Given the show's overall acclaim and passionate fanbase, The Legend of Korra finale was going to be a big deal no matter what. But it became something even more notable in the final scene, which found Korra and her friend Asami venturing off on a vacation to the spirit world together - and into a relationship with one another. Initially, whether what occurred was meant to be seen as romantic was questioned by some, but The Legend of Korra creators Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino went on record a few days later, confirming that yes, Korra and Asami are now a couple.

The Legend of Korra: Series Finale Review

Eric Goldman, IGN TV Executive Editor

How adorable was this?

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Roth Cornet, IGN Entertainment Editor

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This hasn't ended the discussion and debate over this ending, of course, and questions about the impact of this reveal, whether it was appropriate for a Nickelodeon animated series, and whether Korra and Asami had enough build up leading into their eventual coupling have continued. With that in mind, several IGN writers and editors, all big Korra fans, weighed in with their thoughts on the end of the series and the Korrasami of it all. TV history, folks. We just witnessed it! I knew of and appreciated the “Korrasami” fandom and noticed that the show was leaning into more meaningful, “could it be?” moments between them in its final year. But it actually, overtly happening? There was no way. Because no show of this type had ever done it. And yet they did!It’s pretty amazing and I’ve been overjoyed not just by this bold, surprising move but seeing the reaction - including videos of fans watching the finale for the first time, in which they literally break down in tears of joy. This is oh-so meaningful and is such a huge deal. I can only imagine what it’s like for gay and bisexual kids/teenagers watching Korra to have this kind of thing happen and to see themselves reflected in this way in a show of this sort when it just never had occurred up until now.I strongly disagree with those who say the ending came out of nowhere and wasn’t developed, because I kept seeing those moments between Korra and Asami, laying the groundwork for the relationship to begin (and keep in mind, it was just that - a beginning!). The fact that the show ended like it did actually makes me respect those moments far more, knowing they weren’t there just as a wink at the fans and were actual set-up that got a payoff.Now was the overall approach to Korra and Asami subtle? Yes. Because it had to be. Nickelodeon was never going to let Korra, say, talk to Bolin about her burgeoning romantic feelings for Asami or tease a near kiss in an earlier episode. But the choices Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino made were done with determination. Obviously, every occurrence of someone blushing in real life doesn’t mean “romantic feelings,” but the specific choice to take the time to write and animate such a thing on this show? Oh yes, that was an indicator that something was stirring between these two, among several examples.I see some people say that if they had to be that subtle about it, they shouldn’t have done it all, but that’s basically asking for nothing to change. This is an incredibly notable step forward in this kind of representation on TV of this sort and the willingness Konietzko and DiMartino had to play within Nickelodeon’s parameters (and Nick deserve credit for allowing this to happen at all) was key. Frankly, Nickelodeon would never have greenlit a show that was pitched to them as “the story of a teenage girl who’s a bisexual and slowly begins to fall in love with a girl who’s initially her rival.” They certainly weren’t going to produce a show that made that overt from the start. Yes, I know Konietzko and DiMartino have said they themselves didn’t know Korra was bisexual initially, but even if they did, it was never going to be presented as such. Unfortunately, we’re just not there yet. But we weren’t even at the place where we could imagine Korra was openly portrayed as a bisexual at all before this past week!And please, in general, my fellow viewers, relax on being so mad abut TV creators “making it up as they go along”, like that’s a bad thing. It’s a TV show – that’s how it works! Also, here specifically, Korra was 17 when the show began and 21 when it ended. She should change. She should evolve. She should make realizations about herself. That’s growth.And it’s so awesome and impactful that it’s her - the lead character, the hero. Korra was already a great character and now she’s cemented her place in television history as a groundbreaking character. Have you ever seen an American, animated series, aimed at all audiences -- featuring a superhero-type character, no less -- who’s openly portrayed as LGBT? Well, now you can name one. And that’s a start.One glance at the comments on our coverage of the finale -- and no doubt on this article -- exhibits that there are people who still don’t want to see any overt (or for some, any at all) LGBT depictions in an animated, family-friendly show. Suffice to say, I’m coming at this from a very different viewpoint. Still, I find it frustrating when people say this ending “ruins” the show for them, whether they liked it or not – which goes hand in hand with my whole thought that our overall opinion of a show shouldn’t rest solely on what happens in the last episode . Did you enjoy Korra’s adventures through the years? I would hope you still can and do, and that wouldn’t be undone because she and Asami fell for each other by the end. Plus, aren’t you happy Korra is happy?People are going to look back at this as a turning point, and I just can’t get over my admiration for what Konietzko and DiMartino did here. The show is called The Legend of Korra and now she’s an actual legendary part of TV. How cool is that? Over the course of the next few years we'll likely talk about how The Legend of Korra in total, and Korrasami in particular impacted, altered, and, frankly, raised the bar for not just children's television, but entertainment as a whole. With limited time and space here - and given creators Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko's recent statements regarding the relationship between Korra and Asami - I'll focus on just a few brief thoughts about those final glorious moments of the series. First, let me just acknowledge my heartfelt respect for DiMartino and Konietzko. I admire them not only for the bold and organic choice they made and for sticking to their guns, but for their immense talent, craftsmanship, and the powerful world and characters that they created. None of which should be overlooked. On to Korrasami.Not only did that conclusion feel earned, it was stunningly rendered. Each time I see the beautiful image of Korra and Asami walking into the spirit world united, I am warmed anew. Not just because I found it to be a satisfying end as a viewer – which I without question did and do – but because it represents a door opening to a brighter world for all of us. Does that sound hyperbolic? Maybe. It’s also true.A few weeks ago I’d gone to see The Imitation Game, the shattering tale of British mathematician Alan Turing, played by Benedict Cumberbatch. I left the theatre - as most audience members likely did - heartsick at the thought that this man who had so much to offer the world, who had a limitless ability to stretch the bounds of what was possible, was undone by small minds and irrational fear of his sexual orientation. What was almost equally wrenching was the thought that if we look at things from a global perspective, relatively little has progressed since Turing died.Korra’s finale was like a breath of invigorating air. It served as an uplifting and clear example of our ability to grow and change for the better. I’ve read much of the commentary on the decision to move forward with Korrasami over the past few days. While the lion’s share have been celebratory, there are those who lambast the choice, and still others who feel that the creators didn’t take the relationship far enough.I read one particularly thoughtful piece on The Mary Sue that professed a deep hope that the progress made on this series not prove to be a novel, though significant moment, but rather “the bare minimum” of what we can expect from all genres of television. I couldn’t agree more. However, as trite as it may sound, it’s also true that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. I’m thrilled that those behind Korra had the foresight and creative will to take it.I don’t know why it’s taken us so long to get here. I wish it hadn’t. I clearly don’t speak for Mike and Bryan, but I’d imagine that they’re just as bewildered as the rest of us in that regard. We’re here now, though, and it’s a pretty spectacular place to be.I think of a child watching Korra and feeling valued, seen, and understood - just by virtue of that fact that they are reflected in something as lovely, smart, rich, and wonderful as this series. I think of a boy, girl, man, or woman who may in another time or place have been told implicitly, explicitly, or both that they are not okay, now seeing themselves in the role of the hero and, as such, getting one more sign that they are not only acceptable, but celebrated. That they have every opportunity to be extraordinary. That who they are is embraced. Every time that message is delivered to the heart of someone who needs to hear it, the world gets just a little bit better for all of us.Korra has always been a show about bridging the gaps of understanding - be it between family members, friends, nations, or even enemies. This series has consistently challenged the viewer to look at life with an expansive and inclusive lens. I could write an entire essay on the lessons that each villain brought to our heroes and the complex and dynamic manner with which they were handled. Still another on how Avatar Korra was - to me – gorgeous in her imperfections, as it was in the cracks and edges of her humanity that she discovered her greatest spiritual strength. I’ll save those reflections for another day, though. For now, I’ll conclude by saying that – like any human being - Korra’s own understanding of herself has shifted and evolved over the course of the four books. Her perception of what love is or could be has blossomed. Perhaps we should take our cue from her.

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