Toph still has one of the greatest character intros of all time

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Current Events » Toph still has one of the greatest character intros of all time
pinky0926
06/09/2025
06:56 PM
#1
They didn't need to go that hard but they did

CE's Resident Scotsman.
http://i.imgur.com/ILz2ZbV.jpg
DrizztLink
06/09/2025
06:57 PM
#2
They didn't need to go that hard, because it was impossible to not have the intro be hype.

They had no choice.
He/Him http://guidesmedia.ign.com/guides/9846/images/slowpoke.gif https://i.imgur.com/M8h2ATe.png
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Hikewne
06/09/2025
08:15 PM
#3
Agreed.
What are you waiting for? You're free.
KajeI
06/09/2025
08:16 PM
#4
Toph is the GOAT, unquestionably.
Look, I can name a few instances in MY life where I tried to reach mutual understanding
and i can TELL you, always faster and easier to just kill em. Just is!
621
06/09/2025
09:59 PM
#5
literally just goes "LMAO the boulder"
Allmind exists for all mercenaries.
pegusus123456
06/09/2025
11:28 PM
#6
It's the rare example of a character who experiences absolutely no growth, is a complete Mary Sue, and still manages to be incredibly written and beloved
https://i.imgur.com/Er6TT.gif https://i.imgur.com/Er6TT.gif https://i.imgur.com/Er6TT.gif
So? I deeded to some gay porn. It doesn't mean anything. - Patty_Fleur
Evening_Dragon
06/09/2025
11:31 PM
#7
pegusus123456 posted...
It's the rare example of a character who experiences absolutely no growth, is a complete Mary Sue, and still manages to be incredibly written and beloved

You've done it now.

I contend that Mary Sue involves character dynamics, not just being static and overall highly capable.
And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to your span of life?
It's Guide
_____Cait
06/09/2025
11:41 PM
#8
I wouldnt call Toph a Mary Sue. She does have moments of weakness. She is just a lot more experienced and emotionally mature than the rest of the cast.
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lilORANG
06/09/2025
11:44 PM
#9
Toph has growth. She's somewhat aloof and distant at first, and uses humor to hide insecurities. By the end she's buds with the whole crew. Just because she starts as a capable bender and we don't see the same combat progression like the other characters doesn't mean she doesn't grow emotionally.

Plus she does invent metal bending so even her bending improves some.
Science and Algorithms
Enclave
06/09/2025
11:48 PM
#10
She also has PLENTY of character flaws, they just aren't regarding her bending.
The commercial says that Church isn't for perfect people, I guess that's why I'm an atheist.
party_animal07
06/09/2025
11:52 PM
#11
I like Toph more with every rewatch of Avatar. She's such an awesome character and I never get tired of the blind gags.
https://warpzone.me/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/GRANDIA_-696x509.jpg
DiScOrDtHeLuNaTiC
06/10/2025
12:20 AM
#12
pegusus123456 posted...
It's the rare example of a character who experiences absolutely no growth, is a complete Mary Sue, and still manages to be incredibly written and beloved
The summary on Wikipedia says:

"beautiful young women possessing special abilities or physical traits, universally beloved by the more established characters, and playing a central role in the story despite not appearing in the source material."

Let's break this down.

- beautiful young woman : I maintain Toph is, and should at her age be considered, just a girl. Katara is a young woman.

- possessing special abilities or physical traits : accurate

- universally beloved by the more established characters : Nope. She, Katara, and Sokka constantly antagonize her; Aang is more respectful, but even he has his moments of irritation with her.

- playing a central role in the story despite not appearing in the source material : Also nope. She's in the source material.
I am the infinite stairwell between integers.
pegusus123456
06/10/2025
12:21 AM
#13
DiScOrDtHeLuNaTiC posted...
The summary on Wikipedia says:
I don't care, y'all know got-damn well what I meant
https://i.imgur.com/Er6TT.gif https://i.imgur.com/Er6TT.gif https://i.imgur.com/Er6TT.gif
So? I deeded to some gay porn. It doesn't mean anything. - Patty_Fleur
_____Cait
06/10/2025
01:16 AM
#14
A mary-sue is just a character that the universe develops around, where it is usually the character developing within it. Best example is modern Pokemon games, where everyone constantly telling you how wonderful and kind and smart and cool you are. You never lose, everyone likes you, and even the villains change because of you. You dont have a personality that can change, you are static great.

Tooh isnt that.

Also whats up with that wiki article, sounds like someone edited it poorly. Thats why I wouldnt trust wikis as a good source.

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DiScOrDtHeLuNaTiC
06/10/2025
05:11 AM
#15
pegusus123456 posted...
I don't care, y'all know got-damn well what I meant
Yeah, I do. You were still wrong.
I am the infinite stairwell between integers.
pinky0926
06/10/2025
05:14 AM
#16
Y'all went so hard on pegusus, lol

I think what he was getting at is that they really went over the top in showing how strong Toph is, and it could have easily been too much or created balance issues, but somehow it just works in this context.
CE's Resident Scotsman.
http://i.imgur.com/ILz2ZbV.jpg
621
06/10/2025
05:19 AM
#17
pinky0926 posted...
Y'all went so hard on pegusus, lol

I think what he was getting at is that they really went over the top in showing how strong Toph is, and it could have easily been too much or created balance issues, but somehow it just works in this context.

people get way too defensive about mary sues imo. like, who cares, they're fun!

yes I still watch hokuto no ken
Allmind exists for all mercenaries.
pegusus123456
06/10/2025
05:51 AM
#18
DiScOrDtHeLuNaTiC posted...
Yeah, I do. You were still wrong.
Oh noooooooo

pinky0926 posted...
Y'all went so hard on pegusus, lol
It's a term people like to be really pedantic about for some reason. Like Discord mentions that it has to be in fanfiction and that's just silly. The term has evolved beyond the literal Mary Sue that Kirk and Spock once idolized.
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So? I deeded to some gay porn. It doesn't mean anything. - Patty_Fleur
pegusus123456
06/10/2025
06:00 AM
#19
And oh lmao, I looked up the wikipedia article after posting it and Discord decided to post the summary that's specifically talking about the Mary Sue character that originally appeared in a parody of self-insert Star Trek fanfics instead of the more general summary used in the opening line.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/e/e0a490ec.png

The article points out that Paula Smith later compared the Mary Sues she was parodying to characters like Superman, indicating she did not consider it just a fanfiction trope.

I don't think Mary Sue is an inherently critical term. Toph is an example of a well written one.
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So? I deeded to some gay porn. It doesn't mean anything. - Patty_Fleur
Mistere_Man
06/10/2025
06:16 AM
#20
She had growth she became Melon Lord!
Water+Fall=Radiation.
DiScOrDtHeLuNaTiC
06/10/2025
09:47 AM
#21
pegusus123456 posted...


It's a term people like to be really pedantic about for some reason. Like Discord mentions that it has to be in fanfiction and that's just silly. The term has evolved beyond the literal Mary Sue that Kirk and Spock once idolized.
Literally nothing in my post mentioned fanfiction. I just pointed out that Toph doesn't fit the typical standards of a Mary Sue.
I am the infinite stairwell between integers.
pegusus123456
06/10/2025
02:31 PM
#22
DiScOrDtHeLuNaTiC posted...
Literally nothing in my post mentioned fanfiction. I just pointed out that Toph doesn't fit the typical standards of a Mary Sue.

DiScOrDtHeLuNaTiC posted...
playing a central role in the story despite not appearing in the source material: Also nope. She's in the source material.

https://i.imgur.com/Er6TT.gif https://i.imgur.com/Er6TT.gif https://i.imgur.com/Er6TT.gif
So? I deeded to some gay porn. It doesn't mean anything. - Patty_Fleur
DrizztLink
06/10/2025
03:58 PM
#23
DiScOrDtHeLuNaTiC posted...
Literally nothing in my post mentioned fanfiction. I just pointed out that Toph doesn't fit the typical standards of a Mary Sue.
He's talking about how the descriptors you specifically used come from the paragraph talking about the origins of the term, which were outright related to Star Trek fanfiction trends.
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A_Good_Boy
06/10/2025
04:00 PM
#24
First Kelsier and now Toph?
Who is? I am!
MuscleRobo
06/10/2025
04:00 PM
#25
Random question but why is Avatar so under merchandised for such a beloved show? I saw playmates was releasing some new Mighty Morphing Power Rangers toys and I find it hard to believe just a simple line of the Series 1 characters similar to Marvel Legends or Star Wars Black Series wouldn't do better.
A_Good_Boy
06/10/2025
04:03 PM
#26
MuscleRobo posted...
Random question but why is Avatar so under merchandised for such a beloved show? I saw playmates was releasing some new Mighty Morphing Power Rangers toys and I find it hard to believe just a simple line of the Series 1 characters similar to Marvel Legends or Star Wars Black Series wouldn't do better.
Cause for some reason Nickelodeon seems like they hate the franchise. It's super popular despite them, not because of them.
Who is? I am!
DiScOrDtHeLuNaTiC
06/11/2025
11:11 AM
#27
MuscleRobo posted...
Random question but why is Avatar so under merchandised for such a beloved show? I saw playmates was releasing some new Mighty Morphing Power Rangers toys and I find it hard to believe just a simple line of the Series 1 characters similar to Marvel Legends or Star Wars Black Series wouldn't do better.
McFarlane released some new figs in 2023, I believe, but I only ever saw one wave.

I am the infinite stairwell between integers.
Current Events » Toph still has one of the greatest character intros of all time