Here's some intriguing news for any LGBTQ+ members of Team Avatar: rumor has it, Netflix's live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender series will reportedly feature multiple—yes, multiple—queer characters!
According to a source reported by the We Got This Covered blog, the highly-anticipated, live-action adaptation of Nickelodeon's beloved, critically-acclaimed, Asian-inspired fantasy series, which is currently in the works, is set to feature and introduce multiple original LGBTQ+ characters.
For those who haven't seen it (you're seriously missing out), Avatar: The Last Airbender originally ran from 2005-2008 on Nickelodeon and takes place in a fictional world where "benders" have the ability to control elements (either Earth, Fire, Water, or Air). The show follows Aang, the Avatar (a special bender with the ability to control all four elements) as he and his friends Katara, Sokka, and Toph try to defeat the militarized nation of Firebenders from taking over the entire world.
The success of the show inspired a sequel series, The Legend of Korra, which introduced queerness into the Avatar universe during the series finale when lead character Avatar Korra and her friend Asami became a thing.
Although there was explicit queerness in TLOK, critics rightfully pointed out that Korra and Asami's romantic relationship felt extremely rushed and tacked-on, instead of nuanced and well-developed, because it was literally shown in the very last minute of the entire series. (TLOK ran from 2012-2014 for four seasons, with a total of 52 episodes.)
But the rumor of a live-action Avatar series including LGBTQ+ characters is an exciting one, and definitely a chance for the series' creators to do right for their loyal, queer fanbase. (I'm already freaking out internally at the thought of seeing the gays in the Avatar world!!)
Because We Got This Covered's source is unnamed, we, unfortunately, have to take this reported news with a grain of salt...but still, we'll be optimistic about things and look on the bright (and gay) side!
Avatar: The Last Airbender is now streaming on Netflix.
