The Legend of Korra: Difference between revisions

{{quote|''Conventional TV wisdom has it that [[Estrogen Brigade|girls will watch shows about boys,]] but [[Girl Show Ghetto|boys won't watch shows about girls.]] During test screenings, though, boys said they didn't care that [[Action Girl|Korra]] was a girl. [http://www.npr.org/2012/04/13/150566153/airbender-creators-reclaim-their-world-in-korra They just said she was awesome.]''}}

 

 

Set [[Sequel Series|seventy years after]] the events of its predecessor, the series follows the adventures of a rebellious teenage Southern Water Tribe girl named Korra, Aang's successor as Avatar. Her quest leads her to Republic City, a metropolis based off the [[Roaring Twenties]] where crime is rampant and an [[Muggle Power|anti-bender]] revolt headed by a faction called the Equalists is taking place. Under the guidance of Tenzin, the son of Aang and Katara, Korra struggles to master Airbending and bring harmony to Republic City.

 

 

Recaps of the show can be found [[The Legend of Korra/Recap|here]]. Also has a page for [[The Legend of Korra/Memes|memes.]]

* [[Age Cut]]: In "Welcome to Republic City," four-year-old Korra affects an intense expression as she [[Playing with Fire|firebends]] directly into the camera, obscuring the scene with a burst of flame, which seventeen-year-old Korra disperses while wearing a matching expression.

* [[All According to Plan]]: In "And the Winner Is..." when the government of Republic City refuses to close the pro-bending arena in response to his threat, Amon replies they are doing exactly as he planned. [[Xanatos Gambit|His goals are furthered whether]] [[The Chessmaster|they give in to his demands or not]].

** Nick.com's "[http://www.nick.com/games/legend-of-korra-welcome-to-republic-city.html Welcome to Republic City]" adventure game, which provides supplemental information not presented in the show itself.

** ''[http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=3084&document=1 Animation Insider]'s'' [http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v42/Aaron123/AInews/Nick/avatar_s3/Korra_CharaSheet.jpg family tree] reveals the names and bender status of Korra's parents, as well as the faces and bender status of Tenzin's siblings.

** [http://korranation.tumblr.com/ Korra Nation] has concept art, interviews and production details.

* [[Alliterative Name]]: Pro-bending teams like the Future Industries Fire Ferrets, Red Sand Rabiroos, White Falls Wolfbats, and others.

* [[Amazon Brigade]]: [http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3et4454To1qbgksw.png The Rabbiroos] are an all-female [[Fictional Sport|Pro-Bending]] team.

* [[Animal Theme Naming]]: All pro-bending teams follow the pattern of being named for in-universe [[Mix-and-Match Critters]].

* [[Anti-Magical Faction]]: The Equalists, Republic City's rising anti-bending and [[Muggle Power]] movement. They believe benders use their [[Elemental Powers]] to oppress [[Muggle|non-benders]], a belief strengthened by the presence of [[The Triads and the Tongs|bending gangs such as the Triple Threat Triads]] and [[The Magocracy|the five-bender city council]]. Their soapboxers promote a revolution against the bending class, and foster [[Fantastic Racism|hatred for benders]] in general, while their fighters use the same [[Pressure Point]] ''[[Power Nullifier|chi]]''-[[The Paralyzer|blocking]] techniques used by the original series' Ty Lee.

** In "Welcome to Republic City," Korra uses an [[Effortless Amazonian Lift]] to pick up Tenzin and his children to give them a group hug.

** In "The Spirit of Competition" Mako unceremoniously grants his brother one in cheer when Korra pulls off an incredible "hat trick" single-handedly (much the same way he did in his introduction), and wins the match that gets them to the finals.

* [[Belligerent Sexual Tension]]: Korra and Mako butt heads when they meet in "A Leaf in the Wind" and while infiltrating "The Revelation", [[Subverted Trope|but recognize]] that they have feelings for each other, and begin to act on them in "The Spirit of Competition".

* [[Betty and Veronica]]:

** For Korra, goofy and excitable Bolin is the Betty, while serious and driven Mako is the Veronica.

* [[Big Bad Ensemble]]: Amon and {{spoiler|Tarrlok}}, although {{spoiler|Tarrlok}} refuses to admit to any similarities between them.

** Tenzin and his family live on [http://www.lastairbenderfans.com/cutenews/data/upimages/air-temple-island.jpg Air Temple Island], a sanctuary in the city's bay.

** The Sato mansion, which rivals the royal palaces of the Earth King and Fire Lord in terms of breadth and splendor.

{{quote|'''Gommu''': Took me a while to procure a bush that beauteous. [http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m1eg3hhREq1r1nmpao1_500.gif *bush sparkles*]}}

* [[Bland-Name Product]] / [[Fictional Counterpart]]: Most cars seen in the series resemble real-world 1920s and early 1930s cars, albeit combined and given a [[Far East]] flair. For example:

** The [http://avatarthelastairbenderonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Police-Car.png police cars] resemble [http://blog.crowdspring.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/paddy-wagon.jpg Ford] [http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1140/5102827446_c21db24c76_z.jpg Model T] [http://www.tnmcc.com/photos/police/ronweissinger-25paddy.jpg paddy] [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/54/Paddywagon_1909.jpg wagons].

** The [http://hdscreenshots.avatarspiritmedia.net/korra/104/0242.jpg truck in the background] when Asami crashes into Mako resembles a [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/df/1924-Super-Sentinel.jpg Sentinel] [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/63/Steam_road_vehicle_at_Haverthwaite_yard_-_geograph.org.uk_-_303857.jpg steam] [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/98/Sentinel_DG4_registration_KF_6482.jpg lorry].

** The [http://nerdvice.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Legend-of-Korra-9.jpg obscured truck in Episode 1] and the [[Awesome Personnel Carrier|armored]] [http://avatarthelastairbenderonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Polic-Truck.png police trucks] look like a [http://www.new.gwe2.org/images/mack1.jpg Mack] [http://i587.photobucket.com/albums/ss318/eymurphey/Mack%20AC%20Bulldogs/WWIMackFuelTanker.jpg A][http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6085/6051329397_ca7776d975_z.jpg C] [http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4048/4382747837_18853684aa.jpg Bulldog] or [http://www.american-automobiles.com/images3/1920-Texaco-Truck.jpg Napoleon].

** Also from Episode 1, the [http://nerdvice.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Legend-of-Korra-9.jpg green car] looks like the [http://www.evmania.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/l-640-480-eabe69e1-0097-4d33-b112-9f8831fb0ff7.jpeg Milburn] [http://electricvehiclesnews.com/History/images/Milburn-Light-Electric.jpg Electric].

** Asami's [http://images5.fanpop.com/image/photos/30700000/Asami-s-Moped-avatar-the-legend-of-korra-30723856-500-587.jpg motor scooter] looks mostly like a [http://images.businessweek.com/ss/06/07/vespa/source/9.htm Vespa], which was a 1940s onward scooter, making it a bit of an "odd man out" among the "Oriental Jazz Age" aesthetic.

** Shady Shin and the other Triple Threat Triad gangsters use a [http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v114/Snake101/Avatar/Korra/Book%20One/Chapter%20Three/s01e03grab03372.jpg hot] [[media:lokhotrod_5021.jpg| rod]] based on various [http://image.hotrod.com/f/featuredvehicles/hrdp_1110_1927_ford_model_t_coupe/32946902+w640/hrdp-1110-01-o+1927-ford-model-t-coupe+DuPont-hot-hues-pacific-gold.jpg Ford] [http://image.hotrod.com/f/i%20need%20help/14873198+w450+h338+cr0+re1+ar1/1927-ford-model-t-1.jpg Model] [http://s1.hubimg.com/u/2870548_f496.jpg T] hot rods.

* [[Calling Your Attacks]]: In "A Leaf in the Wind," Korra [[Invoked Trope|tries]] with no success:

{{quote|'''Korra''': "[[Blow You Away|Airbend]]!" *performs form at newspaper* "What is ''wrong'' with me? ''Airbend!''"}}

** In "The Revelation," {{spoiler|when Amon takes away Lightning Bolt Zolt's bending, Zolt says the same thing that Ozai said when Aang took his bending away in the series' finale.}}

** In "The Aftermath", the owner of Cabbage Corp shouts "No, not my Cabbage Corp!" as he is arrested, similar to how the Cabbage Merchant did in the original series. Comes complete with an establishing shot featuring a statue of the original Cabbage Merchant holding a head of cabbage triumphantly towards the sky.

* [[Capital City]]: Republic City is this to the United Republic of Nations.

* [[Cast of Snowflakes]]: Even crowd shots are rendered with [[Art Evolution|impressive detail and diversity]].

* [[Catapult Nightmare]]: Korra gets one in "The Voice in the Night", as a result of being truly afraid for the first time in her life.

* [[Central Theme]]: Attaining balance, whether it be in an individual, a city, or the world. Recognizing one's own strengths and weaknesses, and by doing so, adapting to your personal environment and situation.

** [[Chekhov's News]]: In "A Leaf in the Wind", Korra hears of up-and-coming pro-bending team the Fire Ferrets, and their star player Mako, via a live radio broadcast.

*** Combined with [[Chekhov's Gunman]] in "A Leaf in the Wind," when Korra is reading the newspaper, and a picture of Tahno can be seen on the back of the paper. He shows up about 3 episodes later as her rival.

** At the racetrack in "The Aftermath" Asami mentioned she had taken self defense classes {{spoiler|which later prove useful in subduing a chi blocker and her father}}

* [[City of Adventure]]: Republic City, the show's main setting.

* [[Close-Call Haircut]]: In "When Extremes Meet", Tarrlok's opening attack on Korra slices off a few hairs from her ponytail when she dodges it.

* [[Clothing Combat]]: In "The Revelation", Korra borrows her friend Mako's [[Scarf of Asskicking]] to [[Wig, Dress, Accent|disguise]] herself and [[The Infiltration|infiltrate]] an [[Anti-Magical Faction|Equalist]] rally, and ends up using the scarf to throw a [[Giant Mook|huge bouncer]] into a steam vent, knocking him out.

** Pro-bending teams identify which element each team member bends by their color-coded belts and helmets.

* [[Combat Commentator]]: Introduced in "A Leaf in the Wind," Shiro Shinobi, the announcer at pro-bending matches, narrates the action for spectators and radio listeners. He also narrates the [["Previously On..."]] segments, complete with footage edited to look grainy and sepia-toned. [[Played for Laughs]] and [[Played for Drama|drama]] in "And the Winner Is," where he [[Casual Danger Dialogue|continues commentating in the same manner he always does]] {{spoiler|''while he has an Equalist mook confronting him and about to electrocute him.''}}

* [[Cool Car]]: Future Industries' [http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120421100334/avatar/images/1/11/Race_car.png race car] is pretty cool, as is the gangsters' hot rod and [http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m33umcoJ6Y1rufegho3_1280.jpg the roadster] Tarrlok gives Korra. Even [http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3b9p4fH6P1rs9cj9o4_1280.jpg the regular Satomobile sedan] is pretty cool. Then there's Asami's [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ctFro88eK0 alternative transport] (a phaeton-type car) when Naga objects to carrying four people at once in "When Extremes Meet".

{{quote|'''Mako:''' I like the new Team Avatar's style.}}

* [[Cuffs Off, Rub Wrists]]

** In "Welcome to Republic City" Korra does this after Lin releases her from custody.

** In "The Revelation" Lightning Bolt Zolt also rubs his wrists after he's untied for his fight with Amon in episode three.

** The established [[Far East]] blending now adds elements of [[The Roaring Twenties]] and [[The Great Depression]] to its cultural milieu, with Republic City itself as a blend of [[Shanghai]], [[Hong Kong]], [[New York City|Manhattan]], [[Vancouver]] and [[San Francisco]].

** The soundtrack, as per the Track Team, is described as "1920s New Orleans [[Jazz]] [[Recycled in Space|but if it were invented in China"]].

* [[Curb Stomp Battle]]:

** In "Welcome to Republic City," Korra's battle with the three Triple Threat Triad members is laughably one-sided, despite her numerical disadvantage.

** In "The Revelation," Amon's lieutenant wipes the floor with Bolin and Mako, brutally so.

** In "The Voice in the Night", {{spoiler|Korra}} gets ambushed, restrained and [[Breaking Speech|Breaking Speeched]] by Amon in no time flat.

** Two of Aang and Katara's three children were named after [[Missing Mom|Kya]] and [[Trickster Mentor|Bumi]].

** Mako is a meta example: He is named after [[Mako]], Iroh's voice actor who died during production of the original series.

* [[Death by Origin Story]]:

** In "The Revelation" we learn that Bolin and Mako's parents were killed when Mako was eight by a firebender who was mugging them. Later in the same episode, Amon claims that his family was killed, and his face scarred, by a firebender who extorted money from his non-bender family.

* [[The Dragon]]: [[No Name Given|The Lieutenant]].

* [[Dreaming of Times Gone By]]: During a [[Flashback Cut]] after Korra was knocked out by Amon. This seems to be theme whenever Korra gets knocked out, as it happens several times afterwards.

{{quote|'''Jinora''': It was ''so'' romantic!}}

* [[Drowning My Sorrows]]: In "The Spirit of Competition", Bolin performs a family-friendly [[Drunk on Milk|variation]], binge-eating tons and tons of noodles after he witnesses {{spoiler|Korra kissing Mako}}.

* [[Electric Slide]]: In "Welcome to Republic City," the metal-bending police use this to easily chase criminals on the run.

** While largely continuing its predecessor's formula of tying a person's eye color to their home nation and bending element, there are some aversions in multicultural Republic City. The firebender on the pro-bending team the Rabbiroos has green eyes and one of the metalbender cops has amber eyes, for example.

** The three main characters -- Korra, Mako, and Bolin -- play this trope straight. Korra has aqua blue eyes and is the waterbender of the team, Bolin has leaf green eyes and is the earthbender, while Mako has amber eyes and is the firebender.

* [[Eskimo Land]]: The Southern Water Tribe city at the South Pole, home of Avatar Korra, her parents, and her Waterbendering ''sifu,'' Master Katara.

* [[Establishing Character Moment]]: In "Welcome to Republic City" Korra at age four: "I'm the Avatar! You gotta ''deal'' with it!"

** The 2011 SDCC promotional [http://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/61387742.html poster] featured [[Big Bad|Amon]] looming over Korra, Mako, and Bolin.

** In-universe, several propaganda posters for the Equalists feature Amon in this pose.

** {{spoiler|Amon vs. Tarrlok}}

* [[Exact Words]]: In "A Leaf in the Wind", Tenzin tells Korra she cannot watch a pro-bending match. When he catches her enjoying one on the radio, she points out that he never said she cannot ''listen'' to one. Tenzin, of course, points out that it's a violation of the spirit of the order, if not the letter.

* [[Face Palm]]: In "A Leaf in the Wind", Mako does this when Korra makes her first mistake as their team's replacement player in a pro-bending match.

* [[Face Your Fears]]: Korra tries to face Amon, who absolutely terrifies her, in Episode 4. {{spoiler|It only makes things worse.}}

** Blurring often transitions from the foreground to the background or vice versa, as if someone is adjusting the focus on a camera.

** The demonstrations of earth- and airbending in the intro make the "camera" [[Camera Abuse|shake slightly]].

* [[Fandom Nod]]:

{{quote|'''Jinora''' "Gran-Gran, I've been reading all about your old adventures; I've been dying to ask you; [[What Happened to the Mouse?|what happened to Zuko's mom?]]"<br />

[Jinora hangs her head in disappointment.] }}

* [[Fan Girl]]: Apparently, Bolin has a ''ton'' of them. During the first pro-bending match's opening in "A Leaf in the Wind", one of them can be heard screaming very loudly "I love you, Bolin!", and Mako's initial attitude towards Korra implies that Bolin brings fangirls to their prep room often.

* [[Feminist Fantasy]]: A female-led animated action show with a protagonist designed to be [http://www.npr.org/2012/04/13/150566153/airbender-creators-reclaim-their-world-in-korra athletic and muscular] is a calculated risk, but, as seen in the pagequote above, it's paid off.

* [[Feud Episode]]: "[[Sibling Triangle|The Spirit of Competition]]".

** Come standard on otherwise heavily padded pro-bending uniforms, as well as the similar armor Korra wears for her Firebending test in "Welcome to Republic City."

** Mako wears his own set in his daily clothes.

** In "The Voice in the Night," Korra manifests a ball of fire in her palm to verify that she can still bend.

* [[Flashback Cut]]: [[Played for Drama]] in "The Voice in the Night;" After Korra is knocked out, she's briefly [[Dreaming of Times Gone By]], with split-second visions of Aang, and his friends Sokka and Toph as middle-aged adults.

** Mako and Bolin have shades of this. Mako is a tightly controlled young man focused on winning the pro-bending prize money to keep himself and his little brother from going back on the streets, while Bolin is more of an easygoing type with a sense of humor and [[The Charmer|a way with the ladies.]] {{spoiler|Mako is also determined to stay away from the Triads, but Bolin allows himself to almost be dragged into a turf war in "The Revelation"}}.

** Jinora (older, polite, calm) and Ikki (younger, motormouth, high-energy).

* [[Forceful Kiss]]/[["Shut Up" Kiss]]: In "The Spirit of Competition", {{spoiler|Korra kisses Mako after he explains that he likes her, but he still likes Asami. He kisses her back.}}

** Korra is {{color|gold|Choleric}}.

** Mako is {{color|black|Melancholic}}.

* [[Fourth Wall Psych]]: Tenzin looks directly at the camera when he says "You must promise me that your teenage years won't be like this!" (He's actually talking to his kids.)

** At the end of "Welcome to Republic City", there are blueprints on the wall to Amon's left, apparently detailing ''[[Mini-Mecha]]''. {{spoiler|The mecha themselves appear in "The Aftermath".}}

** The battle moves fast enough that it's hard to notice, but [http://korra.avatarspirit.net/screenshots.php?quality=hd&num=103=40 screenshots of "The Revelation"] indicate that the Equalist who chi-blocks Korra has a [[Samus Is a Girl|feminine figure]]. Guess they really do strive for equality...

* [[Gender Equal Ensemble]]: Team Avatar (not counting mentor Tenzin), once Asami officially joins up.

* [[Generational Saga]]: In ''Korra'', the [[Avatar: The Last Airbender|previous series]]' protagonists, their children and grandchildren are alternately featured, depicted in [[Flash Back]] or discussed, particularly Avatar Aang's multigenerational family, with his [[Reincarnation]] Korra narratively treated as a ''de facto'' member.

* [[Girly Run]]: In "The Spirit of Competition," Bolin does this with bonus [[Inelegant Blubbering]] while fleeing the deeply hurtful sight of {{spoiler|his friend Korra (who he'd taken on a date ''the night before'') kissing his brother Mako.}}

* [[Good Parents]]: Korra's parents, along with Tenzin and his wife.

* [[Gosh Darn It to Heck]]: Justified, as it is both a family show and set in the equivalent of the 1920s.

* [[Group Hug]]: The Fire Ferrets have one in "The Spirit of Competition" after defeating the Rabiroos.

* [[The Guards Must Be Crazy]]: A heroic example. While the Order of the White Lotus serve as Korra's [[Hero Secret Service]], she can get around them pretty easily when she wants to.

'''Bolin:''' Right, right, ''friends''... no, I didn't mean to imply that...

'''Korra:''' Oh, you implied it. }}

** One between Korra and Mako in "A Leaf in the Wind" after they win the Pro-bending match.

** Bolin and a minor unnamed bender share one of these when {{spoiler|the bender is led away to have his abilities removed by Amon}} in "The Revelation".

{{quote|'''Bolin:''' ''(to Korra)'' In a real match, you'd be a sitting turtleduck.

'''Bolin:''' [Pabu] is not a one-trick poodle-pony. }}

* [[Huddle Shot]]: Used "Spirit of Competition", when Mako tries to build up confidence for the upcoming tournament.

** Tenzin is as serious and staid as Aang was carefree.

** Lin shares Toph's toughness, she's very strict about enforcing the law and has no patience for the Avatar's vigilante justice.

** When first introduced, Tarrlok seems like a well-meaning, albeit self-serving politician trying to protect the city. {{spoiler|In episode 8, "self-serving" is the only part that still applies. He begins persecuting ''all'' non-benders, arrests Korra's friends to blackmail her into playing ball, then bloodbends Korra when she refuses to comply, planning to take her somewhere no one will ever find her.}}

* [[It Only Works Once]]: When Korra first fights Equalist chi-blockers, they use smoke bombs to disorient her and cover their escape. The second time she faces chi-blockers she encases the smoke bombs in water and freezes them to contain the smoke.

* [[Jazz]]: Has been added to the soundtrack. A sprightly big-band-esque set of horns plays whenever Korra springs into action.

* [[Jerkass Has a Point]]: Tarrlok is using his task force to score political points, but the Equalists ''are'' a [[The Revolution Will Not Be Civilized|militant revolutionary group]] openly advocating the violent overthrow of their country's government and the extermination of bending. Some sort of official response is necessary to that existential threat and Tarrlok is the only council member offering a plan.

'''Korra:''' What? I'm not oppressing anyone! You're--You're oppressing ''yourselves!''

'''Protestor:''' That didn't even make sense! }}

{{quote|'''Mako:''' I told you that dating a teammate was a bad idea.

'''Bolin:''' ''You're'' a bad idea! }}

 

== M-R ==

* [[Magic A Is Magic A]]: Bending follows specific rules. Certain characters seeming to violate the rules are major plot points: {{spoiler|Amon can take away bending, an ability that only the Avatar is supposed to have, and Tarrlok can bloodbend when there is not a full moon}}.

* [[Magitek]]: While a lot of the technology is what you'd expect to find from the 1920s, things are supplemented by bending. Lightningbending generates electricity, metalbending and firebending aid the working of metal and the making of buildings, etc.

* [[May-December Romance]]: Tenzin (51), the third child of Aang and Katara, is [[Happily Married]] to Pema (35), sixteen years his junior. Their oldest child is 10.

* [[Malevolent Masked Men]]: All of the Equalists wear masks. Some are [[Gas Mask Mooks]], and the leader wears a [[White Mask of Doom]].

* [[Meaningful Background Event]]: Bolin is first seen in the background in "A Leaf on the Wind" as he walks past Korra arguing with the gym manager of the Pro-Bending arena. He does a [[Double Take]] when he sees her, slicks back his hair and walks over. In "The Spirit of Competition," he explains to Korra that he liked her from the very moment he saw her.

* [[Meaningful Echo]]: {{spoiler|The scene where Amon demonstrates the ability to remove people's bending is extremely similar to the scene where Aang did the same thing to Ozai. Right down to the dialogue.}}

{{quote|'''Zolt:''' What... what did you do to me?}}

* [[Medieval Stasis]]: Averted. The technology present in Aang's time has advanced and spread, with Republic City boasting radios, electricity, cars, skyscrapers, cameras, microphones, and trains. A post-war development boom erased the Fire Nation's previous technological advantage.

* [[Mini-Mecha]]: The mecha-tanks. {{spoiler|They were built by Hiroshi Sato,}} for the Equalists.

* [[A Minor Kidroduction]]: The series opens with a brief look at four-year-old Korra as part of an [[Establishing Character Moment]], before jumping ahead in an [[Age Cut]] thirteen years later to the present day.

** "The Voice in the Night" ends with {{spoiler|Korra sobbing into Tenzin's chest as she admits that, for the first time her life, she is ''terrified'' and has no idea what to do}}. "The Spirit of Competition" begins with upbeat big band music and turns into a [[Shipping]] plot.

** "And the Winner Is…" starts with the continuation of the [[Tournament Arc|Pro-Bending championship]] now with more serious opponants and ends with {{spoiler|a terrorist attack led by Amon}}.

{{quote|'''Triple Threat Waterbender''': Who do you think you are?

'''Korra''': Why don't you come and find out? }}

* [[Muggle Power]]: The entire Equalist movement is based around establishing nonbenders in positions of power and eliminating the need for bending entirely, in response to the opression of nonbenders by benders.

* [[Muggles Do It Better]]: So far, the Equalists have been far more dangerous, capable and effective than their bending adversaries. In fact, Korra lost her first fight against an Equalist ''[[Mook]]'', and later on, both of her teammates lost to The Lieutenant at the same time.

** Firebenders can be seen generating lightning for use at a power plant.

** The Adventure Game on Nick.com reveals the Future Industries uses firebenders for welding.

* [[Not Bad]]: In "A Leaf in the Wind" [[The Stoic|stoic]] Mako sincerely offers this compliment when Korra successfully follows Bolin's pro-bending advice. It [[Compliment Backfire|backfires]], as she assumes she has been [[Damned By Faint Praise]], to Mako's confusion.

{{quote|'''Mako:''' ''What?'' I [[Lampshade Hanging|said]] "Not bad."}}

* [[Not the Fall That Kills You]]: Averted. {{spoiler|When Korra freefalls from hundreds of feet in the air, Chief Beifong does not catch her. She extends a [[Variable-Length Chain|metallic cable]], allowing Korra to swing down and slow her descent more gradually and safely.}}

** The Air Nomads have gone from [[Last of His Kind|Aang alone]] to Aang's son having an airbending family, along with a number of non-bender acolytes devoted to the Air Nomad way of life.

* [[Obvious Rule Patch]]: Pro-Bending didn't take into account what would happen if the Avatar became a player. The referees allowed Korra to continue, but only as long as she bent a single element.

** Korra when she realizes that {{spoiler|Tarrlok is a bloodbender and can do it without the full moon.}}

* [[Ominous Latin Chanting]]: The Wolfbat's over the top entrance in "And the Winner Is..." comes complete with a choir chanting ominously in the background.

* [[OOC Is Serious Business]]: When Korra uncharacteristically refuses an offer to join an Equalist-hunting taskforce in favor of finishing her training, Tenzin correctly deduces that she's doing so out of fear rather than any sense of obligation.

* [[Opening Narration]]: In the same style of the original. The demonstrative benders are the Avatars Kyoshi, Roku, Aang, and Korra. Tenzin inherits the speaking role from his mother. The "[["Previously On..."]]" segments use a sepia tone and a dramatic announcer, indicative of the era because of their great similarities to 1920's film.

** Republic City has a massive, [[Big Applesauce|Statue Of Liberty-esque]] monument to Aang, one of the city's co-founders, in Yue Bay. His face is also printed on the Yuan.

** Toph, inventor of metalbending and establisher of the force, has a ''gold'' statue at Police Headquarters.

** The [[Recurring Extra|Cabbage Merchant]] has a statue in front of Cabbage Corp's main building, proudly holding a cabbage above his head.

* [[Parental Abandonment]]: Mako and Bolin, whose parents {{spoiler|were murdered when Mako was eight}}. The brothers had to take care of themselves at a young age while living on the streets. Mako, in particular, took on the [[Promotion to Parent|parenting role]].

* [[Le Parkour]]: The urban cityscape setting allows for heavy use of the style in outdoor fight choreography, and an expert is employed as a [[Shown Their Work|consultant]].

* [[People Puppets]]: Bloodbending, like in the previous series. {{spoiler|Tarrlok has the added benefit of not needing a full moon to do it.}}

** Korra, Mako, and Bolin as the pro-bending team the Fire Ferrets. This extends to their [[Elemental Powers|bending]] itself (Water, Earth, Fire), [[Chromatic Arrangement]] / [[Elemental Eye Colors]] ([[Color Coded for Your Convenience|Blue, Red, Green]]), ''and'' their setup as a [[Freudian Trio]] ([[The McCoy]], [[The Spock]], [[The Kirk]]).

* [[Precocious Crush]]: Meelo has one on Asami. Jinora and Ikki also refer to Mako as "cute" or "dreamy," though that's at least partly just to tease Korra.

* [[Pretender Diss]]: Tarrlok brings up Aang's defeat of a man named Yakone 42 years before the start of the series during his speech calling for an anti-Amon task force, resulting in...

{{quote|'''Tenzin''': This is a completely different situation, and how ''dare'' you compare yourself to Avatar Aang!}}

* [["Previously On..."]]: Narrated by [[Combat Commentator]] Shiro Shinobi, in the style of a sepia-toned 20s-era movie serial with melodramatic background music.

* [[Reality Is Unrealistic]]: Viewers frequently comment that the quantity of technological advances over the seventy-year timespan between series is implausible, though the progression deliberately parallels [[Real Life]] technological development between the 1850s (how advanced the Fire Nation was) and 1920s (how advanced Republic City is).

* [["The Reason You Suck" Speech]]: In "And the Winner Is..." Amon delivers one to pro-bending fans about celebrating and praising the flagrantly cheating Wolfbats, (incidentally giving [[Even Evil Has Standards|due credit]] to the above-board Fire Ferrets) drawing a parallel to societal worship of domineering, abusive benders.

* [[Reasonable Authority Figure]]: While not overly [[Good Is Not Nice|friendly]], the metalbender cops in Republic City come across this way. When Korra starts a street fight with a gang, they promptly arrest the thugs, but also arrest Korra for "destruction of private and city property, not to mention evading arrest".

** The SDCC '11 Trailer uses the same score that the trailers for Season 3 of ATLA used. The music is particularly moody and energetic at different times. Special award for the Editor who synched all the action so meticulously.

** The music heard in the opening is an orchestral version of ATLA's theme.

** The main theme is remixed and repeated often in every episode so far.

* [[The Republic]]: The United Republic of Nations is the first one in the Avatar-verse.

* [[Ring Out]]: An [[Justified Trope|important]] mechanic of [[Fictional Sport|pro-bending]]. Forcing a player off the back (and only the back) of the arena and into the [[Rule of Pool|surrounding pool]] removes them from the game for the remainder of the round. Forcing all three players out in a single round is an [[Instant Win Condition]], which is why, in a best of three rounds format, the third round is always played. It's the only way left to win for a team down two rounds.

* [[Roaring Twenties]]: The technology, speech mannerisms and culture are evocative of the real-life 1920's, and [[Word of God]] says this is the current time period in Korra's day.

* [[Royal Mess]]: The Fire Nation's ruler, a position roughly analogous to Japan's [[The Emperor|Emperor]], is termed "Fire Lord," and as of Korra's era, the title is held [[She Is the King|by a woman]].

 

* [[Schizo-Tech]]: Despite the generally Early-Twentieth Century level of technology present in the show, the Equalists seem to have mastered high-energy, low-mass power generators or batteries, giving their mooks electrified Kali-sticks and [[Power Palms]].

* [[Screw the Rules, I Have Money]]: The Wolf-Bats pay off the referee in the Pro-Bending Championship so they can cheat without being called on it; by their third round with the Fire Ferrets, it is so blatant that ''the announcer'' calls them on it. It's implied by Amon that this is hardly unusual for them.

* [[Shipper on Deck]]: Jinora and Ikki for Mako/Korra.

** There is a bridge with the distinctive silhouette of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, with less obvious allusions to Golden Gate Park, and infamous high-security prison Alcatraz.

** The character Mako is a shout out to the deceased voice actor of Iroh in the original series, [[Mako]] Iwamatsu.

** For Korra's airbending training, Tenzin attempted to set up something similar on Air Temple Island. This fell apart remarkably fast.

* [[Soft Glass]]: Averted in "And The Winner Is...", {{spoiler|where the reinforced stadium dome is first shattered by an airship plunging metallic cable ladders through it, but the unbroken ceiling still supports the weight of several people battling on top of it. Even Korra's hard landing, near the edges of the original break, takes a few moments to give out under her feet.}}

** The pro-bending ring is far enough above the water below that you'd expect injuries, at least from the non-Waterbenders, but this trope is in full effect.

** Waterbenders in pro-bending are the only ones allowed to hit their opponents in the head due to this trope.

** Toph's daughter Lin Beifong is the captain of the police metalbenders in Republic City.

** Aang and Katara's son Tenzin, who is teaching Korra to airbend just as Roku's descendant Zuko taught Aang to firebend. Tenzin also has two other siblings, Kya and Bumi, named for characters in the first series. Tenzin himself brings his wife Pema, and three children, Jinora, Ikki, and Meelo, with a fourth on the way.

* [[Spirit Advisor]]: As Roku advised Aang, so too will Aang advise Korra.

* [[Spiritual Antithesis]]: Korra was designed to be everything Aang was not. To a degree, the rest of the show is also meant to be unlike the original series (staying in a [[City of Adventure]] as opposed to [[Walking the Earth]], and so on).

* [[Underdogs Never Lose]]: The Fire Ferrets were considered the underdogs going into the tournament. {{spoiler|Subverted as the Wolf Bats win [[Cheaters Never Prosper|through illegal moves.]]}}

* [[Unflinching Walk]]: While pursuing Amon onto an Equalist zeppelin, Korra uses firebending to cause a large explosion. His mooks are knocked aside, but Amon casually boards.

* [[Unstable Equilibrium]]: The Pro Bending ring is designed intentionally with this in mind, as per Bryan's [http://korranation.tumblr.com/post/19586633139/bryan-konietzko-creator-of-a-tla-and-the-legend explanation of the mechanics of the game.]

* [[Urban Fantasy]]: Of the rare alternate world variety, given that the setting is analogous to [[The Roaring Twenties]] and takes place in a world shaped and developed in large part by bending.

* [[Victory by Endurance]]: The Fire Ferrets win two matches by simply dodging or blocking their opponents' attacks until they've tired themselves out, at which point the Ferrets win with ease. Mako impressively manages this when it's three-on-one.

* [[Villain Has a Point]]: Benders are disproportionately represented in the Republic City Council (i.e. the council is 100% bender), and some benders (such as the gangsters in the first episode) really ''are'' using their powers to abuse non-benders. In fact, thanks to Tenzin's place on the council, his family and the Air Acolytes - a group of twenty or thirty people who have decided to follow Air Nomad teachings - have more of a say in the city's affairs than the ''thousands'' of non-benders born and raised in Republic City.

** Another branch of Korra Nation dealt with gaining likes, shares, and tweets of the Korra Nation website; on which fans could discover hidden content such as production sketches and background art. Sharing the site 100,00 times would allow fans to see the premiere a week early. It earned 100,000 points ''within the first week of its announcement'', and as promised the first two episodes were available online on March 24th.

** The Korra Nation website no longer exists, but the viral marketing continues with the Korra Nation tumblr and facebook pages. Art, production information, and clips of the upcoming episodes are posted to these pages once or twice a week.

* [[Welcome to the Big City]]: The plot of the first episode, as sheltered [[Country Mouse]] Korra realizes Republic City isn't the shining beacon of harmony and prosperity she thought it was.

* [[Well-Intentioned Extremist]]: The Equalist movement. Their case against the benders is not altogether unreasonable, but the measures used to reach their goal are quite extreme.

** "And The Winner Is" has {{spoiler|The Fire Ferrets losing the Pro-Bending championship to the cheating Wolfbats, then Amon appears and [[De-Power|De-Bends]] the Wolfbats, then Amon's forces defeat the Metalbending Police Force and then ''blow up the Pro-Bending arena and dress the remnants in Equalist flags''.}} Also counts as a [[Mid Season Wham Episode]].

** "The Aftermath". {{spoiler|Hiroshi Sato is [[The Mole]] working for Amon, and he's built [[Mini-Mecha]]. At the end of the episode, Asami has turned against her father and will be moving to Air Temple Island with Mako and Bolin, while Lin says she's going to [[Turn in Your Badge|Turn In Her Badge]] and work outside the law to bring down Amon.}}

** "When Extremes Meet". {{spoiler|Tarrlok begins rounding up non-benders and imprisoning them, Korra confronts him, and then he ''bloodbends Korra without the full moon and Korra has a flashback to the previous Team Avatar fighting a crook who looks suspiciously like Tarrlok.''}} Notable for being the third [[Wham! Episode]] in a row.

** The Metalbender Police use retractable metal whips on their wrists to restrain criminals and move about the city.

** Some Equalist mooks use whips to snag their opponent's arms, pulling them off balance and preventing them from bending.