Avatar The Last Airbender: Finding Hope in Our Scars

I kind of like Avatar The Last Airbender. Here's why.

Please make sure to share, like, comment, and subscribe if you want to see me ramble about other things.

Video Chapters:
Intro - 00:00
The Animation - 03:01
The Bending - 07:26
The Worldbuilding - 14:02
The Characters - 18:28
The Scars of Zuko - 26:50
Finding Hope in Our Scars - 32:07

Just a few notes and small corrections based on recent comments:
I called "The Boy in the Iceberg" the pilot when it wasn't. It was the first episode, not the pilot. They're different concepts. My bad.
When I mention General How, I meant to say General Fong. How is a completely different character. My bad (though in my defense, they have strikingly similar character designs).
Air vs. Air, in the context of the show's plot, isn't actually a viable match up. I get that. But I was trying to look at it from a general perspective, not just within the context of the narrative.
The Fire Nation knowing about the eclipse wasn't technically a twist, so I probably shouldn't have framed it as such. It's easy to forget that it was revealed earlier since it's a tiny detail in the middle of the season 2 finale that isn't brought up ever again (even during the eclipse, no one refers to it). Nonetheless, my bad.
I've gotten a number of comments basically trying to discredit my recognition of the show's diversity, and I just wanted to note that it was a less than 20 second part of the video that was not in any way trying to say that the reason the characters are great is because they aren't all white males. I recognized it because I thought it was a wonderful thing to see cultures and people that continue to go underrepresented being represented so well in a show from nearly 15 years ago, and I did so in the midst of explaining the actual depths of the character writing. Don't put words in my mouth and act like I was saying something that I clearly wasn't.
I maybe shouldn't have referred to Sokka as an example of toxic masculinity without going into more detail, so let me explain really quick what I meant by that. What the term means to me is how certain men will get so caught up in their own gender role that they end up doing harm both to themselves as well as the people around them. This can take many forms, but I see it mostly as men who believe their worth depends on their ability to protect and provide for those around them and how failing in that is a sign of weakness and a reason for shame: something that Sokka definitely embodies at the beginning of the series. In fact, I believe most of Sokka's arc is centered around him actually coming to a much healthier understanding of what it means to be a man, a theme that runs so deep through Avatar that I could make an entire video about it if I wanted to. If nothing else, I don't want people to think I don't like Sokka or think he's somehow a lesser character to the rest of the cast. He's a great character in his own right.
Yes, I like Sherlock and yes, I prefer FMA 2003 to Brotherhood. I like both quite a bit. I don't care that some of you don't. It isn't even what the video's about. Get over it, please.

Music Used:
From Avatar The Last Airbender: "Agni Kai" "Scarf Dance" "Azula" "Cave Jivin'" "Final Blow" "Invading the Palace" "Opening Theme" "Owns Battle" "Reconciliation" "The Last Agni Kai" "Whose Destiny" "Yangchen" "YuYen" "Zuko on the Mount"

From The Legend of Korra: "Service and Sacrifice" "Greatest Change"

From FullMetal Alchemist: "Pint-Sized Alchemist"

[StoryStreet]

If you liked the video, I'd really appreciate it if you guys shared it around and expressed your thoughts on it. It would be a really big help in growing the channel. But only if you want to, though. No pressure.

[kittyykatie]

interesting how zuko kneels for forgiveness with his father and receives a scar.... contrasted to him kneeling to Iroh for forgiveness and receives a hug.

[sopheed]

I am a simple woman. I think about Zuko and Iroh's relationship, I cry.

[kimlipslefteye]

"I was never angry at you. I was sad because I was afraid you lost your way."

TEARS

[thetwelfthdoctor]

For those who disliked this video: we are not angry with you; we are just sad because you lost your way

[octopusgummies]

"Instead of being angry he decides to- "

**Iroh hugs Zuko**

Me: ugly crying

[miramoriarty]

"Avatar is a show about unbalanced people trying to find balance." I'm not gonna lie. This line gave me chills.

[girlscott]

Kids need these type of shows. I like how this show doesn’t dumb down important lessons. Kids are smart and are able to digest/understand complex issues. I enjoy the fact that this show gives kids (and adults)the opportunity to enhance their emotional intelligence and critical thinking.

[shojodraws]

One of the most horrible truths of Zuko's journey is that sometimes, parents DON'T love their children. It's such a terrible thing to try and articulate to a child, it's something no child should ever have to learn but unfortunately we live in an unjust world. It's such a shattering truth and it's so commendable that Zuko came to that truth on his own and moved forward rather than shrinking inward.

[Krystalmyth]

*Iroh (to Azula):* _“Did I ever tell you how I got the nickname, ‘The Dragon of the West?’”_
*Azula:* _“I’m not interested in a lengthy anecdote, Uncle.”_
*Iroh:* _“It’s more of a demonstration, really.”_

[SenateGaming]

the grass is wet
the ground is muddy
"my girlfriend turned into the moon"
"that's rough buddy"

[saulgoodman]

When zuko was trying to get struck by lightning he was low key suicidal. He had lost his fathers love, his right to the throne, his life, his family, almost his uncle, and his pride. At 16 years old mind you

[t.r.everstone]

Seeing Iroh's face when he flinched as Ozai hit Zuko with fire, makes me realize part of why he tried so hard to help Zuko. Sure, it had to do with losing his own son, among other motivations, but I think he regretted that Zuko was hurt because of his own lack of action. He was supposed to be Firelord, so it was his fault a tyrant like Ozai was in charge. It was his own weakness that resulted in Zuko, the most moral person in the room, being hurt. He knew Zuko needed redemption because he needed it himself but realized so late in life that he could never fully make up for the terrible things he had done before his son died. He couldn't bear to Zuko also do things he might never be able to fix. And when I think about it, Zuko had one foot across that line of no return before he came back. He was almost gone for good. That would've destroyed Iroh.

[Flash-mvrn]

me: im not gonna cry
uncle iroh: says literally anything
me, holding back tears: he's so right

[noisepollution]

As a scarred burn survivor myself, having someone like Zuko in the media I grew up with was so important to me.

[optimisticnihilist]

Damn. Even a video essay's second hand account of Iroh forgiving Zuko had me tearing up.

[raernian]

You can tell the show is good when you identify with a character as an elementary-schooler and realize more and more how profound that is as you grow up. It genuinely renews my hope in myself when I remember these character arcs and how as a kid I would say to my mom that I feel like Zuko a lot of the time. If he can make it, then we all can make it.

[jordmanbatgod]

I’m a grown man, but that scene where Iroh just pulls Zuko in and forgives him makes me tear up literally every single time

[thicccums]

Zuko’s voice actor deserves the world. Every word he speaks has so much emotion. He’s the reason why Zuko is such a double edged sword and why Zuko can scream and cry in the same scene and still make the viewer feel pity and hate towards him, even in the very beginning.

[singingofsilver]

"With the motherly nature of Katara..."
Picture: Katara yelling and seeming annoyed