Now that The Legend of Korra is on Netflix, new fans are discovering the series for the first time and old fans are re-watching and noticing details they didn’t before. One of the most talked-about characters from the show is Mako because he is rather controversial.
While many fans like his character, others feel that he’s the worst character in Team Korra and that he’s overall a bit of a jerk. He definitely comes across as unlikeable many times during the first couple of seasons, but the character does get redeemed somewhat during the latter half of the series.
9 Best: He had a lot of responsibility on his shoulders
Since Mako is the eldest brother and his parents are dead, Mako has a lot of responsibility to take care of himself and Bolin.
This would be a big burden for any teenager to handle, so it’s no wonder he can be a bit jaded at times. He clearly struggles and fights to make enough money to keep him and Bolin safe and taken care of, and this is one of his best traits.
8 Worst: He took himself too seriously
While Mako comes across more likable in the last two seasons, early on he is rather uptight and serious. This does make sense given his back story, so a lot of this can be forgiven considering his young age.
However, the fact that he can come across as arrogant and hard to get to know comes across as very unappealing.
7 Best: He was a skilled fire bender
One of the most interesting things about Legend of Korra is how it shows the progression of bending as well as how the culture has changed over time. While it used to be that all fire benders were looked at with fear, in Korra, fire benders can be both good and bad.
Mako is a skilled fire bender who has honed his craft while fighting in the Pro Bending matches. This might not make him a good or a bad person, but it does make him interesting to watch.
6 Worst: Because he was dismissive of Korra from the start
When Korra first shows up to the Pro Bending matches and meets Bolin and Mako, she’s very excited to participate. However, Mako is pretty dismissive of her and treats her like some silly fangirl.
This is sort of sexist that his mind assumes this straight away, and it’s also annoying that he underestimates Korra without even getting to know her. He definitely has to eat crow though when he learns that Korra is the avatar.
5 Best: He was a good friend when he wasn’t trying to date Korra
The biggest issues with Mako are that a character has to do with how he acts toward Korra and Asami during the love triangle plotline. In the midst of this, he’s a rather bad friend to both of these young women.
However, once this storyline ends, he becomes a much better friend as he’s not just concerned about who he is dating.
4 Worst: He broke up with Korra and then went straight back to Asami
Toward the beginning of season two, Mako breaks up with Korra after they keep fighting over Mako’s choices as a policeman. He breaks up with her, and then, while helping Asami try to figure out how to save Future Industries, they kiss one another.
The way he goes back and forth between Korra and Asami makes him seem like a jerk and a playboy, and it’s overall just unappealing. He definitely doesn’t get off to a great start in the series.
3 Worst: He betrayed Korra to President Raiko
One of the most frustrating things about Mako is the way he acts after he gets his job as a beat cop. Instead of supporting Korra and keeping her confidence, he tells President Raiko about her plan to get help from General Iroh with the water tribe civil war.
He starts to act holier than thou, and he shouldn’t have broken her trust over someone he barely even knows.
2 Best: He was a good brother
Mako’s track record in romantic relationships is overall just bad, and it makes him seem like the worst character in the franchise.
However, while he’s a bad boyfriend, he’s not a bad brother. There are moments where Bolin and Mako don’t get along, but it’s clear that they care deeply about one another. Mako definitely wants to protect his brother and make sure he’s okay.
1 Worst: Because he cheated on Asami
While there are many moments on this list that show how bad of a romantic partner Mako was, the worst thing he ever does to the women he dates is when he cheats on Asami with Korra.
He kisses Korra and has feelings for her, but he doesn’t even tell Asami what happened. She has to find out from Bolin, and when confronted, Mako is overall pretty defensive and not even apologetic. Overall, this makes him seem like a huge jerk.