These Avatar facts are mind-bending. See what we did there? Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Surprising Facts About Avatar: The Last Airbender.
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00:00 "Did Jet just... die?"
00:02 "You know, it was really unclear."
00:04 Welcome to WatchMojo,
00:06 and today we're counting down our picks for the top 10 surprising facts about Avatar The Last Airbender.
00:12 "Where is my mother?"
00:14 For this list, we're looking at interesting trivia regarding the production and impact of this animated series.
00:19 In case you haven't seen Avatar before, a spoiler alert is in order.
00:24 Are there any fun facts we missed? Let us know in the comments.
00:28 Number 10. It set a Netflix record.
00:31 "Will you go penguin sledding with me?"
00:32 Even 15 years after premiering, Avatar is demonstrating no signs of fading into obscurity.
00:38 If anything, its fan base is only growing, and the show's presence on Netflix is proof.
00:42 In May 2020, the series returned to the streaming service in the United States.
00:47 "Aang, how long were you in that iceberg?"
00:50 "I don't know, a few days maybe?"
00:52 "I think it was more like a hundred years."
00:55 Although it wasn't showcased on the main page, Avatar became US Netflix's most popular series within one week,
01:02 even surpassing newer shows like Dead to Me and Outer Banks.
01:05 By July 2020, Avatar set a record for the service,
01:09 maintaining the longest consecutive run on Netflix's daily top 10 chart.
01:14 It appeared on the list for 60 straight days, while the second placeholder, Ozark, had a 57-day run.
01:20 Whether audiences were revisiting the series or discovering it, Avatar is truly timeless.
01:25 "But I believe Aang can save the world."
01:28 The invaluable great Delisle Griffin landed the role of Azula due in part to the fact that she was the only actress
01:38 who didn't scream her lines while auditioning.
01:40 "My own mother thought I was a monster."
01:44 "She was right, of course, but it still hurt."
01:49 Azula didn't need to raise her voice to sound intimidating.
01:52 Delisle Griffin brought a naturally menacing presence to the character,
01:56 whether she was commanding an army or flirting with an unfortunate Fire Nation boy.
02:00 "You're pretty."
02:01 "Together, you and I will be the strongest couple in the entire world. We will dominate the Earth!"
02:08 Speaking of which, Azula was supposed to have an arranged marriage in season 3.
02:12 The creators ultimately didn't follow through on this idea, however.
02:16 Although it might have offered an interesting dynamic, Azula will always be the alpha in any relationship.
02:22 So we're not sure what a fiancé could have brought to the table.
02:24 Azula is probably better off single.
02:26 "All right, hair. It's time to face your doom."
02:29 "The Earth King has invited you to Lake Laogai."
02:39 "I am honored to accept his invitation."
02:45 Animator Sanjin Kim received a Primetime Emmy for his work on the episode "Lake Laogai."
02:49 The titular lake appears tranquil on the surface, but underneath is a prison where people are brainwashed.
02:55 Considering that Avatar was not afraid to tackle real-world issues like war and genocide,
03:00 it shouldn't come as a surprise that Lake Laogai was inspired by an actual Chinese labor camp system.
03:05 Laogai is the shortened version of "Laotung Gaizao," meaning "reform through labor."
03:10 "The Laogai system parallels the Nazi forced labor system in that, above all the concentration camps in Nazi Germany,
03:18 was a sign, 'Work makes free.'"
03:20 In the 50s and 60s, Laogai camps were common in the People's Republic of China.
03:24 In addition to forced labor, brainwashing was one of the many forms of torture that prisoners could be subjected to.
03:30 "There is no war within the walls. Here we are safe. Here we are free."
03:37 What was already an incredibly dark episode is suddenly given another layer of real-world horror.
03:42 "Jet, the Earth King has invited you to Lake Laogai."
03:47 "I am honored to accept his invitation."
03:50 Number 7. Jet's off-screen exit.
03:53 "Don't worry, Katara. I'll be fine."
03:56 "He's lying."
04:04 As if Lake Laogai wasn't grim enough, this was also the episode where Jet dies at the hands of Long Feng.
04:15 Of course, Jet's demise isn't made immediately clear to the audience.
04:19 When we last see Jet alive, he's in critical condition and it's strongly implied that this is the end for him.
04:25 Jet isn't brought up again until one of the last episodes, when Sokka points out that his fate was left unresolved.
04:30 "Did Jet just... die?"
04:39 "You know, it was really unclear."
04:42 According to the creators, Nickelodeon was against showing a kid die on screen.
04:46 They weren't even allowed to confirm Jet's death later in the show's run.
04:50 Finally, when the third season got released on DVD, a commentary bubble clarified,
04:55 "For the record, Jet is dead."
04:57 Toph was right. He was lying.
04:59 Number 6. Sirius Sokka.
05:02 "Yeah! Boomerang!"
05:10 "Aww! Boomerang!"
05:12 Sometimes a performer can reshape a character's identity.
05:15 Sokka provided much of the show's comedic relief, but he was conceived as a far more serious figure.
05:20 That all changed when Jack DeSena landed the part.
05:23 Starting out as a regular on All That, DeSena brought his signature goofy edge to the character.
05:28 "Why is it that every time you play with magic water, I get soaked?"
05:33 This not only inspired the creators to make him Team Avatar's resident joker, but also to expand upon his role.
05:39 It was a good call. Like, could you imagine if Sokka had been a somber buzzkill?
05:43 "Stop doing that stuff around me. I always get wet."
05:47 Oh, right.
05:48 "This is pathetic! My jokes are way funnier than this!"
05:51 DeSena has brought the same comedic timing and unexpected depth to his equally beloved role on The Dragon Prince.
05:57 "Something so strangely familiar."
06:00 "Boomerang?"
06:03 Number 5. Prince Zuko wasn't supposed to be a major character.
06:06 "Zuko would have to do his own father."
06:10 Prince Zuko is practically a Shakespearean villain when we first meet him,
06:14 driven to restore his honor by capturing the Avatar.
06:17 "Why don't you enjoy a cup of calming jasmine tea?"
06:22 "I don't need any calming tea! I need to capture the Avatar!"
06:25 Over the course of three seasons, Zuko goes through one of the most fascinating redemption arcs in any medium.
06:31 Zuko's journey is so fleshed out that it's hard to believe he was essentially a last-minute addition.
06:37 "Who... who are you?"
06:40 "My name is Zuko, son of Ursa and Fire Lord Ozai, Prince of the Fire Nation and heir to the throne."
06:49 For most of the series, Fire Lord Ozai is a shadowy figure who operates from afar.
06:53 Although this built up great tension for the final battle between him and Aang,
06:57 it also restricted the big bad's screen time.
07:00 Thus, the writers decided to put another character out in the field who would pursue the Avatar.
07:04 Enter Zuko, who quickly evolved from a minor player to an essential one.
07:09 "I'm going to join the Avatar, and I'm going to help him defeat you."
07:13 Number four, Zutara was almost canon.
07:16 "The Fire Nation took my mother away from me."
07:20 "I'm sorry. That's something we have in common."
07:26 Team Zutara or Team Katang?
07:29 "It's crazy how devoted people are to like, 'Aang's gonna hook up with Katara, and no, Katara's gonna hook up with Zuko.'"
07:34 These two ships inspired many debates among Avatar fans,
07:37 but the series ultimately closes out with Aang and Katara sharing a kiss.
07:41 Zutara shippers almost had it their way, however.
07:44 The idea of getting Zuko and Katara together was apparently seriously considered by the show's writers.
07:49 An attraction seemed to be hinted at during season two,
07:52 when Katara offered to heal Zuko's scar in the Crystal Catacombs.
07:56 "I don't know if it would work, but..."
07:59 They developed a stronger bond in season three,
08:09 as Zuko helped Katara track down her mother's murderer.
08:12 The supposed love triangle between Zuko, Katara, and Aang was even alluded to in the Ember Island players.
08:18 "I've had eyes for you since the day you first captured me."
08:22 In the end, though, Aang and Katara express their love, while Zuko ends up with Mae.
08:27 Another highlight from the Ember Island players sees Toph portrayed by a hulking man.
08:45 "My name's Toph, because it sounds like 'tough,' and that's just what I am."
08:51 "Wait a minute. I sound like... a guy."
08:55 In the context of the show, this references Toph's commanding presence and hard-hitting nature.
08:59 If you do some research, though, you'll find that this casting choice is also a clever in-joke.
09:04 Early on in development, Toph was gonna be a muscular male earthbender.
09:08 Instead of being 12, the character was envisioned as a 16-year-old.
09:12 On top of all that, the character wasn't even gonna be blind.
09:15 "She can't really be blind. It's just part of her character, right?"
09:19 "I think she is."
09:21 "I think she is going down!"
09:23 It was head writer Aaron Ehas' idea to make Aang's new earthbending teacher a little girl
09:27 who could more than hold her own in a fight.
09:29 "I am the greatest earthbender in the world! Don't you two dunderheads ever forget it!"
09:34 Although co-creator Brian Konietzko was initially against this,
09:37 Toph would evolve into one of his favorite characters.
09:40 "I wouldn't have cast it any other way."
09:43 #2. Uncle Iroh was meant to betray Zuko.
09:46 "Brave soldier boy, comes marching home."
09:53 Following the passing of actor Mako,
09:55 Greg Baldwin inherited the role of Uncle Iroh for season 3.
09:58 When Samurai Jack returned for its final season, Baldwin would also voice Aku,
10:02 another role originated by Mako.
10:04 "Oh, that was the old Aku. This is the new Aku."
10:12 Iroh and Aku are very different characters,
10:14 one being a source of wisdom and the other being evil incarnate.
10:18 These two almost had more in common than you might think, however.
10:21 In the series finale, Iroh was originally supposed to backstab Zuko,
10:25 revealing himself as a double agent.
10:28 Iroh and his nephew shared one of the show's most heartfelt dynamics.
10:32 "You're not the man you used to be, Zuko.
10:34 You are stronger and wiser and freer than you have ever been.
10:39 And now you have come to the crossroads of your destiny."
10:43 Had the creators followed through with this twist,
10:45 it not only would have destroyed their relationship,
10:48 but also Iroh's entire character arc.
10:51 Fortunately, this idea did not make the cut.
10:54 "How can you forgive me so easily?
10:56 I thought you would be furious with me."
10:58 "I was never angry with you.
11:01 I was sad because I was afraid you'd lost your way."
11:06 Before we unveil our top pick, here are some honorable mentions.
11:10 The Cabbage Merchant was intended to be a one-off character.
11:13 His misfortune became arguably the show's best running gag.
11:16 "Security!"
11:17 "My cabbages!"
11:24 Co-creator Michael Dante DiMartino is a Family Guy alumnus.
11:28 He left that show to pursue Avatar.
11:30 "Wow, Lois, you haven't aged a bit."
11:32 "Thank you.
11:35 This 12-pack of fungicide is for my daughter, Meg."
11:39 Commander Zhao was based on his voice actor, Jason Isaacs.
11:42 His role in The Patriot helped inspire the character.
11:45 "You know, it's an ugly business doing one's duty.
11:49 But just occasionally, it's a real pleasure."
11:53 A documentary inspired the series.
11:56 Thank you, Ernest Shackleton.
11:57 "I had been watching documentaries about Shackleton's crazy Antarctic expedition
12:03 and the ship getting caught in the ice and all these guys surviving against all odds."
12:08 There was an unaired pilot.
12:10 It was first made available on DVD.
12:12 "Kai, we don't have time for this."
12:14 "Ahh, keep it up."
12:20 "Hey, quit playing around."
12:22 "I said keep it up."
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12:41 DiMartino and Konietzko decided early on to limit the series to three seasons.
12:59 While Konietzko reportedly claims this was always the plan,
13:02 Ihasz tells a different tale.
13:04 According to Ihasz, the writers briefly considered doing a fourth season of Avatar
13:08 that would have provided a redemption story for Azula.
13:10 Ihasz claims the idea was scrapped as the M. Night Shyamalan movie moved forward.
13:14 Ironically, Shyamalan was apparently in favor of a fourth season
13:18 while the creators pushed for the live-action movie to be made.
13:20 "I don't think that's a good idea."
13:22 Although we never got season four,
13:24 Aang's story would continue in the comics
13:26 while the Avatar legacy lived on in The Legend of Korra.
13:29 "I'm the Avatar! You gotta deal with it!"
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13:41 [music]