Why you should watch or rewatch 'Avatar: The Last Airbender'

Last week on April 23rd, Netflix announced on Twitter it will be releasing all three seasons of Avatar: The Last Airbender on May 15th. It’s an announcement that has shocked and excited countless fans online. Whether you are new to the show or a long time fan within this article, we will be discussing the various lessons that can be found throughout Avatar: The Last Airbender; lessons in philosophy, moral ethics, humility, wisdom, and the reasons why you should watch or rewatch ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’.

Note: This article contains MAJOR SPOILERS for those that are new to the series.

It has been over 10 years since the season its finale. Avatar is a Nickelodeon classic story about a young and gifted boy named Aang who is destined for greatness as he learns to master the four elements – water, earth, fire, and air. Through its beautiful storytelling and animation, the series earned 12 nominations from various organizations, winning 7 of them including the Primetime Emmy Awards and Annie Awards.

A Life of Contentment

Left to Right: Zuko and Uncle Iroh.

Throughout the series, there are great verbal clashes between Uncle Iroh and Prince Zuko. As Zuko continues to redeem his honor from his Fire Lord Father, Ozai, Uncle Iroh continues to mentor in him the values of contentment, humility, and honor.

During their time in Ba Sing Se, the two of them lived on the streets until they were able to find work and open up a tea shop of their own. Uncle Iroh becomes content with his new life in serving others, even if it’s just tea. For Zuko, he still yearned and even obsessed over getting what he wanted – his father’s honor, his royalty entitlement, his palace, and more.

There is nothing wrong with wanting things in life. It is in our human nature to want things. However, there is a great difference between wanting and coveting. Coveting can lead to possessiveness, greed, and lust in ways we never expect, and what can happen to us is what happened to Zuko; being unfulfilled and unsatisfied.

A life of contentment doesn’t mean a life of poverty. It means that you are happy and satisfied with what you have before you; whether it is a little, a lot, or just enough.

Your Past Does Not Define You

Prince Zuko.

Throughout the series, multiple characters reveal the great emotional baggage they’ve carried throughout their lives. An obvious one is Zuko and his banishment from the Fire Nation. Others include Aang with his abandonment of the Air Temple, Katara with the murder of her mother, and Uncle Iroh with the military death of his only son, Lu Ten. As the show continues, however, we also see these characters let go of their burdens when the time comes to do so. Leading up to letting go is the inner growth of discernment, wisdom, patience, and humility.

Whether it was your fault or not, whether you had control or not, your past does not define who you are. Does this mean that you should forget the past as if it never happened? No, you have to face your past, sooner or later. But that does not mean it defines you now. To be defined by your past is to be stuck in your past, and if you are stuck in your past, you will miss the opportunities today lays out for tomorrow.

The Value of Human Life

Left to Right: Monk Gyatso and Aang.

Primarily between Uncle Iroh and Aang, there is a great belief in the value of human life, even the lives that are full of anger, hate, and malice. I did not realize until rewatching that Aang never kills anyone deliberately. He is not afraid to use excessive force but doesn’t cross into uring lethal force. I believe that this was a fantastic move on the writers’ part, to make their main protagonist against killing. It showed the delicate balance between valuing human life, defending human life, and recognize the fine line between the two.

The topic of nonviolence can be a difficulty to execute in film or television, especially when it is aimed towards the younger audience. In Avatar, it was handled in a way that wasn’t too complex, that wasn’t too religious, and that wasn’t too forced. It gradually grows throughout each season, perfecting over time.

Never Give Up

Katara dueling Master Pakku of the Northern Water Tribe.

While this lesson is highly noticeable, it comes in many different forms than just physical fighting. Throughout the series, Katara shows heart and dedication to becoming a Waterbending Master, even when it meant fighting the traditional views of the Northern Water Tribe. Katara has always been an interesting female protagonist to me. To expand a little, Uncle Iroh said it best when describing Waterbenders to Zuko.

“Water is the element of change. The people of the water tribe are capable of adapting to many things.”

Like water itself, Katara knows when to adapt to the change in her surroundings and when to remain firm in her stance. This can be seen played out with her and Jet’s freedom fighters, the coal mining prisoners, the Painted Lady, the Bloodbending Witch, and even when she first meets Aang.

This will be expanded upon in a separate article, but to sum it up, Katara is a prime example of what it means to stand up for your beliefs and others, even when the world or your people are against you. It is a matter of faith over fear.

The Importance of Balance and Control

Aang in the Avatar State.

I believe it would be incorrect to call the Avatar State as an OP power. It is not something that can be tapped into so easily. Aang, though he is the Avatar, has to grow mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually to simply enter the Avatar state, let alone control it.

“The Avatar State is a defense mechanism. Designed to empower you with the skill and knowledge of all the past Avatars. The glow is a combination of all your past lives focusing their energy through your body. In the Avatar State, you are at your most powerful, but you are also at your most vulnerable.” – Avatar Roku

For someone to be OP, they would have to be able to control their abilities with little to no problem. Aang constantly struggles and learns how to control the Avatar State while also discerning on when to use it.

When facing General Fong of the Earth Kingdom in season 2, episode 5, Fong sees the Avatar State as an offensive weapon rather than a defense mechanism. To see Aang’s struggle in this scene showed just how powerful and dangerous it can be if not handled or developed properly. If you force something to work, it will quickly become unbalanced and uncontrollable. But if you allow things to run their course, then balance and control will develop over time.

The Dangers of Toxic Masculinity

Firelord Ozai vs. Young Zuko in an Agni Kai.

I believe Zuko was right when he said Ozai was the worst father of all fathers. When I first saw how Zuko got his scar in season 1, episode 12, I couldn’t comprehend how a father would do such a horrific act to their own child. From then on, Zuko constantly hunts down Aang to earn back the love and honor of his father.

The love a parent should never be something that a child has to earn. Verbal and physical abuse is in no way to teach a child respect and honor. To see Zuko grow and leave his given destiny to set his own, even when defying the very man he wanted to please, paints a beautiful character portrayal of courage, self-respect, and humility.

I will be expanding upon this topic in a separate article shortly soon. Regardless, this is a topic that of great importance from beginning to end.

The Importance of Understanding Others

Uncle Iroh describing each Element.

When I first watched the show, I remember talking arguing with my friends about what was the best bending. While one way of bending may be more beneficial than others at times, it does not make it superior. Uncle Iroh says it best, stating that,

“It is important to draw wisdom from many different places. If you take it only from one place, it becomes rigid and stale. Understanding others, the other elements, and the other nations will help you become whole…It is the combination of the four elements in one person that makes the Avatar so powerful. But it can make you more powerful too.”

In the first half of the show, we can see the elements constantly going against each other. Fire vs water, air vs earth, and so on. While each can be powerful against the other, they can be even more powerful when working together. This is not just when Aang is in the Avatar State, but when Zuko and Katara fight together, or when Toph and Aang fight together.

The Dangers of Nationalism

Aang attending a Fire Nation school.

The opposite of learning from others is learning from only one perspective. When Aang attends a Fire Nation school in disguise, he sees that they view themselves as greater than others and how young students devote themselves to this ideology.

The one historical event that comes to mind is that of Hitler’s Germany. Hitler’s ideology viewed Germans as the superior race and saw others as weak or inferior. He saw their countries as something that Germany rightfully owned, pushing the world into a second global conflict. The same can be said about the Fire Nation – Praised nationalism, devotion to a supreme ruler, and an ideology fueled by fear and hate. Zuko’s words to his father best summarize this section, claiming that,

“Growing up, we were taught that the Fire Nation was the greatest civilization in history. And somehow, the war was our way of sharing our greatness with the rest of the world. What an amazing lie that was. The people of the world are terrified by the Fire Nation. They don’t see our greatness. They hate us! And we deserve it!”

Again, this will be a topic I will further expand upon in a separate article, but felt that it needed to be said here.

The Power of Forgiveness

Uncle Iroh forgiving Zuko.

In part 2 of the series finale, Uncle Iroh had every right to deny Zuko’s forgiveness. This was more than just the betrayal at the siege of Ba Sing Se, but how he treated him throughout his banishment.

Throughout the first two seasons, Zuko constantly criticizes his uncle through a choice of harsh words. Whether it is belittling of his Uncle’s tea-making or insulting his character, Iroh never disowns his nephew. Even when he is betrayed, imprisoned, and left to rot, he still loves him as his own. The quick hug of forgiveness he gives Zuko is one of the top emotional moments of the series.

Zuko: How can you forgive me so easily? I thought you would be furious with me!”

Iroh: I was never angry with you. I was sad because I was afraid you lost your way.”

Zuko: But I did lose my way.

Iroh: But you found it again. And you did it by yourself. And I am so happy you found your way here.

Even at the age of 26, this scene made me cry almost uncontrollably. Zuko had never understood forgiveness from an authoritative figure. Forgiveness and redemption had to be earned. Uncle Iroh, on the other hand, gives it willingly with open arms and an open heart. It is hands down one of the best scenes in the entire series and one that every kid should see.

Pride vs. Humility

Left to Right: Prince Zuko and Princess Azula. Background: The Dai Li.

This is personally my favorite topic of the series because it can be seen nearly everywhere with every character. Between Zuko and Azula, this can be seen the most.

Throughout the series, Zuko slowly but surely comes to a place of humility through his Uncle’s wisdom, the Firebending Dragon Masters, and the trust of the Avatar gang. We see his anger and pride transform into passion and humility.

Contrast this with Azula. She takes great pride in being better than others. She is a prodigy to her father, constantly exceeding in everything through control and fear. She even goes so far to manipulate her friends Mei and Ty Lee as well. A great scene that shows her perfectionism and pride is when she is practicing her lightning bending in episode 1, season 2, her time at Ember Island in season 3, episode 5, when Mei and Ty Lee betray her in season 3, episode 13, and when she becomes mentally unstable in the series finale. The old saying “pride comes before the fall” could not be any more true here when it comes to Azula’s character development.

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Movies and T.V. shows come and go throughout our childhoods, but there are the few that stick with us forever. Nickelodeon delivered more than a successful, action-packed series. It delivered characters who could achieve greatness, despite their flaws. It delivered the belief that anyone can change and anyone can be forgiven. It delivered the message that no one on earth can set your path for you; only you can.

In the following weeks, I will be working on more in-depth pieces about the Avatar series, covering various topics on character development, bending, and more. Until then, we shall wait for the series to arrive on May 15th!