I should preface this review of Nickelodeon’s new animated series The Legend of Korra by telling you that I’m not an Avatar: The Last Airbender fan. Not because I don’t like Avatar, I’ve just honestly never seen it. All I know about Avatar is that it’s an incredibly popular anime and that M. Night Shyamalan made an incredibly shitty movie about it (which I actually have seen).
Until today, The Legend of Korra is a show that wasn’t even on my radar. But I heard a lot of positive buzz on Twitter about it (especially these tweets from @WallsofJellico, who I’d like to thank for introducing me to the series), and since the people I follow on Twitter have amazing taste, I just had to check it out for myself.
Here’s the synopsis from IMDB:
Taking place 70 years after the events of “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” this story follows the adventures of the Avatar after Aang – a passionate, rebellious, and fearless teenage girl from the Southern Water Tribe named Korra. With three of the four elements under her belt (Earth, Water, and Fire), Korra seeks to master the final element, Air. Her quest leads her to the epicenter of the modern “Avatar” world, Republic City – a metropolis that is fueled by steampunk technology. It is a virtual melting pot where benders and non-benders from all nations live and thrive. However, Korra discovers that Republic City is plagued by crime as well as a growing anti-bending revolution that threatens to rip it apart. Under the tutelage of Aang’s son, Tenzin, Korra begins her airbending training while dealing with the dangers at large. (Source: IMDB)
If you have Verizon Fios, the first two episodes are available on demand, which I devoured eagerly. Here are my first impressions:
I love the art style.
What got my attention right away is the gorgeous animation. Just look at this trailer:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmsT63BgFPw
Also: Steampunk!? Yes please.
Korra is a great character.
She’s feisty, independent and can kick some serious ass. But she has her flaws too: impatience, hotheadedness, and a lack of confidence in her own abilities. Plus, she rides around on a ridiculously cute dog that looks like a giant polar bear.
The action sequences are crazy awesome.
I found myself really absorbed in the fight scenes, which have unique direction and camera effects. Kora users her bending powers in creative ways, like turning the river under the bridge she’s riding over into a gigantic ice wall blockade–without looking!
It’s funny!
The show made me laugh out loud on more than one occasion, which was surprising. Korra’s a pretty snarky girl and she has some of the best lines.
Potential for romance?
In Republic City, Korra meets Bolin and Mako, teen brothers who are also benders and happen to be polar opposites when it comes to personality. There was definitely some chemistry going on between Korra & Mako, even though Bolin’s the one who hits on her first.
It’s making me even more excited for TMNT.
Nickelodeon seems to be on fire lately with some really great shows in their current lineup, and of course the CGI animated reboot of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles coming later this year. If the quality of The Legend of Korra is any indication of what we can expect for TMNT, my hype-o-meter is off the charts.
The Legend of Korra premieres every Saturday morning on Nick at 11 AM. I’ll definitely be tuning in for the remaining 23 episodes this season.
