Every Avatar is known for their unique connection to an animal companion, a bond that often defines their era. Aang had Appa, Roku had Fang, and Korra had Naga. But what about Avatar Kyoshi? The novels The Rise of Kyoshi and The Shadow of Kyoshi leave fans wondering: what was Kyoshi’s animal guide, and why wasn’t it explicitly revealed? This mystery has spurred numerous fan theories, with one particularly compelling idea suggesting that the answer might be hiding in plain sight.
The Avatar’s Animal Companions: A Defining Trait
The tradition of an Avatar having an animal companion is well-established in the Avatar: The Last Airbender universe. These creatures aren’t merely pets; they are partners, friends, and often play a vital role in the Avatar’s journey. Aang’s bond with Appa, a sky bison, was central to the original series. Roku’s dragon, Fang, was a loyal companion to the very end, even sacrificing himself. Korra’s polar bear dog, Naga, was a constant and powerful ally. Even past Avatars like Yangchen, with her sky bison Boma and lemurs Pik and Pak, and Wan with his deercat, had their animal companions. This makes the absence of a clearly defined animal companion for Kyoshi all the more intriguing.
The Unagi: A Guardian and Potential Companion?
One popular theory, circulating on platforms like Reddit, proposes that Kyoshi’s animal companion is none other than the Unagi, the giant eel residing in the waters surrounding Kyoshi Island. This theory is compelling for several reasons.
Kyoshi Island itself is a testament to Kyoshi’s power, created when she separated it from the mainland using the Avatar State. The Unagi provides an additional layer of protection, deterring potential invaders. In “The Warriors of Kyoshi” episode, the Unagi is shown as a formidable creature, capable of both attacking and aiding the island’s inhabitants, such as when it helped extinguish fires caused by the Fire Nation. This duality could reflect Kyoshi’s own complex nature – a powerful force capable of both destruction and protection.
The Unagi’s enduring presence also aligns with Kyoshi’s long life. While most Avatar animal companions seemingly pass on with their Avatar, there’s no explicit rule stating this must always be the case. The Unagi could have been left to guard Kyoshi’s legacy, continuing to protect Kyoshi Island long after her death.
A Fox and Other Possibilities
While the Unagi theory is popular, the novels introduce another potential candidate: a fox. At the end of The Shadow of Kyoshi, Kyoshi encounters a fox that guides her to a meditation site where she communes with Avatar Yangchen. The story suggests the fox might remain with Kyoshi.
However, some argue that a fox wouldn’t be a fitting companion for Kyoshi, given their association with Wan Shi Tong’s Library as knowledge seekers. Furthermore, the fox appears late in Kyoshi’s story, leaving the Unagi as a frontrunner. Also, Avatars can have more than one animal companion.
Ultimately, whether it was the Unagi, the fox, or another creature entirely, the question of Kyoshi’s animal companion remains open for interpretation. The Unagi embodies Kyoshi’s power and enduring legacy, solidifying her iconic status within the Avatar universe. It represents her protective nature and her capacity for both strength and strategy.
