Japanese anime has been influencing western animation since the early 80s. The creation of Avatar: The Last Airbender and its sequel The Legend Of Korra, were the first two American-made cartoons that could almost be called anime themselves. Anime-influenced animation, or amerime, began in the States with great cartoons such as Dungeons and Dragons, Animaniacs, and Teen Titans. Avatar: The Last Airbender differed from these by allowing a deep influence from Hayao Miyazaki to be a part of its overall style and design. Anime from other studios like Studio 4°C, Production I.G, Polygon Pictures and Studio Ghibli influenced the series too.
Popularity of the series grew with each new season and continued to grow even after it was no longer being televised. The success of Avatar: The Last Airbender is built on its animation, but even more so by its characters. The series took a handful of talented teenagers determined to change the world, focusing on their strengths, weaknesses, and personal growth throughout each episode.
Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko’s focus on character development, led to a series of great one-liners and hilarious bits, followed by heartbreaking tales and tear jerking moments. With such an abundance of content, memes from Avatar: The Last Airbender became a staple of fans showing love and support to the show. From the endless library of Uncle Iroh’s proverbs to the crazy outbursts from Sokka, fandom has been getting entertained since 2005.
So grab your favorite tea and an egg custard tart as we dive into the nostalgia of hilarious Avatar: The Last Airbender memes that only true fans will understand.
25 Uncle Iroh Teaches Life Lessons
Iroh is known for his proverbial quotes offered throughout the series. A man did attempt to mug him while in Ba Sing Se. Iroh did not fight back, but instead provided advice to his potential mugger. In honor of Iroh on Avatar: The Last Airbender, here are a few of our favorite quotes:
“Life happens wherever you are, whether you make it or not.”
“You are not the man you used to be. You are stronger and wiser and freer than you ever used to be. And now you have come at the crossroads of the destiny. It’s time for you to choose. It’s time for you to choose good.”
“Sometimes life is like this dark tunnel, you can’t always see the light at the end of the tunnel, but if you just keep moving, you will come to a better place.”
24 Toph The Rebel Runaway Becomes The Enforcer
Toph is one of the most beloved characters in Avatar: The Last Airbender. Always the rebel, she would push against Katara’s motherly attitude, Aang’s spiritual philosophies, while being humored and entranced by Sokka. With a free spirit attitude like hers, fans could only wonder after the series ended what her would become of her.
Thanks to the comics and The Legend of Korra, fandom was rewarded with plenty of Toph. She may have been rebellious, but Toph also enjoyed bossing others around. First, she formed her own Metalbending school which then evolved into an elite force attached to the police in Republic City. The city was a symbol of peace created by Aang and Zuko, of which Toph would command the police department per Aang’s request until she was 54.
23 When Shipping Goes Too Far
Azula is a freak. And were not talking about a freak behind closed doors — no, she’s about as out there as one can get. Shipping Aang with Azula is like pairing General Leia Solo with Snoke. They’re absolutely no compatibility between the two. As much as some fans wanted to see a possible one night stand or fling, having Aang and Azula hooking up would have ruined the show.
Aang’s face in this meme is hilarious. Toph would likely be the only one on Team Avatar who’d enjoy watching the drama unfold between those two hooking up. Azuang would have been a hot mess of trouble that even Toph might have had trouble dealing with. And if you thought Katara had it out for Azula already, make Azuang a thing and watch her flip.
22 A Lesson In The School Of Hard Knocks
From whitewashing to 30-minute chunks being cut out of the film, M Night Shyamalan's The Last Airbender was a horrible adaptation of the brilliant cartoon series Avatar: The Last Airbender. It was so awful that it didn’t take long before the Avatar community was expressing their disapproval through hilarious memes.
While traveling undercover through the Fire Nation, Team Avatar stumbled upon a play about them. The performers were called the Island Embers Players and their characters were a mockery of the real heroes. Besides Toph, everyone hated their portrayals. Toph loved her character because it was a guy who was tall and ripped to the core.
This Avatar meme tears Shyamalan a new one by saying that the Ember Island show was better than his 150-million-dollar movie.
21 Appa And Momo Entertain Themselves At Sokka’s Expense
No matter how awful things got for Team Avatar, Appa and Momo were always having their own playful moments while everyone else was having a serious conversation. If you pay careful attention throughout all the scenes which have them together, you’ll find them messing around all the time.
The only character who seemed tuned into these shenanigans was Sokka. When Momo goes missing, the first place he checks is Appa’s mouth. The hilarious part about this meme is that Appa has teased Momo on more than one occasion regarding eating him as a snack.
The behind the scene banter and comical humor sprinkled into each episode provided a beautiful balance from the darker more serious moments. This writing style helped make Avatar: The Last Airbender a resounding success.
20 Iroh Explains The Fundamentals Of Too Much Tea
Iroh and his wonderful leaves. Tea to Iroh was medicinal and spiritual (hmmm?), providing deep wisdom and laid back philosophical thoughts. Following the 100 Year War, Iroh would open his own high-end tea shop in the Upper Ring of Ba Sing Se. The Jasmine Dragon was well known for its rare and calming teas.
Teas that Iroh enjoyed serving at his place were Lychee, Jasmine, Green, and Iroh’s personal creation Tapioca. This treat is based on a tea invented in Taiwan called bubble tea. Served either hot or cold, it featured a tea and milk mixture topped with fruit. Despite having the rarest tea leaves at his disposal, Jasmine would continue to be his favorite. Iroh explaining how breathing does not differ from drinking tea nails his personality square in jaw.
19 Toph Putting Katara In Her Place When Being Too Motherly
Upon first joining Team Avatar, Katara and Toph did not get along. Toph viewed Katara’s motherly behavior as annoying and unnecessary, while Katara saw Toph’s rebellious attitude as dangerous and detrimental to the group. The two would eventually find common ground while being locked up in prison together, but that didn’t stop them from taking cheap shots at one another.
This hilarious Avatar: The Last Airbender meme plays off that banter. Sugar Queen was the first name Toph gave Katara when she got mad that Toph wasn’t helping set up Team Avatar’s campsite. Toph claimed she was pulling her own weight and didn’t need to help. Katara didn’t hold back long, calling Toph The Runaway. The friendship between these two powerful women was unique and always entertaining.
18 Sokka Tells Aang He Aint Buying What He’s Selling
The 100 Year War began with Sozin's Comet as the Fire Nation attacked the air temples, hoping to destroy the next Avatar. Aang, however, was not at the temples, having run away with Appa. The two would get caught in a storm and crash, sending Aang into his Avatar state to save him and Appa. Through Waterbending and Airbending, Aang formed a sphere of ice around them which would protect them and keep them alive for a 100 years.
Upon first discovering Aang and Appa, Katara and Sokka were amazed and confused. The Avatar had been missing for over a 100 years, causing people to become skeptical and forget the days of the past. In Sokka’s classic manner, he denounces who Aang claims to be by saying his sister can fly.
17 Riding That Waterbender Fever
There’s something about that South Pole water which brings the boys and girls flocking. Katara and Sokka were constantly being doted over throughout the entirety of Avatar: The Last Airbender. Katara had Jet, Aang, Zuko, and Haru chasing after her. And Sokka had Kaya, Princess Yue, Suki, and of course the silent Toph.
This hilarious meme has Uncle Iroh telling Azula that if she was a Waterbender, perhaps she could find herself a boyfriend. Ironically, Azula would be one of the few characters not to grow and mature upon the completion of the 100 Year War. She continued to believe in her ideals, even trying to recruit Zuko after he was made Fire Lord. She would resort to kidnapping children to cause chaos and disappear into the darkness before getting caught.
16 The Stealth Of Sokka Before An Attack
Sokka was always a few fries short of a happy meal, but that’s why everyone loved him. Despite not having any bending skills whatsoever, he continued to put himself on the front lines of every battle that was fought. Sokka was extremely intelligent regarding military matters and would regularly shock Team Avatar with his good ideas and strategy.
In trying to surprise Aang while blindfolded, Sokka sneaks up behind him — but shouts sneak attack before making his move. Aang responds by Earthbending which promptly takes Sokka out in a heartbeat.
Despite being goofy and loud, Sokka drove the surrounding girls mad with passion and was a loyal friend to everyone in Team Avatar. He would give the shirt off his back without hesitation to anyone who needed it.
15 Things That Nobody Ever Wants To See
Iroh and Zuko had one of the most interesting relationships throughout the Avatar: The Last Airbender series. Iroh took responsibility for Zuko after Lu Ten (his biological son) passed away. He tried to teach and mentor him while also letting him make his own mistakes to learn the hard way. The two became close while living in Ba Sing Se as refugees working at a tea shop, but the relationship wouldn’t peak until they reconciled with one another after Iroh’s escape from prison.
This hilarious Avatar meme takes a shot at how close the two were while also taking a dig at Zuko’s scars (internal and external). No matter how close you are to someone, there are some things better left unseen. Iroh getting out of a hot spring without bathing trunks is one of those moments.
14 Open Mic Night At The Ember Island Theater
Amon was an interesting antagonist from the first season of Legend of Korra. He believed the world could find equality by getting rid of all benders. Having him supposedly telling jokes about Toph while on stage as suggested by this meme is beyond hilarious.
And if you watched Avatar: The Last Airbender, then you know how lighthearted Toph is about her blindness. To her, being disabled strengthened her more so than those around her — allowing her to become the strongest Earthbender in the world. Toph would crack a joke like anyone else because she was comfortable with her identity.
If anyone was deserving of jokes, it’s Amon for wearing that goofy-looking mask. You could even tap into his insecurities as to why bending was the root of all the pain he felt in life.
13 Sokka Flirting With Toph
While Toph may have had secret feelings for Sokka, he often treated her as a sister. He would take jabs at her all the time, but then be sweet and kind when called for. Sokka would stand up for Toph in an instant as we know she’d do the same for him.
The scene in this Avatar: The Last Airbender meme shows how Sokka can be sweet and cunning at the same time. Complimenting Toph on her artwork to make her feel better while teasing her because there’s little chance the image looks like what she was trying to draw. This is how they rolled together. For Toph, it was a new experience. Having someone treat her as an equal was what she had always wanted and craved from her parents.
12 What Life Is Really Like In The Fire Nation
The Fire Nation is located on a cluster of volcanic islands in the tropics. Many of these volcanos are active, providing a constant source of power for Firebenders. They even built their capital city directly in the crater of a large volcano. The weather is hot and humid year round with a landscape of rough plains which is home to a tiny amount of wildlife.
Sokka nails this meme out of the park by responding to Katara’s question on how the people of the Fire Nation can live in these hot and brutal conditions. He simply says, “That’s why they take over other Nations.”
Much of the Fire Nation population consists of skilled metalworkers and blacksmiths. Using slaves in the mines to gather coal, the Fire Nation thrived on industrialization and war machines.
11 Props To Mark Hamill For Making Evil Sound So Good
Mark Hamill is a brilliant actor who has an incredible talent for creating iconic and memorable voices. His contribution to Avatar: The Last Airbender through the voice of Firelord Ozai was flawless. Most often known for voicing Joker, Swamp Thing, and The Trickster — Hamill doesn’t get enough recognition for his part as Firelord Ozai.
This hilarious meme shows the irony in Mark playing Luke and then voicing Ozai. Despite achieving fame through playing a hero, Mark Hamill has created a legacy out of voicing evil characters. He makes evil sound enticing, entertaining, and attractive.
Recent series’ that Mark Hamill has been voicing on include Milo Murphy's Law as Mr. Block, Dragons: Race to the Edge as Alvin, Avengers Assemble as Arnim Zola, and himself on Justice League Action Shorts.
10 Sokka Brands His Own Line Of Edibles
Sokka was always surprisingly brilliant when he needed to be. We wouldn’t put it past him for launching his own business after the 100 Year War was over. And the infamous cactus juice turned into edibles which could be sold through mass distribution is brilliant.
Despite his common comical antics shown in Avatar: The Last Airbender, Sokka became a public speaker in his later years. He was the chairman of the United Republic Council, speaking with an eloquence he didn’t have in his youth. Sokka would also become a student of the sword under the tutelage of sword master Piandao. His teacher claimed his creativity, versatility, and intelligence were traits that defined a great swordsman. When asked to stamp his identity on paper without writing his name, Sokka put ink on his face and smashed it onto the sheet.
9 That Moment When Fieldtrips Still Look Like Fun
Upon first joining Team Avatar, Zuko wasn’t openly accepted by everyone. As fate would have it, those who distrusted him the most ended up having missions with him. These field trips, as Toph refers to them, helped put the past where it belonged while allowing him and other members of Team Avatar to bond.
Sokka had his field trip with Zuko at Boiling Rock while Katara had hers with him as they chased down her mother’s killer. Aang had private time with Zuko as he trained and taught him Firebending. When Aang went missing before the comet, Toph immediately volunteered to go with Zuko to look for him — hoping to have a life changing moment with Zuko too. When Toph brought up her parents lack of love, Zuko shot her down and disclosed his own issues. This prompted Toph to say “this is the worst field trip ever.”
8 Non-Benders Who Forget They Can’t Bend
Toph challenges King Bumi to a duel to see who’s the best Earthbender. Sokka, being his usual self, encourages the fight and self-appoints himself as the referee. The only problem with this scenario is that Team Avatar is supposed to be lying low since they’re in Fire Nation territory. Toph and King Bumi don’t hold back on each other and soon mountain tops and earthquakes are taking place near their camp site.
Katara asks Sokka to break up the fight, but all he has is a bell with him. The rest of the group decides they’ll jump in and hopefully get the two Earthbenders under control. Piandao, as seen to the far left, runs into battle with the other benders without any regard for his safety. Or perhaps his skills with the sword were equal to that of a bender.
7 Iroh Realizes Zuko Is A Coffee Snob
Uncle Iroh is a tea fanatic, but Zuko couldn't care less about it. For Iroh, tea holds spiritual and medicinal benefits. According to Zuko, it is nothing more than wet and hot leaves. Zuko’s dislike of tea leads to him making some pretty nasty batches that Iroh is quick to scold him over. As the series Avatar: The Last Airbender progressed, so does Zuko’s tea making skills.
After becoming Firelord, Zuko left Iroh alone with his tea shop and didn’t bother him. Zuko felt he was doing him a favor by not involving him in the chaos that followed the 100 Year War, but Iroh was always one to enjoy his company no matter what. Even if he hated tea and couldn’t make a decent batch to save his life.
6 Alternate Universe Similarities
Naruto and Avatar: The Last Airbender seem like two completely different shows on the surface. Dig a little deeper into their characters and you’d be surprised about how many similarities there are. Sasuke could easily be Zuko in an alternate universe. They both do some really stupid things when they’re younger, trying to prove themselves to the world. And both find their way back to redemption despite the awful things they’ve done.
Katara and Sakura also share some similarities while Sokka and Rock Lee are alike in ways too. There have been nasty rumors that Avatar: The Last Airbender is a rip-off of Naruto, which is ridiculously naïve and couldn’t be further from the truth. However, it’s fun to joke about the similarities that do exist while dreaming of what a crossover between the two would've looked like.