Avatar: The Last Airbender Comparison

Avatar: The Last Airbender

Comparison: A new live-action version of the Avatar, not the one with the blue aliens, has just been released but how much of it was changed from the original source? There have been many different comics, novels, and even M. Night Shyamalan's film over the years but this article will focus on the differences to the original 2005 animated series.

Chapter 1 Aang: The first episode covers the Fire Nation attacking the Air Nation those 100 years earlier, Aang being lost at sea, him awakening and meeting our other two main protagonists, their confrontation with the banished son, and their departure to the ruins high in the mountains. While it may appear to be faithful to events, there are a lot of things different from those first three episodes:

Instead of showing us the events, the first episode has Katara quickly narrate to get us up to speed in the animated version. These include her grandma telling stories of the Avatar, the Fire Nation attacking, and their parents leaving to the Earth Kingdom.
The animated version has flashbacks instead of showing things in chronological order such as when Aang forms the sphere or speaking with Gyatso his mentor.
Instead of a large spiral kingdom, Aang's home is more grounded within the mountains. He doesn't accept the fact that the Fire Nation killed them all and turn into his Avatar state until he sees the corpse of his friend on the ground in both versions. The animated version extends the sequence by having Aang be in denial from their absence.
Katara already knew how to waterbend pretty well in the animated version and even showed how she can bring down an entire glacier when her emotions flair. Instead of refraining from letting other people know about Katara's abilities, Sokka outright tells Aang in the animated version. Him being the Avatar is hidden in both versions but Aang outright lies about it to Katara in the animated version.
Aang waking up has been completely changed. In the live version, he doesn't become conscious until inside the hut. In the animated version, the canoe gets crushed in the rapids and they all ride Appa back to the village.
The village is a lot smaller in the animated version with a total of 21 villagers, 8 huts, an igloo, and a very meager barrier around it. The live version shows off the name of Wolf Cove with a large number of huts inside and out of a large wall.
The live action sequence puts a lot more emphasis on anything iconic. Sokka's stick was revealed when they were preparing to fight but the animated version has Katara using it to break Aang out of the ice. Appa only suddenly appears in the air later on when Aang uses his flying bison whistle, like the one he buys at the marketplace in Episode 9 of the animated series, to call him to the village. Even the functionality of Aang's flight stick isn't shown until he is trying to flee the Fire Nation.
Iroh's involvement has been dramatically reduced in the live action. His sarcastic wit and humor has been almost completely removed. At least he still mentions his Jasmine Tea. The animated version has Iroh giving his nephew a stern lecture on what exactly he is doing wrong instead of quickly applauding him for a good job in the live version.
They show more of Sokka's and Zuko's leadership in the live version. They show the men doing activities like carrying supplies and have their masks completely removed. This reflects how things are shown when Lieutenant Jee from "Storm" Episode 12 makes a statement against Zuko. Instead of toddlers, the young ones following Sokka appear more competent in at least throwing rocks and using a ballista in battle. However, the brief preparation of Sokka putting on his facepaint and Zuko his armor is omitted. Sokka's battle with Prince Zuko was way more intense in the live version (but there is no boomerang).
The stranded ship from the previous attack on the village is shown in both versions. However, the animated version has them going inside and triggering a flair. This wasn't needed in the live version as Zuko already knew about the settlement beforehand and made an educated guess after seeing the light beacon. The dynamic changes since the animated version had Aang leave the village temporarily only to return when Zuko attacks.
Aang escapes before reaching the prison cell. All the personal fights between Aang and Zuko have been removed. Instead of being attacked while flying away in the live version, he gets rescued on the boat after displaying his Avatar spirit.
There is no penguin-sledding. The game of Airball is absent as well.
The ending credits are very similar. Compare animated version with the live version.

Chapter 2 Warriors: The next episode mainly covers the third and fourth episodes of the animated series. The events on Kyoshi Island have almost been entirely remade with a fresh coat of paint. Some changes are:

Kyoshi Island is purposely targeted by Aang after stealing Zuko's notebook. He isn't there to see the Elephant koi. He doesn't ride the Unagi sea serpent.
The live version of Ketu Harbor extends the port with a sprawling marketplace. They are there to obtain information and not to repair damage on their boat. Word about the Avatar comes from questioning the crew in both versions.
Commander Zhao is much more intimidating in the animated series. The challenge of Agni Kai from Zuko (that he wins) is removed. He was the one that initially attacks the island after hearing about a "flying cow" instead of Zuko when hearing about the Avatar through the grape vine. They do not come riding Komodo Rhinos but at least they are wearing their masks this time.
In the animated series, there is an entire episode dedicated to a band of pirates that chase after Katara after she steals a waterbending scroll from their cabin. In the live-action version, Katara finds the waterbending scroll in their travel bag with a note from her grandma. The scroll in the movie version was found inside a shed after rescuing some earthbenders.
Oyaji is replaced with Suki's mother.
There is an entire new sequence of Aang speaking with Kyoshi. Similar to how Aang transforms into Kyoshi in the second season, the live version had her appear to fight the imposing Fire Nation until they retreat. Further, she states this can only happen when he visits their specific shrine.
The scenes between Suki and Sokka are more romantic, less sexist. He finally shows off his boomerang in this episode and the outfit he wears is more like armor than a dress.
There is an added sequence over the city where Zhao sends a letter to inform Fire Lord Ozai that the Avatar has returned.

Chapter 3 Omashu: This episode is an amalgamation of several different episodes being combined for convenience. For example, the city in the fifth episode is combined with the market in the ninth episode. Others include:

The three girls in Azula's team converse with each other multiple times much earlier in the story. Their appearance in the animated version doesn't come until the second season.
Unlike how the animated version dedicates the entire 9th episode to both Aang and Katara learning how to waterbend from their newly-acquired scroll, the live version simply has Aang give her some words of wisdom that inspire her to continue.
Instead of Aang putting up an old man act while wearing some of Appa's hair, the live version has the group put on outfits and hop on a cart. There are more people waiting in line as well.
The entire story behind Jet and the Freedom Fighters originally takes place in the 10th episode. That version includes Aang meeting the group and Sokka warning a Fire Nation village ahead of time before they blew up the dam. The live version has them blowing up a building inside Omashu instead and shooting a fire arrow at a bomb when the king makes an appearance.
The introduction of Teo and the Mechanist originally occurs in Episode 17 when Aang hears a campfire story about flying men at the Northern Air Temple.
The Cabbage merchant makes his first appearance but the live version oversells the joke when they play on the expectations of the audience. Amusingly, the merchant talks about his experience in Omashu when getting hit again by the Avatar in Episode 9.
There is a subtle reference to how the entire plot of the 9th episode started because Iroh wanted to buy a new White Lotus tile in the live version when he visits a stall.

Chapter 4 Into the Dark: The biggest character deviation from the animated series can be seen in this episode. After tying up some loose ends from the previous episode, they grabbed various plots while attempting to make the Avatar look good and the Earth Nation unstable. Let's check out some of those things.

One of the three main stories was pulled directly from Aang's confrontation with Bumi in the fifth episode. Originally, Bumi comes across very witty as if he has lost his mind when challenging Aang then ultimately proves to be very sane and meticulous in his lesson. In the live version, Bumi comes across as an old man tired from the war whose ready to die and still holds animosity against Aang when he wasn't there for him. This didn't sit well with fans.
A lot of Bumi's jokes are remade, especially during the feast when mentioning Kangaroo Island. There are now people around that laugh at his jokes. Although Bumi still jokes about the rock candy, the creeping crystal that was originally placed on Sokka and Katara was changed to a booby trap that quickly engulfs Aang in a hallway.
The challenges were modified as well. Aang tells Bumi he is a vegetarian in both versions but now it is considered part of the test. They removed the challenge in the cavern and against the giant creature named Flopsie (but still include his likeness in the statues). Bumi outright challenges Aang instead of giving him a choice of who to fight. While their techniques are similar, what ultimately sets it apart is the final sequence where Bumi forces Aang to keep two large rocks hovering over their heads until Sokka and Katara arrive. It was also Aang who was eager to challenge Bumi to ride down the transportation system in the animated version, not the reverse.
The second story was pulled from the 7th episode when a group of earthbenders were able to apprehend the Dragon of the West while soaking in some hot springs. An extra step had to be added in the live version when Zuko learns of the transfer when disguised as a guard. The tough decision to chase after the Avatar or rescue his uncle is in both versions.
In the live version, General Iroh was being transported on a cart (with clothes on). He drops the White Lotus tile, instead of his sandal, on the ground to help Zuko pick up the trail. Although Zuko might not have his Komodo Rhino this time, both versions have the Ostrich Horse.
The conversation between the head of the guard (shown with a circle on his helmet when his men had diamonds) and General Iroh has been extended. He takes off his helmet, pours out water after offering it to Iroh, talks about the amount of suffering they have received from the war, slaps him, threatens to kill him when hovering a giant rock over his head, asks for his death when defeated, and stabs him in the back with a shard when he walks away.
The third segment was pulled from the infamous "Cave of Two Lovers" episode in the second season. The live version kept the nomad's song about the secret tunnel brief which means the badgermoles had to appeal to their "love" instead of their music. The glowing rocks and the animations showing the origins of Omashu were retained in both versions.
The live version added some new scenes of a funeral for Lu Ten and how General Iroh connected with Prince Zuko. The history behind his death is only touched on a couple times and Little Soldier Boy is later sung during The Tales of Ba Sing Se in honor for the loss of the voice actor. You can hear the instrumental version playing in the background during those scenes.

Chapter 5 Spirited Away: The goal of this episode is not to solve the problems of the villagers like seen in seventh episode but to show different aspects of the Spirit World in a condensed space. Episodes that aren't shown from the animated series can be heard about in the dialogue.

They have added scenes humanizing Fire Lord Ozai when he corrects Azula's suggestion on supporting the troops that it was Prince Zuko, not Commander Zhao, who discovered the Avatar. This is opposite to how he is portrayed as a ruthless man who would have killed his son without remorse if his wife didn't step in (like in the comics). This specific order to supply Colonel Shinu with Yuyan archers foreshadows the next episode.
The people at the bar discuss all about the Avatar that aren't in the television series such as pirates (Episode 9), helped a canyon guide fight canyon crawlers (Episode 11), and stopping a volcano (Episode 14). They also mention how he fought mad King of Omashu (Episode 5).
They hire June the bounty hunter from "Bato and the Water Tribe" in Episode 15. Her mount Nyla paralyzes a man with his tongue in both versions.
The name Sokka suggests for the little girl's doll is the name Aang came up with for his disguise when entering Omashu in the 5th episode.
In the original episode, Hei Bei goes on a rampage through a village after the Fire Nation burns down his forest. While the village does acknowledge some weird events, the spirit doesn't exactly interact with them in the physical world in the live version. Although not named, the owl Wan Shi Tong only appears inside "Library" episode of the second season. The white fox does not appear in the animated series but represents Princess Yue. The spirit of Gyatso conversing with Aang is completely new. Koh the face-stealer makes a surprise appearance from the 20th episode of the first season.
The way the cinematography flips from the physical realm to the Spirit World is pretty neat. Aang walking around and hearing what the villagers had to say like some form of ghost was omitted.

Chapter 6 Masks: There are a few miscellaneous threads that need to be resolved from the previous episode. However, a good portion of this episode is faithful to the source material.

There was much more involved when Aang visited the Fire Temple to communicate with Avatar Roku in the 8th episode. One of the six sages helped them traverse an underground passage and up a staircase. They tricked the other sages into opening a very complex lock. Aang transformed to Avatar Roku to repel the Fire Nation. Instead, all he learns from him in the live version is that the Mother of Faces totem can be used to barter with Koh. They also give him a sense of humor. There isn't anything regarding his dragon or the comet.
Nyla was originally defeated after they overwhelmed his senses with barrels of perfume in the 15th episode. In the live version, June manages to paralyze everyone at the Fire Temple and successfully deliver Aang to Prince Zuko.
General Iroh tells Lieutenant Jee the story about what happened to Prince Zuko in "The Storm" 12th episode. Zuko attends the war meeting and speaks against the plan to sacrifice the 41st division in both versions. However, the live version decides to have Zuko be rather anxious about attending and inexperienced about tactics when his father asks for his advice.
During Agni Kai, both versions has Zuko surprised to face his father and bowed for mercy (the movie version goes a bit further in saying he should fight his sister). The live version goes a bit beyond by showing Ozai's face and having Zuko putting up a formidable fight. They show the moment he is being banished and further reveal for the first time that the people he was with were those from the 41st division. The crew then stand at attention when Zuko returns from his trip.
Much of the 13th episode is identical like how Zhao is promoted to admiral and how he uses the Yuyan archers under his command. Capturing the Avatar is much easier than the animated version when he is already bound in the back of Zuko's cart. The chronicler making a record of accounts while Zhao intimidates Aang is added in the live version. There is much more celebration from the troops in the courtyard as well. Aang blowing air at Zhao is in both versions.
Everything about the Blue Spirit at Pohuai Stronghold is almost identical (while ignoring the subplot about curing his sick friends). He sneaks onto a cart to get inside, goes down into a manhole, takes down one guard and another when they see a helmet roll under their feet, two more after hiding in the ceiling, and the rest before they can sound the alarm. They are caught while climbing up the rope, fight soldiers on top of the wall, and use the step-ladders to pole-hop across the yard. The masked man is let go when he threatens to take Aang's life, is shot down by an arrow outside the gate, and hid behind the cloud of dust. The conversation between Zuko and Aang is extended with more information about the stolen journal in the live version before they both go their own ways.

Chapter 7 The North: This episode follows the 18th episode closely but rips out a lot of the emotional problems between the characters. They made sure to remove a lot of the dramatic tension at Agna Qel'a by modifying events slightly to benefit the new story. Here are some examples:

After Zhao becomes admiral, he takes control of Zuko's crew. In the animated version, everyone departs the ship, including the cook, except for Zuko. He then enlists the pirates in the 9th episode to blow up the ship. In the live version, the crew continue to operate but redirect the course of the ship under Zhao's orders. When Jee receives word that they were going to take Zuko under custody, he flees on a dinghy dosed with fuel that blows up right after he ignites a flame. He comes back disguised as a standard soldier with a mask on in both versions.
One of the members ask Sokka to discuss his experience with the Fire Nation. He openly asks if they still have spikes on their shoulders, a reference to the 19th episode in the animated series when they were about to suit up from outfits captured 85 years ago.
The animated (and movie version) has Appa swim through the city's entrance since they have been lost at sea for a couple days. The live version simply has them fly over the city. Amusingly, the live version makes sure Aang says how Appa needs a lot of seaweed to eat when you can see him munching on some in the background of the animated series.
The animated series has a romantic subplot between Sokka and Princess Yue. They arrive at the same time as her 16th birthday celebration. Sokka only finds out near the end of the episode that she is betrothed to another. The live version changes that by already having her break things off with Hahn when she turned 16 before they arrive. While there may still be an affection between the two, especially since Sokka is curious if they already met in the Spirit World for most of the episode, there are no romantic gestures at this point like in the animated series. The oddly carved bear, or fish depending on who you ask, makes an appearance in both versions.
Instead of Aang and Katara trying to learn from Master Pakku, the live version decides to make some drastic detours. Aang communicates with Kuruk to find out if he can help and learns his history battling with the dark spirits. Meanwhile, Katara is only interested in convincing Pakku that she is able to fight in the coming battle despite their tradition of women only using their waterbending to heal. Pakko only accepts her challenge after being slapped in the back of the head in both versions. The battles vary between both versions and end when Katara is encased in ice. The animated version has her continue to struggle until Pakku reveals that her necklace that broke off was made for the engagement for the love of his life 60 years ago. The live version has an awkward conversation between the two until everyone crowds around her in admiration.
The live version continues its new subplot of how Azula is unable to please her father. When approaching some earthbenders in a training exercise for a second time, she refuses to fight and conjures lightning in her fists as a last stand to Ozai.
Momo tasting the soot is taken from the beginning of the 19th episode.

Chapter 8 Legends: The hardest episode to dissect happens to be the last one of the season. They scrap or move so many parts around in the 19th and 20th episodes that almost nothing stays the same. Let's see if I can list them all.

The battle to take down a single ship is shown in both versions. The animated series shows Aang single-handedly taking it down (he mentions taking down a dozen later on) and the Water Tribe freezes the ship in place. The live version has the full Avatar Team coordinate a strike.
The meeting before the battle to mark those who wish to engage is only in the animated version. The three marks made upon their foreheads is only seen on maybe one person in the live version with no explanation. Instead, the time is dedicated in having Katara ask Pakku where he wants all the women and young ones in training.
Before Prince Zuko leaves the ship, what is stated depends on which version you watch. The animated one has Iroh admit that he thinks of him as his own before they embrace while the live version has Zuko tell him that his son Lu Ten would have been proud. Both versions mention the Breath of Fire.
The conflict between Sokka and Hahn as the Water Tribe makes preparations inside the armory doesn't exist in the live version since their engagement was broken off.
In the animated series, Zuko steals the Avatar away from the shrine while he is in the Spirit World. Since that story is told from Admiral Zhao while he is searching through old scrolls (mentioned in both versions) and combined in an earlier event, there isn't an opportunity for him in the live version. In the live version, he gets angry at the sage and states that they all talk about lion turtles. I also didn't see any turtle seals.
The sacred shrine dedicated to the spirits is very small compared to the one that engulfs the valley in the live version. Momo does happen to touch the water, but it is the live version in which they bring him there to be healed. Admiral Zhao and his team take some time searching for the spirits as they aren't initially aware of what physical form they take.
Admiral Zhao uses the war balloon concept from the Mechanist only in the live version. Of course, only the animated version had komodo rhinos and tundra tanks. There were even soldiers who came with shields to block incoming icicles.
The live version added a special spirit-infused knife that Zhao needed to use to stab the spirit. Avatar Kuruk tells Aang about it as a spirit during the battle. The animated version simply has him cast a flame upon the water to burn it.
While Aang does become this giant spirit creature to fight against the Fire Nation, nothing is explained in the animated series. They take the time in the live version to explain how he chooses to help channel the ocean spirit's wrath.
Zhao loses his fight against Zuko but his demise is altered. The animated version has the moon spirit pull him into the water when letting go of the Avatar. The live version has Uncle Iroh shoot a flame that pushes him over the edge before he can strike Zuko when he turns around.
The city of Omashu falling to Azula and Bumi being chains are teasers to what happens in the second season. The only thing known at the end of the first season in the animated series is that Zuko's sister is given a task by the Fire Lord. Sozin's Comet is finally mentioned and becomes an important factor throughout the series. Pakku doesn't give the vial filled with spirit water to Katara until the first episode of the second season.

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