Legend of Korra - Friendship is Bending

[SlateSlabrock]

If he is a bender, will that make his "we need to get rid of all the benders" thing hypocritical? I mean, what if he's going to just save himself for last?
"All the evil is vanquished except that which is inside me. Time for the last battle!"

I think most people assume he is in this for world domination, or at least his own private city. Take out everyone in power, and as long as you're the guy with the biggest army, you win. He's too slimy to be a legitimate messiah.

If he was honestly doing it for the good of the less fortunate, it wouldn't really be (as) hypocritical, since there would have to be someone around to keep taking it away from all the new people born with those powers.

[NisslMarching bravely into a bold new pony future]

Just caught up on the latest episode. Still love the setting. Nice action sequences, they managed to make the non-benders feel pretty threatening. As for the plot, not bad, but a lot of really cheesy action movie moments. Having the back of the truck just happen to open so they could see Bolin inside was only the most noticeable. The map thing for the "secret" gathering with thousands was also silly.

Also, Mako and Bolin are still feeling pretty thin as characters. Hope they get some differentiation from their archetypes soon. Their past was remarkably gritty for a Saturday morning cartoon, I'll say.

[Momar]

I wonder if Mako's name is a tribute to Iroh's voice actor for the first three seasons.

[OmniponyWelcome to Good Burgeryou son of a bitch.]

I can't get over how dark this show can be; in the first episode you're reminded that all the characters you knew and loved are dead. I also remember questioning why there were no air-benders in the pro-bending thing and remembering, "Oh wait...they all died." Now of course there's BatMako, and the idea of spirit-bending is kind of intense to me (then again, there was blood-bending in the last series). It's all very dramatic and exciting. I feel like I'm watching clips of an incredibly long movie rather than an episode of some cartoon on TV.

[Wayoshi]

Their past was remarkably gritty for a Saturday morning cartoon, I'll say.

I've heard the show's creators are not happy with Nick putting it on Sat morning. The original show used to have new eps at 8p pretty consistently.

[GrimI'M THE WORLD CHAMP BETCHA CAN'T BEAT MEBALL SO HARD LITTLE GIRLS WANT A PONY]

Click here to view video.

[numsOic]

I was just about ready for a big "RIP Mako, 1986-2012" text to appear at the end there.

[ArtificerGoes well with All Natural Milk Naturally Flavored with Natural Flavors.]

I was just about ready for a big "RIP Mako, 1986-2012" text to appear at the end there.

Wait. Is he dead? I was about to start watching this show too!

[numsOic]

No, he's not. It was a combination of the sad turn the song took and the black and white filter that reminded me of a homage to the dead.

[SlateSlabrock]

Wait. Is he dead? I was about to start watching this show too!

R.I.P. Mako

[Willsun]

Just chiming in to say that although I haven't watched beyond the first episode of the first Avatar series, everything seems just fine and is easy to get so far. I know that at the behest of most fans that I should totally watch the first series anyway, but I don't really think I need to see it to continue enjoying Korra, do I? I read the SA thread's OP and I remember it saying something to the effect of "No, missing out on the first season isn't just okay enough for you to know that the good guys win" and I immediately thought that was a bit going overboard. The first series I've heard praised many times because of the character development and interactions, but I really don't see what mysterious hidden things I'm missing apart from what I could gleam through a bit of Wikipedia reading (energybending and all that) that would keep me from understanding everything.

I know it'd do me a lot of good to watch the first series, but Korra just seems at just the right level of seriousness for me to enjoy and I don't think I can stomach any less. I know maybe as early as 3 years back I'd enjoy the first Avatar, but I don't think I can handle that level of silliness that occurs from what I've seen of it. And yes I know, how could I say that when I watch MLP, but I want to watch Avatar for the cool martial arts/fantasy background and it just doesn't mix well for me to see Aang be all goofy and most of the comical interactions feel like they're copying every anime cliché. Am I that totally off the mark when I say this?

The Avatar Chibi episodes thing reeeeeally embodies the worst I see in its series. I know the normal series isn't all like that, but watching just one of those shorts puts such a bad taste in my mouth.

[PinkemonIts SO limited edition! :'D]

^The seriousness levels in the first series tends to vary ep by ep. In some of the first few book 1 episodes you've got Aang playing around and riding on animals and stuff, but then later he returns to his old home and flips the fuck out cause he found the remains of his old mentor/friend figure. (So it hits him that all of his old friends are dead)

I personally am just okay with the comedic elements, especially since I don't mind those anime cliches and stuff at all. It seemed like the series just had a fine balance.

[SlateSlabrock]

You don't have to watch the original series, but they're hitting the ground running with the new show, so any references they drop are likely to be discreet and easily missed. You're not missing deep secrets, just good character development and a lot of background detail about the world.

It's been a while since I last saw the first season, but I really don't think they were cramming anime cliches into it. They do tone down kids' show stuff like the WACKY BOING sound effects after a little while, but that's more a symptom of being a Nickelodeon show.

[Doctor Wheeze]

You'll probably miss out on a lot of world-buildy stuff - like the specifics of how the avatar work (stuff like the Avatar Cycle and the Avatar State - what those are, how they work, what they mean) and the history of the four nations. Granted, you could just read about that stuff on Wikipedia, but it's more fun to get it from the show.

That said, if any of that stuff becomes important (and the avatar stuff almost certainly will), they'll probably give at least a quick explanation in Korra for new viewers.

[brakelessA pegasus will fly long and hard for a bit of gilded brass.]

Without watching the original series, you'll never encounter the ultimate gutpunch in the guise of a wacky slice of life-episode.

"Aw, Katara and Toph are bonding, how sweet. Heh, Sokka being Sokka. Oh, and Iroh being Iroh. Man he's awesomJESUS CHRIST how can you pull something like that without a warning?"

[AramekYour MRI results have shown total infection to now be approximately one fifth of the full mass of the tissue."So you're saying..."Your brain is about 20% tumor.]

I think watching the original show will let you appreciate how much better animated this one is so far. Not that the first was a slouch by any means, but, it is obvious they've grown for the experience.

[Momar]

Without watching the original series, you'll never encounter the ultimate gutpunch in the guise of a wacky slice of life-episode.

"Aw, Katara and Toph are bonding, how sweet. Heh, Sokka being Sokka. Oh, and Iroh being Iroh. Man he's awesomJESUS CHRIST how can you pull something like that without a warning?"

God I'm getting choked up just thinking about it.

[LiamA]

It's been a really long time, guys. Some hints would help. Are we talking about Iroh's son?

If so, I agree.

[RagnarWhat's older? Unicorns, or stars?]

The song was really pretty, too.

[In West FillydelphiaSCHWEIIIN]

I just quickly glanced this thread. I watched all of avatar last week after Warp started mentioning it in a chat. I agree with the general Iroh consensus here. He was my favourite character too. From the start, I enjoyed following Iroh and Zuko's storyline more than I did the main party's. Plus Iroh's short in Tales of Ba Sing Se was just

As for Korra, I watched the first four episodes. The visuals and the music seem to have been taken up a notch. I think they're integrating the computer animated elements and the drawn elements much better than they did. I wonder how much of that is down to practise and how much is down to the fast rate at which computer technology moves.

I still need time to get to know these characters. At the moment I'm not as excited about them as I was for the original group, but that could be a bi product of having just watched them develop through three whole series, and me now having to start from scratch with these new guys.

I'm not all too sold on Republic City either. I think it was much cooler when they were a party of travelling adventurers, with the whole world to explore, having to duck away from their major threats. This scene looks to be turning into Avatar Batman. While that might be good, I do hope they show some of the wider world at some point.

I really like the increased political drama. I like how it's not going to just be "avatar beats it up with freaky spirit powers, and the world is saved." This is going to be a test of leadership, intelligence and information flow. So, once again, the first villain has me more interested than the avatar themselves.

[Opposing FarceDon't you smile at my faceSpit on my backDo you kiss your mother with a mouth like that?]

So, once again, the first villain has me more interested than the avatar themselves.

It really is Batman

No but seriously, the fact that it feels like Avatar Batman is the exact reason I like Republic City as a setting.

[reidransom]

I'm just now getting around to watching this. Great series so far. Great story, amazing animation, really very impressive all around.


But I gotta say, these equalists have a point, man. I mean, the benders run everything and seem to hold pretty much all the important administrative positions, and then act all offended when anyone dares question their grip on power. Everyone is afraid? Yeah, everyone you know, you privileged dick. Oh no, we have to stop the chi blockers from training! Yeah, can't allow the proles to learn how to fight back now, can we. I think this Amman guy is onto something.

[SlateSlabrock]

But I gotta say, these equalists have a point, man. I mean, the benders run everything and seem to hold pretty much all the important administrative positions, and then act all offended when anyone dares question their grip on power. Everyone is afraid? Yeah, everyone you know, you privileged dick. Oh no, we have to stop the chi blockers from training! Yeah, can't allow the proles to learn how to fight back now, can we. I think this Amman guy is onto something.

On one hand, you have Amon, who seems to be training an army to take down the evil bender master race, but he could be trying to take over Republic City, end the Avatar cycle, or some other nefarious ploy. On the other hand, Tarrlok is taking the law into his own hands and putting down a group he paints as seditious cult. There's plenty of room for him to be an opportunistic warmonger, too. Hell, we might even find out that these really obvious fight clubs with gigantic Amon posters on the walls were planted by him to manipulate the Avatar.

One point that was made a few times over in the SA thread is that we really don't have a very clear view of the true problems Republic City is facing. It's true that benders have a leg up on everyone else in terms of fitness and ability, but the evidence supporting Amon's "bender holding a brother down" sales pitch is mostly, "lots of people attend his rallies." We've seen unemployed benders and non-benders, and we haven't directly seen the sort of oppression that we viewers assume must be lurking below the surface of the show, so there may very well be a reason the whole city hasn't taken up arms against their leaders. Big early 20th century industrial cities always have these problems with high unemployment, slums, and an overtaxed legal system.

People like Mr. Sato are proof that there's a tiny possibility of success, even for people who can't shoot fireballs from their fists, and I expect the show to come down squarely in the middle of this conflict. My money is on Korra eventually figuring out how deep the corruption runs and demanding a city council elected by the people instead of from representatives of the four nations (and two from the Water Tribes).

[brakelessA pegasus will fly long and hard for a bit of gilded brass.]

One point that was made a few times over in the SA thread is that we really don't have a very clear view of the true problems Republic City is facing. It's true that benders have a leg up on everyone else in terms of fitness and ability, but the evidence supporting Amon's "bender holding a brother down" sales pitch is mostly, "lots of people attend his rallies." We've seen unemployed benders and non-benders, and we haven't directly seen the sort of oppression that we viewers assume must be lurking below the surface of the show, so there may very well be a reason the whole city hasn't taken up arms against their leaders. Big early 20th century industrial cities always have these problems with high unemployment, slums, and an overtaxed legal system.

Yeah, I can't help but feel that Amon is using the whole thing as a populist cover for his own ambitions. Removing bending influence from Republic city his way doesn't really seem to improve the conditions of the downtrodden. The currents that divide people into haves and have-nots run pretty deep in society and don't need any clear differences between people to manifest, as real history shows. Although Amon remains a bit ill-defined along the conflict, so passing any judgement is premature.

I just hope that in the end the show treats the bender/non-bender divide as a rather superficial one, pointing to other things as the cause of the inequality in the city.

Here's something cool: http://equalistpropaganda.tumblr.com/

[Willsun]

That Equalist Propaganda Tumblr is kinda-sorta taking itself seriously, but at least the artwork is pretty decent.

[Chaos Sonic]

I can't get over how dark this show can be; in the first episode you're reminded that all the characters you knew and loved are dead.

Well, I can't remember exactly where I saw it, but apparently Zuko is still around. His daughter has succeeded him as Firelord, and he travels the world as a diplomat now, so we may see him later.

And how has this not been posted here yet?

Click here to view video.

[Super Karoru]

I agree about the need to see more of the issues and deeper conflicts in Republic City. Amon may have a point about "bending supremacy," but even if everyone's bending was taken away, no one would truly still be equal. One thing that bothered me was the vilifying of the underground chi-blocking racket. What about people learning chi-blocking not working with Amon? Is chi-blocking outlawed now? It seems like a legitimate self-defense tool for non-benders. Ty Lee was a chi-blocker (along with her acrobatic prowess) and kicked ass. And Mai, another non-bender used other means to take down her opponents. The playing field might be a little more even after all in terms of fighting.

[RagnarWhat's older? Unicorns, or stars?]

I agree about the need to see more of the issues and deeper conflicts in Republic City. Amon may have a point about "bending supremacy," but even if everyone's bending was taken away, no one would truly still be equal. One thing that bothered me was the vilifying of the underground chi-blocking racket. What about people learning chi-blocking not working with Amon? Is chi-blocking outlawed now? It seems like a legitimate self-defense tool for non-benders. Ty Lee was a chi-blocker (along with her acrobatic prowess) and kicked ass. And Mai, another non-bender used other means to take down her opponents. The playing field might be a little more even after all in terms of fighting.

I'd like to see that addressed specifically. I get the impression chi-blocking is illegal, and there's not really a good reason for it to be.

[numsOic]

Because of the benderarchy, of course.

[AramekYour MRI results have shown total infection to now be approximately one fifth of the full mass of the tissue."So you're saying..."Your brain is about 20% tumor.]

[Hyper!!!I had two avatars, but the admins were able to do something about it...]

Finally got around to watching it after lurking this thread and hearing good things from friends. I never followed the original series routinely, so I will probably go back and watch it eventually.

Reading the comments on the Nickelodeon site is great.
"Makorra forever <3"
"Asami is evil, because of my OTP"

[numsOic]

I completely forgot there was shipping for this show.

Korra's foot X your dumb face OTP

[Daionus The 23rd:3]

To paraphrase the SA thread: I like to imagine whenever people are talking about their love for Mako, they're praising the late hammy voice actor.

[Hyper!!!I had two avatars, but the admins were able to do something about it...]

I completely forgot there was shipping for this show.

Korra's foot X your dumb face OTP

Did I bring up bad memories?

[numsOic]

Nah, that was a generic "you", and it was meant as a "FUCK YEAH KICKASS FIGHTS!!" comment. Honestly I didn't even find out about all the shipping wars in A:TLA until after I finished watching it, and I never looked too deep into it.

[Hyper!!!I had two avatars, but the admins were able to do something about it...]

Nah, that was a generic "you", and it was meant as a "FUCK YEAH KICKASS FIGHTS!!" comment. Honestly I didn't even find out about all the shipping wars in A:TLA until after I finished watching it, and I never looked too deep into it.

Anyway, John Joseco did a Korra piece.
I'm always afraid Naga's going to her break her back legs, they look so scrawny compared to her front legs.

[AramekYour MRI results have shown total infection to now be approximately one fifth of the full mass of the tissue."So you're saying..."Your brain is about 20% tumor.]

Korra, use a spoon...

It's hard to eat delicious Honey Bunches of Oats with chop sticks.

[ArtificerGoes well with All Natural Milk Naturally Flavored with Natural Flavors.]

Inexplicable craving for noodles. Again.

[Hyper!!!I had two avatars, but the admins were able to do something about it...]

Korra, use a spoon...

It's hard to eat delicious Honey Bunches of Oats with chop sticks.

Challenge Accepted. I don't even now how to use chopsticks, but whatever

[LiamA]

I'm always afraid Naga's going to her break her back legs, they look so scrawny compared to her front legs.

She's kinda like an American bison.

A really friendly and adorable one.