The live-action series Avatar: The Last Airbender premiered on Netflix in February 2024 and has already created a lot of talking points. The show, which is a remake of the popular 2005 animated series on Nickelodeon, has received mixed responses from ardent fans with regard to certain changes in the narrative and character arcs, especially with the main protagonist Aang.
While some questions have been raised about the character’s evolution into the Avatar state and the events leading up to it, a few reports are now pointing to an important aspect of Aang’s legacy. Highlighting the power of bending the four elements, research indicates the failure of the 2005 animated series to showcase one massive bending power that the character possessed.
The Original Avatar: The Last Airbender Missed Out One Potent Strength Of Aang
Following the release of the live-action series Avatar: The Last Airbender, fans of the franchise have been analyzing it with a fine-toothed comb while comparing it to the original series on Nickelodeon. Despite certain criticisms for the 2024 show that have risen out of this analysis, the 2005 animated series is also being called out for omitting a key component from the illustrated comics.
In the books, Aang, played by Gordon Cormier in the series, is seen to possess the unique ability to bend the four elements namely fire, water, earth, and air. Arising out of each these elements are different subtypes of bending like Bloodbending, Energybending, Plantbending, and the like.
Among these forms, a report in CBR states that Energybending is regarded as one of the most potent forms in which a practitioner can manipulate the core energy of a person along with their breath and life force in order to alter their inner spirituality. In the legacy of the Airbenders, this skill is said to be taught by Lion Turtles.
In the book, this power is used by Aang to defeat Phoenix King Ozai. In doing so, he becomes the first person to achieve this feat after being tutored by the Lion Turtle. Energybending is also seen as one of the riskiest and oldest forms of bending. Unfortunately, neither the original nor the live-action series have fleshed out this significant power into the narrative.
This form of bending is seen to be stronger than its darker, more twisted variant Bloodbending in which the water and blood inside a person is manipulated to alter their spirituality. With Netflix confirming that season 2 and 3 of the live-action show has received a green signal, it remains to be seen if the series will attempt to highlight this significant bending power.
This Avatar: The Last Airbender Actor Had An Interesting Audition
Whether positive or negative, the Netflix live-action series Avatar: The Last Airbender has been consistently discussed before and after its release for various reasons including its unique audition process. In a departure, Netflix chose to create an off-beat approach to auditions by playing its cards close to its chest. This also included keeping the whole process very secretive for prospective actors while deliberately disguising the narrative.
Ken Leung who plays Commander Zhao in the series, revealed the interesting situation he was put in as a result of this tactic adopted by the platform. Not being familiar with the original series, his presumption of the word ‘Avatar’ in the title of the film immediately evoked the only possible response inside his head namely James Cameron’s visual masterpiece. In an interview with Deadline Hollywood, the actor said,
“When I first heard it was Avatar, I thought I was going to be blue.”
Leung went on to add that this alternative approach of getting people on board gave him the opportunity to enter the series with a blank canvas, which he could then develop on without any preconceived notions about the existing narrative and the nuances of his character.
Avatar: The Last Airbender in streaming on Netflix.
