5 Must-Watch TV Shows for Fans of Avatar: Seven Havens

Just four years separated the finale of “Avatar: The Last Airbender” from the premiere of “The Legend of Korra.” By contrast, the wait for the franchise’s third series, “Avatar: Seven Havens,” has lasted three times as long—and it has finally come to an end. During that 12-year gap, American animation expanded dramatically, with many of the past decade’s biggest shows drawing inspiration from the two earlier “Avatar” series, whether openly or by influence.

Now “Seven Havens” is returning the favor, taking cues from the animated series that its predecessors helped inspire. If you’ve already raced through the opening episodes—or are reading this after the complete first season has arrived—you may be searching for another show with a similar feel. Fortunately, there are plenty of options.

From a beloved post-apocalyptic anime classic to modern fantasy adventures you may have missed, these series are ideal viewing for anyone drawn to the adventurous tone and genre-blending world of “Avatar: Seven Havens.”

Anyone who has watched ND Stevenson’s “She-Ra and the Princesses of Power” may have thought of it almost immediately while watching “Avatar: Seven Havens.” “She-Ra” clearly inherited “Avatar: The Last Airbender” and “The Legend of Korra’s” willingness to push the boundaries of animated storytelling, along with their affection for epic fantasy. At the same time, it established its own identity by giving science fiction equal weight. “Seven Havens” takes a comparable approach, mixing cyberpunk, solarpunk, and Infofuturist visuals with the spiritual fantasy foundation associated with the previous “Avatar” series.

If “She-Ra” is essentially a science-fiction epic presented as fantasy, “Seven Havens” is a futuristic fantasy adventure infused with science-fiction elements. Both series share bold abstract architecture, vivid colors, and highly stylized character designs. Their tones also overlap, balancing accessible adventure for younger viewers with ambitious worldbuilding and more serious dramatic stakes. Like “She-Ra,” “Seven Havens” is also notably queer—and that is very welcome.

Unfortunately, there is currently no official way to watch all of “She-Ra.” The licensing agreement between distributor Netflix and production company DreamWorks expired earlier this year. Only the early seasons received DVD or VOD releases, which means the series’ conclusion is unavailable for now. There is still hope that DreamWorks will restore the full show to circulation, as it eventually did with Netflix’s “Voltron” after that series faced a similar situation.

The setting of “Avatar: Seven Havens” bears little resemblance to the worlds of “Avatar: The Last Airbender” and “The Legend of Korra.” A kind of spiritual apocalypse has transformed much of the planet into dangerous regions known as “harshlands.” So far, the series has shown a landscape of desert wastelands and lethal superstorms—a hostile, almost alien environment that appears to be the story’s chief antagonist in its opening chapters. If that atmosphere is what has drawn you in, “Scavengers Reign” is an obvious recommendation.

In truth, “Scavengers Reign” is easy to recommend to almost anyone who enjoys ambitious science fiction, fantasy, or exceptional animation. The HBO Max series takes place on an alien planet filled with strange plants and creatures, where a group of survivors is stranded after a problem with their starship. As they explore separate parts of the world, each character searches for a route back home.

“Scavengers Reign” also displays a strong affection for 1970s science-fiction aesthetics, an influence that can likewise be felt in “Seven Havens.” However, the comparison has an important caveat: while the “Avatar” shows are suitable for children and adults alike, “Scavengers Reign” is firmly aimed at adults. Its psychedelic imagery and storylines can become disturbing, so it is not necessarily the right choice for family viewing.

For viewers seeking an animated fantasy series aimed at a comparable age range, “The Owl House” is an excellent choice. Created by “Gravity Falls” alum Dana Terrace for Disney Channel, the show follows 14-year-old Luz Noceda after a magical portal carries her into a realm ruled by witches and ancient magic. Luz is somewhat older than Pavi (Saheli Khan) and Nisha (Aishu Devan) in “Seven Havens,” but both series combine child-friendly adventure with high-stakes fantasy drama. Adults will find plenty to appreciate too, making “The Owl House” especially well suited to watching with children.

While “Seven Havens” draws heavily on post-apocalyptic fiction and solarpunk, “The Owl House” leans into the classic magic-school formula. Even so, the series steadily develops a much larger story beneath its episodic structure, culminating in a cinematic third and final season. Much of the show follows the rhythm of a traditional cartoon, but older viewers should not mistake that format for a lack of depth.

Any watch list inspired by an “Avatar” series needs at least one genuine anime recommendation. For “Avatar: Seven Havens,” the desert setting and futuristic touches make the choice easy: the ’90s classic “Trigun.”

Adapted from the manga, “Trigun” follows Vash the Stampede, a legendary gunman pursued by villains and bounty hunters across the barren planet known as No Man’s Land. The original 26-episode anime premiered in 1998. Although the franchise has since received additional adaptations—including a well-regarded computer-animated series in 2023—the original remains the pick here for its unmistakable late-’90s anime style. Since contemporaries such as “Cowboy Bebop” were major influences on “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” the connection feels particularly fitting.

Anyone who enjoys a science-fiction adventure set in a wasteland should find plenty to love in “Trigun.” Its manageable length also makes it an approachable introduction to anime for viewers who have been intimidated by the enormous episode counts of some long-running shonen series. Once both 13-episode seasons are available, “Avatar: Seven Havens” will be the same overall length. With its stylish presentation and constant action, “Trigun” is a strong choice for older “Seven Havens” fans.

The most obvious recommendation is also one some viewers may have skipped: “The Legend of Korra.” Many fans of “Avatar: The Last Airbender” have never started its sequel, while others stopped before finishing it. The series has always been more divisive than its predecessor, which may explain the hesitation. Some Paramount+ subscribers may even discover “Avatar: Seven Havens” without having watched either earlier show. So this is worth stating plainly: “The Legend of Korra” is excellent, and it deserves your time. If you tried it once, decided it was not for you, but still love “Avatar,” it may be worth giving it another chance.

“Korra” is different from “The Last Airbender,” and that difference is central to its purpose. The series explores change and challenges the belief that the world can be shaped once and then preserved indefinitely. Its ambitions exceed those of “Avatar,” which also makes it more uneven. Still, its finest episodes are extraordinary, and its animation is consistently breathtaking.

The sequel may not have the same elegantly unified arc as “Avatar,” but it compensates with a large, carefully developed ensemble, complex relationships across generations, and spectacular action. Some political storylines are underdeveloped, the love triangle becomes exhausting before eventually being abandoned, and the series is more than capable of bringing viewers to tears. Those imperfections do not erase its strengths. “The Legend of Korra” remains a vital, rewarding series—and with “Avatar: Seven Havens” now continuing the franchise, it is more essential viewing than ever.