The Mystery of Bumi's Century-Long Life in Avatar: The Last Airbender

In Netflix's Avatar: The Last Airbender season 1, episode 4, "Into the Dark," spoilers await.

The fourth episode of the live-action series introduces King Bumi, an earthbender over 100 years old. Aang encounters him in the Earth Kingdom city of Omashu, where they reunite. Despite Aang's frozen state preserving his youth, Bumi has aged significantly since their last meeting. After enduring a century of conflict with the Fire Nation, Bumi, known for his love of puns, expresses his disappointment in Aang for disappearing during a crucial moment in history.

Bumi Lived Through Aang’s Time In The Iceberg in ATLA

An early-episode flashback reveals that the quirky king of Omashu, Bumi, had a knack for thinking creatively. He was the mastermind behind Aang's sky bison whistle, a tool that remains crucial for calling Appa. However, in Avatar: The Last Airbender season 1, episode 4, "Into the Dark," Netflix's portrayal of Bumi differs significantly from the original. Aang quickly identifies Bumi as his old friend, but the challenges Bumi sets for Aang are driven by resentment rather than being a lighthearted way to disclose his identity.

King Bumi fighting looking menacing from Avatar the last airbender Utkarsh Ambudkar as King Bumi - Bumi Lived Through Aang’s Time In The Iceberg in ATLA

In both the animated and live-action versions of Avatar: The Last Airbender, Bumi lives through the century that Aang spends frozen in an iceberg. However, the king's reaction to seeing Aang again varies between the two projects. In the original series, Bumi doesn't reveal his true identity to Aang and his friends. Instead, he tricks Aang into using airbending, which ultimately leads to Aang realizing his own identity as the long-lost Avatar. Following this, Bumi decides to test Avatar Aang with a series of increasingly unusual challenges. The ultimate challenge involves a one-on-one duel, where Aang faces off against the surprisingly strong Bumi.

All 8 episodes of the live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender are now available for streaming on Netflix.

After the match ends in a draw, Bumi challenges Aang to guess his name. Aang quickly realizes that the king of Omashu is actually his old friend Bumi, known for his unconventional thinking. Bumi explains to Aang that defeating Fire Lord Ozai will require more than just mastering the elements - he must also learn to "think like a mad genius." This is why Bumi sets up a series of bizarre challenges for Aang to overcome. The live-action adaptation portrays Bumi differently, as he challenges Aang to a fight out of resentment for the time the Avatar spent frozen in ice, safe from the ongoing war.

Bumi Is 112 Years Old In Avatar: The Last Airbender

Bumi standing with Team Avatar in Netflix's The Last Airbender - Bumi Is 112 Years Old In Avatar: The Last Airbender

Bumi Is Not Avatar: The Last Airbender’s Oldest Character

In Avatar: The Last Airbender, King Bumi is a staggering 112 years old. The live-action version of Bumi jokingly attributes his health to eating well, but the show never gives a definitive reason. Despite his advanced age, the earthbending master boasts a surprisingly muscular physique, though he hides it well. In fact, Bumi uses the assumption that he's senile and frail to his advantage, keeping his impressive strength a surprise. Compared to other characters in the ATLA universe, Bumi is in great shape. In The Legend of Korra sequel series, the surviving members of Aang's team look their ages.

Kyoshi avatar from Avatar the last airbender close up looking down Yvonne Chapman as Avatar Kyoshi - Bumi Is Not Avatar: The Last Airbender’s Oldest Character

In the Avatar: The Last Airbender world, some characters have incredibly long lives. Bumi, at 112 years old, is impressive, but Guru Pathik from Book 2 surprises with his age of 150. He was a mentor to Aang and a friend of Appa's, known for his friendship with Monk Gyatso and other Air Nomads. Although not part of their nation, Pathik's fate after the series remains a mystery as he is not found in Korra's time, leaving his final age a mystery.

Avatar Kyoshi holds the record for the longest lifespan among characters in ATLA. She lived to be 230 years old, surpassing the ages of King Bumi and Guru Pathik. While the animated series does not explain the secret to her longevity, the Kyoshi books provide some insight. Kyoshi learns a technique from Lao Ge, also known as Tieguai the Immortal, which allows her to maintain her youthful appearance by repairing any damage to her body.

Editor's P/S:

The live-action adaptation of Netflix's Avatar: The Last Airbender has made significant changes to the character of King Bumi, which is both intriguing and somewhat disappointing. While the original series portrayed Bumi as a quirky and eccentric character who tested Aang's abilities with a series of lighthearted challenges, the live-action version depicts him as more resentful and challenging due to Aang's absence during the war. This alteration adds a layer of complexity to Bumi's character, but it also takes away some of the charm and humor that made him so memorable in the animated series.

Despite these changes, the live-action adaptation still captures the essence of Bumi's character. He remains a skilled earthbender, a loyal friend, and a valuable mentor to Aang. His challenges, though more confrontational, are still designed to help Aang grow and prepare for his destiny as the Avatar. Ultimately, the live-action version of Bumi is a different interpretation of the character, but it is still an enjoyable and engaging portrayal that adds a fresh perspective to the beloved story.