We took our time watching the entire season of Avatar: The Last Airbender… That’s the live-action version on Netflix, by the way. The original animated series was on Nickelodeon back in 2005, and yeah, we have watched that too—many times. However, now that we’ve finished the first season of the live-action, I’m kind of hanging for some more Avatar goodness. I miss Aang and his innocent little noggin’. I miss Sokka and his red forehead of ‘doofus-ness’. And I miss Suki because she is so damn awesome. Nuff said.
Let’s face it: There is not enough Avatar to meet my geeky demands right now. So, naturally, I am on the lookout for more like Avatar: The Last Airbender. By the way, we are not talking about that other pile of crud featuring blue people and enough tropes to fill up the Mariana Trench. We’re talking about an adventure with a few friends long ago when the four nations did NOT live together in harmony…
What is Avatar: The Last Airbender (A:tLA)?
There are few animated shows I am willing to watch with the spawnlings, and even fewer I am eager to watch on repeat. The original animated series of A:tLA is at the top of the list. I have often watched it and its sequel, Avatar: The Legend of Korra. It’s one of those shows where everyone in the EG family can identify it immediately from a 3-second shot as we walk past the television… and then stop to watch the rest of the episode.
One does not simply walk past The Avatar. That would be disrespectful.
The original animated series centres on Aang, a twelve-year-old boy living in a temple of Air-benders and destined to be the “Avatar”. His home is part of a world where some people are born with the ability to manipulate one of the four major elements: Water, Earth, Fire, or Air. This world is mainly Asiatic-inspired, and the bending method looks and feels like various martial arts. More on that later. Aang was born an Airbender but must master all four elements to become the Avatar fully. This is a big responsibility, one that freaks him out. While trying to escape his destiny, Aang and Appa (his sky bison) are caught in a storm, forced to crash into the ocean, and are frozen in an iceberg.
100 years later, Katara and Sokka from the Southern Water Tribe discovered Aang and Appa. By then, the Fire Nation had wiped out the Airbenders. The Water Tribes are constantly under attack by the Fire Nation, and their Waterbenders are often kidnapped and killed. The Earth Kingdom has maintained its defences against the Fire Nation but also suffers. Aang has essentially woken up to a colossal mess of diplomatic relations and war, fuelled by an overzealous Fire Lord. Aang must bring balance to the world again, but he is up against 100 years of imperialism, genocide, totalitarianism, indoctrination, racism, and xenophobia. Plus, he’s 12 years old.
Why is A:tLA So Good?
So many elements of A:tLA are good on their own. Together, they create a magnificent piece of entertainment that appeals to multiple ages, thus ensuring its legacy appeal. When it first aired in 2005, it was one of the highest-rated animated television series in its demographic at its premiere. In 2007, it was syndicated to more than 105 countries, including Australia’s ABC, and for that, I am forever grateful.
A:tLA is beautiful in its simplicity across every aspect of the show. The graphics are classic in style, boldly strutting the line between realism and cartoonish. It is very akin to the Saturday morning cartoons from the 1980s. It works really with movements and choreography, where kung fu martial arts have inspired the different styles of elemental bending: the flow of Waterbending with tai chi, the rooted stance of Hung Gar with Earthbending, powerful arms and legs from Northern Shaolin for Firebending, and lots of circular movements from Bagua for Airbending.
But it’s the storytelling that truly shines. Not a single episode ever assumes kids aren’t smart enough for this show. In fact, the perfect balance of Aang’s youthful innocence and his very mature responsibilities strengthens this show. It boils down to the essential question: WHY is there always some guy so determined to dominate the world, rather than live in peace with others? Aang’s pacifist view and innocent relationship with the spirit world is a great start for this journey, but he (like many kids and adults) needs to learn about other people, too.
As with many live-action interpretations, some things travel well, and others don’t. Casting helps a lot. Netflix definitely learnt a lot from the failure of the live-action movie attempted a few years back (we don’t talk about it), ensuring respect for the Asiatic influences as well as understanding the emotional undertones of the characters. Gordon Cormier (Aang) is fantastic with wide-eyed wonder and genuine distaste for anyone doing the wrong thing. However, I’m looking forward to Ian Ousley (Sokka) loosening up next season and really embracing his inner dork.
On the other hand, I found some of the live-action episodes dragged a bit, probably because they were weighed down with the seriousness rather and seemed to miss some of the light-hearted elements from the animated series. Perhaps when Toph arrives in Season 2, we might regain some of the balance missing from its debut. Until then, we’ll have to explore some other options for our Avatar-like entertainment.
The Legend of Korra (tLoK)
Once you finish the Netflix live-action of A:tLA, naturally, I would suggest you watch the original animated version. But honestly, I think you’re better off watching Korra first. Fans would have already watched the original series, and whether or not you have, it might be a little too comparative straight after the live-action series. Instead, watch tLoK and see what happens in the Avatar’s next life. You will still pick up most of the easter egg references to the original series, but you will have a better idea of where it is going with spiritual evolution.
As a sequel series, tLoK is pretty amazing. All of the familiar foundation points are there: it’s the same world with elemental-bending powers. Aang has died, and the new Avatar, Korra, is ready to embrace her role. As with all the Avatars before her, there are some similar lines of personality, but Korra is very much her own person. The biggest difference is A:tLoK’s higher level of maturity. We’re not following a light-hearted innocent 12-year-old. We’re travelling with an angsty 17-year-old who is desperately trying to find her own way in life. Everything in life, including the Avatar, must grow and evolve. Much of the world you love will evolve with A:tLoK, but the soul is still the same.
What to Read Next
I have good news: there are plenty of comics/graphic novels available within the same A:tLA / tLoK Universe. There are great reads, and very loyal to canon storytelling and character development. However, I would strongly suggest you watch the entire original animated series of A:tLA before you touch the comic/graphic novel series. The Promise by Gene Yang (writer) and Studio Gurihiru (art) is set immediately after the final episode for A:tLA. Massive spoilers in the first five pages.
If you’re looking for something different but with a similar vibe, grab The Nameless City by Faith Erin Hicks, with colour by Jordie Bellaire. Hicks worked on A:tLA: Imbalance with Peter Wartman (art), along with Katara and the Pirate’s Silver and Toph Beifong’s Metalbending Academy. The Nameless City is a completely independent book, but you’ll pick up the childlike innocence amongst the battle-worn rubble and the city politics. It’s a middle-grade graphic novel with a fun adventure story and relatable characters (including the city itself). The City is named only by the invaders. For the people who have always lived there, it is a Nameless City, lost in the power struggles of others. I love how Hicks shows alleyways and textured walls, building the substance of this city while telling its story. Save yourself the angst, and make sure you pick up all three books.
Game On, Avatar!
The cheat version here would be to tell you about the actual A:tLA video games, but like I said, Cheat. It is worth noting that A:tLA: Quest for Balance looks pretty good. It has the same graphics as the original animated series and is both puzzle and character-centric. I haven’t played it myself yet, but you can purchase it on Nintendo Switch for AUD$50.
The closest I am willing to go is Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Created by Magpie Games, this RPG adventure was originally released through Kickstarter in 2022. It is the only officially licensed tabletop RPG set in the Avatar universe (both Aang and Korra), which helped make it the most successful campaign for a tabletop game in Kickstarter’s history. It is beautiful, with a matching set of dice from Level Up Dice. But it is so dense! There is a lot to read up on before you start this journey, spanning five different eras: the Kyoshi Era, the Roku Era, The Hundred Year War, Aang Era, and Korra Era. All players create their own characters based on the Core Book, which does not include any of the original characters from the series. I love the gameplay and development options, just like any other RPG. I also love the detail of history and politics. If you’re prepared to do the work to set it up, this is possibly the best way to dive right into the world of the Avatar. You can learn more about the RPG on the official website here.
It’s much harder to find video games that embody the essence of A:tLA. While I understand that elemental bending is an absolute fantasy, it feels weird to play video games that aim for the same effect but claim it through magic spells. Plus, I really like the idea of limiting yourself to one element (or variation thereof). I would definitely be an Airbender.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits is possibly the best fit. Released in 2021 by Ember Labs, this action-adventure video game features third-person play through Kena, our main protagonist. The game is available on Steam, Epic Games, and (my fave) PS4/PS5. Like the Avatar, Kena is a ‘bridge between worlds’, a young spirit guide looking for the Sacred Mountain Shrine. Her relationship with the spirits, particularly the cute little creatures called ‘Rot’, is key to the game.
Kena is a visually stunning game, with some intricate fight scenes and room for exploration. Combat features basic and charged attacks, with an energy shield and dodge movement for defence. As the game progresses, Kena picks up additional skills like bombs and evolving her staff into a bow. The overall story comprises multiple smaller arcs, like missions or questions. Each section is based on a spirit that needs guidance (whether they know it or not). There are memories to find, secrets to learn, and pieces to collect to convince the spirit it’s time to move. Overall, this is one of those medium-level games that is easygoing, with just enough challenge to entertain the whole family. Oh yeah, that’s the Avatar vibe right there.
The good news is that Seasons 2 and 3 of the live-action series have been confirmed. However, since they haven’t even cast Toph yet, I predict a long wait before we see the new episodes. In the meantime, we have plenty of books, animated series, and games to keep us occupied.
Categories: General Evil Genius
Evil Genius Mum
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