Highlights
- The Classical Elements serve as a foundation for diverse magic systems and are prominent in iconic shows like
Sailor Moon
. - Characters in
LEGO Bionicle
and
Power Rangers
showcase unique elemental powers, adding depth to their stories. - From
Naruto’s
ninjas to
Pokemon’s
creatures, elemental chakras and types play a crucial role in shaping these fantastical worlds.
Fire, water, earth, and air are considered to be the four Classical Elements because they were long believed to be the fundamental building blocks of the world. This system still plays a role in the worldview of many people around the world, and it has inspired many fictional stories, settings, and characters.
Some of these stories include variations of the four classical elements, like ice. Others add in new elements of their own, like metal or lightning. Using the elements is a popular way to create a magic system, diversify powers, and create unique and interesting settings, particularly for TV series. These iconic shows each make use of these Classical Elements (and more) in their stories to great effect.
10 LEGO Bionicle: The Journey To One
Fire, Water, Air, Earth, Stone, Ice
- Creator: Bob Thompson
- Premiere Date: March 4, 2016
- Cast: Nolan Balzer, Paolo Bryant, Jacqui Fox
The Toa, warriors with elemental powers based on the mask they wear, appear in many forms across Bionicle media. Each time, they must work together using their elements to stop the forces of evil. In the show, as with all the other Bionicle media, the classical elements are the thematic forefront for the Toa.
In LEGO Bionicle: The Journey To One, the Toa are summoned to the island of Okoto when it is threatened by the evil Makuta. They must channel their different elemental powers to get through a mystical labyrinth in time to recover a mask which can save the world, and stop the forces of evil from finding it first.
9 Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers
Fire, Water, Lightning, Earth, Wind, Snow, Light
- Creator: Haim Saban, Shuki Levy
- Premiere Date: August 28, 1993
- Cast: David Yost, Richard Steven Horvitz, Ed Neil
The Power Rangers are typically teams of teenagers who are given powers to fight evil. Over the course of more than 20 different television series, many different characters have worn the colorful Ranger costumes. Each team has had their own unique twist, with slightly different uniforms, power sets, and enemies.
Six different Power Rangers teams, from those in Mystic Force to those in Galaxy Rangers, and of course the original Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers, have had elemental powers. The color of each Ranger matches their element, with the Blue Ranger having water powers, the Red Ranger having Fire or Lighting powers, and so on. Together, these Power Rangers face off against all sorts of alien and demonic threats.
8 Sailor Moon
Mars (Fire), Mercury (Water), Jupiter (Plants), Venus (Metal)
In Sailor Moon, the main characters are all girls with superhero alter-egos. There are five total elements used for the characters, each with a matching celestial body and Roman god. Sailor Mars, for example, has fire abilities, while Sailor Mercury has water-based powers.
In the first season of the show, the main character, Usagi Tsukino (called Serena in the English dub), meets a magical talking cat who gives her the power to transform into Sailor Moon. She has to battle the forces of the Dark Kingdom. Over time, she is joined by other Sailors, as well as Tuxedo Mask. Together they use their unique powers to fight against evil.
7 The Dragon Prince
Moon, Sky, Sun, Earth, Stars, Ocean
The world of The Dragon Prince is separated into different kingdoms that more or less correspond to one of the four elements. Sun elves use fire magic, while Ocean magic users can manipulate water. Moon and Stars magic aren’t linked directly to the classical elements, but Moon elves have powers similar to those that other settings ascribe to water.
Callum and his half-brother Ezran must travel from the human kingdom of Kotolis, to the lands inhabited by Moon and Sun elves. Along the way, Callum learns many different Sky magic abilities and becomes the best mage among the protagonists. Each season of the show relates to a different Primal Source, and there are many elements that have not yet been shown on screen.
6 Captain Planet And The Planeteers
Earth, Wind, Fire, Water, Heart
- Creator: Ted Turner, Barbara Pyle
- Premiere Date: September 15, 1990
- Cast: David Coburn, LeVar Burton, Kath Soucie
Captain Planet is a 90s cartoon all about saving the environment. Villains cut down forests, dump toxic waste into rivers, and mad scientists perform unethical experiments. The good guys are The Planeteers, and the hero they can summon by combining their powers, Captain Planet.
Each Planeteer has a ring with different powers. There are five in total: Earth, Fire, Wind, Water, and Heart, and when they come together they form the titular Captain Planet. Together, they fight the bad guys and help keep the world safe.
5 Jackie Chan Adventures
Fire, Sky, Moon, Thunder, Earth, Mountain, Wind, Water
- Creator: John Rogers, Duane Capizzi, Jeff Kline
- Premiere Date: September 9, 2000
- Cast: Jackie Chan, Stacie Chan, Clancy Brown
This cartoon from the early 2000s features Jackie Chan as an archaelogist and reluctant spy who ends up defending the world from mystical threats. The series featured many different magical items and abilities related to the Chinese Zodiac, Chi, and the classical elements, in addition to Jackie Chan’s martial arts abilities.
The main villains in the series are nine Demon Sorcerers, each with unique elemental powers including those of the Classical Four elements. Jackie and his allies, including his niece Jade, must stop these nine elemental demons to save the world by using talismans that grant powers tied to the Chinese Zodiac.
4 Naruto
Fire, Wind, Lightning, Earth, Water
In Naruto, all living beings have chakra, or spiritual energy. The ability to channel this energy can be learned with patience and training. In addition to normal chakra, there are five elemental chakras that ninjas can use: fire, wind, lightning, earth, and water. The Five Great Shinobi Nations of Naruto’s world also correspond to these five elements.
The series begins with Naruto living in a secluded village where he is shunned. He eventually learns the reason for his exclusion: the spirit of a nine-tailed fox that ravaged his village was trapped within him. Determined to rise above this fate, he begins training as a ninja. At first, he only has wind chakra powers, but eventually learns to use all five elements.
3 Pokemon
18 Types Of Pokemon Including Fire, Water, Ground, Flying, And More
The world of Pokemon is inhabited by the titular creatures, each of which belongs to a specific elemental type. In both the show and the games, Pokemon trainers catch wild Pokemon and then have them battle each other. Each Pokemon type has strengths and weaknesses, such as Fire-type Pokemon being strong against Grass-types but weak against Water-types.
The main character of the show, Ash Ketchum, is a 10-year-old boy traveling the world with his Electric-type Pokemon, Pikachu, in the hopes of becoming Pokemon Champion. Mastering the elements and befriending his new pals are all part of the journey.
2 The Legend Of Korra
The Earth, Air, Fire, And Water Nations Converge On Republic City
The Legend of Korra is set in the universe of Avatar: The Last Airbender, but several decades later. Many people from the Water Tribe, Earth Kingdoms, and Fire Nation live together in Republic City, where technology has progressed rapidly given its population’s density and diversity.
The show starts with the identification of the next reincarnation of the Avatar after Aang has passed away. This new Avatar, Korra, is very young when she starts her training to master all four elements. As a teenager, she goes to Republic City to learn air bending from Aang’s son, Tenzin, who is the only master of his element still alive.
1 Avatar: The Last Airbender
The Four Nations Of Earth, Air, Fire, And Water
The world of The Last Airbender consists of the Fire Nation, the Earth Kingdoms, the Water Tribes, and the Air Nomads. Many people are born with the ability to control the element of their homeland, and are known as Benders. One being, the Avatar, can control each of the four elements, and is always reborn between the Four Nations in a cycle each generation.
One hundred years before the show’s beginning, the Fire Nation invaded the other three major powers of the world and killed all the Air Nomads. The Avatar, a boy named Aang, was an Air Bender, and posed a threat to the Fire Nation’s plan for world domination. While the Fire Nation believed they had killed the next incarnation of the Avatar, little did they know that Aang was frozen in an iceberg and survived. Now, Aang has awakened, and he and his new friends must stop the Fire Nation and save the world by helping Aang learn each type of Bending and unlocking his true potential.