Although this ended just as the golden age of Nick's ratings got underway, it still stands out as the best content of its era. While most children's cartoons disregard any semblance of an overarching plot or character development, Avatar focused heavily on developing and fleshing out its characters, and it paid off.

You see the characters transform before your eyes as they battle for the fate of the planet, and you become emotionally invested in them. And although much is made of Zuko's development in particular, I find Azula's transformation to be even better done, especially with the animation of her and how it changes with her mind state.

I have never seen another cartoon come to the level of writing or wisdom that Avatar offers, and I doubt I ever will.