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|source=Avatar Wiki
|url=https://avatar.fandom.com/wiki/A_New_Spiritual_Age
|date=2025-12-22
|license=CC-BY-SA
}}

{{Icons|real}}

{{Quote|spirit|In the Spirit World, your emotions become your reality.|[[Iroh]] to [[Korra]].}}

{{Episode infobox
| series   = 2
| chapter  = "A New Spiritual Age"
| image    = Korra opens the Northern portal.png
| book     = Spirits
| episode  = 22
| date     = November 8, 2013
| writer   = [[Tim Hedrick]]
| director = [[Ian Graham]]
| studio   = [[Studio Mir]]
| guest    = * [[Lisa Edelstein]] <small>([[Kya]])</small>
* [[Jeff Bennett]] <small>([[May-Jim|Jim]], [[Radish lotus spirit|white lotus]], and [[Shiro Shinobi|radio broadcaster]])</small>
* [[Dee Bradley Baker]] <small>([[Naga]] and [[Oogi]])</small>
* [[Hector Elizondo]] <small>([[Wan Shi Tong]])</small>
* [[Jonathan Adams]] <small>([[Vaatu]])</small>
| prod     = 122
| prev     = "[[The Guide]]"
| next     = "[[Night of a Thousand Stars]]"
}}"'''A New Spiritual Age'''" is the 10th episode of [[Book Two: Spirits]] of ''[[The Legend of Korra]]'' and the 22nd episode of the overall series. It aired on [[Nickelodeon]] on November 8, 2013.

== Overview ==
''After successfully arriving in the Spirit World, Korra and Jinora get separated. Jinora ends up at Wan Shi Tong's Library, where she is captured by Unalaq. Korra finds herself in a dark forest as a four-year-old, where she 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 find the spirit portals. There, she is forced by her uncle to open the Northern portal, lest he destroy Jinora's soul.''

== Synopsis ==
While on watch at the ancient meditation circle with [[Kya]] and [[Bumi]], [[Tenzin]] expresses his concern over allowing [[Jinora]] to guide [[Korra]] into the [[Spirit World]], stating that he would never forgive himself if anything happened to her. Bumi claims that he has been able to get by without any bending. His siblings reassure Tenzin of Jinora's abilities, before taking a rest and allowing Tenzin to take first watch.

[[File:Jinora and Korra in trouble.png|thumb|left|200px|Agitated by [[Korra]]'s negativity, [[meerkat prairie dog spirit]]s attack the [[Avatar]] and [[Jinora]], eventually causing the two girls to get separated.]]

In the Spirit World, Korra reminds Jinora to be wary of [[dark spirits]], before touching a flower which turns into a butterfly spirit. Intrigued, Jinora runs after it, and Korra, running after the [[Airbending|airbender]] in turn, inadvertently steps on a [[meerkat prairie dog spirit]]. After apologizing, she asks about the location of the [[South Pole|Southern]] [[spirit portal]]. In the one-sided conversation that follows, Korra tries and fails to convince the spirit that she is the [[Avatar]], on a mission to close the portal. As she talks, a multitude of meerkat prairie dog spirits appear from the ground and bombard Korra with blunt skepticism and disbelief. Frustrated, Korra attempts to use [[Bending arts|bending]] to fend off the spirits but finds herself unable to do so, having meditated into the Spirit World. Outraged, the spirits attack Korra by throwing themselves at her and transforming into a thick, purple goo upon impact. Alarmed, Korra calls for Jinora, who advises her to remain calm, realizing her energy is upsetting the spirits. Korra fails to calm down, and the two fall through a sinkhole created by the meerkat prairie dog spirits. Suddenly finding themselves underwater, they are swallowed by a [[catgator]] spirit and fall into a spiraling river, where they are each pulled in different directions by the water. They eventually find themselves back on land, albeit at different locations.

[[File:Spirit Iroh.png|thumb|right|200px|[[Iroh]] arrives to save a frightened [[Korra]] in the [[Spirit World]].]]

Finding herself alone in a dark forest surrounded by dark spirits, Korra's emotions cause her physical form to revert to that of her four-year-old self. Out of fear, she accidentally swats a young [[dragon bird spirit]] and injures its wing. Realizing this, Korra apologizes to the harmless spirit and gently picks it up. An old man approaches carrying a lantern and, noting that they seemed lost, offers his help. When Korra realizes she recognizes him, the man tells her of his close friendship with [[Aang]], prompting her to remember his name: [[Iroh]]. He leads her and the spirit from the forest to his teashop, where they attend a [[tea]] party in honor of the marriage of [[May-Jim]]. Iroh offers Korra tea from [[Wan's teapot]], and Korra immediately recognizes it as hers, prompting Iroh to state that when she was Avatar [[Wan]], the teapot had housed [[Raava]] before the spirit's permanent fusion with Wan during the [[Harmonic Convergence]].

[[File:Wan Shi Tong and Jinora.png|thumb|left|200px|[[Wan Shi Tong]] explains to [[Jinora]] how he thinks a [[radio]] works, only to be refuted with the correct explanation, much to his dismay.]]

Meanwhile, Jinora finds herself just outside the forest and reunites with a large [[dragonfly bunny spirit]], whom she recognizes as [[Furry-Foot]]. Asking the spirit if it knows the location of the spirit portals, the dragonfly bunny prompts Jinora to mount it and takes her to [[Wan Shi Tong's Library]]. Amazed by the amount of knowledge stored in the building, Jinora claims that she could spend the rest of her life there. At that moment, [[Wan Shi Tong]] appears, remarking that the last person who made a similar comment was still in the premises, before motioning toward Professor [[Zei]]'s skeletal remains. Despite Wan Shi Tong's orders for her to leave, Jinora pleads to be allowed to browse the library, offering wisdom in exchange for some time. The owl spirit refuses, claiming those were the old rules and doubtful of the fact that a young girl could offer him any new knowledge. Despite the fact that Jinora revealed the true working of the [[radio]], as Wan Shi Tong had been under the impression they were operated by small men within the radio itself based on faulty information gathered by one of his [[Knowledge Seekers]], he did not change his mind. However, upon discovering that she is a descendant of Aang, he relents and allows her to stay, warning her not to break anything.

[[File:Wan Shi Tong and Unalaq.png|thumb|right|200px|[[Wan Shi Tong]] betrays [[Jinora]] by siding with [[Unalaq]], believing him to be a true friend of the spirits.]]

Back at his teashop, Iroh recalls how when his work was done, he decided to leave his mortal body following his death, so that he might live among the spirits in the Spirit World. In the middle of the conversation, Korra becomes upset over losing Jinora and throws a tantrum, which causes the world around her to change: the clouds above [[Hai-Riyo Peak]] darken and expand, and the spirits nearby become dark as well. Iroh urges Korra to calm down and to see how her energy is affecting the spirits. She soon realizes that as the bridge between the two realms, her emotions have the capacity to alter reality and channel darkness. Inquiring as to how she can find her friend, Iroh tells her that the best way to solve her problems is to solve the problems of another, and Korra decides to help return the injured dragon bird spirit to its nest at the summit of Hai-Riyo Peak.

Unable to find a book detailing the location of the spirit portals, Jinora asks one of the Knowledge Seekers for help, and it provides her with an ancient tome, which recalls [[Vaatu]]'s imprisonment in the [[Tree of Time]]. Upon discovering that Vaatu will be able to break free of his bonds if both of the portals are open during Harmonic Convergence, Jinora realizes that she has to warn Korra but is stopped by Wan Shi Tong and [[Unalaq]], who declares Tenzin to be a coward for allowing his daughter to guide the Avatar into the Spirit World. Jinora asks Wan Shi Tong his reasoning for allying with Unalaq, and he explains that Unalaq has shown himself to be on the side of the spirits, something Korra has failed to do. When Unalaq asks Jinora to come with him to see Vaatu, Furry-Foot becomes corrupted and forcefully restrains her.

[[File:Iroh and Korra.png|thumb|left|200px|[[Iroh]] reassures [[Korra]] that she has peace and light inside of her and as such has the ability to change her surroundings for the better.]]

After being led to the foot of the mountain, Iroh wishes the Avatar well and urges her to visit him again, even if in the following lifetime. Korra begins to climb up the mountain, reminding herself to remain calm and unfazed, though is alarmed to find a trio of dark [[shishi]] standing in her way partway up the mountain. Despite her initial fear, Korra realizes that she must find the light within herself; succeeding in doing so, she returns the spirits to their pacified forms while also dissipating the storm clouds gathered around the mountain. The shishi help her scale the mountain, and reaching the top, she returns the dragon bird spirit to its nest, where there are three others. The four dragon bird spirits merge to become an adult dragon bird spirit, who offers to serve as Korra's mount in gratitude. Korra's actions also allowed her to return to her normal, adult form, and she climbs onto the spirit's back, telling it to fly to the spirit portals. The spirit immediately takes off, the three shishi following in their wake.

[[File:Unalaq threatens Jinora.png|thumb|right|200px|[[Unalaq]] threatens to destroy [[Jinora]]'s soul using his [[Healing#Spiritbending|waterbending technique]].]]

Arriving, Korra approaches the southern spirit portal in order to close it but is stopped by Vaatu, who tells Raava of her impending defeat upon the arrival of Harmonic Convergence. Korra initially dismisses Vaatu's threats and continues toward the portal, but when Vaatu threatens Jinora's safety, Korra turns to see Unalaq holding Jinora captive. The [[Tribal chief|chief]] threatens to [[Healing#Spiritbending|corrupt]] Jinora's soul unless Korra opens the [[North Pole|northern]] portal. Korra advances on the duo though when she reaches the base of the Tree of Time, her progress is thwarted by a dark Furry-Foot. Looking around, Korra notices that the three shishi have returned to their dark form as well. Korra blames Unalaq for deceiving her, making her believe he wanted to restore balance with the spirits. Pointing out that turning the spirits dark is not balance, she demands him to release Jinora. Dismissing Korra's demand, Unalaq makes it clear that Jinora will only leave the Spirit World alive if both portals are open. When Jinora begs Korra to refuse, Unalaq increases his hold on her, coming near to completely corrupting Jinora to emphasize that he is not bluffing. Unwilling to sacrifice her friend, Korra concedes and opens the portal, causing Vaatu's restrictive barrier to weaken.

Mere seconds after opening the portal, Unalaq assaults Korra with his waterbending, noting that she should have entered the Spirit World through the portal if she had wanted to retain her bending. Weaving through her uncle's waterbending attacks, Korra makes her way over to where Furry-Foot is holding Jinora though before she can truly reach them, the dark spirit takes off with the young airbender. Korra gives chase though is knocked over and captured herself by the dark shishi. Seizing his chance, Unalaq raises his spiritbending water around a semi-unconscious Korra, attempting to destroy her spirit. Before he can do so, however, the dragon bird spirit whom Korra saved swoops down upon them, knocking Unalaq off his feet with its tail, sending him tumbling. The spirit takes Korra, almost unconscious and powerless, in its talons and flies away from the portals. As she is carried off to safety, Vaatu calls after Raava, announcing that he will be free from his prison once Harmonic Convergence arrives to have his revenge.

[[File:Tenzin panicking.png|thumb|left|200px|[[Tenzin]] panics when [[Jinora]] does not return from the [[Spirit World]] with [[Korra]].]]

Returning to her body, Korra pants in exhausting as Tenzin rushes over to her. As she is being asked what the Spirit World was like, whether Jinora was able to help her, and if she managed to close the portal, a distressed Korra merely manages to utter a weak apology, averting her eyes to Jinora. Tenzin follows her gaze, seeing Jinora's motionless body. Desperately clutching his daughter, a mortified Tenzin turns to Korra and asks for an explanation.{{Clear}}

== Credits ==
* '''Written by:'''
** [[Tim Hedrick]]

* '''Directed by:'''
** [[Ian Graham]]

* '''Starring:'''
** [[Janet Varney]]:
*** [[Korra]]
*** [[May-Jim|May]]
** [[J. K. Simmons]] - [[Tenzin]]
** [[Richard Riehle]] - [[Bumi]]
** [[Adrian LaTourelle]] - [[Unalaq]]
** [[Kiernan Shipka]] - [[Jinora]]
** [[Greg Baldwin]] - Uncle [[Iroh]]
** [[Cora Baker]] - [[Korra|Young Korra]]

* '''Also starring:'''
** [[Lisa Edelstein]] - [[Kya]]
** [[Jeff Bennett]]:
*** [[May-Jim|Jim]]
*** [[Radish lotus spirit|White lotus]]
*** [[Shiro Shinobi|Radio broadcaster]]
** [[Dee Bradley Baker]]:
*** [[Naga]]
*** [[Oogi]]
** [[Héctor Elizondo]] - [[Wan Shi Tong]]
** [[Jonathan Adams]] - [[Vaatu]]

* '''Additional voices:'''
** J. K. Simmons
** Richard Riehle
** Adrian LaTourelle
** Jeff Bennett
** Dee Bradley Baker ([[Furry-Foot]])
** Jonathan Adams
** Greg Baldwin

== Production notes ==
=== Transcript ===
{{Main|Transcript:A New Spiritual Age}}
{{Main|Transcript:A New Spiritual Age (commentary)}}

=== Translations ===
{{Main|Writing in the World of Avatar#.22A New Spiritual Age.22|Writing in the World of Avatar}}

=== Series continuity ===
* The whale spirit seen flying when Korra and Jinora enter the Spirit World was among the spirits fleeing from Raava and Vaatu's fight in "[[Beginnings, Part 1]]" and was later among the spirits led by the [[aye-aye spirit]] against [[Jaya]] and other humans in "[[Beginnings, Part 2]]".
* Iroh uses a [[Wan's teapot|teapot]] that once belonged to Avatar Wan, which the latter used to carry Raava's weakened form prior to the second Harmonic Convergence in "Beginnings, Part 2".
* Professor Zei's skeletal remains are seen in Wan Shi Tong's Library, where he decided to stay despite the structure's submergence in "[[The Library]]".
* Wan Shi Tong declares that the Avatar is not a friend to the spirits, a result of Aang's betrayal of his trust during their previous encounter.

=== Character revelations ===
* Iroh decided to leave his mortal body behind in order to live among the spirits in the Spirit World.
* Unalaq uses [[Healing#Spiritbending|spiritbending]] to convert the positive energy within a spirit into negative energy, corrupting them in the process.

=== Goofs ===
* When Iroh sips from his cup of tea after stating he made many friends in the Spirit World, the rim of the cup turned the same color as the swirl.
* When Korra opens the Northern Spirit Portal, Vaatu temporarily takes on a more bloated appearance (as opposed to him generally growing in size) due to the influx of spiritual energy.

=== Trivia ===
* Iroh's advice to Korra about finding the light within herself parallels a similar piece of advice he gave [[Aang]] in "[[The Crossroads of Destiny]]", about finding the light at the end of a dark tunnel.
* Jinora coming across Professor Zei's skeleton is similar to Aang finding Gyatso's in "[[The Southern Air Temple]]".
* The circular design in the book Jinora looks through before asking a Knowledge Seeker for help is the same one used in the Book Two: Spirits trailer from the 2013 San Diego Comic Con.
* This episode bears many similarities to "The Library", which was also the tenth episode of the second book of the [[Avatar: The Last Airbender|first series]]. Both feature Wan Shi Tong and his library, as well as the abduction of a close companion of the Avatar that leaves them in tears.

{{DEFAULTSORT:New Spiritual Age, A}}
[[de:Ein neues spirituelles Zeitalter]]
[[es:Una Nueva Era Espiritual]]
[[fi:A New Spiritual Age]]
[[fr:Le Nouvel Âge Spirituel]]
[[nl:Korra:A New Spiritual Age]]
[[pl:Nowa era duchowa]]
[[pt-br:Uma Nova Era Espiritual]]
[[ru:Новая духовная эра]]
[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Book Two: Spirits]]
[[Category:Episodes of The Legend of Korra]]
[[Category:Real world]]