The Avatar in Avatar: The Last Airbender is revered as the bridge between the physical and spiritual worlds, and, notably, there has never been an evil version of the force. Throughout Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra, this role is framed as very noble, with Avatars burdened with huge responsibility. This raises questions about whether it's truly inevitable that an Avatar must always be good.

While past Avatars have made questionable choices, the franchise has yet to fully explore the concept of an Avatar embracing outright villainy. However, a new animated series, Avatar: Seven Havens, may finally offer the perfect opportunity to do so. The show, set after The Legend of Korra, is already confirmed to focus on a new Avatar in "a world shattered by a devastating cataclysm." Because of this, the Avatar title "marks her as humanity’s destroyer, not its savior."

Avatar: Seven Havens Could Explore An Evil Avatar

The Avatar Is A Human, Not A Divine Being

As the Avatar: The Last Airbender franchise continues to expand with Seven Havens, it is the perfect time to challenge the assumption that the Avatar is always a force for good. The show has the potential to explore this new Avatar falling prey to corruption, power, or ideology that distorts her duty. The possibility raises intriguing questions about the true nature of balance and whether the Avatar’s role is truly as infallible as history claims.

As pointed out by Reddit Particular-Energy217, the Avatar is not a god. They are a person, born into their role without choice, and expected to dedicate their life to serving others. While they possess extraordinary abilities, they remain fallible like anyone else. Aang, for instance, grappled with the moral weight of ending Fire Lord Ozai’s reign, while Kyoshi had no such hesitations ing lethal force. These past Avatars made decisions based on their personal values, not an intrinsic sense of divine justice.

If an Avatar can struggle, then it is highly possible that they could also outright fail. The world expects them to be a force for good, but that doesn't mean every Avatar shares that vision. A ruler who bends all four elements with no true oversight could become a dictator, enforcing their version of balance rather than objective harmony. The Avatar’s power is absolute, yet their moral com is not necessarily on the good side.

Korra’s Struggles Show That Avatars Are Not Always Right

Korra Was An Imperfect Avatar

Korra, despite being The Legend of Korra, made many questionable decisions as the Avatar. She was often impulsive and reckless and struggled to understand the needs of the world around her. This made her an interesting and flawed character, but it also showed that Avatars are not guaranteed to be wise or even competent leaders.

Korra proves that being the Avatar does not automatically make one a perfect hero, so there is no reason for there not to be an Avatar who actively chooses to embrace the darkness.

This begs the question of what would happen if an Avatar leaned fully into their flaws. Korra, at times, alienated allies and caused unintended consequences, but she still sought to do good. An Avatar who outright rejected their duty or used their power for selfish gain would be a far greater threat. Korra proves that being the Avatar does not automatically make one a perfect hero, so there is no reason for there not to be an Avatar who actively chooses to embrace the darkness.

The Danger Of An Avatar Without ability

The Consequences Of An Unchecked Avatar

The Avatar is, in many ways, an unchecked authority. While certain nations, such as the Earth Kingdom, have governing bodies, no one can truly hold an Avatar able except the spirit world. The role is not earned through merit or a democratic process, but rather determined at birth. This means that, theoretically, an Avatar could be raised with entirely different values and ones that contradict the notion of peace and harmony.

This means that there could potentially be an Avatar raised by a regime that sees them as a weapon rather than a protector. Or even worse, there could be an Avatar that personally rejects the idea of balance and instead pursues domination. With access to immense power and centuries of knowledge from past Avatars, they could justify their actions under the guise of "creating balance" even if it meant imposing an iron rule. This potential has never been truly explored, but it could make for a fascinating and chilling story in Avatar: Seven Havens.

A Villainous Avatar Would Challenge The World’s Perception Of Balance

What Happens If The Avatar Rejects Balance?

The idea of an evil Avatar would challenge the Avatar universe's understanding of balance. For centuries, the Avatar has been seen as a necessary force for good, but this belief relies on the assumption that each Avatar upholds that duty. If an Avatar were to turn against their supposed destiny, it would force the world to reconsider whether the Avatar is truly a stabilizing force or merely a wildcard with unchecked influence.

In The Legend of Korra, there were hints of this question. Some like Unalaq and Zaheer believed the world did not need an Avatar at all. If an Avatar turned evil, their existence might no longer be seen as a blessing but a curse. If there was an evil Avatar, the world may not be able to unite and stop them, or new forces could emerge to counterbalance their power. A villainous Avatar would shift the entire dynamic of the world’s political and spiritual order, making for a very intriguing story.

Could The Next Avatar Break The Cycle?

The Next Avatar’s Potential For Darkness

The Avatar: The Last Airbender universe has only ever portrayed the Avatar as a savior, but reality is rarely so simple. Avatars are humans who are subject to flaws, biases, and mistakes. If Korra’s journey proved anything, it is that not all Avatars are universally beloved or even effective in their role. The next step in the franchise’s evolution should be exploring what happens when an Avatar fully breaks from the mold - when they abandon their responsibility, become corrupt, or even serve as a villain.

Source: Particular-Energy217/Reddit