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[avatar-news]

After exactly ten years on this journey, it's time to say goodbye to Avatar News

Over the course of a decade from September 6th, 2013 to September 6th, 2023, Avatar News has gone from a little blog for keeping up with The Legend of Korra when it was airing, to a blessing that has changed my life, and, I hope, been a positive factor in the lives of the countless people who have crossed paths with it in the end.

From the smallest moments of connection in our Avatar News community that made my day, to the biggest exclusives that put me on the map, thank you for coming on this journey with me, whether you were a supporter or a hater, whether you were a casual fan or in the highest ranks of the cast and crew itself-- we all experienced this together.

A new chapter begins, and I have to leave Avatar News behind. Call it destiny, but I feel like it was meant to be that this came with the ten-year anniversary-- a finish line I never could have imagined on that day a decade ago.

And like the cycle of the seasons, the cycle of the Avatar began anew....

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Exclusive: Netflix's live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender is coming in February 2024

It's been a while since an Avatar News exclusive eh? While I do have this date confirmed, I personally think it's possible it will change depending on how the strikes continue to play out.

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The Avatar’s Fury tattoos!

About a year-and-a-half ago, I did an overpainting/edit of Alexandre Cabanel’s famous 1847 painting The Fallen Angel on a whim, transforming the subject into Aang.

It went a bit viral and to my surprise people started getting it as a tattoo, which is definitely one of the coolest, most mindblowing things to have come out of running Avatar News for almost ten years now.

Left to right, top to bottom:

Tattoo by visualamor on ldrethegiant

Tattoo by abi.kishibe.tattoos on pimbozosh

Tattoo by kahunatattoo on m4urovitor

Tattoo by serektattoo on bymron

Tattoo by rothiertattoo on leodecavalcante

Tattoo by madpeachart on xdekuu_

Tattoo by tatto_olga on kris_adonay

Tattoo by bettinastattoo on ddany.acosta

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Jayden Zhang (live-action airbender, young Shang-Chi) wins bronze medal for Canada at the World Kungfu Championships!

You read that right, the Avatar cast continues to find new ways to be ELITE.

Jayden Zhang, who will play an airbender in the 2024 live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender series and plays young Shang-Chi in the MCU, has just won a bronze medal for Canada at the World Kungfu Championships in Emeishan, China!

The host city is known for a pretty cool mountaintop temple… Safe to say this kid is a real-life airbender! Way to go Jayden!

(The bald picture is from a Shang-Chi award win at the same time as when he was filming ATLA S1, flex…)

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The soundtrack of live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 1 is now being recorded, in Vienna, Austria.

The live-action soundtrack is composed by Takeshi Furukawa (who shared the above images from the recording process), orchestrated by Saki Furuya, conducted by Bernhard Melbye Voss, performed by Synchron Stage Orchestra and Choir, adapting themes by Jeremy Zuckerman.

Here are composer Takeshi Furukawa and conductor Bernhard Voss at a recording session in Vienna:

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A new multiplayer mobile strategy game set in the world of Avatar, where players work together to defeat a "Barbarian Death Cult that worships an evil spirit set on dominating the world" is coming in 2024

As the title says, a new game has been announced! From Paramount (Avatar Studios' parent company), Tilting Point, and AN Games (no relation to Avatar News lol), a city-building multiplayer mobile game is coming in 2024.

Right now we don't know when the game is set, i.e. when this "Barbarbian Death Cult" is active. The press release (see below) does mention that players will "interact with beloved characters" so it has to be during some known Avatar's lifetime. The artwork provided to us above contains characters from both ATLA and TLOK with a Korra-era background, but I wouldn't read too much into it. Also I just have to say for posterity that the idea of the villains being "barbarians" feels a little off, but we'll have to wait and see!

It's possible that this is the "MMORPG" that was revealed to be planned last year-- it's likely that the "console RPG" in the same post turned out to be Quest for Balance, so it's possible both of those games have now been accounted for.

Check out the press release they sent us (bolding ours):

Tilting Point, one of the leading global publishers of free-to-play games, and real-time strategy game developer AN Games, under license from Paramount Consumer Products, are developing a multiplayer strategy mobile game focused on Nickelodeon’s Avatar: The Last Airbender franchise. Based on the renowned animated television series Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra, the strategic mobile game will have players explore the Avatar world, interact with beloved characters and work together with other players to defeat a Barbarian Death Cult that worships an evil spirit set on dominating the world. Launching in 2024, the game’s official title and additional details will be announced in the coming months. In this multiplayer strategy mobile game, players will take on the role of a leader tasked with building an army and community to restore balance in the Avatar world. Strategy is key as players will need to build cities, manage resources, construct and upgrade buildings, explore the world, and engage in tactical combat to become victorious. With a focus on city building, cooperative gameplay, and exploration, players will work together to expand territories, manage resources, and restore harmony to the Avatar world.

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ATLA soundtrack first single "Aang Becomes Ocean" out now!

"Aang Becomes Ocean", the first single from the re-recorded-with-an-orchestra ATLA Book 1: Water soundtrack, is out now! Full Book 1 soundtrack November 17th!

Apple Music

Spotify

YouTube

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Avatar Szeto to star in next Chronicles of the Avatar books?

(Art by Avatar News)

Avatar Szeto, the fire Avatar before Yangchen, Kuruk, Kyoshi, Roku, Aang, and Korra, could be the main character of the next Chronicles of the Avatar novels.

In a recent interview with Nerds of Color, Chronicles of the Avatar writer F. C. Yee said he doesn't know if he'll be writing more books after Kyoshi and Yangchen, but "if he had his choice of what Avatar to tackle next, he named Avatar Szeto as a possible candidate." 👀🔥

F. C. Yee introduced Avatar Szeto's backstory in the Kyoshi books, revealing that he was born in a time of crisis in the Fire Nation due to natural disasters, plagues, and clan conflict. Instead of using his divine position as Avatar to enforce his rule, he joined the Fire Nation government as an entry-level bureaucrat and worked his way up with no special privileges until he was an advisor to the Fire Lord-- that's why he has that vizier-like hat in the few glimpses of him we see in Aang and Korra's eras.

But as we all know, there's more to every Avatar than their legacy, and in the Yangchen books we learn that Szeto's life was secretly messy and "a library of intrigue in the realm of spycraft and trickery".

His name comes from the Chinese Han dynasty title 司徒 (Sītú) meaning "Minister over the Masses".

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Avatar: The Last Airbender—The Bounty Hunter and the Tea Brewer graphic novel featuring June and Iroh coming Summer 2024

Just announced at SDCC: A new graphic novel about June and Iroh, titled The Bounty Hunter and the Tea Brewer, is hitting shelves in Summer 2024!

The new Legend of Korra graphic novel trilogy, which was first announced at SDCC one year ago, and the first part of which was revealed to be focused on Mako at NYCC nine months ago, had no updates at this year's SDCC panel today. We also didn't find out about the next Chronicles of the Avatar novels after Kyoshi and Yangchen.

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Avatar at SDCC 2023

Here’s your rundown of the Avatar franchise’s presence at San Diego Comic-Con this year:

👉 [CANCELLED] Avatar: Braving the Elements—Live! on Thursday July 20th at 1pm!

The Braving the Elements panel this year has been ***cancelled*** last minute due to the SAG-AFTRA strike meaning that hosts Janet Varney (the voice of Korra) and Dante Basco (the voice of Zuko) aren’t attending SDCC.

This is the panel that Avatar Studios revealed their first animated movie, the adult Team Avatar one, at last year; we don’t know what would have been revealed, if anything, this year.

It’s possible the soundtrack that was just announced today completely out of the blue was supposed to be revealed at this panel.

👉 Water, Earth, Fire, Air: Continuing the Avatar Legacy on Saturday, July 22nd at 12:30pm!

This year’s publishing panel is still on. This is where we could get news on novels, comics, etc.

This is the panel that the Azula in the Spirit Temple solo graphic novel was announced at last year, as well as the new Korra comic trilogy/trio, the first of which is supposed to be focused on Mako. This SDCC, we’re hoping that Mako comic is fully revealed, as well as maybe preview pages for Azula, and an even longer shot would be finding out who the next ATLA and/or TLOK comics will be about (Azula/Mai/Ty Lee; Mako/Bolin/Asami??)

It’s also possible with The Legacy of Yangchen just having coming out this week that the next Chronicles of the Avatar novel will be announced, revealing which Avatar the next books will be about, but they haven’t previously had news at comic cons so it’s not a sure deal.

👉 Mattel ATLA collector set

Mattel is releasing an Avatar: The Last Airbender collector set on the Barbie movie’s release date this Friday!

It will be available at the Mattel Creations booth, check out more info here.

👉 The Legacy of Yangchen exclusive edition

An exclusive edition of The Legacy of Yangchen is available at booth 1216!

That’s it as far as I know. It’s a pretty low-key SDCC this year across the industry due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. For Avatar, keep an eye out for potential publishing news and don’t have any expectations beyond that.

[avatar-news]

The official Avatar: The Last Airbender soundtrack is finally being released this year on digital and vinyl!

After 15 long years, the much anticipated official ATLA soundtrack release is finally happening!

Check out the official announcement from Animation Magazine:

Nickelodeon and Republic Records: Kids & Family announced the long-awaited release of Avatar: The Last Airbender – Book 1: Water (Music from the Animated Series) on digital and vinyl. The album, featuring an updated and re-recorded score from the first season of the series, is now available to pre-order and will be released in November, with the first single, “Aang Becomes Ocean,” releasing on Friday, July 28. Emmy Award-winning composer and musician Jeremy Zuckerman, who composed the music for the award-winning animated Nickelodeon series, has expanded his original compositions and employed a full orchestra for Avatar: The Last Airbender – Book 1: Water (Music from the Animated Series). The original album artwork was created by Bryan Konietzko, co-creator and art director of Avatar: The Last Airbender and co-Chief Creative Officer of Avatar Studios. Nickelodeon’s Avatar: The Last Airbender is co-created by Konietzko and Michael DiMartino. The series ran for three seasons (61 episodes), from February 2005 to July 2008 and was honored with a Peabody Award and Primetime Emmy, along with multiple Annie Awards and Genesis Awards. Avatar: The Last Airbender follows the adventures of the main protagonist Aang and his friends, who must defeat Fire Lord Ozai and end the Hundred Year War to restore balance to the Four Nations. Pre-save Avatar: The Last Airbender – Book 1: Water (Music from the Animated Series) to Spotify or Apple Music here.

It's possible this was meant to be revealed at the Avatar panel at SDCC today, which was canceled due to the SAG-AFTRA strike.

[avatar-news]

Mattel is releasing an Avatar: The Last Airbender collector set on the Barbie movie's release date this Friday!

It will be available at the Mattel Creations booth at San Diego Comic-Con and on their website.

You can check out an unboxing and more details here.

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Avatar: The Last Airbender—QUEST FOR BALANCE video game official trailer!

Coming in 2023 to Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.

[avatar-news]

Simu Liu (Shang-Chi, Barbie) to reprise his role as Paul Sun-Hyung Lee’s son by playing Iroh’s son Lu Ten in live action?

Simu Liu (Marvel Studios’ Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Barbie) just potentially teased that he’s joining the world of Avatar on the side of the Fire Nation!

In a new Instagram story, he posted himself getting fitted for a bald cap or wig with the caption “And then the Fire Nation attacked”. Previously Daniel Dae Kim posted himself in the ATLA makeup chair when he was getting fitted for his Fire Lord Ozai wig.

Simu Liu previously played Paul Sun-Hyung Lee (live-action Iroh)’s son in Kim’s Convenience. Could this be a hint that he’s reprising that role in spirit by playing Iroh’s son Lu Ten?

It wouldn’t be the first family reunion in the live-action cast-- BOTH Joel Montgrand and Rainbow Dickerson (Sokka and Katara’s parents Hakoda and Kya) previously played Kiawentiio (Katara)’s parents in the movie Beans (2020).

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Avatar: The Last Airbender (2024) international titles in...

English, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Arabic, Croatian, Czech, Danish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, and Ukrainian.

Find the arrow!

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“Sharing tea with a fascinating stranger is one of life's true delights.”

Greg Baldwin (the voice of animated Iroh after the death of the original voice actor, Mako Iwamatsu) and Paul Sun-Hyung Lee (the new live-action Iroh)!

Fun fact, Dave Filoni worked with the original Iroh on ATLA Book One: Water back in 2005, and the new Iroh in The Mandalorian!

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ATLA Season 1 episode titles *IN CORRECT ORDER*

We now have the episode titles for Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 1 (2024) confirmed in the correct order!

If you missed yesterday's post, the episode titles were found on the WGA website, but not necessarily in order.

Today, Avatar News can exclusively confirm the correct order!

Only the middle two episodes, 4 and 5, were swapped in my guess in yesterday's post, so that's pretty good. :) Today’s post has the correct order: episode 4 is Into the Dark and episode 5 is Spirited Away. All the other ones were already in the correct spots!

Episode 1: The Last Airbender

Episode 2: Warriors

Episode 3: Omashu

Episode 4: Into the Dark

Episode 5: Spirited Away

Episode 6: Masks

Episode 7: The North

Episode 8: Legends