When is Avatar The Last Airbender set?

Avatar: The Last Airbender is clearly a tale before our time, but when exactly is it set? Here’s what you need to know.

Earth, wind, fire, water – no, it’s not a ’70s disco group. It marks the four key foundations behind Avatar: The Last Airbender. You might know the story best from the original 2005 cartoon, but now it’s been revived thanks to streaming giant Netflix.

That doesn’t mean the adaptation has been without its challenges, coming under fire for implementing changes from the key narrative. You can read more about the biggest differences between the anime and live-action versions here.

Clearly, Aang’s story is one that takes place before our time, but when is Avatar: The Last Airbender actually set? Here’s everything you need to know.

When is Avatar The Last Airbender set?

Avatar: The Last Airbender is set in 99 AG – which means “after the genocide.”

As explored in the live-action version, the massacre refers to the wiping out of the Air Nomads – all except Aang, who escape while completely ignorant of what has happened. However, Netflix’s timeframe slightly contradicts the original, implying that the massacre took place much closer to Aang’s Avatar adventures.

But what does this mean for a real-life timeline? Over on Reddit, some fans have been trying to work out what the equivalent might be.

“Each Avatar lives about 80 years. We saw the world around the time of Ang. The level of technology felt like the 18th or 19th century. This was based on the level of sophistication of some of their technology and society. Looking at China around those centuries feels like they match up,” wrote one.

“Korra was about 80-100 years later. There are cars, trains, radios, and guns. The technology leads me to place an equivalent time would be around the dawn of the 19th century. This is based on the steam-punkish world she seems to inhabit.

“So here is the deal. The next Avatar (an earth bender, right?) would be in a world that takes place in the early 20th century. This would be like a WW2 era show. Now taking this one step further, the next Avatar (80-100 years later) would be a fire bender in our modern time. This picture would be that Avatar in that period.”

In our review, we said: “As intricate and whimsical as Avatar: The Last Airbender looks in live-action format – and as much as the representation delivers – the substance behind it just isn’t there.

“Fans of the original are likely to be raging on Reddit in a matter of minutes after this review drops, and we can’t blame them. But don’t panic too much – it’s definitely a step up from the movie.”

All eight episodes of Avatar: The Last Airbender are now available to stream on Netflix.