Avatar Extras (Book Two: Earth)

Avatar Extras was an event hosted by Nicktoons in which episodes of Avatar: The Last Airbender were shown along with a series of pop-up extras giving facts and humorous comments.

The information provided by this event are slightly regarded as canon, though it is hard to differentiate between what is intended to be humor, and what is intended to be factual. Regardless, Avatar Extras has helped the expansion topics and subjects that were only briefly introduced during the series by various means such as providing official terminology as well as specifying pieces of information, such as the exact age of certain characters.

Below is a list comprised of trivia and information released by Avatar Extras on episodes of the second book.

The Avatar State

 * 1) This is the first episode of the second season, referred to as Book Two. Earth.
 * 2) Book Two takes place in the Spring... and generally focuses on earthbending.
 * 3) Although this episode focuses more on the "Avatar State."
 * 4) Recap: Glowing eyes + glowing tattoos = Avatar state.
 * 5) This episode was written by four writers... the most writers on any single Avatar episode.
 * 6) Spoiler alert: Amulet won't be seen again until the end of the season.
 * 7) Check out sleeveless Sokka!
 * 8) His outfit was redesigned to show off his "guns."
 * 9) Avatar 101: Each element is related to a season.
 * 10) The element Earth is related to Spring.
 * 11) Signs of Spring include: Cherry blossoms blooming... and topless Uncle.
 * 12) Ew.
 * 13) Avatar trivia: This resort used to be a retreat for Earth Kingdom monks.
 * 14) It's located on top of the Su Oku River.
 * 15) Azula's ship is the pride of the Fire Nation.
 * 16) In contrast to Zuko's ship, it's bigger, faster, newer, cleaner... and more technologically advanced-er.
 * 17) Meet Azula -- the favorite child of the Fire Lord.
 * 18) TV terminology: "Sides" are pages written to audition actors.
 * 19) ... Often Sides are written before the script and are never meant to be part of the show.
 * 20) The following dialogue originated as Sides, but it was so good, they went ahead and put it in the show.
 * 21) That dialogue was written by Tim Hedrick.
 * 22) Riding on Appa = sore backsides.
 * 23) Fun fact: Earthbenders don't wear shoes.
 * 24) Bare feet give them a better connection to the earth and improves their earthbending.
 * 25) Unfortunately, bare feet is the number one cause of "Turf Toe."
 * 26) This is General Fong... he is considered one of the most aggressive Generals in the Army.
 * 27) He's also very direct.
 * 28) Duh!
 * 29) Avatar recap: So far Aang has mastered 2 out of the 4 elements.
 * 30) Okay, so he hasn't completely mastered Waterbending yet.
 * 31) ... but still, mastering one and a half out of four isn't bad!
 * 32) Fact: The Avatar State kept Aang alive in an iceberg for 100 years.
 * 33) The Avatar State is a destructive power... and one that Aang feels guilty about.
 * 34) General Fong could have been a great salesman.
 * 35) Princess Azula is a Firebending prodigy.
 * 36) She is one of the few Firebenders who can create and bend lightning.
 * 37) Lo and Li are Azula's Sifus since childhood.
 * 38) A Sifu is a Kung Fu teacher.
 * 39) These two Sifus have many years of experience.
 * 40) General Fong is a work-aholic.

Return to Omashu

 * 1) Bumi.png episode is a direct continuation of the last episode.
 * 2) Recap: Omashu is the home of the great Earthbender, King Bumi.
 * 3) Omashu was thought to be untouchable because of the large canyon surrounding it.
 * 4) But the Fire Nation built giant metal drawbridges to span the chasm.
 * 5) See. Metal drawbridges.
 * 6) The last time our gang visited, Aang had to act like an old man to get in the gates.
 * 7) Which, technically, he is... 112 years old to be exact.
 * 8) Aang looks good for his age.
 * 9) This design called Sludge-Monster Sokka.
 * 10) The purple pentapus is found in sewers where it clings to walls living on algae.
 * 11) Caution: Pentapi also stick to people.
 * 12) Aang covers his tattoos so he won't be recognized as the Avatar.
 * 13) Relax, pentapox is not a real disease.
 * 14) But chicken pox is.
 * 15) ... so don't hang around chickens.
 * 16) Hygiene tip: Always cover your mouth when you cough.
 * 17) Tune in for our next hygiene tip on proper face washing!
 * 18) The twins, Lo and Li, have been training Azula since she was a child.
 * 19) Fun fact: We actually get to see Lo and Li in bathing suits towards the end of the series.
 * 20) ... no comment.
 * 21) Azula's tactics are based on precision.
 * 22) Avatar 101: Omashu was the second largest Earth Kingdom city.
 * 23) ... until it was taken by the Fire Nation.
 * 24) Fact: Metal actually has trace amounts of earth in it.
 * 25) Bad guy introduction happening now.
 * 26) ... or should I say bad girl?
 * 27) AzulaOmashu.png.]]Mai is voiced by Cricket Leigh.
 * 28) ... and the character appears in more than 10 episodes.
 * 29) Mai uses darts and daggers to fight.
 * 30) ... the spring loaded projectiles are hidden in her large sleeves.
 * 31) Get ready for Mai's first exasperated sigh.
 * 32) Many more to come.
 * No, your TV is not upside down.
 * 1) ... meet Ty Lee, Azula's gal pal #2.
 * 2) Fact: Ty Lee has six identical sisters.
 * 3) Platypus bear's second appearance in the series.
 * 4) Fuddy-Duddy: An old fashioned, fussy person.
 * 5) An aura is color representation of your mood given off by the energy in your body.
 * 6) A pink aura is good.
 * 7) This is the underground resistance.
 * 8) They are literally underground.
 * 9) Avatar recap: in Book Two, Aang is looking for a teacher to help him master Earthbending.
 * 10) He was hoping King Bumi would teach him.
 * 11) This episode is directed by Ethan Spalding.
 * 12) It's Ethan's Avatar directing debut.
 * 13) Before Avatar he worked on The Simpsons.
 * 14) TV terminology time.
 * 15) "Walla" is a sound effect imitating the chatter of a crowd.
 * 16) "Walla" happening now!
 * 17) Fun fact: The purple pentapus has five eyes and five tentacles.
 * 18) ... hence the prefix penta which means five.
 * 19) Do not try at home.
 * 20) In an early version of the script, Sokka actually gave tips on how to act sick.
 * 21) His tips included how to hunch over and properly moan in pain.
 * 22) The scene was cut down for time.
 * 23) Momo sign language for food. (pulls at Aang's mouth)
 * 24) Excellent acting.
 * 25) ... over-acting.
 * 26) Fact: The entire city of Omashu used to run on Earthbending.
 * 27) But since the invasion the Fire Nation was forced to retrofit everything.
 * 28) ... now the city runs on Fire Nation machines and Firebending.
 * 29) Fire Flakes: The Fire Nation version of popcorn.
 * 30) Get ready for the return of... the nicest goat-gorilla you'll ever meet!
 * 31) Gorilla Goat.pngie fun fact: He loves it when you scratch his belly.
 * 32) ... he enjoys eating cans (he is part goat).
 * 33) And his dislikes include, forced labor.
 * 34) Yip yip: A term used to get Air Bison to fly.
 * 35) It's well known that Momo loves cherries.
 * 36) It's also well known that babies love animals.
 * 37) This is the same score used in the episode "The King of Omashu".
 * 38) ... when Aang was riding down these same mail shoots.
 * 39) Note: Unsupervised babies always get into trouble.
 * 40) Dragon dancing is popular in Chinese culture.
 * 41) Azula always has the best seat in the house.
 * 42) The Fire Nation Circus travels around the occupied Earth Kingdom.
 * 43) The circus entertains Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom families alike.
 * 44) This episode was written by Elizabeth Welch Ehasz.
 * 45) It was the second of many episodes she wrote.
 * 46) Earthbender Yung is the head of the resistance.
 * 47) He used to be the captain in King Bumi's army.
 * 48) Fact: the Governor is not a Firebender.
 * 49) But he was the mastermind behind the invasion of Omashu.
 * 50) Black Flowers- always a bad omen.
 * 51) Azula is a manipulator.
 * 52) Note: Babies should not play with weapons.
 * 53) Fact: Infants often lose their hair because they spend so much time lying down.
 * 54) A Messenger Hawk: The Fire Nation version of a cell phone.
 * 55) A jinx is a term often used when talking about a future event with too much confidence.
 * 56) Aang just jinxed himself.
 * 57) Azula's vehicle of choice -- the palanquin.
 * 58) Azula's elite team together for the first time in the series.
 * 59) The original concept was for Azula to have a team of ninjas.
 * 60) But the idea of sidekicks with individual skills seemed much more promising.
 * 61) Omashu is the most important Fire Nation conquest to date.
 * 62) The Fire Nation goal is to make the city Earthbending proof.
 * 63) To accomplish this they have begun covering the city in metal.
 * 64) King Bumi was put in a metal box and strung high in the air so that he could not earthbend.
 * 65) And yet, surprisingly, he's still in good spirits.
 * 66) In the original Avatar pilot, Aang fought Zuko on a scaffolding.
 * 67) Fact: frozen metal is brittle.
 * 68) Foot punch. Extremely painful.
 * 69) Recap: Azula is the only Firebender to shoot blue flames.
 * 70) ... it's because her fire burns hotter than most.
 * 71) No trip to Omashu would be complete without mail shoot races!
 * 72) Azula always ruins the fun.
 * 73) Aside from being an acrobatic fighter, Ty Lee has another rare skill... Chi-blocking!
 * 74) This Firebending technique is known as a fire pinwheel.
 * 75) Throughout the series Aang gains knowledge that helps him later.
 * 76) Knowledge coming at ya!
 * 77) Like always, Bumi has a crazy plan that will unfold later in the series.
 * 78) This Momo reference is a callback to the episode :The King of Omashu."
 * 79) Crazy laugh -- Bumi signature sign-off.
 * 80) Mai and Zuko sitting in a tree... k-i-s-s-i-n-g.
 * 81) Avatar happy ending.

The Swamp

 * 1) This is Toph's first appearance in the series.
 * 2) Fact: Throwing an extra yip actually does make Appa go faster.
 * 3) Avatar Vision -- You see with your mind.

The Blind Bandit

 * 1) This is a very important episode.
 * 2) In it a new character is added to the group.
 * 3) Coupon translation:
 * 4) ... Master Yu's Earthbending Academy is the best school in the entire country.
 * 5) ... Special promotion: You only need to purchase a high quality uniform.
 * 6) How Aang checks if his ears are dirty.
 * 7) Master Yu is a prestigious Earthbending master who comes from generations of upper-class Earthbenders.
 * 8) ... but he's really just interested in money.
 * 9) This episode won an animation award known as an Annie.
 * 10) ... for best character animation in television.
 * 11) Fact: The island of "Noneya business" is not real.
 * 12) Large bags are currently in style.
 * 13) Earth rumble six is a homage to professional wrestling.
 * 14) This episode was written by co-creator Mike DiMartino.
 * 15) Mike is a huge fan of wrestling.
 * 16) Xin Fu is the Avatar equivalent of Vince McMahon.
 * 17) Ep26-339.png writers and creators tried to get The Rock to voice The Boulder.
 * 18) The Rock was a professional wrestler turned actor.
 * 19) The Rock is also known as Dwayne Johnson.
 * 20) Hippo mad! Trademark. - All rights reserved.
 * 21) The Big Bad Hippo has teeth like a real hippo.
 * 22) The Boulder ended up being voiced by Mick Foley.
 * 23) Mick Foley is a famous wrestler himself known as Mankind.
 * 24) Fact: Fire Nation Man is not actually from the Fire Nation.
 * 25) Russian accent, also fake.
 * 26) Fire Nation Man is actually an awesome Earthbender who takes on the persona of a bad guy.
 * 27) Earthbending catapult.
 * 28) The Gopher.
 * 29) The Gecko.
 * 30) The Headhunter.
 * 31) Fun fact: This is not the first time we've seen this girl.
 * 32) She appeared briefly in the episode, "The Swamp".
 * 33) ... as a strange vision in the mist.
 * 34) See?
 * 35) Black and white animation is a visual of how The Blind Bandit sees.
 * 36) She feels the vibrations in the earth.
 * 37) Her fighting style isn't flashy, but it's effective.
 * 38) Note: snarky attitude is not just a part of her wrestling character.
 * 39) It's part of her real character.
 * 40) Spoiler alert: The Blind Bandit's real name is Toph.
 * 41) That's why she has difficulty fighting Aang, who as an Airbender is naturally light on his feet.
 * 42) In this episode Sokka reveals himself as a fashion expert.
 * 43) ... and Katara reveals herself as a thug.
 * 44) Punching sand is a common Earthbending training exercise.
 * 45) Stay tuned, we see a lot more Earthbending exercises in a later episode.
 * 46) Fact: The Bei Fong's are the richest people in the southern Earth Kingdom.
 * 47) A popular southern Water Tribe exit.
 * 48) Translation: "Taking a dive" means to lose on purpose.
 * 49) Flying boar - first seen in the episode, "The Swamp".
 * 50) Kids, don't trespass.
 * 51) Twinkle Toes is one of the many nicknames for Aang.
 * 52) Other nicknames include: "Master Arrowhead", "That bald kid", and "Hey you".
 * 53) Toph is voiced by the actor Jessie Flower.
 * 54) Originally Jessie voiced Meng in the episode, "The Fortuneteller".
 * 55) Toph is great at acting like she's in danger.
 * 56) Devious smile.
 * 57) Toph's parents have no idea that Toph is an awesome Earthbender.
 * 58) Neither does her Earthbending teacher, Master Yu.
 * 59) This is the first good meal our gang had had in a while.
 * 60) ... If you don't count the bugs they ate at the swamp.
 * 61) Hint hint... Hint hint.
 * 62) Fissure.png's Earthbending style doesn't rely so much on punching and kicking rocks, but on bucking the earth and breaking peoples' connection.
 * 63) Irony alert!
 * 64) The power of an Airbender sneeze was first seen in the series premiere.
 * 65) Most places don't have rooms big enough for Appa.
 * 66) Fun fact: Originally Toph was going to be a 16 year old boy named Sud.
 * 67) Recap: Badgermoles were the original Earthbenders.
 * 68) Like Toph badgermoles are blind.
 * 69) We later find out that Toph actually learned Earthbending directly from the badgermoles.
 * 70) Metal cages are essential in catching Earthbenders.
 * 71) It's because Earthbenders can't bend metal... yet.
 * 72) Traditional Chinese characters are used for all writing in the Avatar world.
 * 73) Sokka is missing the point.
 * 74) ... it's a character trait.
 * 75) Hanging Earthbenders in metal cages keeps them away from the earth.
 * 76) King Bumi was held in a metal cage in the episode, "Return to Omashu".
 * 77) A bounty hunter captures fugitives for a monetary reward.
 * 78) Recap: Aang is a fugitive to the Fire Nation.
 * 79) Fact: The Hippo has the strongest jaw of any earth rumbler.
 * 80) The Fu Manchu is a mustache style popular in the Earth Kingdom.
 * 81) Expression translation: "Whaaaa?!"
 * 82) The Boulder talks about himself in the third person.
 * 83) The third person is a linguistics term.
 * 84) ... look it up.
 * 85) Toph's bending style is based on Chu Gar.
 * 86) ... also known as Southern Praying Mantis style.
 * 87) In general, Earthbending is rooted in the Hung Gar style of Kung Fu.
 * 88) Did you know: Toph can feel the earth even if it isn't connected to the ground?
 * 89) The only type of earth she has trouble with is sand.
 * 90) Spoiler alert: sand is a major problem for Toph in the desert.
 * 91) Advice: if you must pop your neck, get a chiropractor to do it.
 * 92) Spitting is not considered lady-like.
 * 93) Fun fact: Toph loves her name because it sounds like the word tough.
 * 94) In a future episode Toph gets a second nickname.
 * 95) Bei Fong Family.png and Poppy, about her secret identity.]]Spoiler alert: her second nickname is The Runaway.
 * 96) Avatar prides itself on unexpected endings.
 * 97) And here's one now.
 * 98) "For your own good" is the worst reason ever!
 * 99) The Bei Fong estate is the largest estate in the village.
 * 100) Toph's Blind Bandit outfit is now her regular outfit.
 * 101) Note: Toph is not good at catching non-earth items.

Zuko Alone

 * 1) Hints that Iroh visited the Spirit World to find Lu Ten.

Tales of Ba Sing Se

 * 1) Have you ever wondered how our main characters maintain their good looks?
 * 2) This is how.
 * 3) Toph likes to go all-natural.
 * 4) Fact: Earthbenders love to be covered in dirt.
 * 5) ... but Firebenders don't love to be covered in fire.
 * 6) This is the only Avatar episode that is made up of several "shorts".
 * 7) ... and they are all written by members of the Avatar crew.
 * 8) Pumice stones are used to soften and clean feet.
 * 9) ... but they don't really work that well on Toph.
 * 10) This short was written by Lisa Wahlander and Joann Estoesta.
 * 11) ... they were both production coordinators on staff.
 * 12) Toph is rarely seen wearing make-up.
 * 13) Even Katara doesn't wear make-up that often.
 * 14) It's not really that helpful in a fight.
 * 15) It's never good to make fun of people.
 * 16) TophSpit.png... especially if those people are a Waterbending master and an Earthbending master.
 * 17) See?
 * 18) Toph and Katara usually argue with each other.
 * 19) So this is a rare moment.
 * 20) Want to see how Toph shows affection?
 * 21) (Toph punches Katara) That's how.
 * 22) This short was written by Andrew Huebner.
 * 23) Andrew was the production manager on the series.
 * 24) Having crew members write these shorts was head writer, Aaron Ehasz's idea.
 * 25) He thought it would be fun to see what they came up with.
 * 26) Iroh is good with plants, good with babies.
 * 27) ... and even a good singer.
 * 28) This song was also written by Andrew Huebner.
 * 29) Kids love music.
 * 30) ... and pulling on beards.
 * 31) Who's ready for some Earthbending ball?
 * 32) Do not play near windows.
 * 33) In this short, Uncle helps everyone he meets.
 * 34) ... except for the guy with the broken window.
 * 35) Meet the worst mugger ever.
 * 36) Proper mugging technique includes a solid "horse-stance".
 * 37) Note: If you ever get a knife away from a mugger, don't give it back.
 * 38) Uncle knows that in dangerous situations it's best to remain calm.
 * 39) ... and he knows tea is a great way to calm people down.
 * 40) The name of the song that Iroh sings is called "Leaves From the Vine".
 * 41) Uncle's picnic reveal.
 * 42) ... it's for his son, Lu Ten.
 * 43) BSS_Zoo.pnggraphy translation: "General Iroh, I will see you again when victory is obtained. Your loyal son, Lu Ten."
 * 44) Zoos are usually fantastic places to visit.
 * 45) ... but not this one.
 * 46) Aang was hoping that he might find Appa here.
 * 47) Recap: Appa has been missing for several episodes.
 * 48) This short was written by Gary Scheppke.
 * 49) Gary was a production assistant on staff.
 * 50) "Hop your way to happiness" is just good advice.
 * 51) Fact: Aang loves animals and he loves helping.
 * 52) This is not helping.
 * 53) Guess who's back??
 * 54) Our lovable loser, the Cabbage Merchant.
 * 55) That was actually the Cabbage Merchant's last appearance in the series.
 * 56) But the Cabbage Merchant is mentioned in a later episode.
 * 57) Note: the bison whistle can be heard by other animals.
 * 58) ... if it's blown loud enough.
 * 59) Please do not feed the animals.
 * 60) Turtle-seal.
 * 61) Opening the Ba Sing Se gate takes the full strength of six or more Earthbenders.
 * 62) Aang is becoming a pretty good Earthbender.
 * 63) See?
 * 64) He just built a new zoo!
 * 65) Rabba-roos are marsupials.
 * 66) Marsupials carry their young in pouches.
 * 67) The writer of this short, Lauren Macmullan, is actually a director.
 * 68) Sign on the door reads, "Five-Seven-Five Society".
 * 69) Sokka loves haikus.
 * 70) A haiku is a form of Japanese poetry...
 * 71) The first line has five syllables, the second line has seven syllables and the third line has five syllables.
 * 72) That was Sokka's first haiku.
 * 73) 5-7-5_Society.png teacher is Madame Macmu-Ling.
 * 74) Her name was inspired by the last name of the writer for this short.
 * 75) Macmullan = Macmu-Ling.
 * 76) This is Avatar's version of a rap battle.
 * 77) Ahh... slam!
 * 78) Macmu-Ling always carries plums in her sleeves.
 * 79) ... just to step on.
 * 80) Usually haikus don't rhyme.
 * 81) The "Five-Seven-Five Society" has strict syllabic rules.
 * 82) And if you break those rules.
 * 83) ... this is what happens.
 * 84) Recap: Iroh and Zuko are criminals wanted by the Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom.
 * 85) It's common for fugitives to feel paranoid.
 * 86) Fact: Uncle picks up on hints much better than Zuko.
 * 87) This short was written by Katie Mattila.
 * 88) Katie was a production coordinator and later became the script coordinator.
 * 89) This isn't Katie's only writing in the series.
 * 90) She also wrote the episode titled, "The Beach".
 * 91) Hair combed Zuko!
 * 92) Whoops! Not anymore.
 * 93) It's not polite to play with your food.
 * 94) ... also, it's not polite to yell at waiters.
 * 95) Awkward.
 * 96) Zuko is terrible at dates.
 * 97) ... he's terrible at lying.
 * 98) ... and he's terrible at juggling.
 * 99) Zuko is a fighter, not a lover.
 * 100) But he does have a soft side.
 * 101) This is the first time we've seen Zuko Firebend in more than 4 episodes.
 * 102) The Fire Light Fountain is pretty much the most romantic place in all of Ba Sing Se.
 * 103) No cash value.
 * 104) Fact: Most Avatar kisses end with someone quickly walking away.
 * 105) Uncle isn't just a Firebending master.
 * 106) ... he's also a bonsai master.
 * Aw, shucks!
 * 1) Hey, it's Appa!
 * 2) Appa was last seen in the desert.
 * 3) Momo_sad.png, Momo does not have a mohawk.
 * 4) ... it's Appa fur!
 * 5) This short was written by Giancarlo Volpe and Justin Ridge.
 * 6) Giancarlo was a director on the series.
 * 7) ... and Justin was an assistant director.
 * 8) Uh-oh.
 * 9) ... pygmy pumas.
 * 10) Pygmy pumas are a smaller, sleeker version of pumas bred for compact city living.
 * 11) They're extremely dangerous when provoked.
 * 12) But they're otherwise a very cute carnivore.
 * 13) Speaking of cute.
 * 14) ... Momo's got some mad dance skillz!
 * 15) This score is a version of Momo's music.
 * 16) Momo's music score is often heard when he's doing something silly.
 * 17) Silliness over.
 * 18) Pygmy pumas are often trapped and sold in Ba Sing Se.
 * 19) Skull key.
 * 20) ... never a good sign.
 * 21) For all of you who wondered what Momo hears.
 * 22) ... here you go.
 * 23) And this is what Momo sees.
 * 24) Fact: Flying lemurs are smarter than pygmy pumas.
 * 25) But pygmy pumas are more pathetic.
 * 26) This is how pygmy pumas say thanks.