Netflix’s live-action adaptation of the animated TV show Avatar: The Last Airbender has finally premiered its first season, and the reviews are in. The series, which has been highly anticipated yet met with concerns due to the disappointment of M. Night Shyamalan’s 2010 film adaptation, has left fans with mixed feelings.

After the departure of the original creators, Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, in 2020, there were understandable worries about the fate of the Netflix series. However, the first season has now been released, and it’s clear that the live-action adaptation is a departure from the original animated series. While it may not reach the same level of excellence as the animated show, it presents an endearing but imperfect take on the beloved story.

Viewers have noted that the quality of Netflix’s adaptation may be the best that can be hoped for in live-action adaptations of anime shows. Although not a traditional anime, the original Last Airbender series drew inspiration from Japanese animation, and Netflix’s adaptation shares similarities with recent live-action anime adaptations.

The eight-episode first season of Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender has received mixed reviews. While the series impresses with its visual effects, there are evident imperfections that prevent it from fully capturing the essence of the original animated series. Despite its flaws, the live-action adaptation has managed to avoid the catastrophic failure experienced by the 2010 film adaptation, offering a glimmer of hope for future adaptations of beloved animated shows.