How Netflix Has Upgraded Avatar: The Last Airbender

Aang on Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005)

If you were a kid watching cartoons in the 2000s, there’s a good chance you either came across or faithfully watched Avatar: The Last Airbender. The anime-inspired show introduced viewers to a fantastical world filled with layered characters, compelling storylines, exciting action and of course, penguin sledding. With this, fans were excited when the show made its long-awaited return to Netflix. But now, the streamer has given fans yet another reason to relive Aang’s adventures.

Netflix recently confirmed via social media that Avatar: The Last Airbender is now available to watch in crystal clear high definition. In the tweet, the streamer also teased fans with the opportunity to see the show in a new light.

This isn’t the first time that fans will be able to view Avatar: The Last Airbender in the clarity of HD, as the series was previously released on Blu-ray in 2018 to mark the 10th anniversary of the show’s series finale. Despite this, many fans will surely be glad to know when they revisit the show on Netflix, it’ll look even better than they remember.

With Avatar available in HD on multiple platforms, the show now joins its sequel series -- The Legend of Korra – which is also available in that format. However, that show was produced in high definition and didn’t require an update.

HD remasters of animated series have become commonplace over the past few years, and Netflix isn’t the only streaming service to take advantage of them. DC Universe houses remastered episodes of Batman: The Animated Series and Batman Beyond, which have been generally well received by fans of the programs.

While some may not immediately see the value in restoring vintage cartoons, it’s something that’s greatly appreciate by fans. Not only do HD remasters provide viewers with an additional option for consuming their favorite shows (or movies), but they also allow the creatives behind them to better enhance elements that were previously limited due to technological constraints. And as a result, audiences are left with an improved experience that’s compatible with today’s technology and can be viewed for years to come.

Avatar: The Last Airbender, in particular, is a show that’s filled with vibrant colors and striking images that lend themselves to high definition. Whether it’s something subtle like Appa’s fur coat or the flames from Zuko’s firebending, there are plenty of ways that Avatar can benefit from being updated for HD.

Watching Avatar: The Last Airbender has always been an exciting experience, and this should only add to that. It also makes you wonder which episodes may be the best to revisit just for the sake of the remaster. But then again, it may just be best to rewatch the entire series.

In addition to Avatar: The Last Airbender, you can also stream other Nickelodeon shows on Netflix.

Erik Swann
Senior Content Producer

Erik Swann is a Senior Content Producer at CinemaBlend. He began working with the publication in 2020 when he was hired as Weekend Editor. Today, he continues to write, edit and handle social media responsibilities over the weekend. On weekdays, he also writes TV and movie-related news and helps out with editing and social media as needed. He graduated from the University of Maryland, where he received a degree in Broadcast Journalism. After shifting into multi-platform journalism, he started working as a freelance writer and editor before joining CB. Covers superheroes, sci-fi, comedy, and almost anything else in film and TV. He eats more pizza than the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.