Ashes of the Academy - 10 Preview Pages + Analysis

[@AirspeedPrime]

Looking very good so far. Also seems like it is keeping on schedule, preview pages at the usual time, March is looking locked in at the moment.

[@austro1675]

Kiyi is a mary sue and it's very annoying :(

[@AirspeedPrime]

@@austro1675 I personally find the weird and needless criticism of Kiyi to be more annoying ;) Kiyi is a super fun and interesting character, who is not the things you say she is just because you don't like her.

[@austro1675]

@@AirspeedPrime Ozai level raw power despite having two non-bending parents is totally okay with you? Um alright then. I suppose you also think it's alright for her to melt through an iron door with zero training. Something Yang obv did not consider the implications of. None of it is needless criticism. She's barely a character and has a worse power boost than Katara. Everything was given to her and she's earned nothing. She's known no struggle and is OP and a combat vet now apparently for no reason, yet you find her "interesting." Please give me a single solid reason for Kiyi existing. She seems to be the perfect daughter Ursa always wanted and a perfect sister Zuko never had. She's a distraction to Azula's redemption and reunion/rekindling with Zuko. Why is Ursa not worried at all that her daughter is on the loose? If you don't understand the frustration with people who have issues with Kiyi and just write them off as being "Weird." then I don't even know what to tell you.

[@AirspeedPrime]

@@austro1675 "has a worse power boost than Katara." Yeah, this quality of analysis is really not doing it for me. Feel free to have whatever opinion you want, I am good with my views on things :)

[@austro1675]

@@AirspeedPrime Lol, and feel free to ignore everything else I said. Yeah, Katara ragdolling Hama, the creator of bloodbending is totally not a power boost. Okay then. I'm fine with you not respecting my level of analysis, by that same token, I'll say the same to you :)

[@britintoyland]

Shaping up really nicely. I really like all we’re getting of Mai so far, quite exciting. I feel like her speech about the cicada-beetle also refers to Mai’s personal journey. Being buried in darkness like how she always repressed her emotions. Coming into the light on a few occasions but it not lasting. Great stuff. When we saw that Pearl headmistress portrait, for a second I was like “Hei Ran … ?” but no, it really doesn’t look like her. Maybe they’ll be a new portrait up there by book’s end.

[@ArasRud]

I also got the feeling she was talking about herself mostly.

[@firerose4495]

The preview pages were very enjoyable, I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of the story and the flashback.

[@tabse21u]

Yes agree. It looks very promising!!

[@DakshPaul-g6g]

@@firerose4495 The dialog of Ursa mentioning Smoke and Shadow should be changed.

[@ArasRud]

As a huge Mai fan, I am so happy to finally get a bit of her story.

[@laurenrodriguez4786]

Hey Morgan! Gracias for these preview pages and you’re awesome description! It really helped me see everything in my mind. I am so excited for your review of this comic! You know how much I love Zuko. And. Kiyis bond! This is totally made my day! I hope you’re doing well.

[@RapidTransit1941]

I think she is like Bumi and survived both era, It is 100% possible Pearl got headmistress at the last two years of Sozin's life for example and was there until Ozai's time as leader. Mai even mentioned Sozin as well, it can't be a mistake to repeat the name twice.

[@Sophiex9i]

This book it looks like it's going to be great. Hopefully it doesn't get delayed with preview pages out is a good sign curious what the next one shot trilogy will be about.

[@piglatin9]

I think honestly Sozin was named because he started the war and switched up the school systems and education in all that in the first place

[@terry.1428]

Great vid comic gonna be great

[@unhingeduser]

Love this!!

[@spencerpalmer4961]

Why didn’t Fire Lord Zuko’s Team Avatar members told him about their experiences with Fire Nation schools while were undercover before their Invasion of the Black Sun?

[@AirspeedPrime]

He knows, he went to fire nation schools himself and then turned to the right side. He literally notes this in an episode "No, I've learned everything! And I've had to learn it on my own! Growing up, we were taught that the Fire Nation was the greatest civilization in history. And somehow, the War was our way of sharing our greatness with the rest of the world. What an amazing lie that was. The people of the world are terrified by the Fire Nation. They don't see our greatness. They hate us! And we deserve it! We've created an era of fear in the world. And if we don't want the world to destroy itself" - Zuko, The Day of Black Sun Part 2 He knows they are thought lies, hence why as Fire Lord he is now trying to make big reforms. He doesn't need Aang to explain his experience in school, he was in one himself!

[@DakshPaul-g6g]

The dialog of Ursa mentioning Smoke and Shadow should be changed.

[@AirspeedPrime]

It absolutely will be, no way that makes it to print.

[@DakshPaul-g6g]

When will they change the dialog?

[@AirspeedPrime]

@DakshPaul-g6g obviously for the actual digital and physical release. Depending on how much the preview pages and word about the mistake spreads, they might change the preview pages, especially when other sites put them up.

[@DakshPaul-g6g]

@@AirspeedPrime What do you mean?

[@AirspeedPrime]

@@DakshPaul-g6g You asked a question, I replied. I don't know where the confusion is unless you give me a bit more context.

[@snoonan768]

The new comics kind of make it look like ursa and zuko have sort of abandoned azula Andover on to kiyi. I think this is kind of sad. Also, ursa seems to blame everyone but herself for how azula turned out. A little kid can't differentiate from her mom being mad at the school and being mad at her. It is like the turtle duck incident where a young azula can't distinguish between ursa being afraid if izai and being g scared of her. Ursa really needed to explain these things to her. I know it is a cameo in a one shot but it kind of paints them in a bad light.

[@AirspeedPrime]

@@snoonan768 I don't get this at all, Azula is the one who isn't ready to talk, she ran away in The Search and in Smoke and Shadow and Azula in the Spirit Temple she clearly isn't ready to have the big conversations needed. They have tried with her, she hasn't, they are ready when she is. So how have they abandoned her, they are allowed to do things beyond Azula. Do you really think if she showed up they wouldn't try to talk to her like they did in previous comics.

[@snoonan768]

@AirspeedPrime it just seems like they are fine leaving it up to ty Lee. I get that she is not ready to talk but the recent comics just make it seem like they moved on which I guess it is okay bit I would like to get a sense of if they are actively looking or just waiting because that seems to be what is happening.

[@AirspeedPrime]

@@snoonan768 "recent comics just make it seem like they moved on " How? This is the first time we are getting content with some of these characters post Smoke and Shadow. Last time Zuko and Azula were in a comic together was Smoke and Shadow, Zuko had a small role in North and South and otherwise this is his first appearance in a while. And they are literally still talking about Azula here in these preview pages, Ursa references her, Zuko references her, Mai and Kiyi reference her. Sure they are not plans to get her, but like I said earlier it is on her mostly to make a reunion happen. The book is going to have Azula backstory despite it being more of a Mai/Kiyi focused book. Azula is in no way being forgotten, sure more progress with her story would be great, but the question now is about if the story will continue in the comics or in an upcoming animated project. I just feel I have to push back on this idea that Azula is being forgotten because the characters have other stuff going on in their lives. I know some people don't like Kiyi, but she is canon and it makes complete sense that Ursa is focused on Kiyi going to school, it makes sense that Zuko has Ty Lee leading the Azula search, he is the fire lord and has a lot to do such as what this comic is doing with him being involved in evolving the education system in the Fire Nation.

[@therion108]

Just thinking about fire lords.. Mentioning Sozin and Ozai really does not make much sense. Adult Fire nationals had lived most of their lives under Fire Lord Azulon rule. And probably had being taught about his great predecessor Sozin. Though Ozai, on the other hand, only took over few years ago (despite his older brother had bigger claim) and then failed at Great Fire Nation Mission to share their prosperity (aka lost the war). So I would say most Fire Nation citizens would first say Azulon, when asked about the Fire Lord, then Sozin.. and Ozai would barely crossed their minds.

[@issybella66]

This book is going to be interesting i wonder how the plot with Kiyi is going to be go and I really do think that Mai and Zuko are going to get back together in this comic if they haven’t already the status of their relationship is confusing I thought they were back together at the end of the last one they were in

[@AirspeedPrime]

The awkwardness between the two of them has been gone since the end of Smoke and Shadow, but we have not had a proper get back together moment yet. They seem to be in an interesting spot where things are good, but neither of them have addressed their relationship status. So I think they are either just going to get back together here or present things well enough that it is only a matter of time before they naturally get back together.

[@DakshPaul-g6g]

@@issybella66 This comic is a post show comic made in consultation with Avatar Studios just like The Bounty Hunter and the Tea Brewer. I think it will be connected to the original series endgame where Zuko and Mai were together as a couple.

[@issybella66]

i didn’t know that this was made in consultation with Avatar Studios and I know that these new comics are made with new writers and I think they got new writers because the old ones they made the comics into a fanfic level soap opera the writing was terrible and I hope that Mai and Zuko do get back together

[@DakshPaul-g6g]

@@issybella66 Bryke has stated they will retcon comics as needed for upcoming content

[@AirspeedPrime]

@@DakshPaul-g6g to be fair they will retcon anything "as needed" this quote means they will retcon in the same way they have retconned mistakes within ATLA. What they specifically said in terms of where people get this from is that they fully support the comics and view it them as canon and will be using what the comics have done in the new stuff. But that if they do encounter a situation where they need to adjust they will retcon. The quote is more the usual retcon as a last resort than them viewing the comics as stuff they will be changing regularly. I feel I need to clarify this as this statement has been poorly used/quoted by fans since the interview came out.

[@austro1675]

Page 1 Panel 1 - Very icky that Ursa is talking about her "Daughter" and it not being about Azula. Total disrespect that she's focusing her time and attention on her new daughter and we were robbed of a much needed Azula/Ursa reunion. Like seriously what the frick? And why is our first introduction to the Royal Academy through the pov of Kiyi? Azula was the first one to mention it in the show when she went to recruit Ty Lee so it's only right that we get to see Azula's pov, but it seems here she's just relegated to flashbacks in someone elses story. TOTAL DISRESPECT. Page 1 Panel 2 - Is Ursa really blaming the Academy for "bringing out the worst" in Azula? Maybe this will be clarified later in flashbacks, but Ty Lee went to the same academy and turned out fine. It feels like Ursa might be deflecting blame for her parenting. Just speculation, but I hope this comic doesn’t pin everything on Ozai and the Academy without addressing Ursa’s flaws as well. Page 1 - Panel 3 & 4 - Lol, Zuko’s “Believe in me” talk is giving Naruto vibes here. It’s a bit odd how they’re not going into specifics, though. All we’re told is that the academy was “harsh” and that it will be “different now.” Maybe they’ll dig into it more later, but for now, it feels very vague. Page 2 Panel 3 - I’m a bit confused about what they mean by all Fire Nation citizens. From my understanding, this is a school only open to royals and nobles, right? If it were open to everyone, what would make it the “Royal” Academy? I suppose they could introduce a merit-based system, but how do you even judge the merit of an eight-year-old? The idea of turning it into a public school where anyone, even lower-class students, can attend while still being the go-to for nobility feels contradictory. The school is only so big and can only admit a limited number of students, so I’m not sure how that would work. Also, Ursa mentions undermining “traditions,” but this is brought up a lot in ATLA without much elaboration. What are these traditions? How did they form, and why are they so important? Some clarity on this would really help. Page 2 Panel 4 - This is great to see-it actually makes sense. Like Germany post-WWII, just because the Allies won doesn’t mean minds changed overnight. Similarly, even if there’s a real “truth” about how the war began and the Fire Nation’s role in it, that doesn’t mean Fire Nation citizens will accept it. Not after 100 years of propaganda, and especially not with a scarred, banished prince now in power. This is a solid and realistic portrayal. Page 3 - I keep coming back to this, but things are brought up vaguely and never elaborated on. Maybe they’ll be explained later, so I don’t want to be too harsh, but I do feel the need to raise the point. The Headmistress says she has "reservations" (basically telling Zuko, "This system is too soft"). But why does she have these reservations? There’s no war anymore, so why would a Spartan-esque school system still be necessary? Why doesn’t Zuko press her for specifics? Instead, he just tells her there’s no war, which she already knows. And then there’s Ursa, just smirking like a sassy yes-man. If she really thinks this school system is a big deal, she should bring up how Azula attended under Ozai, and it turned into a disaster-that would make a much stronger argument. Page 4 - I can’t fully provide my thoughts on this page since I’m missing the buildup-at least three pages, considering this is a preview. That said, I have some questions. The student bullying Kiyi and her friend is clearly from the Ozai era, used to the academy’s cutthroat nature. But why even admit nonbenders to the academy? Are they just supposed to accept getting burned every other day? Was Mai constantly carrying knives and stabbing anyone who looked at her wrong? This level of bullying feels so over-the-top and cartoonish that I’m left wondering why any noble family would send their daughter here, given the high chance she might come home scarred-injuries that can’t even be healed, by the way. There’s no nuance to the bullying or the academy’s "cutthroat" atmosphere. Why is Kiyi so comfortable flying at someone and smacking them with fire? She’s never known combat or hardship. Unlike most ATLA characters, she’s had a really good upbringing and isn’t jaded. Why is she acting like it’s her job to pounce on this student? Shouldn’t she feel anxious or like a fish out of water? So far, all she’s done is burn a hole through a door, and now suddenly, she’s ready for full-on combat? It doesn’t make sense. Even Katara was awkward the first time she fought-she looked away while freezing the soldiers on the ship. Combat didn’t come naturally to her, so why would it for Kiyi? Also, why does Kiyi have Ozai-level raw power despite having two non-bending parents? From what we’ve seen, neither Ursa nor Ikem are benders, so where is this power coming from? It feels like Kiyi is being set up as a Mary Sue-her development (or lack thereof) seems skipped over entirely for convenience. Nothing about her abilities or progression is making sense, and it’s hard to connect with her character when everything feels so rushed and unexplained. sorry I want to say a lot more but that's all for now.

[@erven4360]

Katara had two nonbending parents and she became a master waterbender at the age of 14, kiyi is meant to be a prodigy like Azula, they're both granddaughters of Roku a powerful firebending avatar. I do agree she needs more development as a character though, things are happening way too fast in my opinion

[@snoonan768]

I agree with you about ursa she seems to be deflecting her responsibilities with regard to azula. She did make alot of mistakes and if she wants to save her daughter she needs to take responsibility for them. I also feel that ursa projects azula onto kiyi and I worried about the academy because of azula without really considering kiyi. Beyond that yes kiyi seems too powerful for her age.

[@oleksiypo]

In regards to Azula I am 100 percent positive that at some point Ursa/Azula reunion happened. Problem is this story is yet to be told. Ashes of the academy takes place when our heroes team avatar are still young and it is still 3-4 years after hundred year war. There are still decades before Korras time. And the comic is one shot only, and these are preview pages, and therefore glimpses and not full story yet. We must wait until comic comes out in order to see full picture. Like Morgan said for Azula Ursa arc there needs to be its own special story. I am hoping we get it at some point. It has been so many years since Azula and Zuko Fire Nation Royal family has been expanded upon. Sad truth 70 year gap between the events of Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra is not explored much and only now and when the Adult team Avatar movie come out on January 10, 2026 and other projects down the line that lives of Adult Team avatar are explored in a big way after years of stagnation. Bryan and Mike said that once Avatar Studios get going in 2026, there will be a lot of stuff. So do not lose hope my friend. There are lots of great stories to be told yet. And with Avatar Studios they sure will be. As mentioned I have no doubt in my kind that Ursa and Azula will reunite somewhere down the road. It will be interesting!

[@oleksiypo]

@@snoonan768 there is still time. Comic still early into Aang era with still long ways to go until Adult team avatar. I am certain Ursa would try to reach out to Azula, which have to have its own unique story. Upcoming comic ashes of the academy is focused on Mai and Kiyi as well as Zuko. Ursa seems to be a secondary character in a story

[@snoonan768]

@oleksiypo I noticed you said 3 or 4 years I myself am u certain about the time line it seems to me like they are still in 101 but I wish they would create an official time line

[@SarahGambill-sl9dl]

She's nothing but a ( students pet) more like teachers pet

[@SarahGambill-sl9dl]

Too bad mai will never make the cut ✂️

[@SarahGambill-sl9dl]

Mai is never ever a good person