8 Shows Like Avatar: The Last Airbender That You Must Watch

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Summary

  • ATLA’s enduring legacy captivates fans through its storytelling, interactions, and payoff.
  • Arcane and FMAB stand alongside ATLA as top-tier animation series with rich narratives.
  • HxH, Gravity Falls, and Star Wars: The Clone Wars offer compelling stories akin to ATLA.

The beloved animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender, initially aired by Nickelodeon, has consistently expanded its remarkable influence over time. Even seventeen years after the show concluded, it has grown in popularity rather than waning. Assisted by spin-offs and the live-action adaptation on Netflix, the tales of Aang, Katara, Sokka, Appa, Toph, and Momo have touched the hearts of countless viewers with their engaging narratives, memorable character interactions, and satisfying conclusions.

Atop the summit of the thrilling animated adventure genre, Avatar: The Last Airbender (ATLA) has often been likened to numerous other shows sharing similar themes, personalities, and mood. It’s quite likely that enthusiasts of ATLA would find satisfaction and enjoyment in discovering a variety of series similar to their beloved legend.

1. Arcane

League Of Legends Adaptation That Pushed The Envelope In Terms Of Animation

Netflix’s show titled “Arcane,” an extravagant adaptation from the world’s most popular Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) game, League of Legends, has gained global recognition across its two seasons due to its intricate world-building and unparalleled quality of animation in an animated series. At its heart, “Arcane” depicts the fierce conflict between Vi and Jinx, long-separated sisters, as the stunning city of Piltover and its gritty underbelly, Zaun, engage in warfare that involves many of League of Legends’ most recognized champions like Jayce, Caitlyn, and Ekko, playing significant roles.

Apart from its captivating and engaging visuals, the series “Arcane” stands out due to its emotionally resonant, interconnected storylines that explore themes like friendship, love, treachery, and retribution. It shares a similar elevated position in the animation genre with “ATLA,” sitting proudly atop many of its contemporaries.

2. Teen Titans

Adolescent Group Of DC Superheroes Full Of Comradery And Heroism

In the same period as ATLA, there was also the influential series called Teen Titans. This is a DC story about a gang of teen superheroes who face off against ominous villains with plans to conquer the world. The group, which includes a young Robin, Cyborg, Raven, Beast Boy, and Starfire, each have unique personalities and powers, adding excitement to their interactions and teamwork.

Similar to ATLA, this band of youthful heroes embark on a journey involving the confrontation of villains, romantic entanglements, emotional growth issues, and unique abilities. As they evolve, this dynamic team strives to protect Earth and save it from peril.

3. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Pair Of Magic-Wielding Brothers Fight A Corrupt System To Get Their Bodies Back

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, frequently praised and argued over, consistently ranks at the pinnacle of greatest anime of all-time lists. This is not without merit as the highly acclaimed shonen series presents a skillfully crafted narrative that encompasses deep emotions, intricately connected storylines, and exhilarating battles. Therefore, FMAB is unquestionably exceptional. The anime primarily revolves around brothers Edward and Alphonse Elrick, who are teenagers, striving to overthrow a corrupt system governed by enigmatic evils, the seven deadly sins. Their ultimate goal is to recover their bodies which were lost in a failed attempt to resurrect their mother through an alchemical ritual.

In addition to an impressive cast who each play crucial roles in the storyline, the use of alchemy in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, much like Avatar: The Last Airbender’s bending concept, creates breathtaking fire and earth-shattering powers that are remarkably similar. Both series share a comparable number of episodes to effectively depict their captivating narratives and action scenes.

4. Hunter x Hunter

Emotional Journey Centering On A Group Of Skillful Young Protagonists Who Power Up On An Adventure Of A Lifetime

Although it’s categorized as an anime, Hunter x Hunter offers an epic voyage filled with youthful protagonists that form the core of the narrative, showcasing heartwarming character development and some of the most intense battles reminiscent of elements seen in ATLA. The story primarily revolves around Gon Freecss, a gifted young boy who dreams of reuniting with his estranged father, Ging Freecss, a renowned hunter who abandoned him.

On Gon’s path to becoming a hunter and locating Ging, he forms friendships with Killua Zoldyck, Kurapika, and Leorio. These three young companions significantly aid Gon in his growth, both physically and otherwise. The bond between Gon and Killua is central to the storyline of “HxH” as their journey becomes increasingly complex and challenging. The rollercoaster of emotions “HxH” delivers to its viewers is unlike that of many other series, owing to its intricately detailed universe brimming with depth and an extensive power system. This makes it a highly recommended watch for those craving an immersive adventure in a captivating world.

5. The Dragon Prince

Fantasy Land Jampacked With Dragons And Magic That Sees The Importance Of Found Families

In the creative realm of one of Avatar: The Last Airbender’s main writers, Netflix’s original series titled The Dragon Prince concluded by late 2024, providing a satisfying end to an animated fantasy saga. This series delves into thought-provoking themes such as power, family, aristocracy, and the devastating impact of war on Xadia’s landscape. In the midst of a millennium-old conflict between humans, elves, and dragons, two princes, Callum and Ezran, along with an elf assassin named Raylan, forge an improbable alliance to bring tranquility across all realms, despite malevolent forces seeking to disrupt their noble quest.

As a devoted cinephile, I can’t help but be captivated by the intricate world-building that unfolds episode after episode in “The Dragon Princes”. The emotional core of this series lies in its portrayal of a found family made up of human princes, elves, and dragons. This group, known as Team Zym, shares an extraordinary bond that experiences both highs and lows, reminiscent of the connection between Aang and his companions in “ATLA”.

6. Gravity Falls

Cartoon Classic That Dips Between Mystery And Comedy

In the vast collection of Disney productions, it was “Gravity Falls” that garnered significant popularity during its airing, captivating diverse audiences thanks to its wide appeal and positive critical reception. The show’s unique blend of humor and mystery was instrumental in catapulting it to fame. The story follows the escapades of twins Dipper and Mabel Pines as they explore a small town named Gravity Falls, which is riddled with supernatural occurrences. During their stay at their great-uncle’s house, the siblings embark on numerous adventures.

Amidst the persistent upheavals experienced by the twins, the series “Gravity Falls” mirrors the trail blazed by “ATLA.” Both productions have transformed the concept of kids’ TV, introducing depth and captivating narratives that elevate the medium, challenging conventional perceptions.

7. Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Exploration Into The Star Wars Prequels And Its Backdrop

After working as a director for the show “ATLA” (Avatar: The Last Airbender), Dave Filoni later became renowned for his creation of “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” an animated series that delves deeper into the storylines from the prequel movies, particularly emphasizing the adventures of Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi.

fundamentally speaking, The Clone Wars series primarily focuses on the Jedi Order and their ongoing battle against an army of droids backed by clone troopers. While Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi are significant characters, Ahsoka Tano, Anakin’s apprentice, stands out as the heart of the series. Her growth and Jedi training under Anakin play a crucial role in the show’s popularity. Using complete creative freedom, Filoni drew on his success with Avatar: The Last Airbender to create a show that significantly revitalized the Star Wars franchise.

8. The Legend Of Korra

Aang’s Successor Gets Up To Wild Antics In His Newly Forged World

After ATLA , there was a follow-up series called The Legend of Korra. This show focuses on Korra, who succeeded Aang as the Avatar, and her adventures in a world that Aang and his allies had shaped. The action takes place primarily in Republic City, an urban landscape influenced by steampunk aesthetics. As Korra grows into her role as the Avatar, the peace Aang envisioned for the world is under attack from emerging enemies who seek to disrupt it.

Throughout her journey, as Korra strives to master her Avatar abilities, her close relationships with Asami, Mako, and Bolin become crucial and a significant element of the series, mirroring the role Suko, Katara, and Toph played in Aang’s journey within “ATLA”. Although it may not have reached the same acclaim as its predecessor, “TLOK” remains a captivating show that continues to shine in the footsteps of a colossus. Korra’s tale serves as a means to reintroduce many elements reminiscent of “ATLA” to fans once more.

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2025-03-26 09:34