Storytelling Lessons From Avatar The Last Airbender After 19 Years Of Fanbase

No, I won't be watching the latest live-action adaptation by Netflix, and yes I'd gladly wear the title of 'Close-minded people' forever!

For me, the best Netflix shows are usually the original ones - that no one really knows or cares about!

Apart from that, ATLA is one of the best shows to be around when we used to watch television as kids and one mandatory study table routine was going back and forth to make it happen.

Today's kids having easy access to the internet 24/7 (I regularly watch kids having the urge to keep their eyes on the phone while eating even in restaurants!) do not have any idea how much work it is to get in front of the TV.

ATLA is one of those shows that never really goes out of style! Imagine, a show being loved exactly like when it was first aired, 19 whole years of love and adoration! It is a rare kind of fandom you could ever find.

So today's newsletter is a little snooping around the biggest storytelling lessons I have learned from Aaron Ehasz, the head writer of the show.

All while paying my little tribute because this show has saved my life I think zillion times!

The Backdrop - The Problem

The best thing about Japanese animes (Does ATLA come under anime? I'm still not sure ??) is the backdrop where something really important (like a 100-year-old war) is happening.

From the pilot episode, you step into a world divided by 4 elements-

Water, Earth, Fire, Air

And while I hope you can hear 'Long ago the four nations lived in harmony, but everything changed when the fire nation attacked....' because even listening to this classic intro still feels so exciting!

You immediately know the exact problem - the fire nation, not air nomads, water tribes of the earth kingdom. Then you know the solution as well:

"Only the Avatar, master of all four elements can save the world"

And now you know you're in, and a great story is about to begin!

The Character Arc Game: Everyone Has A Favorite

During all the 3 Books (read seasons) - Water, Earth and Fire you get to pick a favourite and then root for it.

Yes, this is the power of good old storytelling! You'll eventually fall in love with a character and look forward to what they're going to do next.

And I am pretty sure it's either Uncle Iroh, Toph, Zuko (Well an obvious choice) or maybe a Sokka fan out there!

Once a friend told me how much they loved the character development of Jaimie Lannister in Game of Thrones, then I told him I knew a better one- do you know who Prince Zuko is?

Andddd.... bam! He was instantly hooked and now that is all he can talk about now!

Seriously turning a tortured anti-hero into a war hero- sometimes I feel Zuko is the real protagonist and not Aang (The Avatar).

#Lesson: Creating an irresistible character includes transformation at its core. A protagonist is someone who will define the story while walking the arc.

The Real Hero - Not The Avatar But Life Lessons

A kid's show that is teaching important life lessons - that is all we are asking for!

Whether it's the Avatar gang spreading the right knowledge over the world, Katara fighting Master Paku to get Water bending lessons from him (Cause she's a girl, and a girl has to fight for it!) or the good winning over the evil in Zuko - it is worthy of a watch.

The most important lessons we learn come from Uncle Iroh and it's nonetheless to say that we all need an Uncle Iroh in our lives. ??

Who else would be better to teach a thug how to be in a better posture to be a thug otherwise? ??

#Lesson: The real hero would be the story, and the characters would be the storytellers. What's the story without spreading a little social message or mind-shattering life lessons? In short, offering the audience a little light bulb ??moments here and there - signs of winner storytelling indeed!

The Magic Marvel Humor Formula

Whether it is Sokka getting up and high on cactus juice

Or planning a sneak attack while announcing it

Or Appa laying on his back and 6 feats closer before sleeping ?? (Cutest and funniest sleep ever)

You will have a good laugh on most of the episodes!

Using humour in critical situations like battles or destruction with quirky sokka lines or Toph continuously making fun of other group members using her blindness - ATLA writers knew what they were doing! ??

#Lesson: Humor is a brilliant way to engage the emotions of the target audience and it also allows you to make them feel at ease and relate to whatever you are saying.

The Team Of Warriors - The Humane Solution

Whether it's Beyblade, GOT or Power Rangers - the 'Hero' team will always be loved and admired, and in this with an Appa laughed at and adored unconditionally.

With a mission on their hands to 'Save the world' from the bad guys, they go on a journey towards self-discovery and character development - the formula is quite familiar.

But what separates ATLA from any other similar shows is the stage- the characters, what they represent, and why their battle is important.

With Aang being the young (rather lost at times) avatar who's actually fighting for his honour (because he fleed the situation 100 years ago),

Katara avenging her mother (who was killed during one fire nation army invasion),

Sokka wants to prove his capability

Toph's willingness to show the world that she's just not the blind, helpless girl everyone assumes

And Zuko who's fighting against his father the Fire Lord to stop the war after winning the battles inside him.

This is why it is still the most loved show on earth for the last 19 years!

#Lesson: People, Place, Plot, and Purpose - make sure you have a good understanding of how to play all the 4 P's in your storytelling.

The Conclusion: Why Are We Still In Love?

Whether it's Azula breaking down on the day of her coronation

Or, Uncle Iroh signing 'Leaves from the Vine' that would bring tears to our eyes even after 19 whole years:

Or Aang defeating the Firelord by taking his bending away and not killing him.

Ahh, the beauty of the shoe-dropping climax ??.

The relatability factor, the meaningful conversations, groundbreaking storytelling, killer animations (In 2005!), and of course the legendary saga of all!

This show has saved me a lot of times when I am about to give up. Take any 90's kid or generations after that - this show will always take this special place on our heartstrings.

And I will forever and ever hate Netflix for already ruining it with a bad movie and another live-action adaptation that has recently been released all over the world. :(

That's all for today!

Thanks a lot for surviving another tale from 'Sparkling Water., after 8 whole months! ??

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This was the 9th edition of 'Sparkling Water' ??. Stay tuned as I come back on some other Saturday!