Top 10 Funniest Avatar: The Last Airbender Moments

Misfortune can be funny, and few characters are quite as hilariously tragic as the cabbage merchant. Whenever the Earth Kingdom entrepreneur shows up hoping to sell some beautiful vegetables, the universe seems to conspire to ensure that his cart, cabbages, or both end up in disarray. "Avatar: The Last Airbender" is a consistently hilarious show, and this random recurring joke highlights the cartoon's talent for goofy but memorable gags. It serves as a testament to "Avatar's" excellence that a character with so little screen time or development can leave such a long-lasting impression.

Along their travels, Team Avatar cross paths with quite a few unique personalities, and the Earth Kingdom Nomads are the most relaxed of the bunch. Led by the well-meaning but frustratingly chipper Chong, the Nomads bring a touch of melody, optimism, and even an idea or two to Team Avatar's lives. In a stroke of genius, "Avatar" decides to stick the Nomads with Sokka, a combination that produces some gut-bustingly funny moments. While these Nomads don’t show up again, they make the most of their one appearance on "Avatar: The Last Airbender."

As someone who’s mostly introduced to make Toph look awesome, The Boulder could easily have been a forgettable and throwaway character, but that is not "Avatar: The Last Airbender's" style. With just a few lines, The Boulder goes from a fodder enemy to a memorable minor character who also has some depth. Boulder's comically exaggerated mannerisms are splendidly animated, as is the short fight that ensues between the muscular Earthbender and the Blind Bandit. This whole encounter plays out like a comedic skit, one that showcases Toph's abilities and personality at the expense of the Boulder's future offspring.

The greatest attitude adjustments came with a healthy dose of humor. Team Avatar's first run-in with the Kyoshi Warriors does not bring out the best in Sokka, who shows off an ugly misogynistic side. Luckily, Suki proves to be the perfect person to teach Sokka the errors of his way. Sokka's transformation into a Kyoshi Warrior is an important development for the character, even if Aang still manages to get a quick zinger in. Sokka and Suki would go on to form an unbreakable bond, something Zuko almost discovers first-hand.

Super serious and often conflicted, Zuko does not have much time for comedy, which "Avatar: The Last Airbender" uses to great comedic results. After turning a new leaf, Zuko grew less prideful and proved willing to admit to his failings to join Team Avatar. An act of such vulnerability naturally required practice, so Zuko turned to a badgerfrog for guidance. It did not help much. Whether preparing to join his father and nation's enemy or while out on a date, Zuko brings a touch of awkwardness that’s not only hilarious but also makes the Firebender even more endearing.

When someone is as funny as Sokka, they can be physically immobilized and still bring the laughs. While hunting for meat, Sokka gets stuck in a hole and is left to helplessly wait to be rescued. Along with making an adorable friend, Sokka goes through an internal journey of self-discovery as the trapped hero grapples with his mortality. Aang also gives Sokka's hair an impromptu makeover. This entire storyline is hilarious from beginning to end, with the final punchline leaving Sokka's newfound wisdom unshared with the rest of Team Avatar.

"Avatar: The Last Airbender" takes several cues from anime, especially in the comedy department. Therefore, it’s only fitting that the show's most obvious homage to Japanese animation is also a laugh riot. With the day of the Black Sun quickly approaching, a nervous Aang decides to stay awake after suffering a string of revealing nightmares. This leads to some even weirder daydreams starring Moma, Appa, and a handy Guru Pathik. Packed with references and impressively animated for what’s essentially an extended skit, Aang's sleep-deprived mind gives birth to some comedy gold.

For the most part, Azula is terrifying, but "Avatar" does humanize the Fire Nation princess during season 3. "The Beach" is an especially important episode, as it shows Azula's insecurities around people her age, particularly boys. Azula attempts to sweep Chan off his feet with some sharp lines and a fiery prophecy, but the princess is a bit inexperienced when it comes to flirting. Azula is a fantastic villain but there is more to the character than just sadism and cruelty, and these brief flashes of awkward normalcy add a lot to the Firebender's appeal.

Sokka is a comedy god, and "The Desert" allows everyone to bask in the character's glory. After quenching their thirst with some cactus juice, Sokka and Momo go on a trip filled with mushrooms, moons, and vibrant colors. This could easily have been a single scene, but "Avatar" stretches out this plot development for an entire episode, and it is a great decision. While the visuals do change slightly on occasion, we’re mostly left to imagine Sokka's hallucinations, which pays off later on in the episode when the joke keeps on coming back to trigger even more laughs.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Pants Are an Illusion
Because the Foggy Swamp Tribe Is Very Wise

Sokka's Water Tribe Flex
Because Sokka Has Swag For Days

Riot Interrupted
Because That Is an Impressive Way to Start a Prison Riot

Iroh Gets Mugged
Because It Is Always a Great Time for an Iroh Lesson

King Bumi
Because It IS Fun Messing with People

When adapting a true story for the stage, some creative liberties are to be expected, as Team Avatar learns too well at the Ember Island Theater. The Ember Island Players put on a generally plot-faithful reenactment of Team Avatar's adventures while amplifying some less flattering traits of the key characters. In the play, Sokka is turned into a starving comedic relief, Katara cannot stop talking about hope, Aang and Toph swap genders, Azula is shown in a heroic light, and Zuko is mostly spot-on. The Ember Island Players put on one incredibly entertaining show.