Avatar: The Last Airbender turned 20 this year, and Nickelodeon wasn’t about to let that milestone pass without a full-blown elemental extravaganza. At San Diego Comic-Con 2025, nearly 5,000 superfans packed Ballroom 20 to honor the groundbreaking animated series that reshaped the future of children’s television, animation, and pop culture itself. From surprise cast reunions and live table reads to emotional tributes and sneak peeks into the Avatarverse’s expanding legacy, this anniversary panel was nothing short of historic.
Moderated by The Legend of Korra’s Janet Varney (voice of Korra), the celebration honored the beloved franchise’s two-decade journey from humble beginnings to global phenomenon with enough nostalgia, sneak peeks, and surprise appearances to leave fans breathless.
A Love Letter to the Fandom
The panel opened with a rousing tribute video that traced Avatar’s rise from a Comic-Con pilot screening in 2004 to a global cultural force. The montage, set to Jeremy Zuckerman’s hauntingly beautiful score, was a sentimental gut punch, revisiting the franchise’s most iconic moments: Aang discovering he’s the last Airbender, Zuko’s redemption arc, Azula’s tragic unraveling, and the long-awaited arrival of Avatar Korra.
Voice actor Mae Whitman, who brought Katara to life, sent in a heartfelt video message that visibly moved the room. In it, she thanked fans for their unwavering support, reflected on growing up with the series, and expressed excitement to someday share it with her own child. “It’s not just a show. It’s a guide, a family, a philosophy, and being Katara was one of the deepest honors of my life,” she said.
The Gang’s All Here: Iconic Voice Cast Reunites
The energy in the room went nuclear when the original voice cast walked onstage. Zach Tyler Eisen (Aang), Jack De Sena (Sokka), Michaela Jill Murphy (Toph), Jennie Kwan (Suki), Dante Basco (Zuko), and the multi-voiced Dee Bradley Baker (Appa and every animal in the Four Nations) were greeted with a standing ovation. They were joined by series creators Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino, and composer Jeremy Zuckerman, whose work has become the emotional soul of the series.
Together, the panelists revisited the show’s impact, their favorite character arcs, and how the Avatar legacy continues to shape animation today. “We had no idea we were making history,” said DiMartino. “We just knew we wanted to tell a story about balance, humanity, and hope.”
First Look: Avatar: Seven Havens and the Future of the Avatarverse
Then came the moment that launched a thousand Tweets. Nickelodeon and Avatar Studios dropped the first-ever visuals from Avatar: Seven Havens, a brand-new 2D-animated series set to explore the journey of a young Earthbender who discovers she’s the next Avatar. Fans got a taste of the stunning new art style and a glimpse at the show’s spiritual tone, which many are already calling a return to the roots of the original series.
In addition, new commemorative 20th anniversary artwork was unveiled, blending classic Avatar iconography with fresh, stylized design that nods to the evolution of the franchise.
Nickelodeon officially announced that The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender, the highly anticipated new animated feature from Avatar Studios, will premiere October 9, 2026.
Emotional Table Reads and the “Secret Tunnel” Sing-Along Heard Around the Con
In what fans called a “religious experience,” the original cast performed live table reads of three classic episodes: The Serpent’s Pass / Appa’s Lost Days, The Western Air Temple, and the climactic Sozin’s Comet, Part 4: Avatar Aang. Voices of long-silent characters filled the ballroom, drawing gasps and tears from longtime fans who grew up on the series.
But perhaps the most raucous moment of the night came during the closing number. Jeremy Zuckerman led a rousing sing-along of the cult-favorite “Secret Tunnel” song, accompanied by a video montage of the original scene, fan tributes, and fresh animated visuals. Ballroom 20 transformed into a euphoric echo chamber as nearly 5,000 fans belted out the lyrics to the most iconic comedic moment in the Avatar canon.
The Party Doesn’t Stop: Nickelodeon Booth Goes Full Avatar
The celebration didn’t end at the panel. Nickelodeon’s sprawling 1,800-square-foot booth (#4113) on the convention floor has become a temple for Avatar superfans this weekend. Featuring immersive installations themed around all four elements: Water, Earth, Fire, and Air, the booth offers everything from bending-themed photo ops to interactive challenges, cosplay showcases, and never-before-seen merchandise.
For fans unable to score a panel seat, Nickelodeon is also hosting outdoor Avatar-themed activations and meetups throughout the weekend.
A Global Legacy, 20 Years Strong
Since its debut in 2005, Avatar: The Last Airbender has defied all expectations. The show’s original three-season run (61 episodes from February 2005 to July 2008) earned prestigious honors including a Peabody Award, a Primetime Emmy, multiple Annie Awards, and a Genesis Award. It’s become not just a television staple, but a multi-generational franchise.
The series has inspired a bestselling collection of graphic novels (with nearly 3 million copies sold), a young adult novel series that has spent over 25 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, and global fan events including the Avatar: The Last Airbender In Concert 100-city world tour, featuring a live orchestra performing Zuckerman’s iconic score.
Nickelodeon’s ambitious future for the Avatarverse with Seven Havens, the 2026 feature film, and beyond signals a clear message: This is just the beginning.
As Janet Varney perfectly summed up in her closing remarks, “Whether you grew up with Aang, Korra, or are just discovering the Avatar world, this family is forever. And the next chapter is already being written.”
