15 Best Anime Like Avatar: The Last Airbender

Though it’s been over a decade since the last episode of Avatar: The Last Airbender aired, fans are still hung up on how incredibly awesome this show was – so much so that they flocked to Netflix when it was added to the streaming site. And most fans have been searching, waiting for something like Avatar to come along ever since they finished the series.

Besides Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko’s Legend of Korra and Aaron Ehasz’s The Dragon Prince – what else is out there that might appeal to fans of Avatar: The Last Airbender? Well, after some research, these anime just might fit the bill.

Updated on February 20th, 2022 by Amanda Bruce: When Avatar: The Last Airbender returned to Netflix, a whole new generation of fans got to fall in love with Avatar as long-time fans rediscovered the series and started searching for follow-up shows all over again. While Avatar isn’t a traditional anime since it isn’t produced in Japan, it does feature influence from several Asian countries in the different factions in the series. Plenty of the themes present in Avatar can be found in a lot of different anime as well.

Naruto (2002)

• Available to stream on Crunchy Roll

There are few anime or manga fans who haven’t heard of Naruto and its sequel series, Naruto: Shippuden and Boruto: Naruto Next Generations. With the manga beginning its publication in the 1990s, fans grew up right alongside the characters. While it doesn’t have the epic journey across the world that Avatar has, it does have a group of very different kids coming together to save the world.

While Avatar might have benders, Naruto has shinobi, who have elemental (or nature type) affiliations of their own and power passed down along blood lines. The new generation bears the responsibility of being better than the one before it, just as those who save the world do in Avatar. The anime isn’t exactly like Avatar, but the heroics are very similar.

RWBY (2012)

• Available to stream on Rooster Teeth

RWBY isn’t a traditional anime as it’s produced in the United States of America instead of in Japan. It does, however, use a lot of the elements fantasy anime is known for, including a trek across the known world by the band of heroes, just like in Avatar.

The teams in RWBY are born out of school assignments instead of necessity, but like Avatar, the group of teenagers is tasked with stopping someone who wants to use their power to ruin the world. Taking inspiration from fairy tales, the audience will find a lot of things familiar about the story, but with new twists on characters and happy endings. The series deals with grief, the burden of responsibility, and fear in a lot of the same ways that Avatar does.

Noragami (2014)

• Available to stream on Hulu

If fans enjoyed the fun filler episodes of Avatar, then perhaps they’d be interested in a more laid-back adventure-type anime where these side quests are kind of the only path towards achieving the protagonist’s goal. In Noragami, the audience follows a stray god Yato who strives to gain worshipers by taking all kinds of odd jobs, all the while fighting phantoms with his new weapon – regalia in form of a deceased teenage boy named Yukine, and a high school girl Hiyori. So, fans can expect a good deal of awesome super-powered fight scenes.

But, the biggest selling point of Noragami is its focus on Japanese culture and religion. If fans liked the Asian influences in Avatar and have an interest in Japanese culture, they should give this series a shot.

Moributo: Guardian Of The Spirit (2007)

• Available to stream on HiDive

Moribito poses an interesting moral dilemma – is it justifiable to take the life of a mere child if by doing so one can save a whole nation from a cataclysmic drought and widespread famine? See the child in question is a Prince who is the guardian of the water spirit, thought to be a demon by his father, the Emperor, who ends up ordering his assassination. Thankfully, the Prince’s mother is more charitable and requests a warrior named Balsa to take her son and keep him safe.

As fans have probably already gathered, Moribito isn’t the type of adventure that leads heroes down a fun path. However, because of the fantasy elements, the historical setting, and the themes it explores, Moribito might just be the anime for an Avatar fan.

D.Gray-Man (2006)

• Available to stream on Hulu

If an Avatar fan is in the mood for some action/adventure with demons and exorcists (all with stylish Gothic flair), then perhaps D.Gray-man is the anime for you. This anime follows Allen Walker, an Exorcist whose job is to foil the evil, world-ending plans of the Millennium Earl. Luckily, Allen isn’t alone on his quest. Accompanying him are the laid-back Lavi, the stoic Kanda, and the caring Lenalee.

One of the main themes of the anime is tragedy and, more specifically, the loss of a loved one, which fans of Avatar might find interesting. To make things more interesting (painful), the Millennium Earl can revive the dead by turning them into demons. It’s not all death and despair, though. D.Gray-man has a healthy dose of humor and lots of action to balance it out. The heroes are complex and flawed people and it’s easy to get invested in their stories.

Yu Yu Hakusho (1992)

• Available to stream on Tubi

In Yu Yu Hakusho, the protagonist Yuusuke is thrust into the world of spirits and demons when he dies saving the life of a young boy. The spirits offer him the chance to become a Spirit Detective and defend the Earth from evil presences. Starting off as a lighthearted adventure, Yu Yu Hakusho gradually grows up into a mature story with a lot of depth.

With the ever-escalating nature of shounen anime, Yu Yu Hakusho is at its core a battle anime. However, there are plenty of character-driven episodes that give us insights into the character’s personalities and the relationships they form. The charming ensemble cast of fully developed, likable, and relatable characters who grow through their experiences is a staple of Avatar, and can also be found in Yu Yu Hakusho.

Gurren Lagann (2007)

• Available to stream on Netflix

If fans are up for an everything-goes type of story with a ridiculous and over-the-top plot, look no further than Tengen Topp Gurren Lagann. While Gurren Lagann’s world isn’t nearly as well explained and developed as the world of Avatar, that doesn’t mean it’s any less fascinating. It has giant robots, too.

In fact, for a show where characters travel through space and time using emotional connection and the power of fighting spirit, it’s probably better that it doesn’t even try to explain the inner workings. If the audience is willing to suspend their disbelief, they should enjoy Gurren Lagann. It’s easy to get invested in the lives of the characters, who are well written, and whose development – especially the protagonist Simon – is nothing short of inspiring. Though it’s mostly upbeat, it deals with mature themes like death, which plays a pivotal role in the story.

Magi: The Labyrinth Of Magic (2012)

• Available to stream on Crunchy Roll

While bending isn’t magic per se, it does operate similarly to other magical systems. And if the audience members happen to be a fan of magical systems and magic-like powers, perhaps Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic is worth checking out. Following the adventures of Aladdin, Alibaba, and Morgiana, this anime is largely based on the stories from 1001 Arabian Nights.

Hungry for adventure and eager to see the world, the heroes travel in search of dungeons and come into contact with diverse cultures and characters along the way. The anime also deals with some of the themes present in Avatar, like friendship and familial bonds.

Hunter X Hunter (2011)

• Available to stream on Netflix

If fans are looking for a show with a young plucky protagonist who embarks on an adventure with a group of friends in order to become stronger and fulfill his destiny/dreams, then Hunter x Hunter might just be the right fit.

The show follows twelve-year-old Gon who’s on his way to becoming a Hunter. Hunters are basically the fiercest people on the face of the Earth who perform all kinds of dangerous tasks. Gon has to constantly learn and improve in order to face his usually more powerful opponents. The show is as much about the grand adventure as it is about the little detours and connections the characters make along the way. The characters are well fleshed out and all have some unique ability, so it’s easy to get invested in their stories. It’s very much like Avatar‘s blend of kids-show feel and mature themes. The characters might have to save the day, but they also get to play dodgeball.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009)

• Available to stream on Hulu

When it comes to finding anime like Avatar: The Last Airbender to check all the right boxes, there’s really only one correct answer: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. A thematically rich story with a flawlessly executed plot, check. Fully realized, relatable characters who develop throughout the story, check. A balanced mix of comedy and action, check. Surprisingly mature and philosophically deep, check. Awesome fight scenes with superpowers, check.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood follows two brothers on a journey to get their old bodies back after a failed attempt at human transmutation cost Ed his arm and leg, and Al his entire body. On their journey, they gain allies, make friends, and leave a permanent mark on the lives of others. At times heartrending, at times heartwarming, Brotherhood will give you all the feels.

The Seven Deadly Sins (2014)

• Available to stream on Netflix

This series isn’t quite as grim as other works of fiction that deal with the seven deadly sins, though it does have plenty of wild action scenes and cool magical powers. It’s set in a fantasy version of the British Isles, and demons, giants, fairies, and more are commonplace.

The hero is Meliodas, the leader of an elite squad of heroes known, oddly enough, as the seven deadly sins. Together, they will bravely take on any threat to the peaceful kingdom of Liones.

Fairy Tail (2009)

• Available to stream on Tubi

In some ways, this series may feel similar to The Seven Deadly Sins, since it’s set in a pre-industrial, pseudo-European setting where magic is the name of the game. Wizards form guilds together, and Fairy Tail is the most powerful guild in the land.

Fans of Avatar will greatly enjoy the elemental magic used in this series, from fire and lightning to water, earth manipulation, and wind. And, of course, there are some cool dragons who really steal the show.

Fire Force (2019)

• Available to stream on Hulu

Here’s one for all fans of firebending. In this story, a great cataclysm destroyed the entire world in raging flames, and humanity eventually rebuilt itself. But this time, people can harness the magical power of fire, and they use it to destroy the demons who are born from spontaneous combustion.

The hero is Shinra Kusakabe, a fire soldier who can propel himself with jets of flame to deliver powerful kicks. He and the other fire soldiers face a monumental threat: a shadowy cult that is determined to have the world burn down once again. Everything is at stake.

That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime (2018)

• Available to stream on Crunchy Roll

This is an isekai anime, and although it might get overshadowed by the genre’s staples, it’s still a fun watch. An ordinary businessman gets reborn as a blob of blue jelly with magical powers, and he resolves to use his new life to create a better world for all.

His name is Rimuru Tempest, and he launches an ambitious program to bring the feuding races of this fantasy world together and create a kingdom of equality and peace. It’s like Civilization, but in isekai, and there are plenty of cool fight scenes, too.

Demon Slayer (2019)

• Available to stream on Crunchy Roll

Most anime fans have heard of this one, even if they haven’t watched it. This anime isn’t isekai; instead, it’s set in early modern Japan, where demons haunt the night and special swordsmen, the demon slayers, hunt them across the land.

All kinds of cool magical powers and sword fights are packed into this series, and its rustic Japanese setting is sure to appeal to dedicated Avatar: the Last Airbender fans. It’s a real treat to watch, especially since the combat scenes are so carefully animated.

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