I Wasn’t Sure What To Expect From The Avatar: The Last Airbender 20th Anniversary Concert. Why I Loved The Experience

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Growing up in the 2000s, it’s been hitting me lately how many things I loved are turning 20 years old – and it’s a real reminder of how quickly time passes! One of those is Nickelodeon’s Avatar: The Last Airbender. The show, which you can now stream on Netflix, originally aired from early 2005 to mid-2008. I was the perfect age when it was on TV, and this weekend I got to relive the magic of watching it for the first time at the Avatar: The Last Airbender 20th Anniversary Concert.

I didn’t know quite what to expect when I went to the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday, but after experiencing this one-of-a-kind show, I want to share my thoughts and explain why I think other fans would love it too.

It Made Me Realize Just How Epic The Series’ Music Is

As a film and TV score enthusiast, I’m always paying attention to the music, but honestly, Avatar: The Last Airbender wasn’t the first show that sprang to mind when I thought about great soundtracks. If you’re like me and hadn’t really considered its music before, let me tell you about this concert experience. It’s really all about celebrating the show’s score, taking you on a nostalgic journey through each season. What struck me was the surprising depth and beauty of the music – it really goes places, and they even incorporate some really cool sounds from instruments like the pipa and zheng, which are traditional Chinese instruments.

During the performance, a live orchestra plays almost forty musical pieces from the show, synchronized with scenes from the series projected on screen. Sometimes you’ll see action-packed clips, and other times you’ll hear the music alongside the original voice actors’ recordings. Initially, the way the video clips jumped between different parts of the series felt a little strange, but as the show went on – it’s about two and a half hours long with a break – I became deeply touched by the experience. It struck me that I had never seen The Last Airbender on a large screen, and probably wouldn’t get another chance, and that this performance was a beautiful way to celebrate the show’s history.

I Was Reminded (Yet Again) About Prince Zuko’s Arc

I haven’t seen the original Avatar: The Last Airbender series in a few years. I recently watched the live-action adaptation on Netflix, and while I enjoyed it more than expected and it brought back some good memories, seeing this concert reminded me how truly amazing the original animated series is.

Rewatching the show in 2020 really hit me – it reminded me just how incredible Prince Zuko’s character arc is. So much of the music perfectly underscored his journey from a villain to a hero, and it’s just something I really love about the series.

Seeing Katara Growth Was Even More Satisfying Than I Remembered

While the show has many great characters beyond Prince Zuko, and the concert was very moving overall, I especially want to mention Katara. Watching the series, you see her waterbending skills – and her ability to bloodbend – develop gradually. But the concert showed that development much faster, and it was really impressive.

I completely forgot it was her who defeated Azula in the final episode. Watching her character develop really showed how the show grew from a lighthearted kids’ series into a more thoughtful story about self-discovery.

I Was Crying Thinking About How Important It Is To My Generation

Seeing this show with so many other Last Airbender fans was incredible. The Dolby Theatre was packed with around 3,000 people – many dressed in fan gear with their loved ones – to celebrate the series. It was especially meaningful to be among people my age, because it really highlighted how important this show is to those of us who grew up with it.

Honestly, experiencing this show felt incredibly special. It really hit me how much it’s been a constant in my life, something I’ve always shared with friends and people my age. Being in the audience, surrounded by costumes and enthusiastic fans, was amazing. And when someone shouted out a classic line – “That’s rough, buddy!” – it just made the whole night even better. It was a truly communal experience.

And, I Loved How It Highlighted Some Goofy Aspects Of The Series, Too

I could share a lot more details about the show, but I’ll end with this: the concert perfectly captured both the grand scale and the lighthearted fun of Avatar: The Last Airbender. The music highlighted the show’s big action sequences and adventurous journeys, but songs like “Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall” or “Secret Tunnel” reminded me of how genuinely funny and charming the series could be.

I was thrilled to be there! It inspired me to rewatch the original series and its amazing spin-off, The Legend of Korra, which I’m planning to do. It really deepened my appreciation for this show that I grew up with, and it felt like experiencing the most powerful moments of the series in a special way. It also made me even more excited for the upcoming Avatar movie, Legend of Aang, which is scheduled for release in 2026.

Find out if the Avatar: The Last Airbender concert is playing near you by visiting the Avatar In Concert website.

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2025-11-14 17:12