This week marks the 20th anniversary of Avatar: The Last Airbender, Nickelodeon’s action-fantasy anime that emerged as one of the network’s most successful shows. To commemorate this significant milestone, a new series has been announced—Seven Havens, a 2D animated series with a two-season order and the involvement of franchise co-creators Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. Similar to the previous series, Seven Havens will focus on a young Avatar, specifically a young Earthbender who inherits a difficult legacy in the aftermath of a cataclysm involving her predecessor, Korra, which has made the public wary of anyone holding the Avatar title.
For several years, Paramount has expressed interest in expanding the Avatar series into a multimedia franchise. Even during the extended hiatus between series, the franchise maintained its presence through Netflix’s ongoing live-action remake, numerous comics, and graphic novels exploring the lives of Aang, Korra, and their companions. Additionally, various video games, with a more promising one forthcoming, and several young adult books featuring prominent Avatars from the past, such as Kyoshi and Yangchen, have been released.
Seven Havens is particularly significant as it is one of the first projects from Avatar Studios. With the release of this series and an upcoming Aang-centered animated movie—the first of a planned trilogy—the franchise’s ability to remain relevant in today’s competitive pop culture landscape will be tested.
When the original Last Airbender series debuted on February 21, 2005, it stood out distinctly from other offerings on Western television, especially among Nickelodeon’s primarily comedic lineup at the time. Its anime-inspired art style and emphasis on action and storytelling captivated a young audience, many of whom developed a strong attachment to the franchise. This deep connection led to frustration over the live-action movie and skepticism toward the Netflix adaptation.
Over time, the entertainment landscape has shifted significantly since Korras conclusion in 2014. Franchises have gained immense importance in Hollywood; however, studios have often struggled to manage them effectively. While some series have migrated from films to television, results have been mixed, and not all franchise shows are crafted equally. Unlike many contemporary projects, Korra had the opportunity to evolve over time. In the current climate of swift backlash, both genuine and contrived, it might not have endured as successfully.
The Avatar franchise faces several challenges, including the pressure to continuously produce content should Seven Havens or the movie prove successful, or risk being sidelined if they falter. In recent years, it has become evident that even popular entities can quickly lose momentum.
The original Avatar series benefitted from being a unique offering when it first aired in 2005, existing without competition from within its own franchise. Following its conclusion, Paramount continued the series reactively, responding to fan demand and streaming metrics. This approach aimed to ensure a positive final impression for new viewers and encourage rewatching by longtime fans. If DiMartino and Konietzko have more stories to share, it is crucial that they are given the opportunity to do so with a passionate and dedicated team. However, if the series returns solely to bolster Paramount’s collection of all-ages franchises, it could harm Avatar’s legacy more than any live-action adaptation might.
