loonabitzy

[loonabitzy]

hey, happy new year to y’all!

i did some icons from Ruins of The Empire vol. 3

PLEASE DO NOT REPOST THEM!

if you want different background colors send me a question!

[loonabitzy]

Complex villains: ATLA and ALoK

So, I was trying to convince my friend Alex to watch Avatar: Legend of Korra and I was talking about the four main villains of the show and how they represent extreme policial ideologies and how this is different from Avatar: The Last Airbender where there’s only one villain, but another difference struck me.

The villains from ALoK are way more human than the villain from ATLA. And that humanity adds complexity.

In ATLA, we have Fire Lord Ozai.

He’s ruthless. He is power hungry. He also represents an ideology, and that is imperialism. Ozai follows his father’s footsteps by fighting a war against all the other nations and by gaining power. He is the ultimate bad guy. There is no damn good thing about this man. He is absolutely horrible, and the whole plot of this show is “let’s take down this dude!”

Then we have ALoK. Like I said, like Ozai they all represent ideologies, but you also learn their intentions and you learn that their intentions actually aren’t that bad. In fact, you can easily agree with their motivations, but they took it too far.

First, we get Amon.

He stands for communism. He saw the increasing inequality between benders and non-benders (and don’t say that he was lying) and he was against it. Yes, he’s kind of biased since he was secretly a bender as well, but initially he just wanted to see equality between people.

But his way to equality was a quite violent revolution and hurting innocent benders, non-benders, and just everyone who didn’t agree with his glorious revolution. That’s messed up.

Then, we have Unalaq, who stands for theocracy.

Unalaq just wanted people, especially Korra, to get more in touch with their spiritual side. Only Korra is the bridge between two wonderful worlds, since she’s the Avatar, and he wanted it to be more accessible to others. He wants spiritual freedom and balance.

Doesn’t sound that bad, amiright? I mean, why is Korra the only bridge between those two worlds? But Unalaq wanted to unite those two worlds so that he could rule over this new united harmonic world as a God (more as Satan), completely undermining the current state of both worlds.

Korra defeats him. But there’s new danger: Zaheer and the Red Lotus.

The Red Lotus is anarchy. They are a group of skilled benders and they see the current state of the world and they disagree with all the oppression, especially in the Earth Kingdom. The queen misuses her power to oppress the lower classes. Well, she oppresses everyone, actually. The Red Lotus wants a world without oppression from authorities and institutions, which is understandable. Oppression isn’t good.

But they straight up murder the queen and they plan on taking out other figures and they think chaos is the only way to have a society. That does not work out, obviously, because it is fucking chaos.

Korra also defeats these guys and apart from Zaheer, no one survives. It takes a huge toll on Korra and the Earth Kingdom is still torn apart now that the queen has been murdered.

So Kuvira sees her chance.

Kuvira represents facism. Kuvira saw how her people had to suffer now that there’s chaos in the Earth Kingdom and she wants peace and order. She wants to show the world that the Earth Kingdom can come back from disaster and she wants to provide protection towards her people.

Make the Earth Kingdom great again.

And yes, when you see the sorry state of the Earth Kingdom, you can understand it. When Kuvira talks more about it in the last episode when they’re in the spirit world, it is kind of relatable. 

But as Korra says, acting as a dictator isn’t good. Forcing people to join and oppressing the outsiders isn’t good. Her arrogance towards the other nations and her supriority complex…. those things aren’t good. “Earth Kingdorm first, Earth Kingdom first” eh?

These villains stand for equality, balance, freedom, and unity. And those things aren’t necessarily bad. This edit is the best way to show how twisted their ideas have gotten:

(I found this one on Google, but I tracked down the source, so please also reblog it from the original artist).

This isn’t new. It is quite common knowledge that these guys represent communism, theocracy, anarchy and facism. But like I said, this makes them all more human than Ozai. In book 4, Toph basically says it herself:

“You ever considered you could learn something from them? The problem was those guys were totally out of balance and they took their ideologies too far!” - Toph.

You have to take them down from this “villain teer” and see that you can actually learn something from them BUT that doesn’t justify their actions. Learning from these villains is part of the plot and it is part of Korra’s character development.

And you can say that by the end of the show, they have all achieved their original goals in some way. Non-benders got a bigger and stronger voice in the world and they elected a president to represent them in the United Republic Council (Amon). The spirit world is more accessible and humans and spirits live together in harmony (Unalaq). The Earth Kingdom got rid of the monarchy and they are starting democracy in the hopes that oppression from authorities won’t happen again (Red Lotus). There is a new stronger Earth Kingdom that has risen from the ashes of the failed monarchy and there’s peace and order in the world (Kuvira). This once again highlights the fact that their original intentions and motivations weren’t that bad.

This humanises them even more, but that makes it also kind of more tragic. Ozai is purely evil, or at least, he is presented as that. These people are not. You get reminded by the fact that human beings with great intentions are capable of awful things. Despite everything, you still feel bad for them. You feel a pang of sadness when Tarrlok kills himself and takes Noatak with him. You feel as helpless as Kuvira when she tells Korra why she did everything and how she is hurting. And so on.

Ozai isn’t like that. Ozai’s defeat was so damn satisfactory. Even when it comes to Ozai’s (or Sozin’s) intention, there isn’t anything good. They justify their actions and they spread their ideas towards the Fire Nation, but that is all propoganda. When Zuko gets banished, and he gets out of the Fire Nation, he can actually see that he’s been lied to for all of his life. 

“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…” - Zuko, being fucking awesome.

You cannot say anything good about imperialism. All of this, and the fact that he is so far away from our heroes, make him nothing more than the “pure evil villain”. That is why our heroes are so shocked to see his baby painting. It is the only time in the story where they get hit by his humanity so directly. 

(Aang was already aware of it, because of his own personal dilemma about killing the Fire Lord). 

Ozai is also “less human” because he sees positive traits as a sign of weakness. Aang sparing him makes Aang less of a person. Love is for the weak, which makes Iroh an idiot. Emotion is for the weak.

But when Korra shows Kuvira compassion, Kuvira is inspired to step down. When Tarrlok “reunites” with his brother, Amon is actually hopeful about life again. Zaheer and P’li are in love. These ALoK villians are human, intelligent, and full of life. Ozai… isn’t.

So, all of the villains from ALoK have some sense of humanity and complexity and Ozai lacks both of that. Does that mean that the writing of ATLA is the perfect example of the one-dimensional uncomplex villain?

BOY YOU’RE WRONG.

You can say that the complexity of the villain is still there for the entire Fire Nation and its ideals. Namely, Azula still exists.

Azula represents her nation’s ideology as much as her father, but she also represents the complexity and the humanity.

And yes, we know that not all Fire Nation citizens are bad and obviously, Zuko was the villain in book 1, but for the full picture, we will count Zuko and Iroh as the heroes in this story. 

Whereas Ozai is seen as the uncomplex all-bad far away villain, you have Azula and her gang hunting down Aang and his friends. And you get to know her a little bit. You know her fears and her wants. You realise that her Nation has fucked her up beyond “repair” if you can call it that. Especially in book 3, you see a different side of her. She’s saddened by the fact that her mother never loved her (or at least, she’s convinced herself that her mother never loved her) and she’s afraid of failure now that she’s seen what Zuko’s been through. She has two best friends who betray her, because that friendship was built on fear instead of love. You don’t see a far away villain. You see an unbalanced little girl who has feelings. You see a person.

Azula slowly slips into madness.

We get to the final battle between Zuko and Azula and it’s a long time coming. The moment Azula got introduced at the end of book 1, you know that there’s a showdown between these two waiting to happen. Azula’s entire storyline has been building up to this exact moment. But during that time, you’ve got to know Azula. Yes, she’s awful and she’s done unspeakable and unforgiveable things, but you’ve seen her humanity.

Zuko and Azula (and Katara) have their final battle. The music is great and the closer it comes to the climax of the battle, the more exhilarating it becomes. The animation and the fighting are well done. It is all ready for the epic showdown, just like the defeat of Ozai. And fuck yeah, Zuko wins. Aang wins. Azula and Ozai are defeated. 

But when you watch Ozai’s defeat with a satisfied grin on your face, you watch Azula’s defeat and your heart just breaks.

This is one of the biggest achievements of the show. They have finally taken down Azula, the huge threat. But it isn’t a happy moment. There is no celebration. There’s no joyful and upbeat music. Instead you watch a girl, a human person, cry her eyes out and the heroes watch her with a sad look on their faces. You realise once again that Azula is a person and just like Zuko, you feel pity instead of triumph.

And that is what makes ATLA and ALoK so special and complex and also extraordinary. I’ve said it before: so many kids shows deal with good ole “good vs. bad”, the “right vs. wrong”, but Avatar has always been more complex. It is about balance. I am not saying that the classic “good vs. bad” is always bad storytelling or boring or predictable, but the whole story of balance adds a whole new layer of complexity and the humanisation of these bad people adds another layer of complexity.

It makes these damn shows so amazing.

[loonabitzy]

The Legend of Korra

Korra & Asami

[loonabitzy]

An entire season just about Azula making reparations for her actions, going to therapy, and realizing she’s gay

[loonabitzy]

Azula of the Fire Nation, monster child

a/n: ...I may have binge watched atla and i just couldn’t get this out of my head

growing up, azula had to stand next to her mother all the time because she was a girl and had to learn how to behave properly

her mother would do a certain hair style everyday for her

“i love your hair” her mother would say, smiling at her

those were their moments, no one else’s

outside that room, it was different

she had to keep her clothes clean, otherwise her mother would be mad and furiously clean it while scowling at the girl

“young lady, you shouldn’t run around, it will ruin your shoes!”

“young lady, be grateful for the gifts you receive!”

“young lady, don’t talk about your uncle like that!”

azula hated when she was scolded, she hated to see her mother frown at her

she hated it more when she realized ursa never scolded zuko

so she decided she would best him in everything

she already had father’s love, maybe then she’d have her mother’s

but it didn’t matter

she kept her hair done

her clothes clean

her manners impeccable

and her mind sharp

but it didn’t matter

so she became bitter

ursa preferred zuko? she’s humiliate him until everyone realized the golden boy was useless

her father seemed to agree

and then... ursa disappeared into the night

azula teased zuko about it, saying that it was because of him

zuko was alone

azula wondered if it wasn’t a little because of her too

she still acted the way ursa taught her to... maybe she didn’t even realized that

but deep down, my dear reader, i assure you that it was because she wanted a small part of her mother to still be with her

which led her to li and lo

they were known for being strict, strict enough to forge a weapon as beautiful as it was lethal

strict enough for azula

the forms they taught her were challenging, but how to keep her hair in place was the most difficult thing ever

“i love your hair” her mother would say

azula would smile at her then

during training, she wished to rip her hair apart

azula refused to rest until everything was perfect

but was anything really like that?

zuko was banished

her father did that

she smiled

mai left some time after to the colonies

she shrugged

ty lee decided to follow a career that wasn’t fit for noblewomen

she rolled her eyes

she was alone

she wanted to scream

so she went to have her hair brushed

she wanted to burn down the palace

so she went to fix her armor

she wanted to run into her father’s arms and feel the love he had for her (nonsense)

so she learned how to make lighting from her own fingertips

funny how li and lo praised her for it

“you have to have a clear mind to be able to summon something as powerful as a lightning” is what they said

yet her mind hasn’t been clean and focused since the day her mother left

she needed a purpose

her father gave her one

she went after zuko and general iroh

when they escaped because the captain of the ship had ONE job and wasn’t able to do it properly, she went after the ones who did know how to work the right way

mai wanted action

ty lee wanted attention

right?

it wasn’t hard to manipulate and control people

she had the dai lee

she had her friends

she killed the avatar

she conquered ba sing see

she had her brother back

she was actually happy...

azula teased zuko mercilessly while he was on the fire nation, it was her way of showing her love

growing up, before she turned into a little monster, she actually spend a lot of time with zuko and enjoyed his company

he was her big brother

but they grew apart...

zuko was supposed to be a warrior

azula was taught by her mother to be a lady

ember island was a safe place

they could be kids

and, now, teenagers

but zuko left again

mai betrayed her

worse... ty lee betrayed her

ty lee was always the one she went for to speak her mind

ty lee was the one who didn’t expect azula to be perfect

ty lee was her best friend

ty lee betrayed her

she was alone again

better this way

right?

when she found the gaang on the western air temple she was thrown into a free fall

she felt like a bird

free

she could just keep falling and then everything would end

no more perfect hair

no more clean clothes

no more treasons

no more monster child

she let her hair down the way she only does when no one is looking, the way that was her own

and she didn’t want to tie it up ever again

when her father said she was to become the new fire lord she knew it meant she could do whatever she wished to do to her nation

she wanted the day of her coronation to be as perfect as she was taught to be

“young ladies have impeccable hygiene”

so she wanted to be clean

“young ladies eat the best fruits”

so no fruits were to have any seeds for her to choke

“young ladies must follow strong men”

but who follows strong women? she couldn’t trust anyone

“young ladies must be beautiful in every situation”

yet the maids couldn’t do her hair like her mother did... not even azula could do it like ursa

“i’ve always loved your hair”

mom?

no

she left

they all did

she did

she gave up

she’d see the world burn

[loonabitzy]

Hi I’d like to introduce you to

the best big brothers in the world

[loonabitzy]

I'M SORRY BUT CAN WE MAKE AN AU WERE AZULA IS OVERPROTECTIVE WITH ZUKO???

hear me out, hear me out,

Ursa before she leaves she talks to her seriously and makes it clear to her of the monster that is her father. Until then, she has the same behavior as in the original series, but when her mother talks to her about it she understands and accepts what is going on. When this happens she becomes very attached to Zuko and they were always together, until the meeting thing happened.

Imagine that happens the Agni Kai with Ozai and Zuko, in all the fight, Azula is outside the room trying to get in and stop the fight, but the guards won't let her in because Ozai already knew her intentions.

When they send Zuko to look for the Avatar, she sends him letters everyday and each time she tries to perfect his firebending so she can protect him, and at the same time act like Ozai's perfect daughter to know his plans.

When they found eachother in Ba Sing Se, she tries to convince him with real words to come back because she knows Ozai is dangerous and she don't wanted Zuko to suffer anymore, even if it meant putting her own uncle in jail.

Her goal before was trying to get the Avatar only for Zuko, cuz she wanted him to be back at home and have a normal life as before.

When "invasion" happens she understands that Zuko is not happy there and that he wants to help the Avatar. She goes to find her uncle so she could release him but when she gets in it was too late and he had already escaped. She follows Zuko to the temple when they found team Avatar and using the manipulation she learned, she and Zuko manage to enter to teach Aang firebending.

I can only imagine the part were Katara is about to throw water at Zuko and before she does it Azula comes out of nowhere and gets in front of him, and instinctively throws fire at Katara, protecting him. --

Over time they begin to have more confidence between each other and end up being friends with the team, with Azula and Suki being best friends, but there is still some discomfort between her and Katara.

Fact about this AU is that Azula sees Zuko as the only memory of her mother and the time she was a bad child and made her feel disappointed, with no time to spend with her before she leaves. But with the time she start seeing Zuko as the way he is, her brother and her only family until now. Her protector.

Azula with everyone acts manipulative and in the same way as in the series. But when it's with Zuko or someone who has confidence like Mai and Ty Lee, she softens up and acts normal, and affectionate. This is because since Zuko left, Ozai was raising her with the intention of putting things in her head and making her a killing machine. Which didn't work, cuz she keeps her humanity with the people she love.

(I really want this I'm so sorry)

[loonabitzy]

azula recovery arc starter pack essentials: 

a very dignified and practical pet whom she loves very much (ref)

cutting her hair super short (ref)

therapy with toph (ref)

tolerating zuko and katara’s gay ass chitchat without saying a word (ref)

getting her ass beat in pai sho by sokka (ref) 

willingly surrendering to being hazed by suki until suki decides to forgive her

watching thelma and listening to mitski (ref)

getting high for the first time in the company of seasoned stoners sokka, suki and toph and embarrassing herself badly

giving up the blue fire, meeting the dragons and developing a healthier relationship with firebending (ref)

seeing katara bloodbend and passing out on the spot at the realization that she will never be that cool so it’s fine to quit trying

[loonabitzy]

forgiveness

heres my fic for the prompt forgiveness for @mikannieweek ! this is my first time not writing jeanmarco so i hope i did them justice lkdfjdskl

“What are you doing out here?” Mikasa started at the voice, coming from just a few feet behind her. She turned to look at her blonde roommate, pale lips pressed into her usual frown.

“Annie,” Mikasa smiled, despite herself. Annie returned the gesture with a halfhearted wave, settling into the grass beside Mikasa.

“Mind if I join you?”

Keep reading

[loonabitzy]

Hyakkaou NekoMimi Academy: Student Council Version

There’s a trend of students wearing Cat Ear Hairbands going around Hyakkaou.

[Beep]s take place of translations I could not understand. The only thing I own is my mistakes.

Video subbed and timed by: @kodraws

[loonabitzy]

Carol Danvers has so much in common with the other MCU heroes and I feel like she’s gonna get along with them all so well.

Military history, patriotic aesthetic, super close best friend, and brave to the point where it’s almost reckless? So she gets along well with Steve

Sarcastic, good with kids, and a clear leader? Tony’s gonna love her

Struggles with memory, manipulated by government? Bucky will totally understand

Super powerful but also kind, in touch with her emotions, and forgiving? Thor’s new bestie probably

Smart, nerdy, and knows physics? Bruce

Powerful woman trained to “keep her emotions in check”? Natasha

Lived with a group of aliens after being kidnapped from earth, still uses earth tech from 25-30 years ago? Peter Quill

I could go on, but you get the idea. She’s going to fit right in

[loonabitzy]

Captain Marvel: *arrives at avengers facility* 

Captain Marvel: Where’s Fury and who are you people!?!?

Steve: ??

Nat: ??

Bruce: ??

Rhodey: ??

Steve: Uh, were the Avengers and you are who exactly ?

Captain Marvel: Aw you named yourselves after me that’s cute.

[loonabitzy]

like the post if save.

[loonabitzy]

Yuna showing her visuals since pre debut

[loonabitzy]

my youth, my youth is yours

[loonabitzy]

song of the century