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10 times Avatar: The Last Airbender was super feminist

There's no denying that Avatar: The Last Airbender is one of the greatest kids shows ever made. It's got an uplifting plot, hilarious jokes, and a diverse cast. The show even won a Peabody award in 2008 for its "multi-dimensional characters, unusually complicated personal relationships for a cartoon serial, and a healthy respect for the consequences of warfare." 

After Netflix added the classic series to their catalog, the show quickly climbed to the top of the most-watched list. Over the past months, the show enjoyed a second life as the perfect quarantine binge-watch. 

As I was rewatching ATLA with my sister, I realized how much the strong female characters like Katara and Toph shaped me into the feminist I am today. In addition to nations inspired by real cultures around the world and one super hot (no pun intended) fire-bending prince, Avatar offers some of the most complex female characters on TV. Whether you're watching for the first time— or the 100th time like me— these moments are sure to leave you feeling empowered.

When Katara left home to master water bending- Book 1, ep. 1&2

As the last bender in the South Pole, Katara has no one to train her in the ancient art of water bending. Katara is able to teach herself a few tricks but hopes to one day bring this lost art back to her village. After meeting the Avatar Aang, Katara makes the tough decision to leave her family behind and travel across the world to learn from the masters in the North. Katara teaches young women to take pride in themselves and nurture their talents.

When Sokka trained with the Kyoshi Warriors- Book 1, ep. 4

On the way to the North Pole, Katara, her brother Sokka, and Aang make a pit stop on Kyoshi Island are captured by the fierce warriors that protect it. Sokka is shocked to later discover that their captors are trained, female warriors. Sokka has to swallow his pride and ask the leader of the Kyoshi warriors, Suki, to teach him their fighting style.  

When Katara challenged Master Pakku- Book 1, ep. 18

After finally making it to the North Pole, Katara is thrilled to start her training— until water bending Master Pakku informs her that women are only allowed to learn healing techniques. Katara challenges Master Pakku to a fight to prove to him that women can fight. Once Master Pakku gives in, Katara masters both fighting and healing techniques. 

When Princess Yue sacrificed herself for her tribe

Princess Yue of the Northern Water Tribe was born weak and sickly, but the moon spirit gave her life. When the Fire Nation attacks and destroys the moon spirit's physical form. Without the moon, the water benders are powerless against the Fire Nation so Princess Yue decides to give her life back to the moon spirit. She becomes the moon, and the tribe is saved. Yue's sacrifice is the incredibly selfless act of a true ruler.

When Toph single-handedly saved the day- Book 2, ep. 6

After watching an earth bending tournament, Aang finally finds the perfect teacher: a twelve-year-old blind girl. Toph, also known as The Blind Bandit, can feel the vibrations of the earth and is always one step ahead of her opponents. Her parents have no idea what a powerful bender she is, and constantly baby her. In this scene, Toph saves Aang from seven prize-fighting benders and shows her father she isn't "helpless".

When Katara tells Toph she's pretty-Book 2, ep. 14

Katara and Toph indulge in a day of well-deserved spa time and are feeling confident with their makeovers. Then some local Ba Sing Se girls tease Toph and make fun of her makeup. Toph and Katara use their bending to get their revenge, but later Toph feels insecure and starts to cry. In a true moment of female solidarity, Katara gives Toph the affirmation she needs and tells Toph she's pretty. We love to see strong women build each other up!

When Azula took Ba Sing Se- Book 2, ep. 18

While the Firelord is technically the villain of The Last Airbender, I challenge you to find villain more ruthless and cunning than Azula. The Firelord's daughter —and Prince Zuko's baby sister— is a fire bending prodigy and force to be reckoned with. With her two childhood besties, Mai and Ty Lee, Azula tracks the Avatar throughout Book 2. At the end of the season, Azula conquers Ba Sing Se all by herself, a feat that every Firelord has failed to accomplish. It's extremely rare for a female villain to be so frightening and unapologetically powerful.

When Toph learned metal bending- Book 2, ep. 18

When Toph ran away from home to teach Aang earth bending, her father sent bounty hunters to bring her home. After capturing her, the hunters keep Toph in a metal box, because everyone knows earth benders can't bend metal. Toph concentrates her power and is able to bend her way to freedom. Later she perfects metal bending, and in The Legend of Korra, we get to see Toph's techniques become common practice.

When Mai and Ty Lee betray Azula- Book 3, ep. 13

Mai has loved Zuko since they were kids, so naturally, she helps him escape The Boiling Rock prison. Azula is outraged, but before she can kill Mai, Ty Lee uses her special skill to take briefly take away Azula's bending. By betraying Azula, Ty Lee finally asserts herself to Azula and saves her best friend's life, even if it costs her own.

When Katara forgives Zuko- Book 3, ep. 14

After Zuko. turns his back on the Fire Nation and decides to teach Aang fire bending, almost everyone welcomes him to the group. Katara is still hostile towards all fire-benders after her mother was killed by Fire Nation soldier, so to make amends Zuko offers to help Katara find her mother's killer. Katara plans to get revenge and unleashes a terrifying display of her power, before ultimately realizing she's not a killer. After getting closure, she is finally able to forgive Zuko.

Share your Avatar: The Last Airbender reactions with us on Twitter @girlslifemag!

by Elise G. Esquibel | 8/18/2020
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