The thing.

Jake Richmond on Dec. 23, 2014

This strip will make way more sense if youre a fan of Legend of Korra. I am and I hope you are too. The series ended its 4th and final season last week. This strip is a pretty huge spoiler, but if you care you probably already know what happened anyway, especially if youve been on tumblr the last few days. The series ended with Korra and her friend Asami in a romantic relationship. Which is pretty great for a number of reasons, the least of which is that these were both really fantastic characters who I was rooting for since early in the second season of the show. Despite subtle hints I never really had much hope that wed see an interracial bisexual couple on a childrens cartoon, but there it is! Korrasami is real. I cant help but smile every time I think about it.
A lot of you sent me emails and messages after the show aired asking if Id seen it and what I thought. Itobviously made me really happy. Id never bothered with shipping before, but I shipped the hell out of Korra and Asami, and of course my love for the characterswas passed on to Medusa. If anything, Im a little sad that were leaving the characters just as their relationship is beginning. Id love to see another season of the show so we could watch their relationship grow (and watch Korra beat the hell out of things, because thats one of the joys of the show for sure).
Ive had a few people respond to my posts about Korrasami by telling me that actually theres no evidence that the pair actually get together, and that theyre just good friends. I dont know what to say to that, other than that their relationship is plainly obvious to me and thousands of other fans. Oh, andboth creators of the show have publicly stated that the show does end with Korra and Asami in a relationship, and that they were building toward this since the beginning of Season 3.
So yeah, my ship is canon. Im thinking about making myself a t-shirt. Something like this:

Ive read a lot about the Legend of Korra finale this week, and heres what Ive come away with. The series didnt need to end with Korra getting together romantically with anyone. The story didnt demand it, and Korra certainly doesnt NEED to be in a relationship. The season arc and finale were about defeating Kuvira and her army, saving Republic City and bringing lasting change to the Earth Kingdom. The narrative didnt demand a romantic happy ending, and Korra going off by herself into the Spirit World would have been fine. Similarly, if Korra had decided to rekindle her romance with Mako that would have been fine too. It would have been pretty strange considering their history, but it wouldnt have done much to change the end of the series. The sameif she had inexplicably hooked up with Bolin, Bei Fong, Naga or any other characters. Asami is different. Ending the series with the confirmation of Korra and Asamis relationship is a reflection and confirmation of the series themes. The Legend of Korra is a series about embracing change, whether thats the change of the Equalists movement, the change of the Spirit World or the change of the Red Lotus philosophies. In each case Korra faced enemies who were violent and destructive, but also at least partially right. Korra learned from her enemies and embraced that change (although not always without struggle). Asami represents that change. Asami is the unintentional endgame of the failed Equalist movement, a powerful, intelligent non-bender who shapes the world around her. An inventor, industrialist and leader who is helping to move the world into the future. Amon wanted to elevate non-benders by eliminating bending. Zaheer wanted to empower the common people of the world by ending their reliance on the Avatar and returning power and personal agency to their hands. Both were wrong in their approach, but right in their assumption that the world was changing. Asami is that change. Ending the series by having Korra and Asami in a relationship is a reflection of the series theme of change and Korras own acceptance that the Avatars role has changed. Its the perfect thematic endcap to the series, and meaningful in a way that a relationship with Mako or any other character could never be.
So yeah. I liked the series. Id recommend it.