The GENIUS of Aang’s Immature Maturity - Avatar The Last Airbender

Summary

This video script delves into the enduring appeal of the Avatar series, exploring the multifaceted character of Aang and how his journey resonates with viewers at different life stages. It discusses Aang's role model status, his coming-of-age narrative, and the complex burdens of being the Avatar. The script highlights how Aang's innocence, maturity, and human doubts create a timeless connection, offering viewers a blend of adventure, introspection, and emotional depth that keeps them coming back for more.

Takeaways

• 🌟 The enduring appeal of 'Avatar' may stem from a mix of factors including its timeless message, nostalgic comfort, animation quality, and immersive world-building.
• 🎭 The central character, Aang, serves as a role model, embodying virtues that are aspirational yet grounded in human doubts and complexities, which adds depth to his character.
• 🔄 Aang's character development is portrayed through multiple facets representing different stages of maturity and identity, including the monk, the Avatar, and the 12-year-old child.
• 🌱 The 'monk' aspect of Aang represents an idealistic outlook on life, promoting peace, simplicity, and a lack of prejudice, which resonates with viewers' evolving perspectives on the world.
• 🌪 The 'Avatar' side of Aang grapples with the burdens of responsibility and legacy, reflecting the real-world struggles of balancing personal desires with societal expectations.
• 🏰 Aang's childlike innocence and whimsy provide a counterbalance to the heavier themes, offering a sense of adventure and light-heartedness that appeals to a wide audience.
• 🌈 The series effectively intertwines Aang's multiple identities to create an emotional journey that resonates with viewers at different life stages.
• 💭 Aang's perceived 'flaws' are more accurately described as human doubts and fears, which make his character relatable and his story timeless.
• 🎈 The show's blend of whimsical adventures and profound introspection strikes a chord with viewers, providing both entertainment and a mirror for self-reflection.
• 👣 Aang's journey is a coming-of-age story that is not linear but multifaceted, reflecting the complexities of growing up and the responsibilities that come with it.
• 🔮 The 'Avatar' series as a whole offers a nuanced exploration of human nature, touching on themes of identity, responsibility, and the quest for balance in a chaotic world.

Q & A

What is the main theme discussed in the video script about the 'Avatar' series?

The main theme discussed in the video script is the enduring appeal of the 'Avatar' series, focusing on the character of Aang and the different aspects of his personality that contribute to the series' timeless and timely nature.

How does the script describe Aang's role as a role model in the series?

The script describes Aang as an almost perfect role model, embodying values such as pacifism, humility, and treating everyone without prejudice. However, it also discusses the potential issue of a character being too perfect and thus uninteresting.

What is the significance of Aang's character flaws in the narrative of the series?

Aang's character flaws, which are more accurately described as human doubts and fears, add depth to his character and make him more relatable and engaging. These doubts and fears are what drive the story and allow the audience to connect with Aang on a deeper level.

How does the script relate Aang's coming-of-age story to the traditional concept of a coming-of-age narrative?

The script notes that Aang's coming-of-age story is a significant twist on the traditional concept, as it takes place over a much shorter time span than typical coming-of-age narratives. It focuses on Aang's different responsibilities, beliefs, and identities as key aspects of his growth.

What are the three main aspects of Aang's character that the script identifies?

The three main aspects of Aang's character identified in the script are the monk, representing an idealistic outlook on life; the Avatar, embodying a more complex and conflicted perspective; and the 12-year-old kid, symbolizing a fun-loving, carefree, and adventurous spirit.

How does the script discuss the balance between Aang's lighter, whimsical side and the more serious aspects of his journey?

The script discusses this balance by highlighting how Aang's whimsical side provides a counterpoint to the more serious and heavy moments in his journey. This balance is what makes the series emotionally engaging and allows the audience to experience a roller coaster of emotions.

What is the script's perspective on the importance of Aang's imperfections in making his character relatable?

The script argues that Aang's imperfections, in the form of doubts and fears, are crucial in making his character relatable. These imperfections humanize him and allow the audience to connect with him on a deeper, more personal level.

How does the script view the role of the Avatar in terms of making sacrifices and dealing with the weight of responsibility?

The script views the role of the Avatar as one that involves significant sacrifices and the bearing of a heavy burden of responsibility. Aang, as the Avatar, must often detach himself from personal feelings and emotions to maintain balance in the world, which is a source of conflict and struggle within his character.

What does the script suggest about the reason why viewers keep returning to the 'Avatar' series?

The script suggests that viewers keep returning to the 'Avatar' series because of the balance it strikes between having a protagonist with an ideal perspective worth striving for and the realistic portrayal of human doubts and fears that give depth to his character.

How does the script connect the different stages of maturity and perspective shifts in Aang's character to the audience's own life experiences?

The script connects these stages by suggesting that as the audience grows older and their perspectives evolve, they can relate to different aspects of Aang's character at various stages of maturity. This allows the audience to continuously find relevance and connection with the series over time.

Outlines

00:00

🔁 The Timeless Appeal of Avatar: The Last Airbender

This paragraph delves into the enduring fascination with 'Avatar: The Last Airbender,' pondering the elements that make it both timeless and timely. It discusses the show's message, its comforting familiarity, the animation, bending battles, and the rich world-building. The speaker suggests that the heart of the series lies in Aang, the main character, who is portrayed as a near-perfect role model. The challenge of writing a main character for a show aimed at younger audiences is also explored, as is the balance between creating a character who is a role model and one that is interesting and dynamic. The paragraph ends with a reflection on Aang's character development and the coming-of-age aspect of his journey.

05:02

🧘‍♂️ Aang's Monk Persona: Idealism and Selflessness

The second paragraph examines Aang's identity as a monk and the Air Nomad way of life, questioning its sustainability and self-absorption. It contrasts the Air Nomads' detachment from worldly affairs with their role in preserving spiritual knowledge and offering guidance for future Avatars. The speaker reflects on the complexities of Aang's character, particularly the tension between his idealistic monk persona and the burdens of being the Avatar. The paragraph also touches on the universal themes of self-doubt, regret, and the weight of responsibility that Aang carries, drawing parallels to the audience's own experiences with life's challenges.

10:03

🌪 Aang's Avatar Role: Balancing Conflicting Ideologies

This paragraph focuses on Aang's role as the Avatar and the complex emotions and thoughts that accompany it. It discusses the Avatar's responsibility to balance clashing ideologies and worldviews, and the personal crisis that Aang faces as a result. The speaker explores Aang's insecurities, regrets, and the imposter syndrome, highlighting the anxiety and burdens that come with his legacy. The paragraph also touches on Aang's initial reluctance to embrace his role and the impact of his decisions on the world, reflecting on the universal human condition of fear and uncertainty.

15:04

🐾 Aang's Childlike Wonder: Whimsy and Healing

The fourth paragraph contrasts the serious aspects of Aang's journey with his childlike wonder and whimsical adventures. It introduces the concept of 'Yash' or 'healing' stories, which offer a peaceful and soothing vibe, often focusing on the simple joys of life. The speaker argues that Aang's light-hearted moments are crucial in accentuating the more serious sides of the story, creating an emotional roller coaster that resonates with viewers. The paragraph also discusses how Aang's character interweaves these elements to provide a balanced and introspective perspective, reflecting on the importance of maintaining a sense of wonder amidst life's challenges.

20:06

💫 Aang's Perfection and Humanity: Relatability and Growth

The final paragraph reflects on Aang's seemingly perfect character and the human doubts that make him relatable. It discusses how Aang's character has evolved from a source of amusement to a symbol of the complexities of life. The speaker argues that Aang's character is not flawed in the traditional sense but is grounded in the ambiguity of human fear and uncertainty. The paragraph concludes by emphasizing the relatability of Aang's journey and the universal struggle to maintain balance in an uncertain world, suggesting that the character's appeal lies in his representation of the stages of maturity and the shifting perspectives that come with them.

🎉 Acknowledging the Avatar Community and Future Coverage

In the concluding paragraph, the speaker expresses gratitude to the patrons and members of the community who support the creation of content related to 'Avatar: The Last Airbender.' They also welcome new members to the team and hint at future coverage of any new developments in the Avatar universe on a secondary channel. The speaker thanks the viewers for their engagement and looks forward to their continued support and interest in the series.

Keywords

💡Avatar

In the context of the video, 'Avatar' refers to the protagonist of the series, Aang, who is the last airbender and the current incarnation of the Avatar. The term is central to the video's theme as it represents the character's journey to balance his responsibilities as the Avatar with his personal growth. The script discusses Aang's struggles with his identity as the Avatar, his doubts, and the weight of his legacy, exemplified by his reluctance to embrace his role initially and the challenges he faces throughout the series.

💡Role Model

The term 'role model' is used to describe characters, particularly main characters in stories, who are meant to inspire or serve as examples for the audience. In the video, Aang is considered a 'role model' because of his moral compass and his evolution into a figure that many aspire to emulate. The script explores the challenges of creating a main character who is both a role model and an engaging, flawed individual, highlighting Aang's journey as he grows from a naive child into a responsible Avatar.

💡Coming of Age

'Coming of Age' is a narrative genre that focuses on the growth and development of a young protagonist. The video discusses Aang's journey as a 'Coming of Age' story, with a unique twist as it unfolds over a relatively short period of time compared to traditional coming-of-age tales. The script mentions how Aang's different responsibilities and identities contribute to his maturation, making the story relatable to viewers at various stages of life.

💡Bending Battles

The term 'bending battles' refers to the action sequences in the series where characters use their elemental bending abilities to engage in combat. These battles are a key aspect of the series' animation and are mentioned in the script as one of the elements that make the series appealing and timeless. They serve as both visually stunning displays of skill and as metaphors for the characters' internal struggles.

💡Perfect Character

A 'perfect character' is one without significant flaws, who often serves as an ideal to strive for but can also risk being uninteresting due to a lack of complexity. The video script discusses the challenge of making Aang, who is portrayed as nearly perfect, an engaging character. It explores how Aang's human doubts and the burdens of his role as the Avatar add depth to his character, preventing him from being one-dimensional.

💡Flaw

In the context of character development, a 'flaw' refers to a character trait that is not ideal or perfect, often contributing to a character's depth and relatability. The script contrasts Aang's perceived perfection with his very human doubts and fears, arguing that it's these 'flaws' that make him a compelling character and resonate with viewers.

💡Escapist Power Fantasy

An 'escapist power fantasy' is a narrative device where characters, often the protagonists, possess extraordinary abilities that allow viewers or readers to vicariously experience power and control. The video mentions this concept in relation to certain anime protagonists and discusses how Aang's character serves a different purpose, being more grounded in reality and personal growth rather than pure escapism.

💡Identity Crisis

An 'identity crisis' refers to a period of uncertainty and confusion about one's role or sense of self. The script uses this term to describe Aang's internal struggle with his responsibilities as the Avatar, his personal desires, and societal expectations. It is a key theme in the video, illustrating the complexity of Aang's character and his journey toward self-discovery and acceptance of his role.

💡Imposter Syndrome

'Imposter syndrome' is a psychological pattern where individuals doubt their accomplishments and have a persistent fear of being exposed as a 'fraud'. The video script touches on this concept in relation to Aang's feelings of inadequacy and his worries about not living up to the legacy of past Avatars, which adds a layer of realism to his character.

💡Healing

In the context of storytelling, 'healing' refers to narratives that provide comfort, relaxation, or a sense of peace to the audience. The script mentions 'healing' in relation to the lighter, more whimsical aspects of the series that balance out the heavier themes. These moments of levity are crucial in creating a well-rounded viewing experience and contribute to the series' timeless appeal.

💡Mature Audiences

The term 'mature audiences' typically refers to content that is intended for or appeals to older viewers, often due to complex themes or mature subject matter. The script discusses how writing main characters for stories not aimed at 'mature audiences' imposes certain limitations, such as the need for characters to serve as role models, which influences Aang's portrayal in the series.

💡Yash

'Yash' is a genre in anime and manga that focuses on themes of healing, relaxation, and the simple pleasures of life, often with minimal conflict. The script uses 'Yash' to describe the lighter, more peaceful moments in the series that provide a counterbalance to the more intense plotlines and contribute to the series' overall appeal.

Highlights

The enduring appeal of Avatar and its timeless yet timely nature.

The role of Aang as a near-perfect role model and the challenges of maintaining character engagement.

The contrast between Aang's character and other protagonists who are intentionally bland or flawed.

Aang's character development within episodic stories and the issue of 'perfect characters' in long-running series.

The exploration of Aang's flaws, such as his doubts and fears, which add depth to his character.

Aang's coming-of-age story and its unique spin on traditional growth narratives.

The different aspects of Aang's identity: the monk, the Avatar, and the 12-year-old kid.

The evolution of the viewer's perspective on Aang's character as they grow older.

The significance of Aang's pacifist and vegetarian lifestyle as part of his role model image.

The critique of the Air Nomad way of life and its potential naivety or self-absorption.

The Avatar's role in balancing conflicting ideologies and worldviews.

Aang's personal struggles with the weight of his responsibilities and legacy.

The introspective nature of Aang's character and his journey towards self-discovery.

The lighter, whimsical side of Aang that provides a contrast to the heavier themes of the series.

The concept of 'healing' in storytelling and its presence in Aang's adventures.

The emotional roller coaster created by the interweaving of Aang's different personalities.

The relatability of Aang's character due to his human doubts and fears, rather than explicit flaws.

The idea that viewers connect with Aang because of his representation of different stages of maturity.

The universality of Aang's journey as the Avatar and its reflection of the human condition.

The anticipation for the live-action version of Avatar and its impact on fans.

Transcripts

in my many many years of re-watching

Avatar I've often found myself asking

the question of what is it exactly that

keeps me coming back year after year

what is that part of the series that

keeps it so so Timeless but also so

timely at the same time is it the

message of Avatar itself or is it just a

comfort show that I grew up with is it

the beautiful animation and the intense

bending battles or is it just the world

of Avatar itself well let's be honest

there is no Intrigue here you've read

the title I think it's a mixture of

those things and countless others which

no doubt warrant a video of their own

but at the very very heart of all of

that I think is ang himself the thing

with writing main characters especially

in stories that are not aimed at mature

audiences is that they must be some sort

of role model something that naturally

imposes limits on the types of stories

you can really tell even if they do

something badish it will more so serve

as a lesson rather than a distinct

character trait or flaw or on the flip

side other stories purposely make their

main characters extremely Bland to allow

the audience to project themselves onto

the main role there is a very very good

reason why people often meme certain

anime protagonists being copy pasted

it's not just lazy writing or copying or

whatever it is purposely meant to be a

self-insert it is a intentionally muted

character that is often just meant to be

an Escapist power fantasy for the

viewers Ang in that sense falls in the

former Camp of functioning as a almost

perfect role model but there too we

encounter another problem that being

that a character can just too perfect

and become uninteresting in episodic

stories this isn't really a huge problem

there you can tell stories of smaller

challenges where the character can grow

within that self-contained little

narrative with stories like that you

don't really need to worry about the

continuity of that growth in a long

running series with A continuous story

however Perfect characters are just very

very boring think of someone like light

from Death notes he is perfect in every

sense of the word except that he is a

massive narcissist and has as a God

complex it's that part of his character

that drives basically the entire story

if it wasn't for those flaws there

really is no death notes but okay Death

Note isn't exactly a story that is aimed

at non-mature audiences so think of

someone like Hermione from Harry Potter

she too is a perfect student she can

overcome just about every problem etc

etc but she can also be very opinionated

and often too blunt which drives many of

her interpersonal conflicts and that

only becomes more prevalent as she grows

up onside the audience with the later

books and movies having far more

conflict than the first which are all

about just solving the Mysteries and

problems within Hogwarts so even with

these almost perfect characters they

usually must have some sort of flaw to

make them engaging but again you've read

the title so you already know that

that's not what we're talking about so

how does Avatar tackle this problem of

bang being extremely good in just about

every situation yet still telling

enthralling story of many ups and downs

because you're watching a croto video it

is time to go on another tangent because

I also think it's worth noting that at

the heart of ank's character is also a

Coming of Age story but one that I think

puts a significant spin on it as an

example I mentioned Hermione a second

ago but Harry's story is just about the

most straightforward Coming of Age story

with it quite literally detailing the

story of his growth from a young child

learning of his potential to him later

becoming a full-fledged Wizard and

eventually sending his own kids to

Hogwarts it spans many years and details

all the twists and turns of going from a

first year to growing up in a world that

turns out to be far darker than May

initially seem with avatar on the other

hand we have to remember that the entire

story takes place over the course of

like 6 to 10 months so by default there

really isn't an explicit coming of age

if you will but that's only a

technicality and I think is actually

secondary because I think the most

important twist it puts on that is with

Ang's different responsibilities beliefs

and identities if you can call them that

as in the monk Ang the Avatar Ang and

the 12-year-old kid Ang all represent

different themes of his story and the

story of Avatar as a whole you know that

Meme of watching SpongeBob as a kid and

enjoying his and Patrick Shenanigans but

as you get older your appreciation

slowly shifts to Squidward's

characterization in stance yeah well I

think much of what keeps us coming back

to Avatar is unironically because much

of that same shift in perspective is

present within just Ang and is even

further accentuated by the likes of Zuko

iro and everyone else I think the monk

side of Ang is that role model I

mentioned before

the sort of perfect outlook on life that

I think many of us strive for he's a

pacifist through and through to the

point that he even becomes a vegetarian

he doesn't wants wealth fame or power he

strives for peace and treats everyone

with absolutely no Prejudice and so on

though despite its seeming Simplicity I

think this is one that has changed the

absolute most as I've grown older and my

perspective on the world has evolved

while the Aeron noad way of life paints

this idealic image of no earthly

attachments and a simple and humble way

of life I think the natural question

that arises is is it really that simple

could it be throughout Ang's story we

see him grapple with the question of

whether or not the Aeron noad way of

life is truly sustainable especially for

the Avatar somewhat paradoxically from a

certain point of view their way of life

can seem more than a little

self-absorbed because they purposely aim

to detach themselves from The World At

Large they also turn a blind eye to the

many injustices of that world during the

Kyoshi era they were accused of just

that not caring about the outside world

and simply distracting themselves with

their own little isolated perfect

ecosystem so from that perspective it

seems like their existence is somewhat

naive at the same time though we also

know that their way of life isn't just

with the aim of reaching this

enlightened state with no care for the

world no far from it it is actually to

preserve spiritual knowledge and offer

guidance for generations of avatars to

come so in that sense that supposed

selfishness is actually the purest form

of selflessness they give up their own

desires and goals with the one sing

single goal of helping the world

maintain balance and again while I talk

about the wider Avatar lore I think all

of these themes and questions are

present within just Ang story so when I

watch the series today I no longer see

the monk way of life as this Pinnacle of

existence but rather as I think the

strive for while acknowledging the

realities of the world one part of my

brain tells me that it's a doggy dog

world people do whatever it takes to get

ahead and if I don't do it why am I

handicapping myself for literally no

tangible reason that person struggling

why would I help them no one helped me

and this constant escalation of quote

unquote Improvement in every Avenue of

life is not slowing down so why should I

but on the other if everyone thinks like

that then what's the point we're not

robots surely there must be someone to

preserve traditions and a less go go go

type of Lifestyle right which very very

nicely leads us on to the second third

of an's character that being the Avatar

unlike the monk that is this n

idealistic depiction of values and

morals

the Avatar very much depicts that more

balanced and far more complex in adult

angle one that is full of conflicting

and often self-contradictory thoughts

and emotions it is a doggy dog world but

how do we coexist in such an environment

I mean the Avatar as a concept is

explicitly planted right in the middle

of every single clashing ideology and

worldview it is their literal job to

balance them and find a way to coexist

we in the real world aren't exactly

stopping fire nations in our day-to-day

but the Ang faces in his role as the

Avatar I think could be lik into a

crisis of self for just about any person

out there in the very very first

episodes when qara asks Ang why he

didn't tell them that he was the Avatar

he straight up says because I never

wanted to be he is placed in a position

that scares him he is forced to live up

to an impossible Legacy and while in the

world of Avatar he is carrying the

weight of the entire world on his

shoulders on a strictly personal level I

think each and every one of us have been

in a similar situation where each it

feels like you are carrying that same

weight we are talking about cartoons so

I don't want to get like super dark but

a tragedy happens and suddenly you find

yourself caring for someone trying to

fill in the Gap that is now left behind

you never chose this position and you

clearly never wanted any of this but it

is now forced upon you you can't stand

by because someone else needs you just

like it is Ang's duty to take up the

mantle of the Avatar it is yours to help

your loved ones friends acquaintances or

just about anyone else who might need

your help but at the same time we are

not Heroes Ang ran away after he learned

that he is the Avatar and now a 100

years of war later there is a lot of

regrets what if he hadn't ran away what

if he was never the Avatar would things

be different would a different Avatar

avoided the war altogether surely Roku

would be better at solving the problem

it is again a deeply personal story of

insecurity regrets imposter syndrome and

all of those sorts of things jumbled up

into a big old ball of anxiety what if

you had noticed those early signs of

whatever might have happened would it

have been different is it your fault for

not noticing them again these are all

things we've all probably thought about

countless times at 3:00 a.m. exactly

because Ang's regrets about not

embracing his Avatar Hood exploits that

core human doubts I distinctly remember

that in my little Walnut brain many

years ago I thought the storm was kind

of a mid episode it deals with all sorts

of regrets and stuff but I was a small

Walnut brain like give me the action

right but watching it now it is one of

my absolute favorites of book one

precisely because how much deeper it

truly goes it is no longer just a

childish surface level explanation of oh

so that's why Ang was in the iceberg for

a long time and he misses his friend

gatso that's very sad no it is a very

very real identity crisis and the

impossible weight of living up to a

great legacy you think your grandpa is

like really really cool well you'll have

to be just like him or better not to be

a disappointment right all those things

you've been taught well maybe maybe

there'll come a day when you will have

to be the teacher it is a heavy heavy

burden one that I think each and every

one of us carries to a certain extent

and one that is distinctly different

from that idealistic monk perspective of

detaching yourself from the world and

not really lingering on what everyone

else thinks of you in Ang's position

perception is very very important he can

be just a peaceful monk he needs to be

the Avatar and in a similar vein walking

the path of an avatar can be a very very

lonely walk even with the most basic of

things the air scooters Ang was

immediately shunned because of the

preconceived notions that the mere title

of the Avatar carries it is something

that is completely out of Ang's control

and in terms of their friendship it

changes absolutely nothing but still

their entire Dynamic is suddenly flipped

upside down and later in the series that

is made even more explicit with Guru

patik saying that in order to become a

fully-fledged Avatar Ang must give up

his feelings for Katara the Avatar is

forced to detach themselves from their

personal feelings and emotions yet still

has to Anchor themselves to the World At

Large or you know just like an adult

must sometimes make very very hard

decisions as to who they may be forced

to cut out of their lives for the

betterment of everyone else it is often

the Avatar who has to make sacrifices to

ensure that everything keeps going

smoothly or worse yet someone isn't

endangered there are about a dozen other

smaller things that you could talk about

with Ang's role as the Avatar but to

loop back to that question why I think

it keeps us coming back I think it's

that more balanced and introspective

adult angle that again shifts our

perspective on how we view the series

underneath that always pure and honest

monk is a far more complex often

confused and conflicted person which

also neatly brings us to the final part

of Ang's character because at the end of

the day Ang is just a kids a prodigy to

be sure but a goofy little guy for much

of what I've just talked about it is a

bit Doom and Gloom the purity of the

monks being somewhat naive the painful

regret and self-doubt out of the Avatar

all might make you think that I am

actually talking about berserk but we

have all seen the series and that is not

at all the majority of it much of it is

a collection of whimsical Adventures

that only occasionally get super deep

and exactly as I talked about with the

other parts of Ang's character the wacky

goofy unagi riding guy is just as

important with it representing that

funloving childlike wonder that lives

within each and every person there is a

genre in anime and manga called Yash

probably butcher the pronunciation but

when translated literally it means

healing these stories typically involve

very little to no conflict and

deliberately focuses on things like

nature the mundane and the many little

Delights of life to as the name suggests

heal or Soo the audience the most

obvious examples of this is something

like laidback camp but series like

mushishi and freed and more or less fit

the bill as well which by the way if you

like the swamp episode and Ang spirit

world Shenanigans watch mushishi you

will love it it's like a whole series of

just that but yes the reason why I went

off on this little tangent is that while

Avatar's big picture story doesn't

really fit the genre as it's commonly

described I still think that it's the

best way to summarize why we all love

Ang's Whimsical side so so much it's

those oneoff Adventures where we kind of

sort of get into trouble but not really

that gives the story this oddly peaceful

and soothing Vibe little stories of

personal growth like Ang getting a

little bigheaded on Kyoshi Island and of

course his famous marble trick him

wanting to know his fortune and whether

or not qara likes him even his very

creative disguise when entering omashu

all of them have just the perfect amount

of goofiness so as to be endearing but

not come off as too childish and perhaps

most importantly of all it is that

light-hearted blow stakes and

adventurous spirits that accentuates the

more serious sides of the story The

Genius thing about Ang is that it

interweaves all three of these

personalities to take you on an

emotional roller coaster all the way

through with his tail embossing say

working as the perfect small scale

example of that the overall story isn't

exactly a joyous one with Ang still

searching for Opa but stumbling upon the

bossing seu which is not doing so great

but that's when the episode is flipped

on its head and we get a little bit of

that healing Vibe again with Ang after

some Controlled Chaos of course creating

a whole new little Zoo it combines the

12-year-old Whimsical side of Ang not

really thinking things through that much

with the m CP just wants the animals to

have a nicer living space

with the more mature Avatar side more so

using this opportunity to reflect on his

search for Opa and also side note about

this little healing thing I also don't

think it's a coincidence that Ang's

story comes after iros I think this was

very much meant to destroy you

emotionally but then as you're still

crying you watch Ang sort of make people

a little bit happier and get better

himself and then of course you just get

slapped with Saka goofiness but yes

point being that much like with bluffy

for example it's because of that

light-hearted VI all throughout that the

serious and touching moments really hit

you like a truck but okay why does the

thumbnail Andor video title say perfect

but flawed what does that even mean and

more importantly what is so genius about

it well I think the character of Ang can

very easily be seen as too perfect in

that he has no bad traits he is a

bending Prodigy and overcomes every

challenge put in front of him he's a

likable wacky little guy and generally

well he is perfect but the thing is

while that is still true he has doubts

not flaws per se but very very human

doubts the genius thing about Ang's

character is exactly that the fact that

I went from being a little Walnut brain

laughing at Ang's Antics and wanting to

paint a blue arrow across my forehead to

now sitting here and talking about the

uncertainties of the monk ideologies and

the conflicts of the Avatar perfectly

demonstrates how those comparatively

tiny additions to his character have

made his story Timeless I I think it's

those three sides of Ang's character

that we've been talking about that also

sort of mirror stages of maturity and

how one's perspective might shift over

time you start as that little boy and

those marble tricks just some Childish

fun as you grow older and develop a more

rounded personality the monk seems like

a perhaps slightly idealized image but

one worth striving for one with no

explicitly bad or malicious traits just

a image of Purity and fairness but as

you enter adulthood the Avatar a more

complex and not so perfect perspective

and the impossible burden that the title

carries is the one that sticks out the

most fears over not being the right one

fears of not being good enough fears of

Never Getting It of never living up to

your forefather's legacies fears of

ruining the cycle altogether of somehow

having to Traverse a world full of

uncertainty malice and often hatred I

think the reason we keep coming back to

Avatar is because it has struck the

balance of having this perfect

protagonist whose perspective is worth

striving for but instead of giving him

some explicit flaw to to give him depth

he's rather grounded with this more

ambiguous fear of uncertainty to put it

differently rationally speaking Ang

running away from his Avatar hood is not

a flaw firstly well he's a literal kid

but far more importantly everything that

came afterwards was outside of his

control he didn't know that Solan would

launch a war and literally attempt to

wipe out his kind I mean how could he

even imagine something like that but

couldn't you say the same exact thing

for just about every single worry you

have on a day-to-day basis in the age of

always wanting to be informed about

everything we are probably exposed to

things that add nothing but wh ifs to

our lives that we could never even

control but okay that's just one thing

for things happening right now at least

there are the arguments of being

informed but what about worries about

the past we all know it's pointless

right thinking about those things you

said or didn't say like 5 years ago why

worry about that the reason why I

brought up that healing angle is because

even this pseudo character flaw that's

not really a flaw shows us that even the

perfect monk has doubts fantasy is just

an extension of The Human Condition

stories told about people wrapped up in

a slightly shinier form and what better

way to explore that human condition than

to go straight for fundamental human

insecurity and fear just like an

immortal elf girl can stun loock you a

monk boy crying in a cave about not

being a good Avatar has the same power

to tell you that it's okay bad things

happened and it is an uncertain world

out there but right now try to be the

best you can strive to be like that

humble monk don't lose yourself in that

endless pursuit of what once was and

what you believe you should be keep your

head high be that wacky goofy

12-year-old in the words of a certain

someone we can't concern ourselves with

what was we must act on what is the

genius thing about Ang is that depending

on what stage of life you are in inside

of you there is always a part of that

marble spinning goofy guy the Monk and

the Avatar what keeps us coming coming

back is that immature maturity that we

see within Ang we don't relate to him

because he's a blank page he's not just

like me for real for real because of

some quirky character flaw no it's

because within all of us there is a fun

loving carefree and adventurous Spirit

just like the male shoot writing Ang and

generally speaking I think we all try to

be good and to treat others fairly but

every now and then that more balanced

perspective kicks in for a quick reality

check sometimes a very unwelcome one

that breaks you out of that stride and

perhaps calls you to some urgent Duty

the thing that truly connects the young

versions of us following the gangs

Adventures for the very first time the

adult versions of us watching it for the

100th time and Ang himself is that

eventually we all become the Avatar just

trying to maintain balance be in the

world or maybe just within

ourselves and that's the video can you

tell that I'm in an avatar mood because

I am definitely in an avatar AR Boot and

the wait for the liveaction version is

lowkey killing me but anyway with that I

want to say a massive thank you to our

current patrons and YouTube members who

allow me to produce even more of these

for you all and let's also give a warm

welcome to the newest members of the

team JT Hill Malika Fury and Elias

luftig I am so sorry if I matured the

names I absolutely did but without you

there' be a whole lot list of my

rambling so seriously thank you thank

you and also side notes when and if we

get any more Avatar news anytime soon

I'm covering all of that on the second

chat Chann so if you're interested in

the latest developments do give that a

look other than that I want to say thank

you very much for watching I hope you

have a great day and hopefully I'll see

you in the next one

bye-bye