r/Avatarthelastairbende • u/This-Honey7881 • 2d ago
I don't really see people talk about Aang's trauma all that much so I'd like to ask, how would a scene like this go if it were aang instead?
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u/Den_Nissen 2d ago
Would Aang have trauma? He basically let go of all of his worst guilt and strongest attachments in season 2. He had some fear and conflict about fighting the firelord in season 3, but imo it seemed he achieved the best timeline in the end. Other than Jet dying, at least.
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u/Pelekaiking 2d ago
You’re right he definitely got the good ending but regardless of how well he’s dealt with his issues he should still have trauma. That kinda thing doesn’t really go away
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u/Den_Nissen 2d ago
What I mean is that there is only growth in season 3. Nothing really bad happens to him outside of fighting the firelord, and given his meditation practices, I don't know why he would needlessly hold onto that fear. Realistically, he shouldn't have any PTSD.
Though I admit that it would point to the fact that he might in Korra if I remember correctly. He had like body guards for the Avatar, I think, and created a centralized power so he could more easily exert control and influence over any of the nations.
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u/Pelekaiking 2d ago
I get that but what I’m saying is that trauma doesn’t go away even if you manage it properly and Aang was absolutely traumatized prior to season 3.
Also Aang was definitely in dozens of traumatizing situations in season 3. For example he was attacked by an assassin on 3 separate occasions. Thats an objectively traumatizing situation.
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u/Pelekaiking 2d ago
There are few a scenes like this in ATLA. But the most explicit is when Aang opens his chakras. The first 5 chakras all deal with Aangs traumas and anxieties
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u/TheDorkyDane 2d ago
Gotta love Zuko's way of overcoming his incredible traumatic past...
Free a Bison and that somehow made him so high he went through multiple hallucinations, then came out as the beautiful butterfly he was always meant to be, only to throw it all away because for some reason he decided to trust his manic, lying, murderous sister....
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u/RBVegabond 1d ago
Confused and hurt teenager just wanting to go home is nothing new. Him realizing his home isn’t safe and he’s back with his abuser, not care giver, is what lead to him leaving after confronting the narcissist. Those years away set his mind straight and he could see from outside the box he was put in.
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u/Ok-Apartment-8284 1d ago
Uh was it not when he learned about Chakras? He had to face things like his expectations of being the avatar, his fear of the firelord, his guilt of leaving his people, his grief when he found out they’re dead and accidentally burning Katara
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u/RandomRogue95 1d ago
I think it’s sprinkled here and there but only fully addressed once with the chakras episode. After the iconic storm episode, we get his attachment issues during balto of the water tribe. His bitterness towards those who moved in at the northern air temple is obvious. His shame, guilt and distress over the invasion of the North Pole is hidden under his determination to not repeat history. When appa gets kidnapped and Momo almost taken, aang’s anger can be linked to the fact that those are his only connections to his people and culture. Aang’s nightmares in season 3 are not only displaying his fears and not being ready to face the firelord but could also be linked to his repressed fears and anxieties of dealing with his trauma. There are probably more examples I’m missing but those are the ones I thought of where I think Aang’s trauma shined the most. I do think that the writers tried to create a stereotypical pure hearted anime mc boy who is op and positive all the time so that’s why they didn’t touch on it as much as they could have. While I don’t mind their choice and still love Aang’s growth and journey, I do wish they explore more bc Aang being the perfect successor of the air nomads teachings is strange considering he’s only 12. He needed to wrestle more and heal properly
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u/NullGlaive 1d ago
I like to think he eventually met back up with the guru and got past all his teams and fully accessed the avatar state.
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u/CryWhileEatingCake 2d ago
I have the same trauma. It was all caused by ATLA movie.