Sozin's Comet

Lore & Background

The finale centers on Avatar Aang's struggle with his non-violent personality and reluctance to kill Fire Lord Ozai. While Ozai proclaims himself "Phoenix King" and plans to use the comet's power to burn down the Earth Kingdom, Aang seeks a peaceful resolution. The story follows allies in parallel battles: Sokka, Toph, and Suki hijack an airship fleet; Zuko and Katara confront Azula during her coronation; and Iroh leads the Order of the White Lotus to liberate Ba Sing Se. Frustrated by advice from past lives Roku, Yangchen, Kuruk, and Kyoshi, Aang finds a giant lion turtle who grants him energybending, allowing him to strip Ozai of his powers without breaking Air Nomad pacifism.

In Their Own Story

On Ember Island, Aang initially refuses to fight until the comet passes, but learns Ozai intends to burn the Earth Kingdom immediately. That night, Aang sleepwalks to a floating island that disappears by morning, leading Zuko and his friends on a search with June. As the comet arrives, Azula's mental stability crumbles; she hallucinates her mother Ursa before challenging Zuko to an Agni Kai. Zuko deflects lightning meant for Katara but is wounded, forcing Katara to defeat the unstable princess. Meanwhile, in Ba Sing Se, Iroh, Jeong Jeong, Bumi, and Piandao successfully retake the city. Aang enters the Avatar State, overwhelms Ozai, and uses energybending to render him powerless as the comet vanishes.

Reader's Guide

The event aired on July 19, 2008, following a hiatus since November 30, 2007. Production notes reveal the story was originally written as three parts but split into four to avoid pacing issues after the script grew longer than predicted. Ethan Spaulding directed Part 1, Giancarlo Volpe directed Part 2, and Joaquim Dos Santos directed Parts 3 and 4. Dos Santos won an Annie Award for "Best Directing in an Animated Television Production" for his work on Part 3, "Into the Inferno." The animation required hand-drawn fire effects by Jae-Myung Yoo's team, costing more than most shows spend on an entire season. Zach Tyler Eisen voiced Aang in this final role before retiring.

Did You Know?

• The finale was originally written as a three-part story but was split into four to fix pacing issues after the script grew too long.
• Joaquim Dos Santos won an Annie Award for Best Directing specifically for Part 3, "Into the Inferno."
• Fire Lord Ozai inadvertently releases Aang's seventh chakra by hitting his back scar during their duel.
• The finale featured hand-drawn fire effects that cost more than most television shows spend on an entire season.
• Zach Tyler Eisen retired from voice acting after voicing Aang in this four-part conclusion.