#4 Avatar the Last Airbender

    Avatar the Last Airbender is a popular animated show that aired on Nickelodeon between 2005- 2008. It follows Aang, a 12 year old boy who is the last remaining airbender and is also the Avatar, master of all four elements. He had been stuck in an iceberg for 100 years, during which the rest of the airbenders had been wiped out by the Fire Nation, throwing off the balance of the world. He is set free by Sokka and Katara, a brother and sister from the southern water tribe, who befriend Aang and aid him on his journey. Aang must now do his best to master the rest of the elements and defeat the Fire Lord to restore balance to the world. This show is one the best shows to have ever aired and I highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't seen it.  

    For anyone who is thinking "Well isn't it a kids show?" let me stop you right there. Yes, technically it is a kids show, but its complex story lines and well written characters make the show engaging enough for all ages. The main story line throughout all three seasons follows Aang as he tries to master the other 3 elements to ultimately defeat the Fire Lord and stop the century long war. He picks up many new friends along the way and learn something from each one of them. 

    This show has an array of complex characters and displays absolutely amazing character development. One of the most complex characters being Aang. It is easy to forget that Aang is just a 12 year old boy throughout the show because he is burdened with so much responsibility. We see him struggle a lot with maintaining his happy cheerful personality as he learned that he is the last of his people and everyone he once knew is now gone. We also see him struggle with the guilt of having been in the iceberg for 100 years, which has allowed the Fire Nation to cause chaos and reek havoc on the rest of the world. Despite all of this sorrow and guilt, Aang must step up and focus on defeating the Fire Lord and restoring balance, and even though he has his friends there to help him through it, there are many things he must do alone. Aang faces so many moral and personal dilemmas and learns and grows from every one of them, which is such a good lesson for both children and adults to take in. 

    It is easy to write this show off as "just a kids show", but when you really look into it, there is so much knowledge in every single episode of the show. There are too many good things to say about it, but if I had to describe this show in one word, it would be wise. Avatar the last airbender teaches practical lessons in an entertaining way, but not the same lessons most children's shows teach. It doesn't teach things like "be nice to everyone" or "don't lie, the truth is always better", but it teaches things like respecting different cultures, your past doesn't define you, and you can always learn from others. These are lessons that many adults still struggle with, and not many shows are bold enough to try to tackle them.

    There is so much more I could say about this show, but if I did I would be talking forever so I will just leave it at that for right now. Anyways thank you for reading and letting me share a little bit about one of my favorite shows!