You remember that final shot of The Legend of Korra. The music swells—that gorgeous, hauntingly beautiful score by Jeremy Zuckerman—and Korra and Asami stand hand-in-hand. They look at each other, step into the spirit portal, and the screen fades to white. It felt like a revolution, didn't it? But if you’re like a huge portion of the fandom, you probably spent years wondering: did I miss it? Did Korra and Asami kissing actually happen on screen, or did I just hallucinate a version where it did?
Honestly, the answer is a little messy. It’s a mix of corporate red tape, groundbreaking subtext, and a very real kiss that eventually happened—just not where most people expected to see it.
The Finale "Kiss" That Never Was (And Why)
Let’s get the record straight. If you watched the series finale on Nickelodeon (or Netflix later on), you didn't see them kiss. They held hands. They stared deeply into each other's eyes. They basically had a "soft launch" of their relationship.
Back in 2014, the world was a different place for kids' animation. Creators Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino—often called "Bryke" by fans—wanted that kiss. They really did. But Nickelodeon drew a line. While the network was surprisingly supportive of the relationship being canon, they weren't ready for a full-on sapphic kiss in a show rated for kids.
The creators' perspective
Bryan Konietzko later wrote a blog post that basically broke the internet. He confirmed that "Korrasami" was 100% canon. He explained that the final scene was meant to mirror a wedding, specifically the one they’d just attended for Varrick and Zhu Li. They even used a similar camera angle and lighting.
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"Our intention with the last scene was to make it as clear as possible that yes, Korra and Asami have romantic feelings for each other." — Michael Dante DiMartino.
The lack of a kiss wasn't a creative choice; it was a compromise. Some fans argue that the hand-holding was actually more "poetic" or "mature" because it signaled the start of a journey rather than a "happily ever after" climax. Others? Well, they just wanted to see their girls finally win.
Where the Real Korra and Asami Kissing Actually Happens
If you’re desperate for that visual confirmation, you have to leave the TV screen behind and pick up the graphic novels. Specifically, The Legend of Korra: Turf Wars.
This comic picks up literally seconds after the show ends. We see them in the Spirit World, wandering through those neon forests, and finally—finally—talking about their feelings. No more blushing and looking away.
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The "Turf Wars" moment
It happens early in the first volume. They’re on their Spirit World vacation. Korra admits she’s been feeling things for a while, and Asami reveals she realized how much Korra meant to her during those three long years Korra was away healing.
Then, it happens.
It’s not some blink-and-you-miss-it peck. It’s a beautiful, full-page moment. It’s the first time Korra and Asami kissing is rendered in official, canon media. For many fans who felt the finale was too "ambiguous," this was the catharsis they’d been waiting three years for (the comic came out in 2017).
Why the Controversy Still Won't Die
Even now, people argue about whether this relationship "came out of nowhere." If you only watched the show once and weren't looking for it, you might have missed the breadcrumbs.
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- The Letters: During Korra’s recovery, she didn't write to Mako or Bolin. She only wrote to Asami. That's a huge tell.
- The Blush: In Season 4, when Asami compliments Korra’s new hair, Korra gets visibly flustered.
- The Support: Asami is the one who drives Korra around, who sits by her side, and who offers to leave her company behind just to travel with her.
Some people still call it "pandering." But honestly? Look at the "hetero lens" we usually use. If a guy and a girl had those same scenes, nobody would doubt they were heading for a romance. Because it was two women, the bar for "proof" was set much higher.
The Legacy of That Hand-Hold
It’s easy to look back from 2026 and think, "What’s the big deal?" We have The Owl House, She-Ra, and Steven Universe now. But those shows stand on the shoulders of what Korra and Asami did.
They were the first main characters in a major Western kids' animation to end up in a queer relationship. They paved the way. Without that controversial, non-kissing finale, we might not have the explicit representation we see today.
How to experience the full story
If you want to see the relationship evolve properly, don't just rewatch the show. You need the full roadmap:
- Watch Season 3 and 4 with a focus on their dialogue. Notice how their bond shifts from "former rivals" to "closest confidants."
- Read "Turf Wars": This is where the romance becomes the central plot. You see them come out to their friends and family, and you see the first kiss.
- Read "Ruins of the Empire": This follow-up comic explores how they work as a couple while dealing with political fallout.
The story didn't end when the credits rolled in 2014. It was just getting started. Whether you think the finale was perfect or a "cop-out," there's no denying that Korrasami changed the landscape of TV forever.
Next Steps for Fans:
Go back and watch the Season 4 episode "Reunion." Pay attention to the way Mako reacts to their chemistry—it’s the first time a character in the show actually verbalizes what the audience was starting to feel. Then, grab a digital copy of Turf Wars Volume 1 to see the kiss that Nickelodeon wouldn't let you have.