Is Korra a Mary Sue?

Due to the leak of the Aang movie, many conversations have come back around regarding Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra. One of which is whether Korra is a Mary Sue.

Now, I am not a fan of the Korra show, but I can look at it objectively. I will go through each and every point of what makes a Mary Sue and see if she fits the criteria. 

The list of characteristics is cited in the article below:

What is a Mary Sue Character And How Do You Avoid Writing One?

This article breaks down the different aspects of what makes up a Mary Sue. I looked high and low to find an article that was objective and didn’t taint the list.

This was the closest I came.

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One-Dimensional, flat, and lacking nuance. There is nothing distinguishable about who this character is or what they want.

Although some could argue that she is one-dimensional, Korra goes from being sheltered to having to navigate the world at large. She is also brash, hard-headed, and rebellious. This eventually gets tempered toward the end of the show. So, no, she is not one-dimensional.

Exceptionally talented. They can seemingly do everything (furthermore, these skills tend to conveniently pop up without explanation) and rarely struggle. They have an answer for every problem, and everybody around them is unable to match their skill.

Looking at the show as a whole, no, she was not exceptionally skilled. She was trained in the elements, showed no genius in the handling of any of them, and any answer she came up with inevitably got her into trouble. In the grand scheme of things, Toph’s daughters were more proficient in metal-bending than Korra. Bolin discovered he could lava bend, and even Mako could generate lightning. 

Thrown to the forefront of the narrative, the conflict revolves around them and is solved by them.

There were many instances in which her decisions got her into trouble, but for the most part, the antagonists were already established by the time she appeared on the scene. Many of her ideas didn’t pan out, and she struggled against all of them. So, she doesn’t fit this one either. 

No weaknesses or realistic character flaws, and no negative consequences for their actions.

Her short temper and stubbornness were weaknesses that led her to getting into situations that left her seriously injured. She DEFINITELY doesn’t fit this one. 

Incredibly beautiful and desirable, with stereotypical attractive traits.

Other than Bolin having a crush on her and the arguable expressions Asami shot her way, I wouldn’t say she was very desirable. She wasn’t conventionally attractive.

An unusual or dramatically tragic backstory.

Nope. She was sheltered and given her education and training from the White Lotus. 

Immediately loved, admired, and idealized by the other characters, who are instantly captured by her wit, charm, beauty, and bravery.

This was definitely not true. Lin couldn’t stand her. She butted heads with her father and Tenzin. So, she doesn’t fit this one either. 

Going by these criteria, she is not a Mary Sue. In my opinion, she was a victim of bad writing. 

Until next time,
Anissa “Maddy” Walker