#not mako

[goobra]

not to be bisexual but wow i want to date both asami and bo lin

[artemispanthar]

My new theory: Peridot will use the comb in Steven's bathroom. Also she will have long hair. My evidence: she looked at it. ;3

she was also messing around with the plunger.

[bringingmetoneverland]

.

[conmakorra]

I've only watched the 1st book of LoK. Is racism against fire-benders ever addressed in the series? I mean after 100 years of fighting the Fire Nation, some people are going to hold some grudges. Even after 80 years of peace. It doesn't help that the United Republic is formed from former Fire Nation colonies in Earth Kingdom territory. You'd think there would be like some radical, Earth Kingdom nationalistic terrorists starting anti-Fire Nation, ethnic riots. Think there'd be some cultural clash

Actually The Promise did show the beginnings of Republic City. And there was a big conflict (that was blown out of proportion honestly) about if the colonies were Earth Kingdom or Fire Nation. The problem with the iffy writing on that is that Zuko started listening to Ozai and almost started a war with the Earth King. It was ridiculous.

But no anon. Racism against the Fire Nation isn’t addressed. It’s just there. But this series also hasn’t addressed the overall discrimination of Nonbenders. We see Korra’s attitude of “Bending is the best 5evah!” never change. The main issue with this is that this is inherent in the writing. Nonbenders are seen as lame. That’s why Bumi, a well respected military commander is nothing but an ineffectual manchild in Book 2 and 3. So of course they’ll never properly address the issues of racism against the Fire Nation. 

I thought we were going to get that in Book 1 when Amon talked about how he was attacked by a Firebender, Asami’s mom and Mako’s parents were killed by a Firebender. But Bryke just did nothing with it. I would love to see these issues properly addressed but I doubt it will ever happen.

-coolman229

[lets-roast-mako]

I get out from the fandom and didn't watch the book 2 but after watching the trailer of book 3 I'm thinking of giving another shot hoping that it will be better. but I want to know if Bryke are taking the criticism from their show? like are they still going to push the forced romance? and will fix the messy characterization?

One thing I learned about the Legend of Korra trailers is that there is no such thing as a bad one. Every LOK trailer I have seen is made purely to generate hype and it always works.

As I have already watched the leaked episodes, I don't think I should say much else, lest I accidentally spoil you. However, I happily inform you that, from what I have seen thus far, Mako seems to be keeping his distance from the story. In fact, Bolin seems to be getting more air time than him (so far). So, take from that what you will.

Personally, the end of Book 2 went in a good direction in terms of Korra's character development. The beginning dragged a little, but the ending almost makes it worth it. Fair warning, though: the end of Book 2 disrupted what was once canon since the first series. If that bothers you a lot and you would prefer that LOK does not reconstruct previously established concepts, you would probably dislike the ending.

As for DiMartino and Konietzko taking criticism, their perception does not seem to have changed a lot. They mention that Makorra angered people, but do not hint at understanding why other than hey believe that fans are "more interested in imagining relationships". It's a start, but it's dubious as to whether it's one in the right direction or not. Indeed, who knows what they are intending to do with the criticism they have received. It is nice to hope that they kept it in the back of their mind when writing Book 3.

[lets-roast-mako]

Kayley Erlandson, masters student on media, has this to say about LOK that's "gender done right": "She is physically imposing & conducts herself in a masculine way. Unlike a lot of animated girls, she has defined muscles, her outfit is practical, & she wears no makeup. I was struck with how different/nearly nonexistent traditional gender roles are." Baffled at how she didn't mention large swathes of LOK's sexism (non-con kiss, irrational gf, love triangles for a femc) for a master's student.

Kayley Erlandson is correct in saying that Korra goes against what is expected in a generic female character, from being "physically imposing" to her lack of makeup. Korra is an outlier, especially in Western cartoons and she has made her mark on revolutionary perceptions of gender. DiMartino and Konietzko get points for that.

However, as you'd mentioned, she seems to miss that LOK's very narrative mostly adheres to gender roles. Korra is one of the reasons why LOK hasn't failed in regards to deconstructing gender roles. In Book 1, the only female characters with some narrative power were Korra, Asami, and Lin. Korra spent half the Book hating Asami because she was in a relationship with a boy she liked. Asami was either abused or neglected throughout Book 1 (and then Book 2 took it up a notch). Lin couldn't stand Korra because she happened to be associated with her ex-boyfriend. Not to say that these characters were not good. They were. The problem is that they were pushed to compete with each other and, even by the end of the Book, they don't get along as friends should. The glaring lack of female friendships--and female characters, in general--are what sets LOK Book 1 back. What makes it worse is that the reason for this is romantic ties to men.

Book 2 has a similar problem, though, thankfully, there were more female characters. Korra spends the majority of Book 2 being the pawns in some power play between her father and her uncle until she paves a way for herself (with some help from Uncle Iroh and Tenzin, who finally decides to take up his role as father figure again after having abandoned it since Book 1 episode 4). Jinora has little character development that doesn't go beyond constantly telling the audience that she is just really good with spirits. Unnaturally good, in fact, for a girl who is not even an Avatar, but I digress. Lin is dumbed down to showcase Mako's innate ability to solve mysteries all by himself. Eska is an abusive girlfriend and a clingy, crazes ex later on. Ginger is an opportunist and the object of Bolin's sexually aggressive pursuit. Kya has little impact on the story whatsoever.

If one were to assess each individual on a surface level, it wouldn't be quite as easy to spot how LOK perpetuates common gender roles. Indeed, Korra is powerful just as much as Jinora is intelligent and resourceful or as much as Asami is a gifted mechanic. Eska is an excellent waterbender, something that would have been unheard of 70 years earlier in the Northern Water Tribe. Lin is still the best metalbender in the republic. Ginger is a successful actress and one that is outspoken. These are all great things and they are not erased by how the narrative treats them, but to say that these traditionally male traits in female characters inherently abolishes the gender roles that are present in LOK is wrong.