In the North and South comics, Katara re-braids her hair when returning to the Southern Water Tribe for the first time in years. Symbolic of her physical and metaphorical homecoming.
Just so you know, when you’re talking about Zuko, you say “living as a refugee in the fire nation” instead of Ba Sing Se! Just thought I would say that in case you want to edit in some text or something to say what you meant haha.
The real transition for Tophs hair is all in the fringe. When she is acting as the helpless daughter, her hair is pushed away from her face, giving you more focus on her eyes and her focusing in on what she CAN'T do. When she is fighting, her fringe is obscuring her face and covering her eyes. Now we aren't having our attention drawn to what she can't do, we must focus on her actions and what she CAN do. This messy fringe is consistent throughout her time on team avatar. However as time goes on the strands / sections covering her face get thinner, indicating she is OK showing vulnerability to those closest to her.
You mentioned it with Katara, but I feel like it’s probably worth mentioning with Sokka too that, the reason his wolf tail doesn’t look how he wants it to is because there were no men in the village to teach him how to do it
@@falconman3534maintaining two different lengths of hair is quite difficult to do if you haven't been taught how. Sokka when he's young has the short parts almost bald - it's much easier to shave all the way down to the skull with a single blade than to cut it with an inch or so to spare. They didn't exactly have clipper length guards to help them do the job. It's not as simple as "just grow it out a little bit", it's about maintenance once it gets to the right length
Your note about how touching someone’s hair is a sign of trust in the fire nation is fascinating as 1) Zuko notes that it took Iroh half an hour to do his hair for his date with an Earth Kingdom girl, meaning he allowed his uncle to do this for him despite his protests and 2) Azula’s mother appears after she cuts her own hair, possibly because she wishes her mother were still around to show her how to do it. Also, I don’t know whether this is meant to be a direct reference but Zuko cutting his topknot always reminded me of Ashitaka cutting his hair before leaving his village in Princess Mononoke. After all, both stories are about a prince cutting their hair and leaving their homes in disgrace to go on a journey of self-healing/self-discovery while also ending a war between nature spirits and human industrialists
In china and japan, hair was long considered just as much a gift from ones parents as any other part of the body, and was typically only cut short for people to show that they were disgraced. Both of these examples of hair cutting are essentially a moment of "i accept my fate and leave my past life behind." This is a narrarive of the most dominant cultures and there were variations - for example Manchu men would shave their hairlines back but keep the rest in long kyus - but hair all over the world is such a deep fascinating expression of spirituallity and sociality.
I think the sentiment for Azula's hair being organised and having not even one hair be out of place also carries over to Ozai. Ozai was always seen with a regal and neat look, especially with his hair, symbolising control. However, after Zuko rebels and directly challenges that sense of control and act of punishment Ozai puts on Zuko, his hair unravels, literally being met with the loss of control through Zuko's act of rebellion when he deflects Ozai's lightning bolt.
His hair also stays together in the first phase of his fight with aang, and then the avatar state kicks in and turns the tide of the fight. Coincidentally it starts at the moment aang emerges from the rock pile and grabs his goatee-a cool moment but also a display of dominance that marks for the viewer a change in tone for this fight. Such dominant displays arent typical for aang, though, so this moment also doubles as a indicator that this isnt really aang but the avatar state in control of this fight. He then launches ozai with a powerful air thrust and from that moment on Ozai’s hair is disheveled and in his face
I would actually make the argument that it is even MORE meaningful when it’s animated. Every aspect that they put into this was intentional. They added it because it matters! In live action, we are victims of the elements and have bad hair days. This, however, was purposefully created.
I think Toph's hair being unchanging throughout ATLA (and even LOK) may have to do with how she attaches to people too. She doesn't show it but once you are her friend or family, she's keeping you in her heart. You are set in stone. Your relationship with her may increase or decrease in quality but in her way, you are still loved. She ran away from her parents who fundamentally didn't see her as herself but she still thinks about them enough to regret running away and tries to go back to make amends. Her hair is still the same as a grown women and grandmother. She has lost at the least 3 people (her parents and Aang) that have passed, is no-contact with her daughters, and further cut herself off from civilization. But her hair is the same like the way she greets Korra as Twinkle Toes.
I always assumed her hair was a way to show her attachment to her heritage. Even if she seems rebellious and no-care, she still takes the effort to style her hair, even if she can't see. And yeah, she's very constant. Steady, reliable.
I assumed she kept it the same as a symbol of her refusal to change. A good example is how even as an older woman, her personality largely stays the same. She never really questions who she is, she just embraces it moreso in different parts. The fact that she was the only one whose hair never changed kind of seems to point that out as well.
In a way, her unchanging hair style is a perfect match for her as a earth bender, earth is unmoving, you can't move a mountain (usually), so it makes sense she remains unchanging
Also, I think it's worth noting that: 1. Toph's Gao Gi is far more put together and sleek when she's in the custody of her parents, seeming only wild in comparison to Poppy's elaborate, fully-tucked Gao Gi, while as the Blind Bandit and a runaway, it's far more unkempt, as if she's done the ring bun out of a combination of habit and practice - she's been taught this one hairstyle all her life and she needs the longer sections of her hair out of the way, while due to her blindness her front baby hairs don't disturb her. 2. The impact these haircut changes had on their silhouettes and the way they come across: a. Aang's baldness was more sleek and streamlined, giving him a rounder, softer and more calm essense, while his brown hair and especially headband gives him a more mischievous look. This is when we see Aang all but completely removed from the foundational parts of his identity as both the Avatar AND an Air Nomad. b. Sokka shaves the rest of his head to purposefully look more severe and therefore "manly". Once he lets it all grow out, it signifies him being secure enough in his masculinity to allow his look to soften up. c. Like Aang, Katara's braid gives her silhouette a more streamlined look, while the times it's undone actually increase her presence - showing that she becomes more forceful when she loses control. This similarly applies to Azula, whom she mirrors in every way she doesn't mirror Zuko or Aang - Azula's silhouette becomes more jagged and flawed, but also bigger. Both girls react by scrambling for control, we see that in Azula during her breakdown, but Katara displays that in The Chase and The Runaway as well. d. Zuko's hairstyles completely change how he seems: The ponytail in the flashback looks innocent and honorable - characteristics he displays throughout the show. Book 1, his nearly-bald ponytail makes him look severe and almost cartoonish and unhinged. In early Book 2, the regrowth of the rest of his hair makes him look thuggish, something he almost stoops down to as a starving fugitive. Mid-late book 2, his hair is short, unstylable, as undefined as he is. Early Book 3, his topknot looks just like Azula - showing how much he's trying to be the perfect child his father wants, which is all Azula has ever been. Late Book 3(and the end of Book 2, though that doesn't last for long), his hairstyle is loose again, rounding his profile out and making him seem more approachable. And the Firelord crown gives his topknot the jagged edges that it lacked in Book 3, showing that he's who he is because he doesn't 100% fit the mold. e. In contrast, Iroh's entire silhouette is softer, wider and rounder, his topknot sticks out of it. Unlike Zuko, once its cut he only redoes it once - when he's in a position of authority, leading the White Lotus, and immediately removes it to embrace the humble life s a tea shop owner. Maybe it signifies he never felt an attraction to power or cared much for honor.?
The real transition for Tophs hair is all in the fringe. When she is acting as the helpless daughter, her hair is pushed away from her face, giving you more focus on her eyes and her focusing in on what she CAN'T do. When she is fighting, her fringe is obscuring her face and covering her eyes. Now we aren't having our attention drawn to what she can't do, we must focus on her actions and what she CAN do. This messy fringe is consistent throughout her time on team avatar. However as time goes on the strands / sections covering her face get thinner, indicating she is OK showing vulnerability to those closest to her.
The last bit , made me remember Iroh is a general, and the video mentions samurais often wore topknots. Irons topknot during his battle with the other white lotus members isn't him showing off, but taking part in his culture and it's deep ties,and showing that he was never ashamed of fire nation culture (even going as far as to learn from the original dragons) and in a way taking back his respect and title as an ex general He never /hated/ the fire nation as it is his home, in season two he was escaping from Azula and Ozai, after the finale he is proud of Zuko and the new reforming of it, not chopping it off but instead taking it down as he is not a fugitive no longer, but a respected retired general.
Hispanic/Cherokee here, for my cultures hair is a sign of victory and triumph as it was apart of journey. To cut it is to severe the memories of that journey and to forget your past. Another interpretation is that it is a warrior's pride, cutting the braids of a person(Especially a man or someone who identifies as a warrior) signifies defeat of some kind. This also applies to even smaller more personal interactions.(Losing a game for an athlete or losing a patient as a doctor). Hope this helps!
I always loved the symbolism with Zuko’s hair and the imperfections of it. Compared to his family (most notably Azula since they had similar hairstyles), Zuko’s edges for his topknot weren’t shown even. There were always slips of hair coming out, even when he was a child. It showcases his differences in who he is as a person compared to his family
Overly sarcastic productions pointed out Ozai's obsession with symmetry as a shorthand for perfection can be seen in Azula's symmetrical hair and Zuko's asymmetrical scar
OHHH GOOD LORD THAT KATARA POINT …. 😭 that hit so so so hard as someone who had to figure out how to do my hair on my own. for different reasons than her, im half black and my mothers asian so she had no clue how to do mine, but still. that hit DIFFERENTLY
I'd also like to note that Zuko's hair is also inspired by ponytails worn by youths in SE asia (i can't remember the exact countries or communities off the top of my head) that are cut as part of coming of age ceremonies. Zuko's cutting of his hair is a genius cultural double entente. A Japanese interpretation would see the severance of his culture and status, while another perspective might see it as his moment that's forcing him to grow. I'll come update this if I can find the source post and main countries referenced but I think it's Thailand
I knew the lightning strike affected Aang’s qui (chi? Sorry for spelling) but I never considered how it marring his tattoos would affect him on that psychological level. One of my favorite hair moments in the series is when Katara slices a few strands off of Azula’s bangs in the season 2 finale.
Zuko and Iroh cutting their top knots reminds me of how retiring sumo wrestlers will have a grand cerimony where they cut their top knots. Friends and family come to cut off a little hair, bit by bit
i mean toph keeping her hair could also symbolise that in act of leaving her parents she hasn't lost anything of value and has instead been enable to fully embrace her full self.
this is SUCH a good analysis omg!! side note i knew the airbender tattoos were imitating the markings of the sky bison (as the original air benders), but it never clicked that they were also following the direction of chi in the body! toph's hair change when she runs away from her parents is so so good bc she starts wearing her fringe in front of her eyes - she doesnt need them to see, so why should she have to wear a hairstyle that deliberately reveals her face?
I love this. I haven't really seen hair in avatar discussed beyond zuko but there's so much here. I also think Toph's hair is a statement about her character. She learns things that soften her but she doesn't change who she is. She's metaphorically a rock.
A couple small notes: If Azula's hair corresponds to her mental state, it is meaningful that she is getting a relaxing hair wash during one particular scene when she has gotten everything she wanted and everything is under control. If Zuko's hair corresponds to the redemption of his self-image, what does it mean that in Tales of Ba Sing Se, Iroh spent "hours" (i.e. a long time) trying to fix his hair, while Jin was able to fix it much better with a quick tussel? I think that moment is a little subtle and could be debated, but maybe it's saying that Zuko's interactions with the fresh perspectives in the Earth Kingdom were ultimately more efficient at changing his perspectives than the years he spent under Iroh's care hearing the same wisdom over and over, even if that wisdom was remarkable.
Also, I wanna add, in the fight with Katara, Aang vs Azula, Zuko, Katara manage to cut a strand of hair, foreshadowing, that ultimately Katara is the one that is going to beat Azula. Before this, Aang has never manage to give a significant blow to Azula, she has always seemed on top of the fight, but when fighting with Katara on Ba Sing Se, Katara is winning, and Azula is saved by Zuko. Azula was at her peaked after conquering Ba Sing Se, but the common people (Katara a peasent) defeats her, and then all her unbreakable confidence, and strive to perfection, all succumbs, her losing to Katara it's what starts Azula's demise.
Wow! Fantastic analysis, it's so interesting the different role hair plays in community-oriented cultures, in contrast with our individualistic culture, and how masterfully the writers and artists of avatar incorporated that into their world. I noticed in your clips, that Fire Lord Ozai also loses his topknot when he crowns himself the Phoenix King - I wonder what implications that has? Perhaps he sees himself as transcending the Fire Nation, or perhaps the writers are showing that he has forsaken the cultural heart of the fire nation in doing so. Now I'm wondering about Mai and Ty Lee, whose hair never changes, but both have interesting variations on Fire Nation styles
i'm currently in hairdressing school and BOY do i hope that i get to write an essay, because i would 100% write about this. i LOVE the hair symbolism in atla and you just made it that much better
Ohhhh this is so fascinating thank you! Every element (heh) of avatar was done with such intention, I love seeing analyses like this that dig into the subtler aspects of the show!
I often get bored early into essays. They drag on and repeat themselves, or have poor editing. Your editing supports your examples the whole way through, and you make your points eloquently without lingering on one for too long. I was engaged the whole way through and I learned a lot. Well done!
One of the things I find fascinating about Azulas hair is the fact that her hair isn't normally black. Her hair is light brown, resulting in her resemble her mother. She has her hair dyed blacked in order to more resemble her father. In the episodes where she gets her hair wet it goes from black to brown, such as the scene where shes getting her hair washed after Zuko is allowed back into the palace. And in the beach episode she doesn't bother dying it at all because of the setting. During her coronation her constantly banishing people left and right not only does she cut her hair out of frustration, but there is also no-one in the palace who can dye it black for her. So her physical representation of her snapping is no longer having her tidy dyed black hair, but instead having chopped-up messy brown hair. Like she's a completely different person now.
This makes no sense. If she died her hair why would all of it turn from black to brown instead of just the roots?? It's just the lighting in different scenes.
@@Okapi8 I assume its something that washes out every time she gets her hair wet. Like a black powder or a black gell of some kind that stays on when dry. Every time she needs to be taken seriously, like when in her uniform her hair is always just straight up black, like Mais, regardless of lighting. But when ever she's in a scene where she's relaxing, like when at home or when she's at the beach, her hair is the same shade of brown like Ty Lee. And we see her brown hair in this episode in multiple light sources. If it was just the lighting of scene she wouldn have black hair when it got to the night scenes, but it was just a darker shade of brown.
Ive said it before and I’ll say it again- i love how incredibly telling and representative zuko’s hair is at the beginning of the series. He has lost *EVERYTHING* except his nobility. That hair on the center of his head is the only tether he has to his life before banishment. Plus, he has to be ACTIVELY shaving around it too, because by the start of the series he’s been at sea for three years and we know he starts wearing it like that right after he gets burned. He doesn’t even keep it in a typical royal top knot, which is why I used the term ‘nobility’ earlier, he’s still a noble but he’s hardly a prince. And he keeps it like that. Probably as a way to practice discipline, and it also probably helped when his burn was healing, but that just makes it even more sad. This literal child actively stripping himself of any individuality and pride, reenforcing his image as a banished prince, and showing off the scar he got from his own father. It’s so simple yet so so so poetic and heart-wrenching.
Love this video! Something that I just remembered and rechecked (because it's been a while since I've watched Avatar, and I'm not sure if anyone commented this yet), is the Ember Island Players episode. The Ember Island Cast depicts the gaang in their early outfits+hairstyles*. I think the play keeping them in their original outfits easily shows that the Fire Nation views them as novices or how they 'started out' as. We don't see much of their depiction of Book 3 but I think it's safe to assume that they kept their outfits/hair the same. The only visible change with hairstyles we see is Zuko's hair, which points out his noticeable hair change throughout the series. Zuko was already known for being banished prior, and as it's shown in the play, they know he betrayed Ozai and the Fire Nation to help Aang. So I think that Zuko's hair in that play being different not only reflects how it's the most noticeable change in the series, but immediately reflects his 'betrayal' or 'disloyalty' to the Fire Nation, which adds further into your point how both Zuko and Iroh cutting off their hair and with how the Fire Nation views hair. *Edit: Not related to the hair aspect and dives into a different analysis, but regarding Katara's play outfit since my sibling pointed this out and I wanted to mention it, it's more revealing, with a low cut top with shorts underneath her parka instead of her longer pants that she wears in season one in the cold. This more so adds into the idea of the Fire Nation (and in real life), sexualizing Native Americans/Inuit people. The Fire Nation in particular probably views women waterbenders like this, especially since water is the opposite of fire. And I don't think this doesn't happen to Toph because she already appears more boyish, and maybe they view female earthbenders as boyish anyway (that, and they probably didn't want to admit that a little girl was kicking their ass in battle honestly.). There's also the fact that in real life roles in plays will sometimes be played by the opposite gender, but I'm mainly just looking at it through the lens of how the Fire Nation may be going about it, since the whole thing is to promote the Fire Nation's greatness. Anyway I just like analyzing bits of Avatar as an adult, this show is incredibly smart.
There is more! Do you remember the part where Kathara fought Azula in Ba Sing Se and Kathara managed to cut a small piece of her hair with water? That was a really cool moment where you saw how close it was and how well Kathara held her own against Azula in a 1 vs 1 moment. Plus it shows that she destroyed her perfectly symmetrical lock of hair and that will upset Azula
I love the slow motion shot when katara slices a tiny piece off aluzas hair in battle. It was indicating azula slowly losing her grip, and was also an example of katara letting out her rage against the fire nation because if azula didnt dodge it would have cut her face.
Man when i started the vid i wanted to sleep to it since your voice is so calming and pretty, but your explanations are so engaging and interesting you made me watch it all. I wish you the best for whatever your goal in life is. You sound like a kind and intelligent person!
I spent years mad about the MNight movie for many reasons but a big one was the teaser of Azula at the end because her hair was a mess and it went against her character arc!
I also like that Azula’s hair, while perfect almost all the way around her head, is wild and untamed at the back of her neck as well, if you look closely. Azula loves fronting the image of being perfect and indestructible, but behind all that are all the issues and chaos she strives to suppress - it’s always been there, buried underneath
I am Native american. My father is the youngest of 7. My grandparents had him when they were much older. They both worked so My father would be watched after school my his grandmother and her sister, greataunt. His greataunt and him was very close. She never married or had children and said my dad was like her baby. So when my dad and mom was expecting a baby, me. My dad really wanted a girl so he could name me after her. My middle name is Eula. My dad had long hair to his waist. When Eula died, he cut is hair short, just a small ponytail. Then again when his father died. Now he have a very small ponytail that I am sure he will cut when his mother pass. We then put that hair with the love one into their coffin.
Super interesting! I noticed a lot of these things in the countless of times I watched the show, but it’s so nice seeing it all in one place and put together like this!
This is a good video! Didn’t know I needed this but you’re right hair is a great detail in avatar! I feel hair was the most symbolic for katara and zuko! When katara had her hair down we knew she was in soldier mode and was ready to fight! And zuko cut his pony tail off representing him letting the fire nation go
loved this vid! lots of (not all) avatar videos you can tell are just chatgpt written with automated voiceovers; it’s nice to know a real person put real effort into their video.
I love all your hunger games videos so much and I am also an avatar fan and I would LOVE more videos about avatar from you especially anything with Zuko’s redemption arc
I love the zoom on this particular symbol, thanks for pointing it out! Love the little details, and the historical references. Just found out your channel! Our channels have a lot of overlap! So hi, kindred spirit :)
this video popped up on my explore page, and i got halfway through before it finally clicked that i recognize your voice from tiktok!! i deleted the app a while ago, it's so nice to find you again! i missed your wonderful insights :))
Avatar has so many minute details that you can only realize how good they are when people dig deep and analyze them. Yet more reasons to appreciate this show
I love this show! It has sooo much rewatch value because you can go in each time focusing on one thing and find new meaning each time! Hair, clothing, color, character design development. I saw another video essay where they talked about the design development of zukos body physique throughout the series. Great watch if you have the chance! This series is so good!
If you read The Rise of Kyoshi, at one point it mentions how the Fire Nation sees hair as a symbolism of honor and how people who lose a duel would shave parts of their head but leave their top knot alone, since their top knot is the ultimate symbol. So in the beginning of book 1, Zuko was shaving his head like that on purpose, following the culture of the Fire Nation. It wasn't just the writers making him look like a ponytail freak for no reason.
I mean I also think it reflects that sakayaki [aka the shaved part of the forehead] was deemed mandatory by those who served a lord as a samurai. Zuko despite everything still served the Fire Nation, he still served 'the Lord' despite everything as a warrior for them. He does it with reason, and it's not until he's forced to literally cut ties as being a warrior for the Fire Nation does stop wearing a sakayaki style knowing that he no longer truly is a warrior for the Fire Nation and rather forced to serve himself as the style wasn't mandatory for those without a lord.
This is thoughtful and insightful. I'm subbing in the hope that you'll eventually do another video of this kind (whether on Korra, or a separate property that you think ALA fans would enjoy discussing).
it's nice to see different hair changes in all characters not only is it realistic but it shows character development and their style of how much they changed which is so fitting.
In the North and South comics, Katara re-braids her hair when returning to the Southern Water Tribe for the first time in years. Symbolic of her physical and metaphorical homecoming.
Oh how beautiful! I love this, especially because you could consider it a return to that unity!
it's also that way when she is a grandma in the LOK
She's returning to her roots
Just so you know, when you’re talking about Zuko, you say “living as a refugee in the fire nation” instead of Ba Sing Se! Just thought I would say that in case you want to edit in some text or something to say what you meant haha.
Armpit farting challenge @@thefourthsaluki
I swear bro we keep finding more ways to appreciate this masterpiece of a show
💯
Right?!
This. This is the type of comment I was gonna post/was looking for in the comments ~
real, it truly is a masterpiece
Ikrr
The real transition for Tophs hair is all in the fringe.
When she is acting as the helpless daughter, her hair is pushed away from her face, giving you more focus on her eyes and her focusing in on what she CAN'T do.
When she is fighting, her fringe is obscuring her face and covering her eyes. Now we aren't having our attention drawn to what she can't do, we must focus on her actions and what she CAN do.
This messy fringe is consistent throughout her time on team avatar. However as time goes on the strands / sections covering her face get thinner, indicating she is OK showing vulnerability to those closest to her.
the way im boutta be watching for this the next time I rewatch the show 👀
this analysis is so good omg
You are overreaching.
oo this is so cool!
Toph ismy favourite and the way you explained her subtle style change is amazing✨✨
You mentioned it with Katara, but I feel like it’s probably worth mentioning with Sokka too that, the reason his wolf tail doesn’t look how he wants it to is because there were no men in the village to teach him how to do it
true!
😭 that's so sad
Facts
no one... to teach him.. how to grow his hair longer?
@@falconman3534maintaining two different lengths of hair is quite difficult to do if you haven't been taught how. Sokka when he's young has the short parts almost bald - it's much easier to shave all the way down to the skull with a single blade than to cut it with an inch or so to spare. They didn't exactly have clipper length guards to help them do the job.
It's not as simple as "just grow it out a little bit", it's about maintenance once it gets to the right length
Your note about how touching someone’s hair is a sign of trust in the fire nation is fascinating as 1) Zuko notes that it took Iroh half an hour to do his hair for his date with an Earth Kingdom girl, meaning he allowed his uncle to do this for him despite his protests and 2) Azula’s mother appears after she cuts her own hair, possibly because she wishes her mother were still around to show her how to do it.
Also, I don’t know whether this is meant to be a direct reference but Zuko cutting his topknot always reminded me of Ashitaka cutting his hair before leaving his village in Princess Mononoke. After all, both stories are about a prince cutting their hair and leaving their homes in disgrace to go on a journey of self-healing/self-discovery while also ending a war between nature spirits and human industrialists
I never understood why Ashitaka's departure was in disgrace. He took one for his village, he did what needed to be done
I'M SO GLAD I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO WAS REMINDED OF ASHITAKA! They both were considered dead too after that!
The writers did comment that avatar took a lot of inspiration from various anime including princess mononoke
Ashitaka for the wiiiiin. 🥰
In china and japan, hair was long considered just as much a gift from ones parents as any other part of the body, and was typically only cut short for people to show that they were disgraced. Both of these examples of hair cutting are essentially a moment of "i accept my fate and leave my past life behind."
This is a narrarive of the most dominant cultures and there were variations - for example Manchu men would shave their hairlines back but keep the rest in long kyus - but hair all over the world is such a deep fascinating expression of spirituallity and sociality.
I think the sentiment for Azula's hair being organised and having not even one hair be out of place also carries over to Ozai. Ozai was always seen with a regal and neat look, especially with his hair, symbolising control. However, after Zuko rebels and directly challenges that sense of control and act of punishment Ozai puts on Zuko, his hair unravels, literally being met with the loss of control through Zuko's act of rebellion when he deflects Ozai's lightning bolt.
His hair also stays together in the first phase of his fight with aang, and then the avatar state kicks in and turns the tide of the fight. Coincidentally it starts at the moment aang emerges from the rock pile and grabs his goatee-a cool moment but also a display of dominance that marks for the viewer a change in tone for this fight. Such dominant displays arent typical for aang, though, so this moment also doubles as a indicator that this isnt really aang but the avatar state in control of this fight. He then launches ozai with a powerful air thrust and from that moment on Ozai’s hair is disheveled and in his face
This is why commentary like "It's just a cartoon" for animation ignores how complex and meaningful it can be.
I would actually make the argument that it is even MORE meaningful when it’s animated. Every aspect that they put into this was intentional. They added it because it matters! In live action, we are victims of the elements and have bad hair days. This, however, was purposefully created.
@@leahwalker9151facts
I think Toph's hair being unchanging throughout ATLA (and even LOK) may have to do with how she attaches to people too. She doesn't show it but once you are her friend or family, she's keeping you in her heart. You are set in stone. Your relationship with her may increase or decrease in quality but in her way, you are still loved. She ran away from her parents who fundamentally didn't see her as herself but she still thinks about them enough to regret running away and tries to go back to make amends. Her hair is still the same as a grown women and grandmother. She has lost at the least 3 people (her parents and Aang) that have passed, is no-contact with her daughters, and further cut herself off from civilization. But her hair is the same like the way she greets Korra as Twinkle Toes.
I always assumed her hair was a way to show her attachment to her heritage.
Even if she seems rebellious and no-care, she still takes the effort to style her hair, even if she can't see.
And yeah, she's very constant. Steady, reliable.
And she has lost Sokka as well
very true!@@shine199723
I assumed she kept it the same as a symbol of her refusal to change. A good example is how even as an older woman, her personality largely stays the same. She never really questions who she is, she just embraces it moreso in different parts. The fact that she was the only one whose hair never changed kind of seems to point that out as well.
In a way, her unchanging hair style is a perfect match for her as a earth bender, earth is unmoving, you can't move a mountain (usually), so it makes sense she remains unchanging
I've never seen old Zuko from LoK before, and him wearing his hair and beard just like Iroh has me sobbing. 😭
I am a sucker for a character changing their hair symbolizing an internal change.
Fan of Miyazaki?
The fact that hair is so important in the fire nation, and the first time azula is ever hit by katara is her hair is such a cool detail
Also, I think it's worth noting that:
1. Toph's Gao Gi is far more put together and sleek when she's in the custody of her parents, seeming only wild in comparison to Poppy's elaborate, fully-tucked Gao Gi, while as the Blind Bandit and a runaway, it's far more unkempt, as if she's done the ring bun out of a combination of habit and practice - she's been taught this one hairstyle all her life and she needs the longer sections of her hair out of the way, while due to her blindness her front baby hairs don't disturb her.
2. The impact these haircut changes had on their silhouettes and the way they come across:
a. Aang's baldness was more sleek and streamlined, giving him a rounder, softer and more calm essense, while his brown hair and especially headband gives him a more mischievous look. This is when we see Aang all but completely removed from the foundational parts of his identity as both the Avatar AND an Air Nomad.
b. Sokka shaves the rest of his head to purposefully look more severe and therefore "manly". Once he lets it all grow out, it signifies him being secure enough in his masculinity to allow his look to soften up.
c. Like Aang, Katara's braid gives her silhouette a more streamlined look, while the times it's undone actually increase her presence - showing that she becomes more forceful when she loses control. This similarly applies to Azula, whom she mirrors in every way she doesn't mirror Zuko or Aang - Azula's silhouette becomes more jagged and flawed, but also bigger. Both girls react by scrambling for control, we see that in Azula during her breakdown, but Katara displays that in The Chase and The Runaway as well.
d. Zuko's hairstyles completely change how he seems: The ponytail in the flashback looks innocent and honorable - characteristics he displays throughout the show. Book 1, his nearly-bald ponytail makes him look severe and almost cartoonish and unhinged. In early Book 2, the regrowth of the rest of his hair makes him look thuggish, something he almost stoops down to as a starving fugitive. Mid-late book 2, his hair is short, unstylable, as undefined as he is. Early Book 3, his topknot looks just like Azula - showing how much he's trying to be the perfect child his father wants, which is all Azula has ever been. Late Book 3(and the end of Book 2, though that doesn't last for long), his hairstyle is loose again, rounding his profile out and making him seem more approachable. And the Firelord crown gives his topknot the jagged edges that it lacked in Book 3, showing that he's who he is because he doesn't 100% fit the mold.
e. In contrast, Iroh's entire silhouette is softer, wider and rounder, his topknot sticks out of it. Unlike Zuko, once its cut he only redoes it once - when he's in a position of authority, leading the White Lotus, and immediately removes it to embrace the humble life s a tea shop owner. Maybe it signifies he never felt an attraction to power or cared much for honor.?
These are all excellent additions to the video's analysis!
The real transition for Tophs hair is all in the fringe.
When she is acting as the helpless daughter, her hair is pushed away from her face, giving you more focus on her eyes and her focusing in on what she CAN'T do.
When she is fighting, her fringe is obscuring her face and covering her eyes. Now we aren't having our attention drawn to what she can't do, we must focus on her actions and what she CAN do.
This messy fringe is consistent throughout her time on team avatar. However as time goes on the strands / sections covering her face get thinner, indicating she is OK showing vulnerability to those closest to her.
@@kittikatsFantastic catch!
Fantastic analysis! Didn’t even think about this from a design perspective, but I think you are 100% on the money. Found this a joy to read!
The last bit , made me remember Iroh is a general, and the video mentions samurais often wore topknots.
Irons topknot during his battle with the other white lotus members isn't him showing off, but taking part in his culture and it's deep ties,and showing that he was never ashamed of fire nation culture (even going as far as to learn from the original dragons) and in a way taking back his respect and title as an ex general
He never /hated/ the fire nation as it is his home, in season two he was escaping from Azula and Ozai, after the finale he is proud of Zuko and the new reforming of it, not chopping it off but instead taking it down as he is not a fugitive no longer, but a respected retired general.
Hispanic/Cherokee here, for my cultures hair is a sign of victory and triumph as it was apart of journey. To cut it is to severe the memories of that journey and to forget your past.
Another interpretation is that it is a warrior's pride, cutting the braids of a person(Especially a man or someone who identifies as a warrior) signifies defeat of some kind. This also applies to even smaller more personal interactions.(Losing a game for an athlete or losing a patient as a doctor). Hope this helps!
Thanks for Sharing!
I always loved the symbolism with Zuko’s hair and the imperfections of it. Compared to his family (most notably Azula since they had similar hairstyles), Zuko’s edges for his topknot weren’t shown even. There were always slips of hair coming out, even when he was a child. It showcases his differences in who he is as a person compared to his family
Overly sarcastic productions pointed out Ozai's obsession with symmetry as a shorthand for perfection can be seen in Azula's symmetrical hair and Zuko's asymmetrical scar
Katara with her hair down I my favorite hairstyle for her.
same with korra
@@plankton2878korra sucks 😊
Yes.
Same
OHHH GOOD LORD THAT KATARA POINT …. 😭 that hit so so so hard as someone who had to figure out how to do my hair on my own. for different reasons than her, im half black and my mothers asian so she had no clue how to do mine, but still. that hit DIFFERENTLY
THE AZULA HAIR PIN PART GAVE ME CHILLLSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!! I’m so excited for more of your videos on stuff like this!!!!
You were definitely your English teachers favorite student
I just love that people still analyze a series that is THIS MANY years old. A real sign of the show being a legend 😔🙏🙏🙏
You never fail to have a one liner that’ll make me cry idk man 😭😭 when u starting talking about kataras mom and hair braiding I lost it
I'd also like to note that Zuko's hair is also inspired by ponytails worn by youths in SE asia (i can't remember the exact countries or communities off the top of my head) that are cut as part of coming of age ceremonies. Zuko's cutting of his hair is a genius cultural double entente. A Japanese interpretation would see the severance of his culture and status, while another perspective might see it as his moment that's forcing him to grow. I'll come update this if I can find the source post and main countries referenced but I think it's Thailand
I knew the lightning strike affected Aang’s qui (chi? Sorry for spelling) but I never considered how it marring his tattoos would affect him on that psychological level.
One of my favorite hair moments in the series is when Katara slices a few strands off of Azula’s bangs in the season 2 finale.
Doesn't Katara also shorten Pakku's hair with the ice disks during their fight? I may be misremembering
Qi if youre romanizing it from Chinese, chi if youre romanizing it from Japanese lol.
@@shelbyhiromithere's also wade-giles romanization which would be ch'i (im a certified wade-giles hater)
Zuko and Iroh cutting their top knots reminds me of how retiring sumo wrestlers will have a grand cerimony where they cut their top knots. Friends and family come to cut off a little hair, bit by bit
well Fire nation is based on japan
I wonder if they made Zuko shave the sides of his head after his Agni Kai with his father to symbolize his defeat
@@ayana8038 His sides were shaved in the flashback when he's in the war room where he makes his pivotal faux pas.
i mean toph keeping her hair could also symbolise that in act of leaving her parents she hasn't lost anything of value and has instead been enable to fully embrace her full self.
this is SUCH a good analysis omg!! side note i knew the airbender tattoos were imitating the markings of the sky bison (as the original air benders), but it never clicked that they were also following the direction of chi in the body!
toph's hair change when she runs away from her parents is so so good bc she starts wearing her fringe in front of her eyes - she doesnt need them to see, so why should she have to wear a hairstyle that deliberately reveals her face?
I love this. I haven't really seen hair in avatar discussed beyond zuko but there's so much here.
I also think Toph's hair is a statement about her character. She learns things that soften her but she doesn't change who she is. She's metaphorically a rock.
Every day I'm more and more astounded that a show _this good_ actually exists.
A couple small notes:
If Azula's hair corresponds to her mental state, it is meaningful that she is getting a relaxing hair wash during one particular scene when she has gotten everything she wanted and everything is under control.
If Zuko's hair corresponds to the redemption of his self-image, what does it mean that in Tales of Ba Sing Se, Iroh spent "hours" (i.e. a long time) trying to fix his hair, while Jin was able to fix it much better with a quick tussel? I think that moment is a little subtle and could be debated, but maybe it's saying that Zuko's interactions with the fresh perspectives in the Earth Kingdom were ultimately more efficient at changing his perspectives than the years he spent under Iroh's care hearing the same wisdom over and over, even if that wisdom was remarkable.
love this
Finally someone else talks about this. I was starting to think I was reading to much into it.
Also, I wanna add, in the fight with Katara, Aang vs Azula, Zuko, Katara manage to cut a strand of hair, foreshadowing, that ultimately Katara is the one that is going to beat Azula. Before this, Aang has never manage to give a significant blow to Azula, she has always seemed on top of the fight, but when fighting with Katara on Ba Sing Se, Katara is winning, and Azula is saved by Zuko. Azula was at her peaked after conquering Ba Sing Se, but the common people (Katara a peasent) defeats her, and then all her unbreakable confidence, and strive to perfection, all succumbs, her losing to Katara it's what starts Azula's demise.
You deserve the silver plaque of CZcams.
Your Hungry Games analyses give me life.
... Hungry Games??
@@chrissi975 The Sleepy Games, with Catnip Evergreen and Pita Breadlark.
Wow! Fantastic analysis, it's so interesting the different role hair plays in community-oriented cultures, in contrast with our individualistic culture, and how masterfully the writers and artists of avatar incorporated that into their world.
I noticed in your clips, that Fire Lord Ozai also loses his topknot when he crowns himself the Phoenix King - I wonder what implications that has? Perhaps he sees himself as transcending the Fire Nation, or perhaps the writers are showing that he has forsaken the cultural heart of the fire nation in doing so.
Now I'm wondering about Mai and Ty Lee, whose hair never changes, but both have interesting variations on Fire Nation styles
i'm currently in hairdressing school and BOY do i hope that i get to write an essay, because i would 100% write about this. i LOVE the hair symbolism in atla and you just made it that much better
Ohhhh this is so fascinating thank you! Every element (heh) of avatar was done with such intention, I love seeing analyses like this that dig into the subtler aspects of the show!
They did A LOT off research when making this show
Zuko had the best hair arc
I often get bored early into essays. They drag on and repeat themselves, or have poor editing. Your editing supports your examples the whole way through, and you make your points eloquently without lingering on one for too long. I was engaged the whole way through and I learned a lot. Well done!
One of the things I find fascinating about Azulas hair is the fact that her hair isn't normally black. Her hair is light brown, resulting in her resemble her mother. She has her hair dyed blacked in order to more resemble her father. In the episodes where she gets her hair wet it goes from black to brown, such as the scene where shes getting her hair washed after Zuko is allowed back into the palace. And in the beach episode she doesn't bother dying it at all because of the setting.
During her coronation her constantly banishing people left and right not only does she cut her hair out of frustration, but there is also no-one in the palace who can dye it black for her. So her physical representation of her snapping is no longer having her tidy dyed black hair, but instead having chopped-up messy brown hair. Like she's a completely different person now.
This makes no sense. If she died her hair why would all of it turn from black to brown instead of just the roots?? It's just the lighting in different scenes.
@@Okapi8 I assume its something that washes out every time she gets her hair wet. Like a black powder or a black gell of some kind that stays on when dry.
Every time she needs to be taken seriously, like when in her uniform her hair is always just straight up black, like Mais, regardless of lighting.
But when ever she's in a scene where she's relaxing, like when at home or when she's at the beach, her hair is the same shade of brown like Ty Lee. And we see her brown hair in this episode in multiple light sources. If it was just the lighting of scene she wouldn have black hair when it got to the night scenes, but it was just a darker shade of brown.
Ive said it before and I’ll say it again- i love how incredibly telling and representative zuko’s hair is at the beginning of the series. He has lost *EVERYTHING* except his nobility. That hair on the center of his head is the only tether he has to his life before banishment. Plus, he has to be ACTIVELY shaving around it too, because by the start of the series he’s been at sea for three years and we know he starts wearing it like that right after he gets burned. He doesn’t even keep it in a typical royal top knot, which is why I used the term ‘nobility’ earlier, he’s still a noble but he’s hardly a prince. And he keeps it like that. Probably as a way to practice discipline, and it also probably helped when his burn was healing, but that just makes it even more sad. This literal child actively stripping himself of any individuality and pride, reenforcing his image as a banished prince, and showing off the scar he got from his own father. It’s so simple yet so so so poetic and heart-wrenching.
Love this video! Something that I just remembered and rechecked (because it's been a while since I've watched Avatar, and I'm not sure if anyone commented this yet), is the Ember Island Players episode. The Ember Island Cast depicts the gaang in their early outfits+hairstyles*. I think the play keeping them in their original outfits easily shows that the Fire Nation views them as novices or how they 'started out' as. We don't see much of their depiction of Book 3 but I think it's safe to assume that they kept their outfits/hair the same. The only visible change with hairstyles we see is Zuko's hair, which points out his noticeable hair change throughout the series. Zuko was already known for being banished prior, and as it's shown in the play, they know he betrayed Ozai and the Fire Nation to help Aang. So I think that Zuko's hair in that play being different not only reflects how it's the most noticeable change in the series, but immediately reflects his 'betrayal' or 'disloyalty' to the Fire Nation, which adds further into your point how both Zuko and Iroh cutting off their hair and with how the Fire Nation views hair.
*Edit: Not related to the hair aspect and dives into a different analysis, but regarding Katara's play outfit since my sibling pointed this out and I wanted to mention it, it's more revealing, with a low cut top with shorts underneath her parka instead of her longer pants that she wears in season one in the cold. This more so adds into the idea of the Fire Nation (and in real life), sexualizing Native Americans/Inuit people. The Fire Nation in particular probably views women waterbenders like this, especially since water is the opposite of fire. And I don't think this doesn't happen to Toph because she already appears more boyish, and maybe they view female earthbenders as boyish anyway (that, and they probably didn't want to admit that a little girl was kicking their ass in battle honestly.). There's also the fact that in real life roles in plays will sometimes be played by the opposite gender, but I'm mainly just looking at it through the lens of how the Fire Nation may be going about it, since the whole thing is to promote the Fire Nation's greatness. Anyway I just like analyzing bits of Avatar as an adult, this show is incredibly smart.
I love that you properly pronunciate your words. It isnt quite common anymore. Thank you🤙🏽
There is more!
Do you remember the part where Kathara fought Azula in Ba Sing Se and Kathara managed to cut a small piece of her hair with water?
That was a really cool moment where you saw how close it was and how well Kathara held her own against Azula in a 1 vs 1 moment. Plus it shows that she destroyed her perfectly symmetrical lock of hair and that will upset Azula
omg you should totally do an analysis of korra's hair and how it ties into her arcs. this one was so amazing!
I love the slow motion shot when katara slices a tiny piece off aluzas hair in battle. It was indicating azula slowly losing her grip, and was also an example of katara letting out her rage against the fire nation because if azula didnt dodge it would have cut her face.
Azula not having a hair out of place is also a direct contrast to Suko whose hair is never perfect
Her voice is so soothing and beautiful
Man when i started the vid i wanted to sleep to it since your voice is so calming and pretty, but your explanations are so engaging and interesting you made me watch it all. I wish you the best for whatever your goal in life is. You sound like a kind and intelligent person!
as the person who spearheaded the hunger games renaissance I am sat for ATLA content
I spent years mad about the MNight movie for many reasons but a big one was the teaser of Azula at the end because her hair was a mess and it went against her character arc!
I also like that Azula’s hair, while perfect almost all the way around her head, is wild and untamed at the back of her neck as well, if you look closely. Azula loves fronting the image of being perfect and indestructible, but behind all that are all the issues and chaos she strives to suppress - it’s always been there, buried underneath
The way you talk is so satisfying like I can’t
I find your voice very calming, relaxing and soothing. Keep up the good work😊
I am Native american. My father is the youngest of 7. My grandparents had him when they were much older. They both worked so My father would be watched after school my his grandmother and her sister, greataunt. His greataunt and him was very close. She never married or had children and said my dad was like her baby. So when my dad and mom was expecting a baby, me. My dad really wanted a girl so he could name me after her. My middle name is Eula. My dad had long hair to his waist. When Eula died, he cut is hair short, just a small ponytail. Then again when his father died. Now he have a very small ponytail that I am sure he will cut when his mother pass. We then put that hair with the love one into their coffin.
ty for this i’ve never heard someone lay this symbolism out so well !!!
This is amazing analysis! There's so much detail to look for, and I loved seeing so much of it laid down and explained!
That is a ridiculously good analysis, never even thought about it! Your take as well as this show are simply amazing!
aaa this analysis is so good and makes me jump with joy. i love hearing all of your thoughts on anything
Super interesting! I noticed a lot of these things in the countless of times I watched the show, but it’s so nice seeing it all in one place and put together like this!
This is a good video! Didn’t know I needed this but you’re right hair is a great detail in avatar! I feel hair was the most symbolic for katara and zuko! When katara had her hair down we knew she was in soldier mode and was ready to fight! And zuko cut his pony tail off representing him letting the fire nation go
I’ve been wanting to make this video for a while so thank you for doing it for me. This was so well researched and so well made
Your essay not only put into words symbolism I've internalized over the years, but added so many layers I didn't know were there! Thank you so much
this was a really good and tight video!! you got your points accross very clearly, directly, and confidently. i really appreciate that!
I really felt I had left no stone unturned with this show. Thanks for peeling back another layer to blow me away all over again.
loved this vid! lots of (not all) avatar videos you can tell are just chatgpt written with automated voiceovers; it’s nice to know a real person put real effort into their video.
i love when katara’s hair comes more and more undone during her big duel scene at the northern water tribe. it’s so effectful!
I love all your hunger games videos so much and I am also an avatar fan and I would LOVE more videos about avatar from you especially anything with Zuko’s redemption arc
So many details I never noticed! Especially about Toph, Katara, and Sokka. Very cool video!
This was so good! It was very informative but short at the same time! Amazing.
I love the zoom on this particular symbol, thanks for pointing it out! Love the little details, and the historical references.
Just found out your channel! Our channels have a lot of overlap! So hi, kindred spirit :)
this video popped up on my explore page, and i got halfway through before it finally clicked that i recognize your voice from tiktok!! i deleted the app a while ago, it's so nice to find you again! i missed your wonderful insights :))
I knew this video was going to be great from the title alone, and you didn't disappoint! incredibly cool and interesting, thank you :)
This was an excellent breakdown. I appreciate seeing this perspective on ATLA hair, I don’t think I’ve seen any in-depth video analysis on it before!
Avatar has so many minute details that you can only realize how good they are when people dig deep and analyze them. Yet more reasons to appreciate this show
I love this show! It has sooo much rewatch value because you can go in each time focusing on one thing and find new meaning each time! Hair, clothing, color, character design development. I saw another video essay where they talked about the design development of zukos body physique throughout the series. Great watch if you have the chance! This series is so good!
Your voice is actually so soothing. Low key could go to sleep
If you read The Rise of Kyoshi, at one point it mentions how the Fire Nation sees hair as a symbolism of honor and how people who lose a duel would shave parts of their head but leave their top knot alone, since their top knot is the ultimate symbol. So in the beginning of book 1, Zuko was shaving his head like that on purpose, following the culture of the Fire Nation. It wasn't just the writers making him look like a ponytail freak for no reason.
I mean I also think it reflects that sakayaki [aka the shaved part of the forehead] was deemed mandatory by those who served a lord as a samurai. Zuko despite everything still served the Fire Nation, he still served 'the Lord' despite everything as a warrior for them. He does it with reason, and it's not until he's forced to literally cut ties as being a warrior for the Fire Nation does stop wearing a sakayaki style knowing that he no longer truly is a warrior for the Fire Nation and rather forced to serve himself as the style wasn't mandatory for those without a lord.
This is thoughtful and insightful. I'm subbing in the hope that you'll eventually do another video of this kind (whether on Korra, or a separate property that you think ALA fans would enjoy discussing).
great video, amazing job. insightful and interesting. i had to turn my volume all the way up to hear your quiet voice, though!
Your voice is so soothing 🥺 and the video was so informative! I’m subbing immediately!!
I only watched ATLA recently, and I was impressed with the hair details, but I didn't realize there was this much meaning behind it. Great video!
Azula: the illusion of being put together but falling apart
Katara: able to adapt to anything no matter the nation
awesome video, if there’s one thing I love about atla videos it’s that I somehow ALWAYS learn something new I never noticed or thought about
I swear bro I learn something new about this show every week. I love it so much
This was terribly fun to watch, thanks for the vid!
Your points are so well made! I'd love to see what you think about the same concept applied in Korra!
this is an incredible analysis, thank you so much for sharing!!
This was a spectacular and informative analysis. Great job!!
it's nice to see different hair changes in all characters not only is it realistic but it shows character development and their style of how much they changed which is so fitting.
omg, you have a youtube channel! I cant wait to listen to you in diffrent format :)
Thank you for making this video!! It was so interesting
I loved this this liked and subscribed i cant wait for the next one on korra
YOU HAVE A CZcams CHANNEL?? This makes me so happy I love your TikToks 😌💕
very great video! glad there still amazing things to analyze in atla's universe
That was an awesome video Lucky, hats off to you.
Lovely! Thank you for the thoughtful and observant analysis
Love your analysis videos so muchhhh!!!! I❤
you have such a nice voice
11:31 Zuko spent time in the Earth Kingdom as a refugee, not the Fire Nation.
Well this video was a nice surprise! Subscribing.
PS: Yes, please do one on Korra too
I loved the knowledge I learned from both the thorough video and the comments!