Avatar: The Last Airbender is an animated classic, and one of the reasons that it worked so well and still holds up today is because it was so effective in creating a lovable ensemble of characters. Bender or non-bender, every member of the Gaang was important to its functioning and had personality traits that people could easily relate to.
Part of what made the ensemble work so well is that they were all friends, and throughout the series, they shared important messages with the audience about what it means to be friends and each other.
Iroh's Advice
Sometimes The Best Way To Solve A Problem Is To Help Others.
When Korra is struggling to get a hang of her role as an intermediary between the physical and spiritual realms, she runs into Iroh, who tells her that helping others can help her solve her own problems. This message became a fundamental part of Korra's character from this point on, helping her friends whenever she could, especially when she was struggling to solve a problem of her own.
Iroh's quote tells viewers how important it is to help others, and provides a good foundation for friendships. As long as each person approaches the friendship with the mindset of helping each other, they will find themselves helped in return.
Group Hugs
Get Over Here, Zuko. Being Part Of The Group Also Means Being Part Of Group Hugs.
When Zuko decides to Aang, the rest of the group is already established and trusts each other. Adding Zuko risks the dynamic they already have. But as Zuko proves himself to the group, the group opens up to him in return. While Zuko might doubt his place in the squad, Katara makes sure to invite him to the hug to show she trusts him.
This quote and the scene as a whole demonstrates the good that can come from making space for someone new who might make a circle of friendship even better than it already was.
Aang's Devotion To Bumi
This Isn't About Finding My Teacher. This Is About Finding My Friend.
After spending so long frozen in time, there is almost no one for Aang to connect with who knew the world he grew up in. The exception to this is Bumi, who has lived through the Fire Nation's attacks and has developed wisdom that Aang hasn't had the time to find. A great deal of the first half of the show was spent with Aang trying to find teachers to help him defeat Ozai, but when Bumi is in danger, Aang knows where his priorities stand.
Aang will always put the well-being of his friends over his own wants and needs, which shows fans how to approach friendship with selflessness at the core. Those who approach friendship as Aang does might be surprised by the devotion they get in return.
Getting From Others
It’s Always Best To Believe In Oneself But A Little Help From Others Can Be A Great Blessing!
Toph famously hates feeling dependent on other people, so she has made herself incredibly strong in her own right. But as Iroh points out, it isn't always best to just rely on individual power. Getting help from others doesn't diminish personal strength, and it can actually help a person feel better about themselves.
Friendships should help make someone feel better about themselves, not worse, and they offer the kind of system that absolutely everyone needs from time to time.
Aang's Fire Nation Friendships
He Was One Of The Best Friends I Ever Had, And He Was From The Fire Nation Just Like You. If We Knew Each Other Back Then, Do You Think We Could Have Been Friends Too?
When Aang and Zuko come face-to-face, Aang can't see why their being from different nations should stand in the way of a possible friendship. While this quote does show how innocent Aang is, it also shows how he approaches adversaries with hope, which in this case eventually worked out for the better.
Aang teaches Zuko that differences don't necessitate division, and thus viewers should learn that friendships can flourish despite differences and that they should be approached with positivity.
Katara Knowing Aang's Instincts
I Know Sometimes It Hurts More To Hope And It Hurts More To Care. But You Have To Promise Me That You Won’t Stop Caring.
After suffering losses and struggling with his grief, Aang starts to close in on himself, trying to protect himself from the pain that comes from caring. But after spending so much time together, Katara immediately knows where his mind has gone and does what she can to help him. Katara definitely serves as the mom in the Gaang, but what friend group doesn't need a mom friend?
It is important to stay open to hope, even when life is hard, because it makes the good things so much better.
Katara's Message Of Love
Love Is Brightest In The Dark.
It is easy to see love and friendship when life is going well, but it can be easy to miss when darkness takes over. However, Katara pushes against that idea, telling Aang that love is brighter in the dark, showing that those that love him will love him even more when he's hurting.
This is an important lesson for viewers, because when life is hard, people tend to isolate themselves rather than reach out. Just as Aang can't see his friends in literal darkness, audiences often ignore their friends in metaphorical darkness. But love shines brightest in the dark, and fans should reach out to their friends in their own darkness.
Letting People Help
You Sound Like My Nephew, Always Thinking You Need To Do Things On Your Own Without Anyone’s . There Is Nothing Wrong With Letting The People Who Love You Help You.
This is a quote that lives rent-free in Avatar fans' heads, because it is a message that is so important for everyone. As Toph is struggling to accept help from anyone, be it Iroh or the Gaang, Iroh compares her to Zuko, foreshadowing Zuko's own difficulty adjusting to having friends.
This is critical for fans to accept, learning that it's okay to accept help from others even if it's frightening. That's what friends are there for.
Mai Choosing Zuko
You Miscalculated. I Love Zuko More Than I Fear You.
This might seem like an odd choice as far as friendship goes, since Mai is betraying her 'friend' Azula, but it comes down to the nature of true friendship. Azula has always kept allies through fear, whereas Zuko has given and craved love. This quote shows how relatable Mai and Zuko's relationship is, because even when they have hurt each other, they put their friendship and love for each other above all else.
Audiences can learn from Mai and Zuko that friendship should be protected and honored above relationships created by fear. Real friendships are predicated on love, and whether Mai and Zuko are dating or not, they clearly love one another.
Zuko Learning His Great-Grandfathers' Lessons
Some Friendships Are So Strong They Can Even Transcend Lifetimes.
Avatar The Last Airbender presents clear instances of real and fake friendships, primarily done through Zuko. Zuko's great-grandfathers Sozun and Roku were friends, but eventually they put their ideologies before their friendships. Zuko learned from their lesson and made the kind of friendship that survived death and reincarnation.
While viewers might not have proof that their future selves will still be friends, they can strive toward that goal. Audiences saw that the Avatar still had a fond relationship with Katara, Toph, and Zuko in The Legend of Korra, and they can only hope that, if they follow the lessons learned from Avatar The Last Airbender, they too can have friendships that transcend lifetimes.