Highlights From The 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' 20th Anniversary Panel At NYCC 2025
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2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the beloved Avatar: The Last Airbender Nickelodeon series. At New York Comic Con, they had a special 20th anniversary panel where they treated fans to a fun Q&A, reminiscing, and a table read of some scenes from each of the books, accompanied by pictures drawn by Brian Konietzko himself.
The panel was moderated by the voice of Korra herself, Janet Varney. Brian Konietzko, one of the creators of the show, was on the panel. Zach Tyler Eisen (Aang), Michaela Jill Murphy (Toph), Mae Whitman (Katara), Dante Basco (Zuko), and Jack De Sena (Sokka) were a part of the panel as well. Jennie Kwan (Suki) couldn’t make it, so when it came to the table read scenes with Suki in them, they had a fan, Cynthia, from the audience, who was cosplaying as Suki, come up and read for her.
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Zach and Michaela talked about how they were so young when they starred in the show and what it’s been like essentially growing up at the same ages as the fans were when they watched it till now. They also mentioned how it’s been such a big part of their life and how the lessons in the show have helped shape their lives. Zach especially said that he appreciates hearing that his soul and heart are so like Aang’s because he has really tried to model his life after Aang and the principles in Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Dante talked about how the re-watch podcast that he did in 2020 impacted him and the fans, and how he loved seeing the show come back and gain new fans. Brian discussed some stories from past New York Comic Cons (and San Diego Comic Con), including when the show was announced, and various panels through the years. Brian also talked some about the early history of how Avatar: The Last Airbender came to be, and how his early sketching and drawing helped to bring the first images of the show to life. Brian also added that even though the characters are obviously important, it was the world that he wanted to explore, and that to him, the world is a character.
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The cast also discussed how impactful their characters were for people and for the world, especially that of kids’ animation, and how they are still breaking barriers today with being so deep, unique, and real. They also talked about their favorite episodes, moments, and characters from the show.
The illustrations that Brian did to accompany the three table read scenes were wonderful sketches of the characters, many very reminiscent of the scenes in the show, and some unique and with their own flair. They definitely enhanced the experience and made it even more fun. The episodes that they read from were: “The Serpent’s Pass / Appa’s Lost Days,” “The Western Air Temple,” and “Sozin's Comet, Part 4: Avatar Aang.”
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It was such a fun panel, reminiscing and having fun with fans of the show. There were lots of laughs and several moments of sadness when the cast, and especially Dante, did a tribute in memory of Mako, the original voice of Uncle Iroh. Dante talked about how Mako inspired him to help other Asian American actors and how to give back and follow the principles that both Mako and Uncle Iroh had.
In January 2021, Avatar Studios was launched so that everything could be under one umbrella to oversee instead of just doing deals all over. And because of this, they’ve been able to expand quite a bit as a franchise. The panel ended with talking about what came after Avatar: The Last Airbender, including Legend of Korra, a movie, live-action show, merch, comics, books, and more. And they announced what is upcoming (and some that just released) and added to some announcements that were already made this year.
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Some of the announcements included a cookbook, The Official Baking Book, Magic the Gathering cards (coming in November), and new books and comics including: Bending Academy: Fire #1, Beasts of the Four Nations, City of Echoes and The Awakening of Roku. There is also an exciting new video game from Gameplay Group International Inc.’s brand-new “Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game” (working title). It’s a 1v1 fighter game featuring hand-drawn 2D animation and will be released summer 2026.
There is also more cute merchandise releasing and we got the first look at a new series with Chibi 2-D animation shorts that will be on Nickelodeon’s Avatar: The Last Airbender YouTube channel. There is also an Avatar: The Last Airbender In Concert production with a live orchestra that is currently touring.
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They showed the logo for The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender animated movie coming out on October 9, 2026 but sadly couldn’t show any clips. They also showed the still from the new 2-D animated series coming, Avatar: Seven Havens.
New York Comic Con also had a Nickelodeon booth that was Avatar: The Last Airbender theme where fans could walk through scenes from the different elements, including a tunnel in which the famous “Secret Tunnel” song played, and could do interactive QR codes, get their picture taken with special backgrounds and a giant Appa statue, and get a free take home.
It was truly a unique and fantastic experience that was so nice of the Avatar: The Last Airbender creatives to give to fans. Avatar: The Last Airbender released February of 2005 and ran through July of 2008 and has continued to be one of the most popular and beloved animated shows of all time.
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Additional Source: Press Release From Avatar Studios
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