The Avatar: The Last Airbender franchise takes place in a fantasy world inspired primarily by East Asian cultures. This world is made up of four nations based on the four classical elements: the Air Nomads, the Water Tribes, the Earth Kingdom, and the Fire Nation. A fifth nation, the United Republic of Nations, is introduced in The Legend of Korra.
Series creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko drew from historical Asian cultures to develop a tone and style for the franchise's world. China is the predominant influence of the fantasy world, though various East Asian, South Asian, Southeast Asian and North American cultures were also incorporated. Many characters in the world of Avatar have the ability to "bend", or to psychokinetically manipulate the element associated with their nationality. One individual, the Avatar, is able to bend all four elements. Avatar: The Last Airbender takes place 100 years after the Fire Nation carried out a genocide against the Air Nomads.
Contents
Overview
The Air Nomads
The Air Nomads were a culture that is influenced by the monastic society of Shaolin monks and Tibetan Buddhism, and the Air Nomads' conception of the Avatar is reminiscent of how Buddhists perceive the Bodhisattva. Aspects of Hinduism are also incorporated into the beliefs of the Air Nomads, including chakras and mudras.
Martial Arts and bending styles
The physical movements associated with bending in the franchise draw extensively on traditional Chinese martial arts. To ensure that each bending discipline had a distinct and authentic style, creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko consulted martial arts expert Sifu Kisu of the Harmonious Fist Chinese Athletic Association. Kisu’s involvement helped establish specific real-world martial arts influences for each type of bending: tai chi for waterbending, with its emphasis on fluid, controlled motion; Hung Gar for earthbending, with its deep rooted stances and solid power; Northern Shaolin for firebending, characterized by dynamic and strong hand and leg techniques; and Bagua for airbending, noted for its circular footwork and agility.
The Water Tribes
The Water Tribes are communities located in the polar regions, based on circumpolar peoples such as the Inuit. The Southern Water Tribe is made up primarily of small villages, whereas the Northern Water Tribe contains vast cities of ice and snow.
The Earth Kingdom
The Earth Kingdom is an expansive nation that incorporates several real-world cultures, most notably Ming dynasty and Qing dynasty of China. Ba Sing Se, the capital city of the Earth Kingdom, is based on Beijing and the Forbidden City. Kyoshi Island of the Earth Kingdom resembles feudal Japan, with the resident Kyoshi Warriors donning uniforms based on those used in kabuki theater.
The Fire Nation
The Fire Nation is an archipelago island country influenced by the military of Imperial Japan and the clothes and architecture of China.
The United Republic of Nations
The United Republic of Nations was founded by Avatar Aang and Fire Lord Zuko after the end of the 100 Year War. It is a civilization described as "if Manhattan had happened in Asia," inspired by the 1920s and incorporates influences from American and European architecture from that time period. Elements of film noir and steampunk also played a significant influence. The design for the metalbending police force is based on 1920s New York City police uniforms, crossed with samurai armor.
Reception
The world-building of Avatar: The Last Airbender has been positively received. Nicole Clark of Vice Media favorably compared the world of Avatar to that of Harry Potter and to J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth. Christopher Mahon of Clarkesworld Magazine praised the world's evolution between Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra.