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This article is about the second book of The Legend of Korra. For the second book of Avatar: The Last Airbender, see Book Two: Earth.
"We'll get more into the spiritual side of things. We'll learn more about the Avatar State and the Spirit World."
Michael Dante DiMartino during an interview about the primary focus of Book Two: Spirits.[1]
Korra Book 2

The cover art for the DVD boxset of Book Two: Spirits features Korra in the foreground with Raava and Vaatu visible behind her.

Book Two: Spirits (神靈) is the second book of The Legend of Korra, created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, following Book One: Air. The nomenclature refers to the focus of the season, a conflict involving the Spirit World.

The book debuted on television on September 13, 2013, with a recap of the first book followed by the first two episodes, though the opening episode, "Rebel Spirit", was originally shown to San Diego Comic-Con attendees on July 19, 2013. Spanning fourteen episodes, Book Two concluded on November 22 of the same year. The book also features a two-part special titled "Beginnings", which explores the background of the first Avatar, Wan. It is followed by Book Three: Change.

Episodes[]

Dark spirit attacking Korra
Original air date: September 13, 2013
Written by: Tim Hedrick
Directed by: Colin Heck
Production number: 201
Summary:
Team Avatar and Tenzin's family travel to the Southern Water Tribe to attend the Glacier Spirits Festival. While there, Korra's uncle, Unalaq, informs her of the spirits that have been attacking ships in around the Southern Water Tribe and offers to train her in the ways of the spirits. Tension between Korra and Tenzin and Tonraq reach a breaking point after a dark spirit attacks them and Unalaq is the only one who is able to subdue it; Korra breaks off her studies under Tenzin and takes up Unalaq as her instructor.
Korra opening the spirit portal
Original air date: September 13, 2013
Written by: Joshua Hamilton
Directed by: Ian Graham
Production number: 202
Summary:
Korra begins her spiritual training under Unalaq, who leads her to the South Pole to open up the spirit portal residing deep within the frozen tundra. Mako, Bolin, Tonraq, Desna, and Eska come along as well. Tensions between Korra and her father grow as she discovers the truth about his banishment from the North after having destroyed a sacred spirit forest. After another spirit attack, Korra sends her father home and continues with her quest to open the portal, which she successfully completes. However, Northern forces have arrived at the Southern Water Tribe.
Civil War
Original air date: September 20, 2013
Written by: Michael Dante DiMartino
Directed by: Colin Heck
Production number: 203
Summary:
Korra tries to remain neutral as tensions flare between the Northern and Southern Water Tribes. However, things are complicated when the Southerners talk about preparing for war and a group of rebels try to kidnap Unalaq, forcing Korra to intervene. The rebels are arrested, as well as Tonraq and Senna. Meanwhile, at the Southern Air Temple, Tenzin, Bumi, and Kya all search for Ikki who has run away after being teased by her siblings.
Water Tribe trial
Original air date: September 27, 2013
Written by: Michael Dante DiMartino
Directed by: Ian Graham
Production number: 204
Summary:
During a trial, Senna is the only one released, while all the others are condemned to life imprisonment. In an attempt to get Judge Hotah to release Tonraq, Korra discovers that Unalaq had set up the trial and his brother's banishment, causing her to break away from him and his teachings. With Varrick's help, she and Team Avatar free all the rebels. Meanwhile, at the Southern Air Temple, Tenzin finds Ikki and they reconcile with their respective siblings.
Raiko and Korra
Original air date: October 4, 2013
Written by: Tim Hedrick
Directed by: Colin Heck
Production number: 205
Summary:
Team Avatar travels back to Republic City in an attempt to gain support for the Southern Water Tribe from the United Forces, but her request is denied by President Raiko. Tensions rise when the Southern Water Tribe Cultural Center is bombed, all evidence pointing toward the Northerns as the culprits. Mako, now a cop, is the only one doubting the Northerners' responsibility. Rising tensions between Mako and Korra lead them to break up. While Bolin becomes the star in Varrick's propaganda mover, Korra heads toward the Fire Nation to gather support there. Before she can reach the shores, however, she is swallowed by a dark spirit.
Empty warehouse
Original air date: October 11, 2013
Written by: Joshua Hamilton
Directed by: Ian Graham
Production number: 206
Summary:
When criminal activity threatens to put Future Industries out of business, Mako sets up a sting operation in an attempt to arrest the culprits. The plan backfires, however, as it drew them away from the company's warehouse when it was being robbed. Mako investigates further and discovers the true culprit when he notices Varrick's mover technicians use the same type of detonators as he found during the bombing of the Southern Water Tribe Cultural Center.
Wan being granted firebending
Original air date: October 18, 2013
Written by: Michael Dante DiMartino
Directed by: Colin Heck
Production number: 207
Summary:
In order to cleanse herself from a dark spirit's attack, Korra must reconnect with her Avatar Spirit. To do so, she needs to learn about the origins of the first Avatar, Wan. He shows her how he received the power of fire and learned the ways of the spirits, as well as how he was the one responsible for unleashing Vaatu, the spirit of darkness, into the world.
The first Avatar
Original air date: October 18, 2013
Written by: Tim Hedrick
Directed by: Ian Graham
Production number: 208
Summary:
Wan shows Korra how he learned the other three elements and the reason why he eventually merged with Raava and became the first Avatar. His story makes Korra realize what she must do to restore balance to the physical and Spirit World. As she wakes up, she is alerted by the shaman that Harmonic Convergence is drawing near.
Tenzin and Jinora
Original air date: November 1, 2013
Written by: Joshua Hamilton
Directed by: Colin Heck
Production number: 209
Summary:
Korra seeks Tenzin's help to enter the Spirit World for the first time in order to close to Southern spirit portal from within. However, their attempts prove to be futile until Jinora comes to Korra's aid. Meanwhile, Mako and Asami rekindle their relationship, but Mako's investigation into Varrick's affairs lead to the firebender's arrest.
Korra opens the Northern portal
Original air date: November 8, 2013
Written by: Tim Hedrick
Directed by: Ian Graham
Production number: 210
Summary:
After successfully arriving in the Spirit World, Korra and Jinora get separated. Jinora ends up at Wan Shi Tong's Library, where she tries to locate the spirit portal, though end up captured by Unalaq. Meanwhile, Korra finds herself in a dark forest, where she reverts to her four-year-old self and encounters Iroh's spirit. With the help of the former Fire Nation general, she helps a lost dragon bird spirit, who in turn helps her to find the spirit portals. Before she can close the Southern portal, however, she is forced by Unalaq to open the Northern portal, lest he destroys Jinora's soul. While Korra makes it back safely, Jinora remains trapped in the Spirit World.
President Raiko and the press
Original air date: November 15, 2013
Written by: Joshua Hamilton
Directed by: Colin Heck
Production number: 211
Summary:
At the South Pole, Tonraq and his rebels are defeated by Unalaq and his forces. Meanwhile, in Republic City, Bolin prevents four waterbenders from kidnapping President Raiko and his wife. After a brief battle, the earthbender forces one of the men to reveal Varrick as the mastermind behind the plot, leading to his arrest. With Mako's allegations proven correct, he is released from prison. Korra and Tenzin and his family return to Republic City to gather reinforcements to travel South in order to stop Unalaq from freeing Vaatu and destroying the world. When Raiko refuses to send the United Forces, Mako, Bolin, and Asami accompany them instead on Varrick's battleship.
Korra closing the portal
Original air date: November 15, 2013
Written by: Tim Hedrick
Directed by: Ian Graham
Production number: 212
Summary:
After leaving Jinora's spiritless body in Katara's care, Korra and her friends attempt to break through the Northern defenses in order to reach the Southern spirit portal. Although initially unsuccessful, they manage to enter the Spirit World, where Bumi, Kya, and Tenzin leave to find Jinora's spirit, while Mako and Bolin hold back Unalaq in order to give Korra the time to close the portal. However, Harmonic Convergence starts before she can do so and Vaatu manages to break free from his prison inside the Tree of Time.
Dark Avatar grows
Original air date: November 22, 2013
Written by: Joshua Hamilton
Directed by: Colin Heck
Production number: 213
Summary:
Korra cannot prevent Vaatu and Unalaq from merging and forming the Dark Avatar, and the two Avatars lock into a battle for the fate of the world. Vaatu manages to extract Raava from Korra's body and destroys the Light Spirit, effectively severing Korra's connection to her past lives. Having defeated Korra, the Dark Avatar grows to enormous proportions and makes his way toward Republic City. Meanwhile, in the Spirit World, Bumi, Kya, and Tenzin manage to track down and save Jinora's spirit from the Fog of Lost Souls. However, before they can return, Jinora senses that Korra is in trouble and leaves her family in order to help.
Korra reaches for Raava
Original air date: November 22, 2013
Written by: Michael Dante DiMartino
Directed by: Ian Graham
Production number: 214
Summary:
Tenzin urges Korra to connect with her own inner spirit in order to defeat Unalaq. While meditating in the Tree of Time, she manages to tap into the energy of the universe and astrally projects herself, instigating a fight with Unalaq at Republic City. After an intervention by Jinora's spiritual projection, who illuminates Raava's presence within the Dark Avatar, Korra manages to extract Raava from him, before using his spirit bending technique to dissipate the Dark Avatar. She returns to the Spirit World, where Korra uses the last energy of the Harmonic Convergence to permanently merge with Raava again, though her connection to her past lives was not restored. Korra leaves both spirit portals open, ushering the world into a new era where spirits and mankind can coexist. She also declares the Southern Water Tribe independent.

Book Two was released on DVD and Blu-ray box sets on July 1, 2014.

Volume title Episodes Release date
Book Two: Spirits (DVD) All episodes of Book Two July 1, 2014
Book Two: Spirits (Blu-ray) All episodes of Book Two July 1, 2014

Trivia[]

  • The writers first started working on the scripts for Book Two around May 2011,[2] almost a year before Book One even began to air on television.
  • Just like the first book, the two first episodes were the most watched. However, this time, only 2.60 million viewers in the U.S. tuned in to watch the premiere of the book.[3]
  • Book Two takes places six months after the events of Book One[4] and ends two weeks before the events of Book Three.[5]
  • This is the first book to not have one of the elements as the title.
  • The overarching story for the book originally was divided around the characters finding four spirit portals, some of which would be located in the air temples, with the final battle culminating at the fourth portal.[6]
  • Bryan Konietzko has commented that Book Two was the most colorful piece of media he has ever art directed for, departing from the browner, more vintage color palette used in Book One: Air after Joshua Middleton commented on it.[7]

References[]

  1. Nicholson, Max (July 26, 2012). The Legend of Korra Cast and Creators Talk Book Two. IGN. Retrieved on July 21, 2014.
  2. DiMartino, Mike (November 25, 2013). "Legend of Korra: Book 2 Comes to a Close". MichaelDanteDiMartino.com. Retrieved on June 7, 2020.
  3. Bibel, Sara (September 16, 2013). Friday Cable Ratings: 'WWE Smackdown' Wins Night, 'Legend of Korra', 'Jessie', 'What Not to Wear', 'Fast N Loud' & More. TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on September 18, 2013. Retrieved on March 9, 2022.
  4. Hedrick, Tim (writer) & Heck, Colin (director). (September 13, 2013). "Rebel Spirit". The Legend of Korra. Book Two: Spirits. Episode 1. Nickelodeon.
  5. Hedrick, Tim, Hamilton, Joshua (writers) & Heck, Colin, Zwyer, Melchior (directors). (June 27, 2014). "A Breath of Fresh Air". The Legend of Korra. Book Three: Change. Episode 1. Nickelodeon.
  6. DiMartino, Michael Dante; Konietzko, Bryan; Dos Santos, Joaquim & Hedrick, Tim (July 1, 2014). "The Southern Lights" commentary. Book Two: Spirits Blu-ray.
  7. DiMartino, Michael Dante; Konietzko, Bryan & Dos Santos, Joaquim (July 1, 2014). "Civil Wars, Part 1" commentary. Book Two: Spirits Blu-ray.

See also[]

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