Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender: release date, trailer, confirmed cast, plot synopsis, and more

Avatar: The Last Airbender is out now on Netflix

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• Out now on Netflix- Created by Albert Kim- Based on the iconic Nickelodeon anime of the same name- First teaser released during Netflix Geeked Week 2023- Official plot synopsis revealed- Expansive cast list confirmed- No word on whether a second season is in the works

Netflix’sAvatar: The Last Airbenderhas made its debut on the streaming titan. That’s right, the live-action adaptation of Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko’s beloved anime is finally out – and, if you’re curious to know what we thought of it, you’ll need to read ourspoiler-lightAvatar: The Last Airbenderopinion piecefor more.

If you’re a newcomer to the franchise, there’s plenty more you might want to read up on before you dive headfirst into the fantasy series, which we picked out as one of10 exciting shows we can’t wait for in early 2024. Below, we’ve rounded up everything worth know aboutNetflix’s take on the animated show, including its trailers, confirmed cast, plot details, and more.

Full spoilers followfor the originalAvatar: The Last Airbenderseries, which is one of thebest animeof all-time and also available to stream on Netflix, aka theworld’s best streaming service.

Avatar: The Last Airbender release date

Netflix’sAvatar: The Last Airbenderdebuted worldwide on February 22. Touchingly, its launch date is also a special nod to the original series, which premiered on February 21, 2005.

Avatar: The Last Airbender trailer

Theepic first teaser trailer forAvatar: The Last Airbenderwas revealed during Netflix’s Geeked Week 2023 – and when we say epic, we mean it.

In just two minutes, we’re given an awe-inspiring look at how faithful Netflix is being to the original show. There are shots of key characters, including Aang, Katara, Sokka, and Zuko in action, as well as many other individuals (of whom we’ll touch on below) who are central to its plot. Of course, Netflix couldn’t pass up the chance to show us Aang’s cuddly animal friends Appa and Momo, who make a welcome appearance in the teaser, too. Fingers crossed we get another spectacular look at the series in the run-up to release.

Avatar: The Last Airbender confirmed cast

Here’s theconfirmedAvatar: The Last Airbendercast list(fair warning, it’s areallylong one!):

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There are certainly A-listers and other notable actors you’ll recognize from the official list, such asCommunity’s Danny Pudi from Community, and legendary actors George Takei and Daniel Dae Kim. When it comes to the core quartet of Cormier, Kiawentiio, Ian, and Dallas, though, their work before may be fairly unknown andAvatar: The Last Airbenderwill mark their breakout roles.

Avatar: The Last Airbender story

There’s a fair amount to say about theAvatar: The Last Airbenderplot, but Netflix’s official synopsis is the best place to start.

“Water. Earth. Fire Air,” the lengthy plot reveal begins. “The four nations once lived in harmony, with the Avatar, master of all four elements, keeping peace between them. But everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked and wiped out the Air Nomads, the first step taken by the firebenders towards conquering the world. With the current incarnation of the Avatar yet to emerge, the world has lost hope.

“But, like a light in the darkness, hope springs forth when Aang, a young Air Nomad – and the last of his kind – reawakens to take his rightful place as the next Avatar. Alongside his newfound friends Sokka and Katara, siblings and members of the Southern Water Tribe, Aang embarks on a fantastical, action-packed quest to save the world and fight back against the fearsome onslaught of Fire Lord Ozai. But, with a driven Crown Prince Zuko determined to capture them, it won’t be an easy task. They’ll need the help of the many allies and colorful characters they meet along the way.”

While the adaptation stays true to the show, anyone familiar withThe Last Airbenderwill notice a few differences. Firstly, thedeparture of the original show’s creators, Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, who left in 2020 after working on the live-action remake for two years.

Albert Kim assumed sole show-running duties after that. Speaking toEntertainment Weekly(EW), Kim said of the duo’s departure: “You’d have to be an idiot not to be intimidated a little bit. My first reaction [to being offered the job] after ‘hell yeah’ was ‘holy s**t. Do I really want to do this? Is there a way to improve upon the original?’ Whenever you tackle something that’s already beloved by millions of fans, you have to ask yourself those questions.”

In answering those queries, Kim also confirmed Netflix’s adaptation won’t be a beat-for-beat re-tread of the original, telling EW: “We don’t start the show the way the animated series starts. That was a conscious decision to show people this is not the animated series. We had to sometimes unravel storylines and remix them in a new way to make sense for a serialized drama. So I’m very curious to see what’ll happen in terms of reaction to that.”

However, he attempted to placate any early angry reactions from long-time fans, saying Netflix’sAvatarseries will also honor what came before. “It ran the range of really nerdy little things that no one except for diehard fans might wonder about – questions about Katara’s mom or Aang’s parentage – to bigger picture stuff about how to translate what made the original so special into a live-action version.” he added. “This isAvatar: The Last Airbender, but it is our version ofAvatar: The Last Airbender.”

Thanks to the teaser trailer and cast list, we also know Fire Lord Ozai and Princess Azula will be introduced a lot earlier than in the original Nickelodeon show. This will, hopefully, build on the characters and storylines from the original series and giveThe Last Airbenderfanatics something new to engage with in this adaptation’s debut season.

When it comes to episodes to look out for, Kiawentiio teased toNetflix’s Tudum websitethat episode 5 is one of her personal favorites. “As soon as I read it, I couldn’t wait to film it,” she said. “The characters go through a lot of different things, and they see their situation through different perspectives, and I just can’t wait for you guys to see that.”

Elsewhere, in anofficial Netflix statementposted in August 2021, Kim revealed how this live-action adaptation is “a chance to showcase Asian and Indigenous characters as living, breathing people. Not just in a cartoon, but in a world that truly exists, very similar to the one we live in”. Expect plenty of authenticity and realism from what amounts to a fantasy-based series, then.

Where to watch Avatar: The Last Airbender

If you’re planning on watchingAvatar: The Last Airbender’s live-action remake, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got yourself a Netflix account. It’s the only place you’ll be able to stream it, so a Netflix subscription will be necessary.

We’ve got better news for anyone who wants to stream the original animated series, though. In the US, you can thankfully watch all three seasons of the anime via Netflix andParamount Plus. One season is also available onPrime Video.

Internationally, UK fans can stream all three seasons on Netflix, Paramount Plus, Prime Video, and Sky. Lastly, Australian audiences can view the entire show on Paramount Plus, though one is also watchable via Foxtel.

Will there be an Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2?

There’s no official word aboutAvatar: The Last Airbenderseason 2, with Netflix likely waiting on its critical and commercial success. If it proves popular enough, you can expect to see it on ourbest Netflix showslist post-release.

If we take a quick look at the streaming giant’s success with live-action anime adaptations,Cowboy Bebopwas canceled after one season – it wasn’t very good – butKakeguruiandOne Piecereceived season 2 renewals. In short: everything depends on the receptionThe Last Airbenderwill get from Netflix’s sizeable userbase.

With three seasons from the original Nickelodeon show to work from, there’s plenty more story to tell ifAvatar: The Last Airbendercaptures audiences’ hearts on Netflix. Here’s hoping it’s as good as it looks so we can return toAvatar’s fascinating world after the first season is released.

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Grace is a freelance writer for TechRadar, with past work at sites like GamesRadar, Metro and WhatToWatch. She’s been writing about entertainment for over ten years, and has a special interest in sci-fi, rom-coms, and captivating dramas.

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