VOICE OVER: Rebecca Brayton WRITTEN BY: Andrew Tejada
The best Azula moments on "Avatar: The Last Airbender" all burned with fury. Our countdown includes betraying Zuko, conquering Ba Sing Se, recruiting Ty Lee, and more!
Top 10 Best Azula Moments on Avatar: The Last Airbender
Welcome to MsMojo and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 best Azula moments on “Avatar the Last Airbender”.
For this list, we’ll be looking at the most memorable scenes that feature the devious and dangerous fire nation princess.
What is your favorite Azula quote? Let us know in the comments below!
#10: Betraying Zuko
“The Avatar State”
Several years after Zuko’s father banished him from the Fire Nation, his sister Azula shows up with great news. She tells him the Firelord regrets sending the prince away and wants his son back. But before Zuko can get on a ship home, someone accidentally reveals the prince is a prisoner. Azula is extremely casual when her lies are discovered. After Zuko lashes out at her, she belittles him, almost hits him with lightning, and kicks off a nationwide manhunt to track him down. This episode gave us the first taste of how ruthless Azula is. We know brothers and sisters don't always get along, but the amount of damage she did to her sibling in under 24 hours was frankly impressive.
#9: Winning a Volleyball Game
“The Beach”
A perfectionist like Azula can't help but operate at 110%. Naturally, when she gets a chance to play volleyball on Ember Island, she doesn't hold back. After stacking her team with three of the most talented teenage fighters in the Fire Nation, they get to work. Azula ends up kicking the ball so hard that it causes a mini explosion. Once her team claims victory, she relishes her triumph with an epic victory speech. It's hard not to admire her insane dedication to everything she does. Unfortunately, the high level of intensity she brings to sports doesn't translate well to her flirting attempts.
#8: Recruiting Ty Lee
“Return To Omashu”
While hunting her brother and uncle, Azula decides that a special mission requires special forces. She immediately knows that her acrobatic friend Ty Lee would be perfect for her squad, but the circus performer initially refuses Azula’s invitation. When Ty Lee is in the middle of a high-flying stunt later that night, Azula orders the safety net to be lit on fire and all the wild animals to be released. Ty Lee gets the message and joins the princess's team after the show. Although we knew Azula could be brutal to her enemies, we had no idea that she could be this vicious to people she likes. But while her recruitment methods may be cruel, you can't argue with the successful results.
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#7: Fighting On a Gondola
“The Boiling Rock, Part 2”
When Zuko and his allies attempt to escape the boiling rock on a gondola, Azula refuses to let her prey go so easily. She uses firebending to propel herself across the ropes until she catches up to her brother. Once atop the moving transport, Azula doesn't hesitate to fight Zuko and his sword-wielding ally Sokka. It's already impressive that she's holding her own against two formidable combatants, but the fact that she's doing it while on a moving platform is nothing less than incredible. Azula only abandons the fight when it looks like the gondola’s ropes will fail. And just in case you forgot how cold she is, she smiles when it looks like Zuko will fall with the gondola to his certain doom.
#6: Azula Becomes the Banishlord
“Sozin's Comet, Part 3: Into the Inferno”
Although Azula excels at a lot of things, she's never been good at trusting people. This character flaw is really apparent on her coronation day. When a servant leaves a pit in one of Azula’s cherries, the soon-to-be firelord banishes the servant from the palace. She proceeds to exile the entire Dai-Li Army for their “slow” response time, and her advisors for suggesting she postpone a ceremony. While it's kind of sad to see her coming apart at the seams, it's still hilarious to watch her punish people for extremely petty reasons. Azula banishes so many people that there's hardly anyone left to watch her coronation.
#5: Escaping Six Skilled Warriors
“The Chase”
It looked like a good day for Azula when she tracked the Avatar to an empty village where he had no backup. When Zuko shows up though, she's forced to fight against two skilled opponents. Eventually, the warrior Sokka and master benders Katara, Toph, and Iroh all show up to fight her as well. But it's not game over for the princess just yet. She takes advantage of the few seconds when Iroh loses concentration to attack him before mysteriously vanishing from the scene. If any other person had to fight these six enemies, they would probably give up, but Azula has the cunning to escape and fight another day.
#4: Stalling Opponents Without Her Powers
“The Day of Black Sun, Part 2: The Eclipse”
Knowing that firebenders lose their powers during an eclipse, Aang, Sokka, and Toph try to find the firelord during the solar event. However, when they arrive at his bunker room, Azula is waiting for them. Toph tries to use her earthbending skills to interrogate the princess, but Azula’s way too good at lying. When the Gaang tries to attack her, she's able to dodge most of their bending moves. Even when they corner her, she uses mind games to keep them distracted until the eclipse ends. It's amazing to watch Azula hold such capable adversaries at bay without her powers. Even at her weakest, she's a force to be reckoned with.
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#3: Conquering Ba Sing Se
“Crossroads of Destiny”
Have you ever wondered how you could conquer the most fortified city in the Earth Kingdom? Azula has a three-step plan. First, you have to defeat a fearsome Earth Kingdom fighting force named the Kyoshi Warriors. Then you steal their outfits so you can assume their identities and meet the Earth King. Once you gain his trust, you just have to be intimidating and clever enough to win the loyalty of the secret army intended to protect him. If you do all of this correctly, you too will be able to stage a coup and take Ba Sing Se just like Azula did. Her historical conquest is so masterful that it should seriously be studied in Fire Nation schools.
#2: Facing Off Against Zuko in an Agni Kai
“Sozin's Comet, Part 3: Into the Inferno”
Before Azula officially became the Firelord, her brother Zuko showed up to claim the throne. She immediately challenges him to an Agni Kai. The resulting battle is a beautiful display of comet-enhanced firebending. Even though Azula is not at the top of her game, she still manages to pull off a series of incredible moves. But once the fight starts tipping in Zuko's favor, she attacks Katara with lightning. After the prince fails to redirect the electricity away from his friend properly, he's left unable to continue the fight. We shouldn't have been surprised that Azula would resort to such cutthroat and underhanded tactics. Even when she's all-powerful, the princess doesn't mind cheating to win.
Before we fire up our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
Instantly Knowing that a Guard Is Lying
“The Boiling Rock, Part 2”
Telling Everyone Zuko Slayed the Avatar
“The Awakening”
Azula Stops Herself from Free Falling
“The Southern Raiders”
Threatening the Captain of A Ship
“The Avatar State”
#1: Nearly Ending The Avatar Cycle
“Crossroads of Destiny”
If Aang dies while in the Avatar state, the world will never have another Avatar again. Fans will never forget the time Azula became frighteningly close to making this happen. With the brother she once hunted newly recruited to her side, the sibling duo takes on Aang and Katara. When the Airbender enters the Avatar state to try to win the battle, Azula strikes him down with lightning. This was one of the most shocking moments in the entire series; Azula’s savage actions nearly threw the world out of balance permanently. Although her attack was unquestionably evil and unfair, we have to give her props. How many villains have the guts to attack the hero during their transformation sequence?
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As a passionate fan of "Avatar: The Last Airbender," I am excited to share my knowledge and expertise on the topic of Azula's best moments on the show. Over the years, Azula has captivated audiences with her devious and dangerous nature, leaving a lasting impression on fans. Throughout the series, Azula's moments have been filled with fury and intensity, showcasing her intelligence, agility, and ruthless determination.
One of Azula's standout moments is when she betrays her brother Zuko in "The Avatar State." After years of being banished from the Fire Nation, Zuko is approached by Azula, who claims that their father regrets his decision and wants him back. However, it is revealed that Azula has lied, and Zuko is actually a prisoner. Azula's casual demeanor quickly turns dark as she belittles her brother, nearly hits him with lightning, and initiates a nation-wide manhunt to capture him. This scene highlights Azula's ruthlessness and the extent of the damage she can inflict on her loved ones.
In "The Beach," Azula's perfectionist nature is on full display as she competes in a volleyball game on Ember Island. She assembles a team of talented fighters and goes all out, even causing a mini explosion with a powerful kick. Azula's dedication and intensity in everything she does are admirable, although her flirtatious attempts don't quite match up to her athletic prowess.
Another memorable moment is when Azula recruits her acrobatic friend Ty Lee in "Return to Omashu." Azula resorts to extreme measures, setting the safety net on fire and releasing wild animals during Ty Lee's performance. This brutal display convinces Ty Lee to join Azula's team, showcasing Azula's ability to be vicious even towards those she likes. While her methods may be cruel, they undeniably bring successful results.
In "The Boiling Rock, Part 2," Azula refuses to let her brother escape on a gondola. She uses her firebending skills to catch up to Zuko and engages in a fierce battle with him and Sokka. Azula's ability to hold her own against two formidable opponents while on a moving platform is truly incredible. She only retreats when it seems like the gondola's ropes might fail, leaving her brother's fate uncertain.
During her coronation in "Sozin's Comet, Part 3: Into the Inferno," Azula's lack of trust becomes evident as she banishes people for petty reasons. She banishes a servant for leaving a pit in her cherries, the entire Dai-Li Army for their "slow" response time, and her advisors for suggesting a postponement. This scene showcases Azula's unraveling mental state and her ability to punish others for trivial matters.
In "The Chase," Azula confronts the Avatar and his allies in an empty village. Forced to fight against multiple skilled opponents, Azula displays her cunning by attacking Iroh when he momentarily loses concentration and then mysteriously vanishing from the scene. This moment highlights Azula's ability to escape and fight another day, even against overwhelming odds.
During the eclipse in "The Day of Black Sun, Part 2: The Eclipse," Azula faces off against Aang, Sokka, and Toph without her firebending powers. She uses her exceptional lying skills and mind games to dodge their attacks and keep them distracted until the eclipse ends. This showcases Azula's resourcefulness and her ability to hold capable adversaries at bay even without her powers.
One of Azula's most significant moments is her conquest of Ba Sing Se in "Crossroads of Destiny." Azula formulates a three-step plan to take the most fortified city in the Earth Kingdom. She defeats the Kyoshi Warriors, steals their outfits, assumes their identities, gains the Earth King's trust, and wins the loyalty of the secret army meant to protect him. This historical conquest demonstrates Azula's masterful manipulation and strategic thinking.
In her climactic battle against Zuko in "Sozin's Comet, Part 3: Into the Inferno," Azula challenges him to an Agni Kai. Despite not being at her best, Azula displays impressive firebending moves. However, when the fight starts turning in Zuko's favor, she resorts to attacking Katara with lightning. This underhanded tactic showcases Azula's willingness to cheat and use any means necessary to win.
Finally, in "Crossroads of Destiny," Azula comes dangerously close to ending the Avatar cycle. During a battle against Aang and Katara, Azula strikes Aang down with lightning while he is in the Avatar state. This shocking moment nearly throws the world out of balance permanently, highlighting Azula's savage actions and her willingness to attack the hero during a crucial moment.
Azula's best moments on "Avatar: The Last Airbender" are a testament to her intelligence, agility, and ruthlessness. Whether it's through betrayal, conquest, or manipulation, Azula consistently showcases her capabilities as a formidable antagonist. Her actions leave a lasting impact on the characters and the audience, solidifying her status as one of the most memorable characters in the series.
