Latest news with #AvatarTheLastAirbender
Geek Dad
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Dad
Get Ready for More Avatar: The Last Airbender
I've been ranking and rating things for years. A few years back, when I painstakingly ranked every TV show I've ever loved, the number two show on my list was Nickelodeon's animated Avatar: The Last Airbender . To this day, when I want to reference a show that has characters with well-written multi-season arcs, this is the show. It's no wonder that this nearly 20-year-old cartoon maintains such a devoted fan base. Last year, Netflix's long-awaited live action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender came out, and my family devoured it. While I'll agree that no remake will ever stand up to the greatness of the animated original, the live action Avatar: The Last Airbender was pure fan service in the best way possible. I've recently learned that the show has been renewed for seasons two and three, and that the second season has already wrapped filming. I immediately went back and re-watched the available season, cementing my views on a number of things about the show, not least the casting. Casting Hands-down my favorite character in the live action adaptation is Ian Ousley's Sokka. He replicates the animated Sokka's cartoonish vibe wonderfully. Of course, Sokka was also my favorite character in the animated series. Full disclosure: my cat is named Sokka. Gordon Cormier was also excellent as the live action Aang. His voice and his facial expressions do a better job than I'd thought possible of bringing the title character to life. Both Aang's childish playfulness and his precocious solemnity come through in Cormier's acting. Nobody else will ever be a replacement for the great Mako, who voiced Iroh in the original series. But Paul Sun-Hyung Lee does as good a job as is possible. I was lukewarm on the portrayals of Katara and Bumi, and both Azula and Gran Gran just did not work at all for me. But Daniel Dae Kim as Fire Lord Ozai works in a way I'd not have expected. Lastly, they cast Matthew Yang King as the voices of Appa and Momo, which excited me, as I was a big fan of his on the GeeksOn podcast twenty years ago. Effects The most important effects work in the show was always going to be the bending. And in that, the show has succeeded. The water whips, flame sprays, and stone walls all look excellent and realistic. Even Aang's gliding and spiral levitation look good. Likewise the show's creatures such as Koh the Face Stealer and June's shirshu Nyla look great. The only complaint I can muster about the special effects is that occasionally when the kids jump high into the air, flipping and whirling, it looks wildly unrealistic. Fan Service Fans of Avatar: The Last Airbender are wildly devoted and can be somewhat fanatical about adherence to canon. That's why I was so pleased to see characters like Koh the Face Stealer, The Mechanist and his paralyzed son, June the bounty Hunter and her shirshu mount, and Jet the straw-chewing freedom fighter make an appearance. The Blue Spirit plot, although truncated and slightly altered, was adapted beautifully from the original. And when Azula eventually pulled out the lightning in a somewhat spectacular display, I no longer cared that the actress didn't look or sound like her animated counterpart. The song Leaves From The Vine , along with Mako's rendition and voice acting of Iroh, has brought many an Avatar fan to tears. Its subtle incorporation into a few select scenes of this adaptation likely went completely unnoticed by many viewers, but those of us who know Lu Ten's story caught the reference. And although it was altered, even the name Bonzu Pippinpaddleopsicopolis the Third showed up. That one got a huge cheer in my house. But not as large a cheer as when the cabbage merchant showed up in Omashu. Even before he said the words, my family was screaming 'My cabbages!' But easily my favorite bit of fan service came in episode 4 during the Cave of Two Lovers interlude when the minstrels made an appearance, looking exactly the way they had in the cartoon. It's probably my favorite episode of Avatar: The Last Airbender , and those actors absolutely nailed the role, from the floppy dancing to the stoner vibe of the singer. I only wish he'd had more hilariously idiotic one-liners to drive Sokka crazy. All I can say at this point is that if Melon Lord doesn't make an appearance in upcoming seasons, I might lose my mind. Liked it? Take a second to support GeekDad and GeekMom on Patreon!
Gizmodo
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
This Year the Squirtle Squad Is the Coolest SDCC Merch Around
July is upon us, and in nerd circles that means only one thing: San Diego Comic-Con is nearly here. And if SDCC is nearly here, then so are oodles of exclusive toys, plushies, and other sweet merchandise you can get your mitts on. We've already seen a few of the hottest toys at the convention this year, but today it's Jazwares' turn to show you something cool. Real cool. io9 has got your exclusive first look at the whole haul of exclusive items Jazwares will have at SDCC this year, bringing together tons of franchises from Star Wars to Stranger Things, Avatar: The Last Airbender, some comic-inspired AEW, and much, much more. Squads are the name of the game this year, from the Star Wars Micro Galaxy Squadron Imperial Hangar Bay set, a multipack including Darth Vader's TIE Advanced flanked by members of Black Squadron, to even cutesy multipacks for Squishmallows and Yo Gabba Gabba!. But of course, the highlight of the offerings this year is the ultimate squad: the coolest water-type Pokémon to ever walk Kanto in the glorious five-pack of shades-wearing Squirtles, based on the 12th episode of the original Pokémon anime. Check out our exclusive breakdown of all of Jazwares' exclusives for San Diego Comic-Con 2025 below, including how much they'll cost and where you can grab them. The Last Airbender gets not one, but two exclusives from Jazwares this year, including a 6.5″ Zuko figure, complete with a plethora of accessories (including alternate heads, hands, and firebending effects) and convention-exclusive packaging, and a 'Kawaii' Lil' Elemental Aang figurine in an exclusive golden colorway. Zuko will cost $40 and be available at the Jazwares booth at SDCC, #3513, while Aang will cost $20 and can be found at the Paramount booth. Celebrating the 50th and 20th anniversaries of two of Sanrio's most popular (and adorable) characters, these 12″ plushes come in their own numbered boxes, in runs of 1,000 each. $40 each, both available separately at the Jazwares booth at SDCC, #3513. The latest Swerve Strickland to enter Jazwares' AEW Unrivaled collection adds a suitably comic-convention twist: Strickland comes kitted out in his robe and Black Panther-inspired wrestling gear from AEW Dynasty 2024. The figure comes with a swappable masked head, alternate hands, and a removable robe. $40, available at the Jazwares booth at SDCC, #3513. Based on Tokidoki's new Mermicorno Starfall animated series, this plush depicts Astra the Mermicorno in her powered-up form and comes with a certificate of authenticity identifying its place in the run of 500. $30, available at the Jazwares booth at SDCC, #3513. Five 8″ Squirtle plushes get the coolest upgrades of their lives to transform them into the Squirtle Squad! Four round-glasses-wearing Squirtles are joined by their pointy-shades-wearing leader, who eventually becomes Ash's Squirtle in the anime. They each have unique poses inspored by the anime, and come grouped together in special packaging so you can show off your squad goals around the convention halls. $100, available at the Jazwares booth at SDCC, #3513. Five 3″ figurines of Toodie, Plex, Brobee, Muno, and Foofa get bundled together in special Yo Gabba Gabba! packaging, letting you display them in-box or out. $100, available at the Jazwares booth at SDCC, #3513. The Total Anime Bakugo figure gets a fun upgrade for the con—alongside two alternate faceplates, two sets of extra hands, and a litany of suitably explosive blast effects to recreate Bakugo's powers. The limited run of 500 figures comes in special fold-out packaging that can be transformed into a ruined battle arena for the Great Explosion Murder God Dynamight himself to fight in. $40, available at the Jazwares booth at SDCC, #3513. Traversing comic conventions is hungry work, so why not replicate the hunt for the best food trucks and snacks around SDCC with this quartet of Squishmallow plush sets? Each to-go box includes three 5″ plushes, each with a particular theme: American (including fries, soda, and a burger), Brunch (including coffee, pancakes, and a breakfast sandwich), Asian (including boba, noodles, and a steamed bun), and Mexican (including a taco, horchata, and a tortilla-chip-crowned dip). $40 each, available separately at the Jazwares booth at SDCC, #3513. The Star Wars multipack offering at SDCC brings together Darth Vader's TIE Advanced, flanked by two TIE Fighters from Black Squadron. As well as mini figurines of Vader and two TIE pilots, the set includes special light-up packaging, to replicate the appearance of the TIEs preparing for takeoff in an Imperial hangar. $100, available at the Jazwares booth at SDCC, #3513. This fully articulated 6″ Demogorgon action figure comes with a swappable head to showcase its open or closed mouth, as well as a special base replicating the swirling tendrils of the Upside Down. It even has glow-in-the-dark elements for maximum creep factor! $20, available at the Jazwares booth at SDCC, #3513. Comic-Con returns to San Diego July 24-27. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what's next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
Gizmodo
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
‘Magic: The Gathering' Unveils Its First ‘Avatar: Last Airbender' Card
Magic: The Gathering has been doing crossover packs with various IP, and later this year, Avatar: The Last Airbender is joining those ranks. During this weekend's MagicCon, Wizards of the Coast showed off its first card from the set dropping in late November. Naturally, that card is a Legendary featuring Aang manipulating water, fire, earth, and air while in the Avatar State. On the flip side is him looking up at his Avatar Spirit, with artwork for both sides drawn by Airbender co-creator Bryan Konietzko, a process you can see below. For Magic players, the 'Avatar Aang' side lets them draw a card whenever they bend one of the four elements and transform into Avatar Aang if all four are drawn by the current turn. Conversely, the 'Master of Elements' side lets them 'gain 4 life, draw four cards, put four +1/+1 counters on him, and he deals 4 damage to each opponent' at the start of each upkeep. Coming November 21, 2025https:// — Magic: The Gathering (@wizards_magic) June 20, 2025In its blog post, Wizards teased the Avatar set will let players 'take a ride on a sky bison, channel the memories of past Avatars, and explore a world of untold wonders.' It follows the Final Fantasy set released earlier in June, which was already successful before it even hit stores, and the Spider-Man set dropping in September. Wizards plans to unveil more information on Magic'sAvatar: The Last Airbender set Tuesday, August 12, including mechanics and other cards from the set. The full collaboration will hit shelves Friday, November 21. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what's next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
UAE Moments
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- UAE Moments
Two Filipino Stars Join Netflix's Avatar Live-Action Cast
Netflix announced that two acclaimed Filipino actors, Dolly de Leon and Jon Jon Briones, will join the cast of its live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender series for the second and third seasons. The announcement came on May 21 via Netflix's official social media pages, creating buzz among fans of the hit show. Read More: 10 Filipino Stars Who Have Appeared in Hollywood Productions Read More: 10 Hollywood Celebrities You Did Not Know Have Filipino Heritage Roles and Characters Dolly de Leon will play twin sisters Lo and Li, who serve as trusted advisers to Fire Nation Princess Azula. Meanwhile, Jon Jon Briones will take on the role of Piandao, a master swordsman and former Fire Nation officer. Piandao is also a secret member of the Order of the White Lotus, a key group within the series' story. About the Series Netflix's Avatar: The Last Airbender is a live-action remake of the beloved Nickelodeon animated series that aired from 2005 to 2008. The first season of the adaptation premiered in February 2024 and received strong reviews from both fans and critics alike. What's Next? The much-anticipated second season is set to release in early 2026, with the third season following after. Fans can expect more exciting developments as the story continues to unfold with these new cast members.
Geek Feed
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Feed
Season 3 for The Last Airbender has Already Started Filming
We haven't even gotten the second season of Netflix's The Last Airbender yet, but it looks like the series is trying to beat out the clock with Gordon Cormier's puberty. Just as they've announced the wrap for Season 2 of Airbender, they also revealed that Season 3 has also started production. Check this out: That's a wrap on Season 2. The time of Sozin's comet draws near. AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER Season 3 is now in production! — Avatar: The Last Airbender (@AvatarNetflix) May 20, 2025 What's more, the series has also revealed several characters that will be arriving in the incoming seasons including Azula's firebending mentors Lo and Li (Dolly De Leon) as well as Sokka's master Piandao (Jon Jon Briones). Check out the cast announcement: Welcome the new faces joining the cast of Avatar: The Last Airbender in Seasons 2 and 3. — Avatar: The Last Airbender (@AvatarNetflix) May 20, 2025 Though fans have an idea of what to expect with each season, the live-action series does tend to mix things up a bit. For one, Jeong Jeong was supposed to be in the first season, but it looks like he's going to be in either Book 1 or 2 of the live-action series. In contrast, the Secret Tunnel of Omashu was supposed to be revealed in the second season, but it was pushed forward for the live-action series—possibly revealing that they won't be bringing back Omashu for Season 2. I'll admit, I wasn't a fan of some of the changes in the first season—specifically with the characterization of a lot of the characters like Aang and Suki, but maybe the show is going to change some of that with future seasons now that they've had more feedback. I never expect these adaptations to be 1:1, but they should at least keep true to core elements of the original—like Aang's free spirit, or Sokka's character development. No release date has been revealed for The Last Airbender Season 2 on Netflix, but hopefully we get something before the year ends.
