Nickelodeon’sAvatar: The Last Airbenderended back in 2008, but the series has continued in other forms — from its spinoff,The Legend of Korra,to themanyLast Airbenderbooksand comics that have been published, to Netflix’s live-action adaptation of the series. And more stories from this world are currently in the works, continuing to take different shapes.
There are, of course, theanimatedAvatar: The Last Airbenderspinoffscoming down the pike from Avatar Studios. There’s also a new novel coming out this month, which willreturn readers to Ba Sing Se:City of Echoesby Judy I. Lin.This will take place within the timeline of the original Nickelodeon show, and it’s a perfect reminder to rewatch one episode before diving in.
Avatar: The Last Airbender’s Spinoff Book Is About A Character From “The Tales Of Ba Sing Se”
The Upcoming Novel Will Expand Jin’s Character Arc
Avatar: The Last Airbender’s new spinoff novel,City of Echoes, will follow a character we already met during the Coup of Ba Sing Se. Viewers will recall Jin, the girl Zuko and Iroh meet while working at a tea shop during “The Tales of Ba Sing Se.” While her story in the animated series is incredibly brief,City of Echoesis set to expand upon her character.
It sounds like her narrative in the book will be removed from what Team Avatar is experiencing during this season 2 storyline. Jin will be focused on helping her friend, Susu, who is initially tasked with working in the Upper Ring to pay off her family’s debts — though Jin winds up embroiled in the much bigger problems of the Earth Nation capital while trying to save her.
Doing so will also reacquaint readers with Jin’s character, and it will be an opportunity to experience a great installment of TV.
Even without Team Avatar taking center stage, the book’s first excerpt confirms that Aang is arriving in Ba Sing Se just asCity of Echoesbegins.This makes it worth revisitingAvatar: The Last Airbenderseason 2, episode 15beforehand. Doing so will also reacquaint readers with Jin’s character, and it will be an opportunity to experience a great installment of TV all over again.
Why “The Tales Of Ba Sing Se” Is An Incredible Episode Of Avatar: The Last Airbender
Although “The Tales of Ba Sing Se” isn’t typically cited as one of thebest episodes ofAvatar: The Last Airbender, it still makes for a fantastic watch. The season 2 installment allows viewers to spend time with its characters without any massive developments unfolding. Instead,we get a glimpse into who these players are when they aren’t dealing with world-shattering incidents.
Several of these character portraits are sad, as they unravel things like Iroh’s grief and Toph’s insecurities. And Momo’s journey, in particular, is sure to evoke strong emotions in viewers. But “The Tales of Ba Sing Se” also manages to be charming, highlighting the characters' redeeming qualities and bonds with one another. There’s a lot to love about all of their storylines in this installment.
And although these narratives likely won’t factor into 2025’s newLast Airbendernovel,Zuko’s introduces the character who will lead it. Jin is likable and interesting during their interactions, but it’ll be even more fun to seeCity of Echoesadd layers to her character.
City Of Echoes Is A Great Reminder To Rewatch This Season 2 Episode
The First Avatar Legends Book Comes Out This July
City of Echoeshits shelves this July, starting theAvatar Legendsseries, which will explore minor characters fromThe Last Airbenderin more depth. Jin’s novel is an excuse to revisit “The Tales of Ba Sing Se,” if the installment’s quality isn’t enough reason to return to it.
Of course, just returning to the world ofAvatar: The Last Airbenderis often fun enough to prompt a full rewatch. But this episode, specifically, will help fans appreciateCity of Echoesmore. It’ll remind them of the heroine’s backstory, and it will fill them in on the timeline of the upcoming nove.
