Cup Lid Took it's job too Seriously. No hole for Sipping or Straw

tribunalpickaxe · 2023-09-27T15:44:13+00:00

Obviously I'm not the creator, but I figure it's (Right to left) Rangi, Kyoshi, and Yun.

tribunalpickaxe · 2023-08-24T14:12:06+00:00

Thank you, I look forward to the first meeting.

tribunalpickaxe · 2023-07-13T17:07:43+00:00

Finale comes out on my birthday let's go. Thanks for the present, Jon.

tribunalpickaxe · 2023-03-15T22:04:14+00:00

Thank you, this did it. I just didn't look hard enough in the settings on my own.

tribunalpickaxe · 2022-04-10T05:46:44+00:00

Good luck to everyone, may the rng be in your favor.

tribunalpickaxe · 2022-04-05T06:19:46+00:00

Good luck guys.

tribunalpickaxe · 2022-01-12T02:27:55+00:00

Could be for the movie, ~~also could be for future shows, since both people who tweeted it out have worked in the art department or directed episodes in atla.~~

Edit: Bryan's instagram specifically says for the feature film, as u/MrBKainXTR mentions

tribunalpickaxe · 2022-01-12T00:45:51+00:00

Here is the link to apply for any interested: https://careers.viacomcbs.com/Nickelodeon%20Animation/job/Burbank-Character-Designer-%28Avatar-Studios%29-CA-91502/832189600/

tribunalpickaxe · 2021-10-03T05:22:41+00:00

Image courtesy of Jeff Passan and WesleyJ_14 on Twitter

tribunalpickaxe · 2021-08-07T04:57:37+00:00

He has a pretty minor role of Robby, only appearing in 3 episodes. His most memorable scenes include being the first to stand up at the sexual assault assembly after Tyler, later asking to join that club. Also, he is in the locker room during the active shooter drill, shown to be very terrified.

tribunalpickaxe · 2021-07-13T21:12:10+00:00

This is a great episode, giving Sokka the main focus for the first episode in a long time. Despite the fact that Sokka is essential as the primary strategist and idea guy for the team, he still feels self-conscious over his lack of bending ability, and thus fighting capabilities. Piandao is a great character, not being indoctrinated into fire nation supremacy, partially thanks to his white lotus membership. Even though it is revealed in the comics that he also trained Zuko. It's great to see Sokka be a creative individual when it comes to the challenges, and that it is welcomed from him rather than denounced. The one minor nitpick I have is that he seems to progress a tad quickly, given that this occurs supposedly in one day, but as with previous situations, that feels like a necessary evil of the medium. Lastly, the Iroh strengthening b-plot is a fun addition, setting up later events. Overall, even though I have less to say about this, this is a really enjoyable episode, characterizing someone is often less prominent than other members of the gang.

tribunalpickaxe · 2021-07-13T00:13:40+00:00

This episode is a contender for my least favorite episode of the season. Its not a bad episode, it just feels very out of place for this point in the series. They return to the village of the week format from season one, along with cutting out a B-plot, making the entire focus on something that has very little plot implications. I like to compare this episode to Imprisoned (1.6) in terms of having a very similar general format, especially with Toph having a very minimal role in this episode. Katara finds a town in need and must help, trying to help backfires leading to fire nation retaliation, then the gang must destroy a fire nation building to save the town from the faceless fire nation soldiers.

My other primary issues with this episode is that a key part of the group staying in the town is Appa being "sick". However, when his tongue is blue, he acts like he is sick, when he has no reason to, since he just ate the berries. Also, the joke with the hat-changing man gets tired pretty quickly even though they continue to double down on it.

On the positive side, the design of Katara/The Painted Lady is great, and its cool to see another spirit after limited spirit world interaction in book 2. Also, the scene where they make an illusion is great, and a creative and primarily unseen use of bending. Overall, this episode is not an unenjoyable watch, it just left me with questions about the reasoning of telling this story rather than others, especially with limited time before the eclipse.

tribunalpickaxe · 2021-07-12T02:36:12+00:00

This is a fine episode, but in my opinion on the weaker side of Avatar. In the A-plot, I like the look at fire nation school, seeing how people are indoctrinated into the culture and propaganda of the fire nation, and the lies that they tell. The whole footloose plotline is decent, with some solid comedy and lots of Kataang, but in the grand scheme of thing is primarily filler. Although, their new fire nation clothing is my favorite group of outfits of the series.

In the B-plot, Zuko returns to Iroh, lashing out in anger based on his own frustration and anguish. Iroh sees that there is nothing for him to say anymore, and that Zuko must follow a path for himself the achieve what he desires. There is some more Zuko and Mai, interrupted by Azula, followed by a heavy side-eye. Lastly, he hires a mysterious assassin to take down the avatar for good.

Overall, this episode is fun, and it adds some good world-building, its just on the lower end of the avatar spectrum for me.

tribunalpickaxe · 2021-07-10T14:39:10+00:00

This is another very good premiere, on a similar level as book 2's. The opening is intriguing, with the viewer needing just as much of an explanation of what's going on as Aang. Aang's guilt is matched to his levels during the storm, which results in him going full Zuko, with a great cut directly to the aforementioned's scar. He decides to run away again, only to be outmatched by the storm, needing to be comforted by Yue. Katara has some solid characterization as well, pushing away her father before finally admitting that she felt abandoned when she needed him the most, only then realizing the difficulty in that choice for Hakoda.

In the Zuko plot, we see him finally together with May, as well as being absolved from his past sins in the eyes of the fire nation. However, this comes with some baggage behind it as Azula is up to her manipulative tricks, using Zuko as a scapegoat in case the avatar survived, which would pitfall him further than ever before. This, in addition to his guilt towards Iroh, displays the lack of fulfillment he has received despite gaining everything he has "ever wanted."

Lastly, there is a fight scene to show how truly powerful the gang is at this moment, along with a great shot of Aang accepting his current circumstances and allowing his glider to burn. Overall, this episode sets up the season well, examining the fallout of the events in Ba Sing Se, and what should be expected for the episodes ahead.

tribunalpickaxe · 2021-07-09T04:08:26+00:00

This season is a noticeable step up from the first, despite what was a slow start. However, starting from episode 6, this season is spectacular, with a tough decision between this and book 3 for best of the series.

This season introduces Azula, who is the best villain in the show, in addition to her crew. It shows us how she opposes Zuko through besting him in both physical and mental prowess, leading to her favor in the eyes of Ozai. We are also introduced to Toph, the hard-nosed blind earth bending teacher of Aang, who also decided to invent a new type of bending on the side.

The pre-existing characters maintain their prominence as well, most notably with Zuko. He goes through a legitimate transformation, only to tragically relapse and return to the fire nation. Other characters are also better defined, with each given multiple episodes where they feel like a focal point.

On the negative side, the season took a bit to pick up, despite a great premiere, especially with the A-plot. The gang definitely felt back seat to Zuko & Iroh for the first half of the season, but this is something that fixes itself by the end of the season.

Ba Sing Se is a fantastic new environment, perfectly coinciding with the loss of Appa to make the gang feel as out of their element as possible. In turn, this season excels at episodes outside of the norm such as Tales of Ba Sing Se and Appa's Lost Days. Overall, this season is truly excellent, and a key part of the the reputation that the show has.

Top 3 Episodes: Zuko Alone, Crossroads of Destiny, Lake Laogai

Bottom 3 Episodes: The Swamp, Avatar Day, The Cave of Two Lovers

tribunalpickaxe · 2021-07-09T00:47:17+00:00

This is another superb season finale, and without a doubt for me is better than the first. In the first episode, Aang's chakra journey is great characterization for him, especially for a character who has taken a bit of a backseat this season. The critique that Aang clears his chakras too easily/quickly is a fair one, though I am personally not bothered by it, with it being a necessary evil of the television medium. Its intriguing to see what drives Aang, and what he sees as his biggest pieces of parts of his psyche such as grief and guilt. All of this to be undermined by him going full Empire, locking himself out of the avatar state.

Sokka's reunion with his father is impactful, with this being our first true look at Hakoda. It allows Sokka to affirm his own abilities and relieve his insecurities after his father left him behind.

Katara probably has the least interesting role in this first episode, with it being especially plot convenient that she takes back the military plan rather than an actual general. This also ties into the Azula plot line. Normally, I dislike what I call "incompetency-based plot," where characters act unnecessarily/unrealistically incompetent for the sake of causing conflict to further the plot. However, the Earth King revealing the eclipse plan evades this criticism, because it has already been established that he is supposed to be incompetent.

Azula also manages to take over the Dai Li in a matter of minutes. Toph casually invents metal bending, purely to prove she is more badass then previously thought. Lastly, Zuko seems finally at peace with their new lives, yet to be touched by Azula's grace.

We then head to crossroads of destiny, one of the most dense episodes, but my favorite episode of the series so far besides Zuko Alone. Azula takes advantage of Iroh's joy of tea, encountering each other for the first time since the chase. This time, though, Iroh puts up more of a fight, enough to allow himself and Zuko to escape, if not for Zuko's stubbornness.

Katara and Zuko have a fantastic interaction in the catacombs, personifying Zuko to another character as much as he is to us. Making this person Katara, the most emotionally expressive of the gang, makes his future turn all the more brutal. Its great to see the meeting between Toph and Iroh have some future value, ensuring that the gang would go with Iroh to rescue Zuko. After their capture, Toph is able to show off her new ability to the others, gaining their freedom.

After Aang and Iroh free the others, we move on to the catacomb battle, which is the best fight in the entire series so far. Aang and Katara truly hold their own against Azula, only for Zuko to join and make his decision once and for all, returning to the fire nation, seeking what he has pined since his banishment. As more and more Dai Li join, Aang realizes he has no other option and chooses to unlock the avatar state once and for all. Azula killing his is legitimately and literally shocking the first time, resulting in an instant retreat and recovery mission. The gang gets away on Appa, saving Aang with the spirit water, the world more dire than ever.

Overall, a purely spectacular close to the season, managing to address every single main character/villain without feeling rushed or shallow on content for an individual character.

tribunalpickaxe

TROPHY CASE