Appa's relationships

This page is comprised of Appa's relationships with other characters in the series.

Momo



 * "No! I am sick of this guy always mouthing off and telling me what to do!" Appa talking about Momo to Aang in a daydream in "Nightmares and Daydreams"

Appa and Momo are close, showing an animal bond and companionship with one another. This really shows during Appa's Lost Days, wherein Momo sets out on his own adventure to track down Appa. Flashbacks show them flying together and eating the same foods. Momo's search is unsuccessful, so he cuddles up with a piece of Appa's fur. They are shown communicating several times in the series, such as toward the end of "The Cave of Two Lovers" and "The Swamp". Although in Nightmares and Daydreams the two have an incredibly quick, yet violent, battle (complete with samurai swords and armor), this can be disregarded as a factor in their relationship, since Aang saw this while sleep deprived and hallucinating.

Nyla


In "Bato of the Water Tribe", Appa and Nyla fought each other intensely. When they reunite in "Sozin's Comet, Part 2: The Old Masters", they warm up to each other.

Hawky
Having only been with Hawky in "The Runaway", Appa barely knew Hawky. It was only when everyone left to go into town and Appa was put "in charge" of the animals, that Appa came and settled a dispute between Hawky and Momo.

Aang

 * "I missed you more than you’ll ever know, buddy." - Aang after retrieving Appa in "The Earth King"



To Aang, Appa is more than a pet sky bison and primary means of transportation. He is Appa's closest friend, sharing a bond that goes back to his years as a calf, where Aang and several other children were given an apple and told "a bison is a companion for life". Appa quickly bonded with Aang at that moment, showing his affection by nuzzling and licking him. Aang promised Appa that they'll always be together. The bond being very apparent in "Appa's Lost Days", Appa wanted nothing more than to be reunited with Aang. When they finally did in "Lake Laogai", Appa and Aang are both very happy to see each other again, after weeks apart.

Appa's loyalty and obedience to Aang is shown throughout the series, he responds quickly when he is called and never hesitates to fight off anyone who tries to attack Aang.

Sokka

 * " You know what I love about Appa the most? His sense of humor." - Sokka to Katara in The Storm



Although Sokka didn't like Appa when he first saw him, calling him a "fluffy snot monster", and he was skeptical of Appa's flying abilities (until he himself gets him to fly), by the end of Book One, Appa and Sokka are shown to have bonded considerably, and Sokka even uses Appa to impress Yue.

Katara

 * "Sokka doesn't believe you can fly, but I do, Appa." - Katara to Appa in The Avatar Returns



Katara has always liked, and been sympathetic to, Appa. She is shown talking sweetly to him on many occasions.

Toph

 * "So, you like flyin’" - Toph to Appa in The Library



Toph and Appa's relationship was rocky at first because Toph blamed Appa for leading Azula to the group, and because she doesn't like flying. Toph and Appa's relationship improved considerably when Appa returned to the group after he was captured.

Zuko



 * "Well, Appa seems to like him" - Toph talking about Zuko in The Western Air Temple

As an enemy of Team Avatar, Zuko originally was an enemy of Appa. At Ba Sing Se, Zuko freed Appa from the Dai Li gaining Appa's respect. In The Western Air Temple Appa was the first to approve of Zuko's entrance into the group, and showed this by licking him. This also made Appa one of the first of Team Avatar to like Zuko. (Katara thought good of him for a while when they were held prisoners in the Crystal Catacombs, but then hated him due to his betrayal.) The fact that Appa approved of Zuko was one of the reasons Aang and the others accepted him into the group. Prior to the arrival of Sozin's Comet, Appa apparently felt comfortable enough to let Zuko steer him.