Netflix's live-action adaptation of 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' has sparked a range of reactions from critics and fans alike. Empire Magazine described the series as a "drab and thinly sketched spin" on familiar tales of oppression and rebellion, while others, like MitchyD, praised its faithful capture of the original's spirit. The cast, including Ian Ousley (Sokka) and Dallas Liu (Prince Zuko), defended changes made from the animated series, emphasizing a deeper exploration of characters and a more violent depiction of bending to reflect the stakes in their world. Showrunner Albert Kim discussed the challenges of adapting the beloved cartoon, highlighting adjustments like the removal of Sokka's sexism and the inclusion of new elements such as a heightened focus on violence to set the stakes for the series, stating "It wasn’t about aging it up." Despite these changes, many are excited about the new generation discovering the series, with fans and new viewers noting its relatability and the careful balance between honoring the original and introducing fresh perspectives. Dallas Liu shared a touching moment, saying, "He said he was passing me the torch," reflecting the support from the original cast. The series aims to retain what fans love, asserting it was "not trying to take out anything" fans cherished in the animated version.
By focusing on war and devastation, Netflix's adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender loses the heroes meant to be at its core. https://t.co/UsxKH78o0B #IGNFanFest https://t.co/mpGLFh57Nz
See the 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' live-action cast side by side with the original animated characters. https://t.co/PRA0XcQOaL
One episode into The Last Airbender and I don’t absolutely hate it. I see this as a colossal win.
The cast of Netflix's live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender use their elemental expertise to figure out what kind of powers Netflix characters like Wednesday Addams and Eleven would wield. #IGNFanFest Presented by @BATTLE_CRUSH https://t.co/EdXvl67EC5
Netflix's live-action "Avatar: The Last Airbender" is far more violent than the cartoon ever was. "It wasn’t about aging it up. It was about setting the stakes for this world. One of the things we wanted to do was show how dangerous bending can be." https://t.co/XeV9zQPING
Netflix's 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' Boss Explains Changes From the Original: Heightened Violence, Bumi Battle and More https://t.co/XeV9zQPaY8
Stars of the new series @AvatarNetflix reflect on the first time they transformed into their characters, and the spiritual-style technique of "bending." https://t.co/x1uZmpwsHt https://t.co/mczMCuJBsp
“He said he was passing me the torch.” -Dallas Liu on talking with OG Prince Zuko Dante Basco #IGNFanFest https://t.co/3JHQiTCLwD
‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ Boss on Adapting Beloved Anime: ‘It Was a Balancing Act’ https://t.co/z6pG3crZXd https://t.co/U2agm9Y54g
Netflix's #AvatarTheLastAirbender leaves out several key moments from the original animated series. Here are the most important omissions. https://t.co/3zMTZgHT33
Netflix's #AvatarTheLastAirbender covers a heap of episodes. Here's a guide to them all: https://t.co/cd0fdQaZil
Netflix's #AvatarTheLastAirbender sneakily references episodes it cut from the original https://t.co/bvsUpjAn1L
Dallas Liu (“PEN15,” “Shang-Chi”) plays Prince Zuko in the live-action #AvatarTheLastAirbender. Meet the rest of the cast. https://t.co/ceYmwgISHF https://t.co/cJiUIaH7Nf
Netflix's #AvatarTheLastAirbender has a cute Easter egg from the show's opening credits https://t.co/Z0ZNaW5XNh
Netflix's live-action "Avatar" was "not trying to take out anything" fans love from the animated series. “Obviously we took out that [sexist] element, but [Sokka] still has that attitude...He’s still the Sokka we know and love from the cartoon." https://t.co/dSVd57gwsv
Kiawentiio (“Anne With an E”) plays Katara in the live-action #AvatarTheLastAirbender series on Netflix. Meet the rest of the cast. https://t.co/ceYmwgIkS7 https://t.co/iqkf18y6ME
Check it @AvatarNetflix it’s finally out go watch all the hard work. I think you’ll be stoked. https://t.co/KWOFcFOog0
The new version of #AvatarTheLastAirbender on @netflix is pretty awesome - the original anime was amazing, this is great.
the live action avatar is dark af and im digging it
#AvatarTheLastAirbender Review: "The flaws plaguing this #Avatar are entirely its own, separate from the unbearable weight of fan expectations" https://t.co/rQ783YDgnh
One episode into Avatar the last air bender. Its fine! If u were expecting the cartoon you had bad expectations
Sokka actor Ian Ousley addresses the fan backlash over one fundamental change the live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender made to his character. https://t.co/ZqFKMjuZkE
Ken Leung (“Industry,” “Lost”) plays the Fire Nation’s Commander Zhao in the live-action #AvatarTheLastAirbender. Meet the rest of the cast. https://t.co/ceYmwgISHF https://t.co/XCDJDlqoTp
about to watch this first episode of The Avatar show… let’s see how they do
'Avatar: The Last Airbender' showrunner Albert Kim discusses some of the biggest changes to the live-action series, and how Koi-zilla had a bigger impact on the show than you might think. https://t.co/KL7J0YobK6
Sokka actor Ian Ousley clarifies Netflix's #Avatar removing his character's sexism. “Obviously we took out that element, but he still has that attitude. Not a sexist attitude, but it’s morphed into more of – in Sokka and Katara’s relationship – ‘I’m the leader and you’re the… https://t.co/fxm3MgQq51
Sokka actor Ian Ousley responds to fan outrage over Netflix's #AvatarTheLastAirbender removing the character's sexism. “Obviously we took out that element, but he still has that attitude. Not a sexist attitude, but it’s morphed into more of – in Sokka and Katara’s relationship –… https://t.co/fjZRslSHTJ
Sokka Actor Defends Netflix’s ‘Avatar’ After Fan Outrage Over Toning Down Character’s Sexism: ‘He’s Still the Sokka We Know and Love From the Cartoon’ https://t.co/dSVd57gwsv
Sokka Actor Defends Netflix's 'Avatar' After Fan Outage Over Toning Down Character's Sexism: 'He’s Still the Sokka We Know and Love From the Cartoon' https://t.co/M2LrLLkAJL
The #AvatarTheLastAirbender cast reveals which element they would want to bend. https://t.co/4mSs9F1rLN
#AvatarTheLastAirbender showrunner Albert Kim talks about the challenges in bringing the beloved cartoon to Netflix as a live-action series https://t.co/dKqYnUMjsC
I love this version of Avatar: The Last Airbender actually, there is something that is more relatable. Now I could appreciate the anime better eventhough the style was interesting (anime but very unanime). #AvatarTheLastAirbender https://t.co/ERTTk19m4M
Ian Ousley looks back on the first time he saw Appa. #AvatarTheLastAirbender https://t.co/BHwdRpD22b
So stoked to watch the live-action adaptation of "Avatar: The Last Airbender" today!💦🪨🔥🌬️
Netflix’s Avatar cast explain why their live-action characters are so much more than a "carbon copy" of the Nickelodeon series https://t.co/5ZBDP2cKwH
The Last Airbender’s live action series definitely feels different, but the original’s joyful and loving soul is still absolutely the center of it all. Pretty stoked a new generation of kids is gonna fall in love with these characters. https://t.co/uTZazKEhNy
"A rather drab and thinly sketched spin on well-worn fantastical tales of oppression and rebellion" #AvatarTheLastAirbender gets a live-action Netflix adaptation. Read the Empire review now: https://t.co/Cie6pkx6Wd https://t.co/0rhOv5q62v