In a bold new period of swift change and innovative ideas, The Legend of Korra both challenged and twisted many of the worldbuilding concepts and themes from the first Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Not only did technology advance quickly, but in the era of Avatar Korra, even the ancient Avatar Cycle acquired a new significance. Even Korra disliked this transition at the time because it was difficult and terrifying.
Fans eventually discovered ways to look at the most significant Avatar Cycle alterations in a positive light, such as the fact that Korra permitted it to be properly shattered. Although Unavaatu’s direct attack on Raava the light spirit and the breaking of Korra’s bond with the same spirit at the time terrified everyone, there was still hope.
Even though Raava’s near-destruction was tragic, at least Raava and Korra were fighting for what was right, and Raava’s destiny was only a result. Additionally, as Korra is the first character in the Avatar Cycle to restart, the cycle as a whole may now focus on the future, reflecting the evolving world around Korra.
What Caused Korra to Permit the Breaking of the Avatar Cycle?
Breaking the Avatar Cycle was not Avatar Korra’s intention. As much as her ancestry from the Southern Water Tribe, being a strong Avatar with all the attributes and powers of the Avatar State was important to who she was. Korra had a deep admiration for Raava, the light spirit that had initially assisted Wan in creating the Avatar Cycle, after learning more about the Cycle.
The issue was that by the end of Book Two: Spirits, Avatar Korra and her companions were in grave danger during Harmonic Convergence and had to deal with dangers that had never been encountered before.
Korra was not the kind to back down from a task when the whole world was on her, but that made her and the light spirit inside her even more susceptible to danger.
Korra encountered strange and ancient adversaries like Vaatu himself, the ultimate dark spirit, in contrast to Aang and Roku, who battled strong but traditional benders like Fire Lords Sozin and Ozai. When Unalaq became the lone Dark Avatar in the world by fusing with that evil spirit, Vaatu was the ideal counterpoint to Korra.
All of it took place in the Spirit World during Harmonic Convergence, which was more of a retaliation between two strong spirits, Korra and Unalaq serving as their vehicles, than a confrontation between human benders.
That constituted a new type of conflict with new dangers and stakes. Of all, Korra was the ideal Avatar—brash and independent—to try to save the world despite those odds. Unfortunately, Unalaq prevailed, almost destroying the light soul by tearing Raava from Korra’s body with Vaatu’s might.
Korra was cut off from the Avatar State by those repeated hits, and she was also cut off from all past Avatars, including Wan, Roku, Aang, and everyone in between. Korra was present to see the formal destruction of the Avatar Cycle.
One could argue that Korra permitted that to occur by her own actions, as Unavaatu would not have been able to carry out such an act if she had battled more valiantly and effectively. Technically, it may be the case, and Korra’s failure was technical, but to Korra’s credit, no Avatar had ever encountered such a threat.
In many respects, the battle against Vaatu on Harmonic Convergence was unprecedented, and it resulted in the most unusual and vicious defeat in the history of the Avatar Cycle. The good news was that Korra was able to save the day by resuming the Avatar Cycle according to her own terms, in addition to learning how to employ energybending.
Korra’s Rebooted Avatar Cycle Reflects Her Changing Environment
A girl from the ancient land of Uzushiogakure named Kushina Uzumaki was brought to Konoha because of her special chakra, which allowed her to restrain the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox. Mito Uzumaki, the First Hokage’s wife and the previous Jinchūriki, consoled Kushina when she was named the next Jinchūriki and told her to fill the gap in her heart with love.
Kushina encountered Minato Namikaze, a fellow aspiring Hokage, at the Ninja Academy. Despite her initial disdain, Minato’s gentle and perceptive demeanor won her over, particularly after he rescued her from Kumogakure ninjas who had abducted her because of her unique chakra. She fell in love with him after he praised her red hair, which she had long detested.
Kushina finally married Minato and rose to fame for her ninjutsu and beauty. As a sign of their optimism for his future, the couple named their baby Naruto after the main character in Jiraiya’s novel.
The Nine-Tails’ seal weakened during Naruto’s covert birth, endangering Kushina and the community. Tobi, a masked ninja, broke into the location, killed the guards, and took the Nine-Tails from Kushina, using them to launch an attack on Konoha. Tobi caused mayhem, but Minato saved Kushina and their son.
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To save her family, Kushina tried to reseal the Nine-Tails inside of herself in spite of the terrible situation. But because Minato thought their kid could bring peace to the shinobi world, they came up with a scheme to give Naruto half of the beast’s strength.
Despite her initial resistance, Kushina finally consented to burden her newborn baby. Both Kushina and Minato gave their lives during the sealing procedure to shield Naruto from the Nine-Tails’ strike and guarantee that its strength was sealed inside of him. Kushina gave Naruto some very wise words before she passed away.
She apologized for not seeing him mature but wished him strength and happiness. She wished that he would become a ninja who could bring peace to the world, overcoming the difficulties of being a Jinchūriki. Following her death, she gave Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, custody of Naruto.
More broadly, the story turns to Korra, the Avatar who represented a new age. Korra’s time was characterized by fast industrialization, democracy, and technological advancements such airships and Satomobiles, in contrast to the traditional, slowly changing past. Korra welcomed these developments, realizing that although advancement is thrilling, it must be handled sensibly and with good motives.
Important social changes that emphasized the world’s irreversible change were the end of the Earth Kingdom’s monarchy and the coexistence of spirits and humans. This shift was further highlighted by the Equalist movement and Amon’s illustration of how technology can counteract bending.