25 moments Netflix’s remake of Avatar: The Last Airbender MUST get right

Avatar Roku

Speaking of Kyoshi, she’s not the only past Avatar to show up. Aang is just the latest in an extremely long line of Avatars. In a way, he is their reincarnation. In another way, he is their own person, and can learn from them. Whoever writes the Netflix series must understand this subtlety, and avoid pressing out the ambiguity that makes it so interesting.

The former Avatar who shows up most often is Avatar Roku, the Avatar before Aang, and a Firebender. Wise and even-tempered, Roku is kind of like an Obi-Wan Kenobi figure to Aang, gently guiding him in the use of his powers and serving up exposition about this world and the Avatar’s place in it.

Since the main characters in this show are very young, most of the actors will be unknowns, but parts like Roku will allow Netflix to cast someone more seasoned. It might not be a bad idea to expand Roku’s role, especially since his relationship with Aang is crucial to understanding his point of view. Most of the Four Nations are at war with each other, but Avatar Roku and Avatar Aang — a Firebender and an Airbender — forge a friendship from across the grave. The Avatar is connected to something bigger than just where he was born. The Avatar sees the world as whole, no matter how hard it tries to divide itself.