Characters
Aang:
(Middle in yellow and red, blue tattoos, bending air). A 12-year-old Air Bender, who became frozen near the south pole after running away from the Southern Air Temple. It was revealed to him that he was the next reincarnation of the Avatar, the master of all four elements meant to keep balance in the world. Unable to deal with this responsibility, he ran away with his air bison, Appa (pictured), but they were caught in a storm and frozen. Freed by Katara and Sokka, they journey together to the Southern Air Temple so that Aang can be reunited with his people. Unknown to Aang at the time, the Hundred-Year War has been ranging, and one of the first acts of this war was the Fire Nation massacring all Air Nomads, Making Aang the last Airbender. Determined to master all four elements and defeat the Fire Nation, Aang and his friends travel the world in search of teachers and attempting to restore peace. Throughout his year-long journey Aang remains goofy and sweet, even in the darkest times. The chosen reincarnation of the Avatar, Aang parallels the struggle the Dalai Lama faces: a foreign government oppressing and invading his people. Both attempt to bring peace through non-violent means. Aang and the Air Nomads are this worlds Buddhist monks, living peaceful lives, meditating and trying to reach peace.
Katara:
(Middle left in blue, bending water). The only water bender in the Southern Water Tribe, she lived a peaceful life with her family until the Fire Nation invaded and capture and killed her mother. Raised by her grandmother after her father leaves to fight the Fire Nation, she became independent and strong-willed, always fighting Sokka's, "stupid" ideas. She and Sokka free Aang and Appa from the ice, and after a close call with Zuko, agree to accompany Aang to the Northern Water Tribe to find a water bending master. She played a key role in helping Aang defeat the Fire Nation. Due to the death of her mother and absence of her father, Katara took on the role of mother for those around her, even her older brother. She developed a strong moral compass and helped guide the Gaang through troubled times. She was the first person to reach out to Zuko and offer him a chance to change his ways.
Sokka:
(Far left in blue with sword). The older brother of Katara and the oldest male in the Southern Water Tribe after the men leave to fight the Fire Nation. He is the only warrior in the tribe upon the arrival of Prince Zuko. He agrees to accompany Aang and Katara to the Northern Water Tribe for Katara's protection. Along the way he improves his fighting skills and becomes a true warrior. Somewhat sexist at the begging of the show, after he meets female warriors and benders of all kinds, he develops into a strong supporter of women. Sarcastic and funny, he is the comic relief in the show. At first skeptical of Aang and his spirituality, he soon becomes one of Aang's strongest supporters and defenders.
Toph:
(Middle right in green). Born blind, she was coddled by her parents and constrained to her parents estate. After meeting badgermoles, she learned how to earth bend and feel vibrations through the earth, allowing her to "see". Toph began to sneak off and fight in underground earthbending tournaments, soon becoming the champion and one of the best fighters. the Gaang discover her at one of the fights and ask her to join them. She is tough and, at times mean, but she grounds the Gaang and does anything in her power to help them (even if it's illegal). Toph soon becomes the most powerful earth bender in the world and invents metal bending, which was key in destroying the Fire Nations weapons.
Zuko:
(Far right in red and yellow, bending fire). Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation. He was exiled by his father, Fire Lord Ozai after he refused to fight his father in a duel. The only way his father will allow him back is if he captures the Avatar, who has been missing for 100 years. In the first Book, Zuko is the primary enemy of the Gaang, doing whatever possible to capture Aang. Through much internal struggle and the help of his Uncle Iroh, Zuko rejects Fire Lord Ozai and joins the Gaang in attempting to defeat him.
Sullen and moody, and with much anger towards the world, Zuko eventually finds peace and a family with the Gaang, and becomes Aang firebending teacher and friend. His main goal throughout the Books is restoring is honor, and later, restoring the honor of the Fire Nation that was lost during the war.
Iroh: Former crown prince of the Fire Nation and retired General, he is a wise, gentle-natured man, unlike the rest of his family. Iroh was passed over in favour of his younger brother as Fire Lord, due to Ozai's ambition and plot against his brother. He voluntarily joined Zuko in exile to help his nephew in any way he can. His only son died during the siege of Ba Sing Se, and since then, took on a fatherly role with Zuko, who has been neglected by his father. Unlike most benders, Iroh appreciates all elements and the balance they create. He helped the Gaang on multiple occasions, even if it meant going against the Fire Nation's and Zuko's wishes.
Azula: Princess of the Fire Nation and younger sister of Zuko. Much like her father she is cruel and ambitious. After Zuko repeatedly fails to capture the Avatar, Fire Lord Ozai sends Azula. She has many insecurities and troubling beliefs; she believes that her mother loved Zuko more than her and tries to be more than perfect in the eyes of her father. When she fails, it breaks her. After the betrayal of her two closest friends and the departure of the father to conquer the Earth Kingdom,she goes insane. She begins to see her mother everywhere (who had disappeared long ago). She is defeated by Zuko and Katara, pushing her insanity even further.
Ozai: The Fire Lord. As with his father and grandfather before him, he wished to conquer all nations. He began the final assault on the Earth Kingdom and was the first outside ruler to conquer the Earth Kingdom capital, Ba Sing Se. Cruel and ambitions, he punished his son, Zuko, when he spoke out of turn. He challenged Zuko to a duel and when Zuko refused to fight him, he burned the left side of his face and exile him. Deeming himself too important for the title of Fire Lord, he renamed himself Phoenix King.
Sources: Avatar Wiki. Retrieved from http://avatar.wikia.com/wiki/Avatar_Wiki