Netflix's live-action adaptation of The Legend of Korra sequel. These shows were pioneers of their genre, but they were only allowed to go so far when it came to certain storytelling elements. This can be seen especially with Korra, who should have had one aspect of her character development explored more fully.

Avatar: The Last Airbender introduced its young audience to a lot of important topics, such as morality, death, and trauma. The show was praised for how well it explored these themes and The Legend of Korra continued that legacy. But Korra started off her series aged 17, compared to Aang who was 12. This meant Korra dealt with different things than Aang did, including more coming-of-age themes to relate to its slightly older audience. However, some of the themes which the showrunners intended to include in the series weren't able to be explored as fully as they should have been.

Related: Avatar: Netflix's Last Airbender Casting Is Great News For Suki Fans

The Legend of Korra ended with a famous scene of Korra and her long-time friend Asami gazing into each other's eyes as they disappear on vacation to the Spirit World together. The scene mirrored the ending scene of Avatar: The Last Airbender where Aang and Katara shared their first kiss. However, despite the fairly obvious implications suggested in the way that their friendship developed, Korra and Asami never kissed. Despite the showrunners' desire to make their romantic relationship more apparent on-screen, Nickelodeon was seemingly not willing to show same-sex relationships to a young audience at the time. This meant that the most The Legend of Korra could do was to have Korra and Asami hold hands and leave the rest to interpretation. Even so, this small step towards queer representation made The Legend of Korra a forerunner in the American LGBTQ+ animation space.

Asami cares for an injured KorraThey in The Legend of Korra

Fans were able to see Korra and Asami together in the graphic novels, where their romantic relationship was confirmed. In the graphic novels, the two characters opened up to each other, shared many kisses and revealed their relationship to their mutual ex-boyfriend, Mako. The rest of the Avatar: The Last Airbender world also became openly more queer in the graphic novels, with characters like Avatar Kyoshi being revealed as LGBTQ+ as well. But there has yet to be an on-screen depiction of Avatar: The Last Airbender that reflects the true diversity of the world that was part of the showrunner's vision.

However, Netflix is a much more accepting platform, regularly creating and promoting shows that center on LGBTQ+ characters, which is promising for Korra and Asami's relationship. There have already been signs that Netflix may be making some changes to the original series in order to make some romantic pairings possible, such as a potential Zuko-Katara relationship. This means that, although Korra and Asami themselves won't be able to make an appearance in the series, it is possible that other LGBTQ+ relationships will be shown in the Avatar: The Last Airbender adaptation. In this way, Korra and Asami's relationship in The Legend of Korra can begin to be honored as it should be on-screen.

Next: Why The Avatar Live-Action Show Will Be Better Than Original Last Airbender

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