The Legend of Korra might be a fantasy adventure set in a world where people can bend the elements, but it’s main characters are mostly teenagers which means that romance and crushes are a feature of the story. Just like in Avatar: The Last Airbender, there were different romantic couples, and while every fan has their favorites, overall, there were some couples they liked more than others.
In fact, Legend of Korra had some love triangle storylines especially at first that divided and upset many fans, so we’ve put together a list of the couples from the series fans loved and the ones that they couldn’t stand.
10 Couldn’t Stand: Kuvira And Baatar Jr.
Kuvira is actually one of the most interesting villains from the series because she has such a complicated story and devolves and becomes worse over time.
While Baatar Jr. was loyal to her, and they seemed to have a very close bond, this changed when Kuvira was willing to sacrifice his life. They definitely weren’t a couple that people rooted for in any way as Kuvira became such an awful person.
9 Loved: Kai and Jinora
One thing that’s enjoyable about watching Legend of Korra is seeing Tenzin and Pema kids grow up. While Jinora is fairly young in the first season, she becomes an influential spirit guide and is a powerful air bender. Her relationship with Kai was rather pure and lighthearted given that they are both so young.
It’s an overall sweet relationship with no real issues to complain about.
8 Couldn’t Stand: Tenzin and Lin
The entire mess of the love triangle element of Tenzin, Lin, and Pema just wasn’t that enjoyable and many fans didn’t like it. It seemed strange that Lin was still so bitter after all those years, and it was kind of sexist how the creators made that play out.
It was also rather troubling that Tenzin seemed to break up with him mainly so he could find someone else to birth his children, and there’s just something sort of gross about that.
7 Loved: Bolin and Opal
Bolin is such a sweetheart and lovable character, but he doesn’t figure out relationships right away. Most of his crushes go awry rather it’s his short-lived thing for Korra or his accidental betrothal to the terrifying Eska.
So, when he finally found Opal, it was very endearing. They were both very kind people who balanced each other out in a lot of complementary ways, and it was easy to be happy for them as a pairing.
6 Couldn’t Stand: Korra and Bolin
As mentioned above, the Korra and Bolin situation was rather short-lived and most fans didn’t really enjoy it. Bolin’s crush on Korra didn’t seem very authentic and was clearly just a short infatuation, and Korra really only went out with him to get back at Mako.
All of the love triangle issues with the first season involving the main characters got very tiresome, and it was clear these two were perfect as friends not as a couple.
5 Loved: Varrick and Zhu Li
While at first, these two didn’t seem like they should ever be together given that Zhu Li was Varrick’s assistant that he always bossed around, this changed over the seasons.
While it took a while for them to fall in love, Varrick named her co-president of the Earth Kingdom, and they are a rather endearing odd couple. So, while it might have taken a while for fans to ship them, many fans do love them now.
4 Couldn’t Stand: Asami and Mako
While there are a few people who shipped these two together, this relationship was a mess from the start. People already wanted Korra to be with Mako by the time Asami was introduced, and it was an unfortunate storyline that pitted the two women in the group against each other.
Many fans were upset about this tired trope, and they were also upset with how Mako treated Asami. He ended up cheating on her with Korra only to quickly go back to her after breaking up with Korra in season two.
3 Loved: Katara and Aang
While Aang might already be dead by the time Legend of Korra takes place, Katara does appear in the early seasons.
However, while we don’t see them together in real-time, we do get to learn more about their marriage and family as the series focuses a lot on their children. While the family might have been perfect, they are a great pairing.
2 Couldn’t Stand: Korra and Mako
Just like Mako’s relationship with Asami, this relationship was also not great. These two might have been into each other for a while, but they were horrible as partners. Their personalities didn’t click at all, and Mako wasn’t very loyal to either woman. Plus, he betrayed Korra to President Raiko.
This love triangle was super annoying, and the only saving grace is that Korra and Asami became friends eventually and then dated themselves.
1 Loved: Korra and Asami
The first season of Korra really struggled with relationships, and the love triangle elements nearly ruined many of the characters and the show as a whole. However, thankfully, the creators course-corrected and gave fans one of the best couples in the entire franchise.
While, sadly, they didn't really get to be girlfriends in the series until the last episode, it was still good representation for the time. Then, their relationship was explored even more in the comics and let these two get the kisses and dating relationship they deserved.