Why AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER and THE LEGEND OF KORA Are So Popular
Recently, Netflix added both Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra. If you know little about these Nickelodeon-animated series, they focus on a figure named the “avatar” who has the ability to bend, AKA control, all four elements: water, earth, fire, and air. They have been trending on Netflix for weeks, and the whole Internet is talking about these shows even though they initially premiered years ago. I wanted to take a look at why they’re so popular and the appeal behind these stories!
Let’s start with Avatar: The Last Airbender. I watched this show growing up, rewatched it three years ago, and then rewatched it again recently. It’s one of my favorite shows of all time, and thousands of people across the world agree. The series focuses on twelve-year-old avatar, Aang, a fun-loving and spiritual kid who goes on a journey to master all four elements. He’s accompanied by nurturing waterbender Katara and her funny brother, Sokka, who does not have the ability to bend an element. The three of them go on an adventure to help Aang learn how to control the elements and ultimately defeat the tyrant known as the Fire Lord from the nation of people who can bend fire.
The Legend of Korra is set seventy years after the finale of Avatar, with an updated world. Korra is an older avatar who joins firebender Mako, earthbender Bolin, and Asami, who can’t bend, on many crazy missions to defeat an onslaught of different villains.
These are some of the reasons I believe they are so popular:
Character Development
Avatar is character-driven, with a strong plot line that supports such dynamic and compelling characters. Most of the characters we root for are also extremely relatable. In the beginning, many of the characters have one way of thinking, are less open, or do not possess very much skill. By the end of the series, the characters have explored many different facets of their personalities, have formed strong bonds, and improved their talents tenfold. One of the best examples of character development is Zuko. He starts off hunting the avatar to regain honor he lost and prove himself to his father, the Fire Lord. However, he eventually learns what real acceptance and kindness is, realizes his past mistakes, and understands the life he wants to live for himself, not his father.
The Legend of Korra has similarly brilliant character development, though no character comes close to the character arc of Zuko. Still, Korra, the avatar, shows a lot of development from beginning to end. She deals with a lot of pressure, PTSD, loss, etc. She learns a lot throughout the series and overcomes immense adversity. I think this character development contributes greatly to the appeal of both Avatar and The Legend of Korra. The way these shows are character-driven makes it feel personal and easy to connect with every character and their changing relationships. These shows are great at drawing emotion from the audience because we are so invested in the people on screen.
World Building
Both of these shows have incredible world building, making the universe immersive. The shows also take inspiration from different countries in Asia. Every component of the universe is explained, easy to understand, and it’s unique. The concept of bending different elements, combined with the different nations (for example the Water Tribe or the Earth Kingdom) make the shows more interesting because there isn’t a lot of other content like it out there.
In Avatar, it’s the first time we get to see this world which makes it a magical experience. However, in The Legend of Korra, they manage to make it feel brand new. Seventy years later, the technology has developed immensely, and the nations have been transformed into new cities. I love what they do with the world building each time, whether it be explaining “the spirit world,” past world history, or establishing a whole new place that I hadn’t even thought of before.
Visuals and Soundtracks
The animation in Avatar and Korra is one of the best parts. In the original series, it’s a little less developed but improves immensely by the third season. Even then, the colors and shots are aesthetically pleasing and make the story come alive. In The Legend of Korra, the animation is on a new level, and it makes the bending look incredibly smooth and epic. There are some incredible shots in both series. The art makes the story even better, taking the viewer into the world with the characters. It makes me wish this world existed in real life.
One of my favorite parts is the music of both series. It moves the story along in a seamless way and adds to the fun and excitement. The soundtrack has a way of touching the viewer’s heart. One example is “Leaves from the Vine,” which is a sad song one of the characters sings to their dead son. Other songs that give me chills each time are “Agni Kai,” in Zuko and Azula’s final battle, or “Avatar: The Last Airbender Theme” because of how well it captures the essence of the show. These songs tell a story in themselves. Music makes the show captivating and connect with the audience on a deeper, emotional level.
These are some of the reasons Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra are so well done and popular today. I think the stories they tell are some of the best I have ever seen. And every question that you have about the world in Avatar gets expanded upon in The Legend of Korra. Both series are worth watching for different reasons, and if you’ve never seen them I highly recommend them. They are now streaming on Netflix!
