If You Don't Get 100% On This Quiz You're Not A True Avatar: The Last Airbender Fan
- by Dylan Brown
- – on
- in Movies and TV
"Water. Earth. Fire. Air. Long ago, the four nations lived together in harmony. Then, everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked. Only the Avatar, master of all four elements, could stop them, but when the world needed him most, he vanished. A hundred years passed and my brother and I discovered the new Avatar, an airbender named Aang. And although his airbending skills are great, he has a lot to learn before he's ready to save anyone. But I believe Aang can save the world."
This passage defined the childhood's of so many and for good reason. It was one of the first long form continuity series that Nickelodeon produced and it was truly innovative to see the story unfold over the course of years. Waiting between seasons was absolutely excruciating. Personally, nothing was more heartbreaking than the episode where Appa got kidnapped in the desert and left audiences wondering just how this would all get resolved.
The continuity effect on Avatar: The Last Airbender created a world with dynamic characters that would live through an experience and come out on the other side/next episode as a changed person, and potentially having different viewpoints on the world.
The show was a meteoric success and spawned a spiritual successor (pun fully intended) in the form of The Legend of Korra, which followed the adventures of the new avatar following Aang. And of course, we would be remiss if we didn't mention the live action film, which made us realize just why we enjoy the animation so much more.
Which of these are not one of the four main elements?
They say that the very beginning is a good place to start, so let's dive in. In the opening credits of the show, the narration divulges the different elements in the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender that are utilized by the different benders. Each region of the show's world is divided based on the different elements used and they inform the culture and societies. From the choices below, which of the elements is not one of the four main elements in the show?
What was the name of Katara and Sokka's mother?
If you pay close enough attention to the detail of some of the character's clothing in the show, you will notice they have a storied history and sentimental value to the characters. This is true for Katara's necklace that she wears that once belonged to her mother before she was killed during a horrible raid. If you need a hint for this question, the name of Katara's mother was also the same one given to Katara and Aang's child in honor of the deceased.
Where do Katara and Sokka find Aang?
The first episode of the series feels like it could have been a lifetime ago, but as soon as it starts, I'm always reminded of how timeless the show is. I think the success is due in part to the nature of the show not being bound by contemporary culture and lifestyles and has a sort of previous era aesthetic to it. The Legend of Korra has a much more modern feel that juxtaposes that of the original series very well.
What is this adorable lemur's name?
One of my favorite things about the universe of Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra are the two shows' wildlife. The animals of the world are fusions of ones from our world and give the animals new characteristics and dynamics, whether it be in the form of additional appendages and powers or things like being able to fly. Also, it is worth noting that no good cartoon exists without some sort of anthropomorphic animal companion by the hero's side.
When did the show first air?
It has been over a decade since the show first aired which seems harder and harder to believe each and every time I think about it! The year that the show premiered was one full of great pop culture powerhouses, many of which began around this same time. To give you some hints, here's just a few of the things that came out that very same year: Batman Begins; Charlie and the Chocolate Factory; Hitch; King Kong; Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
How many seasons did the original show have?
Each season of the show had twenty episodes to it, with the exception of the final season featuring twenty one episodes. It's kind of crazy to think that so much content and stories about all the show's characters were fit into this few number of episodes, especially by today's standards, where syndicated series can sometimes have upwards of fifty episodes a season. Thankfully, the brevity of the series was one of its strengths and kept it from getting long in the tooth.
What martial art form is airbending based on?
Time for things to get serious. For those of you not in the know, Avatar: The Last Airbender derives each of the elemental bending skills from real world martial arts training. Each of the elements; Earth, Water, Fire, and Air, have their own respective fighting style that corresponds with the associated element. The grounded nature of the earthbenders, the flowing choreography of the waterbenders, the fierce agression of firebending, and the freeing nature of airbending all are unique in their own ways
Who was the original voice actor for Uncle Iroh?
"Happy Birthday my son. If only I could have helped you. 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." If this didn't make you at least get semi-emotional, then you probably aren't a real Avatar fan. Never before had a cartoon been able to touch the hearts of audiences in a way that few shows before or after could ever dream of doing
What causes the Fire Nation to be at peak performance?
The Fire Nation is the most intimidating force in the original series, acting with the tact of an imperial dynasty attempting hostile takeover of the surrounding lands. Leaving behind a path of death and destruction, the fire scorches the ground and anything it touches. There is a special event that occurs in the world of Avatar the Last Airbender that increases the power of the Fire Nation and their bending skills to an exponential level. What is the event that causes this?
What is the second element Aang learns to control?
A majority of Avatar: The Last Airbender focuses on the journey of Aang as he grapples with the responsibility of being the savior of the world. Along with that responsibility, it's up to him to learn all of the different elemental bending skills in the different nations to be able to fully assume the mantle of the avatar. In the show, Aang is originally an Airbender, but what was the second element that he learns to control and utilize skillfully?
What guards the giant library in the desert?
Aside from the cactus juice (it'll quench ya!), the desert section of Avatar: The Last Airbender was a barren and broken place. That is, except for the library. Inside these ancient tombs lay an even more ancient set of knowledge guarded fiercely by a large imposing figure. It is here that the group gets separated from Appa after he is kidnapped while waiting outside and Aang fuels his powers with this rage. What was the beast that guarded the library?
What vegetable does this street vendor sell?
I always felt so bad for this poor old man! No matter where he went, his wagon would always get destroyed by some force out of his control. He was an honest business man and he really got the short end of the stick. I mean, really think about it: this would be like the wandmaker in Harry Potter constantly being the subject of Voldermort's schemes or some other nefarious deed. Anyways, what was the vegetable that inspired all this poor man's sadness?
Who does Sokka fall in love with?
Sokka was the character that I always felt like I could relate to in Avatar: The Last Airbender. As cool as Aang and Katara were, I enjoyed Sokka's ability to just go with the flow and face every new challenge with a set of fresh eyes. In a way, he reminded me of Brock from the Pokemon anime and I think the two characters served similar narrative purposes over the course of their respective arcs. Who does Sokka fall in love with but loses?
What happened to all the air nomads?
With a title like Avatar: The Last Airbender, the first question any viewer would ask themselves would be about what happened to the other members of the airbending tribe. Considering the fact that Aang was found encased in an iceberg, that only raises more questions. The show explains the history of the air nomads and their absence from society is felt across the whole show. What singular event led to the end of these people, thus making Aang the last airbender?
What martial art form is waterbending based on?
Go with the flow and get this question right. For those of you not in the know, Avatar: The Last Airbender derives each of the elemental bending skills from real world martial arts training. Each of the elements; Earth, Water, Fire, and Air, have their own respective fighting style that corresponds with the associated element. The grounded nature of the earthbenders, the flowing choreography of the waterbenders, the fierce agression of firebending, and the freeing nature of airbending all are unique in their own ways
What is the name of this blind earth bender?
This character was one of my absolute favorites from Avatar: The Last Airbender because she was always perceptive, even without the help of eyesight, which is an important lesson about knowing your surroundings and having situational awareness that is important for anyone growing up. She was also one hell of an earthbender, making her a worthy opponent of anyone who crossed her path. Her willingness to train Aang had to be earned and was not doled out without proper care.
How did Zuko get his scar?
Prince Zuko's signature identifying factor (aside from his obvious teenage angst) was the incredibly visceral burn scar he has on his eye. A token of a past wrongdoing that he carries with him everyday to remind him of the person who gave it to him. It's some heavy stuff for sure, which makes the arc of the character all the more interesting and emotional when he finally switches sides. What was the event that led to Zuko getting this scar?
What is the name of Zuko's father?
Zuko's father is an incredibly imposing and frightening character, considering the fact that he has a huge arsenal of flames at his disposal and an incredible amount of skill and control over said flames. It makes sense that a guy like this would become the leader of the fire nation, but I for one think he really needs to chill out. Burning his son's face off should have been more than enough to enlighten people about his madness, but what can you do?
What martial art form is earthbending based on?
Try to stay grounded for this one. For those of you not in the know, Avatar: The Last Airbender derives each of the elemental bending skills from real world martial arts training. Each of the elements; Earth, Water, Fire, and Air, have their own respective fighting style that corresponds with the associated element. The grounded nature of the earthbenders, the flowing choreography of the waterbenders, the fierce agression of firebending, and the freeing nature of airbending all are unique in their own ways
What shape are Aang's tattoos?
Aang is known for being the Avatar in addition to also being a member of the Air Nomads, a tribe that is easily recognizable based on their intricate tattoos they display on their limbs and head. In this regard, Aang is special. What main shape do these tattoos take on? Did you know that each specific limb tattoo is designed with a given purpose to aid in the art of air bending? It is really a cool history to look in to.
How many children do Aang and Katara have?
In the follow up series to Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Legend of Korra does a fairly large time skip by television standards and jumps a few generations to the new Avatar, a waterbender named Korra. In that show, Aang has already lived out his legacy and fathered multiple children with Katara (to the cheers of so many fans around the world). In that show, how many children do Aang and Katara have together (in The Legend of Korra series)?
How was Aang discovered to be the avatar?
The process of determining the next avatar is an undoubtedly tricky process. After all, how is someone supposed to know that they have that ability inherently? Regardless, Aang was discovered to be the avatar at an incredibly young age and was then taken away to study the arts of air bending at the southern air temple. With all of this information, look back into your deep well of knowledge on the series and recall what Aang did to prove he was the avatar.
Who was the avatar before Aang?
The long lineage of avatars always rotates between the different elemental benders. With Aang being the airbender, the cycle continues to Katara as a waterbender, and then an earthbender. By the process of elimination, that means Aang was preceded by an avatar originating from the Fire Nation. Over the course of the series, Aang is forced to deal with the ramifications of his predecessor's actions and beliefs and what they stand for, which really takes the sins of the father concept to a very meta level.
What martial art form is firebending based on?
Things are about to get heated. For those of you not in the know, Avatar: The Last Airbender derives each of the elemental bending skills from real world martial arts training. Each of the elements; Earth, Water, Fire, and Air, have their own respective fighting style that corresponds with the associated element. The grounded nature of the earthbenders, the flowing choreography of the waterbenders, the fierce agression of firebending, and the freeing nature of airbending all are unique in their own ways
What is the name of the Fire Nation prison made on a bubbling lake?
I want to go on record to say that this is arguably one of the coolest prisons I've ever seen in a show and for good reason. Not only is the prison itself heavily defensible and guarded, it is surrounded by a lake of boiling water. Oh, and did I forget to mention that it is inside of a dormant volcano. If it weren't for the fact that this location was controlled by the Fire Nation, it would be a cool base of operations.
Which character has a last name?
Avatar: The Last Airbender features a ton of characters over the course of the series, but if you pay close attention to their introductions, you'll start to notice that none of them have last names and instead, their names are followed up with their tribe and location of origin. Keen eyed (or in this case keen-eared) viewers will remember that one character has a last name, but just which character that is will be up to you to give the answer!
What do all three seasons' premieres have in common?
All three seasons of the original run of Avatar: The Last Airbender use parallel imagery in the first episode of each season. For al the non-film buffs out there, parallel imagery in film is similar to that of its literary counterpart by focusing on recurring specific moments or concepts to drive narrative structure and style. To give you a hint, the imagery can be found at the opening of each episode of the seasons, so just think about how they all open!
Tenzin is named after which real world figure?
Tenzin was one of my favorite characters in The Legend of Korra and I think that has to do with seeing what an adult Aang would have been like with his family. We also get the distinct privilege of seeing this similar arc in Johiro later on in the series as he reaches adulthood. I think this enjoyment stems from the amount of time we as viewers spent with Aang and the questions we have about what he was like as an adult are answered indirectly for the most part
What is the capital of the Earth Kingdom called?
It makes sense that the kingdom of earthbenders would have incredibly sound and impressive architectural structure, and their capital spares no expense. The giant city is enclosed on all sides, providing a level of defense that would be perfect for a show like Attack on Titan. This sprawling metropolis is the home to so many citizens and was one of my favorite set pieces in the show. It was really surreal to have the city reappear in The Legend of Korra
What is the name of Zuko's sister?
Just when viewers thought Zuko would be the biggest firebending threat to the team (aside from Ozai of course), the audience was introduced to Zuko's sister, who took over his position in the Fire Nation after he was publicly shamed. She was precise and fierce in her fighting style and knew how to push Zuko's buttons, which is almost as dangerous as her capabilities in combat. This character's arc was one of the most interesting in the series and made for one hell of a villain.
What is the name of this masked figure?
The first season of The Legend of Korra felt like a real gear change for the series as it became a much more concentrated show on the characters and their individual actions that have huge waves of ramifications throughout the world. This masked character starts shaking things up almost immediately and is able to blood bend which was one of the coolest things to see in the series because it really showed that the gloves were coming off and no one was safe.
Who directed the live action film?
You didn't think you were going to finish this quiz without having to answer at least ONE question about the live action adaptation of the series did you? It was bizarre to see such a beloved series fail to translate to the big screen and it felt like a real punch in the gut to hear the pronunciations of character's names butchered and pale in comparison to the cartoon counterpart. What is the name of the director of the film?
When did The Legend of Korra premiere?
When I first heard that a followup series to Avatar: The Last Airbender was in production and that it wouldn't be about Aang as an adult but instead focus on a different avatar, I was more than skeptical. It felt like there was going to be a plethora of dead horse beatings but I was so glad to be wrong when the show proved to be an entertaining and fascinating look into the changing societies of this established world and canon.
How many seasons are there in LoK?
The Legend of Korra had a notably longer run as a show than Avatar: The Last Airbender and I think that can be attributed to the intricate world building done by the development team of writers and artists as they weaved together a narrative in what felt like a living and breathing world that would be affected by change. Each season felt like it would only keep building upon the last and that's such a good thing to have in a show.
Who is this majestic beast?
The Sky Bison were an incredible race of beasts that were typically accompanied by the Air Nomads thanks to their incredible flight capabilities. This creature was always my favorite in the show because it had such a robust personality that was revealed in body language and grunts instead of dialogue. Being able to nonverbally characterize is a difficult thing to do, especially on a flying bison, so kudos to the creators of the show. And thank YOU for taking the time to take this quiz!