Netflix’s New Toph Misses the Point of the Original Avatar Character

In a refreshing take, it’s possible that Netflix’s live-action adaptation of has addressed several significant flaws present in the dismal 2010 film “The Last Airbender,” a movie so poorly received that fans often deny its existence. However, even this revised Netflix version isn’t without its own issues. The casting choices in the Netflix adaptation have successfully avoided the problematic whitewashing seen in the 2010 film, but the characters still harbor underlying problems, an issue which will now extend to .

According to fan feedback, the portrayal of Toph in the live-action adaptation appears to deviate significantly from the original character in ways that fans find problematic and misrepresentative. Despite potential improvements in costumes and Earthbending effects in Season 2 of the Netflix series, fans are likely to be disappointed with the new version of Toph due to her altered appearance and behavior. The reimagined Toph aims to portray a more mature and traditionally feminine character, but this departure from the original concept seems to undermine the essence of who Toph is supposed to be.

Toph Is Meant to Challenge Norms of Gender & Social Class

A Girly Toph Is No Toph at All

Straight off the bat, it was evident that Toph was unlike any other girl we’ve seen, leaving a strong impact in “The Blind Bandit” episode. In numerous aspects, both internally and externally, Toph deviated from typical expectations. Her parents and Earthbending coach failed to grasp her tough demeanor and Earthbending abilities, while the Gaang underestimated the challenges she faced living within the rigid confines of the Beifong estate. Toph consistently defied norms and assumptions in every direction, making her a captivating character filled with emotional depth from start to finish. Even as fans grew accustomed to Toph and her lifestyle, she remained distinct, forging a genuinely unique identity for herself.

Inherently rebellious and independent, Toph, an Earthbender, often defied the strict and oppressive norms of the upper class in society. Born into wealth, comfort, and privilege, she rejected her privileged life, choosing instead to join Team Avatar and travel the world while teaching Aang Earthbending. Despite being born into a wealthy family in the Earth Kingdom, Toph found the lavish lifestyle stifling and sought freedom, which many children in her modest villages could only dream of. Outwardly, she conformed to the expectations of her upper-class status to avoid suspicion from her parents, but beneath this facade, Toph was a carefree, earthy rebel. She only dressed up to deceive others, and that was rare.

In a more casual and understandable way, we could say: Unlike Katara, the fierce Waterbender who challenged her tribe’s rules on female Waterbenders, Toph broke many more gender norms. While Katara and the Kyoshi Warriors paved the way for strong female characters, Toph took it a step further. She didn’t conform to traditional feminine appearances or behaviors, choosing instead to be her authentic, tomboyish self. Toph didn’t deny her girlhood but rebelled against many societal expectations associated with her gender. In essence, she was a trailblazer, defying beauty standards that often come with being female. However, Toph did make an exception for Katara in certain instances, but this was more a sign of friendship than a reflection of her self-image.

Netflix’s Live-Action Avatar Series Is Going to Age Toph Up & Make Her More Feminine

The animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender developed the character of Toph effectively, making her appealing, memorable, and potentially inspiring for many viewers. However, Netflix’s upcoming live-action adaptation seems to be downplaying this aspect of her character, which could miss the mark according to some fans. Actress Miya Cech aims to portray a more mature and feminine version of Toph, deviating somewhat from the original character. This change might not sit well with fans, as it seems an unnecessary adjustment at best, and at worst, it could detract from the essence and identity of Toph in the live-action adaptation.

Fans of the original anime might find it uncomfortable when Toph’s character, who is known for her tomboyish and rebellious nature, starts to be portrayed as more traditionally feminine and potentially older, which could imply an emphasis on sex appeal. However, Toph, a 12-year-old tomboy, and even her middle-aged self in “The Legend of Korra,” were never meant to have any sexual appeal. It’s concerning that the producers might be heading in this direction, especially given Toph’s age, as it seems misguided and inappropriate. The exact age of the live-action Toph is yet to be revealed, but if she does become older while also being more traditionally feminine, it could potentially lead the character down an undesirable path.

Toph Works Best as a Subversive Earthbender

Toph Replaced Her Original Male Version While Still Honoring His Design

Intriguingly enough, I find it fascinating that Toph’s character isn’t merely an integral part of Avatar: The Last Airbender, but rather a reimagined version of an original character who was initially meant to join the Gaang in Book Two. Originally, the creators envisioned a more stereotypical Earthbender joining the team, showcasing their earth-shaking abilities, but they chose to subvert expectations and make our tough, Earthbending prodigy a spunky girl around Aang’s age instead. On the surface, Toph seems worlds apart from the burly, boulder-like character originally conceived, yet she carries over certain traits since both were designed with the same role in mind. To put it simply, Toph didn’t just stumble into the series; she was molded for a part that was initially meant for someone else.

In order to maintain the essence of the character, Toph was kept with the same strong-willed personality and mastery over Earthbending, which might explain why her name sounds like “tough.” The goal was to create an entertaining contradiction by having a small, tomboyish girl play a role typically associated with a larger male character. If the live-action Toph becomes more feminine in appearance, the subversion of her character would be weakened. Even if the live-action version retains some elements of Toph’s original tough Earthbender persona, it may not fully convey what this character represents. Toph is intriguing as a smaller, female interpretation of a traditionally male character, but a more feminine Toph would lose that aspect, focusing more on her feminine side and only slightly resembling the original masculine design.

Live-Action Anime Adaptations Have a Habit of Simplifying Their Characters

It’s Not Worth Saving Some Screen Time

In many live-action adaptations of anime and cartoons, characters are often simplified, with their complexities and growth reduced to just one or two elements. This is frequently done to streamline the production process and prevent the project from becoming overly long and costly. However, this approach can come at a significant cost – the loss of character depth and development. If characters in live-action scripts lack nuance and growth, then their reintroduction in a new medium loses its appeal, as was the case with Sokka, whose meaningful arc of challenging his regressive views about girls being fighters was overlooked.

In the animated series “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” the character Sokka initially held a traditional and outdated view that only men should fight and women’s roles were confined to homemaking. This perception made him seem unpleasant at first, but by Episode 4, “The Warriors of Kyoshi,” he began to challenge and change his views. This transformation was significant and well-developed, as Sokka’s newfound progressive ideas weren’t forced or hasty. Instead, he had to reach this point through various experiences, which made the change feel genuine and deserved. Unfortunately, these character-defining aspects were omitted in the live-action adaptation, resulting in a simplified portrayal of Sokka that avoided any potential controversy over his initially problematic behavior. However, it was precisely this initial portrayal of Sokka as problematic that served as the foundation for his eventual growth into a more enlightened character.

Currently, the live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender appears to be considering a change for Toph’s character, potentially simplifying her to fit traditional and predictable standards. This could result in overlooking Toph’s intricate layers, reducing her to a more conventional on-screen package that may diminish her unique charm. Toph should not be transformed into a stereotypically feminine, visually appealing woman who just happens to be a powerful Earthbender. Instead, she is intended to be an unconventional and multidimensional character, a peculiar Earthbender who also happens to be female. Unfortunately, this nuanced aspect of her personality might get lost in the misguided pursuit of making her more traditionally feminine on screen.

2025-05-05 03:29