'Avatar: The Last Airbender' is on Netflix now, and it still stands up as one of the best animated TV series ever

"Avatar: The Last Airbender's" influence has stretched across the past decade of animation.

To this day, no animated series — and arguably, few television series in general — have managed to achieve the lasting impact of Nickelodeon's "Avatar: The Last Airbender." The series, which initially ran from 2005 to 2008, is a masterclass in animation, character development, and complex storytelling. Moreover, it still resonates with audiences today, coming to Netflix in full on May 15, much to the joy of the series' fans.

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'Avatar: The Last Airbender' is on Netflix now, and it still stands up as one of the best animated TV series ever

Palmer Haasch 15 hours ago

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"Avatar: The Last Airbender's" influence has stretched across the past decade of aniamtion. Nickelodeon

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"Avatar: The Last Airbender," one of the most beloved cartoons of all time, hit Netflix in its entirety on May 15.

The series, which aired originally from 2005 to 2008, is still one of the best animated series ever, set apart by its complex worldbuilding and empathy for its characters.

"Avatar" set a precedent for cartoons in the 2010s, demonstrating the complex stories that can be told in 23-minute chunks. 

This article contains spoilers for "Avatar."

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carla

@carla_pgb

avatar the last airbender being put on netflix this friday is the only thing keeping me going

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It's easy to recognize the ways that "Avatar" set a precedent in Western animation in the 2010s, precipitating a wave of ambitious, character-driven storytelling that's easily seen in series like Wonderstorm's "The Dragon Prince" (it's showrunner, Aaron Ehasz, is an "Avatar" alum) or Cartoon Network's deeply empathetic "Steven Universe."

What sets "Avatar" apart in 2020, 15 years after its debut, is its incredible worldbuilding, fleshed-out characters, and ability to make topics like war, trauma, and death comprehensible for younger audiences without pulling its punches.

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