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Jan 11, 1111
Introduction
In the animated TV show, “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” and its spinoff, “The Legend of Korra,” the Avatar is a perfect example of the Superheroic archetype. This is because, he does not belong or fit into any of the four specific civilizations,yet they still rely on him to maintain balance and order between them. -
The Avatar
The Avatar is not a specific person, but rather an individual who is the only physical being with the ability to bend all four elements. It is considered the Avatar's duty to master the four bending arts and use that power to keep balance among the four nations of the world, as well as between mankind and spirits. Upon death, the Avatar Spirit causes the Avatar to reincarnate into the next nation, dictated by the cyclic order: fire, air, water, and earth. -
Wan, First Avatar Pt.1
Wan became the first Avatar after fusing with Raava, the spirit of light and peace, in order to combat the spirit of darkness and chaos, Vaatu. Unaware of Vaatu's identity at the time, Wan was tricked by the dark spirit into separating him from Raava, releasing darkness and chaos into the world. Wishing to fix his mistake, Wan journeyed with Raava for the purpose of gaining the elements of air, water, and earth and learning how to master them. -
Wan, First Avatar Pt.2
About a year later, during their fight against Vaatu at the time of the Harmonic Convergence (a supernatural phenomenon every 10,000 years when Raava and Vaatu must battle to determine the fate of the world until the next Harmonic Convergence),Wan merged permanently with Raava, becoming the first Avatar. The origin story of the Avatar displays the uniqueness of the power that they possess, setting them apart from the rest of society and following the superheroic archetype. -
Firenation Attacks
Initially, the plot develops around the mysterious disappearance of the Avatar at the time, Roku of the Fire Nation. In his absence, the Fire Nation seizes their window of opportunity and establishes a tyrannical rule over the other three nations. They commit mass genocide upon the Air Nomads, who the next Avatar would arise from. These events show the immense powers that the Avatar holds to be able to preserve equality among all nations. -
Firenation Attacks Pt.2
The Fire Nation only struck once Roku disappeared, and attempted to exterminate an entire nation, just to prevent the Avatar’s reincarnation. This signifies how important the Avatar is and that he is greatly needed by society as a superhero figure. -
Aang Arrives
Aang reemerges to human civilization after being preserved in an iceberg for one hundred years. He returns to a world conquered by the villainous Fire Nation without his familiar tribe of the Air Nomads to turn to. At age 12, Aang must embark on a journey to master all four elements in order to combat the emperor of the fire nation, Fire Lord Ozai. -
Aang Arrives Pt.2
However, upon discovering Aang’s survival of his people’s massacre, the Fire Nation makes it their number one priority to locate and eliminate him before he becomes powerful enough to oppose them. This shows the amount of potential for power that he has at only 12 years old that warrants the attention of an entire empire. -
End of One Hundred Year War
After mastering the ability to control all four elements, Aang confronted Fire Lord Ozai and battled him in a final standoff to determine the fate of the world. Aang triumphed. Sparing Ozai’s life, he instead stripped him of his firebending and imprisoned him. Aang fulfilled his duty as the Avatar to restore balance between the four nations and bringing peace once more to the world. -
End of One Hundred Year War Pt.2
His ability to topple an entire kingdom follows the traditional superheroic archetype of an abnormally powerful individual who struggles to fit in with society, but he is needed in order to maintain stability. -
The Legend of Korra
After the events of the show, “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” the cycle continued which prompted the creators to create a second series built upon the same archetype of the next avatar. Unlike Aang, this time, the female protagonist Korra wants to go out and adventure out to be a savior in a heroic archetype, but is refused because her mentors don’t think she is ready. This creates the idea of the superheroic archetype forming because right now the people don't realize the need it. -
Equalist Movement Pt.1
The first story takes place in Republic City, a more modern/contemporary city created for benders, and non benders alike from all over the world, to thrive. Korra, who is currently situated at the Southern Water Tribe has not yet been exposed to the modern culture of this city, and has been living in isolation in a culture that has been relatively similar throughout history. One day, she sneaks out and sets off to go to this city, which connects to the archetype of superheroic. -
Equalist Movement Pt.2
In the city a revolution starts to occur which includes non benders thinking that they are being oppressed by people who can bend. The avatar being able to bend all four elements is a primary target from this movement. After multiple attempts to kidnap the avatar, she goes into a state of panic. Even though she does not fit into this region of modern, the people need her to create balance. Her outdated lifestyle is what ultimately causes her to not belong when the world needed the avatar most -
Earth Empire Pt.1
Another story that occurs is in the Earth Kingdom. It starts when the leader of the Earth Kingdom is assassinated, and leads to the fall of the earth kingdom. A new regional power arose, known as the earth empire. Here the leader would go out and unify the dismantled Earth Kingdom. This particular leader would rule in fear in order to gain loyalty from his servants. -
Earth Empire Part 2
After the unification of the earth empire, the leader seeks to gain more land from surrounding areas, one of which was Republic City discussed in the previous section. The avatar currently is weak due to conflict at another location, and runs away from the battle with the Earth Empire. This again falls into the super heroic archetype through a different way. This time, the hero does not fit in the battle because the hero is incapable of beating the leader of the Earth Empire. -
Earth Empire Part 3
This ultimately leads to inner conflict within oneself. While the avatar is needed to restore balance, it doesn’t belong because of inner struggles. -
Conclusion
The authors of both Avatar series exceptionally captures the super heroic archetype by introducing challenges, such as not fitting into current times, and shows the development of the character along its journey. -
Sources
http://avatar.wikia.com/wiki/Avatar_Wiki - For all Pictures used in this great presentation.
