The Legend of Korra stars the protagonist Avatar Korra, a brash, hotheaded native of the Southern Water Tribe who can't wait to start her adventure as the world's greatest hero. In the confines of the Water Tribe, Korra thought she was ready for anything, but in reality, she had a lot of growing up to do first.
Korra did a lot of growing up as a person and as the Avatar, and she owes it to the many allies, teachers, and friends whom she met over the course of four seasons. By the series' end, she was all grown up, and several of the series' best characters can all share the credit.
8 Tenzin Taught Korra Patience & Airbending
Aang's Airbender son, Tenzin, was the only person in the world who could teach Korra how to bend air, though they didn't always get along when they started training in the huge Republic City. Tenzin and Korra often butted heads, but Korra still learned a lot from him.
Tenzin coached Korra in the ways of airbending, but that's not all. He also taught Korra many spiritual matters and showed her how to meditate, even if she doesn't usually like to sit still. He also empowered her by encouraging her to perform energybending to defeat Unalaq.
7 Pema Gave Korra Personal Advice
Tenzin's Air Acolyte wife, Pema, did what she could to advise and support Korra on personal matters, which helped Korra make progress in her love life. True, Pema's advice didn't always work as intended, but Pema did help Korra take the plunge into romance and get much-needed experience.
Pema encouraged Korra to be bolder with her love life and try to get what she wants, and in the long term, that advice worked out fairly well. Pema helped Korra learn to be brave not just on the battlefield, but with matters of the heart, too.
6 Asami Sato Helped Korra In Many Ways
At first, Korra didn't like the classy Asami Sato, but the two girls soon learned to be good friends, no matter the personal drama between them. Korra soon welcomed Asami to the new Team Avatar, and they learned much from one another. Korra, for example, learned a lot from Asami about how to handle negotiations and debates without losing her temper.
Asami also played a key role in helping Korra recover from her trauma after losing to the mighty Zaheer, and that counts for a lot. Asami showed Korra what true compassion and commitment look like, and it made Korra that much wiser and kinder in return.
5 Toph Beifong Helped Korra Find Her Inner Strength
The elderly Toph Beifong is still the world's greatest metalbender, though she now prefers peaceful isolation. Korra met this legendary Gaang member in Book Four: Balance and gained a lot from her during their brief time together. Toph found it rather tiring, though.
Toph showed Korra how to face her greatest fears and confront them with the stubborn determination of a true Earthbender, including teaching Korra to rid herself of the remaining poison inside her. Korra was afraid of pain at first, but she grew as a person by conquering this fear once and for all.
4 Suyin Beifong Taught Korra To Bend Metal
Lin Beifong's younger half-sister, Suyin, is an optimist who believes that all people, given the chance, can realize their true potential and even turn their lives around. The all-metal city of Zaofu is a reflection of Suyin's attitude, and Korra benefited from it in Book Three: Change.
Suyin personally served as Korra's metalbending coach, and with her patient, wise methods, she helped Korra become the first Avatar to ever bend metal. Korra was clearly inspired by Suyin's can-do attitude during her time in Zaofu.
3 Zaheer Helped Korra Overcome Her Fears
Typically, it's the hero's friends and allies who will help them grow, but the villains can fulfill a similar role in their own ways. Facing a tough opponent forces the hero to grow up and get stronger on the inside and outside alike, and Zaheer did even more than that.
In Book Four, Zaheer became Korra's unexpected ally against the tyrannical Kuvira, and he personally helped Korra get over her fears of him and enter the spirit world by his side. Korra was hesitant at first, but true to his word, Zaheer gave Korra a boost, and she gained a lot from it.
2 Avatar Wan Showed Korra Her Origins
The very first Avatar, Wan, approached Korra in spirit form during a difficult time in Book Two: Spirits, and not a moment too soon. At the time, Korra had much to learn about spirits and the origins of the Avatar cycle, so Wan's spirit came along to help.
Wan showed Korra his origins as the creator of the Avatar cycle, and he set a great example for Korra with his boundless courage, can-do attitude and resourcefulness in the face of terrifying odds. As Tenzin later put it, what matters isn't just what Wan was, but who he was. It's an example that Korra certainly followed.
1 Mako Taught Korra Proper Teamwork
The orphan Firebender called Mako helped Korra figure out how to fight as a true pro-bender, and it was quite helpful. Korra had fun during her time with the Fire Ferrets bending team, even if she and Mako didn't get along at first. Korra broke a lot of rules before she finally started following them.
Mako, as the team's captain, taught Korra the value of teamwork, and that certainly helped Korra grow while laying the groundwork for Team Avatar. The Fire Ferrets team fell apart after a point, but not before Korra learned some vital lessons from Mako.