Did you know Katara's name was almost Kanna?
Check out the juiciest secrets from these Avatar extras.
Just keep smiling.
Everyone's favorite cabbage merchant was supposed to be a one-time character,
but ended up appearing in several episodes throughout the series.
State your business.
Did you know that the Blue Spirit's mask was originally going to be red?
Of course, it was called the Red Spirit back then.
I hope not, for your sake.
There was talk of doing an Avatar special
about Uncle's Battle at Ba Sing Se, but it didn't happen.
Other titles for Koh, The Face Stealer
that didn't make the cut, include Koh, The Expression Taker
and Koh, The Mug Mugger.
Ah! Ah!
Originally, Appa was going to be taken earlier in Book Two.
I'm sorry, Appa.
You already know that Katara's character was almost named Kanna,
but actually there were several names in the running for her character.
In the pilot episode, her name is Kaya.
If Gran Gran was engaged, why did she leave?
Fun Fact: An early script for the premiere episode
featured a scene where Sozin dueled Roku.
Ah! Uh!
Looks like I win again, Roku.
Where is my mother?
Rumor Alert!
Some think that line was a teaser for a possible fourth season.
There's some debate about whether or not this is the face of Iroh's son.
Did you know benders can be affected by certain celestial bodies?
What should I do?
[chattering]
Keep an eye on Momo.
For example, comets give firebenders unimaginable strength.
Feel better?
This might prove that bender's don't just have a connection
with the earth but with the entire universe.
Now, that'd be outta this world.
Uh! Huh.
How can we beat a guy who blows things up with his mind?
Rumor Alert: Some say Combustion Man was a Fire Nation soldier
injured in battle who was later healed using experimental techniques.
Those experimental techniques gave him the ability to firebend
using his mind.
This rumor alert is officially over.
The Patola Mountain Range, we're almost there!
Airbenders live high in the mountains
where the strong breeze helps their airbending.
The nomad's cleverness is sky high.
These hanging buildings were actually built to harness the power of the wind.
Aang, can we talk about you learning firebending, now?
Omashu's main industry is making weapons for the war.
Here are some now.
Trivia: Winged lemurs were used by the Air Nomads
to retrieve staffs fallen from air bison.
[chattering]
Little known fact: Momo loves tucking people in at night.
Cute.
Little known fact:
The Rough Rhinos are a very talented singing group.
- Ah! - Wait, my boomerang!
There's no time!
Hungry? Don't worry, I'm going to feed you, too.
This is the same circus where Ty Lee used to perform.
100 years ago, this was known as--
Before the war, the Fire Nation was well known
as one of the danciest cultures.
And this was the camelephant's trot.
That's right, we said danciest.
You should have learned the technique before you turned against me.
It's impossible to fight your way out of my grip.
In the writer's room,
this technique was jokingly referred to as the stop hitting yourself technique.
The storyboard artists were instructed to make sure Jet always looked cool.
The director of this episode, wanted the forest to be red
to support the emotional connection between Katara and Jet.
Nice try pupil Sangok, a couple of more years,
and you might be ready to fight a sea sponge.
Pakku's sea sponge line is a reference to
another Nickelodeon hit show titled...
Would anyone care for a rematch with Katara?
SpongeBob Square Pants.
This story idea was originally pitched as Katara as Robin Hood.
Dante Basco, the voice of Zuko, is a break dancer in real life.
He was part of the Street Freaks Breakdancing Crew.
Round One: The Boulder verses The Big Bad Hippo!
The writers and creators tried to get The Rock to play The Boulder.
You may be big but you ain't bad!
The Rock was a professional wrestler turned actor.
The Rock is also known as Dwayne Johnson.
His stench will knock you right out.
[laughing]
I snuck in some white jade tea.
Did you know Ming is actually voiced by tennis superstar Serena Williams?
Serena is a big fan of the Avatar series.
The Boulder wins!
[cheering]
The Boulder ended up being voiced by Mick Foley.
Ready for some dance lessons?
This dance is called capoeira.
Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art.
It combines elements of kung fu, music and dance.
Earthbending is based off a style of kung fu called hung gar.
Hung gar kung fu uses strong stances, rooting the fighter to the ground.
Toph's earthbending style is based on praying mantis kung fu.
[screaming]
What are you doing?
Go ahead.
Firebending moves are based on Northern Shaolin kung fu.
- Who are you? - You don't remember her? You will soon.
Waterbending is based on the Thai Chi kung fu style.
Like waterbending, Tai Chi includes slow movements.
Ah!
Uh!
Jet's weapons are called hookswords.
Hookswords are traditionally associated with Northern styles
of Chinese martial arts.
They're in the trees!
[fighting]
The tunnels, they're a changin'.
The line "The tunnels they're a changin'" is an homage to Bob Dylan's song,
The Times They Are a Changin'
[screaming]
The following sequence is based on the Beatles'
Hard Day's Night.
[screaming]
Ask your grandparents about it.
[screaming]
The movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was used as a reference
for the stairs of the Herbalist Institute.
And the film Rambo was used as a reference for this shot.
[screaming]
Meet the Rough Rhinos.
Give up! You're completely surrounded!
Their name is derived from
Teddy Roosevelt's historic Cavalry Brigade, The Rough Riders.
Fun fact:
Many Fire Nation sets were inspired by real locations in Iceland.
This Avatar sport is called Kuai Ball.
It's similar to the real sport Takraw.
Takraw is basically volleyball with your feet.
Katara, Sokka, say hello to the newest member of our family.
What are you gonna name 'em?
[chirping]
Momo.
Momo means peach in Japanese.
This burnt parchment reads the date of the darkest day
in Fire Nation history.
It's the ninth day of the seventh month of the Cultivate Rule Dragon Year.
♪ Leaves from the vine ♪
♪ Falling so slow ♪
Calligraphy Translation:
General Iroh, I will see you again when victory is obtained.
Your loyal son, Luten.
♪ Little soldier boy ♪
♪ Come marching home ♪
♪ Brave soldier boy Comes marching home ♪