The best antagonists of Avatar: The Last Airbender

Avatar the Last Airbender was a great show that's hard to forget for how culturally refined it was for its time. As one of the best cartoons of all time, Avatar managed to be so universal that it was enjoyed by all ages, and one of the best qualities of this show was the world-building.

Related

Netflix's Avatar The Last Airbender: Best Episodes, Ranked

Which episodes live up to the legend?

With all the different types of bending and incredibly deep character building, the villains of Avatar the Last Airbender are hard to forget. Even temporary villains who only lasted one episode left an impact on you, with some villains later becoming the good guys too. Regardless, these villains were some of the best parts of the show, and it's hard to imagine how well Avatar would fare without some of these characters. They must be properly adapted to Netflix TV series.

10

Long Feng

Ba Sing Se controlled by the shadows

Long Feng in Ba Sing Se in Avatar the Last Airbender.

As the chief manipulator of the Dai Li, Long Feng operated in the shadows, controlling Ba Sing Se by manipulating the Earth King. His ability to wield propaganda and suppress dissent through fear made him a terrifying villain, especially in how he made sure the people of Ba Sing Se didn't know about the Hundred Year War.

Although his eventual downfall came at the hands of Azula, his sinister influence on Ba Sing Se remains one of the series' most memorable story arcs. The iconic phrase that there is no war in Ba Sing Se continues to play in the back of every Avatar fan's head.

9

The combustion man

An explosive new type of firebending

Combustion man posing and reading a note in Avatar.

The introduction of Combustion Man brought a fresh and terrifying new element to the series with his unique firebending technique. His ability to create explosive explosions with precision made him one of the scariest villains of the final season. As the assassin tasked by Zuko with eliminating the Avatar, he would have succeeded if Zuko himself hadn't joined Team Avatar at that point.

He didn't say a single word and his presence alone was enough. Unlike most villains, his lack of dialogue made his actions speak louder, and while he was easily defeated, his legacy was carried on as we got a new villain capable of combustion bending in the Legend of Korra.

8

Mai and Ty Lee

Azula's most trusted companions

Mai and Tylee accompany Azula in capturing Aang in Avatar the Last Airbender.

Azula's childhood friends and most trusted soldiers brought their unique abilities to bear, making them stand out as memorable villains who never needed to bend the elements to be fearsome. Mai's knife skills were unmatched, and Ty Lee had dangerous chi blocking abilities that were passed on to the next generation in the Legend of Korra.

Together, they complemented Azula and became a fearsome trio without which Azula could never have conquered Ba Sing Se. Their betrayal and eventual defection by Azula pushed her over the edge, but also showed their humanity, making them much more than just one-dimensional sidekicks.

7

Koh the face thief

The spirit who held a multi-generational grudge against the Avatar

Koh, the Face Stealer, faces Aang in Avatar, the Last Airbender.

As one of Avatar: The Last Airbender's creepiest villains, Koh exists on a plane completely removed from the physical world. He only appears temporarily in the series, but also makes an appearance in the Legend of Korra. His ability to steal the faces of those who show emotion in his presence creates an incredibly disturbing and horrifying atmosphere.

Koh's grudge against past Avatars has made him a villain, but his cryptic words and disturbing design leave a lasting impression, cementing him as one of the most unique antagonists to appear, very briefly, in the series.

6

Hama

The inventor of the bloodbending

Hama from Avatar, the last airbender, smiles eerily.
via: latestcomiccon.com

The character of Hama represents the darker side of bending, introducing the strangely interesting yet terrifying concept of bloodbending. As a survivor of the destruction of the Southern Water Tribe, her backstory explains her bitterness, and her descent into evil is deeply disturbing.

Related

Avatar: The Last Airbender – 6 Easter eggs and references in the Netflix show

Did you notice these Easter eggs in Netflix's live-action ATLA adaptation?

Hama's fight with Katara is not only a battle of Waterbending but also a mental battle, with Hama trying to drag Katara into her distorted worldview. Her character forces both Katara and the viewer to confront the moral implications of power and what necessity generates in times of war. This morally ambiguous episode that showcased her was one of the best of the Avatar series.

5

Sozin

The man who started the Hundred Years' War

Sozin talks to Avatar Roku in Avatar the Last Airbender.

Sozin was the man who started one of the darkest ages in the Avatar world, the Hundred Year War. His ambition to extend Fire Nation rule across the world led to unimaginable destruction, including the genocide of the Air Nomads.

What makes Sozin such a compelling villain is his relationship with Avatar Roku. Initially friends, their divergent paths and Sozin's betrayal add emotional weight to his story. His actions not only shaped the world Aang inherited, but also set the stage for generations of conflict, cementing him as one of the series' most impactful villains, even if he only appeared in glimpses of the past.

4

Admiral Zhao

The man knew no limits to his violence

Admiral Zhao faces Zuko in Avatar, the Last Airbender.

Zhao's arrogance and ambition made him one of the series' most despicable villains. His pursuit of the Avatar, manipulation of events, and his unholy attack on the Moon Spirit demonstrated that Zhao's willingness to do anything for power had no limits.

His overconfidence ultimately led to his downfall, but not before leaving an indelible mark on the world. Zhao's death is a classic story of someone's arrogance, and he is punished by being kept in the spirit realm and tortured, as we see in the Legend of Korra.

3

Fire Lord Ozai

The big bad of the last airbender

Fire Lord Ozai hides his face in the shadows - Avatar The Last Airbender

Fire Lord Ozai is the final villain of the series and is only talked about until the final season. He is cold and calculating, and his main goal is to live up to Sozin's reputation by expanding the Fire Nation's borders. What makes him particularly evil is how little he cares about his own family. He manipulates Zuko and Azula to maintain his power and does not hesitate to cast them aside when they are no longer useful.

Related

10 best anime for kids

From Dragon Ball to Pokemon, here are the best anime shows for kids!

His plan to use Sozin's Comet to burn the Earth Kingdom shows how far he is willing to go. Ozai is the kind of villain you love to hate, and his final showdown with Aang is the perfect climax to the series.

2

Azula

The maniacal princess who holds the feat of almost ending the Avatar line

Princess Azula as she appears in Avatar: The Last Airbender

Azula is one of the show's most unforgettable villains, and for good reason. He is a firebending prodigy, showcased with his iconic blue flames. What sets Azula apart is not just her raw power, but her ability to manipulate people.

But beneath his terrifying exterior is someone deeply broken. As the series progresses, we see cracks in his sanity, and his descent into paranoia is both tragic and incredibly cinematic. Azula isn't just a villain; she is THE villain and without her the Avatar series wouldn't be as iconic as it was.

1

Zuko

One of the best villain-to-hero redemption arcs of all time

Zuko talks to Sokka in Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Zuko's arc is one of the best redemption stories ever written. He starts out as a villain, desperate to capture the Avatar and regain his father's approval. But right from the start, you can see that he's more than just a bad guy.

His internal conflict, his moments of doubt, and his relationship with his uncle Iroh make him one of the most layered multidimensional characters in the series. Watching Zuko struggle, grow, and ultimately find his path is incredibly satisfying. When he joins Team Avatar, you root for him as much as you would any hero.

Next

10 Best Cartoon Network Shows

Cartoon!

Leave a Comment