While the live-action Netflix series Avatar: The Last Airbender has had mixed responses since its release, the original animated series on Nickelodeon still holds pride of place in the hearts of fans across the world. The show which ran for three seasons, gained a lot of success for the execution of its narrative and the nuances in the character arcs.
The core of the narrative features the central protagonist Aang’s quest to master the four elements to fulfil his destiny with the help of his friends Sokka, Katara, and Toph Beifong. While their relationship forms a major part of the story, it was with fan favorite Toph that Aang shared a very special bond which was highlighted during an emotional episode in season 2. Fans of the show cannot agree more.
This Avatar Character Is Pivotal To Aang’s Story
The Nickelodeon animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender is still seen as one of the best shows to come out of the platform. Despite the recent live-action adaptation that aired on Netflix, the original narrative is being hailed by fans as superior and evergreen thanks to the depth of characters and the storyline.
The relationship between the central protagonists in particular comprising of Aang, Sokka, Katara, and Toph Beifong, is the beating heart of the series. While Sokka and Katara were part of Aang’s journey to fulfil his destiny from season 1, Toph makes her entry only in season 2, but quickly becomes a pivotal influence in Aang’s legacy.
Born blind, Toph is a prodigy of earthbending, which is the ability to manipulate, reshape and control various objects and finally even metal. (via Avatar Wiki). Due to her disability, her parents believed that she would not be able to safely navigate this skill, and therefore allowed her to only learn the basics of the art before she secretly taught herself to master it.
Using her prowess, she takes part in underground earthbending competitions without the knowledge of her parents under an alias, which finally leads her to come into contact Aang, Katara, and Sokka.
Toph enters the show in episode 6 of season 2 at a time when Aang is desperately looking for an earthbending instructor. That is when he has a vision of a girl who happens to be Toph. When he finally finds her, he realizes that she unfortunately cannot teach him the art owing to her overbearing and restrictive parents.
The eventful episode concludes with Toph running away from home and eventually joining the group. Titled The Blind Bandit, the episode also showcases Aang’s angst when he has to come to terms with the fact that he can never learn the art of earthbending from a genius like Toph Beifong.
The two characters continue to share a special relationship through their adventures despite not seeing eye to eye on many occasions as well. Eventually, Toph is able to use her skills to teach Aang to master the art of earthbending.
Aang’s Emotional Connection To Toph Beifong Warms Fans Hearts
The blind earthbending prodigy Toph Beifong is a fan favorite among the characters in the animated series, Avatar: The Last Airbender. More significantly, she is someone who is put on a pedestal by the central protagonist Aang who deeply respects her for her prodigious talent.
Unfortunately, due to unavoidable circumstances, Beifong is unable to help Aang conquer the skill of earthbending at the time, which he rues deeply as indicated by his 3-word dialogue in season 2 episode 6 of the series, which fans recalled recently through a post on X.
Many viewers took to social media to echo similar sentiments about their relationship, and also praised the writers of the show for creating a character like Toph who continues to make fans go down memory lane.
She was a totally different earth bender and I’m glad the writers used her
— Trofy (@Real_Trofy) April 19, 2024
Top earthbender she was
— Leslie Kay 2.0🐇🔥 (@Lesskay_1) April 19, 2024
This part is so iconic pic.twitter.com/gQ2eeEMXDI
— 𝒟𝒜𝑀𝐼𝒩𝐼🦉🖤 (@Theonlydamini) April 19, 2024
Best teacher Aang had
— Khaled Hossam (@KhaledHossam206) April 19, 2024
It's so sad they didn't end up with each other
— Mr Yahyerh (@whyjay_) April 20, 2024
While this key character is yet to appear in the live-action series, it will be interesting to see how she is developed into the narrative, and if she will live up to the lofty expectations of the original.
All 3 seasons of Avatar: The Last Airbender can be bought on Apple TV.
