The Final Airbender’s 8 Largest Takeaways, 20 Years Later

Avatar: The Last Airbender‘s flawless fame has solely grown through the years, however twenty years after its launch, I lastly watched the animated hit for the primary time. Whereas I could have skimmed a couple of episodes right here and there throughout my childhood, I’ve all the time heard about how Avatar: The Last Airbender is a masterpiece, but I would by no means given it a correct go.

That each one modified in 2025 after I binge-watched all three seasons, and I am definitely glad I did. Understandably, some individuals will reference the harsh realities of rewatching ATLA twenty years after its premiere, however as a first-time viewer, I used to be really capable of admire all of its largest strengths whereas studying quite a bit in regards to the iconic sequence.

8

Sokka Is Quietly Avatar: The Final Airbender’s MVP

It might be simple to scale back Sokka to the hot-headed, comedian aid member of the group, however he was quietly the present’s most precious character. He might not have had the elite bending abilities of his friends, however his battle technique and willpower to help his pals made him an irreplaceable a part of the group.

Watching him develop from an incompetent, wannabe chief right into a succesful warrior was nice, and he saved his most endearing traits all through the journey. Sokka was additionally key to conserving the group collectively and conserving them on observe a number of occasions, suggesting that despite the fact that he wasn’t all the time proper, the group would by no means have been so profitable with out him.

7

Avatar: The Final Airbender’s Animation Nonetheless Holds Up In 2025

As expertise has superior, animation has gotten so a lot better, however ATLA‘s should not be neglected. The primarily hand-drawn, 2D type has a attraction and identification that will be tough to copy now, making it stand out among the many competitors, even in comparison with some fashionable tasks.

Certain, one thing like Arcane‘s animation certainly exceeds Avatar: the Last Airbender‘s, however whereas reveals like Marvel’s What If…? and Invincible fail to actually encourage with their type, the Nickelodeon present undoubtedly has a robust persona in relation to its visuals.

In comparison with fashionable reveals, Avatar: The Final Airbender might look a tiny bit dated, however a number of the scenes throughout its largest episodes, like “The Siege of the North” and “Sozin’s Comet,” are nonetheless breathtaking and would not look misplaced in a 2025 manufacturing.

6

Zuko’s Redemption Arc Is One Of The Greatest On TV

Redemption arcs will be arduous to get proper in fictional media. Creating a personality that everybody initially dislikes and reworking them in a compelling but life like manner isn’t any simple job, however ATLA pulled it off. When the present first began, I discovered myself hating Zuko and questioning why he was given such a giant focus.

Nonetheless, his position in “The Blue Spirit” started to win me over, and despite the fact that it took time, Zuko earned his redemption. It might have been good to see him with the principle group for longer, however the presence of Uncle Iroh all the time gave the villain-turned-hero an ideal mentor determine who steadily helped steer him in the appropriate course.

After betraying Aang and Katara throughout season 2’s finale, I felt sure that there was no manner again for the Fireplace Nation prodigy, however to my shock, he fought arduous to beat his demons and finally grew to become one of many present’s best-written characters.

5

Whereas The Writing Is Nice, ATLA’s Coronary heart Is What Makes It An All-Time Nice Sequence

From the character improvement, to the extraordinary motion, to the sturdy relationships, it is clear Avatar: The Final Airbender is expertly written, however the present’s coronary heart makes it really one-of-a-kind. Regardless of being a cartoon aimed toward a youthful viewers, the sequence options loads of mature components that result in emotional payoffs.

Aang’s uncertainty, Toph’s lack of ability to open up, and Azula’s fragile psychological state are all necessary themes that play a giant position in making the story really feel genuine. Nonetheless, the present stays humorous and focuses on a bunch of younger individuals risking their lives to avoid wasting the world, giving it a heartfelt message at its core.

Had it merely adopted primary cartoon formulation of the time, ATLA would’ve come and gone with out individuals caring an excessive amount of, however its vibrant persona makes it probably the most perfect animated shows from start to finish that I’ve ever seen.

4

Azula Is Formally One Of My Favourite TV Villains

All nice heroes want an equally nice villain, and Azula is now amongst my favourite TV antagonists. She might not be anyplace close to as well-liked as Homelander or Gus Fring, for instance, however Azula acts as the proper distinction to her brother and will get what feels to me like the proper villain’s arc.

She reveals what Zuko might’ve turn into if he adopted in his father’s footsteps — a tyrannical maniac with seemingly no regret. Certain, she’s an nearly flawless prodigy, however when the time comes for Azula to reap her rewards, her pals have deserted her, making all the pieces she labored in the direction of really feel nugatory.

Azula’s ending in Avatar: The Last Airbender can be relatively tragic, as she utterly breaks down after being bested by Katara, and whereas I did really feel sympathy in the direction of her, this solely made her journey all of the extra compelling, therefore why she’s my favourite character in the entire franchise.

3

Sozin’s Comet Is One Of The Greatest TV Finales Ever Made

As endings go, they do not get a lot better than “Sozin’s Comet.” I’ve watched many TV reveals go effectively past their expiration date or wrestle to stay the touchdown, however Avatar: The Final Airbender‘s four-part finale is actually among the finest I’ve ever seen, because it wraps up the principle battle in satisfying trend.

Aang lastly takes on the Fireplace Lord. Katara and Zuko battle Azula, whereas Sokka, Toph, and Suki are concerned in heading off the Fireplace Nation’s fleet, giving everybody a heroic second. Even the Order of the White Lotus will get a considerable position within the conclusion, which is a fittingly completely happy near a charming journey.

Of all of the reward I’ve seen ATLA obtain through the years, not sufficient individuals speak about how sturdy the ending was, particularly because it felt like the proper time to cap off the story. Fortunately, watching it for the primary time with out understanding how issues would play out made me admire it that rather more.

2

Avatar: The Final Airbender Is Nonetheless Value Watching In 2025

One of many largest classes I realized whereas watching in 2025 is that Avatar: The Final Airbender remains to be value testing twenty years after its launch. Not each basic stands the check of time, however ATLA really holds up in all metrics.

Not solely is the animation nonetheless comfortably satisfactory, however the story and characters do not fall into stereotypes which have turn into outdated, neither is the sequence full of pop-culture references that have been solely related within the 2000s. Relatively than being an overhyped present that does not stay as much as fashionable expectations, ATLA maintains its high quality, all whereas having a common attraction.

Experiencing this journey for the primary time solely made me extra excited about Avatar: The Last Airbender‘s future, particularly understanding a follow-up film is in improvement alongside a brand new present set in the identical universe. If, like me, you hadn’t watched this present earlier than 2025, it isn’t too late to start out, and I doubt you may remorse it.

1

Avatar: The Final Airbender Is Simply As Good As Most Fashionable Animated Exhibits

Maybe my largest takeaway throughout my first ATLA viewing is that it actually does compete with one of the best fashionable reveals round. Everybody has their favorites, and it isn’t absurd for individuals to assume the likes of Invincible, Arcane, The Legend of Vox Machina, or one other fashionable hit are better animated shows than Avatar: The Last Airbender​​​​​​.

Nonetheless, the 2005 basic can nonetheless cling with them, and regardless of having quite a bit much less expertise and a a lot smaller price range to work with, the sequence nonetheless has sure strengths that eclipse its rivals.

Regardless that it isn’t my private favourite, I can completely see why Avatar: The Final Airbender is a few individuals’s favourite animated present, and now that I’ve digested all three seasons, I can confidently say that the challenge belongs within the GOAT debate in relation to these sorts of tasks.

Launch Date

2005 – 2008

Community

Nickelodeon

Showrunner

Michael Dante DiMartino

Administrators

Giancarlo Volpe, Ethan Spaulding, Lauren MacMullan, Dave Filoni, Joaquim Dos Santos, Anthony Lioi

Writers

Tim Hedrick, Elizabeth Welch Ehasz, Joshua Hamilton, James Eagan, Joann Estoesta, Nick Malis, Might Chan, Katie Mattila