Book 1, Water: Chapter 4 – The Warriors of Kyoshi

So, lets start out with a major negative I am having with Avatar at this point, which is time and scale. If you check out my notes at the bottom, there is a majorly confusing aspect in this series when looking at it critically. Which that is the size of the world and the amount of time things take.

Sokka learns an entire fighting style in an afternoon. Which, we could chock that up to him just being a natural learner when it comes to fighting. But that isn’t the grossest bit here. The problem more exists with travel time and the scale of the planet. The crew earlier on believes they are lost because there is “nothing but Ocean”, but Aang was heading to ride the Elephant Koi. All well. The next morning, someone tells a fishing trader that the Avatar is at the village, and by late afternoon, Zuko is rocking up on the dock.

That would mean that Zuko was at most, a 4 hour boat trip away, MAYBE. Which, looking at the map, would mean either the Fire Nation ships are insanely fast, or the world is insanely small, and I genuinely can’t tell if it is either one, or just a hole that exists within the storytelling of the series. While note genuinely a big deal, it is GLARING.

But, that aside. How is the episode itself.

Um, fine? I feel like the subplot of Aang and Katara’s connection to one another isn’t given enough foundation for it their spat to feel impactful. Neither Katara nor Aang really do anything meaningful in the story or for one another, despite that being a pitched angle for the episode. The episode also doesn’t really have time to expand on any of these things either, since the conflict starts and resolves within the short runtime. Although, quick ups for Katara saving Aang with some high-powered water bending.

The star of this episode is definitely Sokka, and he definitely earns some points here. The humility and maturity of his character in his interactions with Suki and the other Warriors of Kyoshi is very defining for his character. We see a side of Sokka that we haven’t gotten yet. A deeper side of his character is given an opportunity to shine here that makes us genuinely interested to see more of him. It gives him a pedestal to stand on that isn’t simply “funny non-bending character”.

On to Episode 5.

Also, should we do a LITERAL points system for characters? I think I might. Will mull it around.

Find all current Anime Analysis of "Avatar: The Last Airbender": HERE

The Anime Analysis for the next episode of "Avatar: The Last Airbender" is: HERE

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LIVE WATCH NOTES AND COMMENTS:

-          There are other Air-Temples, right? Why does Aang necessarily believe that just because the Southern Air Temple is wiped out, that the other temples are also wiped.

-          Why… wouldn’t you need pants…

-          Katara challenging the Patriarchy. Noice.

-          Elephant Koi Fish. I love it.

-          Aang doesn’t fear much. He jumped into freezing water completely stripped, and rode a GIANT fish like it was just a casual activity.

-          Aang is adorable, how he strives for Katara’s attention.

-          Oh, Aang is jesus.

-          “My brother’s just an idiot.” – Perfect.

-          So, are the Kyoshi… Earthbenders?

-          Time in this show is wild. How long did the crew hang out with the Kyoshi? Long enough that the news made it all the way to Zuko.

-          WAIT!? It has only been one day? They kicked Sokka’s butt yesterday? Is that the same day they got captured, or did Sokka get beat up again? I don’t understand. What is time!?

-          “I hope it all doesn’t go to your head” – “You know me better than that?” – Does Katara actually know you Aang? How long you been together… like… a week?

-          Aang’s air-ball deflated so he fell into the back fo girls. What are the limitations on bending? It doesn’t seem consistent.

-          Using AIrbending to do air-pushups is hilarious.

-          Sokka… you’re about to get completely wrecked.

-          Idk who this lead warrior is with the fans. But she is excellent.

-          Sokka gets what she deserves. But I still feel a bit sorry for him.

-          1. How is that pot Heavy. 2. Aang, don’t be a punk.

-          Warrior’s name is Suki. Nice.

-          BRO! Sokka! Mad props for setting your pride aside. He straight up just knelt before those that humiliated him in the interest of learning and getting stronger. Incredible.

-          Awww, Aang and Katara having a spat is painful.

-          Good work, Sokka. You look great. Also, Suki and Sokka’s Dynamic is choice. Natural and fun.

-          Katara and Aang just swiftly solving their spat was a bit… well… swift

-          Woah, the Unagi is friggin’ crazy looking. Also, gross. Eels. Nasty.

-          Nice work Katara. They amount of swift and natural growth is a bit perplexing though.

-          HOW IS ZUKO ALREADY THERE?!?!? I don’t understand the size of this world and how time works.

-          Seriously, Aang and Sokka were going back and forth about how “lost” they were. There was nothing but ocean. Etc. Yet Zuko get’s there in like… 6 hours…

-          SO yeah, no benders here. Just warriors. Solid

-          Dude, the Warrior’s Fans can deflect fireballs? Sweet!

-          Zuko is quite the force to be reckoned with.

-          Aang’s confidence is admirable.

-          Ooof… Those frames were painfully poor quality.

-          The burden of knowing that destruction follows Aang everywhere is painful. It will be interesting to see how he handles that moving forward.

-          DAAAAMN SOKKA! One, good on you for apologizing. And nice work getting Suki’s respect.

-          DAAAAMN AANG! Real hero shit there. Good work.