Avatar has been one of the most intriguing animated series that has masterfully incorporated fiction with gripping imagery. It follows the story of an airbender named Aang and his journey in learning his role as the Avatar. The storyline did not witness many deaths.
However, the few that occurred were heartbreaking enough to leave a mark. Irrespective of the character's motives, their death left an effect on many other characters and their arcs throughout the series. Whether it was a mass genocide, a soldier falling in the line of duty, or the death of a tyrant leader, these deaths contributed significantly to the plot.
10 Kya Was Killed To Spare The Life Of Her Daughter, Katara
Sokka and Katara's mother, Kya, belonged to the Southern Water Tribe. When the Southern Raiders attacked their village, Yon Rha, the leader of the Southern Raiders, found Kya in her home. He was interrogating her about the identity of the last waterbender. To protect her daughter Katara, who went on to become a great waterbender, Kya declared herself as the last waterbender and was subsequently killed by Yon Rha.
Kya's death affected Sokka and Katara greatly. They both grew to distrust the residents of the Fire Nation, Katara went on to have visions of her mother, but they both eventually made peace with their mother's passing. Her death had a major impact on the decisions that Sokka and Katara made which shaped the storyline.
9 The Air Nomads Were Taken Out In Mass Genocide
Aang belonged to the Air Nomads, and due to the upcoming war, he was told that he was the next Avatar at the early age of 12. When he found out that they were going to send him to the Eastern Air Temple to finish his training, he ran away along with his bison, Appa. They were caught in a storm, and this resulted in them crashing into the water. This made Aang enter the Avatar state, and he ended up freezing himself and Appa in a block of ice for the next hundred years.
However, during this time, Fire Lord Sozin attacked the Southern Air Temple in search of the next Avatar and committed mass genocide by killing every Air Nomad. Learning about the genocide and finding his mentor, Monk Gyatso's remains along with the remains of the other Air Nomads significantly impacted Aang and his Avatar journey.
8 Princess Yue Gave Her Life Back To The Moon Spirit
Princess Yue, daughter of Chief Arnook, was gifted by the Moon Spirit, Tui. During the Siege of the Northern Water Tribe by Admiral Zhao, he struck the mortal form of the Moon Spirit, turning it into a blood moon and leaving the waterbenders powerless. To reverse this, Yue sacrificed herself and gave her life back to the Moon Spirit.
Sokka and Yue had fallen in love before her death. Yue's spirit visited Sokka and told him that she would always be with him before parting ways. Sokka felt guilty for a while about not being able to protect Yue, and his future actions were also reminiscent of his love for Yue.
7 Lu Ten Was Mortally Wounded During The Siege Of Ba Sing Se
Lu Ten was one of the most cunning people in the entire series. He was a soldier in the Fire Army and served under his father's command during the Siege of Ba Sing Se. He shared a strong bond with his father right from his childhood which remained throughout his adult life. During the Siege, he was mortally wounded and passed away even before General Iroh was even informed.
Lu Ten's death caused General Iroh to be heartbroken and abandon the Siege of Ba Sing Se. Iroh's younger brother, Ozai, saw this as an opportunity to usurp the throne from Iroh. After some struggle, Ozai was able to claim the throne without any challenges from Iroh due to the devastation caused to him by his son's death. Lu Ten's death impacted Iroh's personality greatly and made him calmer and more accepting.
6 Avatar Roku Was Abandoned By Sozin As His Homeland Burned Down
Many years after the fight between Roku and Lord Sozin, Roku's home island was engulfed in a violent volcanic eruption. During this, Roku used his bending skills to guide the inhabitants out of danger while trying to contain the damage. He, however, lost hope after a second volcano erupted until Sozin arrived and offered assistance. Both of them used their powers to minimize the damage although the poisonous fumes chased them to the mountainside.
Roku used his airbending powers to protect Sozin from the dangerous gas while harming himself. When Roku asked for help, Sozin abandoned him to fulfill his plans of taking over the other three kingdoms. Devastated by his friend's decision, Roku realized and accepted his fate of an inexorable death. His loyal companion, Fang the dragon, stayed by his side until the very end. Fang curled up around Roku while the island burned around them. Avatar Roku's death led to the beginning of the Hundred Year War.
5 Jet Was Fatally Injured By Long Feng
Former leader of the Freedom Fighters, Jet, was trying to start a new life in Ba Sing Se. On the ship, he met Zuko and his Uncle Iroh. He grew suspicious of them belonging to the Fire Nation and ended up attacking. This led to him being taken away by the Dai Li to a secret location which later turned out to be their secret headquarters. There, he was brainwashed into forgetting the war.
Following his incident, he ran into Katara, Aang, and Sokka who were searching for Appa. Shortly after their time together, they realized that Jet had been brainwashed and was being used in a plot to lure Aang away from Ba Sing Se. After reaching the secret headquarters, a fight ensued with the Dai Li where Jet was severely injured by Long Feng, leading to his death.
4 Lord Azulon Was Poisoned By Ozai & Ursa
After General Iroh abandoned the Siege of Ba Sing Se, his younger brother Ozai saw this as an opportunity to take the throne. However, instead of giving the throne to Ozai, Lord Azulon became furious and punished Ozai by asking him to kill his firstborn, Zuko.
In order to save her son, Ursa, Ozai's wife, made a deal with Ozai and created an odorless, colorless poison that was fed to Lord Azulon by Ozai. This resulted in the former's death, and the latter assumed the throne. Ozai ended up being the Fire Lord in the final years of the Hundred Year War before being defeated by Avatar Aang.
3 Admiral Zhao Was Pulled Down To This Death By The Moon Spirit
Admiral Zhao led the Siege on the Northern Water Tribe and killed the mortal form of the Moon Spirit, Tui. This caused the Ocean Spirit, La, to fuse with Aang in his Avatar state and destroy multiple Fire Nation ships. Zuko and Zhao fought each other while the others worked on reviving the Moon Spirit, which eventually happened after Princess Yue sacrificed herself.
Once the Moon Spirit was revived, shining water tentacles grabbed Zhao and pulled him down, leading everyone to believe that he has drowned. Although Zuko tried helping him, Zhao refused to take his hand and met his fate.
2 Tarrlok Set Off An Explosion On Their Boat To Kill Both Noatak & Himself
Sons of crime lord Yakone, Tarrlok and Noatak were trained by their father after he was forced into exile by Avatar Aang. Noatak ran away from home and assumed the role of Amon, a mysterious terrorist. He continued his crimes until Korra revealed his true identity and he was forced to flee along with his brother Tarrlok.
Once they reached the middle of the ocean, Noatak tried talking to Tarrlok about his future plans. Tarrlok, however, set off an explosion on the boat that killed them both.
1 Avatar Wan
Wan was the first Avatar. He was banned from his home and was ordered to live in the Spirit Wilds after he attempted a raid on the Chou Palace. He was initially rejected by the spirits, although after seeing his selflessness, he was protected by the Aye-Aye Spirit. He befriended the other spirits and trained himself in the art of bending. As the Avatar, he tried very hard to bring peace until his last breath. His death gave rise to the Avatar Cycle which ensured the passing of his powers and eventually helped bring about peace.
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