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[Albino_Yeti]

The Legend of Korra, sequel show to the greatest story-based cartoon of all time: Avatar the Last Airbender, had its fair share of fans and detractors. Personally, I thought it did some things better than the original, and some things worse. No character in Korra comes close matching the complexity and awesomeness of Zuko, for example. Zuko may very well be my favorite cartoon character ever, and his arc of bad->good->bad->good isn't seen very much. But other than Zuko, the villains in TLA are nowhere near as good as the Red Lotus, or Amon. The Firelord is pretty one dimensional, and Azula and her crew are good, with 'The Beach' being one of their better episodes, (in fact, it was this episode that kinda convinced me that they weren't really considered actual villains, but more good people on the wrong side of the conflict) but not as good as Korra's best villains. Zaheer is an absolute boss, with actual motives that you can understand besides 'I'm bad because I'm bad.' Amon was a badass as well, and I remember everyone coming up with crazy theories trying to figure out who his actual identity was. Kuvira and Tonraq were weaker, with Tonraq being the weaker of the two, but seasons 2 and 4 had some great episodes to make up for this (the Wan episode and the Korra Alone episode).

The fight scenes in Korra are definitely more consistent as well. This is probably more due to the advances in technology, but the Red Lotus fights were all extremely awesome, and are right up there with the best fight in both Avatar shows, The Final Agni Kai from TLA.

The characters in Korra, I thought, weren't as great as TLA characters. I've already mentioned Zuko, but Team Korra isn't as fleshed out as Team Aang. Katara, Aang, Toph, and Sokka all go through great character growth, and while Korra's crew does as well, they don't grow to the same extent of TLA characters, with the exception of maybe Korra herself. Having said that, Tenzin was a phenomenal character, and I really wish we could have seen him and Zuko take on some baddies together.

Also, Sokka was a faaaar superior comedic relief character than Bolin. Sokka's cactus juice scenes were some of the funniest things I've ever seen from a cartoon.

So yea, I definitely loved Korra, but overall I would have to say TLA is still my favorite of the two. Which one did you prefer? Did you hate one and love another? Love em both? Let's hear it!

 

[crisdecuba]

Last Airbender forever.

Ultimately Korra is an interesting disappointment by comparison, with the high point being season 3.

My ranking of the seasons:

TLA Season 2 >
TLA Season 3 >
LoK Season 3 >
LoK Season 1 >
TLA Season 1 >
LoK Season 4 >
LoK Season 2

 

[WillyFive]

Korra was good, but it felt WAY too much like fan fiction. It pandered way too much to fans and was not it's own thing.

Avatar: The Last Airbender however is practically a perfectly written television program from beginning to end.

 

[caliph95]

I'm sure Korra wouuld be on top

Serious though
Avatar 2&3
Korra 3 & 4
Avatar 1
Korra 1
Korra 2

 

[Dynomutt]

Here we go. We all know Ang is the OG.

 

[Albino_Yeti]

Last Airbender forever.
Ultimately Korra an interesting disappointment by comparison, with the high point being season 3.

My ranking of the seasons:

TLA Season 2 >
TLA Season 3 >
LoK Season 3 >
LoK Season 1 >
TLA Season 1 >
LoK Season 4 >
LoK Season 2

I think I would rank the seasons in exactly the same order, except maybe swap TLA seasons 2 and 3. It's tough though, the Ba Sing Se arc was phenomenal, but season 3 had tons of amazing episodes too.

 

[Linkark07]

I think almost all can agree that Korra, while being good, doesn't even come close to TLA. The new Avatar team wasn't as great as the original one.

Personally, Book 1 and Book 3 of Korra were awesome (except the ending of the first season). Book 2 was awful (except Wang's episode. One of the best out there) and Book 4 was disappointing. We had high hopes with Kuvira.

As for Aang, I really need to watch it again. But if memory serves me well, after they got Toph in the crew, there were more good episodes than bad.

 

[Vault Dweller 111]

TLA was by far the better show.

Korra had higher highs though.

 

[Hubbl3]

I liked TLA waaaaaaay more than Korra. The characters, the story, the music, the balance between humor and seriousness was all on point in TLA to me. Korra wasn't bad, but I think it took itself too seriously and the music wasn't memorable in the least bit. The story wasn't really all that memorable either.

I do like The Legend of Korra game (by Platinum Games) better than all of the TLA games that were made though.

 

[Principate]

TLA was by far the better show.

Korra had higher highs though.

Nah not even close name a higher high the Zuko and Azula's Agni Kai culmination of 3 season worth of character development and a sibling rivalry that has lasted two.

 

[Prophet Steve]

I think TLA is waaaaay better than Korra at just about every front. As cool as Amon was, het was very one dimensional and I think Zuko and Azula both were way better.

 

[Rolanderson]

Korra was pretty good, but it suffered a lot from the fact that the creators didn't know if there was gonna be a new season after, so they always had to make the seasons self contained.
The overarching narrative of Last Airbender makes it a lot more interesting to me.

 

[Fbh]

LOK season 2 has this weird thing going for it in that I agree it's easily the worst season... But those 2 chapters about the original Avatar are some of my favorite in all of Avatar.


Anyway, on topic. I enjoyed Korra but I don't think it was nearly as good as TLA.
The plot wasn't that good, the characters didn't grow on me the same way those in TLA did and I honestly don't really like Korra (the character) all that much. I just found her unlikable and kinda useless.
The world also felt less interesting. In TLA it was fun seeing these societies built on the manipulation of the elements. While an industrial revolution makes sense it just made the world less interesting IMO.

 

[Trey]

Book Earth
Book Change
Book Fire
Book Water
Book Balance
Book Spirit
Book Air

 

[Fj0823]

Avatar is amazing Korra is just great.

The real shit here is Nickelodeon

 

[Psychoward]

TLA is easily better for me

Korra season 2 was the low point of the entire franchise in both writing and animation. Korra season 1 was OK but gave her a cheap out and had some shitty romance plots, s3 and parts of season 4 were almost comparable to TLA.

 

[AoM]

Korra was pretty good, but it suffered a lot from the fact that the creators didn't know if there was gonna be a new season after, so they always had to make the seasons self contained.
The overarching narrative of Last Airbender makes it a lot more interesting to me.

This is what it boils down to (and is why the ending of Korra S1 is laughably bad).

I wonder whether Bryke only wanted one season to begin with, or if Nick only gave them one season, to see how it went. If it was the latter, Nick should have had more faith in Bryke.

 

[TheCowboyPoet]

Korra > TLA, sorry everyone but it's a FACT!

 

[Einchy]

Korea season 2 was the low point of the entire franchise in both writing and animation.

I really loved season 1, but as soon as I started on season 2, I noticed the massive dip in animation. It bothered me so much that I didn't even finish the first episode. You say season 3 and 4 are better but is that just because of the story or also because the animation becomes better?

 

[Psychoward]

TLA was by far the better show.

Korra had higher highs though.

Absolutely not. The season 2 finale is still godtier.

 

[Albino_Yeti]

Avatar is amazing Korea is just great.

The real shit here is Nickelodeon

Ain't that the truth. They sent Korra season 4 out to die. Didn't even air the final episodes on tv.

Absolutely not. The season 2 finale is still godtier.

I was so surprised they ended season 2 on such a dark note. Especially for a 'kids' show. Had a real Empire Strikes Back vibe to it.

 

[Principate]

Korra > TLA, sorry everyone but it's a FACT!

Nah Breh even the aang flashback was the best part of season 1 and the san flashback the best part of season 2. The regular show just isn't that strong outside of season 3

 

[Psychoward]

I really loved season 1, but as soon as I started on season 2, I noticed the massive dip in animation. It bothered me so much that I didn't even finish the first episode. You say season 3 and 4 are better but is that just because of the story or also because the animation becomes better?

Both, iirc they outsourced a good chunk of animation to a different studio and it shows. Season 3 and 4 have some great fights

 

[Squishy3]

I really loved season 1, but as soon as I started on season 2, I noticed the massive dip in animation. It bothered me so much that I didn't even finish the first episode. You say season 3 and 4 are better but is that just because of the story or also because the animation becomes better?

Season 2 kinda gets back up to the quality of the first season animation wise around the halfway point (This is when Studio Mir came back, they used Studio Pierrot for a lot of it because Mir was busy with other projects) and while it is still an ultimately underwhelming season, a lot of it has to do with the fact it has to set up new storylines instead of a plot continuing from the first season, since it was originally just going to be a miniseries (hence the Deus Ex Machina at the end of the first season) and Nick ordered more after they finished production. Season 3 and Seasons 4 are both good, with season 4 being slightly worse than 3 but it doesn't have any lows comparable to season 2.

I'd say season 3 is obviously the best, no holds barred, but I'd say it's worth watching it all.

 

[Saucycarpdog]

I really loved season 1, but as soon as I started on season 2, I noticed the massive dip in animation. It bothered me so much that I didn't even finish the first episode. You say season 3 and 4 are better but is that just because of the story or also because the animation becomes better?

What?!?!?

Season 2 had almost double the budget of season 1 primarily because season 1 was so successful for Nick.

 

[Psychoward]

Ain't that the truth. They sent Korra season 4 out to die. Didn't even air the final episodes on tv.



I was so surprised they ended season 2 on such a dark note. Especially for a 'kids' show. Had a real Empire Strikes Back vibe to it.

Yeah, and speaking of dark shit Korra takes the cake. Ending season 1 on a double suicide and having the earth queen suffocate from bending were brutal.

 

[Vault Dweller 111]

Nah not even close name a higher high the Zuko and Azula's Agni Kai culmination of 3 season worth of character development and a sibling rivalry that has lasted two.

Absolutely not. The season 2 finale is still godtier.

Fair enough, if you asked me to pick my favorite moments from both shows the top 3 at least would probably be TLA, just because I like that show and the characters way more so it hits harder.

I just think that Avatar Wan and some of the Red Lotus stuff is the highest quality either show ever achieved, from an objective viewpoint.

 

[WrenchNinja]

I still rewatch ATLA every year since it ended back in July 2008. It's my favourite show of all time.

 

[Wafflecakes]

TLA 3
Korra 1
TLA 2
Korra 3
TLA 1
Korra 4
Korra 2 (still didn't dislike this season)


That said, both are GOAT. I have never encountered a single piece of American OR foreign animation that comes close.

 

[Anbokr]

While I liked the animation in Korra, it was really underwhelming. The story, the characters, the fights -- nothing really memorable compared to TLA. Made me sad, they picked an avatar that was the antithesis of Aang and rarely showcased her power -- she was always weakened or got her ass kicked and the storylines in general were pretty ass.

TLA all day erry day.

 

[Psychoward]

TLA 3
Korra 1
TLA 2
Korra 3
TLA 1
Korra 4
Korra 2 (still didn't dislike this season)


That said, both are GOAT. I have never encountered a single piece of American OR foreign animation that comes close.

Korra 1 being above Korra 3 and tla 2 is headscratching.

 

[99Luffy]

TLA feels like the story took years and years to write until someone finally pitched the script to Nickelodeon.

Korra feels like Nickelodeon ordered a season and writers came up with a story within a week. Rinse and repeate seasons 1-4

 

[Magwik]

in before Korra Pacific Rim

 

[-shadow-]

Korra Season 3 > The Legend of Aang > Korra Season 1/4 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Korra Season 2

 

[Wafflecakes]

Korra 1 being above Korra 3 and tla 2 is headscratching.

Opinions, what are they?

I liked the vibe of Korra one more and really enjoyed the competitive bending plotline.


On the other hand, I really disliked the return of the airbenders storyline in Korra 3 and thought the rationale of the villains was poorly explained.

 

[Mr-Joker]

The last Air Bender is the stronger show as not only does it have a natural story arc but its main character, Aang, is actually likable whereas Korra is a Mary Sue who had fed with a silver spoon and quite frankly is the avatar ever as due to her own stupidly and refusal to listen to the two wises people she chose to ignore them and not only start a civil war but also destroyed the avatar line.

I kinda wish that she had died by the hand of the Red Lotus.

Korra > TLA, sorry everyone but it's my OPINION!

Fixed it for you.

 

[Wafflecakes]

Korra > TLA, sorry everyone but it's a FACT!

The animation was clearly better, but I feel like the plots were not as carefully crafted.

Also, the limited season size for Korra led to a lot less character development.

 

[Familienoberhauptvogel]

I sometimes wish I had the mental fortitude to push through season 2 but then I remember season 2 and that feeling is gone.

I'm still surprised no one ever called Korra out for pursuing someone in a relationship she knows of.

Nothing will ever beat The tales of Ba Sing Se either.

 

[PhantomKnight]

I prefer The Last Airbender. I definitely agree with OP. Korra had a better variety of villains and fights, but the main characters and overall story of the last Airbender were better than Korra.

Korra had a good first season with an interesting villain, a weak second season with a boring villain, a great third season with probably the best villain of the series and then there is the fourth season which was good but with a villain that had potential but didn't live up to them.

The problem Korra was that the quality was inconsistent compared to the Last Airbender which had 3 great seasons. Also, TLA had 1 overall plot throughout the 3 seasons, while Korra had different plots with each season, which made it different then TLA.

The Last Airbender is the best of the 2 because of consistent quality, but Korra is pretty great too. I think Korra might even have better single episodes than TLA.

 

[Admiral Woofington]

Korra's season 3 is great in a vacuum, but it and the rest of the show had iffy writing with the mythos and history of the world that really bothered me. Particularly that in a culture of monks only 2 have been able to fly because they let go of all earthly possessions and found inner peace and shit. My ass. This was the writers wanting to give their villain a cool unique super power to make him above competent so they give him a reason to, and the reason was bad.

Let's not even discuss all of the shit Season 2 introduced.

The villains of Korra peaked in season 1 when it was a more self contained story in a city, and from then it never reached those highs. The season 3 villains are essentially the super friends, a band of ultimate badasses that can stop everyone and everything. And apparently they're all friends and have unique powers.

Zuko is a better villain because he's tragic and ultimately redeemed. Azula is a fantastic villain because she was an amazingly competent fire bender and a fantastic tactician, oozing confidence but having huge trust issues which ultimately caused her sanity issues. Then of course there is Fire Lord Ozai, who as a whole is just the evil looming in the background and only really becomes the main villain in the last arc.

Korra had some fantastic fight scenes, particularly in season 3. That's the most I can give it.

 

[Santerestil]

Korra is ATLA with a more consistent animation, but almost none of the quality and many problems of the original actually worsened.

Something went really wrong in season 2 - even the "Origins" episodes were baffling as a retcon of the original lore of the show, by the same creators.

 

[Parch]

I never would have tried Last Airbender without GAF's recommendation. It seemed like such a kid's show so it wasn't on my radar. I'm glad I took the plunge because it's great.
I still haven't started Korra but will eventually.

 

[Jigorath]

TLA was better in every way.

 

[Crimson_Echidna]

Korra is ATLA with a more consistent animation, but almost none of the quality and many problems of the original actually worsened.

Something went really wrong in season 2 - even the "Origins" episodes were baffling as a retcon of the original lore of the show, by the same creators.

Korra's season 3 is great in a vacuum, but it and the rest of the show had iffy writing with the mythos and history of the world that really bothered me. Particularly that in a culture of monks only 2 have been able to fly because they let go of all earthly possessions and found inner peace and shit. My ass. This was the writers wanting to give their villain a cool unique super power to make him above competent so they give him a reason to, and the reason was bad.

Let's not even discuss all of the shit Season 2 introduced.

The villains of Korra peaked in season 1 when it was a more self contained story in a city, and from then it never reached those highs. The season 3 villains are essentially the super friends, a band of ultimate badasses that can stop everyone and everything. And apparently they're all friends and have unique powers.

Zuko is a better villain because he's tragic and ultimately redeemed. Azula is a fantastic villain because she was an amazingly competent fire bender and a fantastic tactician, oozing confidence but having huge trust issues which ultimately caused her sanity issues. Then of course there is Fire Lord Ozai, who as a whole is just the evil looming in the background and only really becomes the main villain in the last arc.

Korra had some fantastic fight scenes, particularly in season 3. That's the most I can give it.

A lot of it comes down to the way Nickelodeon went about ordering the episodes for the series. Originally, when the network first commissioned Korra, it was meant to be a 12-episode mini series. This was the reason why there really was a lack of breather episodes to better flesh out characters and why the pro-bending Tournament became such an afterthought. It's also why the resolution to Korra losing her bending was "fixed" so quickly in the finale.

But then when the first season got massive ratings, Nick decided they wanted another season on top of that, and Bryke had to scramble to come up with a followup for what was originally supposed to be a one-and-done story. And then Nick ordered two more seasons on top of that, but this time Bryke was better able to tie Season 3 and 4 in together since they were ordered at the same time.

Compare that to The Last Airbender, where the creators had the full episodes ordered up front, so they had better preparation to pace the overarching story.

 

[Toa TAK]

Kuvira>Ozai

 

[WrenchNinja]

Compare that to The Last Airbender, where the creators had the full episodes ordered up front, so they had better preparation to pace the overarching story.

they only had the first 13 episodes ordered upfront iirc

It's why episode 12, the storm, goes deep into Aang and Zuko's backstory and why the blue spirit has them both engage each other, it was supposed to be a sort of resolution between the two characters. The success of show let them continue the story they had planned out. There's a three month delay between episode 13 and 14.

 

[Kuroknight27]

Will we ever get Avatar The Las Airbender on Bluray?

 

[Admiral Woofington]

A lot of it comes down to the way Nickelodeon went about ordering the episodes for the series. Originally, when the network first commissioned Korra, it was meant to be a 12-episode mini series. This was the reason why there really was a lack of breather episodes to better flesh out characters and why the pro-bending Tournament became such an afterthought. It's also why the resolution to Korra losing her bending was "fixed" so quickly in the finale.

But then when the first season got massive ratings, Nick decided they wanted another season on top of that, and Bryke had to scramble to come up with a followup for what was originally supposed to be a one-and-done story. And then Nick ordered two more seasons on top of that, but this time Bryke was better able to tie Season 3 and 4 in together since they were ordered at the same time.

Compare that to The Last Airbender, where the creators had the full episodes ordered up front, so they had better preparation to pace the overarching story.

I know full well the story of the show's production, it doesn't excuse the direction the show took in the direct continuation that ruined so much of the lore of ATLA, not to mention ruining their strongest villain before the end of the season. And yes, Korra being naturally talented at fucking everything after 5 seconds also partially ruined it for me.

 

[Astral Dog]

LoK has far better art direction and animation, also decent music but thats it, it tries to take on darker themes but fails miserably as you would expect from a modern Nick show.

Also that season format they tried while it gave us diverse antagonists and settings was mostly unsuccessful.

 

[Van Bur3n]

Despite the amazing things LoK did for the setting, I dropped out of it after season one. TLA is phenomenal with a much better cast of characters.