Avatar is one of the most iconic series out there, having shaped many childhoods and continuing to do so to this day. The Avatar, after whom the series is named, is a major figure in the world. They’re the only individual who can bend all four elements.
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Over centuries, there have been many Avatars who have affected the fate of the world in different ways. Each time the Avatar dies, they are reincarnated into the next element in the cycle. All the Avatars are not equal, however, as some have more feats and accomplishments than others.
Avatar Roku
- Original Element: Fire
Out of all the Avatars, undoubtedly, the most underwhelming is Avatar Roku, the Avatar that came just before Avatar Aang. Originally a Fire Bender, Roku spent a huge part of his life mastering the 4 elements. He was also a huge aid to Aang on his journey.
His biggest downfall, however, is not preventing the 100-year war. Being from the Fire Nation, he was very close to the Fire Lord back then, Sozin, which halted his judgment and caused his failure to stop the war caused by his friend. He died old, and little is known about his achievements.
Avatar Kuruk
- Original Element: Water
Kuruk lived a rough life as an Avatar. Due to Yangchen's neglecting the spirit world, Kuruk had a lot of cleaning up to do. His entire life was spent fighting evil spirits to restore balance to the Avatar world.
Kuruk experienced a lot of loss in his life due to the spirits, such as losing his fiancée to Koh the face stealer. In fact, he lost his own life at just 33 years old, and not only that, his soul was heavily damaged.
Avatar Wan
- Original Element: Fire
Avatar Wan lived 10,000 years before the events of Legend of Korra. In fact, he was the very first Avatar. He’s the one who started the avatar cycle and gained the power of the 4 elements by going to the Lion Turtles with the help of Raava.
He had to fight Vaatu to prevent 10,000 years of darkness. With the help of Raava, he was able to do just that by locking Vaatu for 10,000 years. He also decided to separate the human and spirit world.
Avatar Yang Chen
- Original Element: Air
Avatar Yang Chen was able to create an era of never-before-seen peace during her lifetime. Her era was so peaceful that people still worship her even centuries later. Her fighting power was also impressive, being able to fight General Old Iron and having some terrifying airbending techniques.
However, where Yang Chen succeeded when it came to the human world, she failed miserably when it came to the spirits.
Avatar Kyoshi
- Original Element: Earth
Kyoshi is one of the most beloved Avatars by fans. She was a servant until she eventually discovered that she was the Avatar. In her lifetime, she defeated many powerful enemies, including Chin the Conqueror, and more interestingly, a character known as Yun, the false Avatar.
Avatar Aang
- Original Element: Air
Aang is perhaps the most well-known Avatar in the Avatar series. He was frozen for 100 years in ice just before the start of the 100 Years' War. Due to that, the air benders were all wiped out, making him the last remaining Air Bender. When he was freed from the ice by Katara, he started learning the remaining 3 elements to take down Fire Lord Ozai.
His power, especially in the Avatar state, is quite impressive. Fans have not seen much of Aang as an adult, but Aang at 12 was already a force to be reckoned with, and defeated Ozai during Sozin’s Comet.
Avatar Korra
- Original Element: Water
Korra is Aang’s successor and the most recent Avatar. Korra lives in an era where technology is on the rise and the role of the Avatar in the world is brought more into question. Avatar Korra had to fight enemies on a whole other scale compared to the previous avatars.
Besides Wan, she’s the only other Avatar known to directly communicate with Raava. With that power, she defeated the dark avatar and many powerful enemies, such as Amon the blood bender, and Kuvira, who commanded the Earth Empire.
Korra, however, lost her connection to the past Avatars and is now the first Avatar in the new cycle that will last another 10,000 years. She also changed the world by deciding to reverse Avatar Wan’s decision and unite the human and spirit world.