The Best Idea Avatar NEVER Had
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- čas přidán 24. 07. 2024
- ► Watch Avatar's Finale, but with Rainbow Fire (full edit): bltavatar.com/rainbowfire
What if Zuko could bend dragon fire? Today we're looking at how a small tweak to the worldbuilding of Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra might have made a huge difference both visually and thematically. We're also gonna attempt the impossible - can we improve the Final Agni Kai?
► Thank you @Book4Air for the dubbed motion comic preview!
Dancing dragons, why Azula has blue fire, Kyoshi's girlfriend, the philosophy of Iroh, Avatar full finale, smoke & shadow comic, Aang vs Ozai, and Zuko vs Azula.... grab some fireflakes because we have a lot to cover in this Avatar video essay!
#babylionturtle #atla #zuko #worldbuilding
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Timestamps:
00:00 - The Final Agni Kai is Nearly Perfect
03:18 - The Dancing Dragon was Kinda Pointless
06:27 - Rainbow Firebending is Canon
12:25 - Why is Azula's Fire Blue?
15:16 - White Firebending is Also Canon
17:36 - My Rainbow Firebending Proposal
19:21- Who Has Done the Dragon Dance?
23:26 - Avatar's Finale... BUT with Rainbow Firebending
27:49 - Iroh's Redemption Arc
31:43 - Improving the Final Agni Kai
#avatarthelastairbender #avatar #avatarexplained #avatarlore - Krátké a kreslené filmy
I think this entire thing misses the one unifying constraint. This kind of firebending requires fire from multiple benders focused on the same goal, and at least 1 master weaving them together.
Yeah, I don't know how I missed that multiple fire sources was the obvious similarity in both canon occurrences. But I made this video so long ago.... so oh well 😅
Well the comet acts as multiple sources
(Please I need this to be my head canon)
@@simplyn4732
Here's an idea: what if rainbow firebending especially touched on the life aspect of firebending?
like, an individual could harness the power of the rainbow, but only if they were doing it without the intention to hurt someone, no matter who if they are a good person, or bad person, an aggressor or victim, rainbow firebending cannot be used to hurt?
(then, in this version, this would be an exception for the third rule)
here is another (joke) idea: queer characters have rainbow fire as default :D
Zuko uses dragon fire in the comics.
"Taste the rainbow." Zuko said to Azula
*pulls out a bag of skittles*
Yes, do
@@Matyas_Ceo_Of_Matyas spits out*
Taste the rainbow motherf
"Taste the rainbow bitch."
“Taste the rainbow, die from the rainbow”
I do kinda like how Zuko’s fire is orange still, almost showing that it’s just blatantly worse than Azula’s Blue Flames. To me it shows that Zuko won because of what he had learnt from his Uncle and Allies, over just the colour of his flames.
I agree! Like he didn't have to reinvent himself entirely (rainbow fire), just peel back layers and trauma to reveal the fundamentally good person he is (and his fundamental, "common," and powerful orange fire.) I think there was a lot of strength in keeping that original differentiator (flame color) from Azula.
I see arguments and pros/cons for the OG visual choice and the rainbow fire idea, which is what makes it a fascinating topic!
Only the *Masters* Ren & Shau had the ability to bestow Rainbow Fireending on humans, a rare gift to even witness. Granting Zuko the ability to actually use rainbow fire after he's mastered the basics w/ *The DRAGON of the West* Iron, learned from Master Piandao & seen actual Dragons fire-spiral in front of him would not have been a cop pit or lessened his difference from Azula. It would've heightened it: Zuko *earned* it through hard work, dedication, & mastery.
"She was born lucky, I was lucky to be born." - The Bannishes Prince Zuko, before he had regained his lost Honor; the honor he only lost by falling for his Fathers' lies.
But the directors literally confirmed that her fire wasn't blue for superiority, but purely made that way to contrast Zuko in their final clash since she was written with that fight in mind.
Also, blue fire isn't necessarily hotter than orange fire. That's a misconception. Blue fire just contains more fine soot particles or different chemical substances, like copper. It has to be a certain heat, but many impure flames like those of combusting trees and forest fires are far hotter than any pure/blue flames.
Yes. And also, a big part of why Azula lost clearly was that the path she had chosen - striving for inhuman perfection and control over herself and others - had turned against her. To a significant extent, her power came from being able to manipulate the people around her, and in the case of Zuko that meant putting him off balance by making him feel inferior and unwanted. But now Zuko has started to outgrow his dependence on external validation, he's now fighting for something that is larger than himself. Realizing that she's loosing her grip on yet another person, that no amount of showing off her technical superiority or taunting Zuko with being their father's favourite child can provoke him any more, pushes Azula further along the path of mental decline. I think this also explains the shock in her expression when Zuko remains calm and pushes her back with a powerful attack. Now she's the one who loses her self control, and this - more than anything else - seals her fate. Giving Zuko some special bending power, as cool as it would be, would make this a competition about bending skills and thus distract from the masterfully written culmination of two character arches that makes this scene so gripping and memorable.
@@TheStraightestWhitestalso the oxygen that is being consumed matters, with a certain rate of oxygen being used on combustion, the flames color does flicker a bit
I actually disagree. While the rainbow fire does look incredible by itself, I think not using it again was a good move, especially for the last Agni Kai. From a practical standpoint, it makes the final Agni Kai harder to follow. One of the fight’s strengths is that due to the contrasting colors you can easily tell whose fire is whose. Second, having the rainbow fire be unique to the dragons adds to the awe and reverence that we’re supposed to feel in their scene. These are ancient, incredibly powerful creatures such that even taking one down grants the firebender a special title and status as a living legend, and having unique fire adds to that mystique.
Cant agree more
There's also the fact that it changes the framing of the battle. Zuko walks into the fight as the underdog who trained his normal skills to the point that he can face the prodigy Azula. He is able to overcome her because he has perfected himself, and this is best exemplified by his regular flames. On top of that, if he had opened with mystical dragon fire, it would have been too triumphant, it would mean Zuko thematically dominating Azula, right from the start, instead of barely matching her through effort and personal growth. Ultimately Zuko's victory came from his ability to improve himself and grow as a person, which is why it's thematically apropriate that the "special trick" he brings to the fight is something taught to him by Iroh, the very man who helped him grow. It reinforces the message that to overcome your demons, you need personal growth, not a fancy trick you picked up on a mountain.
I liked the idea, but you actually convinced me
tbh I wish they left a FEW little colors into his fire instead of just full rainbow
I love their association with dragons and the rarity and awe, but I don't think that perspective leads me to disagree at all with this video. I agree with you, but I also agree with the video. I think the way he describes it perfectly respects it and it's awe-inspiring nature related to the ancient and mystical wonder of dragon fire.
I appreciate the sentiment of adding the rainbow fire bending, but I think the fact that Zuko has normal red/orange fire is perfect symbolically. It shows that he is the underdog in the fight, with less technical prowess than Azula. Yet he manages to maintain better form and composure because instead of being flashy and unique with his firebending, he understands its true nature.
Except that it's not about Zuko being an underdog. It's about his arc that lead him to doing what's right. I think the orange probably looks better clashing with the blue .. but the pure dragon fire, vs the hate driven blue of Azula is more symbolic and reflective of Zuko's transformation through the series
But Bryke literally confirmed that her fire wasn't blue for superiority, but purely made that way to contrast Zuko in their final clash since she was written with that fight in mind.
Also, blue fire isn't necessarily hotter than orange fire. That's a misconception. Blue fire just contains more fine soot particles or different chemical substances, like copper. It has to be a certain heat, but many impure flames like those of combusting trees and forest fires are far hotter than any pure/blue flames.
@@TheStraightestWhitestthats not a misconception blue is hotter than red or orange or white for example the hottest known star is blue
@@draskopopovic9543 No, inform yourself. It's simply a different chemical composition. Like I said, natural wildfires are incredibly impure and hotter than almost every blue flame we can produce.
@@TheStraightestWhitestplanck law black body and forest fires are hotter than blue flames bc of their size
I like the idea of people who've had the dragon experience having subtle rainbow flecks in their normal orange fire, and having full rainbow fire during the comet.
And yes! I totally agree, Zuko should start orange ( with subtle rainbow flecks) during the final Agni Kai, but go full rainbow onwards during *that* twin spiral strike.
Nah, I don't think rainbow fire would work, I mean if the moment is supposed to be haunting for zuko, wouldn't the rainbow fire isn't haunting for him
No. For one, it wouldn't fit the theme of a serious battle very well. And second how would you animate ranbow fire? Most firebending attacks are straightfoward. So what you'd do a spiral along a straight flame? Or just lines? If you ask me I'd say it'd be cool if zukos fire turned crimson red during the comet. Not orange but blood red. That would be sick.
@@arsenhere7020 I wouldn't agree all the way with blood red but I do agree with both azulas and zukos fire being a more intense version of their colors
@@dream6562 Azulas is intense enough. But Zuko should've gotten some oompfh to his firebending when he learned the dragon thing. Rainbow colored wouldn't make much sense and would kinda look like a goofy kids show. But crimson red with a black outline woulda made the fire look so much more powerful.
@@arsenhere7020 idk crimson red with a black outline kinda sounds intense for a kids show
I should mention that blue fire is cleaner fire. It has no soot. That's the point of Azula's blue fire it shows her precision.
"rainbow fire" is possible on the basis of electronic emissions from metals and is clearly meant to be something very mysterious and magical.
On that basis you'd need chemicals to get the rainbow reaction or different temperatures to get a similar result
@@spacecowboy7148 yeah. Purely thermal emissions from flames basically range from reddish orange to yellowish white
So instead of representing purity of the hatred, it represents the complexity of life
@@spacecowboy7148I made this in college thanks to Avatar by combining different oxidizable salts in a petri dish and sparked it with 18 molar acid. Was worth it but would be really hard to do without the salts. Since even then the flames were never consistent. Some would be more prominent based on reaction rate.
The point of the rainbow fire is to show that Zuko has truly taken the meaning of fire tp heart. Fire is life. Zuko doesn't need hatred and rage to fuel his fire. The rainbow fire would represent that Zuko doesn't hate his sister or anyone. He only cares for the protection of life.
I like that they never really gave Zuko any special powers because we get to see him become a powerful bender who doesn’t really have a natural talent. bending isn’t something that comes easy to him but in the end he becomes a master of it, not for natural talent, but through a persistence to learn, and being highly privileged to taught by some of the best teachers of the art.
Iroh at the begining of the story is constantly telling him HOW important the basics are and how that is the path to mastery.
I absolutely love the way you worded this and I completely agree, but after reading "smoke and shadow" this feels like a slap in the face. zuko uses rainbow fire in a "not so important" fight just for it to never be addressed again. ever. not even in that exact moment. they just took a big shit on the aspect you just mentioned
Exactly! I love that detail
I think you are wrong Zuko didnt rainbow fire bend because he was angry. The one time he did it, it was 100% non offensive. He did not attack at all, it was completely in line with the philosphy of the original firebenders and right afterwards he is willing to accept them back into the fold. Ironically its your idea of the final Agnikai having rainbow fire thats against the philosophy of the original firebenders unless the fight plays out a little differently.
Honestly a great point! He redirected the soldiers' blasts without actually hurting anyone, kinda similar to how Ran and Shaw's flames just encircled them after the dance.
I do hope they end up expanding on colorful firebending though. I like my version for the aesthetics, but it is revisionist history. Curious to see what Bryke have up their sleeves for the future installments.
Not to mention the motivator not being anger is more in defense for the loved one or warriors protective passion rather than a soldier of anger kind of almost exactly like rangi's blast of Wi-Fi which with the rules established in this video would be about as quick as you could get similar motive defending a loved one anger not fueled by hatred but by love
The aesthetics don't matter at all imo, rainbow fire doesn't make any sense in this context. He hasn't achieved enlightenment or attained any very high degree of insight, he's still just a kid, and fighting goes against the philosophy about what the core of firebending is in the first place. Moreover, NEVER power up characters too early or without just cause.
@@captivatingcurios is it fighting, or is it defending?
@@lahlybird895 also wdym too early, this fight happened near the end of the series, and it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to give Zuko a power boost for relearning fire bending after essentially losing it? Not that its even a power boost, its just regular bending with a slightly different colour
14 minutes in, maybe you'll get to it eventually, but just wanted to mention it's kinda obvious what the two scenes have in common: it's more than one person/dragon firebending. In both scenes, the firebending is being added to and redirected. In the case of the dragons, they are mirroring each other while both spewing the fire upward so they are redirecting each other's fire to miss Aang and Zuko, and in the case of Zuko defending himself he is redirecting the rebellious firebenders' fire upward to protect himself. In either case, it's like a ju jitsu move. Adding to the opponent's momentum while redirecting it. And in both cases, they are creating an eye of the storm within a pillar of fire. Obviously, the dragons perfectly mirrored each other so it worked better that time, that's why Zuko's only shows hints of color.
But yeah, my point is that true rainbow firebending would require multiple people firebending together.
Also, to contrast, in the Agni Kai with Azula Zuko is cancelling her blasts with his own, not adding to them. Thus no rainbow fire. For rainbow fire you'd have to mirror AND redirect, so that the two (or more) flames are added together and amplified.
Very interesting! I did not, in fact, consider that the redirection might be what's key for the current two examples, and I never thought of the dragon's display as them redirecting each other's blast. That does make sense though since in the scene, the dragon's fire starts as orange and then gets amplified with color as it rises.
This already makes me appreciate the Smoke & Shadow scene more, although I still do think there's more potential for rainbow firebending that's yet to be explored.
Yea even in the comics it only looked like that when Zuko was redirecting the fire from the ppl attacking, I forget what they calld themselves
But rainbow fire cool
yes, spot on. And seeing as you used the word "redirect" when describing the move, a term to describe water bending techniques, it reminds me that dragons are actually connected to water in non-avatar stories. Interesting connection.
@@LucidOpticLabthat's primarily in Asian cultures, while European dragons are more associated with fire. Fittingly, the dragons in avatar are a combination of Asian and European designs.
My head cannon for years (basically ever since Season 2 of Korra when Firebender sages healed her memory issues) is that the rainbow flames is a form of "bearing one's soul" into fire itself. the healer in Korra used firebending to examine the state of Korra's soul/spirit... in real life, historically the soul was often depicted or described as something akin to an internal flame. Moreover, since firebending is spirtually about one's ambition and drive -- one's drive and sense of purpose comes from the soul. Since dragons are the original firebenders and they are naturally attuned to spiritual matters, it would make sense that rainbow fire comes naturally to them as they can essentially use fire to communicate Truth and Beauty from their very soul.
So personally, I like the idea that the rainbow fire has nothing to do with power or combat, but rather exudes the Truth and Beauty within one's soul. Perhaps really advanced firebending healers can use forms of it to help rehabilitate the souls of afflicted people (i.e. people with mental health struggles) or maybe even promote physical healing by motivating one's soul/spirit to act within their own body.
Ok I ABSOLUTELY ADORE this idea. It's genius and a really beautiful idea. I always that that each element should have its own form of deeper spirituality to some degree given the origin of bending and how you are harnessing the seperate factors of life itself. So fire venders have a deeper connection to the soul (like airbenders have with peace and freedom) and being shown through that is beautiful. I feel like if the series spoke more on the deeper root values of the elements the. Water's spiritual would be the "all things are connected" kind. Because of how all life requires water and how it flows through mile long rivers that eventually makes its way into the greater ocean that can someday end up on the other side of the earth. Im not yet quite sure about earth though. I feel like for them it would be less of a spirituality (which is actually evident when aang learns earth bending and stuff) and more of an ideal. That being what is actually closest to what we already know of earth bending fundamentals. Like standing firm and maybe putting alot of emphasis on think of others before yourself because earth bending is very good for defense and therefore protecting the weak. So being strong for others.
@@_NotChrissy Waterbending is also the element of family, tribe, and tradition which adds to one's spirituality. Still, Earthbending seems like "strength" in not just the physical sense, but also the spiritual and mental sense of the word. Although waterbenders are known for healing (viz. through Qi / Chi), I would imagine earthbenders may have a strong herbalist / apothecary tradition....
so in short, my hypothesis on how healing works in the different bending cultures:
- waterbending is Qi / Chi and directing energy within the physical body to stimulate healing
- Earthbending is using herbs and plants to also direct energy within the body. This is also fits within Chinese traditional medicine.
- airbending is more meditation and detachment... think also like zen buddhist meditation or even ACT therapy. So much more mental than physical.
- firebending is similar to airbending and might be akin to zen meditation or more "what's your drive?" type of approach or the passion/ambition and "fire within your soul" type of healing.
Thus that would mean too that water- and earth are more physical healing whereas air and fire are more mental and spiritual healing.
@@_NotChrissyperhaps Earth could be the more solid necessities such as needing food, finding stability, protection.
I like this take very much, very well put! It correlates with redirecting the lightning strikes technique Iroh taught Zuko. But here we talk of redirecting the fire itself. And I agree it should have to do something with one's soul purity, the motivation to make the world a better place (for example, by healing and helping others, as you mentioned) instead of using fire for destruction and violence. Just like the two last dragons alive just live peacufully within the Sun Warriors community. I mean, the warriors probably do sacrifices to them though, regarding their behavior with Aang and Zuko... ehm... but at least the dragons don't eat the settlers, right? Nothing personal, just a lunch.
I could see this way of thinking about it working still for Zuko in the final Agni Kai. In one last subconscious attempt to get to her sister without having to tear her down and defeat her outright, his fire slowly takes on more hints of color, until, bearing Zuko's will in full force, his sense of honor and his drive to change the world for the better, even extending to his psychotic sister, are all brought to the forefront in that massive double spiral blast, now roaring with true dragon fire.
First of all, amazing video! Didn't expect something so long and detailed.
You know how Zuko used different element bending techniques during the Agni Kai? I'd love a version where everytime he uses the technique of another element the color of his fire would change to the color of the element. Green for earth, light blue for water, white for air and orange for fire. Even if it's just a non canon viewer design choice, it would really highlight how much he learned during his journey to master his element! End it with his Colorful rainbow dragon blast spectacle and the Agni Kai would be _chefs kiss_ .
zuko the fire avatar
This sounds INCREDIBLE
Yeah, looking at the clips he showed here I was thinking about how he incorporated the fluidity of water bending and even danced more than fought like it was the dragon form so I do think having some visual cues to highlight how differently he approached the fight and how the fire changes colors according to 'the element it burns' would be very meaningful and gorgeous.
@@Firebreak_2 the firetar
Nope bad name
It would be shown only with Sozin comet. And should have been to show that his mindset changed his spirit. And tho the fire still red now it has shades of the others styles
The rainbow lightning looked so dope!! Worth watching until the end just for that 😍
Not really, it's too jarring
@@wizard_of_poz4413 maybe zuko should have just showed it off instead of using it like a victory pose
@@Human_traain nah I'm just saying everything being a kaleidoscope of colors is just visually irritating because there's so much shit on screen
@@wizard_of_poz4413 Right
@@Human_traain it is though, it looks ugly imo. The streaks of different colors is okay but there's nothing "stunning" or "beautiful" about rgb fire animated, it's basically a glorified skin.
Plus it doesn't add that much to the story except for a callback to the dragons. and I don't think showing a powerup like that is how the writers would've done it, it seems cheap because avatar usually does power scaling through mastery of bending, it's vague but adds more depth than getting a new skin to your fire.
Iroh had control and HAD to have control. He wasn’t there to destroy Ba Sing Se, he was there to free it. Ozai however was hellbent on absolute destruction so those scenes were a definite laboring of the full extent of ozai’s “power” but I dare say Iroh was holding back and maintaining absolute control over his flames. I think that counts for something.
I love that the idea of rainbow fire is that fire is made from many emotions. Representing portions of life. The idea is when Firebending your emotions are in perfect balance. Your mind, body, and soul is balanced and at harmony.
u know, originally I was a bit skeptical, because, like you said in the last section, having rainbow fire present for the entirety of the final agni kai would have felt off, but given the specific way you implemented it, both as a worldbuilding element with solid rules, and as an emotional/literary device to connect the four scenes, I think it could've been an incredible addition. Of course, hindsight is 20/20, and the finale is stunning on its own, but just having that slight aesthetic change in those few scenes would've made it even better.
I think only Zuko deserved rainbow flames only after he realized his full potential with the dragons… otherwise it would be over used
Orrrrr only Iroh and Zuko… after they realize they are meant to do this exact thing. But they are also surprised by the rainbow
I don’t think Iroh’s and Zuko’s bending are just what they were before meeting Ran and Shaw, or that they’re weaker or their fire “smaller” than Ozai’s and Azula’s. The difference is that Ozai and Azula are using their fire with destructive purposes and, therefore, fully unrestrained. Iroh and Zuko, on the other hand, use it mostly in a defensive and restrained, manner with just enough offensive power to keep at bay or defeat the enemy at hand. That being said, by the time of the final Agni Kai Zuko had met the Original Masters barely a few days prior and probably had not had enough time to reach half the potential of his power based on the new teachings.
I agree, I actually was waiting for him to bend rainbow fire in that final Agni Kai when I first watched and was quite disappointed they didn't have him do it. I think even him whipping it out in that final roll of fire he sends Azula's way would've been very impactful
The rainbow flames that Zuko did in Smoke and Shadow were b/c of emotion his family was in danger and the connection he has with his mother and new baby sister caused him to dig deep in order to protect them. You can’t just make up rules, any fire bender can learn from the original source and don’t need any special abilities. How hard they practice that after the fact is up to them. I agree that there should have been some color flames in the final ag ni ki, that was a big moment and zuko should have been full of emotion
I almost suggested that. It was probably fueled by wanting to protect his mom.
and someone else mentioned it was purely defensive, so maybe it works.
The Agni kai if zuko released rainbow fire when you said it would, would actually melt my brain. That scene would go from one of my favourites in the show to my favourite scene in all of animation. Top tier stuff man.
34:13- Zuko's polychromatic flame punch even takes the shape of a dragon for just a split second (you might have to slow the video down if your eyes aren't quick enough. I either watch too much anime or I have the Sharingan & don't know it 😅.)
For a brief moment right before Azula has to evade, the flame appears as a dragon flying with it's mouth open.
Couple the visual with the sound and the attack makes for one helluva psych out in battle.
In all of fiction there aren't many things capable of standing up to a dragon. And there's even fewer people brave enough.
as a writer myself i must say, THIS IS GENIUS.
the rules completely polish this amazing idea as well, the best part is that nothing needs to be added but the rainbow effect in the various scenes you described.
even azula's reaction is perfect for such a change.
That was very interesting. I particularly liked your Sokka rainbow joke at the beginning. That was truly well done.
And I also agree that rainbow fire needs to be rare otherwise it looses its wonder.
One other thing to consider about the multi-chromatic fire is that it's always by the result of multiple Fires. The two Dragons blended their fire together to create multiple colors, while Zuko was redirecting fire blasted at him. This suggests that it's an extremely high level ability that even elite firebenders can't do alone. Second, these colorful flames weren't created by a direct attack. Rather, they form in a state of balanced blending.
Next, I think rainbow fire should signify something even deeper. So here's a counter argument on how to get rainbow fire.
Rainbow fire represents the true mastery of the spiritual side of firebending. A bender must fully understand the true nature of fire bending, it's source, and what it represents. In fact, I think one of the few being that can rainbow firebend regularly should be the Sun Spirit himself. Meeting the dragons gives you a glimpse into the nature of the Sun Spirit and the meaning of firebending, but you'd have to go even deeper if you want prismatic flames.
So here are the requirements I would put on rainbow fire: 1- You must meet the dragons and then learn about the Sun Spirit. 2- You must understand the source of Firebending (ie the Sun Spirit) and the meaning behind firebending. 3- You must have a very strong spiritual connection to the source of Firebending, which may not be possible on Earth. So Rainbow fire may initially only be possible in space with a unobstructed connection to the Sun. 4- You can only do it temporarily. No Earthly being can bend at that high of a level non-stop. And this would also preserve the wonder-factor.
I know this rules out pretty much everyone in both series, but perhaps it would be something for the future.
Those 4 scenes you chose were probably the BEST scenes you could’ve chosen 🥹
This was such an phenomenal video and now i have desire for those scenes to be cannon! They could’ve been so powerful to the characters and there given journeys! 😭😭
Bravo 👏🏻
I couldn't agree more with you
I think the idea of rainbow fire is more than amazing and I'm hoping the coming Netflix adaptation could implement it. I do however think that it might be better if Sozin's comet is not necessary for the rainbow fire. This is because it's rare to begin with: only the ones deemed worthy can bend rainbow fire. I also think that it might be better if it's not always that they bend rainbow fire. Iroh for example had been deemed worthy, but I don't think he should bend rainbow fire from the beginning. I think only the times he went absolutely tenfold he puts in enough power to bend rainbow fire, which brings me to how I think it should work. Only if they were taught by dragons and trained enough, as I think it should come over time, can they bend rainbow fire. This does mean that Zuko, Aang and Iroh can all do it, but not always, since I think it should show a certain level of power. I'm saying this because I don't think only the finale can use an upgrade, but I think there are more times when rainbow fire can add a lot. For example, when commander Xiao killed the moon spirit, if Iroh then would've bended rainbow fire, the fear in the eyes of everyone would be a lot more explanatory, but overall I really like the idea of rainbow fire, especially during the last Agni Kai and the final battle between Aang and Ozai.
That is one amazing point you make woah, thanks ^^
“Essentially, Zuko was having some performance issues. He couldn’t get it big and hot “ -Baby Lion turtle
I would love to see the episodes edited for rainbow fire to come out in those exact moments 🙌🏽
Funny enough, I always had this fan theory that auras where colorful and fiery, representations of the soul, and that Ty-Lee actually could see these colors. My theory felt confirm to me in the Fire-Bending Masters episode.
You have such good timing, I just rewatched this episode yesterday. I couldn't agree more with this video, a missed opportunity to see the development of a different kind of firebending that taps further into the spiritual origins of its powers.
he killed the whole video to me with the "only during Sozin's Comet"
7:55 That was the second greatest thing I witnessed in a long time!
I feel like the only time where the rainbow fire should happen during the agni kai is when there’s like some abundance of emotion happening
I watched this video when it first came out. I then rewatched it and did a shot of Jager for every new word for "rainbow" used. I just woke up, my liver hates me, and I'm not sure where I live anymore.
19:45 Didn't Iroh also know about the dragons? If I recall correctly, he was also trained by the dragons but kept their existence a secret from the rest of the world, especially the Fire Nation.
As cool as it looks, I think it's much more impactful being normal orange.
Despite all of Zuko's growth, despite his stable positioning against Azula, he is still coming from a position of weakness.
He must fight the overwhelming force that is his sister, and the part that makes a difference is not Zuko's skill, but the relationship he's built with the person who hated him most.
The final Agni Kai is literally resolved with the power of friendship, though it's never stated or on the nose.
I think the Final Agni Kai remains perfect with Zuko possessing just normal fire.
However, dragon fire within the canon of Avatar is great, and should 100% be a thing.
Personally, I'm not all for the only during Sozin's Comet idea, it has a much wider application potential I can think of.
Being a master and trained by the dragons does seem essential, I love Iroh burning up the Fire Banner with rainbow fire. It fits really well.
However maybe it could have more to do with say, Zaheer and flight. Supposedly, every air bender is capable of flight, a skill so rare it doesn't look like even the avatar state possess it, with Aang and pre-Season 2 Korra never flying properly within it, always being augmented by normal bending.
To me, I think a rainbow fire works as being an equal power bending to blue fire, and I mean strictly 100%, equal. The difference is blue fire is something brute forced through pure technique, training, and ultimate mastery, where rainbow fire is more spiritual, it's not necessarily letting go of earthly tethers, but perhaps letting go of the negativity of anger, violence, and destruction. A contradictory philosophy as one may not have need to use fire if they are not angry, violent, or destructive, one that truly embodies fire as alive, and life itself. To overcome the contradictory philosophy, one must have contradictory beliefs. Iroh could burn the fire banner because it was an action to rebirth the earth kingdom. Zuko could colourfully fire tornado around his mother because it was a fire of protection and not harm, despite his words afterwards.
And blue fire, is simply brute forced rainbow fire. The beliefs not being met, but sufficient skill supplimenting it. Despite knowing blue fire is hotter and therefore more powerful, this makes Azula more threatening on a spiritual level as well. She is so powerful with firebending, she uses a corrupted version of its most powerful form. One where anger, violence, and destruction are highlighted rather than omitted.
This also means all fire we see in the series, other than Iroh's, doesn't need to be changed. A theoretical Zuko that has mastered rainbow fire, still wouldn't use it in LoK because all of his bending in Korra is simply violent, ie, trying to fend off the Red Lotus.
I totally agree and would also like to add that those fire healers in korra may have been able to use rainbow fire, as well as maybe Iroh on the northpole protecting the spirits
Honestly everytime i watch this scene it made me tear up. It was a sad yet beautiful moment. I truly felt bad for azula for once in this episode. Another episode when they met the sun warrior and they actually had the rainbow fire with the dragons made me tear up as well. It’s just something about well put together art. And the rainbow fire for sure fit the feelings of the scene. Would have done the same during the final battle between siblings.
Korra is fire. But the original show made me feel so much.
The part of feeling pity for Azula confused me for years, cause I didn’t know why than someone mentioned she is only 14 at the time
@@noahballard6864 idk why I never replied to you. But. Yea. It’s crazy. Cause I always felt it was odd how she was kinda stronger than zuko only to be his younger sister. I always thought she was the older one before I found out she was 14. He mental was so screwed.
@@HomicideBeatz it's so sad knowing that in reality, both Azula and Zuko were ruined by their father, who made sure they would never be able to reconcile their relationships
It could be the case that rainbow fire takes a heavy either mental or physical toll making it very difficult to maintain for a extended time and since he is always focused on extended usage, but in that particular case he had to go all out and focus on power over stamina
I never thought about firebenders bending multi-colored fire mainly because I really like the color of the normal yellow-orange fire, especially when there is a lot surrounding a character.
Wow! Respect! That was remarkably well thought out. Nicely done.
In my opinion the contrast is a necessity
why not both? :D
@@BabyLionTurtle ooo ok wait I see what ur saying what abt if it happened towards the end. How much rainbow are we talking here
Cmon we have to be fair to Ozai, it was Azulon that wanted him to marry Ursa due to the prophecy and about the green fire, I always saw it as the green crystals having something to do with it. Btw yours is the first based atla yt channel I’ve seen on yt.
Check out over analyzing Avatar
wow
i was just expecting video on just a theory
but this was way more
i almost cried while i watched the rainbow fire version of the final agni kai
that was so impactful
i think that it makes the scene more heavy emotionally
showing azula that it’s not about power and strength but also personal morals and the road someone took to get there
wow
you are so talented with words
i feel like the breath+spiral is the only moment it should be multicolor, it fits perfectly and shows how concentrated zuko is it that single instant, it also is a hommage to Ihro, who always reminds zuko to breath...
I feel like it is a great way to show how changed zuko is inside, while keeping his original color on morrme general time
Okay, went into this thinking, "oh yeah, sure that sounds idiotic. Rainbow fire, seriously." But dang, now I totally get it. I'm completely on board. I love the three rules and how you timed everything so perfectly. So yeah, I'm support rainbow fire sozin's comet no matter how silly it sounds.
Oh, and I like how Zuko finally gets to outshine Azula, but then doesn't parade it around and gloat. Because no matter his own accomplishments, this is still sad.
My initial thoughts were very similar, but then the more I thought about it the more I liked it :)
I think that with Iroh's big moment at the start of their fight to take back Ba Sing Se, it would have been more poignant if the flame built up to rainbow. His first three breaths with the close up on his face are just plain orange flame, then as we pull out, with each rise we see flecks of blue, then green, then purple, and then, with the ultimate strike, we finally see the full spectrum, with Iroh truly living up to his title as Dragon Of The West. Also, I would add the rule that the Avatar is able to produce rainbow fire while in the avatar state, under extreme conditions, and the current Avatar has to have had the vision of true firebending. They do not have to be a master, but they must have witnessed Dragon's Fire. Otherwise, their rainbow fire is reliant on the comet.
This is separate from the video, but I would like the idea of the avatar having access to all types of bending while in the avatar state. That includes sub-types: metal bending, lava bending, sand bending, and yes, blood bending, dependent on ANY of the previous avatars learning them (seeing as blood bending is not exclusive to Kama, it would make sense that blood bending is a lost/rare type of bending, rather than a new one). Of course these sub-types are still subject to their base rules and the avatar's own willingness to use them. Sub-types that the current Avatar knows would be easier to control so the Avatar would be more likely to use the ones they know (ex. Korra would favor metal-bending over lava-bending) but when necessary, they can use any type they need.
I think it makes sense zuko’s flames aren’t multicolored in the final agni kai. Even though zuko lost a lot of his rage or drive and learnt the lesson from the dragons. This is azula, someone who was always who he couldn’t be. Someone his dad always praised and was happy to have. Even if he doesn’t care about his father’s approval there’s probably still some leftover intense emotions during their fight. Great video though
I thought of a different use for the colours in fire bending. That every colour has its own properties, where not every colour is used for combat but for other uses aswell. You could do it in different ways on what it would do.
As if the green fire is for some form of healing, purple fire is easier to make shapes with (for beter streetartperformence or something) and so on.
You could also bring out the chakra colours and see if there is a way to combine that, might have been nice when kora was knocked out and washed up on the fire island. Instead of putting her into the water, go with the fire colour of each chakra to unlock her energie pathways and trigger the flashbacks until all are open and she wakes up again or smt like that.
You’re right, it does feel like fanfiction.
Red Lightning, Purple Lightning, and Yellow Lightning would be dope as hell.
Damn.. that’s really good. I love that idea! Especially agreeing with the scenes you mentioned the rainbow fire should be used.
Zuko was protecting his mother and thus an aspect of his life
This is the most amazing avatar theory/improvement idea ive ever watched. It gave me shivers by just imagining how awesome it would be if the rainbow fire would actually be in the show. Is there anywhere i can watch these original edited clips with the colored fire? Like a link to the original artist's work or smth?
Novanity Short's reddit is probably the best place! reddit.com/user/NovanityShorts/?sort=top&t=all
Ayeeee 10/10 Video 🎉 Loved it Man ❤ it was an honor helping u with it 🙏
Nah you're the MVP of this video fr!
i think this shou;d have been included that part you mentioned the mid part for Azula and Zuko'a agni kai was PERFECT and the look on her face and his tenique speaks volumes and says enough for us to interpret everything.
I was a bit sceptical at first, but you make some really good points.
The way you integrated this form of bending makes a lot of sense to me.
(I think imma add that to my head-canon xD)
If it’s possible for them to edit the show and put rainbow fire i would love to see it I think it’s a really cool idea. I think you basically nailed with the rules of bending dragon fire.
I agree that only zukos dragon punch should have been rainbow, but also rainbow firebending should only be something that someone with a connection to the spirit world should be able to obtain. That rule would only help to solidify iroh and aangs use of it and help strengthen previous scenes of the show and give them more depth. The only problem with that rule is that zuko doesnt have any kind of spirit world journey in the show so it wouldnt make sense for him to have rainbow firebending.
I think adding rainbow fire to the final battle between azula and zuko would have been a bit over the top... Would still be nice to see it later on
I just discovered your channel today, but I already subscribed. A channel dedicated to ATLA deserves some love.
LET'S GOOOOOOO
Honestly I feel like rainbow fire in the fight against Zuko and Azula is just yes but with Ang and Ozi it just doesn't fit
Great video keep up the good work!
Appreciate you commenting this 5 minutes after I posted a 37min video :P
Dragon's burning their bad breath is the canon rainbow fire
''thats pretty fire'
-Prince Zuko, real source
I don't think Jeong Jeong mastered traditional fire bending. If he had, I think he wouldn't have expressed his hatred and caution for all firebending. I think he hated the modern firebending but still used it when he felt he had to defend what he loved.
I always thought there was something "missing" after the dragon episode... I haven't thought of making the fire look rainbow, but at least add something of a visual effect to show that Zuko's "bending source" has changed. I would also have loved if they emphasised a little more on the "fire is life" philosophy the sun warriors taught them, like I dunno, Zuko saving someone from freezing (making a good opportunity for a blue ghost flashback) by keeping them warm or Aang being able to heal wounds because he "burned" away an infection or idk seared the bleeding. Can't come up with really creative ideas but I feel like there's so much potential being lost.
We were robbed of Zuko breakdancing with RGB fire
Love this idea with most of the rules you mentioned. I think the Sozin's Comet rule may be a little too restrictive on a permanent basis but I agree on all the places it should have taken place in the finale. Rainbow fire just adds the cherry on top to an already near perfect finale.
Originally I was gonna say I didn't want it in the final agni Kai bc the juxtaposition of the blue and red flames is already so striking,,, but if it were to only come in part way through, then I'm totally down for that,, and I agree, it would sorta connect the different plots a bit more, which would be nice,, and I feel like including iroh in it along with the places you chose for it to happen actual gives enough hints that fans could figure out the context in which it can happen, and it gives a real tangible view of zuko's development,, honestly, I don't see a downside given the constraints in this video,, I think it would eb really cool(if it was to happen without the constraints,, then yeah, that sounds kinda lame and Mary Sue fanfic type, just anticlimactictbh)
Thats exactly how I feel I think the juxtaposition is wayy too important especially in that scene where they clash but if it was there a bit later In little streaks just to show his evolution as a bender that would be amazing
To repeat what others have stated, I was going to disagree with the rainbow flame in every single instance after seeing but with the new constraints it still gives enough unique ness and speciality to it if that makes sense. The whole time I was watching the video I was thinking “the rainbow fire vs blue fire scenes wouldn’t have worked as well because sometimes the rainbow fire would mix into blue/purple fire and so there isn’t enough contrast to it” so if they were to change it where the creator stated, it makes sense and still looks cool
The fire looks so pweety
That was really well thought out. I like how you didn't like it at first but rather than dismiss it you worked out what people saw in it and separated it from what you thought held it back
I think this is the most accurately titled video on youtube. the amount of discussion on rainbow fire, and theorys and opportunies for future writing from such a small visual change is insane, it clicked immediately even before you explained it all.
Well that sponsor did not age well in the slightest!
Was it cut?
What was the sponsor
With the avatar already being so much more powerful in the avatar state, should the avatar state fire always be rainbow for aang? Please, tell me what you think
There aren't that many times when the avatar state is used for a full fight, so I think the flames being colorful for a big Avatar State powered blast is still ok. And Korra's avatar state would lose rainbow fire after she loses the connection with Wan in season 2. That would also visually communicate the consequence of her lost connection
@@BabyLionTurtle I'm still so mesmerized by this incredible display of art work.
Great vid, imo sometimes less is more. i think the stark contrast between the blue and red flames makes the fight look so cool.
I do like the idea of dragon fire being present in the finale. I am also glad you added the constraints because i was already thinking of the Sozin's comet restraint. I also 100% ahree with when the Dragon's Fire shouldve been added! Those moments also in a way, like Iroh coming to terms, shows their purest of intentions to protect life and the warmth that comes with it. Definitely a cool concept that wouldve made these moments even cooler, but I'm happy with the beauty we were granted in the end as well.
They probably would have done this if they thought ahead, but telling us Iroh sparred the dragons and they found him worthy tells us Iroh should know how to do the rainbow fire too, but he doesn't.
Whenever I hear "Dragon Dance" I just think of Competitive Pokemon.
Rainbow flames in JUST that one big swirling punch Zuko does, that would’ve been perfect. Keep it regular flames for all of it but I would’ve loved to see the look in her eye when flames of indescribable hues and meaning forms to combat her.
It would’ve been great as just an intrigue shot. I don’t think it makes sense for him to just shoot blast after blast of rainbow because That betrays what it means. When Zuko looks at the rainbow flames from the masters, he says “I understand”. The flames are sending a message. A deeper message then we could understand without experiencing it ourselves.
Here’s the thing tho-if people like Iroh had learnt fire bending from the dragons, their rainbow fire might have exposed that not all the dragons were killed. Iroh’s lie to keep them safe would’ve been for nothing, possibly leading to the real extinction of the dragons and then Zuko would be unable to re-learn fire bending from them.
Small idea after I have read the Kyoshi’s novel Rangi could bend white fire when she is ultra focus and also fueled by both anger and her true fire which is the same thing happened to Zuko during agony Kai. White is technically the combine of all the color and irl just a bit less hot compare to the infamous blue fire. So yeah I think white fire would work better for him
You're an amazing creator and i love your work! thank you for doing what you do!
Thank you so much!
I love the way you described the lasy agne kai elevation with rainbow flames
That would be amazing, I truly didn't realize how beautiful zukos fire would be that colorful it made it look even more powerful too.
The rainbow fire edits mostly look out of place. It doesn't even look like fire.
That's true
And fun fact, you can't make rainbow fire with chemicals. You can only push the temperature to get certain colors.
perfectly explained the only thing i would have done, is shown the full fight as is then with the tweaks you described
great work on the editing and i have to say the way you made jokes throughout was really engaging
I don't know about the agni kai.
I 100% get it. And the idea itself made me shiver.
But it undermines the very essence of the lesson.
He wasn't stronger than azula. The dragons didn't give him a "power boost" like in anime. They only rekindled his flame.
Azula lost because she lost control. Control has always been her strength. Everything she did was controlled and calculated.
She didn't lose because of the fire, but because she destroyed herself.
The rainbow fire would have completely altered the emotional impact of azula cry-raging once she was defeated.
Because then she would have lost because of some powerboost.
Even if you never even called it that. The fact that noone else uses rainbow fire (not even avatars or iroh or something) makes it a special power, which would be percieved as a powerup.
He fought her with his normal bending techniques. And he didn't win. She just lost.
So even though I got goosebumps watching the rainbow flames... from a narrative point of view, I am HIGHLY against this change.
nah, rainbow fire is way too flashy and distracting for that scene, I think that when he finally chose his alliance he should've gotten a little bit of rainbow fire mixed with his own red, it would still be iconic, as in (brother vs sister) polar opposites fighting but it would show the color of fire he got when he finally gained peace with what he was doing and with his will, pure dragon fire is too much, while just a bit would also explain them being matched in terms of strength, blue fire vs deep red fire with a touch of dragon fire, they'd be matched with Zuko coming out a bit stronger, it would be way more symbolic and not super flashy and colorful like a toddlers show thrown in a fireball, for dragons it makes sense, it would be rarely used, ultra powerful and not seen much in a fight, while for a human putting something glowing and that powerful for a fight that relies more on its meaning and emotion than flashy lights would seem cheap and last second, the fight IS perfect, and the only improvement would be making it longer, because its perfect.
ik this is a fun video but if u really think about it, it doesn't make any sense the entire fight is that zuko has been shown under azula in every way and now he has to go against his prodigy sister. If he had rainbow dragon fire its just like oh he got a upgrade and is now the stronger one instead of him understanding and that giving him rainbow fire it really shows that zuko is the same as before but with a new perspective he didn't need to get rainbow lightning he needed balance like iroh told him the entire show. having rainbow fire also can also throw his entire arc out of the window instead of having all this growth we have seen come to this moment where even as the on paper weaker one he's fighting for the right thing and has balance
That's a nice touch when you said "subscribe" and the subscribe button had a rainbow surrounding it. Not sure if that was intentional.
I like the conclusions of where you would insert the rainbow. I entirely disagree with each rule. Requiring dragons would mean every firebender before the mass extinction would have had potential to do it. Requiring firebending mastery means Azula would definitely have had it. Further, you mentioned fire colors have meaning, so anything other than the most intense just means you add impurities. Also, requiring Sozen's comet makes no sense since the dragons did it without the comet.
Lastly, Korra nerfed every amazing feat in Avatar. Lightning/ metal-bending were feats only some could learn. Then any bum that could bend could be taught them in Korra. It was stupid. Limiting the lightning/ rainbow/ metal to those with supreme talent and being taught it by someone who mastered it prior are the only 2 that make sense (similar but different from your 1st and 2nd rules).
Bruh he meant all 3 rules at the same time must be met. Not individually. Lmaoooo
First, I agree RFB (rainbow firebending) should have returned in Aang vs Ozai and Zuko vs Azula. However I personally would tweek the rules you set for it. It should be possible to do that outside of the Comet, and it should be possible without meeting a Dragon. It would come from seeing that firebending of destruction and pain wasn't the true way of firebending. It also would require no self guilt. Iroh wouldn't b able to rfb until that final scene, but afterwards, he would use it almost every time. In Zuko vs Azula, it would be much more frequent than during that first dragon roaring punch, as he would've let go of his shame and guilt from before the first punch was thrown. It would cheapen it slightly, but also it would be much more dramatic. Finally Aang vs Ozai would have been much more dramatic too cuz we would see the contrasting hatred for fueling firebending vs a non-master firebender using rfb. Yes that would mean every Avatar would be able to use it, but that's still much more common after the dragon killing and more than a once in a lifetime event.
I could potentially see removing the Comet requirement, but I definitely think meeting the Dragon masters should remain
@@BabyLionTurtle true. I didn't fully think of what rules I would tweak, wrote hastily, gonna think on it longer. Also, rainbow lightning bending would be both epic and far more dangerous.
u had me at cactus juice xD my man!
Thank you for an awesome video
It’s called dragon fire
or rainbow fire or colorful conflagration or iridescent inferno or multihued heat or polychromatic blaze or mottled flame or radiant combustion or
Edit: Check BLT's reply as well 👍
My brother, I don't think you've heard about the entire Established Titles fiasco. You should probably check out that video by Scott Shafer about them. They're quite sketchy.
This is the only comment I'm gonna replying to.
Established Titles isn't a "scam" and I don't consider them sketchy. They offer a product, they're very upfront about what the product is and isn't, and if you don't vibe with the product then that's fine. It's a novelty gift - similar to Cameo or naming a star - that's meant to be given for shock value and a good laugh. Also, they're definitely planting trees, over 2mil, unless you're willing to call trees.org (rated "exceptional" by Charity Navigator) a scam too.
My irl best friend got one for his girlfriend a year ago; they both gave positive reviews. And I legitimately do think it's a fun idea. The timing truly is unfortunate with this one, but I'm not gonna let some youtuber tell me what to think - and I advise all my viewers to operate with the same mentality.
@@BabyLionTurtle I think it's a good idea. It has nothing to do with being a lord or lady, but rather receiving a small token of gratitude for placing another tree in the ground. Then again most oxygen is made by sea algie, so perhaps we should start some form of algie fish tanks as well
@@BabyLionTurtle I can agree with that point of view, fair enough.
I do kind of wish Established Titles would make it a bit more clear that it's a gag-gift. I can see how some people could be too eager to have the title of 'lord' or 'lady', even though it doesn't legally make you one.
Still, pretty sure if you're lucky enough, your bank won't put too much effort into checking the validity of your title. I think that's how 'Lord' Miles(the UK guy that was in Afghanistan) got his title on his card.
@@Brick2buddies Algae does smell a lot, so it might not be that good of an idea. You'll need to put those far away from population centres.
@@NorthEevee yeah, good point, but it still seems like something they might want to try in the country side
35:27 the way the sub button has the dragon flame
I think that the rainbow firebending would look cooler if it was mostly orange with a little bit of colorful highlights (like the panel with Zuko in the comic) but slowly getting more and more colurful. I think it would look better and show a sort of increasing power/spectacle rather than flipping a switch.
Azula was given blue fire so it would contrast with the orange of most firebenders, & therefore Zuko, consequently making for a clearer image in the finale, both in terms of being able to tell what's going on & looking less visually messy. I feel like I could just leave the response at that, but I'm here anyway, so I might as well keep watching & see if I have other responses.
I mean, yeah, I guess the dumbest version of bonebending is indeed dumb, but bone is a mix of living cells & a variation of calcium apatite. It's as much a rock as blood is water.
Oh, cool, you have the version of Established Titles before they got called out as a scam & started changing their ads. That's not a "Scottish tradition," land owning isn't sufficient to make you a Lord or Lady in Scotland, & no, you can't add it to official documents. All they do is send you an overpriced certificate with Lord Yourname written on it. You don't own the land, either. The plots of land they "sell" are too small to legally own. Established Titles owns that land & can freely "sell" it as many times as they want, since they're not actually selling anything. They do partner with a charity that plants trees, but giving to tree-planting charities directly is MUCH less expensive. Up to 1/50th the cost, in fact. One Tree Planted explicitly plants a tree per $1 donation.
That didn't really establish that the Dancing Dragon is "pointless," only that it's not an I Win Button & doesn't cause an aesthetic change, but I guess the latter is what you really want to get at, so I will say that I think colored firebending is underutilized in the franchise. It's great that they didn't take the easy way out & give everyone in Legend of Korra different colors like they were mood rings, but the opposite extreme is, if not worse, certainly weirder. Surely Azula would not be the only person to master blue firebending, let alone the 5 or 6 other colors we know exist.
But I don't think it should be unlocked by learning the Dancing Dragon, like it's a level-up bonus in a videogame. Ran & Shaw have rainbow firebending to represent that they're the absolute pinnacle of that art. If you could just mimic them one time & gain the same power, it would only cheapen it. You address this later on by adding the rules "be a master of traditional firebending" & "only be able to do it during Sozin's Comet." I don't really like these rules. As you say, they would be too hard to figure out, & they only really exist to justify rainbow effects during the finale which, in my opinion, doesn't look as good. Not every scene fits rainbow firebending. I would say that rainbow firebending should be a rare technique due to its incredible difficulty; even those who know it seldom use it because it takes all of their concentration.
Oh, wow, you made the exact argument I always make when Zuko's firewhirl in Smoke & Shadow comes up. I thought I wouldn't have to argue that point, but then you described it as a "cop out" & "ignoring evidence," & I'm sorry, but that's simply not true. That this was just a reference is the most parsimonious way to explain the evidence. Anyone who would say that to you doesn't actually care about the evidence, they just want Zuko to have a new power & are so upset at the idea that this might not be true that they'll attack you for disputing it. You're allowing yourself to be proven wrong if more evidence comes to light, but they're banking on the lack of clarification being enough. Nothing short of the co-creators outright saying it was just a reference, not a canon ability, would dissuade them. If even that would.
I actually agree with your suggestion to have Iroh firebend rainbow when he burns down the Fire Nation flag. It makes sense even during the rules I established & is a good character moment. It might seem odd that Iroh would put so much effortt into what isn't a powerful attack or even intended to be a powerful attack, but I think that could be handwaved away by how much thought he clearly put into that decision. It's not when Iroh needed the power the most, but it IS the most deliberate act of firebending he's ever performed.
That just feels like you had Zuko's fire turn rainbow at a random punch. And that's the thing, Zuko HASN'T surpassed her by that point. They actually say that. So, to answer your questions, yes I think it should've been used more, but no, I largely don't think you were successful in integrating it. Also, screw Established Titles.
I'm not sure I get why you felt the chosen Zuko rainbow fire moment was a "random" punch after he spent so long explaining it lol ☠️. (And considering the parameters of not changing the original scene/choreo except for the fire color.)
He discussed keeping the orange vs. blue motif for at least half of the fight if not more; Zuko's intentional breathing technique and the pause to showcase it; the roaring sound and formation of the flames; and Azula's reaction + facial expression in response to that move. I think that was everything.
I'll add that it comes shortly before Zuko does the breakdance leg sweep thing, which totally disrupts her, clearly leaves her embarrassed/thrown, and then leads to the lightning attacks.
So he's not necessarily surpassed her skillwise, but he definitely has the upper hand in the fight then. And that fire punch kicks off the section of the fight that (obviously) damages her pride and psyche the most, imo.
It seems like a natural spot to me!
What about harmonic convergence where all spiritual energy is at it's peak? Would that be a good place to implement rainbow fire? Please, tell me what you think