Revisit the Earth Kingdom's capital city, Ba Sing Se, in , in which listeners are introduced to a cast of new heroes. Author Judy I. Lin () reveals the story of Jin, an orphan and lower ring refugee who knows all too well the violence and military might of the Fire Nation.
As Avatar Aang inconspicuously makes his way through the city, Jin must set off on an adventure of her own, joining the fight against the Fire Nation—all while trying to keep her best friend, Susu, safe. But when rumors of the Avatar kick up just as Jin makes an attempt to save her friend from a mounting conspiracy, she must risk everything in order to protect her newfound home. Here, Judy I. Lin shares further thoughts on the cultural legacy of the Avatar: The Last Airbender animated TV series, Jin's character and background, and the joy of writing about food.
Avatar: The Last Airbender is a highly popular television series that continues to capture the hearts of those who grew up with the original story and newcomers alike. How does it feel to be a writer included in the legacy of the franchise?
As a fan of the series, I was aware of the influence of Avatar: The Last Airbender and know how meaningful it still is to so many people 20 years later. I was truly honored to receive the opportunity to contribute to the Avatar universe. So, it is my hope that Avatar Legends: City of Echoes captures the sense of adventure that the show gave me when I first watched it.
City of Echoes follows the story of Jin, a new hero, who’s a refugee living in the legendary Ba Sing Se and orphaned by the Fire Nation. How would you describe her character and personality?
Even though we only get to meet Jin for a short time in the show, I knew there was something special about her. She seemed soft at first, but she exhibited a stubborn optimism that was a fun contrast to Zuko’s more serious demeanor. I had fun expanding on her background for the novel. Jin is a person who values family and friendship first and foremost. Jin longs for a meaningful connection, but she is hesitant to trust because she has experienced so much loss in her life. In that way, we get to see in the book she has more in common with Zuko than we initially believed.
The Last Airbender is loved for many standout characters that play integral roles in helping the Avatar defeat the Fire Nation. What was your favorite part about creating the character of Jin, her story, and those around her?
From the moment we were introduced to Ba Sing Se, I was immediately drawn to how vibrant and alive the city appeared on the screen. There were so many little details—from the architecture to the clothing—that pulled me in. I knew I wanted to write a book about the people who lived there, and Jin, being such as iconic character, was the one I thought would be able to best show what life is like as a commoner. I thought she was especially relatable because of how much she liked food (just like me!), and she would know all the foodie spots around the city. The story expanded from there and, in the end, Ba Sing Se became like a character in itself, encompassing her family, her friends, the places, and neighborhoods she grows to care about in the story. My favorite part—other than writing about the food—was that I was given the freedom to imagine the characters from the show Jin may have crossed paths with in the city. There were so many characters we meet in the show that we didn’t get to follow up with while Team Avatar was solving problems in other parts of the world. I was happy Avatar Studios gave me the opportunity to be playful with a few of these characters and showcase them participating in their own adventures, which was really special.
