Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Avatar Returns

Avatar: The Last Airbender is a television series created by Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko which premiered in 2005.  It consisted of three seasons, the last of which aired in 2008.  The show was widely acclaimed by critics and audiences, noteworthy for its art direction, soundtrack, humor, themes, characters, and cultural references.  The show was won five Annie Awards, a Genesis Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, a Peabody Award, and a Kids' Choice Award.  The finale of the show received 5.6 million views, and the show itself is regarded by many critics as the best animated series of all time.

LEGO has also previously released two sets based on the show, being the 3828 Air Temple and 3829 Fire Nation Ship. But the series has grown a lot since then. Having received a sequel series with The Legend of Korra, numerous comics, a resurgence in popularity among all ages, an upcoming live action series, and most recently the creation of Avatar Studios with the announcement of a new animated movie in the works!

In a recent interview, the Ideas team reportedly said that they're looking for the next "Minecraft," as in the next project which can become a long-term part of LEGO's product line. Though this project is only for a single set (just as the Minecraft one was) as the original creator of the Minecraft Cuusoo project, and one of the fan designers on the very first Minecraft set, I firmly believe that Avatar can be the next "Minecraft." Between the loyal and growing fanbase, the extensive universe to draw from, the values taught in the shows, and all that is yet to come with future projects, Avatar would be a perfect fit for the LEGO brand!

One hundred years have passed since the disappearance of the Avatar, and the beginning of the war.  But just when hope seems to be fading, two young siblings named Katara and Sokka of the Southern Water Tribe discover the new Avatar, and Airbender named Aang, frozen in ice.  But unbeknownst to them, the banished Fire Nation Prince Zuko is on the hunt for the Avatar to restore his honor.  Now Aang has been captured, and it's up to Katara and Sokka, with some help from Aang's flying bison Appa, to help him escape!

This project is a pretty special one to me.  As with many people, Avatar has been a huge influence on my life.  The lessons held within the episodes are incredibly important, and the come with fantastic character development and an amazing world as well!  Watching the show growing up did a lot in shaping me into the person I am today (thank you Uncle Iroh!).  So when I saw the series had been released on Netflix, and with a live action version coming as well, I was immediately overcome with the need to create this project.

This was my first project rendered to such high detail, so it took a lot of work to get ready.  I had a few of the minifigure designs left over from an old personal project, though I still updated them all to better represent the season one versions of the characters. Overall I'm incredibly happy and proud of how it turned out, and I hope you are too!

Be sure to watch my Instagram page for future updates and more LEGO Avatar goodness: https://www.instagram.com/ky_ebricks/

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