This week marks a significant milestone: the! 20th anniversary of Nickelodeon’s acclaimed action-fantasy anime, Avatar: The Last Airbender. To commemorate this occasion, a new show, Seven Havens, has been announced. This 2D series, boasting a two-season greenlight, is set to involve franchise co-creators Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. Much like its predecessors, Havens will follow the journey of another young Avatar, this time a young Earthbender, as they navigate the challenges of their newfound role, particularly in the aftermath of a cataclysmic event involving their predecessor, Korra, which has led to widespread mistrust of the Avatar title.

For several years, it has been clear that Paramount is keen to sustain Avatar as a thriving multimedia franchise. Although the series never truly disbanded, the gap between installments was considerable. Alongside Netflix’s separate, ongoing live-action remake, numerous comics, graphic novels, and video games have explored the narratives of Aang, Korra, and their companions. Moreover, a range of YA books has delved into the stories of prominent Avatars from the past, including Kyoshi and Yangchen.

Seven Havens carries substantial weight as one of the franchise’s inaugural projects to emerge from Avatar Studios. Upon its release, along with the Aang-focused animated movie—the first of a trilogy—it will be intriguing to observe whether Avatar can withstand the intense, franchise-dominated landscape of contemporary pop culture.

When the original Last Airbender series premiered on February 21, 2005, it marked a significant departure from the typical Western TV programming, and especially Nick’s primarily comedic lineup. The show’s distinctive anime art style and emphasis on action and storytelling quickly captivated its audience, many of whom were young at the time. The show became an integral part of their identities, fostering a strong sense of loyalty and protectiveness toward the franchise. This devotion has sometimes manifested as bitterness, as seen in the reaction to the live-action movie and the initial skepticism surrounding the Netflix adaptation.

The original Avatar series benefited from being the sole iteration of the franchise at the time of its release. After its conclusion, Paramount continued to expand the franchise, largely in response to fan demand and viewer numbers. However, this reactive approach has sometimes led to inconsistent storytelling and a sense of disjointedness. The Legend of Korra, for instance, faced significant criticism, particularly in its first two seasons, which were initially conceived as a two-season miniseries. While the final two seasons demonstrated improvement and built upon earlier events in compelling ways, the first half of the series can be frustrating to watch due to the limited narrative scope afforded to DiMartino and Konietzko.

Since Korra‘s conclusion in 2014, the entertainment landscape has undergone considerable changes. Franchises have become an increasingly valuable currency in Hollywood, yet studios have often struggled to navigate their own complexities, hindering the franchises’ potential. The transition of movies to TV has yielded mixed results, and not all franchise shows are created equal. Some are not developed as genuine TV series, while others are not given sufficient time to find their footing. The Korra series, despite its flaws, was allowed to grow and evolve over time; in the current climate, where negative reactions can quickly overwhelm a project, it is uncertain whether it would have been afforded the same opportunity.

The Avatar franchise must contend with the pressures of producing consistent content, the risk of being overwhelmed by negative feedback, and the potential for being discarded if any project fails to meet expectations. The original Avatar series was fortunate to have been the first and sole iteration of the franchise, allowing it to exist within its own context. If DiMartino and Konietzko have additional stories to tell within this universe, they should be granted the space to do so with a team that is equally passionate and dedicated to the material. However, if the series is being revived solely to showcase Paramount’s possession of the franchise, it could ultimately harm Avatar‘s legacy more than any live-action adaptation.

For more io9 news, check out the upcoming release dates for Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek. Also, find out what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and get all the information you need about the future of Doctor Who.