Has it really been 20 years since Avatar: The Last Airbender first premiered on Nickelodeon? Well, according to that very Nickelodeon, it really has. 20 years have passed since showrunners Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko brought the Gaang to life on February 21, 2005. And in all those 20 years, that 61-episode-long animated series has only grown in popularity with each passing year.
Fortunately, Nickelodeon remembers that quite well, and just in time for San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC). They’re proud to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Avatar: The Last Airbender at SDCC 2025. Seriously, they really pulled out all the stops for this celebration.
The full list of events they had going on at their booth (#4113)
- A curtain-raising tribute video honoring 20 years of Avatar fandom, spotlighting iconic moments from the series and tracing its journey from the Comic-Con pilot debut to the show’s rise as a cultural phenomenon.
- Mae Whitman (voice of Katara) shared a heartfelt video expressing her deep gratitude for being part of Avatar: The Last Airbender‘s 20th anniversary, reflecting on growing up with the show and her excitement to one day share it with her own child.
- A reunion of the original voice cast of Avatar: The Last Airbender–Zach Tyler Eisen (Aang), Jack De Sena (Sokka), Michaela Jill Murphy (Toph), Jennie Kwan (Suki), Dante Basco (Zuko), and Dee Bradley Baker (Appa), joined by series composer Jeremy Zuckerman and creators Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino–who gathered together for a deep dive into the 20-year legacy surrounding the beloved franchise.
- A first look at brand-new artwork from Avatar: Seven Havens, the upcoming 2D-animated series from Avatar Studios, which follows a young Earthbender who discovers she is the next Avatar. Brand-new 20th anniversary art was revealed as well.
- Live table reads from three of Varney’s favorite Avatar episodes: “The Serpent’s Pass / Appa’s Lost Days,” “The Western Air Temple” and “Sozin’s Comet, Part 4: Avatar Aang” with the original cast and creators bringing favorite scenes to life once again.
- A show-stopping “Secret Tunnel” sing-along, led by series composer Jeremy Zuckerman and backed by a video montage featuring scenes from various Avatar episodes and animated visuals, turning Ballroom 20 into a harmony-filled homage to the legendary tune.
Nickeleon Celebrating 20 Years of the Gaang at SDCC 2025
Honestly, this entire event bodes very well for the Avatar: The Last Airbender franchise. It shows that even 20 years later, the fans are still wildly passionate about the world of the four elements. Heck, we even got a sneak peek at a new Avatar series in the works. All is definitely well for the Gaang and their adventures. Let’s hope we have even more in the years to come.
What did you think of Nickelodeon’s booth at SDCC 2025 if you were there? Mayhaps that might make you attend the next SDCC? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section below.
That Hashtag Show
