‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ is so Good, It Will Ruin Every Other Show on Netflix for You

Avatar: The Last Airbender is one of those shows I had always been told was incredible, but never knew it for myself. I watched the first two episodes in the early days of Netflix streaming, but didn’t have the time to dig in before it left the service. That’s all changed. Since Avatar: The Last Airbender has hit Netflix — and soared to the top of the service’s Top Ten list — I’ve not only revisited the series, but become obsessed. Beyond being a total joy, the series is one of the most elegantly-made television shows I’ve ever seen. Sh*t, Avatar: The Last Airbender really is as good as everyone says!

Avatar: The Last Airbender is an original animated series that ran for three seasons on Nickelodeon between 2005 and 2008. Created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Koneitzko, the series grew an ardent audience thanks to its epic setting, lovable characters, and brilliant storytelling. It also benefited from streaming on Netflix in the service’s early days. The show spawned a terrible live action film adaptation and a new live action series that is in development at Netflix.

Set in a fantasy world where some people have the magical ability to “bend” the elements of air, water, earth, and fire, Avatar: The Last Airbender follows Aang (Zach Tyler Eisen), a twelve-year-old Airbender who is destined to be his generation’s Avatar, a protector figure who is able to master all four elements. However, when Aang becomes overwhelmed by this responsibility, he runs away with his beloved flying bison, Appa. The two find themselves encased in ice for 100 years. When they are discovered by Waterbender Katara (Mae Whitman) and her loyal, if bumbling, brother Sokka (Jack DeSena), Aang discovers that the Fire Empire has scorched the planet and destroyed all the Airbenders in the last century.

Hunting Aang is the Fire Empire’s Prince Zuko (Dante Basco). Capturing the last Avatar is an obsession for the teenager and it’s something of a competition for other generals in the Fire Empire. With Zuko and other Firebenders on their heels, Aang, Katara, and Sokka embark on a daring journey from the planet’s South Pole to its North. The goal? Find a Waterbender who can train both Katara and Aang so they can better fight the evil Fire Empire.

Now it goes without saying that Avatar: The Last Airbender is full of intense lore and fantastic action sequences. The beauty of the show is that the plot never feels bogged down by either of these features. In fact, what hooks you isn’t the dazzling animation or vast world-building. You keep watching and obsessing over the show because the characters are so good. 

Really, the thing that impresses me the most about Avatar: The Last Airbender is how quickly you fall in love with the characters. Within just a few lines of dialogue, you completely understand a character’s whole deal. You understand that siblings Sokka and Katara love each other from the jump, that Aang has an innocent, fun-loving heart anchoring his powers, and even that Prince Zuko might be more complicated than he first appears. This is all thanks to a combination of terrific voice talent and expert animation. Not a single sequence seems superfluous, and each episode introduces us to a new location, unique in its design, and new characters, who are as three-dimensional as the show’s leads.

As dramatic as any soap opera, thrilling as any martial arts classic, and full of heart and humor, Avatar: The Last Airbender is the rare TV show that hits every mark possible for the art form. It is exquisitely beautiful, emotionally warm, and deep without going extremely dark. Sure, it was made as an animated show for kids, but its deft handling of its own complex plot and gorgeous artistry makes it a classic series for all audiences.

Avatar: The Last Airbender really is that good.

Where to stream Avatar: The Last Airbender