"Legend of Korra", Eastern Views, T.V & Ethics: What Can Christians learn from Anime?

[grandvizier1006]

I didn't particularly like that ending, but I'll get over it. Although...I wonder how Mako feels? His ex-girlfriend left him and got hooked up with...his other ex-girlfriend. And I don't know if they'd invite him to...join them. :/

The thing that I really want to remember about Korra, above all else, is the way the last season went for Korra herself, as an individual.

The episode in which she was forced to stay at home while trying to get that poison out of her completely was touching to me because I could relate to that. People all going about their lives while you yourself are stuck somewhere, wasting away and no longer being the useful person you once were. That was how my recent depression was like.

And when Korra spoke to Tenzin about how at first she didn't understand why the poison had kept her down, and then she eventually realized that it had been done to make her stronger...THAT is what I want to take with me through life, not Korrasami.

Another intriguing thing is the way in which the show addressed evil. I thought it was interesting to see how ultimately, the message in that regard was that Korra would always have to fight something or someone. There would be no rest for her, would there? She'll have to go throughout her life fighting evil, if the series did continue as this petition wants it to (on Netflix, so they could keep Korra and Asami together).

That really contrasts with the Christian idea of good eventually overpowering evil. One day Jesus will return at it will all be gone, whereas in the Avatar universe evil is always around, fighting against good. What's the point of keeping evil down if you know that it will never go away completely?

It's a bit bittersweet, knowing that Korra will be forever fighting evil as long as she lives. And after her, there will supposedly be no more avatars. Then what?

Overall, though, it's sad that it has to end. I can only hope to ever even conceive of something as brilliant as the Avatar universe, and I probably never will. It would be nice if they could make another series, though, maybe with a third Avatar from the Earth Kingdom. But I doubt that that will happen.

 

[CryOfALion]

I didn't particularly like that ending, but I'll get over it. Although...I wonder how Mako feels? His ex-girlfriend left him and got hooked up with...his other ex-girlfriend. And I don't know if they'd invite him to...join them. :/

Yes, I wondered that too. Teehee...

The thing that I really want to remember about Korra, above all else, is the way the last season went for Korra herself, as an individual.

The episode in which she was forced to stay at home while trying to get that poison out of her completely was touching to me because I could relate to that. People all going about their lives while you yourself are stuck somewhere, wasting away and no longer being the useful person you once were. That was how my recent depression was like.

Likewise. It hurt even more for me, personally, to see that because Tenzin actually made good points, and was most likely right. In fact, everyone that was Korra's friend had a point. It reminds me of times when I am depressed or feeling useless, and other people's encouraging words make sense, and are most likely right. "No!! I don't want to hear that!"

And when Korra spoke to Tenzin about how at first she didn't understand why the poison had kept her down, and then she eventually realized that it had been done to make her stronger...THAT is what I want to take with me through life, not Korrasami.

I think that was a nod at her "enlightenment" not just from Raava, but from her own self. And, this happened by her own understanding; she came to this point without having the past 1000s of Avatar wisdom. In a way, it ties back to Wan, the first Avatar, having to reconcile all of "this" on his own, growing as a person and as a protector.

Another intriguing thing is the way in which the show addressed evil. I thought it was interesting to see how ultimately, the message in that regard was that Korra would always have to fight something or someone. There would be no rest for her, would there? She'll have to go throughout her life fighting evil, if the series did continue as this petition wants it to (on Netflix, so they could keep Korra and Asami together).

She is basically a god(dess,) as she is a [godly] spirit embodied in a human. What you describe is what cultures have accepted as the responsibility of godly, protective entities. Like Christ; He takes it upon Himself to take on all of our burdens. He was tortured, and allowed it, because He was the only One who could save us. It had to be done. Likewise (philosophically,) Korra had to endure serious tortures to keep the world safe.

That really contrasts with the Christian idea of good eventually overpowering evil. One day Jesus will return at it will all be gone, whereas in the Avatar universe evil is always around, fighting against good. What's the point of keeping evil down if you know that it will never go away completely?

Maybe. It would be nice if they do a movie that hints at evil being in check forever. Or, perhaps it doesn't matter because the Avatar will always win in the end, so as evil appears, the Avatar is more and more capable. The net would be at least peace. If you watch DragonBall universe, the similar thing happens. Even biblically, the enemy will be loosed once again - even after it was defeated on the cross.

It's a bit bittersweet, knowing that Korra will be forever fighting evil as long as she lives. And after her, there will supposedly be no more avatars. Then what?

Overall, though, it's sad that it has to end. I can only hope to ever even conceive of something as brilliant as the Avatar universe, and I probably never will. It would be nice if they could make another series, though, maybe with a third Avatar from the Earth Kingdom. But I doubt that that will happen.

She got Raava back, there won't be any more Avatars though?

It would be nice if a Kyoshi descendant, or even the [grand]children of our favorite earthbenders become the new Avatar. If they get funding, they may do it.

 

[grandvizier1006]

Very interesting, I didn't ever equate Korra as much of a Christ-figure. But now that I think about it, the parallels are apparent.

I think the thing with Raava being defeated briefly or something was that in Season 2 the avatar cycle was broken when Korra couldn't access her past lives anymore. Not quite sure, though, and if they wanted to make a third series then they could just forget about that.

I would like to see Tenzin's kids as adults in this hypothetical series, though. I figured they could be the ones to teach airbending. Also, what happened to Kaya and Tenzin's fourth child? Where are they?

 

[Gxg (G²)]

Very interesting, I didn't ever equate Korra as much of a Christ-figure. But now that I think about it, the parallels are apparent.

Curious that you never saw that - but on the issue, you'd probably would benefit from reading these articles:

• The Avatar and the Christ, Part 1 | Jesus Geek

• The Avatar and the Christ, Part 2 | Jesus Geek

Additionally, other resources to consider are Korra Alone: Denial from God and the Guilt of Spiritual Disconnect | Taylor Ramage's Blog

 

[grandvizier1006]

Wow! That was a pretty good comparison! I have got to send this link to some people!

 

[Gxg (G²)]

I didn't particularly like that ending, but I'll get over it. Although...I wonder how Mako feels? His ex-girlfriend left him and got hooked up with...his other ex-girlfriend. And I don't know if they'd invite him to...join them. :/

The thing that I really want to remember about Korra, above all else, is the way the last season went for Korra herself, as an individual.

The episode in which she was forced to stay at home while trying to get that poison out of her completely was touching to me because I could relate to that. People all going about their lives while you yourself are stuck somewhere, wasting away and no longer being the useful person you once were. That was how my recent depression was like.

And when Korra spoke to Tenzin about how at first she didn't understand why the poison had kept her down, and then she eventually realized that it had been done to make her stronger...THAT is what I want to take with me through life, not Korrasami.

Another intriguing thing is the way in which the show addressed evil. I thought it was interesting to see how ultimately, the message in that regard was that Korra would always have to fight something or someone. There would be no rest for her, would there? She'll have to go throughout her life fighting evil, if the series did continue as this petition wants it to (on Netflix, so they could keep Korra and Asami together).

That really contrasts with the Christian idea of good eventually overpowering evil. One day Jesus will return at it will all be gone, whereas in the Avatar universe evil is always around, fighting against good. What's the point of keeping evil down if you know that it will never go away completely?

It's a bit bittersweet, knowing that Korra will be forever fighting evil as long as she lives. And after her, there will supposedly be no more avatars. Then what?

Overall, though, it's sad that it has to end. I can only hope to ever even conceive of something as brilliant as the Avatar universe, and I probably never will. It would be nice if they could make another series, though, maybe with a third Avatar from the Earth Kingdom. But I doubt that that will happen.

I agree that the Avatarverse is one where evil and darkness will always exist and good/light will be there to balance it out - so there are truly no permanent victories, whereas the Christian worldview does not espouse such dualism and gives more hope. Also, I'm glad that they did things the way they did with this series - showing real consequences to Korra (i.e. losing all Avatar connection, suffering, etc.) in order to show her finding solutions rather than solely relying on what happened from others.

There are going to be comic series based on Korra's world coming up in the same way they did for the A:TLA series with Aang.....but I don't know if we'll get as far as the Earth Kingdom.

 

[Gxg (G²)]

Wow! That was a pretty good comparison! I have got to send this link to some people!

GLAD the comparison came in handy - as I thought it was very amazing. Some of this was referenced earlier, actually...as seen here and in the post below it.

 

[CryOfALion]

Those were nice links gxg.

I would add that it is interesting that the "spirit of light" is a female, and the spirit of chaos is male. It is an interesting contrast for Christianity considering the Satan is usually identified with, or associated with a female, and the Truth is undoubtedly male - even in "carnation." In that sense, it is certainly gleaning from Eastern non-Abrahamic religions.

For example, the enemy in Christianity has wielded powerful influence as Queen of Heaven, Isis, Diana, Semiramis, Jezabel . It is also interesting to note that Dagon, Molech, Azazel are separate entities, but usually associated (perhaps erroneously) with the one we call "satan." There are many satans, but the specific one - Heylel - resonated with female identities (whether it was preference, or for ease.)

Raava is an artistic and mythological nod at the Hellenistic Sophia, or even Phaedra - goddesses of wisdom and brightness, respectively. But, The Most High is the Truth, Way, and life. He created light.

Just thought it was interesting how the mythologies switch up, in relation to Abrahamic religions.

 

[Gxg (G²)]

Those were nice links gxg.

I would add that it is interesting that the "spirit of light" is a female, and the spirit of chaos is male. It is an interesting contrast for Christianity considering the Satan is usually identified with, or associated with a female, and the Truth is undoubtedly male - even in "carnation." In that sense, it is certainly gleaning from Eastern non-Abrahamic religions.

For example, the enemy in Christianity has wielded powerful influence as Queen of Heaven, Isis, Diana, Semiramis, Jezabel . It is also interesting to note that Dagon, Molech, Azazel are separate entities, but usually associated (perhaps erroneously) with the one we call "satan." There are many satans, but the specific one - Heylel - resonated with female identities (whether it was preference, or for ease.)

Raava is an artistic and mythological nod at the Hellenistic Sophia, or even Phaedra - goddesses of wisdom and brightness, respectively. But, The Most High is the Truth, Way, and life. He created light.


Just thought it was interesting how the mythologies switch up, in relation to Abrahamic religions.

Glad to know the links were a blessing

As it concerns Christianity, I'm not certain as to where you were getting the idea that Satan was consistently associated with a female since Judaism consistently identified him as male. You'd need references to show the concept definitely. Regarding the identity of Satan, As Dr. Michael Heiser ( of Logos Bible Software and one of the leading scholars in Near Eastern culture) said best in his article entitled The Naked Bible » The Absence of Satan in the Old Testament:

Basically, “the satan” in Job is an officer of the divine council (sort of like a prosecutor). His job is to “run to and fro throughout the earth” to see who is and who is not obeying Yahweh. When he finds someone who isn’t and is therefore under Yahweh’s wrath, he “accuses” that person. This is what we see in Job — and it actually has a distinct New Testament flavor. (We also see it in Zechariah 3). But the point here is that this satan is not evil; he’s doing his job. Over time (specifically the idea of “being an adversary in the heavenly council” was applied intellectually to the enemy of God — the nachash (typically rendered “serpent”) in Eden, the one who asserted his own will against Yahweh’s designs. That entity eventually becomes labeled “Satan” and so the adversarial role gets personified and stuck to God’s great enemy (also called the Devil). This is a good example of how an idea in Israelite religion plays out and is applied in different ways during the progress of revelation.
​

For more, one can go here to "Divine Council"

• The Naked Bible » Jesus and the Morning Star

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MAiYonjGps

For a really excellent review on the issue that may be of benefit, one can go online and investigate an article entitled "SATANOLOGY: THE DOCTRINE OF SATAN - A Messianic Bible Study from Ariel Ministries." . Its by Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum of "Ariel Ministries.org". ...and it does some of the best in-depth treatment on the character of Satan/Lucifer.

That said, Having female entities in the Scriptures which the Lord condemned isn't the same as saying the enemy tends to be female since there were just as many MALE enemies as well - from Baal to Chemosh and many others. It was never more females than males. And on the matter, it is noteworthy that the Talmud and Midrash do not equate Heylel with Satan and the early Talmud and Midrash do not even refer to Satan as a devil. Moreover, with the other male deities, even though there were condemned as being demons, there is still the reality that they were not necessarily separate from Satan - in the same way that female deities were not separate from Satan if it took worship away from God.

That said, with Korra, the Spirit of Raava being female isn't really separate from Christianity since the Holy Spirit is one who is seen as a female/associated with the Feminine aspect of God....the Ruach Ha Kodesh. Some of this has been mentioned elsewhere in places such as Feminine symbols in religion

 

[Gxg (G²)]

Perhaps one of the reasons why the relationship was sort of vague during the scenes between the two in the last 2 books, even to the end scene (and why some interpreted it as a Womance), is because....

Not only does it air in the USA, which has many people in it who are against same sex romance, but it airs in other countries, places that are far less open to same sex relationships then the USA has become (some where its even a crime).

Which is why this relationship is not as obvious as a straight relationship (so no, "I love you" or "kissing", etc) would have been.

I think so as well...

 

[Gxg (G²)]

I wonder if Zhu Li was influenced by Marcie from the Peanuts

HA, that's more than possible

 

[AmericanChristian91]

I am almost done with book 2. So it would be interesting watching book 3 and 4 and the scenes shared by Korra and asami, knowing full and we'll the writers intention in the ending.

 

[Gxg (G²)]

I am almost done with book 2. So it would be interesting watching book 3 and 4 and the scenes shared by Korra and asami, knowing full and we'll the writers intention in the ending.

The writers actually said they weren't intending on it going the way it did in Book 4 since they originally had it where Asami was going to be a bad guy/spy in Book 1 and then changed it up.....and they had planned for Korra to be alone. It was noted that they sometimes just went with whatever seemed best at the time

 

[grandvizier1006]

Personally, I think Asami being a bad guy would have been interesting, and perhaps a good idea. She didn't have much to do, and being Korra's newfound semi-girlfriend only barely increased her role. I think I would have actually preferred Korra to be alone, too. That episode where she actually WAS alone really got to me, and I just knew it was going to be a good episode from its title. I could really relate to what Korra was going through then because very similar circumstances were happening with me.

Personally (and this is just a confession) here, the Korrasami ending just made me uncomfortable. My views on LGBT stuff are complicated, and I just didn't like the idea of seeing such a thing in what was sort of a kid's show (but one could argue it wasn't even from its inception so that justifies it). I have no problem with same-sex couples on other shows, but maybe that's because it's explicit about it, and up until the end I thought it was just sort of a joke that they'd never deliver on.

And for a while I was kind of worried that because I didn't like it I'd be in the minority, and I was paranoid that if I said, "I didn't like the ending", people would say, "Well you're a HOMOPHOBE!" And then I got paranoid that everyone was going to start demanding MORE gay couples in cartoons, and everyone else would feel like they had to "catch up" and make a statement and blah blah blah. Yes, I know, paranoia. It took me a while to tell myself how stupid I was worrying about it. And frankly, I don't want my wonderful journey through the Avatar universe to end with my OCD getting my brain all wrecked over basically nothing. But at least this time I realized how stupid it was to worry.

I had to get that off my chest. XD I was seriously worried for a bit about being condemned by "the fandom", who I assumed all loved this to death.

With that being said, when was the last time that elderly Zuko, Kaya and Tenzin's fourth child were seen? They weren't anywhere in the fourth season, I don't think. What happened to them? Did Zuko die of old age or something? Does anyone find it ironic that both Zuko and his mother had similar disappearances? I am aware of those comics, though, but I've never gotten to read them.

 

[awitch]

I don't think not liking Korra's relationship makes one homophobic, but I am a little surprised the far right hasn't started calling for boycotts of Nickelodeon for "gay recruitment cartoons". (We've already had people in this very thread accuse the show of being Satanic)

 

[grandvizier1006]

I don't think not liking Korra's relationship makes one homophobic, but I am a little surprised the far right hasn't started calling for boycotts of Nickelodeon for "gay recruitment cartoons". (We've already had people in this very thread accuse the show of being Satanic)

Oh, thank goodness! The fandom won't condemn me!

And don't worry, there will never be a boycott. 1) The "moral majority" is too concerned with broad things and is too small to make a difference 2) Kids' shows tend to be escapist, so if real-life hot-button issues aren't brought up then parents who aren't used to seeing subtleties in cartoons won't get it and 3) LoK only has Eastern religions as a motif, it's not trying to make you a Buddhist or a Taoist, and with that being said no one will really have any concerns. If anything, I wouldn't mind being a "mediator" between a recharged "religious right" and whatever "targets" they had in mind. But most of us Christians really aren't like that, going around and saying everything is "Satanic". In a technical sense one could argue that the WHOLE WORLD is Satanic since Satan is called the ruler of the world (since the world is fallen and in sin, according to our beliefs). So a purging of Satanic things would be a bit...unfeasible

 

[Gxg (G²)]

Personally, I think Asami being a bad guy would have been interesting, and perhaps a good idea. She didn't have much to do, and being Korra's newfound semi-girlfriend only barely increased her role. I think I would have actually preferred Korra to be alone, too. That episode where she actually WAS alone really got to me, and I just knew it was going to be a good episode from its title. I could really relate to what Korra was going through then because very similar circumstances were happening with me.


Personally (and this is just a confession) here, the Korrasami ending just made me uncomfortable. My views on LGBT stuff are complicated, and I just didn't like the idea of seeing such a thing in what was sort of a kid's show (but one could argue it wasn't even from its inception so that justifies it). I have no problem with same-sex couples on other shows, but maybe that's because it's explicit about it, and up until the end I thought it was just sort of a joke that they'd never deliver on.

And for a while I was kind of worried that because I didn't like it I'd be in the minority, and I was paranoid that if I said, "I didn't like the ending", people would say, "Well you're a HOMOPHOBE!" And then I got paranoid that everyone was going to start demanding MORE gay couples in cartoons, and everyone else would feel like they had to "catch up" and make a statement and blah blah blah. Yes, I know, paranoia. It took me a while to tell myself how stupid I was worrying about it. And frankly, I don't want my wonderful journey through the Avatar universe to end with my OCD getting my brain all wrecked over basically nothing. But at least this time I realized how stupid it was to worry.

I had to get that off my chest. XD I was seriously worried for a bit about being condemned by "the fandom", who I assumed all loved this to death.

With that being said, when was the last time that elderly Zuko, Kaya and Tenzin's fourth child were seen? They weren't anywhere in the fourth season, I don't think. What happened to them? Did Zuko die of old age or something? Does anyone find it ironic that both Zuko and his mother had similar disappearances? I am aware of those comics, though, but I've never gotten to read them.

Asami as a bad guy would have been a very interesting take on the issue - although her character had more to do in Book 1 and Book 3-4 - and at times, I felt bad for her having so much hardship (i.e. being betrayed by Mako, having her father try to kill her and other benders, having her company on the brink of being bankrupt, etc.) but I was thankful for her surviving it.

The same goes for Korra and all the things she went through. I didn't care for the same-sex relationship alluding in the last episode of Book 4 - but that's not the whole of the Avatar world in general.


As it concerns Tenzin fourth child, he was actually in the last episode - alongside his mother during the marriage of Varrick. Zuko was also in Book 4 as it concerns the "Coronation" episode when Kurvira announced she would be leading the Earth Empire...as he was alongside his daughter:

I don't know where Kaya was at - but who knows...

 

[grandvizier1006]

I know Zuko was in Season 4, but he wasn't in that episode that was just a few episodes before the finale when the "world leaders" (I think it's a bit odd when the call them the world leaders since Tenzin doesn't have many people to lead and there are only really 6 "countries" at the most) were meeting and deciding what to do about Khuvira (who's name I still don't know how to spell).

But at least one "missing person's case" has been solved with Rohan

Speaking of the Fire Nation, though, we never got to see them much at all. I think Korra washed up there one time in Season 2, but that was it. I know we didn't get to see the Fire Nation much in general, but still, I feel like we could have gotten some perspective on what the Fire Nation is like now. But I think Azumi (Zuko's daughter's name, right?) explained that the Fire Nation had recovered but was war-weary, which I guess was a good enough explanation. At least we got to see Ba Sing Se and the spirit oasis (that town where Iroh Sr. and Zuko hid out in) in Season 3. Still, there was also Kyoshi island, Omashu, the Western Air temple (that was a pretty unique-looking air temple) and the Northern air temple (I think that was the one where those people in ATLA had been making all of those gliders and Aang was upset that they were living on his land--Tenzin and his family lived on Air temple island, which I think was just an island off Republic City and not actually an air temple itself).

So, basically, a lot of places from the old series that we didn't get to at least check on once. It seemed to me like LoK would only go to places when needed for the plot, which I guess would make sense given that we've technically seen all these places before.

Oh, and Koh the face-stealer didn't get to make a cameo!

 

[Near]

In my former years I watched Avatar, the Last Air-bender.
I remember it being quite a different from other "cartoons", or kids shows.
For example, in Power-Rangers, you wouldn't see a kiss scene, or a relationship. It was all about fighting bad-guys.
I think that appeals to kids... the aspect of justice. Good vs. evil.
There's also the display of "superpowers".
I think most of us as kids were asked, "which superpower would you most want?"
The elements I mentioned, plus a plot, characters, setting, and more make an appealing story.

I'd be willing to bet, all of the popular television programs on TV today, have some form of sin in them, which is expressed in a way in which sin is either appealing or condoned. My local news channel recently allowed of group of gay men from San Francisco to sing "christmas" songs, therefore condoning the homosexual lifestyle.

What is the "Legend of Korra"? The story about a girl who can move air around...farting? meh...
The Legend of Korra, it's a product of worldly men, filled with pagan motifs... and at the end, it's pro-sin once again.

Is that type of entertainment appropriate for the Christian? Should Christians enjoy entertainment dreamed up by those who do not serve the Lord?

what'd ya expect? John the Baptist suddenly preaching the gospel to Korra and her friends?

1 Cor 6:9
do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals

I'm curious, what would it look like to see the gospel being preached within the fictional work?

What would Jesus say to Korra? (nothing, Korra is fictional)
...but rather What would Jesus say to you?

To address the thread question:What Can Christians learn from Anime?
Lot's of things... lot's of things you don't need. You may say anime teaches how to be nice, or something like that... you can learn to be ______ (insert quality) without anime, or cartoons...
Anime....is full of male bovine excrement... loads of it. Just like the world.

Here's an alternative to anime, and other trash:
Go outside, and read the bible for 20 minutes or more. Do a few pushups, why not?

 

[grandvizier1006]

Please don't be like that. We all have different things we like. No one said you had to like cartoons or any other form of entertainment--I'll admit I don't watch much TV myself nowadays since most of it is either boring or garbage. And Milo is the one who moves around by farting, not Korra

Besides, it's Christmas, that one time of the year where everybody is supposed to be happy--and hopefully remember Jesus' birth, but family bonding is great, too. So just relax and have a Merry Christmas and don't be angry about the sin in the world. Jesus came to give us a way out, and one day it will be gone for good