Avatar The Last Airbender is probably the most popular cartoon series on Nickelodeon right now and there's one very simple reason - it resonates with a wide age group of both males and females. Beyond the flashy and well crafted characters and animations, this series has a soul and it has characters - both good and bad - that you end up having an emotional investment in. You have the naiveté of Aaang, the carefree nature of Sokka, the down-to-earth Uncle Iroh (one of the best characters in the series, in my opinion), the stubborn and gruff Toth and the conflicted Fire nation Prince Zuko. All of these characters and all their adventures are compelling, and the situations they are all thrown in continually evolve them beyond what you usually get from an animated series. Perhaps it is because this epic tale is written in Hollywood, inspired by all cultures in Asia and animated by a studio in Korea. Draw your own conclusion as to the why of it all, but at the end you'll come to the same conclusion I have: Avatar The Last Airbender is one of the best animated shows on television.

So with that opinion in mind, it should come as no shock that I highly recommend that latest volume of the Avatar series, Avatar: Book 2 Earth Volume 2 , or that I recommend that you pick up previous releases and start a DVD collection of this wonderful series. Book 2 Earth Volume 2 continues to weave the story of Aang's adventures in the Earth nation, as he attempts to find an earth bending teacher to help him master this elemental art form. You can tell that time is running out for this would-be savior of the world, and the he makes progress there is truly a price for everything.

The episode "The Blind Bandit," details Aang and friends as they search for an airbending teacher in the Earth Kingdom. Word on the street is that the best Earthbenders take part in an underground tournament called "Earth Rumble 6," so Aang makes his way to watch the battle and find the Earthbender he saw in his dreams. During most of this tournament it is clear that an Earthbender named The Boulder is the most dangerous of the group, laying out countless opponents before inevitably facing a the champion. It is at this point in the episode where we meet on of the best characters in the series - a blind Earthbender named "Toth," whose small stature belies the awesome amount of power and talent this Earthbender posesses. This little girl, who sees by using Earthbending, makes quick work of the unstoppable Boulder in seconds. Aang recognizes Toth as the girl he saw in his vision and enters the arena to convince her to teach him the art of Earthbending. Hijinx ensue.

The Blind Bandit is probably the most compelling episode in this collection and Toth proves to be a great addition to the group's myriad of personalities. Toth truly is unlike any other within the group because her attitude is at most times unpleasant. In the following episodes Toth sternly teaches Aang Earthbending and settles into a great supporting role that doesn't overshadow the star of the show.

Volume 2 also shows more of Zuko, the troubled Fire Nation prince who has been exiled and wanders the Earth Nation with his wise uncle Iroh. In "Zuko Alone" we see that the oftentimes arrogant prince has a softer side, and we learn that his soul is truly conflicted between his duty and his feelings. In these episodes it is not Zuko that shines, but rather Uncle Iroh, who continues to offer wisdom and guidance to the prince. We learn more about both of these former Fire Nation warriors, which ultimately leads to a period of calmness and satisfaction later in Book 2 Earth.

"The Chase" sees Aang and his friends being pursued by an unknown entity that gets closer as they sleep. Most of the episode is spent with the gang trying to get away. Zuko and Iroh are also nearby and at the end of it all the group teams up with their enemy to take down Zuko's sister Azula. The end result is Iroh being hurt and Zuko fleeing. The Chase is particularly noteworthy because Iroh finally gets a chance to interact with The Avatar and two sides that have been at odds with each other for most of the series find themselves teaming up to take down the evil Fire Nation princess Azula.