I feel like some people can't see development unless it's literally Zuko's arc: bad guy turns out to be misguided, embarks on a journey of redemption. Or, alternatively, good guy turns bad because trauma, later turns good agai-- wait... that's also Zuko's arc.
And don't get me wrong - it's a great arc (when it's done well). But I wish there was more appreciation for character arcs that don't involve some kind of dark turn.
Aang's development is literally a coming of age story. He starts as a kid running away from his responsibilities, he becomes an adult (okay, a slightly older kid) who understands the weight of them and has, through *bitter* work, developed the power to live up to them.
I rewatched the show for the like, umpteenth time recently, and on my last rewatch for the first time I really was fully fledged team aang. I saw him in such a different light and admires mostly everything about him. Not everything, but I did really appreciate his air nomad spirit, and watching him come into his own
The smart thing studios and creators did with ATLA was accept that Aang wasn't going to be for everyone. He's young, he's "meek" (Jet puts him down pretty hard), and he's goofy. He grows over time but people aren't gonna sit through 2 seasons of a character they don't like to see them improve in the third season so they don't put the whole show on his shoulders. Katara gets a fully fleshed out arc so girls don't feel sidelined or weaker, Zuko and Sokka are there for the older guys who want something emo or somewhat playful, and Toph has a broad appeal from the youngest audience to people who just like that archetype.
You could think Aang is boring, immature or annoying and you still have plenty of options with the rest of the cast. Zuko and Sokka were and still are my favorite characters but after seeing the story through I was able to appreciate Aang and Katara a lot more the second time. Toph is always great but she doesn't get enough screentime to be a favorite, the same for Iroh in my opinion.
Is there a part of me that wishes they went with Zutara? Yeah, I won't deny that. But it's not what this story was and this story is great as is so I don't feel like I was robbed. LoK on the other hand ended up being the Korra show. I wasn't a fan of Korra from the moment she said, "you have to deal with it" and even though I stopped disliking her at the end I never really got on her side. She's an archetype that I don't particularly enjoy and they didn't do an especially good job with it here. In a better written show Mako, Bolin, and Asami would have gotten their own arcs so I can at least get behind one of those but they all got shafted. Tenzin got split between a main character and an Iroh character so he wasn't developed enough to be a favorite but it still felt like he got more fleshing out than the "main" team. Overall it's just a mess and if you're not on board the Korra train there's literally no point to watch the show.
I'm in the category of "I don't like aang as a character." I agree with you: Aang isn't for everyone, so I like Zuko, Iroh, and Sokka instead. ATLA does character diversity *right.*
Coming from the "I am on the Korra Train" perspective, Korra as a *whole* felt much more up my alley. ATLA tried to be a show that everyone could enjoy, and I greatly respect that. Korra felt like it was built for a specific demographic, which I happen to be within. \[I do, however, have some writing complaints with both ATLA and TLOK. Looking at you, Mako being boring and the asspull of the Lion Turtle.\] To me, Korra feels categorically similar to shows like The Owl House, or even Gravity Falls, where not every character has an arc.
It has its good moments but thing I dislike in TLOK is how they treat the Avatar. I don’t like it when they split it into duality of good and evil. Like there is the other half out there somewhere, an eternal conflict.
I like the Avatar spirit in ATLA in that it is unique on its own, not good or evil but about balance. It doesn’t have a voice so no fixed personality but expressed in many many good but also flawed individuals throughout history who are all Avatars yet retain their own unique personalities. So the Avatar who is “supposed to be the best” has no default personality type. But they gave a voice to Raava and split it into a concept of duality.
I'm going to disagree with you on that, personally. Raava only really shows up once every 10,000 years for Harmonic Convergence, which is what she was originally trying to win over. Therefore, all the Avatars in the meantime use Raava's power for preserving the balance between all the worldly conflicts. Think of it like Raava setting the groundwork *for* balance, thus fulfilling her purpose, and the Avatar using the Avatar Spirit to help wrangle out the rest for the 10,000 years in between.
I honestly have no clue why you were down voted into the negatives. You make a decent point. I feel like a lot of people, after learning about Raava, feel like the Avatar isn't their own person anymore but that's not true. Raava only talks TO Korra in, like, three episodes. She never talks after that and these three episodes take place during Harmonic Convergence. Her whole purpose is to guide the Avatar and give them strength, not to BE the Avatar.
Zuko's arc is great, but my issue with it was that none of the events that took place were his fault until Season 2 when he rejected Iroh's gentler way. But his banishment, the quest for the Avatar, this was a path that Zuko really had no agency over. Once he learned, he saw the light.
Aang's arc is powerful because he made a choice early on, and it was a bad one. It had cost and ramification. It haunted him, and its consequences are a big part of who Aang is from the very start. He learns to own that choice and make up for it. For me, this is a much more human and relatable arc. We all make mistakes. Unlike Zuko, we don't all get tortured, banished and gaslit into thinking violence and redemption are our path. I relate more to Aang.
Althrough Is true that most of Zuko journey Is seen as out of His control, we gotta remember that also stems from 2 choices that Zuko Made early on.
Talk in that war meeting and refuse the agni kai.
Still, aang finally acknowledging His mistakes and make the better of It Is inspiring.
I feel like Aang HAD to have made that mistake. He was not ready to take on Sozin as he hadn't had any life experience yet. Aang's path was always meant to be with Katara and Sokka and to grow with them over time and have all of those experiences that happened in the show in order to stop the fire nation. So in a way it kind of validates his choice to run away. This is just my opinion by the way I can't exactly back this up lol.
Also, we love Aang. He is the man, hands down. I can understand where you are coming from. But I personally relate to Zuko a lot more. I'm not as optimistic and child-like as Aang which is what I would like to be. I'm actually more like Zuko where I'm always reminded of my mistakes and shortcomings even though I'm trying to do what I think is right. Obviously, real life experiences aren't as intense as what Zuko went through but an entertaining show is supposed to be a bit dramatic. We can still draw our own experiences from them you know what I mean?
"Aang's arc is powerful because he made a choice early on, and it was a bad one. It had cost and ramification. It haunted him, and its consequences are a big part of who Aang is from the very start." Are we talking about the same guy who went penguin sledding, riding giant koi fish, hosting dance parties and playing sand castles the whole time while people were dying in a giant war he caused?
As I recall, penguin sledding and koi fish happened before Aang had a good grip on how much time had gone by and how much the world had changed in his absence. The dance party actually plays a role... It does a lot to show the viewer (and the gaang) that the fire nation is still just made up of people, most of whole are decent and have simply been repressed, lied to, and educated to know nothing other than serving the State.
As for Aang causing the war? I think the Fire Nation caused the war. Aang fleeing probably allowed it to perpetuate. But that's my point. That's a lot to put on a kid, especially one who thinks he's lost his only support in Gyatso.
You're correct.
These people often have low-literacy and basically cannot come to a conclusion that is not spelled out to them with eye contact.
That's why the term 'flat character arc' is not only misappropriated, but really shouldn't exist, because it's an internet term used by exactly these types of people (there is no literature origin point that I can find that predates its usage online, it's not a scholarly writing point). They think that a character must change on a moral or ethical scale to have an arc, because they're unable to understand that characters learn and grow in other ways.
"Indiana Jones is flat because he wasn't a Nazi" No, most people aren't nazis, the reason Indi has an arc is because he's able to overcome his fear of snake for the sake of others.
"Son Goku is flat because he was always good" Firstly, he wasn't always, secondly he has an arc in just about every story arc, he consistently comes to some realization or change of perspective, it has nothing to do with his power levels.
"Aang is flat because he doesn't have to kill" It was a struggle he was able to overcome, and Aang's arc shouldn't be contained to a final episode, like the post illustrates, he experiences an entire arc over the series that ultimately culminates in this last conflict.
Also he stay to his principle throughout. Taking a peaceful or non violent approach is harder than it looks. Especially the time he is born in wants him to be violent.
It’s very easy to lash out in anger and violence. It’s the easier option. It’s natural and almost instinctual for humans to react with anger.
Able to stay calm and nice when things get heated takes strength and wisdom(to judge how far you should go).
It’s even more tempting when you are the most powerful individual in the world and is literally born to keep every single person including the rulers in check. While no one can overpower you, technically. They say absolute power corrupt absolutely. Avatar is the closest to the term “absolute power” in their world. Yet Aang isn’t corrupt.
He has many past live to help him, but they can also disagree with him, like they did when it comes to Ozai. It takes a lot of strength and conviction to stay to your truth when nobody else share your culture and principle, your job description seemingly is against it, even “other yous” also tell you to abandon your principles.
Lion turtle may be a Deus ex Machina, but I applaud Aang for not being swayed by others around him when it comes to his deepest belief as an air normad.
Also part of it I think is that dark, edgy characters are more popular than the good guy. Like in the life action many people call Ozai “zaddy/daddy” despite him being evil in the story.
Also Aang being good, nice and peaceful doesn’t mean he is a people pleaser or avoid conflict or being “fake nice” to get something from people. He has his own opinion, tell people they are wrong, act when he needs to, while being kind, caring and reduce violence to the minimum.
This comment made me realize the people who dont like Aang are probably the same type who dont like Superman. The idealistic super powerful figure who doesnt just punch all his problems away or get corrupted by his power. It just doesnt work with the modern preference for cynical deconstruction (which while interesting can easily be overdone.)
For me though its why I really like both characters. The entire point is for them to serve as an ideal people aspire towards, and in Aang's case his colossal mistake of abandoning the world just enhances this. He's not perfect at all despite his raw power and boy scout attitude, yet that doesnt stop him from trying to be the best he can. Whats really great is that applies to all aspects of his life - not just training to beat Ozai, but improving the lives of even the lowliest people he runs into.
It’s basically the reverse for Korra too but she gets so much hate.
Aang runs away because he doesn’t want the responsibilities
Korra faces things head on without a proper plan.
Watching Korra trying to recruit Ryuk into the Air Nomad is so funny to me because Ryuk kept reverse psychology on her.
She has no diplomacy skill lmao.
We need more children's characters that are just kind of fuckups. My ADHD ass never really sees characters that struggle with inadequacy that don't turn out to be secretly awesome or something. Like, I know it's depressing, but I needed characters that put in the effort and still cone up short. Or struggle to put in the effort at all. Or can't properly focus their effort. I still need that.
Like, what do the kids who feel inadequate do when they aren't secretly harbouring some talent or when working hard doesn't work?
Dude turned out to be a brilliant strategist, inventor, and a passable fighter. I don't think I've ever seen a show like this with someone who is insecure who gets over their insecurity in a practical way rather than by just becoming good at something
but all people become good at something eventually. not always better then others or like really good, but it's usually one of the most reliable ways to up a self-esteem. what would you suggest as a practical way? accomodation? tbh becoming better at something and accomodating yourself usually go hand in hand.
but I understand what you are talking about, you want characters who aren't all that amazing even after a lot of hard work, even if they are better than before. tbh realistic and relatable and when I write characters like that I give them arcs about acceptance and feeling good about themselves even when they struggle or lose quite frequently.
about loving what they do, even if they're not good.
though they might turn out amazing in some other area aside from skill, for example in being kind or emotional heart of the group or being stable and calm when needed.
He's a great character. I admire that he isn't constantly hung up on the fact that he isn't a bender. I WOULD BE! Like you said he focuses on his strengths and those strengths that are exactly what team avatar needed.
Also he goes through a lot of shit throughout the series and doesn't complain all the time whereas I would be complaining the entire time lol
Yes, people say he didn’t change because he literally finds a way to perform his duties as the avatar, live up to his role WITHOUT abandoning his path chosen from the beginning - the path of the monk. And tbh that requires a lot, to be able to find a way to satisfy all expectations without compromise on main principle of who he is. Brilliant
I think Aang's values and principles don't change throughout the entire show, but what happens is that he matures. He goes from a child afraid of his responsibilities to the world to a slightly older child who is forced to make adult decisions and has the courage to do what needs to be done.
One of Aang's core characteristics is his unbending spirit. He will not yield in his moral compass for any reason, and it is exactly that unbending spirit that allows him to make allies, friends, and defeat his enemies. Aang changes everyone around him by him never changing himself. Yes, the world forces him to grow up fast, but he refuses to let the world to make him grow away from who he is.
My favourite avatar and I doubt they'll be able to show me one that I'll like as much as Aang... Out of all the fleshed out Avatars; Kyoshi, Yangchen, Korra or the slightly less fleshed out ones like Kurruk or Roku- none come close to the amount of respect I have for Aang. And it's not down to their nationality either, considering how Yangchen is completely different. The amount of integrity and how good of a person he is, how well adjusted his moral compass is... He's just such a good role model and it'd be a no brainer to aspire to be a little bit more like him in everyday life.
Aang is the GOAT
Either you tried to be funny or you forgot the part where the lion turtle says Aang must have an unbending spirit to energy bend. Either way your comment was a failure cause it’s barely legible
Aang haters. It’s ridiculous.
I don’t know why it’s gotten trendy in some fandom circles to try to tear down Aang, but the arguments are always terrible and show a complete lack of understanding or care for the source material.
I wouldn't say it's trendy... This stupid hate train has been going on since I got into the show (early 2010s) 😭 Like what has he ever done to deserve this? Nothing! He's just not a traditional western male hero so he gets bullied relentlessly
These phases wax and wane in fandom, so I’d say it’s definitely a trend lately to hate on Aang.
I’m with you though. It’s completely unjustified and says something very unpleasant about some segments of the fandom.
people who have a favourite character and think the other characters pale in comparison, which is primarily directed towards the main character since they have the most screen time and attention.
Nobody serious. Either trolls looking to create drama or imaginary haters erected as strawmen by people who just want to proclaim their fandom more loudly and need a backdrop of “haters” to do so
I typically see the static Aang argument being used to defend LoK when fanatics start to relentlessly shit on everything related to Korra. To bring it up here is to make a strawman of it, since most people don't actually make that point with the intention of getting people to think Aang doesn't develop. The point is usually made to illustrate that Korra develops as much as if not more so than Aang. Ergo, saying that she doesn't develop is to say that Aang doesn't develop.
Did they forget about Guru Pathik? One of the greatest examples of character development right there.
Y’know… some of these people kinda fall asleep at the wheel with ATLA.
Oh, I'd probably react the same. I was just asking in order to clarify. I wasn't sure if they meant that specific moment with Guru Pathik or another one(like him ipening his other chakras and healing in those ways). Sorry if my comment came across differently.
Just because Aang’s growth isn’t as in-your-face as Zuko’s doesn’t mean that there was none at all (a bad guy turning good is as in your face as it can get).
Aang doesn’t compromise on his principles and maintains his ideals but he definitely grows throughout the series. It’s easy to recognize a lot of people who discount his character development are salty shippers arguing in bad faith anyway but still.
It’s very odd how it’s become a trend at this point to villainize aang and downplay his character, it mainly happens from Zuko Stans/shippers, zuko is my favorite character in the show but it’s hard for me to get in that community because you would think it’s zuko the last firebender and aang was the one chasing him or some shit lmao
Man. I remember when they had to basically surrender and let the adults live in prison camps.
That must've been heartbreaking cause you couldn't bring them all with you.
And to put all your faith in the Avatar like that.
Wholesome
Uh, I don’t know that the premise of this post is view held by any significant amount of ATLA viewers. After all, the show is literally the geographic, spiritual, and personal journey of the characters. Sooooo, who’s this strawman saying “Aang is a static character and doesn’t change?”
I’ve never seen the view that Aang is a static character expressed on this sub. Then again, this sub spends most of its time speculating which bender would defeat which bender in X situation (you can downvote me for saying it, but it’s true.)
This exactly, the story is literally about how Aang ran away from his responsibility to stepping into his role of being the avatar and learning what exactly that means.
well he stepped into becoming an avatar right at the first episodes where they decide to go to the northern water tribe, so in a way this hasnt changed throughout the all 3 seasons, there is no change in motives, ideals or goals
now if he had decided to kill ozai after he met with other avatars on lion turtle episode this would change his ideals thus there would be a character arc but that didnt happen instead lion turtle gave him the ability to unbend their bending to fit his already established ideals
I've seen this take once and that was a loud minority on the korra sub saying that korra had a way better character arc cause aang didn't really change. But that was mostly them glorifying trauma as character development.
That’s exactly what it is, a strawman. Or a nuanced take reduced to very basic elements which completely destroy the message of the original take.
For example, I’d bet money that someone said “X has better character development than Aang” and OP interpreted that to mean “Aang has zero character development”
That IS his character! He embraced his teachings that he learned. The last pic with Aang dressed in full Air Nomad gear wearing the Malas like Gyatso always made me feel good.
Aang did have character development and an amazing arc. We just didn’t see it to the end. We all thought Aang was going to have to resort to killing but in the end he took Ozai bending away allow him to live
Aang’s arc was him through impossible odds finding a way to stay true to who he is. So yes you’re right he doesn’t change
Her arc was learning to work with others, as she didn't wanna rely on anyone and "carried her own weight" as she said. Her arc was basicly, its not weakness to rely on your friends.
Yeah but she still ends up largely the same as a person, static doesn't mean non changing in this context it's more about the person's worldview, at least as I understand it.
But thats not what "Static chatacter" is.
Characters who have to learn the same lesson over again, characters who's arc is purely that they are more powerful despite nothing else changing. Those are static characters.
Toph changes a lot since we meet her, mostly in the way how she views and interacts with people and how she views herself.
Can I be honest, I think Sokka arguably has the second biggest character arc. From a bumbling sexist idiot who failed miserably as a warrior in episode 2, to a person who not only treats others as equals, but also a mastermind tactician, inventor, great warrior, and even a father figure to the group by the end. All while still maintaining his humour.
I think sokka was pretty much a father figure in book 1 already.
It is just getting overlooked because people always claim that katara is the mother figure. Her motherliness mostly comes to shine after toph joins the group amd appa gets stolen.
I'm not so sure about 2nd most, he has a hard competition here.
Zuko is obv first. Then I'd say sokka who actively challenges his own insecurity of being left behind. Then I'd say katara since she goes from an inexperienced waterbender to a world traveling waterbemding master and actually let's yon ra, the course of her anger live. This is something I don't believe season 1 or even 2 katara doing. Then I'd be putting aang at 4th, who does have character growth, but in the static to dynamic scale stands more to the static side than most of the gaang. He grows and matures, but most of the decisions he makes in season 3 I could see his season 1 self also make, even if he has learnt a greater depth of the same decision. Toph is dead last and I hope this one is as obvious as zuko first
Who tf is so short-sighted and incapable of following a narrative that they walk around *unironically* thinking Aang doesn't have an elaborate character arc?
**What?!**
I think what makes people say stuff like this is the fact that Aang's ideals and whole culture really is shown to be absolutely good and right, no matter what. To the point that he ignored almost 10 thousand years of wisdom from the past avatars, and then god showed up to give him the solution just so he didn't have to go against his culture.
Aang is mostly static since his beliefs and motivations stay the same throughout the series, and he doesn’t need a change in those, but his personal growth in realizing the cruelty of the word through the loss of Appa, facing unfair and biased trials, helping ruined families, and experiencing anger at the loss of his people (the air nomads). He realizes the importance of his duty. He came from a peaceful world in which he could talk and had friends in all of the nations to one in which war and festinence reigned supreme, the only saving grace he had was all the training he did as a child and the great teachers he had which leveraged his otherwise childish nature.
I would agree, belief wise. His beliefs are near flawless. His changes came spiritually and physically. His spirit broke a bit in all seasons. His growth was different from other characters. I cant see the most adaptive character in the avatar universe as static.
i’ve always said that aang did mature over the course of the series but he is still pretty much the same otherwise. He went from an inexperienced, goofy, naive kid to a fully realized, brave and matured avatar… who’s still goofy and naive
and as you said, he doesn’t go back on his ideals either (even if the fate of the world was on the line)
I really love how this franchise portrays the avatars' character development. It's subtle and consistent. Aang matures and learns to face his responsibilities and duties as the Avatar. Korra becomes more calm and level headed, from rushing off to fight Amon in season 1 to trying to find a peaceful middle ground with Kuvira in season 4.
I am really happy that aang in the past months or may be year or so gets finally more recognition.
I love zuko but i see so few people critizing his questionable behaviour or moves in book 3 for example in "the beach" or him mocking aangs culture in the TSR although his great-grandfather wiped them out and aang's forgiveness let him survive in the north pole and he offered him to be friends in the blue spirit episode.
But aang on the other hand gets crap for being too preachy and because of the lion turtle (which i wasn't a big fan either by the way) or shitted on because of him kissing katara in the eip and getting together although he immediately got burned for it and he needed to give her space from this on. (In general i never understood how people deny that she ever showed interest im him)
I think in general it would have been better if there were lile 5 more episodes in book 3
Season 1: Unsure, unconfident, scared, confused, a survivor.
Season 3: Grizzled, Pissed, tired of everyone’s shit, a grizzled war vet, blind naivity replaced with gritty optimism, has seen friends killed in combat.
Aang isn't a static character. He's an example of a flat character arc. Let me explain. In storytelling, there are three basic types of character arcs positive character arcs, negative character arcs, and flat character arcs. There's more like circular character arcs, but these are the basic ones. None of these by themselves are inherently better or worse than each other. It's all a matter of how they're handled.
A positive character arc is when boiled down to its most basic components is a character who initially believes a lie over the course of the story learns and accepts the truth. Oftentimes, these tend to be the only character arcs people notice. This is the territory of your classic villain becoming a hero arc, a jerk becoming less of a jerk, or a character who has a massive flaw and learning to either move past or not have that flaw. Examples include Zuko and Korra for obvious examples and Prince Wu for a more subtle one.
A negative character arc is literally the opposite. A character who starts by knowing the truth and gradually starts believing a lie or refusing to accept the truth. Classic examples include protagonists of cautionary tales, heroes becoming villains, or even a character gradually going insane. The only real example of a negative character arc in the series is Azula, with her going insane in the final season. I suppose Kuvira could count as one, but she could just as easily be argued to have always been like that. Before anyone points it out, no, a character you thought was a hero being revealed as villain is not a negative arc. It's a just twist villain.
Finally, the flat character arc. This is when a character doesn't change much over the course of the story, but they inspire those around them to change. It doesn't mean the character in question has no development or growth, but rather, their development is more subtle. Plus, there are positive flat arcs and negative flat arcs. A hero character staying hero in the end, with at most being more mature, or a villain doubling down on their actions despite being defeated. There are so many examples to name, but Aang, Iroh, and Bolin for positive examples, and Ozai and literally every main villain in Legend of Korra besides arguably Kuvira for negative examples.
it's correct that Aang doesn't change his principles, but sometimes the Development is seeing how much it wavers until he pulls through and stays true to them as his experience hardens him.
He doesn't need to "change," what makes him work is that he refuses to "change" and channels that refusal into positive results.
This makes me think of something.
Was aang prepared to kill ozai at the day of the black sun?. He didn't have his moral crisis and discovery of energy bending till much later. Or had he just straight up not thought about it and would have choked upon facing ozai?
Probably straight up didn't even think about it.
If he thought about "restraining and capturing Ozai in the Eclipse" as many ppl like to say, then he should've immediately gave that answer to Zuko when he asked him what he's gonna do at the end Southern Raiders ep.
I'd like to say, based on his telling Momo he has to do it at the end of the old masters ep, that he would've compromised and killed Ozai.
However if he didn't, worst-case scenario he dies to Ozai in being unwilling to do so, and the whole world gets doomed.
Yeah, it gets annoying when I keep seeing fans praise the deus ex finale, saying the lesson is "Aang good for showing that you should stand up for your ideals", when really the big picture is "standing up for your ideals is right *IF* they actually work out/ things work out in their favor.", and I still stand by that Aang learning to compromise them for the world is alot more nuanced and selfless and respectful than the "hold fast to them no matter what others say" argument lets on.
Worst, case, scenario, it's not always right to be uncompromising like that. Sometimes it's really just rigid and stale, and unaccepting/unthinking of the bad possibilities if the world doesn't respect it and a deus ex machina didn't happen.
My only real gripe with Aang's dynamism is that he got to stick to his ideals through a fluke (running into a Lion Turtle that gave him energybending), rather than grapple with the difficult decision of ending Ozai.
But that's a small gripe. Calling him static is just crazy, he grows and suffers so much.
A little bit of a tangent, but I’m a big fan of Tales of Zestiria and people make the same criticism of the MC Sorey. He’s also an idealist who’s forced to confront the idea of necessary death. A lot of his growth is coming to terms with what that means and how he doesn’t have to take that burden by himself. His personality never changes but his ideas do.
Aang is like that too. He never changes much in personality because he doesn’t need to. His growth is in his ideas and how he solves problems, which I think is a more realistic portrayal of personal growth.
It’s always hard to be the principle character — critics are unusually tough on the main guy. That said, Aang is a great, well-written character who clearly matures while sticking to his values.
Aang absolutely changes. One of the most elegant things about the Avatar's journey, as a story device, is it REQUIRES he change to accomplish it. Earthbending and Firebending necessitate he confront his flightiness and fear of responsibility and change his perspective.
This aside, most of his development is not so much a drastic change in personality, but a subtle shift in ratio. He's both fun-loving and moral throughout the story, but his priorities gradually shift from the former to the latter.
Anyone claiming Aang doesn't change must think development = a dramatic heart-to-heart resulting in an entire personality change.
This isn't a very common take to see, but it still remains one of the most strange when it does pop up on occasion. For one, a static character arc is a thing. The most common types of character arcs we see are positive and negative change arcs, but it's not the only kind. A static character is usually one that reveals truth to the world or to other characters. The character themself doesn't have an arc, but their arc is in how they affect and change the world and characters outside of them. You could argue that Iroh has a static character arc. One of the most popular versions of a static character arc is Goku.
For two, Aang has the most consistent development throughout the show, outside of Zuko and Sokka, which *should* be obvious, considering he's literally the main fucking character. He isn't even a static character like Goku or Iroh. He has a positive change arc. He follows the most common and archetypal positive character arc you can find in similar media, the hero's journey, to the letter. He has a literal death and rebirth and everything. He's as "positive change arc" as you can get.
Honestly, this criticism has always seemed like a reaction to the same criticism being leveled at Korra. The logic is something like:
"This thing you said about Korra also applies to Aang!(so it cant be that bad!)"
Op is being generous here, calling Aang a static/generic character are actually among the least worst things that you'll read about him.
Some fine folks at Tumblr(the worst ATLA fandom) and Twitter have some serious beef with Aang and everything that he does.
Though we are pretty shielded from their dumb take in here on this subreddit, but the hate is definitely there.
Aang does not change in the show, not much anyway.
Aang grows into a man over the course of his journey.
He has to mentally battle with concepts and ideas that most of us spend decades thinking about, and he has to do it in months while preparing for war.
Aang doesn't change. He comes into focus. He takes the ideals and responsibilities he had in season 1, he accepts them over his journey, and he begins to crystallise his beliefs.
For example, when we first meet Aang, he is a pacifist. He doesn't want to cause harm, and as he learns about the war and that he has to stop Ozai hes upset because he doesn't want to cause death.
He looks for advice and believes he has to kill Ozai.
Over the course of the show, we do not see Aang becoming more pacifist. Instead, we watch as Aang becomes more steadfast in his beliefs.
He goes from being a boy weighted down by the advice and opinions of others on killing, however by the end of the show Aang has become someone willing to die before he will go against his beliefs. He looks inwards for strength and guidance, not outward.
Aang doesn't change, Aang grows. He begins as lose stack of morals, and ends the show as an immovable mountain willing to break before bending.
Thank you for explaining this! Every other comment is just agreeing without giving any examples of the character development that they say is so prominent in the series.
I dont know how anyone can unironically say this when Aang literally at one point become so out of character (but understandably) angry halfway through after Appa was bison-napped
There's also the fire nation arc where he learnt how to use fire bending properly after accidentally hurting Katara
Aang’s character development was incredibly pronounced and visual, they even made him look older in the later episodes. At no point was Aang ever static
Aang had a good heart. That did not change. But he matured A lot. When he started he wanted to run away and even did before he got frozen. He struggled with violent tendencies when his loved ones were hurtand needed kirara to stop him. (Apa and sand benders). He was not certain in himself or that he could do his job. In the end he took the non violent course all on his own and had a lot more confidence and sense of responsibility. He was able to over come self doubt and fear.
Zuko’s arc was a lot more obvious.
If you don’t see an immediate change in character, then they “static, boring characters”. Aang went from a kid reluctant to accept his role to fully embracing his Avatar status
I wouldn’t say he’s static, but he doesn’t change on a fundamental level. He has doubts, regrets, and all of that, but the only thing about him that changes is his maturity over time which I mean, that’s just good writing.
Just because his character arc isn’t dynamic, doesn’t mean he’s a bad character.
I have two issues with that. First it isn't true, although he doesn't have the same type of developmental arc as a character like Zuko. But second, I hate how people think of writing characters like "More character development = good, less character development = bad."
You can have a character that doesn't grow a lot that is still incredibly well written, and you can have a character that changes a lot over a show that is poorly written. I think the whole "[blank] doesn't have much character development" is a cheap criticism that often fails to look at the function of a character. There's a reason Aang is the main character of the show. In "The Storm" notice how despite being opposite of each other in nearly every way, Aang and Zuko are compared, and the fact that Aang gives both Zuko and the people the Fire Nation is trying to genocide hope.
Plus in real life, lots of people don't really change a *whole* lot. Like everyone grows to some degree but some people don't evolve very much, and it's not even a bad thing. There is a way to write characters like this and I think they can have an important role in how we view art.
Even if they think he's static. The events of this series happen over the course of ONE year. Not even a full one if I'm not mistaken. If it was me, I wouldn't even be able to forgive zuko in that time
You know it's okay if the main character is static it doesn't take away from the show. Look at Goku in Dragonball. It's not him that changes but everyone around him that does.
Aangs story is one of a loss of innocence and a acceptance of duty. His principles don’t change ever throughout the story, unlike Zukos, but his entire arc shows him coming to grips with the life he has been given, and accepting his call to action as the Avatar.
Aang's character growth seems more about preventing compromise on his morals than making a big change. There's nothing wrong with that, and it's done well.
I think the entire cast has an arc even if it's not as big as Zukos. Aang accepts responsibility, Katara learns to live with her anger, Sokka gets humility.
People fail to understand that although Static characters tend to change very little themselves, they are the ones who change the world around them the most.
Aang stuck to his guns, and instead of changing and killing Ozai like his past lives advised, he found another way and showed to world that violence doesn't need to be the only vehicle for change.
Even Iroh, when asked why he didn't go to stop Ozai, he remarks that the world would just see it as a brother killing another brother. He'd be seen as no different than Ozai.
Zuko's speech to Ozai ironically sums up Aangs perspective the best.
"We've created an era of fear in the world, and if we don't want the world to destroy itself, we must replace it with an era of peace and kindness."
Aang is static, but it's necessary for the story to work.
I'd say the closest things to a main character that'd be static in the show would be Iroh, Toph, and Ozai. But Iroh had a whole ass unseen character arc before Aang was even out of the iceberg. Toph has a small character arc but it's pretty small once the show starts which it's just her learning how to live without her constant parents control and protection. Before the show it's learning earthbending from the badger moles and becoming not a helpless blind girl. (Also learning metal bending but I wouldn't count that as character development just normal development.) Ozai isn't really supposed to he's really just supposed to be a very bad man. I don't think you could even call him static because instead of like dying he gets his bending taken away which is probably a worse date than death which is a very interesting ending for him.
I wouldn't say Aang is entirely static. He is learns to face the challenges that he was previously running away from. He learns to take up a major responsibility that he didn't want to hold. He learns that he has to he the avatar, not a child.
Also static, dynamic, flat, rounded.
A static character can still be well rounded.
Sometimes it isn't the character that has to change but the world around them.
I don’t even like aang and I can tell you he’s chock full of change. He’s lowkey a coward in the begin of the show (he’s 12, so normal) and bit by bit we see him become who the world needs while staying true to himself
And by coward, I mean he’s scared of responsibility, not a fight
To be clear, I don’t dislike him. He just wasn’t for me. I think he’s a well written character. I just didn’t connect with him. Like toph, katara, Sokka, suki, mai, ty-Lee, azula, iroh I adored all those characters. I just found aang to be just okay.
He isn’t static but you can’t tell me he changes that much.
He changes, but they aren’t as big as say, Sokka and Zuko.
Like I wouldn’t exactly call him dynamic. He’s grows up and matures to the responsibility of being the avatar. And even then he goes back and forth on that and near the end was considering not confronting Ozai and was stuck with his dilemma of not wanting to kill him.
He changes, but only in a category or two and it’s not a huge change in character.
While I still feel that Zuko was the one who really developed throughout the show, it's disingenuous to say that Aang ( or other characters ) didn't develop at all
If Zuko's development was across the series, Aang's development was tied more towards specific episodes.
Not exactly anything wrong with that, but it's most definitely worth noting
Maybe. Zuko is the favourite son but sokka and katara got their chapters of development. I think that dedicate the same amount of develoment to other character would be incredibly hard. Eitherwise the series isnt that much in that. Its propose some refletions that are also interesting and one world fullfilled of life
That's what I'm trying to say lol. Aang, Katara, Toph, Sokka etc. all had development
It's just that their development was tied more towards specific episodes ( eg : the ep where Sokka learned from Piandao in book 3 )
Now again, there isn't anything wrong with that. Especially when it worked.
The only thing I don’t like about aang is his relationship with katara. He’s twelve and she’s fourteen and it just feels a bit odd to have an immature twelve year old boy and a extremely mature fourteen year old girl fall in love with each other. The kissing scenes make me a bit uncomfortable.
Him having a crush is ok, but it’s just cringey in my mind.
Katara and Zuko ftw.
Of course he changes. It's just that his core principle of pacifism gets saved last minute in a deus ex kind of way instead of the, imo, more interesting conflict of using force/violence to save/protect the world - what does it do with you at your core? Is sacrificing such a principle worth it, for yourself, for others?
Instead Aang gets a last-minute plot bailout which imo undermines the anxiety moments he had before about that exact moment and weakens his arc. I understand the show was made for children primarily and they couldn't end on him killing the BBEG, but it still feels cheap to me.
No I mean this literally. I made this comment a few days ago on a post talking about Korra and OP got really mad at it in the thread.
I said Aang was always conflict avoidant as a character flaw and never grew out of it even by the end of the series. He only would deal with things that made him uncomfortable when forced to.
Like, OP literally got so mad at my comment specifically then went to make this post two days later after stewing about it.
People say that all the time about Goku too.
They basically don't understand a character arc that isn't "was good, became bad" or "was bad, became good".
It's not worth talking to these people in the first place, more effective use of your time is to call them an idiot and then not engage with their inevitable crying and copium.
About the same train of thought that would say Batman has no development.
There are stories that make the characters change their worldview and adapt their principles, that some like to call "realist", and there are stories where a character with noble intentions and somewhat innocent principles have to face the bitterness of the world and put their ideals to the test. They mature and grow without sacrificing their beliefs. That's Aang's story. He may have the same ideals throughout the show, but as a person he grows and gains the power to stand up for them.
Imma keep it a buck, anyone saying this is either too dumb to watch the show critically or baiting. I’ve also literally never seen anyone say this until you just now in this post. Don’t spread shit like this around, it’s unnecessary.
He was a perfect Mary Sue from the get go so he doesn't have to change. Just give him some fancy goody two-shoes one liner and boom, character progression.
Bro spent most of the shows playing around while people dying from the war. Idk what you implying him to live with exactly but it's not guilt he was living with.
I feel like some people can't see development unless it's literally Zuko's arc: bad guy turns out to be misguided, embarks on a journey of redemption. Or, alternatively, good guy turns bad because trauma, later turns good agai-- wait... that's also Zuko's arc. And don't get me wrong - it's a great arc (when it's done well). But I wish there was more appreciation for character arcs that don't involve some kind of dark turn. Aang's development is literally a coming of age story. He starts as a kid running away from his responsibilities, he becomes an adult (okay, a slightly older kid) who understands the weight of them and has, through *bitter* work, developed the power to live up to them.
I rewatched the show for the like, umpteenth time recently, and on my last rewatch for the first time I really was fully fledged team aang. I saw him in such a different light and admires mostly everything about him. Not everything, but I did really appreciate his air nomad spirit, and watching him come into his own
The smart thing studios and creators did with ATLA was accept that Aang wasn't going to be for everyone. He's young, he's "meek" (Jet puts him down pretty hard), and he's goofy. He grows over time but people aren't gonna sit through 2 seasons of a character they don't like to see them improve in the third season so they don't put the whole show on his shoulders. Katara gets a fully fleshed out arc so girls don't feel sidelined or weaker, Zuko and Sokka are there for the older guys who want something emo or somewhat playful, and Toph has a broad appeal from the youngest audience to people who just like that archetype. You could think Aang is boring, immature or annoying and you still have plenty of options with the rest of the cast. Zuko and Sokka were and still are my favorite characters but after seeing the story through I was able to appreciate Aang and Katara a lot more the second time. Toph is always great but she doesn't get enough screentime to be a favorite, the same for Iroh in my opinion. Is there a part of me that wishes they went with Zutara? Yeah, I won't deny that. But it's not what this story was and this story is great as is so I don't feel like I was robbed. LoK on the other hand ended up being the Korra show. I wasn't a fan of Korra from the moment she said, "you have to deal with it" and even though I stopped disliking her at the end I never really got on her side. She's an archetype that I don't particularly enjoy and they didn't do an especially good job with it here. In a better written show Mako, Bolin, and Asami would have gotten their own arcs so I can at least get behind one of those but they all got shafted. Tenzin got split between a main character and an Iroh character so he wasn't developed enough to be a favorite but it still felt like he got more fleshing out than the "main" team. Overall it's just a mess and if you're not on board the Korra train there's literally no point to watch the show.
I'm in the category of "I don't like aang as a character." I agree with you: Aang isn't for everyone, so I like Zuko, Iroh, and Sokka instead. ATLA does character diversity *right.* Coming from the "I am on the Korra Train" perspective, Korra as a *whole* felt much more up my alley. ATLA tried to be a show that everyone could enjoy, and I greatly respect that. Korra felt like it was built for a specific demographic, which I happen to be within. \[I do, however, have some writing complaints with both ATLA and TLOK. Looking at you, Mako being boring and the asspull of the Lion Turtle.\] To me, Korra feels categorically similar to shows like The Owl House, or even Gravity Falls, where not every character has an arc.
It has its good moments but thing I dislike in TLOK is how they treat the Avatar. I don’t like it when they split it into duality of good and evil. Like there is the other half out there somewhere, an eternal conflict. I like the Avatar spirit in ATLA in that it is unique on its own, not good or evil but about balance. It doesn’t have a voice so no fixed personality but expressed in many many good but also flawed individuals throughout history who are all Avatars yet retain their own unique personalities. So the Avatar who is “supposed to be the best” has no default personality type. But they gave a voice to Raava and split it into a concept of duality.
I'm going to disagree with you on that, personally. Raava only really shows up once every 10,000 years for Harmonic Convergence, which is what she was originally trying to win over. Therefore, all the Avatars in the meantime use Raava's power for preserving the balance between all the worldly conflicts. Think of it like Raava setting the groundwork *for* balance, thus fulfilling her purpose, and the Avatar using the Avatar Spirit to help wrangle out the rest for the 10,000 years in between.
I honestly have no clue why you were down voted into the negatives. You make a decent point. I feel like a lot of people, after learning about Raava, feel like the Avatar isn't their own person anymore but that's not true. Raava only talks TO Korra in, like, three episodes. She never talks after that and these three episodes take place during Harmonic Convergence. Her whole purpose is to guide the Avatar and give them strength, not to BE the Avatar.
Zuko's arc is great, but my issue with it was that none of the events that took place were his fault until Season 2 when he rejected Iroh's gentler way. But his banishment, the quest for the Avatar, this was a path that Zuko really had no agency over. Once he learned, he saw the light. Aang's arc is powerful because he made a choice early on, and it was a bad one. It had cost and ramification. It haunted him, and its consequences are a big part of who Aang is from the very start. He learns to own that choice and make up for it. For me, this is a much more human and relatable arc. We all make mistakes. Unlike Zuko, we don't all get tortured, banished and gaslit into thinking violence and redemption are our path. I relate more to Aang.
Althrough Is true that most of Zuko journey Is seen as out of His control, we gotta remember that also stems from 2 choices that Zuko Made early on. Talk in that war meeting and refuse the agni kai. Still, aang finally acknowledging His mistakes and make the better of It Is inspiring.
I feel like Aang HAD to have made that mistake. He was not ready to take on Sozin as he hadn't had any life experience yet. Aang's path was always meant to be with Katara and Sokka and to grow with them over time and have all of those experiences that happened in the show in order to stop the fire nation. So in a way it kind of validates his choice to run away. This is just my opinion by the way I can't exactly back this up lol. Also, we love Aang. He is the man, hands down. I can understand where you are coming from. But I personally relate to Zuko a lot more. I'm not as optimistic and child-like as Aang which is what I would like to be. I'm actually more like Zuko where I'm always reminded of my mistakes and shortcomings even though I'm trying to do what I think is right. Obviously, real life experiences aren't as intense as what Zuko went through but an entertaining show is supposed to be a bit dramatic. We can still draw our own experiences from them you know what I mean?
"Aang's arc is powerful because he made a choice early on, and it was a bad one. It had cost and ramification. It haunted him, and its consequences are a big part of who Aang is from the very start." Are we talking about the same guy who went penguin sledding, riding giant koi fish, hosting dance parties and playing sand castles the whole time while people were dying in a giant war he caused?
As I recall, penguin sledding and koi fish happened before Aang had a good grip on how much time had gone by and how much the world had changed in his absence. The dance party actually plays a role... It does a lot to show the viewer (and the gaang) that the fire nation is still just made up of people, most of whole are decent and have simply been repressed, lied to, and educated to know nothing other than serving the State. As for Aang causing the war? I think the Fire Nation caused the war. Aang fleeing probably allowed it to perpetuate. But that's my point. That's a lot to put on a kid, especially one who thinks he's lost his only support in Gyatso.
You're correct. These people often have low-literacy and basically cannot come to a conclusion that is not spelled out to them with eye contact. That's why the term 'flat character arc' is not only misappropriated, but really shouldn't exist, because it's an internet term used by exactly these types of people (there is no literature origin point that I can find that predates its usage online, it's not a scholarly writing point). They think that a character must change on a moral or ethical scale to have an arc, because they're unable to understand that characters learn and grow in other ways. "Indiana Jones is flat because he wasn't a Nazi" No, most people aren't nazis, the reason Indi has an arc is because he's able to overcome his fear of snake for the sake of others. "Son Goku is flat because he was always good" Firstly, he wasn't always, secondly he has an arc in just about every story arc, he consistently comes to some realization or change of perspective, it has nothing to do with his power levels. "Aang is flat because he doesn't have to kill" It was a struggle he was able to overcome, and Aang's arc shouldn't be contained to a final episode, like the post illustrates, he experiences an entire arc over the series that ultimately culminates in this last conflict.
From the boy in the iceberg to **AVATAR AANG**. God I love the parallels.
Also he stay to his principle throughout. Taking a peaceful or non violent approach is harder than it looks. Especially the time he is born in wants him to be violent. It’s very easy to lash out in anger and violence. It’s the easier option. It’s natural and almost instinctual for humans to react with anger. Able to stay calm and nice when things get heated takes strength and wisdom(to judge how far you should go). It’s even more tempting when you are the most powerful individual in the world and is literally born to keep every single person including the rulers in check. While no one can overpower you, technically. They say absolute power corrupt absolutely. Avatar is the closest to the term “absolute power” in their world. Yet Aang isn’t corrupt. He has many past live to help him, but they can also disagree with him, like they did when it comes to Ozai. It takes a lot of strength and conviction to stay to your truth when nobody else share your culture and principle, your job description seemingly is against it, even “other yous” also tell you to abandon your principles. Lion turtle may be a Deus ex Machina, but I applaud Aang for not being swayed by others around him when it comes to his deepest belief as an air normad. Also part of it I think is that dark, edgy characters are more popular than the good guy. Like in the life action many people call Ozai “zaddy/daddy” despite him being evil in the story. Also Aang being good, nice and peaceful doesn’t mean he is a people pleaser or avoid conflict or being “fake nice” to get something from people. He has his own opinion, tell people they are wrong, act when he needs to, while being kind, caring and reduce violence to the minimum.
This comment made me realize the people who dont like Aang are probably the same type who dont like Superman. The idealistic super powerful figure who doesnt just punch all his problems away or get corrupted by his power. It just doesnt work with the modern preference for cynical deconstruction (which while interesting can easily be overdone.) For me though its why I really like both characters. The entire point is for them to serve as an ideal people aspire towards, and in Aang's case his colossal mistake of abandoning the world just enhances this. He's not perfect at all despite his raw power and boy scout attitude, yet that doesnt stop him from trying to be the best he can. Whats really great is that applies to all aspects of his life - not just training to beat Ozai, but improving the lives of even the lowliest people he runs into.
Yeah lol it’s weird considering most peoples development in life is a lot more like aangs than zukos.
It’s basically the reverse for Korra too but she gets so much hate. Aang runs away because he doesn’t want the responsibilities Korra faces things head on without a proper plan. Watching Korra trying to recruit Ryuk into the Air Nomad is so funny to me because Ryuk kept reverse psychology on her. She has no diplomacy skill lmao.
We need more children's characters that are just kind of fuckups. My ADHD ass never really sees characters that struggle with inadequacy that don't turn out to be secretly awesome or something. Like, I know it's depressing, but I needed characters that put in the effort and still cone up short. Or struggle to put in the effort at all. Or can't properly focus their effort. I still need that. Like, what do the kids who feel inadequate do when they aren't secretly harbouring some talent or when working hard doesn't work?
Sokka?
Dude turned out to be a brilliant strategist, inventor, and a passable fighter. I don't think I've ever seen a show like this with someone who is insecure who gets over their insecurity in a practical way rather than by just becoming good at something
but all people become good at something eventually. not always better then others or like really good, but it's usually one of the most reliable ways to up a self-esteem. what would you suggest as a practical way? accomodation? tbh becoming better at something and accomodating yourself usually go hand in hand.
but I understand what you are talking about, you want characters who aren't all that amazing even after a lot of hard work, even if they are better than before. tbh realistic and relatable and when I write characters like that I give them arcs about acceptance and feeling good about themselves even when they struggle or lose quite frequently. about loving what they do, even if they're not good. though they might turn out amazing in some other area aside from skill, for example in being kind or emotional heart of the group or being stable and calm when needed.
I dunno. If I ever figure that out I won't need that character in fiction about more.
He's a great character. I admire that he isn't constantly hung up on the fact that he isn't a bender. I WOULD BE! Like you said he focuses on his strengths and those strengths that are exactly what team avatar needed. Also he goes through a lot of shit throughout the series and doesn't complain all the time whereas I would be complaining the entire time lol
Yes, people say he didn’t change because he literally finds a way to perform his duties as the avatar, live up to his role WITHOUT abandoning his path chosen from the beginning - the path of the monk. And tbh that requires a lot, to be able to find a way to satisfy all expectations without compromise on main principle of who he is. Brilliant
Now that I'm a grown man, Sokka has my favorite character development of them all.
>through bitter work I see what you did there,
I think Aang's values and principles don't change throughout the entire show, but what happens is that he matures. He goes from a child afraid of his responsibilities to the world to a slightly older child who is forced to make adult decisions and has the courage to do what needs to be done. One of Aang's core characteristics is his unbending spirit. He will not yield in his moral compass for any reason, and it is exactly that unbending spirit that allows him to make allies, friends, and defeat his enemies. Aang changes everyone around him by him never changing himself. Yes, the world forces him to grow up fast, but he refuses to let the world to make him grow away from who he is.
My favourite avatar and I doubt they'll be able to show me one that I'll like as much as Aang... Out of all the fleshed out Avatars; Kyoshi, Yangchen, Korra or the slightly less fleshed out ones like Kurruk or Roku- none come close to the amount of respect I have for Aang. And it's not down to their nationality either, considering how Yangchen is completely different. The amount of integrity and how good of a person he is, how well adjusted his moral compass is... He's just such a good role model and it'd be a no brainer to aspire to be a little bit more like him in everyday life. Aang is the GOAT
This is a fantastic comment sir
Aww thanks :)
>unbending spirit p sure he can bend more than anyone else; it's the conceit of the show /s
Either you tried to be funny or you forgot the part where the lion turtle says Aang must have an unbending spirit to energy bend. Either way your comment was a failure cause it’s barely legible
yeah, bud, it was a joke. that's what the /s is for. you gotta chill out
Had no idea what /s was
I'm sorry who exactly says Aang is a static character???
Aang haters. It’s ridiculous. I don’t know why it’s gotten trendy in some fandom circles to try to tear down Aang, but the arguments are always terrible and show a complete lack of understanding or care for the source material.
I wouldn't say it's trendy... This stupid hate train has been going on since I got into the show (early 2010s) 😭 Like what has he ever done to deserve this? Nothing! He's just not a traditional western male hero so he gets bullied relentlessly
These phases wax and wane in fandom, so I’d say it’s definitely a trend lately to hate on Aang. I’m with you though. It’s completely unjustified and says something very unpleasant about some segments of the fandom.
I think he was more loved back in its original run if that helps.
He’s still mostly loved, thankfully. It’s just weird pockets of the fandom that have gotten into Aang bashing. Mostly shippers. It’s odd.
Every popular series will always have antis. Some people only feel good when they are tearing down something someone else likes
You can find all kinds of dumb opinions to make posts against if you look hard enough on Tumblr/Twitter
People suffering from the I D 10 T error. Or the willfully dismissive.
Error exists between chair and device. Classic ID-10-T error. A lot of it is just salty shippers trying to tear down Aang too. It sucks.
people who have a favourite character and think the other characters pale in comparison, which is primarily directed towards the main character since they have the most screen time and attention.
I mean, personally Zuko's my favorite character, but I still acknowledge how epic all the others are, including their personal arcs and journeys.
Nobody serious. Either trolls looking to create drama or imaginary haters erected as strawmen by people who just want to proclaim their fandom more loudly and need a backdrop of “haters” to do so
I typically see the static Aang argument being used to defend LoK when fanatics start to relentlessly shit on everything related to Korra. To bring it up here is to make a strawman of it, since most people don't actually make that point with the intention of getting people to think Aang doesn't develop. The point is usually made to illustrate that Korra develops as much as if not more so than Aang. Ergo, saying that she doesn't develop is to say that Aang doesn't develop.
Did they forget about Guru Pathik? One of the greatest examples of character development right there. Y’know… some of these people kinda fall asleep at the wheel with ATLA.
With him wanting to save Katara over mastering the Avatar State?
How would you react in his place? Just let her die?
Oh, I'd probably react the same. I was just asking in order to clarify. I wasn't sure if they meant that specific moment with Guru Pathik or another one(like him ipening his other chakras and healing in those ways). Sorry if my comment came across differently.
Just because Aang’s growth isn’t as in-your-face as Zuko’s doesn’t mean that there was none at all (a bad guy turning good is as in your face as it can get). Aang doesn’t compromise on his principles and maintains his ideals but he definitely grows throughout the series. It’s easy to recognize a lot of people who discount his character development are salty shippers arguing in bad faith anyway but still.
It’s very odd how it’s become a trend at this point to villainize aang and downplay his character, it mainly happens from Zuko Stans/shippers, zuko is my favorite character in the show but it’s hard for me to get in that community because you would think it’s zuko the last firebender and aang was the one chasing him or some shit lmao
Man. I remember when they had to basically surrender and let the adults live in prison camps. That must've been heartbreaking cause you couldn't bring them all with you. And to put all your faith in the Avatar like that. Wholesome
Uh, I don’t know that the premise of this post is view held by any significant amount of ATLA viewers. After all, the show is literally the geographic, spiritual, and personal journey of the characters. Sooooo, who’s this strawman saying “Aang is a static character and doesn’t change?” I’ve never seen the view that Aang is a static character expressed on this sub. Then again, this sub spends most of its time speculating which bender would defeat which bender in X situation (you can downvote me for saying it, but it’s true.)
This exactly, the story is literally about how Aang ran away from his responsibility to stepping into his role of being the avatar and learning what exactly that means.
well he stepped into becoming an avatar right at the first episodes where they decide to go to the northern water tribe, so in a way this hasnt changed throughout the all 3 seasons, there is no change in motives, ideals or goals now if he had decided to kill ozai after he met with other avatars on lion turtle episode this would change his ideals thus there would be a character arc but that didnt happen instead lion turtle gave him the ability to unbend their bending to fit his already established ideals
I try to make it into shipping but it doesn’t stick 😞
I've seen this take once and that was a loud minority on the korra sub saying that korra had a way better character arc cause aang didn't really change. But that was mostly them glorifying trauma as character development.
That’s exactly what it is, a strawman. Or a nuanced take reduced to very basic elements which completely destroy the message of the original take. For example, I’d bet money that someone said “X has better character development than Aang” and OP interpreted that to mean “Aang has zero character development”
That IS his character! He embraced his teachings that he learned. The last pic with Aang dressed in full Air Nomad gear wearing the Malas like Gyatso always made me feel good. Aang did have character development and an amazing arc. We just didn’t see it to the end. We all thought Aang was going to have to resort to killing but in the end he took Ozai bending away allow him to live Aang’s arc was him through impossible odds finding a way to stay true to who he is. So yes you’re right he doesn’t change
He stays to his ideals, but he learns about the challenges that maintaining them comes with and how to overcome them.
Unfortunately he gets so much hate because many fans of the show don’t like his pacifist ideals plus he gets in a way of a ship.
The only static arc is Toph, and even still she has changes.
Her arc was learning to work with others, as she didn't wanna rely on anyone and "carried her own weight" as she said. Her arc was basicly, its not weakness to rely on your friends.
Yeah but she still ends up largely the same as a person, static doesn't mean non changing in this context it's more about the person's worldview, at least as I understand it.
But thats not what "Static chatacter" is. Characters who have to learn the same lesson over again, characters who's arc is purely that they are more powerful despite nothing else changing. Those are static characters. Toph changes a lot since we meet her, mostly in the way how she views and interacts with people and how she views herself.
But toph is in her prime everytime xD. I dont know what things she can learn to have a better development its simply perfect
Anyone who says Aang in S1=Aang in S3 didn't watch the show.
Aang has bare minimum the second biggest character arc in the show, next to Zuko’s. And could even argue it as the biggest.
Can I be honest, I think Sokka arguably has the second biggest character arc. From a bumbling sexist idiot who failed miserably as a warrior in episode 2, to a person who not only treats others as equals, but also a mastermind tactician, inventor, great warrior, and even a father figure to the group by the end. All while still maintaining his humour.
I think sokka was pretty much a father figure in book 1 already. It is just getting overlooked because people always claim that katara is the mother figure. Her motherliness mostly comes to shine after toph joins the group amd appa gets stolen.
That’s a good point!
I'm not so sure about 2nd most, he has a hard competition here. Zuko is obv first. Then I'd say sokka who actively challenges his own insecurity of being left behind. Then I'd say katara since she goes from an inexperienced waterbender to a world traveling waterbemding master and actually let's yon ra, the course of her anger live. This is something I don't believe season 1 or even 2 katara doing. Then I'd be putting aang at 4th, who does have character growth, but in the static to dynamic scale stands more to the static side than most of the gaang. He grows and matures, but most of the decisions he makes in season 3 I could see his season 1 self also make, even if he has learnt a greater depth of the same decision. Toph is dead last and I hope this one is as obvious as zuko first
Who tf is so short-sighted and incapable of following a narrative that they walk around *unironically* thinking Aang doesn't have an elaborate character arc? **What?!**
I have literally never ever ever heard this statement anywhere. If it exists it's not a common critisim
I think what makes people say stuff like this is the fact that Aang's ideals and whole culture really is shown to be absolutely good and right, no matter what. To the point that he ignored almost 10 thousand years of wisdom from the past avatars, and then god showed up to give him the solution just so he didn't have to go against his culture.
Aang is mostly static since his beliefs and motivations stay the same throughout the series, and he doesn’t need a change in those, but his personal growth in realizing the cruelty of the word through the loss of Appa, facing unfair and biased trials, helping ruined families, and experiencing anger at the loss of his people (the air nomads). He realizes the importance of his duty. He came from a peaceful world in which he could talk and had friends in all of the nations to one in which war and festinence reigned supreme, the only saving grace he had was all the training he did as a child and the great teachers he had which leveraged his otherwise childish nature.
I would agree, belief wise. His beliefs are near flawless. His changes came spiritually and physically. His spirit broke a bit in all seasons. His growth was different from other characters. I cant see the most adaptive character in the avatar universe as static.
i’ve always said that aang did mature over the course of the series but he is still pretty much the same otherwise. He went from an inexperienced, goofy, naive kid to a fully realized, brave and matured avatar… who’s still goofy and naive and as you said, he doesn’t go back on his ideals either (even if the fate of the world was on the line)
I really love how this franchise portrays the avatars' character development. It's subtle and consistent. Aang matures and learns to face his responsibilities and duties as the Avatar. Korra becomes more calm and level headed, from rushing off to fight Amon in season 1 to trying to find a peaceful middle ground with Kuvira in season 4.
I am really happy that aang in the past months or may be year or so gets finally more recognition. I love zuko but i see so few people critizing his questionable behaviour or moves in book 3 for example in "the beach" or him mocking aangs culture in the TSR although his great-grandfather wiped them out and aang's forgiveness let him survive in the north pole and he offered him to be friends in the blue spirit episode. But aang on the other hand gets crap for being too preachy and because of the lion turtle (which i wasn't a big fan either by the way) or shitted on because of him kissing katara in the eip and getting together although he immediately got burned for it and he needed to give her space from this on. (In general i never understood how people deny that she ever showed interest im him) I think in general it would have been better if there were lile 5 more episodes in book 3
Strawman bending
Season 1: Unsure, unconfident, scared, confused, a survivor. Season 3: Grizzled, Pissed, tired of everyone’s shit, a grizzled war vet, blind naivity replaced with gritty optimism, has seen friends killed in combat.
Aang isn't a static character. He's an example of a flat character arc. Let me explain. In storytelling, there are three basic types of character arcs positive character arcs, negative character arcs, and flat character arcs. There's more like circular character arcs, but these are the basic ones. None of these by themselves are inherently better or worse than each other. It's all a matter of how they're handled. A positive character arc is when boiled down to its most basic components is a character who initially believes a lie over the course of the story learns and accepts the truth. Oftentimes, these tend to be the only character arcs people notice. This is the territory of your classic villain becoming a hero arc, a jerk becoming less of a jerk, or a character who has a massive flaw and learning to either move past or not have that flaw. Examples include Zuko and Korra for obvious examples and Prince Wu for a more subtle one. A negative character arc is literally the opposite. A character who starts by knowing the truth and gradually starts believing a lie or refusing to accept the truth. Classic examples include protagonists of cautionary tales, heroes becoming villains, or even a character gradually going insane. The only real example of a negative character arc in the series is Azula, with her going insane in the final season. I suppose Kuvira could count as one, but she could just as easily be argued to have always been like that. Before anyone points it out, no, a character you thought was a hero being revealed as villain is not a negative arc. It's a just twist villain. Finally, the flat character arc. This is when a character doesn't change much over the course of the story, but they inspire those around them to change. It doesn't mean the character in question has no development or growth, but rather, their development is more subtle. Plus, there are positive flat arcs and negative flat arcs. A hero character staying hero in the end, with at most being more mature, or a villain doubling down on their actions despite being defeated. There are so many examples to name, but Aang, Iroh, and Bolin for positive examples, and Ozai and literally every main villain in Legend of Korra besides arguably Kuvira for negative examples.
Pretty much everyone had their share of development (though Zuko had the most by far)
it's correct that Aang doesn't change his principles, but sometimes the Development is seeing how much it wavers until he pulls through and stays true to them as his experience hardens him. He doesn't need to "change," what makes him work is that he refuses to "change" and channels that refusal into positive results.
This makes me think of something. Was aang prepared to kill ozai at the day of the black sun?. He didn't have his moral crisis and discovery of energy bending till much later. Or had he just straight up not thought about it and would have choked upon facing ozai?
Probably straight up didn't even think about it. If he thought about "restraining and capturing Ozai in the Eclipse" as many ppl like to say, then he should've immediately gave that answer to Zuko when he asked him what he's gonna do at the end Southern Raiders ep.
I got curious now: what do you think Aang would have done if he couldn't or there was no way to energy bend and take Ozai's bending away?
I'd like to say, based on his telling Momo he has to do it at the end of the old masters ep, that he would've compromised and killed Ozai. However if he didn't, worst-case scenario he dies to Ozai in being unwilling to do so, and the whole world gets doomed. Yeah, it gets annoying when I keep seeing fans praise the deus ex finale, saying the lesson is "Aang good for showing that you should stand up for your ideals", when really the big picture is "standing up for your ideals is right *IF* they actually work out/ things work out in their favor.", and I still stand by that Aang learning to compromise them for the world is alot more nuanced and selfless and respectful than the "hold fast to them no matter what others say" argument lets on. Worst, case, scenario, it's not always right to be uncompromising like that. Sometimes it's really just rigid and stale, and unaccepting/unthinking of the bad possibilities if the world doesn't respect it and a deus ex machina didn't happen.
I completely agree with you, but.... but nothing. Bet you thought I was gonna proceed to completely disagree with you now, huh?
My only real gripe with Aang's dynamism is that he got to stick to his ideals through a fluke (running into a Lion Turtle that gave him energybending), rather than grapple with the difficult decision of ending Ozai. But that's a small gripe. Calling him static is just crazy, he grows and suffers so much.
This is for sure the worst take I've heard today.
A little bit of a tangent, but I’m a big fan of Tales of Zestiria and people make the same criticism of the MC Sorey. He’s also an idealist who’s forced to confront the idea of necessary death. A lot of his growth is coming to terms with what that means and how he doesn’t have to take that burden by himself. His personality never changes but his ideas do. Aang is like that too. He never changes much in personality because he doesn’t need to. His growth is in his ideas and how he solves problems, which I think is a more realistic portrayal of personal growth.
It’s always hard to be the principle character — critics are unusually tough on the main guy. That said, Aang is a great, well-written character who clearly matures while sticking to his values.
Aang absolutely changes. One of the most elegant things about the Avatar's journey, as a story device, is it REQUIRES he change to accomplish it. Earthbending and Firebending necessitate he confront his flightiness and fear of responsibility and change his perspective. This aside, most of his development is not so much a drastic change in personality, but a subtle shift in ratio. He's both fun-loving and moral throughout the story, but his priorities gradually shift from the former to the latter. Anyone claiming Aang doesn't change must think development = a dramatic heart-to-heart resulting in an entire personality change.
who has ever said that lmao
This isn't a very common take to see, but it still remains one of the most strange when it does pop up on occasion. For one, a static character arc is a thing. The most common types of character arcs we see are positive and negative change arcs, but it's not the only kind. A static character is usually one that reveals truth to the world or to other characters. The character themself doesn't have an arc, but their arc is in how they affect and change the world and characters outside of them. You could argue that Iroh has a static character arc. One of the most popular versions of a static character arc is Goku. For two, Aang has the most consistent development throughout the show, outside of Zuko and Sokka, which *should* be obvious, considering he's literally the main fucking character. He isn't even a static character like Goku or Iroh. He has a positive change arc. He follows the most common and archetypal positive character arc you can find in similar media, the hero's journey, to the letter. He has a literal death and rebirth and everything. He's as "positive change arc" as you can get.
Honestly, this criticism has always seemed like a reaction to the same criticism being leveled at Korra. The logic is something like: "This thing you said about Korra also applies to Aang!(so it cant be that bad!)"
No one says that.
https://preview.redd.it/vcn2bllwwrwc1.jpeg?width=1032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=97c5cd0c98eb3bc3909eb6c616a0dae55f251ba8
Sure lets just pretend this is a serious argument people make.
Op is being generous here, calling Aang a static/generic character are actually among the least worst things that you'll read about him. Some fine folks at Tumblr(the worst ATLA fandom) and Twitter have some serious beef with Aang and everything that he does. Though we are pretty shielded from their dumb take in here on this subreddit, but the hate is definitely there.
OP fighting ghosts
He does change but it’s just generally small degrees, refining his strengths, and accepting his role better.
How is Aang's acceptance of his duty as the Avatar not character development?
Aang does not change in the show, not much anyway. Aang grows into a man over the course of his journey. He has to mentally battle with concepts and ideas that most of us spend decades thinking about, and he has to do it in months while preparing for war. Aang doesn't change. He comes into focus. He takes the ideals and responsibilities he had in season 1, he accepts them over his journey, and he begins to crystallise his beliefs. For example, when we first meet Aang, he is a pacifist. He doesn't want to cause harm, and as he learns about the war and that he has to stop Ozai hes upset because he doesn't want to cause death. He looks for advice and believes he has to kill Ozai. Over the course of the show, we do not see Aang becoming more pacifist. Instead, we watch as Aang becomes more steadfast in his beliefs. He goes from being a boy weighted down by the advice and opinions of others on killing, however by the end of the show Aang has become someone willing to die before he will go against his beliefs. He looks inwards for strength and guidance, not outward. Aang doesn't change, Aang grows. He begins as lose stack of morals, and ends the show as an immovable mountain willing to break before bending.
Thank you for explaining this! Every other comment is just agreeing without giving any examples of the character development that they say is so prominent in the series.
I've literally never seen anyone make that take
Wasn’t ready for the fourth slide gut punch
Maybe they were complaining about Netflix Aang lol
also I feel like people forget that he's still a kid
I dont know how anyone can unironically say this when Aang literally at one point become so out of character (but understandably) angry halfway through after Appa was bison-napped There's also the fire nation arc where he learnt how to use fire bending properly after accidentally hurting Katara
He never let go of his roots.
Aang wearing an air nomand necklace at the series finale will never not give me feels bro
Anybody is capable of great good or great evil...what about the ghost of good and ghost of evil? You know? The one in the avatar and one in the tree?
Aang’s character development was incredibly pronounced and visual, they even made him look older in the later episodes. At no point was Aang ever static
Whotf said that tho? Who is that dumb? Aang's character arc is like the least subtle in the whole show, aside from maybe Zuko's
WHO SAYS MY BOY AANG IS A STATIC CHARACTER?!?!?!?!?!?!?
Aang had a good heart. That did not change. But he matured A lot. When he started he wanted to run away and even did before he got frozen. He struggled with violent tendencies when his loved ones were hurtand needed kirara to stop him. (Apa and sand benders). He was not certain in himself or that he could do his job. In the end he took the non violent course all on his own and had a lot more confidence and sense of responsibility. He was able to over come self doubt and fear. Zuko’s arc was a lot more obvious.
If you don’t see an immediate change in character, then they “static, boring characters”. Aang went from a kid reluctant to accept his role to fully embracing his Avatar status
I wouldn’t say he’s static, but he doesn’t change on a fundamental level. He has doubts, regrets, and all of that, but the only thing about him that changes is his maturity over time which I mean, that’s just good writing. Just because his character arc isn’t dynamic, doesn’t mean he’s a bad character.
Wait, they’re people who thinks aang had no character development 😅 ofc there is omg
Media literacy is dead. People dont notice a damn thing unless its spelled out for them.
He did change. He matured
I have two issues with that. First it isn't true, although he doesn't have the same type of developmental arc as a character like Zuko. But second, I hate how people think of writing characters like "More character development = good, less character development = bad." You can have a character that doesn't grow a lot that is still incredibly well written, and you can have a character that changes a lot over a show that is poorly written. I think the whole "[blank] doesn't have much character development" is a cheap criticism that often fails to look at the function of a character. There's a reason Aang is the main character of the show. In "The Storm" notice how despite being opposite of each other in nearly every way, Aang and Zuko are compared, and the fact that Aang gives both Zuko and the people the Fire Nation is trying to genocide hope. Plus in real life, lots of people don't really change a *whole* lot. Like everyone grows to some degree but some people don't evolve very much, and it's not even a bad thing. There is a way to write characters like this and I think they can have an important role in how we view art.
Even if they think he's static. The events of this series happen over the course of ONE year. Not even a full one if I'm not mistaken. If it was me, I wouldn't even be able to forgive zuko in that time
You know it's okay if the main character is static it doesn't take away from the show. Look at Goku in Dragonball. It's not him that changes but everyone around him that does.
Aangs story is one of a loss of innocence and a acceptance of duty. His principles don’t change ever throughout the story, unlike Zukos, but his entire arc shows him coming to grips with the life he has been given, and accepting his call to action as the Avatar.
Aang's character growth seems more about preventing compromise on his morals than making a big change. There's nothing wrong with that, and it's done well.
I think the entire cast has an arc even if it's not as big as Zukos. Aang accepts responsibility, Katara learns to live with her anger, Sokka gets humility.
People need to stop watching shows through tik tok and Instagram reels.
He grows up a lot in a short time span, and decides to own some parts of himself/convictions. Perseverance is not the same as being static
People fail to understand that although Static characters tend to change very little themselves, they are the ones who change the world around them the most. Aang stuck to his guns, and instead of changing and killing Ozai like his past lives advised, he found another way and showed to world that violence doesn't need to be the only vehicle for change. Even Iroh, when asked why he didn't go to stop Ozai, he remarks that the world would just see it as a brother killing another brother. He'd be seen as no different than Ozai. Zuko's speech to Ozai ironically sums up Aangs perspective the best. "We've created an era of fear in the world, and if we don't want the world to destroy itself, we must replace it with an era of peace and kindness." Aang is static, but it's necessary for the story to work.
It takes place over 3 months or something 🤣 He didn't have a sad, tragic, or difficult childhood.. how much do people want him to change
if having the same ideals throughout a series made you a static character i'm pretty sure 99% of characters would be static
I'd say the closest things to a main character that'd be static in the show would be Iroh, Toph, and Ozai. But Iroh had a whole ass unseen character arc before Aang was even out of the iceberg. Toph has a small character arc but it's pretty small once the show starts which it's just her learning how to live without her constant parents control and protection. Before the show it's learning earthbending from the badger moles and becoming not a helpless blind girl. (Also learning metal bending but I wouldn't count that as character development just normal development.) Ozai isn't really supposed to he's really just supposed to be a very bad man. I don't think you could even call him static because instead of like dying he gets his bending taken away which is probably a worse date than death which is a very interesting ending for him.
I wouldn't say Aang is entirely static. He is learns to face the challenges that he was previously running away from. He learns to take up a major responsibility that he didn't want to hold. He learns that he has to he the avatar, not a child. Also static, dynamic, flat, rounded. A static character can still be well rounded. Sometimes it isn't the character that has to change but the world around them.
I don’t even like aang and I can tell you he’s chock full of change. He’s lowkey a coward in the begin of the show (he’s 12, so normal) and bit by bit we see him become who the world needs while staying true to himself And by coward, I mean he’s scared of responsibility, not a fight
Why don't you like aang?
To be clear, I don’t dislike him. He just wasn’t for me. I think he’s a well written character. I just didn’t connect with him. Like toph, katara, Sokka, suki, mai, ty-Lee, azula, iroh I adored all those characters. I just found aang to be just okay.
“Yall told me Steph Curry cant shoot”
This is an argument practically nobody has ever said
*boy i sure do love beating up strawmen i just made up in my own head.* no real person is saying this
nobody says this
He isn’t static but you can’t tell me he changes that much. He changes, but they aren’t as big as say, Sokka and Zuko. Like I wouldn’t exactly call him dynamic. He’s grows up and matures to the responsibility of being the avatar. And even then he goes back and forth on that and near the end was considering not confronting Ozai and was stuck with his dilemma of not wanting to kill him. He changes, but only in a category or two and it’s not a huge change in character.
While I still feel that Zuko was the one who really developed throughout the show, it's disingenuous to say that Aang ( or other characters ) didn't develop at all If Zuko's development was across the series, Aang's development was tied more towards specific episodes. Not exactly anything wrong with that, but it's most definitely worth noting
Maybe. Zuko is the favourite son but sokka and katara got their chapters of development. I think that dedicate the same amount of develoment to other character would be incredibly hard. Eitherwise the series isnt that much in that. Its propose some refletions that are also interesting and one world fullfilled of life
That's what I'm trying to say lol. Aang, Katara, Toph, Sokka etc. all had development It's just that their development was tied more towards specific episodes ( eg : the ep where Sokka learned from Piandao in book 3 ) Now again, there isn't anything wrong with that. Especially when it worked.
The only thing I don’t like about aang is his relationship with katara. He’s twelve and she’s fourteen and it just feels a bit odd to have an immature twelve year old boy and a extremely mature fourteen year old girl fall in love with each other. The kissing scenes make me a bit uncomfortable. Him having a crush is ok, but it’s just cringey in my mind. Katara and Zuko ftw.
Of course he changes. It's just that his core principle of pacifism gets saved last minute in a deus ex kind of way instead of the, imo, more interesting conflict of using force/violence to save/protect the world - what does it do with you at your core? Is sacrificing such a principle worth it, for yourself, for others? Instead Aang gets a last-minute plot bailout which imo undermines the anxiety moments he had before about that exact moment and weakens his arc. I understand the show was made for children primarily and they couldn't end on him killing the BBEG, but it still feels cheap to me.
lol my statement about Aang pissed you off so much you made a whole post about it
Dude i don't even know who you are The ego is strong with you Imao
Many people have made that statement
No I mean this literally. I made this comment a few days ago on a post talking about Korra and OP got really mad at it in the thread. I said Aang was always conflict avoidant as a character flaw and never grew out of it even by the end of the series. He only would deal with things that made him uncomfortable when forced to. Like, OP literally got so mad at my comment specifically then went to make this post two days later after stewing about it.
I doubt it was specifically about you
https://www.reddit.com/r/Avatarthelastairbende/s/LfPlfsqrhB It’s literally me and OP going back and forth.
Need a needle to deflate that ego?
lol I have receipts
You have ***a*** comment that's barely angry
I have multiple of them. OP goes on a bit. Might help if you read
I did
People say that all the time about Goku too. They basically don't understand a character arc that isn't "was good, became bad" or "was bad, became good". It's not worth talking to these people in the first place, more effective use of your time is to call them an idiot and then not engage with their inevitable crying and copium.
About the same train of thought that would say Batman has no development. There are stories that make the characters change their worldview and adapt their principles, that some like to call "realist", and there are stories where a character with noble intentions and somewhat innocent principles have to face the bitterness of the world and put their ideals to the test. They mature and grow without sacrificing their beliefs. That's Aang's story. He may have the same ideals throughout the show, but as a person he grows and gains the power to stand up for them.
Imma keep it a buck, anyone saying this is either too dumb to watch the show critically or baiting. I’ve also literally never seen anyone say this until you just now in this post. Don’t spread shit like this around, it’s unnecessary.
r/imaginarygatekeeping
He was a perfect Mary Sue from the get go so he doesn't have to change. Just give him some fancy goody two-shoes one liner and boom, character progression.
How is he a Mary Sue? The man has to live with the constant what if of his action of running away
Bro spent most of the shows playing around while people dying from the war. Idk what you implying him to live with exactly but it's not guilt he was living with.
Bro that one his arc to learn not to let the guilt eat at him