AANG

Aang is the hero and spirit of the show. He's the last Airbender and the only known survivor of the Air Nomads. His destiny is to learn the art of the Avatar and defeat the Fire Lord of the Fire Nation. But rather than save the world, Aang searches for adventure. He wants a life full of fun experiences, not heavy responsibilities. Aang's desires are as simple as the animals he loves. He eats when he’s hungry and he sleeps when he's tired. But his greater goal in life is to find his people. He desperately hopes that they are still alive, living in seclusion somewhere in the world. The arrow on Aang's head is a constant reminder that he may be the last survivor of the Air Nomads. Aang's love of animals defines him as a vegetarian. His favorite things are his giant bison, Appa, and his pet winged-lemur, Momo. Aang spends hours picking bugs out of Appa's hair and chasing Momo through the woods. His greatest joy in life comes from riding the backs of exotic animals that he discovers along his journey. Aang doesn't hesitate taking a two-day detour if there's a chance to ride the elusive giant snow leopard. Aang doesn't want others to regard him as a mythical figure. He's never shy when meeting new people, animals, plants, and even rocks. But whenever he goes to a new place, Aang is always the focus of people's attention because he is the Avatar. Some treat him like a god while others look upon him with scorn. Aang would rather they treat him like a normal kid. Aang lives in the moment. He doesn't plan ahead and he doesn't live with a sense of urgency. That's why he takes the most roundabout path to get to a goal. This is a constant frustration for Katara and Sokka who want to get to the North Pole as quickly as possible. Aang's sidetracking usually puts them in danger and always seems like a disaster. Aang doesn't realize it at the time, but these detours provide the challenges that teach the trio how to succeed.

KATARA

Fourteen-year-old Katara is the heart of the show. She is a caring and passionate teenage girl. Kindness and empathy are her most endearing traits. She is always the first to stop and use her healing abilities to help someone who is sick or hurt. But her emotions overcome her when she witnesses Fire Nation injustices around the world. When outraged, her desire to rectify wrongs often overrides the trio's safety. Katara is determined to save the world, despite her limited abilities.

Katara desperately wants to live up to her potential and become a Waterbender in order to save her tribe. She possesses strong elemental power, but unlike Aang, she doesn't know how to control it. Even without formal bending instruction, Katara practices every day. She adapts the basic philosophy and stances of Airbending that Aang teaches her to Waterbending. Although it's a hit or miss process and days go by without any progress, Katara's dogged determination keeps her going. She wants to be prepared the moment she finds a master Waterbender.

Katara's mother died when she was only eight-years-old, so she was forced to grow up fast. Katara wears her mother's necklace as a reminder of her nurturing spirit. The necklace gives her strength and courage when she needs it most. Katara is very mature and responsible for her age and always plays the mediator between Aang and Sokka. She is the glue that holds them together.

SOKKA

Sokka is the brawn of the show. He's a bullheaded, sarcastic teenager who strongly believes that his way is the only way. He shows the strength and determination of a warrior, but lacks the experience and wisdom to use them effectively.

Sokka's goal in life is to reunite with his father, so that together they may exact revenge against the Fire Nation for destroying their tribe. Sokka holds his father in high esteem. His most prized possession is a boomerang that his father bequeathed him before leaving the tribe. However, the boomerang is not just a sentimental token, for it is a traditional weapon of his Water tribe. So when Aang plays with the weapon as if it were a toy, Sokka is furious.

Sokka's the kind of guy you want on your side, although he'll make you work to earn his trust. His personality is abrasive at times, but his loyalty and courage are steadfast. To Sokka, Aang needs to grow up a lot before he'll show Aang the loyalty he gives his sister. Sokka also holds grudges and has difficulty forgiving anyone who has done harm to him or his sister. He has a chip on his shoulder as big as Aang's bison.

MOMO

Momo is a winged-lemur – a fictional hybrid of the spotted bat and the black and white lemur. Like all winged-lemurs, Momo is incredibly intelligent and trainable. Opposable thumbs on his hands and feet allow him to perform many human tasks. However, Momo neither talks nor acts like a human. While the kids fly on the bison, Aang sends Momo ahead to scout for food on nearby islands. If Momo returns to the bison with fruit or nuts, the kids land. In addition, Momo's incredible sense of hearing and smell alert Aang to danger from miles away. While Momo has many useful qualities, he also causes a lot of trouble. Like any animal, Momo is driven by instinct, regardless of the human needs around him. If food is available, Momo will eat it, even if it's been carefully rationed. And rather than quietly hide from Firebender danger like the kids, Momo will screech in fear.

PRINCE ZUKO

Zuko is an incredibly focused, teenage Firebender who bullies and intimidates everyone around him. He is obsessed by only one desire, to capture the Avatar.

Prince Zuko is the oldest son of Fire Lord Ozai, ruler of the Fire Nation, and the great-grandson of Fire Lord Sozin, who conceived the war. He is the rightful heir to the Fire Lord's throne, but when Prince Zuko is 14, he speaks out against his father and the Fire Nation's conquest. To teach his insubordinate son a lesson, Fire Lord Ozai forces his son to fight him in an Agni-Kai – a traditional Firebender duel. The Fire Lord makes an example of his son in front of his royal army and leaves him with a prominent burn scar across his face. The message is clear. Regardless of bloodline, anyone who opposes the Fire Lord's power will meet a terrible fate.

Not content with physical punishment, Fire Lord Ozai strips the Prince of his birthright to the throne and banishes him from his homeland. His father tells Zuko the only way he will allow him to return is with the Avatar, dead or alive.