Kuruk

"Aang, you must actively shape your own destiny, and the destiny of the World."

- - Kuruk advising Aang in "Sozin's Comet, Part 2: The Old Masters

Avatar Kuruk was the last Avatar from the Water Tribe before the birth of Aang. He was succeed by Kyoshi, and died 400 years before the events of the series.

Kuruk was first seen in "The Avatar State". However, only a glimpse of him doing an incredible waterbending move is seen. His name and actual history are revealed in the online game, Escape from the Spirit World. He was mentioned in "The Siege of the North, Part 2" as the Avatar who tried to kill Koh, though at that time his name and origin were not mentioned.

History


Avatar Kuruk was the last Avatar incarnate born out of the Northern Water Tribe. Kuruk was a gifted but cocky Avatar who enjoyed constantly searching for people to challenge his bending prowess, usually for no other reason than the sake of it. He also liked providing others with grand displays of his bending ability, especially in regards to women. He has been shown Airbending lotus tornadoes for Air Nomad ladies, challenging random Fire Nation people to Agni Kai and engaging in lifting contests with Earthbenders.

By his own admission, Kuruk was a 'go with the flow' Avatar who in his time simply allowed the Four Nations to resolve their own differences. Although there was peace, Kuruk's carefree lifestyle would eventually cost him dearly.



Never having even the slightest thoughts of settling down, Kuruk went on with this up until the day he met the love of his life. At the New Moon Celebration, a meeting of the two sects of Water Tribes, he met a woman named Ummi from the Southern Water Tribe, it was love at first sight. Shortly after, Kuruk presented her with a customary betrothal necklace, which she accepted, and the two were to be married at the Spirit Oasis.

On the night of their wedding, as they approached the altar, Ummi fell into the pond, seemingly pulled in by an unseen force. As it turns out, she had been taken by the spirit Koh, the Face Stealer to punish Kuruk for his past laziness. Ever since that day, on the anniversary of their wedding, Kuruk traveled to the Spirit World in hopes of saving Ummi, but failed on every attempt. Now in the Spirit World, Avatar Kuruk still searches for his wife, with information on her present state imparted to him by a brief encounter with Aang enticing him even further.

It is unknown if Kuruk will ever succeed, as he has been reincarnated thrice in the real world and is now literally Aang. Like other past Avatars, he is most likely to be in the Spirit World forever.

To see the clip detailing this story go to Escape from the Spirit World Page.

Appearance in Aang's Life


Aang called Kuruk forth to ask how he could defeat Fire Lord Ozai without killing him. Kuruk said for Aang to actively shape both his destiny and the destiny of the world, as it was Kuruk's own arrogance and inaction that cost him his beloved wife (he clearly has yet to succeed in saving Ummi). Aang takes this to mean that Kuruk, like the other Avatars, said it was necessary to use lethal force in order to protect the world. However, Kuruk's answer is much more open to interpretation since "actively shaping your destiny" could have various meanings.

Trivia

 * Kuruk's voice actor, Jim Meskimen also voiced Leutenant Jee and General How.