Avatar: The Last Airbender Just Gave 1 Of Aang's Silliest Lines A Hilarious Backstory

Warning: SPOILERS ahead for The Reckoning of Roku by Randy Ribay.

Summary

Aang has no shortage of comical moments inAvatar: The Last Airbender, andThe Reckoning of Rokugives one of his silliest lines from the Nickelodeon show a hilarious backstory. Written by Randy Ribay,The Reckoning of Rokudigs intothe origin of the titular Avatar before Aang. As Roku is friends with Monk Gyatso in his youth, readers get to see both of Aang’s mentors in a new light. And Gyatso’s appearance doesn’t just add depth to his relationship with Roku. It also sheds light on his bond with Aang later on.

Gyatso’s story inThe Reckoning of Rokuproves he struggles with the Air Nomads’ philosophy of letting go, just like Aang inAvatar: The Last Airbender. In addition to revealing this more serious layer of their dynamic, the novel also gives one of thefunniestLast Airbenderquotesan expanded background. As it turns out,Gyatso is the one behind the phrase— and this makes Aang’s use of it even more comical.

Sozin frowning in Avatar: The Last Airbender and an image of him and Roku hugging

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The Reckoning Of Roku Gives 1 Line From Avatar: The Last Airbender A Great Backstory

Gyatso Makes Up The Greeting “Flameo Hotman”

The Reckoning of Rokuunexpectedly gives the phrase “flameo hotman” a backstoryafter its use inAvatar: The Last Airbender.Aang uses this phraseas a greeting when Team Avatar visits the Fire Nation inThe Last Airbenderseason 3, insisting that it is customary there. The Fire Nation’s youth don’t seem all that familiar with the lingo, but viewers will likely chalk this up to Aang being out of the loop. After all, the Avatar is frozen in ice for a century. The saying could easily have fallen out of favor while he was gone.

The Reckoning of Rokuoffers another explanation for the confusion, suggesting Gyatso made up this greeting.

The Reckoning of Rokuoffers another explanation for the confusion, suggesting Gyatso made up this greeting. When he and Roku are traveling together, Gyatso makes fun of the Fire Nation by uttering the words “flameo hotman.” Roku insists they don’t actually say that, which means Aang likely picked it from his old friend.Gyatso vows to make it a thing when Roku challenges him, and there’s no better way to follow through on that promise than by teaching the saying to the next Avatar.

The Last Airbender Book Makes Aang’s Use Of “Flameo Hotman” Even More Hilarious

Monk Gyatso Set His Pupil Up

By attributing “flameo hotman” to Gyatso rather than the Fire Nation,The Reckoning of Rokumakes Aang’s incorrect use of the phrase that much funnier. It’s no wonder he gets blank responses to this greeting inAvatar: The Last Airbenderseason 3. Gyatso makes his interactions with the Fire Nation natives delightfully more awkward — though, to their credit, they do go along with it. Aang seems oblivious to what’s happening, which proves Gyatso has a sense of humor. He sets his pupil up inAvatar: The Last Airbender,and Aang hardly even realizes it.