Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005 — 2008)

Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005–2008) is an animated series created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, and produced by Nickelodeon Animation Studio. A century ago, the young Avatar Aang fled from his home due to fear of his new responsibilities. Caught in a storm while at sea, he and his sky bison Appa were encased in an iceberg near the South Pole. At the same time, Fire Lord Sozin began a world war in order to expand his nation’s empire. As it was prophesied that the Avatar would be an Air Nomad, Sozin orchestrated a genocide against their people during a comet that gives firebenders immense power. A hundred years later, siblings Katara and Sokka accidentally stumble upon Aang and revive him from his suspended animation. Together they embark on a journey to the Northern Water Tribe so that Aang may learn waterbending and ultimately defeat the Fire Nation. However, Prince Zuko – banished son of Fire Lord Ozai – relentlessly pursues them with his uncle Iroh in order to capture the Avatar and redeem himself. They are not alone as Admiral Zhao also has intentions of capturing Aang to gain favor with Ozai.

In the second season, Aang learns earthbending from a blind twelve-year-old prodigy named Toph Beifong. While Zuko and Iroh, who are now on the run from the Fire Lord, seek refuge in the Earth Kingdom’s capital, Ba Sing Se. They are relentlessly pursued by Azula, Zuko’s younger sister and a skilled firebender. Aang’s group later travels to Ba Sing Se in hopes of gaining support from the Earth King for an attack on the Fire Nation during an upcoming solar eclipse when their powers will be weakened. However, Azula manages to overthrow the current government and takes control of Ba Sing Se with help from her brother. During this time, Aang is gravely wounded by Azula but is saved by Katara. In the third season, Aang and his allies launch an invasion on the Fire Nation capital during the solar eclipse but are ultimately forced to retreat. Unexpectedly, Zuko defects from the Fire Nation to join forces with Aang and train him in firebending. As someone who values all life due to his upbringing with monks, Aang struggles with the thought of having to kill Ozai to end the war once and for all.