With a live-action show on the way sometime in the next year, Avatar: The Last Airbender has been drawing some attention recently. Fans are returning to the series and stirring up debates that have been ongoing for well over a decade. Who's the most powerful bender? Which nation has the most amazing abilities? Could Azula have been redeemed?
But one question remains in the minds of fans, as it has since Aang first met Avatar Roku. Which Avatar was the best? These are the top picks of Reddit fans still debating the greatest of them all.
Szeto
A politician at heart, Avatar Szeto was an Avatar born in the Fire Nation. With his home nation in considerable upheaval at the time, Szeto sought ways to improve the situation for the people. Without relying on his abilities, as many other Avatars had, Szeto worked within the confines of the Fire Nation's political system and painstakingly improved the economy for his people.
Many fans respect Szeto's decision-making, even if it wasn't as flashy or impressive as his fellow Avatars. As Naga_polarbeardog said on Reddit, "I think he was really smart to become a diplomat and unite the Fire Nation using his political influence." While his legacy is unique among Avatars, it is nonetheless impressive and proved you don't need to be one of the most powerful benders to make a difference in Avatar.
Kuruk
The Avatar who preceded Kyoshi, Avatar Kuruk faced off against many Dark Spirits through the years, which left him a lonely and bitter fighter. Still, Kuruk made his fair share of mistakes.
"Many people don’t like him because he ignored his Avatar duties and instead traveled around the world to show off and flirt, but honestly that's why I like him so much," says mttinc_. "He is by far the most relatable avatar to me, and I really like his design and backstory from the original series and the Kyoshi book." It's this reliability that draws a lot of fans to Kuruk, especially considering that the man dedicated his life to attempting to save his beloved wife. It's touching, and it's brought Kuruk a lot of respect from the fanbase.
Wan
The first Avatar, and the one who started it all, Wan managed to receive gifts from each of the Lion Turtles that enabled him to bring balance to the world. While he never ultimately succeeded in bringing peace, his bond with Raava enabled him to start the Avatar cycle and use his unique skills as a bender to bond with the spirits.
"The reason Avatar Wan is so good is he doesn't rely on [his past lives] at all since he doesn't have them," says Reddit user Howlwyn2. Each decision he made was entirely his own doing, as he had access to none of the wisdom that his later lives would be able to seek. It makes him a fascinating figure, and one of the most memorable Avatars.
Roku
Most known for his failure to prevent the rise of the Fire Nation and the slaughter of the Air Nomads, Avatar Roku was the Avatar that came directly before Avatar Aang. But the man hasn't been defined simply by his mistakes.
"Roku is probably the most powerful Avatar ever, at least in terms of pure power," says Redditor derf82. "Not only did he have his past lives, but he was also the last Avatar to complete his training traditionally, traveling to each other nations and learning the elements immersively." This training gave him knowledge that allowed Roku to guide Aang to maintain his innocence in Avatar: The Last Airbender, while also enabling him to learn the hard truths and lessons he would need in order to stop the Fire Lord.
Yangchen
Remembered for her wisdom, Avatar Yangchen was the Avatar that preceded Kuruk, and it was her actions that directly led to the rise in Dark Spirits that plagued Kuruk. Still, though she angered many spirits, Yangchen was remembered positively by humans. As GeminiLife puts in on Reddit, "Yangchen has the best advice and outlook. Her wisdom is profoundly good."
Yangchen is also a surprisingly relatable character. While she did her best and ended up revered for her accomplishments, fans now know that her mistakes reverberated enough to be felt even in Avatar Aang's time. It makes her an understandable person, and one who doesn't feel too perfect to comprehend.
Aang
The first Avatar most fans were introduced to, Avatar Aang is remembered as one of the best — and not just for ending the Hundred Year War. As Redditor Chance4e said, "He mastered the elements, opened the door to spirit and energy bending, discovered millennia old secrets, united the nations, defeated the Phoenix King, and then he turned 13."
Even after his childhood accomplishments, Avatar Aang presided over the rebuilding of the world in the wake of the Hundred Year War and managed to help resurrect the Air Nomads with the help of his son Tenzin. While only die-hard fans know everything about Avatar Aang, what he managed in his first series alone was impressive enough on its own. Though he failed to prevent the destruction of the Air Nomads, his young age meant it wasn't truly his mistake, and his accomplishments far outweigh anything else.
Korra
The Avatar that came after Aang, Avatar Korra oversaw the resurgence of the Air Nomads, the destruction and rebirth of the Avatar Cycle, and Harmonic Convergence. Korra also bonded the Spirit World with the human world, so that the two could live in harmony, instead of eternal conflict.
"[Korra was] arguably the most significant Avatar since Wan," says Reddit user Toa_Ignika. "Changed so much in the world and overcame significant hardship just within the episodes we've seen her." Korra's accomplishments are numerous, and the impact she had on the world causes many fans to rank her higher than even Avatar Aang.
Kyoshi
Remembered eternally through the Kyoshi Warriors, Avatar Kyoshi was a warrior born to criminals and raised in lies. After discovering her identity as the Avatar, despite her friend having first been recognized with the title, Kyoshi reconnected with her criminal roots and eventually developed the mindset that justice at times means killing must be done.
Fans still remember her fantastic accomplishments. As Reddit user romansparta99 says, "[Kyoshi] lived to 200 years, and was so powerful that she separated an entire chunk of land from a continent forming an island. Probably the only avatar we’ve seen who is as powerful as the earth itself." Indeed, though her actions unintentionally led to problems for future Avatars — like the creation of the Dai Li — Kyoshi always had good intentions, and always tried to pursue peace, no matter the cost.