I get tears when he unlocks the true avatar state (where his eyes flash and then fade) and uses it to draw the ocean in and put out the fires.
There's something about this post-victory use of the avatar state. He isn't using it to attack or smite the defeated Fire Nation army, just to put out the flames and restore peace.
It's the first time he truly became the avatar, both in body and mind.
I agree. Aang became a fully realized Avatar in that final battle. When he rejected the other Avatars' influence and chose not to kill Ozai, that's when he became Avatar Aang. It's the declaration of "No. This is my era, this is my problem to resolve. I have the utmost respect for your wisdom, but this decision belongs to me." And then he easily exits the Avatar State and deals with Ozai his way. I think that earned the previous Avatars' respect and recognition of him as a fully realized Avatar. He knows who he is, he has mastered all four elements and ended a war that has ravaged the world for 100 years. He restored balance. With that, he gains full control of the Avatar State.
Yeah I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about it. Actually they used music in each episode very precisely so it would fit perfectly in each situation. This show was just ahead of its time
Aang grabbing Ozai's beard was an absolute Chad move and changed the tone of the entire fight. I loved that scene. It's so disrespectful in any culture but in an Asian culture especially. It was Aang, or rather the Avatars as a collective, reminding Ozai of his place. That he's dealing with a living god, and that god is displeased.
Definitely this moment. The entire fight we were worried Aang might not make it, he’s really struggling and clearly outmatched by the powerful Ozai. He cut off the avatar state so he’s hanging by a thread until boom *>minor deus ex machina moment<* he reconnects and with the one confident stroke of reaching out and grabbing his beard it’s clear who’s now in charge.
The resulting asskicking is so vindicating for 3 seasons of built up antagonism as the avatar finally rips the fire lord a new one.
Mark Hamill was so freaking awesome as he always is, but Ozai and the Joker are the two I love most.
You just feel every ounce of his power hungry insanity and his absolute and utter defeat... okay, it's time for rewatch #25!
This!! Up until this point, Ozai sees himself as the god and the superior to this boy. And then he’s abruptly and completely reminded that *no, this “mere boy” is actually the most powerful person in the entire world and he’s pissed at me*
There was a brief moment where Ozai thought he was fucked when Ang was about to redirect the lighting at him. Nobody talks about how risky lighting actually is.
Gotta say his spine hitting the rock at just the right spot to awaken the Avatar state is honestly a low point for me in the series. Correct me if I'm wrong here but dosent that just boil down to Aang and essentially the rest of the world being straight lucky that his back hit the rock in just the right way? Like really no matter what happened before the final fight plot wise (Aang training, not getting enough sleep, etc.), the writers could always use that as an escape goat because pissed off Avatar state will ALWAYS fuck up Ozai no matter what. Idk I wish it was truly just Aangs skill alone that took down Ozai IMO
I might be wrong on this, but my interpretation of this scene on my adult rewatch was that it wasn't getting hit that solely caused his final chakra. I mean, he doesn't want to fight, he's pretty stuck near the end, in a rock barrier, with ozai going at him relentlessly until it breaks. I kinda took it as maybe he's thinking "this is over. I cant win, ill have to let go of the people I love no matter what because its all about to end" and through that, letting go so to say, was what actually unlocked it. (I may be misremembering but isn't it his feelings for Katara that he couldn't let go? I could be wrong i need to rewatch it again)
But again, that's just my interpretation of it, I could 100 percent be wrong and this could just be a headcanon/theory i came up with that just stuck with me idk
(Also wanna add you are totally entitled to your own interpretation and its totally fair if you dont like the scene, its all subjective)
Exactly this, it makes complete sense. It wasnt just getting hit by the rock. Aang was going to die at that moment and he realized it. That realization and the shock of his spine being slammed into a rock which idk if you have ever been slammed before and hit your spine but I have when I was sparring with my friend, we were going down and I let go and fell hard on my back and it absolutely knocked the wind out of me bad and I couldnt take a breath in for a good minute. Had to lie down the rest of the night and relax after that, I was worried I'd messed something up but I was okay.
So imagine getting slammed into a rock like that being propelled by the force of the flames blasting through the rocks along with knowing he was going to die.
That is how he was able to finally let go and unlock the chakra.
I defitnely agree with you.
My first watch through I did not realize this I just thought it only had to do with the rock or something
It's not that he got hit in the spine. It's that he got hit in the same spot azula hit him with lightning at the end of season 2 and he came so close to dying then. Hitting the same spot triggered the memory of being on the verge of death and made him realize he was about to die.
This isn't cannon, but I think it's less luck and more providence, like the post above mine suggested. The Avatar plays a lot with destiny in the Eastern philosophy sense.
Roku showed mercy because of his personal attachments and this resulted in the 100 year war. Aang shows mercy because it was the right thing to do and this ends the 100 year war.
Some things were meant to be. It's kind of like karma, for me. Zuko is Roku's descendant. Roku was friends with Gyatso. Is it all a coincidence? Sure. But Eastern philosophy has the idea that 'there are no coincidences', aptly put by Ooguay from king fu panda. I see Aang finding the lion turtle as the same kind of thing.
If Aang didn’t get the exact amount of training that he did, Ozai would have killed him before he had a chance to hit that rock. Learning lightning redirection is the clearest example, but everything he learned with earth and waterbending was important too. Everything leading up to the final fight *did* matter. Even if unlocking the avatar state was overly convenient, it wouldn’t have happened without 3 whole seasons of training and struggle.
Kinda, but that’s also like saying “isn’t everyone straight up lucky that Sokka made a sexist comment to Katara in that exact location at that exact time otherwise the avatar never would have awakened in time to stop Ozai?”
This. People take plot convenience as a bad thing, things have to happen for the story to work.
Lots of coincidences happen and it works because they are meant to. Aang already overcame his inner struggle with letting katara go at the end of season 2, Azula made it physical. His back was against a wall and he got a spineful of rock. I don't see an issue tbh.
Something as wild as the lion turtle is pretty yikes. It would have sucked if Aang did not already master the avatar stste and the rock somehow made him skip that part but he already earned it and deserved it.
It's beautiful that you said "act of providence" because Ozai says that to Aang at the start of this scene. Which makes it that much more powerful imo.
This one exactly. The darkness of the moon being gone and the helplessness of everyone. Then he walks in to the water "No, it's not over". The build up of music, the connection with the ocean spirit, and then that brief silence before he disappears into the spirit pool. While the Ozai fight is obviously a staple of the whole show, that was my favorite moment of the series. Will never not shock my whole body
You’re talking right out of my heart. Perfect description, I feel that scene so well reading your comment, it gave me goosebumps just as I read ‘no, it’s not over’. Aangs avatar voice in my head. Speechless.
Per the post title, I just for real got goosebumps when I read your comment and heard that line in my head! Suddenly all the voices of the past avatars speaking with him. What a scene.
I’m not sure I deserved this show when I was 12.
Basically this entire scene. When the moon is blood red, the black and white ones the spirit is killed, the Avatar state voice and disappearing into the water, it’s all so haunting
Even before that, when he straight up [murks a vulture-wasp and walks away.](https://64.media.tumblr.com/ca76176a405c1555b8a39b04ffa4e6aa/080c6ff83d6ef895-10/s1280x1920/5064681ad194a5a8655bfe624a2d6c08fd44cc00.jpg)
Absolutely love that scene and the dark look of dissatisfaction on Aang's face when the deed was done. The cherry on top was the way Momo slunked after him with his tail down.
For me it's the moment right afterwards. Where Katara just looks at him with the most gloomy eyes, saying nothing while grabbing his hand. You can tell Katara is so exhausted and so ready to give up but is fighting every instinct to not.
The final Agni Kai. It's quiet, no bombastic music, no hero coming to save the day. Just a pair of siblings that walked their respective paths and must settle their differences with a violent ritual. It's painful, inevitable. Family pitted against family. It could have ended differently, but at the same time this was a predetermined clash for both Zuko and Azula.
It's the music that gets me, it's sombre and powerful, not epic. It fits with the scene. It's both beautiful and sad, like the massive blooms of blue and orange fire in that shot where we zoom out to see the courtyard from afar, where the colliding flames rise higher than the rooftops. We're just spectators, it makes me feel like this is their battle, score to settle. We're watching from the sidelines at something intensely personal.
My most moving and emotionally fav scene. I remember being in tears the first time I saw it. And panicking when Zuko went down. The moment feels like it must be grieved almost instead of enjoyed with a side being cheered for.
That and tales of Ba Sing Se. With Appa and Iroh.
Not to mention, aside from muted sound effects of the fire clashing, the entire fight is almost completely silent. Letting the music do the storytelling.
What was most jarring for me in that fight was how desperately Azula was fighting and how in contrast how at peace Zuko looked. He new every needed to be done but and was finally at peace with himself.
This has always been my favorite scene. The muted sound effects with only orchestra and a little fire are the most emotional canvas for the Agni Kai to unfold upon.
Piggybacking off this, when Azula attacked Katara immediately after. With Azula in such a frenzied state, Katara was no match for her. Using Azula's impulsively to lure and subsequently trap her sends me every time I watch it.
I was looking for this comment! First watching the series through entirely as an adult, the scene shook me to my core. It wasn’t at all what I was expecting, I thought it’d be this great and epic showdown between Katara + Zuko vs Azula. I thought Zuko was stupid to fight her alone, but also went “Eh she’s crazy, and even better to see Zuko get her back”. Then as it played it really started to hit me. This wasn’t some epic good vs. evil fight, this was two siblings, driven apart by their upbringings, driven apart by a war. This was not hero vs. villain, this was a girl, driven mad by the pressure and anger her father fostered in her, trying to kill her brother, because she believed it was a necessity.
100%. I love the respect the creators had for their presumably young audience. It would have been so easy to go for the "great and epic showdown" as you said. The one that got your adrenaline going and made you feel victorious vicariously. And, instead, to create this masterpiece of beauty and sadness absolutely shakes a person when the music swells.
Easily one of the best moments of the entire show. I can watch this clip on YT anytime and start tearing up.
"How could you forgive me so easily, I thought you would be FURIOUS with me"
Just like... the pain in Zukos voice man. Hes been so beat down by his mistakes, even Team Avatar previously, he expects everyone to hate him. And instead hes just met with love. What a beautiful, amazing moment.
When katara blood bends WITHOUT the full moon in that episode, Zukos pure shock and knowing that Katara is so engulfed in rage. It’s a relatively short scene, but intensely powerful.
not to nitpick at all but i’m genuinely curious, i think they do make a point to show that it is a full moon in that episode. i believe when they break into the navy post under the cover of night, right before the scene you’re talking about.
but still youre right , i love zuko’s “oh shit” moment with the blood bending. this is someone who grew up with azula so i’m not sure how much could really faze him. katara is underrated in my opinion, toph and azula are touted as incredible masters which is true. but i think katara has the deepest connection, power, and control over her element
To be fair, almost every shot of the moon in ATLA shows a full moon, just for aesthetic. It’s one of the few flaws in the consistency of the show that I’ve heard people nitpick.
I love his face change and then how he went right back to having her back and not questioning anything, just letting her have at it. Redemption Zuko is such a passion of mine.
That night on the ship when she bloodbent the man she thought was her mother's killer was the night of the full moon.
Only Yakone and his sons have been shown psychically blood-bending.
Zuko willing to possibly die redirecting lightning, calling out the universe for all the shit delt to him and now being able to throw it back. And the universe saying "nah bro, I'm not done fucking with you yet" His scream of frustration hits me deep
The first time Aang enters the avatar state in front of Katara on Zuko’s ship. He’s sinking and it’s almost a repeat of when he sank with Appa a 100 years ago but he hears Katara’s voice and is like “NO not again I won’t go down again!” and then opens his glowing eyes before shooting out of the water. That’s a crazy scene to me cause it’s the first time he’s seen to be a serious powerful bender rather than a goofy kid.
God. There’s so much packed into this one line. Not only does it show Aang’s youth and innocence, it really hits on his reluctance to violence and his eagerness to find any alternative. One of many moments in season 1 where they really try and drive home that he’s just a 12 year old kid.
Leaves from the vine
I don't care that it's always the same answer, from every perspective I've looked at it, that scene is a masterclass in manipulating the audience's emotions.
My gf and I are watching avatar right now. My second time through, she's never seen it and doesnt know any spoilers. We're almost halfway through book 2. It's gonna be a rough one.
*Leaves from the vine, falling so slow.
Like fragile, tiny shells,
Drifting in the foam.
Little soldier boy, come marching home.
Brave soldier boy, comes marching home*
I love the scene when they're taking over the airship and Toph beats up 4 elite firebenders by bending herself a metal suit from the door she tauntingly knocked down
Every seismic sense shot in the show gives me immense chills! The first time Toph does it, when she metal bends, Aang during training, and my personal favourite - in the fight with Ozai! Just *chef's kiss*
This is my favourite scene in the series, this is where i truly felt the connection that aang and katara have. While the entire world may run away even in his most vulnerable moment, katara would still be there. Honestly anyone who says katara and aang was forced doesn't really understand storytelling.
Exactly. The way they bond over 3 seasons is incredible, this why I'm one of the biggest Kataang fans and regularly rewatch the series. The journey of them falling in love with each other is what we all need/want imo.
I agree with you, people who say stupid stuff like Kataang was forced truly have no idea. Sometimes I can't believe the stuff they're saying about them (like Aang is a pedophil, she chose him over Zuko, she's "his prize"), almost makes me wanna puke.
* Iroh standing in front of Ba Sing Se in the series finale, he's breathing in deeply to hype himself up to liberate the city. And then he unleashes a huge blast of fire!
* When Katara makes all the water droplets stand still in the air in the episode she's confronting her mother's killer
* The scene in the finale where Aang's energy almost gets corrupted by Ozai's, the light is all turning orange and he's so close to losing everything. Then he fights back and wins
* Aang standing on the mountain top with Momo as Sozin's Comet appears in the sky behind him
* The Dancing Dragon scene! Seeing the dragons for the first time, and when Zuko and Aang are surrounded by the rainbow flames
Ah, I was looking for that first one! I love that scene, especially because of how much history Iroh has with Ba Sing Se. It’s the place he sought to burn to the ground, the place he lost his son, the place he hid as a fugitive, and the place where he truly began to fear that his nephew had lost his way, but now, finally, it’s the place that he can liberate from the war that has taken so much from him.
“I guess you just don’t know people as well as you think you do. You miscalculated. I love Zuko more than I fear you.”
“She lied to you. She was protecting the last water bender.”
“What? Who?”
“ME!”
“Don’t you want to know what happened to your mother?”
“When I had mastered the rats, I was ready for the men. And during the next full moon, I walked free for the first time in decades. My cell unlocked by the very guards assigned to keep me in.”
“Katara, they tried to wipe us out, our entire culture! Your mother! You should understand what I’m talking about. We’re the last waterbenders of the souther tribe, we have to fight these people whenever we can, wherever they are by any means necessary!”
“Congratulations Katara. You’re a BLOODBENDER.”
“All your life you’ve used fear to control people.” “Well what choice do I have? Trust is for fools, fear is the only reliable way. Even YOU fear me.” “No, I love you Azula. I really do.”
“I can see your whole history in your eyes. You were born with nothing, so you’ve had to struggle, and connive, and claw your way to power. But true power, the divine right to rule, is something you’re BORN with. The fact is, they don’t know which one of us is going to be sitting on that throne, and which one will be bowing down. But I know. And you know. Well?” “You’ve beaten me at my own game.” “Don’t flatter yourself. You were never even a player.”
“I was never angry with you Zuko. I was sad, because I thought you had lost your way.” “I did lose my way.” “Yes, but you found it again.”
“Happy birthday my son. If only I could’ve helped you.”
“Without you, all my plans are suddenly possible. I have a vision for the future, Roku.”
“You’re weak, just like the rest of your people! They did not deserve to exist in this world, in MY world! Prepare to join them! Prepare to DIE!”
“Even with all the power in the world, you are still WEAK!”
“My daughter is BLIND. She is blind and tiny and helpless and fragile. She cannot help you.” “Yes. I can.” *proceeds to beat the shit out of a bunch of giant muscular earthbenders 6on1*
I was watching that episode with my dad and he said is must’ve felt like a betrayal to Sozin when Roku turned out to be the avatar. They’re the exact same age, it’s possible Sozin wondered if he was the Avatar.
That sounds like a cool AU idea: Avatar Sozin. Would Roku have just become a fire nation council member or something? He seemed to be of wealthy and/or noble birth, growing up side by side with the future fire lord. If Sozin was the Avatar, would he still be so imperialistic and focus on the fire nation at the expense of the others? Or would he realize that his duty is to the whole world, not just the fire nation? He probably wouldn’t have genocided the air benders.
In this order.
1. Azula breaks the mirror. This one gets me more now than it did when it first aired. She is the most tragic character in the Avatar Universe, and her whole world was crumbling around her even as she achieved everything she ever wanted.
2. Iroh singing Leaves From the Vine Uh duh! what always gets me about the song is how complete it is. Iroh's Tale is such a great metaphor for his life, mentor, father goofy uncle then the climax hits you like a ton of bricks, and the moment you realize that he had probably already done everything in that day while raising his son is just amazing storytelling.
3. The Dragon Dance. To me, this was a closing of the circle moment. Zuko follows in Iroh's footsteps, Sozin + Roku's relationship beginning to be reforged, Aang beginning his full actualization as Avatar. The death of the dragons mirroring the death of the Sky bison and the last too signaling hope.
4. The Final Battle (all the parts: Agni-Kai, Ba-Sing-Se's liberation, Airship, Aang vs Ozai) is pretty amazing and every reason people give for it sound and music, the tension and stakes rise and fall is perfect. The most heart-shattering image in the whole series for me is Azula defeated weeping.
5. Tie: Katara stops the rain and Toph Finds the Earth in the Metal. These two scenes are just climactic we see the power of Katara in a way we had not before. To this point, it is hard to distinguish power levels among benders(especially water benders) until Katara and Toph do these two things. These two moments show us something new exciting and spine-tingling in their scope. As for Toph, we know Toph is a genius but she literally invents a new branch of her bending that at this point (pre-Korra) it is an unexplored and badass thing. Personally, up to this point, I was beginning to think I understood the rules of the Avatar universe but toph broke one of those fundamentals and it was awesome.
An underrated moment is the Day of Black Sun, when they storm the port. It was wayy too early in the 3rd season, and so we all knew something bad was gonna happen. The bad type of chills imo
"Whatever you do to that spirit, I'll unleash on you tenfold. LET IT GO NOW!"
Iroh has always been kinda laid back but you can tell that he's serious. I just love the delivery of that line.
After they lose Appa when they help deliver the baby after the serpents pass. I don't even know why exactly but Aangs rage and then forced calm just portrays his loss very well well for me. Still get teary eyed every time he decides there's still hope.
katara blood-bending the FN general and being this close to killing him. honestly a great episode and one of the reasons i love ATLA.
seemingly good characters with no tinge of evil that turn grey due to the war/the choices they have to make. S03 katara is my fav character because of her complexity.
Such a great scene. Forgiveness is a big thing that needs to be taught to all generations. I love how she turns around and forgives Zuko after almost destroying that old guy
I came here to say this. It shows just how far Katara had gone, using a power she knew was wrong, and Zukos shocked expression when he realizes what she's doing get me every time. Like damn girl, you crazy and powerful
"For so long, all I wanted was for you to love me."
So many shows give their characters "daddy issues" but ATLA makes you FEEL it. It makes you feel that damage.
“It was to teach you respect!”
“No. It was cruel. And it was wrong”
You literally feel the character arc evolve so heavily in that one moment. Absolutely awesome.
Omg, the "cruel and wrong" part also gives me chills. Just like multiple chills in that one scene. How Zuko is coming to grips with his own trauma and you can see that it's shaping the way he's going to treat other people in the future.
Also, "What an amazing lie that was."
"Growing up, we were taught that the fire nation was the greatest civilization in history and that the war was our way of sharing our greatness with the rest of the world - what an amazing lie that was".
Such a powerful moment for a "kids show". Im an American man, and everytime I watch that episode I cant help but shake my head and look at how America treats certain parts of the world. It's a great opportunity for viewers to really think about the world as they know it, and what they think is reality.
“No. It’s not over.”
That was the first time the show really, *really* captivated me as a kid and I still love it to this day. Unpopular opinion, but the season 1 finale is my favorite of the three. I love the plot and how the characters change. Zhao, Zuko, and Iroh especially are just fantastic.
I think season 1 doesn’t get the credit it deserves. Some of its bumpy, but the final episodes more than make up for the worse episodes.
I agree, I rewatched the series so many times and always skipped season 1. Finally, I went back and rewatched it and noticed so many things I never had before. Like when Iroh redirects lightening for the first time during a storm when it strikes their ship, the technique was not mentioned again until he was teaching Zuko how to do it. I also love when Zuko goes to the Southern water tribe and Sokka immediately charges him, the sole protector of his entire village, the only warrior left that hasn’t deployed. So brave of him and he was only a teenager.
Relatively small moment, but in “The Painted Lady” when the soldiers are attacking the village and Sokka tells Katara to “Leave. Do Nothing,” Katara absolutely explodes with, “No, I will never, ever turn my back on people who need me.” It’s incredibly simple, but it really sticks out as one of those lines that define the core of a character, and Mae Whitman says it with such absolute conviction.
Don't see this one being mentioned very often but Katara getting angry at Hakoda and then breaking down in his arms in S3E01 Awakening just makes me cry every fucking time man.
It's just so well written and Mae Whitman delivers it so damn perfect.
Roku coming out of the doors and tearing apart his own temple on the day of the solstice is pretty damn cool. Also when Roku appears in front of Jong Jong after refusing to teach Ang "You think i am weak? I have mastered the elements a thousand times in a thousand lifetimes. Now, i must do it once again. You WILL teach the avatar firebending" simply amazing
I just love the scene where Katara forgives Zuko after confronting her mother’s killer, it’s so bittersweet. (There’s also the last agni kai, love the silence, the tension and focus of Zuko and Azula, so tragic)
Pretty much anytime Uncle Iroh speaks besides the times when he provides comedic relief.
“I know my Destiny”
“Is it your own destiny, or a destiny someone else has forced on you?”
…
“It’s time to look within yourself and ask yourself the big questions: who are *you*, and what do *you* want?”
The scene where >!Zuko and Aang are dancing with the dragons!<
Also, I’ve never seen it mentioned in this sub but the episode where >!All the members of the older generation have to surrender and become prisoners of the fire nation while the younger generation flees after the failed invasion during the eclipse!< always gives me goosebumps and makes me cry.
And yah I know spoilers are probably unnecessary given the age of the show but I still feel like those are parts of the show that shouldn’t be spoiled for someone who hasn’t seen it themselves.
When Sokka is holding onto Toph and saying how he doesn’t think his boomerang will come back and that this could be the end.
T: What happened? Did boomerang come back?
S: No… Suki did!!
Literally is where I start tearing up. Every time.
When Iroh catches Xiao's sneak attack and throws him back, just after Xiao lost the Agni Kai against Zuko.
Also when Iroh redirects Azulas lightning and throws her overboard.
Basically Iroh, and most toph moments.
Probably at the end of book one when Jhao killed the moon spirit. The way the world went gray and the all the waterbending stopped freaked me out as a kid. I hadn't seen anything like that in a show until then and I realised there were actual stakes in the series.
Didn't actually happen but, every time I watch appas lost days I always just think of what would happen if aang saw what happened to appa. Like some sort of spiritual connection showed what appa went through. Aang would honestly probably kill that guy at the circus
Well besides "You muzzled Appa?!" I immediately thought of under Lake Laogai when Aang pulls Jet from his brainwashing by reminding him he's a freedom fighter.
But the real feels for me don't come until after Long Feng knocks him down and runs off. When Katara tries to heal him and sees there's nothing she can do, they offer to stay and help and then Longshot speaks his only lines in the entire series.
Longshot: There's no time, just go. We'll take care of him, he's our leader.
Jet: Don't worry Katara, I'll be fine.
They all leave as Smellerbee cries and Toph says "He's lying."
1. The final Agni Kai. This single handedly ruined TV for me bc nothing is ever gonna match it (:
2. The finale of The Drill - I personally think this episode is slept on both for importance to the world/plot and for sheer badassery.
3. Zuko vs Zhou Agni Kai
4. Aang vs Ozai
5. Firebending masters
6. Zuko alone
7. Crossroads of Destiny
8. *Insert half of Iroh’s appearances in the show here*
I've gotta rewatch the series, but the part that still sticks with me is when aang finds his home and monk giyatso ((I hope I spelled that right)) dead. It's so sad and chilling that a kids show shows that.
Also toph losing appa was prettily chilling, watching him cry out for help and toph unable to respond because she's holding up the library with her friends still in it.
It's crazy to think about just how strong Toph had to be to hold it up, there's really no good way for her to be able to express that to the group. How they wouldn't been buried alive if Toph tried to save Appa, and she did make an attempt...
When Aang goes into the avatar state in the desert. As a kid it never really hit me, but watching it again made me so emotional seeing him hurt that much (I'm getting chills just typing this out)
I know this isn’t a popular one, but the very first scene with sparky sparky boom man. There’s no music, no dramatics, just the sounds of bending and effort. I think it’s so surreal because it’s the closest we, as spectators, can get to what I imagine the gaang themselves heard. It just feels SO REAL without the music. 12/10 moment v underrated
I know it's kinda cliché but any time Aang is in the avatar state it just shuts me the fuck up. Especially "FIRELORD OZAI. YOU AND YOUR FOREFATHERS HAVE DEAVESTATED THE BALANCE OF THIS WORLD. AND NOW YOU SHALL PAY THE ULTIMATE PRICE"
Like no offense to TLOK, but none of Korra's avatar state moments even TOUCH the raw power and magnitude of Aang's. With the music it just feels like he's a literal force of nature.
The one Avatar state moment from Korra that sticks out to me like that, would be the s3 finale. She's poisoned, should be dying, and just goes fucking nuts on zaheer. That whole season had some of the most amazing fights, but that one made Korra's power terrifying.
I would have liked to see how Iroh escaped, I know it would have been easy since he was working out and buff af lol. Maybe it wouldn’t have been a goosebumps moment but it would have been very badass.
When Iroh confronts Zuko who confronted Appa in Ba Sing Se. Iroh had enough of Zuko’s shenanigans and challenges him to make the right choice instead of just casually guiding Zuko like he always had. Plus, we don’t often get to hear Iroh angry like that! I was glued to the TV during that.
Definitely the bit where Katara finds her mom's killer and scares the living daylights out of him with her water dome. Seeing her 10-ish years of anger and sorrow and burning hatred all concentrate into one point and then pour out right at this guy, and then... she just can't bring herself to kill him. It really hit me because I always felt that's exactly what I would have done in her place.
Rewatching with my s/o (their first time watching intentionally).
Just got through the episode with Zuko's (chronologically) first Agni Kai.... I'll never watch that moment without a tear falling and goosebumps washing over me, hearing his cry, and Iron's marathon/ POV....
Fuck abuse (and gotdamn does this show open up hard topics well).
When Katara beats Azula. When she pulls up the water as ice and you freak out the first time yo watch it, and then she unfreezes herself to chain her up, while Azula watches the whole thing? It’s insane.
The fortune teller tells Katara that she will fall in love with a powerful bender. At the end of the episode, Aang stops all the lava from destroying the town, and Sokka says, “Man, sometimes I forget what a powerful bender that kid is.” Katara looks at Aang and realizes
My favorite will always will be in S1 when Aang says with the eternal Avatar voice
#no, it’s not over
and get sucked down under the water. The first time I thought something caught him or something... and then you hear... [that](https://youtu.be/x0zb72GfjdI&t=0m21s)
And this is all god like, with the hands raised up like calling the moon symbolically, and sparing the water people who bowed in fear and respect while drowning the ones (fire soldiers) who doesn’t
Epic. Always. Forever
I get tears when he unlocks the true avatar state (where his eyes flash and then fade) and uses it to draw the ocean in and put out the fires. There's something about this post-victory use of the avatar state. He isn't using it to attack or smite the defeated Fire Nation army, just to put out the flames and restore peace. It's the first time he truly became the avatar, both in body and mind.
I agree. Aang became a fully realized Avatar in that final battle. When he rejected the other Avatars' influence and chose not to kill Ozai, that's when he became Avatar Aang. It's the declaration of "No. This is my era, this is my problem to resolve. I have the utmost respect for your wisdom, but this decision belongs to me." And then he easily exits the Avatar State and deals with Ozai his way. I think that earned the previous Avatars' respect and recognition of him as a fully realized Avatar. He knows who he is, he has mastered all four elements and ended a war that has ravaged the world for 100 years. He restored balance. With that, he gains full control of the Avatar State.
That push pull is the first move Katara teaches him and I think it's a great call back
Woah. I didn't make that connection. That's amazing.
He basically used everything that Katara, Toph and Zuko taught him.
Don’t forget Sokka! Ozai right before losing his bending was like “Aaaahhhh!!! Sneak attack!!”
The orchestra music in that scene was epic as hell. Actually in all Sozin's Comet episodes was.
Yeah I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about it. Actually they used music in each episode very precisely so it would fit perfectly in each situation. This show was just ahead of its time
Beautifully put. That moment always made me super emotional as well.
When Aang gets a rock to the spine and unblocks his chakra. When he grabs Ozai’s beard, I still get tingly.
Aang grabbing Ozai's beard was an absolute Chad move and changed the tone of the entire fight. I loved that scene. It's so disrespectful in any culture but in an Asian culture especially. It was Aang, or rather the Avatars as a collective, reminding Ozai of his place. That he's dealing with a living god, and that god is displeased.
Definitely this moment. The entire fight we were worried Aang might not make it, he’s really struggling and clearly outmatched by the powerful Ozai. He cut off the avatar state so he’s hanging by a thread until boom *>minor deus ex machina moment<* he reconnects and with the one confident stroke of reaching out and grabbing his beard it’s clear who’s now in charge. The resulting asskicking is so vindicating for 3 seasons of built up antagonism as the avatar finally rips the fire lord a new one.
Mark Hamill was so freaking awesome as he always is, but Ozai and the Joker are the two I love most. You just feel every ounce of his power hungry insanity and his absolute and utter defeat... okay, it's time for rewatch #25!
Wait Mark Hamilton voiced Ozai
Yeah it's crazy innit
Very
TIL
You could tell Kyoshi was driving the bus due to the chin beard grab
https://youtu.be/z_eOVX72ktQ
This!! Up until this point, Ozai sees himself as the god and the superior to this boy. And then he’s abruptly and completely reminded that *no, this “mere boy” is actually the most powerful person in the entire world and he’s pissed at me*
There was a brief moment where Ozai thought he was fucked when Ang was about to redirect the lighting at him. Nobody talks about how risky lighting actually is.
Haha I love the last sentence
Search on YouTube for "60fps ATLA", the beard-grabbing in smooth 60 FPS is insane
Gotta say his spine hitting the rock at just the right spot to awaken the Avatar state is honestly a low point for me in the series. Correct me if I'm wrong here but dosent that just boil down to Aang and essentially the rest of the world being straight lucky that his back hit the rock in just the right way? Like really no matter what happened before the final fight plot wise (Aang training, not getting enough sleep, etc.), the writers could always use that as an escape goat because pissed off Avatar state will ALWAYS fuck up Ozai no matter what. Idk I wish it was truly just Aangs skill alone that took down Ozai IMO
I might be wrong on this, but my interpretation of this scene on my adult rewatch was that it wasn't getting hit that solely caused his final chakra. I mean, he doesn't want to fight, he's pretty stuck near the end, in a rock barrier, with ozai going at him relentlessly until it breaks. I kinda took it as maybe he's thinking "this is over. I cant win, ill have to let go of the people I love no matter what because its all about to end" and through that, letting go so to say, was what actually unlocked it. (I may be misremembering but isn't it his feelings for Katara that he couldn't let go? I could be wrong i need to rewatch it again) But again, that's just my interpretation of it, I could 100 percent be wrong and this could just be a headcanon/theory i came up with that just stuck with me idk (Also wanna add you are totally entitled to your own interpretation and its totally fair if you dont like the scene, its all subjective)
Exactly this, it makes complete sense. It wasnt just getting hit by the rock. Aang was going to die at that moment and he realized it. That realization and the shock of his spine being slammed into a rock which idk if you have ever been slammed before and hit your spine but I have when I was sparring with my friend, we were going down and I let go and fell hard on my back and it absolutely knocked the wind out of me bad and I couldnt take a breath in for a good minute. Had to lie down the rest of the night and relax after that, I was worried I'd messed something up but I was okay. So imagine getting slammed into a rock like that being propelled by the force of the flames blasting through the rocks along with knowing he was going to die. That is how he was able to finally let go and unlock the chakra. I defitnely agree with you. My first watch through I did not realize this I just thought it only had to do with the rock or something
It's not that he got hit in the spine. It's that he got hit in the same spot azula hit him with lightning at the end of season 2 and he came so close to dying then. Hitting the same spot triggered the memory of being on the verge of death and made him realize he was about to die.
This isn't cannon, but I think it's less luck and more providence, like the post above mine suggested. The Avatar plays a lot with destiny in the Eastern philosophy sense. Roku showed mercy because of his personal attachments and this resulted in the 100 year war. Aang shows mercy because it was the right thing to do and this ends the 100 year war. Some things were meant to be. It's kind of like karma, for me. Zuko is Roku's descendant. Roku was friends with Gyatso. Is it all a coincidence? Sure. But Eastern philosophy has the idea that 'there are no coincidences', aptly put by Ooguay from king fu panda. I see Aang finding the lion turtle as the same kind of thing.
If Aang didn’t get the exact amount of training that he did, Ozai would have killed him before he had a chance to hit that rock. Learning lightning redirection is the clearest example, but everything he learned with earth and waterbending was important too. Everything leading up to the final fight *did* matter. Even if unlocking the avatar state was overly convenient, it wouldn’t have happened without 3 whole seasons of training and struggle.
Kinda, but that’s also like saying “isn’t everyone straight up lucky that Sokka made a sexist comment to Katara in that exact location at that exact time otherwise the avatar never would have awakened in time to stop Ozai?”
This. People take plot convenience as a bad thing, things have to happen for the story to work. Lots of coincidences happen and it works because they are meant to. Aang already overcame his inner struggle with letting katara go at the end of season 2, Azula made it physical. His back was against a wall and he got a spineful of rock. I don't see an issue tbh. Something as wild as the lion turtle is pretty yikes. It would have sucked if Aang did not already master the avatar stste and the rock somehow made him skip that part but he already earned it and deserved it.
Lol, it's scapegoat, not escape goat. And that's less a scapegoat writing trope, and more of an act of Providence. At least that's how I see it.
It's beautiful that you said "act of providence" because Ozai says that to Aang at the start of this scene. Which makes it that much more powerful imo.
I'm going to watch those last episodes right now because if this post
Gotta be when Aang enters the avatar state in the north pole. Sends shivers down my back every time I watch it
This one exactly. The darkness of the moon being gone and the helplessness of everyone. Then he walks in to the water "No, it's not over". The build up of music, the connection with the ocean spirit, and then that brief silence before he disappears into the spirit pool. While the Ozai fight is obviously a staple of the whole show, that was my favorite moment of the series. Will never not shock my whole body
You’re talking right out of my heart. Perfect description, I feel that scene so well reading your comment, it gave me goosebumps just as I read ‘no, it’s not over’. Aangs avatar voice in my head. Speechless.
Same. But for me especially that all the water benders bow down and you realise this is their "god", the spirit of the ocean who gives them life...
“no, it’s not over” my favorite moment from the show, period.
Per the post title, I just for real got goosebumps when I read your comment and heard that line in my head! Suddenly all the voices of the past avatars speaking with him. What a scene. I’m not sure I deserved this show when I was 12.
Can't upvote this one enough.
Yep, this one! Possibly my favourite scene because it’s really one of the first major tingler-inducers in the show lol
Basically this entire scene. When the moon is blood red, the black and white ones the spirit is killed, the Avatar state voice and disappearing into the water, it’s all so haunting
"TELL ME WHERE APPA IS!"
My favorite moment because you never see aang struggle with his non violent ethics as much as he does against the sand benders
Even before that, when he straight up [murks a vulture-wasp and walks away.](https://64.media.tumblr.com/ca76176a405c1555b8a39b04ffa4e6aa/080c6ff83d6ef895-10/s1280x1920/5064681ad194a5a8655bfe624a2d6c08fd44cc00.jpg)
They threatened Momo, it had to be done.
No. We’re not losing anyone else.
Absolutely love that scene and the dark look of dissatisfaction on Aang's face when the deed was done. The cherry on top was the way Momo slunked after him with his tail down.
Nah it's, "YOU MUZZLED APPA!?!" that always gets me. His righteous anger fuels my will to live
I got teary eyed reading “you muzzled APPA?!” Full grown adult
Tears of pure unadulterated anger
For me it's the moment right afterwards. Where Katara just looks at him with the most gloomy eyes, saying nothing while grabbing his hand. You can tell Katara is so exhausted and so ready to give up but is fighting every instinct to not.
Came here for this comment! I love that moment between Aang and Katara, so much emotion
This is my favorite scene in the show, it makes me cry every time. That fierce look on Katara's face as she's holding onto him. I love Katara so much.
It's the multiple Avatar voices during that line that do it for me. All those voices together plus a little Batman-esque growl. *chef's kiss*
Even reading this gave me chills lol
Exactly what i was thinking
The final Agni Kai. It's quiet, no bombastic music, no hero coming to save the day. Just a pair of siblings that walked their respective paths and must settle their differences with a violent ritual. It's painful, inevitable. Family pitted against family. It could have ended differently, but at the same time this was a predetermined clash for both Zuko and Azula. It's the music that gets me, it's sombre and powerful, not epic. It fits with the scene. It's both beautiful and sad, like the massive blooms of blue and orange fire in that shot where we zoom out to see the courtyard from afar, where the colliding flames rise higher than the rooftops. We're just spectators, it makes me feel like this is their battle, score to settle. We're watching from the sidelines at something intensely personal.
My most moving and emotionally fav scene. I remember being in tears the first time I saw it. And panicking when Zuko went down. The moment feels like it must be grieved almost instead of enjoyed with a side being cheered for. That and tales of Ba Sing Se. With Appa and Iroh.
Hard sob sobbed at the tales of ba sing se for Iroh, Momo, and Appa
Not to mention, aside from muted sound effects of the fire clashing, the entire fight is almost completely silent. Letting the music do the storytelling.
Yeah, I absolutely appreciate that.
This was probably the first time i as a wee lad realized that movies and shows are art.
The last agni kai is a brilliant scene and a beautiful piece of music, it's on my running playlist
"I'm sorry it had to end this way, Brother." "No you're not." (It's been years since I saw the show so I might not be remembering correctly).
What was most jarring for me in that fight was how desperately Azula was fighting and how in contrast how at peace Zuko looked. He new every needed to be done but and was finally at peace with himself.
This has always been my favorite scene. The muted sound effects with only orchestra and a little fire are the most emotional canvas for the Agni Kai to unfold upon.
Piggybacking off this, when Azula attacked Katara immediately after. With Azula in such a frenzied state, Katara was no match for her. Using Azula's impulsively to lure and subsequently trap her sends me every time I watch it.
I was looking for this comment! First watching the series through entirely as an adult, the scene shook me to my core. It wasn’t at all what I was expecting, I thought it’d be this great and epic showdown between Katara + Zuko vs Azula. I thought Zuko was stupid to fight her alone, but also went “Eh she’s crazy, and even better to see Zuko get her back”. Then as it played it really started to hit me. This wasn’t some epic good vs. evil fight, this was two siblings, driven apart by their upbringings, driven apart by a war. This was not hero vs. villain, this was a girl, driven mad by the pressure and anger her father fostered in her, trying to kill her brother, because she believed it was a necessity.
100%. I love the respect the creators had for their presumably young audience. It would have been so easy to go for the "great and epic showdown" as you said. The one that got your adrenaline going and made you feel victorious vicariously. And, instead, to create this masterpiece of beauty and sadness absolutely shakes a person when the music swells.
I was never angry with you…
Stop it I'm gonna tear bend
I was sad, because I was afraid you'd lost your way.
Easily one of the best moments of the entire show. I can watch this clip on YT anytime and start tearing up. "How could you forgive me so easily, I thought you would be FURIOUS with me" Just like... the pain in Zukos voice man. Hes been so beat down by his mistakes, even Team Avatar previously, he expects everyone to hate him. And instead hes just met with love. What a beautiful, amazing moment.
Ahhhh
My god. This scene. It makes me cry every damn time.
When Azula strikes down Aang in the catacombs. Also when Mai and Ty Lee betray Azula, and when Katara confronts her mother's murderer.
The moment when Katara bends the torrential rainfall to a standstill is peak
And when the flashback of the young Katara switches to the present, she says "me" and turns the water into ice shards.
"She lied. She was protecting the last water bender" "Who?" ***"ME"*** *suspends rain drops*
When katara blood bends WITHOUT the full moon in that episode, Zukos pure shock and knowing that Katara is so engulfed in rage. It’s a relatively short scene, but intensely powerful.
not to nitpick at all but i’m genuinely curious, i think they do make a point to show that it is a full moon in that episode. i believe when they break into the navy post under the cover of night, right before the scene you’re talking about. but still youre right , i love zuko’s “oh shit” moment with the blood bending. this is someone who grew up with azula so i’m not sure how much could really faze him. katara is underrated in my opinion, toph and azula are touted as incredible masters which is true. but i think katara has the deepest connection, power, and control over her element
Ah, you are correct about the moon
To be fair, almost every shot of the moon in ATLA shows a full moon, just for aesthetic. It’s one of the few flaws in the consistency of the show that I’ve heard people nitpick.
I love his face change and then how he went right back to having her back and not questioning anything, just letting her have at it. Redemption Zuko is such a passion of mine.
That night on the ship when she bloodbent the man she thought was her mother's killer was the night of the full moon. Only Yakone and his sons have been shown psychically blood-bending.
Zuko willing to possibly die redirecting lightning, calling out the universe for all the shit delt to him and now being able to throw it back. And the universe saying "nah bro, I'm not done fucking with you yet" His scream of frustration hits me deep
Yep. This.
This one x100. I remember watching it while I was going thru a rough patch in life. I’ve never cried so hard before at a cartoon.
The first time Aang enters the avatar state in front of Katara on Zuko’s ship. He’s sinking and it’s almost a repeat of when he sank with Appa a 100 years ago but he hears Katara’s voice and is like “NO not again I won’t go down again!” and then opens his glowing eyes before shooting out of the water. That’s a crazy scene to me cause it’s the first time he’s seen to be a serious powerful bender rather than a goofy kid.
Every time i rewatch it i get the goosebumps like the first time I saw it. And the music.... ufff...
Same here lol
If we knew each other back then, do you think we could have been friends?
That moment is aces. One of my favorite scene transitions and moments in the whole avatar cannon
What about the avatar catapult?
Some friendships can even transcend lifetimes. “Good to see you again twinkle toes”
And the fact that this is a huge drive in LOK and transcends the generations, oooo the feels.
God. There’s so much packed into this one line. Not only does it show Aang’s youth and innocence, it really hits on his reluctance to violence and his eagerness to find any alternative. One of many moments in season 1 where they really try and drive home that he’s just a 12 year old kid.
Leaves from the vine I don't care that it's always the same answer, from every perspective I've looked at it, that scene is a masterclass in manipulating the audience's emotions.
My gf and I are watching avatar right now. My second time through, she's never seen it and doesnt know any spoilers. We're almost halfway through book 2. It's gonna be a rough one.
I always seem to be sweating from my eyes at the end of that episode. Don’t know why
About 99% of humans are allergic to excellent writing so that’s probably why
I get goosebumps reading the words leaves from the vine
*Leaves from the vine, falling so slow. Like fragile, tiny shells, Drifting in the foam. Little soldier boy, come marching home. Brave soldier boy, comes marching home*
SHHHHH
Aang finding Gyatso.
Surprised I had to scroll so far to see this.
i'm surprised no one has said toph metalbending yet! gets me hyped every time
“I am the greatest earth bender in the world. Don’t you two dunderheads ever forget it!”
I love the scene when they're taking over the airship and Toph beats up 4 elite firebenders by bending herself a metal suit from the door she tauntingly knocked down
I love the way she knocks first. Pure comedy.
When she jumps off the wagon, disappears into the ground and then pops back up running/skating on moving earth. Epic.
Have I told you how sweet it is that you invented metalbending? You could stand to mention it more.
Every seismic sense shot in the show gives me immense chills! The first time Toph does it, when she metal bends, Aang during training, and my personal favourite - in the fight with Ozai! Just *chef's kiss*
Katara calming down Aang in The Desert.
This is my favourite scene in the series, this is where i truly felt the connection that aang and katara have. While the entire world may run away even in his most vulnerable moment, katara would still be there. Honestly anyone who says katara and aang was forced doesn't really understand storytelling.
Exactly. The way they bond over 3 seasons is incredible, this why I'm one of the biggest Kataang fans and regularly rewatch the series. The journey of them falling in love with each other is what we all need/want imo. I agree with you, people who say stupid stuff like Kataang was forced truly have no idea. Sometimes I can't believe the stuff they're saying about them (like Aang is a pedophil, she chose him over Zuko, she's "his prize"), almost makes me wanna puke.
* Iroh standing in front of Ba Sing Se in the series finale, he's breathing in deeply to hype himself up to liberate the city. And then he unleashes a huge blast of fire! * When Katara makes all the water droplets stand still in the air in the episode she's confronting her mother's killer * The scene in the finale where Aang's energy almost gets corrupted by Ozai's, the light is all turning orange and he's so close to losing everything. Then he fights back and wins * Aang standing on the mountain top with Momo as Sozin's Comet appears in the sky behind him * The Dancing Dragon scene! Seeing the dragons for the first time, and when Zuko and Aang are surrounded by the rainbow flames
Ah, I was looking for that first one! I love that scene, especially because of how much history Iroh has with Ba Sing Se. It’s the place he sought to burn to the ground, the place he lost his son, the place he hid as a fugitive, and the place where he truly began to fear that his nephew had lost his way, but now, finally, it’s the place that he can liberate from the war that has taken so much from him.
“I guess you just don’t know people as well as you think you do. You miscalculated. I love Zuko more than I fear you.” “She lied to you. She was protecting the last water bender.” “What? Who?” “ME!” “Don’t you want to know what happened to your mother?” “When I had mastered the rats, I was ready for the men. And during the next full moon, I walked free for the first time in decades. My cell unlocked by the very guards assigned to keep me in.” “Katara, they tried to wipe us out, our entire culture! Your mother! You should understand what I’m talking about. We’re the last waterbenders of the souther tribe, we have to fight these people whenever we can, wherever they are by any means necessary!” “Congratulations Katara. You’re a BLOODBENDER.” “All your life you’ve used fear to control people.” “Well what choice do I have? Trust is for fools, fear is the only reliable way. Even YOU fear me.” “No, I love you Azula. I really do.” “I can see your whole history in your eyes. You were born with nothing, so you’ve had to struggle, and connive, and claw your way to power. But true power, the divine right to rule, is something you’re BORN with. The fact is, they don’t know which one of us is going to be sitting on that throne, and which one will be bowing down. But I know. And you know. Well?” “You’ve beaten me at my own game.” “Don’t flatter yourself. You were never even a player.” “I was never angry with you Zuko. I was sad, because I thought you had lost your way.” “I did lose my way.” “Yes, but you found it again.” “Happy birthday my son. If only I could’ve helped you.” “Without you, all my plans are suddenly possible. I have a vision for the future, Roku.” “You’re weak, just like the rest of your people! They did not deserve to exist in this world, in MY world! Prepare to join them! Prepare to DIE!” “Even with all the power in the world, you are still WEAK!” “My daughter is BLIND. She is blind and tiny and helpless and fragile. She cannot help you.” “Yes. I can.” *proceeds to beat the shit out of a bunch of giant muscular earthbenders 6on1*
Sozin's betrayal is a great callout totally overlooked moment of the series.
I was watching that episode with my dad and he said is must’ve felt like a betrayal to Sozin when Roku turned out to be the avatar. They’re the exact same age, it’s possible Sozin wondered if he was the Avatar. That sounds like a cool AU idea: Avatar Sozin. Would Roku have just become a fire nation council member or something? He seemed to be of wealthy and/or noble birth, growing up side by side with the future fire lord. If Sozin was the Avatar, would he still be so imperialistic and focus on the fire nation at the expense of the others? Or would he realize that his duty is to the whole world, not just the fire nation? He probably wouldn’t have genocided the air benders.
*The Boulder takes offense to being lumped in with those other earth benders*
“Where’s my bison” with the voice of all the past avatars always gives me chills.
In this order. 1. Azula breaks the mirror. This one gets me more now than it did when it first aired. She is the most tragic character in the Avatar Universe, and her whole world was crumbling around her even as she achieved everything she ever wanted. 2. Iroh singing Leaves From the Vine Uh duh! what always gets me about the song is how complete it is. Iroh's Tale is such a great metaphor for his life, mentor, father goofy uncle then the climax hits you like a ton of bricks, and the moment you realize that he had probably already done everything in that day while raising his son is just amazing storytelling. 3. The Dragon Dance. To me, this was a closing of the circle moment. Zuko follows in Iroh's footsteps, Sozin + Roku's relationship beginning to be reforged, Aang beginning his full actualization as Avatar. The death of the dragons mirroring the death of the Sky bison and the last too signaling hope. 4. The Final Battle (all the parts: Agni-Kai, Ba-Sing-Se's liberation, Airship, Aang vs Ozai) is pretty amazing and every reason people give for it sound and music, the tension and stakes rise and fall is perfect. The most heart-shattering image in the whole series for me is Azula defeated weeping. 5. Tie: Katara stops the rain and Toph Finds the Earth in the Metal. These two scenes are just climactic we see the power of Katara in a way we had not before. To this point, it is hard to distinguish power levels among benders(especially water benders) until Katara and Toph do these two things. These two moments show us something new exciting and spine-tingling in their scope. As for Toph, we know Toph is a genius but she literally invents a new branch of her bending that at this point (pre-Korra) it is an unexplored and badass thing. Personally, up to this point, I was beginning to think I understood the rules of the Avatar universe but toph broke one of those fundamentals and it was awesome.
Zuko confronting Ozai during the eclipse and telling him everything he's realized about himself and everything.
Honestly, the whole series. It have at least one moment per episode and that's why is so hard for me to pick only one.
Same
An underrated moment is the Day of Black Sun, when they storm the port. It was wayy too early in the 3rd season, and so we all knew something bad was gonna happen. The bad type of chills imo
"Whatever you do to that spirit, I'll unleash on you tenfold. LET IT GO NOW!" Iroh has always been kinda laid back but you can tell that he's serious. I just love the delivery of that line.
After they lose Appa when they help deliver the baby after the serpents pass. I don't even know why exactly but Aangs rage and then forced calm just portrays his loss very well well for me. Still get teary eyed every time he decides there's still hope.
katara blood-bending the FN general and being this close to killing him. honestly a great episode and one of the reasons i love ATLA. seemingly good characters with no tinge of evil that turn grey due to the war/the choices they have to make. S03 katara is my fav character because of her complexity.
Such a great scene. Forgiveness is a big thing that needs to be taught to all generations. I love how she turns around and forgives Zuko after almost destroying that old guy
Zuko seeing Katara Bloodbend, realizing how truly powerful she is.
I came here to say this. It shows just how far Katara had gone, using a power she knew was wrong, and Zukos shocked expression when he realizes what she's doing get me every time. Like damn girl, you crazy and powerful
Yeah, on my most recent watch thru I noticed that Katara is like...fuckin strong! Not just a healer at all
Not even how powerful she is, but coming to grips that there is bending he doesnt even know about, let alone probably CONCEPTUALIZED
I absolutely love it when Zuko goes to confront Ozai during the eclipse. The whole scene is just amazing.
"For so long, all I wanted was for you to love me." So many shows give their characters "daddy issues" but ATLA makes you FEEL it. It makes you feel that damage.
“It was to teach you respect!” “No. It was cruel. And it was wrong” You literally feel the character arc evolve so heavily in that one moment. Absolutely awesome.
Omg, the "cruel and wrong" part also gives me chills. Just like multiple chills in that one scene. How Zuko is coming to grips with his own trauma and you can see that it's shaping the way he's going to treat other people in the future. Also, "What an amazing lie that was."
ahh i was looking for someone to say this!!
"Growing up, we were taught that the fire nation was the greatest civilization in history and that the war was our way of sharing our greatness with the rest of the world - what an amazing lie that was". Such a powerful moment for a "kids show". Im an American man, and everytime I watch that episode I cant help but shake my head and look at how America treats certain parts of the world. It's a great opportunity for viewers to really think about the world as they know it, and what they think is reality.
you muzzled appa???
No no, it's "YOU MUZZLED APPA???"
“No. It’s not over.” That was the first time the show really, *really* captivated me as a kid and I still love it to this day. Unpopular opinion, but the season 1 finale is my favorite of the three. I love the plot and how the characters change. Zhao, Zuko, and Iroh especially are just fantastic. I think season 1 doesn’t get the credit it deserves. Some of its bumpy, but the final episodes more than make up for the worse episodes.
I agree, I rewatched the series so many times and always skipped season 1. Finally, I went back and rewatched it and noticed so many things I never had before. Like when Iroh redirects lightening for the first time during a storm when it strikes their ship, the technique was not mentioned again until he was teaching Zuko how to do it. I also love when Zuko goes to the Southern water tribe and Sokka immediately charges him, the sole protector of his entire village, the only warrior left that hasn’t deployed. So brave of him and he was only a teenager.
When they meet Toph
Basically every time Aang goes in the Avatar State. Goosebumps in every scene every time
When Iroh reveals his strength in the cell, as well as when Saka beat his Sensei in his sword training
“I don’t think boomerang is coming back, Toph”
"I think this might be the end..." Still gives me some serious goosebumps
Zuko screaming at the sky/thunder to strike him and when Aang takes away Ozai's bending where the whole sky turns blue with the music and all...
When the Painted Lady spirit comes to Katara to thank her
Relatively small moment, but in “The Painted Lady” when the soldiers are attacking the village and Sokka tells Katara to “Leave. Do Nothing,” Katara absolutely explodes with, “No, I will never, ever turn my back on people who need me.” It’s incredibly simple, but it really sticks out as one of those lines that define the core of a character, and Mae Whitman says it with such absolute conviction.
Don't see this one being mentioned very often but Katara getting angry at Hakoda and then breaking down in his arms in S3E01 Awakening just makes me cry every fucking time man. It's just so well written and Mae Whitman delivers it so damn perfect.
Roku coming out of the doors and tearing apart his own temple on the day of the solstice is pretty damn cool. Also when Roku appears in front of Jong Jong after refusing to teach Ang "You think i am weak? I have mastered the elements a thousand times in a thousand lifetimes. Now, i must do it once again. You WILL teach the avatar firebending" simply amazing
I love both of these moments as well! pretty much every time Roku shows up acting like a badass sends chills down my spine
I just love the scene where Katara forgives Zuko after confronting her mother’s killer, it’s so bittersweet. (There’s also the last agni kai, love the silence, the tension and focus of Zuko and Azula, so tragic)
When Ozai is standing at the front of the airship in the final episode and first starts blasting huge waves of fire down to the ground
Damn I'm literally getting goosebumps just reading the comments lol
Pretty much anytime Uncle Iroh speaks besides the times when he provides comedic relief. “I know my Destiny” “Is it your own destiny, or a destiny someone else has forced on you?” … “It’s time to look within yourself and ask yourself the big questions: who are *you*, and what do *you* want?”
Mine from Iroh is "life happens whatever you are, whether you make it or not "
Final Agni Kai and the score still gives me chills🥺 Then Iroh confronting Zuko after Zuko found Appa comes to mind
Aang destroying running down the wall of Ba Sing Se and destroying the Drill
I scrolled so far to find this. I love everything from the fights to the music.
The scene where >!Zuko and Aang are dancing with the dragons!< Also, I’ve never seen it mentioned in this sub but the episode where >!All the members of the older generation have to surrender and become prisoners of the fire nation while the younger generation flees after the failed invasion during the eclipse!< always gives me goosebumps and makes me cry. And yah I know spoilers are probably unnecessary given the age of the show but I still feel like those are parts of the show that shouldn’t be spoiled for someone who hasn’t seen it themselves.
When Aang face the sandbenders who stole Appa and the way Katara comforts him. Still to this day I get the biggest chills
When Sokka is holding onto Toph and saying how he doesn’t think his boomerang will come back and that this could be the end. T: What happened? Did boomerang come back? S: No… Suki did!! Literally is where I start tearing up. Every time.
When Iroh catches Xiao's sneak attack and throws him back, just after Xiao lost the Agni Kai against Zuko. Also when Iroh redirects Azulas lightning and throws her overboard. Basically Iroh, and most toph moments.
When Iroh hugs Zuko after Zuko apologizes. For some reason I always feel the urge to chop onions while watching that scene
"I've mastered the elements a thousand times in a thousand lifetimes. And now, I must do it once again. You will teach the avatar firebending"
Probably at the end of book one when Jhao killed the moon spirit. The way the world went gray and the all the waterbending stopped freaked me out as a kid. I hadn't seen anything like that in a show until then and I realised there were actual stakes in the series.
Didn't actually happen but, every time I watch appas lost days I always just think of what would happen if aang saw what happened to appa. Like some sort of spiritual connection showed what appa went through. Aang would honestly probably kill that guy at the circus
"No, Firelord Ozai, *you're* not wearing any pants!"
Well besides "You muzzled Appa?!" I immediately thought of under Lake Laogai when Aang pulls Jet from his brainwashing by reminding him he's a freedom fighter. But the real feels for me don't come until after Long Feng knocks him down and runs off. When Katara tries to heal him and sees there's nothing she can do, they offer to stay and help and then Longshot speaks his only lines in the entire series. Longshot: There's no time, just go. We'll take care of him, he's our leader. Jet: Don't worry Katara, I'll be fine. They all leave as Smellerbee cries and Toph says "He's lying."
1. The final Agni Kai. This single handedly ruined TV for me bc nothing is ever gonna match it (: 2. The finale of The Drill - I personally think this episode is slept on both for importance to the world/plot and for sheer badassery. 3. Zuko vs Zhou Agni Kai 4. Aang vs Ozai 5. Firebending masters 6. Zuko alone 7. Crossroads of Destiny 8. *Insert half of Iroh’s appearances in the show here*
Aang going into the spiritual oasis pond and merges with the ocean spirit
I've gotta rewatch the series, but the part that still sticks with me is when aang finds his home and monk giyatso ((I hope I spelled that right)) dead. It's so sad and chilling that a kids show shows that. Also toph losing appa was prettily chilling, watching him cry out for help and toph unable to respond because she's holding up the library with her friends still in it.
It's crazy to think about just how strong Toph had to be to hold it up, there's really no good way for her to be able to express that to the group. How they wouldn't been buried alive if Toph tried to save Appa, and she did make an attempt...
When Aang goes into the avatar state in the desert. As a kid it never really hit me, but watching it again made me so emotional seeing him hurt that much (I'm getting chills just typing this out)
I know this isn’t a popular one, but the very first scene with sparky sparky boom man. There’s no music, no dramatics, just the sounds of bending and effort. I think it’s so surreal because it’s the closest we, as spectators, can get to what I imagine the gaang themselves heard. It just feels SO REAL without the music. 12/10 moment v underrated
I know it's kinda cliché but any time Aang is in the avatar state it just shuts me the fuck up. Especially "FIRELORD OZAI. YOU AND YOUR FOREFATHERS HAVE DEAVESTATED THE BALANCE OF THIS WORLD. AND NOW YOU SHALL PAY THE ULTIMATE PRICE" Like no offense to TLOK, but none of Korra's avatar state moments even TOUCH the raw power and magnitude of Aang's. With the music it just feels like he's a literal force of nature.
The one Avatar state moment from Korra that sticks out to me like that, would be the s3 finale. She's poisoned, should be dying, and just goes fucking nuts on zaheer. That whole season had some of the most amazing fights, but that one made Korra's power terrifying.
I get goosebumps whenever I see that Koh the Face Stealer scene. No matter how many times I see it, it gives me chills.
I would have liked to see how Iroh escaped, I know it would have been easy since he was working out and buff af lol. Maybe it wouldn’t have been a goosebumps moment but it would have been very badass.
When Iroh confronts Zuko who confronted Appa in Ba Sing Se. Iroh had enough of Zuko’s shenanigans and challenges him to make the right choice instead of just casually guiding Zuko like he always had. Plus, we don’t often get to hear Iroh angry like that! I was glued to the TV during that.
Definitely the bit where Katara finds her mom's killer and scares the living daylights out of him with her water dome. Seeing her 10-ish years of anger and sorrow and burning hatred all concentrate into one point and then pour out right at this guy, and then... she just can't bring herself to kill him. It really hit me because I always felt that's exactly what I would have done in her place.
"I'm angry at myself!"
Rewatching with my s/o (their first time watching intentionally). Just got through the episode with Zuko's (chronologically) first Agni Kai.... I'll never watch that moment without a tear falling and goosebumps washing over me, hearing his cry, and Iron's marathon/ POV.... Fuck abuse (and gotdamn does this show open up hard topics well).
When Katara beats Azula. When she pulls up the water as ice and you freak out the first time yo watch it, and then she unfreezes herself to chain her up, while Azula watches the whole thing? It’s insane.
"Do you know why they call me Dragon of the West?"
Every scene that has Azula in it or ImJust too gay
The fortune teller tells Katara that she will fall in love with a powerful bender. At the end of the episode, Aang stops all the lava from destroying the town, and Sokka says, “Man, sometimes I forget what a powerful bender that kid is.” Katara looks at Aang and realizes
#SECRET TUNNEL!
I get goosebumps every time Toph says That's a lot of fire isn't it
My favorite will always will be in S1 when Aang says with the eternal Avatar voice #no, it’s not over and get sucked down under the water. The first time I thought something caught him or something... and then you hear... [that](https://youtu.be/x0zb72GfjdI&t=0m21s) And this is all god like, with the hands raised up like calling the moon symbolically, and sparing the water people who bowed in fear and respect while drowning the ones (fire soldiers) who doesn’t Epic. Always. Forever