Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra are two of the most popular animated shows of all time, set in a world where some people can manipulate the four elements: water, earth, fire and air. The Avatar is the only person who can master all four elements and is the bridge between the human and spirit worlds. In both shows, the Avatar faces various challenges and enemies while trying to maintain balance and harmony.
One of the most memorable characters from Avatar: The Last Airbender is Princess Yue of the Northern Water Tribe, who sacrificed her life to restore the Moon Spirit after it was killed by Admiral Zhao. Yue had a special connection to the Moon Spirit, as it had given her a part of its life force when she was a baby. She was also the daughter of Chief Arnook and the betrothed of Prince Hahn.
In The Legend of Korra, we meet Korra, the next Avatar after Aang. She is also from the Water Tribe, but from the Southern branch. Her father, Tonraq, was originally in line to become the chief of the Northern Water Tribe, but he was banished after he accidentally destroyed a sacred forest. Korra’s uncle, Unalaq, became the chief instead and later tried to merge with the Dark Spirit Vaatu and destroy the world.
The Theory
A fan theory has emerged that suggests that Korra and Yue are related by blood. The theory is based on the assumption that Water Tribe leadership is hereditary and passes from father to son. Since Yue was the only child of Arnook and she died without having any children, the theory proposes two possible scenarios:
- Arnook and his wife had another child after Yue who became the next chief.
- Arnook had a sibling whose eldest male child became the next chief.
In either case, Korra could be a descendant of Yue’s family through her father’s side. This would mean that Korra and Yue share a common ancestor, either Arnook or his sibling.
The Evidence
The theory relies on some evidence from both shows to support its plausibility. Some of these are:
- In The Legend of Korra, Book 2: Spirits, we learn that Tonraq and Unalaq are brothers and sons of the current chief of the Northern Water Tribe. This implies that Water Tribe leadership is indeed hereditary and follows a male line of succession.
- In Avatar: The Last Airbender, Book 1: Water, episode 18, “The Waterbending Master”, we see that Yue has no siblings at the time she meets Aang and his friends. This means that Arnook had no other heirs besides her.
- In Avatar: The Last Airbender, Book 1: Water, episode 20, “The Siege of the North Part 2”, we see that Yue’s hair turns white when she gives her life to revive the Moon Spirit. This could be a sign of her spiritual connection to the Moon or a genetic trait that could be passed down to her relatives.
- In The Legend of Korra, Book 2: Spirits, episode 14, “Light in the Dark”, we see that Korra’s hair also turns white when she enters a powerful spiritual state and fights Unalaq/Vaatu. This could be another indication of her spiritual connection to the Moon or a genetic trait that she inherited from Yue’s family.
The Implications
If the theory is true, it would have some interesting implications for both shows and their characters. Some of these are:
- It would create a stronger link between Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra by showing that their protagonists are related by blood.
- It would honor Yue’s sacrifice by having her legacy live on in Korra, who became the next Avatar and a powerful warrior for peace.
- It would add more depth to Korra’s struggles with spirituality and her connection to the Moon Spirit in Book 2: Spirits.
- It would make Korra’s relationship with Tenzin more meaningful, as he is also related to Aang, who was in love with Yue before she died.
- It would make Korra’s relationship with Mako more complicated, as he is also related to Zuko, who was an enemy of Yue’s tribe before he joined Aang.
The Verdict
The theory is not confirmed or denied by the creators of Avatar: The Last Airbender or The Legend of Korra. It is based on some assumptions and speculations that may or may not be true. However, it is an intriguing possibility that adds more layers to both shows and their characters. According to Screen Rant, “the structure of Water Tribe history and culture lends itself to the theory”. According to Reddit, “in all likelihood yes”. What do you think? Is Korra related to Yue? Let us know in the comments below!
