Avatar the Last Airbender was such a thrilling show that it's hard to forget how culturally refined it was in its time. As one of the best cartoons of all time, Avatar managed to be universal enough to appeal to all ages, and one of the show's best features was its world-building.

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With different types of bending and an incredibly deep character structure, it's hard to forget the villains of Avatar the Last Airbender. Even temporary villains who only lasted for one episode left an impression on you, even some villains turned out to be good guys later on. Regardless, these villains were some of the best parts of the show, and it's hard to imagine how well Avatar would have done without some of these characters. They should be properly adapted to the Netflix TV series.
10
long fang
With controlled Sing Se From The Shadows
As Dai Li's manipulative boss, Long Feng operated in the shadows and controlled Ba Sing Se by manipulating the Earth King. His ability to spread propaganda and suppress opposition through fear made him a terrifying villain, especially with how he made sure people didn't know about the Hundred Years War with Singh Se.
Although his ultimate downfall was at the hands of Azula, his sinister influence on Ba Singh Se is one of the series' most memorable arcs. The iconic line that there is no war in Ba Sing Se plays in the back of every Avatar fan's head.
9
ignition man
An explosive new type of firebending
The introduction of Combustion Man with his unique firebending technique introduced a fresh and terrifying new element to the series. His ability to create explosive explosions with precision made him one of the most feared villains in the final season. As an assassin assigned by Zuko to destroy the Avatar, he would have succeeded if Zuko himself had not joined the Avatar's team by that point.
He did not speak a single word and his mere presence was enough. Unlike many villains, his lack of dialogue made his actions speak louder, and although he was easily defeated, his legacy lived on as we got a new villain in the Korra legend.
8
Mai and Ty Lee
Azula's most trusted companions
Azula's childhood friends and most trusted soldiers showcased their unique skills, making them stand out as memorable villains who never needed to bend the elements to be scary. Mai's knife skills were second to none and Ty Lee had dangerous chi blocking abilities that were passed down to the next generation in Legend of Korra.
Together they complete Azula and become a fearsome trio without whom Azula would never have been able to take on Ba Sing Se. Their betrayal and eventual escape from Azula pushed him over the edge, but it also showed their humanity and made them much more than one-dimensional sidekicks.
7
Koh The Face Stealer
A soul that had a multi-generational grudge against the Avatar
As one of the most terrifying villains in Avatar: The Last Airbender, Koh exists on a plane completely disconnected from the physical world. He only appears temporarily in the series but also appears in The Legend of Korra. His ability to steal the faces of those who show emotion in his presence creates an incredibly creepy and terrifying atmosphere.
Koh's grudge against past Avatars made him a villain, but his cryptic words and unsettling design leave a lasting impression, establishing him as one of the most unique antagonists to appear in the series' short run.
6
Hama
Inventor of Bloodbending
The character Hama represents the darkest side of bending and introduces the strangely interesting yet terrifying concept of bloodbending. As a survivor of the destruction of the Southern Water Tribe, his history explains his bitterness and his descent into evil is deeply disturbing.

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Hama's fight with Katara isn't just a waterbending battle, it's also a battle of the mind, with Hama trying to sway Katara to her warped worldview. Her character forces both Katara and the viewer to wrestle with the moral implications of power and the necessity it creates in times of war. This morally ambiguous episode featuring him was one of the best of the Avatar series.
5
Susan
The man who started the Hundred Years War
Suzin was the man who started one of the darkest times in the Avatar world, the Hundred Years War. His ambition to expand the Fire Nation's dominion across the world led to unimaginable destruction, including the genocide of the Air Nomads.
What makes Suzanne a compelling villain is her relationship with Roku's avatar. Beginning as friends, their divergent paths and Susan's betrayal add emotional weight to her story. His actions not only shaped the world Aang inherited, but also set the stage for generations of conflict, establishing him as one of the most influential villains in the series, even though he only appeared in flashbacks. .
4
Admiral Zhao
The man knew no limits to violence
Zhao's arrogance and ambition made him one of the most hated villains in the series. His pursuit of the Avatar, his manipulation of events, and his brutal attack on the Moon Spirit showed that Zhao's desire for power knew no bounds.
His overconfidence eventually led to his downfall, but not before leaving a lasting mark on the world. Zhao's death is a classic story of someone's pride and he is punished by being kept in the spirit realm and tortured as we see in the Legend of Korra.
3
Fire Lord Ozai
The big bad of the last airbender series
Fire Lord Ozai is the ultimate villain of the series and is only talked about until the final season. He is cold-blooded and calculating, and his main goal is to expand the borders of the Fire Nation to burnish credibility. What makes him particularly evil is how little he cares about his family. He manipulates Zuko and Azula to maintain his power and does not hesitate to discard them when they are no longer useful.

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His plan to use Susan's comet to incinerate the Earth realm shows just how far he's willing to go. Ozai is the kind of villain you love to hate, and his final confrontation with Aang is the perfect climax to the series.
2
Azula
A manic princess whose feat nearly ended the Avatar line
Azula is one of the show's most memorable villains, and for good reason. He is a fiery prodigy, represented by his iconic blue flames. What sets Azula apart is not just her raw power, but her ability to manipulate people.
But beneath his intimidating facade is someone who is deeply broken. As the series goes on, we see cracks in his sanity, and his descent into paranoia is both tragic and incredibly cinematic. Azula isn't just a villain. He's the villain, and without him, the Avatar series wouldn't be as iconic as it was.
1
Zuko
One of the best villain redemption arcs of all time
The Zuko arc is one of the best redemption stories ever written. He starts out as a villain, desperate to get the Avatar and please his father. But right from the start, you can see that he's more than just a bad boy.
His inner conflict, his moments of doubt and his relationship with Uncle Iroh make him one of the most multi-layered characters in the series. Watching Zuko struggle, grow, and ultimately find his own path is incredibly satisfying. When he joins Team Avatar, you root for him as much as you would any other hero.

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