Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’re no stranger to the renewed Avatar: The Last Airbender hype. Whatever your reason may be for watching (or rewatching), there’s no mistaking the similarities of a cultural phenomenon like Avatar to another such everlasting fandom. That’s right: Harry Potter. And what better way to combine these two game-changers in popular media than to sort Avatar characters into Hogwarts Houses?!
Read on for where College Magazine would sort your favorite motley group of badass kids (and some adults).
Aang — Hufflepuff
Hufflepuff House is grounded on fairness. They are just and impartial, acting modestly and with a strong moral code. The 12-year-old avatar exemplifies all of these qualities. He desperately tries to seek an alternative to killing the Firelord Ozai. In his eyes, violence cannot possibly be the answer. He often reasons with others, serving as the calm middle ground during many of the breakdowns of his friends. “Aang is incredibly loyal to his friends. He always turns to kindness and fairness over violence,” said University of Georgia student Lucy Fisher. Recall, for example, his pleas with Katara not to seek out her mother’s murderer. Hufflepuff is also described as the “shield” of the other houses, “serving as the humble foundations of their unified strengths.” The harmony of the nations would (and did) crumble without the avatar. Belief in Aang is what keeps the Gaang going.
Katara — Gryffindor
Much like Harry Potter’s clever best friend Hermione Granger, Katara is the mom friend and can be mistaken for Ravenclaw. However, her determination to seek justice sometimes gets the best of her, giving her the bravery (albeit recklessness) of a Gryffindor. Where she does lack in outside-the-box thinking (a necessary Ravenclaw attribute), she makes up for in heart, righteousness and fearlessness: a true Gryffindor. Katara wastes no time in rallying behind Aang as the avatar when he’s first uncovered in the pilot episode. Additionally, when Zuko betrays Katara’s trust, he immensely hurts her pride. This is something Gryffindors take to heart. There’s no surprise why she has the most trouble forgiving him. Katara is the emotional glue of the group, keeping them together with her passion and persistence. She desires to see the mission to its end.
Sokka — Ravenclaw
Despite not having any bending abilities, Sokka takes it upon himself to master the fighting styles of each nation before Aang even finishes his training. He’s the perfect example of not needing to be bookish in order to be a Ravenclaw. Sokka acts as the witty jokester, the sharp decision-maker and the keen planner of the group. Recall specifically that fateful day where he leaves the Gaang to go train. They were simply unable to function without his guidance. Sokka’s own master tells him his strength lies far beyond physical abilities, informing Sokka his “creativity, versatility, intelligence” are what makes him powerful (all perfect Ravenclaw attributes). Even his ‘dumb’ mistakes are indicative of Ravenclaw. Remember his idea to drink cactus juice while stranded in the desert? He defends the action by saying he has a “natural curiosity,” which most Ravenclaws have, including fan favorite Luna Lovegood.
Toph — Slytherin
The tiny but mighty Toph knew what she wanted from a very young age. She shed her rich heiress lifestyle in favor of adventure when the Gaang blows into town. Already she demonstrates key characteristics the founder of Slytherin desired in his pupils: ambition, resourcefulness and cunning. Slytherin favored pure-bloods, and there’s no denying her noble status as the daughter of a wealthy Earth Kingdom family. She has “a certain disregard for the rules,” as quoted by Albus Dumbledore when describing Slytherin-like qualities. “She never backs down from a fight and has a huge ego, even if she is justified in doing so,” said George Washington University student Matthew Zachary. Consider Toph’s secret participation in underground earthbending tournaments and mild thievery, a behavior Katara finds incredibly unjust. Toph also demonstrates a strong Slytherin desire for self-preservation and shrewdness, adding a sense of pragmatism the group relies on.
Zuko — Slytherin
Sorting our favorite emo boy felt a little more difficult, as arguments can be made for both Gryffindor and Slytherin. Ultimately, Zuko values ambition most, Slytherin House’s core trait. Think of him as Regulus Black (Slytherin) as opposed to confident older brother Sirius (Gryffindor). Regulus initially joins Voldemort but realized he should be fighting against him, not for him. Zuko believes he is restoring his honor by pursuing the avatar, only to realize it isn’t right. He is of pure blood, like most Slytherins, coming from royalty and wealth. His greatest internal struggle is finding his honor, something Gryffindors don’t really have a tough time figuring out. He acts as the most ambitious character of the series, demonstrating a desire to right his father’s wrongs and become the benevolent Firelord the Fire Nation needs. The parallels between him and Draco Malfoy are… uncanny.
Kyoshi — Gryffindor
Sorting the most badass avatar to date was no problem. Kyoshi of the Earth Kingdom’s most famous quote, “only justice will bring peace,” sorts her so obviously into Gryffindor. She acts fearlessly and without remorse. While this, of course, can prove detrimental at times, the ideology allowed her to put an end to the reign of terror caused by most all of the villains during her time, most notably Chin the Conqueror as he sought to rule over Kyoshi’s homeland. During an avatar’s lifetime, some commit themselves toward establishing peace, others toward fighting injustice. Kyoshi chose the ladder, maintaining a watchful eye over the leaders of all nations so as to prevent tyranny. Many admired and feared her even centuries after her death, as she became a symbol of justice. The Kyoshi Warriors were founded in her name, aimed at continuing her legacy of fighting oppression (a Gryffindor’s core virtue).
Suki — Gryffindor
Fiery, confident Suki of the Kyoshi Warriors belongs in the same House as her team’s namesake. She wastes no time in defending her homeland when the Gaang stumbles onto the island, quick to do what’s necessary for her people simply because it’s right. The best part about Suki’s fearlessness and unwavering ability to not hold back would definitely be how she (literally) kicks the misogyny and sexism out of Sokka. She is well-respected for her leadership of the Kyoshi Warriors and her fierce combat skills, pushing the Warriors to leave the island and join the larger fight against the looming threat of the Fire Nation. Suki further jumps to assist refugees seeking asylum in Ba Sing Se. She demonstrates the same persistence and desire to fight for justice as Katara and Kyoshi herself.
Uncle Iroh — Hufflepuff
Iroh feels more Hufflepuff than we care to admit. While he proves to be wise, even omniscient at times, we cannot forget that just because someone is smart, they should be Ravenclaw (consider Dumbledore). Iroh abandons his mission at Ba Sing Se due to grief for his fallen son. Firelord Azulon passed shortly after, and though Iroh was the Crown Prince, Ozai becomes Firelord. Iroh chooses not to fight and retracts from the military in favor of a spiritual journey. Here he discovers his passion: appreciating life, bringing peace and living humbly. Even as a general his heart was unwilling because he was acting against his moral code. Iroh, much like Aang, has an appreciation for the harmony of the four elements. He acts against orders by not killing the true firebenders, dragons, and protects them from harm by relaying to the Fire Nation that the species is no more.
Azula — Slytherin
This Fire Nation baddie reigns supreme over Slytherin House. She represents everything the outcasted prince wishes he had— honor, powerful bending and the approval of their father. “Azula fits in Slytherin because of how the Fire Nation is described as having the strongest desire to get what they want,” said George Washington University student Nakila Mulagha. “She is the poster child for these ideals.” She makes calculated movements, organizing the coup over Ba Sing Se and stopping the Day of Black Sun invasion. Her famous quote “trust is for fools” demonstrates a weakness of many Slytherins. Just as Gryffindors are reckless as they are brave, Slytherins can be untrusting as they are self-preserving. Azula manipulates everyone she meets to achieve some end benefitting herself. Finally, her driving force is ambition to sit on the throne, an indisputably powerful Slytherin trait.
