First, Korra insists on visiting her parents in the South Pole with her firebending boyfriend, Mako (David Faustino). Simmons), still believes that Korra has a lot to learn about airbending he intends to take her on a spiritual expedition to the world’s remaining Air Temples. Six months since the defeat of Amon, leader of the anti-bending “Equalist” organization, Korra (Janet Varney) is now a seasoned airbender, who can easily slip in and out of the “Avatar state.” But her trainer, Tenzin (J.K. More mature characters, more mature relationships, more mature drama. Nickelodeon also jacked up the ages of the main characters, after realizing that people in their teens and twenties (hi) make up a large portion of the Avatar fan base. And, the city itself looks like Manhattan, San Francisco, Paris, and Hong Kong combined into one…as set in the 1920s. We learn that Aang and Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation have founded Republic City, a capital where people of all races, benders and non-benders alike, can live in harmony. In those seven decades, the universe has changed dramatically, from a world of divided nations to something more united, industrialized, and urban. If you appreciate strong characters and even stronger writing, you won’t be sorry.įlash-forward about seventy years after the events of Avatar: the new Avatar respawns, sometime after Aang’s death, in a seventeen year-old Southern Water Tribe girl named Korra.
It’s an epic series that tells a beautiful coming-of-age story, and it’s definitely worth a look before starting up The Legend of Korra. With the help of his friends, Aang masters his bending abilities and rises against the Fire Nation to save the world. The Avatar, a being who can bend all four elements, is embodied in a twelve year-old air nomad named Aang. When the Fire Nation decides to expand and declares war, the rest of the world waits for the Avatar, a kind of messiah, to restore balance to the universe. Among these nations live a select few people known as “benders,” who are born with the skill to manipulate either fire, water, earth, or air. The first series, known simply as Avatar, depicts a world of four nations: the Fire Nation, the Southern and Northern Water Tribes, the Earth Kingdom, and the Air Temples. And, I’ll say this, the GORGEOUS animation is like nothing you’ve ever seen before. They are, however, heavily influenced by anime, a fantastical Japanese style of animation. Both were created by Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino, and, despite appearances, they are both American shows. Nickelodeon’s The Legend of Korra is the sequel series to an older animated show called Avatar: The Last Airbender. Thus, all is fair.īut, first off, for all you Korra newcomers, here’s a little bit of background and context: Also, for the record, I recently rewatched the premiere, with a completely clear mind. So, Korra fans and followers, come on back…I’m not out to destroy this series. And, that’s partly why I was disappointed: my expectations were that high.īut, I happen to believe that you can enjoy a series/film/whatever and critique it at the same time. The characters, the relationships, the conflicts, the writing, the universe of the franchise itself…in my opinion, both animated shows are among the best on television. I really, REALLY like Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra. And, before you decide to hate me forever, just hear me out. Yep, I was really disappointed with the Season 2 premiere.
The things I shouted at this television screen…things I can never take back. I don’t know if I was tipsy or tired or just had a long week…but MAN. And, because we’re all such nerds, we decide to take the party back to my other friend’s apartment to watch the Season 2 premiere of The Legend of Korra. So, here’s the story: I was out for my friend’s 21st birthday…dinner, drinks, good times all around. Please keep in mind: the following is just one girl’s opinion. But, wow…as much as I LOVE this show, this is going to be painful to write. LegendofLaura finally gets around to Legend of Korra. “I know your heart is in the right place.