On Nickelodeon’s hit animated tv series; Avatar: The Last Airbender, Toph Beifong and King Bumi were great and powerful Earthbenders. However, which of the two is the stronger one. Who would win there ever was a Toph vs Bumi fight.
Many people would ask “Who was the stronger Earthbender in Avatar: The Last Airbender?” Since they were both on the same side, both of them never really squared off; spurring people to set up Toph vs Bumi fights off the grid.
Let’s face facts. Toph Beifong or King Bumi are certainly in the upper rankings of Earthbenders seen on either Avatar or its follow-up show: The Legend of Korra. They were also very good friends of Aang’s, as well. With the presence each of them held on Avatar, a case can be made for either of them as the stronger Earthbender.
Toph vs Bumi: Meet King Bumi
When viewers first met King Bumi on Avatar, he defied the image of the somewhat nutty old man he appeared to be, and proved to be a formidable opponent for Aang when the two faced off in the episode “The King of Omashu.”
This was also reflected not just in Bumi’s Earthbending skill, but in his physique, as well. Appearing from the outside to pose little threat to the young Avatar simply by virtue of his advanced age, Bumi removed his king’s robes, revealing a body in far greater physical shape than Aang and his friends had ever expected.
Of course, it’s revealed by the end of the episode that Bumi is an old friend of Aang’s from before the latter was frozen, with Bumi having simply been having a little fun with Aang not knowing his identity in the episode.
This showed that Bumi was a sharp strategist by tricking Aang into underestimating him, and that he was able to utilize every advantage at his disposal. While it’s clear that he never had any serious intention of harming Aang by the end of the episode, the fight he gave him nevertheless shows that he is a force to be reckoned with even as an elderly Earthbender.
Meet Toph Beifong
Toph Beifong was on the other side of the coin from Bumi, a blind pre-teen who could easily hold her own against the best Earthbenders in the world. Her blindness did nothing to slow her down, with Toph using the vibrations in the Earth below her feet to perceive the world around her and coordinate her attacks. Her great talent with her native element made her the perfect mentor to train Aang in Earthbending, while she would also be responsible for a quantum leap forward in the discipline.
Specifically, Toph would become the world’s first Metalbender, with metal itself being earth in its most pure and enriched state. Toph would pass the skill on to other Earthbenders while founding Republic City’s police force of Metalbenders seen on The Legend of Korra, with her two daughters Lin and Suyin also becoming Metalbenders. Ultimately, this facet of Toph’s Earthbending ability is the deciding factor in why, between herself and King Bumi, she is the stronger Earthbender.
Aside from being a highly skilled Earthbender to begin with, Toph being the progenitor of an entire new sub-discipline of element bending clearly shows that she possessed a more internalized connection to her element than virtually anyone else in the Earth Kingdom.
Not only that, but the fact that she discovered Metalbending at such a young age shows that her boast of being “the greatest Earthbender in the world” had plenty to back it up. Both King Bumi and Toph Beifong were tremendous fighters with a deep understanding of Earthbending, but in the end, it was Toph who was the strongest Earthbender in Avatar: The Last Airbender.
But that’s just the analytics. Toph vs Bumi actually have faced off, as the tie-in comic Toph vs Bumi: Round One
Toph vs Bumi: Round One; The Comic
Bumi vs. Toph, Round One is a comic that takes place in Book Three: Fire. It was originally released by Nickelodeon Comics Club magazine in 2009 and later released by Dark Horse Comics in The Lost Adventures.
Toph vs Bumi: Round One Overview
While waiting for Sozin’s Comet, Bumi and Toph have an earthbending rumble to decide who is the greatest earthbender of all time.
Synopsis
Hiding out and awaiting their battle with the Fire Lord, Suki is chatting with Bumi and Sokka in disbelief of how the king single-handedly retook Omashu, calling him the greatest earthbender of all time. Toph, who had awoken moments before, overhears their conversation and begins to mock Bumi’s opinion, thinking herself the superior earthbender. Bumi counters by calling her a little girl and stating that he has toenails that bend better than her. Sokka declares that the only way to prove who is more skilled is through an “earthbending rumble”.
Toph vs Bumi: The Fight
After introducing the two earthbenders, Sokka hits a handheld gong to signal the beginning of the duel. Even so, neither Toph nor Bumi attacks, insisting that the other make the first move. When Sokka commands them to fight, they relent and both begin earthbending at the same time.
Suki and Katara arrive at the scene a little later, and the waterbender proceeds to scold Sokka for pitting them against one another, noting that if they get hurt, they will be unable to aid in the battle against the Fire Nation. Toph and Bumi respond to Katara not by ceasing their battle, but by deriding each other with veiled insults.
Toph’s next move evokes an avalanche to fall upon Bumi; who shields himself from the falling boulders from an earthen shield. Their ferocity sends tremors throughout the campsite, interrupting Zuko and the rest of the White Lotus from their creative endeavors.
Fearful that the Fire Nation has invaded; they run to the source of the noise and are surprised to see no enemies. After Sokka explains the duel, Iroh begins to cheer for Bumi despite his nephew’s obvious irritation. Upon Pakku and Jeong Jeong’s objection to the battle; Sokka agrees that it may give away their location and calls the match to end with his gong, but Toph and Bumi are unable to hear it over their earthbending.
Toph vs Bumi Conclusion
In order to end the match; Piandao, Iroh, Zuko, Katara, Pakku, and Jeong Jeong use their skills to negate Toph vs Bumi bending. While everyone is walking away from the battlefield; Sokka tells Suki that, as referee, he has decided the match to have been a draw. Toph and Bumi are happy with the prospect of a rematch that Sokka says they should have later; but Zuko and Katara appear displeased.
Who Would Win A Real Fight
So, what if Toph vs Bumi was actually real. What would happen then? Who would win?
Well, the winner of Toph vs Bumi isn’t so readily clear. Both Bumi and Toph claim during their duel neither of them is using their full powers. This is likely true; considering the kind of damage both of them have proven to be capable of in the past.
Bumi brought down an entire city and army on his own, and with relative ease. But Toph is about as powerful, and she has a number of advantages Bumi lacks. Toph’s inherent ability to follow the earth around her; should give her a natural advantage in any duel with another Earthbender. Her Metalbending prowess also gives her an ability that Bumi really has no actual counter for.
The most important indicator of the battle; comes from the fact Toph hasn’t necessarily reached the peak of her abilities yet. Toph becomes a recurring presence in the fourth season of The Legend of Korra; after having spent the time-skip between the two shows being the chief of the Republic City police department.
She’s revealed to have become even more powerful; developing a connection with the entire world by using the roots of the Spirit Tree. Bumi’s powers might make for an interesting and difficult battle; but it’s unlikely Toph couldn’t keep up with Bumi – especially after she further developed her abilities.
