the thing I loved but not that widely discussed in ATLA is how diverse the bending style was
take example from Toph and the earth kingdom soldiers’ earthbending. The stance and moves she used were so different, more flowing, graceful, and subtle, as if (and it’s also 100% legit) she was connected to the earth itself and used it as the extension of herself. Her form was unique, open palms facing her body, feet dragged along the earth, elbows tucked in, it’s fascinating to watch.
This was the style she developed by mimicking the badgermoles. Aang also uses this style, obviously, but even his earthbending was a little different than Toph, I think bc he was unconsciously applying other elements like air and water into it.
But the common earthbenders’ technique was rough, and somehow detached from the earth, as if they see it as merely an element they bent. their forms were rigid and bold, like Hung Gar forms the bending was based on.
Then we have the Dai Li, whose movements were precise, clean, and structured, with both hands usually hidden in the back. also differs from the first two.
the difference in styles was not that common in waterbending, I guess bc almost all of them lived in the same place and was only taught a single style. but even Katara’s waterbending forms differ from the people of the swamp, and the bloodbending moves also clearly differ from common waterbending.
man I can blab for days on this.
we can see how Zuko’s firebending evolved. in Book 1, he used the common fire nation style, which was coming from anger. His moves were exactly like other firebenders (sans the breakdancing lol), he grunted and shouted every time he bent, and even the sounds his fire produced was like an explosion.
but after trained by Iroh and received the knowledge from the dragons, his moves were gentler, more flowing, and far more powerful, as it now comes from within, from breath, not from anger. he no longer grunted or shouted, and the sounds his fire made now similar to a dragon’s roar, subtle, but dignified. I like it.
we can see the difference of styles clearly in Ozai’s battle against Aang. Ozai’s moves were fierce, strong, and bold, mainly using closed fists, rigid stances and imposing forms. while Aang’s was gentle and flowing, and he mostly used moves and stances with open palms. It maybe because Aang was trained by Zuko (who was taught by Iroh to use other elements’ moves) and he had the wisdom of the dragons. Also, as in the case of his earthbending, he unconsciously applied other bendings in when he firebends.
I know the Toph part was because her style used another martial art altogether as a base, but I still like to notice how every notable characters has their own uniqueness. the effort put into developing details like these was beyond incredible.
1000000/10 worldbuilding.
