Over 13 years have passed sinceAvatarfirst hit theaters in 2009. With a new decade, and new technology, finally comes the sequel that many have been waiting for.Avatar:The Way of Watercontinues exploring the beautifully crafted world of Pandora, with many characters, creatures, and locations bringing a new sense of awe.
People lovedAvatarfor its sense of beauty, and the sequel,Avatar:The Way of Water, excels at that beauty. There are many things thatAvatar:The Way of Wateradds to thefranchise’s lore. It gives some sense of where the franchise could head next, and what else could be learned about the mysterious and beautiful world of Pandora.
Spoilers ahead forAvatar:The Way of Water
7Brain Cloning
When Jake Sully’s insurgency won in 2009’sAvatar, many expected not to see Colonel Quaritch again. However, with the Resources Development Administration returning to Pandora inAvatar:The Way of Water, they knew that they would need experienced fighters with their avatars. This is where theRecombinant unit is created.
This special unit of soldiers consists of humans that were killed in the struggle against the N’avi, but only the ones that were selected after having their memories embedded in the data. This data istransferred to an avatar body, essentially uploading a consciousness, a digital copy of one’s mind to be saved in the event of death.
6N’avi Cultures
The primary clan that audiences witness inAvataris the Omatikaya Clan. This clan focuses on and thrives in the jungles of Pandora. When Jake Sully assembled the tribes of Pandora against the sky people, many thought they were of one culture but of different locations and tribes. However,Avatar:The Way of Waterseeks to rectify that.
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InThe Way Of Water, audiences are introduced to the Metkayina Clan. This clan is located in Pandora’s reefs and focuses on the water. The inhabitants have a close relationship with the oceans and underwater creatures. They are visually different, with a more aquatic skin tone, tattoos, and different tails. They also have different skills from the Omatikaya Clan.
5Underwater Worlds
Although there is much left to explore in the jungle of Pandora, the oceans open up near infinite possibilities. The oceans feature prominently inAvatar:The Way of Water,and they are filled with aquatic life and plants. The water has its connection to the N’avi god, Eywa, and there’s an entire worldbelow the surface of Pandora.
Audiences will meet aquatic life, such as the Tulkun, a whale-like creature with a great understanding of emotion and intelligence. There’s much beauty in the aquatic life inAvatar:The Way of Water, and these underwater worlds show the potential of the franchise.
4New N’avi Abilities
Not only are N’avi great hunters and climbers, butAvatar:The Way of Waterfurther shows what the N’avi are capable of. The species are already extraordinary, with thick skin and the ability to connect creatures with a bond like no other. The N’avi of the Omatikaya Clan learn the ways of the Metkayina Clan, and with it, comes new abilities.
Considering that the Omatikaya N’avi have no use for water breathing and the taming of water creatures, it’s no surprise these abilities were not seen in the previous film. These new abilities add to the lore and show that the N’avi are one with Pandora.
3Tulkun Hunting
The Tulkuns of Pandora are extremelyspiritual and emotional. Their intellect is vast and told through a uniqueness that is understood by the N’avi. The intellect that they hold gives them their own culture and an establishment of non-violence. However, this non-violence makes them easy prey for the sky people.
The Tulkuns are soonhunted by the Resources Development Administrationin a new effort to obtain money back on Earth. It’s discovered that Tulkuns contain a yellow liquid in their brains called Amrita, which can stop humans from aging, making them valuable and innocent targets.
2Spirit Siblings
The N’avi continue to show how they are connected to Pandora and its god through the use of Soul Siblings. This kinship between Tulkuns and N’avi exists with the Metkayina Clan, and they engage in a lifelong bond with a Tulkun throughout their early life, and to its end.
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Tulkuns and Metkayina members reunite every cycle. They share music, and poetry, and celebrate each other’s families. It’s a beautiful union of life and shows how love is a universal language, and how the N’avi love to share their experiences with all manners of creatures.
1Connection To Eywa
There is much mystery still to be discovered about Eywa. The N’avi believe Eywa is the sentient god of life on Pandora, and that Eywa works in ways only Eywa can understand, whether that is through the Woodsprites or the influence of nature against invaders. One character, in particular, furthers her quest to discover Eywa.
Kiri is the adopted daughter of Jake Sullyand Neytiri, and she believes that she can feel Eywa. She believes she can hear her heartbeat and her breathing.Kiri has an unnatural connectionto the world around her, abnormal to that of a normal N’avi. This makes her closer to Eywa, and perhaps a host for Eywa’s will.
