Avatar: The Last Airbender

Original Air Date: 2005-2008

Network: Nickelodeon

Though short-lived, Avatar: The Last Airbender garnered a lot of attention with its crisp animation and carefully crafted fantasy world based on Eastern culture. It was different in many ways (who would've guessed a 12-year-old bald kid could be popular?), and the storytelling was top notch -- which is rare in Nickelodeon's usual fare.

Fans of true Japanese anime think Avatar is a cheap American knockoff, and there's no denying that the show borrowed heavily from anime. In an industry often dominated by Asian imports, Avatar found a way to emulate the best features of Japanese animation while keeping some unique elements of western cartoons, and that formula made it the top rated animated show in its demographic. It's so popular with the kids that the King's Island theme parks cashed in on the fun with an Avatar-themed thrill ride. The Avatar phenomenon is sure to grow even more with the upcoming release of three live-action movies directed and written by M. Night Shyamalan.