Legend of Korra Book 4 Chapter 1 Review - After all these years

I know it's been barley any time since I've done Avatar reviews, but the Legend of Korra is back, so let's take a look at the Book 4 premier entitled: After all these years

Chapter 1 - After all these years

3 years have passed since the end of book 3, and we have a lot to catch up on and that's basically the point of this episode. And it succeeds, although I can't help but feel a tad disappointed for the lack of Korra's actual presence in the episode.

But we see pretty much where everything is in the Earth Kingdom. We have Prince Wu soon to take the throne as Earth King, despite the fact that he doesn't have much support from the people. And the fact that he's an irritating pr*ck that Mako has to body guard, so Reiko can maintain relationships with the Earth King

We also have Kuvira (that guard that saved Tonraq's life in book 3) setting out to unite the Earth Kingdom, using somewhat questionable methods. There's no telling yet that she's an all-out villain, but the fact the way she threatened the bandits, and the fact that bandits attacked Kai and Opel (nice pairing btw) from a plane, gives me the impression that Kuvira used the bandits to force the village to surrender. 

Then we have the Air Nation, we don't see many air-benders outside of Opel and Kai (well, Tenzin and his kids too, but…) Kai's grown somewhat, and voice is deeper. Opel's relationship with Bolin is decaying due to them going down their different paths. The Air Nation want to protect villages without costs, but do eventually realise that they may not have the strength and manpower to do so. Considering that Kuvira had conquered 90% of the Earth Kingdom, suggests the Air Nation are not doing well.

Bolin has joined Kuvira's cause alongside Varrick and Jhu Li, and Bataar, you know, Su Yin's first born son that had maybe 5 seconds of screen time, and he's engaged to Kuvira now (fake smile). Kuvira may have ulterior motives to conquering the Earth Kingdom. The leader of the state of Yai did mention that Kuvira wants the region because it's rich in ore, so there may well be a metalbending scheme underneath her dreams of conquest.

Asami and Future Industries seem to be doing well, helping build the mono-rail system that's connecting the United Republic and the Earth Kingdom. Nice extension of the theories Varrick was mentioning in his scenes in book 3.

And finally we have Korra, she only appears in the last few minutes of the episode, and while it's disappointing, it soon becomes obvious why this is the case. Her time in a wheelchair has clearly changed her and she doesn't feel like she's needed as the Avatar, even going as far as isolating herself away from her friends, despite claiming to be in Republic City for nearly 6 months (where she actually is is open to debate, I'm guessing it could be the updated version of the earth bending arena in Toph's home town) I'm guessing episode 2 will draw the focus onto her, as given where she's been left, the focus is much needed.

Animation is fluid where the action is, but there are few occasions where background characters are noticeably static (it's amazing with some characters in Yai, that they made the effort to make their hair look as if it's blowing in the wind, but don’t go to the effort of moving their arms occasionally)

Adding to my list of negatives (and it's a short list, and mostly nit-picks) is the occasional line seems poorly delivered. It’s particularly noticeable with Tonraq's "then where is she" line; the tone didn't convey the worry he should be feeling at the time.

And then we have the time skip. I actually think it's one of the better handled time skips, used to set things into motion that given their limited time frame they couldn't have done. It also does mean that Korra is now out of her wheelchair, but the next episodes to look at Korra's recovery, and whether in fact she really has yet.

On the whole it's a very enjoyable episode and I look forward to see where the elements are taken

Rating 8/10

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