Bolin, the beloved earthbender from The Legend of Korra, is known for his unique bending style. But this distinctiveness raises a key question: Does Bolin Learn Metal Bending? This article explores Bolin’s bending technique, comparing it to traditional earthbending and examining why he struggles with metalbending while excelling at lavabending.
Bolin’s Unorthodox Bending Style
Bolin’s earthbending is first showcased in pro-bending, where he emphasizes agility and light footwork. He instructs Korra to “stay light on her toes,” contrasting sharply with Toph Beifong’s teachings in Avatar: The Last Airbender. Toph, who learned from the original earthbenders – the badgermoles – stressed a firm stance, instructing Aang to be “steady and strong, like a rock.” This fundamental difference in approach hints at the core of Bolin’s struggles with metalbending.
While Bolin’s technique might be effective in the fast-paced world of pro-bending, it seemingly contradicts the fundamental principles of traditional earthbending. Even outside the arena, Bolin’s less conventional style seems to hinder his progress.
The Metalbending Challenge
Despite his strong desire and persistent effort, Bolin fails to learn metalbending. Suyin Beifong, a master metalbender, points out that his attitude is the only obstacle. However, Korra, despite displaying less passion for the skill, quickly masters it. This stark contrast further highlights the potential disconnect between Bolin’s bending foundation and the requirements of metalbending.
Bolin’s upbringing might offer an explanation. Raised by his older brother, Mako, a firebender, after losing his parents, Bolin likely lacked formal training in the traditional earthbending disciplines of strength and groundedness. This lack of foundational knowledge might be the missing piece in his metalbending puzzle. Korra’s success, conversely, could be attributed to her training with the White Lotus, grounding her in the classical style that seems essential for metalbending.
Lavabending: A Contrasting Success
Ironically, Bolin achieves mastery in lavabending, a feat neither Toph nor Korra demonstrably achieve. This unexpected success suggests that Bolin’s unique style, while unsuitable for metalbending, might actually be conducive to lavabending. Perhaps the fluidity and adaptability inherent in his technique align better with the molten nature of lava.
Conclusion: A Matter of Foundation
While the series offers no explicit explanation for Bolin’s metalbending struggles, his unconventional training and upbringing provide a plausible theory. His lack of formal grounding in traditional earthbending principles likely hindered his ability to connect with the rigid nature of metal. Conversely, this same unorthodox approach might have unlocked his lavabending potential. Bolin’s journey underscores the importance of a strong foundation in any discipline and how diverging from established principles can lead to both unexpected successes and frustrating limitations. Ultimately, Bolin’s story highlights the diverse and evolving nature of bending itself.
