Cultural Inspirations in Avatar: The Last Airbender Book 2 - Earth

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  • Опубліковано 21 лип 2024
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 4,6 тис.

  • @XiranJayZhao
    @XiranJayZhao  3 роки тому +9224

    Who made the worse decision, Uncle Iroh exposing his firebending to heat his tea or Zuko exposing his firebending to impress a girl?

    • @justcrobson5407
      @justcrobson5407 3 роки тому +1983

      The man just wanted some warm tea

    • @MidnightFox2189
      @MidnightFox2189 3 роки тому +1656

      Zuko, Iroh is too precious to blame

    • @justcrobson5407
      @justcrobson5407 3 роки тому +218

      @@MidnightFox2189 gotta agree

    • @user-rc3du8jr6w
      @user-rc3du8jr6w 3 роки тому +763

      Zuko. Tea is *WAY* more important than a girlfriend (also Hot tea can be ignored - you can’t rly ignore exposing it to impress a girlfriend)

    • @MidnightFox2189
      @MidnightFox2189 3 роки тому +518

      Also Iroh was just heating tea, zuko flat out leroy jenkinsed Those candles for a dam girl.

  • @flaviablah3238
    @flaviablah3238 3 роки тому +7356

    azula saying something it sounds very deep when actually isn't, is just pure 14 years old energy

    • @jbark678
      @jbark678 3 роки тому +186

      Makes sense, I was 13 at the time.

    • @randallcarissa
      @randallcarissa 3 роки тому +209

      it just so happens azula is 14-15ish.

    • @thetrueglasses
      @thetrueglasses 3 роки тому +277

      literally r/im14andthisisdeep lmaoo

    • @UFBUtifuleyes
      @UFBUtifuleyes 3 роки тому +224

      As someone who had done my share of sailing, I can relate to the issue with the tides. Just to give an example, we had to pass through a tidal system called the Alderney Race. If you sail against it you average 1.5 knots, if you sail with it you average 15 knots. So basically, Azula wants to sound badass to sail immediately at a crawl when she could just wait a few hours to sail 10 times faster.

    • @jayaang4176
      @jayaang4176 3 роки тому +77

      The tides live in a society

  • @MidnightFox2189
    @MidnightFox2189 3 роки тому +3562

    _Us has to wait a month for this to come out_
    Xiran: *That's rough buddy*

  • @marymac3572
    @marymac3572 3 роки тому +2821

    "This symbol is foreshadowing of Toph becoming a cop."
    Aang's not the only one firebending here.

    • @elias.t
      @elias.t 3 роки тому +142

      That joke took me a whole second, but then I died.

    • @TotallyGlar
      @TotallyGlar 3 роки тому +29

      @@elias.t um.. can you explain it? :)

    • @elias.t
      @elias.t 3 роки тому +335

      @@TotallyGlar The Beifong crest is a flying boar, or a winged pig. Cops are often likened to pigs, especially American ones due to the current controversies.

    • @chadturner8388
      @chadturner8388 3 роки тому +134

      Damn, I thought she was saying Toph would become a cop when pigs could fly

    • @marymac3572
      @marymac3572 3 роки тому +72

      @@chadturner8388 I can see that. I didn't think it fit with the Blind Bandit we knew and loved.

  • @GallifrAngel
    @GallifrAngel 3 роки тому +2969

    Honestly I love hearing the translations of all the writing, especially knowing that Iroh had a "I'd rather go three days without eating than one day without tea" sign in his tea shop, man was one step away from "live, laugh, love" and I had no idea until now

    • @insane911g
      @insane911g 2 роки тому +26

      🤣🤣🤣🥰🥰🙏🏽🙏🏽 well said 👏🏽

    • @ssgtmole8610
      @ssgtmole8610 2 роки тому +56

      It does coincide with the fact that you can go without food longer than you can go without water.
      Considering the origin fable of tea with Emperor Shennong, tea could be interpreted as just boiled water and debris.

    • @miriam5047
      @miriam5047 2 роки тому +11

      XJZ could just translate all the Chinese in Avatar and I would still sing their praises.

    • @abc-ju5oq
      @abc-ju5oq Рік тому +19

      live, laugh, TEA

    • @vailingbow1068
      @vailingbow1068 Рік тому +8

      I mean, in the Search when Iroh was interim Firelord he made a holiday for Tea XD

  • @docvince1491
    @docvince1491 3 роки тому +6311

    This channel’s existence is the only good thing that came from the Mulan remake.

  • @clareann8912
    @clareann8912 3 роки тому +4038

    Honestly, Zuko and Azula calling each other zuzu in a never ending loop would be an awesome example of sibling dynamics

  • @starkid910
    @starkid910 3 роки тому +2205

    Random detail I noticed about The Tale of Iroh: Not only does he spend his day helping people in a fatherly way, the people he help go from young to old. First the crying toddler, then the earthbending kids, and then the mugger. Kinda reflecting raising someone from youth to adulthood

    • @Suunai
      @Suunai 2 роки тому +189

      Great catch. IIRC everyone he helped was male, too--surrogates for his son.

    • @abby6215
      @abby6215 2 роки тому +27

      😭 💔

    • @Cskiro02
      @Cskiro02 2 роки тому +39

      You just made me cry thanks

    • @genesismatias1858
      @genesismatias1858 2 роки тому +13

      Thank you for your insight, brb gonna cry my eyes out now

    • @multifandomCass
      @multifandomCass 2 роки тому +10

      Why you gotta make me cry

  • @Eniyo
    @Eniyo 3 роки тому +341

    In my opinion Zuko did not use firebending to impress the girl. She was sad and he did it to cheer her up/ to make her smile and I think that's wholesome. He risked getting exposed to make a person feel better. This is a real teenage moment for him of which he had few to none so yes, he is reckless but also sweet here.

    • @meridaskywalker7816
      @meridaskywalker7816 Рік тому +76

      Yeah, to me it didn't even seem like he reciprocated Jin's feelings. He probably wanted to, but couldn't. But he definitely appreciated her just as a kind person.

  • @jules8025
    @jules8025 3 роки тому +2751

    we are gathered here today to witness a masterpiece directly from the deity themself

    • @billystokes3917
      @billystokes3917 3 роки тому +31

      She is the best of all goddesses.

    • @minananano
      @minananano 3 роки тому +16

      *Truer words have never been spoken before.*

    • @cinnamoony3996
      @cinnamoony3996 3 роки тому +12

      she ascends the concept of deity.

    • @origamipein18
      @origamipein18 3 роки тому +4

      Amen. ^^

    • @blueregard247
      @blueregard247 3 роки тому +16

      The cosmic shine of her fine display, can turn the night to day.

  • @ryanzurafa963
    @ryanzurafa963 3 роки тому +2020

    I heard a theory that iroh went into a state of depression after his son died. He just went with the flow not taking anything seriously until zhao killed the moon spirit making iroh finally wake up. Which is why after season 1 he seems generally more attentive, focused and has aspirations.

    • @PongoXBongo
      @PongoXBongo 3 роки тому +17

      Maybe they were inspired by Office Space?

    • @ambarm.1034
      @ambarm.1034 3 роки тому +247

      I like this theory since he seemed very affected by the moon spirit murder. Its like a turning point in his character.

    • @Tethloach1
      @Tethloach1 3 роки тому +53

      I think the story had great writing since the start, you can just kind of feel it, they paced themselves well.

    • @WritingSch
      @WritingSch 3 роки тому +107

      Yes, yes. And he sensed a turning point for Zuko, especially after they cut their hair/ties with the Fire Nation. He saw this turning point in season one, but Zuko was not under the right conditions, if that makes sense? Iron even drops Zuko's title which I think is more personal rather than only practical since they are in hiding.

    • @beebs4283
      @beebs4283 3 роки тому +73

      i disagree entirely. he was definitely depressed for some time, like any parent would be, but iroh joined the white lotus after that loss, so he obviously had the motivation to take the fire nation’s regime down even before zuko was banished. he acted the way he did because he was the white lotus’ inside man, and later was trying to subtly guide zuko down the right path. the moon spirit incident just made him remember what he was fighting for.

  • @kaliland9296
    @kaliland9296 3 роки тому +925

    “Pathetic kidnappers” and “lowly king” make me think that Azula wrote that note

    • @gennybaratta2460
      @gennybaratta2460 3 роки тому +135

      Lol same. Mai’s dad never struck me as the savage burn type, Azula on the other hand.....

    • @vailingbow1068
      @vailingbow1068 Рік тому +35

      Nah. I feel like Azula told Ty Lee to make a threatening note because Azula would be way more threatening and smart than to say "pathetic kidnappers" and "lowly king." That's like an insult Ruon-Jian in Book 3 would make. The one who said "lose boy" to PRINCE ZUKO.

    • @17thstellation
      @17thstellation Рік тому +3

      ​@@vailingbow1068 _niiiiice_

    • @vailingbow1068
      @vailingbow1068 Рік тому +1

      @@17thstellation Hahahahaha XD

  • @TakedaIesyu
    @TakedaIesyu 3 роки тому +1455

    Learning that Lu Ten made that self-portrait makes his (and Iroh's) story so much more tragic. Dude was clearly a talented artist, and could have probably made a decent living off his work. Yet he joined the military. Perhaps he was conscripted, perhaps he felt obligated to continue the military lineage, perhaps he wanted to impress his father. But not only was he killed in war, he was killed due in part to his father's orders. Damn.

    • @axelNodvon2047
      @axelNodvon2047 3 роки тому +105

      Most likely a family expectation

    • @shadenox8164
      @shadenox8164 3 роки тому +98

      @@axelNodvon2047 He was originally supposed to be the next fire lord after Iroh.

    • @sycastells1212
      @sycastells1212 2 роки тому +97

      A lot of authoritarian monarchies require their royalty to be military officers. It's supposed to be important leadership training.

    • @SantomPh
      @SantomPh 2 роки тому +56

      @@sycastells1212 it's pretty much the case, especially when there is the only son. We don't see Ozai being in the military or Azula, so perhaps only elder sons end up in the military in the Fire Nation.

    • @Jane-oz7pp
      @Jane-oz7pp 2 роки тому +1

      @@sycastells1212 as opposed to a libertarian monarchy 😂

  • @miguelcruz2941
    @miguelcruz2941 3 роки тому +1889

    Azula girlbossed, gaslighted and gatekeeped like no other

    • @Mel-0n
      @Mel-0n 3 роки тому +167

      She also gaybaited all of us

    • @kittyykatie
      @kittyykatie 3 роки тому +8

      heck yes

    • @origamipein18
      @origamipein18 3 роки тому +8

      Fucking gaslighting. XC

    • @mikethegoo
      @mikethegoo 3 роки тому +2

      Gaslighting? Did she deliberately make someone feel like they were insane for personal gain?... Or do you just mean she told Zuko lies, because that isn't really gaslighting.

    • @cniknik9863
      @cniknik9863 3 роки тому +32

      She manipulated her "friends" in such cruel ways too

  • @foolbio5471
    @foolbio5471 3 роки тому +1531

    "Family members can be toxic, sometimes you don't have to forgive them or maintain ties with them"
    Miss, I was having a rough time thanks to one toxic family member, thanks for accidentally giving me advice.

    • @teleportingpotatoe
      @teleportingpotatoe 3 роки тому +88

      Family is important. But family that doesnt do shit for you is worse.

    • @lainiwakura1776
      @lainiwakura1776 3 роки тому +22

      And if you cut ties with a family member you only disagree with, then you missed a valuable chance to see why they think the way they do. Unless they're full on conspiracy nut, then idk man.

    • @SnakesGames
      @SnakesGames 3 роки тому +64

      @@lainiwakura1776 my dad's side of the family is nothing but racist sacks of shit. It sucked to lose my dad cause he was a decent person, but his death meant his family finally fucked off.

    • @Lee-lm2bn
      @Lee-lm2bn 3 роки тому +40

      I agree, cut ties with toxic family members and don't feel sorry for them. Sometimes we are just raised with different values, but this is no excuse to become racist or mean spirited toward your surrounding people.

    • @patricklukcy13
      @patricklukcy13 3 роки тому +26

      You are not alone. I cut ties with all but 3 members of my family. They were garbage people and actively and passively hurt me and many others. I'm better off without them in my life. Stay strong and do what you need to do in order to be well. 😊😊

  • @UrpleSquirrel
    @UrpleSquirrel 2 роки тому +231

    I have a theory that Fire Lord Azulon never actually intended for Zuko to be killed. Killing Zuko would be a waste of a perfectly good Fire Nation prince at a time when they’ve just lost one in a war.
    Instead, Azulon’s plan was for Zuko to be *adopted* by Iroh. Having Zuko adopted into the main branch of the family makes more sense, and has real world historical precedent in both Imperial China and Imperial Japan. Azulon may be a completely ruthless leader, but one doesn’t stay in charge of a nation for decades for by being reckless or stupid. Even if he doesn’t care about Zuko personally, having his nine year old grandson killed isn’t a politically sound move.
    However, because Azulon was ruthless enough that “you must know the pain of losing a first-born son by sacrificing your own” *could* have meant “kill the boy,” Ozai was able to convince Ursa that that was what he’d meant, because her killing Azulon would get rid of all the obstacles between him and the throne. Even if Ursa had doubts that Ozai was telling her the truth, she wouldn’t have risked it, because she loved her children and would do anything to protect them.

    • @VanNessy97
      @VanNessy97 10 місяців тому +31

      "Ozai always lies... Ozai always lies..."

    • @flexo5895
      @flexo5895 4 місяці тому

      "But one doesn’t stay in charge of a nation for decades for by being reckless or stupid". True, but many monarchs went crazy in the history of humanity. Purging a war until world domination for decades probably has some effect on the judgement of a fire lord

    • @Balrog-tf3bg
      @Balrog-tf3bg Місяць тому

      Never thought of that, but it kinda makes sense. Azulon knows Ozai thinks Zuko is a disgrace, and to have that son suddenly one up you to be third in line would have destroyed his pride

  • @lilajaned9933
    @lilajaned9933 2 роки тому +415

    im pretty sure that the part where aang fights toph in the ring, and he's using airbending to stay off the earth, and she says "whats your name fancy dancer?" that's a reference to the fancy dancer powwow style, where you are incredibly light on your feet and can resemble flying. i got so excited hearing that. maybe it's not canon but powwow culture (all indigenous american culture really) is rarely included in mainstream media so it was an awesome moment for me (a lil indigenous kid)

    • @ussinussinongawd516
      @ussinussinongawd516 2 роки тому +8

      the water tribe is Inuit does this count

    • @inoli3164
      @inoli3164 2 роки тому +52

      I think the point is that this person got excited because fancy dancer may be a reference to the actual fancy dance style preformed at powwows. I’ve seen it preformed at Cheyenne Frontier Days and it does fit aang

  • @anotherpersonguy23
    @anotherpersonguy23 3 роки тому +3078

    One small detail that shows Iroh's love of Zuko is the name of the Jasmine Dragon. Jasmine is not Iroh's favorite tea, it's Zuko's favorite

    • @slithra227
      @slithra227 3 роки тому +90

      ;-;

    • @melodyfussell829
      @melodyfussell829 3 роки тому +504

      I don't know if they ever actually mentioned Zuko's favorite, but yeah, Iroh's favorite is ginseng, which he says at least twice in a single episode

    • @Cosmic_Nova1
      @Cosmic_Nova1 3 роки тому +48

      Awwwwww :3

    • @leaflet1686
      @leaflet1686 3 роки тому +65

      Iroh is so awesome, I love him QwQ Best uncle!

    • @lukecampbell801
      @lukecampbell801 3 роки тому +115

      I love that Zuko has a favorite tea

  • @leventemucsi9547
    @leventemucsi9547 3 роки тому +1024

    "Pride is an illusion"
    And so are pants

    • @slytherpufflover6439
      @slytherpufflover6439 3 роки тому +13

      This is an underrated comment.

    • @GriffinPilgrim
      @GriffinPilgrim 3 роки тому +23

      Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.

    • @LilyoftheLake14
      @LilyoftheLake14 3 роки тому +15

      Pants... What is "pants?"
      I've never heard of this thing that you call
      "p a n t s"

    • @Butterflier00
      @Butterflier00 3 роки тому +18

      and so is death.

    • @LilyoftheLake14
      @LilyoftheLake14 3 роки тому +13

      @@kimhongnguyen9576 'tis both. Schrödinger's Pride.

  • @shindroid
    @shindroid 2 роки тому +386

    King Bumi's name from the Earth Kingdom. It sounds like "Bhumi" from Sanskrit or "Bhoomi" from Tamil (both Indian languages) meaning "ground" or "earth". Cool detail.

    • @alastorcorvus
      @alastorcorvus 2 роки тому +28

      Makes sense! his name always sounded more Southern Asian to me.

    • @yourpalbryan1442
      @yourpalbryan1442 Рік тому +29

      It's also Malay (and probably Indonesian) for earth: Bumi

    • @tuluppampam
      @tuluppampam Рік тому +10

      ​@@yourpalbryan1442 Malay (which, if I'm not mistaken is the same as Indonesian; the same goes for Hindi and Urdu) took a lot of stuff from Sanskrit (and Hinduism), so they're probably related

  • @jetstreamjackie3437
    @jetstreamjackie3437 2 роки тому +327

    It's interesting how Iroh says "only a select few firebenders can separate the energies to generate lightning," when in Korra we see that as the technique proliferated among the common people, it turns out that a lot of firebenders can do it. Turns out the skill was only limited to a few people because the technique was kept secret by the ruling class.

    • @RomasKalash
      @RomasKalash 2 роки тому +50

      A sensible assessment, but I think you sell Iroh’s wisdom short. He wouldn’t be that short sighted after just talking about learning from the other elements.
      There are many techniques in many lineages of internal arts, and learning the advanced techniques has little to do with noble birth, and much more to do with hard work and innate potential.
      He’s right to use the word “select”. You often are selected. It’s plausible that those bending lightning in Korra were some of the few, but this is just head canon now 😀

    • @fandomcake5158
      @fandomcake5158 2 роки тому +54

      Ah heck yeh. Since it was a recent discovery, this technique was most likely only mastered by people who could afford the time and teachers to teach it, particularly the rich and military.
      The reason why Republic City had the technique so utilized was because Zuko and Iroh no longer hid this technique from the commoners, especially knowing that modernizationwas a good way to help the developing city turn into its own sovereignty in the comics..

    • @humanperson2480
      @humanperson2480 Рік тому +20

      Honestly, I kinda just assume that when LoK actively contradicts the original, probably the writing staff just forgot it was already established.

    • @blazelightshine2311
      @blazelightshine2311 Рік тому +2

      @@RomasKalash If by 'select' he did mean 'selected' that makes a lot of sense, because before the common use of electricity, lightning bending would just be what, a near deadly or at least very severely injuring type of bending? I mean comparatively, obviously you can do deadly things with other bending, but all of the others have many ways to be used that doesn't usually result in injury or deadly injury without intent, once someone is trained anyway. It would seem more akin to what Combustion Man can do, I'd think, I'd understand why they wouldn't want this to become more common place since there doesn't seem to much use besides quite severe force at the time, at least not what we're shown.

    • @John_Doe974
      @John_Doe974 Рік тому +7

      It's more that LoK was bad and ignored a lot from the original series. Taking what was essentially a royal
      kekkei genkai and industrializing it was one of the worst things about LoK. Almost as bad as having other natural airbenders or the "lost herd of sky bison".

  • @frantastic1172
    @frantastic1172 3 роки тому +8549

    Have you ever felt the need to thank the content creator because she really didn't have to become a UA-camr, but you're really glad she did?

    • @abthedragon4921
      @abthedragon4921 3 роки тому +54

      Good one 😂

    • @endless2239
      @endless2239 3 роки тому +351

      I almost thanks Disney for that trainwreck remake of Mulan.... almost.

    • @billystokes3917
      @billystokes3917 3 роки тому +37

      That's me.

    • @billystokes3917
      @billystokes3917 3 роки тому +176

      @@endless2239 The only good thing to come out of that horrific movie.

    • @gracefulspork
      @gracefulspork 3 роки тому +41

      Imagine becoming a youtuber just to flex.

  • @abthedragon4921
    @abthedragon4921 3 роки тому +2818

    And when the world needed them most, they appeared.
    Jokes aside I've been looking forward to this for a while.

    • @billystokes3917
      @billystokes3917 3 роки тому +32

      Some people say Aang didn't enter the Avatar State by himself, but our goddess actually forced him into it.

    • @Berilia
      @Berilia 3 роки тому +13

      @@billystokes3917 I think this is canon.

    • @orn1x346
      @orn1x346 3 роки тому +3

      @@Berilia agreed

    • @ind0266
      @ind0266 3 роки тому +2

      @@orn1x346 so true, so true

    • @cursedwyvern3044
      @cursedwyvern3044 3 роки тому +8

      Is anyone able to please let me know if Xiran uses she/her or they/them pronouns? I'm really confused, I saw one comment but literally no other mention. Thanks :)

  • @Lunar_DeBrie
    @Lunar_DeBrie 3 роки тому +313

    "But Zuko is still in the middle of his character arc"
    WHEN IS HE NOT AJFBAJFNS
    His arc is probably the most drawn out, but it's a ride that pays off in the end. I do not regret simping for him.

  • @MysticSybil
    @MysticSybil 3 роки тому +84

    Zuko went hunting for Appa instead of attacking the Gaang in their Ba Sing Se home because he can't figure out Earth Kingdom addresses and is too socially awkward to ask for directions

  • @liamwhite1719
    @liamwhite1719 3 роки тому +2337

    We need to talk about the MASSIVE amount of political shade the queen threw this video. Those long stares at the camera? Iconic

    • @QuikVidGuy
      @QuikVidGuy 3 роки тому +48

      I'm pretty sure she's made a point of talking about it in every video so fa

    • @BattyButtercup
      @BattyButtercup 3 роки тому +61

      WESTERN, EASTERN - OUR QUEEN* TAKES NO POLITICAL PRISONERS WHEN FIREBENDING THEIR BURNS.
      *a queen, in western culture, is ALWAYS associated with power - chess, IRL titles, drag performers, villains - whilst a king tends only to be as powerful as their context; in the example of Patricia C. Wrede's Dragons, i consider titles as being set roles as opposed to gendered versions of each other.

    • @kingsaracoon9594
      @kingsaracoon9594 3 роки тому +1

      @@QuikVidGuy do you listen to ghost quartet • _ •

    • @laboon344
      @laboon344 3 роки тому +1

      @@QuikVidGuy far*

    • @insane911g
      @insane911g 2 роки тому +12

      I applaud her courage every time she does it too 👏🏽👏🏽 she’s so refreshing.
      Thank you for sharing so much information about different cultural aspects (mostly Chinese) that appear in media. May your VPN always connect and may you always remain untouchable by the Chinese government ✊🏽❤️🙏🏽 Bless you

  • @VairyLeo
    @VairyLeo 3 роки тому +1310

    This individual* is a patron saint of quarantine.

    • @billystokes3917
      @billystokes3917 3 роки тому +23

      Not just A patron saint...THE patron saint.

    • @rhrhrhhrhrhrhr
      @rhrhrhhrhrhrhr 3 роки тому +9

      @Sasori, not THE patron saint, TEH OH" MIGHTY patron saint

    • @billystokes3917
      @billystokes3917 3 роки тому +9

      @@rhrhrhhrhrhrhr I cannot top this.

    • @jackofhearts1067
      @jackofhearts1067 3 роки тому +13

      Patreon saint

    • @sunan2335
      @sunan2335 3 роки тому +2

      I have never agreed to a comment more

  • @HierophanticRose
    @HierophanticRose 3 роки тому +229

    I agree, when people say "Avatar has great representation", I think they mean that Avatar is more creative in the referential influences it takes, often avoiding orientalist stereotyping and overused tropes. But that does not equal representation one to one.

  • @dracawyn
    @dracawyn 3 роки тому +464

    "Chinese Percy Jackson meets Yu-Gi-Oh."
    Your elevator pitches are so good though. Like. GIRL. No wonder you've got two book deals.

    • @MollyHJohns
      @MollyHJohns 2 роки тому +5

      I just found her channel again after getting a new account, and find her About description hilarious but truly brilliant. Wish I have enough money to buy her books though lol

    • @techoutsider5631
      @techoutsider5631 2 роки тому +12

      Xiran is nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns btw

  • @geodex9
    @geodex9 3 роки тому +771

    “The Louisiana Swamp Benders”
    Me, someone from Louisiana: Yes

    • @Butterflier00
      @Butterflier00 3 роки тому +48

      i'm offended she didn't make a Florida Man joke....and I'm from Florida.

    • @dreamknight1776
      @dreamknight1776 3 роки тому +29

      The swamp benders and the traveling hippies are my favourite characters in the show, that and the cabbage man

    • @cherishparker1409
      @cherishparker1409 3 роки тому +6

      same

    • @lainiwakura1776
      @lainiwakura1776 3 роки тому +16

      I think everyone wanted Korra to be descendant from swamp benders.

    • @dreamknight1776
      @dreamknight1776 3 роки тому +4

      @@lainiwakura1776 yes

  • @Nameless_mixes
    @Nameless_mixes 3 роки тому +889

    “A story is not exciting unless your antagonist is competent”
    Dr. Doofenshmirtz and Team Rocket have entered the chat 😂❤️

    • @roselover411
      @roselover411 3 роки тому +69

      Okay but I never found Team Rocket interesting or a threat that kept me on the edge of my seat like Azula. Team Rocket was hilarious and I loved their appearances but I wouldn't call them 'exciting'.

    • @hihogandalfaway
      @hihogandalfaway 3 роки тому +93

      Doof is competent though - all his inventions work, no matter how weird - it's just that the show format puts all the interest on *how* he is defeated, rather than *if*

    • @Nameless_mixes
      @Nameless_mixes 3 роки тому +15

      @@roselover411 I didn’t say they needed to have you on your seat. I’m just saying that the stories they’re featured in can still be interesting/exciting even if they fail in every single episode of their respective shows. They’re all still characters with thought out backstories who demonstrate that villains can fall into the grey area between good and evil.

    • @Nameless_mixes
      @Nameless_mixes 3 роки тому +15

      @@hihogandalfaway If he were competent, Perry wouldn’t be able to get out of most of his traps. And Dr. D should’ve invented a plotarmorinator to stop all the other random stuff that gets in his way 😂❤️

    • @hihogandalfaway
      @hihogandalfaway 3 роки тому +17

      @@Nameless_mixes re: plotarmourinator - I said he was competent, not sensible
      And as for Perry always escaping: just because Doof is competent at what he does doesn't mean Perry isn't more competent

  • @octo448
    @octo448 3 роки тому +341

    I actually thought the same thing about Azula's first line, but I actually feel that it's intentional after thinking about where are arc goes. She IS irrational and she DOES believe that anything is possible if she commands enough power through fear. Not realizing that sometimes control and fear aren't enough to change reality is eventually the beginning of her downfall.

    • @bafbaas1210
      @bafbaas1210 2 роки тому +12

      But when does she say she can defeat the ocean? Shes saying that the tides are a mindless force of nature that will kill u just by existing unable to show mercy and Azula might attack when ur out of line but if hes careful she wont so he should be trying to think about what shes going to do instead of the tides. Whats irrational is that what she was saying wasnt relevant to what he was saying but to me it shows how Azula twist situations to show her lethality

    • @VanNessy97
      @VanNessy97 3 місяці тому

      @@bafbaas1210 I first thought that Azula was threatening to throw the captain overboard

  • @rebecaz659
    @rebecaz659 2 роки тому +39

    I'm not korean but from what I know, in South Korea pigs are symbols of wealth and riches (if someone has a dream about a pig, it's supposed to mean good luck and they are advised to go buy a lottery ticket), so I always thought the Beifong family emblem being a boar symbolized the fact that they were really rich

  • @PersephoneDaSilva
    @PersephoneDaSilva 3 роки тому +1741

    Let's not forget that Iroh's pain in his singing voice was really Mako's because he knew he was going to die from cancer. It wasn't pre-recorded and then added into his singing. It was his own pain and sadness.

    • @kittyelgato4246
      @kittyelgato4246 3 роки тому +192

      That story never fails to make me cry.

    • @emcaco
      @emcaco 3 роки тому +97

      That is so devastating

    • @michaelbailey1242
      @michaelbailey1242 3 роки тому +330

      Pretty sure he also wrote the song himself, and the VA that took over for him refuses to sing it whenever asked because "that's Mako's song"

    • @iprobablyforgotsomething
      @iprobablyforgotsomething 2 роки тому +25

      Not to cast doubt, but truly curious as to your source. Was this in a behind-the-scenes or something?

    • @FirefulXD
      @FirefulXD 2 роки тому +34

      how do you pre-record and retroactively add pain to singing??

  • @amandamangan5021
    @amandamangan5021 3 роки тому +636

    Me: Is Xiran throwing shade at the military coup in Myanmar, or the attempted coup in the US?
    XIran (in my head, staring at the camera): Yes

    • @nanamiharuka3269
      @nanamiharuka3269 3 роки тому +16

      hahaha and we call ourselves (U.S.) a developed nation lol

    • @colachan91
      @colachan91 3 роки тому +4

      And the family separation, forced sterilization, the list goes on......

  • @ameliabooth9783
    @ameliabooth9783 3 роки тому +48

    can we agree that Azula is the only antagonist that is actually smart enough to strike the protagonist during their power up

  • @Readera
    @Readera 3 роки тому +58

    I always figured azula's team was taking power naps while her army of servents drive the tanks. But maybe they were high on the chase!
    Also my partner pointed out that Toph, as a young rich blind girl who was sheltered, she wouldn't know how to set up camp or think to offer her help!

  • @chiaratarulli1595
    @chiaratarulli1595 3 роки тому +831

    “You can’t fight the sea, unless you’re a waterbender”
    Me, looking at Caligula, the Roman emperor who declared war against the sea: Uuuuh

    • @bluedragon3657
      @bluedragon3657 3 роки тому +73

      I mean he did that to prove that humans, not even the roman emperors, can win against the gods (in this case Neptune)

    • @pixielofexeus9220
      @pixielofexeus9220 3 роки тому +3

      @@bluedragon3657 do you mean posidon?

    • @elliel4736
      @elliel4736 3 роки тому +48

      @@pixielofexeus9220 Neptune is the Roman name for Posiedon.

    • @pixielofexeus9220
      @pixielofexeus9220 3 роки тому +2

      @@elliel4736 I know

    • @bluedragon3657
      @bluedragon3657 3 роки тому +28

      @@pixielofexeus9220 Poseidon, Neptune, considering how much tho romans copy pasted from greek mythology they are pretty much the same. I just chose Neptune since the dude was a roman emperor

  • @acinomthecat
    @acinomthecat 3 роки тому +233

    Another Korean anecdote:
    When my dad watched ATLA with me and my sister, he said that Joo Dee’s name sounds like the Korean nickname for “Big mouth”, or generally for someone who wouldn’t shut up.

    • @phadenswandemil4345
      @phadenswandemil4345 3 роки тому +49

      That's really cool. It could refer to her unnaturally wide smile

    • @ussinussinongawd516
      @ussinussinongawd516 3 роки тому +32

      @@phadenswandemil4345 or that 🤔 she never shuts up

    • @EpicB
      @EpicB 3 роки тому +7

      I wouldn't be surprised if it was intentional.

    • @andrewbaek6691
      @andrewbaek6691 3 роки тому +1

      you are right. the term is 주둥이(Joo Dung Yi)

    • @melodyfussell829
      @melodyfussell829 3 роки тому

      I think they should have had a random extra named Sim Cheong

  • @snakearekat2634
    @snakearekat2634 3 роки тому +225

    Regarding the "tides" moment of Azula, I think the creators actually intended for it to be both impressive in the respect and obedience she commands, but also how deeply unhinged she is.

  • @the_doug_digital
    @the_doug_digital 2 роки тому +66

    I can’t get over the fact that the only time Iroh, arguably the wisest and most reasonable/logical man in the show, has on multiple occasions threatened his life over the pursuit of tea
    Like his kryptonite for “thinking rationally” is just a nice cup of oolong and that’s hysterical

  • @Syurtpiutha
    @Syurtpiutha 3 роки тому +426

    "I'd rather go three days without food than a day without tea."
    MOOD.

  • @arden191
    @arden191 3 роки тому +1723

    Fun Sad Fact: The picture of Lu Ten was based off of a younger version of Mako. Just to make it even more sad.

    • @zampano6363
      @zampano6363 3 роки тому +34

      :(

    • @PersephoneDaSilva
      @PersephoneDaSilva 3 роки тому +225

      And Iroh's crying was really Mako's crying, knowing he was going to die of cancer. It's not a pre-recording like other sound effects.

    • @Ohnomybrainitsgone
      @Ohnomybrainitsgone 3 роки тому +8

      🥺😭

    • @Janne_Mai
      @Janne_Mai 3 роки тому +42

      @@PersephoneDaSilva oh my god that's heartbreaking.

    • @LazyAlternativeBrat
      @LazyAlternativeBrat 3 роки тому +24

      I DIDN'T NEED TO BE REMINDED OF THIS

  • @fightscrimewhilesleeping4024
    @fightscrimewhilesleeping4024 2 роки тому +178

    Yeah, completely agree about Iroh's complexity. I think that's one of the things that makes the character work for me--rather than being purely a "wise old man" archtype who seems to have sprung into being whole cloth, it's clear Iroh's wisdom was hard earned, something that grew, and something that he clearly didn't always have the way he has now. He has a past, and his own story and arc and mistakes. It makes him feel more like a real person instead of just a fountain used to spout platitudes, and it makes the things he says have real weight behind them rather than just sounding trite and cliche, which they very much could I think.
    Also...you think Azula learned from the drill incident, and that helped her come up with the plan to take down Ba Sing Se "from the inside"? Or was that just forshadowing lol

    • @lilydrimm6626
      @lilydrimm6626 Рік тому +12

      Ooooh i thought the same think for Azula!! After all, if it was so easy to take down Ba Sing Se but they failed for 600 days straight, and that coincidently happened right after the drill incident, it must be linked.

  • @catherinecao4810
    @catherinecao4810 3 роки тому +113

    That “selfie” could be the only picture of Lu Ten that Iroh has left. It’s extra sad, that the only reminder of his son came from the event of his death.

    • @YOSSARIAN313
      @YOSSARIAN313 2 роки тому

      I mean he was royalty there are probably more pictures of lu ten

    • @catherinecao4810
      @catherinecao4810 2 роки тому +7

      @@YOSSARIAN313 well, I think it’s the last thing he has on hand.
      Besides, I don’t think Ozai was very kind to his late nephew’s memory

    • @YOSSARIAN313
      @YOSSARIAN313 2 роки тому

      @@catherinecao4810 you're making a big assumption my scenario is more likely

    • @catherinecao4810
      @catherinecao4810 2 роки тому +3

      @@YOSSARIAN313 true, but it doesn’t take away from the tragedy

  • @Whosaskin
    @Whosaskin 3 роки тому +313

    The "this simbolizes how Toph eventually becomes a cop" line, legit killed me.

    • @ubaldojoseanayafuentes3751
      @ubaldojoseanayafuentes3751 3 роки тому +6

      Can u explain me? Unfortunately I don't understand that reference

    • @liahbobita
      @liahbobita 3 роки тому +64

      @@ubaldojoseanayafuentes3751 boar = pig
      Cops are often called pigs
      Toph becomes a cop in the future.
      ACAB

    • @amalija11
      @amalija11 3 роки тому +3

      F12

    • @cherryjello777
      @cherryjello777 3 роки тому +3

      Especially with her delivery of that statement, just deadpan stared at the camera.

  • @evieb6359
    @evieb6359 3 роки тому +290

    It’s endlessly funny to me that Avatar has all this depth, but it also has multiple episodes that teach kids why it’s a bad idea to eat suspicious plants.

    • @weltraumkotze
      @weltraumkotze 3 роки тому +16

      Is there more than cactus juice and Iroh's flower?

    • @hiddenechoes
      @hiddenechoes 3 роки тому +8

      Right? I'm lucky I didn't die as a child from all the weird plants I ingested 😂

  • @voldemortified
    @voldemortified Рік тому +15

    13:52 The cart full of masks here also conveniently serves to explain how Zuko got his Blue Spirit mask back, even though he theoretically lost it with the rest of his belongings after the siege of the North. (He also gets his twin daggers back by stealing them from the guy who makes Iroh dance).

  • @SirEriol
    @SirEriol Рік тому +24

    Regarding the Era Names, the first Kyoshi novel establishes that the name of the Avatar is used to denominate the eras. I took it as _their names_ being the ones designated, but the library implies that it is a poetic description of the Avatar accomplishments. And that would be the reason they start with the characters for Fire, Air, Water and Earth.

  • @WireMosasaur
    @WireMosasaur 3 роки тому +206

    Somebody else in the comments hypothesised that Zuko couldn't read the poster of Appa because it was in Ba Sing Se's language, but I feel like it's much more likely that Zuko is just one of those people who never fuckin reads to the end of a large block of text; he just skimmed over it and was like AAAA AVATAR and ran off with some half-cocked idea of a plan, lmao

    • @Anonymous_Gambito
      @Anonymous_Gambito 3 роки тому +39

      I mean, that actually sounds pretty in character for him. Good one.

  • @desanipt
    @desanipt 3 роки тому +2683

    Fun fact "coup" comes from French and simply means any strike or hit, like a punch can be called a "coup with the fist" in French. A "coup d'état" just means a strike/hit on the state/government

    • @stormveil
      @stormveil 3 роки тому +152

      Fun fact: loads of English words are actually French. William of Normandy.

    • @sittingonceilings6805
      @sittingonceilings6805 3 роки тому +26

      Oui

    • @leow.2162
      @leow.2162 3 роки тому +46

      @@stormveil Those words aren't pronounced like in French, though. The words you pronounce like French usually have come over during the time when French had replaced Latin as the language of european elites, rulers and diplomats. You'll often find them in other European languages as well, e.g. German also has "Coup".

    • @stormveil
      @stormveil 3 роки тому +63

      @@leow.2162 So? Not even French people pronounce French like they did 1000 years ago.

    • @jonasholzer4422
      @jonasholzer4422 3 роки тому +52

      @@leow.2162 I started learning french like two monts ago and im constantly stumbling upon french words that are completely integrated into german and we german natives have no clue about it 😂

  • @commentnahipadhaikar2339
    @commentnahipadhaikar2339 Рік тому +11

    Here is traditional concept of Chakras:
    There are many nerves in Human body,
    Out of which 3 are main:- Īda, Pingala and Sushumna.
    There are in the spinal cord.
    Places where these three meet each other, are called Chakras.
    Although there are in total 112 chakras in other body parts, but only 6 are important, while seventh is the destination, so you can say 7 chakras.
    These are : Mooladhar, at the very bottom, Svadhishthan, Manipoorak at belly, Anahat near heart, Vishuddhi at throat, Ajnya, between eyebrows and at last, Sahasrara, the thousand Lotus petal chakra at the very top centre of head.
    At Mooladhar, resides dormant force or energy called Kundalini Shakti or coiled energy.
    It is awaken by doing deep practices of Yoga and meditation When it awakes, it raises upward energizing all Chakras and finally meet the Chidaksha, the universal consciousness at Sahasrara.
    In iconography, Kundalini Shakti is represented by a snake, like how it coils, raising upward and achieving enlightenment is represented by Lotus, that is why Lotus is very very important thing in India and its religious practices like Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.
    This is really oversimplified form of oversimplified concept of Chakras and kundalini. This is way more complex and deep.

  • @MysticSybil
    @MysticSybil 3 роки тому +18

    Toph held the library up for 4 months of date checking, while standing on sand, unable to "see" clearly, and working directly against a giant ancient spirit who's trying to sink the place
    I C O N I C

  • @edwardjacob7368
    @edwardjacob7368 3 роки тому +335

    me, checking the book description:
    "concubines, feminism" so far so good...
    "east asian mith" so far so good...
    "giant magical mecha" SIGN ME THE FUCK UP

    • @pixielofexeus9220
      @pixielofexeus9220 3 роки тому +10

      I gave you an even number of likes:3 and I'm happy:3

    • @Crinkfries
      @Crinkfries 3 роки тому +1

      @@pixielofexeus9220 :3

  • @icky46111
    @icky46111 3 роки тому +45

    As far as Katara using the spirit water to heal Zuko's scar and not having it around for when Aang gets zapped, I like to think that if Katara had the chance to heal Zuko's scar he would have sided with Aang and Katara them when Azula showed up. Such a gesture would not have gone unappreciated. However, the fact that it was offered still planted that bit of guilt in him that would later help him truly turn to them in the end, because siding with Azula that day still ate at him. If he had been healed, he would have no doubt sided with Katara and Aang and not let Azula get the chance to zap Aang.

  • @sundaecentral
    @sundaecentral 2 роки тому +27

    A detail not mentioned is that in Korean culture, the pig/boar is a symbol of good luck! I’m not sure if this actually has anything to do with the Bei Fong family (Toph’s family) symbol since it’s technically a flying boar, bit it’s something I noticed.

  • @horngeek9115
    @horngeek9115 3 роки тому +1082

    Honestly Azula's introductionary 'worry more about *me*' moment actually gives a very good look at her character- she isn't hesitant to threaten to get her way, but she also isn't actually willing to listen to *good advice that her way is wrong and foolish*.

    • @marvalice3455
      @marvalice3455 3 роки тому +50

      I grew up with British navy stories, so always took that scene as a sign of her tyranny rsther than baddassery

  • @sirmoriarty8230
    @sirmoriarty8230 3 роки тому +219

    Uncle Iroh's VA was also *actually* crying, because he knew he was going to die and was saying goodbye to all of us

    • @mori6434
      @mori6434 3 роки тому +40

      Why must you hurt me this way

    • @BrightWulph
      @BrightWulph 3 роки тому +20

      Ok...Ouch...My heart, omg.

    • @nocturnalizzie
      @nocturnalizzie 3 роки тому +12

      Oh noooo...

    • @MisterPyOne
      @MisterPyOne 3 роки тому +5

      idk if this is true, but it still made me tear up

    • @-ree-4614
      @-ree-4614 3 роки тому +4

      pls...don't...it hurts..real bad

  • @dancortat7445
    @dancortat7445 3 роки тому +97

    "The Louisiana swamp benders" "can you imagine if Korra was born here instead...? Legend of Korra would be a very different show" yeah it would LMAO
    I don´t know why, but it´s funny to imagine

  • @draccoonxcii1288
    @draccoonxcii1288 Рік тому +16

    Joo Dee being based on the line producer is both funny and creative, since in an exaggerated way that's what she was attempting to do with Team Avatar.

  • @cherryjello777
    @cherryjello777 3 роки тому +917

    I love/hate Aang's reaction to Appa's kidnapping. It both humanizes him but also brutally attacks Toph, who already has trust issues and is a blind girl out of her element... alone...

    • @starrsmith3810
      @starrsmith3810 3 роки тому +261

      I really didn’t like her getting yelled at but Aang was in pain and lashed out. It happens. Hell it’s human.
      Them reuniting was awesome

    • @Phoca_Vitulina
      @Phoca_Vitulina 3 роки тому +129

      Honestly I found that very relatable and human. Yeah it's wrong to lash out, but like, if someone was watching my pet=family and they got kidnapped, I would be furious. I really felt that ep that through Aang's perspective

    • @thesnowyowl7771
      @thesnowyowl7771 3 роки тому +136

      What he said to Toph was definitely undeserved, but to your point of humanizing him, the scene shows that he wasn't thinking like he normally does due to the anger and sadness of losing the biggest tie he has to his culture. Sure he has Bumi as a friend, but he ties back to 100 years ago, a bit different to his now extinct culture

    • @charlemony
      @charlemony 3 роки тому +119

      @@thesnowyowl7771 not only a tie to his culture. but his best and oldest friend. appa isn't just a pet, he is a companion and family.

    • @origamipein18
      @origamipein18 3 роки тому +9

      FOUR FUCKING MONTHS, AANG!!!!!

  • @jennyw5904
    @jennyw5904 3 роки тому +394

    “He parted ways with Iroh because he was just too angsty” I’m crying

  • @rachaeldickson3279
    @rachaeldickson3279 3 роки тому +23

    "A coup is the sudden and unconstitutional overthrow of a government." /turns to camera, meaningful blink/
    This entire video is perfect but that moment was just >chef's kiss

  • @ventrirose3738
    @ventrirose3738 2 роки тому +15

    Someone probably already said this but the kyoshi warriors also have Ainu influence (the indigenous people of Hokkaido) in their clothes

  • @bitchpudding2945
    @bitchpudding2945 3 роки тому +919

    Fun fact: Azula got the idea to sneak into the Earth Kingdom and take it out from the inside from when Aang and the gang did that to the drill. Kinda makes sense why the Fire Nation didn't think of doing that in the first when you think about Fire Nation philosophy (power equals strength, power is everything, etc.) They probably thought brute strength was the key to taking Ba Sing Se until Azula came up with a better way

    • @origamipein18
      @origamipein18 3 роки тому

      D'oh! XO

    • @tainasiman2107
      @tainasiman2107 3 роки тому +7

      this answer doenst make sense since both strategies are power. the difference is using force is hard power while setting up a coup is soft power. it only makes sense that since earth kindgom couldt be taken down trough actual use of force (the wall of ba sing se) that meant their weaknesses were in another area.

    • @bitchpudding2945
      @bitchpudding2945 3 роки тому +19

      @@tainasiman2107 When I meant "power", yeah I meant hard power

    • @RaindanceSam
      @RaindanceSam 3 роки тому +11

      Kinda goes into the idea that taking bits and pieces from the other nations can make your own culture stronger as well. Like Iroh using water bending for lighting redirection. Just sucks Azula did it against the earth kingdom lol

    • @rubensneto9049
      @rubensneto9049 3 роки тому +2

      If we follow this line of thought that explains why the war lasted 100 years

  • @MoczoUno
    @MoczoUno 3 роки тому +153

    I never cease to love how often the cat is just _there._

  • @katofschrodinger4348
    @katofschrodinger4348 3 роки тому +41

    The girl in the episode of Zuko alone is actually wearing a certain type of Hanbok call Kkang tong (steel can) hanbok which was designed by the North Korean regime. When they started allowing their citizens to celebrate traditional holidays and allow them to wear hanbok for those occasions they started wearing the kkang tong hanbok that had the chima (skirt) that came up to mid shin. It was to signify that they are all workers. That they could still work in them without dirtying their hems.

  • @jhardman1876
    @jhardman1876 Рік тому +3

    I love it when Xiran's cat just pops up and makes intense eye contact with the camera

  • @peachesandcream8753
    @peachesandcream8753 3 роки тому +764

    "I'd rather go three days without food than a day without tea."
    - Every British person ever

    • @sailiealquadacil1284
      @sailiealquadacil1284 3 роки тому +10

      Me too. Then again, my grandparents were/are very anglophile.

    • @haganekazuki2241
      @haganekazuki2241 3 роки тому +33

      Turks: Those are rookie numbers

    • @peachesandcream8753
      @peachesandcream8753 3 роки тому +10

      @@haganekazuki2241 That's my exact reaction whenever American's say "I've already had 3 cups of tea and it's only 4 o'clock!"

    • @lucidfantasies2732
      @lucidfantasies2732 3 роки тому +2

      That part happened just as I read the comment lmao

    • @melonhead82
      @melonhead82 3 роки тому +15

      As both a British person, and a Yorkshireman, this is completely wrong.
      It's every few hours you need tea.
      Yorkshire Tea.

  • @stickperson286
    @stickperson286 3 роки тому +611

    I want a fanfiction of an avatar being born in the swamp water bender tribe, and I want it now.

    • @kerdunne3422
      @kerdunne3422 3 роки тому +109

      Just a literal backwater, country bumpkin, hillbilly hick who just so happens to be the most powerful warrior in the world and the protector of mankind.
      *Yes*

    • @ngairebarr1708
      @ngairebarr1708 3 роки тому +11

      It would be brilliant

    • @izzy642
      @izzy642 3 роки тому +6

      i will read it

    • @michaelsayavong2656
      @michaelsayavong2656 3 роки тому +52

      I like to imagine with how weird thing are in the swamp area, how unusual the people are, and the climate, they are basically the avatar world’s equivalent Florida.
      So swap tribe avatar = Florida man avatar

    • @lilacpen8678
      @lilacpen8678 3 роки тому +25

      @@michaelsayavong2656 I think they're more supposed to be Louisianan Cajuns living on the bayou, but yeah. They're great.

  • @llostGD
    @llostGD 2 роки тому +37

    In The Hunt episode, I always thought Iroh got distracted, cause he was anticipating Azula's next move (single out the weakest link and bolt) and trying to determine who Azula would attack. Bc of that distraction he turned out to be the weakest link. His look lingering on Toph I always assumed was him thinking she would be Azula's target cause of her blindness

  • @freycossy-_-6598
    @freycossy-_-6598 2 роки тому +8

    A fact about original Aboriginal returning boomerangs that is often overlooked (aka completely ignored):
    It's my understanding - because of course not every nation operates in the same way, so there may be some variance - that returning boomerangs were used as hunting tools, but not necessarily weapons. Several people would stand on either side of a group of birds, usually in flight, and one side would throw boomerangs to scare the birds towards a net being held by the other side, as this is far easier than trying to strike down individual birds with individual weapons.
    The common post about 'Boomerangs can snap kangaroos' necks so how do Sokka's opponents not die or get knocked out when hit by them?' can not apply here, as Sokka's is clearly stated several times to be a returning boomerang. Some liberties were taken in the animation, but in real life, one doesn't return if it collides with something - it just falls to the ground like a stick or some types of non-returning boomerangs would if chucked at the same thing, so I'm fairly sure that no way could a tool could be used to 'snap a roo's neck,' if its main appeal is its ability to return to the thrower.
    Again, I want to reiterate that all nations have different systems so this info might not be right for all of them.

  • @niccarooo
    @niccarooo 3 роки тому +201

    Xiran saying something politically relevant than giving a cold, stern glare at the camera while dead silent never fails to make me laugh

  • @miraliaas
    @miraliaas 3 роки тому +324

    "...Azula is so gassed up and detached from reality that she thinks she can fight THE OCEAN."
    I mean...yes?

    • @gennybaratta2460
      @gennybaratta2460 3 роки тому +59

      And honestly the fact that Season One’s main villain wanted to kill the moon meanwhile one of the first things we learn about Season Two’s main villain is that she wants to fight the ocean feels very fitting and on brand

  • @lindseylazo423
    @lindseylazo423 3 роки тому +8

    "see, if i said this in china, i'd get harmonized" omggg lolll

  • @syntheticat-3
    @syntheticat-3 4 місяці тому +2

    The fact that Katara held the gaang together in the desert is even more admirable and remarkable when you hear her say, later in Book 3, that she felt completely helpless in that situation without her bending to help them. She is enough on her own, even if she didn't feel like it--the waterbending is just an expression of her strength, not the substance of it!

  • @KillerPiplup
    @KillerPiplup 3 роки тому +591

    "You should not drink from a cactus"
    Me a Mexican: (゜-゜) (eating a cactus for lunch and its fruit as dessert)
    The edible ones are really yummy tho :)

    • @teddymoon
      @teddymoon 3 роки тому +17

      I’m not Mexican, but I literally just ate nopales yesterday. 😂 (Love them. 😋)

    • @nacreangel3750
      @nacreangel3750 3 роки тому +47

      Cactus picking is to Mexicans as mushroom picking is to Russians. Picking the wrong one means death
      (Edit: Spanish)
      recolectar cactus está para mexicanos como recolectar setas está para rusos. Escoger el equivocado significa muerta

    • @minas.831
      @minas.831 3 роки тому +4

      However, i too am trying to figure out how it makes sense because you get so use to the heat it feels like you don’t need to hydrate and then the river is dried up of course so then we finally get something but it ends up dehydrating me and I step on a needle 🪡 like WHAT the heck.

    • @victorthecollector9198
      @victorthecollector9198 3 роки тому +3

      Ay, hace mucho que no como nopalitos, a ver si le pido a mi mamá que me haga unos jsjdjjdja

    • @nacreangel3750
      @nacreangel3750 3 роки тому +2

      @@victorthecollector9198
      Yo también... jajaja

  • @obiber1958
    @obiber1958 3 роки тому +545

    "this emblem foreshadows how toph becomes a cop." staring dead into the camera full silence LMAO

    • @shockingheaven
      @shockingheaven 3 роки тому +19

      I almost choked on the water I was drinking

    • @mophead_xu
      @mophead_xu 3 роки тому +69

      when you love toph but also say acab. 👊😔

    • @ariel7488
      @ariel7488 3 роки тому +2

      I was searching for this comment lmao

    • @charleylouise3900
      @charleylouise3900 3 роки тому +10

      Can someone explain the emblem to me as I’m confused with how it relates? :) thank you

    • @mophead_xu
      @mophead_xu 3 роки тому +67

      @@charleylouise3900 the beifong family crest depicts a pig, which is another nickname for cops.

  • @domidium
    @domidium 2 роки тому +12

    I like the eastern value of gaining great abilities through hard work. It makes me think of something I tell myself as an aspiring fantasy writer. "Just because it's magic does NOT mean it requires no effort."

  • @Notsoshady4891
    @Notsoshady4891 2 роки тому +15

    Lu Ten, is a sweet child. He sent a self portrait to his father, because it has been a long time since they have seen each other. Its a way of saying I can't wait to see you again. Heart breaking...

  • @HydrallUrakan
    @HydrallUrakan 3 роки тому +919

    Your comment about the "tides" line being a sign of how delusional Azula's going to become in the future is fascinating! I hadn't ever heard it read that way before, but it makes a lot of sense.

    • @Prince_the_One
      @Prince_the_One 3 роки тому +33

      I think she's a highly functioning psychopath, she can act normal when she needs to trick people, she's incredibly smart. A prodigy. The episode the Beach was fun and enlightening, but the only part I didn't like was them showing Azula as a socially inept person. She has always been able to act normal before when she needed to so I didn't understand why all of a sudden she was a blundering idiot. Please no one tell me she's just bad at flirting either, because if she can trick her way into a kingdom by disguising herself as someone else and staying in character for days at a time....then she can act normal for a few minutes at a teen party. I just think of it as just for laughs because otherwise it makes no sense.

    • @BacchaeOphanim
      @BacchaeOphanim 3 роки тому +85

      @@Prince_the_One I'm gonna disagree and say she's a sociopath, not psycho, because she was molded into that by her father.
      As for the blundering with the boy at the beach, I'm thinking it's probably because she didn't have any political reason behind it. She was legit trying to be social, not just use him to her own ends, and didn't know how to cope with that.

    • @BacchaeOphanim
      @BacchaeOphanim 3 роки тому +34

      @@WritingSch Yes, thank you Captain Pedantic. You're point about the legality of armchair diagnosing a fictional character has been noted.
      And it has been rejected for irrelevancy.

    • @weltraumkotze
      @weltraumkotze 3 роки тому +12

      @@Prince_the_One Azula s not a psychopath and 100% socially inept..the reason beng she never had to socalze, simple as that. For her status she was always treated with the most respect possble and peers basically ddn't exist, except for classmates of her school for rch and royalty, and even they, as proven by Ma and Ty Lee, only were nice to her because they had to...nobody would choose to be with Azula as she is n the seres, whle psychopaths are charming people magnets until they leash out. That's certainly what Azula thought of herself, but It's not the truth. You should watch Hello Future Me's video, it's ncredibly insightful. I don't want to fx n every i my keypad missed rght now, please imagne them (It's a loose contact- completely dependent on luck)

    • @lainiwakura1776
      @lainiwakura1776 3 роки тому

      @@WritingSch Okay, but it's a fictional work and it's main point is not an exploration of psychological disorders.

  • @adeleaslan8182
    @adeleaslan8182 3 роки тому +1577

    Azula’s line about the tides wasn’t meant to be smart and scary, it’s meant to make her look like a reckless child. Ozai would always teach her to push around people who told her she was wrong to get her way (like when he applauded her when she burned her fire bending teachers pants when he told her she was doing something wrong in the comic) so she had to assert her dominance as a leader. One of the many things that lead her to insanity

    • @origamipein18
      @origamipein18 3 роки тому +92

      Bad parenting, man. 😐

    •  3 роки тому +38

      Yeah, but a lot of people think is badass...

    • @fluffyone1882
      @fluffyone1882 3 роки тому +47

      That was very clear to me... But young kids won't get

    • @origamipein18
      @origamipein18 3 роки тому +4

      @ Well, they're nuts.

    • @origamipein18
      @origamipein18 3 роки тому +2

      @@fluffyone1882 Oh.

  • @MarchingGrrl
    @MarchingGrrl 2 роки тому +10

    Honestly, Azula wanting to fight the ocean? Big Caligula moment.

  • @hannahlanthier1283
    @hannahlanthier1283 3 роки тому +15

    I think it would've been funny Zuko called Azula "la la" for a nickname because it just sounds so upbeat and happy. It would completely contradict her personality and I think it would piss her off a little...probably why he doesn't come up with anything witty. He always low-key has been intimidated by her.

  • @trevian1227
    @trevian1227 3 роки тому +90

    *Kyoshi in Avatar Day* "I fucking do it again"

  • @kayleigh2632
    @kayleigh2632 3 роки тому +142

    "zuko the former 1%-er robs the current 1%-er" im sobbing

    • @itachi0089
      @itachi0089 3 роки тому +4

      Great and funny phrase!
      Xiran Jay Zhao is really amazing at entertaining and clever at providing interesting educational information.

    • @OK-hi5ym
      @OK-hi5ym 3 роки тому +2

      Zuko got that former rich kid guilt (which is definitely preferable to the “small loan of a million dollars from daddy” type of rich kid)

  • @sycastells1212
    @sycastells1212 2 роки тому +56

    I'm glad you devoted some energy to how long it took for Iroh to develop his conscience. I've been witness to discussions about just when Iroh "turned good", confused over whether it was when he met the dragons or later when his son died. Since it's a kids' show, I suspect the fandom skews young, so many of them simply haven't lived long enough to question the beliefs they've held for decades; they're still *learning* the beliefs they'll hold for decades.
    In reality, it can take a lifetime to gain the perspective needed to decolonize your mind. That's why wisdom is associated with old age, although it's important to remember that not all old people are wise. You have to both have experience, AND be open to learning from it.
    I think it's interesting that a lot of the Fire Nation loyalists who meet Iroh dismiss his wisdom on the grounds that he's gotten weaker with age. They aren't open to learning, so they literally see the person who could teach them as contemptible. Wonder if we can see that happening in real life...

    • @sirshotty7689
      @sirshotty7689 4 місяці тому

      Well from my perspective it seems he was always a spiritual and open minded person. he was a grand lotus in the white lotus (one of the highest ranks in the group, something he wouldn’t realistically achieve in the years between his sons death and nephews banishment), he trained under the last two dragons, and he even visited the spirit realm before (which is why he could see Roku’s dragon fang who is a spirit).
      But i think the death of Lu Ten lead to his disillusionment with the fire nation. And that disillusionment eventually culminated into blatant opposition after the events with Zhao who tried to kill his nephew and killed the moon spirit.

  • @ggEmolicious
    @ggEmolicious 2 роки тому +44

    I love that uncle’s character helps show that EVERYONE has a past, no matter how long you’ve known them. It still catches me off guard when people who I start to get close to find out things about me that surprise them and remember that nobody truly knows everything about someone else.
    The bit about uncle vs zuko using fire bending all depends on if zuko really loved the girl he was trying to impress because we know uncle has a deep appreciation for tea, some may say it lingers on love.

  • @daviddizdari61
    @daviddizdari61 3 роки тому +124

    the DEAFENING SILENCE after "the flying boar foreshadows how Toph eventually becomes a cop.", I'm--

    • @ussinussinongawd516
      @ussinussinongawd516 3 роки тому +3

      Ufckingwu

    • @heatherlee2967
      @heatherlee2967 3 роки тому

      +

    • @amalija11
      @amalija11 3 роки тому

      Yesss

    • @Dargonhuman
      @Dargonhuman 3 роки тому

      That had me rolling with laughter! There were so many of those cold stares into the camera that were just so *Italian chef kiss*

  • @vevomaster2
    @vevomaster2 3 роки тому +200

    “I would have kept the kid until they gave a proper ransom” - had me laughing lol

  • @ghostcat8399
    @ghostcat8399 3 роки тому +21

    Y’all: The Boulder
    Me, an intellectual: Large Chunk of Rock

  • @wyattcastle7225
    @wyattcastle7225 3 роки тому +54

    The technical term term for “sign holding lady” is actually ring girl.

    • @JC-yy8iv
      @JC-yy8iv 3 роки тому +9

      Yes but isn’t “sign holding lady” so much better 😂

  • @phoebe7846
    @phoebe7846 3 роки тому +509

    have you ever prepared your hot morning beverage while thinking, “i would really love to sip this while xiran jay zhao schools me on the presentation of chinese culture in media” and then opened youtube to find they’ve miraculously granted your prayer like the internet deity they are.
    that’s me ☕️🙌

    • @vyk_15
      @vyk_15 3 роки тому +13

      Was the phrase “hot morning beverage” a reference to The Dragon Prince, in the scene where Coffee was invented?

    • @gokuwrightattorneyatlaw5227
      @gokuwrightattorneyatlaw5227 3 роки тому +2

      🤣

    • @weltraumkotze
      @weltraumkotze 3 роки тому +9

      @@vyk_15 Hot brown morning potion xD

    • @cedartheyeah.justyeah.3967
      @cedartheyeah.justyeah.3967 3 роки тому +2

      @@vyk_15 H o t b r o w n m o r n i n g p o t i o n

    • @ussinussinongawd516
      @ussinussinongawd516 3 роки тому

      Idk but I think your lying for clout because she hasn't uploaded in a long time.

  • @fluffywolfo3663
    @fluffywolfo3663 3 роки тому +302

    "Who knows? Probably not even Zuko"
    Classic Zuko.

  • @RobertJW
    @RobertJW 3 роки тому +20

    "face charts, or... face book!"*moment of thought*
    I appreciated this moment in particular a lot.

  • @effluviah7544
    @effluviah7544 3 роки тому +47

    Thank you for saying "Louisiana swamp benders" because I am from a bayou/swamp IRL and let me tell you, 100% accuracy lmao. Shout out to the greater Everglades area, also my comrades in the Cajun Navy.

  • @stephanmorales2748
    @stephanmorales2748 3 роки тому +147

    Xiran talking about avatar
    her cat: hello don’t mind me

  • @thetrueglasses
    @thetrueglasses 3 роки тому +782

    hi! i'm a south asian hindu so i can speak on this: the sound of "om" (or "aum" as you said it) is the sound that was being made as the planets were created (according to many indian religions). it's basically like the big bang theory but instead of a bang, it's an om.

    • @treemarie4678
      @treemarie4678 3 роки тому +88

      The big om theory!

    • @j2dragon109
      @j2dragon109 3 роки тому +24

      @@colinfitzpatrick3389 I mean, there are eastern relgions that believe in one God, Zoroastrianism and Sikism (and the most popular sects of Hinduism do to an extent as well), and the abhramic relgions have a lot of interesting stuff assosiated with them that most people don't know about.

    • @koenigkorczak
      @koenigkorczak 3 роки тому +4

      _baaaaaaaaannnnnggg_

    • @robynhenderson9353
      @robynhenderson9353 3 роки тому +14

      That kind of reminds me if the concept of cosmic microwave background radiation in astronomy. There’s a theory that the sound of the Big Bang never actually went away. It just spread across the universe and became quieter, and it has a sonic frequency which is a low buzzing noise.

    • @Monie71793
      @Monie71793 3 роки тому +9

      @@colinfitzpatrick3389 Don't disrespect people's religions.

  • @dark_neverland
    @dark_neverland Рік тому +8

    Speaking of Iroh's end scene, I actually learned a few months ago that the portrait of his son is actually what Mako look like when he was younger which just makes that entire sequence much sadder

  • @MooneyBabbler
    @MooneyBabbler 3 роки тому +73

    Uncle Iroh constantly drinks tea and goes to ridiculous lengths to get more because he has a crippling caffeine addiction, change my mind