Avatar: The Last AirbenderLooking closer at the animated series that follows Avatar Aang, the only person who can use all four bending arts: earthbending, waterbending, airbending, and firebending.
The season finale of season 2 fight in Avatar: The Last Airbender is criminally underrated. 'The Crossroads of Destiny" is filled with new bending styles and critical character development, beyond just Zuko's. Read our full breakdown below!
When Aang and Katara are threatened by Azula, Katara - as she usually is - is the first to act. But to go even further, @goldnndaylight noticed that Katara's first moves in this finale resemble the twists and turns of airbending. Although she was Aang's teacher, Katara was a student to Aang's techniques, which is what makes her a standout waterbender.
And whether this is reminiscent of airbending or not, it certainly is a large step up to Katara's finale in season 1. She demonstrates an expert level of control and strength.
In order to defend against Azula's fire blasts, Aang and Katara bend water together as a team - no communication needed.
In the prior episode, Aang could spiritually sense Katara was in trouble and chose to abandon the avatar state for her. Now together, they prove prove their defense is strong enough to defend against Azula. It would've been an easy win for the two, which is why Zuko's decision to join Azula is game-changing.
Aang Throws His Full Body Into An Awesome And New Airbending Move
When fighting Zuko, Aang airbends a form of his body to throw Zuko off balance.
Throughout this fight, Aang is going offense first, not out-maneuvering or evading like he normally does. With this comes a new form of airbending we've never seen before.
Aang Demonstrates A Understanding Of Earthbending, Throwing Azula Off Balance
Here, Aang demonstrates not only an earthbending skill but also an understanding of how earthbenders get an edge in a fight. Instead of maneuvering in defense from Azula, he chooses to think like an earthbender (Toph's voice probably raging in his skull) and confront Azula's stability. If he can throw her off balance, he can win the fight.
The only other time we've seen these fire whips is when the circus master was training (abusing) Appa. And though this could very well just be a cool firebending technique to show Zuko's mastery of firebending, these whips could also be a parallel to the circus trainer. Two overly emotional firebenders doing their best to exert control over the last two airbenders as if their success were inherent to their self-worth.
Azula's hair is often connected to her mental stability throughout season 2 and 3. "Perfect except for one hair out of place".
Katara's sharp bending was meant to seriously injure and stop Azula, which cements her as a dangerous foe. Katara proves herself a serious threat and furthers the symbol of Azula's hair as her mental stability; Katara is literally cutting into that sense of peace.
