Atlas problem with consent
Aangs characterization regarding his romantic relationships kind of follow the “nice guy” archetype. He’s 12 years old during the show, small, wide eyed, and over all very likable. He’s what any girl would want right? A nice guy who’s respectful and always sweet to the female lead, who wouldn’t want that? (I imagine that’s what bryke was thinking). Throughout the show, the writers depict his relationship with Katara through his eyes, making the watchers root for him, and genuinely want to see him succeed in his romantic endeavors. I’d say a certain amount of babying him happens in the show, but that’s to be expected because he is young. The creators (bryke) even pity him to a certain extent regarding his luck with Katara, using statements like “poor Aang”. I think this accurately reflects how watchers view him as well , seeing that’s how the creators want us to perceive him.
While Aangs crush on Katara is sweet, the show mainly develops their relationship in a way that makes you pity Aang, and want to see him “win her over”. It’s a classic “will they won’t they” story, and while I believe this trope can be used well, I don’t think it’s executed well in this story. I think it would’ve gone over better if we saw more of Kataras perspective regarding Aang but, there really isn’t much in the story that CLEARLY solidifies that she likes him romantically, and even if you were to argue that she had a crush on him towards the end of the series, that in itself is not explored fully, as we never spend enough time inside Kataras head.
I think what really hammers my point in is their interactions toward the end of season three. To be honest the writers really shot themselves in the foot writing their relationship. From the unfinished chakra ark, to Aang kissing Katara without consent twice, the writers show the viewers that it really is unclear if Katara likes him or not, and we’re left wondering if she is really is the best choice for him long term (and short term since he has to defeat the fire lord). There are a crap ton of debates out there regarding Aang kissing Katara. Honestly I feel like if you have to bend over backwards to prove she liked both kisses you’ve already lost the argument.
Let me make myself clear, consent is not something that is debatable, just because you’ve kissed someone in the past (since I think it’s canon that they kissed in the cave of two lovers), does not mean that consent carries through till the next time, especially if you aren’t dating the other person. Consent isn’t meant to be confusing, if you don’t know if someone wants to kiss you, you probably shouldn’t kiss them. If you aren’t clear on the other persons feeling towards you, you probably shouldn’t kiss them. Aang and Kataras relationship is strange (on purpose!) because the writers don’t want you to be sure about Kataras feelings towards Aang (really showing us how they view her agency…). Now, for the most part, the “kissing your partner unaware” is a pretty popular trope to use in romance media, particularly from the male pov but I’m not saying it can’t happen vice versa ( aka Sokka and Sukki season 1). However, the lack of clarity regarding where Katara stands within their relationship is what makes the first kiss not okay, in fact it’s only solidified later on because we NEVER KNOW what Katara thinks of it, it’s never brought up or acknowledged by the plot until the Ember Island Players Episode, where Aang DEFINITELY kisses her without consent again. I really want y’all to understand that CONFUSION IS NOT CONSENT. Saying “I don’t know”, or brushing off the other person also isn’t consent. My real problem with the writers approach at Kataang is that these instances are not seen as significant enough to be bright up again, and worse, Kataang becomes canon right after.
This is especially harmful to the children watching because it is SUBCONSCIOUSLY telling them, boys specifically, that is it ok to kiss your crush without consent as long as you “like them enough”, or if your feelings are strong enough/genuine, it’s ok to pressure them until they give in. All you need to do is just keep pursuing them, they’ll give in eventually. I’m not saying atla is the sole perpetrator of this idea, in fact, it’s already so common and in romance media that that’s why I’m being especially hard on them. Just to clarify, Aang feeling guilty for his actions is NOT the same as apologizing and learning from your mistakes. It is problematic that atla writers chose to include these tropes in their story, and double down on them instead of giving Aang a proper arc where he experiences hardship and LEARNS FROM IT.
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