Netflix’s live-action series Avatar: The Last Airbender (ATLA) is a remake and bit of a remix of the beloved 2005 animated classic. In it, a young airbender named Aang is the last of his people and is tasked with saving the world from the hawkish Fire Nation.
This eight-episode series endeavors to encapsulate the essence of the original’s 20-episode first season. Featuring a distinguished ensemble cast including Gordon Cormier, Kiawentiio Tarbell, Ian Ousley, Dallas Liu, Daniel Dae Kim, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, and Yvonne Chapman, Netflix’s ATLA breathes new life into the beloved tale.
Cold Tea Collective’s Natasha Jung met with Yvonne Chapman, delving into her experience of embracing the iconic role of Avatar Kyoshi and exploring her connection with the character.
Earth: Passion and pressure
The original ATLA series stands as a paragon in television, acclaimed for its adept handling of themes like genocide, war, and cultural conflict in an animated medium designed for children. With a 100% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 99% audience score, the original series, and its sequel, The Legend of Korra, have left an indelible mark.
In 2010, a live-action film faced universal criticism, with the fanbase humorously denying its existence. When Netflix announced the 2024 spin, apprehensive fans feared another letdown.
Chapman, acknowledging the intent behind the Netflix adaptation, remarked, “All of them had such a passion for the source material and wanted to honor that to the best that they could.”
Her character, Kyoshi, towers 7 feet tall, possesses physical dominance and a straightforward demeanor. As the Avatar with the longest lifespan—230 years—she has become a fan favorite, celebrated for her portrayal as a formidable, bisexual warrior with a stern and aggressive personality. Notably, Kyoshi has her own spinoff novels, The Rise of Kyoshi and The Shadow of Kyoshi.
“I definitely felt the pressure because I’m a fan, too,” Chapman expressed. “Everybody just wants to see something that’s so beloved [honored], and I really do think that’s what was done.”
Fire: Kyoshi’s physicality
In the series, the Avatar Aang undergoes rigorous work to master the four elements: fire, air, water, and earth. This demanding physical journey mirrors Chapman’s experience embodying warrior Kyoshi. The costume, meticulously designed with intricate flourishes on her boots and layers of her skirt, altered external appearances and kindled an internal flame within Chapman.
Recounting a poignant moment during costume fittings at the premiere, Chapman shared, “I was asked, ‘what was one of my most memorable moments of playing the role,’ and it was in the first costume fittings, getting into the preliminary fittings of Kyoshi made all of us emotional because they worked tirelessly at the details.”
Kyoshi debuted in the earlier episodes of the Netflix live-action, showcasing her prowess in a dynamic action sequence. Action design and stunt team member Leslie Kwan highlights the diverse martial art styles exhibited by Kyoshi as she defends her home island against Fire Nation soldiers. Airbending draws from baguazhang, waterbending from tai chi, earthbending from hung ga, and firebending from Northern Shaolin kung fu.
Drawing from her martial arts background playing Zhilan in CW’s Kung Fu, Chapman noted the distinction in Kyoshi’s movements. “For Zhilan, because she was an assassin, a lot of the combat was either guns or hand-to-hand… whereas Avatar Kyoshi has an elegance to her,” she explained. “I felt it was using a lot of chi, and the energy flow had to be balanced to master the elements. A lot of that is steeped in the novels and source material. It was completely different for me and in the way of how it felt.”
Air: The spirituality of Kyoshi
As the interview unfolds, moments arise where the identities of Kyoshi and Chapman harmoniously converge. It’s a testament to the character’s depth, transforming even a titan into a relatable human. In the original series, Aang, the 12-year-old Avatar, grapples with Kyoshi’s philosophies. The Netflix version portrays Kyoshi’s tough-love approach during her initial encounter with Aang.
Chapman acknowledges her inclination towards self-criticism, stating, “I give myself the most tough love. I’m critical in everything and a little bit neurotic when it comes to that stuff. So, I’m the number one suspect.”
The role of an Avatar, tasked with being a global peacekeeper and spiritual guide, carries immense weight. Kyoshi’s stern approach towards Aang stems from her awareness of the profound responsibilities of the role. Chapman explains, “there was a choice for her to yell at him in the moment, which was part of Kyoshi’s frustration of knowing how difficult the Avatar world is. She learned in many hard ways what is necessary to be the Avatar.”
Recognizing Kyoshi’s dual role as the Avatar and a woman—the first female Avatar in the series—requires understanding her challenges. In the Kyoshi novels, Chapman points out Kyoshi’s initial shyness and reservation. Drawing parallels, she reflects on her experience in the male-dominated finance industry. “Sometimes trying to be at the table is a hard sell as a woman.”
Chapman’s transition from finance to acting echoes Kyoshi’s journey. She encourages others facing similar challenges: “If anything, you’re not alone. What you’re feeling isn’t a bad thing necessarily, it’s very human, and that’s okay. If the confidence isn’t there, it just comes with more experience and allow yourself to try. Just try because I don’t want that to stop anybody… At least you went out and did something to get it.”
Water: Flow and future
The advice to “just try” resonates as the ATLA fandom faces a new crossroads. Opinions on Netflix’s version may vary, but the contributions of artists and creatives enrich the conversation and lore. Through their efforts, fans witness an additional dimension to Kyoshi, with her captivating entrance and bending sequence standing out as one of her most epic moments.
The success of Netflix’s adaptation may pave the way for spinoff projects. While Chapman remains unaware of any developments, she expresses a desire for a Kyoshi series based on the novels. “I love the storyline of her and Rangi. I want to see her with the flying opera company and those interactions come to life and how she became who she was,” she articulates. “She’s very different from when she was growing up and becoming the Avatar. The adaptation that we’re seeing today with her interaction with Aang, there’s that facet of her that exists, but there’s this whole other world and backstory that is so different from what was actually portrayed.”
Delving into Kyoshi’s complexities, Chapman appreciates her outward portrayal versus inner thoughts. “The most fascinating quality is what she portrays outwardly versus what she feels inside. If she’s talking to someone, she’ll say something in a diplomatic or fierce way. But then there’s always that inner thought where she has to portray versus how she might feel about the situation—a contradiction and dichotomy.”
As Kyoshi mastered the elements, Chapman, too, mastered her craft to portray the Avatar, infusing her justice into the character. Through her narratives, a bridge forms between her performance and our shared human experiences, reminding us we all possess our own Avatar States within ourselves.
See also: Serendipity: How the stars aligned for the American Born Chinese adaptation
Help us uplift Asian diaspora voices
Support Cold Tea Collective with a monthly contribution to help ensure stories for and by the next generation of the Asian diaspora are here to stay.
