Watching | Legend of Korra Book 2, episode 13&14 (Finale) - Darkness Falls and Light in the Dark

I will start with episode 13, I think don't have much to talk about this very episode, except clear some points of the plot...

I don't have much to say, it was amazing, good action scenes, I love how the spirituality approached here, specially regarding Korra and Tenzin, while Korra was determined to trap Vaatu, Tenzin is determined to save his daughter Jinora, they go through, some huge difficulties, it ended Korra LOSING THE CONNECTIONS WITH THE OTHER AVATARS, the avatars weren't destroyed, losing isn't synonym of destroying, even episode 14, clear this out - Tenzin saved his daughter and so his brothers, I love how Tenzin tries to remain rational and keeps going with a little push from his father Aang, those moments where you have to confront yourself, no matter where you came from, you're still your own person, you're not someone's shadow or reflection, this part is clearly a set up for the next episode and something Korra will learn too. =)

Now about the last episode, Korra maybe correct about "destroyed" connections with the previous avatars, she may the last avatar at this very moment, but I wouldn't say Raava was destroyed in a literal sense, the title of the episode, says it all, Raava is the Light Spirit while Vaatu is the Dark Spirit, they are like or are, Yin and Yang, when there is light there is darkness, where there is darkness there is also light (Kingdom Hearts also taught me that, specially Birth By Sleep), I think this is one of the messages of this episode, Raava still exists, how she kinda vanished was also the same when Avatar Wan died, her presence became much weaker, it is the better word, it probably takes 10 000 years to restore it's full strength, the same with Vaatu, that's why Vaatu needed Harmonic Convergence, in each 10 000 years it happens, it's all connected, even Vaatu said even though they are separated, he can still feel her presence, and vice-versa, like Raava said to Vaatu, one cannot exist without the other.

Also I loved, Tenzin admitting that he needed spiritual growth to go through and teaching Korra to let go of her attachment of perception of herself (about what she thinks she is), it's not Raava that defines her, but her own Korra self, her very own spirit, he said there is a way to do it, to save the world, while they were going towards the tree of time, that connects the spirit world to the physical world, Tenzin explains, "the ancient meditate in the tree and connect with the great cosmic energy of the universe (...) do what the ancient once did, connect to the cosmic energy of the universe, don't bend the elements but the energy within yourself", remember when the Lion Turtle taught Aang how to bend energy of another person, said the same... "In the era before the Avatar, we bent not the elements but the energy within ourselves."

then comes what it comes, Korra successfully connect with the cosmic energy to help bend her own energy, goes towards the final and epic battle against Vaatu, it was bit like watching a battle of giants of TV show like Power Rangers, Korra couldn't find Raava inside Vaatu, but Jinora did Raava, we don't know how she did it, then Raava go inside Vaatu and Korra starts fight back and free Raava, then Korra did the Light bending on Vaatu, then he turns yellow and vanishes, I don't as being disappeared, remember Korra spirit vanished and her spirit came back to her body, I think Vaatu came back to where he come from originally, which we don't know where is.

Korra fused with Raava, but her connections with the other avatars didn't came back, because it was lost from Raava too, Korra decides to not close the portals, she wonders what if the spirit world and human world weren't supposed to be apart, Korra then becomes the last avatar of the previous age of the avatar but she is now the first avatar of the new age, she is not the bridge anymore but the guide instead.

yes, I think it was pretty cool...

Now coming to the polemic discussions, about Makorra break up, many people may disagree and many others may agree for different reasons, I'm being one of them, this was a mature and wise break up, they said themselves, even though they don't work as a couple, but they still love each other, that's what it matters most, you don't have to be a couple to love someone, to show you love someone, it won't stop caring of that person well-being, same goes for the kinds of love (friendship, family).
 there is more I have to say about Makorra before the break up and when they started dating, I always thought it was soon, I didn't agree of Mako and Korra decision to start dating at the end of Book 1, I think they were caught in the moment and weren't ready for this kind of relationship yet if they wanted, humans relationships - bonds takes time to become strong and, even friendship isn't exception.
I love the finale very much because also quite coincide with my spiritual views just as much did episode 10 and episode 8...after it, I felt very light, like some lot of weight and pressure was out.

I really wonder where it goes from now on, Book 3 Title is Change, I do look forward to watch it.

Watching | Legend of Korra Book 2, Episode 10: A New Spiritual Age

This episode had a lot to sink in, because it was quite hard, I couldn't really efficiently focus on simple tasks for not stop thinking about the episode, also it let me quite emotional by just remembering the 2 scenes that made me cry, one for nostalgia and other of sadness over Korra, Tenzin and Jinora makes me want to cry again.

It was a beautifully executed episode, the animation was amazing and so the voice acting.
The episode visually and the interaction explained how this whole spiritual energy flows (specially the avatar solar system =D ), it shows how important it is to be calm and keep your mind clear, because if you focus on negative thoughts and emotions, it can affect the energy flow and twist it which affects your surroundings, it kinda works like it does when someone is laughing, even if you don't know the reason why the other is laughing, you start laughing and so do the others, or if in your home in a depressing environment, you become depressed, etc, also show how important it is to stay positive, it's to stay positive when we need most in troubling times, I think it subtly mentions the karma.

Some theories and wondering questions about the avatar world regarding the spirit world and material world, specially about the dead, what it happens to the "human" spirit when leaves the material world by leaving his material body where it goes after, because we always saw the spirits and "human" spirit was visiting the spirit world while their body remained in the material world, so the "human" spirit has to go somewhere when his material body dies, right? so Iroh kinda answered, he kinda talked about death in a harmless and light tone, in a sense to not be scared or bad but embrace it instead and go on, it made me feel nostalgic about this subject such as life and death and spirituality (a subject I always found fascinating, Harry Potter books series quite touches the subject), the way he defines tranquilly, makes me remember a quote of a novel I didn't read, but that it was a wise quote coincided my beliefs that has kinda the same meaning:

"You don't have a soul, Doctor. You are a soul. You have a body, temporarily."  A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller, Jr.

Thanks Iroh, for taking away my doubts about the spirit world and material world in the "avatar world". =)

About the events, Unalaq, you are very twisted and very mean, I just don't know if is by greed or by naiveness and tricked by Vaatu or by unhealthy obsessive hope seeing his wife again as some fans theorize it and tricked by Vaatu (yes, I disagree with this theory, it quite resembles Hiroshi Sato obsessive blind revenge on benders, also I hope it won't go that path).
Even though it was kinda obvious what Unalaq wasn't going completely keep his word, I think even Korra thought so, if you think about it, she was hesitant in a serious way thinking carefully, she didn't had much option, she didn't wanted Jinora being infected like she did, Jinora was kept hostage which is better than being infected, because at least Jinora may have chances to save herself or being saved than being infected.
I cried when Iroh appeared, I had some tears in the eye, I didn't sob, I was tear eyed, as for Korra trying to save Jinora and came back to the material world, looking at Tenzin about to cry for feeling extremely guilty for not bringing Jinora and Tenzin reaction, as if his biggest fears about his daughter's safety became reality, you can see in Korra's face what is she thinking: "it's all my fault, it's all my fault, I made a big mess again, I couldn't save Jinora or close the portal, I'm failing as the avatar." - it's heartbreaking, I'm sobbing by just writing this. Korra, don't be so hard on yourself and I feel so sorry for Tenzin. T-T

I think I do know now what will happen to Tenzin in the finale about his realization that he has to face "his own shadow", who will probably overcome it, finally go to the spirit world and try to save his daughter Jinora.

Rant: likeable and unlikeable characters to evaluate quality of a game/tv show/book/movie, isn't subjective?

I do always have an issue when people make a review about a game or tv show or film or book or comic book or graphic novel, they write or say for example:

"this A game has likeable characters so it's good" or "This B animated show has dislikeable characters therefore it's bad".

With these examples, that's where my problems resides, a quality of a story doesn't reside if the characters are likeable or not, because people have different opinions on what they consider likeable or not, it's quite like in Harry Potter books and movies, each person who read the books has a different vision of the characters, so of course the actors wouldn't be like exactly or very similar to the character as the readers had in their minds, so the right way to evaluate a character is by analysing and see how well-rounded they are, not if likeable or not.

The purpose of well-rounded characters, it's not with the intention to make the character likeable or glorified or to be a role model but to treat as a person first with flaws, virtues, strengths, weaknesses, vulnerabilities, the amount of resilience, convictions, ideals, not a black-white character but much deeper and complex, more to the character than what meets the surface.

Many people has the bad habit of judging a character or evaluate them basing on what's on the surface of their actions, don't even question why he/she did, when given reasons is:
"because he is a jerk" or "because she is annoying" (each person has a different ideas of what they consider annoying or jerk) and when they say why they think a character is annoying or jerk:
"because it did A,B,C,D,etc.",  but the actions/reactions/personality traits and why he/she did it, that's what a well-rounded character is. Remember Understanding is different from Liking, understanding a character doesn't mean you like the character.
It's noticeable likeable and dislikeable is a matter of a personal subjective opinion and not an evaluation.
If the characters are well-rounded or not, it's an evaluation.

there is many well-rounded characters I dislike, Umbridge, Voldemort, Amon, Lucius Malfoy, "Father" Homunculus, etc.
as much there is many well-rounded characters I like and love, Atemu/Atem"Yami No Yugi", Yugi Mutou, Harry Potter, Izayoi Aki, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Azula, Aqua, etc...(yeah, too many to list).

also there are few well-rounded characters which I feel indifferent or like and dislike, Snape (sorry fans, but he is in my like and dislike list, in another words, in the middle :p), Mazaki Anzu (same with Snape), most of the Homunculus, etc.

I hope I was clear :).

Watching | Legend of Korra Book 2 episode 7&8 - Beginnings Part 1&2

It's hard for me to express it appropriately, I'm still overwhelmed by it, it hasn't completely sink in yet, that's how much I loved the last two episodes.

Besides both episodes being extremely good, the animation was top-notch, it was very nicely paced, even the plot, it's Korra/Avatar Focus episodes.

so what we learned about these two episodes, we can interpret that "avatar" is the fusion between the human spirit and Ravaa Light spirit, from what I can understand which comes theories about the essence of the avatar, Ravaa probably chose the next human, but the previous avatars stay fused with Ravaa, so they can guide the next avatar and help to bring balance to the world, it has lots of complexity and depth, the creation of avatar entity is by Wan and Ravaa becoming friends and working together, so it's very interesting.
It's also very interesting Avatar Wan was the one who guide the spirits to come back to the Spirit World and sealed the portals so no human wouldn't physically enter the spirit world and also learn about the real purpose of the lion turtles, they were guardians of humans literally and spirits in a detached manner (also it seemed only the air nomads get along with spirits at the time, that's why they have the culture they have, ideals, teachings and convictions, once again it proves they are the most spiritual, very respectful of nature).
Now the creepy part, the Dark spirit Vaatu, I'm having conspiracy theories about this spirit, as you have seen he is an manipulative spirit, you see when he fooled Wan to break free from Ravaa, also one more suspicious matters about it, Avatar Wan sealed Vaatu inside a tree inside what is currently the Spirit World, so no human could break him free, in another words, a human released Vaatu from his prison for dark spirits being around right now, because one of Vaatu abilities is to become spirits into dark spirits, my bet is it was Unalaq who break him free in similar way when Wan broke him free from Ravaa, persuaded Unalaq to free him, Unalaq right now is trying to fix the mess he did in a way to cover his mistake and to look good, make it look it was his older brother (using him as scapegoat), this is probably why he is trying to hurry the avatar to go to the portals called Harmonic Convergence.
Harmonic Convergence, remember there is a title episode, which is episode 12, right after is the finale episodes 13 and 14, it makes perfect sense, Harmonic Convergence as we know is the portals between the Human World and the Spirit World, we can guess episode 13 and 14 will be the meet between avatar Korra and Vaatu.
The Avatar Wan backstory sure strongly impacted Korra, she is catching things up, she sees the urgency and importance about the Dark spirits, I think after this, Korra will be much calmer and control her temper much better.
From now on, I can see the episodes will get better...

Watching - Legend of Korra | Episode 5 - Peacekeepers

My opinion about Studio Pierrot animation still the same, pretty good and solid but too condensed colouring, it's a bit better though.

Now regarding the plot in this episode, I think the pace was a bit too fast, as if they were hurry up to something or to some turn point of the story, maybe because of Korra's impatient and reckless pace, but still a very good episode.

Now characters, Korra, I think she is quite disconcerted with all these events around Unalaq and this Civil War she started, she is so focused to protect or get help in the war on the side of her Southern Tribe to the point she forgets about the Dark Spirits problem, making even more irresponsible and rash decisions and jump to conclusions, enrolling herself in more problems, becoming more indecisive, you can tell she hates being indecisive so instead prefers take action first, she is trying to do her job though in a wrong way and because that brings problems to the relationship with her boyfriend, Mako who also is trying to do his job that comes to a point they break up, Mako is trying to be rational while Korra is being emotional and not trying to be rational (for hating to be indecisive and realization of her lack of experience as the avatar frustrating her), I wasn't surprised they broke up, because I expected in the future they would break up (being fiery characters and one is rational and the other is emotional, sometimes collapses and breaks out), I was surprised by the timing of the break up, I thought it would be later in this Book or in Book 3.

With these recent events, Korra feeling and thinking everything is against her, nothing go on her favour but being consequential from her rash and reckless actions to the point going on a boat by herself (crying from the recent break up with Mako and recent events) and then suddenly being attacked by the twins (Eska still mad but kinda sad at the same time because of her wedding with Bolin) right after both of them (Korra and the twins), attacked by a Dark Spirit and it ends, cliffhanger - very like the end of episode 8 of Book 1.

As for Unalaq, I suspected he said he didn't need her to open the portal to the Spirit World in the North Pole was just a bluff to look like he had the upper hand or he was ahead, it sounded too weird how he didn't need her all of a sudden, since the Avatar is the bridge, it's the only one who can do it, he asked the twins to bring her for this reason.
I say this again, Unalaq is definitely a character that neither black or white, I don't see him as evil but neither good side, he is not doing not for others or for himself (once again not black white), but something else, his objectives looks very invisible and deep, but I have some suspicions what his objectives are and going after them in a malleable way (which I will talk about it later).

Varrick, I can't say much but he's crazy, but there is nice and thoughtful touches in Bolin, he is kinda trying to help Bolin to find answers what he wants to do with his life, I think that's when starts Bolin real growth from now on.

Another light touch, Tenzin is starting bit by bit bonding with his children, episode 4 it was with Ikki, this episode was with Meelo, which means next episode is with Jinora...


Speculations
Episode 5 to episode 6 to episode 7/8 and 9, there will be a connection between these episodes, specially after this sudden Korra disappearance together with the Dark Spirit, I think Korra will be immediately go to the Spirit World, but in episode 6 there may have an absence of her, while Mako doing his job as the description says he uncovers a conspiracy going on against Future Industries (it may relate with Varrick, don't forget his biography no matter how funny and eccentric he is), it will focus also what's happening Tenzin bonding with Jinora, that's when Jinora spiritual and extremely important role in this Book will finally start take shape, Tenzin will discover his daughter being able to connect with the spirit world, I think he will be quite impressed, now as for the rest...no idea (Unalaq is very hard to read).

Episone 7 and 8, we already know what will be about, at least I think this will be about more about avatar in itself, and to know that where it started the reincarnation of the spirit of avatar which go on and on in different humans beings and how it chooses, I'm sure if Avatar is chosen by seasons pattern, so is something can't be done randomly either, I think this will uncovers some mysteries even confirm some theories I had about the "Avatar Spirit" for a long time before Legend of Korra, that is very complex, we get to know what it means in more detailed way what means the Avatar being the Bridge between the Natural World and the Spirit World.
From looks of the trailers, after Korra learns about the origins of the avatar will have a deep impact on her, I'm sure, if we notice when Korra comes from somewhere of stones shining, she encounters from up with the Fire Sages, I think is when she gets out after learning more about being avatar, the tone she says it and looks at them you can see how deeply she is affected by something and taking more into consideration(once again must be related with backstory of the first Avatar), also will probably take her come to Tenzin of when she admits she needs more than ever Tenzin's guidance in her spirituality as the avatar, that's when relates with the episode 9 "The Guide".
Episode 9-12 will be many times around Korra travels to the Spirit World.

Watching | Legend of Korra: Book 2 - Episode 1&2

I'm just writing of what I just watched recently, since Friday 13 (Today for few hours), just my random Thoughts about the 2 episodes...

awww Korra, Korra, Korra, impatient and hot-headed as ever, you may have a better control over your temper (still needs some work though), but your impatience mixed with your recklessness makes you do forceful decisions and actions and that's not good, however that's not all Korra fault...

So it wasn't Aang idea to keep Korra closed, we all suspected but all Tonraq and Tenzin, seriously you guys...someone like Korra's personality needs to learns spirituality is outside to gain experience not closed, becoming spiritual isn't born you, you know? it grows through experiences...

Jinora sure shown interesting signs of stronger spiritual connection, specially with her grandfather Aang, it seems Aang it's trying guide her through his grandchild (since Korra didn't listen to Tenzin...there is a reason why you have to listen, Korra you have such wrong timing on things, it was right at the moment she could finally be able to connect to the spirit world like Aang did in the 3rd episode of Book 1, oh well Korra is the type of person who learns in a harder way...most of us do though).

Mako, I feel for you...

Bolin, you're such a sweet and funny guy, just learning to be less naive, Asami keep doing it, you're gonna make it, as for the twins, I have no opinion of them for now, Varrick looks like a funny eccentric guy (ehich I like) and the new characters same as the twins - no opinion...
Unalaq, I'm quite suspicious of him.

Rant: Strong Female Characters

Hello, yes, it's a rant about it, it's some complaints I have about it in some sections.

I do love mostly strong cisgenderly female characters, if there is androgynous, the better, the variety, the better.

my problems is that in some cartoons, animes, comics, movies, mangas, mostly anime and manga and video games, strong female characters tend to be stereotypically treated...most of the times it's always the sexy and attractive or beautiful woman with much less clothes, or loli and moe or tsundere  or "boyish" traits, not much variety or relatable, from what I know, there is some I know it has a good variety, Fullmetal Alchemist, Naruto, Fruits Basket, Otomen (specially male characters, which is great), Shugo Chara, Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts, Tekken, Kenishi: The Mightiest Disciple, Code Geass, Black Lagoon. 

Shoujos is so rare to have decent female characters, they are very repetitive, in special the main characters, I was fortuned to find good main female characters, like Beauty Pop, Tonari No Kaibutsu-kun, Shugo Chara, Switch Girl, Watashi Ni xx Shinasai...

that's my only complaints regarding the subject, even though there is many with good female characters but compared to the rest, it makes the many few...I'll tell you what's the problem with the stereotypical ones, they first think as a "girl" then is a "person", when it should be the other way around, that's why books, animated series, series, films that has good females characters always go for think of the character as a person first and then you can worry about it's gender (whatever which is).

it's a wake up call, give more variety in characters (I'm including males) would be nice.

now series, films which has good and great female characters and a nice variety:

the ones mentioned above regarding manga and anime and games...;

• Harry Potter;
• Game of Thrones (I never watch or read it but I heard a good deal);
• Avatar The Last Airbender;
• Legend of Korra;
• The Mentalist;
• The Big Bang Theory;
• Brave;
• Mulan;
• Tangled;
• Princess Mononoke;
• Howl's Moving Castle;
• The Secret World of Arietty;
• My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic;
• etc.

there it goes, I think many of you understand what I mean, right?

I hope it comes great characters in future with more variety

Here is my list of my female characters...

Mangá&Anime:

• Olivier Mira Armstrong (Fullmetal Alchemist)
• Kino (Kino No Tabi)
• Kiri Koshiba (Beauty Pop)
• Izayoi Aki (Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's)
• Amu Hinamori (Shugo Chara)
• Hawkeye (Fullmetal Alchemist)
• Machi Kuragi (Fruits Basket)
• Shizuku Mizutani (Tonari No Kaibutsu-kun)
• Kujaku Mai (Yu-Gi-Oh!)
• Saki Hanajima (Fruits Basket)

Video Games:

• Aqua (Kingdom Hearts)
• Lightning (Final Fantasy XIII)
• Leo Kliesen (Tekken)

Animated series:

• Korra (Legend of Korra)
• Azula (Avatar The Last Airbender)
• Toph Bei Fong (Avatar The Last Airbender)
• Asami Sato (Legend of Korra)
• Lin Bei Fong (Legend of Korra)
• Katara (Avatar The Last Airbender & Legend of Korra)
• Tylee (Avatar The Last Airbender)
• Zhalia Moon (Huntik)
• Sophie Casterwill (Huntik)
• Twilight Sparkle (My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic)
• Pinkie Pie (My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic)
• Rainbow Dash (My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic)
• Lor (The Weekenders)

Films, series, books, comics:

• Hermione Granger (Harry Potter)
• Luna Lovegood (Harry Potter)
• Ginny Weasley (Harry Potter)
• Lily Evans Potter (Harry Potter)
• Narcissa Malfoy (Harry Potter)
• Professor McGonagall (Harry Potter)
• Princess Merida (Brave)
• Mulan (Mulan)
• Teresa Lisbon (The Mentalist)
• Alex (Modern Family)
• Claire (Modern Family)
• Leslie Winkle (The Big Bang Theory)
• Rapunzel (Tangled)
• Belle (Beauty and the Beast)
• Gretel (Hansel and Gretel Grimm's Fairy Tale)
• Vesper Grey (Plume)
• Anya (Phoenix Requiem)
• Arietty (The Secret World of Arietty)
• Vanellope Von Schweetz (Wreck-It Ralph)

If you have noticed, the smallest list is Anime & Mangá (imagined if was divided in 2? it would become much smaller) and the video games. As you see, it's very hard for me to like a female character, even if there is many good females characters, but it's still not enough, I'm very picky.

BEST ANIMATED SERIES - TV.COM

to vote here for TV.COM Best Animated Series

• Young Justice
• My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
• The Legend of Korra
• Adventure Time
• Gravity Falls
• Family Guy
• Futurama
• South Park
• Bob's Burgers
• Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Rant: Shipping

I know what you may be thinking, I'm gonna bash or defend shipping, it's both and none of it.
If you don't know what shipping is...it's being fan of pairings even if is non-canon(not official, impossible, technically, it's pretty much like inside a fandom there is more fandoms (shippings).

there is cool and fun stuff about shipping but also there is uncool, stressing, annoying and problematic.

TV Shows: The Big Bang Theory S06E09 & Modern Family S04E09

I watched the episodes of this week...and it was great, both episodes


so...

Spoiler Alert

The Big Bang Theory - The 43 Peculiarity (Preview)

I'm so dead curious what it may be!!! knowing Sheldon, it may something that may look too obvious to be true but at the same time, you never know...
or something very weird or related to pride of his, may relate to embarrassment.