The Beautiful Episode Title Cards for Avatar Rewatch 2018 Appreciation Post
For @masterkiddojinora and @ahhhsami
These episode cards could not have been done so well by someone who didn't love and appreciate the Avatar series. They were amazing not just because you're both very talented, but because you know and love these shows so much. You were able to bring forth huge thematic elements of each show in your work. Whether it pertained to a plot element, or a character etc. You can see the love and appreciation as well as the artistic talent behind each and every card.
(I wrote a novel. Sorry not sorry.)
I joined near the beginning during the planning stages of the Avatar Rewatch. Jinora, bless her heart, volunteered to do episode cards of her own volition. It was entirely her idea. And I was more than pleased by the results! She was going to be away for Comic Con, but made sure to do them all before hand, before she left, so that we'll be taken care of while she was away during March 1st to March 4th. So very thoughtful and proactive of her!
I've got to say, I have enjoyed this event immensely for many different reasons. But those first few days of moderating and planning and everything ... especially those first four days after the Rewatch started ... they required more of my time and efforts than I thought they would. It was burning me out a little. And I waited to even say anything about it for a few days to Shannon / @threehoursfromtroy. And then ... and then Jinora came back from Comic Con, riding in like a conquering hero, and SAVED me! And no one knew this at the time ... but it was on my birthday no less! An emotional time for me. I couldn't be more thankful for Jinora's attitude. Her dedication and drive. Her making sure and asking if she was doing everything right (despite all of us doing this for the very first time). Her jumping to help out with so many things! She was my hero during that time ^_^
She put a lot of herself in everything she did for the Rewatch. Because she's that kind of person and this all means a lot to her. She's very giving and was more than happy to keep on giving. We're all so very happy to have had her on board to improve our Avatar Rewatch experience. The cards helped the Rewatch succeed! Of that I have no doubt. And the cards are the best examples of her efforts even though she did much more than that.
And personally, for me, you've been an amazing friend, Jinora! You're always willing to help and listen and I feel sorry for you having to put up with me sometimes ^^; But yeah, you're one of the most important people I've met or gotten closer to during this Rewatch and I couldn't be more appreciative of this fact and you!
I've been reading Jenna's fics for a long while now (1.5 years maybe?). I've been a fan of hers and really enjoy her Korrasami works. A few of which have even made me cry! Her writing is great and just keeps on getting better and better. Even though I prefer canon/canon-divergent fics, Jenna's mostly AU works are still among my must reads! And the amount of works she puts out ... she is crazy prolific when it comes to writing fanfiction. Made me wonder if she's human or ever sleeps >.> . So when she joined the Rewatch, I was more than excited and fangirled as I tend to do!
And then, of her own free will, without anyone asking anyone to, Jenna volunteered to help Jinora with making the episode cards! And I know Jinora was very thankful for the help. And Jenna started making them into gifs! Bringing a whole other dimension to the cards and sense of immersion for all of us! So colour me even more impressed!
And then she offered to make emojis for the Avatar Rewatch server! I was even more impressed. She did so many and so quickly and they're all so well done! And she went even more out of her way, to make specific emojis for single individuals just to make them happy! She did at least one each specifically for Eli / @sokkable and Failed Rapper M'lil / @asociallyawkwardduckling among others. And she went through the trouble of rotating emojis to keep up with where we were in the Rewatch! Seriously awesome and thoughtful work that no one asked her to do.
And what's even better is I've gotten to know Jenna and befriend her. And I've found out just how nice, very giving and thoughtful she is on top of her many talents! I trust her and I can confide in her with things I feel comfortable telling only a few people. She's another amazing friend I've made because of this event. And once again, I couldn't be more thankful! Like ... on a silly note, she's one of the few people that is all for my using chopsticks for things most people wouldn't use chopsticks for! Unlike some people *cough* @xaibaugrove*cough*
This community is just that amazing. And I've learned just how silly I've been to be too shy to approach people. Tsk tsk social anxiety...
(I have trouble picking favourites, okay!? So there are multiple for each of you and for each show)
This card, Jenna, it evokes a sense of loss and bereavement on Iroh's part as it's about him losing his one and only child, Lu Ten. It's very clear that that's what you were going for and you succeeded remarkably. The colours used, the fact that Iroh fades away ... you're making me FEEL things again with your works, Jenna!
2.12 ATLA - The Serpent's Pass
It's clear what you were going for here! And once again you succeeded. You added a little bit of rare silliness into a card. And I always appreciate silly things! It's fun while still being a good representation of the episode as the serpent DOES surprise the Gaang through their travels. It's perfect, honestly.
2.15 ATLA - The Tales of Ba Sing Se
This card! I loved it when I first saw it. You really made this card fit perfectly for this episode. It was about everyone's personal "tales" and so you decided to animate it to symbolize each person's own story! It's awesome thinking and very thoughtful. It's artistic and fits in with the theme of the episode. Seriously great work!
2.20 ATLA - The Crossroads of Destiny
OMG, this card! Aang's pain ... you can really FEEL it in this card. He kinda died in this episode and it's shown rather well here. And then you end the card in utter blackness apart from the words and symbol...
3.8 ATLA - The Puppetmaster
So ... very ... creepy ... were you trying to give us nightmares, Jenna? Seriously well done! And once again you made the card fit the atmosphere of the episode. Creepy episode, super creepy card. The blurriness is honestly a nice touch.
Jenna! The Korrasami fangirl in me can NOT resist this card! You included the animation of Korra and Asami's reunion after being separated for three hard years! That hug! That hug gives me life. Korra is just so happy, and relieved and I feel she feels like she can finally breathe to be able see Asami again and have her closest friend and the woman she loves in her arms again. And Asami ... she's so happy and relieved to have Korra back again. That amazing woman she was never able to forget and let go of after three hard, but busy years. These two ... they just mean so much to me. And, because you don't know where to stop when it comes to awesomeness, Jenna, you added in Korra's reunion with Naga too! I love you for doing that! Naga is so very important to Korra and they love each other so much! Naga's her avatar animal companion, lifelong and most loyal friend (apart from Asami). And the series seems to forget about Naga at times just like it seems to forget about Asami. So I am really super appreciative of you including Naga in this as well.
1.11 TLOK - Skeletons in the Closet
This card, Jinora, it's REALLY colourful. I love the mix of colours in it. I love how you perfectly encapsulated Noatak's, Tarrlok's and Yakone's sentiments and outlooks during this stage of their lives. It just says so much! And the colour really gets your attention. Noatak is angry, pissed off and fed up with his father. Tarrlok is a sad lost child at the idea of his brother leaving him. And Yakone is just an angry and bitter father that shows little if any love for his sons. Bryke is really great at showing that although some parents are awesome, others are okay, and there are definitely parents out there who are just plain awful!
This card ... this card ... First episode of Book 2 Spirits and you encapsulate that so well! When I first saw this card and for the episode after, I was REALLY amazed and blown away. The colours, the font ... the words jump out at you! The spirit standing there and then fading away into nothing. It's creepy. It's dark. It's foreboding. And it is so awesomely pretty! Seriously, awesome work, Jinora!
2.2 TLOK - The Southern Lights
OMG! I love this one even more than the one before it, Jinora! The colours! The contrast and fade from blue to that yellow-green you have there! It's so amazingly beautiful! The words, once again, POP! And if you look close enough you can make out the wooden sculpture of Avatar Wan and Raava in the background. And Korra has no idea what's in store for her...
2.3 TLOK - Civil Wars, Part 1
(if gif won’t play click here)
So the artistic choice here is to showcase how Korra is torn between the love she has for her father, and the brighter future in her training that Korra sees in Unalaq teaching her about spirits in order to finally finish off her avatar training. She loves her father and he's always been good to her, but he's also done things that have unintentionally hurt her. And Unalaq, being a sly, evil, despicable human being plays with Korra's worries and insecurities to use Korra for his own means, unknowingly to Korra. This is showcased well in this card as Korra makes the painful choice to secure a brighter future for herself when she chooses Unalaq.
2.12 TLOK - Harmonic Convergence
(if gif won’t play click here)
Once again, I love the colours. And I love how you animate Asami flying a plane, and the rest of the gang flying or running to stop Unalaq's evil plans. And below that animation, you have the Tree of Time sitting square in the middle all by its lonesome with both spirit portals near the edge of the card. It's where The Krew is headed. It's where the fight really starts and awful things are about to happen there. So the sombre look you've got going there really fits. The Krew is in a rush to help save the world, while the Tree of Time and spirit portals sit quietly in wait for them.
This ... this right here ... it's probably my favourite card out of all of them, Jinora. This episode, Korra's journey with her physical rehabilitation and mental illness. it means SO VERY MUCH to me! This was a beautiful episode. Probably my favourite episode of the series. And so I think it's fitting that it's probably my favourite card as well. You so perfectly showcase Korra's broken mental state, self-esteem and identity. She was always the avatar, for nearly as far back as she could remember. She tied her whole life and identity to being the avatar. And so when she was unable to physically perform her avatar duties ... and with her PTSD ... her sense of self broke and depression set in. She had to build herself back up physically and mentally as well as figure out WHO she really was. I love that you used the image of Korra breaking the mirror with her reflection in it and then inserted the dark Korra in the avatar state haunting Korra's sense of self. You inserted a picture of Senna urging Korra to seek Katara out for help when she was really depressed and unable to push herself to get better. That's important for someone going through what Korra went through. You then added Katara helping Korra with her physical rehabilitiation. Also very important for Korra's journey. And Korra struggling, on the floor trying to get back up. It's just ... this card really stands out and perfectly encapsulates such an excellent episode. It's so well done, Jinora! Thank you so much for making this card!
Wow. How fitting that the two cards I ended up saying the most about from each of you and that meant the most to me are the two cards that convey two of the things that mean the most to me in The Legend of Korra: Korra's journey while dealing with her rehabilitation, mental illness and issues with her identity and of course Korrasami <3 ❤️.
Jinora and Jenna, thanks for being awesome people, amazing friends and for sharing your talents, time, and hard work with all of us! Avatar Rewatch 2018 was a whole lot better because of you two!
(Notice the first tag in my post? Take a guess as to who came up with it 😉 *winks* and who, at least temporarily, made it their mission to make both of you blush.)
