Critics Could Not Overlook These 5 Big Mistakes in Avatar: The Last Airbender TV Series
Avatar: The Last Airbender is a beloved animated series created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, which first aired in 2005. The show follows the adventures of Aang, a young boy who discovers he is the Avatar, capable of mastering all four elements: water, earth, fire, and air.
However, the cartoon that captured hearts with its epic adventure, animation, storytelling and lovable characters, isn’t entirely flawless. This means even the most beloved creations have room for discussion. While fans adore it, critics have nitpicked a few choices the creators made.
Five Key Errors in Avatar: The Last Airbender
Here, we’ll explore five criticisms (via CBR) that have been bubbling under the surface of the animated gem, Avatar: The Last Airbender.
1. The Lion Turtle’s Plot Needed Earlier Hints
The ending of Avatar: The Last Airbender remains a hot topic for fans, with many arguing that Aang’s victory felt unearned. The point of contention? A giant, ancient creature named the Lion Turtle.
In the Season 3 finale, a strange Lion Turtle appeared and gave Aang a special skill called energybending. With this power, Aang was able to stop Fire Lord Ozai without having to end his life.
However, many viewers felt like they were meeting the Lion Turtle for the first time ever. With no prior mentions of Lion Turtles or energybending, some fans thought this was a cheap way to wrap up the main conflict.
2. Aang and Katara’s Uneasy Chemistry
The love lives of our favorite cartoon heroes are always up for discussion, and Aang and Katara from Avatar: The Last Airbender are no exception. While they’re clearly close throughout the series, some fans aren’t sold on their becoming a couple in the end.
Aang had a big crush on Katara from the start, but it feels a bit one-sided. While Katara cares about Aang deeply, there wasn’t always a romantic spark between them. Their romantic scenes felt forced, leaving many fans questioning whether a strong platonic bond would have served the story better.
3. Aang’s Decision Caused a Century of Suffering
Aang was told he was the Avatar and had to leave his mentor, Monk Gyatso. Feeling upset, he ran away from home and got caught in a dangerous storm, eventually falling into the water. This caused him to enter the Avatar State, and he ended up trapped in an iceberg. Meanwhile, Iroh recounted Zuko’s story to the ship’s crew. The Fire Nation seized the opportunity to attack the Air Nomads, who were unable to defend themselves without the Avatar.
Aang’s decision to run away from the Southern Air Temple set the entire plot the series in motion. While it’s understandable that a young boy would flee in the face of impending danger, some argue that his choice ultimately caused more harm than good.
The idea is that if Aang hadn’t run away, he could have stopped the Fire Nation attack and saved the world from a century of trouble. Since he was gone, the war got way worse, with tons of people getting hurt.
4. Sozin’s Comet was a Shadow Over the Series
Remember that giant fiery comet in Avatar: The Last Airbender? Well, some fans think it got a little too much screen time. The comet was a big threat, adding pressure to the whole story.
Everyone knew it meant bad news for the Earth Kingdom and Water Tribes. But some viewers felt like the constant worry about the comet took away from the main story: Aang learning to master his powers! They argue that it felt a bit repetitive, and focusing too much on the comet made Aang’s development feel less important.
5. Roku’s Failure to Act
One of the most controversial aspects of Avatar: The Last Airbender lore was Avatar Roku’s inaction regarding Fire Lord Sozin’s warmongering plans. Roku was best friends with Sozin, who wanted to take over the world. But Roku didn’t stop him because they were friends.
Instead, he tried to be the peacemaker. Critics argue that Roku’s inaction directly led to the genocide of the Air Nomads and the Hundred Year War. They said that the Avatar’s job is to keep things balanced and uphold the bigger responsibilities, even if it means confronting the loved ones.
