Can Someone Other Than the Avatar Have Airbending in Avatar: The Last Airbender?

Official Stance and Bending Rules

In the highly acclaimed series Avatar: The Last Airbender (ATLA), the official stance is clear: only the Avatar can master all four elements, including Airbending. According to the series, no one else can have more than one bending element. The only exception to this rule is the Avatar, who is imbued with the power to control all four elements simultaneously.

The concept of Airbending is deeply intertwined with the native Air Nomads, a peaceful and nomadic culture from the Earth Kingdom that flourished for ages until their tragic demise at the hands of the Fire Nation. While the Air Nomads were exceptional in their ability to control air, the series definitively states that airbending is a genetic ability, passed down through generations within the Air Nation.

Bending Abilities Can Be Passed Down Genetically

However, there is one important caveat to this rule. According to canon and fan interpretation, anyone born into the Air Nation can have Airbending abilities. This aligns with the traditional beliefs of bending in the world of ATLA, where genetic predisposition plays a crucial role in the development of bending skills. The intricate genetic inheritance of bending elements suggests that new airbenders can emerge within the Air Nation, allowing for the potential continuation of this important lineage.

However, a significant event changes the landscape: during the events of Avatar: The Last Airbender (ATLA), most of the Air Nomads were killed by the Fire Nation. This means that almost all airbenders are dead during ATLA. This tragic loss forces the series to explore alternative methods for the revival or introduction of new airbenders. In the absence of traditional genetic inheritance, the series suggests two possible avenues for the resurgence of airbenders:

Gift from a Supernatural Entity: A new airbender could potentially be gifted with the ability by a supernatural entity. The Lion Turtles, who are legendary and powerful figures in the world of ATLA, are capable of bestowing elements upon nonbenders. However, the current state of the last known Lion Turtle is unknown, making it an unlikely option. Offspring of the Avatar: Another method for the emergence of new airbenders is through the progeny of the Avatar, Aang. If Aang were to have children, any of those offspring would inherit the ability to bend air as well. This potential for generational inheritance hints at the possibility of airbenders reappearing in the future.

Learning Bending Requires an Elemental Precedent

It is also essential to consider the requirement of having the element before learning the bending techniques. In the series, it is established that one must possess an element to learn to bend it. This rule is a fundamental aspect of the bending system in ATLA, implying that an individual must be genetically predisposed to an element in order to master it. The Lion Turtles, while capable of granting elements, are not always accessible or willing to intervene in the affairs of the humans, thus limiting their role in the distribution of elements.

The official stance regarding the official method of acquiring bending abilities is that it is strictly genetic. The Lion Turtles, the last known source of elemental powers, are not always readily available or willing to interact with nonbenders. Therefore, the only known and reliable method for a nonbender to gain the ability to bend is through genetic inheritance.

Conclusion

The official rules of ATLA state that only the Avatar and those born into the Air Nation can have Airbending abilities. The tragic loss of the majority of Air Nomads during ATLA's events necessitated an exploration of alternative methods for the emergence of new airbenders, such as a supernatural intervention or through the Avatar's offspring. While the Lion Turtles can bestow elemental abilities, their rare and unpredictable nature makes them a less practical option in the current scenario.

Ultimately, the traditional genetic inheritance of bending abilities remains the primary and most reliable pathway for a nonbender to acquire the power of Airbending.