Top 10 Most Badass Ladies on Avatar The Last Airbender
#10: Yue
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At first introduction, the princess of the Northern Water Tribe looked like she might just be there to give Sokka a little star-crossed puppy love. But early flashes of Yue’s sense of duty should have clued us in on her true depth. After power mad Admiral Zhao’s destruction of the Moon Spirit, Yue doesn’t hesitate to offer up her own life to restore it. Without her momentous sacrifice to rebalance the elements, the world wouldn’t have survived long enough for Aang to save it. Yue’s strength is a quieter type, but she shows us that selfless devotion to a greater good is one of the most courageous qualities a person can have. It’s thanks to Yue that the story continued past Book One.
#9: Hama
Hama is a conflicting character. On the one hand, her bloodbending is super disturbing, and definitely not okay. But on the other...we kind of get it! As a young waterbender in the South Pole, Hama saw her people repeatedly attacked by the Fire Nation before she herself was taken prisoner and held for years in subhuman conditions. Hama’s desire for revenge is legit; and although she’s been twisted by rage, we have to acknowledge her skills. Not only is she a strong enough waterbender to invent a terrifying new form, but she leveraged her fury to take back her agency from the people who stole it from her. That’s something you gotta respect.
#8: Ursa
Don’t be fooled by her ladylike exterior; underneath, Ursa has a fierce protective streak and she’ll stop at nothing to defend the people she loves. You’d never know that someone so gentle could be capable of such ruthlessness. When her husband Ozai’s ambition endangers her son Zuko’s life, Ursa is willing to do anything to save him, even if it means getting rid of her father-in-law, Fire Lord Azulon. She pays the price for her actions by disappearing into exile, but Zuko survives. Ursa’s mighty love undeniably helps to shape the fate of the “Avatar” world. It just goes to show: Think twice before you get between a woman and her kid.
#7: Kyoshi
Can we get a Kyoshi spin-off series, please? This Earthbending Avatar rarely appears in the main series, but when she does she makes a strong impression. Like all Avatars, Kyoshi is a powerful bender, but this lady can actually move mountains. Or, at least, large landmasses; she literally created Kyoshi island by separating it from the mainland to keep her hometown safe from an invading dictator. On top of that, Kyoshi has an unshakeable commitment to justice; she does what she has to to keep the world in balance, and she doesn’t care if that makes her unpopular. Kyoshi is a force to be reckoned with.
#6: Ty Lee
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On a show where things can get heavy, lighthearted Ty Lee definitely stands out. And lots of characters underestimate her because of that upbeat demeanor … until they learn the hard way what a big mistake that is. She may not be a bender, but Ty Lee is an incredible acrobat, with her own secret weapon to level the playing field. Even the most powerful benders have been taken out by Ty Lee’s chi blocking attacks and become useless while she goes on to flatten the opposition. Between her formidable fighting style and her disarming personality, Ty Lee is an opponent to watch out for. She proves that bubbly and feminine don’t equal weak; nothing gets in her way.
#5: Mai
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Watch out for the edges, because Mai won’t hesitate to cut someone down; it’s just a matter of whether she uses her crazy knife skills, or her savage snark. She’s a fierce adversary, to be sure, one who can handle anything without breaking a sweat. But Mai is even more remarkable for the kind of ally she can be. Though she seems motivated only by her perpetual boredom for most of the series, when Mai finds something she does care about, nothing will stop her from defending it. Or him. Zuko may have ended their relationship to join Team Avatar, but Mai still risks everything to rescue him. Even if she hides it well, Mai is someone you want on your side.
#4: Suki
At an age where most kids are struggling through biology class, Suki is the one who does the schooling. As the head of the Kyoshi Warriors, she leads an elite combat team - first as defenders of their home island, and then on the Earth Kingdom mainland fighting against the Fire Nation. Whether she’s facing down a fascist empire, or just casually smashing the patriarchy, Suki is completely fearless. Yet she never loses her sense of compassion, making her an ideal commander. No matter what the situation, Suki brings a cool head and a steel spine, and she’s always quick to figure out the best plan of action. You could say that we’re big fans.
#3: Azula
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Azula may be a villain, but she’s the kind of villain that you almost have to admire. Sure, she’s one of the strongest firebenders on the show, but Azula’s also got some impressive brains to back up that sizzling strength. She’s a master strategist, always a step or two ahead of everyone else, and she has an uncanny ability to hone in on her opponent’s psychological weaknesses - which is why she’s such an effective manipulator. More than that, though, Azula possesses a supreme sense of self-confidence, which translates into a natural leadership ability. Even if her methods are terrible, she does get results. Love her or hate her, you have to recognize Azula’s game.
#2: Katara
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Even before Katara was trained up as a waterbender, we saw hints of her potential. In less than a year she goes from one of the show’s weakest fighters to one of its most formidable, but Katara is so much more than just her bending. She’s driven by a passionate belief in right and wrong, and is the first to stand up to injustice when she sees it. Of course, that’s not really surprising. As someone who’s always embraced both her role as a healer, and her warrior instincts, Katara is a living embodiment of balance. She shows us the many definitions of strength, and proves that the greatest power comes from using all of your talents. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Avatar Yangchen As Avatar, She Always Kept a Pragmatic Sense of Herself in Relation to the Bigger Picture Kanna [aka Gran Gran] Kanna Made Difficult Choices in Order to Live Her Life on Her Own Terms Smellerbee Even If People Don’t Understand Her, the Lone Girl in the Freedom Fighters Never Backs Down June Slaying It at the Mercenary Game, June Lives Tough & Loves It Kya She Made the Ultimate Sacrifice to Protect Her Waterbending Daughter From the Fire Nation
#1: Toph
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Toph doesn’t overcome obstacles so much as she obliterates them. She’s the most powerful Earthbender we meet on “Avatar,” but it’s the creative way Toph applies her power that makes her amazing. Though she was born blind, she learns early to use the Earth’s vibrations to get a better view of her surroundings than most sighted people. Later she expands that skill and becomes essentially a human lie detector. When she’s kidnapped in a metal box? Toph straight up invents metalbending to free herself. It seems like there’s nothing she can’t tackle. As if that wasn’t enough, Toph’s devotion to her friends and strong sense of herself make her more than just her tough attitude. Unapologetic and unstoppable, there’s no bigger badass than Toph Beifong.
