Avatar Aang (Chinese: 安昂; pinyin: Ān Áng) is a fictional character and the protagonist of Nickelodeon's animated television series Avatar: The Last Airbender (created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko), voiced by Zach Tyler Eisen.

Aang is the last surviving Airbender, a monk of the Air Nomads' Southern Air Temple. He is an incarnation of the 'Avatar', the spirit of light and peace manifested in human form. As the Avatar, Aang controls all four elements (fire, water, earth and air) and is tasked with keeping the Four Nations at peace. At 12 years old, Aang is the series' reluctant hero, spending a century in suspended animation before joining new friends Katara and Sokka on a quest to master the elements and save their world from the imperialistFire Nation.

Aang's character has appeared in other media, such as trading cards,^[1][2]video games,^[3][4]T-shirts,^[5] and web comics.^[6] Aang has also been portrayed by Noah Ringer in the feature film The Last Airbender,^[7] and voiced by D.B. Sweeney in the sequel animated series The Legend of Korra.

• 1Creation and conception
• 2Appearances
  • 2.1Avatar: The Last Airbender
  • 2.2The Legend of Korra
  • 2.3Appearances in other media

Creation and conception[edit]

Aang's character was developed from a drawing by Bryan Konietzko, depicting a bald man with an arrowlike design on his head, which the artist developed into a picture of a child with a flying bison.^[8] Meanwhile, Michael Dante DiMartino was interested in a documentary about explorers trapped in the South Pole, which he later combined with Konietzko's drawing.

There's an air guy along with these water people trapped in a snowy wasteland..and maybe some fire people are pressing down on them..

The plot they described corresponds with the first and second episodes of Avatar: The Last Airbender, where the 'water people' (Katara and Sokka) rescue the 'air guy' (Aang) while 'trapped in a snowy wasteland' (the Southern Water Tribe) with 'some fire people [that] are pressing down on them' (Fire Nation Troops and Zuko).^[8][9][10] The creators of the show intended Aang to be trapped in an iceberg for one hundred years, later to wake inside a futuristic world, wherein he would have a robot named Momo and a dozen bisons. The creators lost interest in this theme, and changed it to one hundred years of suspended animation. The robotic Momo became a flying lemur, and the herd of bison was reduced to one.^[8]

In the episode 'Tales of Ba Sing Se', Aang’s name was written as 安昂 (ān áng) in Chinese.

Airbending[edit]

Airbending, the martial art Aang primarily uses in the show, is based on an 'internal' Chinese martial art called Baguazhang. This fighting style focuses on circular movements, and does not have many finishing moves; traits meant to represent the unpredictability of air and the peaceful character of Airbenders.^[11]

Personality and characteristics[edit]

Michael Dante DiMartino, the show's co-creator, said:

'We wanted Aang to solve problems and defeat enemies with his wits as well as his powerful abilities'.

According to the show's creators, 'Buddhism and Taoism have been huge inspirations behind the idea for Avatar.'^[13] As shown in 'The King of Omashu'^[14] and 'The Headband',^[15] a notable aspect of Aang's character is his vegetarian diet, which is consistent with Buddhism, Hinduism, and Taoism.^[13] In the Brahmajala Sutra, a Buddhist code of ethics, vegetarianism is encouraged.^[16] Furthermore, the writers gave Aang a consistent reluctance to fight and an aversion to killing. In 'The Spirit World (Winter Solstice, Part 1)', Aang encounters an angry spirit destroying a village and kidnapping villagers; but instead of fighting the spirit, Aang negotiates.^[17] He is also depicted showing ethical reluctance in killing Firelord Ozai,^[18] and eventually strips Ozai of his bending instead of murdering him.^[19]

Appearances[edit]

Avatar: The Last Airbender[edit]

Upon death, Avatar Roku was reincarnated and Aang was born, and later raised by Monk Gyatso, a senior monk at the Southern Air Temple and friend of the late Avatar Roku. Even prior to learning he was the Avatar, Aang distinguished himself by becoming one of the youngest Airbending Masters in history by inventing a new technique. As a result of Fire Lord Sozin's increasingly hostile attitude towards the other nations, the senior monks decided to reveal Aang's nature as the Avatar four years before the traditional age (Avatars are usually told of their status once they turn 16) and relocate him to one of the other Air Temples.^[20][21] Learning that he was to be taken from Gyatso caused Aang to flee the monastery on his flying bison, Appa, before being caught by a storm; the life-or-death conditions triggered the Avatar State, encasing the young Avatar and his bison in an air-pocket among icebergs, where he remained suspended for a century. Although Monk Gyatso had snuck in the bed late night to tell Aang that he won’t be relocated to the Eastern Air Temple, it had already been too late. ^[9][21]

Book One: Water[edit]

After one hundred years of suspended animation in an iceberg, twelve-year-old Aang was freed when found by Katara and Sokka, yet unaware of the events that occurred during his rest.^[9] His reawakening catches the attention of Zuko, the banished prince of the Fire Nation, and Aang is forced to leave, with Katara and Sokka accompanying him after they learn that he is the Avatar.^[10] Aang and his new friends visit the Southern Air Temple, where they meet a winged lemur whom Aang later names Momo. It is there that Aang learns that he was in the ice for a whole century, and that the Fire Nation wiped out his people, including Gyatso. After a series of misadventures, Aang meets his previous incarnation, Roku, who informs him that he must master all four bending arts and end the war before the coming of Sozin's Comet at the end of summer.^[22] Upon arriving to the Northern Water Tribe, after a few conflicts, Aang became an apprentice of Waterbending Master Pakku alongside Katara.^[23] After helping the Water Tribe drive off a Fire Nation invasion headed by Admiral Zhao, with Katara as his teacher, Aang and his group journey to the Earth Kingdom to find an Earthbending teacher.^[24]

Book Two: Earth[edit]

In the second season, Aang learns Earthbending from Toph Beifong^[25] after he has a vision of the blind Earthbending prodigy in a swamp telling him to find her.^[26] On their journey, they are chased by Fire Princess Azula and her friends Mai and Ty Lee.^[27] The group learns about the Day of Black Sun in a secret underground library, and they attempt to reveal the information to the Earth King at Ba Sing Se. However, their flying bison, Appa, is captured by Sandbenders. Aang grows upset and angry and confronts the Sandbenders, learning that Appa has been sold. After stopping a Fire Nation drill threatening the safety of Ba Sing Se, they look for Appa only to find themselves dealing with the Dai Li before exposing their leader's deception. The group reunites with Jet helping them find Appa at Dai Li headquarters. They expose the Hundred Year War to the Earth King, who promises to help them invade the Fire Nation. Soon after, Aang meets a guru who attempts to teach Aang to open his seven chakras in order to control the defensive 'Avatar State'; but when Aang perceives Katara in danger, he leaves before the seventh chakra is opened, and thus loses his progress until the seventh is opened.^[28] Though Aang manages to unlock the Seventh Chakra, he is mortally wounded by Azula, yet was saved by Katara before the injury became truly fatal.^[29]

Book Three: Fire[edit]

In the third and final season, Aang is unable to use the Avatar State. Although reluctant with the plan at first, Aang accepts to have everyone think he had died and his remaining allies attack the Fire Nation's capital, but are thwarted by Azula.^[30] However, Zuko has a change of heart, rebels against his father,^[31] and offers to teach Aang Firebending. Aang and Zuko also improve their Firebending powers with the help of their world's last two dragons.^[32] During the finale, finding himself on a strange island, Aang is reluctant to actually kill Fire Lord Ozai, despite his four previous past lives convincing him it is the only way. But upon learning that he was actually on the back of a Lion Turtle, one of four that made the first benders by manipulating humans' chi, Aang receives the Lion Turtles' Energybending ability. With this ability, as he regained his Avatar State, Aang removes Ozai's bending ability, rendering him harmless and ending the Hundred Year War. Later, in the Fire Nation capital, Aang is seen beside Zuko, the new Fire Lord. The series ends with Aang and his friends relaxing at Iroh's tea shop at Ba Sing Se, where Aang and Katara share a kiss.^[19]

Graphic Novel trilogies[edit]

After beginning the Harmony Restoration Movement, an event that was meant to remove Fire Nation remnants from the Earth Kingdom, Aang agrees to end Zuko's life should he go down a path similar to his father, after the latter requests it, being stopped by Katara from entering the Avatar State as he began a later encounter with Zuko^[33] and then tries to mediate protestors and the Yu Dao resistance,^[34] afterward assembling members of a fan club and forming the 'Air Acolytes', a group that he intends to teach the ways of the Air Nomads.^[35] Aang then participated in a search for Zuko's mother Ursa,^[36] successfully finding her and entering the Spirit World to assist in locating the Mother of Faces,^[37] convincing her to grant Rafa a new face.^[38] After a period of entertainment,^[39] Aang is contacted by his former life Yangchen,^[40] who tried contacting him about Old Iron's return.^[41] Aang also has a fight with the Rough Rhinos when they try to oust him from the Eastern Fire Refinery.^[42] Aang then aids in preventing Azula, disguised as the Kemurikage, from stealing any more children.^[43][44]He later returns to the South Pole and reunites with Katara and Sokka during the festival of the rebuilt and newly expanded Southern Water Tribe.

The Legend of Korra[edit]

Some six decades prior to the series, Avatar Aang and Fire Lord Zuko founded the United Republic of Nations, and its capital Republic City. In the following years, Aang married Katara and they have three children: Bumi (named for Aang's old friend), Kya (after Katara's deceased mother), and Tenzin. In his adult years, Aang grew a neatly cropped chinstrap beard, which many statues of Aang's adult form depict him with, including the one in the restored Southern Air Temple. He also founded the Air Acolytes, a sect who eschewed their home cultures in favor of following the Air Nomads' way of life (the comics reveal that the first Air Acolytes were the reorganized Avatar Fan Club). A forty-year-old Aang assisted Toph in arresting Water Tribe crime lord Yakone. As Aang watched the trial where Yakone was convicted of using the rare and illegal technique Bloodbending, Yakone tried to escape Republic City, using his unique abilities to subdue everyone in the court room, thus leaving them unconscious. Able to resist Yakone's Bloodbending through the Avatar State, Aang used his Energybending abilities to put a halt to Yakone's plans.

Being frozen in an iceberg for a hundred years while in the Avatar State drained much of Aang's life energy. While he did not feel the effects for many years, after he entered middle age in his 50s, the strain of this exertion increasingly weighed upon his body. Ultimately, it resulted in Aang dying at the relatively young biological age of 66, in 153 AG. Aang was survived by his wife, Katara, and his three children, but he did not live to see his grandchildren, all of whom would be powerful Airbenders. Prior to his death, Aang tasked the Order of the White Lotus with finding and guiding the new Avatar after him. When Aang died, the Avatar spirit reincarnated into the Southern Water Tribe female Korra. Aang intended for the Order to simply guide and guard Korra, but several mishaps in the aftermath of Aang's death (including a kidnapping attempt by the anarchist Zaheer) and the still-fragile state of relations between the now-Five Nations resulted in Katara and Tenzin sequestering Korra in a compound at the South Pole, bringing teachers to her instead of allowing her to seek out her own.

Book One: Air[edit]

In the sequel series' first season, Avatar Aang's spirit occasionally serves as the spiritual advisor to seventeen-year-old Korra (much like the previous Avatar incarnation, Roku, did for Aang). Initially, Aang is only able to give Korra glimpses of his memory concerning Yakone in relation to her confrontations with his two sons, Amon and Tarrlok, the products of Yakone's Bloodbending vendetta on the Avatar. It is only after she loses her ability to bend that Korra allows herself to listen to her past lives, at which point Aang restores her powers by triggering the Avatar State and teaching her to Energybend.

Book Two: Spirits[edit]

The sequel series' second season reveals that Avatar Aang apparently treated Tenzin as his favorite child, due to his son's Airbender status; Kya and Bumi mentioned to Tenzin that Aang always took Tenzin on vacations with him, but never them. Aang's Air Acolytes also were unaware that Aang had two other children besides Tenzin. Aang himself later appears, along with Roku, Kyoshi and Kuruk, before Korra in a vision and encourages her to learn the origins of Wan (the first Avatar) and Raava. Aang, or possibly a vision of him, later appears in the Spirit World, encouraging Tenzin to move past the enormous legacy of being Aang's son and find his own path. Korra's connection to Aang and the other preceding Avatars is severed when Vaatu extracts and subsequently kills Raava, the divine Avatar Spirit entity within her. Even though Raava is reborn and fused again with Korra, she discovers, to her dismay, that her spiritual connection to Aang and all past Avatars is gone forever.

Appearances in other media[edit]

Games[edit]

Aang's character appeared in the Avatar: The Last Airbender Trading Card Game on a multitude of cards.^[1][2] He appeared in the Avatar: The Last Airbender video game as one of the four playable characters.^[45] Two sequels were made: Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Burning Earth,^[3][46] followed by Avatar: The Last Airbender – Into the Inferno.

Aang also appeared in Escape from the Spirit World, an online video game that can be found on Nickelodeon's official website. The game includes certain plot changes that are not shown in the show. The show's directors, Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, claim the events are canon.^[4]

Films[edit]

Tokyopop has published a films comic (sometimes referred to as cine-manga), in which Aang, being the main character of the show, appears repeatedly.^[6]

In 2010, director M. Night Shyamalan cast 12-year-old Tae Kwon Do practitioner Noah Ringer as Aang in the film adaptation of the series, The Last Airbender.^[47] The casting of a presumed white actor in the role of Aang (as well as a primarily Caucasian cast) in the Asian-influenced Avatar universe triggered negative reactions from some fans, marked by accusations of racism, a letter-writing campaign, and a protest outside of a Philadelphia casting call for movie extras. A counter-movement was spawned in response by other fans who believed the casting was appropriate.^[48][49][50] The casting decisions were also negatively received by several critics, who stated that the original casting call expressed a preference for Caucasian actors over others.^[51] Noah Ringer later identified himself to Entertainment Weekly as an American Indian.^[52]

Critical reception[edit]

In the show's intended demographics, Aang has been received exceptionally. Kendall Lyons stated, 'Aang seems to be the lighthearted kid that you can easily familiarize yourself with', and that he 'seems to bring comfort in the most dangerous or hostile situations.'^[53] There are many similar descriptions about Aang as a childlike character who is 'reckless and excitable'.^[54] Reviews point out that 'as the Avatar, Aang seems unstoppable, but as Aang, he is just another Airbender'; the review states later that the show continues to focus on a more realistic character instead of a perfect one by revealing many character flaws.^[55] In 2016, ScreenRant ranked Aang #15 on its '30 Best Animated TV Characters Of All Time' list.^[56]

References[edit]

1. ^ ^ab'Avatar Trading Card Game'. Nickelodeon. Archived from the original on 2008-03-02. Retrieved 2008-03-24.
2. ^ ^ab'Avatar: The Last Airbender Trading Card Game'. BoardGameGeek. Retrieved 2008-03-24.
3. ^ ^ab'Avatar: The Last Airbender — The Burning Earth'(Flash). Nickelodeon. Archived from the original on 14 March 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-13.
4. ^ ^abNickelodeon. 'Avatar Escape From The Spirit World'(Adobe Flash File). Viacom Corporation. Retrieved 2008-02-19.
5. ^'The Nickelodeon Shop — Avatar'. Nickelodeon. Retrieved 2008-02-11.
6. ^ ^abMichael Dante DiMartino & Bryan Konietzko (2006). Avatar: The Last Airbender Cine-Manga. Avatar: The Last Airbender Cine-Manga. 1. Tokyopop. ISBN1-59532-891-2. Archived from the original on 16 April 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-14.
7. ^Marnell, Blair. 'Last Airbender' Star Noah Ringer Joins ‘Cowboys And Aliens’ Cast.'MTV. April 19, 2010. Web. February 14, 2011.
8. ^ ^abcdDiMartino, Michael Dante; Konietzko, Bryan (2006). 'In Their Elements'. Nickelodeon Magazine (Winter 2006): 6.
9. ^ ^abcDirector: Dave Filoni, Writers: Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko (2005-02-21). 'The Boy in the Iceberg'. Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 1. Episode 1. Nickelodeon.
10. ^ ^abDirector: Dave Filoni, Writers: Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko (2005-02-21). 'The Avatar Returns'. Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 1. Episode 2. Nickelodeon.
11. ^'Nickelodeon's Official Avatar: The Last Airbender Flash Site'. Nick.com. Retrieved 2006-12-02.
12. ^DiMartino, Michael Dante; Konietzko, Bryan (2007-09-06). 'Interview: Avatar's Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino'. IGN Entertainment (Interview). Interviewed by Eduardo Vasconcellos. Archived from the original on 18 November 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-11.
13. ^ ^abDiMartino, Michael Dante; Konietzko, Bryan (2006). 'Myth Conceptions'. Nickelodeon Magazine (Winter 2006): 7.
14. ^Director: Anthony Lioi; Writer: John O'Bryan (2005-03-18). 'The King of Omashu'. Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 1. Episode 5. Nickelodeon.
15. ^Director: Joaquim dos Santos; Writer: John O'Bryan (2007-09-28). 'The Headband'. Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 3. Episode 2. Nickelodeon.
16. ^Jing, Fanwang. 'Brahmajala Sutra Translated Text'. Purify Out Mind. p. 4. Archived from the original on 4 February 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-12. He must not create the causes .. and shall not intentionally kill any living creature.
17. ^Director: Lauren MacMullan; Writer: Aaron Ehasz (2005-04-08). 'The Spirit World (Winter Solstice, Part 1)'. Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 1. Episode 7. Nickelodeon.
18. ^Liu, Ed (2008-07-18). ''Sozin's Comet' Produces an Epic Season Finale for 'Avatar the Last Airbender''. Toon Zone. Archived from the original on 2011-06-13. Retrieved 2008-07-20.
19. ^ ^abDirector: Ethan Spaulding; Writers: Elizabeth Welch Ehasz, Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko (2008-07-19). 'Sozin's Comet'. Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 3. Episode 58–61. Nickelodeon.
20. ^Director: Lauren MacMullan; Writer: Aaron Ehasz (2005-06-03). 'The Storm'. Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 1. Episode 12. Nickelodeon.
21. ^ ^abDirector: Lauren MacMullan, Writer: Michael Dante DiMartino (2005-02-25). 'The Southern Air Temple'. Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 1. Episode 3. Nickelodeon.
22. ^Director: Giancarlo Volpe, Writer: Michael Dante DiMartino (2005-04-15). 'Avatar Roku (Winter Solstice, Part 2)'. Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 1. Episode 8. Nickelodeon.
23. ^The Waterbending Master'. Avatar: The Last Airbender. Nickelodeon. 2005-11-18. No. 18, season 1.
24. ^The Siege of the North, Part 2'. Avatar: The Last Airbender. Nickelodeon. 2005-12-02. No. 20, season 1.
25. ^Director: Ethan Spaulding; Writer: Michael Dante DiMartino (2006-05-05). 'The Blind Bandit'. Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 2. Episode 6. Nickelodeon.
26. ^Director: Giancarlo Volpe; Writer: Tim Hedrick (2006-04-14). 'The Swamp'. Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 2. Episode 4. Nickelodeon.
27. ^Director: Giancarlo Volpe; Writer: Joshua Hamilton (2006-05-26). 'The Chase'. Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 2. Episode 8. Nickelodeon.
28. ^Director: Giancarlo; Writers: Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko (2006-12-01). 'The Guru'. Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 2. Episode 19. Nickelodeon.
29. ^Director: Michael Dante DiMartino; Writer: Aaron Ehasz (2006-12-01). 'The Crossroad of Destiny'. Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 2. Episode 20. Nickelodeon.
30. ^Director: Giancarlo Volpe; Writer: Michael Dante DiMartino (2007-11-23). 'The Day of Black Sun Part 1: The Invasion'. Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 3. Episode 10. Nickelodeon.
31. ^Director: Joaquim Dos Santos; Writer: Aaron Ehasz (2007-11-30). 'The Day of Black Sun Part 2: The Eclipse'. Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 3. Episode 11. Nickelodeon.
32. ^Director: Ethan Spaulding; Writers: Elizabeth Welch Ehasz, Tim Hedrick (2007-12-14). 'The Western Air Temple'. Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 3. Episode 12. Nickelodeon.
33. ^DiMartino, Michael Dante; Konietzko, Bryan; Yang, Gene (writer), Sasaki of Gurihiru (penciling, inking), Kawano of Gurihiru (colorist), Heisler, Michael; Comicraft (letterer). The Promise Part 1 (January 25, 2012), Dark Horse Comics.
34. ^DiMartino, Michael Dante; Konietzko, Bryan; Yang, Gene (writer), Sasaki of Gurihiru (penciling, inking), Kawano of Gurihiru (colorist), Heisler, Michael; Comicraft (letterer). The Promise Part 2 (May 30, 2012), Dark Horse Comics.
35. ^DiMartino, Michael Dante; Konietzko, Bryan; Yang, Gene (writer), Sasaki of Gurihiru (penciling, inking), Kawano of Gurihiru (colorist), Heisler, Michael; Comicraft (letterer). The Promise Part 3 (September 26, 2012), Dark Horse Comics.
36. ^DiMartino, Michael Dante; Konietzko, Bryan; Yang, Gene (writer), Sasaki of Gurihiru (penciling, inking), Kawano of Gurihiru (colorist), Heisler, Michael; Comicraft (letterer). The Search Part 1 (March 20, 2013), Dark Horse Comics.
37. ^DiMartino, Michael Dante; Konietzko, Bryan; Yang, Gene (writer), Sasaki of Gurihiru (penciling, inking), Kawano of Gurihiru (colorist), Heisler, Michael; Comicraft (letterer). The Search Part 2 (July 10, 2013), Dark Horse Comics.
38. ^DiMartino, Michael Dante; Konietzko, Bryan; Yang, Gene (writer), Sasaki of Gurihiru (penciling, inking), Kawano of Gurihiru (colorist), Heisler, Michael; Comicraft (letterer). The Search Part 3 (October 30, 2013), Dark Horse Comics.
39. ^DiMartino, Michael Dante; Konietzko, Bryan; Yang, Gene (writer), Sasaki of Gurihiru (penciling, inking), Kawano of Gurihiru (colorist), Heisler, Michael; Comicraft (letterer). Smoke and Shadow Part 1 (September 23, 2015), Dark Horse Comics.
40. ^DiMartino, Michael Dante; Konietzko, Bryan; Yang, Gene (writer), Sasaki of Gurihiru (penciling, inking), Kawano of Gurihiru (colorist), Heisler, Michael; Comicraft (letterer). The Rift Part 1 (March 5, 2014), Dark Horse Comics.
41. ^DiMartino, Michael Dante; Konietzko, Bryan; Yang, Gene (writer), Sasaki of Gurihiru (penciling, inking), Kawano of Gurihiru (colorist), Heisler, Michael; Comicraft (letterer). The Rift Part 3 (November 5, 2014), Dark Horse Comics.
42. ^DiMartino, Michael Dante; Konietzko, Bryan; Yang, Gene (writer), Sasaki of Gurihiru (penciling, inking), Kawano of Gurihiru (colorist), Heisler, Michael; Comicraft (letterer). The Rift Part 2 (July 2, 2014), Dark Horse Comics.
43. ^DiMartino, Michael Dante; Konietzko, Bryan; Yang, Gene (writer), Sasaki of Gurihiru (penciling, inking), Kawano of Gurihiru (colorist), Heisler, Michael; Comicraft (letterer). Smoke and Shadow Part 2 (December 16, 2015), Dark Horse Comics.
44. ^DiMartino, Michael Dante; Konietzko, Bryan; Yang, Gene (writer), Sasaki of Gurihiru (penciling, inking), Kawano of Gurihiru (colorist), Heisler, Michael; Comicraft (letterer). Smoke and Shadow Part 3 (March 16, 2016), Dark Horse Comics.
45. ^'Avatar: The Last Airbender Video Game'. Nick.com. Nickelodeon. Retrieved 2008-03-22.
46. ^'IGN.com: Avatar: The Burning Earth'. IGN. Archived from the original on 2008-09-25. Retrieved 2008-03-13.
47. ^Sperling, N (2008-12-17). 'Movies'. 1026. Entertainment Weekly. p. 15.
48. ^Graeme McMillan (2008-12-17). 'Avatar Casting Makes Fans See.. White'. io9. Gawker Media. Archived from the original on 20 December 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
49. ^Jeff Yang (2008-12-29). ''Avatar' an Asian thing- why isn't the cast?'. San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on 1 February 2009. Retrieved 2008-12-29.
50. ^Naomi Tarlow (2008-12-29). 'Protesters oppose 'whitewashing' in new Shyamalan film'. Daily Pennsylvanian. Archived from the original on 2011-07-25. Retrieved 2008-12-29.
51. ^Hoffman, Jordan (2010-05-21). 'Racebending — The Controversy Continues — The Last Airbender'. UGO.com. Archived from the original on 24 May 2010. Retrieved 2010-06-16.
52. ^Karen Valby (November 3, 2010). 'Noah Ringer of 'The Last Airbender' has nothing up his sleeve: EW at 'The Kids' Table''. Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on December 23, 2011. Retrieved October 8, 2011.
53. ^Lyons, Kendall (2005-12-08). 'Avatar: The Last Airbender'. Animation Inside. p. 2. Archived from the original on 22 February 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-15. Aang seems to be the lighthearted kid that you can easily familiarize yourself with. He seems to bring comfort in the most dangerous or hostile situations.
54. ^Robinson, Tasha (2006-03-07). 'Avatar: The Last Airbender'. Sci-Fi Weekly. p. 2. Archived from the original on 2008-02-17. Retrieved 2008-02-15. Aang, meanwhile, is as reckless and excitable as a kid his age should be, but he also shows the marks of a monastic life of training and responsibility.
55. ^Mell, Tory Ireland (2008-02-27). 'Avatar: The Last Airbender - 'The Spirit World (Winter Solstice, Part 1)' Review'. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on 2 March 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-11. As the Avatar, Aang seems unstoppable, but as Aang, he is just another Airbender..
56. ^Berman, Jason (June 9, 2016). '30 Best Animated TV Characters Of All Time'. ScreenRant. Retrieved February 28, 2018.

External links[edit]

• Official TV Show Website at Nick.com
• Aang at Nick.com

Avatar: The Last Airbender (Avatar: The Legend of Aang in some regions) is an American animated television series that aired for three seasons on Nickelodeon. The series began airing in February 2005 and concluded in July 2008. Avatar: The Last Airbender is set in an Asiatic-like world in which some people can manipulate the classical elements with psychokinetic variants of the Chinese martial arts known as 'bending'. The series is presented in a style that combines anime with American cartoons and relies on the imagery of East/South Asian, Inuit, and New World societies. It follows the protagonists, 12-year-old Aang and his friends, who must bring peace and unity to the world by ending the Fire Lord's war with the rest of the world.

City of virginia beach va tax collector. City Map via ArcGIS Explore Virginia Beach using ArcGIS's powerful mapping capabilities. The city provides many layers of information, including points of interest, zoning, transportation, and more. The city provides many layers of information, including points of interest, zoning, transportation, and more.

The series was commercially successful and was acclaimed by audiences and critics, who praised its art direction, humor, cultural references, characters, and themes. It was nominated for—and won—Annie Awards, Genesis Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, and a Peabody Award. The first season's success prompted Nickelodeon to order a second and third season. Merchandising for the series consisted of action figures, a trading card game, three video games, stuffed animals distributed by Paramount Parks, and two Lego sets. An art book was published in June 2010. The complete series was released on Blu-ray on June 5, 2018 for the 10th anniversary of season 3's finale.^[3]

The series inspired a critically panned but financially successful live-action film, The Last Airbender, directed by M. Night Shyamalan and considered one of the worst movies ever made. An animated sequel series, The Legend of Korra, aired from 2012 to 2014. A new live-action remake of the series by its original creators to be produced for Netflix was announced in September 2018.^[4]

• 1Series overview
• 2Development
• 3Other media
• 4Reception

Series overview

Setting

Avatar: The Last Airbender is set in a world—adjacent to a parallel spirit world—that is home to humans and hybrid animals. Human civilization is divided into four nations, named after the four classical elements: the Water Tribes, the Earth Kingdom, the Fire Nation, and the Air Nomads. Each nation has a distinct society in which select people, known as 'benders' (waterbenders, earthbenders, firebenders and airbenders), have the ability to telekinetically manipulate and control their nation's element using martial arts. The Avatar is the only person with the ability to bend all four elements.

The Avatar, who may be male or female, is an international arbiter whose duty is to maintain harmony among the four nations, and act as a mediator between humans and spirits. When the Avatar dies, their spirit is reincarnated into the next Avatar, who will be from the next nation in a set order that is known as the Avatar cycle: Fire Nation, Air Nomads, Water Tribe, and Earth Kingdom. An Avatar is required to master each bending art, beginning with the element of their home nation, and proceeding to learn the others in the order of the Avatar cycle, starting at the age of 16. Avatars also possess the ability to enter a condition known as the Avatar State, in which they gain the knowledge and abilities of all past Avatars. Although it is when they are most powerful, if an Avatar were ever to be killed while in the Avatar State, the reincarnation cycle would end and the avatar would never again be reborn.

Synopsis

More than a century before the events of the series begin, Fire Lord Sozin, ruler of the Fire Nation, planned a world war to expand his nation's territory and influence. He was prevented from carrying out his plans by Avatar Roku, who was born in the Fire Nation. After Roku's death, the Avatar was reincarnated as an airbender named Aang. Because the Avatar was now a child, Sozin saw his chance and proceeded with his militant plans. At the age of twelve, Aang learned about his avatar status because of the threat of Sozin's war. Afraid of his new responsibilities and of separation from his mentor Gyatso, he fled his home on his flying bison, Appa. Aang was forced into the ocean by a storm; he entered the Avatar State and encased himself and Appa in suspended animation in an iceberg near the South Pole for one-hundred years. Sozin, knowing the avatar's reincarnation cycle mandated an Air Nomad was the new Avatar, carried out a genocide against the Air Nomads during the passage of a once-a-century comet that increased the firebenders' power, and continued his world conquest.

In the present day, as the Fire Nation continues its war against the other nations, Katara, a fourteen-year-old waterbender of the Southern Water Tribe, and her older brother, Sokka, find and revive Aang and Appa. Aang learns about the war, and the siblings join him to reach the Northern Water Tribe at the North Pole so he and Katara can learn waterbending. Aang's return attracts the attention of Prince Zuko, the exiled son of the current Fire Lord Ozai, who pursues them, accompanied by his uncle Iroh. Aang is also pursued by Zhao, a Fire Nation admiral who intends to win Ozai's favor and rob Zuko of his redemption. En route to the North Pole, Aang learns about the genocide against his people when he visits the ruins of the Southern Air Temple. During the winter solstice, Aang meets the spirit of his predecessor, Avatar Roku, and comes to terms with his responsibilities. With the Northern Water Tribe, Aang and Katara learn advanced waterbending from Master Pakku; Sokka falls in love with the chief's daughter, Princess Yue. Zhao's navy lays siege to the tribe, seizing the mortal forms of the ocean and moon spirits—the source of waterbending—and causing a lunar eclipse. Zhao kills the moon spirit to deprive the waterbenders of their abilities but Aang joins with the ocean spirit to drive off the enemy fleet while Yue sacrifices her life to revive the moon spirit. When Ozai hears about his older brother Iroh's resistance to Zhao, he sends his daughter Azula to capture Iroh and Zuko.

After leaving the Northern Water Tribe, Katara continues teaching Aang waterbending while the group searches for an earthbending teacher. They meet Toph Beifong, a twelve-year-old, blind earthbending prodigy who wants independence from her upper-class family. Pursued by Princess Azula, Zuko and Iroh lead new lives in the Earth Kingdom as wanderers and refugees, settling in the capital city Ba Sing Se. At a library guarded by the spirit Wan Shi Tong, Aang and his group learn an imminent solar eclipse could let them stop the Fire Nation before Sozin's Comet arrives. They journey to Ba Sing Se to inform the Earth King of this information. In the city, they find that the Earth King Kuei is a puppet ruler, manipulated by Long Feng, leader of the Dai Li secret police. After Aang's group exposes Long Feng's political machinations, Toph is captured but escapes by learning to bend metal. The Dai Li join Azula to instigate a coup d'état of Ba Sing Se, and Zuko, who has spent his time in Ba Sing Se trying to come to terms with his identity, sides with his sister Azula. During a face off in the catacombs underneath the ancient city, Azula nearly kills Aang, forcing the protagonists to retreat with help from Iroh and leaving the Earth Kingdom under the control of the Fire Nation.

Aang emerges from a coma to find his friends and allies disguised as soldiers on a Fire Nation ship, preparing to invade the Fire Nation capital during the solar eclipse. The invasion is at first successful but Aang and his friends cannot find Ozai and are forced to retreat. Zuko learns about his father's intention to destroy the Earth Kingdom during the return of Sozin's Comet; he begins to regret his decision, and abandons the Fire Nation to join Aang and teach him firebending. As the comet approaches, Aang, a pacifist, wrestles with the possibility that he will have to kill Ozai to end the war. As he, in seclusion, consults the spirits of his predecessors for advice, Katara and the others encounter Iroh, who is leading a secret society called the Order of the White Lotus. The Order liberates Ba Sing Se. Sokka, Toph, and the warrior Suki attack the Fire Nation's airships, while Zuko and Katara confront Azula to prevent her from being crowned as the new Fire Lord. As the comet arrives, Aang confronts Ozai but cannot get the upper hand until Ozai triggers Aang's connection to the Avatar State. Aang strips Ozai of his firebending powers. Zuko is crowned the new Fire Lord and arranges an armistice, establishing peace in the world.

Episodes

The series consists of sixty-one episodes. The first episode—an-hour-long premiere—aired on February 21, 2005, on Nickelodeon.^[5] The series concluded with a two-hour television movie broadcast on July 19, 2008.^[6] Each season of the series is known as a 'book', in which each episode is referred to as a 'chapter'. Each book takes its name from one of the elements Aang must master: Water, Earth, and Fire.^[5] The show's first two seasons each consists of twenty episodes and the third season has twenty-one. The entire series has been released on DVD in regions 1, 2 and 4.^[7]

Development

Conception and production

Avatar: The Last Airbender was co-created and produced by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko at Nickelodeon Animation Studios in Burbank, California. Its animation was mostly done by South Korean studios JM Animation, DR Movie, and MOI Animation. According to Konietzko, the series was conceived in early 2001 when he took an old sketch of a balding, middle-aged man and imagined the man as a child. He drew the character herding bison in the sky and showed the sketch to DiMartino, who was watching a documentary about explorers trapped at the South Pole. Konietzko described their early development of the concept; 'There's an air guy along with these water people trapped in a snowy wasteland .. and maybe some fire people are pressing down on them'.^[8] The co-creators successfully pitched the idea to Nickelodeon vice-president and executive producer Eric Coleman two weeks later.^[9]

The series was introduced to the public in a teaser reel at Comic-Con 2004,^[10] and premiered on February 21, 2005.^[11]

In an interview, Konietzko said: 'Mike and I were really interested in other epic 'Legends & Lore' properties, like Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, but we knew that we wanted to take a different approach to that type of genre. Our love for Japanese anime, Hong Kong action and kung fu cinema, yoga, and Eastern philosophies led us to the initial inspiration for Avatar: The Last Airbender.'^[12]

Influences

The series is notable for borrowing extensively from East Asian art and mythology for its universe. Its creators employed cultural consultants Edwin Zane and calligrapher Siu-Leung Lee to help determine its art direction and settings.^[13][14] Its character designs are influenced by Chinese art and history, Hinduism, Taoism and Buddhism, and Yoga.^[15][13]Jeremy Zuckerman and Benjamin Wynn composed the series' music and sound; they experimented with a wide range of instruments, including the guzheng, pipa, and duduk, to match the show's Asia-influenced setting.^[16] The art style of the fictitious locations used in the series are based on real locations in Asia. Sites such as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China in Beijing were inspirations for the Earth Kingdom city of Ba Sing Se,^[17] and Water Tribe locations were based on Inuit and Sireniki cultures.^[18] According to writer Aaron Ehasz, early Fire Nation designs were based on Japanese culture. To avoid accidentally making broad statements, they redesigned many settings and peoples to be more 'broadly inspired'.^[18] For the final design, the creators went with a more Chinese style for the Fire Nation's clothing and architecture.^[19] For instance, the Fire Temple was based on the Yellow Crane Tower, as its flame-like architectural elements were a perfect motif for the Fire Nation architecture according to the creators.^[20]

The fighting styles employed by the show's characters are derived from Chinese martial arts, for which the film-makers employed Sifu Kisu of the Harmonious Fist Chinese Athletic Association as a consultant.^[21] Each fighting style is unique to the 'benders' who use them or characters who are aligned to a certain element. For example, practitioners of 'waterbending' use movements influenced by T'ai chi and focused on alignment, body structure, breath, and visualization. Hung Gar was the inspiration for practitioners of 'earthbending', and was chosen for its firmly rooted stances and powerful strikes as a representation of the solidity of earth. Northern Shaolin, which uses strong arm and leg movements, was chosen to represent 'firebending'. Ba Gua, which uses dynamic circular movements and quick directional changes, was used for 'airbending'.^[22] The Chu Gar Southern Praying Mantis style can be seen practiced by the earthbender Toph, who develops a unique fighting style as a result of her blindness.^[23] Asian cinema influenced the presentation of these martial-art bending moves.^[8]

Themes

The series explored many concepts rarely touched on in western children's television shows,^[18] including issues relating to war, genocide, and imperialism, gender discrimination and female empowerment, marginalization and oppression, and the philosophical questions surrounding fate and destiny.

The show is set during a period where the entire world is engulfed in an imperialistic war initiated by the Fire Nation. While war is a constant backdrop, the show depicts these effects through the eyes of common people—the oppressed Earth Kingdom citizens as well as brainwashed Fire Nation schoolchildren—to show how war makes victims of everyone.^[18] And while the Fire Nation is presented as the instigator of violence, the show also depicts the systemic inequality experienced by residents in the Earth Kingdom city of Ba Sing Se as well as the nefarious activities of the city's secret police. These situations show the corrupting nature of power and the nuances of good and evil.^[18] The show introduces viewers to genocide early on when protagonist Aang visits his former home in the Southern Air Temple. He arrives to discover his people have been massacred, and allows him to display a range of emotions, from rage to loss.^[24]

The character Zuko and his relationship with his father and Uncle Iroh is the series' main redemption arc and represents the show's message that destiny and fate are not binding or set by other people, but can be changed.^[25] In season one, he struggles to conform to the destiny and path determined by his father,^[18] but Iroh prods him, asking, 'who are you, what do you want?'^[26] The show also represents a diverse cast of characters in order to tackle the issue of marginalization. For example, in introducing a blind character like Toph and a paraplegic boy like Teo, the show depicted characters with vulnerabilities overcoming their physical and societal limitations.^[18] This is also true when it comes to the show's female characters. For example, female protagonist Katara faces systemic sexism when she reaches the Northern Water Tribe to learn waterbending. In another instance, her brother, Sokka is initially dismissive of the all-female Kyoshi Warriors, but learns to respect and appreciate their skills.^[18] According to Kirk Hamilton of Kotaku, these themes represent the show's message that it's more important to be yourself than to hew to the roles society expects of you.'^[26]

Other media

Books

Several books based on the show have been published. Dark Horse Comics published an art book titled Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Art of the Animated Series on June 2, 2010, with 184 pages of original art from the series.^[27] Several comic-book short stories were published in Nickelodeon Magazine, and Dark Horse published Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Lost Adventures—a collection of these and new comics—on June 15, 2011.^[28]

Dark Horse published a graphic-novel series by Gene Yang that continues Aang's story after the Hundred Years' War. Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Promise, published in three volumes in 2012, explores the fate of the Fire Nation colonies that become The Legend of Korra's United Republic. A second set of three comic books, Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Search, focuses on Zuko and Azula, and the fate of their mother Ursa.^[29] The third set, Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Rift, shifts the focus to Aang, the creation of Republic City, and Toph's relationship with her family.^[30] The Rift was followed by Avatar: The Last Airbender – Smoke and Shadow about a resistance force in the Fire Nation against Fire Lord Zuko, who at the end of the original series assumed the throne.^[31] The fifth graphic novel was Avatar: The Last Airbender – North and South, which follows the events of Smoke and Shadow and is about Katara and Sokka returning to the Water Tribe to see various changes to their homeland.^[32] The next planned graphic novel is titled Imbalance and is planned to be released in October 2018. The series explores the emerging conflict between the benders and non-benders that becomes the center for the conflict in the first season of the sequel the Legend of Korra. Unlike the previous five books it is will not be written by Gene Yang.^[33]

A two-part young adult novel series focusing on Avatar Kyoshi will be written by F. C. Yee and published by Abrams Children's Books. The first book, The Rise of Kyoshi, is scheduled to be published in July 2019.^[34]

Video games

A video-game trilogy based on the series has been released. The Avatar: The Last Airbender video game was released on October 10, 2006,^[35] and Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Burning Earth was released on October 16, 2007.^[36]Avatar: The Last Airbender – Into the Inferno was released on October 13, 2008.^[37]Avatar: Legends of the Arena, a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) for Microsoft Windows, was released on September 15, 2008, by Nickelodeon. Players can create their own character and interact with other players around the world.^[38]Avatar: The Last Airbender was THQ's bestselling Nickelodeon game in 2006 and was one of Sony CEA's Greatest Hits.^[39]

Film

The series' first season was the basis of the 2010 live-action film The Last Airbender, which was written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan. It was intended as the first of a trilogy of films, each of which would be based upon one of the three television seasons. The film was universally panned for its writing, acting, whitewashed cast, and Shyamalan's direction; it earned a 6% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes as well as five Razzies at the 31st Golden Raspberry Awards, including Worst Picture.^[40][41][42] Although the film originally shared the title of the television series, the title The Last Airbender was used because producers feared it would be confused with James Cameron's film Avatar.^[43]The Last Airbender stars Noah Ringer as Aang, Nicola Peltz as Katara, Jackson Rathbone as Sokka, Dev Patel as Zuko, and Shaun Toub as Iroh.^[40]

Sequel

The Legend of Korra, a sequel series to Avatar: The Last Airbender, premiered on Nickelodeon on April 14, 2012.^[44] It was written and produced by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, the creators and producers of the original series.^[45] The show was initially titled Avatar: Legend of Korra, then The Last Airbender: Legend of Korra; its events occur seventy years after the end of Avatar: The Last Airbender.^[46] The series' protagonist is Korra, a 17-year-old woman from the Southern Water Tribe who is the incarnation of the Avatar after Aang's death.^[44]

Live-action remake

Netflix announced in September 2018 that a 'reimagined' live-action remake of Avatar was to start production in 2019. The series' original creators, DiMartino and Konietzko, are to be the executive producers and showrunners.^[4] They said that they intended to adapt the series 'with a culturally appropriate, non-whitewashed cast'.^[47] Jeremy Zuckerman, who composed music for the original show, will also be returning to do the music for the remake.^[48] The release is slated for 2020.^[49]

Reception

Ratings

Avatar: The Last Airbender was the highest-rated animated television series in its demographic at its premiere;^[50] an average of 3.1 million viewers watched each new episode.^[50] It had 5.6 million viewers for its highest-rated episode and was a highly rated part of the Nicktoons lineup beyond its 6-to-11-year-old target demographic.^[51][52] A one-hour special, The Secret of the Fire Nation, consisting of the episodes 'The Serpent's Pass' and 'The Drill', aired on September 15, 2006, and attracted 5.1 million viewers. According to the Nielsen Media Research, the special was the highest-rated cable-television program that week.^[53] In 2007, Avatar: The Last Airbender was syndicated to more than 105 countries and was one of Nickelodeon's top-rated programs. The series ranked first on Nickelodeon in Germany, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Colombia.^[54]

The four-part series finale, 'Sozin's Comet', had the series' highest ratings. Its first airing averaged 5.6 million viewers, 95 percent more than Nickelodeon had in mid-July 2007.^[55] During the week of July 14, it was the most-viewed program by the under-14 demographic.^[56][57] The finale's popularity was reflected in online media; Rise of the Phoenix King, a Nick.com online game based on 'Sozin's Comet', had almost 815,000 game plays in three days.^[58]IGN ranked the series 35th on its list of top 100 animated TV shows.^[59]

Critical response

Avatar: The Last Airbender received critical acclaim. Max Nicholson of IGN called it a 'must-watch' and described it as 'one of the greatest animated series of all time'.^[60] Nick Hartel of DVD Talk called the series a remarkable, 'child friendly show' whose legacy 'should endure for years to come'.^[25] Erik Amaya of Bleeding Cool described the series as 'impressive in its sophistication' and 'fantastic'.^[61] Henry Glasheen of SLUG Magazine called the series 'adventurous and exciting', a 'classic' and occasionally moving.^[62] According to Brittany Lovely of Hypable, it tells 'complex and beautiful' stories.^[63] Joe Corey of Inside Pulse described the series as an anime-action hybrid.^[64] Chris Mitchell of Popzara called it one of best shows to air on Nickelodeon, praising the series' background music and voice acting.^[65] D. F. Smith of IGN recommended it to viewers who enjoy action-adventure cartoons.^[66]

Rob Keyes of Screen Rant called the series 'one of the greatest cartoons ever made'.^[67] Mike Noyes of Inside Pulse recommended it to viewers who enjoy 'great' adventure.^[68] Gord Lacey of TVShowsonDVD.com called the series 'one of the finest animated shows ever'.^[69] According to Todd Douglass, Jr. of DVD Talk, adults will enjoy the series as much as children do.^[70] Joshua Miller of CHUD.com called it 'phenomenal' and 'one of the most well animated programs (children's or adult) American TV has ever had'; according to Miller, the series is heavily influenced by anime.^[71] Tim Janson of Cinefantastique described it as 'one of the most engaging animated shows produced'.^[72] Dennis Amith of J!ENT called the series 'one of the best animated TV series shown in the US by American creators'. Amith praised its sophisticated storylines, edginess, humor, and action.^[73] Franco 'Cricket' Te of Nerd Society described Avatar: The Last Airbender as 'one of the best cartoon[s]' he had ever seen, recommending the series for its characters and plot.^[74] Scott Thill of Wired called the series engaging and its setting, influenced by the Eastern world, 'fantastic'.^[75]Kirk Hamilton of Kotaku said the series should be part of the golden age of television, and recommended 'the sophisticated kids show' to others.^[26]

The show's writing and theme have been widely praised by critics. Michael S. Mammano of Den of Geek called the plot 'smartly-written' and praised the animation.^[76] Nicole Clark, writing for Vice News, wrote that the show's narrative depth was 'its greatest asset', and praised the story's 'emotional authenticity' and how it 'expose[d] very young viewers to darker subject matter, like genocide and authoritarianism, while giving them a framework for understanding these issues.'^[18] Jenifer Rosenberg of ComicMix liked the program's emphasis on family, friends, community, and education.^[77] According to Nick Hartel, the series touches on themes of 'genocide and self-doubt' without frightening younger children; rogue characters are redeemable, sending an important message that people can change and are not bonded to 'destiny'.^[25] Chris Mitchell called the plot 'fantastic'.^[65] D. F. Smith compared the series' plot to Japanese action cartoons, calling its tone and dialogue 'very American' and praising the humor leavening an epic, dramatic theme suitable for all ages.^[66] Rob Keyes also praised the series' humor and affecting plot: '[It] will capture your hearts'.^[67]

According to Mike Noyes, the series amalgamates elements of 'classic fantasy epics'.^[68] Todd Douglass, Jr. called the plot engaging, well-thought-out, and meaningful. The series' concept is 'well-realized', with a consistent story. Douglass wrote that the characters '[have] a real sense of progression', and praised the writers for their humor, drama, and emotion.^[70] Joshua Miller called the series surprisingly dark despite its 'silly' theme; the plot is livelier than that of Lost and, similar to the latter show, emphasizes character development. According to Miller, its writing was 'true adult levels of storytelling'.^[71] Tim Janson described the series as more than fantasy-and superhero-themed, seeing the characters as central and relateable.^[72] 'Cricket' Te praised the series' use of Buddhist philosophies and the diverse presentation of its themes of courage and life.^[74] Kirk Hamiltion praises the series for expressing towards its audience to be themselves and for its quiet progressivism.^[26]

Critics also praised Avatar: The Last Airbender's character development, art, animation, and choreography; Eric Amaya enjoyed the expressive animation that complements the writing. According to Amaya, the elements were influenced by Hayao Miyazaki.^[61] Todd Douglass, Jr. called the character development interesting,^[70] while Nicole Clark wrote that the show 'managed to do what so few shows even today have: assemble a cast of characters that depicts the world as it is, with a range of identities and experiences.'^[18] Jenifer Rosenburg praised the series' portrayal of females as 'strong, responsible, [and] intelligent'.^[77] According to Joshua Miller, the bender characters' use of bending for everyday activities brings 'depth and believability' to the avatar world. Miller called the series' designs 'rich and immersive', with each nation having its own, detailed look. He praised the action scenes as 'well rendered', comparing the development of the avatar world to that of The Lord of the Rings, and the fight choreography as 'wonderful in its most minor details'.^[71] D. F. Smith enjoyed the series' painstaking backgrounds.^[66] 'Cricket' Te praised each episode's color palette and the choreography's combination of martial arts and magic.^[74] Nick Hartel criticized the animation, although he found it an improvement over previous Nickelodeon shows.^[25] Chris Mitchell called the animation fluid.^[65] 'Cricket' Te agreed, noting its manga influence.^[74] According to Brittany Lovely, non-bender characters in battle are 'overshadowed' by their bender counterparts.^[63] Joe Corey called the animation's action and environments a 'great achievement',^[64] and Rob Keyes praised the series' fight choreography.^[67] According to Kirk Hamilton, the action sequences in the series are amazing while being child-appropriate and exciting.^[26]

Awards and nominations

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External links

• Avatar: The Last Airbender on IMDb
• Avatar: The Last Airbender at the Big Cartoon DataBase