This show is practically flawless. From it's character building, the extreme detail placed in it's world along with clothing choices and different bending styles for the 4 nations, to the music.
It is irrefutably one of the greatest TV shows of all time. Never before have I been so invested in a series. I'm currently re-watching it right now - something I think I'll be doing throughout my life. It's also the only TV show I have ever felt genuinely sad about it ending.
It is irrefutably one of the greatest TV shows of all time. Never before have I been so invested in a series. I'm currently re-watching it right now - something I think I'll be doing throughout my life. It's also the only TV show I have ever felt genuinely sad about it ending.
GottaloveMuse1 this show was part of my late childhood, and only now do i realize the true beauty and detailing inside the concept. I will now join you in the re-watching!
This scene with Zuko and Azula is absolute perfection - instead of this heroic action music playing as Zuko finally defeats her it's this sad reflection that this is a battle that should never have happened in the first place. If it weren't for Katara Zuko would have probably killed Azula with redirected lightening which would have been so tragic for both of them. I'm not sure there will ever be another series like this one, so fantastic and heartfelt.
Not to mention its actually really sad the way Azula fell apart. Throughout the series she's been shown as this cold, sharp-minded (teenage) girl with no remorse. Really cut from the same cloth as her father. Which is why its so tragic to see her downfall. Not the epic, dignified defeat one would expect for her. Instead we see her mind behind to just fall apart in the time before the Agni Kai; most likely triggered by the betrayal of Mai and Ty Lee. I get the feeling Azula was always mentally unstable to some degree, but not to such an extent as in the final episodes. And then at the end of the fight, when she's chained up it shows her sobbing uncontrollably and it was rather harrowing to watch. I wont ever sympathise with Azula, and I dont think that was ever the intention. Pity however...I really pity Azula a lot.
I felt the opposite. Everyone anticipated that Zuko and Azula would eventually settle their rivalry once and for all. So I didn't expect a heroic theme either. We see Fire for what it truly is during this special moment. As Zuko and Azula displayed Agni-Kai in its fullest because of Sozin's Comet. This is their people's tradition, and we are the audience. That is why I feel that this theme is perfect during the actual duel.
Opposite of what? It seems like we agree unless you mean "battle that shouldn't be happening" part. I knew Zuko and Azula would have a showdown but brother and sister shouldn't fight to the death. The fact that there can be no harmonious resolution to this battle is why I actually like that Zuko chooses to sacrifice himself and Katara has to neutralise Azula through cunning. If it were just Zuko against Azula and Katara wasn't there one of them would have killed the other, and it would most likely have been Azula that died.
hyperdeath84 The opposite of being a sad reflection I meant to say. When Zuko went down from sponging Azula's lightning she could've easily executed Zuko afterwards. Another good zap was all it would take, and Katara wouldn't have been able to react in time. Instead Azula focused all her attention on Katara. So either Azula was saving the best for last, or she simply sought to cripple Zuko for life.
Never has a single line so perfectly framed just how *terrible* a parent has been to both children than this one. It's not a wonder that Azula ended up the way she did, it's a miracle that Zuko was able to rise above it. As far as both their childhoods were considered, they were doomed from the womb. Truly heartbreaking.
This is why this show was so smart. Any other show would have presented this as the heroic sibling finally taking down his evil sibling and restoring honor to his nation. But this show knew what was really going on. And what was really going on was a brutal fight to the death between two teenaged siblings. One that had been abused all his life and one who had never been loved all her life. Theres nothing heroic about this. This is just messed up and sad and the music reflect this.
giantWario As much as I hated Azula for how perfect and ruthless she is, I couldn't fully hate her after the Last Agni Kai. She was a mental disaster waiting to happen due to the way she was brought up by Ozai: to be the perfect killing machine, but never had the capacity to feel empathy for herself or for others, nor the capability of handling emotions like fear, betrayal, etc. The worst part about this is that she's only 14, and so much mental pressure was put on her at such a young age.
@@juwanbantug5465 yup. And i discovered she isn't fully a psychopath. She has a personality type called machiavellianism. To be honest i kinda have it too because i took a test and it said 64/100
@@kinga6565 She'd be on the very extreme side of Machiavellianism, though. I'm a Machiavellianist but I also believe that you have to balance such a world view with morality in order to take the benefits of Machiavellianism (observance of human nature, wisdom in handling evil and selfishness, etc) but without losing your good nature.
Azula wanted to believe that nobody ever truly loved her, because she believed that only through fear you could be respected and thus liked (loved), but her mother truly loved her, and she knew that, but she couldn't allow herself to love and be loved by others, because for her, that means weakness, thats why the memory of Ursa telling her that she loves her ends up breking her.
Never forget: Azula, like Zuko, is a direct descendant of Avatar Roku. She had every potential to have sided with Aang, ended the war, and restored balance to the world. In another universe, she probably did. Azula could have been the one to save the world from Ozai's tyranny, in place of Zuko. Alas, it was not meant to be, for Ozai had polluted her mind, and forged her into his tool of oppression, and fueled her insanity. In my mind, the most tragic villains of all are the ones who could have become heroes.
I always wish I could see what it would be like if Azula & Zuko switched. Prince Zuko, sent by his father to imprison Azula, the scarred failure of the fire nation. Later, Azula joins the Avatar. Prince Zuko then starts going crazy, having been in control, now can't control anything. having had been the better of the two siblings, now have his sister be a better person than he ever could be. Had the closest friends in the world, which then betray him. With his sanity slipping, he challenges Azula to an Agni Kai. She accepts, but then starts beating him at his own game. Zuko, desperate, cheats & strikes her. His victory doesn't last long however, as then Azula's friend restrains him. He watches in all out rage as Azula is healed. Hands chained to the floor, Zuko is left to lay there in his fueled hatred
@@TWO_THOUSAND_SEAVY_HEAVY You're right. Like Sozin, she was naturally gifted in firebending, learning to manipulate fire with effortless ease, while Zuko and Roku took time to achieve mastery over the element. Like Sozin, Azula's destiny to become Firelord is all but written, and it is the path that she has always desired, while Roku and Zuko are faced with a destiny that is thrust upon them through obligation and duty. Roku and Zuko both spend years grappling with the choices that they are forced to make, struggling to find the right answers, whereas to Sozin and Azula, the outcomes are already perfectly clear.
So many people are talking about the tragic nature of the music, but there's a second element being missed: peace. The music for the Final Agni Kai is calm. It is measured. It is almost ritualistic. It is sad, yes, but it is also serene. In the scene, even the sounds of battle are muted. The fire blasts don't erupt and explode. They breathe and woosh and release. Zuko has no more anger or rage or fear towards his sister. There is only his destiny and his inner peace. Zuko is fully realised as a firebender. He understands the source of his power, and knows that that source is not born from a place of violence or fury, but instead, simply (as Iroh had always told him) from the breath. In all of Zuko's other fights, he shouts and grunts as he tries to force his flames to come forth, but in this Agni Kai, there is no demand from Zuko. What he wills simply is. His flames aren't as large as Azula's but they are precise and measured. He is, for the first time, in full control of himself, because he is at peace with himself. It's beautiful and poetic. Zuko has grown from an anxious boy who struggled with the path laid before him, with the maelstrom of emotions that whirled and wrestled within him. Zuko is now a young man with a firm grasp of who he is. The music carries that to us, even in the depths of its sadness.
That last scene when Azula threw a fit and cried and screamed when she lost against Zuko and Katara really made me feel things because Zuko still looked like he cared and felt sorry for his sister. He looked away because he couldn't take that his sister had finally lost her mind, that it was unfortunate that her role model played a huge role in leading her to a path down to insanity.
@@reubydoobydoo1383 there is that scene where Zuko tries to rationalise why he should try to get along more with Azula but Iroh cuts him and says "no she's crazy". But tbh yeah there is little evidence of affection between them.
Without a doubt, one of my favorite scenes in the whole series. The final Zuko versus Azula---where so much more is going on than just a brother and sister fighting. It was incredible.
That's because there was never any emotional connection between Aang and Ozai, they were just the good guy vs bad guy. Don't get me wrong, it was a good fight, but they had never even met before, so there was nothing emotionally there.
The song is both beautiful and horribly tragic, its not meant to be a last stand or a fight for justice . Its a cruel and destructive end to a life time of mental and physical pain on both the teens brought about by there father. The sad fact is thst given there family history there was no way to avoid it. It was going to happen regardless. Nothing can change it. The difference in this one is azula stands alone well zuko doesnt and one is fueled with protecting his loved ones the other with pure hate.
Yes. But Don't forget that they won because Azula lost her mind. She was a real machine a perfectionist and she was closer to kill Aang than anyone ever before or after and she even killed him in the Avatar state. They are not really equal but the destruction of Azula mind has taken a huge toll on her and it was also an amazing way to see how she really is deep down and when the minor scene came up it broke my heart completely since I do know what she's going through (had the same thing) and how much it hurts her to be completely alone and unable to trust anyone even the closest friend without fear. Azula is the the most tragic character in the show and when you realize how she's only 14 it really tells you how she was a victim instead of the hunter we always knew. Avatar has the one of the best and one of the deepest stories ever and most people don't even realize it. But maybe it's better this way.
In some ways I feel Azula had it just as worse or even more horrid than Zuko because although Zuko was branded and burned by his father and then kicked out into the world to go 'regain his honor' and was completely mentally destroyed- he had Iroh guiding him to the right path the entire time. Loving him, teaching him, healing him. He had Ursa's love in his heart- had the precious memories of her nurturing him and loving him and protecting him from his father. When she vanished- it was to protect him. What did Azula have? She was doomed from the start having her mind poisoned by her father, jealous of Zuko because her mother seemed to love him more, hating him because even though she was a prodigy who took down an entire kingdom on her own at 14 years- everyone gravitated towards Zuko. The only person who gave a damn about her was Zuko himself and yet this battle has them forced to fight to the death because of their horrible family history- this war was never supposed to be there's to fight and it's a miracle in a way that in the end both of them didn't die- and instead of executing his sister Zuko tried to get her treatment but it didnt work she was still in isolation and tortured by her own *mind*. Even her own *mind* turned against her- after she lost everyone she trusted and her dad abandoned her and she felt like her mom hated her she couldn't even be free from her own mind falling apart and basically destroyed herself. And its ironic how Azula stayed loyal to her father and her country until the very end and still lost her title and her friends and her family and her mind while Zuko was banished, turned against his father (which I dont blame him for obs) and he is seen as a traitor and sided with the 'enemy' and yet he's the new Fire Lord and considered a savior by the people- no wonder Azula hates him. Ursa seemed loved him more. Iroh loved him more. Ozai payed a a strange amount of attention to a son who he seems to 'hate', Mai loves Zuko more than she 'fears' Azula, and the most loyal to Azula of all (Ty Lee) turned on her and knocked her down when she was already reeling from another betrayal. Her mind snapped when she was all alone- remember that she was only *14* years old- Zuko was 2 years older than her- they were children during this entire feud. But in the end I feel horrible for Azula and Zuko because they have the most complex and messed up relationship and you know if it had been in a different time and a different place they may have actually grown to love each other without having to be pitted against each other. I was so mad when Iroh believed in Zuko- yet that wise old man completely gave up on Azula. Like hypocrite much? She was just a child! A crazy child but that was because of your evil little brother corrupting her as a kid- why couldn't you have saved her too??? I wish Iroh had tried to reach Azula before Ozai's influence poisoned her mind and turned her into a mentally ill perfectionist who can't even function in normal society- she didn't know how to be a normal teenage girl because her father literally turned her into a killing machine. I truly fell in love with her character in the comics because you see how tragic she is when Zuko finally tells her to her face that he loves her and that will never change. Too bad we don't get to see what happens to her or how she lives out the rest of her life. She is free from the mental asylum but she isn't free from her own mind no matter what because she hasn't gotten the proper treatment and Zuko sure as hell hasn't shown any sign of knowing her whereabouts.
Iroh had no chance to get through to Azula. How can you get close to a person who idolizes her own abuser? He didn't hate her either. He simply knew Azula was beyond his ability to save. Zuko almost was as well, and Iroh went to prison believing he failed to save even the boy he had focused on. There's no way an old man still grieving the loss of his son can save two kids from the King. Azula is an unfortunate casualty, but Ozai is fully to blame. Perhaps in another world, she could had been saved. But we as humans are limited in ability. That is why this is a sad theme in a final fight. Zuko had to accept that Azula was beyond saving, and fight her to the death despite him loving her from the bottom of his heart. Make no mistake, Azula was a victim in all this but she was also an extremely strong firebender whose loyalty for Ozai was unquestionable. Her cruelty would had seen a lot of lives lost. If saving her was beyond his abilities, then she needed to die. Thankfully they found a way to imprison her, but they're just not equipped with the right tools or abilities to treat her. Just like we didn't have antibiotics to deal with the Black Plague.
Well, her own mother thinks she's a monster, and her father is evil and the only way for her to have friends is if she controls them with fear. All because of her childhood...
I agree with original post. Look at the situation: both Zuko and Azula desperately seek their father's approval and by extension love in their mother's absence. Azula is gifted at Firebending which makes Ozai favour her and she is rewarded for behaving the way he wants her to until she is the person we meet in Book 2. Zuko, in a strange way, was lucky he was banished as he was able to see the world as it really is and had the guiding hand of Iroh to help him become the man he is by the end of Book 3. Azula's only support was from Ozai which is hardly going to lead to her being a good person. All her relationships are based on fear and manipulation and when those things no longer work and her own father leaves her behind to claim the victory she won for him on her own she snaps. When she breaks down at the end and cries I feel sorry for her, despite all the awful things she's done.
If you listen very carefully it actually sounds as if the music itself is fighting. It sounds like there are two violins, one drum and what ever it is that makes that cracking sound. The violins being the two combatants, sweeping around the battle field in harmony. The drum being the fire bursting from their fists each time they attack and the crack being the fire crackling as each blast ends and the flames fan out.
MickMaan Building on from that, in the very end of the unextended version, Zuko tries to redirect Azula's lightning and is heavily injured. The music swells during that scene, the suspense building, and when Zuko is struck, only one violin plays after that, singing a broken tune of victory and loss before Azula's insanity overwhelms it.
THIS. SCENE. Never have I ever seen so much emotion poured out without words. Between this music and the battle sounds being slightly dulled so the music has more effect just made the scene absolutely breathtaking. Between that, and the excellent show of firebending between two equally unmatched benders with completely opposite pasts and goals just made this too perfect.
I think only the thought of the show ending soon is like the emotional ice cream and this soundtrack is like a massive chunk of cream. ( why did I use a food metaphor? I don't know.)
The whole ending, with the episodes interchanging each fight with: Zuko and Azula, to Toph and Sokka destroying the blimps, and finally to Aang and Firelord Ozai, plus with the kiss that happens at the end is just fucking golden... They executed the ending of the show perfectly!
TroniicGamiing I dunno, he still seems childish by the end to me- a powerful, wise child, but childish. I don't mean that in a bad way to Aang, he IS still a kid after all. I think it would have been better to wait until he was a bit older, like in the comics. Or at the very least, not have his and Katara's last dialogue together be yelling at one another.
CampingforCool41 I'll admit, you do got a point. However, different people have different views. Your opinion is just as valid as mine, but nevertheless, its still a good opinion, if that makes any sense?
This track was perfect for this duel. The duel was always meant to be from the absolute beginning. Azula's natural skill versus Zuko's perseverance - and yet as with the music there is something silently horrifying and saddening at watching a brother and sister duel to the death. The brother having found a newfound purpose and the sister falling into a spiral of madness.
The darkness that has always driven your ambitions, your hate, and your determination, finally consumes you. All your feel is rage, and blinded lust for blood. Your not the strong person you once were. You're now a byproduct of your own hate, envy, and violence, all destroying your sanity. Power is like a wild fire. it has no control, it consumes its path. until it dies out . .
sometimes when i am bored, i fantasise about being in the world of avatar. i think of me as a firebender who was raised on kioshy island because my parents set me out (i fantasise that i am zukos twin brother and that ozai set me out because he thought i wasn´t able to firebend but he was wrong) and that my new parents are sukis parents so i would be her brother and that i trained ninjitsu with her and that when aang katara and sokka came by the island that i left with them an went with them on the journy and at the end became zukos co-firelord i think i have a problem
+KingOfTheOcean damn that would be awesome. Personally, i have had dreams of me invading a fire nation camp with waterbending. I dreamt that multiple times, although the last time was a long long time ago. Probably one of my favourite dreams ever. I wish it was real :*
Both me and my sister always found this final battle to be the most impactful. While Aang's battle with the firelord certainly contained more powerful bending, this was always an extremely emotional, and visually beautiful fight, and always stole away our attention. This music only aided that. A truly great end to what was perhaps the best arc in the Avatar series, fully showing the extent of Zuko's development as a person.
Hearing this song causes me physical pain. This scene was so sad. ;_; The way that the writers get you to understand Azula to some extent, enough to see her as a person with a round personality and just... Tear her down like this. It's just... I can't describe the sorrow this brings to me.
But that was the point! Azula felt like she was the perfect child. She knew her mother loved her even though Azula despised her. All that emotion built up quickly broke down. Zuko had learned from it thanks to his mother and uncle, which is why he became the true firelord.
The Final Agni Kai was more epic than the Aang vs Ozai fight imo. Everything was fair. Same powered element. Same skill. Same blood. And the OST was better too. Damn there won't ever be a fight like this in Korra probably.
Well, the bad guys from Book 3 of Korra are superpowered benders that want to take out the Avatar. If Korra goes full Avatar on all 4 of them, yeah it might be more even. I hope they leave that for Book 4 though. Build up the threat, so to say.
***** I'm pretty sure Bolin was everybody's favorite character in that show. Mako was cool as fuck, Bei Fong was cool as fuck, even Zaheer was a badass.. But Bolin.. He has some great character.
There will and there has Korra Mako and Bolin vs the Red Lotus (an airbender, armless waterbender earthbender/lavabender, and a combustion bender/fire bender.
I've always struggled to find a show that better exemplifies what great storytelling combined with audio and visual cojones SHOULD look like - ATLA is a masterpiece
I know it's kind of a late reply, but what about Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood? I watched it when I finished ATLA, 3 years ago. I wanted to try something else (I hadn't watched any anime back then). Since FMA:B was my ex's favourite show - still is - and there seemed to be a good plot, I gave it a try, albeit quite relunctantly at the start (I didn't understand the trend and hype around anime at the time). I was actually surprised by how good it was. The Japanese voices didn't bother me at all, if anything, they brought so much emotion into the show. I loved the soundtrack (I still listen to it from time to time). I loved the story and the way it was animated. Other shows I watched after that include Psycho Pass (plot + music ++ : scifi dystopia) and Steins;Gate (plot +++ music + : futuristic present with different time lines) and then there's Death Note (plot ++ music +++ : one guy thinks he's god and another guy tries to stop him) but that's more anchored in the present, it is much more realistic than any of the other shows. Sorry for my mistakes if I made any, my English isn't perfect. If you've already watched those shows, that's great ! If not, try it out, you might be surprised by the Japanese animation like I was ;-)
This is an unpopular opinion. But just because Death Note was WAYYYYYY too popular will not be remember as good at is REALLY is. visually, physicologicaly and audio. a total masterpiece
I was looking forward to the fight between Azula and Zuko but i thought I'd be more hyped about it. This song is just so heavy that it made the scene so much more real and intense than i thought it could. I was so emotionally twisted up I found it overwhelming. And all those feelings come back when I listen to this. What an amazing series.
this series showed that battles don'T have to be like 10 episodes long and have lots of dialogue. The thing that made the battle so intense wasn't just the music, but also the characterizations that were depicted through the fire bending. Azula grew wilder due to her psychological problems, she let herself be consumed by darkness, hence the wild uncontrollable fire bending. Zuko looked more calm, as he has finally accepted his true destiny in restoring balance to the world. His fire bending stances and his fire looked purer hence the good control of Zuko. He saw the light after all in the end.
Absolutely agreed. I'd never thought I'd be sympathetic to Azula at the start of the series, but this scene just showed what a tragic character she had become at the end when Katara and Zuko looked on with pity. Whereas Zuko seemed to be at peace with himself and no longer fighting the good vs evil within him, and had everything Azula never had. On the other hand, the fight also represented the consequences of the choices their forefathers made which lead to this tragic sibling rivalry. I don't know if we will ever see a balanced character development like this again in western animation.
Animediva72 The last Airbender fleshed out the character far more than Legend of Korra, frankly many of the characters in TLA had darker story lines and better character development.
I haven't seen LoK. I keep hearing mixed reviews about it so I'm not sure whether to give it a shot really. =/ people did say keep an open mind about it, but after particularly having high expectations after ATLA, I would be disappointed if they gave character development less attention in LoK, as in making them shallow or whatever. ATLA nailed it in the first place because of the characters and the storyline consistency. Plus, i haven't heard of any fights in LoK that was on par like the final Agni kai. Sort of a bummer really.
As a music lover, there are several aspects of this song that impress me. First is the amount of emotion it can invoke (especially if you've seen the show). You can't hear the song without feeling also the sadness of the fight and the ultimate culmination of their conflict of their entire lives. Second is how ATLA picked a song for this fight scene that was neither upbeat, nor driving like some fight songs are. Instead, they chose one that has a more steady and inevitable feel to it. As if Zuko and Azula would inevitably meet in conflict. And it works so perfectly for this scene. The scene is not rushed or frantic, and this song matches it so well. Finally, and most importantly, this song is beautiful and elegant in its simplicity. All the instruments that are needed for this song are a string quartet (if I'm hearing correctly) and a smattering of bass drums and snares (for the rim shots). Not a single wind instrument is used, but still has all the weight of a much more complex song. I'm a sucker for big orchestral arrangements like The Battle from The Chronicles of Narnia or War from Avatar (the blue people movie) but I just can't get over how this song does so much with so little. TL:DR This song is perfect for its emotion, steadiness, and most importantly, its simplicity. I could listen to this for hours.
Amen. I'd also like to add that the somber overtones underscores the tragic elements of the track and battle. As others have mentioned, this fight isn't about Zuko's honor. There's nothing heroic about it. This fight is about two teenage siblings battling to the death. One who was abused, and one who was never loved. It's incredibly tragic, upsetting, and messed up in every capacity.
Let´s add also in another ingenious part of this. If you look at the fight, the drums are in sync with zuku. While the violins duel, like Zuko and Azula, the drums are folowing Zuku, while Azula is out of sync with them. Add in the the the drums are in a breathing rythm it becomes very much subtle musical storytelling, subconciously telling us one thing. In this fight Zuku is in controll, there is no anger and rashness from him, he mastered his fire. As Iroh said, the power comes from the breath.
There was such an evolution in this show from the beginning to the end. It was never bad, but I think this series taught me what to appreciate in a genuinely good series. Zuko sought honor and only gained it when he decided to stop searching for it for the sake of having it. Azula lost her "friends", her family, and her sanity in one, and in this fight we see them both at their highest and lowest, respectively. This scene isn't any other fight scene, with upbeat, thrilling music. It's a depressing scene that wasn't written for intensity, but to establish who these characters became and what they chose to fight for, as opposed to what they had originally been assigned to fight for. Avatar was a better show than I think anybody deserved, and I think it was a privilege to have it air in my time as a child.
- Don't lecture me Zuzu. I see through the lies of Iroh. I do not fear my father as you do. I've brought power, stability, order and security to my new empire. + Your new empire? - Don't make me kill you.
It is irrefutably one of the greatest TV shows of all time. Never before have I been so invested in a series. I'm currently re-watching it right now - something I think I'll be doing throughout my life. It's also the only TV show I have ever felt genuinely sad about it ending.
I remember watching this scene and being so enthralled by the bright blue and orange flames dancing and the desperation in Azulas face and movements. The artwork for this scene was incredible and so captivating!
I always found this scene to be the most depressing. The music surrounding this scene was just perfect, but it's just the fact the writers made Zuko and Azula so lovable, that we just wanted to see how it would resolve. In the end it was a sibling rivalry, where one knew he was winning, while she thought she was.
She was only 14 and was never taught anything different. She was only 14 but she was one of the best villains and that's both scary and sad. I think everyone felt bad for her at the very end when she broke down. I liked how the after music was sad and not victorious. Because with that battle no one really one. It's not always fun to win.
+Thesamurai1999 Well, yeah, she lost her mom; never had her father's love, just his manipulation; never had a good relationship with her only brother; lost her two only friends and allies; and then lost her mind -- the one thing that made her special, made her feel worth something. What made her Azula.
And this shows that you don't need much to create something that shakes you through your core. This soundtrack only has 3 instruments: the drums, the clicks, and the violin that only repeats a couple simple notes and it still makes grown ups acknowledge the gravity of the scene without even seeing the animation. You really dont need much to show and tell. Simplicity is beauty.
One of the things that made this scene soooooo much cooler, was the fact that all talking and sound was just muted while the music played, which is not something that you see throughout the rest of the show for such an intense scene. This scene was a work of art
Yeah I wasn't really a big fan of that battle. It was more like a game of tag where Aang was "it" first then goes into Avatar state and Ozai was "it". Basically, just taking turns chasing each other around and not much of a confrontation
This was beautifully done. The one scene that made me sad was when Prince Zuko decide to show his vulnerable side and ask to join the team. Zuko even said that he could teach Aang firebending. But all they could see was his past and sent him away. In some ways I can relate to Prince Zuko. Out of all the characters Prince Zuko is my favorite.
Honestly, this music is so much better for a battle like that. They could have put super upbeat intense music, but instead they did slow and dramatic. Pure genius.
Listened to this after getting into a physical fight with my sister. Before I did I was more angry than I ever have been in my entire 19 years of living. While I listened to it, I realized how me sister and I had failed eachother, and thrown aside the bond siblings should have- a supportive column you’re blessed with from birth. I cried and cried. My anger was only masking the pain and loneliness I was feeling after our altercation. We lived in the same house together too for a time due to circumstances in the pandemic, so I was forced to see her everyday, but couldn’t talk to her. We were sisters estranged while living right next to eachother, and I had to watch my sister throw herself into overtime hours to escape from our silent void of a house. I’m writing this now at a time when we are now on speaking terms again. It took us almost a year. A year of longing. Please treasure your family (if you have a good relationship with them) you never fully realize the value of them being there until they are gone, especially when you get older. For every year that passes it gets harder and harder to make up these kinds of relationships. But then again, a lot of things I thought were problematic when I was younger seem much more trivial now, and relationships and time are fickle like that. One apology might save a relationship, even if you haven’t spoken in years.
in my interpretation of this scene, the fight itself and music perfectly demonstrated to me that Zuko knew he had already won the battle, before it had even began. Azula has spiraled out of control: every single person she had control over has betrayed her (Mai and Ty Lee) she banished every single person close to her because she is so paranoid and feels so exposed and unsafe, and lastly she is having hallucinations of her own mother who thought she was a monster. Not to mention the pressure to be the perfect child and the twisted teachings of her father have become too much for her to handle. As she attacks Zuko she doesn’t even care what she is doing. She is attacking him with all of her force and power, without caring about anything else. Where as Zuko seems almost calm. He displays several techniques used in all of the elements, most likely taught to him by Iroh. Plus in this final scene, Zuko is the truest, greatest form of himself. He has realized that his entire life he had been completing a destiny for someone else, and he had been accepting the horrible lessons and ideas taught to him by his family. But, here he displays that he has changed. He has realized his true destiny in life is to help fight for peace in the world and end the cruel and sadistic ways of the fire nation leaders. He has realized his entire life he was being manipulated by the ways of the fire nation, but azula hasn’t. Azula truly believed that the manipulation of her friends was the only way to get them to align with her, and believes that fear, anger and manipulation would help her become stronger, when it just broke her down displayed in her meltdown. So, from the start I truly believed Zuko already knew he had won, and the music only adds to the sadness he must’ve been experiencing. His SISTER wanted him dead and was throwing herself into this fight, using all of her strength to take him down. She didn’t even realize that she could’ve been using lighting until Zuko mentioned it, that’s how focused she was on destroying Zuko. The animators and musicians who helped create this scene put in so much effort into this scene and has made it one of my absolute FAVORITE scenes in any show I have watched, ever.
The combination of music and action makes all the difference, if heroic and upbeat music was playing, we'd watch in awe, and think it was amazing. But since this is the song playing, we realize what it is. This isn't a noble battle. It's a battle between a broken family, both trying to defend what they beleive is true. We capture the heartbreak in the moment because of the music. And people say avatar is a stupid kid's show smh
they have comics of what happens after ATLA. Where Zuko is the fire lord and Aang saved the world and all that. But it would be great if they made that into an animated series before korra.
I disagree; I think ATLA worked so well, because it was a contained story. I mean look at Korra; it's by no means bad, especially season 3, but I actually think it should have been an original work. I think the series ended in the perfect place... *spoilers*: I didn't want to see Aang become a bad father who set up a bureaucratic state... I didn't want to see the white lotus become political tools and body guards. I didn't want to see Toph a bitter old nhilist lady, who was a nepotist police chief. I do have to admit Zuko was pretty awesome.Anyway, the point being that the story ended where it did for a reason... I kinda wish it had stopped there.
Just finished Avatar and damn that was good. The Agni Kai made me realise what's great about it: it has never been about bending, nations and saving the world. Every single element is about life, responsibility, relationships, morality, nature. The form serves the substance with subtility.
It really is unfortunate, to know that they just don't make shows like this anymore. It is difficult not to stay mired in the past, when everything was so much better and brighter.
Isn't it strange how Azula's name begins with an A and Zuko's name beginning with a Z. Even their names are polar opposites, yet I feel so bad for Azula for having to go through such a rough childhood at such a young age.
A climactic battle between dynamic characters. Terrifying sounding fire in blue and red. A solemn soundtrack at odds with the ferocity onscreen. Avatar had been consistently wonderful already, but this marked the moment for me I knew, in my heart, I would adore this series forever.
U mean like this? ua-cam.com/video/yPm6jsqZ6VU/v-deo.html But, somehow I know it s not much better than the original, but still I appreciated the effort ^ ^
I don't think people realise how rare this is. A show that genuinely understands tragedy in a battle between a soul mended and a soul broken. This is just a masterful show.
This battle... Zuko finally standing against Azula. Perfectly even. The only thing going for either character is training. And yet while you would expect an epic final dual... it's not. It's somber and depressing. A fight that should never have been. Azula, having been betrayed by her two compatriots and not to mention her own father, falling apart and it only becoming worse as the battle goes on. Zuko seems somewhat upset he even has to do this... dual his own sister possibly even to the death... yet knowing he has to for the good of the fire nation, and the whole world. Azula, as it ends, finally reveals her true self. Not the cold manipulative monster we all saw her as... but a frightened girl with nothing to put a true smile on her face. Hurting others her only way out. Her only escape. When she lied to toph in the previous season? She had an entire lifetime of experience... It's pitiful. The music reflects this. All of it is pointless. It's a battle that shouldn't have had to take place. It's all filled with... despair.
This show had everything. Great story writing, great character development, humor, a serious good story, philosophy like the meaning of live, internal conflicts , you name it. One of the best shows.
The true nature of this duel is perfectly reflected through the music. A terrible battle that is a burden for both of them, a duel till the death between two siblings that were both missing something crucial in their life. Zuko: Acceptance from his father and Azula: Love. This music is the perfect way to show how these two teenagers never should've fought, and that Zuko knows it's a battle that MUST take place for there to be balance. Just beautiful.
It's been more than 10 years now, back then i was only 13 years old i still can't get over this show. I have never watched Legend of Korra because it was no where near the Last Airbender. Avatar the last Airbender is truly a masterpiece.
“I have never watched Legend of Korra because it was no where near the Last Airbender.“ Then how do you know that it‘s not good if you never watched it? I‘m watching Legend of Korra right now, and I mean, I agree - it‘s not as good as The Last Airbender. But it‘s still a very good series. You can really enjoy it if you loved the original ;-)
This was one of the most spectacular pieces of animation in my lifetime. And its music, coupled with Azula and Zuko's characterization... may the animation world remember their final act.
She got owned by Zuko when she was going insane, hadn't slept for a long time, had voices and images in her head, and had just been abandoned by everyone. She was at her worst and still handled Zuko, and quite frankly he'll never be as powerful as she is at her best- even in the comics it shows her owning him again even while ill. I love Zuko but he's no prodigy.
Opaque Anity agreed she is a true firebending master at her worst still with all that insanity and everything and could handle zuko who has also learned from dragons so shd is one powerfull one
With each beat the drums hammer down upon my internal ear, I grow stronger with courage and determination to do anything. My heart syncs to the rhythm, I become one with the song, and the song becomes one with me. We are one for a few minutes then separate, only to have me chase this feeling more and more. Ultimately, leaving me to wish this piece was longer.
The final battle between Azula and Zuko was so symbolic to me. It helped redefine everyone's perspective of how a family should be and how it wasn't. It shows that not every family is perfect and behind every great social status is a suffering for each of its members. It's sad Zuko's family went down the drain. Azula was such a good character.
Whenever Zuko bends, I'm always reminded of how amazing of a bender he is, but all the praise ever went to Azula. Despite that he kept his head high and that's what makes him love him;-; so diligent.
Vkusnodon I always admired Zuko because despite all the crap he's been put through, he always keeps his head high and pushes through the challenges he's faced with.
It was such a beautiful scene, and they could have made the score some fast paced action-movie vibe, but they didn’t. And it’s much better. Watching that fight scene HURTS because you’re watching a 14 year old girl lose everything, you’re watching two siblings, who used to play with each other as kids, have their final battle. They’re still family, and that shit just hurt
I truly love how self aware and deep this show can get. When other shows would focus on the fight and making it exciting and watchable for the kids that usually watched Nickelodeon, the producers of Avatar chose to address the sadness of two siblings being forced to fight each other through the way they laid out this scene.
Perfect music to capture the sadness of a sibling rivalry between a brother and a sister who were inevitably pushed to crash against the other as a result of their disastrous childhoods.
I've been re-watching this show on netflix recently and it's been so long since I watched it and it reminds me how much care and thought was put into this show, its animation, its characters, the story, the world setting, the soundtrack and the life lessons. This is by far one of the best shows of all time if someone was to say this show is garbage then they have no idea what they are missing out on
![Avatar Soundtracks: Agni Kai [Extended]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Q2W2TeUUYps/mqdefault.jpg)
![Avatar Soundtracks: Agni Kai [Extended]](/img/tr.png)
I love how Avatar always knew when to be goofy and when to take itself seriously.
This. That's what made this show so amazing
Yasss
Eames Trinh
fighting a crazy ass sister, shooting with lightning and have her power increase about ten times is a big "let's do it!" - moment i think.
You might be interested in watching Gintama if you like that "comedy-drama" switching trait.
This show is practically flawless. From it's character building, the extreme detail placed in it's world along with clothing choices and different bending styles for the 4 nations, to the music.
" I'm sorry it has to end this way brother..."
" No you're not."
Best scene ever, can't believe the show is over :(
+K-particulier 98 That's why they made Legend of Kora.
+David Adams Yes I know but that's not the same, I mean ATLA is so better than LOK don't you think?
Yeah, but at least there's SOMETHING. I kind of got tired watching ATLA all the time with nothing new.
David Adams
Yeah haha me too, I like LOK but I expected more ATLA in it ^^
+K-particulier 98 i will be the agni kai's and more frome avatar bring back
avatar the last airbender was and still is a masterpiece.
It is irrefutably one of the greatest TV shows of all time. Never before have I been so invested in a series. I'm currently re-watching it right now - something I think I'll be doing throughout my life. It's also the only TV show I have ever felt genuinely sad about it ending.
It is irrefutably one of the greatest TV shows of all time. Never before have I been so invested in a series. I'm currently re-watching it right now - something I think I'll be doing throughout my life. It's also the only TV show I have ever felt genuinely sad about it ending.
GottaloveMuse1 this show was part of my late childhood, and only now do i realize the true beauty and detailing inside the concept. I will now join you in the re-watching!
Christian Sandoval Yes true
M4RC14Naddock was 2 yea're befo're dude
This scene with Zuko and Azula is absolute perfection - instead of this heroic action music playing as Zuko finally defeats her it's this sad reflection that this is a battle that should never have happened in the first place. If it weren't for Katara Zuko would have probably killed Azula with redirected lightening which would have been so tragic for both of them. I'm not sure there will ever be another series like this one, so fantastic and heartfelt.
Not to mention its actually really sad the way Azula fell apart. Throughout the series she's been shown as this cold, sharp-minded (teenage) girl with no remorse. Really cut from the same cloth as her father. Which is why its so tragic to see her downfall. Not the epic, dignified defeat one would expect for her. Instead we see her mind behind to just fall apart in the time before the Agni Kai; most likely triggered by the betrayal of Mai and Ty Lee. I get the feeling Azula was always mentally unstable to some degree, but not to such an extent as in the final episodes. And then at the end of the fight, when she's chained up it shows her sobbing uncontrollably and it was rather harrowing to watch. I wont ever sympathise with Azula, and I dont think that was ever the intention. Pity however...I really pity Azula a lot.
Yeah she does become a wretched creature at the very end. I feel pity for her too.
I felt the opposite. Everyone anticipated that Zuko and Azula would eventually settle their rivalry once and for all. So I didn't expect a heroic theme either. We see Fire for what it truly is during this special moment. As Zuko and Azula displayed Agni-Kai in its fullest because of Sozin's Comet. This is their people's tradition, and we are the audience. That is why I feel that this theme is perfect during the actual duel.
Opposite of what? It seems like we agree unless you mean "battle that shouldn't be happening" part. I knew Zuko and Azula would have a showdown but brother and sister shouldn't fight to the death. The fact that there can be no harmonious resolution to this battle is why I actually like that Zuko chooses to sacrifice himself and Katara has to neutralise Azula through cunning. If it were just Zuko against Azula and Katara wasn't there one of them would have killed the other, and it would most likely have been Azula that died.
hyperdeath84 The opposite of being a sad reflection I meant to say. When Zuko went down from sponging Azula's lightning she could've easily executed Zuko afterwards. Another good zap was all it would take, and Katara wouldn't have been able to react in time. Instead Azula focused all her attention on Katara. So either Azula was saving the best for last, or she simply sought to cripple Zuko for life.
"My father said Azula was born lucky....and I was lucky to be born."- Zuko
Never has this line been more true than through analyzing their tragic backstories.
He never needed luck
Never has a single line so perfectly framed just how *terrible* a parent has been to both children than this one. It's not a wonder that Azula ended up the way she did, it's a miracle that Zuko was able to rise above it. As far as both their childhoods were considered, they were doomed from the womb. Truly heartbreaking.
Ozai was right to say that. If Zuko was never born the war would have had a different, dark, outcome.
Zuko was lucky indeed.
@@cha0sxiii63 not a miracle Iroh helped along the way
This is why this show was so smart. Any other show would have presented this as the heroic sibling finally taking down his evil sibling and restoring honor to his nation. But this show knew what was really going on. And what was really going on was a brutal fight to the death between two teenaged siblings. One that had been abused all his life and one who had never been loved all her life. Theres nothing heroic about this. This is just messed up and sad and the music reflect this.
giantWario As much as I hated Azula for how perfect and ruthless she is, I couldn't fully hate her after the Last Agni Kai. She was a mental disaster waiting to happen due to the way she was brought up by Ozai: to be the perfect killing machine, but never had the capacity to feel empathy for herself or for others, nor the capability of handling emotions like fear, betrayal, etc.
The worst part about this is that she's only 14, and so much mental pressure was put on her at such a young age.
@@juwanbantug5465 yup. And i discovered she isn't fully a psychopath. She has a personality type called machiavellianism. To be honest i kinda have it too because i took a test and it said 64/100
@@kinga6565 She'd be on the very extreme side of Machiavellianism, though. I'm a Machiavellianist but I also believe that you have to balance such a world view with morality in order to take the benefits of Machiavellianism (observance of human nature, wisdom in handling evil and selfishness, etc) but without losing your good nature.
@@kinga6565 65/100 is like a solid D....
Azula wanted to believe that nobody ever truly loved her, because she believed that only through fear you could be respected and thus liked (loved), but her mother truly loved her, and she knew that, but she couldn't allow herself to love and be loved by others, because for her, that means weakness, thats why the memory of Ursa telling her that she loves her ends up breking her.
This music really highlighted the true nature of that Agni Kai: tragic.
You'd think they'd kill each other, but they didn't.
hebince44 Zuko would have probably killed her if Azula directed the lightning at him instead of Katara
@@Armin00 It would have been unfortunate, because it was Zuko's only choice during an Agni Kai of this magnitude.
Sarmad Hammod Yup
Armin00 true that’s why he couldn’t fully control it and it went to the sky cause he was unbalanced?
“No lightning today? What’s the matter, afraid I’ll redirect it?!”
-Zuko
Oh, I'll show you lightning
-Azula
*Directs lightning to Katara
*zuko jump to redirect the lightning
NO!!!!!!!!!!!!
Never forget: Azula, like Zuko, is a direct descendant of Avatar Roku. She had every potential to have sided with Aang, ended the war, and restored balance to the world. In another universe, she probably did. Azula could have been the one to save the world from Ozai's tyranny, in place of Zuko. Alas, it was not meant to be, for Ozai had polluted her mind, and forged her into his tool of oppression, and fueled her insanity.
In my mind, the most tragic villains of all are the ones who could have become heroes.
The same can be said about characters like Obito Uchiha and the original Broly
I always wish I could see what it would be like if Azula & Zuko switched. Prince Zuko, sent by his father to imprison Azula, the scarred failure of the fire nation. Later, Azula joins the Avatar. Prince Zuko then starts going crazy, having been in control, now can't control anything. having had been the better of the two siblings, now have his sister be a better person than he ever could be. Had the closest friends in the world, which then betray him. With his sanity slipping, he challenges Azula to an Agni Kai. She accepts, but then starts beating him at his own game. Zuko, desperate, cheats & strikes her. His victory doesn't last long however, as then Azula's friend restrains him. He watches in all out rage as Azula is healed. Hands chained to the floor, Zuko is left to lay there in his fueled hatred
no the most tragic ones are fallen heroes
She takes after sozin more
@@TWO_THOUSAND_SEAVY_HEAVY You're right. Like Sozin, she was naturally gifted in firebending, learning to manipulate fire with effortless ease, while Zuko and Roku took time to achieve mastery over the element. Like Sozin, Azula's destiny to become Firelord is all but written, and it is the path that she has always desired, while Roku and Zuko are faced with a destiny that is thrust upon them through obligation and duty. Roku and Zuko both spend years grappling with the choices that they are forced to make, struggling to find the right answers, whereas to Sozin and Azula, the outcomes are already perfectly clear.
So many people are talking about the tragic nature of the music, but there's a second element being missed: peace. The music for the Final Agni Kai is calm. It is measured. It is almost ritualistic. It is sad, yes, but it is also serene. In the scene, even the sounds of battle are muted. The fire blasts don't erupt and explode. They breathe and woosh and release. Zuko has no more anger or rage or fear towards his sister. There is only his destiny and his inner peace. Zuko is fully realised as a firebender. He understands the source of his power, and knows that that source is not born from a place of violence or fury, but instead, simply (as Iroh had always told him) from the breath.
In all of Zuko's other fights, he shouts and grunts as he tries to force his flames to come forth, but in this Agni Kai, there is no demand from Zuko. What he wills simply is. His flames aren't as large as Azula's but they are precise and measured. He is, for the first time, in full control of himself, because he is at peace with himself. It's beautiful and poetic. Zuko has grown from an anxious boy who struggled with the path laid before him, with the maelstrom of emotions that whirled and wrestled within him. Zuko is now a young man with a firm grasp of who he is. The music carries that to us, even in the depths of its sadness.
Daaaaaammmnn this is precise & ur right
Zuko had really turn over a new leaf eh?
Thank you for writing this out. This comment made my day.
Very wisely stated 👏🏾💯
That last scene when Azula threw a fit and cried and screamed when she lost against Zuko and Katara really made me feel things because Zuko still looked like he cared and felt sorry for his sister. He looked away because he couldn't take that his sister had finally lost her mind, that it was unfortunate that her role model played a huge role in leading her to a path down to insanity.
under the seafoam watch it again zuko doesnt look away katara does. zukos expression is completely blank
Zuko loves Azula, no matter what. You can tell throughout the series that he hates that things are the way it is
@@chelseaaneke please elaborate. Im not disagreeing with you but i have see no evidence in the series to support ur claim
@@reubydoobydoo1383 there is that scene where Zuko tries to rationalise why he should try to get along more with Azula but Iroh cuts him and says "no she's crazy". But tbh yeah there is little evidence of affection between them.
@@reubydoobydoo1383 it’s all in comics , there he tries to help her
Even the title, "The Last Agni Kai" is powerful enough to bring chills.
If you listen closely - you can hear Azula's sanity leaving her..
She had sanity?
Yes she had sanity. She was manipulative and strived on control, but she did have sound reason and was intelligent.
Opaque Anity joking
Autumn Carter I'm an Azula fangirl, I do not know the meaning of humor. :P
Opaque Anity Ah, I see. :3
Without a doubt, one of my favorite scenes in the whole series. The final Zuko versus Azula---where so much more is going on than just a brother and sister fighting. It was incredible.
sailtheplains
so intense! that wrenching feeling you get in your heart when you watch that scene!!!!!!
sailtheplains pretty muc painted what i have in mind ;)
YES! One of my favorite scenes in the whole show. Nuff said.
"I'm sorry it has to end this way, brother."
"No you're not."
*Evil grin*
That's because there was never any emotional connection between Aang and Ozai, they were just the good guy vs bad guy. Don't get me wrong, it was a good fight, but they had never even met before, so there was nothing emotionally there.
The song is both beautiful and horribly tragic, its not meant to be a last stand or a fight for justice . Its a cruel and destructive end to a life time of mental and physical pain on both the teens brought about by there father. The sad fact is thst given there family history there was no way to avoid it. It was going to happen regardless. Nothing can change it. The difference in this one is azula stands alone well zuko doesnt and one is fueled with protecting his loved ones the other with pure hate.
Yes. But Don't forget that they won because Azula lost her mind.
She was a real machine a perfectionist and she was closer to kill Aang than anyone ever before or after and she even killed him in the Avatar state.
They are not really equal but the destruction of Azula mind has taken a huge toll on her and it was also an amazing way to see how she really is deep down and when the minor scene came up it broke my heart completely since I do know what she's going through (had the same thing) and how much it hurts her to be completely alone and unable to trust anyone even the closest friend without fear.
Azula is the the most tragic character in the show and when you realize how she's only 14 it really tells you how she was a victim instead of the hunter we always knew.
Avatar has the one of the best and one of the deepest stories ever and most people don't even realize it. But maybe it's better this way.
In some ways I feel Azula had it just as worse or even more horrid than Zuko because although Zuko was branded and burned by his father and then kicked out into the world to go 'regain his honor' and was completely mentally destroyed- he had Iroh guiding him to the right path the entire time. Loving him, teaching him, healing him. He had Ursa's love in his heart- had the precious memories of her nurturing him and loving him and protecting him from his father. When she vanished- it was to protect him. What did Azula have? She was doomed from the start having her mind poisoned by her father, jealous of Zuko because her mother seemed to love him more, hating him because even though she was a prodigy who took down an entire kingdom on her own at 14 years- everyone gravitated towards Zuko.
The only person who gave a damn about her was Zuko himself and yet this battle has them forced to fight to the death because of their horrible family history- this war was never supposed to be there's to fight and it's a miracle in a way that in the end both of them didn't die- and instead of executing his sister Zuko tried to get her treatment but it didnt work she was still in isolation and tortured by her own *mind*. Even her own *mind* turned against her- after she lost everyone she trusted and her dad abandoned her and she felt like her mom hated her she couldn't even be free from her own mind falling apart and basically destroyed herself. And its ironic how Azula stayed loyal to her father and her country until the very end and still lost her title and her friends and her family and her mind while Zuko was banished, turned against his father (which I dont blame him for obs) and he is seen as a traitor and sided with the 'enemy' and yet he's the new Fire Lord and considered a savior by the people- no wonder Azula hates him. Ursa seemed loved him more. Iroh loved him more. Ozai payed a a strange amount of attention to a son who he seems to 'hate', Mai loves Zuko more than she 'fears' Azula, and the most loyal to Azula of all (Ty Lee) turned on her and knocked her down when she was already reeling from another betrayal. Her mind snapped when she was all alone- remember that she was only *14* years old- Zuko was 2 years older than her- they were children during this entire feud.
But in the end I feel horrible for Azula and Zuko because they have the most complex and messed up relationship and you know if it had been in a different time and a different place they may have actually grown to love each other without having to be pitted against each other. I was so mad when Iroh believed in Zuko- yet that wise old man completely gave up on Azula. Like hypocrite much? She was just a child! A crazy child but that was because of your evil little brother corrupting her as a kid- why couldn't you have saved her too??? I wish Iroh had tried to reach Azula before Ozai's influence poisoned her mind and turned her into a mentally ill perfectionist who can't even function in normal society- she didn't know how to be a normal teenage girl because her father literally turned her into a killing machine. I truly fell in love with her character in the comics because you see how tragic she is when Zuko finally tells her to her face that he loves her and that will never change. Too bad we don't get to see what happens to her or how she lives out the rest of her life. She is free from the mental asylum but she isn't free from her own mind no matter what because she hasn't gotten the proper treatment and Zuko sure as hell hasn't shown any sign of knowing her whereabouts.
damn son talk about TL;DR
Ahh. Sorry. I get too passionate about Azula.
Iroh had no chance to get through to Azula. How can you get close to a person who idolizes her own abuser? He didn't hate her either. He simply knew Azula was beyond his ability to save. Zuko almost was as well, and Iroh went to prison believing he failed to save even the boy he had focused on. There's no way an old man still grieving the loss of his son can save two kids from the King. Azula is an unfortunate casualty, but Ozai is fully to blame. Perhaps in another world, she could had been saved. But we as humans are limited in ability. That is why this is a sad theme in a final fight. Zuko had to accept that Azula was beyond saving, and fight her to the death despite him loving her from the bottom of his heart. Make no mistake, Azula was a victim in all this but she was also an extremely strong firebender whose loyalty for Ozai was unquestionable. Her cruelty would had seen a lot of lives lost. If saving her was beyond his abilities, then she needed to die. Thankfully they found a way to imprison her, but they're just not equipped with the right tools or abilities to treat her. Just like we didn't have antibiotics to deal with the Black Plague.
Everyone thinks Azula as a crazy person but, her entire life is messed up and sad.
Well, her own mother thinks she's a monster, and her father is evil and the only way for her to have friends is if she controls them with fear. All because of her childhood...
***** Oh kay...
***** Ive read the search, but just to some it up, she, and her childhood are messed up and sad.
***** She wasn't insane all her life though, something in her just snapped.
I agree with original post. Look at the situation: both Zuko and Azula desperately seek their father's approval and by extension love in their mother's absence. Azula is gifted at Firebending which makes Ozai favour her and she is rewarded for behaving the way he wants her to until she is the person we meet in Book 2. Zuko, in a strange way, was lucky he was banished as he was able to see the world as it really is and had the guiding hand of Iroh to help him become the man he is by the end of Book 3. Azula's only support was from Ozai which is hardly going to lead to her being a good person. All her relationships are based on fear and manipulation and when those things no longer work and her own father leaves her behind to claim the victory she won for him on her own she snaps. When she breaks down at the end and cries I feel sorry for her, despite all the awful things she's done.
I'm not crying you're crying.
((
I was hahahaha
DisNerd well maybe where both
DisNerd Oh please...
KaTe It's raining.
"I challenge you to Agni Kai!"
...
"So be it."
EthanNetwork
You’re on
"I'm sorry it has to end this way, brother"
"No you're not"
If you listen very carefully it actually sounds as if the music itself is fighting. It sounds like there are two violins, one drum and what ever it is that makes that cracking sound. The violins being the two combatants, sweeping around the battle field in harmony. The drum being the fire bursting from their fists each time they attack and the crack being the fire crackling as each blast ends and the flames fan out.
Very poetic.
Thanks. The more you know!
I have a boner
MickMaan Building on from that, in the very end of the unextended version, Zuko tries to redirect Azula's lightning and is heavily injured. The music swells during that scene, the suspense building, and when Zuko is struck, only one violin plays after that, singing a broken tune of victory and loss before Azula's insanity overwhelms it.
Underrated comment of the century
A speechless battle brought more story that a 10 episode long fight in Dragon Ball
make that a 20 ep fight
Ranten This show is just so good in every way...
No need to diss Dragon Ball to make ATLA look good. Both great in their own ways.
Dragon Ball is a flawed masterpiece, but ATLA is a perfect masterpiece!
Dragon Ball is a failure, don't compare it to Avatar.
THIS. SCENE. Never have I ever seen so much emotion poured out without words. Between this music and the battle sounds being slightly dulled so the music has more effect just made the scene absolutely breathtaking. Between that, and the excellent show of firebending between two equally unmatched benders with completely opposite pasts and goals just made this too perfect.
Yes!
was the best scene in the series ^^
Thats so right ~
Agreed brotha.
dude yes
and the haunting roar of the fire too just made it over the top gorgeous
The last couple of episodes of ATLA were emotional enough as it is but this fight absolutely broke me
Yes, that was exactly what I feel!
I think only the thought of the show ending soon is like the emotional ice cream and this soundtrack is like a massive chunk of cream. ( why did I use a food metaphor? I don't know.)
This scene, by far, was one of the best in the show
This and Zuko's apology to Iroh. God that scene gets me every time.
The whole ending, with the episodes interchanging each fight with: Zuko and Azula, to Toph and Sokka destroying the blimps, and finally to Aang and Firelord Ozai, plus with the kiss that happens at the end is just fucking golden... They executed the ending of the show perfectly!
TroniicGamiing
I find the kiss a bit...uncomfortable because Aang is so young and Katara seems a lot more mature. But it doesn't ruin it for me.
TroniicGamiing
I dunno, he still seems childish by the end to me- a powerful, wise child, but childish. I don't mean that in a bad way to Aang, he IS still a kid after all. I think it would have been better to wait until he was a bit older, like in the comics. Or at the very least, not have his and Katara's last dialogue together be yelling at one another.
CampingforCool41 I'll admit, you do got a point. However, different people have different views. Your opinion is just as valid as mine, but nevertheless, its still a good opinion, if that makes any sense?
"I'm sorry it had to end this way, brother."
"No, you're not."
This track was perfect for this duel. The duel was always meant to be from the absolute beginning. Azula's natural skill versus Zuko's perseverance - and yet as with the music there is something silently horrifying and saddening at watching a brother and sister duel to the death. The brother having found a newfound purpose and the sister falling into a spiral of madness.
The darkness that has always driven your ambitions, your hate, and your determination, finally consumes you. All your feel is rage, and blinded lust for blood. Your not the strong person you once were. You're now a byproduct of your own hate, envy, and violence, all destroying your sanity. Power is like a wild fire. it has no control, it consumes its path. until it dies out . .
+Jacob Rivera That explains Azula's personality quite well.
This is really good!
The darkness of myself is a reflection of my pain and anger... and also the power it holds for my solution to my pain and anger. 😟😡😈
You're*. Had to do it.
***** *Thumbs up* Your 're entitled to whatever you want.
This song makes me deeply wish that I could be a part of this universe.... and have awesome fire battles...
Same here. I thought the same thing
sometimes when i am bored, i fantasise about being in the world of avatar. i think of me as a firebender who was raised on kioshy island because my parents set me out (i fantasise that i am zukos twin brother and that ozai set me out because he thought i wasn´t able to firebend but he was wrong) and that my new parents are sukis parents so i would be her brother and that i trained ninjitsu with her and that when aang katara and sokka came by the island that i left with them an went with them on the journy and at the end became zukos co-firelord
i think i have a problem
you sir have no problem, deep down we all wish we could do and be exactly that !
ottaboe sometimes i even dream that scenario
+KingOfTheOcean damn that would be awesome. Personally, i have had dreams of me invading a fire nation camp with waterbending. I dreamt that multiple times, although the last time was a long long time ago. Probably one of my favourite dreams ever. I wish it was real :*
Both me and my sister always found this final battle to be the most impactful. While Aang's battle with the firelord certainly contained more powerful bending, this was always an extremely emotional, and visually beautiful fight, and always stole away our attention. This music only aided that. A truly great end to what was perhaps the best arc in the Avatar series, fully showing the extent of Zuko's development as a person.
You watched with your sister? Ironic.
Did you look at her and just say "thats you...." after the fight?
@@orivalx Nah they went to the backyard and she said "I'm sorry it has to end this way, brother."
@@xx-cj6ew Brother: no your not.
Proceeds to use home made flame thrower at each other
Hearing this song causes me physical pain.
This scene was so sad. ;_;
The way that the writers get you to understand Azula to some extent, enough to see her as a person with a round personality and just... Tear her down like this.
It's just... I can't describe the sorrow this brings to me.
*mental pain
But that was the point! Azula felt like she was the perfect child. She knew her mother loved her even though Azula despised her. All that emotion built up quickly broke down. Zuko had learned from it thanks to his mother and uncle, which is why he became the true firelord.
I'm not crying... I'm not crying... I'm - who am I kidding? There are too many feels to hold back.
how did your eyes learned to waterbend??
+Quinn don't be afraid to tearbend, friend
+MauXeR-14 tear-bending
This is what was going through Azula's head at the end of the fight.
darn, I loved this scene! the music and the combination of blue and normal fire just gave this thing a much more deep and magical touch.
galaxy hitchhiker72 Yes I remember being 10 years old and watching that battle and it was so cool how the blue and red fire clashed!
Beautiful
I Love it to and how blu wich is normally the Color for the good Guys is now for azula
My boy
Darn...
The Final Agni Kai was more epic than the Aang vs Ozai fight imo. Everything was fair. Same powered element. Same skill. Same blood. And the OST was better too. Damn there won't ever be a fight like this in Korra probably.
Well, the bad guys from Book 3 of Korra are superpowered benders that want to take out the Avatar. If Korra goes full Avatar on all 4 of them, yeah it might be more even. I hope they leave that for Book 4 though. Build up the threat, so to say.
***** I'm pretty sure Bolin was everybody's favorite character in that show. Mako was cool as fuck, Bei Fong was cool as fuck, even Zaheer was a badass.. But Bolin.. He has some great character.
i know nan
Oweis El-Hag i mean man
There will and there has Korra Mako and Bolin vs the Red Lotus (an airbender, armless waterbender earthbender/lavabender, and a combustion bender/fire bender.
I've always struggled to find a show that better exemplifies what great storytelling combined with audio and visual cojones SHOULD look like - ATLA is a masterpiece
I know it's kind of a late reply, but what about Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood? I watched it when I finished ATLA, 3 years ago. I wanted to try something else (I hadn't watched any anime back then). Since FMA:B was my ex's favourite show - still is - and there seemed to be a good plot, I gave it a try, albeit quite relunctantly at the start (I didn't understand the trend and hype around anime at the time). I was actually surprised by how good it was. The Japanese voices didn't bother me at all, if anything, they brought so much emotion into the show. I loved the soundtrack (I still listen to it from time to time). I loved the story and the way it was animated.
Other shows I watched after that include Psycho Pass (plot + music ++ : scifi dystopia) and Steins;Gate (plot +++ music + : futuristic present with different time lines) and then there's Death Note (plot ++ music +++ : one guy thinks he's god and another guy tries to stop him) but that's more anchored in the present, it is much more realistic than any of the other shows.
Sorry for my mistakes if I made any, my English isn't perfect. If you've already watched those shows, that's great ! If not, try it out, you might be surprised by the Japanese animation like I was ;-)
@@racheleke3171 you got good taste in anime I tell you 🤔
This is an unpopular opinion. But just because Death Note was WAYYYYYY too popular will not be remember as good at is REALLY is. visually, physicologicaly and audio. a total masterpiece
Visual cojones?
the sound of my early childhood ending... the music and the scenes were utterly gorgeous!
hahah
chillin chimera you will understand when your older little man!
I was looking forward to the fight between Azula and Zuko but i thought I'd be more hyped about it. This song is just so heavy that it made the scene so much more real and intense than i thought it could. I was so emotionally twisted up I found it overwhelming. And all those feelings come back when I listen to this. What an amazing series.
this series showed that battles don'T have to be like 10 episodes long and have lots of dialogue. The thing that made the battle so intense wasn't just the music, but also the characterizations that were depicted through the fire bending. Azula grew wilder due to her psychological problems, she let herself be consumed by darkness, hence the wild uncontrollable fire bending.
Zuko looked more calm, as he has finally accepted his true destiny in restoring balance to the world. His fire bending stances and his fire looked purer hence the good control of Zuko. He saw the light after all in the end.
Absolutely agreed. I'd never thought I'd be sympathetic to Azula at the start of the series, but this scene just showed what a tragic character she had become at the end when Katara and Zuko looked on with pity. Whereas Zuko seemed to be at peace with himself and no longer fighting the good vs evil within him, and had everything Azula never had. On the other hand, the fight also represented the consequences of the choices their forefathers made which lead to this tragic sibling rivalry. I don't know if we will ever see a balanced character development like this again in western animation.
Animediva72 The last Airbender fleshed out the character far more than Legend of Korra, frankly many of the characters in TLA had darker story lines and better character development.
I haven't seen LoK. I keep hearing mixed reviews about it so I'm not sure whether to give it a shot really. =/ people did say keep an open mind about it, but after particularly having high expectations after ATLA, I would be disappointed if they gave character development less attention in LoK, as in making them shallow or whatever. ATLA nailed it in the first place because of the characters and the storyline consistency. Plus, i haven't heard of any fights in LoK that was on par like the final Agni kai. Sort of a bummer really.
Animediva72 it's not bad s2 was bad but the 3rd is so amazing and the final fight is amazing as well I say give it a chance
Also martial arts vs whoever shoots the biggest fireball like in most series
As a music lover, there are several aspects of this song that impress me.
First is the amount of emotion it can invoke (especially if you've seen the show). You can't hear the song without feeling also the sadness of the fight and the ultimate culmination of their conflict of their entire lives.
Second is how ATLA picked a song for this fight scene that was neither upbeat, nor driving like some fight songs are. Instead, they chose one that has a more steady and inevitable feel to it. As if Zuko and Azula would inevitably meet in conflict. And it works so perfectly for this scene. The scene is not rushed or frantic, and this song matches it so well.
Finally, and most importantly, this song is beautiful and elegant in its simplicity. All the instruments that are needed for this song are a string quartet (if I'm hearing correctly) and a smattering of bass drums and snares (for the rim shots). Not a single wind instrument is used, but still has all the weight of a much more complex song. I'm a sucker for big orchestral arrangements like The Battle from The Chronicles of Narnia or War from Avatar (the blue people movie) but I just can't get over how this song does so much with so little.
TL:DR This song is perfect for its emotion, steadiness, and most importantly, its simplicity. I could listen to this for hours.
You're forgetting it's similarly to the regular Agni Kai music, and how it makes us think of that, and force's us to contrast it.
Amen.
I'd also like to add that the somber overtones underscores the tragic elements of the track and battle.
As others have mentioned, this fight isn't about Zuko's honor. There's nothing heroic about it. This fight is about two teenage siblings battling to the death. One who was abused, and one who was never loved. It's incredibly tragic, upsetting, and messed up in every capacity.
Let´s add also in another ingenious part of this. If you look at the fight, the drums are in sync with zuku. While the violins duel, like Zuko and Azula, the drums are folowing Zuku, while Azula is out of sync with them. Add in the the the drums are in a breathing rythm it becomes very much subtle musical storytelling, subconciously telling us one thing. In this fight Zuku is in controll, there is no anger and rashness from him, he mastered his fire. As Iroh said, the power comes from the breath.
Me to my brother: "So ... who gets the last slice of pizza?"
*theme starts playing*
damn why did I laugh this song is sad doe
Dude.. just cut the slice of pizza in half
Agni Kai!!!
@@projektred8335 who the fuck would ever do that
@@simmirros people who aren't stupid
There was such an evolution in this show from the beginning to the end. It was never bad, but I think this series taught me what to appreciate in a genuinely good series. Zuko sought honor and only gained it when he decided to stop searching for it for the sake of having it. Azula lost her "friends", her family, and her sanity in one, and in this fight we see them both at their highest and lowest, respectively. This scene isn't any other fight scene, with upbeat, thrilling music. It's a depressing scene that wasn't written for intensity, but to establish who these characters became and what they chose to fight for, as opposed to what they had originally been assigned to fight for. Avatar was a better show than I think anybody deserved, and I think it was a privilege to have it air in my time as a child.
Azula: I HATE YOU!!
Zuko: You were my Sister Azula, I loved you.
For some reason, this seems familiar to me, hmmmmmm
Tails EXE The Foxie those were azula’s mother’s words to her while she was getting ready for her coronation after she cut her hair
@@MrPeep_ uh no its from star wars lol
Peter Yu hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm ok
- Don't lecture me Zuzu. I see through the lies of Iroh. I do not fear my father as you do. I've brought power, stability, order and security to my new empire.
+ Your new empire?
- Don't make me kill you.
This wasnt a kid cartoon. It was so meaningful, detailed realistic character development. Well done to this anime.
It is irrefutably one of the greatest TV shows of all time. Never before have I been so invested in a series. I'm currently re-watching it right now - something I think I'll be doing throughout my life. It's also the only TV show I have ever felt genuinely sad about it ending.
Me too, at this point
I will never grow tired of this show, and if I ever have kids of my own, I'll have them watch it as well.
This was a story of two siblings. One that was born lucky, and one that was lucky to be born.
cocakoolaid Who was the lucky one in the end?
Sophia_010 neither of them...
The music score for this series was incredible. This piece in particular is as moving as it is elegant, perfect for this sence.
I remember watching this scene and being so enthralled by the bright blue and orange flames dancing and the desperation in Azulas face and movements. The artwork for this scene was incredible and so captivating!
I always found this scene to be the most depressing. The music surrounding this scene was just perfect, but it's just the fact the writers made Zuko and Azula so lovable, that we just wanted to see how it would resolve. In the end it was a sibling rivalry, where one knew he was winning, while she thought she was.
Am i the only one that felt sorry for Azula in the end there?
+Thesamurai1999 i did for a second, but then i was kinda slightly terrified.. XD
She was only 14 and was never taught anything different. She was only 14 but she was one of the best villains and that's both scary and sad.
I think everyone felt bad for her at the very end when she broke down. I liked how the after music was sad and not victorious. Because with that battle no one really one. It's not always fun to win.
Yeah. It felt horrible seeing her go crazy like that. I actually felt bad for that bitch
Didn't feel bad one bit, hated her from the beginning. And that's a rarity for me. I almost always sympathize with anyone. But I hate Azula.
+Thesamurai1999
Well, yeah, she lost her mom; never had her father's love, just his manipulation; never had a good relationship with her only brother; lost her two only friends and allies; and then lost her mind -- the one thing that made her special, made her feel worth something. What made her Azula.
And this shows that you don't need much to create something that shakes you through your core. This soundtrack only has 3 instruments: the drums, the clicks, and the violin that only repeats a couple simple notes and it still makes grown ups acknowledge the gravity of the scene without even seeing the animation. You really dont need much to show and tell. Simplicity is beauty.
One of the things that made this scene soooooo much cooler, was the fact that all talking and sound was just muted while the music played, which is not something that you see throughout the rest of the show for such an intense scene. This scene was a work of art
this Agni kai battle was better than ang vs the fire lord
Aang*
Yeah I wasn't really a big fan of that battle. It was more like a game of tag where Aang was "it" first then goes into Avatar state and Ozai was "it". Basically, just taking turns chasing each other around and not much of a confrontation
@@lylemoore3827 That's a dumb way to see honestly.
Lyle Moore yo I'm fucking dead😂😂😂😂 this comment is too funny😂😂😂😂🤣🤣💀💀💀💀💀
@@priscillalopez5389 not necessarily
I remember there we're no sound effects for this scene, just gave it more impact. One of the most beautifully done scenes in any animation i've seen.
Just you and me brother, the showdown that was always meant to be, Agni Kai!
You're on!
This was beautifully done. The one scene that made me sad was when Prince Zuko decide to show his vulnerable side and ask to join the team. Zuko even said that he could teach Aang firebending. But all they could see was his past and sent him away. In some ways I can relate to Prince Zuko. Out of all the characters Prince Zuko is my favorite.
I love Azula but Zuko has some amazing development. This song is so tragic for both of them.
Opaque Anity I love Zuko. I can relate to him in quite a few ways.
Honestly, this music is so much better for a battle like that. They could have put super upbeat intense music, but instead they did slow and dramatic.
Pure genius.
Listened to this after getting into a physical fight with my sister. Before I did I was more angry than I ever have been in my entire 19 years of living. While I listened to it, I realized how me sister and I had failed eachother, and thrown aside the bond siblings should have- a supportive column you’re blessed with from birth. I cried and cried. My anger was only masking the pain and loneliness I was feeling after our altercation. We lived in the same house together too for a time due to circumstances in the pandemic, so I was forced to see her everyday, but couldn’t talk to her. We were sisters estranged while living right next to eachother, and I had to watch my sister throw herself into overtime hours to escape from our silent void of a house.
I’m writing this now at a time when we are now on speaking terms again. It took us almost a year. A year of longing.
Please treasure your family (if you have a good relationship with them) you never fully realize the value of them being there until they are gone, especially when you get older. For every year that passes it gets harder and harder to make up these kinds of relationships.
But then again, a lot of things I thought were problematic when I was younger seem much more trivial now, and relationships and time are fickle like that. One apology might save a relationship, even if you haven’t spoken in years.
More epic than Aang vs Ozai. That battle was over with the moment Aang went into the avatar state.
in my interpretation of this scene, the fight itself and music perfectly demonstrated to me that Zuko knew he had already won the battle, before it had even began. Azula has spiraled out of control: every single person she had control over has betrayed her (Mai and Ty Lee) she banished every single person close to her because she is so paranoid and feels so exposed and unsafe, and lastly she is having hallucinations of her own mother who thought she was a monster. Not to mention the pressure to be the perfect child and the twisted teachings of her father have become too much for her to handle. As she attacks Zuko she doesn’t even care what she is doing. She is attacking him with all of her force and power, without caring about anything else. Where as Zuko seems almost calm. He displays several techniques used in all of the elements, most likely taught to him by Iroh. Plus in this final scene, Zuko is the truest, greatest form of himself. He has realized that his entire life he had been completing a destiny for someone else, and he had been accepting the horrible lessons and ideas taught to him by his family. But, here he displays that he has changed. He has realized his true destiny in life is to help fight for peace in the world and end the cruel and sadistic ways of the fire nation leaders. He has realized his entire life he was being manipulated by the ways of the fire nation, but azula hasn’t. Azula truly believed that the manipulation of her friends was the only way to get them to align with her, and believes that fear, anger and manipulation would help her become stronger, when it just broke her down displayed in her meltdown. So, from the start I truly believed Zuko already knew he had won, and the music only adds to the sadness he must’ve been experiencing. His SISTER wanted him dead and was throwing herself into this fight, using all of her strength to take him down. She didn’t even realize that she could’ve been using lighting until Zuko mentioned it, that’s how focused she was on destroying Zuko. The animators and musicians who helped create this scene put in so much effort into this scene and has made it one of my absolute FAVORITE scenes in any show I have watched, ever.
Sorry this is so long but this scene is so complex and detailed that breaking down in a short paragraph wouldn’t do it justice
@@maggiedrennan9814 true
The combination of music and action makes all the difference, if heroic and upbeat music was playing, we'd watch in awe, and think it was amazing. But since this is the song playing, we realize what it is. This isn't a noble battle. It's a battle between a broken family, both trying to defend what they beleive is true. We capture the heartbreak in the moment because of the music. And people say avatar is a stupid kid's show smh
Best show I will probably ever watch. Too bad there wasn't more of ATLA.
At least they ended it nicely, and it's not like dbz or naruto
Korra kind of ruined avatar for me though. Left a bad taste in my mouth.
neyo509 like a sodie pop gone wild gone SEXUAAAAL
they have comics of what happens after ATLA. Where Zuko is the fire lord and Aang saved the world and all that. But it would be great if they made that into an animated series before korra.
I disagree; I think ATLA worked so well, because it was a contained story.
I mean look at Korra; it's by no means bad, especially season 3, but I actually think it should have been an original work. I think the series ended in the perfect place... *spoilers*:
I didn't want to see Aang become a bad father who set up a bureaucratic state... I didn't want to see the white lotus become political tools and body guards. I didn't want to see Toph a bitter old nhilist lady, who was a nepotist police chief. I do have to admit Zuko was pretty awesome.Anyway, the point being that the story ended where it did for a reason... I kinda wish it had stopped there.
This shit is so sad
almost as sad as getting your head chopped off while your daughters watch?
Al Rise wut?
***** Lol, it's a game of thrones reference because it's Eddard Stark... Or it could be just that this is the internet.
It was a GOT reference for mr. Eddard stark here
OFC its brother and sister fighting, it MUST be sad
Like someone else said,,, this music really represents a fight that never should have happened. and that makes my heart hurt even more...
This scene was incredible, the solemn music is perfect for it
Just finished Avatar and damn that was good. The Agni Kai made me realise what's great about it: it has never been about bending, nations and saving the world. Every single element is about life, responsibility, relationships, morality, nature. The form serves the substance with subtility.
It really is unfortunate, to know that they just don't make shows like this anymore. It is difficult not to stay mired in the past, when everything was so much better and brighter.
I'm gonna have this played at my funeral!
And have your son and daughter use flamethrowers on each other?
+Jack Houlihan Totally.
CapnTopher Sounds perfect.
+Jack Houlihan I'll then have a Viking send off where they'll turn their flames on me.
CapnTopher And roar like a Tiger Dillo?
Drums: Symbolizes war and fighting
Strings: Symbolizes sadness (azula’s mental state, sibling showdown, etc.)
They need to bring this show back one Netflix for real, like I miss this, this was my shit back then
I see you can also see into the future
well here it is now
Isn't it strange how Azula's name begins with an A and Zuko's name beginning with a Z. Even their names are polar opposites, yet I feel so bad for Azula for having to go through such a rough childhood at such a young age.
In the end, Fate reversed their roles.
The girl that had everything had nothing.
The boy that had nothing gained everything.
A climactic battle between dynamic characters. Terrifying sounding fire in blue and red. A solemn soundtrack at odds with the ferocity onscreen. Avatar had been consistently wonderful already, but this marked the moment for me I knew, in my heart, I would adore this series forever.
I am SO excited to see this scene in live action; i really really hope they do it justice.
U mean like this?
ua-cam.com/video/yPm6jsqZ6VU/v-deo.html
But, somehow I know it s not much better than the original, but still I appreciated the effort ^ ^
All jokes aside, this is possibly the best fight scene ever.
I believe the title roughly translates into “The Last Meeting of Fire”, chillingly tragic.
I don't think people realise how rare this is. A show that genuinely understands tragedy in a battle between a soul mended and a soul broken. This is just a masterful show.
This battle... Zuko finally standing against Azula. Perfectly even. The only thing going for either character is training. And yet while you would expect an epic final dual... it's not. It's somber and depressing. A fight that should never have been. Azula, having been betrayed by her two compatriots and not to mention her own father, falling apart and it only becoming worse as the battle goes on. Zuko seems somewhat upset he even has to do this... dual his own sister possibly even to the death... yet knowing he has to for the good of the fire nation, and the whole world.
Azula, as it ends, finally reveals her true self. Not the cold manipulative monster we all saw her as... but a frightened girl with nothing to put a true smile on her face. Hurting others her only way out. Her only escape. When she lied to toph in the previous season? She had an entire lifetime of experience... It's pitiful.
The music reflects this. All of it is pointless. It's a battle that shouldn't have had to take place. It's all filled with... despair.
This show had everything. Great story writing, great character development, humor, a serious good story, philosophy like the meaning of live, internal conflicts , you name it. One of the best shows.
I have to say this was the best cartoon fight I've ever seen better than Naruto dbz, all of that bc of the emotions
naruto sucks
dbz is not supposed to be support emotional.
Atla, I will never forget it. even when I'm old.
DBZ is suppost to get your rage and adrenaline pumping... This just messes with your feels.
Obito vs. Kakashi was pretty good in ways of emotions.
This particular song is AMAZING. I'll never forget this episode and how I vividly remember me saying out loud "Wow this music is incredible"
Every time I hear this music I have goosebumps
The true nature of this duel is perfectly reflected through the music. A terrible battle that is a burden for both of them, a duel till the death between two siblings that were both missing something crucial in their life. Zuko: Acceptance from his father and Azula: Love. This music is the perfect way to show how these two teenagers never should've fought, and that Zuko knows it's a battle that MUST take place for there to be balance. Just beautiful.
It's been more than 10 years now, back then i was only 13 years old i still can't get over this show. I have never watched Legend of Korra because it was no where near the Last Airbender. Avatar the last Airbender is truly a masterpiece.
“I have never watched Legend of Korra because it was no where near the Last Airbender.“ Then how do you know that it‘s not good if you never watched it? I‘m watching Legend of Korra right now, and I mean, I agree - it‘s not as good as The Last Airbender. But it‘s still a very good series. You can really enjoy it if you loved the original ;-)
It’s streaming on Netflix now, so you have no excuse.
Azula:I'm sorry it has to end this way brother
Zuko:No your not
I always had chills at that line when the music kicks in it felt so powerful
This was one of the most spectacular pieces of animation in my lifetime. And its music, coupled with Azula and Zuko's characterization... may the animation world remember their final act.
After 12 years this song still gives me goose bumps and slightly wet eyes. Maybe even more so now because of the nostalgia.
Azula had so much potential, she was intelligent, elegant, and refined. Quite deliciously cunning as well. A Prodigy.
That got owned by Zuko!
She got owned by Zuko when she was going insane, hadn't slept for a long time, had voices and images in her head, and had just been abandoned by everyone. She was at her worst and still handled Zuko, and quite frankly he'll never be as powerful as she is at her best- even in the comics it shows her owning him again even while ill. I love Zuko but he's no prodigy.
Opaque Anity agreed she is a true firebending master at her worst still with all that insanity and everything and could handle zuko who has also learned from dragons so shd is one powerfull one
With each beat the drums hammer down upon my internal ear, I grow stronger with courage and determination to do anything. My heart syncs to the rhythm, I become one with the song, and the song becomes one with me. We are one for a few minutes then separate, only to have me chase this feeling more and more. Ultimately, leaving me to wish this piece was longer.
i play this every time i get in a fight with my sibling
+Ian Chui LMAO HOW DID I FIND THIS HAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHA. Dude I literally just went on this video from link to link. COINCIDENCE or WHAT
LMFAOOOO
Ian Chui Frkn hilarious bwahahahaah. I get it too.
+neyo509 Holy shit this was one day ago!?!? BWAHAHAHA
wtf?!! xD hahahahaha.... nice nice nice!!! X))))
The final battle between Azula and Zuko was so symbolic to me. It helped redefine everyone's perspective of how a family should be and how it wasn't. It shows that not every family is perfect and behind every great social status is a suffering for each of its members. It's sad Zuko's family went down the drain. Azula was such a good character.
Whenever Zuko bends, I'm always reminded of how amazing of a bender he is, but all the praise ever went to Azula. Despite that he kept his head high and that's what makes him love him;-; so diligent.
Vkusnodon I always admired Zuko because despite all the crap he's been put through, he always keeps his head high and pushes through the challenges he's faced with.
Why does 'Agni Kai' sound so badass?
This fight scene was just gorgeous.
Every detail made it perfect.
It was such a beautiful scene, and they could have made the score some fast paced action-movie vibe, but they didn’t. And it’s much better. Watching that fight scene HURTS because you’re watching a 14 year old girl lose everything, you’re watching two siblings, who used to play with each other as kids, have their final battle. They’re still family, and that shit just hurt
I watch this show once a year beginning to end its just that good. Never gets old..
This fight > all seasons of korra
God, I can still hear the epic sounds of the fire blasts from both Zuko and Azula even by listening to the instrumental alone. It's give me chills
This just makes me wanna Tearbend!!!!!
I'D LAUGH
*BUT I'D RATHER CRY*
I truly love how self aware and deep this show can get. When other shows would focus on the fight and making it exciting and watchable for the kids that usually watched Nickelodeon, the producers of Avatar chose to address the sadness of two siblings being forced to fight each other through the way they laid out this scene.
The night the finale aired was one of the best nights of my life, no question
Perfect music to capture the sadness of a sibling rivalry between a brother and a sister who were inevitably pushed to crash against the other as a result of their disastrous childhoods.
Azula-Es tut mir so leid das es auf diese Weise enden muss Brüderchen
Zuko- Glaub ich dir nicht
Episch ❤❤❤😍😍😍😍😭🔥
I've been re-watching this show on netflix recently and it's been so long since I watched it and it reminds me how much care and thought was put into this show, its animation, its characters, the story, the world setting, the soundtrack and the life lessons. This is by far one of the best shows of all time if someone was to say this show is garbage then they have no idea what they are missing out on