art by christina

THIS IS URYU ISHIDA OFFICIAL ART???!!!!#@%÷^@

the thing about atla is that it was always about balance. aang was the personification of everything toph needed but never had: freedom, flight, not being weighed down or restrained. while toph was the personification of everything aang was not: someone who faced her problems head on, rooted, always grounded. in aang’s first earthbending lesson toph taught him to face one of his biggest weaknesses, which was relying on evasion rather than directly facing problems. and there’s the fact that aang was fated to meet toph, the way the universe gave him signs that he would meet her until he did—from envisioning her in the swamp (someone you’ve lost, someone you loved), “someone who waits and listens”, the fact that their bond would go on to last more than one lifetime. aang needed the grounding toph gave him, and toph needed the freedom aang gave her. yin and yang. air and earth.

aang was the avatar, but he was also a 12-year-old kid who often struggled with the weight of expectations on him, on the fact that everyone’s solution to every problem was always “but you’re the avatar, you’ll find a way.” except that toph never idolised him or coddled him or acted like he was different; she treated him like he was a normal boy, she teased him, gave him nicknames. i’d know your little footsteps anywhere, twinkle toes. she was a grounding presence for aang, a reality check that he needed. aang gave toph what she always craved, freedom, and toph showed aang how to face one of his biggest fears.

They’re waiting for the hollows 🤭

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her sister abandoned her, brother never showed he cared, childhood friend stopped talking to her, and then the man she admired died by her own sword after he was possessed by a hollow.

then ichigo comes into her life, and makes her feel wanted and cared for, and by coming to rescue her, she actually wants to live.

yet ichigo's thoughts about rukia (who he can't see) not even coming to visit him once takes up half the page, including so much negative space. showing how significant this is to ichigo's state of depression and overpowering in his thoughts.

yet ichigo's thoughts about rukia (who he can't see) not even coming to visit him once takes up half the page, including so much negative space. showing how significant this is to ichigo's state of depression and overpowering in his thoughts.