Aang’s adventures will continue as Netflix has renewed the live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender for another two seasons. The streaming service also announced that this would conclude the series. The original animated series also lasted for three seasons, however, there were many more episodes. The first season of the live-action version consisted of eight episodes. The cartoon had 20-21 per season.
The program follows the exploits of Aang (played by Gordon Cormier), the last airbender who is also “The Avatar.” He can “bend” all four elements including water, earth, and fire. (Although in Season On, he didn’t learn to manipulate anything but air, his original ability.)
Aang is accompanied on his journies by waterbender Kitara (played by Kiawentiio), her non-powered brother Sokka (Ian Ousley), the sky bison Appa, and Momo, a flying monkey-like creature. The cast also includes Dallas Liu as the antagonistic firebender Prince Zuko, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee as Zuko’s Uncle Iroh, Ken Leung as Commander Zhao, and Daniel Dae Kim as Zuko’s father Lord Ozai. Season One also introduced Elizabeth Yu as Princess Azula, Zuko’s sister and Ozai’s daughter who is shaping up to be a major threat in upcoming episodes.
The two additional seasons will be filmed in close succession as child actors tend to grow up quickly. (Take note, Stranger Things. Oh, too late.)
Jabbar Raisani, who served as an executive producer and director on the first season, previously expressed:
“If we get another season, then we will certainly have those things, because I know what we missed now and I know how to do better the second time around. The animated series is a really good guide…for where the show can go.”
The first season has proven to be a hit despite mixed reviews. The most negative reactions come from fans of the original animated series because the live-action version doesn’t exactly line up with that. This follows the success of Netflix’s live-action take on One Piece and the failure of the live-action iteration of Cowboy Bepop.
Did you enjoy the live-action version of Avatar: The Last Airbender? Are you looking forward to more?
