I was really upset about Mako (voice of uncle Iro) dieing. I would really have liked to get his autograph one of these days. Oh well. I really liked the dedication they did to him in the episode "Tales of Ba Sing Sei". It was very tastefully done.
As for Toph, she's pretty cool, although I still think Sakka will come into his own as the series progresses. Just a hunch. He can't always be comic relief.
Oh, and water bending is based on Tai Chi, and fire bending is based on the Shou Lin fighting monks. I forget the other two styles, but yes, all of the bending was originally based on actual martial arts styles. I really like the idea that the people doing this show were researching it as deeply as they were.
Of course, you would think they would have come across the idea that Asian cultures don't have the same elements as the western world does. In japan, there are 5 elements, not 4. They are Air, Water, Fire, Wood, and Steel. But still, it's a great show.
Gabriel
