If you don’t watch The Legend of Korra, you might be wondering if the show has anything to interest you. We think fans of these eight series will all find something to love – just in time for The Legend of Korra season 2!
The Legend of Korra season 2 is rapidly approaching, and you may have noticed our SeptBender articles celebrating the show’s return. If you haven’t yet fallen in love with The Legend of Korra yet, we’ve selected eight series that we think have a lot in common with Nickelodeon’s brilliant cartoon.
The similarities between these eight series and The Legend of Korra may not be initially apparent, but when we took a closer look, we found that they had a lot of awesome qualities in common. And don’t worry – The Legend of Korra season 2 premieres this Friday, Sept. 13 at 7 pm, so you still have time to catch up on season 1 once you fall in love!
1. ‘Harry Potter’
Because the kids are all right
Fans of Harry Potter watched their hero grow from a lonely 11-year-old boy living in a cupboard under the stairs to a 17-year-old hero who, with the help of his friends, saved the wizarding world. The Potter series told the story of how, even in a world full of magic, love and friendship were the greatest weapons against evil, and even the unlikeliest of people could be heroes.
The Legend of Korra tells a similar story – that of a group of kids banding together to save the world from very adult dangers. As Harry needed the help of his best friends to defeat Voldemort, Avatar Korra depends on her closest allies – the self-proclaimed “Team Avatar” – to take on the threat to Republic City and benders across the world. Though she has great power and is the chosen savior of her world like Harry, Korra can only do so much on her own, and it is the friendships she develops during her training that push her past her limits.
Harry Potter and Korra are both stories that refuse to take the children for granted; it is the adults who have wreaked havoc in both worlds, and it is the next generation who steps in to save the day.
2. ‘Boardwalk Empire’
Because the times are a-changin’
We know it might seem weird to compare a Nickelodeon cartoon to one of HBO’s famous sex-and-blood heavy dramas, but there are some surprising similarities. Though set in a magical world, The Legend of Korra takes place during the Avatar-verse’s equivalent of the American Roaring ‘20s – the same time period which defines Boardwalk Empire. Keep an eye out for classic period gadgets, clothing, slang, and music as Korra’s story kicks into high-gear.
Organized crime is also a theme in Korra, as exploitive gangs called Triads terrorize defenseless people around Republic City. That same struggle plays a starring role in Boardwalk Empire, though obviously from the perspective of the gangsters. In both shows, abused minorities come to the forefront, eager to demonstrate that they are not as helpless as they appear.
And both Boardwalk Empire and The Legend of Korra grapple with the friction of changing times. Old methods and traditions clash with new, world-altering technology, and in their own ways, both shows have deep thoughts to offer about the struggle between loyalty to the past and embracing the opportunities of the future.
3. ‘Pokemon’
Because you gotta bend ‘em all!
The most obvious comparison between Pokémon and The Legend of Korra are the elemental references. Starting with Pokémon‘s beginnings, Charmander was a Fire-type, Bulbasaur was a Grass-type, and Squirtle was a Water-type.
Many will remember the difficulties they had when picking which starter to use in Pokémon Blue Red, and Yellow. Likewise, the choice of which type of bender one would choose to be is similarly difficult.
The supernatural abilities to summon elements in both series is somewhat similar. While in Pokémon, creatures such as Squirtle can summon a near endless supply of water from their mouths, Waterbenders use the water in the surrounding atmosphere to bend.
The last major similarity between the two series is similar art style. People who love the silliness of the anime moments in the Pokémon anime will find themselves doubled over in humor when a reference to this Japanese art style is made in The Legend of Korra.
4. ‘Game of Thrones’
Because who doesn’t love a power struggle?
While we probably (okay, definitely) wouldn’t recommend looking to The Legend of Korra for the sexy shock factor of Game of Thrones, fans of political intrigue might find quite a lot to entertain them in the cartoon. (Though it’s worth noting that Korra does sneak some appreciated innuendo into surprising spots!)
The story of The Legend of Korra season 1 focuses on an anti-establishment rebellion unsettling the fragile political system – not simple stuff! There is no Iron Throne to fight for in Republic City, but the show still generates genuinely thought-provoking ideas about the nature of power. Like in Game of Thrones, questions arise about what it really means for a government to be in control – and how that control applies to the individual’s control on their own strength.
The Legend of Korra also features a rich mythology. As in Game of Thrones, the show’s magical system is nuanced and detailed, with the capacity to both help and hurt. And like the epic fantasy series, much of The Legend of Korra’s storyline hinges on the mysteries of the past, as hidden secrets affect the present, and only through struggle are coaxed painfully into the light.
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