Tonowari Explained | Avatar: The Way of Water Explained

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Published 2023-08-31
A quick comprehensive guide and analysis of Tonowari from James Cameron's Avatar (2009) and Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) Explained.

In this breakdown, analysis, reaction and explanation we focus on Tonowari, played by actor Cliff Curtis, the clan leader or Olo'eyktan of the Metkayina clan. One of the many oceanic clans residing in the atolls region of Pandora's eastern seas.

In this video essay we discuss Tonowari's relationship with his mate/wife Ronal (Kate Winslet), his daughter Tsireya (Bailey Bass) and his son Ao'nung (Filip Geljo). And his stuggle of accepting Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri's (Zoe Saldana) family into the central village of the Metkayina, Awa'atlu. Dealing with the chaos that is Kiri (Sigourney Weaver), Tuk (Trinity Bliss), Neteyam (Jamie Flatters), Spider (Jack Champion), and Lo'ak (Britain Dalton).

Tonowari guides his Na'vi clan through "Times of Great Challenge" as the Captain of the SeaDragon Mick Scoresby (Brendan Cowell), Dr. Ian Garvin (Jemaine Clement) and the rest of Scoresby's crew hunts down their Tulkun spirit brothers and sisters, like Ro'a.

I reference Avatar The Way of Water The Visual Dictionary (2022) and The World of Avatar: A Visual Exploration (2022) to give you some more of that knowledge when it comes to his wardrobe, costume design and overall aesthetic. Like how it is greatly inspired by the teeth of an Akula.

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This video was made by Bryce Edward Brown

All Comments (21)
  • @celly589
    The fact that you keep using the clip of Jake falling down the tree whenever you’re talking about him is 👌
  • I hope that since Jake and his family are officially seen as part of the Metkayina clan, perhaps some of them will acquire tattoos. I feel as though Lo’ak and Jake would get tattoos in the future (especially Lo’ak since he bonded with a Tulkun)
  • @LunCham
    I absolutely love Tonowari.Cliff Curtis was the perfect choice for this character
  • @lucasO3032
    Tonowari was a very kind guy as he actually let them stay, he is a great leader and wanna see him in later movies
  • @Matijas907
    Dude imagine Tonowari fist fighting Quaritch
  • @victortang7610
    Tonowari was by far the best Olo'eyktan we have seen so far in Avatar, he's a wise and reasonable leader of the Metkayina Na'vi and also a caring father to both Ao'nung and Tsireya. He knows when to put the Clan's best interests before himself and when to draw the line and go to war against the Sky People (aka Cet-Ops) , and he treats the Sully family with empathy for their forced relocation from the forest and respect by allowing them to stay with the Metkayina Clan. I like many of the interesting details about him ranging from the tattoos and the mantle which he wears around his neck which has AKULA teeth, and I hope to see him again in Avatar 3. Cliff Curtis has definitely captured Tonowari's personality very well, and I especially like how he conveyed the Metkayina leader's mannerisms and personality traits. A small note: Jake may not be the best Olo'eyktan, but he chose to put in his best efforts to at least try and well...there are some stumbles along the way but from what we know from the Avatar books and comics he did manage to do a reasonably well job. But the process of becoming a great leader of men...I mean, Na'vi does require him to gradually learn the ways of the Olo'eyktan and also adapting to the changing situation that the clan faces on a daily basis. Which was why I really wish to see Tonowari giving some advice to Jake on how to find balance between his human origins and also trying to adapt to the ways of the Na'vi, hopefully in a walk along the beaches of Awa'atlu.
  • @jadenbrown522
    Love Tonowari's Necklace. He is a man of Honor and He Openly Welcomed The Sully Family, just like Tsireya.
  • @Killveous
    Once you get more of the big name characters done; Please consider doing a video about Recom Lyle Wainfleet. He is clearly going to be important in Avatar 3- as he and Miles are the only Recoms to survive. Lyle seems like a dumb marine but he is actually VERY observant and very clever, both as a human in A1 and now as a Na'vi in A2 💙💙💙 And his tattoos are so interesting to look into as well!
  • I absolutely love how detailed your videos are. Your research is amazing and I love learning about everything you have to share.
  • @tonywang9421
    The scene which you replaced Lo'ak's face with Tonowari's is REALLY hilarious😂
  • @lyanna2277
    he is a good leader and Navi because he let the Sully's stay with them and he helped Jake and his family and he is also an interesting character as well.
  • @fishybrickfilms
    We making it out of pandora with this one 🔥🗿🔥🔥
  • About the ikran leather, in the atol it could be seen as a rare and curious material that is hard to get since it has to be traded from afar and that itself can be a status thing. That Tonowari has enough power and respect that he can secure a trade even with distant non-related clans or something of the sort.
  • @GAGods
    Keep up the good work 👍🏼
  • @Neos1heOne
    The cape of all capes! I’m glad you saw it Bryce 😎