How Much Do You Know About Avatar: The Last Airbender
- by Joseph Allen
- – on
- in Movies and TV
Avatar: The Last Airbender was a pretty special show. Although it aired on Nickelodeon, which is ostensibly a kids' TV network, the show managed to garner a following that elevated it above many of its peers on the network. The show is considered one of the great animated series of all time, and, although many shows have attempted to live up to that legacy since, few have succeeded. For many of the show's most ardent fans, every detail is worth poring over. Avatar: The Last Airbender is the kind of show that inspired a crazy amount of passion from its fans.
Still, there are some pieces of trivia even the show's biggest fans might not know. After all, the show's been off the air for almost a decade, and although its legacy lives on, even those that watched the series may be a bit rusty. The show had many characters, and traveled to a number of fascinating locations over the course of its run. Although it only lasted three seasons, the show left an indelible mark on its audience. This quiz is for the show's most dedicated fans. It's for those who know Avatar backwards and forwards, and can name every character from Aang to Momo. It's time to find out if you're that kind of fan.
How Old is Aang Biologically?
Although Aang is a young boy when we first meet him on the show, we know that he was frozen in a block of ice for quite a while before that, which means he's much older than he initially appears to be. One of the central questions of the show is whether Aang can mature enough to be the hero the world needs, but his biological age is quite advanced. He may seem like he's 12, but he's really much older.
What Kind of Animal was Momo?
We all remember Appa, Aang's air bison, but he had another furry sidekick as well. This animal could fly, and made small chirping noises that made him hard to resist. Of course, the name Momo didn't make him any less adorable either. Although he was less essential to team Avatar on a regular basis, he was nevertheless an integral part of the team. Momo's one of the cutest things in the world of Avatar, and he also has a real love for food.
Which Element Did Aang Learn Last?
Aang is in the unique position of being unable to dedicate himself entirely to his training as an Avatar. Instead, he has to worry about the war and focus on learning to master the elements at the same time. In each of the show's seasons, Aang learns how to bend one of the elements, but it can be tricky to remember what order he learned them in. Aang started with only a single element in his arsenal, but by the end of the series, he could bend all four.
What Show Did Creator Michael Dante DiMartino Leave to Create Avatar?
The creative team behind Avatar, composed of Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko was integral to the show's success. They came up with the idea for the show together, and were together able to introduce audiences to a world that felt fully formed. DiMartino only had the opportunity to do Avatar because he had already left another incredibly popular animated series that's still running today. Although Avatar was definitely a big step up for his career, it's hard to argue that his previous gig wasn't a good one.
What Happened to the Rest of the Air Benders?
Aang was frozen in that iceberg for quite a while, and he missed quite a bit while he was in there. When he disappeared for 100 years, the Air Nation was still prosperous and active, but when he woke up, nobody had heard or seen from air benders for a pretty long time. We find out fairly early on in the show what exactly happened to these air benders, and why Aang is described in the title as the last one.
Who is the Only Character on the Show With a Last Name?
Many fans may never have noticed it, but the characters on Avatar are only given first names, with one exception. Apparently, in the world of the show, most characters are instead known for the nation from which they come. The one character who is an exception to that rule is an earth bender from a noble house, which may explain why she has a last name when the rest of the characters do not. Everyone knows who her family is.
What do Aang's Tattoos Mean?
It's hard not to notice Aang's tattoos, which cover his entire body. Still, you'd be forgiven for being unsure of exactly what they are meant to represent. We know they light up when he enters the Avatar state, and it's clear that they have something to do with airbending, but past that it's easy to get confused. Aang's tattoos are perhaps his most distinctive feature, and they're one that many air benders have, but what they represent could be a mystery to many in the audience.
Where Does Sokka Get His Sword in Book 3?
Sokka has the terrible designation of being a normal person surrounded by people with rare abilities. In the third season, he reckons with his role, and gets himself a sword in the process. The sword is made of a rare metal, and it puts him on a more level footing with the rest of the group until he loses it in the series finale. He may have lost his sword, but that sword helped him learn a value lesson about his own value inside of the group.
What did the Avatar Before Aang Bend First?
Because the Avatar dies and is reborn in a different element, it can be hard to keep track of what order Avatars are born in. The Avatar before Aang made a number of mistakes that ultimately led to the Fire Nation attempting to conquer the world, but he also had a bending specialty. Like Aang, he had the ability to bend all four elements, but he was born with the ability to bend one in particular, and had to be taught how to harness the others.
What Tells Appa It's Time to Fly?
Appa responds to a vocal cue, one that tells him when he should fly and when he should stay grounded. That command proves incredibly powerful for Aang and his friends, and it's one that audiences hear often over the course of the show. Appa is a valuable resource for team Avatar, and without him, they have a lot of trouble traveling. All that wouldn't be possible without this simple phrase, which is the only thing that can get him in the air.
What Event Occurs at the End of the Series?
Aang and his team work throughout the series to beat the Fire Lord before this cataclysmic event, one that the Fire Nation used to start the war 100 years ago. This event gives fire benders increased strength, and makes them close to unstoppable. Unfortunately, Aang is unable to beat the Fire Lord before this day, and instead has to fight him while the Fire Lord attempts to destroy the Earth Kingdom. It gives the Fire Lord a real upper hand, but Aang is ultimately able to take him down.
Who Taught the Water Benders How to Water Bend?
Each of the benders learned their skills from a particular natural phenomena. The rest of the benders learned from animals of some kind, but water benders sought out a different kind of natural force to learn their skill. Water bending is all about manipulating water, so when you think about it, the way they first learned how to do it makes total sense. After all, if you're going to push and pull the water, there's only one thing you can learn from.
Who Gave Zuko His Scar?
Although Zuko initially seems like a stuck up prince, we eventually learn how he came to be so obsessed with restoring his own honor and regaining the love of his family. Part of Zuko's complex back story is connected to his scar, which speaks to his tortured past and a duel he fought against someone very close to him. Zuko only ever wanted to please those around him, and it isn't until the end of the series that he realizes he wants to be one of the good guys.
Who is the Fire Bender in the Opening Credits?
In the first sequence of the opening credits, we get an animated look at what each style of bending looks like. We see the silhouettes of benders performing some basic moves, and each one of those silhouettes has some significance to the show as a whole. The fire bender in the opening credits is actually a character on the show. Although she isn't introduced until the show's second season, she quickly becomes one of the most despicable people on the show, and loses her mind by the end of it.
What Makes Toph Unique as a Bender?
Toph is widely regarded as one of the most talented Earth benders in the world, and her skill is particularly remarkable when you consider the way she utilizes what could be a handicap. Toph is a remarkably skilled bender because she's in tune with her element. She's so talented that she manages to invent an entire new form of bending. She does all of that, and creates quite a lasting legacy, in spite of this unique flaw that might have crippled other benders.
Who is Aang's Airbending Teacher Named After?
Although we only meet him in flashbacks, Aang's air bending teacher Monk Gyatso creates a pretty potent impression. He seems to be at least partially responsible for Aang's love of fun and whimsy, and he proves that wisdom doesn't have to come with any sort of solemn nature. Monk Gyatso is named after a famous teacher of another kind, a spiritual leader who might embrace the same fun-loving philosophy that Gyatso instilled in Aang. Although Gyatso perished, his namesake is still very much alive.
What Does Katara Discover Water Benders Can Do?
During one of the creepiest episodes in the series, Katara discovers that even water bending has a darker side. This is an important moment because it serves as a reminder that fire bending is not an inherently evil form of bending, and every form of bending has a side that can be exploited for evil. Although Katara is initially terrified by the techniques she learns in this episode, she eventually uses them on her mother's killer, who she wants to destroy.
Who was Among the Last Characters Written Into the Show?
Although this character ended up playing a pivotal role in the story of Avatar, he wasn't a part of the show until fairly late in the process. Originally, the Fire Lord was supposed to be the show's primary antagonist, but the show's creators realized that it would be better to hold him off until later in the series. As a result, they created this character, who has one of the most moving character arcs in the entire series, and is one of the show's most iconic elements.
What is Ty Lee's Skill?
Ty Lee, one of Azula's friends and enforcers, doesn't have any bending skills per se, but that doesn't mean she isn't incredibly useful. After she's introduced on the show, she manages to take down a number of highly skilled benders, including Aang. Ty Lee's skill was so useful that it's picked up on The Legend of Korra, and used by many of the show's villains in the first season. Ty Lee certainly left an impression, as she should have. She's pretty talented.
What Happened to Sokka's First Girlfriend?
The first season of Avatar is hugely entertaining, and it culminates in a massive battle at the Northern Water Tribe. As that battle is being fought, Sokka finds himself falling in love with a princess, and her with him. The two of them only have a short amount of time together before they separate permanently, but it's enough to understand just how important they are to one another. It can be tricky to remember what exactly happened to Yue, but she certainly left for a good reason.
Which Episode Does Aang Not Appear In?
There's only one episode of Avatar without the titular Avatar, and it's focused entirely on Zuko. In the episode, we follow Zuko in the present as he attempts to help a small Earth Kingdom village, and learn more about what happened to his mother. The story gives us a chance to better understand who Zuko is, and why he's so angry all the time. This is the only episode of the show without any of the show's other characters, and it's also one of their very best episodes.
Where do All Three Seasons of the Show Begin?
Every season of Avatar begins in a similar setting, which is a fact not even the biggest fan may have noticed. It makes sense, though. Each season of the show follows a similar structure, so beginning each season the same way would be logical. It also speaks to the show's sense of symmetry. It suggests that no matter where these characters end up at the end of a given season, there will always be familiar places where they can begin again.
Where is Sokka and Katara's Father?
We find out pretty early on that Sokka and Katara's mother was killed by the Fire Nation, and we hear about their father too. We know that he's still alive, but his exact location remains a mystery for quite a while. Because of his absence, Sokka has been left to defend the Southern Water Tribe against the Fire Nation, even though he's just a boy. Sokka proves himself to be an able warrior, but he probably shouldn't be in charge of an entire village.
When Do Aang and Katara Kiss for the First Time?
Aang and Katara have a pretty intimate relationship from the first time they meet, but their clear feelings for each other go unacknowledged for a good portion of the show. We know from The Legend of Korra that the two of them had many happy years together, but their first kiss was obviously one of Avatar's biggest moments. It was a culmination of seasons of tension between them, and it proved to be hugely cathartic for fans when it finally came.
What is Sokka and Katara's Mother's Name?
Katara's mother was killed before the events of the show, but her presence looms fairly large over the series as a whole, because of how it impacts both Katara and Sokka. Although her appearances on screen are fairly limited, we do learn her name, and it's also the name of one of Katara's daughters on The Legend of Korra. Originally, this was supposed to be Katara's name, but they gave it to her mother instead, and wrote her a tragic story to boot.
How Long Did it Take to Produce a Typical Episode?
Avatar may seem like a fairly simple show. After all, it only ran for 22 minutes a week, and it aired on Nickelodeon, so it couldn't have taken that much time to make. Animation is a complex process, though, and that's not even considering the time it takes to write a typical episode. Creating Avatar may have taken longer than many people think, and that's at least partially because the artwork on the show was often incredibly vivid and intricate.
How Does Aang Defeat the Fire Lord?
One of the biggest dilemmas Aang faces over the course of Avatar is his decision about how he should ultimately deal with the Fire Lord. Many on his team believe the only way to really defeat him is to kill him, but Aang's philosophical teachings go against killing. Aang grapples with this decision for an entire episode during the show's finale, and his ultimate decision is an interesting one. Aang manages to beat the Fire Lord, but what he does next is truly inspired.
Where Does Aang Get the Ability to Take Away Bending?
Near the end of the show, Aang is desperately searching for a way to defeat the Fire Lord permanently without killing him. This leads him to a secluded island where he speaks to past incarnations of the Avatar and attempts to determine what his best path forward is. Ultimately, he takes in the advice of every past incarnation, and also gets the ability to take people's bending away, which is how he ultimately defeats the Fire Lord without killing him.
What is Katara's Specialty?
Katara is a water bender, that much is fairly clear. What's less obvious is what Katara's specialty is inside of water bending. Every bender has talents that lie within a specific aspect of bending. Azula is particularly good at bending lightning, while Toph uses the Earth below her to sense things. Katara has a specialty of her own, and it's one that comes in handy for team Avatar on numerous occasions. Katara was always useful, but her specialty only made her doubly so.
What's the Fire Lord's Name?
For a long time, the Fire Lord is known only by his title. This makes him more intimidating, as does the show's decision to hide his face for a large portion of the series. Mystery is always more terrifying than reality, which isn't to say that the Fire Lord doesn't have a really intimidating name. Still, the show chose to hide it for quite a while, so fans would be forgiven for not remembering exactly what it was. It's not like it was plastered on the posters.
Who Does Aang Learn Fire Bending From?
Aang is tasked with learning all four elements, and many believe it's only after he's done this that he'll be able to take on the Fire Lord. For Water and Earth, Aang has team members who are willing to show him the ropes and help him master the elements. When it comes to fire, though, Aang is fairly out of luck. Although he shows a natural aptitude for it fairly early in the series, it isn't until much later that Aang ultimately learns how to bend fire.
When do Avatars Usually Learn Their Identities?
Aang learned he was the Avatar when he was only 12 years old, but that information is usually withheld until the Avatar is older. Aang only learned who he was early because the Fire Nation was becoming aggressive, and it seemed like the Avatar would have to step in. Of course, discovering the information at such a young age is ultimately what led Aang to run away from the Air Temple, and it's what put him in an iceberg for 100 years.
What's Uncle Iroh's Beverage of Choice?
When we're first introduced to Zuko's Uncle Iroh, it seems like he's a simple old man who lives a peaceful existence and drinks lots of this beverage. Of course, as the series progresses we learn exactly how deadly Iroh can be, and just how wise he is. Even after all of the chaos of the series has unfolded, Iroh still loves this beverage. In a family full of power-crazed loons, Iroh is maybe the only truly sane person, and that's because he leads a simple life.
How Many Air Temples Are There?
Unlike the Earth Kingdom, the Air Nomads have temples across the globe, and exist to help keep the balance between other nations. Aang was from the Sourthern Air Temple, but that's not the only Air Temple in this world. There are others, and Aang visits several of them over the course of his journey. He's most familiar with the one that he called home, of course, but each one provides him with new questions, and new acquaintances well worth remembering.
Who is Zuko's Other Significant Great-Grandfather?
Obviously, one of Zuko's great-grandfathers is Fire Lord Sozin, the man who started the Fire Nation invasion. What Zuko doesn't know until late in the show's run is that he has another great-grandfather of historical note, and it's a figure who speaks to Zuko's tortured relationship with his family. He wants to serve the Fire Nation the way the rest of his family does, but there's something else inside him pulling him towards good, and that's what makes his character so rich and compelling.