Summary
- Bending fights are well-choreographed and iconic in the series.
- Key battles like Toph vs. Wrestlers and Zuko vs. Azula are emotionally impactful.
Avatar: The Last Airbender has long been praised as one of the best kids’ cartoons of all time. It has perhaps one of the best examples of world building you’ll find in an animated show, and it’s also the kind of series that is accessible to all audiences. It’s amazing to see how well-crafted the lore is in Avatar, so much so that it inspired a live-action series as well.
The popularity is thanks in part to the incredibly well-choreographed bending fights that we see in the show. The fights are well animated, and some have such a long buildup, but they still end up going beyond our expectations. These fights in particular stand out.
10
Sokka Vs. Master Piandao
A Fresh Non-Bending Fight In The Bending Universe
This fight isn’t your typical bending showdown, which is what makes it so special. Sokka, a non-bender, has always struggled in a world dominated by bending powers, and his specialty didn’t go much farther beyond his boomerang skills.
But this duel is where he proves himself not just to others, but to himself. Master Piandao’s skill is unmatched, and he is a prominent member of the White Lotus, and his calm demeanor in the face of Sokka’s nervousness creates a great dynamic for a fight. By the end, you’re not just rooting for Sokka; you’re fully convinced he’s a warrior in his own right.
9
The Combustion Man
A New Type Of Bending Showcased In A Battle
When Combustion Man enters the series, he changes the rules of bending a bit. His ability to channel firebending through explosive blasts is unlike anything seen in Avatar before. This long-range, sniper-like style is terrifying, forcing everyone to constantly stay on the move.
He doesn’t need dialogue to be intimidating, as his silence and laser-like focus, pun intended, is enough to terrify you as a villain. His introduction expands the possibilities of bending, and the fight against him was iconic.
8
The White Lotus Vs. The Fire Nation
The Ultimate Finale Showdown That Freed Ba Sing Se
This battle feels like the Avengers assembling in the Avatar universe. The Order of the White Lotus, composed of legendary masters like Iroh, Bumi, Pakku, Jeong Jeong, and Piandao, finally reveals its full strength in a spectacular showdown.
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Each member showcases their mastery of taking Ba Sing Se with ease, with Iroh in particular, demonstrating why he’s called the Dragon of the West. The liberation of Ba Sing Se is a symbolic victory against the fire nation, reclaiming hope for the Earth Kingdom and marking the beginning of the end of the hundred-year war.
7
Katara Vs. Zuko
Fire Vs. Water In The First Season’s Finale
The first season finale wouldn’t be complete without this iconic fight. Katara and Zuko clash at the Northern Water Tribe, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Zuko’s pursuit of the Avatar is fueled by his desperation to regain his honor, while Katara is protecting Aang and her people.
Katara has been honing her skills throughout the season, which surprises Zuko initially and feels one-sided. But she lets her guard down and Zuko is successful in finding the opening and winning. It was great to see a climactic showdown that was built up for the entire season with Zuko temporarily succeeding.
6
Toph Vs. The Wrestlers
Just When You Think The Blind Little Girl Won’t Put Up A Fight
When Toph steps into the Earth Rumble arena, it’s a moment that turns all expectations on their head. A blind little girl, who looks completely out of place, faces off against a group of muscly earthbending wrestlers, and she doesn’t just hold her own: she dominates.
The battle showcases Toph’s unparalleled talent in earthbending and her no-nonsense attitude. The Boulder in particular underestimates her, and Toph takes him down quickly, using his overconfidence against him. It’s a fun, over-the-top fight that cements Toph as not just a skilled bender but one of the strongest earthbenders in the series.
5
Katara And Aang Vs. Azula And Zuko
Season 2’s Duo Fight That Defined The Story Moving Forward
The final battle of Season 2 is a dramatic, high-stakes clash that sets the stage for the series’ darker tone moving forward. Katara and Aang team up against Azula and Zuko in a fight that’s as emotional as it is action-packed.
Azula’s calculated, ruthless firebending contrasts sharply with Zuko’s fiery, unpredictable anger, while Aang and Katara fight with a sense of purpose and unity. The moment when Azula strikes down Aang in the Avatar State is a jaw-dropping twist that leaves viewers stunned. It’s not just a battle, it’s a turning point in the series, where the villains win, and the heroes face their most crushing defeat yet.
4
Katara Vs. Hama
Bloodbending Showdown Of The Ages
The showdown between Katara and Hama is one of the darkest moments in the series, introducing the terrifying concept of bloodbending. Hama, a former Southern Water Tribe member turned bitter antagonist, forces Katara into a battle that’s as much psychological as it is physical.
The fight is a moral dilemma that’s wrapped in a spectacular battle, with Katara’s compassion coming through as she defeats Hama by bloodbending, even though she didn’t want to. The battle was perhaps one of the most chilling and unforgettable moments in Avatar.
3
Avatar Roku Vs. The Guards
A Glimpse Of What A True Avatar Is Capable Of
In a brief moment, Aang’s body is taken over by Roku’s spirit to buy Team Avatar time to escape, and during this, you see what it truly means to be the Avatar. Avatar Roku’s fight against the guards showcases the overwhelming power of a fully realized Avatar.
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He effortlessly combines all four elements and manages to defeat more than a dozen enemies without breaking a sweat. The scene is brief but incredibly impactful, leaving you in awe of Roku’s abilities and giving a sense of the legacy that Aang must live up to.
2
Aang Vs. Fire Lord Ozai
The Show Was Building Up To This Fight All Along
This is the battle the entire series has been building toward, and it delivers on every level. Aang’s fight with Fire Lord Ozai is amazing both visually and emotionally. Aang, harnessing the full power of the Avatar State, finally comes into his own as a fully realized Avatar, while Ozai unleashes the destructive might of Sozin’s Comet-enhanced firebending.
The choreography is amazing and the final moment when Aang chooses to spare Ozai’s life to take away his bending instead is a powerful resolution that stays true to Aang’s character. It’s not just a fight – it’s the ultimate payoff for Aang’s journey as the Avatar and is the best ending to the show that we could’ve hoped for.
1
Zuko Vs. Azula
The Unexpected Side Plot Managed To Snag The Top Spot
The Agni Kai between Zuko and Azula is arguably one of the most emotionally charged battles in the entire series. Azula, descending into madness, unleashes her firebending, while Zuko faces her with a calm determination that reflects his growth. The music and sound design combined with the contrast between Azula’s blue fire and Zuko’s traditional orange flames makes the battle look stunning.
But what really elevates this fight is the emotional weight behind it. Katara’s intervention towards the end solidifies Zuko’s victory, but the final Agni Kai was so iconic it was written into the histories, remembered even during the time of Avatar: The Legend of Korra.
