Book One: Air

Lore & Background

Set in a modernized world following Avatar Aang, the narrative centers on Republic City, an industrial metropolis where bending grants significant social power. This disparity fuels the rise of the Equalists, who use advanced technology and chi-blocking to strip benders of their abilities, arguing for true equality. The story highlights Korra's struggle as a new Avatar navigating complex political unrest rather than simple elemental battles. A critical turning point occurs when Tarrlok, an ambitious councilman, uses illegal bloodbending to kidnap Korra, only for Amon to arrive and remove his bending powers. In the climax, naval reinforcements led by General Iroh (Iroh II) are defeated by a combination of biplanes and a giant mecha suit. The lore deepens as it is revealed that Amon and Tarrlok are sons of the mob boss Yakone. After Amon strips Korra of her abilities, he is exposed as a waterbender, and in a moment of distress, Korra unlocks dormant airbending. This spiritual connection allows her to contact Avatar Aang, who restores her powers by unlocking her energy.

In Their Own Story

The season opens with Korra revealing she has mastered all elements except airbending. She flees to Republic City where Tenzin attempts to train her, but she quickly clashes with Police Chief Lin Beifong after dispensing vigilante justice against local triads. Councilman Tarrlok recruits Korra to fight the Equalists, whose violence escalates until they attack the pro-bending arena. During this chaos, Korra befriends brothers Mako and Bolin, joining their team, the Fire Ferrets, sponsored by Asami Sato. Together, they form Team Avatar. When Tarrlok represses non-benders indiscriminately, Korra refuses his support. He captures her using bloodbending and frames the Equalists for a kidnapping. Amon rescues the location but removes Tarrlok's bending before fleeing with him. In the two-part finale, Korra discovers their lineage as Yakone's sons. After losing her own bending to Amon, she awakens airbending, exposing his deception. Following Amon and Tarrlok's escape via a boat explosion, a despondent Korra communes with Avatar Aang, who restores her abilities, allowing her to return powers to the world.

Reader's Guide

To understand Book One: Air, track Korra's journey from an isolated Southern Water Tribe prodigy to a city-dwelling leader. Key steps include her arrival in Republic City, training with Tenzin, and joining the Fire Ferrets pro-bending team alongside Mako, Bolin, and Asami Sato. Watch for the escalating conflict between benders and non-benders, culminating in the Equalist assault on the arena. A pivotal moment involves Councilman Tarrlok's betrayal; he uses illegal bloodbending to kidnap Korra, leading to his own downfall when Amon removes his powers. The narrative shifts to a spiritual crisis for Korra after Amon strips her bending. However, this triggers her dormant airbending, revealing Amon is actually a waterbender using chi-blocking techniques. The resolution requires Korra to spiritually connect with Avatar Aang to restore her own and others' abilities. Note the specific dates: episodes aired from April 14 to June 23, 2012, with two pre-released online on March 24.

Did You Know?

• The first two episodes were released online for free on March 24, 2012, after a Facebook milestone of 100,000 likes was reached, though the episodes were released on that date regardless of the exact number.
• Nicktoons re-aired the season under the title 'Korra: Making of a Legend' with creator commentary included as part of the episodes themselves from July 9 to July 20, 2012.
• The soundtrack album became the bestselling soundtrack on Amazon.com on July 16, 2013, and reached number 5 on the Billboard Top Soundtracks chart on August 3, 2013.
• Amon and Tarrlok are revealed to be the sons of Yakone, a mob boss defeated approximately 42 years prior by Avatar Aang.
• Naval reinforcements led by General Iroh (Iroh II) were defeated by Equalist biplanes and a giant mecha suit in the season's two-part finale.

Production History

Book One: Air was initially conceived as a standalone epilogue miniseries before expanding into four seasons of fifty-two episodes. It premiered on Nickelodeon in the U.S. from April 14 to June 23, 2012, with international broadcasts starting in June 2012 and later dates for Canada (June 9, 2012) and the UK/Ireland (July 7, 2013). Prior to the TV premiere, the first two episodes were released online on March 24 after 'Korra Nation' reached 100,000 likes. Nicktoons re-aired the season as 'Korra: Making of a Legend' from July 9 to July 20, 2012, featuring creator commentary during commercial breaks.

Narrative Synopsis

The season introduces seventeen-year-old Korra, who masters all elements except airbending. She travels to Republic City to learn from Tenzin but clashes with Lin Beifong over vigilante actions against triads. Enlisting help from Councilman Tarrlok against the Equalists led by Amon, she joins the Fire Ferrets pro-bending team with Mako, Bolin, and Asami Sato. As Equalist violence peaks at the arena, Tarrlok kidnaps Korra using illegal bloodbending. Amon intervenes, removing Tarrlok's bending. In the finale, Iroh's naval forces fall to sea mines and biplanes. Korra learns Amon is Yakone's son, loses her bending, then reveals airbending to expose him as a waterbender. Amon flees with Tarrlok as their boat explodes. Korra contacts Avatar Aang, restoring her powers and those of other victims.

Cast and Characters

The main cast features Janet Varney as Korra, David Faustino as Mako, P. J. Byrne as Bolin, J. K. Simmons as Tenzin, Seychelle Gabriel as Asami Sato, Mindy Sterling as Lin Beifong, Kiernan Shipka as Jinora, Steve Blum as Amon, and Dee Bradley Baker as Tarrlok. Recurring roles include Logan Wells (Meelo), Darcy Rose Byrnes (Ikki), Lance Henriksen (Amon's Lieutenant), Daniel Dae Kim (Hiroshi Sato), and Clancy Brown (Yakone).

Critical Reception

Critics responded very positively to Book One: Air, with Rotten Tomatoes awarding a 91% approval rating from 11 reviews and an average score of 8.25/10. Praise focused on animation quality, background paintings, martial arts action, and the balance between magic and technology. Reviewers highlighted mature themes like social unrest and terrorism. However, some criticism targeted the pacing, the love triangle involving Mako, Asami, and Korra, and the pro-bending arc feeling superfluous.