Fans of Avatar: The Last Airbender rejoice: Nickelodeon has given the green light to The Legend of Korra (the series' current working title), a sequel to the beloved series from creators Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino.
"Mike and Bryan have imagined a compelling new story inspired by the Airbender mythology that they so brilliantly crafted when the TV series began," announced Brown Johnson, the president of Animation, Nickelodeon and MTVN Kids and Family Group, in the press release (via Coming Soon). "This new avatar is not only a girl, but also hot-headed, independent and ready to take on the world."
Bryan Konietzko and Michael DiMartino Produce The Legend of Korra, an Avatar: The Last Airbender Sequel
According to Nickelodeon's press release, "The Legend of Korra takes place 70 years after the events of Avatar: The Last Airbender and follows the adventures of the Avatar after Aang – a passionate, rebellious, and fearless teenaged girl from the Southern Water Tribe named Korra. With three of the four elements under her belt (Earth, Water, and Fire), Korra seeks to master the final element, Air.
"Her quest leads her to the epicenter of the modern "Avatar" world, Republic City – a metropolis that is fueled by steampunk technology. It is a virtual melting pot where benders and non-benders from all nations live and thrive. However, Korra discovers that Republic City is plagued by crime as well as a growing anti-bending revolution that threatens to rip it apart. Under the tutelage of Aang's son, Tenzin, Korra begins her airbending training while dealing with the dangers at large."
Rumours have already begun swirling around this new series: apparently villainous fire-bender Princess Azula's grandchildren will be the antagonists, and several grandchildren of the original Team Avatar will also be along for the ride. Aang, naturally, is no longer among the living but he apparently will act as spirit guide for Korra much like the former Avatar Roku did for Aang. There are also a couple of characters named Wei Bei and Meelo in the new show, but their roles are as-yet unclear.
Take all of these with a serious grain of salt until they've been confirmed or debunked by the show's creators. Thankfully, no one has claimed that M. Night Shyamalan – who wrote and directed the wretched The Last Airbender live-action movie – has anything to do with this new series.
The Legend of Korra will make its TV debut some time in 2011.
Dominic von Riedemann - Dominic is the Animated Film Feature Writer, and winner of 11 Suite 101 Editors' Choice Awards.
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