Avatar: The Last Airbender has given several reasons for fans to love the animated series. From its intriguing fictional world to its mystical spiritual theme and more, there is much to be enjoyed in the series. While fans love its themes of honor, redemption, friendship, and loyalty, they have also come to love the romantic elements of the series.
Although romance is not as idealized as is in its successor series, The Legend of Korra, Avatar: The Last Airbender does have some romantic tropes with Aang and Katara’s relationship occupying the central space. One instance has fans particularly swooning over Aang’s love for Katara, which could have proven detrimental to the existence of their world.
Aang’s Affection for Katara Could Have Jeopardized Their World
Avatar: The Last Airbender has several enticing elements that fans love, but Katara and Aang’s relationship has a separate fan base. Despite Katara being biologically older than Aang, their relationship has blossomed and grown over the years, with The Legend of Korra revealing they eventually ended up having three children.
While Katara was the one who rescued the Avatar from the ice, Aang held a deep affection for the water bender from the moment he first saw her. Yet, one instance from the series has fans appreciating Aang more and more as a hero and has set new standards of love for them.
In the 39th episode of the overall series, The Guru, Aang comes across Guru Pathik. Having met at the Eastern Air Temple, Aang seeks the Guru’s help to gain control of his Avatar State. To do so, Aang must open the seven Chakras of his body, the last one being tied to earthly attachments aka love.
Aang is asked by the Guru to let go of all his Earthly attachments including his love for Katara. Yet the young Avatar declines, while Guru tells him if he does not open the blocked Chakfra, he will never be able to reach the Avatar State, a situation that would undeniably put their whole world in jeopardy.
Yet Aang chooses not to open the last Chakra, risking his Avatar links and the world’s existence for his love for Katara, thus, setting a new standard.
Avatar Fans React to Aang’s Love For Katara
In a world where heroes are generally expected to sacrifice everything, including their beloved ones, for the greater good, Aang is an exception. Despite the fate and existence of his whole world resting on his shoulders, the Avatar chooses to risk it all for his love for Katara.
By willingly choosing Katara over his powers and the Avatar state, Aang sets the precedence that not even the world’s safety comes above his love. Although some would find his act selfish, fans have come to love Aang more because of this particular incident.
I love how Aang completely abandons the common trope of “A hero would sacrifice the person they love most for the world” bro was ready to let the whole world die as long as Katara stays healthy and happy pic.twitter.com/dySn1kugAA
— daily aang (@aangdaily) April 26, 2024
Goat for another reason pic.twitter.com/QTbk1SKryE
— Emmy Star 🌪️ (@EmmyStar29) April 26, 2024
While some fans appreciated his decision, others compared him to characters like Luke Skywalker or Spider-Man for trying to find a third way of saving the world, instead of letting go of his affection for Katara.
I think it's more about finding a 3rd way and doing both. Like Luke Skywalker and Miles Morales Spider-Man.
— Man of Stamp 🍉 (@ManOfStamp38) April 26, 2024
“Aang, would you rather save the entire world if it cost you Katar-“
Aang: pic.twitter.com/5es7G9gh6o
— daily aang (@aangdaily) April 26, 2024
Yet, some went on to criticize the Avatar for putting his world in danger just for one person, especially since he was supposed to be just 12 years old biologically, apparently too young to understand what love and affection mean.
…they had to cop out of the consequences of this decision because it genuinely did almost lead to the destruction of the world. Not too smart actually.
— Harry Samuel (@HarrySamuel) April 27, 2024
That's not very avatar like though
And dude you're 12 you got all life to find another
I wouldn't list this as a pro for Aang
— Bee (@Beemarkuss) April 27, 2024
However, many still defended him, for according to them the world wouldn’t have been worth saving if Katara was not there. In essence, Aang’s refusal to sacrifice his feelings for Katara for the sake of the greater good and his eventual marriage with her reflects that despite being just 12 biologically, the character had a deep understanding of love, sacrifice, and heroism.
And it is because of the non-cliché characteristics that make him one of the most liked cartoon characters of all time.
Avatar: The Last Airbender can be streamed on Netflix.
