#Avatar: The Last Airbender Episode 11

[luckyrave]

Avatar: The Last Airbender Book 1 - Water Retrospective Rating

I may have finished my highlights on all the episodes for Avatar: The Last Airbender Book 1: Water, but one thing still remains. My full retrospective thoughts on the the first season as a whole after having rewatched it recently, and all I'm gonna do is discuss briefly on my thoughts for each episode unless it's a two part.

So let's go ahead and begin this once and for all with:

Episodes 1 & 2: The Boy in The Iceberg & The Avatar Returns

One could easily group the first two episodes seperately as their own thing, but given that they were aired together as a 1 hour special when the show debuted it only makes sense to group them together.

There was a lot of intrigue and wonder when it pertained to the world of Avatar The Last Airbender, and it really did an incredible job to establish Aang as the protagonist, but also set up what it is Katara aims to be for her goal, and of course with Sokka along with the establishment of The Fire Nation as the adversaries. Most importantly what it does for The Prince of The Fire Nation, Zuko with his own personal motives that sets up a lot for a journey.

Rating: Pure Perfection

Episode 3: The Southern Air Temple

Listen I've already said my piece when it came to what the contents of the episode, but considering how Aang felt from what he discovered one just couldn't help but feel for The Avatar that despite the loss his people , Katara and Sokka now taking the place as his family. At the same time there was still a lot to be said once more Zuko wanting to keep things a secret about Aang because he didn't want anyone to get in his way, and that led to Zhao discovering what the damages. That led Zuko down to a declaration of an Agni Kai against Zhao to prove his point despite what happened the last time he took part in an Agni Kai in the past against The Master. There was just a lot to say when it came to both our hero and of course the antagonist who was set up.

Rating: Pure Perfection

Episode 4: The Warriors of Kyoshi

On the surface one could say that The Warriors of Kyoshi doesn't really add too much to the overall narrative of Book 1 as whole. That statement isn't necessarily entirely wrong because it's very self contained, but that isn't to say that The Warriors of Kyoshi isn't important. This episode actually add a lot of value for Aang when it came to the attention he received being The Avatar two generations after Kyoshi along with how that affects his bond with Katara, and of course with Sokka coming to terms with his mindset about Suki and the warriors. Most importantly its the seeds from this episode that are planted here that bloom into the series as a whole.

Rating: Amazing

Episode 5: The King of Omashu

This one is very much similar to the previous one in the sense that it is very much a self contained story that doesn't do a lot for the overall importance for Book 1 as whole, but does a lot for what's to come for the future of the series. Aang being met with a series of trials by The King of Omashu and having to think about what ahead really set worth a lot when it comes to his intellect, and that plays a heavy part into the revelation pertaining to The King himself.

Rating: Amazing

Episode 6: Imprisoned

Another episode that falls into the similar list as the previous two that came before, and one might ask "So is there anything to say here?" There's a lot that it does for Katara's character in trying to help Haru and the other imprisoned Earthbenders to get their spirit back against The Fire Nation. Aang and Sokka don't play too much of a heavy role which is fine, and for the importance of Book 1 it doesn't much overall. However, what is demonstrated here with Katara does play a bigger role in the future of the series as a whole.

Rating: Great+

Episodes 7 & 8: The Winter Solstice

There is a lot I've already spoken about when it comes The Winter Solstice, and given that this is a two parter it only makes sense to group together as one. The concept of The Spirit World being introduced and what it means for Aang as The Avatar, but more importantly his first direct conversation with his predecessor, Roku of The Fire Nation. One in which sets up so much for Aang's journey moving forward when it comes to his eventual battle against Fire Lord Ozai and the relation a comet Fire Lord Sozin used to initiate The 100 Year War.

Rating: Pure Perfection

Episode 9: The Waterbending Scroll

This one really sets the mark up for Aang and Katara when it comes to the essence of waterbending. Katara having felt like a novice at her skills in comparison to Aang's natural gifts as The Avatar really was a great thing to be explored, and does so much for their overall relationship especially when The Waterbending Scroll comes into play. It could be viewed as a little lesser than Imprisoned (Episode 6), but The Pirates do play a brief minor part towards the end which helped keep it relevance to Book 1 as a whole.

Rating: Great

Episode 10: Jet

A very self contained tale that is centered around Jet and his freedom fighters whom Aang, Katara, and Sokka come across after being nearly ambushed by a group of Firebenders. It has a lot of interesting themes when exploring beliefs and ideologies of good and really does so much for Sokka's character as a warrior in contrast to what Jet stands for as a character. Now given the nature of the episode, Jet and The Freedom Fighters don't play a huge role in the rest of Book 1, but their importance to the future says otherwise.

Rating: Great+

Episode 11: The Great Divide

I'm not even gonna beat around the bush when it comes to Episode 11 known as The Great Divide. The reason being is because this was one that had been talked to death in the Avatar community, and all I'm gonna say is it is the one episode doesn't add too much to the overall series. Mostly because The Gan Jins and The Zhangs don't really ever appear again in the rest of the series. It does however provide an interesting stance on perspectives which is cool, but that's really it.

Rating: Okay

Episode 12: The Storm

Wow what a contrast from the previous episode, and going straight into One of the best episodes in Avatar: The Last Airbender period. The definition of two sides of the same coin perfectly describes the essence of Aang and Zuko's personal upbringing. Each starting out with a sense of curiosity and being led to a decision that shapes where our hero and our villain stands in the series. The day Aang become The Avatar, and the day Zuko received the scar on his eye. In fact, one could even say that things really change an outlook on how Zuko is viewed as a character. He is still the antagonist but not necessarily in the sense of the villian, but more of the anti-hero, and the way both Aang and Zuko parallel one another is so master class.

Rating: Pure Perfection

Episode 13: The Blue Spirit

The definition of being kept on your toes is a great way when it pertains to The Blue Spirit. Aang trying to find some herbs to cure Katara and Sokka from their sickness due to the events from the Storm which led to him being captured by Zhao who had been promoted to Admiral. It is also where you are introduced to The Blue Spirit character and you are just unsure as to what their goal to save The Avatar and the reveal behind the mask is so genius. The perfect followup coming off from The Storm.

Rating: Pure Perfection

Episode 14: The Fortuneteller

The big importance to The Fortuneteller is further solidifying the chemistry and budding romance between Aang and Katara. All that pertains ot the future was in store for the eventual couple to be, and it is without a doubt a sweet episode, but one could say this was more tell than show, and that could be a hinderance especially since Aunt Wu doesn't really play anything critical in the story beyond this episode.

Rating: Good

Episode 15: Bato of The Water Tribe

It's always great to learn more about Sokka and Katara's culture in the Water Tribe especially with Bato who grew up their father Hakoda. Very similarly to some of the other episodes like Imprisoned, and Jet it can be considered self contained, but on with a lot of importance. ritual to dictate where the trio is marked on their trial and that provides a valuable lesson to Aang, Katara, and Sokka. Not to mention it does bring one plot thread to a close in regards to Katara's necklace that belonged to her mother, and also June is such an interesting character.

Rating: Great

Episode 16: The Deserter

Fire can be a very dangerous thing to handle, and that was something Aang learned first hand upon his excitement to learn from Jeong Jeong who deserted from The Fire Nation Army a long time ago. He knew that learning Firebending needed to be done and in midst of his excitement that came with consequences that just stuck with The Avatar in a belief that The Deserter warned him about. A simple fact that Aang just wasn't ready to learn Firebending. Yes, it is a self contained tale, but much like some of the others The Deserter does a lot when it comes to Aang's growth as the main protagonist.

Rating: Amazing

Episode 17: The Northern Air Temple

The idea of revisit an ancient relic that comes from Aang's past in particular his heritage as an Air Nomad is really sweet. The opportunity for him to revisit The Northern Air Temple again after so many years really threw him for a surprise that was similar to what happened at his home in The Southern Air Temple. The Fire Nation was involved in particular to the Past when it came to the eradication of The Air Nomads, but even now currently at The Northern Air Temple towards a group of refugees seeking shelter. Aang had a lot to come to terms with when it came to his beliefs and accepting what lies in the present for the refugees which is great for his growth, but like many other episodes it's very much self contained that sets up so much for the future.

Rating: Good+

Episode 18: The Waterbending Master

The Waterbending Master has a lot to say for Aang and Katara since after a long journey they finally arrived at The Northern Water Tribe, and of course Sokka finding himself in a trance of love for The Princess of The Northern Tribe. They learn that things aren't exactly what they seem to be due to cultures and beliefs in particular with Katara in proving herself as a worthy Waterbender to be trained under the same guidance as The Avatar. A result in which comes with an interesting revelation about her heritage and connection to The Waterbending Master himslf. Not to mention, what it means for the impending battle that is about to be ensued by The Fire Nation.

Rating: Amazing+

Episodes 19 & 20: The Siege of The North

There is a lot ways to consider the closure to a particular book in this case to a season, and Avatar: The Last Airbender demonstrated this through it's two part finale The Siege of The North. It gave Aang a chance to shine especially when it came to his display of being The Avatar in the battle that The Water Tribe had to face against The Fire Nation. It's also a great parallel in that Book 1 begins with Southern Water Tribe, and it ends here at The Northern Water Tribe. A battle that wasn't particular an easy victory, and it came with a cost on both sides of the spectrum. Especially for what it does Zuko's journey moving forward, and as they say the battle may have been victorious, but the war still wages on.

Rating: Pure Perfection

So with this now being said, and done after viewing all the episodes of Water as a whole. There's a lot to be said about the journey Aang, Katara, and Sokka have went through from where they started off and where they've ended up by final moments of The Book. Especially when you get to witness what the journey had been for Zuko early on in the season and to see that there's more to him than meets the eye by the end of this Book.

Overall Rating: Great+

[sidecharactersdomatter]

Thoughts I had during TGCF S2 Ep 11

The last two reactions took a while, since I was doing a lot of sketching and writing a one shot after listing to the latest Epic livestream on Ytube now let’s get to it!

-Innocent children outside of the palace were spared from the Banquet’s massacre

-It’s the same elderly man from Ep 9!

-You know this Ep’s gonna be awesome once the animation’s upped it’s ante

-The CGI background effect!

-It’s the outer wall of Ba Sing se from ATLA Book 2 Earth, (subtle worldbuilding spoilers from The Scrap Immortal and the Avatar)

-Barren land outside of the wall…

-Hua Cheng’s wraith butterfly

-*takes a really deep inhale* HAAAAAAAH!  It’s the same butterfly from 5 Eps earlier who landed on Xie Lian’s palm as the others swarmed towards FX and MQ!  *Gasps again* He must’ve landed on XL’s hand because of the length he went to locate him in Yong’An’s area.  So if he failed to find him, the butterfly was exhausted, and since he was tired, he rested on Xie Lian’s hand

(I had to slip this in)

-Through the eyes of a butterfly

-It’s a tunnel!

-It’s the secret tunnel from ATLA Book 2

-Lang Qianqiu and Mengyou!

-He’s staked Fang Xin into his tomb

-The reason Qianqiu never removed Fang Xin’s mask is because he never knew who he was behind it all is life…

-What was that coffin cover made out of?!

-Back to Yong’An to finish grieving and keeping the kingdom in tact

-Getting staked in a stone coffin is a whole lot worse than being trapped in a Iceberg for a century

-The blood is spreading like vines and branches

-How long was he in that coffin???

-I can see why people in the fandom wrote fics about his recovery from the Yong’An crypt.

-Another intense and long cold opening

-“SAD CHILD!!!” still got chills from the last episode 

-Damn

-“NO!  It’s my fault!  Everything is my fault and I’ve only made it worse!” There’s that raw emotion

-Still want dessert after the delivery last episode.  Great!  Now I’m craving egg custard tarts and red bean buns, dim sum dessert!!!

-Hua Cheng took accountability for his actions

-He sat down next to him!

-“You did good” that’s exactly what I need to hear right now

-There’s always a cost

-Howard is still eating it up in the next ep!!!

-Comfort him!

-History’s still repeating to this day…

-Lian Cheng Ci’s playing again!

-It was no one’s fault!

-He finally removed his mask!

-XL had a chance to end An Le right there

-Thank you HC!

-No XL you’re not a worthless insect, I actually see you as more of an adorable rodent and so does Hua Cheng

-He destroyed the weeping statue!

-It took him that long to stop his breakdown???

-“As you wish” has James Cheek read the Princess Bride?

-Ghosts and Humans are fleeing the mountains

-And Qi Rong’s goons easily folded under Hua Cheng’s thumb

-Did anybody else hear Broadway from Gargoyles in the large purple goon? Kictor and Stitch said he sounded like Patrick Star

-Let’s just say Hua Cheng always does his homework right

-Aww the animation when Xie Lian caught up to the Crimson Rain

-Hong Jue once more!!! YEAH!!!

-They’re outside the mountain!

-His small laugh!

-“Idolizing someone for afar is understandable, but once you get close, when you really get to know them, that perfect image of them you made will shatter.  When that happens it just hurts.”  That is a really good and inspirational quote

-“For some the mere existence of a certain person in this world is hope.” Another great quote!

-“San Lang, who are you?” He said it so softly!!!

-“Don’t tease!” Oh yes he will~!

-He’s starting to realize!!!

-Whoever did this season’s soundtrack really deserves a raise

-They got cut off!

-Hi Qingxuan

-She’s so slay

-Hi Feng Xin

-Just imagine a montage of Qingxuan and FX trying to role the right number to XL’s location

-The way he summoned his arrow!

-It’s a standoff!!

-XL’s facepalm!

-HC just tugged his sleeve again!

-What’s she doing?

-Are they acting?

-The eye contact!

-He’s talking about Ming Yi

-You got that right on the rescuing, he carried XL off in style!

-Literally how you send an email and update in the online message board

-“She gets it” that means they’ve bonded

-QX gets close and FX moves like 6 feet back

-She knows his weakness

-And FX’s frantically waving his hand 

-The snap!

-*Qianqiu has left the chat*

-I know who the minor official is

-Even FX dissed Qi Rong

-It took him that long to realize???

-The family ties are really something, Qingxuan

-That anime spiral on the thumb!

-Hua Cheng roasted Feng Xin

-He is egging him on

-Hua Cheng roasted Heaven again

-Another standoff!

-Aiaigasa!  It’s Aiaigasa people!!!

-And Qingxuan casually backs up

-IT’S RAINING WET KETCHUP!!!

-Really weird weather they had tonight

-Now XL giggled!!!  It added 3 more years to my lifespan!

-FX looks like he got a bowl of marinara tossed over him

-Qingxuan it’s not a mop!!!  It’s a cultivator whisk!  It took me a long time to realize it when I bought the first novel

-You two aren’t helping!

-Have you seen HC help fix up your temple?

-He knows him so well!

One more Ep left!

[loopy777]

The Timeline, Vol 2

Mai was introduced exactly 19 years ago today, on April 7th, 2006, in the AtLA episode ‘Return to Omashu.’ This also introduced her romantic interest in Zuko.

Mai and Zuko were confirmed as a dating couple in September 2007 with the airing of the episode ‘The Awakening.’ Mai and Zuko broke up 2 months later in November 2007 in ‘The Day of Black Sun, Part 1: The Invasion.’ They reunited as a couple 8 months later in July 2008 with the airing of the AtLA finale.

A little less than 4 years later, in May 2012 with the publishing of the graphic novel ‘The Promise - Part 2,’ Mai and Zuko broke up again due to trust issues. In a major emotional moment, Zuko attests to still loving Mai and desiring her back, but she refuses to return.

One year later in May 2013, Mai’s situation in the aftermath of the breakup was revealed in the comic book ‘Rebound.’ In this story, Mai dates a boy named Kei Lo but breaks up with him by the end of the issue. She also fights some anti-Zuko terrorists.

Mai is not seen again until almost three years later (September/October 2015), in 'Smoke and Shadow - Part One.' In this story, Mai dates a boy named Kei Lo. For the story's conclusion, 6 months later (March/April 2016), in ‘Smoke and Shadow - Part Three,’ Mai breaks up with him by the end of the issue, and in a major emotional moment, Zuko attests to still loving her and desiring to have her back, but she refuses to return. Throughout the trilogy, Mai also fights some anti-Zuko terrorists.

Mai's next and so far final appearance is almost 9 years later in March 2025, in the one-shot graphic novel 'Ashes of the Academy.' In a major update to their relationship status, Zuko and Mai briefly refer to the trust issues they broke up over, but she refuses to return. At the end of the story, Mai fights some anti-Zuko terrorists.

Some real-time statistics:

Mai and Zuko were a couple for 4 years.

Mai and Zuko have not been a couple for a total of 15 years since Mai’s introduction.

Mai and Zuko have been broken up for nearly 13 years.

Mai’s situation post-breakup was first revealed 12 years ago. Since that time, the only change to her character has been to get a new job she seems to like better than the old one.

It has been 5 years since I began to track these statistics. A child born when I made the first Maiko Timeline is now likely to be in kindergarten. In that time, Mai has appeared in one comic book. In the same amount of time, writer John Ostrander wrote his legendary 66-issue run of the groundbreaking comic series, 'The Suicide Squad' (plus some tie-in miniseries).

The graphic novel plotline about Mai and Zuko breaking up has been in existence for 68% of the existence of Mai as a character, and 65% of the existence of ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ as a franchise.

A baby born when Mai and Zuko broke up in ‘The Promise’ is now 13 years old, likely experiencing puberty, and 2 years older than the recommended age range for the new graphic novel installments of ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender,’ which is 8-11 years old. It took only a little under 10 years to air all of both 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' and 'The Legend of Korra.'

The numbers continue to tell the story better than the franchise's paid writers.

(Timeline once again made at https://www.officetimeline.com/online. I was honestly shocked they're still in business.)

[rightwheretheyleftme]

I just finished watching book 4 of The Legend of Korra. Here’s my top 5 things I hated the most about it:

Part 1 and Part 2

5. Korra spends half of the FINAL season away from the rest of Team Avatar.

This season has 12 proper episodes and Korra spends the first 6 in almost complete isolation. She reunites with Mako and Asami in episode 7 but the full team doesn’t get together until episode 11 out of 13. In the final episode, we get only one shot of the 4 of them together and that’s it. We never see them fight as a team not once this season. This is the final season of your show and your big hero team only has 1 scene where they work in tandem? Why? A total narrative disaster.

4. Monarchy bad!

This season wastes your time making you watch Prince Wu go through a stupid character arc about learning to be a good leader only for him to abdicate at the end. Remember kids, monarchy is bad! Unless we are talking about our beloved hero Zuko, or the firm but caring Fire Lord Izumi, or Suyin’s surveillance state, or the newly redeemed Desna and Eska’s sovereignty. The whole message of “democracy good always!” falls flat when one of the heroes of your show is an autocrat, Bryke.

3. The comic relief buffons are protagonists now. Deal with it.

Varrick, Meelo and Prince Wu get an ungodly amount of screentime this season. Every episode includes one of these court jesters making unfunny jokes and acting insufferable. Let’s deviate from Korra’s recovery arc so we can watch Meelo fart again, because that’s what Bryke think comedy is

2. Earthbending Hitler is redeemable! Yay!

Kuvira, a character who runs concentration camps and enslaves people en masse, being portrayed as a person who had good intentions but “went too far” is disgusting. That whole speech that Korra delivered in the finale about how her and Kuvira are soooo alike made me nauseous. This achieves nothing other than to justify fascism to an audience of children.

1. Abuse is cool! It helps you grow and makes you smarter!

The fact that Zaheer was the one who healed Korra is so fucking asinine that I don’t even have the words to describe it. It’s like the writers thought “Let’s make her abuser also be her savior! That would be soooo edgy!” and called it a day. And the final line of the show where she justifies her abuse because it made her humbler? Ugh. To borrow someone else’s words: “…......and then the "compassion line" happened.

.......and then Bryke decided to invalidate not only how Korra's recovery arc had been portrayed up to that point, but also her growth throughout the show AND the lessons imparted to viewers in Avatar: The Last Airbender.

They decided that showing Korra internalizing her trauma and growing from it only through the perspective of "well I deserved it, because I needed to be taught a lesson" (something women IRL often do, by the way) was preferable to "sometimes bad things happen to you because of the cruelty of others. You don't deserve it and you are more than what happened to you." And they just...put that message out there in the last five minutes of the entire show, uncritiqued and un-remarked upon. It's sickening.” Indeed it is. (source)

Underwhelming final season. 4/10

[fast-moon]

I'm 30 years late, but...

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine originally aired when I was 10 years old. I loved Next Generation when I was a kid, so I gave DS9 a try back then... and immediately grew bored of it. They weren't going to new planets or having space battles, they were just sitting around in one place discussing space politics, and there wasn't even anyone funny like Data to hold my attention. So, I stopped watching after a couple episodes.

But, since I keep hearing it ended up being the best Trek seres, I've decided to go ahead and give it a full watch-through. Maybe now that I'm 40 and have more life experience under my belt, I can appreciate it more.

Turns out I do! I've finished the first season, so I'll give a run-down of what I thought of the S1 episodes below the cut:

1-2. Emissary: All right, I actually understand the premise this time which completely went over my head as a kid. The Bajorans were under Cardassian occupation for decades, the Federation showed up and drove them out, now the Federation is in control of the Cardassian space station DS9 to help the Bajorans rebuild and return to self-governance. But wait! Turns out there's a wormhole that goes to the other side of the galaxy here and it's suddenly become prime space real-estate! And the wormhole is inhabited by... mysterious non-temporal entities that spit out a magic orbs from time to time and the Bajorans worship them as prophets.

3. Past Prologue: Garak is queer-coded like whoa and gives Bashir a taste of his own medicine about not respecting boundaries. Is also possibly like a quadruple-agent. And tailors a fine suit. Also, Kira got a haircut. There's rats on spaceships?! Oh, that's just Odo. Okay. Still, the fact that he considered that a convincing disguise means there's rats on spaceships?!

4. A Man Alone: A guy backstabs himself and blames Odo for it.

5. Babel: Poor overworked O'Brien gets so stressed out he starts speaking in tongues. Then it turns out it's contagious. And it turns out that it's because someone sabotaged the station decades ago with a dyslexia virus and then just kind of forgot about it.

6. Captive Pursuit: This actually touches on a moral question I'd been wondering about if we ever end up with sentient AI: If something is bred/programmed to like being oppressed, is it more moral to remove it from its oppression even if that makes it miserable, or to return it to its oppression if that's what makes it happy? This episode chose the latter.

7. Q-Less: A surprisingly boring Q-centric episode whose only shenanigans involved a space stingray Vash was trying to sell off. Q really does miss Picard.

8. Dax: Oh, another philosophical thought-experiment: If you committed a crime and then get reincarnated in a traceable manner and retain all the memories of your previous incarnation, can your current incarnation be held liable for your previous incarnation's actions? This episode decides it doesn't want to answer this because she's not guilty, anyway.

9. The Passenger: Bashir becomes even more insufferable and nobody notices.

10. Move Along Home: Samurai hippies come through the wormhole and demand everyone LARP with them whether they like it or not.

11. The Nagus: Quark falls victim to one of the classic blunders, the most famous of which is "Never get involved in a land war with Asia". But only slightly less well-known is this: "Never get involved with a Ferengi when profit is on the line".

12. Vortex: So... Odo just lets a guy get away with murder because he has a sob story and claimed he knew others of his kind? Just because he was wanted unjustly on his home planet does not change the fact that he murdered a guy for hire. Also, Odo can get knocked out by a rock?

13. Battle Lines: Remember that "Great Divide" episode of Avatar: The Last Airbender that everyone hated? No reason.

14. The Storyteller: O'Brien goes down to Bajor to fix the pipes, becomes God.

15. Progress: Kira has to go convince a Boomer to leave his land because they need the resources to rebuild the planet, but he's all "I got mine, screw them." She humors his sexist behavior all episode, then burns his house down.

16. If Wishes Were Horses: Bashir wishes for his own personal side-piece Dax, and real Dax is weirdly okay with this because "boys will be boys". The conflict in this episode is literally solved by thinking happy thoughts.

17. The Forsaken: Odo gets sexually harassed so reports it to HR who just laughs him off because they think it would be good for him to get laid. Then he gets stuck in an elevator with his stalker and it's revealed just how physically strenuous it is for him to maintain his human form all day, and yet he has never been afforded any accommodations beyond a bucket to sleep in. This poor space slime, no wonder he's always so grumpy. #JusticeForOdo

18. Dramatis Personae: TNG's "The Inner Light", but stupid. Once again Odo has to save the day because he's immune to the humanoid crazypox that seems to infect the station every half-dozen episodes, and yet they still just can't find it in their effects budget to adjust station operations enough to allow him the minimal comfort of not having to contort himself into human form every day until he collapses just to do his job.

19. Duet: I am a sucker for "Did the janitors on the Death Star deserve to die?" sorts of moral discussions, and this episode delivered that very well. Also, I'm in lesbians with Kira.

20. In the Hands of the Prophets: Lady who doesn't even have kids at the school nevertheless takes issue that the children aren't being taught in accordance to her religious beliefs. It's been 30 years since this came out and nothing changes.

All in all, a decent season 1. It does show its age in places, especially in its treatment of female characters, and being written before the internet and smartphones caused seismic cultural shifts that its vision of the future failed to take into account. But still, I'm liking it now that I actually understand what's going on. On to season 2!

[empressofthesunslittlecorner]

Let's talk about Zutara

WARNING NOT KATAANG AND MAIKO FRIENDLY

CONTINUE WITH PRECAUTION

I thought I should finally use this second blog of mine for the reason I made it.

To scream into the void and find mutals.

So let's talk about one Ship which people to this day fight over.

The fanon ship (at it pains me to write this) made out of Zuko and Katara from Avatar the Last Airbender aka. Zutara.

I read a lot of analyses, arguments and so on about this ship.

It probably all has been said about Zutara, but since I'm writing an AangXOC story which will include Zutara, I felt like I should give my stance on it.

Back when Avatar first aired in the country I lived in the time I was like 11-12 years old.

I had an instant crush on Aang since he was so funny, kind and gentle.

I never saw Aang's crush on Katara as a problem, because it always seemed to me, till season 3, that Katara was just motherly to Aang.

Giving a friend a cheek kiss in thanks doesn't automatically mean that you like-like them.

At this time I only really shipped Sokka and Yue and cried my eyes out how it ended.

And then the famous scene from book 2 in the crystal catacombs under Ba Sing Se happened.

Short recap, in that season Zuko goes through a lot of chances and I root for, wishing him the best.

Now back to the scene, I said.

The scene turned me into a Zutara shipper in one instant.

Zuko and Katara opening up to each other, sharing their traumas and feelings about the Fire Nation, Katara offering to heal his scare...it was poetic cinema.

I was shivering all over and was like kiss, kiss, kiss!

Let's not forget that before this scene I didn't even see them as a potential couple...but this scene, this beautiful moment they shared with each other, opened my eyes.

I was like, yeah this is it, this is something one should want from a partner. Mutual understanding.

Then Zuko decided to betray Katara for a chance to go home and I cried right there with our favourite waterbender.

I felt also betrayed.

The scene they shared made me feel things, which I experienced as a young girl for the first time, I felt the connection between Zuko and Katara like it was my own.

I was Katara at this moment and couldn't believe that the boy who opened up to me, who understood what it was like to have their mother taken away from the Fire Nation, who said that he wanted to change, that he turned his back on me.

Didn't I/Katara mean nothing to him?

Didn't he feel how special our/their moment was?

I was devasted.

When Zuko then joined the Gaang in the middle of season 3 I could understand Katara's anger towards him.

Katara and I trusted him first and he betrayed our trust.

We had a right to be angry.

As the Southern Raiders came on, as I saw how flawlessly they worked as a team, I felt my own heart heal.

I swerve to this day, that I thought they would kiss at the end of the episode, but we got a hug.

However, this hug, made me feel all giddy and mushy inside.

I felt it was something special.

Maybe even more than a kiss.

It was a huge of forgiveness and the start of a new bond.

And then the last episode comes on.

Zuko sacrificed himself to save Katara from Azula lighting, she healed him then...I thought, yes this is it, now comes the kiss...but nothing.

Then suddenly Zuko is back together with Mai and I was like WTF?!

And Aang and Katara share this really intense kiss at the end.

I was literally like:

It came out of nowhere for me.

That Aang wasn't over his crush on Katara we all know, but when did Katara decide she liked Aang?

When did this realisation happen, when in the Ember Island Player, which was like a few days before Sozin's Comet Katara made clear that she didn't want to have a romance or get kissed by Aang, which he didn't respect.

Did he ever actually apologise for the unwanted kiss? I don't think so.

Remember I had a crush on Aang, but through the seasons I became a Zutara Shipper and literally felt all their moments like they were my own.

I was Katara and Aang wasn't on my radar anymore.

I really doubted my interpretation skill, did all these lovely, mushy, heartful moments have been really romantic or did I project?

I felt like Zuko and Katara had broken up with me.

Yeah, so much inpact had their "friendly" moments at me!

To this day, the hug Katara and Zuko shared on the Southern Raiders is one of the most lovely moments of any of my ships.

Not even kissing made me feel, what this hug made me feel.

Think about how powerful this is!

If Zutara had kissed, I would have probably passed out or cried like a baby in happiness.

I don't know and I will never know since it's a fanon ship.

Uurgh.

Anyway, years passed and as I mention before I read a lot of analysis and so on.

What shocked me most was that Byrke originally planned to have Zuko and Katara together but then changed their minds.

It did reassure me, how I wasn't imagining things between them, however reading then how the Souther Raider Episode changed a lot of times because Bryke found it too shippy, tells you a lot.

They wanted to make Kataang canon and better, than the natural flow Zutara had going on.

I want to repeat again, a HUG was MORE ROMANTIC and INTENSE than the crappy kiss Kataang shared.

Like what?!

How is this possible?

Well, yeah, if you don't force things and actually make people interact in a wholesome way it can be.

Zuko and Katara felt never forced because they just clicked. They were different, but the same in many things, that it was so natural to understand the other.

Aang and Katara felt always more like a mother-and-son duo, than real lovers.

And Maiko was kinda lame too.

Sorry.

I have this theory they just wanted to pair Zuko with a Fire Nation girl and be done with it.

I don't know why they chose Mai when it could have been worked with Ty Lee too, if it was only to pair Zuko with someone who doesn't understand him or doesn't want to try.

Excuse me, maybe Ty Lee would have been better since she seemed to care for her friends, in contrast to Mai who just tried her hardest to be goth and hate everything.

Sorry.

What I'm trying to say with this rant?

I think, as someone who had liked Aang and then felt more connected to Zuko and Katara, I can clearly say that if Katara had been a real girl and not a fictional character controlled by men, she would be together with Zuko.

Why would I/Katara choose someone who I need to mother, who is younger than me, who can't relate to me, if there is an older handsome boy who is kinda dorky and awkward and tries his best, understands my feelings and helps me to parent the Gaang?

Yeah, no, Katara would have smooched Zuko if she had been a real girl.

Now, who of you who knows me, can say, but Empress some of your OCs are older than their canon partner, how can you say that Kataang can't work if you do this in your stories?!

I want to make clear I don't have general a problem if the girl is older than the guy or taller.

It's just that their supposed age gap is when they are together makes it creepy.

Look at an example.

My parents have a three-year age gap.

Nothing much.

They are both in their 60, mid 60, so it's not weird.

They are in the same mature stage in life and understand the struggles of the other.

Now think if my parents meet at 12 and 15.

My dad is the older one.

Are you going to say with a straight face that it wouldn't have been creepy if my parents started to date at this age?

What does a teenager want with a pre-puperty child?

Also, they live in completely different worlds, how can they relate to each other?

The same goes for Katara and Aang, what does a 14-year-old want from a 12-year-old?

I bet if it was the other way around, we would all give Aang shit for preying on a 12-year-old girl.

The gender shouldn't decide if we find a couple creepy or not, even if it's so sadly.

What I want to say, Kataang would have worked better if let's say season 3 ended with no pairing, just all being friends and happy and then in the comics when they age, when Katara is 22 and Aang is 20 they got together.

They would have matured, been on the same level, probably dated other people and had experience.

It would have been okay.

Even if I still think Zutara is superior in anything.

Anyway, I hope I could explain myself and no hate to the canon ships and their shippers.

Ship and let ship.

I just wanted to explain my reason why I will be always a Zutara Shipper and don't reconsider the ending of Avatar as the end and Legend of Korra.

I will forever be Team-Season-Four-Where-Aang-Finds-Hiding-Airbenders-And-Falls-in-Love-With-A-Airbender Girl-His-Age-And-Zuko-And-Katara-Marry-Eachother-And-Katara-Becomes-The-Most-Beloved-And-Badass-Fire Lady-In-History!

And they find also Zuko mom ^^

So for now this is it for me.

If you want my take on an Aang and OC story, where Zutara will be canon, go to my other Tumblr profile empressofthesunwriter and read Yin and Yang.

Here is the link to the Index

I wish you all a nice day/night!

Till next time!

[effypcfcwrites]

The Owl House

(Originally posted on my personal Facebook dated April 25, 2023)

This is probably the first time I'll be posting a detailed review of a piece of media that I like, so witness me sing all of my praises for this animated series from the House of Mouse, because wow, I've never been so invested in a Disney show after rewatching Gravity Falls.

For those unfamiliar, The Owl House revolves around Luz Noceda, a teenage girl who stumbles upon a portal to an alternate world called The Boiling Isles, meets a witch named Eda Clawthorne, learns magic under her tutelage and eventually enrolls in Hexside, a magic school where she makes many friends and goes on multiple adventures.

I binged this whole show in a span of weeks and even stayed up all night on my day off to finish it up to Season 3, the first 2 Seasons being on Disney+ and the latter on Disney Channel's YouTube page.

Simply put, I love it so much! I love how it reminds me of Avatar: The Last Airbender, Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, and, dare I say, Harry Potter, which it even poked fun at, at times. Well-deserved, considering J.K. Rowling’s transphobic views and HP’s underlying anti-Semitic undertones.

I loved the pop culture references to Thor: Ragnarok, Howl's Moving Castle, Metal Gear Solid, and even Hades, among many others! I thought those were very clever and funny, and just a treat for fellow nerds, geeks, and fans of fantasy stories, anime, and video games.

I love the LGBTQ+ representation all throughout the show, which was such a bold move considering Disney’s iffy stance on the subject. None of them were antagonized for it, and it was treated as something normalized in both the Human and Demon Realms. The show featured 2 gay dads, non-binary and aromantic-asexual characters, and one of the internet’s favorite sapphic/WLW couples Lumity, which is the ship consisting of canonically bisexual Luz and implied lesbian Amity Blight, whose rivals-to-friends-to-lovers relationship was just so wholesome, so natural, and very healthy, considering they're both teenagers. Suprisingly, there was very little melodrama, not once were they petty towards one another whenever either party did something wrong, and they never got tired of showing affection towards each other. I found myself shamelessly gushing over how cute, adorable, and supportive they were together, and tearing up a lot during key moments of their relationship, especially when they both found themselves in dire straits as the story progressed.

I love the writing and the character development of them all! None of them felt static, they all grew throughout the series, maturing, getting better, and healing from their own insecurities, trauma, and guilt. The humor and comedic timing was a nice touch, and I was really taken aback by how S2 ended on such a dark cliffhanger with all stakes raised to the roof, similar to A:TLA S2 and The Empire Strikes Back, as mentioned earlier. That season wasn’t afraid to have such a grim ending, with such a great payoff by the end of S3 which is worth celebrating.

I love the animation and art style, which blended colorful and whimsical with eerie and ominous in just the right amounts. As a sucker for animated movies and series such as Adventure Time, The Prince of Egypt, and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, it was just such a delight watching it.

I love the overarching message of the show, which is to be truly yourself, to embrace your quirks, and never to limit yourself and your potential based on what the majority of society and the powers-that-be expect from you. All throughout, you’ll find the characters challenging pre-established norms and roles, and it’s just so satisfying seeing them all win.

11/10 top-tier show. Don’t @ me, it’s hard for me to find something I disliked about the series. It's definitely a must-watch, especially if you're sick and tired of all the bleak nihilism of modern adult animation, and you just want to baby your inner child and escape to a whimsical fantasy world with characters you can all relate to. Betting my bottom peso you'll all be hooked, like I was.

[natlacentral]

‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ Renewed For Two Seasons At Netflix; Live-Action Series Will Conclude With Season 3

Avatar: The Last Airbender, the anime-inspired live-action series, will be able to tell the story of the four nations: Water. Earth. Fire. Air after Netflix renewed it for a further two seasons.

The streamer has handed the show a two-season renewal order to conclude the story of Aang’s journey to become the Avatar. 

It comes after the show premiered on Netflix on February 22 and recorded 41.1M views in its first 11 days, topping its TV list for the last two weeks and being on track to enter its top ten most-watched list over its first three months.

The plan is to film these two seasons – seasons two and three – in close succession in order to mitigate the fact that child actors tend to grow up quickly.

The series comes from Rideback, whose boss Dan Lin, an exec producer on the series, was recently named Netflix’s new film chief, replacing Scott Stuber. Albert Kim is showrunner, having replaced original creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko in 2020.

Its three season run will mirror the structure of the animated series, which featured three books across three seasons to Aang’s story that premiered on Nickelodeon in 2005, and became a hit on Netflix during the early stages of the pandemic.

It’s not clear how many episodes will be produced for season two and three. Season one features eight episodes.

Avatar: The Last Airbender takes place in a world that is divided into four nations: the Water Tribes, the Earth Kingdom, the Fire Nation, and the Air Nomads. “Benders” are people that have the ability to telekinetically manipulate and control the element corresponding to their nation, using gestures based on Chinese martial arts. The “Avatar” is the only individual with the ability to bend all four elements.

The four nations once lived in harmony, with the Avatar, master of all four elements, keeping peace between them. But everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked and wiped out the Air Nomads, the first step taken by the firebenders towards conquering the world. With the current incarnation of the Avatar yet to emerge, the world has lost hope. But like a light in the darkness, hope springs forth when Aang (Gordon Cormier), a young Air Nomad — and the last of his kind — reawakens to take his rightful place as the next Avatar.

Alongside his newfound friends Sokka (Ian Ousley) and Katara (Kiawentiio), siblings and members of the Southern Water Tribe, Aang embarks on a quest to save the world and fight back against the onslaught of Fire Lord Ozai (Daniel Dae Kim). But with a driven Crown Prince Zuko (Dallas Liu) determined to capture them, it won’t be an easy task. They’ll need the help of the many allies and colorful characters they meet along the way. Ken Leung and Paul Sun-Hyung Lee also star.

Kim and Lin exec produce produce alongside Jabbar Raisani, Lindsey Liberatore and Michael Goi. Goi and Raisani directed episodes in season one alongside Roseanne Liang and Jet Wilkinson.

It is Netflix’s second anime-inspired live-action hit after One Piece, following a rocky start in the genre with Cowboy Bepop. The streamer highlighted it as one of its latest successful adaptations, coming on the back of other IP-driven series such as The Sandman, Wednesday, Arcane and Sweet Tooth.

The creative team behind the series is keen to expand the story. Avatar executive producer and director Jabbar Raisani told Deadline that there’s stuff that they filmed that didn’t make it into season one.

“If we get another season, then we will certainly have those things, because I know what we missed now and I know how to do better the second time around,” he said. “The animated series is a really good guide…for where the show can go.”

[upsidetotheleft]

I think it's just wonderful how old fandom live on through tumblr and other fanart/fanfiction sites.

For a throwback, here are some fun dates for our favourite pieces of media.

Sherlock BBC ended 7 years ago

Undertale was first released 9 years ago

Merlin BBC ended 11 years ago

Avatar: The Last Airbender ended almost 16 years ago

The last LOTR movie was released 20 years ago

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV show) ended 21 years ago

The original Indigo League of Pokemon (Ash, Misty and Brock) ended 24 years ago

Star Wars: A New Hope was released 47 years ago

Star Trek TOS final episode aired close to 55 years ago!

Never stop posting about fandoms you love and never stop looking into new fandoms to explore :)

[ao3feed-zukka]

Feathers

Feathers https://ift.tt/lSCchqV by ConchShell08 Post eclipse, the Gaang come across a weird bird. Or Zuko is a harpy. Words: 443, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English Fandoms: Avatar: The Last Airbender (Cartoon 2005) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Categories: M/M Characters: Zuko (Avatar), Sokka (Avatar), Katara (Avatar), Aang (Avatar), Toph Beifong, Hakoda (Avatar), Teo (Avatar), Haru (Avatar), The Duke (Avatar), Combustion Man (Avatar), Suki (Avatar) Relationships: Sokka/Zuko (Avatar), Aang/Katara (Avatar), Toph Beifong & Zuko, Hakoda & Katara & Sokka (Avatar) Additional Tags: Canon Compliant, up until where the story starts at least, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Episode: s03e10-11 The Day of Black Sun (Last Airbender), Episode: s03e12 The Western Air Temple (Last Airbender), Gay Zuko (Avatar), Bisexual Sokka (Avatar), Let Toph Say Fuck, Partially Blind Zuko (Avatar), Partially Deaf Zuko (Avatar), Post-Episode: s03e14-15 The Boiling Rock (Last Airbender), Hakoda is hot, Everyone knows it, Crash Landing, maybe one or two sexual jokes, but cmon they’re teenagers, im a teenager too I think it’s funny, Size Difference, but not in a freaky way via AO3 works tagged 'Sokka/Zuko (Avatar)' https://ift.tt/FANXYD4 April 07, 2025 at 07:00PM

[invisibleraven]

Can you pick three numbers you really want to answer but nobody asked? For the show asks? Please and thank you 🥰

6. A show I refuse to ever watch again

The Legend of Korra. If you follow me, you know I really love Avatar : The Last Airbender (and I enjoyed the live action for what it is) but I loathed Korra. I found the main character so so unlikable, the ships boring, the plot meandering, and the whole thing was a really unpleasant experience for me. I honestly only watched the whole thing to see it through, but that took several tries (over a few years) because I was done after my first viewing of the first season.

11. My least favorite character in -insert show-?

The show I am picking is Glee, as that was my show before JATP, and my least favourite character was and still is Rachel Berry. There was a podcast going on during Glee called To Daydream Believers that I was on several episodes of, and in one (for the episode Bash) where I went on a lengthy rant about Rachel. So yeah... fuck Rachel Berry.

37. Is there something (book series, spinoff, etc) I'd like to see as a tv show?

I am forever sad that Netflix canned their planned Six of Crows series, and cancelled Shadow and Bone along with it, as I enjoyed the show, loved the books, and I really wanted to see more of it.

I know there have been rumblings off and on for years of them turning The Lunar Chronicles into a show or movie, and I really hope they do (and do it well) as those are some of my favourite books.

And though I know it would be a huge undertaking, I would really like to see Samantha Shannon's The Roots of Chaos series turned into a tv show, I think it would be a really cool thing to see on screen, but I think it would have done better had Game of Thrones not burned everybody on fantasy television.

[luckyrave]

Avatar The Last Airbender Episode 11 Highlights: The Great Divide

I still find it pretty crazy to imagine that this rewatch highlights of Book 1 Water had already made it past the halfway point, and with what is covered here... One can definitely it'll be better to fly past the events cause nothing super crazy happens.

Aang, Katara, and Sokka go through a very simplistic obstacle that comes out which is a difference of importantance views particularly with the siblings. All over just basic everyday chores which is relatively solved by Aang finding a difference in solution which is to shift the jobs the siblings had.

The thing kind of thought process had to be applied for Aang once they had approached the world's largest canyon: The Great Divide, and it was there where the trio came across two distinct tribes. The Gan Jin and the Zhangs. They'd been at odds with one another for over a hundred years and debated on which one should cross the canyon first, and it's Aang who came with solution to take the elderly from Gan Jin Tribe and the sickly from Zhang Tribe on Appa's back to have fly over the canyon while the others work together to cross through The Great Divide.

The only thing that had to be used as a compromise was that everyone to have survive without being able to eat for a single day, and that only led to complicate matters when a canyon crawler appeared out of where and attacked the guide which rendered his earthbending completely useless as his arms were broken from the attack he received. Which only led to another dispute between the two tribes as to who smuggled food that would've risked everyone's lives, but Aang once again made a decision to have The Gan Jin Tribe take one path and The Zhang Tribe taking another path with Katara and Sokka each being in one of the opposing tribes to find out what the whole deal had been behind their feud.

Katara had learned from the wise old man from the Gan Jin Tribe that their ancestor Jin Wei had been tasked to deliver a sacred orb from from the western gate to the eastern gate, and was stopped dead in his tracks by the Zhangs ancestor, Wei Jin who had stolen the orb by mere greed alone. A tale that the Gan Jin would never forgot, and why a Zhang should never be trusted by anyone at all.

On the flip side of the spectrum, Sokka had been told by one of the Zhangs that their forefather Wei Jin had found Jin Wei collapsed on the ground and even offered to help provide him with assistance. However, he was instead told to personally the orb to his village since it was impossible for him to have complete, but upon arrival at the village Wei Jin was apprehended by the guard and sentenced for 20 years in prison. A notion that even the Zhang could have never forgotten when it came to Gan Jin.

That is also to say both opposing tribes had smuggled some food cause they couldn't go without food for a day, and that is something Aang discovered once they were about to get into another clash against one another till he put a stop to it. Only this drew out many dozens of canyon crawlers out of hiding which had forced the two tribes to have with one another so that they could escape from the canyon alive. The Gan Jin Tribe and The Zhang Tribe were both surprised how they weren't afraid to the opposite of what the other tribe could have done.

Finally, Aang came to a great conclusion by sharing a tale he personally knew about Jin Wei and Wei Jin to the two rival tribes before another had took place. The actual story had been entirely misunderstood when it came to Jin Wei and Wei Jin, and that they were twin brothers at the age of eight who had played a game. the sacred orb thad been a ball that was used for the game and they to get it to the other person's post and if scored the team would say redemption. Wei Jin had took the ball during the game and ran to the other side before he stepped out of bounds which resulted in him being in penalty for two minutes. After that was brought to the over forefront the two opposed tribes made amends with one another and decided to travel to Ba Sing Se as one Tribe.

Katara and Sokka were shocked of how much Aang had known about it until he revealed that the whole story was kind fabricated which left the siblings shocked, but that brings an end to my highlights for Avatar The Last Airbender Episode 11. Catch you all again for my highlights on the next episode.

[strontiumsun]

I really like your comic, I think the story and the characters are really good. What inspired you to create this comic?

Thank you so much! ^u^ I don't get many ask messages so thank you for sending one, I really appreciate it!

What inspired me to create Heroes of Thantopolis? I've always wanted to make a long-form narrative webcomic since I discovered Gunnerkrigg Court in 2008.

I wrote the story of HoT in 2011. At the time, there were whispers of a new Avatar the Last Airbender mini-series (which would premier as Legend of Korra in Spring of 2012 and subsequently get 3 more seasons). We also had recently gotten plot-heavy episodes of Adventure Time that made me intensely curious about the world and lore. I was inspired, and wanted to write a cartoon that combined the pacing of 11-minute episodes with an overarching narrative that would be contained within a short "season." Since I'm not an animator, I then decided to make this story into a webcomic.

Looking back, I'm clearly not the only one who wanted to see something like that, as actual animators and cartoon creators went on to gift us with shows like Gravity Falls, Steven Universe, Amphibia, The Owl House, Rise of the TMNT - shows that, if you are a fan of, I think you'll like my comic too.

I think you can clearly see the influence of cartoon-style writing on HoT via the structure of the chapters. Each one is self-contained, with a clear beginning, middle and end that, while progressing the larger narrative, is also something you can read on its own. That tends to make them longer than the average webcomic's chapters.

There's more to the story of HoT's creation, and if you're curious, I have a digital zine about it that you can buy for $2 from the Hiveworks online shop.

[thepiedsniper]

Getting people into Dr Who:

People who make them start with Classic Dr Who: you are the kind of person who sends someone a twenty minute YouTube clip and forces them to watch it immediately, in front of you.

People who start by showing them "Rose" (start of 9/reboot): you probably started watching Dr Who in 2005 and it rewrote your brain chemistry.

People who start with "The Christmas Invasion" (start of 10): you started/someone else started you here and you have decided to perpetuate the cycle of violence for others, or 10 is your favourite Doctor and you said "fuck it" to the context 9's season provides (why??).

People who start with "Blink": was this just your favourite episode or do you genuinely believe this is a good episode to introduce people to Dr Who? The episode doesn't even feature the main characters all that much. I would posit that this episode is only really enjoyable if you have enough context going in, and otherwise it just kind of ruins the experience you'd otherwise get from an organic, linear progression. It's like starting Avatar: the Last Airbender with "The Ember Island Players." I don't trust you.

Any other mid-season episode: much the same as above, but this seems to be less common so you're probably a special kind of freak (and good for you, I guess).

People who start with 11: you are either too young to remember 9/11, or you are just Basic (no shame).

People who start with 12: you hate fun (shame).

People who start with 13: you're probably so young that if I met you irl I'd call you "kiddo", but you're alright.

[celestialtitania]

reading year in review

ty @bittersweetresilience beloved for the tag. i have gone diving deep into the archives to pull these out (about 140 pages into my history on ao3 to be exact)...so just about every month has around 2 fics. until i did this i had no idea i read THIS MUCH. insanity.

very long post so under the cut

January

#thatjacksonkid by the_german_grim_reaper (Percy Jackson & the Olympians)

Following an episode of Buzzfeed Unsolved, several twitter users do their best to uncover the truth about Percy Jackson. They get surprisingly far.

hilarious. the fic had me in stitches. i love a good outsider pov and esp when it has mortals look into the godly world. it really puts into perspective how crazy their lives are without context.

Internet Friends by limited_edge (My Hero Academia)

All For One, like many other individuals, has non-violent hobbies. Said hobbies result in him trying to troll quirk analyst SmallMight41 online and getting repeatedly (and accidentally) wrecked in the process.

izuku getting the chance to spar with afo, even mentally, is one of the best gifts of fandom. i love seeing izuku winning and afo seething. this fic had me intrigued, in awe, and on tenterhooks the whole time i was reading.

February

Primary Sources (And Historical Epiphanies) by hoover_the_fish (Miraculous Ladybug)

Mary Beauréal hates history, so she's not too jazzed for the history reports and group presentations that Caline Bustier assigns for her class. However, the people in her life have an odd connection to an era her teacher refers to only as, "Ladybug and Chat Noir," a connection that none of them seem to want to remember. "For some reason, there aren’t a whole lot of newspaper articles, but there’s an old blog online that might be worth checking out. As far as I know all the pictures, interviews, the articles that still exist- they all ended up there at some point or another." "Do you know what it's called?" "I believe she named it the Ladyblog."

ive been following this fic for awhile and the MYSTERY has me hooked. this fic is so much more than it seems and it has me so very invested.

fishing in alaska by CaffeinatedFlummadiddle (Percy Jackson & the Olympians)

“This… this would qualify as a mental breakdown, right?” Triton asked, frowning over his shoulder to where Percy was still fuming in the corner. The lady at the counter curiously glanced over before lifting a questioning brow. “My brother – half-brother, technically, I have much better breeding – decided to run away from home to where our father can’t reach him and now he won’t leave. And now I can’t leave unless he leaves,” Triton continued. Percy opened his mouth to object that wasn’t what happened at all, but the tyrant only waved a hand to silence him. “He’s seen war or whatever, so if you could maybe just drug him then I’ll throw him into a suitcase and we can be out of here by the Summer Solstice!” Silence. Finally, the woman cleared her throat and turned to Percy. “I’m guessing he’s the one you want checked into the mental hospital?” She asked. Triton gasped as Percy punched the air in victory. “Aha!” Or Getting in trouble works a little differently when your parent is an all-powerful god. Sometimes you have to escape to the land beyond gods and get your immortal brother turned human to drag you back so you can be exploded a million pieces. You know, normal teenage stuff.

one of my favourite fics of all time, ive read this so many times. So Many Times. ao3 says 37 and i believe it. there is comedy, there is angst, and the emotional beats are to die for. 11/10 would recommend.

Life is A Dream by selenemoon (Avatar: The Last Airbender)

One minute Aang and Appa were fighting a storm, the next Aang was holding a baby. When two soulmates are asleep at the same time they create a dreamscape instead of dreaming. Aang has been sleeping a long time. Long enough to raise five soulmates... (Aang is really tired given how long he's been sleeping.)

love seeing the gaang grow up. really taking a closer look into their childhoods is so fun, and they're so babey but true to character. amazing fic.

March

In A Moment Like This by dreamlittleyo (BBC Merlin)

When Prince Arthur vanishes in the middle of a hunt, replaced by a significantly older—and more kingly—version of himself from the future, the world goes a bit topsy turvy. This really isn't Merlin's fault. But somehow, he needs to fix it anyway.

time travel? magic? shenanigans? you can't get me more hooked.

hidden by glacialdawn (Spy x Family)

"Opayshun Sticks gonna fail?" Anya mumbles, fast asleep. Loid freezes on the spot.

coming from the ml fandom, i love a good reveal fic and man does this deliver.

April

Egg-legant Parents by Ewq1111 (Spy x Family)

The kids have to take care of caterpillars, Damian is more concerned why Anya and Glooman are laughing.

this fic is just pure silly. i love those chapters when the kids are goofing around at eden and this fic is exactly that.

a small world, isn't it? by marzipan_maples (My Hero Academia)

Shouto realises there's never a dull moment when it comes to his boyfriend. OR, alternatively: Two times Midoriya Izuku accidentally met Todoroki Rei and the one time it was on purpose.

this may be a tododeku fic on the surface but its really such a character study on rei at the same time. i just love the interactions between the characters and how well portrayed the todoroki family is in how much they care for each other despite the dysfunction.

May

it runs in the family by cloudyheaven (My Hero Academia)

It takes Nana three seconds of knowing Izuku Midoriya to know Toshinori chose the right successor. Or, sometimes a family can be just you, your emotional support Gran Torino, your #1 hero pseudo-son, your adopted grandson, and your adopted grandson's mother.

found family is my kryptonite. just all the wholesome vibes ever.

it's raining, it's pouring (i need you here 'cause i'm a mess) by bleugris (trivia_cypher) (My Hero Academia)

It's raining and Shouto is exhausted, physically and emotionally. It's been hell the past few weeks and his friend, the one person who can possibly understand, is gone, but when Shouto comes face to face with Midoriya again, he realizes that maybe he isn't the one his friend needs, no matter how much Shouto needs him.

ANGST. PINING. TODODEKU. does it get better than this? i dont think so.

June

room to grow by Mysecretfanmoments (Haikyuu)

Third year Kageyama is considerate, careful, doesn't grab Hinata's hair. Hinata's still trying to figure out how he feels about it.

as the title says, just them growing and developing their relationship together. i fully enjoyed them maturing but still being their silly volleyball obsessed selves.

i've been waiting to smile by themorninglark (Haikyuu)

And he’s calling him Shouyou like they’re old friends already. So, Hinata decides, they must be. (or, The Unlikely Tale of how Hinata Shouyou builds an odd friendship with a super-smart, super-quiet rival setter.)

kenhina my beloved. *and* canon compliant. it fills in all the missing gaps and shows just how they became such good friends despite living so far from each other, just what i needed to be fulfilled, really.

July

A Completely Normal Cooking Show by CoreyWW (Omori)

The dream always ended the same, but the start kept changing. This time, the beginning was Hero on his own cooking show.

chills. literal chills down my spine. this was so intense and well written. a psychological horror piece indeed.

all lights turned off can be turned on by Toasted_Waffles (Fairy Tail)

“Loke…” Lucy whispers. “Is there anything I can do to help you? You seem so…sad.” “Maybe you could distract me from my troubles,” Loke blurts. He follows a sudden impulse, allowing his intense homesickness to guide his voice, “I’m curious. Which spirits do you have contracts with?” or: Ever since Karen died, Loke’s been fading away, mentally and physically. Lucy brings some light back to his life.

nothing like hurt/comfort from the early arcs.

August

monster by FireDragonPhia (Fairy Tail)

Monster. How many times has someone called him that?

a natsu dragneel character study. everyone portrays him as super goofy and silly so its nice to delve into his mind and see the serious stuff going in there.

stars on the water by liketolaugh (Percy Jackson & the Olympians)

"I dunno, I just think it would make a lot of things easier for a lot of people," Percy said to Thalia, when she just stared at him. His cheek rested in his hand, a rare pensive look leaving his eyes distant and unfocused. "Mom has Paul now, so it’ll be easier on her if she doesn’t have to worry about me mucking things up. Dad won’t have to keep threatening war every time Zeus gets his toga twisted. The prophecy’s done, so I won’t be bringing it down on Nico. And no one will have to worry about me blowing up another volcano."

this one. this one was....A Lot. in a good way. it's a percy goes to therapy after the og series fic and it really dives deep into some dark areas. watching percy heal from it was beautifully done. pls check the tags carefully if anyone decides to read this, because you definitely need to be in a good space to read this.

September

Lingering Memory of You by ReaderError72 (Fairy Tail)

Natsu seems to be the only one in Fairy Tail that's aware something is missing. Day: Twelve: "Can you feel me? I'm right here"

nothing like whump for the soul.

October

water into wine by magnuschases (Percy Jackson & the Olympians)

Dionysus accidentally claims Percy. They both take advantage of it. (five times percy was the son of dionysus and one time he was the son of poseidon)

one of The best things to come out of the tv show. i said what i said.

All Roads Lead to Your Grave by nemali (Original Fiction)

this fic was like being hit by pure lightning. you think you know exactly where it's going and it does not go there. drove me insane in the best way possible.

November

dots of stars by Ladykyriaa (Apothecary Diaries)

As he took on a closer look, he realized she looked rather…different, today. Her hair was the same, the usual half ponytail and several strands of hair divided on either side. Her clothes were the usual green robe and brick red skirt. Her freckles was.. Hm?

a bit of a charcter study...or perhaps relationship study. digging beneath the surface and connecting it with the future knowledge is so rewarding to read.

December

Through the Decades...Hour by Hour by TicoryBlues (My Hero Academia)

Against all the odds, through a dozen eras and seven billion people at any given point of time, he had the ill luck of running into Midoriya Izuku. Every. Fucking. Time. Or Immortal Izuku and Time Traveller Katsuki and their non-linear love story

this fic made me whole and broke me apart all over again. and i would read it again. and again. and again.

the love quirk by minimeowngi (My Hero Academia)

For Katsuki and Izuku, their last day of work studies takes a dangerous turn when a villain's quirk alters everything they thought they knew about each other. Katsuki, usually fierce and aloof, wakes up acting uncharacteristically sweet and protective toward Izuku—a behavior that the class can't ignore and Izuku can't explain. While the pros scramble to reverse the quirk's effects, Izuku finds himself caught in a bittersweet dream—watching the person he's always loved shower him with affection, knowing it's not real. As Katsuki's obsession grows, Izuku battles his own emotions, torn between cherishing their fleeting connection and bracing for the inevitable heartbreak when the quirk is undone.

aka the fic i am currently obsessed with. i read every update immediately, as soon as i can. so so SO excited to see where it's going.

phew. that was so many. wow. i def read less in the final few months as i got busy with work, and also concentrated on reading more long fics but still, that was so many fics. at least this way i found some i don't remember and plan to reread hehe. not sure who hasn't been tagged but anyone who feels like it, is free to join!!

[tansyuduri]

Top Ten TV

Rules: Game: Add 10 gifs from your favorite shows and tag 10 people.

I was tagged by @godmerlin Thank ya so much! SOO

My love! My favorite! I adore you so much! Merlin until recently was a show I would rewatch every year. THEN one of my RP servers when down for months and my mind was like HEY YOU NEED DOPAMINE KNOW THAT SHOW? It's a special intrest now. Merlin and Arthur were always my favs. But I read two merthur fanfics, realized hey this actually worked, watched the show with new eyes, decided to write a small oneshot. And then It was not a one shot, And then there was a sequal and a prequal... then I was writing more stuff! This show showed me I could write again after a long time thinking I could not.

My second favoirite show is Avatar the Last Airbender I guess and my fav character is actually Aang. I like his nonconfrontationalness I kinda also have that trait and you do not often see it in fiction.

(Now from here on out they don't really have an order?

I really like the show The Tudors. I don't require historical accuricy in shows about the time period that is a special interst to me. I can enjoy the shows seperatly and be like that did not happen! But the tudors is weard because it is very much NOT historicaluy accurate as a whole but somtimes, Dialouge and scenes are pretty much ripped from the firsthand acounts of the period. This is also the show were both Natalie Dormer and Henry Cavill got their start. Fun fact Katie McGrath was actually working on costume design on this show and someone told her she should try acting. She got a very small role in the show then went on to land Morgana in Merlin. ALSO this show makes me cry so MUCH

I didn't get into Shadow and Bone on my first try. After season two aired I tried is again with a freind of mine and loved it. I'm so upset it was canceled!

With Brigerton I actually started with the Spin off Queen Charlotte (I'm counting spin offs and their original show as the same show usually so I can have more shoes listed here WHEEEE.) Anyhoo Queen Charlotte won me over with it having a romantic male lead with mental Ilness. and I enjoyed it! So I watched Brigerton too. Eloise is pretty much teenage me.

The boys and Gen V got me with its plot and commantary on American society. Alright it kinda helps that I've never really liked the idea of super heros. This is pretty much the only superhero media I consume along with one animated show my sister had me watch once. My favorite from the original Series is Hughie and my fav from Gev V is Jordan.

Okay so yeah! Dr Who. I stopped watching shortly after 11 left and came back for 14 and 15. My fav doctors are 11 and 15 so far! I adore Martha and Donna the best.

So The Last Kingdom was a show that my freind really liked and we watched together. I hated Uhtred in season 1 but came to enjoy him later. I LOVED These two in the gif, I WAS HERE FOR THEM SHIPPING THEM IN THE LAST SEASON. You know how that turned out if you watch the show. I have never hated on a character as much as I did on a certain king. THEM. <3

I am very much enjoying House Of The Dragon. I was a GOT fan until the end season even if it started going downhil before that. No I am not team black or team green. I can see both viewpoints. So I'm just here to watch people freak out over it. And enjoy it myself. And Cheer for Healana while waiting in dred due to having read the book it's based on. I'm upset the seem to have gotten rid of Nettles though.

Derry Girls is the show on this list I watched most recently. I did not really like the first episode but from there I adored them all. Clare and Orla are my Favs. But the entire cast is great.

@shana-rosee @tiny-and-witchyn @poisonedfate @theroundbartable @247merthur

@saurix5 @akelafang @kairenn-n @kadenemrys @pendragonsclotpole