In a contextual analysis of the creation of the plot, an enthusiast of the series stated, “the style and content of Avatar is heavily influenced by Asian cultures” (Calhoun). Aang becomes an important character to teenagers by encouraging them to make light of negative situations and to not use physical violence when facing an opponent. The creators of the series, Bryan Konietzko and Michael DiMartino, are two American writers that wanted to design a plot that contained Buddhist philosophy, which appealed to an audience in their formative years. Throughout his expedition, Aang must master bending all four elements and stop the Fire Nation from ruling all nations of the world. His venture begins when Water Tribe members, Katara and her brother, Sokka, discover Aang trapped within the ice. For one hundred years, Aang and his flying bison are trapped in a circular-shaped portion of ice. Under the belief that they have destroyed the Avatar, the Fire Nation begins to slowly overthrow the other nations. In a novelization of Avatar: The Last Airbender, the author describes Aang’s great power in disclosing that, “only the Avatar, master of all four elements and the bridge to the spirit world, could stop the ruthless firebenders” (Teitelbaum 4). Throughout the television series, the Fire Nation seeks control over all of the nations, but has to destroy the Avatar in order to be all-powerful.
For centuries, the Avatar upheld his or her duties in delivering balance by being re-embodied through the cycle of the four nations. Only the Avatar has the ability to bend the four elements. As a result of this important battle, he is able to fulfill his purpose of bringing balance to the world and develops into a realized Avatar.Īang’s voyage is a coming of age story that takes place in a mythic and spiritual world, in which a percentage of the population have the ability to bend the elements of their land. His cultural practices are what allow him to be successful during his final battle with Firelord Ozai. He is portrayed as a divine being because he has the ability to bend or manipulate the elements of air, water, earth, and fire to undertake enemy forces. Aang is humanized in his ability to be severely harmed by other people. Additionally, his Buddhist influences stimulate Aang’s connection to the natural and spiritual world. Avatar Aang is depicted as a spiritual hero because he helps spread hope to other citizens, experiences a sense of enlightenment through meditation, and only harms his opponents as a last resort. The television series applies many concepts of Buddhist doctrine through Aang being a vegetarian monk who has a strict moral code. Avatar Aang is a spiritual hero that accomplishes his noble duties through the application of Buddhist culture.
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