"Avatar: The Last Airbender" will soon celebrate its 20th anniversary since the first episode aired in 2005, but the series has continued to capture the hearts of many generations.
The animated show Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino made for Nickelodeon has expanded into a veritable franchise spanning different protagonists and stories.
Now that recent updates on the live-action adaptation from Netflix, many longtime fans of the original "Avatar" series are much louder towards their praises of the animated show.
But why is that?
Avatar's Core Themes Resonated with People
For a show mainly marketed for children and teenagers, "Avatar: The Last Airbender" introduced many serious themes throughout the three seasons without exhausting the mind of the audience.
Despite being set place in a fantasy world, the problems the protagonists face can be reflected in real life and have helped many young minds relate to their struggles.
Even the characters' flaws, like Sokka's misogyny or Prince Zuko's anger, from the start became meaningful lessons for watchers as they go through their individual character arcs.
Timeless Story
Like many movies and shows that made it to the hallmark of pop culture, "The Last Airbender" has cemented itself as a timeless tale that will endure through culture and time.
The fantasy setting helped retain the relevance of the story, but its main pull is the lovable cast that is sure to attract viewers no matter the generation.
Promises of new installations, including a continuation of the original Avatar gang, also bring many fans old and new anticipating what's coming next for the world of Avatar.
So, it never really goes old. At least, for now.
Doubts on the Live Adaptation
The Netflix adaptation was not the first time that "The Last Airbender" has been translated to live action, although many fans have denied that such a film ever existed.
The disappointing result in the first attempt to bring the beloved series to the big screen has soured many people's idea of ever adapting the show outside of its original media.
It did not help that previous adaptations of other beloved animated series were broadly considered as massive flops, including Netflix's version of "Cowboy Bebop" and "Death Note."
Things are better now with the success of "One Piece," although speculations are still up in the air after the "Avatar's" original creators left the project mid-production.
Related Article : The Secrets Behind 'One Piece's' Long-Term Popularity
