“A cartoon for kids” couldn’t possibly be more wrong to describe this show.
‘Avatar: The Legend of Korra’ has ended after delivering a final and explosive fourth season. The series, while animated, could be disputed as much more than just a ‘cartoon’.
Contemporary and adult themes subtly blended throughout the series attracted a larger, more mature audience, as opposed to Korra’s predecessor and series before it, Avatar: The Last Airbender.
While there are now a few shows that push for diversity across the networks (Glee, for example), most would be surprised to discover a show that not just broke but smashed conventions could be found on Nickelodeon.
Yes, Nickelodeon.
The series has a unique mythology; set in the fictional world of Avatar: The Last Airbender, in a place where some humans (known as ‘Benders’) and animals have the ability to telekinetically control the elements: Earth, Air, Fire or Water (and extensions of e.g. metal, lava) through movements, similar to exercises found in Chinese Martial Arts like Tai Chi.
Four nations exist named after each element, who suffer the same problems the real world does, socially and politically, with long histories of power struggles.
‘The Avatar’ is a spiritual leader charged with keeping balance and bringing peace, reincarnated over generations as the only one with the ability to manipulate all four elements. The Legend of Korra takes place 70-years after the events of The Last Airbender, following heroine Korra on her journey as the next incarnation of the legendary ‘Avatar’.
5. Controversial Deaths
If you still think this is a kids show, this might change your mind. One of the ‘baddies’ who can create explosions with her mind has her power turned against her, which results in… well, you’ll see:
MIND BLOWN.
Two brothers who also played antagonists meet their doom, not by the hand of anyone else, but through on-screen suicide, a subject which is taboo in most forms of media, resulting in an outpour of attention over such a controversy.
4. Epic Fight Sequences
This video says it all, really. The Avatar Korra and a female dictator named Kuvira (voiced by Zelda Williams, daughter of the late Robin Williams), with the power to manipulate metal, engage in a battle to end all battles in the final season. Leaving many on the edge of their seat, have you ever seen something so gripping and intense?
3. Diversity
The Legend of Korra promotes diversity in both look and feel with its Asian and even Native American influences which makes for a refreshing change in a show, with a distinct lack of representation of under-represented cultures in television today. Racial representation in film and television is better than what it was but still isn’t quite there yet. The Legend of Korra breaks down those cultural barriers with a full cast of characters that are of colour and even heroes some with disabilities such as blindness.
2. Strong Female Characters
Other than the title character Korra, there exists a strong, consistent portrayal of female characters in this series, which unfortunately is a rarity in popular culture, where women may be portrayed as strong but are often over-sexualised (Lara Croft / Tomb Raider, Cat Woman) or are played secondary to male characters (James Bond). Fan favourites include a family of powerful women who are neither the ‘young, fierce and sexy’ stereotype you may be used to seeing.
These earth and metal benders known as ‘The Beifongs’ consist of Lin, a strong and hard-headed chief of police, Suyin (voiced by Anne Heche), a compassionate and idealistic leader, and their estranged mother Toph who, even in her old age, is as strong as she is bitter. A dysfunctional family that have deep issues with one another, they all come together in this incredible battle:
1. LGBT Romance
Love is love and even the producers of The Legend of Korra know that. While an onscreen friendship blossomed between two female lead characters, Korra and Asami, a type of fan collective otherwise known as ‘Shippers’ pushed for a romantic relationship, a union affectionately dubbed ‘Korrasami’. Although both have the same ex-boyfriend and have otherwise never had any lesbian or bisexual inclination, mild teases were given throughout the season, a growing chemistry, until the final episode where the show producers and writers gave fans a very big nod to what they wanted: Korra and Asami walking off into the “sunset” together, holding hands and facing each other, just like in a scene shown only moments before this where two other characters got married, to the backing track of beautiful, tender, emotional music.
While there was huge celebration with fans and media such as Vanity Fair by a heartfelt and brave finale, there were negative reactions online from those who did not approve of the union.
One of the show producers, Bryan Konietzko, had this to say;
We did it for all our queer friends, family, and colleagues. It is long over due that our media (including children’s media) stops treating non-heterosexual people as nonexistent, or as something merely to be mocked. I’m only sorry it took us so long to have this kind of representation in one of our stories.
And so it was confirmed that what was left as an ambiguous ending because of broadcasting standards was truly the real deal and more than an assumption: an LGBT relationship on children’s television.
After what was a gripping and emotional four seasons Korra has finally found her own peace and love she so rightly deserves, continuing her journey off-screen as the legendary Avatar. While it feels like the series resolved with a settled ending, there are so many that will miss Korra and the high quality of storytelling she brought. Myself, included.
