Netflix's The Last Airbender Could Improve Beloved Avatar Characters

Netflix's live-action adaptation of "Avatar: The Last Airbender" could take steps to improve upon already beloved characters from the original show.

Netflix's live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender has a chance to improve on one of the original show's most beloved characters. While a release date for the show has yet to be announced, many viewers are both wary and excited about how Netflix will adapt a series that is as beloved as the original Avatar: The Last Airbender. That curiosity extends to the characters on the show, how they'll fit into reality TV.

With most of The Last Airbender's characters already cast as live-action actors and filming wrapping up in June 2022, it's only a matter of time before fans get their eagerly awaited first glimpse at the Netflix show. This revelation will also include the changes Netflix made to The Last Airbender -- for better or worse. In the "better" category, there are a number of ways Netflix could change a particular character to improve on what made them so good already in the original Avatar: The Last Airbender.

The Last Airbender Needs To Focus More On Sokka’s Warrior Training

This character is none other than Sokka, a fan-favorite character from the Southern Water Tribe who accompanies Aang and his sister Katara on their journey to Avatar. one of the main through lines For the three seasons of the original Avatar: The Last Airbender, Sokka's role was his warrior training. As the oldest male in the village when Avatar began, Sokka felt pressured to defend his homeland. Over the course of the show, this evolved into his training as a fighter, until he emerges as the true leader in the final season.

Meet the cast of our Avatar: The Last Airbender live-action series! pic.twitter.com/EaPqmuo94e— Netflix (@netflix) August 12, 2021

That being said, there are only a few episodes where Sokka's training gets proper attention, namely Kyoko's Warrior and Sokka's Master. The former is the fourth episode of the full series where Sokka learns from the kyoko samurai -- unfortunately cut by 2010's "The Last Airbender" -- while the latter is the fourth episode of season three. This means that there is a large gap between the two.

While Sokka's progress as a fighter between episodes comes from various fights and skirmishes in the series, these are the only two episodes that primarily focus on Sokka's abilities. This means that Netflix's The Last Airbender can focus more consistently on Sokka's training over the course of the series to improve his arc and make his transition from rookie to leader feel better. more rewarding.

How Netflix Could Add More To Sokka’s Arc

Netflix's adaptation could expand on the original show's episodes in a number of ways. For example, in Avatar season 1, episode 5, the trio travels to Omashu and meets Aang's old friend King Bumi. The longer-form style of the Netflix show could mean that Sokka gets more attention and learns from Omashu's guards after Aang is put on trial by Bumi. Another episode that focuses on Sokka is season 1's "Jet." While Sokka's main arc in this episode is his distrust of Jet's freedom fighters, this episode could show more of him learning from a vigilante hardened fighter.

Bato of the Water Tribe also allows Sokka to learn from a friend of his father's, the titular Bato. While this episode showcased Sokka's leadership qualities, seeing Sokka learn some combat skills from real Water Tribe warriors would enrich his storyline. The last three episodes of the first season all take place in Avatar's Northern Water Tribe, and Sokka even joins a secret task force for the finale. This could allow Netflix to show more of Sokka's warrior training than ever before, improving his entry into Avatar: The Last Airbender. The second season of the show.