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[Shrennin]

Yes, but there are no bigger stories in Batman TAS at least. I have a spotty memory of Beyond, but I think there wasn't a storyline either. Continuity isn't the same as an overarching plot, the single episode stories are self contained and don't add up to anything, in contrast to ATLA where everything, even "filler" episodes worked in context of the bigger story that went from the first episode to the last.

JLU did more of that. The Cadmus arc in particular was amazing. I don't remember too much about Batman Beyond in particular -- the Batman Beyond finale aired in JLU which is why I remember that episode so well. It's hard to have one specific storyline for a superhero show (like Avatar) so I guess if you mean in the context of working up to a big finale then I guess you would be right but I think the show is more how the heroes evolved over the course of the entire series of cartoons during their many battles. It's still not like most cartoons where the events of the story don't affect the characters in it. Granted, some episodes are completely one-offs, but others aren't (at least in terms of character development).

 

[Satch]

i dont know why i always laugh so hard when people draw ming-hua doing hand things with her water arms

 

[Loofy]

It is pretty obvious the Water Tribe is based off Inuit and inuit culture. If we were going by our standards, that is what she would be and what she does look like.

Theyre probably based more on Mongolians or indigenous siberians.

Who knows the show creators probably got the name 'Sokka' from the Sakha people of Siberia. Thats just a guess though.

 

[WrenchNinja]

That's probably more accurate and fits better with all of the other nations being based off various asian cultures.

 

[Chariot]

JLU did more of that. The Cadmus arc in particular was amazing. I don't remember too much about Batman Beyond in particular -- the Batman Beyond finale aired in JLU which is why I remember that episode so well. It's hard to have one specific storyline for a superhero show (like Avatar) so I guess if you mean in the context of working up to a big finale then I guess you would be right but I think the show is more how the heroes evolved over the course of the entire series of cartoons during their many battles. It's still not like most cartoons where the events of the story don't affect the characters in it. Granted, some episodes are completely one-offs, but others aren't (at least in terms of character development).

As much as people want it to be - JLU isn't Batman. I was merely responding to you stating Batman TLA and the other Batman. JLU has arcs with results that more or less stay. But the changes are small and there isn't remotely a big immersive story like ATLA had.

 

[Kinvara]

Theyre probably based more on Mongolians or indigenous siberians.

Who knows the show creators probably got the name 'Sokka' from the Sakha people of Siberia. Thats just a guess though.

Nope. The creators have always established that the Northern/Southern Water Tribe were based on Inuit-Yupik culture.

Which makes more sense since the Native American peoples of the arctic circle are heavily dependent on the ocean for food and other necessities.

 

[darkazcura]

Am I the only one who prefers LOK over ATLA? I'm at season 2 of ATLA (it's excellent) and I still prefer LOK.

The first half of season 1 of ATLA was kinda disappointing then it became gradually became better over time.

Meanwhile Season 1 of LOK was the same from the beginning to the end: awesome. However, Season 2 was underwhelming especially compared to Season 2 of ATLA.
Season 2 (Avatar) is rivalling Season 3 of LOK.

In summary:

LOK Season 1 > Season 2 (Avatar) = Season 3 (LOK) > Season 2 (LOK) > Season 1 (Avatar)

I don't look at ATLA as separate seasons. That's the issue with LOK that people have already brought up time and time again. Its self contained seasons and limited episodes really lower its overall impact. ATLA is so great to me because of its large overarching story, feeling of adventure, and huge emotional ride it sometimes takes you on. The characters have far more depth. Everything felt bigger in ATLA like it actually really mattered. Season 3 of LOK is coming close to that feeling (killing world leaders is a pretty big deal), but I still don't care about the characters at all relative to ATLA.

One thing I really loved about ATLA was that it changed focus a lot. Not only did Aang's friends have more development than Korra's, we also constantly got to see scenes at least once every other episode from the enemy's side. The only time (for the most part) we really see anything from the enemies with Korra is when she personally interacts with them. That diversity really highlights ATLA's uniqueness. LOK has mainly been a story about Korra and her development in self-contained segments of her life, while ATLA was the story of 6 different characters over the course of 60 episodes.

This one is more of a personal feeling, but while I was intrigued by the steampunk setting of Korra at first, I quickly realized the creators could not pull it off as well as they did the mythological/fantasy setting from ATLA. Beginnings and Season 3 have made that really clear. I thought they (the creators) had lost it, but I realized part of their issue was that they weren't working with fun locales anymore. One of the reasons Season 3 is so great so far is that they are staying away from Republic City and actually exploring areas with great set pieces.

ATLA would look pretty bad too if you tried condensing its 60 episodes into 15, though, so I don't really knock on Korra too much. I fully understand why its not as good. It was handicapped from the start.

EDIT: Also, is this the first time you are watching ATLA? So you watched LOK first? I can't even imagine doing that since LOK would pretty much (kind of) ruin one of the best characters I've seen on TV in terms of development. I can't imagine it would have the same impact if you know it is coming.

 

[Blades64]

Lol

 

[AniHawk]

he'll metal bend to save opal. I'm positive.

mako: you have to metal bend, bolin. you have to metal bend to save opal!
*ssssssssnap!*
mako: bolin! you were supposed to metal bend to save opal, not opal bend to save metal! you've killed opal!

 

[Joeytj]

Black only indicates skin color. Of course our ethnicities don't apply to our world, but if we are going by our standards, then she's black.

By American white standards, perhaps, but the rest of the world perfectly distinguishes inuit, latino, middle-eastern and black peoples as very different. Korra isn't black, not even in skin color. She is water tribe, therefore, based on Inuit-Yupik races that are somewhat brown skinned.

 

[Icyflamez96]

Stop ruining my dreams

 

[MartyStu]

Book Earth > Book Change (pending the finale) > Book Fire > Book Water > Book Air (Endgame drags it down) > Book Spirits

I prefer LoK's animation and character design. AtLA is a better told story, with better realized characters. At this point, Legend of Korra is what it is - I can't keep hoping it fulfills its potential. Change has been really good, and if the finale season maintains this course then I can be happy with the finale product. But the end of the first season all the way through the second season has been suspect at best.

Pretty spot on. Earth is the gold standard for this series, but Change has done a very good job.

 

[Phoenician_Viking]

So...will ATLA forever remain the standard for great Western Cartoons with a continuous storyline?

Young Justice was getting but WB cancelled it.

Nick's TMNT is obsolutely amazing and will knock out ATLA as the standard continuous storyline and everything else.

 

[Icyflamez96]

This is comedy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuTFZLyCq3U

 

[TacticalFox88]

Katara: Hey! I got my eye one you!

Sokka *as he's walking backwards: (whisper) Water tribe! *turns and leaves

:lol

Forever will be the greatest bit of comedy in ATLA.

Had me DYING

 

[Trey]

Katara: Hey! I got my eye one you!

Sokka *as he's walking backwards: (whisper) Water tribe! *turns and leaves

:lol

Forever will be the greatest bit of comedy in ATLA.

Had me DYING

I literally just watched that episode. One of the best in the entire franchise.

 

[coolfighter1993]

I don't look at ATLA as separate seasons. That's the issue with LOK that people have already brought up time and time again. Its self contained seasons and limited episodes really lower its overall impact. ATLA is so great to me because of its large overarching story, feeling of adventure, and huge emotional ride it sometimes takes you on. The characters have far more depth. Everything felt bigger in ATLA like it actually really mattered. Season 3 of LOK is coming close to that feeling (killing world leaders is a pretty big deal), but I still don't care about the characters at all relative to ATLA.

One thing I really loved about ATLA was that it changed focus a lot. Not only did Aang's friends have more development than Korra's, we also constantly got to see scenes at least once every other episode from the enemy's side. The only time (for the most part) we really see anything from the enemies with Korra is when she personally interacts with them. That diversity really highlights ATLA's uniqueness. LOK has mainly been a story about Korra and her development in self-contained segments of her life, while ATLA was the story of 6 different characters over the course of 60 episodes.

This one is more of a personal feeling, but while I was intrigued by the steampunk setting of Korra at first, I quickly realized the creators could not pull it off as well as they did the mythological/fantasy setting from ATLA. Beginnings and Season 3 have made that really clear. I thought they (the creators) had lost it, but I realized part of their issue was that they weren't working with fun locales anymore. One of the reasons Season 3 is so great so far is that they are staying away from Republic City and actually exploring areas with great set pieces.

ATLA would look pretty bad too if you tried condensing its 60 episodes into 15, though, so I don't really knock on Korra too much. I fully understand why its not as good. It was handicapped from the start.

EDIT: Also, is this the first time you are watching ATLA? So you watched LOK first? I can't even imagine doing that since LOK would pretty much (kind of) ruin one of the best characters I've seen on TV in terms of development. I can't imagine it would have the same impact if you know it is coming.

Yes i did, because I heard people on IGN saying how good LOK was and I wanted to know what the fuzz was about. I'm glad I did as I really enjoyed the experience.

Avatar feels too "kid-friendly" compared to LOK (I know it's a show aimed at kids/teenagers but still...). LOK seems to aim more at doing adult themes like discrimination (The Equalists etc) for example.

LOK had better villains IMO. I prefer Amon and Zaheer over Zuko (when he was a villain) and Zhao. The only villain who compared to the villains of LOK is Azula (so far).

I think that Korra is a better main character than Aang, as she isn't as corny than him. Some parts of ATLA I wanted to skip because of the guy. In addition, I prefer Mako and Bolin over Katara, Toph (both were overpowered as hell...) and Sokka (at least Bolin has bending, Sokka was useless. However, Sokka does have more interaction with the story than Asami).

 

[Sketchbag]

Yes i did, because I heard people on IGN saying how good LOK was and I wanted to know what the fuzz was about. I'm glad I did as I really enjoyed the experience.

Avatar feels too "kid-friendly" compared to LOK (I know it's a show aimed at kids/teenagers but still...). LOK seems to aim more at doing adult themes like discrimination (The Equalists etc) for example.

LOK had better villains IMO. I prefer Amon and Zaheer over Zuko (when he was a villain) and Zhao. The only villain who compared to the villains of LOK is Azula (so far).

I think that Korra is a better main character than Aang, as she isn't as corny than him. Some parts of ATLA I wanted to skip because of the guy. In addition, I prefer Mako and Bolin over Katara, Toph (both were overpowered as hell...) and Sokka (at least Bolin has bending, Sokka was useless. However, Sokka does have more interaction with the story than Asami).

You prefer Mako and Bolin over Katara and TOPH MOTHERUCKING BEIFONG?

WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?

They shouldn't even make a show about Korra. Should have been The Legend of Toph Beifong. I would indulge in that shit for years, Twinkletoes.

 

[Violet_0]

In addition, I prefer Mako and Bolin over Katara, Toph (both were overpowered as hell...) and Sokka

whoa whoa, let's not get crazy

 

[Satch]

genocide is a very adult theme

 

[coolfighter1993]

whoa whoa, let's not get crazy

They were both too strong so there was no excitement in the fights because I knew that the bad guys would have no chance.

In LOK the villains were actually competent and won several battles. They do lose at the end but that has to happen as this isn't Game of Thrones.

 

[coolfighter1993]

genocide is a very adult theme

True. I forgot about that, but LOK is still darker for me.

 

[Icyflamez96]

Yeah I much prefer the tone and atmosphere of Korra.

 

[Shrennin]

As much as people want it to be - JLU isn't Batman. I was merely responding to you stating Batman TLA and the other Batman. JLU has arcs with results that more or less stay. But the changes are small and there isn't remotely a big immersive story like ATLA had.

I was making an argument for the DCAU in total which includes BTAS, STAS, BB, JL, JLU, Zeta Project, and probably a few other series I'm forgetting. They are all connected -- Bruce's rocky relationship with Dick Grayson actually begins in BTAS. There's also pretty big implications for Luthor and Brainiac in JLU in particular.

STAS ending spoilers:

Spoiler

Darkseid made Superman a feared being on Earth which results in a main character's death in his show (and the mistrust of Supes carried into JL).

I mean, I don't disagree that ATLA has more permanent changes throughout its story, but I still contend that the DCAU is a really unique series of cartoons that does have permanence. I just think it's a good example of a continuous storyline because there are permanent changes that happen throughout the series, but it's also a "day in the life of" type of thing with each superhero that it represents. Things with permanence do happen, but other things happen that ultimately will have no great change also happen -- which, to me at least, made it feel realistic, and made those permanent changes feel heavy. You certainly get the reasons why Superman may be feared, why the Justice League is feared, why Bruce is a bitter, old man who only has Terry (and even then his relationship with Terry is not the best). You also know why Bruce named his dog "Ace" as well! =P

 

[XAL]

genocide is a very adult theme

And child abuse, abandonment. Lord Dbag smashed fire into his son's face...

Bloodbending was pretty disturbing when it was revealed.

Discrimination and internment of the earthbenders in labor camps. Cultural superiority. Air nomad Genocide. Fire nation literally Nazis.

I think LoK has less adult themes...discrimination (sorta?), typical politicians, despots.

 

[Sketchbag]

They were both too strong so there was no excitement in the fights because I knew that the bad guys would have no chance.

In LOK the villains were actually competent and won several battles. They do lose at the end but that has to happen as this isn't Game of Thrones.

Of course they don't have a chance against the greatest Earth Bender but she was limited by where she could go like the Snake's Path episode where she absolutely can't go in water. Anytime there's water around she becomes useless and it shows later on.

Katara barely won any fights she had unless they were side episodes with a Witch or whatever.

If you think them being OP is what makes them good characters you, sir, are not paying attention.


The Legend of Korra would have been so much better if it was not seasonal arcs and Amon was the big bad for the entire series. Such wasted potential. He was the only legit threat this series.

 

[Trey]

Fall back u nerds

I'm the LoK radical round these parts, y'all encroaching in my lane.

 

[darkazcura]

True. I forgot about that, but LOK is still darker for me.

I think you may be focusing on fights and age too much. ATLA is far more mature than LOK is, and the complexities of the character development is objectively higher in ATLA regardless of whether you like them or not. Korra is almost as mature as Aang, and she is several years older. It's actually kind of sad..

This isn't even nostalgia goggles either. I just finished going through ATLA for the first time since it aired, and I'm actually surprised by the deep character development and the maturity displayed by the kids as the story moves along. It's better than I remember. I thought Sokka was a jokester for a majority of the series until season 3, but I realized I was wrong. He showed a lot of development as early on as the Kyoshi Warriors episode in season 1.

Finish the show and come back to me about the villains. It's so much more deep-rooted than just Zuko and Azula.

 

[Sketchbag]

I think you may be focusing on fights and age too much. ATLA is far more mature than LOK is, and the complexities of the character development is objectively higher in ATLA regardless of whether you like them or not. Korra is almost as mature as Aang, and she is several years older. It's actually kind of sad..

But she's a girl. And a brown one at that. She's strong willed and fierce. She even loves Mako. The girl got it all except a personality.

 

[Violet_0]

They were both too strong so there was no excitement in the fights because I knew that the bad guys would have no chance.

In LOK the villains were actually competent and won several battles. They do lose at the end but that has to happen as this isn't Game of Thrones.

granted, Aang traveling around with a bunch of kids that just happen to be among the very best water- and earthbenders around is sort of lazy writing, and it's kinda refreshing that Mako/Bolin actually lose a lot of their fights

characterization-wise I far prefer Katara, Toph and Sokka though, and I thought the whole group dynamic was much better realized in the original show as well. It was just more fun watching the old team avatar do their thing

 

[darkazcura]

But she's a girl. And a brown one at that. She's strong willed and fierce. She even loves Mako. The girl got it all except a personality.

Let's not forget the themes explored with Aang dealing with the turmoil of losing a whole nation just because he ran away. Thousands upon thousands died because of Aang all over the world because of a simple mistake, and that kid tough'd it out. That theme in itself is far more mature than anything explored in LOK, imo.

 

[Icyflamez96]

For me it's less about the themes and more about the presentation. LoK has felt much more tense, suspenseful, and just more heavy overall compared to ATLA. ATLA had it's tense moments for sure, but overall it's just more lighthearted.

 

[frostshade]

Meelo >> Bolin in the humor department. :3

Aang, you have one hell of a grandchild.

Tenzin and his family (including Kaya and Bumi) would make one hell of an awesome story.

 

[Kangi]

LoK has a more serious tone, but I don't believe that makes it darker, even when it tries to be. A:TLA really hammered home the realities of war and loss, and nothing LoK's done has reached that emotional depth, honestly.

 

[zeemumu]

Katara: Hey! I got my eye one you!

Sokka *as he's walking backwards: (whisper) Water tribe! *turns and leaves

:lol

Forever will be the greatest bit of comedy in ATLA.

Had me DYING

 

[coolfighter1993]

For me it's less about the themes and more about the presentation. LoK has felt much more tense, suspenseful, and just more heavy overall compared to ATLA. ATLA had it's tense moments for sure, but overall it's just more lighthearted.

I completely agree with you!

 

[360pages]

Legend of Korra tries to be mature, but fails horrible at it, it's very serious with very little time for humor and when we do get humor its Bolin who sucks.

Serious does not equal mature, and barely smiling or trying to present yourself as an adult often leads you to being less than one. (Hell this was one of the major themes of FLCL, another series I would rank above Korra)

It's okay to have a serious episode or be a serious series once in a while. But don't go so far that everyone is always nearly stone faced (One of my main problems with Young Justice, though I can accept it's a good show,)

That being said, Korra doesn't have the above problems, and the main issue is what does it want to be? Does it want to be mature? Then why do we have characters like Mello and Bolin? Does it want to be for kids? Then why do they always half ass themes.

I think over all it's part of the reason why Cartoons will probably never be taken as seriously over here as Anime in Japan. Than and honestly compare the sheer number of Anime that is airing at any given time over there with huge amount of variety

That being said Both the 2003 turtles as well as the new series are far more entertaining than Korra is as a whole so far. (Season 3 is really good, but the fact that we had to go through two seasons of meh to just get one decent season shouldn't be commended. If they started with this quality than maybe I would agree,)

 

[Icyflamez96]

LoK has a more serious tone, but I don't believe that makes it darker, even when it tries to be. A:TLA really hammered home the realities of war and loss, and nothing LoK's done has reached that emotional depth, honestly.

Presentation has a lot more affect on emotion than just mere themes in my opinion. Not saying anyone who felt more emotion from ATLA is wrong, i'm just telling you why I found LoK to leave me with much more suspense, weight, and tension than the original series.

 

[coolfighter1993]

The one thing that Aang has over Korra is that he is willing to look at both sides.

In the first season of LOK, Korra displayed the discrimination of non-benders. The writers made her look like an one-sided person, refusing to admit that non-bender could feel "inferior" to benders because they couldn't fight back against them and they always had to "clean up the mess the benders made"

Just imagine if there was bending powers and only some people got it, wouldn't you feel envious if you were a non-bender and you saw other people do some cool stuff? You would probably be oppressed all of your life. I wish Season 1 developed that more.

 

[Joeytj]

I posted earlier that the only images or scenes from previews or released images of Book 3 that we haven't yet seen aired are the last two fights in this preview from Comic-Con and Nick's own preview of Episode 12.

But there are actually two other images that Bryan posted on his tumblr that we haven't seen yet aired. This on of Lin:

And this one of Mako and Bolin in a cavern:

 

[Infinite Justice]

I posted earlier that the only images or scenes from previews or released images of Book 3 that we haven't yet seen aired are the last two fights in this preview from Comic-Con and Nick's own preview of Episode 12.

But there are actually two other images that Bryan posted on his tumblr that we haven't seen yet aired. This on of Lin:

fighting Suyin? #believe

 

[Joeytj]

fighting Suyin? #believe

Haha. The clip they showed at Comic-Con gives a bit more context to the image.

 

[Frog-fu]

Are people seriously still championing LOK over ATLAB 3 seasons in, of which the first one was mediocre and the second was outright terrible?

The Krew has NOTHING on the Gaang.

Also Azula > every villain in LOK combined

 

[Moaradin]

I posted earlier that the only images or scenes from previews or released images of Book 3 that we haven't yet seen aired are the last two fights in this preview from Comic-Con and Nick's own preview of Episode 12.

Man, that animation looks incredible. The fight scenes in this season have been top notch.

 

[Icyflamez96]

Are people seriously still championing LOK over ATLAB 3 seasons in, of which the first one was mediocre and the second was outright terrible?

The Krew has NOTHING on the Gaang.

Also Azula > every villain in LOK combined

Opinions and such.

.

 

[WrenchNinja]

And child abuse, abandonment. Lord Dbag smashed fire into his son's face...

Bloodbending was pretty disturbing when it was revealed.

Discrimination and internment of the earthbenders in labor camps. Cultural superiority. Air nomad Genocide. Fire nation literally Nazis.

I think LoK has less adult themes...discrimination (sorta?), typical politicians, despots.

This is why I kind of lol when people say LoK is more mature

 

[Frog-fu]

.

Jokes. How do they work?

Spoiler

But seriously doe, ATLAB >>>>>>>>>>>> LOK. C'mon now.

This is why I kind of lol when people say LoK is more mature

Agreed. Calling ATLAB "kiddie" is pretty dismissive of all the shit that goes on in that show.

 

[coolfighter1993]

Are people seriously still championing LOK over ATLAB 3 seasons in, of which the first one was mediocre and the second was outright terrible?

The Krew has NOTHING on the Gaang.

Also Azula > every villain in LOK combined

I respectfully disagree. The crew in in LOK are more balanced and not as overpowered as in ATLA.

Azula is a great villain but I prefer Amon over her as he wasn't as crazy and a typical villain compared to her.

Main characters:

Korra > Mako > Bolin > Toph > Aang > Sokka > Asami > Katara

Villains:

Amon > Azula > Zaheer > Zuko

 

[Frog-fu]

I respectfully disagree. The crew in in LOK are more balanced and not as overpowered as in ATLA.

Azula is a great villain but I prefer Amon over her as he wasn't as crazy and a typical villain compared to her.

Main characters:

Korra > Mako > Bolin > Toph > Aang > Sokka > Asami > Katara

Villains:

Amon > Azula > Zaheer > Zuko

Good lord, Jesus take the wheel.

Spoiler

I'm just kidding, brah.

 

[Icyflamez96]

Jokes. How do they work?

Spoiler

But seriously doe, ATLAB >>>>>>>>>>>> LOK. C'mon now.

I just posted that because I thought it would be funny to use your own words towards you lol.

Spoiler

and your spoiler tag proves that what you said wasn't a joke anyway

I never said LoK was the better series, I just said it makes me feel more tension, weight, and suspense.