There is this leak that I saw floating around X that really did not sit too well with me, so, I come forth to express my opinion. This isn't spoiler heavy, it's really just one word in one line, but, if you'd like to avoid any and all spoilers for the upcoming 'Avatar: The Legend of Aang' film, please scoll away.
Toph calling Aang, 'Avatar' just annoyed me to levels I did not know was possible. As, I've expressed many a times in this blog, Toph is one of only people who doesn't view Aang as the Avatar nor as this symbol of hope. He's just Aang, twinkletoes, her first pupil and her first friend. When, she called him Avatar in the film, even if it was in a form of jest, it takes all of that away.
She never cared about the fact he was the "Avatar" never cared to address him as such. Even in those god-awful, mischaracterizing comics, we never see her call him just... Avatar. It's weird. It doesn't feel like Toph. That's never been her.
And, let me remind you, she was the first person to ever treat Aang as just Aang. She didn't need months of traveling to see him for who he was beyond being the last Airbender. She saw him for who he was the moment they had that heart-to-heart in the gardens of the Beifong Estate.
Aang was the personification of hope through Katara's eyes. Yes, she came to view him as Aang, but even through Season 2 and Season 3, you could still see her caring that idealization of the Avatar in many conversations and interactions between the two. Always reminding him of the upcoming battles, what he was destined to do; when he was off having fun or goofing around, she was there to remind him that he to train for this inevitable battle between him and the FireLord - which I do not blame Katara for doing so, this isn't the point of this post.
Through Sokka, we see him initially regard Aang differently. First ostracizing him when he was first released from the iceberg, and then utilizing Aang's position and powers to gain some benefit or upperhand. Initially, to Sokka, Aang was this powerful kid, skilled bender, the Avatar, a means to many of his ends. Though their bond eventually becomes brotherly and their trust and respect grows into something unconditional, quicker than Katara and Zuko, but he was also culprit of regarding Aang purely for his titles and abilities.
And Zuko. Aang was the embodiment of his redemption, revenge, dignity and honor. He was the Avatar, he was everything he needed to get back to his family, to his home. Zuko did not see him as a child who carried the literal world on his shoulders, similarly to himself. Even when he was integrated into the GAang, he constantly reminded Aang of his status and responsibilties (though necessary), and only truly begun to treat him as a human once the war was over.
All three of these major relationships and bonds that Aang harbored throughout his journey, constantly regarded him and reminded him of what he was, who he was and what he needed to do.
Toph did not care that Aang was the all-mighty Avatar, the symbol of hope and peace.
She saw another kid, like herself. They confided in one another the first night they met, she heard him as he did her. And, Aang never underestimated her because she was blind, he admired her all the more for it. Likewise, Toph, sees him as an equal, a friend, someone who she can trust. Someone worth fighting for and exposing her secret for. She threw away the coverage of the perfect, polite and weak daughter, just to save her new friend, fought for him and pleaded with her father to teach him. And then, when she was denied that, she ranaway from everything she ever knew, just to help Aang in his journey.
Throughout Season 2 and Season 3, we see her berate, disagree and fight with Aang. We also see unparalleled trust between them: trusting one another with their backs, trusting each other to protect and fight.
Also, Toph was usually the first person to understand Aang's perspective. Such as, when he through the party in the cave for the fire-nation children, she was the first to congratulate him and the only one not to object his thoughts. Also, Aang was contemplating bringing Zuko in as his fire bending mentor, and whilst Sokka and Katara disagreeded vehemently, Toph understood him.
Despite their opposing elements, Toph and Aang complimented and understood one another like no one could.
Toph allowed Aang to be a child without forgetting of his impending destiny. They goofed around, laughed, scammed, stole and trained together. It's here we see Aang truly as just himself. Just Aang.
And that's all he's ever been to Toph. He's always been just Aang. Twinktletoes.
And, that is proved with Toph regarding Aang by his infamous nickname or just his name. Nothing more.
So, when they force Toph to call Aang 'Avatar' you're creating a distance between them and severing all that history, their shared understanding and respect, for what? The scene would have carried itself just the same if she had said Aang. Yet, Bryke felt the need to butcher even that.
Does this even make sense? Probably not.
Just had to get it out of my system.
Also, on a note a missed opportunities. The animators really made Toph and Aang look like THAT and not have them be together. The missed opoortunies for their joint levels of power couple.
germansingergirl
janainaart
annaxmalina
discoholicmusic
gummygunk
yousharknotpass
theartofmadeline
andulkaphoto
