Avatar: The Last Airbender might be my favourite show from my childhood. I always got annoyed about the airtime as it was at 3pm and school only finished then, so I missed the first 10 minutes by the time I could start. As I got older I re-watched the show and I had such an appreciation for the detail and development of a philosophically complex story based in a unique world. I loved that it was in an anime style but understood the West. I got addicted and slowly started learning of the world created my favourite being the deep rooting in Asian culture and history. This is clearly shown in the opening montage of the show with the bending of the elements as they were based on different martial arts which the creators consulted Sifu Kisu for the technicalities (zippy9171, 2010).
There are three key things to know about bending elements, first is genetics, second is chi and last the martial arts (Van Hoey, n.d.). Context of chi is needed to understand the martial arts. Chi is energy points in the body which can be used depending on the jing to create different elements (Van Hoey, n.d.). Jing can either be positive (offensive), negative (defensive) or neutral (Van Hoey, n.d.). I’ll start with the Water Tribes whom of which are influenced by the Innuits (Van Hoey, n.d.). The Water Tribes use the Chinese symbols shui shan which means virtue and they value change and adapting, the unity of community through love (Van Hoey, n.d.). This is shown in the bending use of Tai Chi which is an internal style focused on control of energy (Larham, 2017). They use soft, gentle, flowing arm movements creating circles to pass by attacking energy and issues outwards (Larham, 2017). Students are taught that little strength is needed to defend and is also used for health (Larham, 2017). The focus is on the alignment, breathing, body structure and focus of the bender (zippy9171, 2010). Water is considered positive to negative meaning both defence and offense is used in a fluid move (Van Hoey, n.d.).
Next is the Earth Kingdom which is based on Qing dynasty China (Van Hoey, n.d.). The Earth Kingdom uses the Chinese symbols tu qiang which means strong; their beliefs based on substance and are diverse and strong (Van Hoey, n.d.). The martial art Hung Gar Kung Fu is a mix of tiger and crane animal styles (Larham, 2017). It uses deep low stances and strong hand techniques as it is a more external style of Kung Fu that emphasises on a firm solid stance (Larham, 2017). It is a more connected style to the earth to provide more power with strong balanced stanced and powerful strikes used to ‘tap’ into the earth (Larham, 2017; zippy9171, 2010). The name Hung in Chinese is a family name that means “to stand firm and tall with integrity” which are the main ideals of the Kingdom (Larham, 2017). There is one character whom is an exception; Toph. She uses a style of earthbending based on the style called Southern Praying Mantis (Larham, 2017). This martial art is a close-range style that focuses on the arms and limits the legs to short range kicks (Larham, 2017). The strengthening of the arms being extended reduces the recoil needed to gather energy which is inspired by a mantis defeating a bird (Larham, 2017).
Next is the Fire Nation whom is influenced by Imperial Japan shown through the genocide of societies in the cause of expansionism (Van Hoey, n.d.). The Fire Nation has the Chinese symbols huo lie meaning fierce requiring the desire for power (Van Hoey, n.d.). Firebending is offensive meaning it is positive jing (Van Hoey, n.d.). It is based on the martial art Northern Shoalin which is an external style based on extending the body (Larham, 2017). It uses long aggressive techniques that explode and drive the opponent away (Larham, 2017). The origins of the movements come from mature using animal movements and the Chinese elements wood, fire, earth, metal and water (Larham, 2017). Students use this energy to move the opponent inhaling a breath and when exhaling fire moves as well (zippy9171, 2010).
Finally, the Air Nomads who are inspired by Tibetan Monks shown in there clothing, philosophy and temples (Van Hoey, n.d.). The Chinese symbols qi he which means peaceful represents Air who have received freedom from worldly concerns (Van Hoey, n.d.). Negative jing is used for airbending which is defensive reflecting their beliefs (Van Hoey, n.d.). The bending style is based off Ba Gua Zhang which is an internal style based around the eight trigrams of the Yijing (Larham, 2017). The eight trigrams are eight animals which the movements are based on; lion, snake, bear, dragon, phoenix, rooster, qilin and monkey (Larham, 2017). The use of circle walking is used to move and change direction without pausing or losing momentum (Larham, 2017). The tactics are about outflanking and outmanoeuvring the opponent through constant moving and circular air movement (Larham, 2017; zippy9171, 2010).
This is an example of intertextuality which is when one text influences another (Lecture Notes, 2018). The creators of Avatar: The Last Airbender used the influences of other cultures to create their world and this is a form of optional intertextuality as prior knowledge gives further understanding to the show however it doesn’t take away from the entertainment (Lecture Notes, 2018). Music uses many forms of intertextuality due to the constant desire to pay homage and being inspired by role models. This is what helps people feel like they have shown respect for what they love and show this to the world.
Sources:
Avatar Wiki. Avatar State [Image]. Retrieved from http://avatar.wikia.com/wiki/Avatar
DiMartino M. D.; Konietzko B. [creators] (2005-2008), Avatar: The Last Airbender [television series], United States of America, Nickelodeon
Golpushnezhad, E. (2018). Influence and the Connectedness of Things. Lecture.
Larham, Q. (2017). What martial arts styles inspired "Avatar: The Last Airbender"?. Retrieved from https://www.quora.com/What-martial-arts-styles-inspired-Avatar-The-Last-Airbender
Nick Animation. (2016). "Avatar: The Last Airbender" Theme Song (HQ) | Episode Opening Credits | Nick Animation [Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1EnW4kn1kg
Penguin Random House. Avatar: The Last Airbender-Imbalance Part One - Cover[Image]. Retrieved from https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/572909/avatar-the-last-airbender-imbalance-part-one-by-written-by-faith-erin-hicks-michael-dante-dimartino-and-bryan-konietzko-illustrated-by-peter-wartman/9781506704890/
Van Hoey, T. The Blending of Bending: World-building in Avatar: The Last Airbender and Legend of Korra. Academia. Retrieved from https://www.academia.edu/32184348/The_Blending_of_Bending_World-building_in_Avatar_The_Last_Airbender_and_Legend_of_Korra
zippy9171. (2010). Avatar the Last Airbender- Creating The Legend- Bending [Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iisrUSi7Kgw
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