If you’re searching for answers to those questions, you won’t find them in the “Last Airbender” sequel series, “The Legend of Korra.” Set 70 years after “Sozin’s Comet,” the animated show follows the next Avatar after Aang, Korra (Janet Varney).
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Most of the major “Avatar” characters return for cameos in “Korra,” but Azula is a no-show. Zuko (Bruce Davison) has a small part in “Korra” season 3, but he never mentions his sister. Is Azula even still alive when the series takes place? Your guess is as good as mine.
Now, in “Korra” season 2, our heroine visits the priestly Fire Sages. Some have speculated their leader is an elderly Azula due to her hairstyle. Maybe (a lot can change in 70 years), but if that was Azula, the show probably would’ve come out and said so. My vote is no.
“The Legend of Korra” is focused mostly on the present, not the past. Bringing in Azula just for the sake of having her wouldn’t be the show’s style. Plus, remember, “Korra” ran from 2012 to 2014, i.e. when the “Avatar” comics were just starting. If “Korra” included Azula, that would’ve constrained the comics too much. Depict Azula as redeemed and that means the comics have to build to that. Likewise, if she’s still evil into her 80s, then the comics can never do a redemption arc for her.
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For what it’s worth, Ehasz has maintained that Azula’s journey is one of redemption. He even plotted out the beats for how it would have happened if “The Last Airbender” had continued for a fourth season. This arc would have also brought Zuko’s journey full-circle, as he would’ve helped Azula the way Iroh helped him:
“[Azula’s redemption would be] longer and far more complicated than Zuko’s. She had not bottomed in the end of season 3, she had further to go. At the deepest moment in her own abyss she would have found: Zuko. Despite it all, her brother Zuko would be there for her. Believing in her, sticking by her, doing his best to understand and help her hold her pain that she can no longer hold alone. Zuko — patient, forgiving, and unconditionally loving — all strengths he gained from Uncle Iroh.”
As for the endpoint of Azula’s journey, this is what Ehasz pictured:
“And I always imagined that after coming out the other side, she would be one of those people who hilariously over-shares her own feelings all the time, and that she would be a bit over-apologetic. Like a Canadian version of Azula.”
Ehasz is not currently involved with the “Avatar” franchise (he didn’t write for “The Legend of Korra”), and of course his story doesn’t line up exactly with how Azula has progressed in the comics. But Azula’s complete life story is still yet to be written. It hasn’t been confirmed if Azula will be appearing in the forthcoming “Aang: The Last Airbender” animated film, but I wouldn’t be surprised if she does. If Azula is to be redeemed, that’s a story worthy of animation.
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