I never noticed the Asian influence before now, but I think Ax always was there to make the books easier to relate to for non-Americans. As I've mentioned before, the whole "it could even be YOUR home town" bit was less of an impact to those outside of the U.S., since the books were clearly set there. So, Ax being from another PLANET, helped non-Americans to relate a bit more.
Not that there's that much of a cultural difference between Canada and the U.S., but I'm sure you all know what I mean.
I don't really agree with you there...
Well, I think that his insertion in the animorphs group allowed KA to send messages to the readers (all readers and especially American ones as the animrophs were American) and that he was not there so that the foreigners could identify to him but on the contrary he was like a mirror pointing out our own incoherence and allowing us to think of ourselves... You know like in the other's differences you can better define yourself cause without the other everything seems natural to you... but when the other comes and start asking "why do you do this and why do you do that?" you can really begin wondering about the reasons why you do that whereas before it seemed so obvious/natural that you've never asked yourself any question.
Actually, sometimes i kinda thought the Andalites were the American of the universe... in the way they were described. No offense to you (i have nothing against americain people, don't misunderstand me), but it's sometimes the image the USA give in the world. The Andalites are often describe as "the meddlers of the galaxy" who, under the pretext of saving the universe, especially try to protect their own interests.
When I was younger I thought that maybe the andalites were there so that the american reader could identify to them LOL
I know this statement was extreme^^ but i tried to apply the fictional events that occured in the books to real situations in our world.
Actually, now I do apply it to my own country as well (yes, yes nobody is an angel) and I think of it everytime a country claims to want to help people because of "moral".
Well, I think animorphs made me cynical :p