Arcane Is What Korra Should Have Been

I’d like to address a reoccurring comment in defense of Korra and criticism of my video: the Studio meddling argument. The idea that Korra suffered from studio meddling which is why its quality was affected and why comparing Korra to Arcane who had a smoother dealing with its executives is argued to be unfair. I don’t think this is a convincing argument for 2 reasons. 1: because the studio itself is part of the creation process of the show, they finance the endeavor, make it possible and are creating along side the creators whom are effectively hired by the studio. Which means that any mistake and shenanigans done by the studio that effects the show’s quality still makes criticism of the show fair because the people behind the show made mistakes and that includes the studio who like it or not are behind the story telling process. Executive meddling isn’t always a bad thing either, plenty of executives have saved franchises from the eccentricity of artists so if its fair to praise a work saved by executive interference its fair to criticize one effected by it. 2: in Korra the executive meddling argument can be a tad bit exaggerated. We know the studio messed with the quantity of episodes, weren’t clear to the writers about how much time they had to tell the story etc. But Mike and Brian have stated in some interviews that they were given creative freedom on many issues especially on the first season, and several issues that many of us complain about probably were not studio interference on the story. The Equalists just dissapearing from the world after book 1; focusing on pro-bending which is not tied to the main conflict; Tenzin saying Korra learned air bending techniques in pro-bending and should keep playing the sport but we only see that ONCE and then we never see Korra learning air bending until it happens out of nowhere with no explanation after she loses her other bending arts; Asami turning against her father not being explained aside from the assumption that its the right thing to do, but we don’t see into Asami’s mind on why she has her good moral values and what would motivate to physically attack her father so immediately; Korra taking too long to become more likable, we all know she was meant to grow and mature, the issue is how long it took; Korra bending as a toddler yet still training for around ten years when it would have been better to just show her training and learning quickly so as to avoid cheapening the effort of learning how to bend which was established in ATLA; not exploring the social issues in republic city with much depth, not explains the government system very well which is NOT a republic, as far as I can tell but more of a soviet style committee system, in the first season I mean, it becomes a republic later, even then republics just COME OUT OF NOWHERE, republics are a western thing and the Avatar universe is based on asian culture and political systems yet suddenly they get a western enlightenment based republic?; and of course the love drama. And this is just focusing on season 1. Other facts like how it appears that Mike and Brian wanted a Aang- Katara- Male Toph love triangle in ATLA which was apparently stopped by Aaron ehaz according to rumors, shows a tendency of the creative minds behind Korra to making certain mistakes a lot of us didn’t like. Anyway my point is, the executive meddling argument doesn’t delegitimize criticism of Korra as a story and it doesn’t explain all the writing elements that people criticize in Korra. And it doesn’t make comparing Korra to Arcane unfair just because the executives behind Arcane made the right decisions and didn’t complicate things for the writers when entertainment is created by BOTH the creative team AND the executives. However, this being said, my criticism is on Korra as a story and even then I like the political thriller and commentary aspect in Korra ALOT actually. And I do have videos planned defending Korra on many of those decisions. Iastly, I’d like to thank the engagement and passion that some of you have dedicated to this video. Even critical comments are a big help to my small channel, so thank you guys. And I’m glad we got a conversation going.

As much as love and adore both Korra and ATLA. I have to agree, Arcane truly is what Korra should've been and a much better version.

I think what makes Vi a much better character in this story, aside from her general demeanor coming from a place where it is earned or makes sense, the story doesn't try to force us to think she's always righteous and makes the right decisions all the time. She's deeply flawed and the principal reason Jynx slips into insanity. She wants to do right but constantly fails because she's a flawed character. You see her character change and evolve to some extent over the season, beginning to understand some of the complexities of the world, yet when she slips away from that you can empathize as to why and you know she's still got more development to go through. Other female super architypes with the same attitude always try to beat you over the head with how righteous they are and nothing is their fault and it is never earned or genuine.

I feel like the reason vi is more likeable than Korra is because she had a bad upbringing. Vis parents were murdered, she had to look after her sister almost alone, and had to rob places to survive and still was a nice person with a good heart. Korra grew up with people always looking after her and taking care of her and was spoiled, hot headed, rude and out of touch.

"Being ignored is the worst criticism" boy do I love that line

Two things I wanted to say after this video: Jayce is portrayed so well with how easily he is manipulated. It’s never because he’s stupid, Arcane shows him to be a genius and how he’s constantly told that he is. It shows how egoistic he is and how every time he gets manipulated by someone else, they appeal to his ego. He’s not simply stupid or lacking of common sense; instead, Jayce is constantly exploited through his morals. The other thing is the story of Jinx, how she truly “jinxes” everything she tries to do, how she constantly hurts those she’s closest to while trying to help. I just find it really well told tragic storytelling.

There are a few big reasons. In Arcane, characters doing bad/stupid/horrible things actually has consequences and don't get a free pass, while in Korra, the mc acts as an A-hole throughout and still expects people to root for her. And the main Arcane crew isn't purposeless like in Korra. They actually have a reason to fight and their struggle makes them sympathetic characters. Lastly, Korra's worldbuilding is all over the place while in Arcane, it's done well.

Heimerdinger being ousted, as tragic as that scene seemed to be, was one of Jayce's best calls. Heimerdinger preaches patience and virtues while being oblivious to the corruption around him, and not doing anything to fix the problems that existed in the city. Perhaps he just thought it would work itself out if he left it long enough, but since he measures time in centuries, he's blind to the minutia that affects everyday lives. He needed to be kicked out of the operahouse, where he's neither advancing his own beliefs, nor helping work with the more favor-based system everyone else is. He was purely an obstacle there, but I think he'll do a massive amount of good now that he's working with Ekko. Vander gave up on war when he saw the tragedies it created. He became a pacifist, no longer fighting for a cause. In one sense, this is an ideal "good" character — the warrior that gave up the sword for the plow, as it were. He helps keep the peace, working with Grayson to deal with problematic elements, and acting as "enforcer" to ensure the undercity's contract system doesn't get broken. In many ways he's an ideal. Yet Silco was also right. Vander wasn't willing to fight for anything anymore. He was willing to accept the lot of the downtrodden just so that no one's life was at risk, and by doing so he condemned the other people in the undercity to a life of unchanging oppression. The only way to advance — to achieve a 'better' life — in that society was through the various mafia groups. That's where Sevika went when she couldn't put up with it anymore. The kids — Vi and Powder and the boys — were willing to fight, to try to achieve something to not be stuck in the gutter. The way they went about it may not have been the best, but they don't have many options; certainly not without help and advice from their elders. Though Vander himself wasn't a great planner either. So Vander kept them safe, but also kept them trapped. So, as much as he's considered one of the most heroic characters, he can also be seen as a villain, complicit in the tyrannical oppression of the undercity by letting topside always get its way (until it hit his family). The same can be said with Silco. He was definitely a villain, but the change in the system he instigated was needed . Granted, he would have been a horrible leader afterwards, just as many in history, but that doesn't change certain aspects of the necessity. This goes on and on. Every character was at one time the hero, and at one time the villain, either in different times in the story, or in different perspectives of their actions. It's part of what makes the show have so much rewatchability potential.

The character I like the most is Vi. She is hot-headed, but she is responsible. At times she is too responsible even. Partially bacause of Vander's words "everything they do is on you". She takes responsibility not only for her actions, but also for everything Powder/Jinx did and tries to fix it. She is driven by guilt for the things she had no control over, like Powder's attempt at helping and "abandoning" her. Vi did the best she could in the given situation concidering her character and age (c'mon, you can't expect adult behavior from a young teen). Everyone talks about harsh Jinx's childhood completely forgetting that Vi went through it too plus she had to take care of other people.

I think what this series does is keeping characters as "people." No one is born completely pure with zero selfish motivations. No one is born evil with zero selfless motivations. They feel like actual people, not just characters along for the ride in a grand tale.

I would disagree on one point. It’s difficult to say that Vi specifically is the main character in Arcane. Almost every character that is relevant post-timeskip is given a fair amount time to develop but more importantly a point of perspective in the narrative. We spend a lot of time on our ‘villains’ in Silco and Jinx and their actions, issues and perspectives just as we do with Vi and Caitlyn’s efforts to hunt them down. And especially how all of these perspectives advance and impact the plot. Arcane has a cadre of main characters that all have dedicated time to their perspective and plot progression. Jayce, Vi and Jinx all spring to mind when it comes to plot progression and perspectives. While Vi and her attitude certainly can be compared with Korra, Korra is the main character by virtue of the plot revolving almost entirely by the perspective surrounding her. It’s in the title. Vi is one of a handful of key characters that each share these roles. It’s about Jinx and Jayce as much as it is about Vi.

26:22 Vi was "harsh" only when she has too. She can be gentle and caring too. She's very gentle with Jinx, Ekko, and Cait, but she's harsh and bossy with Mylo (not Clagger) because Mylo needs harsh leadership. Vi is actually really great at dealing with different type of people.

The biggest difference between VI and Korra is that VI's 'toxic' and aggressive personality is most of the times punished. Hell, the ending is VI basically losing her original goal in the series, to reunite and save Powder. She lost because she is someone who is used to 'saving' the day with her fists but that wasn't what was going to save Powder. VI's lack of understanding lead to her 'losing' at the end. VI and Korra both seldom lost physically but VI would always lose when it came to her ideology and personality which Korra didn't suffer while being the same kind of brash girl like VI. Korra never really 'lost'. She did struggle physically and ideologically at times but somehow always won in the end which is not great for character growth.

You have already put more thought into Korra than the writers ever did.

Vander is the wisest character in the series and my favorite character by far. He is the only one that understood that war is never worth it. Even Mel was considering it in act 3, although she still wanted to solve everything diplomatically. In act 3, Silco realized that Vander was right, and he even admitted, right before Sevica executed Fin, that they got through those times (during which Vander led Zaun) only because of loyalty.

Teddy bear being the one outcasted actually makes a lot of sense cause he’s all ideals and no practice and that part of why they ended up in this mess. He didn’t act when Zaun was slowly being killed but also didn’t act when the Council made by him stray away from the goals of progress and equality - very much like Silco, he was stabbed by the monster he created, but in this case created by his passiveness.

I couldn't get enough of Victor. He was just so relatable and watching him and jace's great intentions spiral out of control is just great TV

What I loved about the characters in Arcane is that they acted realistically to their situations. Vi made mistakes but people rooted for her because she has a good heart and intentions...Jayce is unsure of himself, but the viewers can see he tries in earnest to make a better world as an optimist living in a society of corruption and pessimism as a beacon of hope. Jinx is a mentally unstable girl who desperately needed approval and the love of those around her...and without it she becomes more unhinged and unsure of who she is as time goes on. And every other character in some way has been fleshed out so you can see their point of view and identify with them.

I can’t even hate any main characters in Arcane. They all had good intention. They just made wrong decisions, mistakes and had consequences.

okay i haven't seen anyone talk about this so i might as well... jace and mel's relationship is very respectful in a way that you don't see very often when it comes to dynamics similar to theirs. i like how mel didn't initiate a romantic relationship until jace became a counsel member. of course i don't think she helped him get there purely for that reason, but i really appreciate the fact that she didn't want there to be a power imbalance between them, so she never went for it even though she clearly liked him for a while. it's little details like that which make arcane so good.