Unsolved Mysteries in Avatar: The Last Airbender

Popular animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender is renowned for its captivating storylines and well-developed characters. However, some questions remain unresolved, leaving fans curious and eager for more answers. In this article, we dive into some of the most intriguing mysteries from the series.

The Avatar State

First, there’s the enigma of the Avatar State itself. The term has shifted over the series: initially described as a combined force of all Avatars, then characterized by a random spirit lady. The precise definition and the exact capability of this state remain ambiguous. What exactly is the Avatar State? Is it a combination of the past Avatars or a separate entity entirely? How powerful is the state? Does it provide a significant boost, and if so, to what extent? What happens to the Avatar when in this state? For instance, Aang stops aging during his episodes in the state. Is it limited to agelessness, or does it affect other biological processes as well? Can the Avatar gain the ability to embody other people or alter their appearance?

Energybending

Suki: Where’d She Go?

Airbender Warrior Suki is a beloved character, but her ultimate fate remains shrouded in mystery. The series ends with her alive but off-screen, with no concrete explanation for her disappearance. Some theories suggest that she passed away, while others propose that she moved to Kyoshi Island or eventually reunited with her ex-boyfriend Azulon.

Did Suki die or did she move on after the events of Avatar: The Last Airbender? Was she married and left? Was she with someone else before or after the main story? Did Sokka and Suki have any children? What led to her leaving the action and her absence in the series finale?

Animal Hybrids

The series introduces several mixed animals, such as the hybrid bison that Appa is. These animals are a bit of a puzzle, and their origin is not entirely clear. Here are some questions that arise:

How did these animals come to be? Are they all descendants of the same ancestor, or is hybridization a more common occurrence in the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender? Are the lion turtle and other animals of equal importance to the turtle family, or do they represent a unique lineage? Why are there so many different types of hybrids rather than just the regular animals?

Animal Benders

Some animals in the series have the ability to bend their element, such as the lion turtles. However, the process and the reasons behind this are not entirely understood. Here are some open questions: How did animal benders come to be? Were they born with the ability, or was it granted by the lion turtles? Why don’t other animals, such as fish or polar bears, have the ability to bend water, despite being close cousins, like the fish?

Unexplained Characters

Characteristics of certain characters are heavily underexplored. One such character is the mysterious Combustion Bender, whose identity and origin are unknown.

Who is the Combustion Bender, and how did he come to possess such an extraordinary ability? Why does he utilize his ability, and what does his eye signify? Is his eye part of his core makeup, or is it a tool used for his technique?

Lightning Bending

Iroh’s explanation of lightning bending as a separation of positive and negative charges raises more questions than it answers. Here are some queries:

Which charge does Iroh use to release lightning, and what happens if he uses the opposite charge? Is the explosion seen in the finale a possible origin of Combustion Bending?

Aang the Vegetarian

Aang's strict adherence to vegetarianism comes into question when he is seen killing a giant wasp. This raises ethical and philosophical debates within the fan community.

Does Aang's vegetarianism apply to all living things, or is it a selective philosophy? Should Aang’s actions be excused, considering the potential loss of a friend? Do Aang’s thoughts reflect regret over this action, and how does it affect his moral compass? Was he justified in stepping on the nest, or should he have considered the consequences?

Spirit Guide

Appa and other animals serve as spirit guides for the Avatars in their past lives. The series doesn't delve deeply into the spiritual significance of these attachments. Here are some intriguing questions: Are the spirit animals reincarnated with the Avatar, or are they chosen for the role? What criteria are used to select these spirit guides? Can the Avatar choose their own spirit guide, or are the animals selected based on their bond with the Avatar? What happens to the spirit animal when the Avatar's life ends, and do they reincarnate alongside the Avatar?

In conclusion, Avatar: The Last Airbender is a series full of fascinating elements and characters. Despite its well-crafted storylines, some mysteries remain unsolved, captivating the imagination and inspiring endless debates among fans.