Four Underrated Animated Shows You Can Find Online

The Legend of Korra

When Avatar: The Last Airbender arrived on Netflix, the animated series from the mid-2000s once again took the world by storm as older audiences relished in feelings of nostalgia and younger audiences experienced the magic of this perfect story for the first time. Once again, though, the sheer popularity of the family friendly juggernaut is taking away the spotlight from its younger, much more adult-oriented sister—one whose central message is arguably more salient to the current state of the world. 

The Legend of Korra first aired on Nickelodeon in 2012, and fans hated it because it wasn’t a carbon copy of its predecessor. For their follow-up, series creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko wanted to do a complete overhaul of their previous work, and boy did they succeed. Whereas Aang was a young boy who had to master all four elements to save the world from an imminent thread, Korra is an adolescent woman who already mastered all fire, water and earth (but not air) in her youth, and grew up in times of peace. 

Unlike the Fire Lord, a Hitler-like dictator who is presented as a through and through evil man with no redeeming qualities whatsoever, Korra faces off against enemies who constantly challenge the black and white worldview which The Last Airbender installed in us. One antagonist argues all benders should be killed, as their God-given abilities grant them an unfair advantage over non-benders. Another believes humanity has spread across the planet like a plague, and tries to give it back to the spirits. 

While these interesting plot points, by all means admirable illustrations of complex political philosophies, are without a doubt the show’s greatest strength, they were not appreciated at the time. With each incoming fan-letter pleading for the return of Aang, Nickelodeon shrunk Korra’s budget, until her show was forced to leave the network before its final season could be aired. 

Considered a burden rather than an asset by many networks, The Legend of Korra is currently streaming on CBS All Access.