Two decades after the landmark animated fantasy series premiered,Avatar: The Last Airbenderstill has an unshakable presence in the cultural zeitgeist. This is evidenced by the fact that the original voice cast was in attendance at San Diego Comic-Con, and one actor in particular shared a heartwarming story illustrating how the show has shaped lives.
Netflix’slive-action remake ofAvatar: The Last Airbenderhas been renewed for seasons 2 and 3, but it just hasn’t had the same impact as the original. At San Diego Comic-Con 2025,several members of the original cast participated in theAvatar: The Last Airbender20th Anniversary panel,where somefirst looks atAvatar: Seven Havenswere shared.
Additionally, while speaking withScreenRant’s Ash Crossan,Toph’s original voice, Michaela Jill Murphy, shared an emotional story of a recent interaction with a fan.Murphy revealed that meeting this person, who had lost her vision, emphasized the importance of Toph’s character and prompted her to provide more accessible items at conventions. Check out Murphy’s comments below:
EXCLUSIVE: I feel like we all have definitely little highlights. I’m very fortunate to, obviously, voice Toph, who is incredible on her own, but represents a lot of the disabled community, and a lot of just fierce, tomboy, sassy gals. One of my favorites, it was earlier this year in February, I met a fan named Saturn, she had vision growing up, so she watched Avatar, and then she lost her vision, so now she can’t see anything. No color, no movement, nothing. So, she still has Avatar in her memory, and she listens to it, and Toph is what helps her be okay as she was actively losing her sight, and just watching Avatar to feel okay. We had a moment, and cried and hugged each other, and I feel so silly giving an autograph or taking a picture with somebody that can’t see it. So finally, I gave her a turtle duck I had on my table at the time so that she could cuddle it and take it home with her. But, I finally have braille prints now, so you’re able to feel the title of the show, and my name and stuff, because I was like, “I need something that they can feel, and be that this is from that day.”
What Michaela Jill Murphy’s Fan Interaction Story Means For Avatar: The Last Airbender
Avatar Is Still Inspiring Fans & The Cast Is Learning From Them
Toph, a blind earthbender who uses her power to sense her surroundings and is just as formidable as any other member of theAvatarcast, is still one of the best instances of disability representation.Murphy has seemingly had some emotional interactions over the years due to Toph’s portrayal, but even she is still learning what she can do to improve the fan experience.
Murphy handing out braille prints is a great idea, which allows sight-impaired fans to be more in touch with the convention experience, an especially important facet when it concerns a popular blind character.All this speaks toAvatar’s lasting legacy, as well as the importance of making the show and surrounding events accessibleto all fans.
Our Take On Michaela Jill Murphy’s ATLA Story
The Prints Are A Great Idea – More People Should Do It
Avatarwill likely continue to be so beloved as new generations discover it and the cast and crew continue to adapt to fans' needs. However,I hope that other members of theAvatarcast and even other movies and TV shows will take a page out of Murphy’s book,have braille prints on hand, and consider other accessible souvenirs.
This will allow any fictional story that has inspired people to reach as many of them as possible, making fan spaces more welcoming to all. Murphy’s interaction with this fan proves that new audiences are always discovering properties likeAvatar: The Last Airbenderand being changed by them, and the cast and crew behind them should be ready to encourage this.
