How Toph Beifong Changed Avatar: The Last Airbender

[@Lavapasta]

Here's a link to "The Women of Avatar" featurette that is essentially the inspiration for this entire video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eqWmpKWkhpaKopY

[@TheBetterMe-lb2uw]

Lavapasta great vid man

[@kevinvu5432]

When you said: "Normally I think it's really stupid when theres petty conflicts between female characters in a story written by men..." that really made me cringed. Like why? That seems so specific to point out. Do women writers write better petty conflicts between women??? I notice a trend of ATLA content. The writers seem to talk about gender norms a lot.

[@Lavapasta]

@@kevinvu5432 I mean, women writers understand women better as people so ye. Sorry for the cringe but it had to be said.

[@Lavapasta]

@KT Chong Yeah I've been watching it, but I have yet to make a video about it because there are other vids I want to work on first.

[@animation_huh]

Lavapasta well said lava pasta

[@aschneider8912]

I really love Avatar from start to finish, but the introduction of Toph is like a turning point, where Avatar goes from being a great cartoon, to the best cartoon I know.

[@mayokidsendeavor3578]

I agree!

[@sebaschan-uwu]

There's no denying that its one of the best shows of all time

[@prikols2138]

Yesss

[@akioreos]

Excuse me? Cartoon? It's a freaking Toonime at this point!

[@bostonbean7071]

Thank you

[@liammccarthy7461]

Now I realize that in Ember Island Players the creators were poking fun at themselves with Tophs character...

[@akabigjennifergarner7524]

Woah i never noticed that. Even years later the show still surprises me

[@daisymae3717]

I love that episode so much.....they poked fun at how long Zuco's hair got too. I love how even a filler episode is good and useful, it serves as a recap before the fanalie for anyone who hadn't seen the whole series.

[@katthunter6561]

The whole play was basically satirising the show, picking at the 'flaws' or stereotypes the characters and story could have fallen into. Why do you think there was that bit in the play where the characters flew over the great divide on Appa? Because the showrunners knew it was their least popular episode.

[@tomc.5704]

Did jet just...die?

[@9Lornyx]

Tom C. You know, it was really unclear

[@dawsonglawe5810]

Everyone: "Earth benders can't bend metal." Toph: "Unless I feel like it."

[@crestfallensunbro6001]

*Observe*

[@thornfire5499]

Imma bout to end these people's whole freaking career And give'em a new one

[@HandledToaster2]

@@thornfire5499 alright, that last bit saved the comment, I'll give you that.

[@griffin4186]

‘Don’t you dunderheads ever forget it!’

[@grantchachere7531]

I had to make sure you got a thousand likes ✊🏾💯

[@Hawko1313]

honestly, i don't think a male character is "bad" it's just that toph is sooooooo good in her execution that i wouldn't trade her for anything. Execution is often more important than any other details, which is probably why Toph and Zuko are among avatars most popular characters. The way their arcs progressed and ended was satisfying, true to character and full of emotion.

[@coryellis1877]

Lachlan Hawkins exactly. Toph isn't a FEMALE character, she's a female CHARACTER. The execution makes the difference

[@TheTyupi]

yes, this comment should be on the top. Doesn't matter whether the character is male OR female, what's important is good and engaging writing to MAKE the character good.

[@ryumusu4173]

Absolutely true..

[@sebaschan-uwu]

Zuko is so cool! All the characters are so cool!!!

[@tylersingleton9284]

@@coryellis1877 I'm stealing that way of putting it from now on.

[@duchi882]

*How Toph Beifong Changed Avatar: The Last Airbender:* 1. Blind Jokes

[@dikoalampromise3381]

F*ck

[@TestSubject-vv1kn]

Dude, that's rude. What if blind people sees this. *WAIT-*

[@chocolatemcflurry3552]

Blind people can’t see this

[@stinkfries]

71 03 *hehehehehe*

[@RandommBoyo]

Y e s

[@devi_buns]

I am MELONLORD!!! honestly she's my favorite character in the show

[@abluetale1016]

GAMESHAKER same she was always my favorite as a kid

[@jakethepillowsnake4098]

Mine too.

[@justhere5895]

And mine!😁

[@torrent3481]

my favorite as well

[@coryellis1877]

I have trouble deciding between Toph and Uncle Iroh, but I would be an Earth bender, so I'll go with Toph :)

[@wvan1174]

The avatar creators and writers were always great at representing female characters. They are all very strong fighters and very smart while keeping femininity. I’ve seen a lot of shows where a girl is either strong and bulky or is a weak nerd or is over the top girly and/or bratty

[@suewible3744]

or that thing marvel did where all their female characters are badasses, but are also humorless, *emotionally gaurded*, as if there's only one format to strength that happens to be female.

[@savagetv6460]

Women aren't complex

[@chocola4588]

Or in an attempt t make them badass they just make them hysteric pieces of shit with absolutely no manner. I simply don't understand.

[@YukitoOnline]

I like Toph because she's *"COMPETENT"* and not because she's a girl or being an individual or whatever..

[@thalmoragent9344]

YukitoOnline True

[@DalCecilRuno]

As a partially blind female, I appreciate the fact that Toph simply exists in the fictional world. There's no other blind female character before or after Toph, so, she's the bit of representation that I can go back to, and I'm glad people appreciated her too. Good video.

[@noranekosparks4177]

That is precisely the reason she is my favorite character as well. I had to adapt to having near blindness that can't be corrected by glasses, and being a girl, everyone thinks you're helpless. I think Im the best map reader or navigator in my group of pals, and have a strong sense of detail in my photograsphy despite hardly seeing.

[@electricbluetiramisu3713]

Dal Cecil Runo omg same! The cause of low vision (so bad I’m registered blind) is genetic so it’s literally woven into my DNA and personal identity so I adore Toph first for just existing but then also for: how effortlessly they incorporated her disability, how her earthbending couldn’t compensate every aspect of blindness, how she was a beast and badass, how she still had weaknesses and character flaws, how funny she could be. What a gift she is and to think she was going to have been a dudebro! Anyway, high five my fellow blind(ish?) female!

[@Lugg187]

Why do other women care so much about representation? I'm a girl and I don't care at all whether my race or affliction or gender or sexuality or whatever is portrayed in media. Why would I?

[@parkjiminismylight6441]

@@Lugg187 You're in your right to not feel the need for representation, but not all have to be conform about it. And in this specifically case, they are right about the lack of woman with disabilities such as blindness. I guess it feels like you "only" exist in your life but never recognized in the worlds eyes.... Idk I'm just guessing. So I think it would feel empowering to see someone like you being a total badass.

[@greenguy369]

There'a no other blind, female characters in fiction before or after Toph? Seriously? You must be speaking specifically about Nicktoons shows. Cause otherwise this statement is absolutely obsurd. 3 seconds of research would prove that.

[@curlyhair0000]

Wow. I thought this video would be boring. Mostly because I've seen so many analysis videos talking about Toph hitting the same points, but you did something different. I'm impressed.

[@princessthyemis]

Couldn't have said it better myself!!!!!!! I totally agree!!!

[@gabriellaalvares1038]

curlyhair0000 toph deserves all of this, she ir pretty awesomely amazing!

[@kaiju5496]

@@princessthyemis is that a sign that u Subbed?

[@ZacharyMellinger]

It was boring, it's just that the movie was so terrible that you don't know how to comprehend anything anymore.

[@nayweoniebunny3694]

@@ZacharyMellinger so then why are you here? Lmfao

[@christianleeperrr7641]

Toph being a girl was the best call for the show

[@onlymeganeliza]

I personally love the small conflict between Katara and Toph. It’s believable because the disputes that these two have aren’t petty or based on insecurity, their arguments are due to the fact that these two are polar opposites. Their rivalry is such a wonderful addition to the show because it’s realistic.

[@synthster7416]

I agree. They pushed each other to growth.

[@sannyan848]

When I started Avatar with my siblings 😂 we all waited for Toph to show up because we saw some clips on the internet and instantly liked her.

[@kreeesqeeel]

Yeah, I finished Avatar a while back and remember being impatient about Toph showing up

[@gabriellaalvares1038]

San Nyan omg omg omg omgOMG!!!!!! The same thing happened to me loool I had never seen atla before but then I saw some some clips about her and I showed to my sister and we were like “we got to watch this show now” just bc of her Well, now she is our favorite character, obviously But we love all other characters too

[@gabriellaalvares1038]

and we memorized those clips too. “- Oh sokka you saved me! - actually, that’s me - oh... you can go ahead and let me drown now”

[@sannyan848]

@@gabriellaalvares1038 we would scream whenever she came on the screen 😂

[@sannyan848]

@@gabriellaalvares1038 lol same

[@Teel217]

She's smol and fierce. That's all you need with her.

[@bostonbean7071]

Smol

[@DrtyTreeHuggr]

Small

[@GamerConnoisseurRei]

Smol

[@kaiju5496]

Smol

[@boffle539]

Šmöł

[@xocrissy5499]

i’m so happy that it’s 2019 and people r still talking abt the last air bender

[@junggoo3534]

i'm rewatching it haha, its been years

[@quinnd6273]

Sameeee both of you!

[@thechaozrevenger404]

Im rewatching the show every year on February.

[@a_aw1070]

hyra I could never let avatar detach from me

[@lordofdarkness4204]

I think it’s had a recent spike of popularity

[@khoa9834]

"look there it is" ... "that is what is will sound like when one of you spots it" *wave hand in front of face* Loved that scene

[@crestfallensunbro6001]

"I've been working on my drawing of Appa all day!" "I think it looks just like him!" "Aw thanks I really appre- ... You do you feel the need to do this?"

[@khoa9834]

@@jojoyayathereal Jesus i cant choose im sorry

[@celicapevencie1942]

"She didn't change, she changed the show" that is really the most earth-bender thing I can thing of

[@erinmahoney1407]

If it hadn't been for Ehasz, avatar wouldn't have been nearly the success it was

[@princessthyemis]

Yeah. He TOTALLY deserves way more recognition!!!!

[@dreamingblue3939]

I agree- I wish he'd worked on LoK

[@Kintaku]

@@dreamingblue3939 same. It had so much potential that was squandered. He was great at taking Mike and Brian's half-decent ideas and making them into something far more interesting.

[@joshuachoy7887]

I’m pretty sure he’s not working on the Netflix live action. I’m ready for disappointment.

[@Kintaku]

@@joshuachoy7887 I think the story will be fine if they don't remove the subtleties. My biggest worry is that the animation and casting won't hold up.

[@AJ627]

I began to be invested in the show after Toph was introduced, she really added spice to Team Avatar.

[@darius8460]

A.J. Gutierrez you mean boomerAang

[@annisahayatunnufus8603]

Agree. The protagonist team consists of a pretty typical set: happy-go-lucky main character, pretty and feminine yet strong love interest, the-joke-guy, and (later) the emo overlord who seeks redemption... but Toph comes along and changes the team dynamic entirely. As you said, she really added spice to Team Avatar. I've never seen a character like Toph in any other show ever.

[@HandledToaster2]

Ahrem. The Fearsome Foursome, is what you meant.

[@kevinkevin4428]

Ybh I was already invested

[@Storm17ify]

@@annisahayatunnufus8603 OMG! The way you described a typical protagonist team reminds me of almost every single Anime like Naruto and Dragonball Z! And you're definitely right, Toph definitely added something new to the team. She reminds me a little of Buttercup from Powerpuff Girls, when you mentioned the word "spice" it came to my mind.

[@monkeymouse]

I would add one more consideration: Most of the female characters in ATLA are pubescent or older. They have romantic interests and exercise them, even if it's weird, like Ty Lee commenting on Sokka. Toph was created as a young enough character so that sex usually didn't really factor into it. USUALLY: as part of her character development, she was taken out of her parental hothouse protection and thrown into the macho world of earthbending competitions. But by spending time with the Gaang, we see her begin to experiment with this new side of her life, beginning to be curious about romance with Sokka, Zuko, and other guys she would otherwise never have socialized with. Typically, in fact and fiction, a congenital disability like Toph's would have severely limited social interaction, but having a Bender community of her peers gives her those extra opportunities.

[@sebaschan-uwu]

Toph and unholy thoughts don't mix in my mind😤

[@inamdaryasin]

Toph never has any romantic feelings for zuko

[@monkeymouse]

@@inamdaryasin Except where she decides she needs a life-changing field-trip with Zuko like all the other characters has... and it doesn't work.

[@inamdaryasin]

@@monkeymouse she just wanted a big adventure like all her 3 companion has with zuko it's nothing to do with romance

[@tln_577]

Honestly, alot of the time these messages of women empowerment can come of as forced and tacky however Avatar discusses this extremely well by not forcing this message into the watchers face constantly but by slowly showing the development of Katara while also showing how badass Toph can be. Avatar is able to show how women can be powerful and brilliant through the story itself.

[@dreamingblue3939]

I agree. This message usually annoys me as it often comes off as forced and trite, but it was done really well in Avatar. I think it's because the writers let the actions of the female characters speak for themselves instead of shoving the message in your face. Also because the female characters are fleshed out people with flaws as well as strengths, not just clones of the "strong independent woman" stereotype.

[@rebeccamartinez5886]

True. I felt like this was a BIG problem in TLoK; Korra was always portrayed as a "strong, empowered woman" and tomboy, but to me she just seems rude, impatient, and like she knows everything, disregarding people like Tenzin who try to lead her in the right direction.

[@eri_noemi1462]

Exactly. They don't shove it into your face. Just write good realistic characters.

[@nyft3352]

how toph changed avatar: 1- dark humor 2- meme material

[@Trickshot726]

This is probably partially why Toph was played by a big muscular man in the Ember Island Players episode!

[@williammcalpine2718]

Can we also acknowledge that she’s the only character that has a family with a last name I think it’s important when exploring earth kingdom customs and her high class upbringing

[@halcyon_echo42]

Yeah I had never noticed until a few videos back! It's crazy how often we say the character's names without realizing that. The closest we get is Long Feng but I'm pretty sure that's one name in context

[@remyjones9146]

I maintain that Toph didn’t get enough development. I know people don’t think she “needed” development, but I disagree. I think she had a great direction to go. That being said, I also acknowledge time constraints and the appropriate need to develop the plot. I feel like the show acknowledges how much more everyone else develops when Toph has her “life-changing field trip with Zuko.” And I appreciate that. Great video, please keep them coming.

[@satinsleeves]

She got a lot of development in the comics. If you haven't read them, I highly suggest them!

[@killyourdarlings1305]

Well, at least she got more development in LOK . I know a lot of people hated it but one of the best things from that show was toph and her relationship with her daughters

[@torrent3481]

emotional wise she did; character wise she didn't. character development is very important and something that was somewhat lacking in the last air bender. the development she did receive was kind of under toned since she was the type to keep to her self.

[@bailiepeacock8583]

Remy Jones I agree. As much as I love the series, I do wish we had a couple more Toph-centric episodes.

[@gabriellaalvares1038]

Well, I think those tree books are perfect, no need to develop toph on those tree book, but I agree that she deserves development as a character. I don’t think atla should have ended so soon, they should’ve done more books where they could develop toph’s character

[@newperve]

Wait, so if Toph was originally meant to be a guy, that means the ember island players episode had an in joke the fans had no way of knowing about.

[@lexdalan9033]

Lmao

[@fulcrum7493]

omg fr. she is probably my favorite atla character tied with aang

[@nerdyypie9536]

basil ! Same! And of course Iroh

[@KingOpenReview]

@cassie Zuko's my favorite.

[@justtosmash]

@ree OMG!! Mine too!!

[@coryellis1877]

Toph and Iroh here, definitely my favorites. But you gotta respect Bumi too hahahaha

[@sebaschan-uwu]

I think iroh is my favorite. He's so awesome

[@adikhahussain3911]

everyone: we shouldnt make blind jokes! Avatar: Hold my beer

[@Moonstriker2514]

"Hold my onion and banana juice"

[@hermioneabcedegerida292]

hold my *cactus* *juice*

[@bimbamboomalemon1454]

Hermione Abcede Gerida sure zuko you would go burning down city’s on it

[@dansattah]

Gyatso and Aang: Hold our fluffy pudding.

[@artemisfaust7197]

"Hold my jasmine tea"

[@geoshark12]

Now the joke about her being a really buff guy in the play episode makes more sense

[@fluffycutenose2316]

*_Toph was originally meant to be a boy_* Me: OOOOOOh, NAH NAH NAH NAH NAH NAH NAH NAH.

[@capxakk6115]

Ahahaahahha same here.

[@lucklei4665]

Oof 1 girl 4 boys lmao

[@MineNSleep]

A big beefy boy

[@FalsifyJustice]

You said yeah yeah yeah yeah ... wait ...... not the song ... my bad

[@thedorito5698]

Toph wouldn’t be Toph if she was a boy

[@tylersingleton9284]

Toph is the only female protagonist other than Katara. Suki: am I a joke to you?

[@Lavapasta]

...the only female character other than Katara to become a Core Protagonist. Suki is a cool female character, but her appearances are too far between each other to be considered an actual protagonist in the narrative.

[@tylersingleton9284]

@@Lavapasta I would say she was a late comer. She was in the last several episodes and played a major role in the end fight, as well as a major role in key points all along the way, including pushing the sexism talking point. She definitely wasn't a main part of Team Avatar, but she also was far more involved than any other protagonist character aside from the main team. More so than the Freedom Fighters, the wrestlers, any kingdom or nation military, or any White Lotus member aside from Iroh. In my opinion I think she was far too involved to be considered just a supporting character to the protagonists.

[@demontizeindustry1629]

More an anti-hero you can say

[@Lavapasta]

@@tylersingleton9284 that's a fair argument

[@tylersingleton9284]

@@demontizeindustry1629 no, that would be the cabbage guy.

[@WhatFadesAway]

I think the main difference with Toph is that you don't think girl/boy, you think, WOW awesome 🤩

[@Gojiro7]

I always loved Toph as a character because in fiction, Blind characters who can still function are often so amazing, them being blind is almost irrelevant since it doesn't really impair them in any meaningful way, but with Toph, not only is her blindness contextualized into how she uses it with her abilities, but shes also still impaired by it as the show demonstrates plenty of times her blindness is a disadvantage in a fight or a burden to her everyday life (often for comedic effect) pairing that up with her very small stature along with her being a girl, and it works well to contrast what we commonly perceived as weak and frail which the characters in the show do, and instead of being one note and constantly fighting against that, we see several times where Toph uses those disadvantages to lower peoples guards, whether its sneaking into a fancy dress party or cheating at a gambling all because she plays up that shes a small blind girl, who can happen to kick your ass if you cross her. If the character was a buff muscular blind man, alot of these points would be greatly diminished because they wouldn't contrast very well to make him appear like the blindness would be much of an inconvenience to someone whose already built like a tank and presumably probably not as emotionally charged.

[@heartsofhearts]

*Toph is one of my favorite and memorable characters in The Last Airbender because she's so strong with strength and yet so sensitive when it comes her emotions.*

[@adikhahussain3911]

the real reason Toph changed Avatar: Blind jokes

[@xtremestunt]

Always loved the way she moved when she was bending. Makes her even more badass 🤘🏻

[@Hawko1313]

i loved that she moved with her feet first, always keeping them in shot for her action scenes. Because it shows the audience where her attention is directed while she bends

[@shuteye2702]

Yes, very mesmerizing choreography.

[@gogomez5418]

YES!!! She uses a different martial art style from the other earth benders. I think it’s praying mantis style.

[@noranekosparks4177]

That's always been something Avatar has done well and one of the reasons the show is still amazing to this day, no nostalga glasses required. Before other series challenged tough topics, avatar did so through exploring very real and relatable characters. While none of us have crazy firelords as parents, many of us understand what its like trying to earn the approval of your parents, or the struggle of learning from mistakes. This also goes for Toph, and the dual trouble of being a strong woman, and having a disability. Toph may not have had the level of story the others did, she changed the character dynamic drastically. Even as a kid I admired Toph because she stood up to her parents. We all know our parents generally care about us, but they often times think they know it all. Having a disability also adds the complexity of them fearing for you, pitying you, and treating you like you can't do anything on your own. Toph embodies something we see commonly today, but not so explored then. Ive been nearly blind my whole life, and its a very real fact that people worry and pity you, and that can be infinitely irritating. While its true a blind person may never see, Toph proves disabled people can adapt and thrive, and dont need people to do everything for them. While its true some things we'll always need help with, like easy transportation, or sign language for a deaf person, the disabled are just as capable as anyone else, and can be strong. Toph is that stand out character that actively defies the role she was suppposed to play, and as you said, makes her life her own. Avatar is a kids show that can still give feels, and I'm old enough that I watched the premire in grade school.

[@leirawhitehart1236]

You just kinda held a mirror to my life right now and I'm not sure how to feel about it. I'm not blind or near blind or anything, but I am autistic, and I feel like that's in part impacted how my mother treated me growing up, and even now. She isn't abusive to me, and she doesn't try to make me feel bad for my "disability" if you could call it that, but I can't deny that she's kinda coddled me through out pretty much my entire life. I've never been anywhere by myself. Always "needing" adult supervision, even now as I *am* an adult. And sometimes, there would be rare moments when I experience the outside world without my mother or anybody else there, and in those rare moments... I'd experience a kind of... Freedom. To be honest, it's kinda making me cry a little to think about this. Though it's not as if it's the first time I have... I live in a prison. My life is a prison. And yeah, that sounds kinda emo to say, but in a lot of ways it's true. I'm not physically trapped in my house, and I could technically leave whenever I want, but I honestly feel like I don't have a reason to. I don't have a job. I can't get one. I'm "not ready yet." I don't go to school. I dropped out because I could no longer focus (a separate problem). I can't even go grocery shopping. Why? Because it's too far, and my mother doesn't trust me to go alone. I once tried to walk to Target by myself, which is literally right by our house, but I couldn't even do that because my mother *had to accompany me by driving along side me in her car.* I am not joking. And so I honestly feel like I can't leave the house without her. It feels like she *has* to be with me. I can't go anywhere without her because it feels unsafe. Why does it feel unsafe? Because my mother has drilled it into my head ever since I was little about stranger danger and that I could get kidnapped at any moment. Think Mother Gothel's song from Tangled in a sense. It's a lot more that she doesn't trust the world more so than me. And that just makes it so I don't want to go out by myself unless I have a reason. Even then, I never have. I have never been to a place where I was not escorted and returned unattended. If not by my mother than someone else. Sigh, but you must think after reading all that, that my mother is a terrible parent, and that she *is* abusive towards me, but that isn't necessarily the case. Yes, I wish I was given more freedom and trust, but I can't deny that I haven't really done much to earn that trust. It just seems like every time I'm trusted with something, I mess up, or don't deliver. I'll admit, sometimes it feels as though I can't do anything right... And so, while I crave freedom, I can't deny that there is reason behind her treatment of me. Despite all I've said here, I know she loves me, and she only does these things for my my own protection. She does these things because she's afraid of losing me and not being able to do anything to stop it. Yes I feel like a prisoner in my own home, but I know if my life were ever on the line my mother would do jump in front of a bullet to protect me. And now, we're trying to fix my situation as well! After making it clear to her over and over again how I feel about this (and also talking to my therapist), she's finally going to help me get a bus pass! And I've got a bike now too so I can get to the bus stops! It feels like freedom is so close and yet still so far... I don't know why I'm still crying...

[@sebaschan-uwu]

Thats very nice and I understand your point. But by definition, the disabled are not capable of things that other people are, otherwise why would we call them disabled?

[@tomgarcia9200]

Yet another clue as to why The Legend of Korra was so mediocre; the absence of Aaron Ehasz.

[@benwenger1002]

The Netflix reboot is going to have the same problem. I'm going to give it a chance, but honestly I'm expecting a train wreck.

[@staz_korragg7746]

Ben Wenger Same here man :/

[@audreyelizabeths]

u are right. the reason why a:tla was great wasn't because of the art but because of the great story

[@Kintaku]

Yep. Korra is what happens when you let the character designers do the writing. The characters have cool concepts and designs, but don't grow or interact in way that are believable, meaningful and interesting. Or even cohesive in the case of Korra. They needed a head writer to sow everything together better.

[@dupin9251]

@@Kintaku Yes. Because that's what Dirmantino and Konietko did for the entire show. They just designed characters. The writing and direction was never a collaboration between these three people, oh no. And it's not like that Aaron Ehasz said that he actually liked TLoK or that the show was suffering from studio interference, no. On a serious note now. About my first point. Shows like Avatar are always a team effort. It's never the case that a single person is solely reponsible for it's quality and i am annoyed, whenever someone makes a claim like this. How many people have contributed something to the show and it's wrinting? Probebably a few dozens. And yes Ehasz did say that he actually liked TLoK and it's confirmed that TLoK suffered from severe studio interference on Nickelodeons part. Not only has it been talked about for ages now but it's even both been mentioned here in the comment section of this video. I am pretty sure you have already seen it.

[@koiphishy]

If toph was a guy, I would probably envision her as being a lot more soft spoken while still keeping the stubborn and conflict with parents/katara part. Still think she would be better as a girl tho

[@Tsukinotaku]

Toph literally is half the reason why the show is even worth looking at.

[@zeruszephuros5419]

You know the show is legendary when it kept being talked and analyzed through out many many ten years even after it aired

[@alejandroojeda1572]

5:57 i really LOVE toph and absolutely agree with you un the rest of the video but i think azula had a greater impact on the show. She's the main antagonist during seasons 2 and 3, actively moves the plot forward, makes a perfect duo with zuko and IS overall one of the most complicated and interesting characters of the show. ATLA without azula just couldn't be ATLA, without Toph It would survive....but much worse.

[@Lavapasta]

I can respect that opinion; to each their own.

[@inamdaryasin]

As a antagonist azula was really great but as a character nah toph was better as she not only show incredible skills even though she is blind but her jokes also make the series more entertained

[@alejandroojeda1572]

@@inamdaryasin yeah. i said i liked toph equal or better than Azula...Nah better, i can't wait for the cómics to catch up. However i think azula moved the plot further than toph. Toph is many times just a sidekick, azula IS always relevant when she appears. Reread the comment. As i once read from a comment section, not understanding the true meaning of a message and puntuating some minor mistake....That's how you end Up arguing with someone you agree with....i still do It thought 😅

[@gochogames1360]

The worst part about rewatching avatar is having to watch an entire season without toph

[@Torome86]

"I don't know if Toph literally sees Katara as a mother figure..." Dude, Toph LITERALLY CANNOT SEE ANYTHING!!!

[@KingOpenReview]

Imagine almost being in a timeline without Toph as we know her...

[@karinalissi-dubois7025]

It's also great, because the conflicts between Katara and Toph, are not because they are both girls, it is because they are both human beings with conflicting personalities and emotions. There is no fighting for some boy or any other stereotypical "girl" fight. Two real people getting to know and get a long with each other.

[@dareyfairy]

5:48 "creating a ripple effect" as the vibration waves are being sent out was a nice little touch.

[@fromthecielf]

This girl invented metal bending. Big cheers for this girl. Big love for this girl 💖💙

[@elizabethavren9795]

wow i almost teared up at the end when you closed it off with Toph Beifong. My favorite ultimate animated chracter of all time and was well written and well done.

[@G_Kchrst]

Toph is one of my favorite characters but imo the Zuko/Azula arc is the best not only in ATLA but in most series out there. The exposition of Azula in the last book of the series is extremely well made and well written (and Zuko of course is Zuko). I love Toph to death but she is definitely more one-dimensional than Zuko and Azula (and the rest of team Avatar). Though let's be honest, all ATLA characters are extremely well made, thats why this show is so good.

[@boyboy2000ful]

Heres proof that Avatar isn't an anime: the female characters are useful.

[@dreadhavoc]

Ikr

[@tyrkun1624]

LMAOOOOOO

[@boyboy2000ful]

@Arusiek90 if only i knew what you were talking about

[@nicke.8622]

@@boyboy2000ful you should watch rising of the shield hero lol

[@boyboy2000ful]

@@nicke.8622 no i shouldnt

[@bar0nv0nstrubel57]

I'm convinced ATLA was so good because Aaron Ehasz knew exactly what we all needed and wanted. Him not being involved in Legend of Korra is one of the biggest reasons why I think it falls so short of Avatar.

[@xblade149]

The legend of Korra has it's flaws but its still a good series. It's mostly season 2 or book 2 where I have issues with but other then that its still good

[@bar0nv0nstrubel57]

@@xblade149 I couldn't disagree more, but to each his own. Season 2 was abysmal, but I didn't much like Seasons 3 or 4 and even the parts I did like have serious flaws IMO. Giant spirit Korra with chest laser DBZ beam struggle was awful, and then we got literal Mecha Hitler and two other villains who start cool and then just really go out the window. Like they tried really hard to make believable villains (other than Unalaq) but Amon turns out to just be a big hypocrite without real motivation (would have been cooler if he wasn't a bender), Zaheer is alright but I hate his "I'm a master of Airbending despite just now being granted it by spirit mumbo jumbo" and Kuvira actually has a decent set up and believable motivations, but literally turns into Earthbending Mecha Hitler with a suit powered by vines from a spirit tree. Like.... ugh.

[@ashhabimran239]

To me, Toph proves a character doesn't need 'development' to be great

[@father5737]

Toph is literally my favorite character I love her so much. I could never imagine her as a boy though lmao

[@silentunclear6706]

I liked all the characters from Avatar. Aang and Zuko are the ones I remembered the most, but Toph is the one I never forgot.

[@mwoakill09]

The relationship between Toph and kitara is beautiful. They are different personalities who learn to respect and love each other. But I guess it goes for every character in the GAang.

[@tinetine628]

2019 and still relevant 👍

[@justtosmash]

She is ma favorite since I was 12!! I like how this show still gets to analyzed after so many years!!!

[@조쉬-g8n]

A male jock Earthbender would probably just get annoying, I can already see it just turning into a caricature. Creating Toph was such a good decision.

[@AlgunPersona]

Aaron Ehasz’s writing is what was missing from Legend of Korra

[@Dismythed]

Excellent breakdown. Toph definitely put the show over the top as a stand-out classic, though it already earned its place as a classic before she came along, she made it stand out among classics. The show viscerally hit a new level when she hit the screen, and really came at the right time to give the show the juice it needed to propel it to the finale. She was the Han Solo to Aang's Luke Skywalker, challenging his character arc and giving Saka (Princess Leia) a love/hate antagonist more compelling than her brother (C-3PO/R2-D2).

[@bouboulroz]

Me seeing Toph introduced : "Oh, they are going for the frail looking character being OP trope." *rolls eyes* Toph : "Do people really want to watch TWO little girls fighting ?" Me : "... Okay, I love her"

[@pabloiriqui6128]

I recently rewatched the series and I was genuinely jumping of joy when Toph appeared.

[@havefunrr8914]

Watching avatar growing up toph really influenced my idea of being a "girl", being obsessed with bratz and monster high, toph was a complete 180 to one of the characters I idolized. I wanted to be like her.

[@jacobkelley6491]

Toph was the most resilient and badass character I've ever seen in my life. Toph is an equal to (younger me, but only cuz the dude blows up planets) Goku in a sense of the state of mind and the devotion to an art and the positive mentality you bring to everyone around you. I love how beautifully they wrote the character and I have never rooted for someone more since childhood. I broke my leg in the last 6 months, and the route she took to overcome a disability should be *earth shattering* to everyone while throwing jokes about the cards that were delt to you because most break at the lost of mobility or sense. METALBENDING FTW TOPH IS GOD.

[@umanyeongg]

Toph: *blind* “That’s rough buddy“ Edit: its a joke..chill

[@Jmv2.0]

“Blind Chinese Girl” I didn’t know China existed in the Avatar universe.

[@audreyelizabeths]

avatar universe was based on asian cultures so it's not inaccurate

[@jfgaruda2155]

It doesn't there is no China in the avatar universe.. calling her a Chinese girl is kind of racist and just plain stupid..

[@huhjanus]

@@jfgaruda2155 how is it racist and plain stupid when the Earth Kingdom is based and influenced by China, and Toph is a part of the Earth Kingdom.

[@whodis715]

Thats insane. I was just watching the series over today And noticed that every silhouette in the opening was a character involved greatly with team avatar except the boulder

[@chicknrice4040]

OGs: Avatar was my childhood Bandwagons: same... than rock picker upper is so cool.

[@asdfkerub]

i literately just rewatched the whole series just to watch Toph fight

[@anna48792]

i like how they make so toph never looks direcly at anyone, that just makes it way more realistic. i kind of feel like that was obvious but still.

[@naea7650]

I've rewatched avatar so many times over the past like 5 years(because I grew up on it) but I can't imagine toph being a boy. thank you for enlightening me

[@Taekooff]

Someone give this girl a good massage, her back must be tired from carrying the show.

[@isabelmoran6735]

I was waiting for him to mention that Toph is the first metal bender like she literally created it.

[@eddox0525]

I love how its already 2019 but we're still here watching ATLA analysis.

[@spysareamyth]

Proof of how good the show was, and how many of us were affected by it

[@thedottinator4383]

2020.

[@jenniferflores7547]

I was around the same age as Toph when she was first introduced in the show. As a young girl who was very tomboyish and got shit on from my parents for not fitting into a typical female role, Toph was like a godsend when she first appear. Seeing her be unapologetic with being herself, and being a valuable asset to the team made me love her. To this day Toph is still one of my most favorite characters from TV of all time.

[@mybiasinbtsisbts1196]

I have watched alot of shows and I swear when they add a character, I would end up not watching it anymore. But with Toph and Avatar its what sealed the deal more to me to keep watching it.

[@almogwaingarden8006]

Toph is great. as you said she is a complex character that becomes stronger trough her disability. personally I dislike when people say she is a tomboy. that statement oversimplify and dehumanize that amazing character

[@salifusadat3002]

Almog Waingarden there’s nothing wrong with a little bit of tomboyish

[@thedottinator4383]

Plus, the term, "tomboy", isn't very relevant anymore, what with the many dimensions of a girl's personality being more and more recognized and explored over the past decade.

[@marxel4444]

topf is great because you give a a blind little helpless girl. then throw the WHOLE THING OUT OF THE WINDOW AND SCREAM "MAKE HER BADASS!"

[@jorenbosmans8065]

I'm happy they made Toph female and especially a small, weak looking girl. It creates Fun situations and Fits the Martial arts theme that mastering a Martial art helps you overcome your weakness

[@jorenbosmans8065]

@@jojoyayathereal Well that is kind of impossible to answer 😄

[@bryanguerra2010]

Before I got into the show I turned on the tv and the episode "The Chase" was on and Toph caught my attention so much that I decided to go back and watch the entire show. She's still my number 1

[@nkyfong]

Let's list what Toph did for the show. Made it funnier with more jokes and gags Empowering women (with Katara) Empowering handicapped people Empowering small people Made metal bending MELON LORD!!! Balanced out Team Avatar's gender ratio at the time from 2 guys 1 girl (sorry, not counting Appa and Momo) to 2 guys and 2 girls Made more amazing fight scenes Basically she did a lot.

[@spacepenguin3590]

*While carrying Aaron Ehaz* "Careful, he's a hero."

[@AhmadAdha]

Did he just say a blind Chinese girl? Last time I checked there were only four nations in A:TLA and China was not among them.

[@thecaprikid1329]

🤣

[@Sophss-q6h]

Ahmad Adha 😂

[@jessalucena3592]

Yes and she doesnt even look chinese

[@rainpooper7088]

The Earth Kingdom is a stand-in for China, just like how the Fire Nation is a stand-in for Imperial Japan.

[@shameetha333]

Toph was the only character who didn't undergo character development because she was badass and perfect from the beginning 😎😍

[@NoName-lw1jn]

Wow I can't imagine avatar without a witty girl and with a muscled dude instead

[@stuckonaslide]

probably my favorite part of toph's character is how she doesnt look anyone in the eye and just stares into space while talking. It's such a small touch that makes having a blind character so much better

[@IamBradofEarth]

Toph is one of my favorite fictional characters ever.

[@Ann-cm1vx]

changing toph a small girl is the best decision they could ever make

[@byronjin7793]

1:17 THIS is why Aaron Ehasz is so legendary and HE is really the reason the show became so great (and his absence in legend of Korra really shows)

[@elariz8752]

Wow, I have never seen you before but I am so glad I did! You talk about topics that no other big KZbinrs talk about and you talk about them in such a professional way!

[@sheyimckenzie8020]

toph reminds me of Buttercup, from the Power Puff Girls.

[@Moonstriker2514]

If it's a girl wearing green she will probably be a tough badass - from a meme

[@SaKura-il8op]

Except Buttercup is a jerk.

[@emilyporter1186]

YEEEEEESSSSS!!!! Thank you! I could not have worded this better, toph changed the game! And her being a girl is a crucial part of her character

[@bangqae1903]

It's 2019 and people can't move on from this, me either.

[@CyclingUrchin]

I like how the show portrays Toph with her blindness. Toph isn't trying to "overcome" her disability, she embraces it and it's a huge part of her. Often in media with disabled characters there's that storyline of "overcoming" the disability, which I think is harmful. Toph's blindness allows her to see the world in a different light, literally, but more importantly it's just who she is. It's just another part of her.

[@Loum1s]

Every child needs to watch this series at least once

[@emilliebornelus]

she’s literally just the best. and the blind jokes in this show r comedy😭

[@animeyahallo3887]

Nice video, I honestly didn't *see* that coming.

[@friendlyneighbourhoodbridg1354]

I also think that the element that she was born into also challenged our preconceived notions of the association of gender with certain elements - until that point, we had not seen a female earthbender (even the earthbenders on the ship that the Gaang infiltrated were mostly male) thus giving us the subconscious idea that Aang’s earthbending teacher would be male. Similarly, I was also personally surprised in book 1 to learn that Aang’s waterbending master was a man as, until that point, we had only seen female waterbenders, and thus I did not even consider that males could be waterbenders too. Firebending is the only element where both genders show significant proficiency from relatively early on in the show, as even the Air Nomad monks were overwhelmingly (if not entirely) male

[@chaunteblackwood7471]

So, you were mostly right and I love the insight btw. You were mostly right on that last point. The Air Nomads had four air temples. One for each of the cardinal points. The Northern and Southern Air Temples housed the males and the Western and Eastern housed the females. As a matter of fact, Avatar Yangchen, the Air Nomad Avatar before Aang was a woman.

[@friendlyneighbourhoodbridg1354]

Chaunte Blackwood Thanks for the compliment 😊😊 I forgot to add in that the airbenders that we had seen were male. I didn’t realise that there was such segregation between the monks and the nuns, but I now remember Avatar Yangchen. This also got me thinking about the sexism in the Northern Water Tribe, and how what Katara deemed to be unfair (being forced to learn to heal, instead of fight) actually ended up being probably one of the best things that happened to the Gaang, as she could now literally save lives 🙂 I don’t know why that came to mind 😂

[@chaunteblackwood7471]

Very true. It's ironic how the benders of water, the element highly influenced by change and adapting to changes have such archaic values. Alternatively, in the homeland of the Fire Nation, there are female soldiers actively being part of the military.

[@friendlyneighbourhoodbridg1354]

Chaunte Blackwood true 😂😂 perhaps that was intentional? That’s what I love about ATLA - even over a decade later, there is still so much of the world to unpack

[@iei2781]

I just finished rewatching avatar on Netflix, and having watched it as a kid, I was waiting for Toph to show up for the whole of season 1. I remember her being my favourite character then, and she still is now!