Why Is The Music In "Avatar: The Last Airbender" So Good?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.พ. 2025
- What makes the music in Avatar good?
This video, including all pictures and clips used is a critique and is covered under "fair use" under section 107 of the US Copyright Act 1976. If you would like to see the shows and episodes in full, purchase them online or the DVD sets by their respective owners.
Why is the music good? This is a question I began to ask myself more the older I got. The idea to actually make a video out of it started since just before the series was released to Netflix. So, I guess that's all of quarantine, dang it's been long. Anyway, needless to say, I've been working on this for a long time, and I've never done one of these videos essays before, but I think I started to get the hang of it by the end.
Other Avatar Music Videos:
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• Avatar The Last Airben...
Behind The Scenes Sources:
• Avatar: The Last Airbe...
• The Track Team
• Jeremy Zuckerman's Stu...
Referenced Videos
• What Writers Should Le...
• Avatar: The Last Airbe...
Music Used:
• Dear Katara (Avatar's ...
Thanks to my friend / @dekker4721 for the thumbnail.
when Zuko was on his knees begging for forgiveness from his father, he received a scar but when he was on his knees begging for forgiveness from his uncle, he receives a hug😭😭😭
It still gets to me
That's why he confuse why his uncle forgives him easily. 🥹
Man, that's sooo sad 😭 He's so traumatised that when he asks for forgiveness, instead of getting hurt again, he is *surprised* that he receives a hug... Guys, it shocks him - he didn't see it coming. He might be a teenager whose acting mature (most of the time) by season 3, but he's still a child - he is used to abuse and therefore fears the reaction, especially anger, of people close to him because he grew up in fear... Man. That's heavy for a kid's show, and it's why Avatar is so great: it didn't doubt children's intelligence for a second, and also showed us what happened to children as the result of generational trauma and war.
I love how there is probably close to 1000x the shows entire runtime in content analyzing every nook and cranny of the show and yet people are still finding new things to talk about over a decade after it finished airing.
Truly a masterpiece.
I know!
"over a decade after it finished airing"
thanks, I wanted to be carbon dated today -_-
hey, good news! it's been almost 2 decades 🥰🥰🥰@@typo1345
I returned to it now after many years again and seem to have never picked up about Zuko being related to Roku. Dont know why this wasnt even in my memory. But also so many other easter eggs I uncovered now. Places and people of earlier episodes appearing later but its so subtle, you can miss it entirely
The fact that they were willing to pay from their own pocket for the orchestra shows how dedicated they are
big studios, please notice passion when it's working for you 🙏 please I beg of you
@Eh......... it's legitimately ridiculous
the creators never really cared that much for money anyways
The main thing I love about the Last Agni Kai track is that it sounds sad, it sounds TRAGIC. And that's because it is. In other fire fights, the music is at the very least energetic, and like, worthy of being played during a fight, because that's what they are. Fights.
The Last Agni Kai is not a fight. It is a tragedy. Ozai abused Zuko and Azula for basically their entire lives and now, because of that, you have a 14yo girl initiating a fight to the death with her 16yo brother. There is no glory in this, no martial struggle, no victory to be gained at the end, and the music reflects that.
The music in every other fight in this show reflects the fight it's about. The music here only reflects the tragedy that is happening.
It might represent a few more things too...
Also can we talk about the brilliance in them not simply resorting to a beam struggle....the brilliance comes from how they are deflecting past each other, how there is no longer hope for reconciliation. Its not about one simply overpowering the other,
The last Agni Kai is a beautiful scene all around. The choice to have nothing audible but the music is a good choice, as it emphasizes the emotion going on in the scene.
I also noticed the upward notes (opposite to the firenation motif) right after zuko gets crowned, which then turns into aang's plot music as their stories have fully intertwined and now they stand side by side
Woahhhh, I'll have to check that out and hear it for myself! I LOVE hearing things like this!
that even happens in a smaller amount when Zuko goes back to Iroh. they mix in aangs plot as it became also Zukos plot.
Just you playing snippets of the themes makes me tear up. They did such an amazing job
They really did 🫠
Same. The first note of the last Agni Kai plays and I'm devastated
I’m visually impaired. The way something sounds is just as important as it looks to me. I just had a long conversation with a friend and I come back constantly to the care this show was made with. Music perfection
The use of the "Avatar's Love" leitmotif at 20:24 could represent how Aang has brought Zuko and Iroh back together again after Zuko's betrayal. It is one of the first times we see Zuko truly express his feelings for his uncle, and at that moment Zuko is shown more love than he has ever been given since his mother left. The music helps to show that pure family love between the two, the proudness and relief for Iroh knowing that he helped Zuko find his way in life, and his way back to Iroh, and for Zuko finally feeling like he has a home, that Iroh is more of a father to him than his father ever was. All of this was made possible because of the avatar. It's just a theory, but the use of the love theme there also shows that there is more kind of love than just romantic, and it shows how important family love is to a person, even if it's not the family you thought it should be.
Bro just walked in, dropped a banger, and walked out. I know I’m 3 years late, but this video was incredible, especially for your first.
Thank you! That's a really funny image you just put in my head haha. I guess it would be a little less legendary if he released another one huh
2:17 I think the Avatar’s Love theme being played in this scene can be tied back to how it’s utilized when team Avatar is in a state of safety and security after a state of conflict.
The fact that it plays here can symbolize how Zuko is finally, after years of being met with hostility by his father, sister, and self, he’s at the place where he is the most safe: in the arms of the only family member who truly (and currently, excluding his mother) loves him, which is Iroh. It also illustrates how the years of conflict he’s had within himself that he always had taken out on Iroh has finally been put at rest with Iroh’s forgiveness and relentless love. It also grounds the fact that Zuko is truly part of the Gaang as it now includes him as a character eligible for the theme to be played for.
Ooh, this is a GREAT thought idk how I missed it! That's totally makes sense! Wow, I like that a lot.
That exactly what I thought. If avatar's love theme represents "the danger is now over and we are safe" for team avatar, it shows that Zuko came to safety in finding his identify as being a part of team avatar. The danger of his conflicting Identity is now over. The resolution of the song representing his conflict of identity resolves with the theme of safety for team avatar.
I'm three years late to this masterpiece. Thank you so much for making this video 😭😭😭
Haha, you're very welcome, I'm glad you liked it!
several months worth of work for a 30 minute video???????? That's what I call-
✨dedication✨
(BTW I'm crying now thanks 👁👄👁)
20:17 I think “Avatar’s Love” plays because Iroh is talking about how Zuko has realized his destiny, which as it turns out was helping the Avatar, and the song plays whenever the gaang is just chillin’ or something.
Great video btw, glad to see people making content on the show’s soundtrack.
never gave it much thought... but how the heck did Zuko even think he could casually "bison-nap" Appa, a 10ton flying bison. Iroh points this lightly by even considering he could actually drag Appa to the apartment.
Hello there! I rarely comment on videos in TH-cam but your work here deserves so much praise that this needs to go viral! I was literally shaking while you were explaining your realizations while analyzing the music of ATLA because this is definitely one of the best Avatar videos I have ever watched. Thanks for your effort and time for being one of the few people who explained the musical ingenuity of this show! Avatar will always be that timeless masterpiece.
Thank you!
My first thought about the avatar love motif is there to show how much uncle iroh loves zuko with such kindness and unconditional love just like Aangs love for katara it’s that pure wholesome kind of love.
Avatar makes me want to cry it’s so beautiful and makes me feel so good on the inside, my daughter likes avatar too & has the music on her playlist
I remember the day the last ep came out like it was yesterday
The Avatars Love in Zuko's theme climax probably because of his intrinsic tie TO the Avatar
Dude the connection between Zuko and the lineage of the Avatars' destiny can be HEARD. That's so cool.
I only have very basic musical knowledge, but I think I've noticed a pattern in Avatar's music.
It seems like most of the musical themes are variations on the Avatar's Love theme.
What I mean is, Avatar's Love is the most simple, stripped-down version of the themes.
Just a few notes and very little chords, which makes it soothing and calming.
And themes like The Avatar State, Leaves from the Vine, Destiny, the Opening Theme and even Ba Sing Se are all variations upon that central themes.
They're all basically the same core notes as Avatar's Love, but with different arrangements to give them different feelings.
The Avatar State is grand, powerful and scary. Leaves from the Vine is nostalgic, peaceful and bittersweet.
But the core remains the same, and so you can imagine playing the Avatar's Love theme over them and it would always fit.
I think it's a common practice in music and worldbuilding. If I'm not mistaken, LotR's music basically has the same philosophy. Most of its music is based on the same chord progression, and every theme is a variation upon that same base material. And it creates the feeling that all these different musics belong to the same world, and makes it easy to create transitions and crossovers between different themes.
So... Is this all just in my head ?
Is Avatar's music all based on the chord progression found in Avatar's Love ?
Can someone with a strong musical knowledge confirm this ?
I need answers ! XD
Nah that first youtube search in the hotbar is crazy at 1:25
One of the best analysis videos in the history of avatar TH-cam and it was done by a dude with less than 400 subscribers. Respect.
Haha thank you!
Gonna see avatar in concert next year, im so excited
14:53 when this scene and song pop up I can’t help but cry every time. It’s just a reaction I can’t help, it happens every time to me. It’s so good and I feel the emotions of the entire show just finally release within that moment. Everything the gaang worked out and dealt through has finally ended and they are happy. Peace isn’t even enough to describe what type of emotions come through in that scene. It’s something I haven’t felt before I feel like, but watching it alone makes me wish I knew what that feeling was in real life. Total complete release. Anyway I really love this fuckin show and I’m glad I stumbled upon this video that talks about the banger music.
I feel exactly the same way and actually came here to comment this. I can't explain it, but this part always makes me cry. I feel so many emotions and I don't even know what to call them, and I cry again every single time, even when I'm watching reactions and have seen it a hundred times already.
@@ShizuruNakatsu gah glad I’m not the only one haha. It truly feels like the emotions bubbles out of me every time I see it.
Im 30 now and returned to the show once again. The emotions hit me even harder in this show now and I cant comprehend how they could make such a well thought out masterpiece
First time I watched Avatar I was sitting at home during the pandemic. Now I’m here years later after watching it a few more times. Your video brought some of that emotion from first watching ATLA. One of the best analysis videos I’ve ever seen. Thank you.
Thank you, I appreciate the comment.
27:10 That is insane my dude - definitely has to be intentional. This video is is next level.
Thank you man. I've never made a video before so this is most definitely a big compliment.
Dude come on, this video is so well made, and I was wondering how you only have like 70 subs. You need to make more! Even if it’s not like this, as long as it’s what you’re passionate about, and of the same quality, you’ll blow up
Thank you so much for this, genuinely. I hope you have a great day. :D
I love Avatar so much.. it’s almost devistating
me too
The number of times this video has given me goosebumps and brought tears to my eyes is absolutely insane! Amazing job analysing the music so beautifully.
It just goes to show ATLA was never just a kid's show - the amount of work and passion that went into every single moment is breathtaking!
i noticed that about zuko stealing appa as a high schooler going to an arts school, but i wasn't there for musical theory of any kind and didn't have the words to describe it. thank you so much for putting it into actual words
Wow, that's amazing. It's beautiful how you don't have to understand music for you to "get it". That's impressive though wow haha. Thank you, I appreciate your appreciation haha.
I love this show and when he says a cinematic masterpiece he’s pretty on the money. But he says it so seriously I couldn’t help but laugh as it contrasts with the usually chill silly nature of the show. Case in point : momo’s theme
To be sincere, yet at the same time not serious, is an art, and is one that makes life worth living.
This essay video hits different when you are a choir kid at school for 12 years;
While proudly purchasing the HD Quality 3 season series of this ATLA, this video is not boring whatsoever
I found this video so interesting and i kept saying "OMG yes! that makes sense a lot"
Thx for making this essay,this video is such a ride.
I had fun tuning in.
1:19 there is no such thing as an "unhealthy obsession with music"
:D
I like how every Avatar review video on TH-cam gives 30% focus on aang and 60%focus on Zuko :-p really well written character.
Also, dude, this video is the shit. I can't imagine how much time and effort went into getting the observatios for this video. I myself have a lot of interest in background scores and their subconscious impact on the viewer and the emotions they feel. I too have felt the music of ALTA is significantly important to the plot. But that being said, I had never thought this much effort went into it. Thanks for this video dude, you actually have contributed something very worthwhile to the internet which is going to be there forever.
Holy Mother of God, I just finished the video, and I'm blown away by the part where you point out the fact that the music score for Zuko which is the opposite of the fire nation track.
Are these the exact same notes? As in if I were to plot them in a notes sequencer will I be plotting the exact same notes just in the opposite order?
@@avishekbhattacharjee4430 it's not the same exact notes, as the jump in the fire nation theme is an augmented 4th (very dissonant), like in the simpsons opening ("the SIMPsons" would be the jump, which resolves to a fifth).
Great vid brother! You have a great speaking voice!!
Thanks! it's so weird to hear myself in this video because I was really trying to speak extra clearly, and I recorded the script like a week before I got my braces off so now my voice sounds even more different in the video. But thanks again
I watched the show when the episodes were first aired, and I still get goosebumps! The music was always just so perfect! I'm simple when it comes to music, but this show blew me away. Thank you for uncovering WHY I'm always so mesmerized and captivated by the storytelling. The scores add so much depth.
Now if you could go into why high swells of strings clutch at my heart and how they made Momo's theme just so "Momo" that'd be great ...
🏆
Thank you so much for saying this!! :,) It absolutely makes my day to hear these things. You're exactly my intended audience! Music is so powerful, and it can be understood without knowing any of it. It's even more unstoppable when combined with narrative like this, so if I can help someone who already loves the music understand a little more about what they're actually hearing, idk it's just all I hope for, seriously. So really, thank you so much for when you took the time out of your day to not only watch my video! but also to comment this. I hope you have a good day :]
also thank you for the award haha
Also, watch Braving the Elements podcast with the voice actors for Zuko and Korra. They interview the creators, composer, and sound designer of Avatar and Korra - on a few episodes - so great to have that inside look!
I keep getting goosebumps every time I heard the soundtrack played in this video.
Never watched videos like this to the end, great work! keep it up :)
came back again to listen to this on the way home from work and i had to pull over because i was openly weeping over the music and how you described it. 10/10 video, it only gets better the more i watch it
That sounds unbelievable what? 😭 But thank you! I just say the silly things I think about.
15:26 as soon as Zukos music starts, I had goosebumps all over
oh my god!!!! ive been looking for a video like this for SO LONG!!! avatar's use of leitmotifs and thematic connection also works to make it easier for the musicians to write music for a serialized tv show, something that's incredibly difficult to do. this is added to my "favorite video essays" playlist!!
oh my goodness thank you so much you have no idea how much this means to me and how much I appreciate it and how many comments just like this I get. It helps vindicate me to know that there are others like me who heard something in this show and also love to see things broken down like this. Would you be interested in another video like this for Over The Garden Wall?
@@-overdooo-oh my god i cant believe you responded so fast!! i Absolutely would love to see that-- i'm an absolute sucker for musical analysis, and there are so few channels who do a lot of them (sideways and howard ho are two others i love, but other than that, there are so few!) and i feel like otgw is such a good choice for that.
@@EthanTrees yeah I see a lot of videos on different aspects of the show like the story and characters and stuff. Similar to how I described avatar in this video. There are some really good videos on OTGW music, but none like how I'm thinking. It's honestly turning out to be such a daunting task but I really want to get it out. I just don't want it to be less than what I know it can be.
@@EthanTreesupdate: hehehe 🪤👨🍳
video coming out for spooky season? 👀
I binged it for the first time a few years ago. Can't believe I didn't get into it when I was a kid.
That's awesome to hear. I hope people get to experience this show for their sake. :D
Could you maybe analyse the music when Aang goes to his avatar state?
My musical highlight is when he snaps in the desert because of Appa...
That's the one that allways gets me.
I know I’m 3 years late, but I am so glad that I can across this video. Avatar is just perfect in every way, and your deep dive into the music was amazing. I was absolutely shook when you took the fire nation theme and turned it upside down for Zukos theme. Wow! Gotta give all the credit to the composers, they did an incredible job
I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Thank you for watching. I was shook when I discovered that it could be upside down too so you're not alone haha. Thank you so much for taking the time to comment this. It's not to late. I love reading the comments and read through all of them. I hope you like the new one coming soon >:)
yes yes yes yes all of this! I also have a theory that we hear a resolution of Zuko's Blue Spirit theme in "Reconciliation" as well - there are those three iconic strikes in the Blue Spirit theme that are dissonant, but then in Reconciliation, you get the three strikes from that are in harmony and build to the swell of the scene - but I totally had not picked up on the Beach theme and Reconciliation were so similar!
Hi, I just wanna say I really appreciate for how much effort you put into making this video, you really have a good eye for details and your video inspired on my report on Avatar
Thanks
You wrote a report about Avatar!? 👀
Amazing video. I've binged a huge amount of ATLA video essays and this is easily among my favourites. Would love to see more videos from you :D
Wow! Thank you so much. I'm honored to be a favorite. I would like to see more from me too, but I don't what else I could make a video on lol. If you have anything you'd like to see, I'm all ears haha. Thank you again!
same here
1:25. I can agree to wonder why Katara is so hot.
Such a great video!! Always wondered what makes this music just feel so.. right? And climactic at the right moments!! Love it, great work. Now looking forward to see the avatar orchestra live in action next month 😍
Ooh you got tickets!? I saw about it too late to see it when it was around here. 😪
I'm in tears listening to zuko's music. Just heartbroken and really wanting to give him a hug
loved this video and i finally watched a video where someone shares my love for the last agni kai song
Thank you! And right!? It always stuck out to me even as a kid! :D
I love this video. And from this- I noticed that Iroh has 2 theme songs too. He has leaves from the vine. Which I think is about his plot and winter spring summer & fall song for his story. I could be swapping those. I think leaves from the vine is about him coping with the loss of his son through the journey of helping others. And how that heals him also. While winter-spring is about how uncle Iroh evolves as a character into a humble man who enjoys the small/simple aspects of life above being highly regarded for his achievements. And yet still manages to be highly regarded. You may never see this but I’d love to know your thoughts.
I’m convinced that this show is perfectly genius. Not a SONGLE wasted moment (the great divide doesn’t count) message, or sound.
This channel is severely underrated even though it only has one video, would be cool to see some more content from you.
I DONT KNOW WHAT TO MAKE ANOTHER VIDEO ON lol, also thank you. PLEASE, if you have an idea about what other topic i should do for another video, i pray tell me!
Everybody has already made a video on seemingly everything lol
@@-overdooo- well yea but you could just try to make your own spin on it because you have something going here
My favorite avatr vid ever
@@Beatriz-j9q Wow, thank you so much. That could mean you've watched this more than once, and for that thank you.
@@-overdooo- I haven't but I do intend to. and thanks you for making this vid
I was watching avatar since my childhood and remember almost everything. I can say that without music it wouldn't be it. Btw every music you played gave me shivers.
The music is just that good. In my next video, I'm going to be physically playing the music in the video. So, next time someone gives my video this compliment, I can actually say thank you haha!
Dang... well done bro. Loved it.
the Avatar’s love leitmotif is in the scene with Zuko and Iroh, because it was their search for Aang, their story with Aang, which allowed both of them to heal from their past trauma. Iroh healed from the trauma of losing his son by managing to save Zuko from the evil of the Fire Nation. And Zuko saved himself from the destiny forced upon him and found his own. Both helped each other. Through thick and thin. Though the good, the bad, and the ugly.
This mirrors how Aang had his friend beside him to help him through his most daunting choices, through the destiny imposed on him and the one he chose instead.
Absolutely astonishing video, loved every second!
Thank you! I'm glad you liked it.
One of the most chill inducing music moments in the series for me is when Iroh explains that Zuko must take the thrown, before Sozins comet. In that moment the music crescendos and we hear the Avatar theme leitmotif being played behind Zuko, which bookends his journey. Nobody on TH-cam has talked about this moment but I get chills every time.
I know exactly what moment you're talking about! I agree the musical themes that come into play there are amazingly written and it's such a cathartic moment in the show as a viewer. I wanted that scene to be something I talked about, but I was sticking to a strict "absolutely most important" scenes haha. Scenes that just set up individual conflicts, then the scenes that are their main resolutions. But yes, I agree that scene is so awesome.
@@-overdooo- Thanks 🙏🏽 I needed that validation 😂
I know a melody in avatar that is almost as sad as the melody from Zuko. It is the melody in the episode where Katara finds out who killed her mother.
Dude you definitely have to make more videos like this, it was amazing, I was looking for an avatar music analysis everywhere and finally I found this masterpiece
Thank you! I could have made this into probably three videos, and that probably would have done better on youtube, but i wanted to just make one video that people could turn to and get everything in one place. I still don't know if i made the right call. I'm glad you liked it though!
Great freakin job! You have a natural knack for video essays and a keener eye than most. Keep doing more please! I’m curious on your opinion on the music in Legend of Korra, which is one of the few things I think they actually did just as well if not better than ATLA (not saying it’s bad, just that ATLA is better in most ways) and also your opinion on the new live action ATLA. I think you’d have a lot of great notes on what they could do to improve, and one huge thing is better implementation of the music!
I still find it so crazy that with such amazing music they only recently released an official soundtrack album.
@@nathanielreik6617 They released a soundtrack??? 🤯
@@nathanielreik6617 Oh wait, I knew this. The Vinyls released as one season per, right? Have they released anything past book 1?
@@-overdooo- No so far just Book 1 but considering for 15 years we had nothing, even just Book 1 is better than nothing and hopefully the rest will be coming.
@@-overdooo- It's also possible they've been more focused on Avatar the Last Airbender In Concert they haven't had time to work on the other two.
Incredible video! Absolutely adore this type of analysis. Really impressed by the amount of work you put in, and this end result is amazing.
Thank you!
I hae to say with "The Last Agni Kai" we wre brought into the scene, so much so I could smell the city burning & feel the unbridled heat of the flames being bent.
I love your energy finding new leitmotifs that perhaps no one else has thought of.
I feel that I've done something similar when investigating the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon 1 & 2 soundtracks lol. Thank you!
Never stop!
Hey, this video is amazing. Thanks for making it
@@Kaataawu Thanks for watching it!
A second element of The Last Agni Kai theme that I think plays into Zuko's story is the fact that it sounds sad. Considering the contrast between his arc and Azula's arc, it's easy to see why. Throughout the show Zuko had been struggling most with choosing between determining his own destiny and trying to earn his father's love, and Azula was the one influencing him toward the latter. Although he knew Azula always lies and manipulates, he believed her out of a desperate hope for his father's acceptance. Later, he realized his family had been torn apart and their reputation marred because of the manipulation; his father played both son and daughter from the time they were small, and Zuko eventually became resolute in his decision to break away from that mentally (and physically) abusive cycle. His sister, however, chose to remain within the cycle. He knows she's beyond redemption, but that's what hurts him--deep down he wants Azula to break free of that cycle too, to undergo a similar journey that he had taken to realize the truth, but her decision to stay--and seeing the devastating consequences of that decision--breaks his heart. Additionally, Zuko will never truly know what it is to have a sibling on his side; unlike Sokka and Katara, the dynamic between Zuko and Azula has always been one of suspense and subversion, never of trust and peace. And it all came to this, a family at war with itself, a battle that should never be but unfortunately is. It's legitimate reason for grief, and we connect with his grief through the music. Yet another reason why the score is so masterfully composed, making the show stand out as one of the best in cinematic history.
How eloquent, maybe you should have the video haha. Thank you for watching it all the way through though! And YES, comments! I LOVE to get people talking about this stuff! Have a great day!
@@-overdooo- I really enjoyed your analysis as well. Many things you pointed out, like Crossroads being the Fire Nation theme upside-down, was a brilliant observation. Thank you for the effort and thought you put into this video. Stay awesome!
I'm so sus on that observation now that I look back on it haha! like... did they reeeally do that on purpose? -_- or am I just seeing into things that aren't there haha
Absolutely amazing analysis! With regards to the Avatars Love leitmotif in Zuko's resolution, I think it works because that theme has a feeling of peace and safety, as you also mentioned in your video. Zuko is finally ''home'' with Iroh
Ever since I heard The Last Agni Kai, that is the score that plays in my head whenever I start unhealthily ruminating about the worsening social and political tensions in my country. However, Peace almost always somehow takes over before I could get too overwhelmed by my worries for the future, reminding me that not everything has been corrupted, and as run-of-the-mill as it sounds, I could still have control over my own destiny.
I just love the spoiler warning at the beginning. Every time I click on this masterpiece of a video here, I forget that it exists, expect a nice little avatar soundtrack, but I'm hit with an alarm signal that completely wakens me up
14:45 - 14:56 I feel so understood. ^^
This was so sick!!!! I am so happy you made a vid about the music. I enjoyed it and now wanna rewatch Avatar again so I can catch more of these moments 🥰 PS yes I cried when Iroh forgave Zuko 🤧
I really appreciate this. I am not a music person, but I have been looking for music analysis for ATLA on TH-cam, and there are only a few of those out there. Excellent video essay.
Thank you! I'm surprised you even found this video or watched it considering you're not a music person and i get very technical haha. Bravo! Haha
This was a beautifull analysis! I've always loved the show's music but didn't have any musical background to understand WHY it was so beautiful and moving. Thank you for putting the pieces together :)
Oh! I'm so glad you liked it, and found it insightful! Yes exactly! There's so much effort that goes into so many aspects of the show, just not everybody has the ability to sort through how that effort was applied. I'm happy that you were able to understand a little more about all this stuff that love. Thanks for commenting!
Thank you for making this! It’s awesome to see someone analyze the music like this. This was absolutely wonderful and makes me appreciate the show even more
I'm glad it offered that to you! Thank you for watching!
This video was amazing. Some brilliant information and conclusions were in this.
It does feel a little rough, and I say this as a non creator so don’t take it overly serious but some of the empty spaces at the beginning and the length of the video make it feel a little less professional. They don’t bother me personally but I think with some smoothing out and possibly making it into two or three videos, it may get more views. Most People have short attention spans and need short bursts of information or something to entertain the eyes while listening to an in-depth and Fascinating video like this. You did great through most of it but early on there were some spots that could have lost some people if they gave up on it too early. It defiantly didn’t lose me but not everyone grasps music the same way or as easily.
I’m not sure if I am articulating my comment well and don’t want you to think I dislike the video. I love it and it’s one of my favorite videos about ATLA, I was just trying my hand at being constructive and pointing out minor issues because I believe this video deserves way more recognition. I want to start creating myself but I have a hard time putting what’s in my head to practice, but I have watched hours of other videos and I try to pick up some stuff from them that I’m trying to communicate here but I’m not sure I’m doing very well lol.
In short, amazing video. It really is great and your personality and voice are really good for this.
28:31 OMG DURING MY LAST REWATCH I WAS THINKING THAT ZUKO'S THEME WAS TURNING INTO FIRE NATIO REVERSED IN SOME PLACES
DUDE! Right!??? There is just such care given to every second of this show, even beyond speaking only musically. Looking at the music alone should be an indication of how much care was given to all the other aspects if the show. But yeah, I was losing my mind holding all this info my brain when I was discovering it. I will say though, I'm not fully convinced that the composers were doing this on purpose, since this is the only instance of this I found, and it's so subtle. But I heard it put once, that it doesn't matter if it was intentionally or not, because what it does is show that music has the capability to tell story in this incredibly intricate way, and to me... that's cool enough :)
It isn't good, it's an absolute masterpiece. Thank you for the awesome video
thank you for watching!
I'm happy that you spoke about the music of Avatar. Really good one
@@fairboy5349 Thank you!
why does this only have 2k likes? this is an amazing video
Thank you! Share it with anyone who might be into it then haha
Me, a huge music nerd who has listened to the soundtrack for weeks at a time since i was a child:
Yes, yes… *nods*…
6:05 - oh, oh? what did he find? OH MY GOD
nice, props to you!
I think the Final Agnai Kai song using the theme of the cross roads and Zuko dealing with his destiny in a solidified way also represent Azula. Both characters have chosen their path, their destiny. They have been set on this path of destruction, of fighting each other, of tragedy. They have been set in their ways and there was no way of circumventing this tragic fight. That is why the theme's as a resolution is so somber. It was the destiny Zuko needed to do but that does not mean it is a triumphant one. It is the child that never escaped the father's abuse ow threatening the world needing to be stopped the child who learned from and escaped the father's abuse. It isn't her fault (entirely), she was put on this path by her father and was never taught how to really deal with the world in any other way. It is so tragic that the only one who can stop her is her brother. They really mastered the music by making it so somber while still having that sense of finality and sturdiness.
Thanks for this!! You are right no one else talks about the great music of this show. Great video
Thank you! And riigghhtt!!!??? There's so many videos about the story and dialogue and stuff but next to no videos about the music! I couldn't help myself.
Your analysis of the last agni kai blew my mind. It was always one of my favorite pieces of music from the show, but now knowing that the seeds for that beautiful melody were planted at the end of book 2 is just amazing and I thank you deeply and truly for realizing this and sharing it with us.
Thank for making it that far haha. It's alp speculation, and there's some real world reasons why that connection might have been have an accident, but it still works.
@@-overdooo- It's the same kind of feeling I got when I realized that Gandalf's death music in Fellowship of the Ring is the same music that plays as Gandalf is leaving the Grey Havens in Return of the King (which many see as a metaphor for death). The idea that a piece of music can be used just twice in a series but have it be a powerful call back, even if it's different arrangement or key or mood or whatever. I love your reasoning that Zuko's destiny was clouded and chaotic in Book 2, hence the discord in the musical notes, but in Book 3 he's calm and collected and knows exactly what his destiny is, so the melody is cleaner and more resolved. Excellent analysis and video.
dude. DUDE.
We seriously need more of this.
holy fck I am so hyped, this video was AMAZING. Please give us more
Aww, thank you so much! I'm sorry I didn't see this. I can tell you. There is another... soon. [look at my community tab ;)]
I just wanted to point out that the notes at 20:50 are played on the kalimba.
I listened to the video while driving, gonna have to watch it when I get back home. I’m so glad I experienced this before I go to the live orchestra of avatar the last airbender! I hope you can go as well- I’m so excited.
Music is packed with such emotion, it is essentially its messenger. you could watch a scene with only dialogue and understand the message or feel pain and happiness. however when listening to music from a scene without the visuals or dialogue the whole flood of emotions will hit you without thinking (speaking from my experience watching your video).
I appreciate how you explained the music in ways that people like me, a music lover but not a musician can understand. I wish you made more videos about the other musical pieces in avatar or maybe even korra.
Thank you for watching I'm happy you enjoyed it! Also... live orchestra? 👀 I don't know about that but I'd like to know!
Wow! This is a great video. I've always thought of Aang's two themes as: Aang the human, and Aang the Avatar, but you're explanation of it being his plot vs. story is so cool!
That's an interesting way of looking at it! I appreciate the comment, addition to the conversation is all I want to accomplish with this video.
if you say the avatars love theme is to represent safety, Zuko has just been reunited with the person who he feels most safe with, the one who guided and helped him find his path to joining the Avatar, which may also be why that leitmotif works there
UGH I love this idea so much. Thank you for sharing and for watching!
What a beautiful, thorough, and thoughtful analysis!
Thank you so much for taking the time out of your day to type this.
@@-overdooo- Of course - you should be proud of not only the content you created and shared with us, but also of the thoughts and analyses you have personally made! Revisiting these scenes & themes with your perspective has helped me better understand what plays into their great impactfulness, and rightfully brought tears to my eyes. I hope you're experiencing a wholesome and fulfilling existence ✨
@@PeterSHollander wth, this is so nice! You're a good youtube watcher. I hope all the same for you.
My favorite theme was probably the end theme cuz idk it just gives me chills in a good way, and also the scene where he’s yelling at the sky to strike him down, it was powerful
Those are good picks!!!
Amazing video. Really really good video. I am so surprised that this video doesn’t have hundreds of thousand of views yet. 👍
Thank you :,) I'm so curious how my next one will affect this one's views >:)
The music still gives me goosebumps even after hearing it so many times
You could argue that the avatar’s theme in that scene is more about zulo being the grand grand son of the avatar, and by meeting his uncle there he is also accepting the mission to restore balance to the world just as his uncle as a white lotus
:O the argument could be made! But i also know us fans probably look way more into things than the creators probably did haha. But i LIKE the creativity! Keep that kinda thinking alive
just watched your otgw video and now this one and omg, I love your analysis of both! I like music but I don't know much about theory but the way you explain it makes so much sense. Kind of a sham eu only have these 2 videos but maybe one day I'll run into a new video of yours
@@terrimnida Thank you for such kind words! If I find something worth making a video on maybe I just might... maybe. These are a lot of work the way I do em haha.
This video deserves more, one of the best ive seen, please keep it up cuz you got my sub
Thank you for watching! It's been two years and now... Shh... I gotta another one in the works now. I'm in touch with some cool people now 🤐
@@-overdooo- glad to hear, cant wait to see it! Take your time, can't rush art
@@ShrugginAround "art" 💀
@@-overdooo- hey man like it or hate it, this is art, pretty damn good piece too, dont doubt yourself, I wanna see where this channel goes
25:50 as much as i love the theorized connection between these two scenes, i think this is "just" the musical production team choosing the "standard wheeping strings" for their sad/serious moments
27:10 nevermind
Haha, I mean... there's no guarantees. I could be totally wrong about everything I theorized. Even so, if I can get people to listen a little closer to the music for something they love, I'll be happy haha. That's the real purpose of this video.