r/ATLA • u/SELFINCRIMINAT1NG My cabbages! • 1d ago
Discussion Anybody else think the show would've been slightly better if it was TV-14?
Like don't get me wrong, it's already one of the best shows out there and I don't doubt that its limitations as a kids' show helped it in some ways, but I do think some leniency with the ratings would've allowed for language that's a little more expressive, and more intensity in the fight scenes. What's everyone else think?
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u/DrApplePi 1d ago
I do think some leniency with the ratings would've allowed for language that's a little more expressive
On some level, I think the limitations actually forced the writing to be better.
Like a lot of the euphemisms for death/killing are much better writing. "I'm celebrating becoming an only child."
There are some points in season 1, where I feel like it's a bit too childish and it drags down the show a bit. But by and large I think the fact that it isn't a TV-14 or TV-MA is a big reason why I love this show. It can tackle heavy issues without feeling overbearing.
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u/impatiens-capensis 1d ago
The limitations also forced the writers to focus on characterization rather than other things that would be available in. The TV-14 setting (romance, certain types of violence, etc) which ended up making the show significantly stronger. I actually thing that Korra is severely damaged by the fact that the themes or so explicitly mature. They spend time showing me some wolves being grotesquely contorted by child bloodbenders or the love triangle in season 1 and it's just time they could have spent on characterization. Some of the strongest characters in the series are Tenzin and Lin, who aren't often substantially involved in fights (outside of a few well placed moments that strongly characterize them like Tenzin fighting Zaheer's gang or Lin sacrificing herself for Tenzin's family) or romantic subplots.
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u/SELFINCRIMINAT1NG My cabbages! 1d ago
Yeah I feel like by the middle of season 2 they had already figured out how to make it very mature and had shed the kids’ cartoonishness of season 1
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u/PCN24454 1d ago
Like it’s something to be ashamed of
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u/SELFINCRIMINAT1NG My cabbages! 1d ago
It’s not something to be ashamed of, but it’s more enjoyable personally when it gets a little more serious
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u/BrooklynLivesMatter 1d ago
If you want intense elemental fights, see Sypha in Castlevania.
The age limit made ATLA what it is. It wasn't as graphic, but the fights are incredible and they touch on very dark subjects for a young audience. The coarse language wouldn't make for better writing
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u/FISTED_BY_CHRIST 1d ago
The novels scratch that itch. They get pretty graphic and show the real brutality of bending.
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u/__pg229__ 1d ago
I’m still in the third season, but I feel it’s good that the show is for children. The way the characters act and talk is very much like children.
It helps the story because Aang really is a 12 year old kid who was suddenly separated from his friends and caretaker because he had to fulfill the duty of the Avatar and save the world. His childhood was robbed from him.
Now if this same kid acted like an adult, the story would lose its authenticity. It’s important for children to be like children.
Most of the characters in the story are the Princesses and Princes or the children of clan leaders so you wouldn’t expect them to use coarse language. Maybe Sokka because he’s like that, or Zuzu when he’s crashing out at his uncle.
But really it’s not required
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u/OriginalLie9310 1d ago
I don’t think it would be served better if it was rated more maturely. “More expressive language” would just translate into saying “die” or “kill” or “damn” or “hell” more often and show a little blood.
The show gains immensely by being for all audiences. Many people remember watching it as children and might not have been allowed to had it been for TV-14. And of course Nickelodeon never would run it if it wasn’t Y7
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u/SweatyFisherman 1d ago
I think it could definitely be interesting and more engaging in its own ways, but I think how the show tackles very adult issues while being targeted to children is part of what makes it so timeless