How ‘The Legend of Korra’ creators paved the way for queer representation with a lesbian romance
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In December of 2014, the co-creators of the popular anime series, The Legend of Korra, dropped a bombshell on fans by confirming that the two main characters, Korra and Asami, were in fact a ‘lesbian’ couple. This revelation sent shockwaves through the show’s dedicated fanbase and sparked discussions about LGBTQ+ representation in children’s television.
The American TV series, which was a spin-off of the hit show Avatar: The Last Airbender, had always hinted at a deeper connection between Korra and Asami. Throughout the series, the two characters shared a close bond and undeniable chemistry, leading many fans to speculate about the nature of their relationship. The show’s final moments, which depicted Korra and Asami holding hands as they walked off into the spirit world together, seemed to confirm these suspicions.
After years of speculation, Bryan Konietzko and Mike DiMartino, the show’s co-creators, finally put the rumors to rest by confirming that Korra and Asami were indeed in a romantic relationship. This confirmation was met with a wave of positive feedback from fans who had long suspected that there was more to the characters’ friendship than met the eye.
In a heartfelt post on his Tumblr page, DiMartino expressed gratitude for the impact that Avatar and Korra had on fans’ lives. He stated, “So while Avatar and Korra were always meant to be entertaining and engaging tales, this universe and its characters also speak to the deeper humanity in all of us, regardless of age, gender, race, religion, culture, nationality, or sexual orientation.”
Konietzko also addressed the limitations imposed by the network when it came to portraying Korra and Asami’s relationship on screen. While Nickelodeon was supportive of the idea, there were certain boundaries that they were not willing to cross. This led to a more subtle depiction of the couple’s romance in the show’s finale, with only a hand-holding scene to signify their love for each other.
However, the story did not end there. In 2017, Dark Horse Comics released a graphic novel titled The Legend of Korra: Turf Wars – Part One, which featured Korra and Asami’s first kiss. This marked a significant moment for LGBTQ+ representation in children’s media, as it showed a same-sex couple sharing a tender moment on the pages of a popular comic book.
The graphic novel also revealed that Korra was not the first LGBTQ+ avatar in the series. It was revealed that Avatar Kyoshi of the Earth Kingdom was bisexual, further expanding the representation of queer characters in the Avatar universe.
The groundbreaking nature of The Legend of Korra’s depiction of LGBTQ+ relationships did not go unnoticed by other shows in the children’s television landscape. Following in Korra’s footsteps, series like She-Ra, My Little Pony, and Steven Universe have also featured LGBTQ+ characters and storylines, paving the way for more diverse and inclusive representation in kids’ media.
Overall, The Legend of Korra creators’ decision to confirm Korra and Asami’s relationship opened up new possibilities for queer representation in children’s television. By portraying a same-sex couple in a positive and affirming light, they set a precedent for future shows to follow suit and embrace diverse identities and relationships on screen.
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