One of Nickelodeon’s most popular animated shows, Avatar: The Last Airbender recently came out with a live-action adaptation in February. It features amazing graphics, in-depth storytelling, and amazing casting of the characters we know and love. While it may never live up to the original, it did a solid job of representing our beloved story.
The original animation was originally broadcast from 2005 to 2007, meaning it was defining childhood media for many members of Gen Z. Most of us are now in college or at least considering our future college majors. So, to celebrate the release of the live-action, here are my takes on which Avatar: The Last Airbender character you would be based on your college major.
International Relations: Aang
Aang’s character development was centralized around his Airbender culture. Through peace and defensive martial arts, respecting the traditions and teachings of the Airbender monks was something Aang took to heart.
Through his travels to learn other forms of bending across the world, he was able to meet many different benders from other cultures. He utilized respect and friendship to get along with, protect, and provide for the other nations.
This makes Aang highly reflective of the open and ready-to-learn majors in International Relations, who work to understand the sociological, economic, and cultural interactions between countries of the world.
Management: Sokka
Sokka is a warrior of the Southern Water Tribe who worked under his father to develop leadership skills. His emotional journey was filled with self-doubt and personal realignment to become a strong and resilient learner.
The Management major reflects Sokka’s ability to lead forces against the Fire Nation throughout the show. Using Sokka-like charisma and leadership, these business majors can adapt to many different fields of work to apply their expertise to a wide range of financial operations.
Engineering: Katara
So, for this one, I’m specifically talking about women in STEM. Engineering is a typically male-dominated major, with the ratio of male to female graduates being heavily skewed to men. Nevertheless, girls are academic weapons as they pursue their degrees, just as Katara was relentlessly determined to master water bending.
In the Northern Water Tribe, waterbending as an offensive attack strategy was taught to men only. Katara proved that she was equally capable of learning water bending and became an amazing example of women’s power. These barriers are very comparable to those faced by female engineers.
Geology: Toph
Look, I know Toph is not a part of Book One. I know she hasn’t been introduced in the live-action yet, but she’s still my favorite character, so pretend for me that she’s included.
This comparison is painfully simple. Toph is an Earthbender who only wishes to explore the world outside of her controlling parents. Geology majors have the opportunity to explore the natural world and learn about the intricacy and details of the chemistry that balances the earth.
Sociology: Zuko
Zuko’s emotional journey is one of the most critical of the entire show. We watch as a conflicted teenage boy works out the relationship between his morals and his love for his family.
Sociology majors study the connections and social divisions that divide and bring all people on Earth together. I would imagine that Zuko would initially be challenged with this practice, but ultimately find it fascinating. He could use the knowledge to become a more knowledgeable Fire Lord who can empathize and understand people from all nations.
Philosophy: Iroh
Uncle Iroh is a wise and strong warrior who guides his nephew, Zuko, through all the emotional and mental challenges that he endures. He commonly quotes philosophical teachings, such as, “Pride is not the opposite of shame, but its source. True humility is the only antidote to shame.”
Philosophy majors can relate to Iroh, as he uses his teachings in his every day to inspire and educate those around him. Philosophy majors can use what they learn to define their morals as well, making Iroh a perfect match.
Political Science: Azula
Finally, we get to touch on Princess Azula. Azula is an amazingly well-written character who endures similar emotional journeys to Zuko. She prioritizes her time in the show coming up with offensive attack strategies for the Fire Nation to move up the ranks of the nation’s government.
Understanding the balance of military and social means in her nation makes her highly representative of the Political Science major.
That wraps up my thoughts on which majors all the Avatar: The Last Airbender characters represent! As more seasons of the live-action come out, consider what major future characters resemble as you watch the show. You never know: a character might be more like you than you think.
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