From pro bending,
to saving the world on a regular basis,
Mako still found time
in his busy schedule for romance.
But how did the handsome firebender
keep getting himself stuck in love triangles?
This is the complete timeline
of Mako's relationships in the Legend of Korra.
Unlike his brother Bolin, Mako took a hyper-focused role
on the Fire Ferrets and frowned upon bringing fan girls
back to their team locker room.
Come here. I want you to meet my brother, Mako.
Mako?
Wow, I heard you play on the radio.
Come on, Bolin, we're up.
Or I could meet him later.
Upon learning that Korra
could not only bend water but earth, and fire too,
Mako was at least honest about misjudging her.
You're the Avatar, and I'm an idiot.
Both are true.
No...
way.
The Avatar.
Korra soon then joined the Fire Ferrets,
and in spite of a rocky start, the team pulled out a win,
and Mako seemed to be warming up to his new teammate.
Korra?
What can I say?
You really came alive in that last round.
The way you dodged their attacks, you are a natural.
Thanks, but I can't take all the credit.
We can safely assume
Mako's feelings for Korra had already begun to spark
as he returned her longing gaze
across Republic City Bay that night.
Later, when Bolin went missing,
Mako was initially reluctant to accept Korra's help.
But the two worked well together
and seem to be connecting as he revealed
what happened to his parents.
They were mugged by a fire bender.
He cut them down right in front of me.
I was eight.
Mako's childhood, growing up an orphan,
had made him fiercely independent
and a loner up to this point.
While we don't know all the details
on Mako's early love life, it makes sense
that he was awkward around Korra.
She might've been the first person
he felt like he could have a future with.
That changed quickly, however, when Mako forgot
to look both ways when crossing the road.
I'm so sorry, I didn't see you!
How could you not see me?
I mean, I was ju-juh...
Ah, I was... I-I... wow!
That was...
Recognizing the pro bender,
the beautiful daughter of an industrial tycoon, Asami Sato,
then asked him on a day to a fancy restaurant.
Despite a possible head injury, Mako agreed to the date
and was immediately smitten with Asami.
Soon, the two were spotted arm in arm by Korra,
and the complicated love triangle
between these three truly began.
It's lovely to meet you.
Mako told me so much about you.
Really? Because he hasn't mentioned you at all.
How did you two meet?
Oblivious to Korra's feelings
and what will become a recurring issue
for Mako's love life, he jumped headfirst
into a relationship with Asami.
After only a few weeks of dating, Mako even revealed
more about his parents to Asami than he had to Korra.
This scarf was my father's
and it's all I have left of him.
I just feel like,
like it keeps him safe.
I'm so sorry.
Having lost her mother at a young age too,
Asami and Mako grew closer over their shared loss.
I feel so safe with you.
Asami even convinced her father to sponsor the Fire Ferrets.
And let's just say things got weird
when she and Mako decided to let their displays
of affection be very public.
Blah.
It got even more awkward when Bolin, very sweetly,
but immaturely, caught his own feelings for Korra.
What do you think of Korra, in a girlfriend sort of way?
She's great,
but I think it makes more sense for me to go for Asami.
I was talking about a girlfriend for me!
Leave some ladies for the rest of us!
I know it's what I thought you meant.
in spite of his relationship
with Asami, he would begin to see
the young firebender tense up as he's conflicted
by his still unspoken feelings.
Not long after, Korra finally put herself out there.
And while he managed to let her down easy,
Mako was clearly hiding his own indecisiveness.
Korra, I'm really sorry,
but I just don't feel the same way about you.
Forget I ever said anything.
There was a little doubt about his true feelings,
however, when Mako later confronted the Avatar
about her date with his brother.
Distracted by their argument,
the Fire Ferrets barely won their quarterfinal match,
and afterwards, Mako decided to own up to the truth.
As much as you drive me crazy,
I also think you're pretty amazing.
So, you do like me?
Yes, but...
I like Asami too.
I don't know. Things are complicated.
Been feeling really confused and...
Yikes.
You have to feel sorry for both Bolin and Asami here.
If Mako had been outright about liking Korra,
it would have prevented a lot of heartache.
The Fire Ferrets eventually patched things up,
agreeing to all remain friends.
But when Asami's father was revealed to be an equalist,
their new friendships were put to the test.
Mako and the rest of Team Avatar ended up moving
to Air Temple Island, and the secret of Korra's
feelings for him quickly became not a secret.
Asami, did you know Korra likes Mako?
It wasn't long before Bolin also let slip
that Mako and Korra had kissed,
complicating things even further.
Do you have feelings for Korra or not?
Look, things are crazy right now.
Can we deal with our relationship problems later?
Well, there might not be any relationship
to worry about later.
Asami!
[sighing]
Maybe it's just due to him being emotionally inexperienced.
But instead of owning up to it,
Mako keeps making the situation worse,
lying to Asami and himself about Korra.
After more difficult fights and Mako's relationship
basically over now with Asami, the young firebender seemed
to have a least learned a thing or two about emotional honesty.
I can't imagine my life without you in it.
You're the most loyal, brave,
and selfless person I've ever known.
I think you're pretty incredible, too.
But... you already knew that.
Agreeing to accompany Korra to face Aman,
Mako owned up to his mistakes
and said his goodbyes to Asami, as a friend.
I'm sorry things got so messed up between us.
But whatever happens today, I want you to know
how much I care about you.
I care about you, too.
And with that, their romance ended,
at least for the time being, but more on that later.
Together, Mako and Korra then faced down Aman.
And it's arguable that the reason
the Avatar unlocked her ability to airbend,
was due to her love for a more honest
and self-sacrificing Mako.
No!
When the dust settled,
Mako finally told Korra how he felt.
While she was initially too distraught to accept it,
after Avatar Aang returned the rest of her bending,
Mako was right there for the two to solidify their feelings.
I love you, too.
Korra and Mako were now officially a couple
and things were good for a little while.
Mako is doing well in his new job.
But Korra was frustrated with her avatar training,
and her new boyfriend didn't really know how to help.
Why is it so much easier to bust triads than it is
to get through one conversation with my girlfriend?
When political conflict brought Korra home
to the Southern Water tribe, she and Mako continued
to disagree and bicker, even when trying to have fun.
I thought you wanted me to be supportive.
Now you want me to tell you what I think?
Make up your mind.
Ooh.
Just forget it.
Instead of actually listening to his girlfriend
and coming up with an opinion, Mako was a broken record,
being indecisive on every single issue.
Although Korra later apologized for being difficult with Mako,
their happy reunion was short lived.
As soon as the two got back to Republic City,
the rising tension of war caused even more problems.
Trying to remain loyal to his police duties,
Mako informed President Raiko of Korra's secret plan
to send military forces to the South Pole.
When Korra found out, let's just say it did not go well.
Well, I guess if we're both putting our jobs first,
maybe there's no room for our relationship!
So, what, are you breaking up with me?
Yeah, I guess I am.
Finding himself with free time, Mako joined up with the Asami
to help save her company from large shipment thefts.
Unfortunately, after a failed sting operation,
the old flames found Asami's last remaining factory raided.
Sorry.
And there it goes and gets complicated again.
Mako and Korra are broken up, but this feels way too soon.
Bolin also saw through Mako and Asami playing it cool
and immediately called them out.
While the two denied it,
Asami visited Mako that night, and clearly they were
very comfortable with each other before being interrupted.
Too busy for Kwong's cuisine?
Remember? We had our first date there?
Maybe I do need to get my mind off things.
[door knocking]
Police!
While a couple of crooked cops were able to frame Mako,
Asami was smart enough to know he was being set up.
By the time Korra returned, Bolin had successfully
proven Mako's innocence.
However, the Avatar had developed
a severe case of amnesia.
Mako, I missed you so much.
Understandably, Asami with furious at Mako
for not acknowledging they got back together.
And this is probably Mako's absolute worst
relationship decision ever.
Did he really think he could make it work with Korra
while trying to hide another secret fling?
Hopefully, these mistakes are something others can learn from.
Sorry Asami.
Fortunately, Bolin talks some sense into his hotheaded brother
and made him realize he needed to be honest with Korra.
[sighing]
I hate it when you listen to me.
Soon after, Team Avatar defeated Unalaq.
And with the chaos of battle over, Mako was able to talk
with Korra in private.
I think we both know that this...
us...
doesn't work.
You're right.
It's over.
For real this time.
A few weeks later, Team Avatar returned to Republic City
and Mako became reclusive again,
diving headfirst into police work.
Meanwhile, Korra and Asami worked out their differences
and became best friends.
As might be expected, their shared ex-boyfriend
had no idea how to be a normal person around them.
You know, you're welcome to stay here
instead of sleeping at the police station.
No, I'm fine.
I should just get going.
So, as you were.
Ladies.
Yikes! That was cringy, Mako.
Despite the awkwardness, Bolin convinced
his brother to grow up, and Mako joined Team Avatar
on their journey to search for new airbenders.
In the process, Korra and Asami had a little fun pranking their
now platonic firebending friend.
This is not what we rehearsed! Korra!
[laughing]
Later, when reuniting in the Earth Kingdom,
Mako put aside his past issues with Korra but regrettably,
did not fill in his grandmother
on the details of his romantic history.
Mako, why aren't you dating any nice girls like them?
Mako, you were entirely to blame for this embarrassing moment.
Once the conflict with the Order of the Red Lotus was over,
Mako still showed great concern for Korra
when she was in rehabilitation, writing often to her
in spite of her never responding.
Three years later,
when Korra returned to Republic City,
Mako found out that she had gotten much closer to Asami,
only writing back to her.
Why didn't you ever write to me or Bolin?
I don't know.
I guess I didn't know what to say.
Hello would've been nice.
Mako, if it makes you feel any better,
she didn't write me either.
Why would she...
never mind.
Honestly, did Korra really owe that to Mako
after all the times he's hidden the truth.
Soon, however, Prince Wu was captured
and Mako had to work with Korra and Asami to save him.
While tensions ran high,
they all managed to free Wu, and Mako realized he enjoyed
the familiarity of Team Avatar getting on each other's nerves.
Yeah, but it's great to have you back.
There's no place else I'd rather be.
Later, as Mako recalled his romantic history to Prince Wu,
we learn that he's actually matured quite a bit,
coming to terms with his faults dating Asami and Korra.
Korra showed me the importance of putting others before myself,
and whenever I think of her, she continues to inspire me.
After defeating Kuvira and Mako
sacrificing his arm to stop her colossus,
he and Korra agreed their friendship
was too important to ever let it go again.
I want you to know,
I'll follow you into battle, no matter how crazy things get.
I've got your back.
And I always will.
It wasn't long before Korra and Asami
began their own romantic relationship,
and when the two returned from their spirit world vacation,
they planned to let Mako and all their friends
know the good news.
Unfortunately, conflict arrived again
in the form of a sword wielding gangster named Tokuga.
Although, after a tough battle where Asami was injured,
everybody soon found out the truth.
Mako taken aback. seeing Korra and Asami kiss,
quickly tried to cover his awkwardness
by saying that he was cool with it.
But clearly, that was not the case.
When Asami was later captured, however, Mako allowed himself
another moment of growth, telling a gravely worried Korra
that he thought she and Asami were perfect for each other.
Mako's romantic journey
certainly has had some ups and downs,
but it's nice to see he's come so far.
Team Avatar ended up defeating Tokuga
and saving Republic City once again,
as a unified group of friends.
In his most recent adventure,
Mako was taken captive and brainwashed
by Earth Kingdom revolutionaries
but was later freed by a redeemed Kuvira.
With his memories returned and the day saved, once again,
the only person there to give Mako a hug was Prince Wu.
And maybe what the firebending detective
needs more than anything now,
is a bromance to help keep him grounded.
As far as what the future holds for Mako
and all the new relationships will make along the way,
that's all we know for now. Let's hope he's learned
a thing or two about dating in the workplace.
From a loner orphan to being caught
in a love triangle with the Avatar
and ultimately, learning how to become a more selfless friend,
Which of Mako's relationship moments
do you think had the most impact?
Comment below and keep watching for more
of your favorite moments from the Legend of Korra.