Avatar: The Last Airbender, Will This Live-Action Adaptation Succeed?

The animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender, which aired on Nickelodeon from 2005 to 2008, is returning as a new Netflix original series. The original animated series of the same name gained worldwide popularity during its broadcast and still has countless fans 16 years after its conclusion. Notably, despite airing on Nickelodeon in the US, it has garnered attention for being thoroughly rooted in Eastern culture.

Avatar: The Last Airbender is a fantasy action animation that tells the story of the ‘Avatar,’ a being capable of manipulating the four elements: water, fire, earth, and air. In this world, people can typically manipulate only one of the four elements, but the ‘Avatar,’ who can wield all four, is constantly reincarnated to maintain balance in the world. The Avatar not only possessed mystical abilities but also served as a religious leader.

The protagonist, Aang, is a young boy from the Air Nomads. 100 years prior, the evil Fire Nation was obsessed with finding and eliminating the reincarnated Avatar. Knowing that the Avatar was due to be reborn as one of the Air Nomads, the Fire Nation launched a brutal attack, wiping out Aang's people. Aang survived by entering a state of hibernation within an iceberg for 100 years, but during this time, the Fire Nation conquered most of the world in the absence of the Avatar.

Awakening after 100 years, Aang faces the daunting task of defeating the Fire Nation and restoring peace and balance to the world. Due to his early entrance into hibernation, Aang never received any training as the Avatar. He embarks on an adventure with key characters like Katara, Sokka, and Toph to gain mastery over the remaining three elements.

The original animated series garnered immense love for its spectacular action sequences, captivating characters, and a deep and engaging story. It explored various themes such as war and peace, as well as racial and cultural differences, resonating with both children and adults. Although a Nickelodeon animation, it demonstrated a profound understanding of Eastern culture and religion, making it easily accessible and enjoyable for viewers in Asia.

Expectations and Concerns Regarding the Netflix Live-Action Series

This isn't the first attempt at a live-action adaptation of the ‘Avatar’ series. In 2010, director M. Night Shyamalan released a live-action film adaptation titled ‘The Last Airbender.’ The film received scathing reviews from critics and was a box office flop. The film was particularly criticized for its casting choices, particularly the predominantly white cast despite the series being heavily influenced by Eastern culture. The casting of only people of color as villains further fueled the criticism.** The film was criticized not only for its awkward direction but also for undermining the cultural diversity of the original work.

Fortunately, the Netflix original series features an entirely East Asian cast. With Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, the creators of the original animated series, serving as executive producers, there is anticipation that they will successfully capture the charm of the original work in this live-action TV adaptation.

Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed watching Avatar: The Last Airbender and its sequel, The Legend of Korra, during my childhood. (On the other hand, I haven't seen any Japanese anime like Naruto.) While I'm a bit apprehensive about this live-action adaptation, I'm also incredibly excited to return to the world of Avatar. I sincerely hope the first season is a success, paving the way for a potential adaptation of ‘The Legend of Korra’ as well.

Avatar: The Last Airbender will be available on Netflix on February 22nd.