In a recent debate that arose on social media, Japanese netizens discussed the reasons why “Avatar: The Last Airbender”the popular animated series created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, has not reached the same level of popularity in Japan as it has in the West. Despite its visual style being heavily influenced by Japanese anime, the series has failed to resonate with Japanese audiences in the same way it has with Western audiences.
The comment that sparked the discussion wrote: «It's funny how people in the West wonder why 'Avatar' isn't as popular in Japan, even though it has a style that seems inspired by Japanese anime. The truth is, for many of us, it doesn't feel like an authentic anime series.».

“Avatar: The Last Airbender” first aired on Nickelodeon in 2005 and quickly became a cultural phenomenon in the United States and other countries. The series, set in a fictional world where some people can control all four elements (water, earth, fire and air), follows the adventures of Aang, the last airbender, who must restore balance to the world by defeating the Fire Lord and ending a centuries-old war.
Spanning three seasons, “Avatar: The Last Airbender” was hailed for its mature storytelling, complex character development and stunning animation, which combined elements of Japanese anime with Western influences. The series spawned a sequel titled “The Legend of Korra” in 2012, which continued to expand the universe and attract a new generation of fans.
Cultural differences in character design
One of the main topics of discussion was the difference in perception of character designs between the West and Japan. In Japan, anime character design tends to focus on more subtle facial expressions, while in “Avatar,” facial expressions and features, especially the treatment of the nose, can appear more exaggerated and less appealing to Japanese people. One user commented: “The way 'Avatar' draws noses is very different from what we're used to in Japanese anime, where the nose is often depicted more subtly or almost non-existent.».
Another user added: «The problem with 'Avatar' is that while the visual style seems anime-inspired, the facial expressions and character designs don't feel entirely natural to the Japanese. Asymmetrical faces and exaggerated expressions are used more for minor villains in Japanese anime, while in 'Avatar' they are common to all characters.».

In addition to the differences in character design, some netizens pointed out that “Avatar’s” narrative approach may have also played a role in its lack of popularity in Japan. While the series has a well-structured story, many feel that the mix of Western and Eastern cultural influences may have been confusing or unappealing to Japanese audiences, who are already accustomed to a wide variety of high-quality domestic content.
One user commented: «The story of 'Avatar' is good, but it is perhaps too 'westernized'. We Japanese are used to consuming anime content that has a very different sensibility, and 'Avatar' fails to fully capture that.».
On the other hand, some mentioned that, Like other Western anime-influenced productions such as “RWBY” or “Castlevania,” the “Avatar” series may have attempted to approach Japanese anime.but there is still something essential missing for it to be seen as an authentic anime in Japan.
Fountain: Hachima Kikou