Challenges Faced by Aang's Transformation in Avatar's Legacy
Witness the struggles of this legendary duo as they navigate through uncertain times.
Netflix's first season of Avatar: The Last Airbender stays true to some aspects while making interesting changes. In episode 3, Aang, Katara, and Sokka journey to Omashu, one of the Earth Kingdom's few remaining free cities. It is in episode 4 that Aang reunites with King Bumi, his childhood friend from a hundred years ago.
However, the adaptation takes a different direction when it comes to a beloved duo from the original series. Avatar is known for its strong intergenerational friendships, like Crown Prince Zuko and Uncle Iroh. While Zuko and Iroh's relationship is faithfully portrayed with new scenes that deepen their bond, not all pairs receive the same treatment in the live-action version.
Netflix's Avatar Has Transformed Aang And King Bumi's Relationship
Bumi standing with Team Avatar in Netflix's The Last Airbender - Netflix's Avatar Has Transformed Aang And King Bumi's Relationship
In both the animated and live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender, King Bumi and Aang became friends when they were kids. Aang sees his old friend again, but now Bumi is a hundred years older. However, in the live-action version, Bumi is bitter and blames Aang for leaving during the war. He believes Aang must make tough choices on his own and cannot rely on friends. But Aang proves him wrong when Sokka and Katara come to his aid.
In the animated series, Bumi recognizes Aang quickly, but Aang takes a while to remember him. Bumi is strict yet understanding, and he challenges Aang with mysterious trials. When Aang finally remembers their friendship, he gets emotional and they share a warm embrace. Throughout the challenges, Bumi has been testing Aang's abilities as the Avatar and encouraging him to think outside the box. Unlike in the live-action, where Bumi insists on working alone, the animated Bumi acknowledges the importance of Aang's friends in his journey.
Why Avatar's Bumi Changes Don't Work
Aang and King Bumi Having Fun on Omashu Chute - Why Avatar's Bumi Changes Don't Work
Netflix's version of Avatar's Bumi doesn't quite match up with its version of Aang. Before their duel, Bumi criticizes Aang, saying, "It's all about games with you, isn't it, Avatar? Who cares about responsibility? Who cares about saving the world? No, it's more fun to goof off, right?" However, the show overlooks the fact that Aang takes his role as the Avatar seriously and embraces his responsibilities by the end of the pilot. In the animated series, Aang persuades Sokka and Katara to ride the Omashu chutes for fun, accidentally wrecking the cabbage merchant's cart and leading them to the king.
Therefore, Bumi's challenges fall flat for an Aang who has matured and no longer shies away from his duties. When Aang questions the purpose of Bumi's tests, Bumi responds, "Maybe I'm trying to show you that being the Avatar isn't always easy." Yet, Aang has already faced numerous hardships in the preceding episodes. Ultimately, it is not Aang who gains insight from the trials, but Bumi. Aang restores Bumi's optimism by revealing the bison whistle that the king carved as a child. While this moment is touching, the episode fails to propel Aang's character development.
The adaptation of "Avatar: The Last Airbender" on Netflix focuses heavily on animosity, overshadowing the childhood friendship between the characters. This makes the ending, where they call on an old friend, feel lacking in emotional depth. Additionally, the adaptation fails to properly establish the bond between kid Bumi and Aang during their time on the Omashu chute, resulting in a scene that feels forced and insincere for fans. It's disappointing because the adaptation effectively portrays Aang's friendship with Monk Gyatso across generations. Despite these changes, Netflix's version offers a fresh perspective on the original story.
"Avatar: The Last Airbender" (2024) can be watched on Netflix.
Editor's P/S:
This article provides an insightful analysis of the changes made to the relationship between Aang and King Bumi in Netflix's live-action adaptation of "Avatar: The Last Airbender." The author effectively highlights the differences between the original animated series and the adaptation, exploring how the Netflix version portrays Bumi as a bitter and distant character. The article raises valid concerns about how these changes impact the emotional depth and character development of Aang and Bumi.
Overall, the article offers a balanced and thoughtful examination of the adaptation's choices. It acknowledges the interesting changes made while also critiquing how they affect the beloved friendship between Aang and King Bumi. The author's analysis is well-supported with specific examples from both the animated series and the live-action version, making it an informative and insightful read for fans of the franchise.
