Netflix’s sprawling, epic adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender is returning in 2026.  The first season harnessed in live-action form all that made the original a beloved fantasy world.  The first season leaned on the theme of water, and the next, as indicated in the trailer, looks toward the power of the earth.  Following a “Chosen One” character–a boy named Aang, played by Gordon Cormier–the story takes place in a fantasy world of elemental powers.  The costumes, dialogue, and setting all match the fantasy vibe of the movie adaptations of C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia with some above-average special effects as found in the currently running Mortal Kombat movie series, especially with the similarly elemental mystical power visual effects.  Elemental spirits, spirits of past Avatars, spiritual leaders, Benders–the Jedi of this world, the tribes, and common folk all come together to support a group of young characters–maybe the best circle of friends in arms since the Scooby Gang of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.  Imagery from classics like The Wizard of Oz, with concepts seen in The Fifth Element and The Great Wall.  A flying water buffalo like a creature from a Hayao Miyazaki movie.  There’s even kaiju.

The series was one of our top picks of 2024.  Here’s the first trailer for the second season of Avatar: The Last Airbender:

Other cast members include Ian Ousley as Sokka, Kiawentiio (Anne with an E) as Katara, Dallas Liu (Tekken, Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) as Prince Zuko, Ken Leung (Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Inhumans) as Commander Zhao, Tamlyn Tomita (Star Trek Picard, The Man in the High Castle) as Yukari, Yvonne Chapman (Kung Fu) as Kyoshi, Elizabeth Yu as Princess Azula, and Paul Sun-Hyung Lee (The Mandalorian, Ahsoka) as Uncle Iroh.  The creator/showrunner is Albert Kim (Leverage, Sleepy Hollow).

Look for the first season of Avatar: The Last Airbender streaming now on Netflix with Season 2 expected in early 2026.

C.J. Bunce / Editor / borg