Preface: The scene I'm analyzing is this one. It’s the full cut of two scenes together (first half aired in episode 20 while the later half in episode 21) and the scene I’m doing finishes after Zuko gets hit by lightning. However, I would recommend watching the whole scene right to the end. Another note I couldn’t fit in was the ages of Azula and Zuko which I believe adds to the scene. It’s speculated that Zuko is between 16 - 15 while Azula is 14.
Few shows over the past decades have managed to touch the hearts of millions in the way that Avatar: The Last Airbender has. Created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko and running for a short 3 seasons between 2005 and 2008, Avatar: The Last Airbender managed to impact not only the lives and morals of thousands but also how television shows tell stories. Throughout the series, various directors have used different techniques in an effort to tell the story in creative ways and no other director has used these skills so well in a single shot like Joaquim Dos Santos did with The Last Agni Kai scene in Book 3, Episode 20 - Sozin's Comet, Part 3: Into The Inferno. In this scene we see the two sibling characters, Zuko and Azula, engaging in a fight known as an Agni Kai, a battle between two firebenders. Using techniques such as color theory, non-diegetic sound, set design, and blocking, Dos Santos could create one of the most bone-chilling and memorable scenes in the series (other than the Leaves From The Vine scene).
The first most noticeable technique used is the use of color theory. In the scene, Azula and Zuko are fighting with two distinctly different colors of flames; Azula fights with blue flames while Zuko fights with red. For the audience, this allows them to differentiate the two characters within the fight and be able to see each side moves clearly, similar to how sports teams have different colored uniforms. The contrast between the two colors also lets us feel the epicness of the fight. The bold colors against the dim background stand out and adds to the amazement the audience feels while watching the scene. However, that is not the only reason director Dos Santos chose the two colors. In film, blue is typically used to represent emotions such as isolation and sadness and by giving Azula blue flames represents how she has pushed everyone away and is now isolated. In the previous scene, we see how she caused this isolated environment by herself, how her madness and paranoia have overtaken her causing her to push away the only friends and family she has. Her startling blue flames contrast with Zuko's bright red. Zuko's red flames represent the warmth and love he has garnered over the series. The love of family from his Uncle Iroh, and the love he has gained from the Gaang - Aang, Katara, Sokka, Toph, and Suki. The two colors represent their journey over the series and the two paths the siblings chose - one of love vs one of isolation. This is further emphasized when we take into account the blocking of the scene. At the start of the scene, we see that those who were surrounding Azula leave and we don't see them again, not even when Azula is seen chained to a vent at the end of the next scene. Compare this with the blocking on Zuko's side: during certain points of the scene, we can see that katara is still there with Zuko. She doesn't leave him alone unlike the way the courtiers left Azula alone. We can juxtapose this scene with where the two characters are at the beginning of the series. We first meet Zuko when he is alone; he's been essentially exiled from the fire kingdom until he returns with the avatar, and he only has his Uncle Iroh with him - the only family member that loves him other than his deceased mother. This contrasts with Azula's situation, she has two friends - Ty Lee and Mai - and her father, along with the rest of the palace courtiers who all adore her. As the series goes forward we slowly see this situation flip, Zuko gains friends and trusted comrades while Azula loses them.
A notably odd part of this scene is the use of non-diegetic sound. Typically in a fight scene, a high-powered song is used to emphasize the intensity of the scene. However, the music accompanying this scene is slower and more somber, rather the music resembles one that we would more commonly hear accompanying a funeral scene. The track has a steady tempo and only uses two types of instruments - strings and drums - for most, if not the entirety of the track. This creates a sudden feeling of pain and sadness among the audience throughout the series we hear fast-paced music to accompany the fight scenes. Using the somber music allows the audience to feel the emotional weight symbolized by the music. Director Joaquim Dos Santos intended for this to happen as the purpose of this music choice is to emphasize the death and loss we see throughout the series, hence the funeral vibes. Whether it's the loss of childhood, the end of a once-great kingdom, or the death of a sibling bond. Contrast this with the interjecting fight scenes of the Aang vs Ozai fight. Their music is much more suitable, it's fast, high pace, and aids in feeling like the fight is intense. Although we do see similar themes occur - such as Aang deciding not to kill Fire Lord Ozai and refusing to give up his morals (spoilers) - it's got that grandeur aura about it that's been hyped since the beginning of the series. This contrast between scenes can also be seen in the choice of color palette and tone. While Aang's fight uses lighter colors, most being Earthy colors such as yellow, greens, blues, and oranges, Zuko's fight is far darker with a focus on deep reds, oranges, and blacks. This combination of palette and music work well together in providing the funeral tone Dir. Dos Santos desired.
A more subtle film technique used is the set design. The Last Agni Kai takes place at Fire Lord Ozai's palace in his courtyard, the surrounding fire kingdom is, ironically, on fire. The rooftops are aflame with the fire emitting from the fight causing houses and parts of the palace to burn. For the audience, they are able to fully understand how the surrounding buildings have been affected by the Agni kai. By having the audience understand the amount of destruction being caused, we feel afflicted. Throughout the series, we see how the Fire Nation has destroyed various towns and cities, in particular the Air Temples. Seeing the Fire Nation burn in a sense, is karma. They are getting a taste of the destruction and pain they have caused to the other nations. Dos Santos is also showing the Fire Nation burning to show the downfall and end of their brutal reign. Alongside those two meanings, Zuko and Azula cause most, if not all, of the damage to their own kingdom. By having members of the Fire Nation setting fire to their own kingdom - whether intentionally or accidentally - shows how the Nation has self-destructed with the amount of power they control. Because of this, the audience is glad the Fire Nation is getting a taste of their own medicine. However, because we know the destruction the nation has caused and how it has affected the people of the world, we feel some sort of sympathy for the Fire Nation citizens who have gotten caught in this cross-fire. This combined with the somber music emphasizes the symbolization that a kingdom has fallen and an era has ended.
In all visual media, a common technique used is blocking. Although blocking is sometimes just where the actors stand, some directors use this technique to convey a subtle message. Dos Santos does exactly that with the placement and movement between Azula and Zuko in the Last Agni Kai. Throughout the scene, Azula is moving all around, attacking Zuko at all angles while Zuko stands his ground in the same spot. This conveys to the audience not only the two types of fighting styles within fire bending but also how the two characters have grown as people. We feel as if we have seen the two characters grow as the story progresses, as if we too have grown with them. The audience is also able to see the two paths the young teenagers have chosen; one of isolation and one of friendship. By having Azula constantly moving and using more tricks and forceful power, Dos Santos can show the audience what Azula values. Azula is what some would call "a gifted child", she showed immense talent as a child, therefore, her whole life centers on her talent. She seeks validation from others (in particular her father Lord Ozai) which she achieves by using tricks and flaunting her skills. Juxtapose this to the way Zuko fights. Zuko too wanted validation from his Father, however, unlike Azula, Zuko had love from both his Mother and Uncle Iroh to balance out the need for validation from his Father. In short, Zuko has received love from both his achievements and for simply existing, Azula has only received love based on achievements. This balance in Zuko's life allows him to be sure of himself and to maintain a confident, balanced stance throughout the fight. Similar to how yin and yan work together to create a balance in life, or how you need to balance the four walls of Hauora to stay stable. This causes her to feel the need to constantly be flaunting her skills and forgetting the basics of good firebending. This works well with not only the close-ups we see of Azula's face but also the brilliant voice acting done by Grey DeLisle. I believe that without the voice acting, this scene wouldn't be as powerful.
The Last Agni Kai stands out among the dozens of well-written fights we see fought throughout the series. Using techniques such as blocking, color theory, non-diegetic music, and set design, Dos Santos successfully wrapped up one of the most iconic character redemption arcs in the history of storytelling. Dos Santos also managed to make us feel sympathy for Azula, one of the main antagonists, by reminding us of her unfortunate life. As time progresses new shows will come and go, however, Avatar: The Last Airbender will always remain as one of the best shows ever.
