Heartwarming / Avatar: The Last Airbender (2024)

Episode 1 - Aang

• Gyatso telling Aang that no matter what, he will be a great Avatar because he is a kind, generous person.
  Aang: Can't I just stay here? Can't I just keep pretending to be your friend?
  Gyatso: Aang. You are my friend. You will always be my friend.
  • Mixes with Tear Jerker is when remembering this exchange is what snaps Aang out of the Avatar State when he, Katara, and Sokka go to the Southern Air Temple.
• Iroh's respectful and friendly treatment of Aang while he is imprisoned in Zuko's ship.
• A small one, but unlike the cartoon where it's nearly empty, Zuko's room is filled with many trinkets that he collected for over the years, as well as many paintings that he made himself, which hints at a studious and artistic side.

Episode 2 - Warriors

• While also a Tear Jerker, just before leaving the Southern Air Temple, Aang gives Monk Gyatso a proper burial and promises to honor his sacrifice by saving the world.
• Sokka's and Suki's adorably awkward interactions throughout the episode, made sweeter with this being one of Suki's first interactions with the outside world as well as Sokka being able to move past his insecurities in his battle experience.
  • Mixed with Awesome is Sokka protecting Suki from a particularly close call.

Episode 3 - Omashu

• Jet and Katara's heart to heart in regards to the loved ones that they lost because of the war. Near the end, Jet reminds Katara that she should remember not just her mother's death, but the good times and "the sunrise" as well, which gives her the oomph needed to master the water whip.
• Iroh putting the target on himself by firebending so that Zuko, who ended up blowing his cover, could escape to safety.

Episode 4 - Into the Dark

• A flashback to Lu Ten's funeral reveals that despite several people being in attendance, Zuko was the only one who was truly there for the grieving Iroh, giving him Lu Ten's medal and sitting down to keep the old man company. A later flashback shows the day Zuko was exiled, with Iroh not hesitating to accompany his nephew, despite the fact that they may be gone for a very long time. It really helps to show the unconditional love they both share for each other, even if Zuko has some trouble admitting it.
  • Notes from "Leaves From the Vine" subtly plays during both scenes, with the second time around hinting at how Iroh has come to view Zuko as a second son.
• Bumi put Aang through "challenges" to prove his mettle as the Avatar and displayed bitterness of Aang's disappearance, even forcing him to make a Sadistic Choice when he drops large boulders over each of their heads. Thankfully, Katara and Sokka show up to intervene and allows Aang to spare both their lives. Bumi accuses it as cheating, but Aang prompts that he'll win the war by having his friends by his side... including Bumi.
  • He then shows Bumi his whistle carved out of the same rock Bumi gave him to call Appa. Bumi smiles, finally accepting that the Aang he knows has truly returned and wants to bring balance back to the world. This also motivates the king to once again fight back with the Avatar back in the world.
  • And then Bumi "challenges" Aang to ride down the delivery system with him, just for fun.
• One of the last scenes of the episode shows the day Zuko left the Fire Nation. Understandably emotional, the prince tries to turn Iroh away by telling him that the quest will very much be a wild goose chase, and it would be a long time before either of them even see home again. Iroh's response?
  Iroh: Home. Everything I need is on this boat.
• Back in the present day, Zuko has just gotten Iroh away from the Earthbenders, having prepared a rowboat to take them back to the ship. In the process of disembarking, he looks up and happens to see Appa flying in the night sky, and he understandably hesitates.
  Iroh: What is it, Zuko?
  Zuko: ...Nothing. Let's get you home.

Episode 5 - Spirited Away

• Mai stopping Azula from maiming (or possibly just killing) a sparring partner in a rage, and along with Ty Lee expressing concern for her wellbeing. Their relationship is either better than it was in the original show or hasn't deteriorated as badly so that Mai is afraid for her, not of her. And this is Mai we're talking about.
• In the Spirit World, Aang reunites with Monk Gyatso, and the two share a very longing father/son embrace. Gyatso explains to Aang that the spirits of the other airbenders have long since moved on to Enlightenment, while he decided to remain in the Spirit World to guide Aang.
  • Aang displays a lot of Survivor's Guilt and feels responsible for what the Fire Nation has done to the world. Gyatso quickly assures him that the war was not his fault and there was nothing he could've done. Had Aang stayed at or returned to the Air Temple, he would've been killed along with the others and all hope would have been lost.

Episode 6 - Masks

• Aang trying to bond with Zuko while they're hiding from Zhao's soldiers. Aang starts by asking Zuko what he uses for his calligraphy brush before he starts going on about how bad he was at calligraphy. Zuko finally decides to answer Aang's question and they start to actually getting along for a moment. Zuko even smiles during the exchange.
• After spending most of the season being annoyed and fed up with Zuko and his attitude, Lieutenant Jee and the rest of the crew learn a shocking truth from Iroh: The New Meat soldiers who would've been killed had Zuko not spoken out? They're Zuko's crew. In other words, Zuko saved all their lives that day at the cost of being banished. This realization instantly gives them all a much greater respect for Zuko, and when he returns to the ship, they all line up and bow to their prince, much to his astonishment.
  • Earlier on in the episode, a frustrated Lieutenant Jee proclaims that no one on the ship even respects Zuko enough to call him their prince. However, after hearing Iroh's story and seeing Zuko in a whole new light, he only has this to say:
    Lieutenant Jee: Attention! Our prince has returned.
  • It's really important to emphasize that Zuko was obviously aware of who his crew was the entire time. In three years of them mocking him behind his back (and sometimes to his face), he never once brought this up. He never held it over their heads or tried to use it to gain their loyalty or sympathy. Yes, he's made it clear several times that he thinks they should respect him as their superior no matter what, but he also thinks that saving them was nothing special, and using it against them would just make him some jumped-up Glory Hound like Zhao.
• Once Aang returns the pendant to Koh, he releases all who he captured. Aang immediately runs up to his friends and hugs them. Even though they're dazed from what they went through, they hug him back.
• Iroh tucking in a tired Zuko after the latter returns to the ship.

Episode 7 - The North

• Lieutenant Jee frantically bursting into Zuko's room to warn him that he's been branded a traitor. This, and the fact Zuko that doesn't blow up at him from barging in, is a testament to how close Zuko has become with his crew in the time since the last episode.
• Pakku expressing his genuine sympathies to Katara for the losses that she's endured. Also, while he's going by the sexist system of the Northern Water Tribe, he was at least willing to help her learn about Waterbending through Yagoda.
• Hahn in this series is entirely unlike the original, being nice and respectful to Sokka, in particular asking him if he has any advice regarding Firebenders, mentioning that they only have an old uniform for reference. And while he's a bit sad that Yue broke off their childhood engagement (nor knows why exactly), he remains respectful of her decision, and even supports Sokka's feelings toward her.
• Katara encouraging Sokka to talk to Yue. Unlike with Suki where Katara kept questioning why Suki likes him, Katara actively tells him to just go talk to Yue and not worry too much.
• During their conversation, Yue mentions that she pops over to the Spirit World for fun in her dreams, while Sokka finds the idea less-than-ideal due his recent experiences. Halfway through his mini-rant, Sokka sighs and says "It was nothing", trying to brush the matter off, yet Yue's gently-but-firmly having none of that; she doesn't want the bad experience to internalize and fester, nor have Sokka think less of himself because of it.
• Sokka being a fully supportive big brother to Katara regarding her frustrations over women in the North not being allowed to fight. He encourages her to challenge Pakku with a proud "Kick his ass!"
  "Look, Pakku's an idiot. It doesn't matter what other people think. It doesn't matter if Dad didn't think I'd be a great warrior! But I can still be great in some way. The point is, I get to decide! Just like you get to decide who you are! Not Pakku, or anyone else!
  • He is also quick to cheer her up when she loses after putting up a terrific fight.
    Sokka: I doubt they'll say you're not strong enough now.
    Katara: No, they'll just say I lost.
    Sokka: Did you?
  • The reason why Sokka questions the idea that she lost: While Pakku was technically victorious, Katara finds herself swarmed by some of his students, who are openly in awe that she not only went up against him, but of her skills (particularly the ice disks) and openly ask if she can show them. Even though she wasn't able to win the fight, she did successfully make her point.
• At some point, Aang refuses to let his friends get involved any further in his business due to the previous Avatars insisting that Aang must complete his mission alone for his own safety and theirs. However, by the end, Katara and Sokka stand firm in their decision to help him no matter what.

Episode 8 - Legends

• Before Zuko leaves Zhao's ship to infiltrate Agna Qel'a, he tells his uncle that Lu Ten would be proud to call Iroh his father. Iroh then takes a moment to hug Zuko.
• After Yue heals Momo, a worried Sokka hugs him delightedly to his chest. It's a nice change from the Sokka who, only a few episodes earlier, wanted to turn Momo into a meal.
• Katara needs to hold Zuko off while Aang protects the Moon and Ocean Spirits. Aang shows his trust in her with an exchange that mixes with Awesome:
  Aang: Go easy. Enough people have been hurt already.
  Zuko: I don't care.
  Aang: [smirks] I wasn't talking to you.
• When the siege is over and Aang is freed from the Ocean Spirit, he emerges from the water... and smiles down at Katara. Keep in mind, Aang is still in the Avatar State. It's not just Aang, but all of the Avatars before him showing gratitude for Katara's friendship being key in saving Aang.
• Aang observes all of the destruction of the city, feeling responsible for all the pain he brought. Sokka and Katara assure the young Airbender that none of that pain is his fault. They're at war with the Fire Nation; there will be losses, and there will be pain. And Fire Lord Ozai will stop at nothing until the entire world burns to the ground. That's why the only way Aang can end the war peacefully is by having his friends by his side.
  • After spending the entire season being told by his last lives that the Avatar has to work alone in order to protect their loved ones, Aang ultimately decides he's not gonna be able to save the world alone. He even tells Katara and Sokka that it wasn't just the Moon Spirit's restoration that freed him from the Ocean Spirit, but also The Power of Friendship.