I've watched this series 3 times now, with long gaps in between, and every time before coming back I've thought 'meh, it can't be /that/ good'. So I'm reviewing it here so that I'll remember. It really is.

This show has my favourite world-building of all time, and I'm a sucker for that stuff. The lore never ceases to surprise and intrigue with its beauty and depth. The animation is completely out of this world, and shows fantastic imagination and care; I can only hope that the upcoming Netflix series will live up to it, but I really don't know how it could. The character design is faultless and incredibly gratifying as the seasons progress; arcs feel real and understandable. One of the excellent things about this show is that it never forgets that the main characters are children, and it's much better for that - these aren't superheroes, they are kids whose lives have been cruelly altered by war, and their journeys are never over-simplified.

ATLA has one of the most satisfying and well-paced storylines I could ever hope to experience. I take long gaps between rewatching because it allows me to experience the whole wonderful journey all over again, and it gets me every time. There are specific parts which still make me emotional just thinking about them; catch me crying listening to the (fantastic) score.

Legend of Korra was a joy, but for me nothing will ever quite live up to the magic of this show. I feel lucky to be alive in the time when it was made.