The Next Avatar Show Must Avoid A Character Problem That Hurt The Legend Of Korra

Summary The next Avatar spinoff show needs to avoid the unnecessary character cameos that weighed down The Legend of Korra.

The sequel should feature a more original lineup, allowing the new Avatar to stand on their own outside of Korra's shadow.

TLOK's sequel should be further removed from Korra's story, making it more difficult for characters to reappear in the present timeline.

Another Avatar: The Last Airbender spinoff show seems inevitable at this point, and the next series needs to avoid a mistake that hurt The Legend of Korra. The formation of Avatar Studios in 2021 promised more content in the Last Airbender universe, and things finally seem to be moving forward. A Last Airbender movie with Dave Bautista as its villain is already slated for 2025, and it will follow the original Team Avatar as adults. However, another ATLA sequel in the vein of Legend of Korra seems likely to happen as well.

There are already rumors of a show following the next Earth Kingdom Avatar, and Avatar Studios will eventually need to move beyond established characters and storylines. It makes sense to show what happens after The Legend of Korra, especially with the sequel completely resetting the Avatar cycle. If another series does happen, it has the chance to expand the Last Airbender world even further — but it should avoid leaning too heavily on one thing that hurt The Legend of Korra.

Related 8 Harsh Realities Of Rewatching The Legend Of Korra 10 Years After It Ended The Legend of Korra came to an end 10 years ago, and there are some harsh realities to face when watching The Last Airbender sequel today.

The Next Avatar Show Should Keep Its Legend Of Korra Cameos To A Minimum

The Series Shouldn't Overdo Its References To The Past

Close

Whatever the next Avatar: The Last Airbender show is, it should avoid one problem that hurt The Legend of Korra: unnecessary character cameos. Because Aang dies at age 66, many of the characters from The Last Airbender are still alive in Korra's timeline. The two shows are also connected through Aang's children, surrounding Korra with familiar faces and people related to the original Team Avatar. This makes it hard for The Legend of Korra to stand on its own, and it often leans too heavily on nostalgia for what came before.

The next sequel should feature a more original lineup, allowing the new Avatar to forge a path outside of Korra's shadow.

Assuming The Last Airbender gets another sequel series, it shouldn't draw such heavy connections to The Legend of Korra. While Korra will no doubt show up to advise her successor — and Tenzin's kids seem likely to make an appearance — there's no reason to include elderly versions of Mako, Bolin, and Asami. The new Avatar doesn't need to be surrounded by Korra's friends and family, nor do they need to be chummy with their descendants. The next sequel should feature a more original lineup, allowing the new Avatar to forge a path outside of Korra's shadow.

The Legend Of Korra's Avatar: The Last Airbender Appearances Hurt The Sequel Series

Most Of The Appearances Felt Forced Or Unnecessary

Close

The Legend of Korra features numerous Last Airbender cameos, with everyone but Sokka appearing at some point during its run — and even he shows up in flashbacks. It makes sense for Aang to make appearances throughout the sequel series, as Korra spends the first two seasons connected to the past Avatars. Aang deliberated with his predecessors, so it makes sense that he'd be there to guide Korra. Even the inclusion of his family has a purpose; if there's one thing The Legend of Korra gets right, it's bringing new Airbenders into the fold.

Unfortunately, Katara, Zuko, and Toph have less effective cameos than Aang. They feel forced into the series for the sake of nostalgia, and their inclusion doesn't add much to the story. Katara guides her children and Korra, and both Toph and Zuko have brief interactions with the new Avatar. These appearances are underwhelming given how beloved the characters are in The Last Airbender, and there's a sense of sadness that they're no longer in the midst of the conflict. Even Iroh's cameo — which does feel in character — raises too many questions about how and why he's in the Spirit World.

How The Next Avatar Show Can Stand On Its Own

It Should Be Further Removed From The Legend Of Korra

While a few cameos are inevitable in the next Avatar show, the writers should set its story further from The Legend of Korra's timeline. This will ensure the main characters from The Legend of Korra are no longer around when the series opens. Korra will be gone by then, and having her die at an older age than Aang will allow a sequel to exclude players like Mako, Bolin, and Asami. Korra will undoubtedly communicate with the new Avatar, and Tenzin's kids will still be around. However, their appearances won't feel as forced as those in The Legend of Korra.

The next Last Airbender spinoff should see the Avatar living far away from familiar faces. This should be easy to accomplish if the show follows an Earth Avatar.

Additionally, the next Last Airbender spinoff should see the Avatar living far away from familiar faces. This should be easy to accomplish if the show follows an Earth Avatar. After all, the Earth Kingdom is known for its huge cities, so it'd be easy for the Avatar to slip under the radar. Setting their story up this way gives them the chance to explore their destiny without the relations of past Avatars weighing them down. That's something Korra never got to do on the heels of Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Your browser does not support the video tag.