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ASHDEVIL Since: Jan, 2013
09/29/2014 17:05:09 •••

A Different Taste

The Biggest YYMV about Korra is that it is not Avatar: The Last Airbender, and it is up to the individual whether this is a good or bad thing. Avatar was a potentially apocalyptic story about the end of the world and the development of the characters as they tried to defeat this overwhelming enemy that was the Fire Nation. Korra originally deals more with social upheaval and evolution, and focuses on how the world is going to grow now that it is no longer in danger of being destroyed. Korra is, especially if you read some of the Word of God materials, designed to be the equal but opposite of Avatar instead of re-hashing old materials, and thus it necessarily deals with very different characters and issues.

Korra is explicitly Aang's opposite. Where he was spiritual, diplomatic, and best at air bending but had to painstakingly learn everything else, she is brash, a combat junkie, and intuitively learns three elements by age 4 but can't get air. Violence was Aang's last option and her first, but while he had the Avatar State to fall back on when needed she lacks that spirituality and relies on her own skills. And while Aang never wanted to be the Avatar, Korra never wants anything else.

Asami serves as Zuko's counter—he defined himself by his family and past until the very end while she defies her father to do the right thing. Both come from upper-class lifestyles, both are on the outs with distant fathers after losing mothers, and both tend to be broody and confrontative while saying more with silence than words.

Mako counters Katara. Where she was the Team Mom he tries to assume a similar position with debatable success. Katara was consistently shipped with Aang with some Zuko teasers; compare the Mako, Asami, Korra triangle that falls apart. Where Katara kept the group together, Mako distances himself from the awkwardness through his job.

Bolin is like Sokka: always cheerful and upbeat but never quite as self-confident as he seems. See first how he was with Eska (anti-Yue) and then Opal (Suki). He always seems to get the short end of the stick but is still a valued friend.

If you go into this with your mouth set for Avatar Season 4 you will hate Korra. It is about the new trials and tribulations of the next generation. Read the Word of God stuff to get some good subtleties.

Theokal3 Since: Jan, 2012
09/28/2014 00:00:00

A rather good analysis. Frankly I like both shows so far.

TomWithNoNumbers Since: Dec, 2010
09/28/2014 00:00:00

I'd also just like to give props to the review. It's a great review that actually teaches something too

RyochiMayeabara Since: Apr, 2014
09/28/2014 00:00:00

Nice analysis but I personally just feel that this series is weaker from a writing standpoint not because it is not like Avatar: The Last Airbender. They both have their high and low points but I just feel that this series is a lot weaker for reasons already stated on my previous reviews (Looking back on it, some of them were nitpicks but I feel that I did point out some legitimate flaws that in my opinion brought the series down for me).

But at least it is improving though, Season 3 was a great season even with its flaws and I honestly am excited for Season 4 since it seems like they are putting a lot more thought into their ideas.

mostezli Since: Oct, 2013
09/29/2014 00:00:00

Never saw Asami as Zuko's counter (more Zuko in Mako then there is in Asami), but your comparison is reasonable all the same. If she was really opposite to anyone, Toph would be the one. Both come from upper-class lifestyles, both have a "masculine" hobby, both chose to go against the wishes of their parent(s), and both have developed skills to compensate for their respective handicaps. Of course, Asami has more feminine traits and Toph had the least interest in romantic flings.


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