“ThunderCats” is back! ScreenCrave has the trailer for the new version of the animated show, and from looking at the still of the lead characters as well as the trailer, it would seem that the show will have an anime feel.

In fact, I’m going to have to agree with ScreenCrave and say that the show does look very much like “Avatar: The Last Airbender”. Even some of the set designs look like the Earth and Fire Kingdoms and the Northern Water Tribe.  Also, if anyone has seen “Cowboy Bebop”, you’ll notice a similarity between the character designs of Jet and Panthero. Not necessarily a bad thing, really; if you want your show to be taken seriously, why not try to inspire the feeling “Avatar” and “Cowboy Bebop” gave to many?

The show probably looks this way because Cartoon Network is probably viewing this as their answer to “Avatar”, which was a ratings juggernaut for Nickelodeon. In any case, the show looks pretty epic. If there’s a good treatment of the story, I can see this working in the long run for Cartoon Network.

“ThunderCats” will premiere on Cartoon Network sometime this year. Will you watch?