If Avatar: The Last Airbender taught viewers anything about Avatar Aang, it is that he was a selfless person who did everything in his power to protect the people that he cared about. No matter the circumstances, he never gave up on anyone, and he used his power to help all he came across.
Aang did a lot of great things in his life. However, some of those things went above and beyond, and proved just how great of a human being that Aang really was.
Forgive Zuko For Everything
While Aang and Zuko certainly needed each other in order to accomplish their goals and save the world, it was big of Aang to forgive Zuko for everything that he had done to him and the rest of Team Avatar. Over the course of just a few months, Zuko had pursued and attacked the team endlessly. Aang forgiving him showed just how big of a person that he really was.
Learn All Of The Elements In The Timeframe He Did
It is incredibly difficult to become a master when it comes to any of the elements, but learning all four is on another level. And Aang managed to do this in an incredibly short time. In under a year, in fact. It is amazing that Aang was able to learn how to bend all of the elements quickly enough to take down the Fire Lord. He also did this at the age of 12. Once again, who else would be able to do this?
Saved The Northern Water Tribe
When Aang and the rest of the crew arrived at the Northern Water Tribe, they were quickly faced with a huge fight against the Fire Nation. Zhao commanded a huge fleet of ships to the tribe in order to destroy it and take down the Avatar.
It was a hard-fought battle, but Team Avatar and the Northern Water Tribe did manage to take the win. Zuko even captured Aang's body while he was in the Spirit World, and they still won in the end. That's one place that the Fire Nation can't claim to control.
Never Killed Anyone
Due to his passive nature as an Air Nomad, Aang wasn't one to kill his enemies. While everyone in his life, including the past Avatars, told him that it would be necessary to kill Fire Lord Ozai in order to end the Hundred Year War, Aang refused to believe it. He was able to learn how to energybend through the knowledge passed onto him by the lion turtle, and managed to take away Ozai's bending as an alternative to killing him.,
Created Republic City
With the help of the other members of Team Avatar, mainly Zuko, Aang was able to create Republic City, a sprawling metropolis in which all of the nations were able to live together in peace. While the city has quite a few problems at first, specifically with crime, the two are eventually able to turn it into a safe place to live, and it eventually serves as the backdrop of The Legend of Korra after he dies.
Began To Restore The Air Nomad Population
As the Air Nomads were wiped out by the Fire Nation during the Hundred Year War, Aang had a big task in front of him as the last airbender. He had to singlehandedly bring back the culture. He managed to begin this process in two different ways. Of course, one of his kids, Tenzin, was an airbender. That was step one.
In addition, Aang's official fan club eventually transformed into the next generation of Air Acolytes, non-airbenders who carry on the tradition of the nomads, with his help. Aang ensured that the culture would never be lost through his actions.
Served The World His Entire Life
Despite defeating Fire Lord Ozai as a child, Aang went on to serve the world as Avatar for years to come. He was constantly fighting evildoers and went on to one day build Republic City. Aang didn't owe the world anything, yet he continued to serve the population well after it was necessary. And he did it because he wanted to.
Restored Korra's Bending, Mentored Her
Aang was a strong presence in Korra's life during The Legend of Korra while she was still able to communicate with him. He restored her bending after it had been taken from her, and was a source of guidance in her life when she needed him. Unfortunately, his wisdom was taken from her after she lost her connection with the past Avatars. While she had him, though, he was a huge benefit to her.
Accomplish Everything He Did In So Few Years
Aang died when he was 66 due to the strain that being in the iceberg for 100 years had on his life. Everything that he accomplished in his life, he did in so little time. He ended the Hundred Year War as a child and then went on to restore peace to the world later as an adult. Even with the relatively short life that he had, he managed to do so much.
Save The World
Of course, the best thing that Aang ever did during his lifetime was ending the Hundred Year War. Before he was revived by Sokka and Katara, the Air Nomads were wiped out, as well as all of the benders in the Southern Water Tribe. Aang, in just a few short seasons, managed to take the world back from the brink of destruction and save everyone in the process. Without a doubt, this is the best thing he ever did.