Set seven decades after Avatar: The Last Airbender, Nickelodeon's animated series The Legend of Korra introduces viewers to a new generation of heroes and villains alike, with the core heroes being Korra, Mako, Bolin, and Asami. But don't forget supporting characters like Lin Beifong, Tenzin, Tonraq, or Zhu Li.
Season 2 introduced the sly businessman and inventor Varrick, of the Southern Water Tribe, and his personal assistant, Zhu Li Moon. At first, Zhu Li seemed more like a running gag than a character, but in season 4, she was fully fleshed out as a character, and her character arc is an impressive and inspiring one. She doesn't just "do the thing"; she helps round out the Legend of Korra cast and shows everyone what non-benders are capable of. Here are 10 essential facts about her.
10 She's Like Pepper Potts
Zhu Li is rarely seen without Varrick's company, and the two of them started off as boss and assistant, but later become something much more. Varrick is vain, stubborn, eccentric, and brilliant, and this might remind viewers of Tony Stark, aka Iron Man.
This makes Zhu Li like Pepper Potts, who is unassuming at first but grows into a more powerful and interesting character who becomes her boss's personal equal. It's inspiring to see, and it helps her catch up to the likes of Suyin Beifong and Asami Sato.
9 She's A Multi-Purpose Assistant
Just what is Zhu Li's role in Varrick's life? She actually serves him in more than one capacity; sometimes for comic effect, sometimes as a vital part of his business enterprises. At first, Zhu Li is seen performing her funnier duties: starting up film reels and serving tea.
But she's not just a maid; Zhu Li is handy in a lab, and she can keep up with a high-voltage inventor like Varrick. She can fix or set up just about any device for her boss, and it must be hard but rewarding work. Not just anyone can do what she does.
8 She's Crafty
As a whole, Zhu Li is an honest and morally upright person, but if need be, she's willing to deceive others. Fortunately, she is only seen doing this to season 4's mega-villain, Kuvira. If she's going to lie, at least she lied to a monster!
Zhu Li bought herself time by feigning a professional breakup with Varrick, to stay by Kuvira's side. Later, she stole a component from Kuvira's giant spirit laser cannon and hid it in her uniform. Kuvira soon uncovered the trick, but Zhu Li gets credit for trying.
7 She Thinks On Her Feet
This ties in to the above point. It's not as though Zhu Li spent days or weeks honing and crafting an elaborate master plan; she's no schemer. Instead, she thinks in the heat of the moment and can make some inventive decisions on the fly.
When she deceived Kuvira, she had very little time to come up with a plan, but she did it and pretended to sell Varrick out. And this also applies to when she stole a piece from the spirit cannon right before its first live-fire demonstration.
6 She's Morally Sound
At first, it's difficult to get a reading on Zhu Li's personality or character, since she only did what Varrick told her and followed his plans in season 2. She had a similar role in season 3, when they appeared in Zaofu.
Then season 4 came along, and Zhu Li didn't just sabotage that cannon for a good chuckle. She hated what Kuvira was doing, and she has grown tired of making weapons. She stared Kuvira down and delivered a short "you're evil and I despise you" line, and viewers must have applauded her for taking that stand. She will never be tempted by evil!
5 She's A Romantic
While The Legend of Korra isn't a romance show, it does find time for the softer things, such as the amusing love triangle of Korra-Mako-Bolin in season 1 and Bolin's awkward engagement to princess Eska in season 2. Then Zhu Li got her turn.
She was captivated when Varrick saved her life aboard an Earth Empire train, and she was in the mood to make out right then and there. Later, during their wedding, Zhu Li embraced her new husband with distinct enthusiasm. She's been waiting for this!
4 Her Name
The names of cities and characters in Avatar and The Legend of Korra draw from Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indian, and Inuit cultures, and some names in this franchise are highly meaningful. This includes Zhu Li's.
The term "zhu'li" is actually Chinese for "assistant," so her name is quite literal. The creators added "Moon" as her last name, possibly to describe how the moon reflects the sun's brilliance just the way Zhu Li reflects Varrick's.
3 She's The Fourth Woman Seen Getting Married
In this screenshot, Zhu Li and Varrick just got engaged, and this ranks Zhu Li 4th among all women in the Avatar universe to get hitched. For many characters, their marital status is unknown, since it has no impact on their personal arcs. For example... was Long Feng ever married? No way to know.
Which three depicted marriages came before Zhu Li's? The comics brought us Ozai and Ursa's, Ikem and Ursa's, and avatar Roku's and Ta Min's. In future comics or animated shows, perhaps a fifth wedding will take place?
2 She Can Be Assertive
Zhu Li doesn't typically show this side of her personality; whenever possible, she would rather cooperate with other people and help them. She's a friend and an assistant more than anything, but she's not a doormat, either.
Later in season 4, Zhu Li returned to Varrick's side, but she objected to their old paradigm and insisted that they see each other more as equals. Varrick was taken by surprise, but soon accepted the idea. And when Zhu Li sternly objected to Kuvira's weapons and empire, she wasn't acting; she was for real.
1 She And Varrick Share Brainwaves
Zhu Li starts off as a background character, as this scene suggests, but Zhu Li is highly capable and has a high degree of compatibility with her boss, Varrick. How can anyone tell? The fact that Varrick only has to tell her "do the thing."
What does he mean by that? It's different every time, but Zhu Li never fails to understand, and she carries out the order right away to Varrick's satisfaction. When Bolin was told to take her place, he needed some specific directions, and Varrick realized what a gift he had in Zhu Li.