Korra's Most Controversial Storylines, Ranked
In The Legend of Korra, viewers encounter a series that is full of entertaining characters and narratives. However, even a diverse cast with unique circumstances is enough to protect Korra from well-deserved criticism; it is still not without its share of contentious storylines.
Despite Korra’s acclaim, certain aspects of the narrative have sparked debate among fans. From Korra’s romantic entanglements to the sudden and random reappearance of airbenders, The Legend of Korra’s most questionable storylines continue to perplex fans.
Seasons One and Two Feel Disconnected
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Tenzin, Korra, Raava and Vaatu from The Legend of Korra.
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Korra’s first two seasons have a tonal shift that is jarring to some viewers. While season one focuses on Korra and her conflict with Amon and the Equalists, season two throws a curveball by introducing an entirely new villain, Unalaq. The events of season one and its aftermath are mostly pushed aside for this new threat.
This disconnect is a result of Korra season two’s uncertain future at the time. Originally conceived as a miniseries, the creators had to scramble for a new villain and overarching plot when Nickelodeon greenlit a full season later. This haste leaves viewers with a sense of whiplash as Korra’s initial focus on balancing the physical world and the spirit world takes a backseat to a more traditional power struggle within the Water Tribes.
The Dai Li Still Exists
In the original Avatar series, the Dai Li was a corrupted and tyrannical group, constantly in opposition to Aang and his comrades. After the war, they regain the Earth Kingdom’s trust and begin serving the monarchy. However, they revert to their corrupted ways under the Earth Queen in Korra.
Fans often question why the Dai Li were allowed to remain functional, especially because they committed atrocious acts, such as conspiring to hide the 100-year war and siding with the Fire Nation to start a coup d’état. While the show doesn’t explicitly address why the Dai Li survived, their continued existence under a repressive regime implies a troubling return to the Earth Kingdom’s past.
Korra’s Connection to Past Avatars Is Shattered
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Aang, Korra, and Roku in the Avatar State
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Unlike Aang, who frequently sought guidance from past Avatars like Roku, Korra rarely consults her predecessors. Her contact with past Avatars is eventually completely severed when Raava, the light spirit that connects Avatars, is shattered. While Korra manages to revive Raava, the connection to her past lives is permanently lost.
Aang could draw on centuries of experience, while Korra faces challenges on her own, hindering her ability to learn from past mistakes and triumphs. This lack of guidance forces Korra to forge her own path, which becomes a core theme of her development, but also makes her journey considerably harder and deprives fans of opportunities to get more glimpses of her predecessors.
Korra and Asami’s Relationship Is Rushed
While Korra and Asami’s relationship was groundbreaking as the first same-sex couple in a Nickelodeon children’s animated show, its development feels rushed. Throughout the first two seasons, Korra and Asami mostly compete for Mako’s affection. Season three hints at a bond between them that continues to grow as the series progresses.
The series concludes with the pair holding hands and gazing into each other’s eyes, a subtle yet clear sign of their romantic feelings. But up until this point, their relationship mostly felt like a close friendship rather than a brewing romance. Though censorship at the time may have prevented Korra’s creators from explicitly fleshing out Korra and Asami’s relationship, they could have still benefited from having more time to create a slow-burning romance, like Aang and Katara.
Lin and Suyin’s Fathers Are a Mystery
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The Beifong sisters’ paternal lineage is shrouded in mystery. Lin’s father is a man named Kanto, who was once Toph’s partner — but that’s about all anyone knows about him. Suyin’s father, on the other hand, is completely unknown.
The lack of information about Kanto and Suyin’s father raises questions about their respective roles in the sisters’ lives and the reasons for their absence. Toph also refuses to speak about them in depth for unknown reasons. The unresolved mysteries surrounding Lin and Suyin’s fathers serve as intriguing plot points that leave fans eager for more insight into their backgrounds.
Korra, Mako, and Asami’s Love Triangle Is Messy
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The Korra-Mako-Asami love triangle is one of the most frustrating things in Korra. It creates unnecessary drama as Mako’s indecisiveness and Korra’s impulsiveness lead to a back-and-forth mess that overshadows their individual character development and disrupts Team Avatar’s dynamic.
The awkward love triangle also diminishes Asami’s character. Initially shown as strong and independent, she gets caught in the middle, making her emotions dependent on Mako’s choices. Korra’s aggressive pursuit of Mako, even while he’s with Asami, also feels disrespectful. While the drama eventually resolves, it still leaves a sour taste in fans’ mouths.
The Fate of Avatar’s Original Cast Is Unknown
Flashback of Adult Sokka at a city council meeting; Lin Beifong with her fists up ready for battle from The Legend of Korra.
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The Legend of Korra leaves fans hanging when it comes to disclosing the fates of beloved characters from Avatar. Sokka’s absence is particularly poignant. While fans know he served on the Republic City Council at some point, details surrounding his heavily implied death remain shrouded in mystery.
Other characters, like Aang, Azula, and Suki, and their stories are even more obscure. This lack of closure is frustrating for fans who crave a sense of completion for these characters who played such pivotal roles in the original series.
Spiritbending Appears Out of Nowhere
Korra is the first Avatar to spiritbend but her mastery of it — and spiritbending in general — are questionable. Unlike elemental bending techniques passed down through generations, spiritbending’s origin is unclear. Fans theorize that it’s either an inherent Avatar ability or linked to Raava but neither of these theories have been confirmed.
Bending elements requires intense training, yet Korra seemingly bends spirits effortlessly. The extent of her limitations and whether she can use it permanently are also unknown. Interestingly, Korra rarely spiritbends after the events of season two, leaving viewers to wonder if it’s a technique she consciously avoids.
Zaheer Immediately Knows How to Airbend
Split Image showing Jinora, Korra and Tonraq in TLOK
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Zaheer’s airbending prowess raises eyebrows. A non-bender imprisoned for years, he suddenly gains airbending upon Harmonic Convergence. While the event unlocked latent bending abilities in some, Zaheer’s mastery feels unearned. Unlike Korra, who trained for years and struggled to master it, Zaheer performs complex airbending techniques immediately.
This prompts the question of how Zaheer was able to adapt to his new power so quickly or if it is because he possessed exceptional martial arts skills that translated well. Regardless, his newfound power makes him a formidable opponent.
Airbenders Reappear at Random
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The emergence of new airbenders in Korra after Harmonic Convergence was an exciting event, but the seemingly random selection process leaves fans confused. Airbending appears in individuals with no prior connection to the element. The show offers no explanation for why people like Zaheer or Kai are granted airbending abilities while others aren’t.
Perhaps they were descendants of the original Air Nomads like Bumi or their personalities simply aligned with Air Nomad ideals. The ambiguity around the selection criteria creates a sense of unearned power and undermines the cultural significance of airbending.
The Legend Of Korra TV Show Poster
The Legend of Korra
Avatar Korra fights to keep Republic City safe from the evil forces of both the physical and spiritual worlds.
Release DateApril 14, 2012Creator(s)Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan KonietzkoCastJeff Bennett, P.J. Byrne, J.K. Simmons, Seychelle Gabriel, Mindy Sterling, Janet Varney, Dee Bradley Baker, David FaustinoMain GenreAnimationGenresAnimation, Action, AdventureRatingTV-PGSeasons4