With much anticipation, the Avatar: The Last Airbender series finally released on Netflix on May 15, 2020, leaving thousands of fans binge watching the show. Many generations have grown up watching the series as children, which is why there has been so much excitement surrounding this release. The show quickly became the #1 show ranked in America on Netflix. The show is both charming and light-hearted.

Avatar: The Last Airbender first premiered in 2005, running for 61 episodes over the course of three seasons. It was written and created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. The Emmy-winning American television series centers around a twelve year old boy named Aang who is destined to bring peace and balance to the world.  In the cartoon, there are four nations – the Water Tribe, the Earth Kingdom, the Fire Nation and and the Air Nomads, each representing a natural element of the world. After the Fire Nation used the power of a comet to start a war with the other nations, peace among the nations was disrupted. The Avatar is the only one who can master all four of the elements and can stop them. Although he and his friends face many challenges throughout the series, he eventually fulfills his destiny to end the Hundred Years War by facing Fire Lord Ozai.

The plot is not the only interesting part of the show. Avatar: The Last Airbender explores the themes of totalitarianism and imperialism through the plots and characters. The types of bending are modeled after types of Kung Fu in different regions of China, each with a unique style. The evolution of characters in the show is also notable. “Avatar: The Last Airbender was a show that most of us watched as kids, but now as we rewatch the series, it is clear that a lot of research was put into the creation of the show,” said Cara Leung ’21.

The popularity of the original show prompted its creator to make a sequel, The Legend of Korra, which depicts the life of the avatar succeeding Aang. The Legend of Korra was released back in 2014 but did not receive the same popularity as the original series. However, with Avatar: The Last Airbender now coming to Netflix, this event has given many something to do during the quarantine: binge watching.

To watch Avatar: The Last Airbender on Netflix (subscription required), click HERE. 

“Avatar: The Last Airbender was a show that most of us watched as kids, but now as we rewatch the series, it is clear that a lot of research was put into the creation of the show,” said Cara Leung ’21.