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@@thyone3925 Not saying this person is correct but they were quite literally fighting for the throne. Why history won’t remember it as just sibling violence is because Zuko has as mentioned “unquestionable honor”.
@@williama9418 Azula wasn't even firelord yet (a role which is pretty much worthless for her as she was already the second most powerful person in the fire nation as the princess). The real fight for power was between Aang and Ozai.
Kyoshi: I killed Chen the Conqueror Aang: No you didn't. He fell to his death because he was too stubborn. Kyoshi: Nah bitch... I slayed him and I'll do it again!
I've watched ATLA so many times and Avatar Yangchen never fails to make me emotional Pudgey - the words, the voice acting and her telling Aang it's not about you hits hard! Yangchen is also the most direct but since she was born an Airbender, I almost expected her to side with Aang, and when she didn't I was like poor kid!!
As well as Aang being a pacifist, Aang is also from another time. It's easy to forget Aang comes from an era that wasn't at war, while everyone else grew up during it, so there's gonna be a big disconnect when it comes to how he and the others treat the idea of killing enemies in battle.
You are pretty wrong buddy Aang's era was of war. The war started with Roku's death. Aang himself wasn't part or did not experienced first handed the battle but the war was already going on
@@sebastyann123 the start of the hundred years war was the genocide of the air nomads. Of course, there was rising tensions from earth kingdom colonization efforts prior too and after Roku's death but it was hardly a world war.
@@sebastyann123 you were pretty wrong, buddy. He started the war with the comet ☄️,which happened very soon after Aang was frozen in the iceberg. There were tensions in the world, and they were afraid it would lead to war, hence them telling Aang at 12 instead of 16, to start his training early to hopefully prevent full-on war.
Zuko breaking down to Iroh always tears me up. The VA did such a good job of conveying that sense of humility and sadness into Zuko's performance. Also the Lion Turtle's speech is very important: "The true mind can weather all the lies and illusions of the world without being lost. The true heart can tough the poison of hatred without being harmed. Since beginningless time darkness thrives in the void; but always yields to purifying light."
Also Greg's best scene as Iroh imo. Performance was great, and while not quite the voice of Iroh we all love, he did amazing in that scene. That scene however is also where Greg's completely different Cadence becomes very obvious.
I always thought Avatar Yangchen's advice about Selfless Duty was by far the most meaningful and impactful of all the advice Aang got from his past lives, but for some reason it seems to be a totally underrated moment for most of the fandom. You guys are the only reactors I've seen that were really moved by what she had to say, and that was very cool to see.
Totally agree - hits me hard every time. Yangchen's advice that he "must sacrifice his own spiritual needs" really conveys both the depth and tragedy of Aang's position.
Recall the desert episode with the library when appa was taken. There was a picture of a Lion Turtle in one of the books. It's a really subtle clue/reference but it's there. The Lion Turtles are super ancient and may been around since creation hence why Aang bowed and showed respect as they've pretty much seen it all.
Lion turtles are referenced a few more times throughout the show. Aang and Sokka hid behind a lion turtle statue outside the Earth Kingdom Royal Palace while devising a plan to meet the Earth King. After Sokka's training Piandao compared his courage and heart to those of a lion turtle.
Avatar Yangchen had the most powerful advice, but Avatar Kyoshi once again my favorite. "I don't see the difference, and I would've killed that bastard either way." I would love to see a show about her.
So glad you guys caught that none of the Avatars actually said “kill Ozai” . Yangchen came the closest with saying do whatever it takes even if you have to sacrifice your morals but even that isn’t “kill Ozai” it’s “whatever it takes”.
I knew the Zuko/Iroh reunion would be a scene you both loved. Its definitely a fan favorite moment, and probably my favorite moment in the series. Seeing Zuko's complete vulnerability willing to beg for his uncle's forgiveness, terrified that Iroh might reject him or lash out is heartbreaking. The last time Zuko begged for forgiveness like this was years ago with his father, and he was physically scarred for showing weakness. Seeing Iroh embrace him almost immediately by comparison was so touching, I cried a bit too watching your reactions to it, haha.
Iroh saying Zuko must become the new Fire Lord always makes me cry. Zuko's entire redemption arc was really just step 1 to redeeming the Fire Nation. Everything was just to prepare him for this massive task.
a few pointers on yangchen: she was so powerfull at her time and solved so many crisis, that people worshipped her as a deity even when kyoshi was already avatar. she is said to be the most skilled avatar in terms of technique while kyoshi was the most powerfull.
She was loved by the humans but hated by the spirits because she focused so much on the humans. The avatar after her, Avatar Koruk, had to fight all his life with the spirits because they were blaming him for Yengchen's wrong doings. Avatar Koruk lost his wife to Koh The Face Stealer and then he himself died in his Thirties. Even in the afterlife the spirits mock him and make him chase after Koh without any chance of defeating Koh. So yeah, Yengchen screwed things up for the Avatars after her when it comes to the Spirits.
@@erikperhs_ i wouldn't say that Aang or Kyoshi did. Koruk also didn't, hell he didn't really have time to screw things up. The big outliers i guess are Roku, Yengchen and Korra. I mean the Korra take isn't canon, but come on she changed SO much of the world so fast in her lifetime, there is bound to be consequenses for the avatars to come.
Yeah, Yangchen knew exactly what Aang needed. The only whose advice was not either massively biased by their experience (Roku, Kuruk) or held back by a lack of sympathy for the perspective of the person seeking advice. Roku was like "Clearly I should have killed him, sooo you get what I'm saying? Right? Godamnit I really don't want to tell this kid to go kill a guy but also I really want to tell this kid to go kill a guy" - Kyoshi didn't really get the problem because it was just a matter of course to her that you go kill the guy that makes a problem, if necessary. Kuruk was just "uhh yeah sooo... I got nothing... but I can tell you that doing nothing is the wrong thing." Yangchen immediately clocked that an answer was in order that you can't airbend out of. She's a hardass like Kyoshi, but she's a hardass while highly emotionally intelligent. She's also demonstrating her own advice; she's not talking to Aang based on what /she/ would have needed, but how she thinks /he/ needs to be talked to. Because its not about her emotional baggage but his.
Yeah because there was a time limit before. Right now they all thought there is no time limit for it so waiting until Aang is at his best shape would be better. At least they thought like that
I love how all the Avatars gave long winded explanations on advice with what he should do without a clear answer and Kyoshi literally said, "Yeah I killed my bad guy you should kill yours."
You might find satisfaction in seeing Azula facing defeat here (or not), but don't overlook the fact that her entire sense of self-worth hinges on her father's approval. Zuko has experienced a similar struggle. In this aspect, Zuko displayed strength by breaking free from this type of psychological abuse, aided by the guidance of Iroh. Azula, on the other hand, solely relies on her father. She doesn’t have an Iroh who guides her away from her father. When her father raises his voice at her following her emotional outburst (which is also uncharacteristic of her and demonstrates her desperation for his approval), she becomes afraid. It's evident in her expression, marking the first time we witness such vulnerability from her. She understands her father's capabilities and what he has inflicted upon Zuko. She fears she might be next if she stops pleasing her father. A fear which, in her mind, is about to become a reality the moment her father doesn‘t want her to accompany him. And let‘s be real. The title of FL is an empty one at this point. Azula just fails to realizes that because she is desperate enough to accept any kind of validation from her father. Zuko's scars are visible on the outside, while Azula's scars are on the inside.
"Really?" That's just sad. He's effectively telling her she's the man of the house for the weekend, and sharp, people person, perfect Azula is so blinded by her desperate need for a parent's affection that she's willing to believe it.
She could've had Iroh's guidance just as well, but she never wanted it. The first time in the series they reunited she screamed at him to shut up the moment he opened his mouth "don't interrupt me uncle:" She referred to him as "his royal tealoving cookiness" as a 10 year old. Azula detested Iroh since day one and never would've been open to him.
Also, the reason Zuko was so sure that his uncle would hate him is because the last time he disappointed a supposed parent, he got scarred for life. All he's ever known from his dad is someone who treats him like trash, so he couldn't even fathom a dad figure being forgiving. I'm a foster parent and I can tell you I see that all the time with my boys. They don't understand my normal reactions sometimes because all they've ever seen is fear and anger.
There was a comic set during the finale that had Toph and Bumi sparing to see who was the better earth bender, and it actually ended in a draw because they had to be stopped due to how much destruction they were causing.
In the other canon ATLA media (comics, chapter books, etc) it's believed that Yangchen is heralded as the best Avatar- the most ideal- THEE standard. Kuruk and Kyoshi both acknowledged that Yangchen was the kind of Avatar they wanted to be.
I found Avatar Yangchen’s wisdom the most interesting. She acknowledges that for the world to work you can’t be bound to one set of morals or ethics. She believes that killing is wrong, but she still counsels Aang to end Ozai’s life.
THIS!!! Like yes she was super wise and a pacifist but when it came down to it SHE NEVER BACKED DOWN FROM A FIGHT SND WOULD CLEAR EVERY TIME!!! A lot of people forget she brought on 200+ years of peace during her era and afterwards
This series is one of my favorites and I am looking forward to seeing adult Aang in the animated movies they are developing. I also really hope you guys watch Legend of Korra, is not as good as The Last Airbender but I also love the series, it has somewhat more adult themes and the ANIMATION GOES CRAZY!
Thank you for such an enjoyable watch along. I know this isn't the finale episode yet. But I love how much passion you both have for this show, It has been with me since I was a kid. It's just nice to see how many people still will be able to find and kindle a new love for this show as well.
Many people don't understand why he is THAT conflicted about killing Ozai. I think it would have helped a lot if they made Aang say something along the lines of that considering he the last Airnomad and pacifism being one of if not the the core value of them, if he executes the Firelord, Sozin would have won at last, because by tainting himself, their culture would be spiritually gone for good. It would have also validated Ozai's approach of "might makes right" by lettin his ideology come out on top.
Fun fact: while the gaang was with the white lotus in ba sing se, toph and bumi faced off to see who was more powerful. There's a comic about it. Actually you guys should react to the comics as well 😀
@@bella-op2tt Spoiler for anyone that hasn’t read it. It ended in a tie. They made so much noise they had to stop because they thought the Fire Nation might find them.
If you haven't seen it yet you may want to add 'The Dragon Prince' to your list for things to watch in the future. It's made by the same people and Sokka's VA has a major role in it. Just like ATLA there are occasionally some heavy emotional scenes during a quest to save the world.
Avatar Yangchens words to Hang is one of the most sublime and ominous moments int he episode. It just makes you tear. Such a short appearance and yet soooo perfect.
In the comics, Toph and Bumi had an Earthbending fight and Sokka’s the referee. They werent able to beat each other and they caused too much destruction, so they called it quits
To be fair, the team's plan to wait would have been okay-ish if there wasn't that info from Zuko. Assuming nothing big would happen on the day of the comet, Aang just needed to become a fully realized avatar, hopefully figure out the avatar state and then he could just walk in on the fire lord and glow it up Roku-style (without leaving himself open again). But the thing is, Roku never gave Aang full context as to why Sozin's Comet was the deadline. He said the war would be finished by then, but never said how. It's actually curious how Roku comes by that information; like what fortune-telling spirit told Roku what was going to happen? Similarly, how did Koh know that Zhao was going to kill the koi fish? Mysterious place, that spirit world. But perhaps that's where people like Aunt Wu source their information from.
Just wanted to say that I've loved watching you guys experience one of, if not my most, my favorite shows ever! And just a neat side note: I'm American, and until recently, I haven't seen a lot of Australian youtubers. I subbed here and suddenly found a lot more through the recs, which has been a really cool thing. It's interesting to see how alike but yet different our cultures seem to be. A great example is that I noticed that all of you guys say, "Far out!" Which isn't heard much here in the states anymore. Though, I grew up in the 80's, so I heard it a bit then, mostly by my parents' generation. It seems to also have a different connotation! Here it's basically like a more extreme form of "awesome". Like, "Wow, that's so cool, I almost don't believe it! It's out of this world amazing!" And thus, "far out". It was especially popular where I grew up, in The San Fernando Valley. Which is the real name of The Valley... As in THE Valley. Like, the one that spawned "The Valley Girl" trope 😂 And no. We don't talk quite like that. But we do kinda sound a bit like Bill and Ted. (Btw, if you haven't seen "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure" you absolutely should. It's a hilarious classic! Though a more realistic view of what Valley life was like, at least at its height in the 80's, "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" is * chef's kiss * 😆 Anyway, thanks for sharing this journey with us! Can't wait to see the 2nd half!
Remember Toph couldn't really bend in sand back during "The Library" and "The Desert". Those challenges showed her she needed to broaden her skills so it doesn't happen again.
This isn't the first time the lion turtle is mentioned in the show. We see it every time in the opening all the way back in season 1 episode 2. When aang rides his airball into a statue it's a lion turtle. The Library episode aang is sitting on the floor and says look at these lion turtles. And sokas master has statues in his garden of lion turtles and mentioned sokka as a lion turtle.
Still doesn't foreshadow them being able to give a magical ability and completely new style of bending that is literally never mentioned even once in the entire show aside from after it has already been used.
@@ZeallustImmortal it's not magic it's bending and not bending the element it's bending energy which was shown multiple times. Iroh saying it when he says it comes from the breath and which becomes energy which extends past your limbs into fire. Or when he's showing Zuko how to redirect lightning. Guru was talking about energy too
@@davidhansen9792 Mentioning energy doesn't imply that energy bending exists, or that it can take away bending. The Guru point almost works, but not really. His talk about the elements is the closest thing we get to even a slight hint of energy bending.
The running theory is that Nyla couldn't find Aang because the Lion Turtles are ancient beings, and have kind of always been there (at least as long as Nyla has been alive) so they're masking Aang's smell
@@kosmodome47 yep we have to avoid making comments like that. they can't know anything beyond the episodes they have seen, it will mess up the reactions for everyone watching since they read these comments. if people want to discuss spoiler content thats what the ATLA channel in our community discord is for.
Intersting note Kyoshi lived to be the oldest Avatar and Kurik died the youngest, and the time placement of Koh stealing Kurik's girls face is off. He said 800-900 years ago but Kruik was alive roughly 500 years before Aang
Good touch on looking like Zuko and katara since the Showdown between Zuko and katara vs azula is nothing short of breathtaking. Truly one of my favorite animated fight scenes
I always loved the moment at 18:20 when Sokka takes the lead and everyone sits around and listens. They really respect Sokka as the field commander of the team. Even Iroh asks Sokka what he thinks the plan should be, and agrees.
@@saffronique Yep. Def a retcon. One that kinda has some issues too. "Prince Zuko, I didn't know you were skilled with broadswords" "I'm not, those are antiques, just decorative" The blue spirit disguise wouldn't have worked near as well if Zuko was trained, and I can't imagine the royal family would keep him being trained a secret from Zhao.
@ZeallustImmortal I don't think that's too big a hole. I doubt they would keep it secret on purpose, but like, there's no reason for them to advertise it either, especially to someone like Zhao, who the show seems to imply has clawed his way up from a relatively normal ranked soldier in the army, would have this as common knowledge. Piandao probably would have been invited (ordered) to the palace to train Zuko anyways. I think the bigger hole is Zuko not reacting at all when they meet in The Old Masters lol
@@saffronique I'm mean I agree, the old masters in the biggest indicator that it's a retcon. I was just giving another example of why it may not quite work.
absolultely love your reaction to yangchen. she knows precisely aang's predicament and knows what to say. the "selfless duty" line is one of the best in the series.
Kinda cool how much the gang has really come to trust Zuko. When he starts attacking Aang, no one is really concerned. Considering where they started, that's cool to see. My two big "complaints" (though take that word lightly) about this show is I would have loved to see Zuko with the gang longer and more of Iroh in s3. But Iroh and Zuko's reunion was perfect and Zuko's redemption arc was also perfect, so maybe I just want my cake and to eat it too.
Jun is voiced by Jennifer Hale she also plays Kyoshi. She is a prolific voice actress, Once you listen to her voice and start playing video games and watching cartoons you realize just how massive her body of work really is. Remember the line from HALO 4, "I thought you'd be taller"...Jennifer Hale.
One thing I thought was beautiful about iroh forgiving zuko, is that the last time we saw zuko cry and beg for forgiveness was to his father, so I like to think thats why iroh hugged him so fast. Alao a theory i had that makes ozai far more messed up. Your zuko face paint made me realize how ozai probably aimed directly at zukos face, and im guessing zuko flinched and moved last minute and got the side of his face burned, ozai doesnt seem like tbe type to aim for the side of zukos face, he was probably gonna kill zuko if he zuko didnt move. Zukos story is tragic.
A small detail i really like, is when Zuko starts attacking Aang, its not "Zuko betrayed us!" or "We trusted you!" its "Zuko's gone crazy!" and "You couldve hurt Aang" it really shows how far they've come in trusting Zuko
Ahhh I’m finally about to catch up to the finale!!! But idk if anyones mentioned it but little fun fact the Lion Turtles are mentioned wayyy back in book 2 “The Library” episode 😋 46:47
About Zuko being able to hold his own against Azula. We have seen Zuko train tirelessly for a long time now while only seeing Azula train once when we are introduced to her (when we find out about lightning). I like to believe that Azula hasn't been training near as much as Zuko has and that this naturally makes a big difference as well.
exactly. it's a recurring theme that natural talent is useful and works early on but is no match for hard work - it's the same thing that happened when katara and aang were learning water bending. zuko has been constantly struggling, training with iroh, learning new techniques and new bending styles, learning from the original source, while if azula has been training at all she's probably just been doing it with the twins and practicing the technique over and over again.
@tabaxi Azula is more powerful than Zuko though. They fought in the comics after Azula regained her sanity and Azula won. The only reason why Zuko had the upper hand in the finale of the show was because Azula lost her marbels.
The focus in the show was never azula, they normally only show her when are near the avatar team, she can be train all the other time. We don’t see toph training nether. Its just don’t need to show every episode people training
Remember back in the desert library episode and Aang was reading the book about the lion turtle and Spartan said something along the lines of "Aang never on topic" and here it is, very on topic 😂
When it comes to Yangchen she seems to prove that Guru Pathik wasn't entirely right when he told Aang he had to let go of his attachments since Yangchen said that the Avatar cannot detach themselves from the world. The lessons he taught Aang were good and Aang definitely needed it, but in the end the Guru was doing only what he knew which was air nomad stuff (since he was a spiritual brother to the nomads and knew Monk Gyatso) but he didn't know Avatar stuff. Kinda similar to how the Sun Warriors prove that Jeong Jeong wasn't right about fire bending only bringing destruction and pain and yet he still gave Aang much needed lessons in other ways (discipline and patience).
I think you both did great on the costumes! I’m so excited to finally get y’all’s reaction on the finale. It’s bitter sweet because I know it’s the end of an era….
Oh shit! I didn't even realize until you said "gotcha didn't we?" Then I looked, and WOW! might not look EXACTLY like the characters, but you guys captured their essence for SURE!
I think Kyoshi was bullheaded-aggressive while Yangchen was more pragmatic-aggressive. Tho both share these qualities since they're the same person lol
I felt Zuko asked Katara to work with him on the mission against Azula because in his heart, he feared he couldn’t hurt his sister, despite everything she had done to him and to others. He had seen Katara fight and respected her water-bending mastery.
Heres what I took from all four of the past Avatars and the Lion Turtle with what they had to say. If you think about their bits of wisdom you get a message. Roku said 'Be decisive', Kyoshi said 'Justice will bring peace', Kuruk said 'You must forge your own destiny' and Yangchen said 'do what is necessary even if it goes against your beliefs'. And the Lion Turtle said 'light will always triumph over dark as long as you dont let it overcome you'. Put them together and heres what you get as the message to Aang: While only you can forge your own destiny, you must be decisive about your course of action. For they not only impact you but will impact the world as well. Even if it means sacrificing everything you ever believed in, justice must win in order for peace to return. But dont forget who you are lest you let the darkness overcome you; stay strong and nothing can overcome you.
