The Legend of Korra Book 2: Spirits Review
Major Spoilers are included in this season review. Please read with caution.
On October 24, 2020 I started watching The Legend of Korra’s Book 2: Spirits and finished on October 25, 2020. The Legend of Korra follows Avatar Korra, Aang’s successor, as she deals with political and spiritual unrest in a modernized world.
After finishing my rewatch on Book 1: Air back during the month of August 2020 when it dropped on Netflix, I took a long break from the show due to other commitments like reading My Hero Academia manga and Tower of God Webtoon, playing Genshin Impact, etc. Luckily, my leisure time schedule had finally discovered the precious time needed to get back on track with The Legend of Korra.
Originally conceived as a mini-series with its first season given a second chance at life, The Legend of Korra writers were given a blessing and a curse. While being able to keep going with Korra’s story was an amazing gift, it also meant the writers weren’t fully prepared to deliver the most perfect season. Unlike its predecessor—Avatar The Last Airbender, where they had everything mostly planned out from start to finish—The Legend of Korra had to carve its own path with trial and error.
The main positives were the political themes weaved into the season’s first half. The Northern and Southern Water Tribe’s civil war added great political drama for Avatar Korra, who couldn’t find a way to stay neutral during the very personal conflict. The second half kicked off with Avatar Wan’s origin story, a great standalone story with superb animation that slowed the season’s plot momentum a bit, but it was necessary for Korra’s overall growth as the most recent Avatar.
Tenzin also had a great character story regarding his family life, and how he carried the burden of being Avatar Aang’s son without realizing he neglected his siblings—who had different perspectives on how their childhood actually went. While some fans took offense to Aang being called a “bad dad”, it also made sense given how Aang dreamed of rebirthing the Air Nation, and how that dream—while a noble one—also caused harmful ramifications on his children’s mental states.
Mako was a cop this season, but at least he was trying to be likeable this season with his viewpoint versus Korra’s Avatar stance. Their “epic” romance didn’t last long either, and how he went back to Asami—for a moment—felt more natural compared to last season. Also, the current portrayal on police officers are still relevant for today’s times.
I wished they used Asami more, but she was a bit sidelined throughout Book 2. Bolin is a classic hoot, with his movie role and twisted relationship with Eska—Korra’s cousin—was something to behold. Bolin has no type whatsoever when it comes to dating. He just likes women.
The main villain—Unalaq, Korra’s Uncle—was weak this season though. He was another evil Waterbender with a serious brother complex, which wasn’t much different from Amon and Tarrlok’s villainy when you seriously think about it. I liked Vaatu as the “final villain” though, but he seemed more like the face of evil than a breathing character we can invest in.
Honestly when I was younger, I trashed Book 2 for not being the best season in terms of story and animation. After the rewatch and seeing its relevance to today’s times, I feel generally the same, but I was more appreciative about the positives more often especially toward the end. Like I’m still upset it took nine episodes to get into the Spirit World, but I did enjoy Korra’s character development.
Thanks for reading this season review, everyone!
I’m back on the Avatar train—when the world needed [her] most […]”, she came through for me. Thanks, Korra. I’ll see you later in my season 3 and 4 reviews. We have a lot to catch up on, old friend.