If we compare the production of Avatar to other series based on the level of skill and finesse it took to make each respective show then yes Avatar indubitably is number 1 and blows out all other competition out of the water. What makes Avatar legendary is that for a kid's show spanning only 60 episodes and being so censored that they weren't even allowed to say Jet died on screen (Nickelodeon censorship) somehow this simplistic production churned out one of the most sophisticated stories on a veritable assortment of themes ranging from war to colonialism to the scars they leave behind, all while deftly and organically telling such a rich and profound story using the vehicle of complex characters interacting in complex ways to explicate these myriad of themes while also simultaneously entertaining viewers with one of the most enjoyable and fun tapestry of stories ever woven.
Other shows that try to be as deep as Avatar lose their fun element and take themselves way too seriously, and shows that try to be as whimsical and fun as Avatar end up losing their structural cohesion and coherence and thematic message: Avatar seamlessly entertains and enriches thinking and learning that it's a miracle all of this is done under the premise of a kid's show.
Basically when someone sees Avatar for the 1st time and realize that this was a censored kid's show they're left speechless at how such an immaculate piece of work could have been made with such humble and simple tools. Avatar is what you get when you creators are simple essentialists whose idea of art is saying the most with as little as possible In that criteria Avatar is number 1
Other shows that try to be as deep as Avatar lose their fun element and take themselves way too seriously, and shows that try to be as whimsical and fun as Avatar end up losing their structural cohesion and coherence and thematic message: Avatar seamlessly entertains and enriches thinking and learning that it's a miracle all of this is done under the premise of a kid's show.
Basically when someone sees Avatar for the 1st time and realize that this was a censored kid's show they're left speechless at how such an immaculate piece of work could have been made with such humble and simple tools. Avatar is what you get when you creators are simple essentialists whose idea of art is saying the most with as little as possible In that criteria Avatar is number 1