Fans of Avatar: The Last Airbender have been buzzing with concern over changes made to Sokka’s character in Netflix’s live-action remake.
Fans are already sensitive to any changes made to their beloved source material. So, it looks like this big alteration made everyone pick up their arms and aim it towards Ian Ousley and his Sokka.
But what exactly has got them in a twist?
Fans are upset over Ian Ousley’s Sokka in Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender because the actor revealed the show was removing his character’s sexism, aiming for realism. Unlike other adaptations, Sokka’s sexism in the original series led to character growth, challenging views on women. Despite assurances, fans worry this change alters Sokka’s essence and moves away from the source material.
What Made Fans Get Mad at Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender?
The controversy started in the weeks leading up to the premiere of Avatar: The Last Airbender. During an interview with Entertainment, Ian Ousley, the actor who plays Sokka, revealed that the show was removing his character’s sexism.
Ousley emphasized the need for realism, stating, “There’s more weight with realism in every way.” Kiawentiio, who portrays Katara, also confirmed removing Sokka’s sexism, stating:
“I feel like we also took out the element of how sexist [Sokka] was.”
Ousley agreed, noting,
“There are things that were redirected just because it might play a little differently [in live action].”
According to him, some questionable moments could’ve translated poorly into live-action. It’s not uncommon when adapting anime or manga into live-action for sexist or womanizing behaviors to be removed.
For example, the One Piece live-action series tamped down Sanji’s womanizing behavior, recognizing that cartoonish depictions of a man’s eyes turning into hearts and jaw-dropping at the sight of every woman wouldn’t translate appropriately.
However, Sokka’s sexism in Avatar: The Last Airbender season 1 differs from Sanji’s situation. Sanji is an example of the perverted character trope in anime, which only serves the purpose of comic relief.
In the original animated series, Sokka expresses sexist attitudes. He’s dismissive of female benders and warriors and thinks it’s the “natural order of things” that men are better at hunting and fighting than women.
The reason why Sokka’s initial beliefs are important is because he actually changes later in the series. After meeting Suki and the Kyoshi Warriors, he gains a new respect for women.
When sexism and womanizing are depicted as a character trait and constantly ignored or excused, it’s understandable they would be erased in adaptations.
However, in Sokka’s case, viewers felt he underwent growth, and his story encourages men to rethink their views of women.
While some viewers feel a crucial piece of Sokka is missing, it is worth noting that his sexism was not a key trait and was only seldom expressed.
Avatar: The Last Airbender may have missed an opportunity to encourage doing away with sexist views subtly, but Ousley suggests it didn’t detract from Sokka’s new characterization.
In an interview with Games Radar+, he later clarified his comments and said:
“The animated show really is the heart and soul of what our live-action show is. We were not trying to take out anything. Obviously we took out that element, but he still has that attitude. Not a sexist attitude, but it’s morphed into more of – in Sokka and Katara’s relationship – ‘I’m the leader and you’re the follower’ situation. Stuff like that.”
Ousley again reiterated and said:
“He’s still the Sokka we know and love from the cartoon. I don’t even think fans would notice some of those things, honestly, [when] watching our show… He definitely still has his arcs and his lessons in the show.”
“Avatar: The Last Airbender” is currently streaming on Netflix.
So, is it essential for adaptations to stay true to every aspect of a character, even if it means potentially perpetuating harmful stereotypes? How much creative license should filmmakers have when adapting beloved animated series for live-action formats?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Games Radar+, Entertainment Weekly
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