Do you remember when Netflix first began making live-action versions of animated shows with Cowboy Bebop? We’ve previously noted the series wasn’t terrible, but it didn’t quite capture the magic of the original, leading many to believe that adapting animation into live-action was simply too difficult. This was particularly concerning for fans of One Piece, as it was the next anime slated for adaptation. However, unexpectedly, One Piece became a success, and we can confidently say it’s a fantastic show. While it appeared Netflix had discovered a winning approach, we still needed further proof.
The live-action version of the beloved Avatar: The Last Airbender series debuted on February 22, 2024, with its first season consisting of eight episodes. The show covered the beginning of the story from the original animated series, and many fans were excited to see how Netflix approached it, no matter how it turned out. In this review, we’ll share our thoughts and discuss whether Netflix followed the success of One Piece, or if that adaptation was simply a one-time win.
As many of you know, Avatar: The Last Airbender was a hugely popular animated show in the 2000s and became a major part of Western culture. Although Avatar wasn’t actually an anime, its style was very similar, leading many Western fans to consider it one. This – even if it’s not technically correct – meant expectations for any adaptation were very high, and Netflix had a big challenge ahead. So, how did the new adaptation turn out? Did it meet those expectations? We can confidently say that it did!
The live-action version largely follows the same storyline as the original. While some adjustments were necessary due to the differences between live-action and animation, the overall narrative remains consistent, offering plenty of familiar moments and lines for fans of the animated series. The writers at Netflix mostly stayed true to the original story, which is a positive thing for a couple of reasons. First, the story of Avatar is widely known and loved, so altering key parts would likely upset fans. Second, the story is already strong and engaging, so making changes wouldn’t have been beneficial.
The actors are fantastic, and the casting team did an excellent job finding the right people to play the show’s heroes. The animated characters felt very alive, and it’s hard to directly compare them to the live-action versions – animation just follows different rules. Netflix smartly recognized this and avoided the pitfall of making the live-action characters look like cartoons, which wouldn’t have worked. We were especially impressed with Gordon Cormier’s performance as Aang and are excited to see what he does next.
It’s not only Cormier who shines – his friends (played by Dallas Liue, Kiawentiio, and Ian Ousley) are equally impressive. We also enjoyed seeing the talented Paul Sun-Hyung Lee as Uncle Iroh. While the main characters interact differently than the Straw Hats in Netflix’s One Piece, the overall feeling and the connections between them are remarkably similar, proving Netflix has successfully replicated a winning approach. And when it comes to Ozai, the villain, Daniel Dae Kim delivered a truly captivating performance.
As a huge cinema fan, I have to say Netflix really delivered on the production side of things. The sets were fantastic, the make-up and costumes felt incredibly real, and the CGI was surprisingly seamless – exactly what you’d hope for. What I especially appreciated was how they built upon the visual world they created with One Piece; it was a true feast for the eyes!
Overall, Avatar: The Last Airbender is a fantastic and engaging take on the beloved animated series. While it’s not a perfect copy, it captures the spirit of the original while still being its own thing. It appears Netflix has figured out how to successfully adapt anime and animated shows, and if they keep it up, we can expect even more live-action versions down the line.
Score: 9/10
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2025-10-02 03:16