The Top 10 ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ episodes

Water, earth, fire, air. Long ago, Nickelodeon premiered the first episode of Avatar: The Last Airbender (ATLA). Twenty years later, the series is still widely considered one of the greatest TV shows ever created. Its nuanced storylines and character arcs explore complex themes that go far beyond the average children’s show and have given ATLA lasting relevance in the cultural zeitgeist.

The show centers around Aang, the sole survivor of a genocide against the Air Nomads, carried out by the Fire Nation in their quest to conquer the world. Aang is the Avatar, master of all four elements, and is destined to bring the war-torn world back into balance. Together, Aang and his friends (affectionately known as the “Gaang”) set out to do just that, learning valuable lessons about themselves and their world along the way.

With Netflix’s live-action remake ongoing, Paramount’s sequel film trilogy set to release next year, and another follow-up series just announced, fans can rest assured that the world of ATLA isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. To mark the 20th anniversary of the original series, here are our top 10 episodes that solidified the show’s legacy.

10. S3E13: “The Firebending Masters”

As the first of three “life-changing field trip with Zuko” episodes, “The Firebending Masters” marks the end of Zuko’s series-long existential crisis and lays the foundation for the future of firebending. After two and a half seasons of hinting at Aang and Zuko’s eventual friendship, we finally see the two bond as they go on a Raiders of the Lost Ark-esque adventure through the Sun Warriors’ city. It’s a beautifully animated scene as a pair of dragons teach Aang and Zuko that fire is not just rage and destruction, but can also be life and light.  

9. S2E15: “The Tales of Ba Sing Se”

The writers of ATLA took a risk with “The Tales of Ba Sing Se,” and boy, did it pay off. The episode is uniquely structured as a set of vignettes through the main cast’s lives and is dedicated to Iroh’s late voice actor, Mako (1933-2006). The simple, poignant storytelling of each snippet puts the show a league above—especially its closing segment. (I dare you not to shed a tear when Iroh sings “Leaves from the Vine” and mourns his son Lu Ten.)

8. S1E12: “The Storm”

While ATLA establishes itself as more than just another kids’ show pretty much from the jump, “The Storm” is one of the earliest episodes to prove how dark and complex the show was willing to get. Hearing the full story behind Zuko’s scar, and Aang’s 100 years in the iceberg for the first time is a one-two gut punch that recontextualizes all their actions so far and sets the tone for not just the rest of the season, but the rest of the series.  

7. S3E14-15: “The Boiling Rock”

All of the “Zuko field trip” episodes are some of the best in the series, but “The Boiling Rock” takes the crown. The prison escape plotline gives us gripping combat sequences and several long-awaited reunions. The episode also contains some of the most iconic moments of the show, from Zuko and Sokka trying to bond (“That’s rough, buddy.”), to Mai and Ty Lee finally breaking free of Azula (“I love Zuko, more than I fear you.”).

6. S2E20: “The Crossroads of Destiny”

If we’re sticking to the Lucasfilm analogies, “The Crossroads of Destiny” is ATLA’s The Empire Strikes Back. All the key players come together in the heart of Ba Sing Se for one of the best-choreographed battles of the show. Ultimately, despite a season spent becoming good, Zuko betrays his uncle and chooses evil. Despite a season of learning to control the Avatar state, Aang is killed by Azula the moment he succeeds. The bad guys win the day, and it’s as awesome as it is heartbreaking.

5. S3E6: “The Avatar and the Fire Lord”

The tale of Fire Lord Sozin and Avatar Roku is a masterclass in storytelling. Their journey from best friends to arch enemies and Sozin’s fatal betrayal of Roku in the end is akin to a Shakespearean tragedy. The episode closes by revealing that Zuko is a descendant of both Sozin and Roku; he quite literally has both good and evil in him. From the episode title itself to that final lore bomb, “The Avatar and the Fire Lord” continuously foreshadows that Aang and Zuko are destined to be friends and bring balance to the world together. As Roku so fittingly states, “Some friendships are so strong, they can even transcend lifetimes.”

4. S3E8: “The Puppetmaster”

“The Puppetmaster” is one of the most mature and terrifying—and consequently memorable—episodes of ATLA. The introduction of bloodbending pulls the show into horror territory and is a jarring contrast to the healing properties waterbending is usually known for. Hama’s character, the way she traumatizes Katara when she forces her to bloodbend, is a reminder that in times of war, violence often only begets more violence and monsters only create more monsters.

3. S2E7: “Zuko Alone”

Zuko is arguably the best-written ATLA character, so it’s no surprise that his character study is high up on the list of all-time greats. Like a firebending Clint Eastwood, he saves a small Earth Kingdom town from a gang of Earth Army soldiers, only to be met with hatred when the townsfolk learn of his heritage. All the while, the episode cuts to flashbacks that show us just how messed up the Fire Nation’s royal family really is. Through its incredibly nuanced writing, the episode kicks off Zuko’s series-long journey of introspection and redemption while also showcasing the small-scale effects of a world entrenched in conflict.

2. S1E19-20: “Siege of the North”

“Siege of the North” is a phenomenal conclusion to the first season of ATLA. With the survival of the entire Water Tribe in jeopardy, the episode raises the stakes higher than ever and brings the show’s central theme of balance to the forefront. It hits every emotional beat—from Admiral Zhao killing the moon and facing the consequences, to Princess Yue sacrificing herself in the moon’s stead, to the breathtaking power of Aang as the Ocean Spirit. It acts as a perfect springboard for the next two seasons.  

1. S3E18-21: “Sozin’s Comet”

It might be a bit unfair to count the four-part, movie-length series finale of ATLA as the show’s best episode, but any other ranking feels wrong. Much like the season one finale, “Sozin’s Comet” closes the series in a way that precisely encapsulates the show’s central theme: balance. Each member of the Gaang and beyond has their own part to play, and they all play it beautifully. Zuko and Azula’s final Agni Kai scene is easily one of the greatest pieces of animated television ever created. And for a show that never shied away from dark themes and character deaths, Aang’s decision to take away Fire Lord Ozai’s bending but spare his life is the poetic, satisfying end to the cycle of violence that the show needs. It’s nothing short of a flawless finish. 

Honorable mentions

S2E17: “Lake Laogai"

In this bittersweet end to ATLA’s Ba Sing Se dystopia arc, the Gaang defeats Long Feng and finally reunites with Appa. But in the process, our favorite morally grey freedom fighter Jet dies one of the most tragic deaths in the show. It’s a solemn reminder of how, despite some happy victories, entire lives can be wasted away consumed by war.

S3E5: “The Beach”

Though it's not quite an anime, ATLA does have the obligatory beach filler episode standard to the genre—except it’s not filler at all. Through hilarious seaside shenanigans and a campfire heart-to-heart, we get excellent character studies of Azula, Mai, Ty Lee, and Zuko, which set up their roles in the rest of the season perfectly.

S3E16: “The Southern Raiders”

Katara’s need for revenge and closure drives her to use bloodbending, and though she ultimately spares her mom’s killer when the decisive moment arrives, she doesn’t forgive him either. The episode is a much-needed bonding moment for Zuko and Katara, but also highlights Katara’s flawed nature.