boy in whose very much in touch with his feminine side. He enjoys cooking, and is good at it; wears ballet shoes at home because they’re comfortable, and is okay with dressing like a princess.

Marco’s alter-ego as Princess Turdina is famous in the show for being a source of inspiration for free-thinking princesses everywhere. Even when he eventually comes clean and admits he’s a boy, Marco’s fans decide they don’t care about his gender, because what he taught them about being themselves wasn’t wrong.

“He can be a princess if he wants to!” “Turdina is a state of mind!”

Same-Sex Couples

SvTFOE was very open about same-sex couples during its run on TV, with several couples shown on screen. In the season episode “Just Friends” Star, Marco, and Jackie are a concert for their favorite band, Love Sentence when all the couples start making out. Among them, you’ll find a male couple kissing, marking the first time Disney’s ever shown it on TV.

Another notable instance appears near the end of the show’s run when Jackie returns to Echo Creek after traveling abroad in France. While there, she met a girl named Chloe, and the show heavily implies the two are a couple. One of the show’s storyboard artists later confirmed that the two are dating.

#3- Adventure Time

I was there to see the first episode of Adventure Time, and I was lucky enough to be there for the series finale. By far one of the most famous cartoons of the decade, Adventure Time made Cartoon Network what it is today. It also had a surprise LGBT couple in the form of Princess Bubblegum and Marceline.

The show gradually reveals that the two were once in a romantic relationship and were close friends. Sadly, PB’s focus on protecting the Candy Kingdom led to them ending it on bad terms. Various events in the show’s run help patch things up between them, though. By the time the series finale comes around, the two have become an item once more.

While I never paid much attention to their relationship, I won’t deny that PB and Marcy make a good couple. Plus the progression of their relationship helps show off character development in both characters. Maybe PB more than Marceline, though.

#2-One Piece

You guys know by now that I’m a big fan of One Piece, given my review/recap series for the manga. Of the thousands of fantastic characters that we’ve had in the manga and anime, some of my favorites have been Okamas. A Japanese slang term for gay men, in the world of One Piece, Okama refers to transgender men.

The Okama’s in One Piece are among the most selfless and friendly people I’ve ever seen in a work of fiction. Despite their appearance creeping some people out, they are very friendly to people. The cool part is that their leader, Emporio Ivankov, has a Devil-Fruit power that lets him alter a person’s body at will, even changing their biological gender. That brings gender-fluid to a new level.

My favorite Okama, though, has to be the one we call Bon Clay. Despite starting as an enemy, this lovable character ended up becoming close friends with Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates. Their friendship was so strong that Bon Clay sacrificed himself so Luffy and his friends could escape capture. On two separate occasions, no less. I wish we all had a friend like Bon Clay.

#1- Steven Universe

There’s not enough time in the day to discuss how much of an impact this show has had. Even so, it wouldn’t be pride month if I didn’t include this. This is the cartoon that has made teaching others universal themes of love and acceptance its goal, Steven Universe.

Rebecca Sugar’s groundbreaking creation has had the concepts of love and relationships at its core since the very beginning. At their heart, the Crystal Gems are the outcasts of their society, a conflict that many LGBT people have faced. It’s left them with a lot of emotional issues when the show starts, but they overcome them through the love they have for each other.

Love is the core of Steven Universe’s story, and the show teaches kids that love is not black and white. It’s a whole rainbow of colors and relationships, and like the gem fusions, it can take more than one form. There’s the love between romantic partners, between one’s family, love for friends, and above all, learning to love yourself no matter what the world may say.

Conclusion.

I could ramble on, but I think you get the point, and others can phrase more eloquently than I can. As a person who supports free will and love in all forms, I encourage cartoons to keep re-defining gender identity and love as we head into the future. Heaven knows that we need to build bridges rather than burn them in this world.

By the way, I thought Ruby and Sapphire’s wedding was one of the cutest things I’ve ever seen in a cartoon. They’re one of my favorite couples in fiction!

Click here to see my other animation stuff.