one of the reasons I love A:TLA so much is because of these amazing female characaters. television and media in general puts forth this idea that women aren’t good enough to be protagonists, instead typecasting them into stereotypical roles of sidekicks and love interests and often sexualizing the ideal female. A:TLA and the upcoming Legend of Korra are just so perfect because they break this stereotype. LoK has a teenage girl of color as the main character, and it’s just astounding because that’s something you rarely see in kid’s shows. and ugh just l o o k at all these fabulous A:TLA ladies.

Azula is the villain, but she shows how women can be decisive and are capable of taking matters into their own hands, as well as able to do a better job than men (replacing the incompetent Admiral Zhao).

And Katara… ALL THE FEELS. She goes through so much pain and suffering at a painstakingly young age, but puts on a brave face and shoulders on. she is the glue the keeps everyone together, and though her romance with Aang makes her the stereotypical “love interest,” her personality and actions allow her to take on the role of girlfriend and badass waterbending fighter.

Smellerbee is honestly one of my favorite minor characters. she appears maybe four times throughout the entire series, but she left a huge impact on me. just put yourself in her shoes. she’s probably been called a number of names because of her appearance. given the fact that she’s most likely in her preteen/teenage years, it must be painstaking. yet through it all, Smellerbee knows and accepts the fact that she is who she is, and nothing anyone says can change that. she is the epitome of self-confidence, and seeing her strength and “don’t give a shit” attitude is what truly connected with me.

anyone with siblings knows what if feels like to feel less loved or overshadowed, but it’s undeniable that Ty Lee has felt the full extent of this. for her just to find the courage to leave her home and break tradition to join the circus is incredible; she proves that doing what you want to do will always lead you to the right path.

I read disparaging comments about Mai all the time; how she’s so “boring” and how Zuko should have ended up with someone else. Mai is not just “Zuko’s girlfriend.” she’s so much more; she’s a girl shut down by her parents, and it’s surprising that she still had the ability to love. she learns how to throw knives and becomes self-dependent on her own, and is able to take down men twice her age. if that’s not breaking the stereotype, I don’t know what is.

I’ve never seen a character so perfect in practically every aspect as Suki. as another romantic interest, it was refreshing for Bryke to portray Suki as an amazing warrior. she truly embodies feminism, as she betters Sokka by helping him get over his sexism, and by kicking his ass and deflating his ego a bit.

TOPH my queen ~*~* there is nothing more inspiring than watching a 12-year-old blind girl earthbend and metalbend and kick the shit out of macho men three times her size. and as she’s one of the more “main characters,” it was so wonderfully original to not have her end up with someone. it would no doubt have been cute, but idk it was just more realistic and it seemed right.

oh Ursa. she loved Zuko. so so so much. and I’m sure that the mother-son bond between her and Zuko was extremely strong. there’s probably no one Zuko loves more, and no one Ursa loves more either. and for her to leave Zuko must have been the most difficult thing that she’s ever done. but she did it for Zuko and that choice was beautiful and was something borne out of a deep love for her son.

Yue is yet another minor character who gets way. too. much. hate. honestly. I’m guessing most people in the fandom hate on her because in comparison to all the fiery sassy ladies in A:TLA, she’s relatively calm and composed. Yue is far from passive, though. she actively shapes her destiny by giving up her fucking life for the people of her tribe. she leaves behind her dad, who loves her deeply and whom she loves deeply back, not to mention Sokka, who was obviously absolutely smitten with Yue. and she does it all without any hesitation, at the age of 16, when life is just beginning for so many people. I’m pretty sure that the vast majority of 16-year-olds today would never even consider doing what Yue did, because this girl is dutiful and selfless.