Netflix's upcoming live-action Avatar: The Last Airbedender series brings the beginning of a new era of content for the franchise's fans. The series will be an adaptation that, according to developers, aims to stay as true to the source material as possible.
Avatar: The Last Airbender provides a wealth of stories for Netflix's adaptation to include in their retelling of Aang's journey. Aang and his friends meet many amazing influences and mentors throughout the story, many of which fans are excited to see brought to life with a live-action cast. But which of these mentors mentors are considered the best in the Avatar franchise, and why?
Jeong Jeong
Jeong Jeong was a minor character throughout Avatar: The Last Airbender who appeared as the first firebending teacher to mentor Aang. Jeong Jeong, also known as "the deserter", was an Admiral of the Fire Nation Navy who defected from the military and relocated to the Earth Kingdom.
Jeong Jeong was a firebending master, and was often regarded as a legend for being the first one to defect from the Fire Nation and live to tell the tale. Though Jeong Jeong didn't take on a permanent role as Aang's teacher, he instilled many important principals in the short time he was his mentor, such as discipline and control.
Piandao
Master Piandao was a Fire Nation man known for his role as a swordsmaster and bladesmith. Piandao was a former member of the Fire Nation Army, and a high-ranking member of the Order of the White Lotus. His most significant role as a mentor was his teachings of swordsmanship to characters such as Zuko and Sokka.
Considered the greatest swordsmaster in Fire Nation history, Piandao was an incredibly skillful teacher. Piandao was able to teach both Zuko and Sokka a range of sword skills and fighting techniques that allowed them to gain the upper hand in multiple battles throughout the series, and ultimately win the Hundred Year War.
Rangi
Rangi is an ex Fire Nation Army officer and a firebending instructor who served as a bodyguard to Yun, the falsely identified avatar, and later, Avatar Kyoshi. Born into the Sei'naka clan, Rangi is a member of a noble family responsible for teaching members of the Fire Nation Royal Family over generation.
Rangi was an exceptional combatant and had skills of a high caliber, as well as a dedicated, loyal and fierce personality, making her a great mentor for those willing to put in the work. Rangi was a successful mentor of not just one, but two Avatars, as the firebending mentor of Avatar Kuruk, and Avatar Kyoshi.
Monk Gyatso
Monk Gyatso was an airbender from the Southern Air Temple, who served as a mentor and fatherly figure to Aang, prior to the events that created the Hundred Year War. Gyatso was an exceptionally skilled airbender, with Aang referring to him as the greatest in the world during his time.
Gyatso was remembered fondly for his strong sense of humour and his kind personality. Though he mentored Aang through his Avatar training, Gyatso made extra efforts to allow time for funa and relaxation, such as playing games of Pai Sho. Gyatso was a fatherly figure who taught Aang the value of peace and kindness, which continued to influence Aang's philosophy and actions as the Avatar.
Zuko
Zuko is a character well known for his antagonistic goals as a villain and his range of moody quotes throughout the first half of Avatar: The Last Airbender's story. However, in the second half of the story Zuko goes through much personal growth, and befriends the Gaang in an effort to fight alongside them and win the Hundred Year War.
In a genuine act to prove his newfound loyalty to the ground, Zuko later becomes the firebending teacher to Aang. After training with little progress, Zuko decided to visit the temples of the extinct Sun Warriors to learn about the ancient history of firebending. After performing the Dragon Dance, Zuko and Aang both walked away with new wisdoms and understandings of the meaning of firebending, a situation that never would have occurred if Zuko hadn't decided to visit the temples with Aang in search of new knowledge.
Iroh
Iroh is well-known throughout the story of Avatar: The Last Airbender for many of his quotes that reflected kind-hearted advice and ideas of peace and spirituality. Iroh was the Uncle to Princess Azula and Prince Zuko, and spent most of his storyline accompanying the latter in his search for the avatar.
Iroh was a patient and wise man, who despite failing to persuade Zuko to see the errors in his ways more than once, never gave up on him. It was Iroh's dedication and love for his nephew that kept him trying to guide Zuko onto a better path, teaching him through many quotes and remarks through their various adventures. It was ultimately Iroh's teachings that fueled the change in Zuko, allowing him to redefine himself, befriend and mentor the Avatar, and end the Hundred Year War.
Roku
Regarded as one of the best avatars throughout the Avatar: The Last Airbender franchise, Roku was a powerful avatar from the Fir Nation who succeeded Avatar Kyoshi and preceded Avatar Aang. Also a close friend of Aang's ex-mentor, Gyatso, the memory of Roku was invaluable to Aang in his journey as an avatar.
As the closest Avatar to Aang, Roku appeared many times to pass down valuable lessons and information to Aang throughout his journey. Roku was extremely dedicated to Aang's destiny as the Avatar, and did all he could to help him end the incidents of the Hundred Year War that he could not prevent in his own avatar cycle. This was shown on many occasions, such as when Roku placed his own spirit within Aang's body to help him escape danger at the Air Temple, or when he appeared to Jeong Jeong in a vision to force him into teaching Aang firebending.
Kyoshi
Avatar Kyoshi was an Avatar of the Earth Kingdon that succeeded Avatar Kuruk and preceded Aavatar Roku. Though initially having a rough start to her life, Kyoshi battled her way through many opponents and overcame many obstacles in her life as the Avatar.
Kiyoshi remained an important figure in the journey of both Avatar Aang and Avatar Korra throughout their cycles as the Avatar, and appeared on multiple occasions to offer them guidance. Kyoshi was known for valuing justice to achieve peace, and taught Korra in particular the importance of her bond to her previous lives. Kyoshi also founded and mentored the Kyoshi Warriors, who were a successful group doing much good in the world hundreds of years after her passing.
Toph Beifong
Toph Beifong is an important character throughout both Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra as both an ally and a teacher. Toph is both a successful mentor of two avatars (Avatar Aang and Avatar Korra), as well as a powerful earthbending prodigy, often considered one of the strongest characters in the series.
Toph was not only the successful earthbending mentor to Avatar Aang, helping him defeat Ozai and win the Hundred Year War, but also played an important role through the growth of Avatar Korra. Toph guided Korra through overcoming her fears of the past by instructing her through metalbending the harmful poison out of her body. This allowed Korra to regain control of the Avatar state, and later create peace and harmony between the nations and the spirit world.
Aang
After the cycle of his own journey, Aang had learned much from the people throughout his life, as well as the previous Avatars and their memories. Aang appeared to Korra on multiple occasions to guide her onto the right path and ensure she fulfilled her destiny as Avatar, much like Avatar Roku had done for him in his own time as the avatar.
Though Aang had always inspired Korra, she did not summon him until hitting the lowest point in her life, conjuring his spirit by accident. Aang gave Korra an invaluable piece of wisdom with his quote, "When we hit our lowest point, we are opened to the greatest change". Aang was always there for Korra to uplift her and guide her when needed, while also allowing her the freedom of her own journey. It can be said without a doubt that Aang was one of the most important and influential mentors in the franchise, and his teachings allowed Korra to combine the Nations and the Spirit World to live in harmony.