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Avatar: The Last Airbender was the most important show to me growing up. now that it’s on Netflix I’m going to rewatch the entire series for the first time as an adult
and of course I’m going to live tweet it the entire time. if you’re interested please follow along with me
and of course I’m going to live tweet it the entire time. if you’re interested please follow along with me
the first two episodes of Avatar are directed by Dave Filoni, who would go on to develop Star Wars: The Clone award, Rebels, and The Mandalorian
Avatar and Star Wars are both about fantasy worlds oppressed by heavily industrialized fascists & the rag tag group of rebels resisting them
Filoni would move on to develop multiple Star Wars projects so Avatar ended up influencing Star Wars in the same ways it was by Star Wars
Filoni would move on to develop multiple Star Wars projects so Avatar ended up influencing Star Wars in the same ways it was by Star Wars
visually Avatar draws inspiration from anime but it’s influenced by many cultures. Katara, Sokka & the rest of the Water Tribe are based off of Inuit cultures. the movements of Katara’s waterbending is based on Tai Chi. there’s more but we have 61 episodes, we’ll come back to it
pretty sure the reason the premiere episodes are so ingrained in my brain is because I used to own these “cine-manga” of the first 2 episodes that was just screenshots from the show in comic form. they were a cheap way to get money from kids & I read them countless times
episode 3 of Avatar introduces THAT MOTHERFUCKER Zhao played by Jason Isaacs. also known as THAT MOTHERFUCKER from Harry Potter and THAT MOTHERFUCKER from Star Wars
fun fact: Aang names his lemur bat Momo after seeing them eat a peach. Momo is the japanese word for peach
another fun fact: I would die for Momo
another fun fact: I would die for Momo
same vibes
most battle of the sexes episodes, even in more “adult” shows, are bad & require characters to behave aggressively out of character but ‘The Warriors of Kyoshi’ takes a sexist character & develops him into a more mature character after having his masculinity challenged. good show
suki said himbo rights
this gag made me lose my mind as a 9 year old and it still gets me
Avatar takes place in a fantasy world but the cultures of the 4 nations are heavily borrowed from real life.
Most of the show takes place in the Earth Kingdom, which closely resembles Ming-dynasty era China, although some areas of it also take cultural cues from Korea & Japan
Most of the show takes place in the Earth Kingdom, which closely resembles Ming-dynasty era China, although some areas of it also take cultural cues from Korea & Japan
Book 1 Episode 6 - Imprisoned (directed by Dave Filoni) is about the colonization of the Earth Kingdom by the Fire Nation. The colonizers capture the native Earthbenders and force them to work in internment camps, breaking their spirits. totally no real life analogy to this
the warden of the earthbender internment camp is voiced by George Takei, who spent his early childhood living in the US-operated Japanese internment camps during World War II
The Winter Solstice two parter in season 1 is when the show really hits its stride. We get our first glimpse into the spirit world, Aang gets clarity into his role as the Avatar, this cool monster shows up
love the designs of the fire nation’s ships and soldiers. they really got the fascism just right
introducing...Avatar Moses
I miss thrifting
15 years of discourse among Avatar fans over who Katara should end up with and it all started with this scene
Avatar: can we copy your homework?
Shinichiro Watanabe: sure just don’t make it obvious
Avatar: of course, of course
Avatar:
Shinichiro Watanabe: sure just don’t make it obvious
Avatar: of course, of course
Avatar:
Jet’s hook swords are the coolest dumb weapon ever
The Great Divide is Avatar’s only “filler” episode. it’s inconsequential to the overall narrative but it does have a cool sequence that’s a tribute to animator Hiroyuki Imaishi, co-founder of Studio Trigger and director of Gurren Lagann, Panty & Stocking, Kill La Kill, & Promare
Aang when the Blue Spirit comes to rescue him:
Aang would fit right in with all the other horny freaks on twitter
zoomers arguing with their boomer relatives
you like goth girls because you watched avatar the last airbender as a kid
the scene where Avatar Roku appears before Jeong Jeong uses imagery from the book of Exodus
in Exodus, Yahweh calls out to Moses from a bush that is on fire, but not consumed by the flames, and appoints him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt to the land of Canaan
in Exodus, Yahweh calls out to Moses from a bush that is on fire, but not consumed by the flames, and appoints him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt to the land of Canaan
The Deserter also has story and visual parallels to Apocalypse Now (1979). the character Chey resembles Dennis Hopper’s character and idolizes Jeong Jeong (a more sympathetic version of Marlon Brando’s Colonel Kurtz), a war deserter sheltered by a local tribe
Mae Whitman deserves a LOT more recognition for voicing Katara (and more recognition in general) her resume is INSANE:
Arrested Development, Perks of Being a Wallflower, Scott Pilgrim, Parenthood, Good Girls, AND she’s done voice work as Batgirl, April O’Neil, and Tinker Bell
Arrested Development, Perks of Being a Wallflower, Scott Pilgrim, Parenthood, Good Girls, AND she’s done voice work as Batgirl, April O’Neil, and Tinker Bell
Koh had such a good design and I really wish they showed up again. probably the show’s biggest missed opportunity
that’s rough buddy
we’re officially done with the Book 1 rewatch! drop your top 5 episodes from the season. here’s mine:
5. Jet
4. The Storm
3. The Waterbending Master
2. Siege of the North (Part 2)
1. The Blue Spirit
5. Jet
4. The Storm
3. The Waterbending Master
2. Siege of the North (Part 2)
1. The Blue Spirit
hello to my 100 new followers! thank you for following me but unfortunately you caught me in the middle of an avatar rewatch and I’m immediately going to squander that goodwill
anyway we’re starting book 2 tonight let’s gooooo
anyway we’re starting book 2 tonight let’s gooooo
Avatar was already a pretty show but Book 2 makes a very noticeable jump in quality, visually. it looks so much better
also enjoy this fun fact about the show’s animation director, Jae-Myung Yu, who would go on to co-found the studio that animated Korra, Voltron, & Kipo
also enjoy this fun fact about the show’s animation director, Jae-Myung Yu, who would go on to co-found the studio that animated Korra, Voltron, & Kipo
one scene that stuck with me for years is when Aang is pleading w/the general to not hurt Katara. the way his voice cracks when he screams “you don’t have to do this” is incredible voice acting. it drives home how he’s just a child dealing with deeply traumatizing circumstances
for the Star Wars fans following along, Dave Filoni’s last director credit is Siege of the North Part 2. Season 2 is directed almost entirely by Lauren MacMullan, Ethan Spaulding, and Giancarlo Volpe (who would go on to work on The Clone Wars cartoon)
that’s grouplove
TAKE ME TO YOUR BEST FRIEND’S HOUSE
I LOVED YOU THEN AND I LOVE YOU NOW
OHHHH YEAH
I LOVED YOU THEN AND I LOVE YOU NOW
OHHHH YEAH
third base is when you show them your scars
what if we kissed...in the cave of two lovers? 
haha just kidding...
...unless
haha just kidding...
...unless
Another fantastic photo of the great city of Omashu, before the disease of modernism
ty lee is an ariana grande stan
there’s a whole episode of Avatar dedicated to Kyoshi’s feet
Avatar Kyoshi after being accused of killing Chin the Conquerer
love that there’s a whole episode that’s just straight up “WWE but with Earthbending”
The Boulder is an extremely obvious parody of The Rock who, fun fact, is voiced by Mick Foley
The Boulder is an extremely obvious parody of The Rock who, fun fact, is voiced by Mick Foley
walking to the bathroom at 4 am in the dark so you don’t lose any sleepiness
the funniest thing about Avatar is how Toph’s family are the only people wealthy enough to afford a last name
Toph and Azula add so much to the show and it’s ensemble. It’s unbelievable how much better the show gets with their presence
when I say I love westerns I’m specifically talking about Avatar Book 2 Chapter 7: ‘Zuko Alone’
Avatar: redemption is a constant battle between doing the right thing and succumbing to your darkest instincts. It is about self actualization and working to undo the evil you put into the world
Star Wars: redemption is when you do exactly one good thing and immediately die
Star Wars: redemption is when you do exactly one good thing and immediately die
My (112M) earthbending master (12F) has unionized
Zuko when he finds the Avatar: https://twitter.com/ITYSL/status/1274805014003924993
Let's Ride
I love how this is the combined power of four elements from the strongest benders in the world and Sokka’s just *boomerang*
“twinkle toes” is 100% Toph calling Aang gay
earthbending is based off of Hung Gar, aka Southern Style Kung Fu. both have stances & blows that parallel animal movements
Toph’s blind but can “feel” through movement. her fighting style is about anticipating her opponent’s attacks, much like Southern Praying Mantis style
Toph’s blind but can “feel” through movement. her fighting style is about anticipating her opponent’s attacks, much like Southern Praying Mantis style
can’t be overstated how great of a character Sokka is. In a lesser show he’d be insufferable but he comes across believably as both a clever, resourceful guy and a complete himbo
Wan Shi Tong: humans only bother learning things to get the edge on other humans
Sokka: yeah I argue with people online too
Sokka: yeah I argue with people online too
Katara every time Aang goes into the Avatar State
every girl who spends more than five minutes with Sokka falls in love with him and it’s easy to understand why because he’s the ideal man. he’s clever, funny, thoughtful, bisexual, resourceful, and the dumbest person you’ll ever meet
Sokka: I ran out of jelly while making this sandwich so I used ketchup instead
Suki: God I can’t not fuck him
Suki: God I can’t not fuck him
It’s also refreshing how Sokka being overprotective of Suki is rooted in an emotional fear of loss and abandonment instead of some masculine idea of dominance. when they first met, Sokka was afraid of losing to Suki and now he’s afraid of losing her
glad Zuko just causally has swords now. he’s definitely a sword guy
Jet’s back. his totally-not-Spike-Spiegel design still kicks ass. shame he’s still racist.
good show
happy pride
Pull up in the monster, automobile gangsta
With a bad b***h that came from Sri Lanka
Yeah I'm in that Tonka, color of Willy Wonka
You could be the king but watch the queen conquer
With a bad b***h that came from Sri Lanka
Yeah I'm in that Tonka, color of Willy Wonka
You could be the king but watch the queen conquer
that’s a penis
the latter half of Book 2 is set in Ba Sing Se: a massive populated by millions city where the wealthy live in prosperity and the refugees and working class live in squalor. the leader is a figurehead & the police rule with an iron fist
in the real world we call this new york
in the real world we call this new york
Jo Dee is a Kamala Harris stan
I am Jo Dee 
, welcome to Ba Sing Se. We are so grateful to have Joe Biden protect us from Bernie Sanders
, welcome to Ba Sing Se. We are so grateful to have Joe Biden protect us from Bernie Sanders
the only thing that’s unrealistic about Ba Sing Se as an authoritarian capitalist hellscape is that Iroh and Zuko managed to get jobs and an apartment within a week
That’s Clancy Brown as Long Feng btw. if you’ve watched more than 5 things it’s guaranteed you’ve heard his voice. Shawshank, Highlander, Justice League, Venture Brothers, Thor: Ragnarok, Savage Oppress in Clone Wars, Ryder in Rebels, and Mr Krabs Spongebob
Jet: those tea shop employees are from the fire nation!
Customers: okay and??? separate art from the artist
Customers: okay and??? separate art from the artist
nobody in Avatar knows what a bear is because everyone’s a twink
Jet has been kidnapped and brainwashed by the police. normal stuff
I love moments in fantasy/scifi/superhero stories that are like “what do these extremely powerful people do when they have a day off?” it’s why Tales of Ba Sing Se is one of my favorite episodes in Book 2
this ep perfectly conveys what’s great about these characters & what they do when they aren’t changing the world:
Katara: connect with a loved one
Toph: pranks
Iroh: spread compassion
Aang: be a better Avatar
Sokka: invent rap out of horniness
Zuko: learn to socialize
Momo: Momo
Katara: connect with a loved one
Toph: pranks
Iroh: spread compassion
Aang: be a better Avatar
Sokka: invent rap out of horniness
Zuko: learn to socialize
Momo: Momo
Leaves from the vine
falling so slow
like fragile, tiny shells
drifting in the foam
little soldier boy,
come marching home
brave soldier boy,
come marching home
falling so slow
like fragile, tiny shells
drifting in the foam
little soldier boy,
come marching home
brave soldier boy,
come marching home
Mako Iwamatsu was an Academy Award & Tony-nominated actor who spent the latter years of his career doing voice work including Aku in Samurai Jack & Uncle Iroh in Avatar. He died of esophageal cancer on July 21st, 2006. Iroh’s segment in Tales of Ba Sing Se is dedicated to him
wow! a whole episode where people are mean to appa! it hurts!
Appa’s Lost Days >>>> Dumbo
Dumbo:
-boring
-racist
-zero 3 on 3 warrior girl fights
Appa’s Lost Days:
-a succinct condemnation of animal abuse as entertainment
-depicts the long term effects abuse and trauma has on animals
-no insensitive stereotypes of black people
-has a 3 on 3 warrior girl fight
-boring
-racist
-zero 3 on 3 warrior girl fights
Appa’s Lost Days:
-a succinct condemnation of animal abuse as entertainment
-depicts the long term effects abuse and trauma has on animals
-no insensitive stereotypes of black people
-has a 3 on 3 warrior girl fight
Jet: hey :)
Katara:
Katara:
Jae Myung-Yoo won an Emmy for Animation for his work on Lake Laogai and it’s easy to understand why. this episode has it all. drama. fluid fight sequences. incredible lighting. an incredible script. Mind control. Appa.
Uncle Iroh yelling at Zuko in Lake Laogai:
everyone likes to compare Kylo Ren to Zuko but I think he’s more like Jet. both of them did exactly good thing and immediately died
Zuko: *frees Appa*
Zuko: that’s enough activism for today I think
Zuko:
Zuko: that’s enough activism for today I think
Zuko:
Zuko: what is this feeling?
Iroh: you know, the feeling that you're feeling is just what many of us call...a "feeling"
Zuko: it’s not like envy, or even hungry
Iroh: could it be love?
Zuko: I know what an erection feels like, uncle. no...it's like my heart is getting hard
Iroh: you know, the feeling that you're feeling is just what many of us call...a "feeling"
Zuko: it’s not like envy, or even hungry
Iroh: could it be love?
Zuko: I know what an erection feels like, uncle. no...it's like my heart is getting hard
the first half of Book 2 Episode 18 is an incredibly well-animated and directed fight sequence where 4 teenagers decimate the Earth King’s palace and his security made even better because they’re super apologetic the entire time
Avatar The Last Airbender taught me that if you’re being oppressed by a fascist police state you need to storm into the home of your country’s leader and demand change by force
