Netflix’s hotly anticipated live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender finally arrived in February 2024, and now it has been renewed for a second season. Based on the cartoon series of the same name, Avatar: The Last Airbender follows a boy named Aang who is the Avatar, the prophesized one who must master the four elements to defeat the Fire Nation and save the world. The original animated series from 2005 is one of the most beloved shows of the aughts, and Netflix’s adaptation had tremendous shoes to fill, especially in the wake of the failed 2010 movie.

Perhaps one of the most hyped Netflix original series of all time, Avatar: The Last Airbender debuted to middling reviews. Though the visuals of the series have been praised by nearly every major critic, outlets like Variety called it “a beautifully crafted disappointment”. While the initial reaction has been somewhat harsh and polarized, the audience reception will ultimately decide the fate of Avatar. Many streaming-exclusive shows fare poorly with critics but end up surviving because they build a large fanbase. Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 is just the beginning of Aang’s epic journey.