Avatar: Netflix modifies another character deemed problematic

Avatar: Netflix modifies another character deemed problematic

After Sokka, Netflix changed another iconic character in its adaptation Avatar: The Last Airbender, due to “gender issues” . And the fans really don’t like it.

Avatar: The Last Airbender has become an iconic animated series. The story of Aang crossing the territories of nations mastering the elements to learn to become an avatar, this unique being capable of restoring the balance of power, has long fascinated the public. Obviously, given such success, the series was entitled to live-action adaptations.

The first, by M. Night Shyamalan, did not really win over the spectators. Becoming a failure both critically and at the box office, one would have thought that no one would try the adventure again.

This was without counting on Netflix, which decided to take up the challenge by choosing the series format this time. And the streaming giant is billing the project as ” a live-action reinterpretation of the award-winning and acclaimed Nickelodeon animated series. ”

The word “reinterpretation” seems to have been chosen carefully: because, as the series approaches its release on the platform, spectators have learned that certain characters had undergone changes in their characterization. This time, it’s Katara, a waterbender in Aang’s close entourage, who finds herself in Netflix’s sights.

Katara’s character was changed in Netflix’s Avatar adaptation

Albert Kim, showrunner of Avatar: The Last Airbender for Netflix, spoke to IGN to respond to comments about changes to important characters, particularly regarding Sokka and Katara.

“Katara played certain roles in the cartoon that we didn’t necessarily cover here. I mean, without going into too much detail, there are certain gender issues that are difficult to adapt.”

Kim’s comments come after Sokka star Ian Ousley and Katara star Kiawentiio spoke to Entertainment Weekly about changes to their characters, with the former explaining that “realism carries more weight”in the Netflix version.

The actress playing Katara, Kiawentiio then added: ” I feel like we also eliminated the sexist side [of Sokka]. There were a lot of moments in the original story that seemed questionable to me. “

To which Ian Ousley reacted: “Yes, absolutely. There are things that have been redirected simply because they might be perceived a little differently [in live action].”

Strong Reactions to Main Character Changes in Netflix’s Avatar

The decision to change these character characterizations did not go down well with fans, with some citing the fact that the original writers, Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino, spent two years working on the live-action version of ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ before leaving the project due to creative differences.

“The creators left the show for such obvious reasons. Netflix doesn’t understand the characters.”

“I understand their point of view, but Sokka’s behavior helped his character develop in the original story.”

“But Katara’s feminism is a major plot point in the first season? / Her gender issues literally come from the Northern Water Tribe not allowing women to train in combat and making them focus on healing while she needed to learn how to fight, and Sokka’s arc makes him understand that he needs to accept that women are as competent as men and that he doesn’t need to do everything.”

On Reddit, one user bluntly felt that these “problems” are so minor that they don’t need to be clarified: “It’s such a non-question that I wonder why it should even be mentioned.”

To get your own idea of ​​the result of these changes, you will have to wait until February 22, 2024, the release date of Avatar: The Last Airbender on Netflix.

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