The Cultural Icon that is The Legend of Korra

I remember finishing Avatar: The Last Airbender and wondering how its sequel, The Legend of Korra, could possibly compare (that was my first fatal flaw: you simply cannot compare the two).

I was so happy to be proven wrong. Granted, Avatar will always have a soft spot in my heart, but I loved how refreshing Korra was as a protagonist. Unlike Aang who is a lovable and happy-go-lucky hero, Korra is complicated. She is a character that divides people, although I note the commentary as to whether or not sexism is at play here (for example, a male character like Zuko - selfish, irritable and immature - is beloved for the same reasons Korra is hated).

Korra is hot tempered, rash and often lashes out at the people closest to her. Yet, I was also struck by her vulnerability. She struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder. She continually faces setbacks and failures, defying the traditional trope of what a ‘hero’ should be. However, I think it’s exactly what we should see in our heroes: characters who are at once interesting, flawed, kind, resilient, and relatable. I’d like to see more characters like Korra represented in our stories.

- Isabella