'Avatar: The Last Airbender' – Top 10 Episodes
Ryan Cannister
Netflix recently started streaming the hit Nickelodeon show, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and even more recently made it available in HD. This is one of my favorite tv shows of all time. I’ve now seen the show three times all the way through. Once when it first came out, once in the early 2010’s, and once a few weeks ago. I cannot stress enough how essential it is that you watch ATLA if you haven’t already!
Though marketed as a children’s show it addresses mature themes of destiny, war, oppression, totalitarianism, coming of age, equality, and much more. Its format is also unique for a 2005-2008 cartoon in that each episode stands on its own with a clear arc and message but also fits into a larger three-season epic arc with clear challenges and goals for the characters. It’s a real hero’s journey for Aang.
All of the characters in the show both main and supporting are some of the most developed and engaging I have seen in any form of media. You truly care about them and the choices they make throughout the entire series. If you still need more convincing, each episode is only 22-23 minutes so it is incredibly easy to binge. All in all, it’s a nearly perfect show, no wonder it’s still this popular 15 years after its release.
Here are my Top 10 Favorite Episodes, SPOILERS AHEAD
10. Lake Laogai
So many powerful moments packed into this single episode. Dai Li mysteries, Jet’s Death, Iroh’s Speech, Zuko’s choice, Appa’s return.
9. The Earth King
Perhaps not the most exciting episode overall as a lot of it is spent setting things up for the Season 2 finale. However, the sequence of team Avatar storming the Palace is too epic for me not to include this in the top 10. One of my favorite action sequences from the entire series.
8. The Siege of the North (Both Parts)
Aang and Katara’s storyline with Pakku is super progressive. Sokka and Zuko get some great moments. Then Aang does some of the most OP bending of the entire series when he’s in the Avatar State merged with the Ocean Spirit. What more could you want.
7. The Day of Black Sun (Both Parts)
Everyone is really at the top of their game here for what they think is going to be the endgame. Especially love the focus on Sokka’s plans and leadership as well as his insecurities. Very mature for a cartoon to not just have their heroes constantly winning. I think it makes the finale much more impactful and teaches more valuable lessons of failure, growth, and perseverance.
6. The Storm
In this episode, we get fantastic flashbacks to Aang and Zuko’s past. I’d say this is where the series starts to becomes just as much Zuko’s story as it is Aang’s. You start to care about Zuko and understand the reasons for his actions.
5. The Drill
Though I wouldn’t consider it one of the most acclaimed episodes of the entire series. It is a personal favorite of mine and has been since I was a kid. It’s always just so satisfying seeing Team Avatar work together to wreck the Drill. It’s also the episode in which we get the birth of the name Team Avatar!
4. The Tales of Ba Sing Se
Love Uncle Iroh. You will be sobbing by the end. That’s all.
3. Zuko Alone
This episode for me solidifies Zuko as not only one of the best characters on the show but as one of the best characters on television with a truly detailed and well thought out arc.
2. The Crossroads of Destiny
Everything you could possibly want from a season finale. Fun character matchups, Zuko/Katara, Aang/Iroh. Great bending sequences. Character conflict and betrayal. I love the pause when Zuko shoots his first fire blast in the final battle and you don’t know immediately which side he’s going to take. Possibly the most shocking ending to an episode in the series. We definitely leave almost everyone at some of their lowest points.
1. Sozin’s Comet (All Four Parts)
Though technically four episodes I count it as one because I remember when I was a kid, they aired it as one big special movie event, so that’s how I think of it. It’s just the perfect ending to a perfect series. More fantastic action and beautiful animation with satisfying endings to all arcs. On this re-watch it especially stood out to me just how epic and important Sokka, Suki, and Toph’s airship mission is. Usually Aang v Ozai and Zuko/Katara v Azula gets all the praise and attention (deservedly so). But without Sokka’s airship slice, way more damage would have been done to the Earth Kingdom. Great to see Aang as a fully realized Avatar.
All of that said, it’s so hard to choose just 10 favorite/best episodes because there are literally no bad episodes in this series. I could honestly justify any of the episodes being in the Top 10. They all serve the greater story and stay true to the characters. Sure, there are a few “filler” episodes here and there, but even those are charming. I can’t think of any series that is as timeless or rewatchable as Avatar: The Last Airbender.
If you’re new to the series and are looking for something to watch once you finish, I highly recommend The Legend of Korra. It’s by the same creative team and in the same universe, 70 years after Aang’s adventures. It follows the new Avatar, a hot-headed water bender named Korra.
5/5 Perfect Series