somewhere to be

It's a pretty common take, and one that I actually used to believe during the show's original run (I was age 13-16 during that period). People like simple and straightforward answers and non-European history/anthropology isn't a very common interest in the English-speaking world. Actually, one of the reasons I started this blog was noticing that even content creators that I consider to be more generally knowledgeable than me were getting some basic cultural details wrong when discussing aspects of ATLA that they liked.

To be honest, I think "the common take" is a good enough framework for the needs of most fan works. Most fan creations focus on fun interactions between our favorite characters, romance, or character studies. Culture is usually secondary in these stories; it doesn't really matter if the creator thinks the Blue Spirit is wearing a noh mask or if Zuko chooses to marry his story's love interest in a Japanese-style wedding. Obviously, I'd prefer if the nuances of show's worldbuilding were taken into consideration, but it's not a requirement for a fanwork's enjoyability or quality.

I don't like nitpicking or policing how other people engage with media. The way a work speaks to a person is so unique to that individual's experiences, that I don't want to be that one guy who goes "Actually, you're doing it wrong..." Now if you ask me for my perspective or analysis of something, then you will get a whole ass essay, as is my style. And, if someone gives you guff over your own fanwork not sticking to "the common take", then feel free to send them my way.

I mean, we never saw Aang as angry as he was in The Desert, but no one complains that he was OOC there. We all understand that loosing Appa was one of the worst things that happened to Aang, and that it most probably also triggered his trauma of being the last of his people.

Even though we don’t approve of his actions, or how he treats the other characters in that episode (especially Katara), we understand and empathize with him. It is a unique situation that has expertly touched on a wound that hasn’t healed, and no one demonizes or expects Aang to act rationally here.

plus, I often see opinion about how "canon" Katara would never say "Then you didn't love her the way I did" thing to Sokka (and how this is the reason to call her behavior OOC).

sorry, the same canon Katara who said shut his air hole to Aang when she was jealous of his talent? the same canon Katara who make bitter joke about Toph blindness because of their argument?

and don't forget about "go jump in the river" and "circus freak" (there's much more examples, I'm simply can't remember all). like, every time she feels confronted or threatened, she attacks. that's her thing actually. her words to Sokka only proves the state she was in at this moment. that doesn't mean she really thinks so.

redraw of my atla fav trio<3 (i miss them)

pls ignore the background lol

So I never finished animating this but now I'd change several things. Anyway