The official Avatar: The Last Airbender Youtube channel has announced the birth of Avatar Studios, dedicated to creating Avatar content to satiate our souls.

Now you're probably hyperventilating, but I have LOADS of news for you. (if you already haven't heard it from Youtube of course, the news is all over the internet! HELL YEAH!)

Firstly, you probably remember that Netflix announced a Live Action Avatar show. Fans were never very excited about it in the first place, but soon after, Brian and Mike (the original creators of the show, referred to Bryke in this chapter for simplicity) left, and all over the internet, fans are saying ,'Whatevs.'

Before I get into my TEDTalk about the live action, let's talk about Bryke.In the past, Bryke has talked about wanting to create more shows in the Avatarverse, and recently, they have announced new series and movies to expand the Avatar universe.

I repeat, Bryke has announced new series and movies to-

Yep. Series and movieS (PLURAL HELL YEAH!)

Now let's hear the breakdown of the full story, starting with Netflix.

Avatar the Last Airbender and The Live Action Problem

In 2010, The Last Airbender by M Night Shamalayan was released, and ATLA fans still make memes about this. (Seriously, go on Reddit and you'll see. They still haven't recovered. Poor peeps).

And when Netflix announced a Live Action series of ATLA, some fans were excited, some were indifferent, and a whole lot of them didn't want the show.

Why? I think M Night Shamalayan's movie was one of the reasons. But Netflix is probably the other.

If you've watched Netflix 'adaptations' of animated shows, they aren't really great ( cough *Death Note Movie cough *Fate the Winx Saga* cough cough). They stripped the entire charm of the original series and put this 'dark and deep' filter over them.

We don't want that shit.

Netflix and Its Wattpad Tendencies

Netflix said they wanted the live action remake to have 'romance, sex and blood'. Like, bro, if I wanted bad romance, sex and blood, I'd just read a 15-year old's wattpad stories, ok?

The true charm of ATLA was the immersive worldbuilding, the intricately weaved plot, and most importantly, the compelling characters. ATLA was a story that appealed to both adults and children, because of its deeper, nuanced themes underlying a masterfully written plot, spiced with childish humor. 

And Netflix wants to turn it into a porn hub probably-

They even said they would age up the characters (maybe because they don't want Cuties backlash all over again, pfft) and make the show more 'dark and mature'.

That sounds like something my nine-year-old self thought before writing stories. Really. Only newer writers think 'Imma write something dark and mature with lots of blood, gore, sex and language' before writing. And you know what happens to stories like that. 

(If you don't know... here's an example:

he put his gigglestick in my hoo hah and blood rushed out of my hoo hah and I screamed in pleasure-

Yeah, that's enough kids.)

Netflix Just Keeps Getting Worse

The thing is, Netflix wants the next Game of Thrones. If you've watched The Witcher, you'll see how rushed it feels, and how they threw in sex, profanity and nudity everywhere, often without proper reason).

Netflix STOP TRYING TO PUT 'GRIT' into EVERYTHING. We don't want 'GRIT'. We want good stories. I'm SO tired of everything having 'grit' forced into it. The Netflix show emphasized how they want ATLA to be more 'adult' and 'mature' and be 'darker' and have sex. Like, what the hell? Why do you need sex in ATLA? I get why they might want to add violence and gore, to show the ruthlessness of the Fire Nation, but sex? If peeps want that they can go watch Boku No Pico.

Netflix also said they want more 'diversity' in ATLA, and are considering other ethnicities, like black casts. Which I think is dumb. ATLA already has a very diverse cast of Inuits, asian cultures and disabilites. No need to force more diversity on it (I'll do a whole TEDTalk on Diversity later).

I'm sorry, but it felt like Netflix just wanted to make money out of our nostalgia. They kept making decisions to garner more attention to the show, instead of focusing on the heart of the story. 

And that, my friends, is why I think Bryke left.

Good for them, really.

How Fans and Original Cast Reacted to the Netflix Show

A bunch of Youtubers have made videos on the topics and the comments section all say the same, 'carefully optimistic'.  Majority says they aren't going to watch the show and agree that the show is made for those who wouldn't be 'caught dead watching a cartoon'. 

The OG cast didn't look too hopeful either. Dee Bradley Baker and Olivia Hack (voices of Appa, Momo and Ty Lee), shared that they did not think the Live Action could 'add' anything to the story. 

I disagree. Netflix can add lots of smut to the story. 

That's not good, of course.

Which brings us to the most exciting news of all...

The New Series and MORE: Who are In it and What's it About?

What the series is about is still unknown, but Bryke has confirmed there will be more than one series and several movies! The inner child in me is screaming joyously!

As for who are involved, the original show creators and animators, EXCEPT for Aaron Ehasz, the head writer for ATLA (we'll talk about him in a bit).

Most fans, including myself, are ECSTATIC about this new show. Live action is more expensive, so other mediums can better invest on writing (which is the driving force for any type of story).

Instead of fanservice (cough cough NETFLIX cough cough).

FURTHERMORE, Bryke said they want to explore the world through 'multiple mediums', so guess what? We're getting novels and games as well!

https://youtu.be/DRs_FB17PZg

Theories about what the new shows are about are blowing up on the internet, but nothing is confirmed yet, so here's my take on the matter. 

My Thoughts on the Show

You guys probably guessed I'm not too excited about Netflix. However, I am excited about the new animated show.

My theory is  they'll do animated adaptations of the comics. There are two series for the comics, two following Kyoshi and three comics following the hundred year war (The Promise, The Search, The Rift). The comics were well-received by the fans, and ties off some of the plot lines in ATLA (like  Zuko's mother) while expanding the story.

Or, they could make a series of the avatar suceeding Korra, or Avatars before Aang (Like Roku, Yang Chen, Kuruk, etc).

Personally, I would prefer prequels and the comic adaptations. The Legend of Korra, while a good show within itself (but no great sequel), has hurt Aang's story. (I'll make a whole rant about it later). I would much prefer to know what led to the hundred year war, and how the rifts created were healed.

AND PLEASE GIVE MY GIRL KYOSHI HER OWN SERIES!

I am DYING for Kyoshi's story, people. This lady is my hero.

https://youtu.be/r5m8TG07cB0

Aaron Ehasz

I think I can safely saw Aaron Ehasz was the soul for ATLA.

When Bryke wanted to make Toph an able-bodied man, Aaron fought to make her a little blind girl. Now, Toph is one of the most beloved ATLA characters, a true inspiration.

If you've watched The Dragon Prince, you will see how it carries the spirit of ATLA. And this is why I think Aaron is so important to the Avatarverse.

I think the only 'problem' with Korra was that Aaron Ehasz wasn't in it. Seriously. Most of the orignal show creators stayed, EXCEPT Aaron, who went to work on TDP. Still, the difference between the shows are so noticeable.

Summary:

I am HIGH for the animated shows.I want Kyoshi's story, Roku's story, Yang chen's story- or any story from the Avatar universe. I know TLOK wasn't as great as ATLA, but I am hopeful that the original creators will be more meticulous with the story this time. 

I truly hope Aaron Ehasz will be part of it, but I highly doubt it, because he's so busy with TDP (and he's found his place there!)

Thank you for coming to my TEDTalk. Production for the shows will start this year! 

What are your thoughts on the Netflix show and the animated shows? Vote on this story if you want an entire series dedicated to the Cabbage Merchant!