Avatar the Last Airbenderwas a banger show that’s hard to forget with how culturally refined it was for its time. As one of the best cartoons of all time, Avatar managed to be so universal that it’s appreciated by all ages, and one of the best qualities of this show was its world-building.
With all the different bending types and the incredibly deep character building, the villains of Avatar the Last Airbender are hard to forget. Even temporary villains that only lasted for one episode left an impact on you, with some villains even becoming the good guys later. Regardless, these villains were some of the best parts of the show, and it’s hard to imagine how well Avatar would do without some of these characters.They need to be properly adapted into the Netflix TV series.
10Long Feng
Controlled Ba Sing Se From The Shadows
As the manipulative head of the Dai Li, Long Feng operated in the shadows, controlling Ba Sing Se by manipulating the Earth King. His ability to wield propaganda and suppress dissent through fear made him a terrifying villain, especially with how he made sure the people of Ba Sing Se didn’t know about the hundred-year war.
Though his eventual downfall came at the hands of Azula, his sinister influence over Ba Sing Se remains one of the most memorable arcs in the series. The iconic line that there is no war in Ba Sing Se keeps playing at the back of every Avatar fan’s head.
9Combustion Man
A New Explosive Type Of Firebending
Combustion Man’s introduction brought a fresh and terrifying new element to the series with his unique firebending technique. His ability to create explosive blasts with accuracy made him one of the scariest villains in the final season. As an assassin tasked by Zuko to eliminate the Avatar, he would have succeeded if Zuko himself hadn’t joined Team Avatar by that point.
He did not say a single word, and his presence alone was enough. Unlike most villains, his lack of dialogue made his actions speak louder, and though he was defeated easily, his legacy was carried on as we got a new combustion bending villain in the Legend of Korra.
8Mai And Ty Lee
Azula’s Most Trusted Comrades
Azula’s childhood friends and most trusted soldiers brought their own unique skills to the table, making them stand out as memorable villains who never needed to bend the elements to be fearsome. Mai’s knife skills were unmatched, and Ty Lee had dangerous chi-blocking abilities that carried on over to the next generation in the Legend of Korra.
Together, they complemented Azula and became a fearsome trio without whom Azula could never have taken Ba Sing Se. Their betrayal and eventual defection from Azula drove her over the edge but also showed their humanity, making them far more than one-dimensional sidekicks.
7Koh The Face Stealer
The Spirit That Held A Multi-generational Grudge Against The Avatar
As one of the most haunting villains in Avatar: The Last Airbender, Koh exists on a plane entirely removed from the physical world. He only shows up temporarily in the series but also makes an appearance in the Legend of Korra. His ability to steal the faces of those who show emotion in his presence creates an incredibly creepy and horrific atmosphere.
Koh’s grudge against past Avatars made him a villain, but his cryptic words and unsettling design leave a lasting impression, solidifying him as one of the most unique antagonists that showed up, very briefly, in the series.
6Hama
The Inventor Of Bloodbending
Hama’s character represents the darkest side of bending, introducing the weirdly interesting yet horrifying concept of bloodbending. As a survivor of the Southern Water Tribe’s destruction, her backstory explains her bitterness and her descent into villainy is deeply unsettling.
Hama’s fight with Katara is not just a battle of Waterbending but a mental battle as well, with Hama trying to pull Katara into her warped worldview. Her character forces both Katara and the viewer to grapple with the moral implications of power, and what necessity breeds in times of war. This morally ambiguous episode showcasing her was one of the best in the Avatar series.
5Sozin
The Man Who Started The Hundred-Year War
Sozin was the man who started one of the darkest eras in the Avatar world, the Hundred-Year War. His ambition to spread the Fire Nation’s dominion across the globe led to unimaginable destruction, including the genocide of the Air Nomads.
What makes Sozin such a compelling villainis his relationship with Avatar Roku. Starting as friends, their diverging paths and Sozin’s betrayal add emotional weight to his story. His actions not only shaped the world Aang inherited but also laid the groundwork for generations of conflict, cementing him as one of the most impactful villains in the series, even though he appeared only in glimpses of the past.
4Admiral Zhao
The Man Knew No Limits To Violence
Zhao’s arrogance and ambition made him one of the most despicable villains in the series. His pursuit of the Avatar, manipulation of events, and his sacrilegious attack on the Moon Spirit, showed that Zhao’s willingness to go to any lengths for power had no limits.
His overconfidence ultimately led to his downfall, but not before leaving a lasting mark on the world. Zhao’s death is a classic tale of someone’s hubris, and he is punished by being kept in the spirit realm, and tortured, which we see in the Legend of Korra.
3Fire Lord Ozai
Fire Lord Ozai is the ultimate villain of the series and is only talked about till the final season. He’s cold and calculating, and his main goal is to live up to Sozin’s reputation by expanding the fire nation’s borders. What makes him particularly villainous is how little he cares about his own family. He manipulates Zuko and Azula to maintain his power and doesn’t hesitate to cast them aside when they’re no longer useful.
His plan to use Sozin’s Comet to scorch the Earth Kingdom shows just how far he’s willing to go. Ozai is the kind of villain you love to hate, and his final showdown with Aang is a perfect climax to the series.
2Azula
The Manic Princess Who Holds The Feat Of Almost Ending The Avatar Line
Azula is one of the most unforgettable villains in the show, and for good reason. She’s a firebending prodigy, which is showcased with her iconic blue flames. What makes Azula stand out isn’t just her raw power but her ability to manipulate people.
But beneath her terrifying exterior is someone deeply broken. As the series goes on, we see cracks in her sanity, and her descent into paranoia is both tragic and incredibly cinematic. Azula isn’t just a villain; she’s THE villain, and without her, the Avatar series wouldn’t be as iconic as it was.
1Zuko
One Of The Best Villain To Hero Redemption Arcs Of All Time
Zuko’s arc is one of the best redemption stories ever written. He starts off as a villain, desperate to capture the Avatar and regain his father’s approval. But from the very beginning, you’re able to see he’s more than just a bad guy.
His inner conflict, his moments of doubt, and his relationship with Uncle Iroh make him one of the most layered multidimensional characters in the series. Watching Zuko struggle, grow, and eventually find his own path is incredibly satisfying. By the time he joins Team Avatar, you’re rooting for him as much as you would any hero.
