Whether you think Avatar: Fire and Ash is too similar to The Way of Water, or that James Cameron is repeating himself, and even if you feel there’s too much focus on the character Spider, it’s hard to argue with how impressive the Tulkuns are. These whale-like creatures of Pandora are massive and beautiful, with a unique twist – they have four eyes! Each Tulkun forms a deep, sibling-like bond with a member of the Metkayina, a Na’vi clan that lives by the ocean. Avatar: Fire and Ash adds a surprisingly clever new detail: some of the Tulkuns are now wearing clothes and jewelry.
You might think you’ve seen animals dressed up before, but you’ve probably never seen anything like this! These creatures are incredibly fictional and absolutely massive, sporting things like huge gold earrings and long, flowing cloaks. It might even hinder their swimming, but they look amazing anyway. According to the official Avatar Wiki, Tulkuns are the largest creatures on Pandora – three times bigger than the largest blue whales. So when you see one with an earring, picture an earring the size of a car!
Going into Fire and Ash, I initially thought the Tulkuns wearing clothes – specifically capes and robes – was a cool visual detail. Turns out, it’s actually a bad omen. Something’s seriously wrong within the Tulkun community since we last saw them in The Way of Water. The movie centers around Payakan, the Tulkun who befriended Lo’ak, and he’s on trial for retaliating against humans. Now, these humans were brutally hunting Tulkuns for a youth-enhancing substance found in their brains, but Tulkun law apparently forbids violent responses. The really striking thing is seeing Payakan meet with the elders of his clan – both decked out in formal attire. It’s a visual cue that this isn’t just a casual meeting, but a serious legal proceeding. Honestly, the way the Tulkuns use clothing – those capes and robes – reminded me of English barristers and their wigs; it’s a signifier of formality and the law.
One of the most intriguing details in James Cameron’s Avatar: The Way of Water is seeing the Tulkun creatures wearing clothes and jewelry – it’s the kind of creative choice that sparks endless questions. Who makes these outfits? Who pierces their ears – are those even ears? Since the accessories are properly sized for the Tulkun, do they need new ones as they grow? And how many Na’vi are needed to dress one? These questions don’t have answers, but that’s part of what makes the film so enjoyable. It’s a little disappointing that the Tulkun only wear these outfits for special occasions, though. Hopefully, the next movie will show us what they wear to a party!
Read More
- United Airlines can now kick passengers off flights and ban them for not using headphones
- Crimson Desert: Disconnected Truth Puzzle Guide
- All 9 Coalition Heroes In Invincible Season 4 & Their Powers
- Mewgenics vinyl limited editions now available to pre-order
- Grey’s Anatomy Season 23 Confirmed for 2026-2027 Broadcast Season
- Viral Letterboxd keychain lets cinephiles show off their favorite movies on the go
- Does Mark survive Invincible vs Conquest 2? Comics reveal fate after S4E5
- The Boys Season 5 Spoilers: Every Major Character Death If the Show Follows the Comics
- All Golden Ball Locations in Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties
- How to Get to the Undercoast in Esoteric Ebb
2025-12-19 19:54