Character Analysis: Korra

 

Background

The avatar born after Aang and whose job it is to maintain balance in the world. Unlike Aang Korra showed promise at utilizing multiple bending types as a toddler and as a result knew of her status as an avatar at an even younger age. She was almost kidnapped by an anarchist group called the red lotus, which was only fended off by the efforts of the original avatar gang. As a result she actually spent most of her childhood under heavy guard, before finally setting off on her own to learn airbending from Aang’s son Tenzin as a young adult.

• S1ep1 1:49 Korra is discovered as the avatar #background

Most of the adventures Korra have taken place in republic city. A nation founded by Aang after the 100 year war with the fire nation, near the edge of the earth kingdom. She’s fought off an anti-government movement called the equalist led by a man called amon. Gotten involved in a civil war between the water nation tribes and fought an ancient spirit called Vaatu. Fought the red lotus that tried to capture her as a child, and a potential dictator named kuvira.

The main addition in Korra was an explanation of how the Avatar came to be. It being explained that the avatar was created when Wan merged with an ancient light spirit called Raava. This fusion is also what allowed the Avatar to use all 4 elements at once. In the second season Raava is extracted from Korra and destroyed. While Korra merges with a new version of Raava after, this severs her link to past avatars.

• S2ep8  6:38 Raava holds the power of the air element for wan so he can switch it out#powers

• S2ep 8 18:47 Wan fuses with Raava using the power of harmonic convergence#background

• S2ep8 21:35 Raava reincarnates into wans next lives#powers

• S2ep 13 21:01 Raava is destroyed, severing Korra’s link to her past lives#background

Arsenal

Air glider

A glider similar to the one Aang used in the original series. By utilizing airbending Korra can use it to fly through the sky. 

• S3ep1  14:28 Korra has her own airbender glider#arsenal #powers

• S3ep 1 18:26 Flying with the airglider#arsenal

• Using her glider https://readcomiconline.to/Comic/Nickelodeon-The-Legend-of-Korra-Turf-Wars/Issue-2?id=130323#59 #arsenal

Abilities

Earth bending

https://avatar.fandom.com/wiki/Earthbending

The ability to manipulate, throw and alter the shape of earth like substances.

• S1ep1 15:13 Korra creates a large stone block of stone underneath an opponent to launch them into the air#powers

• S1ep4 17:39 Korra kicks a stone at an equalist#powers

• S1ep7 18:50 Korra throws a massive rock at a mecha tank#powers

• S1ep8 21:10 Korra moves a large stone wall#powers #strength

• S2ep13 6:40 Korra creates Giant pillars of rock out of the ground to hit Vaatu#powers

• S2ep13 12:08 Korra flings tons of boulders into the air#powers

• S3ep2 18:19 Korra bends a line of earth under an opponent from afar#powers

• S3ep12 9:47 Flinging a disk of rock at zaheer while fighting him#powers #skill

• S3ep13 10:27 Lifting and throwing a giant builder with Earth bending#powers#strength

• S4ep6 9:53 Throwing a boulder with a kick#powers

• S4ep6 12:20 Erecting a stone barrier#powers

Misc earth structures

• S1ep8 10:13 Creating a stone ramp to launch a car from#powers

• S1ep8 21:06 Korra creates a stone barrier to block projectiles#powers

• S4ep6 9:37 Pushing a rock spire out of the ground#powers

Metal Bending

A subset of earth bending invented by Toph in the original series. By manipulating small fragments of earth in metal, the user can alter the shape of metal itself. The move does not work on metal that has been purified enough.

• S3ep6 7:38 Korra learns how to metal bend from toph’s daughter#powers

• S3ep6 14:58 Korra reshapes a piece of metal for practice#powers

• S4ep4  20:57 Korra bends fragments of metal out of her body#powers

• S4ep7 18:13 Metal bending a door closed#powers

• S4ep7 18:15 Metal bending the top of a train open#powers

Water bending

https://avatar.fandom.com/wiki/Waterbending

The ability to manipulate, throw and alter the shape of ice.

• S1ep2 6:34 Using water bending to enhance her swimming#powers

• S1ep3 20:32 Manipulating steam to cause an explosion#powers

• S1ep5 0:49 Throwing small bullets of water at bolin#powers

• S1ep11 8:00 Korra creates a spike of ice in the ocean to cut down a plane#powers

• S2ep5 21:58 Creates a moderate sized tsunami tornado of water#powers

• S2ep13  6:37 Korra flngs shots of water at Vaatue#powers

• S3ep13 10:42 Flinging water hundreds of feet at zaheer#powers

Ice creation/manipulation

Water benders can alter the state of Water into ice.

• S1ep1 15:04 Korra catches a ball of water, then throws it backwards to freeze their head#powers

• S1ep1 17:18 Korra creates a massive ice barrier to cut off an opponent while being chased#powers  #skill

• S1ep4 17:29 Koraa freezes a gas bomb solid with water#powers

• S1ep6 20:13 Koraa turns a pool into ice to walk on it#powers

• S2ep3 18:18 Freezing a railway to slide on#powers

• S2ep13 12:14 Korra creates a shield made of ice#powers

• S4ep12 20:29 Korra makes probably 100s of tons of ice to try to immobilize Zuivira’s mech#powers#strength

Bubble

The ability to create air pockets underwater

• S1ep10 19;49 Creating an air pocket underwater for Naga and her friends#powers 

Water whip

Whip like appendages of water that can be created from the arms.

• S2ep4  19:27 Creating large whip-like water appendages from her arms to attack invading forces from the northern tribe. She launches park of the whip at a soldier to freeze them to a wall#powers

• S2ep13 12:13 Korra taps into the avatar state while creating a tornado of air to move on. She also creates long water whips for offense#powers

Water tower

A spiraling tower of water that can boost a person upwards.

• S1ep6 20:22 Korra creates a spiral of water to boost herself into the sky#powers

• S1ep 11 7:57 Korra rockets herself into the air on a spiral of water#powers

• S2ep5 21:44 Creates a spiral of water underneath herself to travel over the ocean#powers

Misc constructs

• S1ep9 21:30 Creating Ice spears to throw at ammon#powers

• S2ep3 19:10 Creating a massive ice bridge to redirect a moving car#strength #powers

Spiritual purification

The ability to purify or corrupt spiritual beings via water bending.

• S2ep5 22:31 Korra uses water bending to try to pacify a dark spirit#powers

• S2ep9  17:12 Korra pacifies some spirits with water bending#powers

• S2ep14  14:20 Korra purries Value with water bending#powers

Airbending

https://avatar.fandom.com/wiki/Airbending

The ability to alter the flow or create gusts of air.

• S1ep12 14:25 Korra airbends for the first time, blowing Ammon out a window.#powers

• S2ep2 19:38 Korra creates a gust of wind with a punch

• S2ep3 18:40 Creating a gust of wind to knock over some opponents#powers

• S2ep12  20:40 Korra creates a giant slicing wave of wind#powers

• S3ep10 19:26 Korra uses Airbending to push forward a sand sailer across the desert#powers

• S4ep6 9:39 Creating a pulse of air with a kick#powers

• S4ep7  18:55 Lifting herself and several others off a train in an air tornado#powers

Air spout

Allows the user to lift themselves into the air on a tornado of air.

• S2ep1 19:11 Korra taps into the avatar state and flies around on a air tornado#powers

• S2ep13 12:13 Korra taps into the avatar state while creating a tornado of air to move on. She also creates long water whips for offense#powers

Air scooter

An ability to create a ball of air that can be balanced on like a top. The scooter can boost a person forward like a vehicle.

• S2ep1 3:50 Korra uses the air scooter ability#powers

Fire bending

https://avatar.fandom.com/wiki/Firebending 

The ability to create and manipulate fire.

• S1ep1 2:10 Deflecting a blast of fire #powers

• S1ep1 2:38 Korra creating a blast of fire to force an opponent into the air#powers

• S1ep6 21:35 Creating multiple blasts of fire with kicks#powers

• S1ep8  20:41 Creating a sustained torrent of fire directed at Tarlock#powers

• S2ep1 19:24 Korra uses sustained fire blasts on a dark spirit#powers

• S2ep5  21:47 Firing various fire blasts at the twins#powers

• S2ep13 1:17 Shooting a blast of fire at Vaatue. Korra fights Vaatu#powers #skill

• S2ep13 13:10 Creating a massive blast of fire#powers

• S3ep12 9:50 Creating a blast of fire with a kick#powers

• S4ep6  9:05Creating blasts of fire with punches#powers

Jet propulsion

The ability to create burst of fire from the feet to fly.

• S3ep13   7:51 Flying by propelling fire from her feet#powers

Fire breathing

The ability to breathe fire like a dragon.

• S3ep12 21:30 Breathing fire. Is unable to bend well with all her limbs bound#powers #weaknesses

Energybending

https://avatar.fandom.com/wiki/Energybending

The ability to manipulate the spiritual energy within another person. Korra was taught this ability by the spirit of Aang. It can grant bending abilities , remove them, or deflect spiritual energy. In order to bend the energy of another person, you need to be able to overwhelm their willpower.

• S1ep9 18:19 Aang takes Yakko’s bedding away with energy bending#powers

• S1ep12 21:30 Aang’s spirit teaches her energy bending. He also restores her bending and gives her control over the avatar state. #powers

• S1ep12 22:48 Korra uses energy bending to restore Lin’s bending and chi pathways

• S2ep7  6:50 Lion turtles give fire bending via energybending#powers

• S4ep13 10:26 Korra blocks a direct blast from the spirit cannon, which makes a huge crater with energybending. She fights Kuvira#powers #strength #skill

• AS3ep21 12:45 Aang uses energybending to strip Ozai of his bending 

•  S2ep 14 8:54 Korra uses energy bending to create a giant physical avatar of herself. This is only possible due to the spiritual power she can tap into due to harmonic convergence#powers

Avatar abilities

Korra has a host of special abilities due to being the avatar.

Korra’s strength is increased in the spirit realm, an alternate plane of reality. Likewise due to having been fused with Raava so long she will retain her ability to bend all 4 elements if Raava’s removed.

• S4ep9 19:36 Talking to Ravaa in the spirit realm. Korra can travel quickly and her energy bending is at its most powerful in this location. #powers

• S2ep14 6:38 Korra still retains multiple bending abilities despite Raava being ripped out#powers

Spiritual connection

Korra had a spiritual connection to her past lives, allowing her to channel them or talk to them despite them being dead. Korra can no longer do this as the connection to her past lives was severed.

• S1ep8 6:30 Korra talks about visions she’s seen involving aang#powers

• S1ep9 4:34, 11:53,16:38 Korra has a flashback from aangs spirit. It shows the past of Republic cities history with yaako#background #powers

• S2ep7  1:42  Korra connecting to past avatars 

• S2ep9 22:11 Korra meditates into the spirit world#powers

• S2ep  13 21:01 Raava is destroyed, severing Korra’s link to her past lives#background

Sealing

Wan and Korra both used some kind of elemental sealing ability to keep Vaatue trapped in the tree of time for 10,000 years.

• S2ep13 6:47 Korra attempts to seal Vaatue in the tree of time#powers

Avatar  state

An enhanced state of being where Korra taps into Raava’s cosmic power, along with any connected avatars. The state can be activated in times of danger, but is typically mastered by every avatar at some point.

• -Roku explaining how the Avatar State works (20:40) https://www.watchcartoononline.io/playlist-cat/30/avatar-book-2-earth-episode-1 

• S2ep8 9:35 Wan mentions raava passing through him gives a rush of power#powers

• S2ep8 12:50 Raava goes into wan's body so he can use all 4 elements at once#powers

• S1ep12 21:30 Aang’s spirit teaches her energybending. He also restores her bending and gives her control over the avatar state. #powers

• S1ep12 21:48 Korra uses the avatar state for the first time. Levitating with airbending while creating gusts of wind, fire and rock.#powers

• S2ep4 18:32 Using the avatar state to create a large wave of water to knock several northern water tribe ships to the side#powers #strength

• S2ep13 12:13 Korra taps into the avatar state while creating a tornado of air to move on. She also creates long water whips for offense#powers

• S3ep13 6:59 Avatar state Makes korra strong enough to break through some physical bindings#powers

• S4ep6 15:36 Tapping into the avatar state to lift a giant boulder and lifting herself into the air with an air tornado#powers#strength

• S2ep1 4:06 Korra taps into the avatar state to boost her  air scooter ability#powers

• S2ep1 19:11 Korra taps into the avatar state and flies around on a air tornado#powers

• S1ep9 18:11 Aang cancels out bloodbending with the avatar state#scaling

Feats

Strength

• S2ep3 18:14 Punching through a wall of ice#strength

• S2ep4 18:32 Using the avatar state to create a large wave of water to knock several northern water tribe ships to the side#powers #strength

• S3ep1 14:44 Cating a large segment of a falling house with earthbending#strength

• S3ep10 19:53 Blowing back a giant fish monster with a fish monster#strength

• S3ep13 15:47 Throwing Zaheer into the ground hard enough to create a small crater#strength

• S4ep12 20:29 Korra makes probably 100s of tons of ice to try to immobilize Zuivira’s mech#powers#strength

• S4ep13 10:26 Korra blocks a direct blast from the spirit cannon, which makes a huge crater with energybending. She fights Kuvira#powers #strength #skill

Speed

• S1ep8 20:52 Korra avoids an onslaught of ice daggers being thrown at her#speed

Endurance

• S2ep5 22:55 Korra is hit head on by a kaiju sized dark spirit’s body slam#endurance 

• S2ep12 10:59 Survived a plane crash#endurance

• S3ep13 8:20 Taking a fall from hundreds of feet#endurance

• S4ep6   12:26 Having a large builder launched at her#endurance

Scaling

As the avatar Korra is the strongest character in the series by default and should scale to just about anyone.

• S1ep12 13:24 Ammon is struck with lightning from Mako#scaling 

• S2ep8 16:01 Wan is hit by a giant laser from Vaatu#scaling

• S3ep6 6:45 One of the red lotus melts a ton of rock#scaling

• Zuko intercepts Azula’s Lightning (Season 3 Episode 20 - Sozin's Comet, Part 3: Into the Inferno) - https://gfycat.com/faintlimpargentineruddyduck 

• Amon dodged Lightning Bolt Zolt’s lightning (18:10) https://www.watchcartoononline.io/playlist-cat/135440/avatar-the-legend-of-korra-episode-3-the-revelation-2 

Other avatars

• Past Avatars perform a bunch of powerful bending feats, such as lifting massive structures, creating tsunamis, and triggering volcanic eruptions (21:00) https://www.watchcartoononline.io/playlist-cat/30/avatar-book-2-earth-episode-1 

• Kyoshi splits a massive land mass and creates Kyoshi’s Island (17:30) https://m.watchcartoononline.io/avatar-book-2-earth-episode-5 

Experience

• S1ep1 2:15 Fighting some fire bender masters as training #skill

• S1ep1 14:3 Korra fights members of the triple threat triad #skill

• S1ep2 18:02 Korra participates in pro bending.#skill

• S1ep6 11:57 FIghting the wolf bat bending team#skill

• S1ep6 22:07 Korra fights the lieutenant#skill

• S1ep7 18:49 Fighting some tanks controlled by Asami’s father#skill

• S1ep8 20:40 Korra fights Tarlock#skill

• S2ep1 19:19 Korra fights a dark spirit#skill

• S2ep5 21:35 Fights the water tribe twins#skill

• S2ep13  1:17 Korra fights Vaatu#powers #skill

• S2ep14 11:56 Korra fights the giant Unalaq fusion#skill

• S3ep12 9:47 Flinging a disk of rock at zaheer while fighting him#powers #skill

• S4ep4 3:15 Korra meets toph and is going to get more training from her#skill

• S4ep6 9:10 Fighting Zuvira#skill

• S4ep12 5:49 Helps fight Kuviara’s mech#skill

Weaknesses

Korra is not invincible, her body was vulnerable to bloodbending from Amon(bending the blood within another person)

• S1ep8 22:02 Korra is affected by blood bending#powers

• S1ep12  8:29 Korra has her bending taken via Ammon’s blood bending#weaknesses

In her spiritual projections, she was vulnerable to spiritual corruption

• S2ep10 22:10 Korra is affected by a spirit corruption move from Unalaq

Her avatar state also couldn’t fully counter the effects of metal poisoning.

• S3ep13 2:31 Korra is being poisoned with metal#weaknesses

• S3ep13 10:57 Even when in the avatar state the metal poisoning is affecting her#weaknesses

Finally being entirely bound makes it difficult to bend.

• S3ep9 21:34 Being unable to bend while being entirely bound#weakness

• S3ep12 21:30 Is unable to bend well with all her limbs bound#powers #weaknesses