Avatar The Last Airbender: 10 Quotes That Show Aang Was Wise Beyond His Years
With two video games and Netflix's live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender set to release, Aang is the talk of the town. It is easy to forget that the master of the four elements is over 100 years old in a 12-year-old body.
In general, uncle Iroh is seen as the wise one, wielding life lessons to the kids through their journey of self-discovery and saving the world. Avatar Aang, raised by monks at an air temple, also had some thoughtful gems throughout the anime series.
In the episode "The Guru," Aang meets Pathik, a spiritual nomad who holds no allegiances to any one nation. He helps Aang unlock his chakras to enter the Avatar State, and together, they unlocked six of the seven required.
Aang emerged from the ice to a world divided. No wonder he had trouble aligning the elements within himself to become whole. Aang is thirsty for education around his powers, opening one's mind and heart to learning shows a level of wisdom some never achieve. The realization that all the elements are connected clears the path for Aang to help the nations come together once again.
Katara is consumed by anger and pain and wants to take revenge on the person that took her mother from her. Aang knows this isn't the best course of action and tries to make her see another way. Zuko and Katara take Appa anyway.
Aang has a unique ability to validate feelings of anger and not make his friends feel bad about them. He knows this is a natural and understandable emotion, he also knows how damaging it can be when allowed to run amok. The option to forgive or lose herself to rage is in Katara's hands, and in the end, Aang's guidance won.
As a powerful firebender, Zuko helps Aang get a handle on the element. However, Zuko notices his powers are diminishing. His skills are fueled by anger and he needs to learn how to bend another way. Toph recommends Zuko look to the past, to the original firebenders for help.
With access to his previous Avatar lives, no one knows how helpful the past can be better than Aang. At the Sun Warrior ruins the benders imitate a circle of statues, bringing history to life once again. One movement flows into the other, and together they learn that anger is not the only way for fire to form. Together, they unblock Zuko and Aang gains control over the element. The two also learn that dragons are not lost to the world, and their bond of friendship is solidified.
Aang was reunited with his childhood friend, Bumi, now in his old age and the king of Omashu. In the episode "Return to Omashu," the group finds the city under the control of the Fire Nation. Bumi was meant to be Aang's earthbending instructor.
It is clear Aang cares deeply. Yes, he needs to learn earthbending, but that takes a back seat to the safety of Bumi and Omashu's people. Even though Aang is urged to sever emotional ties in order to truly be the Avatar, it is his friendships that urge him forward. Their collective knowledge and bond encourage Aang to never give up and never falter, no matter how much weight is placed on his young shoulders.
Katara and Sokka break Aang out of the ice in the very first episode. After some penguin sledding fun, Katara and Aang end up in front of a Fire Nation shipwreck. Fearless Aang is eager to explore it, Katara isn't so sure.
Aang knows Katara wants improve her waterbending. As a proficient Airbender, he knows the core teaching of bending is the same. Katara has been afraid her whole life. The only waterbender left in her village Aang recognizes it is her fear of being noticed that is holding her back. Encouraging her to explore the frozen vessel will increase her confidence and extend to bending.
Aang is stuck in the middle of sibling rivalry, as well as tensions between two Earth Kingdoms, while they traverse the largest canyon in the world in the episode "The Great Divide." With their guide injured, they have to figure out a way through.
Traveling in close quarters for extended periods of time can become frustrating. Aang diffuses Sokka and Katara's bickering by making them switch tasks. Walking a mile in each other's shoes will give them an appreciation for the other. Working together and taking action also increases trust and the bridge to peace becomes that much stronger.
Sokka accidentally gets stuck in the ground and asks Aang to use earthbending to get him out. Aang is having trouble trusting his earthbending skill and is embarrassed to get Toph to help.
He is feeling defeated, as earthbending has been tough to wrap his head around. His sweet nature makes learning from Toph a difficult path and it isn't until he stands up to her that it clicks for him. Trying and failing did not make Aang a failure, and grounding himself and trying over and over again made him a success.
Zuko found the man who killed her mother and Katara is struggling. The desire for vengeance is overwhelming as she feels Yon Rha should die. Aang supports her journey to face this person but plants the idea that she can choose a different path.
Anger can be all-consuming. Aang lets his friend go, having faith she will make the right choice. His maturity allows him to give advice but not make decisions for the people in his life. Katara shows great power in "The Southern Raiders" episode, as well as great restraint. Aang's faith in her allows Katara to release her anger, show mercy, and forgive.
The Avatar from Legend of Korra has been severed from three of the elements, leaving only airbending. To Korra's surprise, Aang speaks to her as she can now connect with her spiritual self.
No matter if Aang is 12 years old or beyond this plane of existence he never stops helping others. Korra is utterly destroyed, her mind had no other option than to reach out for guidance and all her past lives answered the call. Aang knows her worth, as it is the same as his. With her bending restored and spiritual connection intact she is the Avatar once again.
Roku appears to Aang to show him his history with Fire Lord Sozin, which led to his death. Aang, recounting Roku's story to his friends, is met with thoughts of the Fire Nation being naturally evil, or as Toph says "born bad."
A skill beyond his years, Aang can sift through stories to pick out the lesson at the core. The Fire Lord and the Fire Nation are not bad people. It makes no difference where someone is from, or how close their relationships are. Everyone has to battle the good and bad inside them, and sometimes evil wins. Aang's job is to bring balance to the nations, and that means showing everyone they are worthy of another chance.