The creators of Avatar stopped being involved mid-production. What could go wrong?
Did Netflix recreate One Piece’s success with Avatar: The Last Airbender?
No. And in this review, I will explain, in sections, why Netflix treated this beloved franchise just like their other failed anime adaptations. By trashing it so hard you don’t recognise them anymore.
Let’s start with the characters
Aang The Last Airbender
The Netflix version of Aang, is a child, serious about becoming the avatar. It’s all he ever talks about besides sulking that he isn’t doing enough as the avatar. And he is a child.
The first episode will hammer this fact into you. That he is a child. Remember that. Then for the rest of the episodes, he’ll sulk and complain that he’s not doing enough as the avatar.
There isn’t a clear character arc for Aang.
Katara
Kiawentioo Tarbell pulls off the Katara look. But her acting is stiff and unfeeling. I think the producers or writers know it too. She wasn’t given much to do.
The Netflix version of Katara is a sidekick character. She isn’t the “mother” of the group. You rarely hear her nag, comfort, or banter with Sokka. She’s just there to let us know, “hey this is the Avatar story you know and love, look this is Katara!”
And I swear, during serious moments, she has a vague smirk on her face. As if she’s about to break character at any moment.
Sokka
If you ever wondered what Chad Sokka would be like. Here he is.
He did nothing of worth, but Suki fell for him with just a look. It was uncomfortable watching the whole thing unfold. I’ll get to Suki later, because damn… she deserved better.
Whatever effect he had on Suki, he had on Princess Yue too. Princess Yue after a few conversations with Sokka falls for him. And this happened right after the episode with Suki! It’s crazy!
Forget the Avatar, master of the 4 elements. Just send Sokka the rizzbender and everything will be fine! Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee would be more than enough to defeat the Firelord pre-Sozin’s comet.
Besides his masterful rizzbending, Sokka is okay as a comedic relief. He says the thing. And at times it lands badly. Not because the thing he says is unfunny.
But because I have yet to recover from the bad dialogue and story beforehand.
Now, because they removed Sokka’s character flaw… the story of Sokka redeeming himself while growing as a worthy individual didn’t need to be told. Which meant that Suki didn’t need to acknowledge his worth.
Things just happen. Like magic. (Bloody hell, I’m getting Star Wars flashbacks)
I don’t know about you. But to me, a man’s worth is in his ability to be reliable, capable, and accountable for his faults. Sokka displayed none of that.
All he needed was his rizzbending
Again, bloody lazy writing.
Zuko
Netflix’s version isn’t too far from the original. His rage, his obsession with the Avatar, and his implied innocence is portrayed well.
Not much to say here really. Zuko had more of a character arc than the main hero, Aang. Felt like he was the star of the show.
Iroh
If you think seeing him in live-action would make you fall in love again with this awesome character, think again.
Netflix’s Iroh is overly serious, he rarely jokes and he rarely speaks in riddles. He’s portrayed as a protective and caring uncle. They don’t shy away from making Iroh very expressive with his emotions.
His wise and funny nature, timely proverbs, and overall good vibes are lost.
Firelord Ozai
Netflix’s Ozai is pretty chill. They toned him down and showed him as a caring father. Misguided. But still caring.
It was bizarre. There were parts, where I found myself blurting out “Thaaat’s not Ozai???”
I think they tried to introduce different layers to Firelord Ozai. But it just made him very bizarre and impacted the entire flow of the story. And you find yourself questioning a lot of things.
Azula
This badass character entered Netflix, and was reduced to a laughable evil miniboss you can’t take seriously. Here’s what I mean.
We know Azula as an obedient daughter to Ozai and a dedicated princess of the Fire Nation. She is very cunning. But despite her intelligence, she knows her place and won’t speak out of turn against Firelord Ozai, her father. And many things do not affect her composure.
She is cold, calm, and cruel. This is the Azula I know.
The Netflix version portrays Azula as a typical one-dimensional badass female antagonist. She speaks out against Ozai, easily gets upset, and allows her emotions to get the best of her.
She sounds like Zuko. Which makes the whole thing super confusing.
At best, you’ll see her as a badass female antagonist. At worse, a villain insecure of her place and power.
Suki
She deserved better.
The writers reduced her to a female warrior who has never met another male warrior. You could feel the thirst from the screen, anytime she eyeballs Sokka. (Like what the hell is going on?)
Her idea of flirting is having grappling sessions with the rizzbender.
And she falls for Sokka for no clear reason, other than perhaps, it had to be done. Because this is a story about the Avatar. Bloody lazy writing.
Mai and Ty Lee
I don’t have much to say. Anytime I see them on screen. They’re just standing there. No joke. They don’t have much to do or say, and when they do participate? It feels forced.
The writing of Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender
The producers claim they want to move this story towards a more serious tone. To bring this story to a mature audience, like GoT. Here’s the problem.
Avatar appealed to kids and adults. The story beats, theme, and writing had layers for any kid and adult to enjoy. It talks about war, race, power, unlikely friendships, love, systemic discrimination, and responsibility. Wrapped up in fun, humour, and beautiful animation.
So when Netflix attempted to make a serious Avatar, I honestly have no clue if this is what they meant. There is nothing…NOTHING… about this story that is serious.
How the story develops lack depth, the only theme that was given a spotlight was women’s rights(in that one episode), and things just happen because “reasons.”
There is not a single episode that I could take seriously. I ranted a lot and asked a ton of questions. One question I had on repeat was, “Why are you listing down in detail how you feel??”
For every episode, the world will stop for characters to express their feelings. Telling you with 100% detail how they feel and why they’re upset. This show is a very very expensive soap opera.
The characters in Netflix’s Avatar are strangers to us. Fans of the show will find it tough to relate to any of them. (Except for Zuko)
Important storylines will progress for the sake of it. Zero build-up. What time they had to build it up, they waste on having dramatic moments between characters detailing their hurt feelings.
Netflix’s Avatar is way way worse than the original. And it’s not any better than the alternative.
Final Verdict
Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender is not the serious fantasy series you are looking for. It is at best a series to watch when you want to unwind and have a good laugh.
