The way forward for Avatar, the one with all of the bending, not the blue folks, is just a little unsure in the intervening time. We do know that there is three animated films within the works from Paramount and Nickelodeon with unique creators Bryan Konietzko and Michael DiMartino on the helm. A type of is even about The Final Airbender’s beloved solid of characters, Aang and co, which is outwardly due out in 2025. And there are rumours that there is plans for one more sequence that may observe the following avatar, who in concept ought to be an earth bender by delivery.
Nonetheless, it’s thrilling to know that there’s lots within the works, even when for essentially the most half we do not know what that’s. However, it is also been fairly some time since we have visited the animated world of Avatar (we’re not counting the Netflix sequence, for apparent causes). The Legend of Korra, the sequel sequence that adopted the titular follow-up Avatar, completed a complete decade in the past, and whereas there’s loads of great things in there, it additionally had a myriad of issues.
Proper off the bat I need to be clear I’m not a Korra hater, particularly speaking concerning the character right here. I believe she’s a rather well written character, and felt very distinct from Aang as an Avatar. My issues principally come from the best way that The Legend of Korra constructed its world, in a number of methods.
It is no secret that Korra had manufacturing points, made rockier by low rankings and a Nickelodeon that was hesitant to let the crew do what they knew greatest. The place The Final Airbender was deliberate to have three seasons from the start, and a whole story informed throughout them, Korra wasn’t so fortunate, having to inform new tales with every subsequent season. However even when that was the case, I really feel that one of many greatest points got here from how every season form of ignored what occurred earlier than.
Season three did depend on a serious plot level from the second to inform its personal story, however the high quality particulars did not actually matter, which occurred equally once more in season 4. It felt unusual and disconnected, particularly contemplating how profitable The Final Airbender was at organising essential story particulars proper from the primary season. Once more, it is exhausting to set issues up if you do not know the place you are going, however why outright ignore what occurred earlier than?
I believe, in flip, this harm a few of the world constructing. Toph’s growth, for instance, is one I take a variety of frustration with, as do many others – how did the rebellious, free-spirited earth bender find yourself forming literal police? It felt like a discredit to her character, and with out having the ability to plan far prematurely, it additionally felt like there was no actual solution to rectify it.
In flip, the present’s politics turned rather a lot messier. The place The Final Airbender had surprisingly nuanced approaches to subjects like colonialism and fascism, Korra veered too near our personal time and place with out the identical degree of criticism in place. I am not likely positive if this can be a level that may simply be handled within the movie that focuses on the Gaang, nevertheless it’s one thing I desperately hope a brand new sequel sequence thinks extra deeply about, because it’s a part of the attraction of the unique.
Avatar’s world has at all times been greater than what we have seen of it, and with these three movies on the best way, quickly sufficient we’ll be capable to see a bit extra of it. I simply hope that in any case this time, with the final main venture being as messy because it was, the unique creators have not misplaced their contact.