I Ranked The 20 Best Episodes Of "Avatar: The Last Airbender" And I Really Want To Know If You Agree
Avatar: The Last Airbender is a timeless show — in fact, I enjoy watching it as an adult even more so than when it was on air. Widely regarded as one of the greatest cartoons of all time, the story of Aang's journey is reaching new levels of popularity as generations continue to discover its magic.
With the 20th anniversary and the announcement of the upcoming animated series Avatar: Seven Havens (the earthbending Avatar after Korra!), I revisited the series to rank the 20 greatest episodes.
I counted multi-part episodes as one and considered aspects like the episode's impact on the overall story, epic moments, character development, and fan-favorite scenes.
(Spoilers ahead if you haven't seen all the episodes!)
20. "The Waterbending Master" (Season 1, Episode 18)
The gang finally makes it to the Northern Water Tribe, where Sokka and Katara learn the stark differences between the Northern and Southern ways of life. Katara takes center stage in this episode, standing up to Master Pakku and fighting for her right to learn waterbending alongside Aang.
Sokka meets Princess Yue (I already feel the tears coming), and Zhao takes his villain status to the next level. This episode perfectly sets up Season 1 for its incredible two-part finale, especially the ending where the Fire Nation ships prepare to invade.
19. "The Drill" (Season 2, Episode 13)
As Team Avatar makes its way to Ba Sing Se, Aang spots a giant drill trying to breach the walls, courtesy of Azula. 'The Drill' is action-packed from beginning to end and does a nice job displaying the teamwork between Aang, Katara, Sokka, and Toph — especially highlighting Sokka's engineering and planning skills. Aang's ending battle with Azula also has great moments of humor blended into the fight.
18. "The Boy in the Iceberg" (Season 1, Episode 1)
The episode that starts it all — the opening to the series is a beautiful display of showing instead of telling. We are introduced to our main characters within minutes and begin to learn the state of the world. The contrast between Aang's playfulness (penguin sledding anyone?), Sokka's paranoia, and Zuko's hyperfocus foreshadows the dark differences between Aang's 100-year-old worldview and the present.
During my rewatch, I kept thinking about this episode and each character's incredible growth over the three seasons. I appreciated the episode even more, watching from the perspective of knowing what happens.
17. "The Storm" (Season 1, Episode 12)
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This episode has many epic moments, including introducing the Fire Lord (and an Azula cameo), Iroh redirecting lightning, and the back-and-forth of Aang and Zuko's backstories.
The Agni Kai is an especially compelling scene, giving the viewers an early glimpse into the complexity of Zuko's character. We even see some foreshadowing of Zuko's redemption arc when he chooses to get his crew to safety over pursuing Aang in the storm.
16. "The Blind Bandit" (Season 2, Episode 6)
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Aang searches for an earthbending teacher and finds the most badass of them all, Toph Beifong. This episode is full of great lines like: 'I got The Boulder's autograph!' and 'The Boulder's over his conflicted feelings!'
The highlight is seeing Toph single-handedly defeat multiple earthbenders with ease. The slow-motion scenes showing how Toph listens and plans her attacks give new insight into the intricacies of earthbending.
15. 'The Firebending Masters' (Season 3, Episode 13)
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The animation of Avatar is always stunning, especially so when Aang and Zuko learn the origin of firebending from the dragons. The animation of the dragons flying and the spiraling colors are works of art. Kudos to this episode for also showing the start of Aang and Zuko's friendship!
14. "The Beach" (Season 3, Episode 5)
Azula and Zuko find out there's something they can't fight and firebend their way out of — socializing. 'The Beach' showcases Azula in a whole new light as she navigates beach volleyball, a Fire Nation party, and flirting ('That's a sharp outfit…'). We (almost) see a moment of genuine friendship between Azula and Zuko when they confess their childhood trauma and hear Mai and Ty Lee's backstories. This episode brings new dimensions to Azula, so we can see her as more than just a villain.
13. "The Avatar and the Fire Lord" (Season 3, Episode 6)
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The heartbreaking tale of how it all began, as we watch Zuko's great-grandfathers, Fire Lord Sozin and Avatar Roku, transform from best friends to bitter enemies. The parallels between Zuko's relationship with the Avatar and Sozin/Roku are so powerful, and this episode ties it all together, now understanding the Fire Nation's motivation to start the war.
12. "Lake Laogai" (Season 2, Episode 17)
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Avatar dives into mystery and suspense as the dark secrets of Ba Sing Se are uncovered. Clancy Brown shines as the voice of the evil Long Feng, and Iroh and Zuko have a powerful moment as Zuko once again struggles with his destiny. The best line of the episode goes to Toph: 'He's lying,' as Jet sacrifices himself to fight the Dai Li. And, of course, who didn't shed a tear when Appa and Aang reunited?
11. "The Guru" (Season 2, Episode 19)
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I get Star Wars vibes from the Guru's lessons with Aang. Like the Jedi, Aang must choose between his attachments and his connection to the Avatar state, ultimately flying away before opening the last chakra.
An iconic moment in this episode is Toph inventing metalbending, which is a big part of the sequel series, The Legend of Korra. Other highlights include Sokka reuniting with his father, Katara learning Azula is impersonating the Kyoshi warriors, and Zuko temporarily embracing his new outlook on life.
10. "The Blue Spirit" (Season 1, Episode 13)
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"The Blue Spirit" is a jam-packed episode, with Aang foreshadowing Zuko's eventual redemption: 'If we knew each other back then, do you think we could have been friends?'
'The Blue Spirit' features some of the best action in the first season, from the chase between Aang and the Yuyan Archers to escaping the Fire Nation fortress. Jason Isaacs' performance as Commander Zhao especially shines, cementing Zhao as the true villain of Season 1. Bonus points for the humorous use of the Wood Frogs!
9. "The Southern Raiders" (Season 3, Episode 16)
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Even the most intense Avatar episodes have humorous moments, but 'The Southern Raiders' is likely the most serious episode. Katara and Zuko track down the leader of the Southern Raiders, and what happened to Katara's mother is revealed through her and Sokka's perspectives. The end, when Katara confronts Yon Rha ('She was protecting the last waterbender. ME!'), never fails to make me emotional (tearbending anyone?)
8. "The Day of Black Sun" (Season 3, Episodes 10-11)
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In the words of Admiral Ackbar, 'It's a trap!' So much happens in these two parts — an epic battle, a reunion with dozens of allies, Aang confessing his feelings to Katara, Iroh breaking out of prison, and Zuko realizing his true destiny. This episode feels like the turning point in Season 3, where we start seeing the pieces fall into place.
7. "The Boiling Rock" (Season 3, Episodes 14-15)
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Avatar meets espionage as Sokka and Zuko infiltrate a high-security Fire Nation prison. I love this multi-part episode because it has a unique vibe compared to the rest of the series. The first time I watched it, I was literally on the edge of my seat. The moments of suspense (is Sokka's dad on the gondola?), humor ('Hey! Riot!'), and plot twists ('I love Zuko more than I fear you.') are masterfully written. This episode starts Azula's downfall, as Mai betrays her to help Zuko, and Ty Lee chooses to help Mai.
6. "The Puppetmaster" (Season 3, Episode 8)
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Who is the most terrifying Avatar villain? Ozai? Azula? Nope. The title belongs to Hama, the sweet old innkeeper who happens to be a bloodbender and kidnaps Fire Nation citizens during the full moon.
Katara's fight with Hama is one of the greatest scenes in the whole series, and the episode never fails to give me goosebumps. Voice acting legend Tress MacNeille (Dot in Animaniacs) does such a great evil laugh.
5. "The Tales of Ba Sing Se" (Season 2, Episode 15)
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Four words: 'Leaves From the Vine.' (Cue the tears!) It has always fascinated me that Avatar can evoke such emotion with its characters. All the different stories in the episode are great in their own way (like Zuko and Jin's date — so cute!), but 'The Tale of Iroh' is Avatar's most bittersweet storyline.
We see Iroh singing and cheering up a crying Earth Kingdom child and then mourning his son with the same song. Any episode that can bring out such an emotional reaction from viewers deserves to be close to the top of the list.
This episode was a tribute to Mako, who passed away a few months before it aired. Mako was the voice of Iroh in the first two seasons, and Greg Baldwin portrayed Iroh in Season 3.
4. "The Crossroads of Destiny" (Season 2, Episode 20)
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'I thought you had changed!' 'I have changed.'
We scream a collective 'Noooo!' as Zuko chooses Azula over his uncle, falling for her manipulation. One of the coolest parts of the finale is seeing how Aang and Katara's skills have grown over the season; Azula is surprised to see she is outmatched against the pair until Zuko joins her. However, while the first season finale ended in a victory for Aang, the second finale puts Team Avatar in its most dire state yet.
3. "The Siege of the North" (Season 1, Episodes 19-20)
Nickelodeon Animation Studio
Cue the tears! Watching these two parts back to back is overwhelming; it's hard to believe the writers fit so much plot in just 45 minutes. The last 10 minutes are some of the most epic sequences of animation I've ever seen.
Between Iroh teaming up with Aang, Zuko vs. Zhao, the ocean spirit unleashing its wrath, and Yue's ultimate sacrifice (TEARS), this episode firmly ranks among Avatar's best. Let's also not forget how terrifying Koh the Face Stealer is — talk about a jump scare!
2. "Zuko Alone" (Season 2, Episode 7)
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Avatar's second-greatest episode only showcases one major character. The juxtaposition of Zuko's childhood with the present time in the Earth Kingdom ('Azula always lies!') is heartbreaking. His flashbacks reveal how intense his childhood was, between Ozai's treacherous rise to power and losing his mother at a young age. (Don't forget to read the comics to see what happened to Ursa!) Azula was also a terrifying sister to grow up with, and we start to truly understand the complexity of Zuko's character and internal conflict.
In the present, Zuko's bond with Lee is another sign of redemption. Zuko teaching Lee how to use his swords is heartwarming, which makes Lee's 'I hate you!' all the more powerful. As Zuko rides off, you can almost hear his internal thoughts, beginning to question whose side he really is on.
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1. "Sozin's Comet" (Season 3, Episodes 18-21)
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The GOAT of series finales (literally, IMDB ranks it the fifth greatest episode of all TV) is also the greatest of Avatar. Avatar had already proven itself repeatedly, but ending on such a high note firmly cemented it as one of the greatest animated shows ever created.
From the reveal of the Fire Lord's plan to wipe out the Earth Kingdom to Aang's spirit world journey, the finale builds up until it hits you like a ton of bricks. Aang vs. Ozai is one of the best action scenes I've ever seen, though Zuko/Katara vs. Azula is a close second. Sokka, Toph, and Suki also get their moment in the spotlight, taking down the Fire Nation air fleet, and it just can't get any better.
This was incredibly difficult but also a lot of fun. Which episodes are your favorites? Let me know in the comments below!
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4 days ago
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