I know it's cheating a bit, putting down two shows, but they do take place in the same universe, so I might as well discuss both of them.
For both shows, the premise is this: There are four nations based on the elements of nature, and people within each nation who can manipulate the elements with the physical motions of martial arts - a power known as 'bending'. Peace between the nations is maintained by the Avatar, one person originating from any of the nations who can bend all the elements and periodically reincarnates.
With that in mind, we'll look at The Last Airbender. The Avatar is a twelve-year-old Airbender named Aang, who has been stuck in an iceberg for the last century, during which time the imperialistic Fire Nation has wiped out the Air Nomads and are waging war against the Water Tribes and the Earth Kingdom. Aang has to travel the world and learn the other elements before the summer solstice, when the Fire Lord carries out his final reckoning on the world.
Aang is aided in his quest by a compassionate Waterbender named Katara and her goofy non-bending older brother Sokka. While travelling the world on Aang's flying bison, they are later joined by a trash-talking blind Earthbender named Toph. Hunting them is Prince Zuko, the exiled son of the Fire Lord who seeks to capture Aang so he can return home.
I think that Zuko is an interesting villain. He's short-tempered and angst-ridden, but he's also sympathetic. However, it's his uncle Iroh who steals the show. He's a kind and gentle mentor and father-figure, but he has his goofy side too. It's impossible not to like him.
The Legend of Korra takes place seventy years after the end of The Last Airbender, in which Aang has died and reincarnated as a brash Waterbender named Korra. While Aang is depicted to fear his legendary status, Korra embraces it, but has to learn to become more spiritual in a drastically-changing world. Her 'Team Avatar' includes the brothers Mako and Bolin, a brooding Firebender and jovial Earthbender, respectively. Rounding the team out is the non-bending inventor and martial artist Asami Sato.
Both shows have stunning animation which create a beautiful world and fast-paced action, with engaging stories and memorable characters. I recommend both. I especially like how Legend of Korra took the fans of the original show into consideration, who would likely be in their late teens or early twenties at that point. This gives them the opportunity to look at more mature issues and themes. However, I still favour The Last Airbender for the epic journey it puts the characters and viewers through. While this does mean you have to watch from the beginning, that's not really an issue and provides many opportunities for character development.
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