The Last Airbender: Legend of Korra
Encyclopedia
The Last Airbender: Legend of Korra (originally titled Avatar: The Legend of Korra) is an upcoming American
animated
television series that is expected to air on Nickelodeon
in mid-2012. The series is a sequel to Avatar: The Last Airbender
, which aired on the same network from 2005 to 2008, and may run for 26 episodes. It will take place in the same fictional universe
as the original show, whose societies include a multitude of elements derived from Indian, East Asian, and Inuit
cultures. In it some people have the psychokinetic ability known as 'bending', by which they control and manipulate either water
, earth
, fire
, or air
. A single being known as the 'Avatar', described as the 'physical embodiment of the world's spirit', has the power to bend all four elements and is responsible for maintaining both the balance of nature and peace between the world's four great nations. Korra, protagonist
of the new series, is the next incarnation of the Avatar after Aang
of the original series. Set at least seventy years after the defeat of Phoenix King Ozai and Princess Azula in the four-part finale
of the original show, creators Michael Dante DiMartino
and Bryan Konietzko
plan to follow Korra as she learns Airbending, having mastered the other three elements, while facing an anti-bender revolution.
, will be "hotheaded, independent, and ready to take on the world". She has already mastered Water, Earth, and Fire, but has yet to master Air. The character was partly inspired by Avatar Kyoshi of the original series, who the creators say was well-liked among fans. To avoid repetition of Aang's adventures, the show will be set in a single place, called Republic City, a steam-punk metropolis
inhabited by benders and non-benders of all nations and founded by Aang and Zuko after the 100-year world war of the original series. The city's police are Metalbenders (a subset of Earthbenders), taught their art by Toph Bei Fong of the original series, and led by her daughter. The city's most popular sport is pro-bending, which sets teams of benders against each other. The conflict of the first season will center upon a group of anti-benders, called the Equalists, who use chi-blocking to subdue their enemies. A concept drawing of the city, released with the announcement of the series, shows the city's design inspired by Shanghai
in the 1920s and 1930s, Hong Kong
, Manhattan
, and Vancouver
. In the show, Korra will learn Airbending from Tenzin, youngest child of Aang
and Katara, and will contend with an anti-bender revolution in Republic City. Korra's final design was revealed at the 2011 San Diego Comic-Convention, along with her companion Naga. It was also mentioned that Aang found a small colony of flying bison
after the war, and that the second season will include ring-tailed winged lemur
s.
and Bryan Konietzko
, the creators and producers of the original series. Tentatively titled "Avatar: Legend of Korra", it was intended to be a twelve-episode mini series set in the same fictional universe
as the original show , seventy years later. The show's premiere was delayed to 2012 to permit the addition of 14 episodes. It has also been confirmed in the San Diego Comic-Con 2011 that the first twelve episodes will be in the first season and the other fourteen in the second season.
The show is expected to be darker-themed than the original show, but with a balance between mature themes and a sense of fun and adventure; also included will be some "cheesy teen romance" featuring protagonist Korra. The creators also confirmed that they will personally write all of the episodes, explaining that, as a mini-series, filler episodes will be omitted, allowing for a more concise story. Joaquim Dos Santos
and Kihyun Ryu, who worked on the animation and design of the original series, will also be involved in this show, as will storyboarder Ian Graham. Furthermore, Jeremy Zuckerman
, who composed the soundtrack for the original series as part of "The Track Team", will also be returning to score "Legend of Korra".
Dante Basco
, voice actor of Prince Zuko
in the first series, has confirmed his return to the second , representing a character related to Zuko in some way. Basco also confirmed that one of the episodes is currently titled "Skeleton in the Closet". Similarly, Dee Bradley Baker
has confirmed that he will also return to the series, voicing several animals and humans. He also called the series "The Journey of Korra", though it is unknown whether this was an error. Rob Paulsen
has confirmed that he and Eva Marie Saint
will both voice characters in the series, although Paulsen's role will be relatively minor. Richard Epcar
is also confirmed to portray a character.
Television in the United States
Television is one of the major mass media of the United States. Ninety-nine percent of American households have at least one television and the majority of households have more than one...
animated
Cartoon series
A cartoon series is a set of regularly presented animated television programs with a common series title, usually related to one another. These episodes typically share the same characters and a basic theme...
television series that is expected to air on Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon (TV channel)
Nickelodeon, often simply called Nick and originally named Pinwheel, is an American children's channel owned by MTV Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom International. The channel is primarily aimed at children ages 7–17, with the exception of their weekday morning program block aimed at preschoolers...
in mid-2012. The series is a sequel to Avatar: The Last Airbender
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Avatar: The Last Airbender is an American animated television series that aired for three seasons on Nickelodeon from 2005 to 2008. The series was created and produced by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, who served as executive producers along with Aaron Ehasz...
, which aired on the same network from 2005 to 2008, and may run for 26 episodes. It will take place in the same fictional universe
Fictional universe
A fictional universe is a self-consistent fictional setting with elements that differ from the real world. It may also be called an imagined, constructed or fictional realm ....
as the original show, whose societies include a multitude of elements derived from Indian, East Asian, and Inuit
Inuit
The Inuit are a group of culturally similar indigenous peoples inhabiting the Arctic regions of Canada , Denmark , Russia and the United States . Inuit means “the people” in the Inuktitut language...
cultures. In it some people have the psychokinetic ability known as 'bending', by which they control and manipulate either water
Water (classical element)
Water is one of the elements in ancient Greek philosophy, in the Asian Indian system Panchamahabhuta, and in the Chinese cosmological and physiological system Wu Xing...
, earth
Earth (classical element)
Earth, home and origin of humanity, has often been worshipped in its own right with its own unique spiritual tradition.-European tradition:Earth is one of the four classical elements in ancient Greek philosophy and science. It was commonly associated with qualities of heaviness, matter and the...
, fire
Fire (classical element)
Fire has been an important part of all cultures and religions from pre-history to modern day and was vital to the development of civilization. It has been regarded in many different contexts throughout history, but especially as a metaphysical constant of the world.-Greek and Roman tradition:Fire...
, or air
Air (classical element)
Air is often seen as a universal power or pure substance. Its supposed fundamental importance to life can be seen in words such as aspire, inspire, perspire and spirit, all derived from the Latin spirare.-Greek and Roman tradition:...
. A single being known as the 'Avatar', described as the 'physical embodiment of the world's spirit', has the power to bend all four elements and is responsible for maintaining both the balance of nature and peace between the world's four great nations. Korra, protagonist
Protagonist
A protagonist is the main character of a literary, theatrical, cinematic, or musical narrative, around whom the events of the narrative's plot revolve and with whom the audience is intended to most identify...
of the new series, is the next incarnation of the Avatar after Aang
Aang
Aang is a fictional character in Nickelodeon's animated television series Avatar: The Last Airbender. The character is created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko and is voiced by Zach Tyler Eisen. Aang is depicted as the show's main protagonist, and as such has appeared in all but one...
of the original series. Set at least seventy years after the defeat of Phoenix King Ozai and Princess Azula in the four-part finale
Series finale
A series finale refers to the last installment of a series with a narrative presented through mediums such as television, film and literature. In many Commonwealth countries, the term final episode is commonly used in regards to a television series...
of the original show, creators Michael Dante DiMartino
Michael Dante DiMartino
Michael Dante DiMartino is an American animation director, best known as the co-creator, executive producer and story editor of the hit TV series Avatar: The Last Airbender on Nickelodeon...
and Bryan Konietzko
Bryan Konietzko
Bryan Konietzko is the co-creator and executive producer of the animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender. He has also worked as a character designer at Film Roman for Family Guy and as Assistant Director for Mission Hill and King of the Hill. He was a Storyboard Artist and Art Director for the...
plan to follow Korra as she learns Airbending, having mastered the other three elements, while facing an anti-bender revolution.
Series overview
The series will focus on Korra, a teenage female from the Southern Water Tribe and the current incarnation of the Avatar, who, according to the president of NickelodeonNickelodeon (TV channel)
Nickelodeon, often simply called Nick and originally named Pinwheel, is an American children's channel owned by MTV Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom International. The channel is primarily aimed at children ages 7–17, with the exception of their weekday morning program block aimed at preschoolers...
, will be "hotheaded, independent, and ready to take on the world". She has already mastered Water, Earth, and Fire, but has yet to master Air. The character was partly inspired by Avatar Kyoshi of the original series, who the creators say was well-liked among fans. To avoid repetition of Aang's adventures, the show will be set in a single place, called Republic City, a steam-punk metropolis
Metropolis
A metropolis is a very large city or urban area which is a significant economic, political and cultural center for a country or region, and an important hub for regional or international connections and communications...
inhabited by benders and non-benders of all nations and founded by Aang and Zuko after the 100-year world war of the original series. The city's police are Metalbenders (a subset of Earthbenders), taught their art by Toph Bei Fong of the original series, and led by her daughter. The city's most popular sport is pro-bending, which sets teams of benders against each other. The conflict of the first season will center upon a group of anti-benders, called the Equalists, who use chi-blocking to subdue their enemies. A concept drawing of the city, released with the announcement of the series, shows the city's design inspired by Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
in the 1920s and 1930s, Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
, and Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
. In the show, Korra will learn Airbending from Tenzin, youngest child of Aang
Aang
Aang is a fictional character in Nickelodeon's animated television series Avatar: The Last Airbender. The character is created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko and is voiced by Zach Tyler Eisen. Aang is depicted as the show's main protagonist, and as such has appeared in all but one...
and Katara, and will contend with an anti-bender revolution in Republic City. Korra's final design was revealed at the 2011 San Diego Comic-Convention, along with her companion Naga. It was also mentioned that Aang found a small colony of flying bison
Bison
Members of the genus Bison are large, even-toed ungulates within the subfamily Bovinae. Two extant and four extinct species are recognized...
after the war, and that the second season will include ring-tailed winged lemur
Lemur
Lemurs are a clade of strepsirrhine primates endemic to the island of Madagascar. They are named after the lemures of Roman mythology due to the ghostly vocalizations, reflective eyes, and the nocturnal habits of some species...
s.
Production
It was announced at the annual Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2010 that a series based on Avatar: The Last Airbender was in development at Nickelodeon and due for release in October 2011. It will involve Michael Dante DiMartinoMichael Dante DiMartino
Michael Dante DiMartino is an American animation director, best known as the co-creator, executive producer and story editor of the hit TV series Avatar: The Last Airbender on Nickelodeon...
and Bryan Konietzko
Bryan Konietzko
Bryan Konietzko is the co-creator and executive producer of the animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender. He has also worked as a character designer at Film Roman for Family Guy and as Assistant Director for Mission Hill and King of the Hill. He was a Storyboard Artist and Art Director for the...
, the creators and producers of the original series. Tentatively titled "Avatar: Legend of Korra", it was intended to be a twelve-episode mini series set in the same fictional universe
Fictional universe
A fictional universe is a self-consistent fictional setting with elements that differ from the real world. It may also be called an imagined, constructed or fictional realm ....
as the original show , seventy years later. The show's premiere was delayed to 2012 to permit the addition of 14 episodes. It has also been confirmed in the San Diego Comic-Con 2011 that the first twelve episodes will be in the first season and the other fourteen in the second season.
The show is expected to be darker-themed than the original show, but with a balance between mature themes and a sense of fun and adventure; also included will be some "cheesy teen romance" featuring protagonist Korra. The creators also confirmed that they will personally write all of the episodes, explaining that, as a mini-series, filler episodes will be omitted, allowing for a more concise story. Joaquim Dos Santos
Joaquim Dos Santos
Joaquim Dos Santos is an American television director of animated cartoons, best known for his directing work on Justice League Unlimited and Avatar: The Last Airbender. He was a storyboard artist for Justice League before being promoted in the show's renamed third season...
and Kihyun Ryu, who worked on the animation and design of the original series, will also be involved in this show, as will storyboarder Ian Graham. Furthermore, Jeremy Zuckerman
Jeremy Zuckerman
Jeremy Zuckerman is an American composer and musician mostly known for composing the score of the TV series Avatar: The Last Airbender. He studied at Berklee College of Music, Boston, and California Institute of the Arts and has collaborated with musicians such as David Lee Roth.Jeremy is one half...
, who composed the soundtrack for the original series as part of "The Track Team", will also be returning to score "Legend of Korra".
Dante Basco
Dante Basco
Danté Basco is an American actor, voice actor, poet, and dancer. He is best known for playing Rufio in the 1991 live-action Peter Pan film Hook...
, voice actor of Prince Zuko
Prince Zuko
Zuko is a fictional character in Nickelodeon's animated television series Avatar: The Last Airbender. The character, created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, is voiced by Dante Basco and is portrayed by Dev Patel in the 2010 film The Last Airbender by M. Night Shyamalan.In the show,...
in the first series, has confirmed his return to the second , representing a character related to Zuko in some way. Basco also confirmed that one of the episodes is currently titled "Skeleton in the Closet". Similarly, Dee Bradley Baker
Dee Bradley Baker
Dee Bradley Baker is an American voice actor. He is noted as his long-running-role as Klaus Heissler in American Dad! and other various characters including Squilliam Fancyson in the hit TV series SpongeBob SquarePants, Nightcrawler in X-Men: Legends and Marvel: Ultimate Alliance...
has confirmed that he will also return to the series, voicing several animals and humans. He also called the series "The Journey of Korra", though it is unknown whether this was an error. Rob Paulsen
Rob Paulsen
Robert Fredrick "Rob" Paulsen III , sometimes credited as Rob Paulson, is an American voice actor, best known as the voice behind Raphael from the 1987 cartoon of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Yakko Warner and Dr...
has confirmed that he and Eva Marie Saint
Eva Marie Saint
Eva Marie Saint is an American actress who has starred in films, on Broadway, and on television in a career spanning seven decades. She won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the drama film On the Waterfront , and later starred in the thriller film North by...
will both voice characters in the series, although Paulsen's role will be relatively minor. Richard Epcar
Richard Epcar
Richard Epcar is an American actor voice actor / director, mostly specializing in the field of voice acting in games, animation and anime. He is the husband of voice actress Ellyn Stern, with whom he owns and operates Epcar Entertainment, Inc., a voiceover production service company based in Los...
is also confirmed to portray a character.
Characters
- Korra (Janet VarneyJanet VarneyJanet Varney is an American comedic actress best known for being the current hostess of TBS's Dinner and a Movie.-Early life:Varney was born in Arizona...
, Cora Baker in a flashback) is the main character of the series and the next Avatar, after Aang. She is a hotheaded teenager from the Southern Water Tribe, described as "ready to take on the world". Before the beginning of the series, she has already mastered Waterbending, Earthbending, and Firebending, and must learn Airbending from Tenzin, Aang and Katara's youngest son. Korra has a polar bear dog named Naga as her animal guide. - Mako (David FaustinoDavid FaustinoDavid Anthony Faustino is an American actor and rap artist primarily known for his role as Bud Bundy on the sitcom Married with Children.-Early life:...
) is a firebender, another of Korra's friends, and Bolin's older brother. He is described as "dark and brooding", and participates in pro-bending with Bolin. He is named after the late Mako Iwamatsu, who provided the voice of Iroh in the original seriesAvatar: The Last AirbenderAvatar: The Last Airbender is an American animated television series that aired for three seasons on Nickelodeon from 2005 to 2008. The series was created and produced by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, who served as executive producers along with Aaron Ehasz...
. - Bolin (P.J. Byrne) is one of Korra's friends and an earthbender. In contrast to his older brother Mako, Bolin is often light-hearted and humorous. He participates in pro-bending, the most popular sport in Republic City. Bolin has a pet Fire Ferret named Pabu.
- Tenzin (J. K. SimmonsJ. K. SimmonsJonathan Kimble "J. K." Simmons is an American actor. He is best known for his roles on television as Dr. Emil Skoda in NBC's Law & Order , Assistant Police Chief Will Pope in TNT's The Closer, neo-Nazi Vernon Schillinger in the HBO prison drama Oz, on film as J...
) is Korra's airbending master. He is the youngest of AangAangAang is a fictional character in Nickelodeon's animated television series Avatar: The Last Airbender. The character is created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko and is voiced by Zach Tyler Eisen. Aang is depicted as the show's main protagonist, and as such has appeared in all but one...
and Katara's three children, and the only one that is an airbender. He has three children himself, that are all airbenders. - Jinora (Kiernan ShipkaKiernan ShipkaKiernan Brennan "Kiki" Shipka is an American child actress noted for playing Don and Betty Draper's daughter Sally on the AMC series Mad Men.-Career:...
) is Tenzin's eldest daughter; an airbender, and also an avid reader. - Ikki is Tenzin's youngest daughter, second child, and described as "fun, crazy, and a fast talker". Ikki is also an airbender.
- Meelo is Tenzin's only son and the youngest of his three children. Meelo resembles Aang (his grandfather) and is described as erratic or active, in contrast to his solemn father. Like his sisters, Meelo is an airbender.
- Pema is Tenzin's wife, a non-bender, and the mother of Jinora, Ikki, and Meelo. She is currently pregnant with her fourth child.
- Amon is a mysterious masked man who leads "the Equalists", an anti-bending organization which uses chi-blocking skills to subdue their foes. He has been confirmed as the major antagonist of the series.
- Chief Bei Fong is Toph Bei Fong's daughter and head of the Republic City police. The police use metalbending to subdue criminals, taught to them by Toph herself.
- Naga (Dee Bradley BakerDee Bradley BakerDee Bradley Baker is an American voice actor. He is noted as his long-running-role as Klaus Heissler in American Dad! and other various characters including Squilliam Fancyson in the hit TV series SpongeBob SquarePants, Nightcrawler in X-Men: Legends and Marvel: Ultimate Alliance...
) is Korra's female Polar Bear Dog and animal guide. - Pabu (Dee Bradley BakerDee Bradley BakerDee Bradley Baker is an American voice actor. He is noted as his long-running-role as Klaus Heissler in American Dad! and other various characters including Squilliam Fancyson in the hit TV series SpongeBob SquarePants, Nightcrawler in X-Men: Legends and Marvel: Ultimate Alliance...
) is Bolin's black-footed red panda ferret (Fire Ferret). - Hiroshi Sato (Daniel Dae Kim)
- Asami (Seychelle GabrielSeychelle GabrielSeychelle Suzanne Gabriel is an American film and television actress and singer.-Life and career:Gabriel was born in Burbank, California, and is of Mexican descent. She graduated from Burbank High School....
) - Lieutenant (Lance HenriksenLance HenriksenLance James Henriksen is an American actor and artist best known to film and television audiences for his roles in science fiction, action, and horror films such as the Alien film franchise, and on television shows such as Millennium....
) - (Rob PaulsenRob PaulsenRobert Fredrick "Rob" Paulsen III , sometimes credited as Rob Paulson, is an American voice actor, best known as the voice behind Raphael from the 1987 cartoon of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Yakko Warner and Dr...
) - (Eva Marie SaintEva Marie SaintEva Marie Saint is an American actress who has starred in films, on Broadway, and on television in a career spanning seven decades. She won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the drama film On the Waterfront , and later starred in the thriller film North by...
) - (Richard EpcarRichard EpcarRichard Epcar is an American actor voice actor / director, mostly specializing in the field of voice acting in games, animation and anime. He is the husband of voice actress Ellyn Stern, with whom he owns and operates Epcar Entertainment, Inc., a voiceover production service company based in Los...
) - (Dante BascoDante BascoDanté Basco is an American actor, voice actor, poet, and dancer. He is best known for playing Rufio in the 1991 live-action Peter Pan film Hook...
)
Trivia
- There were two websites (Dark HorseDark horseDark horse is a term used to describe a little-known person or thing that emerges to prominence, especially in a competition of some sort.-Origin:The term began as horse racing parlance...
Comics website and Animation Insider) that was found that said 2013, it was a news for the Promise Comics. But they never shown nor explained how The Last Airbender: Legend of Korra was postponed to 2013, some people claim this is possibly a typo or a mistake.