Unrelenting, loyal, powerful, protective.
Let's explore why Avatar Kyoshi and Avatar Korra are the same.
Only justice will bring peace.
Kyoshi and Korra were never afraid
to resort to violence in order to pursue justice.
Often choosing force and threats over diplomacy.
Enough talk!
Kyoshi on more than one occasion,
manhandled the Fire Lord, grabbing him
and jabbing her metal fans at his throat.
When the Fire Lord dared to question
why she cared for a peasant, she reminded him,
"You live on top of what I control.
Your island is surrounded by my waves.
You fill your very lungs at my discretion."
And when Chin the Conqueror
threatened to take over the continent...
well, you know what happened.
I killed Chin the Conqueror.
On that day, we split from the mainland.
Kyoshi went full Kyoshi.
[rumbling]
[screaming]
I would have done whatever it took to stop Chin.
Kyoshi threatened many figures of authority during her time
as the Avatar.
Including the 46th Earth King
for ordering an attack on her after she refused to stop
a peasant uprising in Ba Sing Se.
[distant chattering]
The king called upon Kyoshi
to stop the attacks of the unruly peasants,
and she refused, instead siding with the peasants.
[distant chattering]
She believed everyone in the kingdom
must have a voice.
The balance for to prevail over tyranny.
She coerced the king into listening to their demands
and founded the once noble Dai Li
to protect the city's cultural artifacts.
Korra could be just as ruthless in her pursuit to restore peace.
[groaning]
I will take away the one thing you care for the most... Kuvira.
Kuvira might win.
She might chase us out of the city,
but you won't be around to enjoy the victory,
because wherever I run, I'll take you.
I'm going to make it my life's mission
to never let you see the one you love again.
Kyoshi and Korra pursued justice at any cost,
as long as that cost
did not involve someone they loved.
[growling]
[groaning]
[growling]
[groaning]
What do you want?!
It's not about what I want.
It's about what Naga wants and she'd like you
to let my father out of prison.
[whimpering]
Unless you want to be Naga's afternoon snack,
you'd better keep talking.
Kyoshi and Korra's unrelenting nature proved
absolutely lethal when someone they did care for
was threatened.
Kyoshi was empowered to master all four elements,
not because she was motivated to be a successful Avatar,
but because she sought revenge for the death of her friend
and her father figure, Kelsang.
She wanted to avenge their murders.
When Korra's girlfriend, Asami was captured by Tokuga,
Korra did everything in her power to find her,
even making a deal with a criminal
to discover Asami's whereabouts.
When Kyoshi's friend turned enemy,
Yun stabbed the Avatar's girlfriend Rangi,
Kyoshi lured Yun in with false apologies
so that he'd let his guard down.
Fully enraptured by her words,
Kyoshi took this chance to strike.
Kyoshi said, "I'm sorry for saying you had to live
with your pain because you won't!"
She then froze his heart and lungs solid.
[groaning]
It's safe to say you should not mess
with an Avatar's girlfriend.
You want to fight the Avatar, then let's finish this
right here, right now!
Um, we're gonna pass.
Water Tribe.
Due to their unrelenting, aggressive personalities,
both Kyoshi and Korra
initially struggled to connect spiritually, airbend
and enter the Avatar State at will.
After all, Korra's disposition was vastly different
from the gentle nature of her previous incarnation,
Avatar Aang.
I can't believe your sweet tempered father
was reincarnated into that girl. She's tough as nails.
Often, the element that's the most difficult
for the Avatar to master is the one most opposite
to the Avatar's personality.
Well, I'm about as opposite an airbender as you can get.
Korra found it challenging to hone her spiritual connection
and master airbending.
Yeah, it's not sinking in yet.
I'm gonna go get a glass of lychee juice.
Korra.
Before Kyoshi reached her full potential as Avatar,
she received messages from her past life Avatar Korra.
However, Kyoshi was unable to decipher their meaning
because her spiritual connection was weak.
You must actively shape your own destiny
and the destiny of the world.
Early on, Kyoshi's spiritual interactions
caused her great pain
and a tremendous amount of energy.
Her body would react as if she were having a seizure
whenever she tried to engage with her past lives.
Kyoshi only learned through trial and error.
[groaning]
Patience Korra.
[groaning, grunting]
[panting]
That was a 2,000 year old historical treasure.
Kyoshi only entered the Avatar State
for the first time after witnessing
the murder of Kelsang, her father figure.
The shocking grief of losing someone she loved
triggered the Avatar State.
Kyoshi awakened, face wet with tears
to a completely decimated landscape.
The earth was scorched, trees uprooted
and the mountainside looked
as if a great hand had tried to sweep it away
in a convulsion of fear and shame.
Even so, through determination and practice,
both Kyoshi and Korra were able to strengthen
their spiritual connection and master the Avatar State.
When we hit our lowest point,
we are open to the greatest change.
[music playing]
Kyoshi and Korra went on to become effective Avatars...
capable of powerful airbending...
connecting to their path lives...
[music playing]
...and meditating into The Spirit World.
[music playing]
Korra even learned to energybend negative energy from spirits.
[groaning]
And restore a person's bending abilities.
[music playing]
I am so proud of you... Avatar Korra.
I created Kyoshi Islands so my people
could be safe from invaders.
Despite their violent tendencies,
Kyoshi and Korra always stood up for those who needed help.
These airbenders shouldn't be used as weapons.
They have a right to choose their own path.
When Zaheer kidnapped the airbenders,
Korra chose to sacrifice herself to Zaheer as collateral
in exchange for the airbenders safe return.
The only plan that will work is for me to give myself up.
I have to do this.
You can't expect us to sit by and just let Zaheer take you.
The world has been out of balance for far too long.
It needs the Air Nation back again.
I can't let Zaheer destroy it and everyone we love.
Similarly, Kyoshi founded the Kyoshi Warriors
to train women to protect themselves.
[music playing]
Who are you? Where the men who ambushed us?
There were no men. We ambushed you.
Kyoshi witnessed several women being mistreated by rowdy men.
So, she trained the women in the fighting style
of her girlfriend, Rangi;
a style that could incapacitate any foe
regardless of their strength or size.
Our technique is about
using your opponent's force against them.
Their signature metal fans... red and white face paint...
and green kimonos are in honor of her legacy as a warrior.
The silk thread symbolizes the brave blood
that flows through our veins.
The gold insignia represents
the honor of the warrior's heart.
Lastly, Kyoshi and Korra were not afraid
to stand up for who they loved.
They both attempted to spread acceptance
throughout their communities
and the world for same sex couples.
[music playing]
Kyoshi and Korra loved both men and women.
Despite the demanding duties and challenges
of being the Avatar...
they both found the strength
and encourage to be openly bisexual.
I needed to understand what true suffering was
so I could become more compassionate to others.
Kyoshi and Korra's unique take on justice,
protective nature, and advocacy make them some
of the most memorable Avatars in the Avatar Universe.
I am you.
[music playing]
What characters in the Avatar Universe
do you think are most similar?
Comment below and keep watching
for more of your favorite Avatar moments.
[Aang] Avatar Kyoshi here.