I like that he decided at the end, to not let his airbender teachings die, and ended up learning how to energy bend from the lion turtles so that he could win without killing.
Yeah, like Yang Chen told him he should sacrifice his spiritual needs to save the universe, implying that upholding morals is a huge part of spiritualism in the Avatar world.
@@iminumst7827when the lion turtle says “the true mind can weather all the lies and illusions without being lost” he was calling out Aang on being lost and under an illusion. Aang said his past lives expected him to kill someone, but none of them said that. They all said different things but Aang kept projecting onto their words his fear that he would have to kill Ozai. By having a “true mind” he would realize that. When the lion turtle said “The true heart can tough the poison of hatred” he was telling Aang to lean on his “true heart”, that is, his Air Nomad upbringing, and not give in the advice of Katara, Sokka and Zuko, whose hatred for the Fire Nation/Ozai were pushing Aang into killing Ozai.
@@pikapal94I’m trying to comment without spoiling anything, but I feel like his decision to do this was apart of what he was meant to add to the avatar collective, because everyone’s advice had the same final answer. I feel like the enlightenment he brings to the avatar spirit is what allows an avatar like korra to be incarnated, because of what aang learned throughout his series! She could not have had her journey if he had not had his in my opinion.
For Azulas breakdown, her voice actress told everyone in the recording booth to leave, and just let her record by herself, then dug deep into her personal traumas to pull out that scream. To this day, she refuses to watch it so as not to retraumatize herself.
I've rewatched this show so many times and I still haven't moved on. The feeling this show gives me is indescribable. Zuko and Azula's agni kai gives me the chills everytime... the contrasting fire colors, the incredible haunting music, the fighting styles (Zuko drawing wisdom from the bending of all four nations), it's beautiful and so heartbreaking.
Yes, what it is, is the music at 432hz combined with everyone’s back stories, getting redemption from the fire nation makes our hearts melt. Specially the song at the very end, Avatar’s Love, is so soothing and wholesome. Clearing and aligning all of our Chakras working with the third and heart chakra💜💚 is so true
Small pieces of the final song are played throughout the series every time aang and katara kiss. They had the music build up with each kiss until the climactic final kiss.
when aang sought out advice from everyone including the past avatars, even yangchen an airbender herself advised him to take a life. but no avatar before him had ever faced that problem. he was the last airbender in the entire world. the entire civilizations and its teachings rested on him. if he didn’t stick to his roots as an airbender i feel like that would be the death of the air nomads all over again. talk about an unbendable spirits. the entire avatar universe is so cool man i love it
None of them told him to kill. He was told to be decisive, that only justice could bring peace, that he must take an active role in shaping the world, that he must be willing to give up his own wants to prioritize the world... and he technically followed all of that advice. Just not in the way people assumed he must. The lion turtle told him "the true mind could see past all lies and illusion without being lost". And he was able to see past the illusion that killing ozai was the only path to find his way forward.
NTM he’s a kid and didn’t grow up in war. He was frozen in ice 100 years after just finding out he’s avatar and to wake up to all that on his shoulders
@@Nomadic813 Your point is good and it still stands for the most part, makes sense, but Yangchen's statements meant "You have to kill him" in every way except using those literal words. She was the Avatar he gave the most details to, including the fact that he didn't want to kill and was looking for agreement with that choice. And Yangchen's response ignores/contradicts the Lion Turtle's info and gift. Also it's more like he didn't defy her advice, rather than following it. She used the word "sacrifice," but he ended up not having to do that.The problem was essentially nullified by energybending. Again I still agree with you overall. But another reason I bring this up and say that Yangchen did advise Aang to kill is that what Nomadic mentioned, "but no avatar before him...he was the last airbender," is so great to me, and it's part of what makes Aang's victory so sweet and one of the best "happy endings" in fantasy.
Watching the finale summer 2008 is a core memory for me. Definitely one of thee greatest shows of all time. ("This is not a kids show" iykyk) I'm glad you all enjoyed the series and I hope you continue on with Legend of Korra.
15:03 Zuko didn’t eat all the lightning, you can see he partially was able to redirect it. The next scene is lightning shooting towards the sky. Sadly it would’ve killed him, but either way their fight was so well done!
Aang went from being "the boy in the iceberg" in the 1st episode, to being the amazing "Avatar Aang" that he ended up to be. This show is really iconic, you can also read some of it's comics to find out stuff that where left unsaid (like Zuko's mom). Meanwhile, looking forward to your Korra reactions, it's gonna be good haha
18:10 Welcome to the super important moment: Zukos scar isn't just a burn scar, its a scarred handprint. His father didn't just blast Zukos face with fire, he literally brought his hand right up to Zukos face. Zuko told him about it, so when Ozai tries to do it again here, Aangs able to block it.
For context, Azulas mental stability started to deteriorate after Mai and Ty-Lee betrayed her. They were her only “friends” and the only people she trusted
This is it. The finale to a great show. Time to do an analysis. Azula is honestly one of my favorites from Avatar. Her father teaches her that trust is a weakness. That love is for fools. Because he doesn't love his own family. He plots against his brother in his time of emotional grief, he plays a part in his father's death(implied), scars his own child, and then separates Azula from her mother by teaching her how to do things his way. Azula then goes to keep everyone at arms length. Except for Mai and Ty Lee. And even with them, she still employs some of the manipulation techniques that her father told her worked so well. After all, he's the Firelord. One of the most powerful and influential people alive. He is living proof that using people gets you what you want. That it makes you truly happy. So she does that. She tells herself that, "almost isn't good enough" whenever she slips up even a little bit. Everything has to be perfect. Because when his children are less than perfect, they get treated like Zuko. But Ozai could never treat Azula like Zuko. He obviously has trust in her. She takes down most of team Avatar, she nearly drills into Ba Sing Se, she almost takes out her uncle(a powerful thorn in the side of anyone he goes against), she infiltrated the impenetrable city and brought it down from the inside. "You were never even a player." She brought down the Avatar and had it not been for spiritual water, would've ended the cycle there and then. She has a small slip of emotion when talking about how her mother treated her and gives a small glimpse at her insecurities but quickly brushes it aside. She holds off Team Avatar even when she doesn't have her bending. Then it all falls apart during the boiling rock. Mai loves Zuko more than he fears her. But that's impossible. Ozai said fear was the only rational way. Then Ty Lee betrays her as well. An even further impossibility. It can't be happening. Then Ozai looks at all of the hard work she's done and casts her aside. He gives her a position and then immediately makes an even better one for himself and leaves her at home. After everything she's done, he treats her like Zuko. Azula then begins to panic. Because fear isn't working. Everyone is either leaving or she makes them leave because she's starting to fear that they'll inevitably betray her. To the point where she has to imagine her mother telling her that she LOVES her. Azula smashes the mirror as she realizes that her father left her with nothing. And it all culminates in that final battle. Where she makes mistakes that she would never have made. Slips up. And has a breakdown. Because she was supposed to have everything. She had fear. Zuko was supposed to have nothing. He had weakness. He had love. So why were the roles reversed? Why did her father abandon her? Why did her friends leave? All of that on the shoulders of a 14 year old girl. And it broke her. And that makes Azula's story so tragic to me.
As an Azula lover, thank you for your analysis of her character. You articulated my love for her much better than I could have. Their reactions to her defeat and her cries honestly annoyed me, so this comment was refreshing.
So true. I thought i was the only one that felt bad for Azula………………… at the very end at least. The way she sobbed, screams in pain and her heartfelt tears made me feel bad for her even tho she and her father deserved it. The Firelord on the other hand, appeared upset, but only because he lost.
I always dread and have to fight back tears with the Zuko vs Azula agni kai 😭 Ozai's loveless parenting twisted two siblings, brother and sister, into the worst of enemies... Azula's pained, crazed crying is an unfathomable tragedy by itself
It's so crazy to see whats happening in the world rn and seeing the g*enocide of the airbenders in the cartoon, that anger and sadness is unimaginable but truly art imitates life. During this time we all need to remember to be like Aang and remember the good of humanity rather than the evil's seen in clear view
It makes the world a brighter place every time someone from the US realizes they're the fire nation, and there's been a lot of that content lately. The young ones on Tik Tok are collectively having a Zuko Journey and I'm so glad.
“You're a little baby” let's not forget that Azula is only 14 yo, she looks older for some reason but she's only 14 so.. that's what a mental breakdown looks like and it gets me everytime
Also another interesting thing, Tai Lee always talked about how she hated being part of a matching set and her insecurities of it. But she joins a group where they all dress the same and wear the same make up and was really happy about it.
My favorite detail is every time Aang and Katara kiss throughout the series the music plays a small part/motif of the final song that plays at the end when they kiss. It's like every single kiss during the series was leading up to the final kiss with the music!
like Hamma said, you need the power of the full moon to reach your ultimate power as a waterbender and use that move . . . . . . . (the no spoilers comment will probably raise suspicions on why it was included tho)
wasn't there a scene where katara was out for revenge on the guy who killed her mom and she blood bended on the ship without the moon? i don't personally remember
@@dafnid7294 no no, i do remember that scene, i mean when she has the wrong guy on the ship before she finds the real guy. i thought she had used it on the new captain of that squad. like i said not sure on that one though
Everything comes full circle in avatar. Everything in the avatar comes in full circle. So like the swamp guy and guru lessons: everything and everyone is connected. Time is an illusion and so is death. The four nations cover the entire world, team avatar has been running into the same people no matter where they go. And those people run into people that team avatar also have met. The white lotus meme bears just happen to be all teachers of team avatar. Zuko just happened to run into jet after they both separately met team avatar on their own. Suki running into azula. Zuko just always seems to be running into ancestor Rokus reincarnation. Everyone and everything is connected.
I love that Aang’s fighting style in the avatar state is actually Aang’s air scooter that we see in episode 1, taken to its most ultimate conclusion and combining all the elements. I also find it a little sad to see Aang’s airbending move he invented for innocent joy being used for violence, honestly the imagery of him in the final episode is quite terrifying. That’s why I love so much that he regains control and stops himself from committing murder.
Man I been on a binge watching reactors reacting to ATLA for the past year and you guys have been some of the best. This series meant so much to me as a kid. I remember seeing the promos for it when I was just 10 & watching the finale the summer of 2008 now I’m 28 and I still have so much love for this series. It still brings tears to my eyes when I see the ending, definitely the best cartoon ever
26:25 Bending techniques learned from other elements sighting: She learned this from Zuko, when he did the same thing at the North Pole after she froze him.
7:10 I TALK TO MY HAIR LIKE THAT😭💔 It NEVER cooperates and I threaten to cut it off LMFAOO way before I watched ATLA too💀 I’ve only ever done it, like twice tho
20:58 People forget sometimes that Azula is just 14 years old during all of this. She’s only known hate, war and fighting all of her life. She was primed to be a weapon of war from birth. Her breakdown is actually really sad, considering that she failed at what she’s expected to excel at. Not defending her actions of course, but it’s really sad.
30:44 Fun fact: The first word in Avatar was “It’s” said by Sokka and the last was “perfect” said by Toph. Btw, Katara can only bloodbend when there’s only a full moon. With the comet taking precedence, waterbenders are technically weakened unless you are a master waterbender like Katara & Paku.
Korra is good. Korra has amazing visuals, acting, comedy, and soundtrack. My main issue is the messy character development. It's really hard to live up to ATLA, so it should come as no surprize that Korra doesn't. But Korra is still a good show relative to most animated shows. Especially when you consider how bad sequels often are. Most Korra fans would agree Season 1 is decent, Season 2 is bad, and the show really gets good at Season 3 and 4. I would recommend watching Korra. However I recommend against continuing the Neftlix adaptation of ATLA. The adaptation got so much praise for just having good costume design, that it's often glossed over how badly that show handles character writing and important moments.
will never get over how much of a masterpiece this show is. i’ve watched it a million times and still, nothing has ever topped it. the imagery, cinematography, animation … it’s just perfect. gosh, i wish i could watch it again for the first time.
Now I am getting emotional again as it takes me back to when I watched the finale for the first time as kid. What ride and journey your reactions were to ATLA as I look forward to it every week. Thank you Reel-Time 🙏🏾🤩
I watched avatar as it was on going when I was 10 years old, from the premiere night, the first two episodes to sozin's comet a few years later. I've watched avatar maybe 50 times 😭my favorite show of all time. it was great watching with you guys!!!
Also definitely watch korra, but don't goo into it with expectations that it's a direct sequel of aang's story. that'll lead to disappointment, but it is a good show on its own!!
i always thought it was a bittersweet ending for aang, even after he did what he was supposed to do and see the nations together as one when he looks out to the crowd you realise that his people are really gone and that he truly is the last airbender and just a kid. it was so fun watching you guys react to this show, even though it's been almost 10 years since it's release it'll always hold up as one of the greatest shows ever imo. hopefully we get to see you guys start korra i think yall will love it!
Aang being so steadfast in his beliefs is directly rooted into why his spirit is unbendable. He succeeded not only as the Avatar but as the last airbender. Him deciding not to kill Ozai is also a decision to not kill the airbenders. If he decided to kill Ozai, it would also mean Airbenders would cease to exist. I love it.
I don’t watch animated shows like this but watching this was so fun with you guys and I can now confidently say Zuko is my character his development and arc throughout the show was amazing loved the reactions
fun fact, the "flying away on appa" song has two official titles, "The Avatar's Love" & "Dear Katara". literally everything about this series is so fucking wholesome
no matter how many times i watch i always get a lump in my throat from the emotional ending 🥹 hope you guys go into The Legend of Korra! ALSO!!! the answer to Zuko’s mom is in the comic “The Search” and correct me if i’m wrong, Azula tags along as well 😌 so i think we get some character development on her part in that comic!!!!
28:15 this is the place last agni kai was happening, where katara beat azula, and where ozai got crowned, and now it is zuko's place, and all other nations are there too
It is so perfect that they even had the foresight to lay a hidden Easter egg… The very first word of the series is “It’s” and the very last word is “perfect”
Aang found a way to stay true to himself and keep the morals of his people seeing he is THE LAST AIRBENDER. If he went against his morals and his people’s way it would of been like the airbenders culture would be fully lost in history but kept true to his ways and kept all the lessons and teachings of his people alive🥲 this will forever be one of my favorite shows from the characters and story all the way to life lessons you can learn from it! I HOPE YALL WATCH KORRA. It is super overhated it’s not as good as avatar obviously but people don’t like change and i feel like that’s the main reason they don’t like it.
That's what 99% of people who watch that scene 1) that knows and isn't embarrassed to show they know what a sexy man looks like 2) that's not a child thought the exact same thing. It happened to me and I've seen A TON of other reactors say it. Do you only see content done by straight men with a "no homo" vibe? I'm honestly asking because you're not the only one in the comments surprised by this hot male character being described as hot and I honestly don't get it. Are you very young, maybe? Truly, I want to understand what was so crazy about it.
The scene when aang shoots the first giant fireball at ozai's airship he does a very speedy version of the dragon dance he learned from the Sun Warriors before launching the attack🔥
Y’all should watch Legend of Korra. It’s so good!! Obviously very different to Avatar but in a great way! I find they tackle adult topics like communism, anarchy, dictatorship with super interesting villains.
You should react to the Legend of Korra, it is the next generation of Avatar the last airbender, the main thing to remember while watching is that they are nothing alike, while Aang has one main villain in this series, Korra has many, so I hope you guys check that out.
please please continue the legend of korra. zuff gives so much bolin vibes tbh haha. i really want you guys to watch it for season 3 of korra which is so fireee. i took my time to finish this with you guys before i start on the live action series so i'm excited to start it now! thanks guys
For years and years now, when I think "tears of joy" in fiction I usually think of The Return of the King second, when Aragorn and all the people bow to the hobbits, with the first usually being the ATLA finale, those last few minutes. Sometimes it's hard to believe we got this series. One of the best.
I definitely recommend reading the comics. The first one is the Promise, and then the second one The Search, is where you find out what happened to Zukos mom. There’s more after as well and all are so so good and you also get to see more of Aang and Katara 👀🩵
3min in and 666 views for the finale???? epic (also its not noticed much but aang does the dancing dragon when he hurls the fire blast at the blimps engine.)
If you watch Korra, don’t go into it expecting it to be the same vibe as this. It’s still really great, but in an opposite sorta way. Even Korra’s personality is opposite to aAng’s. Her problems are big but in a different way. It’s a bit darker. People get disappointed when it’s not like this one.
I heard that Ozai was almost killing Aang, but then Aang took his strength and took over and took his bending away you can see it by the red and blue light.
Watching this finale live in 2008 after literally growing up from a child into a young teen along with Aang and the crew, was such an amazingly epic, bitter sweet, satisfying, experience that I will never forget.😍
Super random thought but I just literally just realized during this watch that Tai Lee ends up being in a matching set. That was the life she hated and sought out the exact opposite in the circus, but she's ok looking like everyone else here. Never noticed that detail with her story before.
Zuff is so adorable, waiting for that kiss between Aang and Katara. I always shipped them, although admittedly, there was a very brief moment in S2 that I thought it was gonna be Zuko and Katara. But I just really wanted Aang to be happy with his forever girl 😊
Saving Katara was Zuko's redemption for betraying Katara getting Aang killed at Ba Sing Se. Symbolically, he was also shot by Azula like Aang was, and now has the same scars.
The score during Zuko and Azula's battle gives me goosebumps EVERY time. Zuko has one of the best redemption arcs in all of TV, imo. As you said, the comics do address Zuko's mom, and it's super interesting. I HIGHLY recommend the Rise of Kyoshi novels. They're amazing. Kyoshi is my favorite avatar because of them
22:10 no. They go over this in the beginning of the second season. It’s all the past avatar’s abilities so yeah he could just use the avatar state to beat them but he’s also at his most vulnerable, and we could’ve gotten a repeat of the season 2 finale. They can’t just rely on the avatar state. He had to master it too
Thank you so much for reacting to my favorite animated series of all time. Definitely in my top 5 pieces of media and a comfort show for me throughout the years. Rob, you have amazing taste! Such a great journey to relive again with you all! I will be continuing to look forward to your TVD reactions from here on out!
FULL WATCHALONGS TO ALL OF OUR ATLA REACTIONS: www.patreon.com/ReelTimeYT/posts?filters%5Btag%5D=ATLA
Please do the legend of Korra next
I definitely think Aang refusing to kill Ozai despite everyone advising him to do it is a big part of why his spirit was “unbendable”
Correct, he fulfills his destiny not only as the Avatar, but also as the Last Airbender.
I like that he decided at the end, to not let his airbender teachings die, and ended up learning how to energy bend from the lion turtles so that he could win without killing.
Yeah, like Yang Chen told him he should sacrifice his spiritual needs to save the universe, implying that upholding morals is a huge part of spiritualism in the Avatar world.
@@iminumst7827when the lion turtle says “the true mind can weather all the lies and illusions without being lost” he was calling out Aang on being lost and under an illusion. Aang said his past lives expected him to kill someone, but none of them said that. They all said different things but Aang kept projecting onto their words his fear that he would have to kill Ozai. By having a “true mind” he would realize that. When the lion turtle said “The true heart can tough the poison of hatred” he was telling Aang to lean on his “true heart”, that is, his Air Nomad upbringing, and not give in the advice of Katara, Sokka and Zuko, whose hatred for the Fire Nation/Ozai were pushing Aang into killing Ozai.
@@pikapal94I’m trying to comment without spoiling anything, but I feel like his decision to do this was apart of what he was meant to add to the avatar collective, because everyone’s advice had the same final answer. I feel like the enlightenment he brings to the avatar spirit is what allows an avatar like korra to be incarnated, because of what aang learned throughout his series! She could not have had her journey if he had not had his in my opinion.
For Azulas breakdown, her voice actress told everyone in the recording booth to leave, and just let her record by herself, then dug deep into her personal traumas to pull out that scream.
To this day, she refuses to watch it so as not to retraumatize herself.
😳😬🙁🥺
I've rewatched this show so many times and I still haven't moved on. The feeling this show gives me is indescribable. Zuko and Azula's agni kai gives me the chills everytime... the contrasting fire colors, the incredible haunting music, the fighting styles (Zuko drawing wisdom from the bending of all four nations), it's beautiful and so heartbreaking.
Very relatable
Yes, what it is, is the music at 432hz combined with everyone’s back stories, getting redemption from the fire nation makes our hearts melt. Specially the song at the very end, Avatar’s Love, is so soothing and wholesome. Clearing and aligning all of our Chakras working with the third and heart chakra💜💚 is so true
You nailed it
I'm so glad I'm not the only one lmao
I honestly think it’s a perfect show 🥲
"Bend her tears" is wild 😭
So petty, she was crying in chains already😂
water bending is creepy, imagine someone freezes your eyes like ouch
@@NKO_lindowaterbend pee too
"firelord ozai, you and your forefathers have devastated the balance of this world, and now you shall pay the ultimate price" CHILLS.....ICONIC
The peaceful music at the end is played on something called a kalimba, a little wooden box with a bunch of metal tabs you pluck with your thumb.
Small pieces of the final song are played throughout the series every time aang and katara kiss. They had the music build up with each kiss until the climactic final kiss.
And the track is titled "Avatar's Love"
when aang sought out advice from everyone including the past avatars, even yangchen an airbender herself advised him to take a life. but no avatar before him had ever faced that problem. he was the last airbender in the entire world. the entire civilizations and its teachings rested on him. if he didn’t stick to his roots as an airbender i feel like that would be the death of the air nomads all over again. talk about an unbendable spirits. the entire avatar universe is so cool man i love it
None of them told him to kill. He was told to be decisive, that only justice could bring peace, that he must take an active role in shaping the world, that he must be willing to give up his own wants to prioritize the world... and he technically followed all of that advice. Just not in the way people assumed he must.
The lion turtle told him "the true mind could see past all lies and illusion without being lost". And he was able to see past the illusion that killing ozai was the only path to find his way forward.
NTM he’s a kid and didn’t grow up in war. He was frozen in ice 100 years after just finding out he’s avatar and to wake up to all that on his shoulders
Ironically, a lack of interest in the spiritual side of things was Yangchen's major flaw.
Don’t forget. Yang Chen was actually one of the most brutal avatars in history. More so than kyoshi
@@Nomadic813 Your point is good and it still stands for the most part, makes sense, but Yangchen's statements meant "You have to kill him" in every way except using those literal words. She was the Avatar he gave the most details to, including the fact that he didn't want to kill and was looking for agreement with that choice. And Yangchen's response ignores/contradicts the Lion Turtle's info and gift. Also it's more like he didn't defy her advice, rather than following it. She used the word "sacrifice," but he ended up not having to do that.The problem was essentially nullified by energybending.
Again I still agree with you overall. But another reason I bring this up and say that Yangchen did advise Aang to kill is that what Nomadic mentioned, "but no avatar before him...he was the last airbender," is so great to me, and it's part of what makes Aang's victory so sweet and one of the best "happy endings" in fantasy.
That Agni Kai! The animation? Gorgeous. The music? Beautiful. The storytelling? Magnificent.
Watching the finale summer 2008 is a core memory for me. Definitely one of thee greatest shows of all time.
("This is not a kids show" iykyk)
I'm glad you all enjoyed the series and I hope you continue on with Legend of Korra.
We got a freaking normie in here 😒😮💨
jk jk love those guys
15:03 Zuko didn’t eat all the lightning, you can see he partially was able to redirect it. The next scene is lightning shooting towards the sky.
Sadly it would’ve killed him, but either way their fight was so well done!
Aang went from being "the boy in the iceberg" in the 1st episode, to being the amazing "Avatar Aang" that he ended up to be. This show is really iconic, you can also read some of it's comics to find out stuff that where left unsaid (like Zuko's mom). Meanwhile, looking forward to your Korra reactions, it's gonna be good haha
18:10 Welcome to the super important moment:
Zukos scar isn't just a burn scar, its a scarred handprint. His father didn't just blast Zukos face with fire, he literally brought his hand right up to Zukos face.
Zuko told him about it, so when Ozai tries to do it again here, Aangs able to block it.
Zuff quietly saying, "he's handsome" is probably a highlight for the series
One of the most honest reactions I’ve ever seen lol I’ve never thought that about ozai but I always knew his design was sick that’s just funny
I hate him so much that I couldn't notice that but he really is quite good looking
(Squid ward voice) “oh nooo he’s hot!😩😭”
It's just the truth 😂
double flipping him off would be another highlight lmfao zuff is so relatable
The scene between Mai & Zuko after the battle warms my heart every time. I love Maiko so much.
same 😭❣️
That girl was a non bender that went head to head with Azula for him, she deserved her happy ending
For context, Azulas mental stability started to deteriorate after Mai and Ty-Lee betrayed her. They were her only “friends” and the only people she trusted
This is it. The finale to a great show. Time to do an analysis. Azula is honestly one of my favorites from Avatar. Her father teaches her that trust is a weakness. That love is for fools. Because he doesn't love his own family. He plots against his brother in his time of emotional grief, he plays a part in his father's death(implied), scars his own child, and then separates Azula from her mother by teaching her how to do things his way. Azula then goes to keep everyone at arms length. Except for Mai and Ty Lee. And even with them, she still employs some of the manipulation techniques that her father told her worked so well. After all, he's the Firelord. One of the most powerful and influential people alive. He is living proof that using people gets you what you want. That it makes you truly happy.
So she does that. She tells herself that, "almost isn't good enough" whenever she slips up even a little bit. Everything has to be perfect. Because when his children are less than perfect, they get treated like Zuko. But Ozai could never treat Azula like Zuko. He obviously has trust in her. She takes down most of team Avatar, she nearly drills into Ba Sing Se, she almost takes out her uncle(a powerful thorn in the side of anyone he goes against), she infiltrated the impenetrable city and brought it down from the inside. "You were never even a player." She brought down the Avatar and had it not been for spiritual water, would've ended the cycle there and then.
She has a small slip of emotion when talking about how her mother treated her and gives a small glimpse at her insecurities but quickly brushes it aside. She holds off Team Avatar even when she doesn't have her bending. Then it all falls apart during the boiling rock. Mai loves Zuko more than he fears her. But that's impossible. Ozai said fear was the only rational way. Then Ty Lee betrays her as well. An even further impossibility. It can't be happening. Then Ozai looks at all of the hard work she's done and casts her aside. He gives her a position and then immediately makes an even better one for himself and leaves her at home. After everything she's done, he treats her like Zuko. Azula then begins to panic. Because fear isn't working. Everyone is either leaving or she makes them leave because she's starting to fear that they'll inevitably betray her. To the point where she has to imagine her mother telling her that she LOVES her. Azula smashes the mirror as she realizes that her father left her with nothing. And it all culminates in that final battle.
Where she makes mistakes that she would never have made. Slips up. And has a breakdown. Because she was supposed to have everything. She had fear. Zuko was supposed to have nothing. He had weakness. He had love. So why were the roles reversed? Why did her father abandon her? Why did her friends leave? All of that on the shoulders of a 14 year old girl. And it broke her. And that makes Azula's story so tragic to me.
As an Azula lover, thank you for your analysis of her character. You articulated my love for her much better than I could have. Their reactions to her defeat and her cries honestly annoyed me, so this comment was refreshing.
So true. I thought i was the only one that felt bad for Azula…………………
at the very end at least. The way she sobbed, screams in pain and her heartfelt tears made me feel bad for her even tho she and her father deserved it. The Firelord on the other hand, appeared upset, but only because he lost.
Doesn’t matter how many times I rewatch this show, I will always cry at the end, what a perfect finale 🥹
I always dread and have to fight back tears with the Zuko vs Azula agni kai 😭 Ozai's loveless parenting twisted two siblings, brother and sister, into the worst of enemies... Azula's pained, crazed crying is an unfathomable tragedy by itself
Azula's downfall is actually very sad, I am surprised yall thought it was goofy :(
It's so crazy to see whats happening in the world rn and seeing the g*enocide of the airbenders in the cartoon, that anger and sadness is unimaginable but truly art imitates life. During this time we all need to remember to be like Aang and remember the good of humanity rather than the evil's seen in clear view
It makes the world a brighter place every time someone from the US realizes they're the fire nation, and there's been a lot of that content lately. The young ones on Tik Tok are collectively having a Zuko Journey and I'm so glad.
“You're a little baby” let's not forget that Azula is only 14 yo, she looks older for some reason but she's only 14 so.. that's what a mental breakdown looks like and it gets me everytime
Exactly
KORRA NEXT
YES
Please!!!
YES
YESSSSS!!
I low-key like Korra alot, the only issue is the occasional woke BS but overall I think it's forgivable.
the music kicking in at the end of the episode had me start crying man
Also another interesting thing, Tai Lee always talked about how she hated being part of a matching set and her insecurities of it.
But she joins a group where they all dress the same and wear the same make up and was really happy about it.
My favorite detail is every time Aang and Katara kiss throughout the series the music plays a small part/motif of the final song that plays at the end when they kiss. It's like every single kiss during the series was leading up to the final kiss with the music!
Zuff ain’t afraid to speak his mind 24/7. Love the guy
Everytime I rewatch the series it never fails to get me emotional... What an ending
Blood bending only works when there’s a full moon, yes (no spoilers).
like Hamma said, you need the power of the full moon to reach your ultimate power as a waterbender and use that move
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(the no spoilers comment will probably raise suspicions on why it was included tho)
wasn't there a scene where katara was out for revenge on the guy who killed her mom and she blood bended on the ship without the moon? i don't personally remember
@@brxycen no, she just used waterbending that was so strong it stopped the rain and made a dome of water and she made ice spikes that she threw at him
@@dafnid7294 no no, i do remember that scene, i mean when she has the wrong guy on the ship before she finds the real guy. i thought she had used it on the new captain of that squad. like i said not sure on that one though
@@brxycen nah, it was a full moon during that sequence.
Everything comes full circle in avatar. Everything in the avatar comes in full circle. So like the swamp guy and guru lessons: everything and everyone is connected. Time is an illusion and so is death. The four nations cover the entire world, team avatar has been running into the same people no matter where they go. And those people run into people that team avatar also have met. The white lotus meme bears just happen to be all teachers of team avatar. Zuko just happened to run into jet after they both separately met team avatar on their own. Suki running into azula. Zuko just always seems to be running into ancestor Rokus reincarnation. Everyone and everything is connected.
I love that Aang’s fighting style in the avatar state is actually Aang’s air scooter that we see in episode 1, taken to its most ultimate conclusion and combining all the elements. I also find it a little sad to see Aang’s airbending move he invented for innocent joy being used for violence, honestly the imagery of him in the final episode is quite terrifying. That’s why I love so much that he regains control and stops himself from committing murder.
I ALWAYS CRY AT FINALE EVERYTIME AGAIN, ESPECIALLY THE ENDING ALWAYS GETS ME
dude i swear, i RARELY cry watching shows or movies, but this gets me every single time. and it's like happy tears, genuinely how
Man I been on a binge watching reactors reacting to ATLA for the past year and you guys have been some of the best. This series meant so much to me as a kid. I remember seeing the promos for it when I was just 10 & watching the finale the summer of 2008 now I’m 28 and I still have so much love for this series. It still brings tears to my eyes when I see the ending, definitely the best cartoon ever
Onto Korra… 👀
Grew up watching this show and every single time I watch it Zukos crowning and the ending scene I can’t help but tear up
26:25 Bending techniques learned from other elements sighting:
She learned this from Zuko, when he did the same thing at the North Pole after she froze him.
7:10 I TALK TO MY HAIR LIKE THAT😭💔
It NEVER cooperates and I threaten to cut it off LMFAOO way before I watched ATLA too💀 I’ve only ever done it, like twice tho
I legit had a cover of “The Avatar’s Love” play at my wedding as we walked away as a married couple. ❤
THE LIVE ACTION AND KORRA NEXT!!!!!!!!!
hope they watch korra
Yeah same
is it worth it?
20:58 People forget sometimes that Azula is just 14 years old during all of this. She’s only known hate, war and fighting all of her life. She was primed to be a weapon of war from birth. Her breakdown is actually really sad, considering that she failed at what she’s expected to excel at. Not defending her actions of course, but it’s really sad.
The part where Aang grabs his beard is my favorite part of all of book 3 besides the kiss of course, that makes me cry every time 😂
30:44 Fun fact: The first word in Avatar was “It’s” said by Sokka and the last was “perfect” said by Toph.
Btw, Katara can only bloodbend when there’s only a full moon. With the comet taking precedence, waterbenders are technically weakened unless you are a master waterbender like Katara & Paku.
Wulong Forest is known for the thousands of rock columns that tower over the landscape.
Korra is good. Korra has amazing visuals, acting, comedy, and soundtrack. My main issue is the messy character development. It's really hard to live up to ATLA, so it should come as no surprize that Korra doesn't. But Korra is still a good show relative to most animated shows. Especially when you consider how bad sequels often are. Most Korra fans would agree Season 1 is decent, Season 2 is bad, and the show really gets good at Season 3 and 4.
I would recommend watching Korra. However I recommend against continuing the Neftlix adaptation of ATLA. The adaptation got so much praise for just having good costume design, that it's often glossed over how badly that show handles character writing and important moments.
will never get over how much of a masterpiece this show is. i’ve watched it a million times and still, nothing has ever topped it. the imagery, cinematography, animation … it’s just perfect. gosh, i wish i could watch it again for the first time.
now its time for korra 🤗🤗
Now I am getting emotional again as it takes me back to when I watched the finale for the first time as kid. What ride and journey your reactions were to ATLA as I look forward to it every week. Thank you Reel-Time 🙏🏾🤩
Had such a fun time rewatching Avatar with you guys! I'm really hoping Korra is next so I can rewatch that too
I watched avatar as it was on going when I was 10 years old, from the premiere night, the first two episodes to sozin's comet a few years later. I've watched avatar maybe 50 times 😭my favorite show of all time. it was great watching with you guys!!!
Also definitely watch korra, but don't goo into it with expectations that it's a direct sequel of aang's story. that'll lead to disappointment, but it is a good show on its own!!
i always thought it was a bittersweet ending for aang, even after he did what he was supposed to do and see the nations together as one when he looks out to the crowd you realise that his people are really gone and that he truly is the last airbender and just a kid. it was so fun watching you guys react to this show, even though it's been almost 10 years since it's release it'll always hold up as one of the greatest shows ever imo. hopefully we get to see you guys start korra i think yall will love it!
Aang being so steadfast in his beliefs is directly rooted into why his spirit is unbendable. He succeeded not only as the Avatar but as the last airbender. Him deciding not to kill Ozai is also a decision to not kill the airbenders. If he decided to kill Ozai, it would also mean Airbenders would cease to exist. I love it.
only real avatar fans continue the avatar verse with LOK
I don’t watch animated shows like this but watching this was so fun with you guys and I can now confidently say Zuko is my character his development and arc throughout the show was amazing loved the reactions
fun fact, the "flying away on appa" song has two official titles, "The Avatar's Love" & "Dear Katara". literally everything about this series is so fucking wholesome
I'm wondering now if Azulas downward spiral is her "metamorphosis" moment, like letting Appa go was for Zuko
LEGEND OF KORRA NEXT????? 👀👀👀👀👀
KORRA NEXT! KORRA NEXT!!!
Bruviooooo I love korra !!!!!!!
Letssss gooo
Did they confirm that they are going to be watching Korra next as well?
no matter how many times i watch i always get a lump in my throat from the emotional ending 🥹 hope you guys go into The Legend of Korra! ALSO!!! the answer to Zuko’s mom is in the comic “The Search” and correct me if i’m wrong, Azula tags along as well 😌 so i think we get some character development on her part in that comic!!!!
30:50 His little “huh don’t look at me”😂
please do legend of korra!!! also this show means so much to me thanks for reacting :)
loved these avatar reactions!!! PLEASE DO KORRA NEXT!!!! ITS SO GOOD!!!
dude i cant WAIT for their korra reactions omg 😭😭
Legend of Korra next 🤪
28:15 this is the place last agni kai was happening, where katara beat azula, and where ozai got crowned, and now it is zuko's place, and all other nations are there too
The legend of korra should be next!
The Last Agni Kai is one of the best sequences ever, across all mediums
It is so perfect that they even had the foresight to lay a hidden Easter egg…
The very first word of the series is “It’s” and the very last word is “perfect”
Also later this year they will be doing an Avatar: The Last Airbender world tour where a live orchestra will be playing the music from the show.
'Bye space sword' is one of the top 10 saddest moments ever
22:45 bryce knew the consequences of saying wet lmao
Animators used the rest of the budget for these episodes
And it was money well spent!
I want y’all to watch legend of korra only bc I know how shocked you’ll be to see how much the world changed😭
Aang found a way to stay true to himself and keep the morals of his people seeing he is THE LAST AIRBENDER. If he went against his morals and his people’s way it would of been like the airbenders culture would be fully lost in history but kept true to his ways and kept all the lessons and teachings of his people alive🥲 this will forever be one of my favorite shows from the characters and story all the way to life lessons you can learn from it! I HOPE YALL WATCH KORRA. It is super overhated it’s not as good as avatar obviously but people don’t like change and i feel like that’s the main reason they don’t like it.
“He’s handsome” lmao what !
That's what 99% of people who watch that scene 1) that knows and isn't embarrassed to show they know what a sexy man looks like 2) that's not a child thought the exact same thing. It happened to me and I've seen A TON of other reactors say it. Do you only see content done by straight men with a "no homo" vibe? I'm honestly asking because you're not the only one in the comments surprised by this hot male character being described as hot and I honestly don't get it. Are you very young, maybe? Truly, I want to understand what was so crazy about it.
@@carlalussini you don’t think it was funny when he said that?
The scene when aang shoots the first giant fireball at ozai's airship he does a very speedy version of the dragon dance he learned from the Sun Warriors before launching the attack🔥
Y’all should watch Legend of Korra. It’s so good!! Obviously very different to Avatar but in a great way! I find they tackle adult topics like communism, anarchy, dictatorship with super interesting villains.
You should react to the Legend of Korra, it is the next generation of Avatar the last airbender, the main thing to remember while watching is that they are nothing alike, while Aang has one main villain in this series, Korra has many, so I hope you guys check that out.
Yes please do Korra next plz plz plz
Please do Korra Next.🙏
I love your reactions and the way y'll think, I know you will enjoy Korra, give an oportunity to my girl, my fav Avatar 💙✨
please please continue the legend of korra. zuff gives so much bolin vibes tbh haha. i really want you guys to watch it for season 3 of korra which is so fireee. i took my time to finish this with you guys before i start on the live action series so i'm excited to start it now! thanks guys
War balloon planks were designed so that firebenders can firebend off of them.
For years and years now, when I think "tears of joy" in fiction I usually think of The Return of the King second, when Aragorn and all the people bow to the hobbits, with the first usually being the ATLA finale, those last few minutes. Sometimes it's hard to believe we got this series. One of the best.
Your reaction series to Avatar has been so entertaining to watch! I hope that you continue with the Avatar universe with watching Korra
I definitely recommend reading the comics. The first one is the Promise, and then the second one The Search, is where you find out what happened to Zukos mom. There’s more after as well and all are so so good and you also get to see more of Aang and Katara 👀🩵
agreed! I commented on this as well, they should read them definitelly
And as is tradition: 30:45
The first spoken word of dialogue in the show? "It's"
The final? "Perfect"
Korra next!
3min in and 666 views for the finale???? epic
(also its not noticed much but aang does the dancing dragon when he hurls the fire blast at the blimps engine.)
Gracias por este recorrido de esta maravillosa serie :) Casi llorando terminé al final jajaja
If you watch Korra, don’t go into it expecting it to be the same vibe as this. It’s still really great, but in an opposite sorta way. Even Korra’s personality is opposite to aAng’s. Her problems are big but in a different way. It’s a bit darker. People get disappointed when it’s not like this one.
I heard that Ozai was almost killing Aang, but then Aang took his strength and took over and took his bending away you can see it by the red and blue light.
Great ending, I hope you guys give korra a chance most people don't
Watching this finale live in 2008 after literally growing up from a child into a young teen along with Aang and the crew, was such an amazingly epic, bitter sweet, satisfying, experience that I will never forget.😍
Super random thought but I just literally just realized during this watch that Tai Lee ends up being in a matching set. That was the life she hated and sought out the exact opposite in the circus, but she's ok looking like everyone else here. Never noticed that detail with her story before.
Zuff is so adorable, waiting for that kiss between Aang and Katara. I always shipped them, although admittedly, there was a very brief moment in S2 that I thought it was gonna be Zuko and Katara. But I just really wanted Aang to be happy with his forever girl 😊
Thank you, guys!!! It was so fun rewatching ATLA with you!
Saving Katara was Zuko's redemption for betraying Katara getting Aang killed at Ba Sing Se. Symbolically, he was also shot by Azula like Aang was, and now has the same scars.
The score during Zuko and Azula's battle gives me goosebumps EVERY time. Zuko has one of the best redemption arcs in all of TV, imo. As you said, the comics do address Zuko's mom, and it's super interesting. I HIGHLY recommend the Rise of Kyoshi novels. They're amazing. Kyoshi is my favorite avatar because of them
22:10 no. They go over this in the beginning of the second season. It’s all the past avatar’s abilities so yeah he could just use the avatar state to beat them but he’s also at his most vulnerable, and we could’ve gotten a repeat of the season 2 finale. They can’t just rely on the avatar state. He had to master it too
Thank you so much for reacting to my favorite animated series of all time. Definitely in my top 5 pieces of media and a comfort show for me throughout the years. Rob, you have amazing taste! Such a great journey to relive again with you all!
I will be continuing to look forward to your TVD reactions from here on out!