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Avatar: The Last Airbender (franchise) facts for kids

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For the James Cameron film franchise of the same name, see Avatar (franchise).
Quick facts for kids
Avatar
Avatar The Last Airbender logo.svg
Creator Michael Dante DiMartino
Bryan Konietzko
Original work Avatar:
The Last Airbender (The Legend of Aang)
Owner ViacomCBS
Print publications
Books List of artbooks
Novels List of novels
Comics List of comics
Films and television
Films The Last Airbender (2010)
Untitled animated film (upcoming)
Television series Avatar: The Last Airbender (upcoming)
Animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005–2008)
The Legend of Korra (2012–2014)

Bryan Konietzko's and Michael Dante DiMartino's Avatar franchise is an American multimedia franchise consisting of two animated television series, a live-action film, comics, books, video games, home media, and soundtracks. The franchise began with the animated television series Avatar: The Last Airbender (The Legend of Aang), which aired on Nickelodeon from 2005 to 2008. The series is set in an Asian-inspired fantasy world in which some people can telekinetically manipulate (or "bend") one of the four classical elements: air, water, earth or fire. Only the titular "Avatar" can bend all four elements and is responsible for maintaining balance in the world.

Since its original release, Avatar has developed into a franchise spanning works in various media. A sequel animated television series, The Legend of Korra, aired on Nickelodeon from 2012 to 2014 and has since expanded into its own sub-franchise. The storylines of both animated series have been continued in comic book form. Other franchise tie-ins include novelizations, art books, companion books, video games, and home media releases. In 2010, the original animated series was adapted into a live-action film titled The Last Airbender. The film itself spawned a novelization series, two graphic novels, two video games, a soundtrack album, and DVD and blu-ray releases. A Netflix live-action remake of the original series began production in 2019.

In February 2021, Nickelodeon announced the creation of Avatar Studios, "a division designed to create original content spanning animated series and movies based on the franchise’s world." The original creators and executive producers Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko will run the studio as co-chief creative officers, with an animated theatrical film set to start production in 2021 as its first release.

Television series

Series Season Episodes Originally released
First released Last released Network
Avatar: The Last Airbender 1 20 February 21, 2005 (2005-02-21) December 2, 2005 (2005-12-02) Nickelodeon
2 20 March 17, 2006 (2006-03-17) December 1, 2006 (2006-12-01)
3 21 September 21, 2007 (2007-09-21) July 19, 2008 (2008-07-19)
The Legend of Korra 1 12 April 14, 2012 (2012-04-14) June 23, 2012 (2012-06-23) Nickelodeon
2 14 September 13, 2013 (2013-09-13) November 22, 2013 (2013-11-22)
3 13 June 27, 2014 (2014-06-27) August 22, 2014 (2014-08-22)
4 13 October 3, 2014 (2014-10-03) December 19, 2014 (2014-12-19)
Republic City Hustle 1 3 August 9, 2013 (2013-08-09) August 23, 2013 (2013-08-23) YouTube
Untitled live-action series 1 10 2022 (2022) TBA Netflix

Films

Film U.S. release date Director(s) Screenwriter(s) Producer(s) Status
The Last Airbender June 30, 2010 M. Night Shyamalan Sam Mercer & Frank Marshall Released
Untitled animated Avatar Studios film TBA TBA TBA TBA In development

The Last Airbender

Main article: The Last Airbender

The Last Airbender is a 2010 live-action adaptation of the first season of the animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender by M. Night Shyamalan. The film was widely panned by critics, as it has been considered one of the worst films ever made and took in $319 million at the worldwide box office.

Untitled animated Avatar Studios film

In February 2021, It was announced that a theatrical animated film will be released by Paramount Pictures, with production set to begin later in 2021. It will serve as the first project from Avatar Studios.

Comics

Avatar: The Last Airbender

Main article: Avatar: The Last Airbender (comics)
Title Release date(s) Media type Ref.
Avatar: The Last Airbender January 25, 2006 – August 6, 2008 Film comic series
Free Comic Book Day issues May 7, 2011 – May 2, 2015 Mini-comic
  • Written by Johane Matte and Gene Luen Yang
  • Art by Johane Matte, Ryan Hill, Faith Erin Hicks, and Carla Speed McNeil
  • Published by Dark Horse Comics for Free Comic Book Day
  • Four original stories: "Relics" (May 7, 2011), "Rebound" (May 4, 2013), "Shells" (May 3, 2014), "Sisters" (May 2, 2015)
Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Lost Adventures June 15, 2011 Anthology
Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Promise January 25 – September 26, 2012 Graphic novel trilogy
  • Written by Gene Luen Yang, with art by Gurihiru
  • Published by Dark Horse Comics on January 25, 2012, May 30, 2012, September 26, 2012
  • Collected in a library edition, released on February 20, 2013
  • Sequel to the animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender
  • Dark Horse Comics' best-selling graphic novel of 2012
Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Search March 20 – October 30, 2013 Graphic novel trilogy
  • Written by Gene Luen Yang, with art by Gurihiru
  • Published by Dark Horse Comics on March 20, 2013, July 10, 2013, October 30, 2013
  • Collected in a library edition, released on February 5, 2014
  • Sequel to Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Promise
  • Dark Horse Comics' best-selling graphic novel of 2013
Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Rift March 5 – November 18, 2014 Graphic novel trilogy
  • Written by Gene Luen Yang, with art by Gurihiru
  • Published by Dark Horse Comics on March 5, 2014, July 2, 2014, November 5, 2014
  • Collected in a library edition, released on February 11, 2015
  • Sequel to Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Search
  • Dark Horse Comics' best-selling graphic novel of 2014
Avatar: The Last Airbender – Smoke and Shadow October 6, 2015 – March 16, 2016 Graphic novel trilogy
  • Written by Gene Luen Yang, with art by Gurihiru
  • Published by Dark Horse Comics on September 23, 2015, December 16, 2015, March 16, 2016
  • Collected in a library edition, released on September 21, 2016
  • Sequel to Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Rift
  • Dark Horse Comics' best-selling graphic novel of 2015
Avatar: The Last Airbender – North and South September 14, 2016 – April 26, 2017 Graphic novel trilogy
  • Written by Gene Luen Yang, with art by Gurihiru
  • Published by Dark Horse Comics on September 14, 2016, January 25, 2017, April 26, 2017
  • Collected in a library edition, released on October 25, 2017
  • Sequel to Avatar: The Last Airbender – Smoke and Shadow
Avatar: The Last Airbender – Imbalance December 18, 2018 – October 01, 2019 Graphic novel trilogy
  • Written by Faith Erin Hicks, with art by Peter Wartman
  • First volume published by Dark Horse Comics on December 18, 2018
  • Second and third volume planned for publication on April 16, 2019, TBA
  • Sequel to Avatar: The Last Airbender – North and South
Avatar: The Last Airbender – Team Avatar Tales October 15, 2019 Anthology
  • Written by Gene Luen Yang, Dave Scheidt, Sara Goetter, Ron Koertge, and Kiku Hughes
  • Art by Gene Luen Yang, Faith Erin Hicks, Sara Goetter, Ryan Hill, Carla Speed McNeil, Johane Matte, and Sara DuVall
  • Published by Dark Horse Comics on March 6, 2019
  • Collection of the Free Comic Book Day issues and original short stories
Avatar: The Last Airbender – Katara and the Pirate's Silver October 14, 2020 Anthology
  • Written by Faith Erin Hicks
  • Art by Peter Wartman
  • Published by Dark Horse Comics on October 14, 2020
  • Original story which takes place in book 2 of Avatar: The Last Airbender

The Last Airbender

Title Release date(s) Media type Ref.
The Last Airbender Prequel: Zuko's Story May 18, 2010 Graphic novel
The Last Airbender June 22, 2010 Graphic novel
  • Written by Dave Roman and Alison Wilgus, with art by Joon Choi
  • Published by Del Rey Books
  • Manga-influenced adaptation of the live-action film The Last Airbender
  • The New York Times Manga bestseller

The Legend of Korra

Main article: The Legend of Korra (comics)
Title Release date(s) Media type Ref.
Free Comic Book Day issues May 7, 2016 – May 5, 2018 Mini-comic
  • Written by Michael Dante DiMartino, with art by Heather Campbell and Jayd Aït-Kaci
  • Published by Dark Horse Comics for Free Comic Book Day
  • Two original stories: "Friends for Life" (May 7, 2016), "Lost Pets" (May 5, 2018)
The Legend of Korra: Turf Wars July 26, 2017 – August 22, 2018 Graphic novel trilogy
  • Written by Michael Dante DiMartino, with art by Irene Koh
  • Published by Dark Horse Comics on July 26, 2017, January 17, 2018, August 22, 2018
  • Collected in a library edition, released on March 13, 2019
  • Sequel to the animated series The Legend of Korra
  • Dark Horse Comics' best-selling graphic novels of 2017 and 2018
The Legend of Korra: Ruins of the Empire May 21, 2019 – February 26, 2020 Graphic novel trilogy
  • Written by Michael Dante DiMartino, with art by Michelle Wong
  • Planned for publication by Dark Horse Comics on May 21, 2019, TBA, TBA
  • Sequel to The Legend of Korra: Turf Wars

Books

Novels

Title Release date Age category Media type Ref.
The Earth Kingdom Chronicles May 8, 2007 – April 8, 2008 Children Novelization series
  • Written by Michael Teitelbaum, with art by Patrick Spaziante
  • Published by Simon Spotlight and Nickelodeon
  • Six-part adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender season two, with each book told from a different character's perspective
    • The Tale of Aang, released on May 8, 2007
    • The Tale of Azula, released on June 26, 2007
    • The Tale of Toph, released on October 23, 2007
    • The Tale of Sokka, released on November 27, 2007
    • The Tale of Zuko, released on February 5, 2008
    • The Tale of Katara, released on April 8, 2008
  • First four books collected in Journeys Through the Earth Kingdom, released on April 6, 2010
Ready-to-Read July 1 – December 16, 2008 Children Novelization series
  • Written by Michael Teitelbaum, Sherry Gerstein, and Molly Reisner, with art by Patrick Spaziante
  • Published by Simon Spotlight and Nickelodeon
  • Two-part adaptation of events from Avatar: The Last Airbender season three and an original story
    • Sokka, the Sword Master, released on July 1, 2008
    • Aang's School Days, released on July 1, 2008
    • Love Potion #8, released on December 16, 2008
Sozin's Comet: The Final Battle May 20, 2008 Children Novelization
  • Written by David Bergantino, with art by Patrick Spaziante
  • Published by Simon Spotlight and Nickelodeon
  • Adaptation of Sozin's Comet
The Last Airbender Movie Novelization May 25, 2010 Children Novelization
  • Written by Michael Teitelbaum
  • Published by Simon Spotlight and Nickelodeon
  • Adaptation of The Last Airbender
The Last Airbender Movie May 25, 2010 Children Novelization series
  • Written by Emily Sollinger, Michael Teitelbaum, Brian James, and Irene Kilpatrick, with art by Shane L. Johnson
  • Published by Simon Spotlight and Nickelodeon
  • Four-part adaptation of The Last Airbender
    • Aang's Destiny
    • Trial by Fire
    • Battle of the North
    • The Avatar's Return
Nickelodeon: Legend of Korra January 8 – July 9, 2013 Young adult Novelization series
The Kyoshi Novels July 16, 2019 - TBA Young adult Novel series

Art books

Title Release date ISBN Media type Ref.
How to Draw Avatar: The Last Airbender March 28, 2007 Drawing book
  • Illustrated by Shane Johnson
  • Published by Walter Foster Publishing
Avatar: The Last Airbender Drawing Book and Kit September 28, 2007 Drawing book
  • Illustrated by Shane Johnson
  • Published by Walter Foster Publishing
Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Art of the Animated Series May 19, 2010 Concept art
The Legend of Korra Book One: Air – The Art of the Animated Series July 17, 2013 Concept art
  • Published by Dark Horse Comics
  • Concept, design, and production art from the development of The Legend of Korra season one, with commentary by Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino
How to Draw The Legend of Korra August 15, 2014 Drawing book
  • Published by Walter Foster Publishing
The Legend of Korra Book Two: Spirits – The Art of the Animated Series September 3, 2014 Concept art
The Legend of Korra Book Three: Change – The Art of the Animated Series January 21, 2015 Concept art
  • Published by Dark Horse Comics
  • Concept, design, and production art from the development of The Legend of Korra season three, with commentary by Bryan Konietzko, Michael Dante DiMartino, and Joaquim Dos Santos
Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Poster Collection August 12, 2015 Posters
  • Published by Dark Horse Comics
  • Collection of Avatar: The Last Airbender posters by various artists
The Legend of Korra Book Four: Balance – The Art of the Animated Series September 2, 2015 Concept art
  • Published by Dark Horse Comics
  • Concept, design, and production art from the development of The Legend of Korra season four, with commentary by Bryan Konietzko, Michael Dante DiMartino, and Joaquim Dos Santos
The Legend of Korra – The Poster Collection September 28, 2016 Posters
  • Published by Dark Horse Comics
  • Collection of The Legend of Korra posters by various artists
Avatar: The Last Airbender Coloring Book October 5, 2016 Adult coloring book
  • Art by Jed Henry
  • Published by Dark Horse Comics
The Legend of Korra Coloring Book July 12, 2017 Adult coloring book
  • Art by Jed Henry
  • Published by Dark Horse Comics

Others

Title Release date ISBN Media type Ref.
The Lost Scrolls December 26, 2006 – January 23, 2007 Various Companion book series
  • Written by Michael Teitelbaum, Tom Mason, and Dan Danko
  • Art by Patrick Spaziante and Shane L. Johnson
  • Published by Simon Spotlight and Nickelodeon
  • Four-part series with each book compiling information on one of the four in-universe nations
    • The Lost Scrolls: Water, released on December 26, 2006
    • The Lost Scrolls: Fire, released on December 26, 2006
    • The Lost Scrolls: Earth, released on January 23, 2007
    • The Lost Scrolls: Air, released on January 23, 2007
  • Collected in The Lost Scrolls Collection, released on June 23, 2009
The Ultimate Pocket Guide July 24, 2007 Companion book
  • Written by Tom Mason and Dan Danko
  • Published by Simon Spotlight and Nickelodeon
  • Collection of Avatar: The Last Airbender facts and trivia
Battle of the Benders January 8, 2008 3D book
Brainbenders from the Four Nations January 8, 2008 Quiz book
  • Written by Sherry Gerstein
  • Published by Simon Spotlight and Nickelodeon
  • Children's quiz book based on Avatar: The Last Airbender seasons one and two
Mindbenders and Brainbusters: The Ultimate Avatar Challenge September 9, 2008 Quiz book
  • Written by Michael Teitelbaum
  • Published by Simon Spotlight and Nickelodeon
  • Children's quiz book based on Avatar: The Last Airbender season three
The Legend of Korra: Enhanced Experience July 2, 2013 E-book
  • Published by Nickelodeon on iTunes
  • Supplemental material for The Legend of Korra seasons one and two
Avatar: The Last Airbender: Legacy October 13, 2015 Illustrated fiction
  • Written by Michael Teitelbaum
  • Published by Insight Editions
  • Presented as an in-universe scrapbook made by Aang for his son Tenzin
The Legend of Korra: An Avatar's Chronicle August 6, 2019 Illustrated fiction
Avatar: The Last Airbender: Legacy of The Fire Nation February 4, 2020 Illustrated fiction
  • Written by Joshua Pruett
  • Published by Insight Editions
  • Presented as an in-universe scrapbook made by Iroh for his nephew Zuko

Video games

Title Details
Avatar: The Last Airbender

Original release date(s):
 Release years by system:
2006 – Game Boy Advance, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Wii, Xbox
Notes:
  • Developed by THQ Studio Australia and Halfbrick Studios (Game Boy Advance), published by THQ
  • Beat 'em up action-adventure game
  • Released in Europe and Australia under the title Avatar: The Legend of Aang
Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Burning Earth

Original release date(s):
 Release years by system:
2007 – Wii, Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance, PlayStation 2, Xbox 360
Notes:
  • Released in Europe under the title Avatar: The Legend of Aang – The Burning Earth
Avatar: The Last Airbender – Into the Inferno

Original release date(s):
 Release years by system:
2008 – Wii, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2
Notes:
  • Developed by THQ Studio Australia and Halfbrick Studios (Nintendo DS), published by Play THQ
  • Action-adventure game
  • Released in Europe and Australia under the title Avatar: The Legend of Aang – Into the Inferno
Avatar: Legends of the Arena

Original release date:
  • WW September 19, 2008
 Release years by system:
2008 – Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X
Notes:


The Last Airbender

Original release date(s):
 Release years by system:
2010 – Wii, Nintendo DS
Notes:
  • Developed by THQ Studio Australia and Halfbrick Studios (Nintendo DS), published by THQ
The Legend of Korra

Original release date(s):
  • NA October 21, 2014
 Release years by system:
2014 – Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Notes:
  • Developed by PlatinumGames and published by Activision
The Legend of Korra: A New Era Begins

Original release date(s):
  • NA October 28, 2014
 Release years by system:
2014 – Nintendo 3DS
Notes:
  • Developed by Webfoot Technologies and published by Activision
  • Turn-based strategy game

Cast and crew

Main article: List of Avatar characters

Cast

Character Avatar: The Last Airbender (The Legend of Aang) The Legend of Korra Films
Water Earth Fire Air Spirits Change Balance The Last Airbender Untitled film
2005 2006 2007–08 2012 2013 2014 2010 2022
Avatar Aang Zach Tyler Eisen D. B. Sweeney Silent Silent Noah Ringer 0TBA
Appa Dee Bradley Baker Dee Bradley Baker
Momo
Katara Mae Whitman Eva Marie Saint Eva Marie Saint Nicola Peltz rowspan="4" 0TBA
Sokka Jack DeSena Chris Hardwick Jackson Rathbone
Zuko Dante Basco Bruce Davison Silent Dev Patel
Iroh Mako Greg Baldwin Greg Baldwin Shaun Toub
Fire Lord Ozai Mark Hamill Cliff Curtis
Princess Yue Johanna Braddy Silent Johanna Braddy Seychelle Gabriel
Admiral Zhao Jason Isaacs Jason Isaacs Aasif Mandvi
Toph Beifong Jessie Flower Kate Higgins Kate Higgins Philece Sampler rowspan="2" 0TBA
Azula Grey DeLisle Summer Bishil
Avatar Korra Janet Varney
Cora Baker
Naga Dee Bradley Baker
Pabu
Mako David Faustino
Bolin P. J. Byrne
Tenzin J. K. Simmons
Asami Sato Seychelle Gabriel
Lin Beifong Mindy Sterling
Grey DeLisle
Jinora Kiernan Shipka
Note: A gray cell indicates the character did not appear in that medium.

Crew

Home media

Avatar: The Last Airbender

Main article: List of Avatar: The Last Airbender episodes § Video releases
Episode volumes
Season Volume DVD release dates
Region 1 Region 2 Region 4
1 1 January 24, 2006 February 19, 2007 March 15, 2007
2 March 28, 2006 June 4, 2007 July 5, 2007
3 May 30, 2006 September 3, 2007 March 13, 2008
4 July 18, 2006 February 18, 2008 June 19, 2008
5 September 19, 2006 May 26, 2008 March 5, 2009
2 1 January 23, 2007 Not released June 4, 2009
2 April 10, 2007 August 4, 2009
3 May 22, 2007 October 29, 2009
4 August 14, 2007 March 31, 2010
3 1 October 30, 2007 June 1, 2010
2 January 22, 2008 September 21, 2010
3 May 6, 2008 October 7, 2010
4 July 29, 2008 November 4, 2010
Box sets
Season DVD release dates Blu-ray release dates
Region 1 Region 2 Region 4 Region free
1 September 12, 2006 January 26, 2009 June 4, 2009 Not released
2 September 11, 2007 July 20, 2009 September 9, 2010
3 September 16, 2008 February 1, 2010 December 2, 2010
Complete series October 6, 2015 August 6, 2012 Not released May 1, 2018

The Last Airbender

Main article: The Last Airbender § Home media
Film DVD release dates Blu-ray release dates
Region 1 Region 2 Region 4 Region free
The Last Airbender November 16, 2010 December 13, 2010 January 13, 2011 November 16, 2010

The Legend of Korra

Main article: List of The Legend of Korra episodes § DVD and Blu-ray releases

Soundtracks

Title Details
The Last Airbender

June 29, 2010 – Compact disc, digital		 Notes:


The Legend of Korra: Original Music from Book One

July 16, 2013 – Compact disc, digital		 Notes:


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