Do we have a new BTAS on our hands?

[remnant]

Okay, I'm sure everyone here has seen atleast one ep of Avatar. Now I have to admit I'm a Avatar fan( though I absolutely hate Nick's programming) but it has been buging me lately. Do you think Avatar can reach the status of BTAS and the other extremely popular Animated serials on T.V?

Personally I think it can pass it. The show has great animation( Animation quality that puts IMO almost every true anime to shame), Storyboarding that flows extremely well, Scriptwriting with in-depth continuity. etc

 

[SirLemming]

I don't watch it enough to know, but let me just warn you that I'm quite sure most of the people on this forum will give you a resounding (at best) or furious (at worst) "NO".

 

[Michael24]

Just from the ads I saw months ago, I had no interest in watching it. But I'll still say (a polite) "No."

 

[The Huntsman]

I admit that I’ve never cared much for Batman: The Animated Series, though I find it disheartening when many of the people who will inevitably say ‘no’ in this topic more than likely have never really watched the series, case and point the individual who said they judged from the commercials. I understand that Avatar does have more childish humor than some people would like, but the level of depth in the story and the show’s ability to transcend from comedy to drama is remarkable. I just wish people would watch some of the more dramatic episodes before they attempt to berate the series in such a fashion, though I suppose such it outside of my ability to control.

I really do love Avatar: The Last Airbender and I believe that it is a revolutionary animated program in regards to how animation in the United States is handled; I can only hope that more animated programs will continue to follow its path and place more of a focus on story telling.

 

[Ian]

Depends on what you mean by it. More than being a pretty damn good show, Batman:TAS was revolutionary, because of how the cartoon landscape was at the time.

Lesee, Batman: TAS:

• Was the first to use "real" actors instead of the established VAs.
• Stylistically, it emphasized simplicity and animatability over detail, making it one of the best-looking, best-animated action cartoons up to that moment.
• Presented a marked shift in tone from everything that was being produced at the time.
• Was a "cool" cartoon; it tried to make itself by anyone.

Putting aside quality for a moment, the only thing that makes it stand out is that it has a planned ending. Unless the reason for comparing Avatar to Batman:TAS is purely the level of quality (in which case, I'd still have to disagree, since I don't think Avatar is that good, and that there are other series which could accurately be called the spiritual sucessor to Batman:TAS), I'd have to say no.

 

[Prism]

And Avatar is fully cinematic that combines Asian martial arts,mythology and animesque designs. The animation is incredibly fluid, the art quality,voice actors and story direction topnotch. Far as I'm concerned it's already as good as BTAS.

 

[SirLemming]

Well, when I saw a little bit of it at a hotel last summer it did look pretty good, compared to most of the cartoons out today. But it'd take a lot for it to be better than BTAS, so I obviously won't be saying that any time soon.

 

[remnant]

Depends on what you mean by it. More than being a pretty damn good show, Batman:TAS was revolutionary, because of how the cartoon landscape was at the time.

Lesee, Batman: TAS:

• Was the first to use "real" actors instead of the established VAs.
• Stylistically, it emphasized simplicity and animatability over detail, making it one of the best-looking, best-animated action cartoons up to that moment.
• Presented a marked shift in tone from everything that was being produced at the time.
• Was a "cool" cartoon; it tried to make itself by anyone.

Putting aside quality for a moment, the only thing that makes it stand out is that it has a planned ending. Unless the reason for comparing Avatar to Batman:TAS is purely the level of quality (in which case, I'd still have to disagree, since I don't think Avatar is that good, and that there are other series which could accurately be called the spiritual sucessor to Batman:TAS), I'd have to say no.

If you don't mind. What are those shows your talking about?

I think Avatar time right now is more important that BTAS becuase the T.V animation industry is at a turning point. More riskier innovative work that could lead to financial ruin like in the 90's, or safer marketable programs with restricted freedom like in the 80's. I think the popularity of Avatar will be remebered for shedding light on how commercially powerful a unleashed motivated animatd show can be.

This is especially important with every bastion of animated program network being changed to be aimed at more live-action.

 

[Michael24]

I admit that I’ve never cared much for Batman: The Animated Series, though I find it disheartening when many of the people who will inevitably say ‘no’ in this topic more than likely have never really watched the series, case and point the individual who said they judged from the commercials.

I have a big dislike for anime anyway, so the ads were all I needed to know I wouldn't be watching it. That, and it did just look stupid. But that's just me.

 

[Anarky]

'Avatar' will be remembered as one of the best series of this decade, just as BTAS was in the 90s. However BTAS is one of those tentpole series of tv animation history. If 'Avatar' continues to amp up the drama (Zuko's story) it may also be remembered as one of the all-time greats. The true test of greatness is the ripple-effect it will have on the next generation of animators & storytellers. It may take a little longer w/ 'Avatar' due to the genrally young demographic. Perhaps the seeds will bear fruit in about 20 yrs.

 

[Timmay]

B:TAS was the first. I don't even know if you can give it a successor. Not until someone completely redefines the genre again.

 

[Master Moron]

I have a big dislike for anime anyway, so the ads were all I needed to know I wouldn't be watching it. That, and it did just look stupid. But that's just me.

You know, when I first saw an ad for Batman:The Animated series, I thought it looked stupid. I remember making fun of how square Batman's head looked and how goofy the Penguin looked. Just goes to show that first impressions are worthless.

 

[Wanted]

No... the show's not original enough. The creators didn't go for an original look that would have been sure to make this show better (to put it "nicely"). I'll just say that the anime look doesn't work in Avatar's favour.

Don't get me wrong. I like Avatar and used to revere it as a great series. Watching the repeats, however, can be a pretty tedious task.

 

[Rasputin]

I think Avatar is probably the best American animated show going nowadays, but even I can't imagine it would be the next Batman. Avatar is groundbreaking in its own way, but it builds on the successes of those shows that came before it. It is far more continuity-driven, but that isn't necessarily as unusual nowadays as it used to be, even if it's rather more meticulously planned than much of the competition. It isn't rewriting the rulebook like Batman did. Batman was an absolute milestone in that there was next to nothing like it before, in terms of style, plot, character or otherwise.

That said, Avatar has a pretty large and obsessive fanbase, and its influence could gradually pervade the animation scene over the next decade. What I'm more looking forward to is Nick actually backing Avatar up with another action series to accompany it, rather than leaving the show stranded amongst a channel of irreverent kiddie stuff like Zim was. Until then, it's not setting a trend so far. Though I think it should be.

 

[Freedom Fighter]

My guess, if we're trying to figure out if 'Avatar: TLA' is as revolutionary as 'Batman: TAS, then there's evidence that the above is not true. 'Avatar' hasn't really been much of a revolutionary show. It's rather found a way to excel of all of the qualities of show: animation, storyline and pacing, music, and characters... something few series have been able to achieve. But, yeah, to be fair, 'Avatar' hasn't necessarily done anything unique compared to the competition... the creative staff of the show just does what everyone else does, well, better.

 

[Gokou Ruri]

I have a big dislike for anime anyway, so the ads were all I needed to know I wouldn't be watching it. That, and it did just look stupid. But that's just me.

That's not really fair.. Avatar isn't anything like anime. It's storytelling and acting is just like an American cartoon so you should enjoy it.

As for the topic, while I love Avatar, I'd never say it's the new B:TAS. It's great, but not as great.

 

[Rasputin]

Actually, just realised something. Avatar is in something of the same quandrary Gargoyles was in. I think that's the closest type of show to compare it to, having tons of continuity, fluid animation and otherwise. As we know everyone loves Gargoyles. But it was still part of a post-Batman trend that prevents it being truly revolutionary. It's just really good at what it does. Avatar's the same way.

 

[Ian]

remnant:If you don't mind. What are those shows your talking about?

Personally, I believe the current Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon is far more succesful at storytelling, despite production values generally inferior to those of Avatar. It has a higher ratio of likeable characters; storylines which are far better paced; humor which, if equally or more hit-and-miss, is better-placed; and shifts tones much more convincingly. Also, I find that Teen Titans, which aims to hit the same bases Avatar does, bests it in almost every category--plus, it's far less schitzophrenic.

However, to be fair, it must be said that both of those series have been around a lot longer than Avatar has, and have had considerable time which with to improve their craft. Given time, Avatar may surpass them both. I'm not optimistic, though--the creators seem far too satisfied with what they're doing.

Freedom Fighter: It's rather found a way to excel of all of the qualities of show: animation, storyline and pacing, music, and characters...

In order: yes, debatable, hell no, can't say (I can't remember the music, like, at all), and debatable.

 

[I.R Joey]

Actually, just realised something. Avatar is in something of the same quandrary Gargoyles was in. I think that's the closest type of show to compare it to, having tons of continuity, fluid animation and otherwise. As we know everyone loves Gargoyles. But it was still part of a post-Batman trend that prevents it being truly revolutionary. It's just really good at what it does. Avatar's the same way.

I was going to say the same thing. Avatar will probably end up being more of the "Gargoyles" of the 2000's than Batman.

I think that if Avatar keeps heading in the direction it's going then it will be remembered as one of the greatest ever. Seriously just look at episode 27. How many shows have charecters of such strength that they can pull off focusing on the main antagonist for an entire episode not even showing or mentioning the main hero? I can hardly think of any animated show (from any part of the world) that has attempted or pulled that off.

 

[DarthGonzo]

I think it's too early to tell.

HOWEVER, I do NOT think it's the next Batman. Not by a longshot.