Avatar - KATARA!

Avatar: The Last Airbender - Series 1 - Katara - McFarlane Toys 2021

Avatar is one of those properties I always intended to pay more attention to, but just haven't. Elemental-themed powers in a unique fantasy world is something I would definitely be drawn to, but it rose to popularity at a time when I was a young professional pinching my pennies and focusing on my career. I was just starting to dabble in comics and toys again, but I honestly didn't even own a TV. My first exposure to the property was actually the live action film in 2010 (which didn't thrill me), and recently I watched and highly enjoyed spinoff series The Legend of Korra. Yet I still haven't actually watched the original Avatar. The action figures never really appealed to me until this new Katara figure from McFarlane toys. Previous toylines had either zero female characters, or had figures that seemed overpriced for their quality. But this new McFarlane line is a great introduction. The figures are fun, well-sculpted, and inexpensive. The show is on my watch list of this Winter now. Let's check out Katara below!

Nick Jr - RAINBOW RANGERS!

Nick Jr's Rainbow Rangers  - Team Rainbow Rangers 8-Pack - Fisher-Price 2020

It's actually pretty surprising that there hasn't been a preschool-age magical girl series in the US before. The formula is so simple: girls with powers, transformation sequences, adventures. And if you want to have a really successful property, apply color themes to the characters. The most recent similar show I've watched was Glitter Force on Netflix (aka PrettyCure), and it followed an extremely similar format as this new Rainbow Rangers show on Nick Jr, albeit aimed toward an older preteen/YA audience. But the interesting thing about seeing this rainbow-themed genre interpreted for a preschool audience is that it instantly reminds me of many classic properties from my childhood like Strawberry Shortcake and Rainbow Brite. The show itself almost has a Dora the Explorer feel with a constant flow of adorable wildlife in need of rescue, but the costumed adventurer angle really makes it stand out. These toys are simple with only 4-poa, but they are really colorful and fun. Let's check them out below!

The Girls of MYSTICONS!

Mysticons - Piper, Em, Arkayna w/ Izzie, and Zarya w/ Archer - Playmates 2017

When I first read about Mysticons a few years ago, the proposed team consisted of boys, but then about two years ago I read an article and it was suddenly centered around four young girls. Then I soon heard that Playmates would be making toys and my excitement has been building ever since. The actual cartoon (which began airing on Nickelodeon in August) is not exactly my cup of tea. I'm just not the target demographic at all (but I'll give it another shot eventually). But these toys. These toys are perfect for me. Bright colors. Mythical themes. Not too cartoony. Fun translucent accessories. And best of all, amazing flying griffin steeds with battle armor! It's very rare to get a female character who rides an animal, let alone actual action figures of those characters and beasts. So yeah, this property thrills me and I hope it's successful enough to warrant many more toys. Queen Necrafa seems especially ripe for the action figure treatment. Time will tell. Let's check out the first round of basic Mysticons figures below!