This Might Be The Most Important Relationship In Avatar: The Last Airbender

Since appearing on Nickelodeon in 2005, "Avatar: The Last Airbender" — created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko — has been considered one of the best animated shows of all time. The series has been highly-received, spawning a regrettable live-action film, a spin-off titled "The Legend of Korra," an upcoming live-action series, and three new animated projects. 

Taking place in a fantastical world where "benders" can control the four elements, the Avatar is the master of all. After the Fire Nation attacked the Earth Kingdoms, Water Tribes, and Air Temples, the Avatar disappeared, though he was desperately needed to stop the war. The fight raged on for a hundred years before a water bender named Katara and her brother, Sokka, discovered Aang, the new Avatar and the last surviving air bender, frozen in an iceberg. With the help of his new friends, Aang learns to embrace his destiny and finally bring peace to the world. 

In addition to the thought-provoking stories, beautiful animation, and top-notch voice acting, what makes "The Last Airbender" special is the relationship between the characters. While the fire lord, Zuko, develops a great camaraderie with Aang and his friends, there is one relationship that may be considered the best in the series. 

While growing up in the Southern Air Temple, Aang was mentored by Monk Gyatso, whom he also considered to be a father figure. Though he was tasked with training the new Avatar, Gyatso always made time for fun, believing that Aang should have the chance to grow up as any other boy his age. However, because of Aang's status, the Council of Elders believed that Aang's closeness to Gyatso would interrupt his destiny. As a result, they decreed that Aang would have to leave for the Eastern Air Temple to complete his training. 

Unfortunately, Aang overhears this decision. Already ostracized by his peers for being the Avatar, Aang is devastated to know that he would be separated from the one person who made him feel normal. In anger, he hops onto Appa, his trusty flying bison, and runs away. Unfortunately, this is the last time Aang sees Monk Gyatso alive, as he is soon caught in a storm and frozen inside an iceberg until he meets Katara and Sokka a century later. 

The bond that Gyatso and Aang share is not only beautiful; it is also extremely important to the series, as it sets the entire story in motion. If the Council had approved of how Gyatso trained Aang or if Gyatso had doubled down on Aang's studies, the young Avatar never would have been trapped in the iceberg. He would not have met and fallen in love with Katara, helped Zuko through his redemption, fulfilled his destiny with his best friends by his side, and hilariously caused billions of dollars worth of damage.