Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender Can Expand 1 Interesting Storyline That the Original Series Skipped According to Daniel Dae Kim: “We never really see that explored”
Fans couldn’t resist dipping their toes into the pool of nostalgia to witness Aang’s journey in live-action format in Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender. After the animated show went on the make history and set newer standards for world-building and storytelling, it was exciting to see Aang, Sokka, and Katara travel to different nations and meet quirky people along the way.
Though the fandom had some reservations regarding a live-action adaptation since the previous version disappointed everyone, the Netflix series was a breath of fresh air despite staying true to the original story.
Daniel Dae Kim Wants to Explore an Important Arc in Avatar: The Last Airbender
Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender remains loyal to the overarching narrative of the animated show that aired on Nickelodeon. The characters are authentic along with their storylines that form a growth trajectory unlike anything else.
Daniel Dae Kim is portraying the role of the central antagonist in the show, Fire Lord Ozai. He was a voice actor in the animated Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra as well. Kim’s Lord Ozai is strong, commanding, and fierce, making a formidable foe for young Aang. Being a seasoned actor, Kim realizes the subtle nuances that make a character more relatable for the audience. Such details help the viewers build a richer backstory and resonate with the motives and actions they undertake.
Kim emphasized one aspect that he would like to see in the Netflix show, an arc that was ambiguously missing from the animated show. In a conversation with Teen Vogue, Kim said,
“What is the relationship between the two of them when the second son supersedes the first? And how does Iroh feel about all of that? We never really see that explored. I’d also like to see what happened to Zuko and Azula’s mom. These kinds of things are crucial to deepening the character, and I would love to see a little bit more of his history and how that informs who he is now.”
Lord Ozai is a man who is feared as much as he is revered. His relationship with his family is not the simplest, to say the least. Iroh, his older brother, was the polar opposite of Ozai. They never saw eye to eye on any matters, let alone interact and be affectionate as brothers. Kim correctly points out that the circumstances and repercussions of their strained relationship need to be portrayed so Ozai’s ambition can be seen in a broader light.
On the other hand, the tug of war between Azula and Zuko as they chase their father’s respect and affection adds another layer to their complex characters. Zuko goes to the ends of the earth in search of Aang and does his best to impress Lord Ozai, but he still comes up short. Azula, on the other hand, benefits from the way her father underestimates her and surprises him by being more powerful than he ever imagined.
Relationship Between Lord Ozai and Azula
Kim further sheds light on how Lord Ozai feels about Azula and her burning rage. Being the prodigal son, Zuko has always gained the attention of his father Lord Ozai.
However, Azula is the one who truly makes him proud. Kim wants to explore this dynamic in more detail in the upcoming seasons of Avatar: The Last Airbender. He added,
“So when there’s another child that you are not looking at in the same way that ends up surprising you, it’s a pleasant surprise, and it changes the way that you see the future. I think Azula was a surprise to him, and it brings him some joy, he may have overlooked her in the past, but now he sees her as a real heir apparent.”
Azula is the one who helps her father conquer the Earth Kingdom and ultimately further his dream of complete conquest. Such aspects of the show also comment on the societal expectations and desires where a male heir is preferred over a female.
These regressive facets are slowly fading into obscurity as more shows like Avatar: The Last Airbender portray fierce princesses who are both powerful and brave.
