La leyenda de Korra

Going into this series after having finally watched Avatar: The Last Airbender, I was expecting it to be a classic sequel-case with excessive fan-service and more one-dimensional plot lines and characters.

I'm very glad to say this this really isn't the case. The series does not use The Last Airbender as a crutch - it evolves past it, exploring characters completely different to those seen in the original series, all the while expanding the Avatar universe - everything that a sequel should aim for. This show is wonderful journey not dissimilar to ATLA, but it also stands on its own, and is no less enjoyable.

I cannot recommend this series enough to anybody who enjoyed The Last Airbender.

LOK takes place 70 years after the TLA, with a new Avatar emerging in an ever changing world. Let me start by saying this is not the TLA part 2, while it exists in the same world, this is a brand new story filled with new characters. The show is very good in that sense, as while keeps the charm and environment of the TLA, it makes sure to change the world so we don't have a complete rehash of the same story. While the characters are good, especially the development of Korea herself as it becomes a true joy watching her change into a respectable Avatar. With the story Itself (with the exception of 1 or 2 things) is excellent and truly shows a new take on the Avatar. This is a series that you must watch if you liked TLA, and admittedly season 1 isn't where the series shines the brightest, but the coming seasons show why this is worthy of the Avatar name.

To those uncertain about The Legend of Korra: watch it. It is every bit as good as the original Avatar series was. Set in a more modern world, the new avatar is faced with struggles of a different kind, struggles that relate more to our modern world. Technology is booming, crime is rising, and a revolution is awakening. This is much more real than the last series was.

The characters are built incredibly realistic, too. Korra is a revolutionary heroine: she is realistic, imperfect, hasty, rebellious... all the things that a teenager girl really would be. Faced with difficult decisions, she doesn't always choose the right ones, yet she always learns from them. The other characters also show these strenghts and weaknesses along with equal depth to the characters of The Last Airbender.

While different, troubled, and darker than the original, everyone should give The Legend of Korra a chance. It has many wonders to be seen as of yet and her story is only just beginning.

Avatar: The Legend of Korra is by no means as good as the phenomenal The Last Airbender, but you can tell that the team behind it had a lot on their minds regarding the Avatar universe. And that may be its biggest flaw.

What I mean is that all the elements that made its predecessor so great is still in here, but at the same time it's trying to be its own thing which ends up making it feel all over the place with world-building, character arcs and romance plots either scattered across all four seasons or hastily concluded without feeling fully developed.

The first season is in my opinion the most successful at blending it all together with Korra coming to Republic City to discover a colorful crowd amongst the many inhabitants and what they do in their leisure time and the way the higher-ups run the city. And a dark side of a seemingly peaceful place for all which include the chilling Amon on top of a rebellion.

So, while there is a promising premise for season two about the spiritual side of being the Avatar which leads to an epic conclusion and an interesting result, it is here it all starts to jumble together with various subplots which makes it feel disjointed and rushed.

In the character department we have Korra as the main character, a young woman with a temper who sadly often comes off as arrogant and bratty. She learn throughout the series, but is also a victim of the messy writing. The characters are a mixed bag overall.

Animation is still top-notch, and when the series keeps its focus, we get an expanding look into the world of the Avatar and the people attached to her/him.

The Legend of Korra starts pretty high paced and the new avatar is found fast, in contradiction to the previous series (where they take more time with the intro). This means that the adventure also start fast. Also, note that you should have seen the "Avatar, the Last Airbender" before you watch this one.

They have put some new concepts (for this series), like: after 70 years there is new some new technology, more love story, and a lot in the city (where Aang travels a lot over the entire world). I like this, but I have the feeling that there is a little too much, like too much new technology and too much love. I would have found it better that some technology is still being developed or missing (which other technology could be made clumsy in use). But there are also some new cool elements, such as the way of telling what has happened "previously on avatar", and a new sports game.

The humor is still good (I had a very good laugh somewhere in episode 10), and it's nice to see some of the previous (aged) characters back. I rate this 8/10 because of I really like the concept of newer technology in a fantasy world. But not higher because some elements are a little too much (to my opinion). Anyway, I couldn't stop watching and saw this entire season straight.