Like most young adult series, Legend of Korra features a lot of romance between characters. There are relationships of all types in the series and as usual, fans have a lot of fun discussing which ones they like the most and arguing over which pairings are better.
There are some relationships, however, that most fans can agree on. For instance, everyone agrees that the love triangle between Korra and the brothers was a bad idea. Bataar Jr. should not forgive Kuvira for almost killing him, and Bolin and Eska had a toxic relationship. On the flip side, there are some relationships that most fans can agree are the best in the series.
10 Korra & Asami
Some can argue that audiences just liked the subversion that was Korra and Asami’s relationship. They began the series competing for the same guy and they ended the series as a couple. Furthermore, having an official same-sex couple in the show broke ground for future shows like She-Ra and The Owl House.
Mainly, though, the relationship doesn’t feel forced in the way that Korra and Mako’s did. It grows over a long period of time. They become closer in Book 3, go through a separation during Korra’s recovery, and built trust between each other. Where Korra and Mako’s relationship was rushed and unsustainable, Korra and Asami’s relationship worked in the long term.
9 Zaheer & P’Li
Despite being villains, Zaheer and P’Li make an oddly wholesome couple. Most villain couples end with one person betraying the other, like when Kuvira betrays Bajaar Jr. to further her cause. It upholds a common idea that people who do evil things are incapable of loving others and treat those who love them as disposable when it gets in the way of what they want.
Neither Zaheer nor P’Li is put in a situation where they have to compromise their cause for each other. However, P’Li would probably blow up herself and her captors before letting Zaheer make such a decision, and vice versa. Zaheer and P’Li remain loyal to the end and when P’Li dies, Zaheer feels genuine grief over her death. The love these two have adds a compelling layer to them.
8 Tonraq & Senna
Aside from Tenzin and Pema, Tonraq and Senna are the definition of a healthy couple. Whenever they’re seen together, they treat each other with care and affection and are clearly in a happy marriage.
This is shown best when Senna talks with Korra in Season 2 after the reveal about Tonraq’s past. Tonraq trusted Senna with the truth about his past even though it was a painful subject for him. In turn, she trusted him to know what was best for their daughter even if it meant she couldn’t see her daughter as much as she wanted to. They’re a united front no matter what.
7 Tenzin & Pema
Some fans prefer Tenzin and Lin Beifong as a couple, but mostly because Tenzin and Pema don’t get much screen time together. Nonetheless, Tenzin and Pema work. Tenzin is caring and tender toward his wife, and Pema is supportive of his job and his desire to rebuild the airbender nation. They keep each other calm while raising their four kids and training Korra.
The best thing about their relationship is that Pema isn’t just a prop for Tenzin and the kids. She’s caring, supportive, and patient, but she’s also assertive and has no problem going for what she wants or expressing her desires. She’s a great character and gets more personality in a few scenes than some protagonists get in an entire series.
6 Jinora & Kai
The troublemaker and the good kid are a bit of a clichéd pairing. Thankfully, Kai got his redemption arc early. He’s still mischievous and does things that he shouldn’t, but he’s a way more heroic character after his experience in Ba Sing Se.
Kai and Jinora bring out the best in each other. Jinora sees the good in Kai and pushes him in the right direction. Kai admires and respects Jinora’s abilities and knowledge and gives her encouragement. Their relationship falls on the back burner in the last season, which is a shame, but they’re still going strong.
5 Bolin & Opal
Bolin didn’t have the best luck with dating, so it came as a relief to Bolin fans when he finally found his match in Opal Beifong. Although Opal is more sheltered than Bolin, they’re both sweet, trusting people who work hard and help others. They admire and appreciate one another and genuinely care for each other.
Their relationship gets rocky when Bolin joins Kuvira’s army. It’s a frustrating development, but not out of character. Both Opal and Bolin want to help but have different ideas on how to do so. Thankfully, Bolin realizes Kuvira’s true nature and earns his way back into Opal’s heart.
4 Varrick & Zhu Li Moon
Varrick and Zhu Li Moon is not the healthiest pairing in the series. Varrick starts off greedy and shady and takes Zhu Li’s devotion for granted. Nonetheless, the two of them are a power couple to be reckoned with. Varrick is a genius and Ju Li is a capable woman of many talents and so in sync with Varrick that she knows exactly what he wants without him needing to specify it.
Furthermore, Zhu Li teaches Varrick a satisfying and much-needed lesson by supposedly turning on him. It’s revealed to be a ruse to sabotage the villains, but it successfully gives Varrick the reality check he needs. He doesn’t necessarily change, but he does decide to do better for her.
3 Suyin Beifong & Baatar
Not much of Suyin and Baatar’s relationship is shown in the series. From what can be gleaned, however, the two of them proved to be a power couple. They founded an entire city together and built it into the most prosperous region in the Earth Kingdom. Furthermore, they raised five children, each of whom grew up to be remarkable people (even if one of them turned evil for a while).
Baatar seems to bring out a tenderer side in the stubborn Suyin. She’s gentler with him than with anyone else, and she grew up to be the soft-spoken one in the family. They’re a brilliant, creative couple who bring out the best in each other.
2 May-Jim
Most people remember Iroh stealing the show during Korra’s journey through the Spirit World. Wise and jovial as ever, Iroh’s return brought many smiles to many fans’ faces. Some, however, also remember May-Jim, the two-headed frog spirit celebrating its wedding at Iroh’s tea shop.
They only have one appearance in the whole show, but they’re such cool side characters that they made an already iconic scene that much better. Whether they’re meant to be an allegory for self-love or if the writers just wanted to make the Spirit World seem more alien, it works both ways. It’s kind of a shame that May-Jim didn’t get more appearances in the show.
1 Korra & Mako
Few fans of the show are fans of Korra and Mako’s relationship. The trajectory of their romance was rushed and forced and the love triangle between them and Asami was unhealthy. Viewers were satisfied to see them break up for good in Season 2.
Ironically, their relationship got better after they broke up. They moved on, didn’t harbor any ill will toward each other, and maintained a strong friendship throughout the series. If nothing else, they set the standard for how exes should treat one another, taught viewers a valuable lesson about relationships, and showed that men and women can be friends without romance getting in the way.