Website Canon Policy
What exactly is canon to Avatar Legends?
There is simply no official definition of canon for Avatar Legends. However, if a project is officially licensed by Nickelodeon, Paramount, Avatar Studios, etc., then it should be accepted as canon. Exceptions to this rule are as follows:
- If it significantly contradicts another piece of canon media
- If it’s a crossover or collab with another piece of media / IP (Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl, Fortnite, etc.)
- If it is in the chibi art style
- If it has been explicitly stated to be non-canon by the creators
With this in mind, stories like Love Potion #8, the ATLA video games from 2006-2008, the Super Deformed Shorts, the Avatar: The Last Airbender Trading Card Game, Avatar: Realms Collide, and the two live action adaptations are not considered canon.
Finally, many “Word of God” statements have been made over the years by the creators. These may come from various interviews, DVD commentaries, the Avatar: Braving the Elements podcast, SDCC panels, and many more sources. This website will consider these statements mostly canon unless they are contradicted by any other canon sources or in any future projects.
Canonicity Hierarchy
Avatar Legends media isn’t perfect and often times contradictions can be found between various canon sources. So, in order to better navigate all projects, a tiering system is put into place. As a general rule, any info found in a lower tier cannot contradict info found in a higher tier. For exceptions and further details, refer here.
Tier 0: Animated Projects
Main headliner projects for Avatar Legends.
- TV Series
- Movies
Notable Examples: Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Legend of Korra, Avatar: Seven Havens, The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender
Tier 1: Expanded/Extended Media
Media that expands upon the “Avatar-Verse” found in the main animated projects.
- Graphic Novels & Comics
- Novels
- Tabletop Roleplaying Game
- Micro Series
- Video Games
Notable Examples: The Promise, The Lost Adventures, The Rise of Kyoshi, Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game, Republic City Hustle, Avatar: Generations
Tier 2: Behind the Scenes Info
Information not found on official releases, but instead through production materials and/or crew statements.
- Artbooks
- DVD & Library Edition Commentaries
- BTS Documentaries
- Production Materials (Scripts, storyboards, model sheets, etc.)
- Creator Interviews
- Social Media Statements
Tier 3: Network & Merchandise Info
Information presented by the network (Nickelodeon, Paramount, etc.) through merchandise and other various means; often times without direct creator involvement.
- Pop-Up Trivia
- Official Guidebooks & Scrapbooks
- Website Info & Facts
- Social Media Posts
- Various Toys and Other Merchandise
- Official Episode Synopses
Notable Examples: Avatar Extras, The Ultimate Pocket Guide, Legacy of the Fire Nation, Nick.com’s Avatar Index, the official Avatar Studios website
Retcons and Contradictions
The Avatar Legends franchise is ever-growing and is bound to have contradictory information between its canon sources. As outlined in the hierarchy found here, lower tiers cannot contradict higher tiers; they can only override themselves or lower tiers. (While a tier 2 source cannot override a tier 1 source, it can override itself, a tier 3 or tier 4 source). However, there are some exceptions to this rule.
Clarifying Details
- If a project states something and the creators later clarify that the info given was an error or offers something different that is more logical and/or reasonable, then that clarification overrides the original.
- Example: In the episode “Zuko Alone,” it is stated that Azulon reigned as Fire Lord for 23 years. Bryan Konietzko would later explain in an interview that Azulon had actually ruled for 75 years instead.
Adding New Context
- If a new project releases and contradicts older information in a way that can lead to a different explanation or reasoning, then that new source will override the original.
- Example: In the episode “Bitter Work,” Iroh claims that he created the technique of lightning redirection. However, in The Reckoning of Roku, Sozin finds records of the technique in Wan Shi Tong’s library years before Iroh could ever learn the skill. An easy explanation for this could be that Iroh simply developed the technique himself without knowing it had existed prior.