Legend of Korra Top 15 Personal Favorite Episodes

I first started watching Avatar: The Last Airbender back to 2008, I knew about it beforehand but never really watched it. Then I started watching it after it aired on Nickelodeon, and when they were playing repeats on Nicktoons, so I started to check out the series whenever it aired, didn’t really watch it in chronological order until later. It soon became one of my favorite TV shows.

In 2011, I learned about The Legend of Korra, and saw the teaser promo for it, and it looked very intriguing, first off taking place in the future in a steampunk setting, that looked very intriguing, and then the new Avatar being a female waterbender, yep I was interested. I became hooked on the series and followed it when new episodes became available on the Amazon network so I could buy and download each episode for my Kindle Fire. It became a very intriguing series that grew as the series progressed.

There were many joys, and there were frustrations, but watching the series had a ton of rewarding moments, and became another favorite TV show. While I will say I enjoyed Avatar: The Last Airbender more, I like this show more for different reasons, and this show stood out more in many aspects. For anyone that has watched both shows probably understand what I mean.

I thought since the series was over, I thought it was appropriate to share with you my personal top 15 episodes. Keep in mind, this list may not include favorites of your own, and my favorite moments will probably not be the same as yours, but this is what stood out to me and the reason why this show became a personal favorite to me. Each person will get something different out of this show, this is what I got out of it.

Please note, that there might be spoilers ahead, so if you haven’t seen the series and don’t want anything spoiled, then I suggest holding off reading any further until you have finished.

The Legend of Korra Top 15 personal favorite episodes

 

15. The Revelation – The reason this episode is on the list because of the awesome designs of Republic City at night. It really stuck out as we jumped ahead in the Avatar franchise and were given a new story, it was cool to see this somewhat old fashioned city with steampunk elements. Ever since I saw the concept art of the show when they introduced it, I was just in awe with Republic City, this was one city I was looking forward to exploring, and they did a lot of it. Plus we are introduced to one of the show’s iconic villains, probably my favorite villain of the show (tied between him and Zaheer).

 

14. Operation Beifong – This once stuck out to me for many reasons. We have Toph, who is one of my favorite characters from Avatar: The Last Airbender, who comes to help Lin, Opal, and Bolin rescue Suyin and the rest of the family. It is very clear that Toph’s priority is her family. There were many awesome elements, Bolin redeeming himself by helping the family, Opal showing her love to him in return by helping him rescuing Shu-Lee, Lin forgiving her mother Toph, the fight between Kuvira and Suyin. This was a great episode.

13. Original Airbenders – There were many intense episodes in Book 3, but this was not one of them. This was one of those episodes where you take a step back and get to see how the training of the Airbenders is going. Keep in mind, that this is the first time there is a huge gathering of Airbenders in 170 years. It is fun to see Tenzin try to push everyone to be an Air Nomad, but realizes that things aren’t going to be the way he pictured everything, and then having everyone come together when Kai and Jinora are captured. You also have baby bison which were cute. And the character moments were excellent. Just a lot of great moments.

 

12. A Leaf in the Wind – One word that made me place this episode on this list, Pro-Bending. I caught the series premiere a week after it aired, and this was an awesome thing to experience when I watched this show for the first time. I watched Avatar: The Last Airbender after it finished on TV, and had seen all the episodes, so I was familiar with this world that was already created. This was an awesome entry to the world, and showed how the world had become modern. I also enjoyed seeing Korra train to become an Airbender and how she became frustrated, and seeing her relation with Tenzin grow as they strived to understand each other’s point of views.

  

11. A New Spiritual Age – This was an episode that I was looking forward to for a long time, there was always one place that I had always wanted to see explored in the Avatar world, and it was the Spirit World. When I learned that this Season was going to do that, I was excited for it. This gave us a great introduction into the Spirit World, it’s beauty and it’s dangers. Plus, we had a return to a famous place from Avatar: The Last Airbender, known as Wan Shi Tong’s Library. It was really cool to re-explore. Plus, we got to see another old favorite character, Iroh. He gave guidance that helped Korra in her journey.

 

10. Beginnings – I guarantee that anyone that makes their top 10 lists of best Korra episodes, and this will for sure be on their, and there are several reasons why this is such a standout episode (well it’s a two parter, and I am cheating for combining the two). The animation and designs in these episodes are beautiful, and truly stand out from all the other episodes in the series, which helps set a difference between the two times. It also gives us the origin story on the Avatar, and how it all started, and why one was needed. A lot of people will say that Book 2 was the weakest of all the seasons of Legend of Korra, but all will agree that this was the best episode of the season. This was a truly profound episode. While I do have another episode on the season that is higher than this, but there is a reason for me that it was higher, and again it was a personal reason, or two.

9. The Steakout – Book 3 is my favorite season in the whole series, and this was the turning point as to why it became my favorite. Even though all the other episodes were great, this was where things really started to get interesting, this one featured a lot of twists and turns. Korra learns about the Red Lotus and their purpose. There were other many great moments, visiting an old place from Avatar: The Last Airbender is always a plus which is the Misty Palms Oasis (think back to Book 2 right before they visit the Library), we learn about Pai Sho as Asami and Bolin play. It was cool how when they were playing, Bolin said that it is important to make a move immediately, but Asami had a different idea in that you should wait and study out what to do, they were different views but both were right, as Pai Sho is about knowing your opponent, and we see Asami kick Bolin’s butt for many games, and when Bolin is about to win one game, Pabu ruins it. It’s kind of funny, as we see this kind of play out when Korra enters the Spirit World to confront Zaheer to learn from him and figure out his strategy. The big cliffhanger was when we saw Korra and Asami captured by the Earth Queen’s troops, which I thought it would have been Zaheer’s group capturing them, but Mako and Bolin are captured by Zaheer’s group instead. Very interesting and intriguing episode, and the big turning point for me where a great season was getting even better.

 

8. The Metal Clan – There are many locations in the Avatar world that I would love to visit if I ever got to explore it, and one of those locations would be Zaofu. The design of the city was awesome. And some of the ideas of the government were really cool in my mind, a place where everyone is encouraged to reach their potential, and expand their talents. We were also introduced to Lin’s sister and her family. It is a toss up between this episode and the next, where we learn of the feud between Lin and Suyin. But the introduction of Zaofu made this one really stand out a hair more, and the image of Korra and Opal training together with the sunset behind them was breathtaking. However, it is a bit of a cheat since I would group this episode with the next. Also, this is the first time we see Zaheer without the hair, and that threw me off, when he comes to Air Temple Island, he seems very humble, and you kind of figure that something isn’t right. Here is a little interesting trivia, we also get our first shot of Kuvira before we are formally introduced to her in the Book 3 finale (go back to the dance rehearsal scene and you will see her). Overall a great episode for me, and the next too.

7. The Calling – There are so many reasons why this episode stands out for me. First off, we see an adventure with Tenzins’s kids, and this is one of those rare ones, and each of them have a fun personality. Personally, Meelo kind of reminds me of one of my nephews in my family. I also really enjoyed the moments of Ikki, trying to work with the guards to get information, she is not the same fast talker she was at the beginning of the show, but still full of upbeat energy. Seeing everyone grow since the start of the series was fun, can’t believe Jinora is a teenager at this point, and of course pretty much the same, very quiet and still the one with the strong spiritual connection. I also loved how all of them played a part in finding Korra at the end, each admitted how they wouldn’t have found her if it wasn’t for each one of them. There are also the lessons that Toph teaches Korra in the swamp, for example “You can’t expect to face new enemies when you are still holding on to your old ones.” Great advice. We have challenges, and ones that put us down, but if we don’t let them go, then we won’t be able to move on and face new opportunities. Also, all her enemies all had a goal that could better the world, but were out of balance so their ideals were out of control.  The biggest moment that was a huge payoff for me was when Korra reconnects with Jinora, Ikki, and Meelo. After years of feeling alone and distant from those who love her, she reconnects and realizes there are those that still love her, and that gives her motivation to come back and get the remaining poison out of her, that was a very strong moment, and what made this episode stand out. Family is always there even when we forget that.

 

6. The Guide – There was a lot that went on in this episode, but there are a couple of reasons why this episode made the list. One was that it was a huge build-up with Korra prepping to go into the Spirit World, and this was the start of why Jinora became one of my favorite characters in the show. We learn that she has the power to see spirits when others can’t see them, which was a natural ability for her. This was the episode where she really started to stick out a lot. Each of Tenzin’s kids have a personality, but Ikki and Meelo ended up sticking out a lot beforehand because of how loud and fun they each are, Ikki would talk super fast, and Meelo, well, I think we could write a whole essay on everything Meelo. Jinora was the very quiet one and we didn’t really get to know her very well except that she liked to read, and then her ability really stuck out, and at that point she stuck out and became a more interesting character, and she played a huge part in the rest of the season, and played a big role in Book 3 as well. The other reason this episode ended up on this list is because of how glued I got to the story that when the episode ended, I didn’t realize that it was over so soon. I was so invested in the episode that I lost track of time, and boom the episode was over. That was something for me to be shocked to see the end credits so soon. Never had that experience before, and probably won’t have it again.

5. Out of the Past – Korra is the one Avatar that we are aware of that has trouble connecting with her spiritual self (there might be other Avatars that had the same problem in the mythological world, but we only know of so many). So this was a highlight for that reason since we see her connect with Aang and be able to experience his past in flashbacks. In Avatar: The Last Airbender, we see Aang get to experience Roku’s past in a spiritual journey, and he speaks to him face to face. Korra learns from Aang through his flashbacks. This sticks out because it brings the idea for me that personal revelation can come to an individual differently from one person to another, there is not just one way a person gets to experience personal revelation, it can come through a thought in the mind, or a burning in the bosom, or a voice in the head. Korra got to connect with her spiritual self by listening to those experiences in the way she was receiving them. Throughout the season, she kept having glimpses in flashbacks and didn’t know what they were, but when she was trapped, she chose to meditate and was able to connect and learn from Aang. I also really enjoyed seeing some of the later adventures of Aang and his group of friends.

 

4. Beyond the Wilds – This one stuck out for many reasons. One of them is how Korra is struggling with meditating into the Spirit World because of her traumatic experiences with Zaheer, so she decides to visit him in prison so she can see him face to face, and be able to realize that she no longer needs to be afraid of him. Instead, she shows up and learns from Zaheer on how to get back into the Spirit World, he works with her in overcoming her mental block. This goes back to what Toph said, she was so focused on being hurt by her former enemies that she forgot that she could learn from them, they all have done horrible things, but they still had great ideas and had knowledge that could help the world, and Zaheer was a spiritual person full of knowledge despite his deeds, so he was able to help Korra overcome her problems, and that was a strong moment, the one that really hurt her was the one that helped her in return. We can also go deeper with this episode, whenever we pray, we tend to have many thoughts and distractions that go through our minds that can keep us from focusing on the prayer, or even receiving answers to prayers, whether it is a traumatic experience or just being in a world full of noise which makes it hard to focus. I have not had a traumatic experience so I can’t relate to that, but having a ton of noise around me daily, that I can relate to, and it can be hard to escape and find quiet time to allow those distractions to leave the mind to allow meditation and prayer to take place, Korra placed mental blocks in her mind, and placed limits on what she could do, and blamed others for her current position, and Zaheer assured her that she had limitless powers, but what was holding her back was what she told herself. We are all capable of many great things, but when we aren’t open to those possibilities, we aren’t able to experience the great things in store for us. And the moment where Korra reconnects with Raava was great.

 

3. The Ultimatum – This was one of those episodes that I felt was so well balanced, and this episodes showcases many reasons why Book 3 was my favorite season of Legend of Korra. So many stories and characters that seem different but all connect with one another. You have Bolin and Mako trying to warn Korra about the upcoming attack that Zaheer has planned for the Airbenders. On the way they rescue their recently discovered family the decay of Ba Sing Se. Then we have Mako and Bolin regroup with everyone and then they try to communicate with Tenzin to warn him of the upcoming attack. Then Korra meditates into the Spirit World at the Xai Bou grove to talk to Zaheer, and then meets Iroh, she mentions that she is no longer connected with her past lives and wishes she could talk with Aang, and then Iroh gives the idea of talking to Zuko instead who knew Aang very well, she learns that her connections aren’t all completely gone, but that she just needs to find a new way to learn from them. So when she leaves the Spirit World, she meets with Zuko and they talk. Then they reach Tenzin, and it’s too late, Zaheer and Evil Team Avatar is already up there. The last third of the episode deals with the Airbenders trying to escape but get caught. There is a great fight between Tenzin and Zaheer. Bumi and Kya are taking on Ghazan and Ming Wa, and then P’Li is trying to keep the other Airbenders from leaving, and you have Kai trying to distract her so everyone can escape, he gets shot down, but at the end of the episode, you see that he is still alive, and he gets away and is able to help Team Avatar when they show up and need to find the other Airbenders, but you aren’t sure if Tenzin lives until the next episode. Seriously, within a 22 minute frame, so much goes on, so many characters, so much story. In my opinion, one of the best episodes written, and there are many movies that don’t do as good as a job as this episode did.

 2. Endgame – “When we hit our lowest point, we are open to the greatest change.” This quote has easily become one of my favorite quotes of all time. And it is shown very well in this episode, yeah maybe a little rushed, but this was originally suppose to be a 12 episode mini-series, with this being the last episode, but then it became a longer series. Anyway, at one point Korra was stripped of all her bending abilities, Fire, Water, and Earth, and then at that point when she saw that Mako was about to have the same fate from Amon, she was finally able to Airbend, after a long period of not being able to do it. After defeating Amon, they go to Karata to see if she can restore her bending abilities, which she can’t, Korra feels hopeless, and at that moment she is able to better connect with her spiritual self since she felt she lost everything, and needed guidance. Because her bending abilities weren’t there, she was open to connecting to her spiritual self, and Aang was able to restore her bending abilities. This is a constant theme throughout the show, whenever Korra is given an obstacle or trial in her path, whether it is big or small, she finds a way to overcome it, and sometimes it is in a way she does not think possible. When Korra loses her connection to her past lives, Tenzin steps in and guides her with a new solution, at that point she becomes more open to listen to those around her. When she is poisoned and becomes vulnerable, she suffers years of isolation and because of her experiences she is able to relate with Kuvira and understand her and help her instead of just beating her, which was the strongest moment in the series finale for me. We all have moments where we hit our lowest point, and that is the moment that we can grow and gain something new as long as we are open to it, whether a new ability, newfound knowledge, or just better appreciation for those things we have around us, we can gain something after our most difficult trials where we hit our lowest points. The quote has changed my life and given me very strong inspiration.

 1. Venom of the Red Lotus – This finale left a huge impact on me. Every finale before, and the last one all left me satisfied to the point that I really didn’t need another season, I was fine, but was still looking forward to whatever the world of Avatar brought next, and where Korra’s journey would go next. This was the exception, this was the one that I really wanted to know what happened next, and who would blame anyone, because of how it ended. That shot of seeing Korra in a wheelchair near the end was a shock. I will cheat again with this one and pair it with the previous episode because it sets up the events of this last episode of Book 3. Korra realizes that the only way to free the Airbenders is to turn herself in. This decision alone shows how much she has changed since we first met her in Book 1. Beforehand, she would have never considered sacrificing herself for an entire nation, She is taken captive and poisoned and tortured, which greatly affects her for three years. She gives herself up for the Airbenders, and then in return they help save her from the grasp of Zaheer when she was at her weakest point. This was also the episode where Jinora became one of my favorite characters of the show. If they ever do any spin-off comics for any of the characters, I hope they do one for Jinora and all the other Airbenders during the three years, as I think that there could be many cool stories for them, and of course they could stories for them after the events of Book 4. I really also liked the themes of family being their for each other, like Ikki said back in Book 2, it is hard being part of a big family, but one thing is for certain, that they will always be there for you, which is shown in this episode. Korra turned herself in to protect family, Tonraq was determined to save his daughter from the clutches of the Red Lotus and he was there keeping her safe after the poison was removed, Tenzin was determined to find his family, Kai stayed behind after the attack and came to the aid of his new found family when they were in trouble, Jinora and the other Airbenders banded together to save Korra, basically a member of her family, from the grasp of Zaheer. Family is important and always there, which is a constant theme throughout the show. Of course, going back to the state that Korra ended up in at the end of the episode was shocking, in a wheelchair and depressed, the first time I truly had sympathy for the character, in fact I am sure many out there felt sympathy for her. It opened up possibilities for growth and opened doors for what could happen to her the following season, which got me excited and anxious for the next season. Very, very powerful episode. Easily fits the top spot here.

  

This show has many themes and ideas. These are the ones that stuck out for me. There will be other ones that will stick out to you instead of what stuck out to me, but there will be things in this show that will stick out for you. It is a highly recommended show if you haven’t checked it out. I hope you enjoyed reading some of my favorite moments of the show as I enjoyed putting this together.