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Every Season Of Avatar & The Legend Of Korra, Ranked

By Madilyn Ivey

Updated Mar 30, 2024

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Summary

Both Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra have distinct characters and storytelling styles despite sharing a world and themes.
The live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender on Netflix received mixed reviews, but improved on the original story by eliminating filler.
The Legend of Korra seasons excel in character development and explore darker themes, with Season 3 being considered the best by many fans.

Both The Legend of Korra are beloved Nickelodeon properties, but not every season is loved equally. The original animated series follows a young boy who is the Avatar, capable of bending all elements, after he is unfrozen from 100 years in an iceberg to find the world at war. The sequel series follows his successor 70 years later. Both shows have garnered critical and fan praise for their animation and stories. Despite taking place in the same world and dealing with some similar topics and themes, the two shows have distinct characters and storytelling styles.

Both shows were originally broadcast on Nickelodeon, but are now available to stream on Netflix, allowing many people to revisit the series or discover them for the first time. Netflix has also adapted the first season of the original series for live-action, prompting a lot of fans to compare it to the original animated show, leading to the question of just which season in the Avatar franchise is really the best.

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Netflix's Avatar: The Last Airbender, Season 1

By now, the only adaptation without a book naming the season

...all of big moments in the lore of the franchise are still present.

A lot of fans of the animated franchise were apprehensive about Netflix adapting Avatar: The Last Airbender for live-action. The transition from anime, even Western anime, to live-action, hasn't been an easy one for most projects. Though Netflix's live-action adaptations have been steadily improving over the years, not all fans love the changes made to streamline the series in live-action.

Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 1 Live-Action
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score	74%
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Score	60%
Metacritic Score	56 of 100
IMDb Rating	7.3 of 10

The first season of Netflix's The Last Airbender is set (mostly) to coincide with the first season of the original animated series. There are a handful of characters who have a more prominent presence to help introduce their motivations earlier, like Fire Lord Ozai and Azula, but most of the changes to the series have actually been for the better, like eliminating much of the storylines that could be considered "filler." There are no diversions from the main storyline, there is not a big focus on childhood crushes, but all of big moments in the lore of the franchise are still present. With great performances, fight scenes, and effects, the series has proven to be a solid adaptation.

Netflix has renewed Avatar: The Last Airbender for seasons 2 and 3.

The Legend Of Korra, Season 2

Book Two: Spirits

Korra connects with the first Avatar, Wan, and learns why the Avatar came to be

Book Two of Legend Of Korra, titled "Spirits," is about Korra trying to strengthen her connection to the Spirit World, something audiences watched her struggle with during the first season of the show. Korra's uncle offers to teach her about the Spirit World and convinces her to open up a portal, allowing spirits to freely roam the human world. It offers an interesting storyline since the Spirit World isn't explored as fully in the original animated series.

The Legend Of Korra Season 2
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score	72%
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Score	67%
Metacritic Score	Unavailable
IMDb Rating	8.4 of 10

This season also consists of the well-received "Beginnings, Part 1 & 2" episodes. In these episodes, Korra connects with the first Avatar, Wan, and learns why the Avatar came to be. A plot is eventually uncovered as Korra's uncle is discovered to be harboring an evil spirit trying to take over the human world. While the season offers a great story, it acts more as an entry in the franchise that provides a history lesson for the audience rather than the action moving along the way the audience is expecting it to.

The Legend Of Korra, Season 1

Book One: Air

She is (...) excited to be the Avatar at first, unlike Aang, who felt burdened by it

Initially, season one of The Legend of Korra was going to be the only season of the show. Luckily, the series was renewed for a few more seasons, and the success of this first chapter is what fans can thank for that. The show makes the smart decision to make Korra a completely distinct character from Aang. Korra is older, lacks the baggage Aang is saddled with, and seems to have an easier time with mastering the elements. She is also, as flashbacks reveal, excited to be the Avatar at first, unlike Aang, who felt burdened by it.

The Legend Of Korra Season 1
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score	83%
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Score	91%
Metacritic Score	Unavailable
IMDb Rating	8.6 of 10

Korra is brash, though, and struggles to master airbending and find a spiritual connection. This reversal of strengths and weaknesses between the two Avatars immediately establishes a different tone for Legend Of Korra. The villain is interesting as well, as the Equalists, led by Amon, wish to eradicate bending, supposedly for the sake of equality for all. This first season tells a pretty tight and concise story, and it sets up Legend Of Korra as a show that likes to consider the political and philosophical.

Korra frowning and Korra smiling in The Legend of Korra

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The Legend Of Korra, Season 4

Book Four: Balance

Korra struggles with temporary paralysis, depression, PTSD, and chronic pain due to the intense experiences she went through

The Legend of Korra's book four makes the interesting choice to focus on a villain audiences once knew as a friend, which helps to establish it as very different from other seasons of the Avatar franchise. Kuvira, formerly an ally to team Avatar, spends this season on a quest for power. Meanwhile, Korra is missing after a three-year time jump.

The Legend Of Korra Season 1
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score	75%
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Score	100%
Metacritic Score	Unavailable
IMDb Rating	8.6 of 10

Book Four does an excellent job of dealing with some pretty heavy material. Korra struggles with temporary paralysis, depression, PTSD, and chronic pain due to the intense experiences she went through against the Red Lotus in the previous season. The only person who can help Korra overcome her fear and pain is Toph, now an old woman living in a swamp. Every character on Team Avatar gets their moment to shine in this final season while it provides nods to the original series that satisfy long-time fans.

The Legend Of Korra, Season 3

Book Three: Change

Book Three is the best of The Legend of Korra seasons when ranked. It deals directly with the consequences of Korra's decision to leave a portal open between the human and Spirit Worlds that occurred in Book Two. The increased spiritual energy has awakened airbending in people who were formerly non-Benders, after decades of there being few Airbenders in the world. That makes for some fascinating implications in the Avatar lore and new conflicts.

Book Three also has perhaps the best villain in Legend Of Korra, with the introduction of Zaheer and the Red Lotus organization.

Lin gets some backstory during this season, and audiences see why she is so angry and isn't close to her famous family. Korra also becomes the first avatar to Metalbend, a skill she learns while spending some time in Sao Fu, which is essentially a metalbending sanctuary. Though Toph taught herself in the original animated series, Aang never did.

The Legend Of Korra Season 3
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score	86%
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Score	100%
Metacritic Score	Unavailable
IMDb Rating	8.8 of 10

Book Three also has perhaps the best villain in Legend Of Korra, with the introduction of Zaheer and the Red Lotus organization. The beginnings of the romantic relationship between Korra and Asami are present this season as well, with the two being paired off for more storylines than they had been in previous seasons, though their relationship is further explored in the comics. The ending of Book Three takes a series of dark turns. Korra prevails, but the characters undergo some very traumatic experiences, making bold choices for a series aimed at a young audience.

Avatar: The Last Airbender, Season 2

Book Two: Earth

The highlight of this season is the introduction of Toph Beifong

Like Book One, Book Two of Avatar: The Last Airbender is mostly a series of stand-alone episodes that often result in a lesson learned for the characters of the audience. The highlight of this season is the introduction of Toph Beifong, the young girl who becomes Aang's earthbending teacher. Toph is a fan-favorite who rivals Sokka for the role of comic relief, and her addition to the team makes for a fresh dynamic after spending all of Book One with Aang, Sokka, and Katara.

Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 2
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score	99%
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Score	100%
Metacritic Score	Unavailable
IMDb Rating	8.8 of 10

Zuko and Iroh are in exile and living secretly in Ba Sing Se, the place Team Avatar spends half the season trying to reach. Despite being the season with the least critical love, Book Two is consistent in its excellent character work that defines the show. Interesting concepts are explored here as well, with the gang discovering a sinister plot being enacted by the leadership of Ba Sing Se.

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Avatar: The Last Airbender, Season 1

Book One: Water

When Sokka and Katara find Aang in the ice, the trajectory of their lives is irrevocably changed

The first episode of Book One immediately establishes the central plot that would stay consistent from the pilot to the series finale. When Sokka and Katara find Aang in the ice, the trajectory of their lives is irrevocably changed, as they accept the responsibility of helping the Avatar on his journey to defeat the Fire Lord. Though Aang is terrified of the responsibility, he immediately connects with Katara and Sokka, the first people he's seen in 100 years, and the dynamic between the characters is also solidified.

Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 1
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score	98%
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Score	100%
Metacritic Score	Unavailable
IMDb Rating	8.8 of 10

Book One consists of Team Avatar on many stand-alone adventures, with Prince Zuko never far behind. Though the show is in its early stages, the character work is already strong. Playful and childlike, Aang feels guilt over his entire people being wiped out; Sokka's goofy antics hide a surprising intelligence; Katara's kindness masks her pain over losing her mother; lastly, Zuko's twisted nature is a result of the cruelty he experienced at the hands of his own father. As first seasons go, it's pretty near to perfect.

Avatar: The Last Airbender, Season 3

Book Three: Fire

Book Three of the original series starts with Aang at a low point, and Zuko appearing to have reached a high point, something he quickly discovers isn't what he had hoped. The show is slowly working to put each character in the mental place they need to be for the final battle when Aang finally faces the Fire Lord. It's the culmination of all the character work and establishing lore the series worked toward in the first two seasons.

Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 3
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score	99%
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Score	100%
Metacritic Score	Unavailable
IMDb Rating	8.9 of 10

Zuko's redemption arc and the show's treatment of good and evil, in general, is its greatest strength, which is showcased particularly well in this book. The four-part finale doesn't disappoint, capping off the best season of Avatar: The Last Airbender with some of its best episodes.

It's easy to believe that Avatar: The Last Airbender Book Three is the best season simply because it's the conclusion of the original series. It is not so well received, however, simply because it's the original. The final season presents more complete storytelling than The Legend Of Korra's final season which offered the audience more open-ended stories to ponder. Both series offer fantastic character arcs and overall journeys, but ultimately, Avatar: The Last Airbender seasons come out on top.