Korra Vs Aang as characters

[Mindbender]

I was just thinking about Korra, and it occurred to me that, while she is very likable, she doesn't seem as emotionally complex as Aang was. Now, obviously I'm not being fair is that I have only 2 episodes of TLOK to base this on, versus 61 episodes of ATLA (plus comics, if you count that). But Aang was a reluctant hero, felt an incredible loss and grief due to the death of the Air nomads, combined with the sense of guilt due to feeling responsible for abandoning them before they were attacked, and yet he is still light-hearted in a very believable way. He is wise and has the pure heart of a child.

We didn't have a complete sense of this in the first two episodes of ATLA, but I think it's fair to say we got a decent sense of it in the first few episodes, especially by at least 103 (The Southern Air Temple). I don't know what we are going to learn about Korra's past, or what will happen to her going forward, but I don't see the potential for as much internal conflict as we did with Aang.

Thoughts?

[Macready84464]

Not a whole lot to expound upon. You covered the idea pretty well yourself. We'll just have to wait for a few eps and see if something else comes up.

[Musemelpomene]

I don't think its as much that she has a heavy burden of her past but its about to develop as the show goes on. Aang lost a lot of people and had issues but at least people looked up to his position as he was seen as a hero. Korra seems to have grown up okay, but as we can already see, Amon's movement and the shift in society questions the role as the avatar, as many people will start seeing her as a "bad guy oppressor". Aang was seen as the hero, and I think one of Korra's burdens throughout some of the show will be that many people might not respect her or want the avatar to exist anymore no matter how hard she tries to do right.

I mean, how would it feel to try to do your best to fit the role you were born to be, but then a lot of people don't want you? That might start a lot of emotional complexity for Korra.

Also, I'm going to be guessing that Mako and Bolin have a pretty rough past, kinda like how Zuko had his rough past as another main character.

[WanShiTong]

I agree. It's kinda refreshing that Korra doesn't have any "Daddy or Mommy Issues" like every main character from ATLA.

[BlackInk]

I agree. It's kinda refreshing that Korra doesn't have any "Daddy or Mommy Issues" like every main character from ATLA.

Except THE main character. But I agree.

It seems like LoK will be less epic on both the visual and emotional levels but I think it will fit in with the feeling of the show pretty good. And of course, it COULD turn out to be something extremely epic in the future.

[Prince Zuko]

I think it will take few more episodes for the show to become more epic and exciting like ATLA , all we have seen so far are some introductions of the main characters .Korra doesn't have a past like Aang had. It's a different story and the characters will be different too ,I think her character will develop more when things become less peaceful in Republic city .

I love the music and the animation of the show btw !

[TheCabbageMerchant]

I don't think will will learn much more about Korra's past. It seems it was pretty secure and uneventful compared to Aang's and doesn't look like there will be much to develop there.

I think her lack of patience and aggressive approach will bring her into conflict with the establishment (as we've already seen with Lin and Tenzin) in a more meaningful way in future episodes.

I think that when the equalists fully present themselves as her enemy it will be interesting to see how see develops as an Avatar. Here's an enemy who is more of a political and ideological one, rather than one she can fight with bending - the complete opposite of her natural strengths. If she can't even hold her own against one lackey with a loudspeaker, she's going to be competely outclassed by Amon spouting anti-bender rhetoric and turning the city against her. I think that's when we'll really start to see her develop as a character. But I agree that she probably won't have the same emotional complexity that Aang did.

It's ironic that Aang seems more suited to deal with the problems of republic city, which needs a spiritual and intellectual leader and peacekeeper, while Korra would be more at home leading the invasion on the day of black sun and fighting the fire lord mano-a-mano.

[BlackInk]

It's ironic that Aang seems more suited to deal with the problems of republic city, which needs a spiritual and intellectual leader and peacekeeper, while Korra would be more at home leading the invasion on the day of black sun and fighting the fire lord mano-a-mano.

Interesting thought this.

[Mindbender]

I don't think its as much that she has a heavy burden of her past but its about to develop as the show goes on. Aang lost a lot of people and had issues but at least people looked up to his position as he was seen as a hero. Korra seems to have grown up okay, but as we can already see, Amon's movement and the shift in society questions the role as the avatar, as many people will start seeing her as a "bad guy oppressor". Aang was seen as the hero, and I think one of Korra's burdens throughout some of the show will be that many people might not respect her or want the avatar to exist anymore no matter how hard she tries to do right.

I mean, how would it feel to try to do your best to fit the role you were born to be, but then a lot of people don't want you? That might start a lot of emotional complexity for Korra.

Also, I'm going to be guessing that Mako and Bolin have a pretty rough past, kinda like how Zuko had his rough past as another main character.

As Sokka told Aang, Aang had an entire nation of firebenders that hated him. This is a partially underground political movement, the challenges are different, but to say no one say Aang as a bay guy is not true.

I think we are gonna continue to see Korra frustrated by airbending, spirituality, and the politics of anti-bending, and we may see some complex character development, but I really don't see her being as emotionally interesting as Aang.

But different is good, I am certainly glad Bryke have made a conscious effort to not rehash ATLA and explore new territory, plot-wise, character-wise, theme-wise, setting-wise, and in many ways, even tone-wise, while still feeling connected to the universe and sensibility and aesthetic of the original show. Maybe I need to not judge Korra as a character by comparing her to Aang. She is a great character, and I'm psyched to be following her story.

[QiBreezy]

I agree. It's kinda refreshing that Korra doesn't have any "Daddy or Mommy Issues" like every main character from ATLA.

Except THE main character. But I agree.

It seems like LoK will be less epic on both the visual and emotional levels but I think it will fit in with the feeling of the show pretty good. And of course, it COULD turn out to be something extremely epic in the future.

Why do you feel LoK will be less epic visually? We have yet to see that magic but I don't think it falls short in any regards.

I do agree that Korra's emotional depth has yet to develop. What we can see, for now, is the culture shock she's experiencing as she adjusts from the rural backdrop of her Southern Water Tribe to the bustle of the big city. You see her eagerness to be just like the citizens of Republic City, quick to prove herself worthy of their approval. She will find herself troubled when the people she's aspiring to impress are the same people who will go against her and her bending peers.

But ultimately, I don't see the same struggle Aang had to go through. Aang was younger, with a heavier burden. He had a war to stop. Korra has a political party to combat. But the depth of that has yet to be revealed. I'm sure the plot thickens.