Folks prefer to ask me what my “consolation present” is, and I all the time inform them that I don’t have one.
However, are you aware what? I’m a bald-faced liar (unintentionally), since I DO have a consolation present, and it’s Avatar: The Final Airbender. I used to be not too long ago knowledgeable of this once I was telling my coworker that I simply completed my millionth rewatching of ATLA and The Legend of Korra (which I additionally rewatch religiously), and he exclaimed, “That’s your consolation present!” And, I assume he’s proper, since I normally rewatch each sequence yearly or so.
That mentioned, one factor that has all the time bothered me is that even after rewatching each reveals, I nonetheless suppose The Legend of Korra is the higher present, although just about no one agrees with me. I mentioned as such a few years in the past, and I’m nonetheless saying it right now: The Legend of Korra is healthier than Avatar: The Final Airbender, and I’ve a number of explanation why.
Korra’s Journey Is A lot Extra Attention-grabbing Than Aang’s
Now, right here’s one thing that I feel solely individuals who have really rewatched The Legend of Korra can let you know, however Korra’s emotional journey is healthier than Aang’s.
That mentioned, I truthfully don’t suppose many individuals have rewatched The Legend of Korra, as lots of the individuals I’ve talked to (and from what I’ve learn on-line) really feel that one time is sufficient for TLoK. That’s most likely as a result of they don’t really feel it has the identical enjoyment issue as ATLA.
And, positive. I’ll admit it. Avatar is extra pleasant. It’s why, unbeknownst to me, it really is my consolation present, since I’ll normally watch a few of my favourite episodes even once I’m not going via your complete sequence. Inversely, I by no means watch one of the best The Legend of Korra episodes individually since I don’t suppose anybody episode is basically nice by itself. It’s both all or nothing for me with regards to Korra.
However, that’s additionally as a result of Korra’s character arc takes for much longer to develop than Aang’s. That’s to not say that Aang doesn’t have an fascinating emotional journey. He does! He goes from being a playful, albeit guilt-ridden child, to any person who has to step up with the intention to save the world. And, I really like that about Aang.
Nonetheless, Korra is much more fascinating as a personality. She learns humility all through her journey, and goes from any person who turns into much more likable because the sequence progresses, whereas Aang is likable from the very first encounter. Personally, I choose the lengthy recreation. It’s like shopping for an album simply to take heed to the singles, or shopping for it for the total expertise. I don’t need to upset any music followers right here, however Avatar: The Final Airbender is Michael Jackson’s Thriller, whereas The Legend of Korra is Prince’s Purple Rain. Make of that comparability what you’ll.
I’ve Come To Like Korra’s Workforce Avatar Extra Than Aang’s Over The Years
Okay, this could be my most controversial assertion, however…I like Korra’s Workforce Avatar greater than Aang’s.
HERE’S THE THING. Toph is a greater character than Bolin, Mako, and Asami mixed. This isn’t misplaced on me! In all honesty, Toph is one of the best character to return out of your complete Avatar universe for my part (Although, a few of us right here really feel Katara is the present’s actual MVP). Be that as it might, Toph doesn’t come till Ebook 2 of ATLA, which makes Ebook 1 really feel prefer it’s simply missing one thing.
Additionally, whereas I do love how Zuko step by step realizes the error of his methods (Plus, Iroh is a package deal deal with regards to Zuko, which is good), I additionally really feel like his private journey is greater than his function on Workforce Avatar (Although, he performs a a lot larger function within the comics. That mentioned, I’m speaking in regards to the present now. Not the comics).
So, whereas I really like Aang’s Workforce Avatar, it form of grows an excessive amount of over time, as one might argue it additionally contains Suki, Momo, and Appa.
Korra’s Workforce Avatar, nonetheless, feels much more constant (and smaller) all through the sequence. We additionally get the romantic angle of Mako with Korra, after which, towards the top, the tiny trace of Korrasami, so the dynamics really feel a bit extra fascinating to me. I additionally like how Tenzin and his household might be included in Korra’s internal circle.
Actually, I do know it’s virtually apples to oranges, however I really feel that ATLA’s characters in Workforce Avatar are robust on their very own, whereas TLoK’s characters want Korra to be related. Which will seem to be a strike towards them, however I feel it makes for a stronger TEAM Avatar. If that makes any sense.
Even Although I Suppose Season 2 Of The Legend Of Korra Is The Weakest, I Nonetheless Like It Higher Than Avatar’s Second Season
After I ranked each TLoK and ATLA’s seasons, I put Ebook 2: Spirits, because the weakest out of each sequence. And yeah, it’s largely the enemy, as Unalaq is unquestionably probably the most boring villain we obtained out of TLoK. Nonetheless, that’s solely as a result of the opposite villains have been SO good!
Be that as it might, I feel most TLoK followers would agree that Ebook 2 is a low level. Even so, it’s not a complete wash. We discovered in regards to the first Avatar, Wan, on this season, and we have been additionally launched to some deep lore. Oftentimes, since I watch all of The Legend of Korra at any time when I watch the sequence, I all the time stay up for this part of the story.
I additionally actually like studying about Vaatu and Raava. Hell, even the massive kaiju battle on the finish of the season has form of grown on me, although I hated it the primary time I watched it.
That mentioned, I really skip episodes once I rewatch Ebook 2 of ATLA. I’m sorry, however the kidnapped Appa storyline is simply so boring for me.
It could be as a result of I’m probably not an animal individual (my spouse cries at this part of the story), however for no matter cause, I simply really feel like Ebook 2 is introduced down by this arc, and I actually should push myself to even watch these episodes once more. So, although Ebook 2 of Korra is… fantastic, I’d nonetheless moderately rewatch it over ATLA’s Ebook 2. Sorry, nevertheless it’s true.
The Stay-Motion Present Has Really Dampened My Emotions Towards Avatar: The Final Airbender A Little, Sadly
It pains me to say this, however the live-action model of ATLA has form of dampened my emotions towards the cartoon. And this sucks, as a result of the live-action present will not be unhealthy, per se. In actual fact, I’m trying ahead to Ebook 2.
Be that as it might, I actually want I hadn’t rewatched the live-action present, as a result of my second viewing was so much worse than my first. Actually, lots of the issues individuals complained about actually hit me on my second viewing.
I form of made myself ignore issues just like the costumes, or a few of the characters, the primary time I watched it, nevertheless it was all fairly obvious on my second viewing.
This shouldn’t harm my emotions towards the unique cartoon, nevertheless it does, sadly. I used to be left simply wanting to look at the animated sequence once more, however then once I rewatched Ebook 1 of the cartoon, it made me take a extra essential eye to it, and that made me re-evaluate a few of the issues that I don’t like.
Plus, as I mentioned earlier than, it’s lacking one of the best character, Toph, which by no means actually bothered me earlier than, however actually bothers me now.
Fortunately, TLoK doesn’t have this drawback (Although at one level, I needed a live-action Korra). And I’m actually glad for this. Maintain Korra a cartoon, please!
Total, The Legend Of Korra Is Simply A Extra Participating Present Than Avatar: The Final Airbender
Lastly, TLoK pulls me in rather more than ATLA. In actual fact, a lot of instances, Avatar will simply be on within the background, which I suppose provides to it being my consolation present. I similar to listening to their voices.
Not so for Korra. Every time I rewatch it, I’m all the time totally engaged, as I’m not taking a look at my telephone, or speaking to my youngsters. I’ll watch it with my full consideration because it’s warranted. I largely comply with the villains’ story arcs, as a result of they’re all largely well-written.
That mentioned, I additionally really feel just like the sequence all the time retains its deal with Korra’s progress, which could be a weak spot within the present because it doesn’t have nice B-stories (they’re extra like foolish asides) like ATLA, however I nonetheless respect it.
In each approach, The Legend of Korra simply grabs me extra, and that is coming from any person who loves Avatar: The Final Airbender.
However, what do you suppose? Have I satisfied you to offer TLoK one other shot?