Netflix recently announced that all three seasons of the fan-favorite The Last Airbender will now be available on the video platform from May 15th onwards. The beloved anime loved by millions around the world had opened to rave reviews years ago. The story follows the life and adventures of the Avatar, Aang, as he tries to master the four elements. The original show aired on Nickelodeon between Feb 2005 and July 2008, to much love and adoration from fans. Here’s a look at how fans around the world have greeted this announcement.
Netflix and Avatar
This is not the first time the video-streaming giant has associated itself with the Avatar series. For instance, Netflix is working on creating a live-action adaptation of the show. This will be the second time such an adaptation has been made, with the first one being the movie made M. Night Shyamalan. Netflix’s adaptation, titled The Dragon Prince, will feature the screenwriter of Avatar: The Last Airbender, Aaron Ehasz. Netflix released a statement regarding the Airbender series via Twitter yesterday.
Throughout its 61-episode run, it won various awards and recognitions, including a Peabody Award and a Primetime Emmy. While the M. Night Shyamalan movie did not receive favorable reviews, Netflix plans on creating ripples through their live-action project based on the Airbender series.
Other Netflix Ventures
Netflix has also bagged streaming rights for 21 Studio Ghibli movies, from this year on, for any area outside North America. However, in case you stay within the US and wish to watch these movies, you will need to register with WarnerMedia’s HBO Max, which will hit the market on May 27th. Yesterday, Netflix announced that it would also be the one to release the new Pokémon animated episodes. All of this comes as a result of Netflix’s plan to invest more heavily in animated shows, manga, and anime. Such a decision will significantly help in competing with other children’s platforms such as YouTube and Disney+.
Airbender Series
The series premiered in 2005, on the Nickelodeon network and ran for three years, until 2008. The show featured the adventures of a powerful Avatar who could control the elements, fire, water, earth, and air. By using martial-art moves, the power of his will, and help from other gifted children like himself, the Avatar fought against negative forces that wished to take over the world. The titular Avatar, who took form once in every generation was the only being capable of handling all four elements at the same time. The Avatar takes shape as a 12-year-old boy named Aang to stop the tyranny of the Fire Nation.
The series, which ran for over three years, faced great critical acclaim and was loved by fans all around the world. In 2012, a sequel came out, titled The Legend of Korra, following M Night Shyamalan’s live-action movie in 2010. Netflix too is working on a live-action project, with the series creators Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko serving as executive producers. The series The Legend of Korra, which came out on Nickelodeon ran for four seasons till 2014.
The show aired briefly on Netflix in 2019, being removed later, which led fans to wait anxiously for its return. A large section of Twitter was set ablaze by Netflix’s announcement, with fans flocking to express their excitement and happiness. However, fans in Canada were surprised regarding why they did not receive the right to watch shows like their American counterparts.
The live-action remake will feature a soundtrack by original composer Jeremy Zuckerman, meaning that most of the same team will reunite for this project. While no release date has been specified, fans are expecting the movie to drop sometime in 2021. Jan Chol Lee will serve as the concept designer, having worked previously on large projects such as on Big Hero 7, Beowulf, and the animated feature Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. With the original series celebrating its 15th anniversary this February, it is safe to say that fans couldn’t be happier regarding their favorite show returning to Netflix!
Being a cinephile with a love for all things outdoorsy, Athulya never misses a chance to chase inspiring stories or poke fun at things, even when the subject is herself. Currently pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, she is someone innately interested in technical and scientific research. Music reviews and op-eds define her as they allow her to explore different perspectives. Though sometimes she thinks she makes more sense playing the guitar than she does while writing.