Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Art of Tearbending

Look, Avatar: The Last Airbender is good. We all know that. You don't need me to tell you that it is good, but, here is the thing, I am going to anyway. More specifically, I am going to talk about the ways in which Avatar gets me (and presumably other viewers) to cry. So, let's talk about Avatar: The Last Airbender and the art of tearbending.
Warning: this video contains Leaves From The Vine. I do not bear any responsibility for how much the inclusion of that song emotionally wrecks you.
Taokuoh's Bandcamp: taokuoh.bandcamp.com/
Sage's Rain: / @sagesrain
StuFi's remix of Leaves from the Vine: / iroh
Twitch: / razbuten
Patreon: / razbuten
Discord: / discord
Twitter: / therazbuten
Edited by Isaac Holland: / drazgames
#ATLA #AvatarTheLastAirbender

[@razbuten]

Hey all! I hope you enjoy this one. Been wanting to make it since the first Avatar video I put out, so I am glad to finally be here. I am working on a piece that will be out in a few weeks where I compare a cartoon that very few people seem to be talking about to a video game that everyone is talking about right now. I also am planning to do a charity livestream in the near future raising money for Color of Change. I am still not sure on the details for it yet (I am moving this next month, so my ability to plan additional stuff right now is low), but it will happen, so keep an eye out for that. Thanks for watching and see you soon.

[@blank7159]

excited for the charity livestream

[@Ani]

So I'm assuming the comparison is to Last of Us 2?

[@h20wizard57]

Lately you have known the exact shows I’m watching on netflix, how??? Even with kipo

[@dinizv]

Please continue with reviews like these. So glad to see one of my favorite shows reviewed by you

[@AlexTamayo.]

I want to know what does the Lady you live with thinks of Avatar: TLA? Has she seen it?

[@user-le1dc1xd7n]

i am so glad that this show is experiencing a resurgence due to its introduction to netflix. This show has truly passed the test of time.

[@razbuten]

Yeah, it is one of the greatest works of fiction ever. One of the few reliefs of quarantine has been being able to rewatch it and join in on so many conversations about it.

[@thanksiguess7828]

@@razbuten It is definitely the best show to air on Nickelodeon

[@Zeppelinschaffner22]

I hope Netflix doesnt fuck up the live action remake. But having the original creators attached as showrunners makes me a little more optimistic.

[@FunZies.]

@@Zeppelinschaffner22 Sweet summer child. Such optimism can be a dangerous thing in the world of live-action adaptations.

[@pandapotato1617]

Clemens Cohn I’m pretty sure America has also had it for years.

[@tigerlily109]

“A lot of stories seem to mistake shocking moments for impactful ones.” *SHOTS FIRED*

[@MrDj232]

Not naming any names *cough*Korra*cough*

[@callmeswivelhips8229]

That part is just clutch

[@Jobe-13]

*Looking at you LoK*

[@bibliophilecb]

**coughGameofThronescough**

[@gaius5901]

@@MrDj232 y'all keep clowning Korra, but a show in itself Korra is pretty good. Especially given with all the time constraints and deadlines Nickelodeon pushed on the Avatar team. They did the best they could and Korra suffered from that. But even then, Korra is still better than 85% of other cartoon out there

[@SonRob01]

“Wore her pride like armour” *shows her making armour* 10/10 editing 4:17

[@Pingviinimursu]

"has tackled every counter head on" while jumping head first to a rock right after that one :D

[@reyyez7720]

4:17

[@Jobe-13]

😂

[@fohbliv]

Reyyez we need more people like you

[@SonRob01]

ツFohbliv yeah sorry I forgot to timestamp thanks Reyyez

[@demmybane]

I feel like a major part of why Zuko’s Redemption is so loved and remembered is because - while it is amazingly well done - He ACTUALLY redeemed himself. So often in television and movies someone is an asshole and then slowly changes even if just a little to show they are redeeming themself and then they sacrifice themself - Usually absolving them of all sin and hatred from others. No matter if they’ve actually changed all that much and actually tried to be a better person the second they sacrifice themself all is forgiven, whereas Zuko went through the whole process, he had to EARN the forgiveness of those he hurt and not everyone will forgive him and he has to LIVE with that instead of magically being forgiven for giving his life to save someone and taking the easy way out.

[@chadpowell1832]

Preach !

[@emmaflood232]

It’s also cool they gave an example of the sacrificing redemption with Jet.

[@proggaparomita281]

I'm just happy we have a redemption arc that can at least hold a candle to Zuko's arc. Its Catra from She Ra.. I have my issues with it, but its not too bad.

[@chadpowell1832]

@@proggaparomita281 ‘Tis but kindling to Zukos eternal bonfire

[@jacobmonks3722]

@Ian K On the writers' part, it totally is.

[@King_Sad_Boy]

People bring up Tales of Ba sing se a lot, but "I don't think boomerang is coming back" hits like a god damn freight train. I cried like a bitch.

[@chimkensomnusiii7080]

Boomerang came back in The Dragon Prince. I forgot which episode though

[@King_Sad_Boy]

@@chimkensomnusiii7080 I fucking screamed out loud when that reference happened.

[@pinheadlarry4633]

What about his space sword 😭😭

[@selinguler8060]

ikr

[@nadiirly]

me too sis T~T

[@a.t.9654]

I still tear up every time I think about the tale of Iroh. This has to be the best show I've ever watched.

[@BenDBeast]

split haven like fragile tiny shells drifting in the foam

[@BlueBeetle1939]

I'm crying rn

[@clyvelawrence8820]

Ben D Beast little soldier boy....come marching home

[@fellamcgee]

that was one of the only cartoon episodes that made me cry

[@a.t.9654]

@@fellamcgee Yup

[@nikkan3810]

You misspelled Teabending.

[@foolishgoose453]

I actually read the title like that until I noticed it.

[@Search4Knowledge]

Well played sir, very well played indeed.

[@Bee_Wagner_]

*uncle Iroh has entered the chat*

[@15_heidune72]

My heart is so full of hope that it's making me...teabend!

[@abbenylund]

I haven't watched this show in years and this popped into my recommendations I thought "hey I loved this why not watch some fun theory" then I get hit with this guy actually tearbending me wtf is this what a scam god I'm drowning in tears someone help me I'm gonna go watch the entire show now

[@razbuten]

you're welcome

[@abbenylund]

@@razbuten thanks your from the bottom of my heart I mean it but I hate you please don't ever stop making videos god I hate you why did you do this to me I'm still crying thanks again

[@Brokensnowball]

@@abbenylund nice

[@miletilblight2181]

Don't skip out on Korra might be a bit less then is predasessor but it's still a pretty fucking great show

[@EtamirTheDemiDeer]

YESSSSS JOIN US

[@Chris-Moore501]

Just when I thought this show had been talked to death, my mans comes and rocks my mind with how great storytelling isn't just from plot twists, but from how the characters we care about - care about each other.

[@razbuten]

thank you lol I've wanted to make this video forever, and I think it will be my last on the avatar/korra series? maybe? I don't know. It is definitely the last big idea I had in relation to it, although, I am sure I will keep talking about the in videos that have nothing to do with it BECAUSE I CAN NOT STOP! SHIT

[@halcyon_echo42]

@@razbuten Please don't stop, this content is a wonderful reminder that there are so many of us with great memories of courageous and flawed characters, even if it was a kids show from a decade ago. Thank you for this

[@jessyweeks4979]

To add a bit to your list of small moments where characters act differently -Aang striking down the wasp in anger in the desert despite being a devout pacifist and vegetarian -Azula (really genuinely) asking on the beach at the campfire if she's the reason Zuko is angry -Sokka (who is usually confident and not thinking before speaking) flubbing up trying to explain the eclipse plan Feel free to add more. I'm curious what other people noticed

[@longliveplanetawesome3223]

Jessy Weeks There were a lot of scenes in book 3 (especially the beach episode) that show Azula in a different light. She warns her brother to be careful when visiting Uncle Iroh, helps "restore Zuko's honor" by telling Fire Lord Ozai that he was the one who killed the Avatar, invites Zuko to the campfire so he could get away from their depressing beach house, and seems genuinely concerned for her friends as they talk around the campfire. Season 3 really fleshed out Azula's character. She's not just some sociopathic, cold-hearted princess. She cares about her friends, but she sucks at showing it. She wants to prove herself to her dad because she felt like her mom loved Zuko over her, but she can't even find solace in making her father happy because he doesn't give a damn about anyone but himself. That scene after the Agni Kai, when Azula is chained down and defeated, her breakdown is painful to watch because we've seen that there is some good in her. She's just a 14 year old girl who was unfortunate enough to become to product of psychological abuse.

[@chieffanLJ27]

@@longliveplanetawesome3223 I agree with everything, except "restoring Zukos honor". That was pretty explicit that she did that because she didnt really need the extra glory, and she had a hunch that Aang was alive, and it would fall back on Zuko in the small chance that he was alive. I dont think that went towards her having good in her, that was pure scheming.

[@WeatherWX]

The burning of Zuko's family photos, flash backs of "the happier days" was a tear jerker for me.

[@user-td3ke9st9m]

Jet: Go ill be fine Toph: Hes lying... 😭

[@GeneralNickles]

In my opinion, the greatest moment in the entire series was in "Zuko Alone". When Zuko finishes fighting these bandits that have been terrorizing this town, and they've clearly seen him fire bending despite his best efforts to hide who he is. And then he says "My name is Zuko. I'm the crowned prince of the fire nation!" And then the villagers he just saved turn on him and remind him that he was banished from his home. It was this moment that Zuko finally realized that this isn't who he is. This entire episode, and several episodes before it, follow Zuko having an identity crisis, and this moment shows him finally leaving his old self behind, and heading out find who he really is.

[@SagesRain]

Avatar Month for all!!

[@darcry3121]

The Sage himself🙌

[@kylemorrison6162]

Hell yeah Sage

[@RasshuBenaio]

The calm voice man •O• woooouh

[@clairesharpe4686]

The scene in the desert where Aang goes into the avatar state makes me cry, because it reminds me that Aang is just 12 and I think about the time Katara tells Aang that it hurts her to see him like that. Also Irohs son's birthday hurts me everytime

[@razbuten]

The desert scene ruins me every time I watch it without fail.

[@papl20]

That scene breaks me because at that point Appa is the only REAL thing that Aang has left from his culture and his time, Appa's not only a 12 y/o pet and best friend, Appa is the representation of his roots, his beliefs and his people. Without Appa, as Aang stated, he "won't survive"...

[@lennonalemon8275]

Actually he's 112

[@Mr2BonClay]

LEAVES FROM THE VINE

[@kyotow7388]

@@papl20 it is actually so incredible how a show that’s great for children can have so much things for grown ups to notice. I loved it when I was a child and having rewatched it I can safely say I love it now too. Incredible, I just wish Kora was better but I didn’t even expect it to come out. My dad just said one evening that Avatar is getting a continuation and I was like WHAT

[@kuromihaohao]

Some of the moments that impacted me was when: 1, Sokka said that Katara is his mother figure, and Toph said that Katara cares for her more than her actual mom. 2, when Toph said that she doesn't really care about her physical appearance (since I also have a disability) [Tales of Ba Sing Se]. Esp the first one that I mentioned, I feel like crying when I watched that. For someone who lost her mother at a young age, I barely remember my own mother anymore or have any emotional connection with her. I had a stepmom, and now, my aunt as my mother figure. It's just... :"

[@jharris3110]

To kinda add to that part about Sokka saying he saw Katara as his mother figure: during the Southern Raiders episode in the later half of season 3 when Katara lashed out at Sokka and told him something along the lines of "You didn't love her the way I did" made me reel back, and the way Sokka responded reminded me of that conversation with Toph. I was also reminded of how, after my aunt passed away and funeral arrangements were made, one of my cousins had verbally lashed out towards his siblings because of how much he was hurting.

[@unseenasymptote4976]

I don’t cry at works of fiction, but I’ll be damned if “Leaves from the Vine” doesn’t bring me close

[@razbuten]

I cry at a lot of fiction, but "Leaves from the Vine" hits different than pretty much anything.

[@majorsimmons2633]

Me neither Leaves from the Vine, Bojack Horseman, and Jurassic Bark have all made me feel sad though.

[@daleyhuard3675]

I may not cry, but mark my works that I'm feeling pretty fukken depressed after.

[@Efhix]

Dont lie we know

[@jadonberg9364]

Dammit, I had a five year streak of not crying at fiction before I saw that scene for the first time a couple weeks ago

[@april_showers04]

I cried like 8 times while watching _this_ , so yeah, AtLA is good at being emotional.

[@razbuten]

lol that's how I felt writing the script

[@naufalap]

i havent even rewatched it since the first airing but tears still well up despite me not being able to recall why

[@whalecat8049]

I love your profile pic

[@SkylineBNR34]

Every time I see Iroh and that poster of his son or even hear that tale, I cry.

[@toothpastehombre]

Same

[@Gidaio]

I just recently rewatched Avatar while my wife was out of town. When I first started my rewatch, I was apprehensive. I didn't want to get into it only to realize that my fond childhood nostalgia of it was only that: nostalgia. I was so pleasantly surprised when after the first episode, I could tell that my nostalgia wasn't just from fond memories. I then proceeded to binge the entire thing in three days; one day for each book.

[@dogacanizmirden7786]

Dude you should watch it with your girlfriend too

[@MenRot]

@@dogacanizmirden7786 And with wife too!

[@zombiekiller225]

Lol I did the exact same thing

[@urinetrouble0543]

Nurauzhan .Kushkinbayev hol up

[@GeneralNickles]

Me and a couple friends once binge watched the entire series in ONE NIGHT to get one our friends cought up going into the premier of Legend of Korra. I was worried it wouldn't hit as hard or feel as meaningful watching everything back to back.(because watching one episode a week as they premier is a totally different kind of experience) but this show really pulls it off. It's a testament to just how masterfully crafted it really is.

[@fwuuton]

Bruh when Toph was hanging in the air and her and Sokka's hands slipped leaving only their *fingers* to desperately hold on to is a detail that really hit he hard as a child. The creators could have had them just hold hands like any normal show but that hand slip was an action I'd only seen in Avatar and really upped the tension in what could have been their last moments

[@Door227]

“I don’t think boomerangs coming back toph”

[@soundgal_sine_qua_non]

"Leaves from the Vine" consistently breaks my heart, but that Sokka/Toph scene gets me EVERY TIME. Toph's the greatest earthbender of all time, but when she does need help in the series (once she realizes it's ok for people to help you), she gravitates toward Sokka. And Sokka, who has been in protector mode since the beginning of the series and has learned the hard way what happens when he can't protect someone, takes that seriously in a way that still respects her capabilities while acknowledging her needs (like how she holds his arm when they and Aang are flying back to Ba Sing Se in the Crossroads of Destiny episode). She in turn has his back when he's in danger. The set up of him literally being broken and defenseless but still trying to keep her from falling, her only being able to see with her hands and feet so the only thing that she "sees" as she's dangling in mid air is Sokka, and that moment where they both realize and accept that this could be the end....it kills me.

[@kermitmurder5536]

I was watching the ember island players episode literally seconds before this came up in my notifications!

[@razbuten]

the best recap episode of anything ever

[@MercuryA2000]

@@razbuten Not even a question. That's such a creative and fun way of recapping that at the time I doubt many people even noticed it was a recap at all. And even if you do, its not a recap episode you skip during a long binge.

[@glowerworm]

@@MercuryA2000 the one with the play? Honestly, that was the worst episode of the series. Unneeded, unfunny, and the only actual part that moves the characters forward was Aang's admission to Katara, which was done poorly in my opinion, and either way, didn't deserve to be shoehorned into such a shitty episode. The filler episodes up until that point did a decent job of not being entirely filler, and still moving the plot forward. But that episode was pure pointless filler.

[@CharlieQuartz]

glowerworm You are a sad, strange little commenter and you have my pity. Farewell

[@glowerworm]

@@CharlieQuartz lol the rest of the show is still good. And I loved the show as a kid and got another appreciation for it when I watched it again this year. You can like a show and still accept its bad episodes and flaws. Just because its popular and pretty good doesn't mean there aren't bad episodes.

[@chessplayer6632]

“I’m not crying, just water bending through my eyes 😭”

[@noah5793]

Avatar is a show that has and probably will never get old for me and the more videos I watch about it the more I realize why.

[@jadenpalermo5179]

I'm so happy you shouted out Sages Rain, he's honestly such an underrated KZbinr whos somber voice just makes wanna keep on watching. He makes a ton of different videos from Naruto, Avatar, Batman, and so much more. If you like intellectual videos like this, I can not stress enough that you should check him out.

[@pamspray5254]

The depth of character is one of the reasons this show is actually something of a reference to me when writing my own stories. I don't copy, I couldn't copy what they did in the show, but I do take notes on why scenes worked so well and puzzle together a way to reach the same level of impact with my own characters. One of the best moments I wrote in recent memory was of the patient character losing their temper about something. I spent literal years weaving this man into someone who could wait out the end of the world if he needed to. He's a tricky character to write for, often preferring to not act in situations and let what's happening happen, but in the rare moments that he breaks and chooses to take action first or loses his temper, it means something. And that's something I learned to do from Avatar: The Last Airbender. Who said cartoons couldn't teach you anything of value?

[@BREADSWORD]

ANOTHER BANGER KING LET'S GOOOOOOO

[@razbuten]

fucking bless

[@gcastudio]

@@razbuten i remember on breadsword's Gurren video you commented, now he's here. What a gr8 yt friendship

[@blank7159]

Avatar: The Last Tearbender

[@razbuten]

honestly, I think it is the first tearbender, because a lot of us be out here tearbending

[@locorocky1]

@@razbuten XD

[@duchi882]

Its amazing how a children's cartoon can make you feel a kaleidoscope of emotions.

[@wyattbreymeyer4033]

trust i got little nephews that live w me this aint no regular kids tv show

[@Shnarfbird]

-Insert CS Lewis quote here-

[@SagesRain]

Amazing video! Thank you so much for the shout-out my guy, I really appreciate it

[@TheMysterieRPGguy]

I'm a cold hearted soulless robot (most of the time) but god dang did avatar know how to make me cry at times.

[@longliveplanetawesome3223]

TheMysteryRPGguy Same here. Watching Avatar turns me into a spineless punk, yet I've rewatched the series in its entirety about 3 times. Then there are the episodes that REALLY get me looking like a human Niagara Falls (When Aang learns he's the last airbender, The Storm, The Seige of the North, Zuko Alone, The Library, The Desert, Tales of Ba Sing Se, Appa's Lost Days, Crossroads of Destiny, Day of Black Sun, Sozin's Comet, and probably others). I've rewatched those episodes countless times.

[@h20dynamoisdawae37]

I never cried. I have no emotions.

[@groofay]

Just that cut at 7:41 had me welling up, even though I knew it was coming because how on earth can you talk about Avatar and crying without bringing up *that?*

[@yorkoh5880]

Currently rewatching too, and when Tales of Ba Sing Se began, my wife was straight up looking away. Such a tearjerker with Iroh and the double punch about Mako...

[@geoffjeff6016]

Found out about it at school, honestly could not hold my tears 😥

[@blarghinatelazer9394]

Then immediately followed by Appa's Lost Days.

[@DankSouls37]

"look it happens to Zuko a lot" I never switched from crying to laughing so quickly lol

[@Aaa-oz3lx]

Iroh: sings leaves from the vine Me: I’m not crying just tear bending

[@caedmonmyeni6684]

I'm still tryna figure out how Sokka kept his haircut fresh

[@MysteriumArcanum]

IIRC there's a scene in I think book two or three where he uses his boomerang as a razor.

[@BonaparteBardithion]

@@MysteriumArcanum Yup, same scene where Aang is shaving his head.

[@caedmonmyeni6684]

Yeah I guess but he only shaves his moustache in the scene

[@Gredran]

The Desert has a special place in my heart for getting me interested in the show. At that point, I think I had watched one, maybe two episodes in season 1 and at the time, wasn't hooked. I thought it was too goofy and too kiddish(from the ones I had seen) and wasn't drawn in. But I think one day I catch halfway through on The Library, and also that day had a bunch showing in a row and I catch that episode of all places around the time Toph does her infamous, "when one of you spots it!" blind jokes. And at that point, I didn't even KNOW Toph AT ALL. And I'm like, "wait... is she blind? and wait... DID NICK JUST APPROVE A FRICKIN BLIND JOKES?!" and I was hooked. The ending emotion with Appa leading into the tense Desert episode truly hooked me and made me want to continue on. Eventually I caught all the episodes I missed of course :) I think I was ESPECIALLY drawn to continue on with the Desert as well when Aang turns from that childish boy to, "YOU MUZZLED APPA?!" And the ensuing tension with everyone running away, and Katara just sad for him as she KNOWS she can reach him and just pulls him down and hugs him as he sobs. I was definitely not ready for that and it definitely contributed to my interest. Definitely nothing like this show! But I didn't even know the characters that well, but the emotion and the weight, compounded by the cool moves(but the emotion and story first no doubt) REALLY drew me in

[@razbuten]

This was honestly my exact experience with the show. I remember seeing ads for The Library on TV and was like "this looks neat." Watched The Desert and was hooked for life.

[@Erksah68]

Uncle Iroh was one of the most memorable characters to me. His style really made me feel good about him and myself watching. It reminded me of turkey, my origin and the warmth. I felt the same thing with Jiraiya from the Naruto series. These characters had such great depth I really enjoyed it. Cheers

[@lun3489]

sending love from another avatar fan from turkey :'))

[@yaseminturkoglu6748]

i feel the same!!! especially because iroh loves tea

[@inewulf3204]

7:44 just watched this again yesterday for the god knows how manieth time and I still tear up. EVERY, SINGLE, TIME

[@ahmedalaraby1371]

I get you last week I saw my brother watch that episode when I heard that song I instantly started crying the emotions

[@deshtom]

Call me a monster, but I’ve only ever cried at the end of Momo’s tale in Tales of Ba Sing Se. Not during any other moment in the series

[@razbuten]

when momo is just laying in appa's paw print? fuck.

[@chadpowell1832]

didn't cry the first time watching it either, then again i was 6 , watched it again recently, only cried at the end of leaves on the vine

[@eonstar]

@@chadpowell1832 same i was little when i first watched the show, so i never cried

[@h20dynamoisdawae37]

Eh. I never came close to crying at any part of Avatar.

[@mavg.]

That's fair

[@---cy5gh]

Playing leaves from the vine was a cheap shot to the feels, damn.

[@Jona69]

9:06 "A lot going on beneath the surface" with that shot xD nice editing.

[@yorkoh5880]

On a related note to the desert episode, a key point I noticed in the recent rewatch of it this weekend; Sokka is typically silly but level-headed and driven. He is usually the one pushing the group forward or reminding them of the larger quest at hand. Their reason for being in the desert comes about as his arm is twisted over a 'mini-vacation' (he initially sees the venture as a waste of time) which he ultimately uses his vote on as a chance to garner knowledge, specifically to further the grand objective of defeating the Fire Nation. The shift into using him as a comedic relief to soften the blows of the hard hitting notes of the desert also simultaneously gives Katara a chance to take the leader spotlight - when the going got tough, Sokka lets his guard down due to his thirst, and level-headed Katara advises Toph not to drink any of the cacti as she is wary of it's effects (rightly so). Overall, it was just such a well written episode and I wholeheartedly agree that the show as a whole makes these characters feel not only alive but more than just a one note character; there is genuine depth to them that the viewer can comprehend no matter their age (relatively speaking). It is something that makes me think about why I didn't enjoy Korra as much - outside of Korra herself, the main band don't have the same depth of feeling, and emotions in comparison. I liked the sequel series regardless, but the heart of ATLA wasn't Aang but the gang as a whole, and Korra took a different approach that didn't quite resonate with me.

[@tristanneal9552]

Just to add to your "it can be seen when" montage, it can be seen when the lovable and benign Uncle Iroh threatens Zhao and avenges the Water Spirit in the season 1 finale. That was a definite "oh shit" moment for most people. Edit: Nvm you mentioned it later :'D Also, in a time where Avatar videos are coming out by the dozen I congratulate you on having a genuinely insightful and new take on it.

[@AsianPaulConrad]

that scene is in my top5 scenes in Atla

[@stick-itproductions.3307]

"And look, I haven't even mentioned Iroh yet." Look out boys, a floods coming..

[@Sugarman96]

You know, when you put it that way, it kinda seems like Avatar is an extremely well written show that can be enjoyed be children as well as adults.

[@wisdommanari6701]

Huh it's almost as if well written characters can be appreciated by anyone

[@amuah2336]

Hey there let's not get crazy now

[@darcry3121]

I can't believe I know people that haven't watched this masterpiece.

[@southeastice3088]

SAME they always be like "oh it looks bad, oh its a cartoon" like stfu your missing out

[@thelegendofhuman]

@@southeastice3088 yeah they think its little kid thing or they think its a weeb thing

[@Bofner]

Avatar kills me every time. The combination of nostalgia and genuine great writing brings me to tears for almost every episode

[@Kewlausgirl]

Wow. As soon as Iroh's music started playing I welled up immediately. I didn't think I remembered the music... But there it was, knew what it was about before it showed him at the tree mourning his son. Arghhh the feels!!!

[@pagup123]

The song that Iroh sings in Tales Of Ba Sing Se episode, Leaves From the Vine, was composed by Mako Iwamatsu, the original voice actor of Iroh. Mako wrote that song when he found out he was going to die of cancer. Hence why at the end of the episode the screen read "IN HONOR OF MAKO". That song was the last recording that Mako made for the series before passing away.

[@Windjammer19]

It just gets worse, huh?

[@dknight7]

I loved this comment so much that I looked into it further, sadly it’s a rumour :( I wish it wasn’t, but Mike Dimartino wrote the lyrics and Jeremy Zuckerman composed the music. Although I believe it was Mako’s last recording - that part is apparently true.

[@mexa_t6534]

I love how you mention that this show is amazing not in spite of it being for children but because of it. Many people seem to think calling a show “for children” somehow takes away some of its merit, as if child audiences didn’t deserve good tv.

[@jonathanbrown3712]

I find it amazing how when watching the show as a kid I saw myself in Aang and wanted to be like him. I mean, that makes sense, we were the same age as the show finished and from the beginning he is the hero destined to save the world. But then recently, as I rewatched the series with my partner who had never seen it before, I can't count the number of times I teared up watching Zuko's pain and transformation. Surviving trauma and changing as a person are not light things, but they are just as heroic. What a beautiful show that has truly only gotten better with age. Thanks for your heartfelt analysis--it's the reason I first subscribed :)

[@burrhe]

"leaves from the vine starts playing" Don't cry, don't cry, you can do it. Deep breath.

[@Narrowdark]

You got me tearbending in the club right now.

[@mostpalone6077]

There is no other scene in TV history that can make me cry no matter how many times I've seen it other than "leaves from the vine"

[@rowan0083]

That episode where Appa is lost is one of the saddest.

[@loony6357]

when the opening notes for Leave From a Vine started playing I mastered tearbending-

[@ashleyhall1185]

I legit have tears in my eyes just watching this because all these moments are so powerful. I cry every single time I see the ending of the Desert. The empathy in Katara and the rage in Aang are just so palpable, it's impossible for me not to feel something. This show is just soooo amazing. (obviously Iroh in the Tales of Ba Sing Se also makes me cry every time, but I just wanted to focus on what I feel like is an underrated scene for emotion)

[@TwixtheWizard]

This is maybe my favourite World and Story in the fantasy genre. It's just fantastic

[@FurrySh0ck]

Every character had someone to be there for them in their hardest moments. Iroh never had it. 9:15

[@vsf_dave811]

The moment that Zuko admits that he’s angry not at the world, but at himself and the choices he made is such an underrated moment. That one makes me choke up every time man

[@xyrenegade]

Coming back to this, 14 years later it still has a special place in my heart. Waking up from afternoon naps watching this, over and over again.

[@Ilovefent]

Dave filoni, showrunner of the clone wars, worked on avatar

[@emersonlopes6568]

And the thesis of the video can be seen in the siege of mandalore arc in the last season, mainly the moment (spoilers) Rex tears up over the fact the clones are trying to kill him and Ahsoka, showing him at his most vulnerable in the entire series.

[@treyschober626]

One of the clone troopers called Appo has an upside down arrow on his helmet referencing Avatar.

[@mitwhitgaming7722]

@@treyschober626 What's funny is that Appo was in RotS, but he may have been named retroactively.

[@treyschober626]

@@mitwhitgaming7722 Wow I didn't know that, the more you know.

[@jishnusuresh4007]

R u subscribed to Roundtable

[@dL-ky2rp]

I'd love to see this idea of comic relief balanced with darkness fleshed out more with more examples. Like hunchback of Notre Dame. Why does the balance work in Avatar but come off wonky in the Disney movie

[@sila9655]

"You wouldn't expect XY why to act like that" That sentence made so much sense, but also so little. I mean he is right, I probably would not expect that in a show, because most of them create characters which are meant to act in ONE certain way, but Avatar is different. The show handled it so much better. It showed that a persons personality is more complex and that being strong and being emotional is not meant to be mutually exclusive and that's simply wonderful. Thank you for this video.

[@oscarmaer3676]

"In this episode Sokka provides comic relief to break up the tension of the terrible situation the team has found themselves in" Yep sums up pretty much the majority of what I remember of the show, the team getting in trouble and Sokka just, well, being Sokka

[@m3l0nade]

You have really good storytelling skills. Like that shit is hard to do, yet you seem to do it so easily. Your voice is soothing but not boring and the structure if the video and the way you explain and describe things really keep you interested. Good job!

[@VanOfSalt]

“Strike me! You never held back before!” Hits me every time

[@catsinwonderland7473]

It.. really... strikes you, huh? *im sorry for that. I saw the opportunity and took it.*

[@armchairrocketscientist4934]

I shall have to return to this - I'm watching Avatar for the first time, and I'm at the beginning of season 2. So far, I'm thoroughly enjoying it.

[@CaptainGulasch]

The Song Iroh sings to his son playing in the background was enough to bring me to tears

[@Silversky1113]

Damn, there must be tearbending ninjas in my room what the hell?

[@scroogan]

I just started watching the last airbender again a long time since I was a kid, and I must say, this show only gets better over time!

[@jacencade4019]

You know what makes me tear bend? Leaves from the vine Falling so slow. Little soldier boy Come marching home.

[@randombird5443]

Iroh: sings Leaves From the Vine Me: "Alright, welp... time to tearbend"

[@Mr_Mimestamp]

I didn’t think we’d get another Avatar video from you! You’re spoiling us at this point.

[@razbuten]

lol yeah! I don't know if I have another one in me right now? When I put out the first one, I knew I wanted to make this one at some point. I feel like I've said a lot of what I want to say about ATLA and Korra, although that could always change. Maybe I'll see something new when I rewatch it for the 28th time.

[@nonamea9177]

Nathan L It’s you again. Every time I see someone with this profile picture it’s you!

[@Cacowninja]

"Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Art of Tearbending" So basically water bending but with tears.

[@ahmedalaraby1371]

Oh my when you should the clip of iroh in tales of basingsay I instantly started crying lightly it's the most emotional moment in television history . What an amazing show .

[@Malum3538]

I literally took days off School in grade 12 to watch this show, it taught me more about emotional intelligence and good writing than I learnt at school

[@felicity9644]

Zuko's growth is always amazing, but I get the most chills from the moments Aang gets angry or emotional because they're genuinely the scariest moments. You expect Zuko to be dramatic and emotional, but not necessarily admit it. You never expect Aang to be angry.

[@t.fairuz29]

"Iroh is a character that seems like he has a lot going on beneath the surface" Shows clip of Iroh soaking in the hot springs, probably bare ass. I see that you did there.

[@dorusie5]

"One whose eyes are always shut opens them, even if only for a second" - TV Tropes

[@viveknegi4243]

It's kind of the same thing that Pixar does with its most memorable scenes. They use happy music when the scene is supposed to be quite sad. This creates a contrast where you are hearing music in high notes that tries to uplift your spirits and make you happy but on the other hand, you are witnessing something opposite, something sad, on the screen. There is a very good video on KZbin about this.

[@gorbinbundle]

I think they're referring to the video by "Sideways", awesome music KZbinr that takes interesting looks at music in popular culture and such If anyone wanted to know

[@AntjedePantje]

Are you perhaps referring to Sideways's video? That video legit made me cry 😂😭 also, that whole channel is a gem 👌🏽

[@FunZies.]

@@AntjedePantje Absolutely. I'm subscribed to Sideways, though I am not musically inclined in any way, so I have to just nod along and pretend I know what he's talking about sometimes. ('^̮ ^)

[@occidereparabellum68]

It's called juxtaposition, for example the song of Marshmello called happier, the tone of the song is upbeat but the lyrics contrast it, this explains how sometimes when we are happy we jump to the best and snap to the rhythm but when something hits hard in our lives, we immediately understand the song and go through the motions in life

[@maikana1391]

I’m literally just rewatching Avatar for the hundredth time and it has me on the verge of tears so damn much. Loved hearing your thoughts about this!

[@Benn-iw2ch]

The fact that I was almost brought to tears even tho I've never seen avatar means that it's great at emotional stuff.

[@star-pn4hz]

7:41 “oh look, I haven’t even mentioned..” as it cut to it and the tune started i teared up, even though previously today i was looking at videos of that moment, avatar made me happy and sad, angry and calm, and lowkey helped me better myself as a person.. i fucken love avatar

[@siderealsecond4444]

I don't get brought to tears very often, but for some reason seeing Azula completely sobbing after her fight with Zuko... hits really hard.

[@gustavoblum2886]

Perfect timing for this video as I just finished rewatching avatar this week. As a 20yo I can say that Zuko redemption scene with Iroh makes me tear up harder than I ever did watching this show as a kid.

[@38svenson]

I just started rewatching the show a few days ago and its one of the rare shows that even after growing out of the typical age most people expect to watch these shows, is still just as great or even better than it was the first time i watched it. The mixture of humour and seriousness, and everything is just soo good that i havent found something similar in all the years since Avatars release. Also great video! Really enjoyed it!

[@spriddlez]

I teared up 5 different times in this video. This is a damn good show and you pointed out things I noticed unconsciously so well. Thank you for this amazing video,.

[@blaireshoe8738]

I have watched Avatar: The Last Airbender (TLA) twice through now, once when I was quite young and once before digging into The Legend of Korra as it was being aired, which come to think of it I never kept up with (I also watched the TLA movie- significantly less worth a rewatch). I have been wanting to rewatch TLA for a while now, but keep telling myself I should wait so that I forget more of it so that I can enjoy it more, but seeing this... it's unforgettable. So many clips brought tears to my eyes without the full context of the show (granted, you did pick them specifically to talk about tearbending). I still have the Secret Tunnel song loop in my head on occasion with no prompt (or the prompt of a literal tunnel just existing in conversation or my field of view, of course). It's such a beautiful show, and if I want to enjoy it all over again despite it not having been 20 years since my last viewing by god I WILL ENJOY IT (it's literally been almost a decade and it still feels so fresh).

[@ABaier-pn1pl]

Thank you. One can't be reminded of this shows values too often!

[@AustinGiesey]

I love that this show came to Netflix, it’s been a joy to relive, razbuten you make amazing content and you’ve inspired me to create my own channel, you’re frickin awesome, and so is this show

[@razbuten]

Best of luck!

[@Robyamdam]

avatar the last airbender is proof that children tv shows can be amazing

[@Averns]

Facts!

[@lv4c863]

😐

[@kitthekat6844]

What about Spongebob?

[@rainyclockuno3135]

@@kitthekat6844 mainly the first three seasons, and as a comedy, yeah

[@zeikjt]

I think a lot of classic children's tv shows had their moments (Batman: The Animated Series/Beyond, Samurai Jack, The Fairly OddParents, The Simpsons, etc.) but few shows got those moments as often as Avatar did back then. We've come a long way since then with shows like Adventure Time, Steven Universe, Bob's Burgers, Gravity Falls etc. becoming much more common! And that's not even covering any anime. It's a great time to be alive :)

[@Hakuu_A19]

I can't describe the feelings I went through in the last moments of the final episode 🥺 I've never struggled so bad with accepting that it was the end

[@DominoPivot]

Excellent analysis. I can't event look at that scene from The Tale of Iroh without tearing up. Man, that show is perfect.

[@ThatOneLadyOverHere]

Avatar is phenomenal is every way. The characters are so deep. The cinematic aspects and small details they used to portray things are incredible! In high school about midway through the series in my art class we combined with the drama class to learn a bit about composition. We learned that the left side of the screen is the uneasy side and the right is the comforting side. This is because your brain needs to finish scanning the screen, but if what it's focusing on is on the left half it can't finish looking at the screen. After learning that I saw this used through out Avatar in every single thing possible. The direction armies are running, whose on what side of the screen. And everytime they do the close up on the face they do the good guys on the right and the bad on the left. Zuko is an especially interesting because the fact that his scar is on the left side of his face is important. When he's bad and on the left side of the screen we only see his burned eye, but when he has switched sides and healed from that wound emotionally, he's on the right side and we don't see the wound at all. I can't imagine how many other composition elements they are using just as thoroughly. I admire they're work so much!

[@themighteefox]

The scene, where Zuko is on his knees, crying and asking for Iroh's forgiveness and Iroh hugging him, saying that he never was angry with him but feared he lost his way, is the greatest scene. Always brings me to tears (even thinking about it).

[@waifu_png_pl6854]

same here. most emotional scene for me. especially when you consider that the previous time he was begging his father figure for forgiveness, he got scarred and banished. iroh and zuko have such a great and meaningful relationship and this is the emotional climax of it all. everything iroh taught zuko, every decision zuko made, how both of them changed by their journey together, its all there. it was animated and voiced perfectly. you can hear the emotions in their voices. im not an emotional person and even leaves from the vine doesnt get me crying. but this will always get me crying, even if a little

[@bluffinburg2233]

I’m so happy you made a video on this show. It’s so amazing

[@michaelstollard7126]

Man I love this channel, there's so much I wish I could say about this show and you're helping get out there my feelings on it. I could discuss this show for hours and being able to watch your channel it's clear that you really understand the show. Grade A content

[@AlexisUHCruz]

Terrible editing you played Iroh's song and my tears couldnt let me see the screen or pay attention. What say you😭

[@MrDanny9557]

When Katara admits to her dad how upset she was that he left, despite her being responsible and strong. it kills me.

[@eduardogiles6467]

This is one of my favorite channels in KZbin, you speak about things I like and other interesting things. Thanks :)