The Spirits of Aang and Korra are strong with this
one. Avatar: Seven Havens just wrapped
it’s first season a couple weeks back and it is easily one of the best Avatar
anythings I’ve seen in a while, a near perfect 10 of a debut. And with the show confirmed to run for four
total seasons (all of which have been greenlit), the journey of Pavi and Nisha
is only just getting started. I’m sure
many have noticed throughout the Avatar franchise just how many nods it gives
to the world of Anime from how its action is depicted to chibified humorous exaggerated
expressions. There’s so much Anime in Avatar’s lifeblood many have referred to
The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra as American Made Anime, a la Teen
Titans. Whatever the case, Seven Havens
continues this tradition of Anime-ing up the fun with visual call backs and
even direct homages to Anime classics throughout the ages. On today’s Top 5 Wednesday, I’m gonna pick
out the Top 5 Anime Inspirations in Avatar: Seven Havens I noticed while
looking at Season One.
Oh and if you didn’t pick up on the full title above:
THIS
WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS FOR MOST OF SEASON 1!!!!! Plus, this is one of the Best Shows of 2026
so you should be watching it anyway, Avatar fan or not…so do that if you
haven’t then come back and read.
Ok? Ok.
#5-Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind Much like Seven Havens, Nausicaa takes place in a land
that is once a shadow of its former self after a devastating calamity.
You make due with whatever tech and supplies
you can scavenge and there’s a bunch of creatures roaming the wasteland trying
to kill.
Pavi in particular embodies the
boundless spirit of hope found in Nausicaa and has a more spiritual bond with
the Earth and creatures around her that Nisha lacks.
I’m sure Pavi will be riding a giant bug
creature at some point in the series.
#4-Attack on Titan
One of the most iconic images in Anime history is that of
the Colossal Titan looking over the massive wall that’s supposed to protect
Humanity.
The very first time we lay
eyes on the Haven of Elora, I got those same vibes.
This place is built with the sole purpose of
protecting the Human Race from whatever lies beyond its borders.
Massive sand storms, man eating Monsters and,
if it comes to it, even the Avatar should they return.
But let’s face it, as impressive in scale as
this perimeter looks, its probably not as 100% full proof as some might want
the populace to think it is.
#3-Mobile Suit Victory Gundam
At 13 years old, Victory Gundam’s Uso Ewin holds the
record for being the youngest Gundam pilot in the Universal Century (apparently
he ties in age with Flit Asuno at the start of Gundam AGE).
Pavi and Nisha now hold the same standing
with the Avatar franchise being 9 years old, far younger than either Korra or
Aang at the start of their series.
And
while I love that the show treats them as the age they’re supposed to be, Pavi
and Nisha still have to deal with the darker side of Elora and the Avatar
legacy that looms over them.
They
haven’t gotten to anything as heavy as half the stuff Uso encounters throughout
Victory Gundam but this is still early days for them and there’s still three
seasons left to go.
#2-Neon Genesis Evangelion
Not only do Pavi and Nisha have to deal with bandits,
back room politics and shifting allegiances, they also have to contend with
beings made of corrupted energy popping up throughout Elora.
The diamond shape configuration they tend to
take feels very reminiscent of one of the Angels from Evangelion.
They even tend to make Pavi and Nisha relive
their own scattered histories whenever they come into contact with them.
We’re still not sure what these apparitions
want but hey if Korra cause the equivalent of Second Impact before the show,
it’s likely that Pavi and Nisha are all that stands between a possible Third
Impact, and these Diamond Energy Creatures are the new Angels heralding its
coming.
#1-Akira
So apparently back in the day, something made Korra go
all Tetsuo on Republic City and cause The Calamity that’s lead to things as
they are in Seven Havens.
The Avatar
name might as well be synonymous with Akira because of the terror it invokes
thanks to Korra’s destructive warpath.
As we learn throughout the first season, Nisha’s Avatar abilities may
echo Korra’s which led her to accidentally killing her parents and taking
Pavi’s leg in the process.
Need more
proof the psychic cyberpunk legend is a major influence here: just look at that
freaking red colored nuclear explosion inching its way towards Elora in the
Season One Finale and tell me that doesn’t scream “Akira.
Soooo…does this mean “PAVIII” and “NISHAAAA”
are going to become the new “KANEDA” and “TETSUO” at some point?
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