<P> Avatar : The Last Airbender ( Avatar : The Legend of Aang in some regions ) is an American animated television series that aired for three seasons on Nickelodeon . The series began in February 2005 and concluded with a two - hour episode titled Sozin 's Comet in July 2008 . Avatar : The Last Airbender is set in an Asiatic - like world in which some people can manipulate the classical elements with psychokinetic variants of the Chinese martial arts known as `` bending '' . The series is presented in a style that combines anime with American cartoons and relies on the imagery of East - and - South Asian , Inuit , and New World societies . It follows the protagonist , twelve - year - old Aang and his friends , who must bring peace and unity to the world by ending the Fire Lord 's war with three nations . </P>
when did avatar the last airbender first air
February 2005