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

Gxg (G²) · Dec 13, 2014

CryOfALion said:
I was disappointed with this episode. Every minor character won me over, and the villains. I even like Henchmen #18 & #19 when they were in their feels when Su was speaking to her son.

Seriously, Korra this is not a game. Kurvira is destroying mountains with spirit energy, destroying humans, and you go into the Avatar State to threaten someone you want to glean from - not the person nuking your cities? And, she didn't even do anything.

Look, I am all for peace and thinking things through, but it doesn't take hundreds of past Avatar lives to let me know if that is happening I need to go Avatar State and own.

Someone even explained how top heavy the mech was, and how ridiculous it was that the kickback from spirit weapon didn't budge it. And, how it would only take a good Airbender and earthbender to trip the thing, and possibly kill everyone in there via 80m drop. Also, why didn't Bolin lava bend the thing?

Even Christ had a time for meekness, and a time to literally whoop butt. Gxg you mentioned the "Reichness" of Kurvira's assaults. That is fine; what isn't is when you have a god-like being whose job is specifically to maintain peace, balance and harmony. How many nukes and blitzkriegs/spirit bombs would be prevented if Hitler/Kurvira was dealt with swiftly?

This is what I can't stand - the fantastic romanticism of the human spirit. Humans aren't fantastic, and the Avatar isn't exactly human in the impotent sense. I almost don't want to watch the rest: all this time and people lost and wasted because of romanticized diplomacy.

Trust me when I say I feel where you're coming from. Other past Avatars would not have hesitated to go full on and wipe out Kurvira - and I think Korra has the power to do it, especially if taking the battle into the Spirit World.

But I was wondering the same: Metal can be melted so Bolin could have Lava bended, even though he'd need help with the army that he would be fighting through to even get to the Mech. Also, if the Spirit vine blasts are based on what Vaatu could do, Vaatu shot at Wan and Wan could withstand it...so Korra could probably do something spiritually to handle the vines. Also, seeing the metal bending family was present (Beifongs), they can bend Metal as well as Kurvira - so taking it a part would be an option.

And with the air nomads causing a tornado and doing some mess, you can have a serious war going on. It all depends on what people get creative enough to do - but on the issue, I do think it will go down soon in the Season Finale. The Vines are probably going to rise up and help Korra - and Korra is going to do something to decisively end Kurvira's power....something to either expose her for what she is about or something to remove her power itself - be it bending or casting her soul into the Lost Fog of Souls or simply using her power to beat the mess out of her.

It should be interesting...

CryOfALion · Dec 13, 2014

I am not asking that they give us finale fights in the middle of a season, or that Nickelodeon make Korra own Kurvira and her army so hard that the rating goes to TV-14, or TVMA. But, even Avatar Aang made an ocean monster and destroyed the Fire Nation's "fire army" after learning water bending. They are surrounded by water, and Korra is a natural waterbender. I wouldn't mind if she had rehashed that one from Aang, and the army retreated - then came back like in TLAB.

Also, you want to be hard but diplomatic? Spirit Bend Kurvira's boyfriend, send him back to Kurvira, and let her know this is what happens when you mess with the Avatar. That would have scared the entire army - maybe even caused some to "yellow belly" and leave Kurvira.

I am going to hope the final two episodes of this entire universe will deliver.

I am really hoping beyond hope by hoping maybe the finale will somehow allow her to reconnect with the Avatars of past.

I will give her a pass on being scared of spirit energy, and the water monster, since she lost her Wan and Aang connections, I guess. But I agree with you; even Bolin said, "we were close...like close... like REALLY CLOSE" to the spirit blast, and they survived. And, she may have lost the connection, but did she lose her actual memories of her meditations also?

...

Gxg (G²) · Dec 19, 2014

CryOfALion said:
I am going to hope the final two episodes of this entire universe will deliver.

And here we go...

'The Legend of Korra' Season 4, Episode 12/13: 'Day of The Colossus' and 'The Last Stand' | Neon Tommy

The Legend of Korra Series Finale Review: New Beginnings - The Legend of Korra Community - TV.com

The Legend of Korra: "Day of the Colossus/The Last Stand" Review | Geek Binge

Did That Really Just Happen in the Legend of Korra Finale? (SPOILERS)

Western Herald – “The Legend of Korra” Series Finale Review Part Two “The Last Stand”

Amazing. As said in one of the aforementioned references:

Another strong point of this episode and season was the overarching plot and action. I never once found a dull moment save for the obligatory clip show we had a week or two back. This season showed that Korra has broken free from being an Avatar of privilege. Aang was an avatar of necessity as war was consuming the world and ending countless lives. His intervention was necessary to stop this. Korra is different. She’s an avatar of privilege not necessarily needed to stop things. It may have turned out rather dark if she hadn’t been around, but she focused so much on how cool it was to be the Avatar that she lost sight of the true meaning behind the role. It’s a necessary one to bring balance to the world. In this episode and season one I believe she’s finally learned this and I couldn’t be happier. I’ll be sad to see her and this masterfully created world go, but it will forever be with me as write and thinker. I give the episode a 10/10. Bravo Demartino and Konietzko. Don’t abandon this world just yet, please.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yql0QmIUaBk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r37e5AVS5bg

Honestly, I can't really complain. In light of what the writers had to deal with this entire season, they still managed to come up on top with the series - and on the issue, from showing enemies to still be redeemable or able to be connected with to showing the entire Avatar team develop and even creating a new realm, the series truly did what it set out to do.

Korra is truly a fully realized Avatar, in the same way Aang was....and fitting that all of the dynamics with impact occurred in Republic City (Aang's legacy) and transformed into something new.

Gxg (G²) · Dec 19, 2014

awitch said:
On another note, I just watched the 10 episodes of Over the Garden Wall, and I think it's going to be a tough competition for the Annie for best animated production. Korra, OtGW, and Gravity Falls are all excellent.

Kind of tripped out that Legend of Korra is over - but glad that the season ended the way it does. And after seeing the season finale, I can say that I do think that it was definitely worthy of BEST Animated series.

On a side note, if interested in other anime series to check out, I think one of the best series to consider is a film called Master Jiang and the Six Kingdoms. It is a chinese animated feature film - the trailer was animated by only 2 guys, Li Wei and Pei Fei:

awitch · Dec 19, 2014

I really liked the series finale and I'm definitely sad the series has come to an end. Maybe I'll wait a bit before going into details so others have a chance to see it.

I do want to track down Master Jiang. I would also recommend Over the Garden Wall. It's only 10 episodes and each one is less than 15 minutes but the stories are surreal combination of Grimm and Alice in Wonderland and everything is a metaphor for faith, death, hope, and fear.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F45UIQ1cRt8

ViaCrucis · Dec 20, 2014

So back in October of 2013 when this thread started I'd never watched Avatar or Legend of Korra. Then back in August I decided, on a whim, to give it a go. Last night I watched the series finale for Legend of Korra.

Wow. Just wow. Both series were incredible from start to finish. I have no idea why I kept shrugging these off for as long as I did.

-CryptoLutheran

Gxg (G²) · Dec 20, 2014

awitch said:
I really liked the series finale and I'm definitely sad the series has come to an end. Maybe I'll wait a bit before going into details so others have a chance to see it.

Seriously, all I can say is that the series finale was truly spectacular and I really felt like it was intensive to see all that went down with it.

I do want to track down Master Jiang.

Click to expand...

Let me know what you feel about the series in general, as it does seem like it is really up your alley.

I would also recommend Over the Garden Wall. It's only 10 episodes and each one is less than 15 minutes but the stories are surreal combination of Grimm and Alice in Wonderland and everything is a metaphor for faith, death, hope, and fear.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F45UIQ1cRt8

Interesting series and glad to know about it. Thanks again for sharing it with me

Gxg (G²) · Dec 20, 2014

ViaCrucis said:
So back in October of 2013 when this thread started I'd never watched Avatar or Legend of Korra. Then back in August I decided, on a whim, to give it a go. Last night I watched the series finale for Legend of Korra.

Wow. Just wow. Both series were incredible from start to finish. I have no idea why I kept shrugging these off for as long as I did.

-CryptoLutheran

I had no idea that you were able to get through the entire Avatar and Legend of Korra series in that amount of time. But yes, I'm glad you finally chose to go through it. "Wow" is an understatement for both the series.

A lot of people actually put the series off due to not knowing what it is truly about and how impactful it really is...

CryOfALion · Dec 20, 2014

So...

Are Korra and Asami mates now, or nah?

What happened with "Makorra"?

And Kurvira lol... "If you had just surrendered!" Her cause is noble - uniting earth kingdom, but how can you unite a kingdom if you keep nuking the cities with spirit energy. If she was a man, the Hitler/Alexander/Xerces references would be overload.

awitch · Dec 20, 2014

CryOfALion said:
So...

Are Korra and Asami mates now, or nah?

I believe they are. Or at least, I like to think so. I wonder how much of that scene contributed to moving the show online. I was half expecting stories in the new about it.

What happened with "Makorra"?

No chemistry. But super happy Varrick and Zhu Li did the thing.

And tremendous thanks to Gxg because I was one of those people who was putting off watching. Both Air Bender and Korra have an exhibit in my mind's Hall of Awesomeness.

CryOfALion · Dec 20, 2014

That was pretty bold of the writers even if it is online only. I am glad they didn't bludgeon us with Korra's sexuality for an entire season.

Some people say it was a deep friendship, but I say a show that is already limited in budget wouldn't waste time and money with Korra and Asami looking at each other so affectionately, and holding hands if it was just supposed to represent friendship. The writers wanted to make a point. This is after all several decades after Avatar Aang, so the "world" would presumably be more "progressive."

I'm pretty sure Bolin is gay or bisexual also. Would make sense why he is so goofy because he is hiding a "secret." (Like how depressed and suicidal people seem so happy on outside.) Interesting that Korra can embrace her sexuality, and Bolin still struggles with his in this "Post-Aang Progressive" world.

The finale wasn't all light shows, but I liked it like that.

Gxg (G²) · Dec 21, 2014

CryOfALion said:
That was pretty bold of the writers even if it is online only. I am glad they didn't bludgeon us with Korra's sexuality for an entire season.

Nickelodeon will be airing Book 4 of LOK on the air soon, actually - so it is not just an online dynamic.

Nickelodeon Comes To Its Senses, Brings Legend Of Korra Back To TV

The aspect of sexuality is one where the creators of LOK actually noted was not explicit was and they said it was meant to be open to interpretation...

Some people say it was a deep friendship, but I say a show that is already limited in budget wouldn't waste time and money with Korra and Asami looking at each other so affectionately, and holding hands if it was just supposed to represent friendship. The writers wanted to make a point. This is after all several decades after Avatar Aang, so the "world" would presumably be more "progressive."

I'm pretty sure Bolin is gay or bisexual also. Would make sense why he is so goofy because he is hiding a "secret." (Like how depressed and suicidal people seem so happy on outside.) Interesting that Korra can embrace her sexuality, and Bolin still struggles with his in this "Post-Aang Progressive" world.

The finale wasn't all light shows, but I liked it like that.

Goofiness doesn't automatically mean someone is hiding something - and as it concerns the series here, What facts whatsoever are there that Bolin was ever gay or bisexual? Although it is true that the writers themselves seemed to be trying to make a point with Korra and Asami, there's zero basis saying Bolin is anywhere near homosexual since it was already covered in this season AND Last season where he was in a very solid relationship with Opal - with him previously having affections for Korra and other girls.

Bolin's relationships - Avatar Wiki, the Avatar: The Last Airbender resource

That said, things have definitely been progressive within the world of Avatar....

What happened with "Makorra"?

Gotta go back and actually watch Book 2 of LOK before getting the whole picture. It was explained there...and you can actually go back here for more info so as to make sense of the narrative:

The Legend of Korra: Watch the Complete Series! | Book 4 Livestream!

And Kurvira lol... "If you had just surrendered!" Her cause is noble - uniting earth kingdom, but how can you unite a kingdom if you keep nuking the cities with spirit energy. If she was a man, the Hitler/Alexander/Xerces references would be overload.
__________________

She was pretty much in the same vein as Hitler....

Gxg (G²) · Dec 21, 2014

awitch said:
I believe they are. Or at least, I like to think so.

No chemistry.

I thought Mako and Korra had a lot of chemistry from Book 1, but it seemed to fade in Book 2 a lot. And it seemed like it was still present to some degree in Book 4, as if Mako still loved Korra but was content with where it was at.

And to see Mako and Korra's relationship development is really intensive but fascinating....

But super happy Varrick and Zhu Li did the thing.

Ditto. The Proposal and the Wedding were truly amazing. And I have to say that Zhu Li was very much one of the most stunning characters I've seen in the series to date. She was beautiful - and even more amazing seeing all she risked and all the ways she changed Varrick.

And tremendous thanks to Gxg because I was one of those people who was putting off watching. Both Air Bender and Korra have an exhibit in my mind's Hall of Awesomeness

Hall of Awesomeness is definitely where shows like LOK and ATLA belong

Gxg (G²) · Dec 21, 2014

awitch said:
I really liked the series finale and I'm definitely sad the series has come to an end.

Sad the series has indeed ended - but it is a trip how enduring it is....and despite all the mess that came against it in the last couple of seasons, it went down fighting just like Korra.

AmericanChristian91 · Dec 21, 2014

I think the ending was left ambiguous by the writers, some see it as a strong womance, others can see it as a romantic relationship between two Bi women forming.

Gxg (G²) · Dec 22, 2014

AmericanChristian91 said:
I think the ending was left ambiguous by the writers, some see it as a strong womance, others can see it as a romantic relationship between two Bi women forming.

I thought the aspect of womance was a good description for what occurred - no different than bromance.

It has definitely caused a stir in the world of animation and something got released....

Gxg (G²) · Dec 22, 2014

AmericanChristian91 said:
I think the ending was left ambiguous by the writers, some see it as a strong womance, others can see it as a romantic relationship between two Bi women forming.

No need for speculation at this point, as the writers recently confirmed that it is indeed a lesbian relationship.

Legend of Korra Creators Officially Confirm Your Suspicions About That Ending | Vanity Fair

bryan konietzko

Korrasami Confirmed | Mike DiMartino

As said there:

While the episodes were never designed to make a statement, Bryan and I always strove to treat the more difficult subject matter with the respect and gravity it deserved.

And over the years weve heard from numerous fans, in person and online, how Avatar and Korra have influenced their lives for the better or helped them overcome a life struggle or setback. I am always humbled when people share their personal stories with us and I am grateful that my love for telling stories has been able to help people in some small way. So while Avatar and Korra were always meant to be entertaining and engaging tales, this universe and its characters also speak to the deeper humanity in all of us, regardless of age, gender, race, religion, culture, nationality, or sexual orientation.

Our intention with the last scene was to make it as clear as possible that yes, Korra and Asami have romantic feelings for each other. The moment where they enter the spirit portal symbolizes their evolution from being friends to being a couple. Many news outlets, bloggers, and fans picked up on this and didnt find it ambiguous. For the most part, it seems like the point of the scene was understood and additional commentary wasnt really needed from Bryan or me. But in case people were still questioning what happened in the last scene, I wanted to make a clear verbal statement to complement the shows visual one. I get that not everyone will be happy with the way that the show ended. Rarely does a series finale of any show satisfy that shows fans, so Ive been pleasantly surprised with the positive articles and posts Ive seen about Korras finale.

Ive already read some heartwarming and incredible posts about how this moment means so much for the LGBT community.

awitch · Dec 23, 2014

Wow. I'm really impressed that they confirmed it.

The next closest cartoon characters I can think of would be Mac and Tosh from Looney Tunes.

awitch · Dec 23, 2014

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

AmericanChristian91 · Dec 23, 2014

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.

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