Words by: Miko Insame
Featured Photo from: WallpaperGur
It’s been 14 years since we were introduced to and saw the Gaang bring peace to the nations and defeat Fire Lord Ozai and his quest to control all four nations.
Through three seasons of sublime voice acting, directing, and writing, Avatar: The Last Airbender stated its case to be considered one of greatest animated series of all time and a vital part of our childhoods.
Now that the entire series is available to stream on Netflix, I got the chance to rewatch the series and be able to view it from a different perspective compared to who I was when I saw it for the first time, and I’d like to invite the people who’ll read this to do so as well.
Without further ado, here are 8 Reasons Why You Need to Rewatch Avatar: The Last Airbender… 14 Years Later!
8. They *might* be planning something (or are just messing with us)
About a month ago, this post caused huge waves of speculation when the official Facebook page of Avatar: The Last Airbender changed their profile picture out of the blue.
What does it mean? is there something new for the series coming? Are we finally getting a book four? Or is this just the creators messing with us and our want for more adventures form our favorite benders?
Nevertheless, if you saw this and were stoked or intrigued why it got so much attention, you could maybe use a little reminder of why people love this show so much.
7. Reliving an Epic Story
Photo by: Behind the Voice Actors
One of the main reasons to rewatch Avatar is the story.
Like I said earlier, the whole scope of the series reached far and wide talking about the fate of the world in the middle of a war while also being able to squeeze lovable side stories and fascinating lore.
To watch the evolution of Aang from a hyperactive, naive boy into a mature warrior, knowing that bloodshed is not the way to end wars is a satisfying story to follow from start to end.
Additionally, there seem to be too many side stories and alternate episodes from the series that not only add to the general world-building of the story but also raise the stakes of the characters involved. The best example is seeing how Avatar Roku was left behind by his best friend Fire Lord Sozin in season three.
6. A More Mature Lens to Look Through
Photo by: TeePublic
If you were anything like me when I watched the show, then surely what took you the most about Avatar was the idea of being able to manipulate the elements to your desire. We all had to wear proudly whether we were part of the Air Nomads, the Water Tribes, the Earth Kingdom or the Fire Nation.
Looking at the series now, 14 years older, you see the sorts of things that pass you by if you watched as a kid. Things like the patriarchal system of the Northern Water Tribe (which Katara upended), the consequences of the war with the near extinction of the Air Nomads, and the political conspiracies and corruption that occurred inside the walls of Ba Sing Se.
While I was still able to appreciate the animation, the creativity of the bending styles, and the epicness of the action sequences, getting older and seeing that the series really did explore mature themes in a way that’s still family friendly is definitely worth giving it a rewatch.
And when you watch it through an older, more mature lens, you realize…
5. Just How Mature the Show Is
Photo from: Dorkly
Being able to look past the spectacle of the show and grasp the reality of the situation is something that all Avatar fans who come back to the series can understand.
I didn’t pay attention to the number of diverse characters that the show naturally built its world around, or the amount of strong female characters who play prominent roles in the show, or even the consequences of war.
Now that I’ve grown and understood more about the world and how topics such as feminism, the impact that war has on people, and realizing how the themes of the show connect to a person on a level that informs them of the world and how they live within it and in relation to the other people.
4. The Personal Lessons
Photo from: Living For Longer
Just like number 5, you can learn a lot of personal principles and lessons about the self if you decide to give Avatar a watch now that you’ve had 14 years between the ending and the rewatch.
Think about Zuko’s journey to redemption and how coming to the realization that it isn’t the titles or the fame that other people bestow upon you that dignify and give you honor, it’s the self-actualization of your own duty and purpose in this world that will ultimately restore your honor. It’s a redemption arc that is the stuff of legend.
Aang’s mini-arc of trying to deal with the prospect of killing Fire Lord Ozai when it’s against everything he’s ever taught to be added with the advice of the former Avatars that seem to only push him further and further towards that path of violence serves as another great example of lessons you can get from the series that apply to how you yourself deal with your relationship with the world around you.
At this point, I’ll just be revisiting moments in the series where I think you guys need a rewatch of this awesome series.
3. The Northern Air Temple
Photo from: FANDOM
I like this episode mainly because it explores the dual problems that the characters experience. On one hand, Aang feels disturbed that something so sacred to him is transformed and used in ways they never were intended to me (like using the statue yard as a bathhouse). On the other, you see the attempt that the Air Acolytes have at surviving in a place that is not within their comfort zone and outside of the necessary bending skills. You come to understand that maybe there is something to be said for traditions that get in the way of something humane.
2. The Original Firebenders
Photo from: FANDOM
Watching Zuko and Aang visit the birthplace of firebending in order to learn was, in my opinion, a really fun moment. Aside from the realization that the tribes that maintain the sanctity of the original firebenders (which are dragons, by the way) look like they were based on ancient Mayan civilization, it also cemented Zuko’s turn into a member of the Gaang when he realized he no longer needed to draw from anger for his bending to be powerful.
1. Katara Meets Her Mother’s Murderer
Photo from: FANDOM
Now, this episode was just all kinds of woah.
Following the journey of Zuko and Katara as they track down the Fire Nation captain who “took no prisoners” during their raid of Katara’s home, the latter initially sought revenge as she came closer and closer to the man who killed her mother.
Seeing Katara, the openly kind-hearted and motherly figure of the Gaang seem so intent on exacting revenge and fueling this bloodlust in an attempt to make up for her mother’s death is jarring to the viewer and makes the moment even more somber once she decides to let the man go, realizing that she is not the monster that he is.
I chose this moment as my number one over the other, probably more memorable moments in the series because it reflects how much we deal with anger and resentment when it comes from a place truly personal that no one else but you can understand. To violently eliminate the cause and source of that pain would be so tempting, but to give yourself in the madness and anger puts you at risk of being totally lost to it.
What are your favorite reasons for rewatching Avatar? Let us know!
