He was the first airbending master in over 100 years.
Let's dive into Tenzin's bending evolution
and break down the son of Avatar Aang.
As we study Tenzin,
we will be breaking down not just how he became a master
but how he ushered in a new generation of airbenders.
First, we need to go all the way back to his childhood years.
Besides Aang,
Tenzin was the only airbender in the world.
He felt immense pressure to keep the Air Nation culture alive,
which was a lot of responsibility at a young age.
Aang was only 12 years old
when he became an airbending master.
Tenzin, on the other hand,
was pushing 17 and hadn't received his tattoos.
He was an extremely skilled airbender,
but he still had a lot to learn.
Tenzin found himself getting into trouble as a teenager,
sometimes even using his airbending to attack an opponent
instead of self defense.
As an air master and the Avatar,
Aang taught Tenzin about peaceful conflict resolution
and to only use his bending for necessary defense.
One of many lessons Aang gave on how to be a true Air Nomad.
It was a lot of pressure for a teenager,
but Tenzin was determined to uphold his father's legacy.
Tenzin learned everything he could from his father
and his extensive training would pay off.
He inherited all of his father's skills,
like taking Aang's famous air scooter
and turning it into a giant air wheel.
Tenzin and also inherited Aang's agility and evasiveness,
making him almost untouchable in combat.
[grunts]
[grunting]
[screaming]
Just like his father, Tenzin worked his way up
to becoming a full-fledged master.
But when Aang passed away,
Tenzin became the last airbender
marking his first real test as a master.
You are the son of Avatar Aang.
You are the hope for future generations of airbenders.
The fate of the world rests on your shoulders.
But he wouldn't be the last airbender for long
because Tenzin would start an entire family of airbenders.
Where are your brother and sister?
[shouting]
You can't catch me!
I'm the greatest air skater of all time!
[grunts]
Meelo!
Ikki, Jinora and Meelo learned
from the basic physical movements
up to the advanced techniques like the air scooter and glider.
The key is to be like the leaf.
Flow with the movement of the gates.
Jinora will demonstrate.
Airbending is all about spiral movements.
When you meet resistance,
you must be able to switch direction at a moment's notice.
Tenzin also made sure his children were tapped
into their spiritual sides.
Meditation was a mandatory practice on Air Temple Island.
Look at Meelo, he's able to meditate peacefully.
[snoring]
Actually, I think he's asleep.
What?
Well, at least he has the relaxing part down.
But his children wouldn't be his only pupils.
As the only air master in the world,
he knew one day he would need to train the Avatar.
Look at you, so big and strong.
You've grown into quite the young Avatar.
Master Tenzin, I'm so glad you're here.
I can't wait to get started.
But being Korra's master wouldn't be easy,
seeing as airbending
would be the hardest element for her to learn.
The other elements came so easily to me
but every single time I've tried airbending...
[blows a raspberry] nothing.
That's perfectly alright. We just need to be patient.
Often the element that's the most difficult
for the Avatar to master is the one most opposite
to the Avatar's personality.
For Aang, it was earthbending.
And Korra's personality being polar opposite to Aang's
didn't help either.
You must promise me that your teenage years
won't be like this.
I will make no such promises.
But Tenzin's teachings would sink in,
as Korra's training clicked during the equalist uprising.
No!
[grunting]
Little did Tenzin know,
he was about to inherit even more students.
Look, I'm airbending!
After the events of Harmonic Convergence,
the spiritual energy surrounding the world shifted.
Dozens of non-benders began waking up
with airbending abilities,
including Tenzin's older brother Bumi.
This marked the beginning of the return of the Air Nation.
I know that none of you chose to become airbenders,
but now you do have a choice.
We can relocate you somewhere safe
or you can come with me to the Northern Air Temple
to live in peace and train as Air Nomads.
I wanna go with you.
- Me too. - Count me in.
- I wanna go too. - I'll go too.
Me too!
Tenzin had a tough time training the Avatar,
so training a group of former non-benders
wasn't going to be much easier.
[loud horn blaring]
[groaning]
Dawn patrol! Everyone up!
I'm going to break you down and build you back up.
I'm not sure I want to shave my head.
That's fine. Shaving your head is a personal choice.
Wait, what?
It's not hard if you concentrate!
[groaning]
[shouts]
Get back up!
What's the matter? You can't handle it, soldier?
But, just like Korra, Tenzin's training would click.
His students worked together
to save Jinora from the bison rustlers.
You got me.
I give up.
[grunting]
You think you can kidnap Jinora and all these baby bisons?
[screaming]
Kai! That's enough.
An airbender never attacks a defenseless opponent.
But that was very good technique.
It was a difficult start for sure,
but his students had made significant progress.
However, not everyone was on board
with rebuilding the Air Nation.
As Tenzin and his family began to train the new benders,
evil was brewing in the dark.
Good, the entire family is here.
Zaheer was a non-bender who spent his entire life
studying the Air Nomad culture,
so when he got his abilities, he immediately excelled
in advanced airbending techniques.
I want Korra, and I'm tired of chasing her.
You're using us as leverage.
Yes.
I will never let you get to Korra.
Unfortunately, you don't have a choice.
Yes, I do.
[grunting]
For the first time in almost 200 years,
two airbending masters would duke it out.
[grunting]
Tenzin was a true master.
He would have easily beaten Zaheer
if the rest of the Red Lotus hadn't ganged up on him.
[grunting]
[groaning]
[grunting]
[groaning]
Give up, it's over.
As long as I'm breathing, it's not over.
[shouts]
[grunts]
[panting]
[grunting]
Little did Tenzin know
his teachings would pay off again.
Even when he and Korra were down and out,
Jinora stepped up.
Hurry, everyone form a circle.
Follow me!
Jinora inherited all of Tenzin's skills and then some.
Her power and determination under Tenzin
made her an extremely powerful airbender.
Tenzin anointed her as master
and began the official rebuild of the Air Nation.
Rebuilding the Air Nation
was one of Tenzin's greatest accomplishments
as he spent his entire life
trying to carry on his father's legacy.
He always faced the incredible pressure
of being the last airbender and son of Avatar Aang.
He was never able to match
his father's spiritual connection
but that trait was passed down to Jinora.
With the help of his children and Avatar Korra,
Tenzin was able to not only uphold his father's legacy
but forge his own destiny.
I failed you.
I am no spiritual leader.
I've let the world down.
I'll never be the man you were.
You are right.
You were trying to hold onto a false perception of yourself.
You are not me, and you should not be me.
You are Tenzin.
I am not a reflection of my father.
I am Tenzin.
That wraps up Tenzin's airbending evolution.
Which bender should we break down next?
Let us know in the comments
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[gasps] Meelo, no! That is not a toilet!
Oh, dear...