Heartwarming / The Legend of Korra: Turf Wars

Oh yes, they were finally able to kiss. And yes, it was very much worth the wait.

"The true mind can weather all the lies and illusions without being lost.
The true heart can tough the poison of hatred without being harmed.
Though darkness thrives in the void,
it always yields to purifying light."

—Zhu Li (quoting Avatar Aang, in turn quoting the Lion Turtle from the ATLA finale)

When you make a comic focused on the first official same-sex couple in Western Animation, it's a given that there are going to be a LOT of heartwarming moments in it.

Moment Subpages are Spoilers Off. You Have Been Warned.

Part 1

• From Korra and Asami's vacation in the Spirit World:
  • Really, just the sight of the two of them being able to relax and have fun with each other after everything they went through in the show. After all of that, they were both overdue for some happiness.
  • Their main form of transport? The dragon bird spirit Korra befriended on her first visit to the spirit world, all the way back in book 2.
  • After they get into an altercation with a giant rock spirit, a dismayed Korra apologises to Asami for nearly getting the two of them killed. Asami immediately assures her that they've both been through worse, and that she isn't going to let one bad experience ruin their vacation.
  • Which then leads directly into the page image, and a moment that's been awaited ever since Korra and Asami became a couple. While helping Korra back up to her feet, Asami brings up that they're going to have to return home soon now that their supplies have been lost. Then, still holding onto Korra's hand, she takes a step closer and tells her that there's one last thing she wants to do before they leave. Korra blushes and gazes lovingly at her...and cue The Big Damn Kiss.
    • In general, just the fact that Korra and Asami can be openly depicted as a romantic couple/two women with feelings for each other in a published work, now that Nickelodeon's standards and practices are no longer a concern.
  • After the above scene, the two women face each other and hold hands in the same manner they did at the end of the animated series - albeit stood much closer together this time - and express their thoughts on the vacation:
    Korra: This has been a wonderful few days.
    Asami: The best.
  • As they walk towards the spirit portal afterwards, Korra talks about the time Asami took her racecar driving three years ago, admitting that back then she was relieved to find someone who could be just as intense a person as her.
• Korra and Asami's coming to an understanding after leaving the former's parents:
  Asami: Listen—I'm not embarrassed or ashamed to be with you at all, so if you want to tell the world about us, I'd be right behind you. But there's still a selfish part of me that wants you all to myself... at least for a little while longer. I guess that's why I was hesitant to tell your parents about us in the first place.
  Korra: I'm such an idiot. You were trying to tell me you didn't want to go and I steamrolled over your feelings. My dad's right, I do get overexcited, I'm sorry.
  Asami: It's alright. I'm excited, too. But what we have, it's kind of like the spirit world — it's special and rare. And not everyone is going to see it that way.
  Korra: Asami, no matter what anyone says about us, I'll have your back, count on it.
  Asami: Same here.
• After they both arrest him, the first thing Two-Toed Ping does is ask Mako and Bolin how they're doing, before happily talking about how proud he is of the two of them for becoming big-time cops. Keep in mind that Ping is a triad member, and a guy who Mako and Bolin used to run with, but the fact that he and the brothers are now on opposite sides of the law doesn't upset him in the slightest.
• While visiting the evacuee camp for all the people left homeless by Kuvira's attack, Korra offers to help in any way she can, but quickly finds herself overwhelmed by the requests of the many, many desperate refugees. Tenzin suggests that they leave, but Korra will have none of it; she decides to stay, and gives one hell of a Rousing Speech to the crowd, expressing sympathy for everything they've been through, vowing to work her hardest to rehome them all, while also inspiring them to look at the disaster as an opportunity to rebuild and create a better tomorrow. By the end of it, the crowd are hopeful and enthusiastic for the future, to the point that they're openly cheering and thanking Korra.
  • As Korra gives the above speech, Tenzin's stood among the happy crowd looking like he's struggling not to tearbend. And when he and Korra re-enter the main tent, he praises Korra's ability to inspire a crowd, him included.
  • Back in Book 3, when Korra was feeling despondent over the trouble caused by her decision to leave the spirit portals open, Tenzin comforted her by assuring her that change can be either good or bad, depending on how you interpret it. Three years later, Korra's using that same wisdom to help others.
  • The simple fact that, upon Korra's first appearance at the camp, the people there are nothing but happy to see her, and thankful to her for stopping Kuvira. Especially poignant when you remember the reception she got after defeating Unavaatu.
• After listening to Kya's lecture on the past attitudes of various cultures in the setting towards homosexuality, Korra (who was apparently mostly sheltered from all this before) is really disheartened to learn that Avatar Kyoshi wasn't entirely accepted by the Earth Kingdom because of her own bisexuality, and fears that she and Asami will never be accepted by most/many people. Asami assures her that things have changed since then, and that at least in a big metropolis like Republic City, people likely won't be as narrow-minded and hateful as in many other places.
• Korra reuniting with Bolin, now a police officer, and congratulating him on making his first arrest, while Asami and Mako hug right next to them.
• Mako is reluctant to have Bolin as a partner at first, calling him a "temporary partner" when they're bringing in Ping. When Bolin saves him from Tokuga, he calls Bolin "partner" with sincerity, which makes Bolin's day.
• Korra kissing Asami in relief when the latter wakes up after being knocked out during the battle with the triads.
• For all the worry, in universe and out, about how the other characters might react to it, Korra and Asami coming out to their friends and allies is met with nothing but joy, love and support for the couple.
  • Tonraq and Senna, Korra's parents, are the first to hear the news. After an initial period of surprise, Tonraq assures both women that he couldn't be more pleased, and Senna declares "It's wonderful!" with the happiest of looks on her face.
  • Kya, who figured out the two were together on her own, becomes a Cool Aunt of sorts to them. She tells them that they make a beautiful couple, reveals that she's also into women, and after Korra begins to express uncertainty about going public with the relationship, assures her that she'll know when it's the right time to do so.
    • From the above, Kya telling Korra and Asami that Aang was nothing but supportive when she came out. He might not have been the most involved parent to her, but he cared for his daughter no matter what and had no hesitation in accepting her for who she was.
    • While Kya's talking about the opinions the Air Nomads had on sexuality, we're treated to a beautiful image of one of the air temples from before the Air Nomads were wiped out, with a gay couple sitting together on one of the temple railings.
  • Bolin cheers before cuddling Opal close and calling dibs on the first double date, while Opal tells the couple how happy she is for the pair of them, and not to feel under pressure regarding the double date thing. Jinora has the same reaction as Senna. Mako's visibly unnerved to hear that both his ex-girlfriends are now together, but he assures them both that he's cool with it.
    • The fact that the closest thing to one of their friends being disturbed by their relationship is Mako, which has nothing to do with homophobia but just the general awkwardness of, y'know, his two exes being a thing. It's nice to see the characters are so open to the idea.

Part 2

• As Ikki pokes at a spirit plant and it wraps around her wrist, she screams Korra's name and she's immediately at the girl's side, firebending the plants off of her.
• Tenzin comforting Korra after she finds the spirit meadow she and Asami first saw reduced to a barren wasteland, and telling her that he heard of their relationship and is extremely happy for her. Korra smiles at the support.
  • Tenzin's support of the relationship was pretty much a given at this point, considering all we heard about his family's attitudes towards same-sex relationships. Still, it's nice to have confirmation.
• Lin finds out about Korra and Asami's relationship, courtesy of Bolin mentioning it in the police report of the spirit portal battle. She just appears to be amused, or pleasantly surprised at the news.
• Asami and Tenzin sticking up for Korra when Raiko turns the evacuees against her, pointing out that it was Korra's leadership that stopped Kuvira from taking over the United Republic.
• Mako telling Bolin that he's happy that Korra and Asami are together, when his brother assumes that he's angry about it.
• Korra being protective of Asami, and admitting to her that she's never felt the way she does about Asami before, and doesn't want her to get hurt.
  • When she runs into some of Asami's new bodyguards who ask what she's doing, Korra just says she wants to see her girlfriend. After her previous worry about how people might treat her over her sexuality, it's nice to see her willing to be open about it again.
• Before the part below, the overall talk between Korra and Asami that further establishes their dynamic. They have a brief, but plausible argument (unlike Korra's earlier outburst at her parents) that's neatly resolved unlike either's time with Mako. Then Asami gets very, suggestively close to Korra and optimistically states that while they'll always be problems to deal with, the two of them together are unstoppable. Korra's so flustered she almost says "I love you," but decides to "leave Asami to her work."
• Asami suggests the two of them meet up for dinner and then go on a romantic turtle duck date.
  Korra: (smiling happily) Sounds perfect.
• Varrick’s loving reassurance to Zhu Li that she would do great if she were to run against Raiko for the presidency was adorable.
• When Korra, Bolin and Mako finally catch up to Tokuga, he mentions that they were one team member short. Korra immediately knows what he's implying.
  Korra: WHERE'S ASAMI?!

Part 3

• With Korra downcast about being unable to help the captured Asami, Lin puts a comforting hand on her shoulder and promises that they'll get her back.
• Although things are still awkward between him and Korra, Mako comforts her over the current crisis and empathizes with her worry for Asami, remembering how he had felt when Korra had been captured by Tarrlok three years ago. Mako also assures Korra that he's genuinely for her and Asami getting together as a couple, even though it will obviously take some time for him to get used to his exes actually dating each other.
  I think you and Asami are both perfect for each other. And I'm the most qualified person to say that.
• While Raiko has his waterbenders bombard the protesting Air Nomads to drive them away from the spirit portal, Tenzin can be seen shielding both Jinora and Meelo from the blasts.
• Asami's look of jubilation when she sees Korra coming to help them.
• Just when it seems like Tokuga was about to strike Korra down, Asami jolts the ship over and yells at him over her shoulder.
  Asami: Get your slimy scales off my girlfriend!
• Korra and Asami hugging in the spirit world.
  Korra: You were right.
  Asami: About what?
  Korra: As long as we're together, we can overcome anything.
• Much like Kuvira, Wonyong proves to have a good heart even if he's not particularly heroic. He worries for Asami's wellbeing when the two of them are imprisoned, once refused to help Hiroshi Sato develop weapons for the Equalists, and shows concern for the innocent people Tokuga threatens with his poison gas. And in the end, he chooses to relinquish his claim to the land around the spirit portal, giving up any chance of profiting from it, to end the spirit crisis and avoid causing further conflicts in Republic City.
• Tonraq and Korra reconciling after their falling out in Part 1, with Tonraq assuring Korra that he won't let his people's customs influence how he talks to her, and that she and Asami have his full support.
• While President Raiko runs away like a coward during Tokuga's attack, Zhu Li risks her own life to save a young girl. This is what helps her get the people's support in her election.
• Varrick hugging Zhu Li and telling her she never ceases to amaze him.
• Zhu Li winning the presidential election, giving the people of the United Republic a leader that cares about them, rather than their own ego.
  • Following on from the above, Varrick's words to her after the result is announced:
  Varrick: Congratulations!
  Zhu Li: I can't believe this is really happening.
  Varrick: I assure you, it's all very real. And it's tremendous! Now get out there and do the thing!
• The last scene of the comic. As Zhu Li recites the page quote in her speech to her supporters, Korra takes Asami by the hand and leads her out to a balcony, leading to a moment as long awaited as the couple's first kiss:
  Asami: What are we doing out here? The speech isn't over.
  Korra: I've been afraid to say something. But I can't keep it to myself any longer...I love you, Asami.
  Asami: I love you, too.
  • Accompanying the above dialogue is an absolutely wonderful image of Korra and Asami standing hand in hand with arm around waist as they observe the new spirit portal and admit their love, as drawn by Irene Koh and colored by Vivian Ng. What better way to end this comic?

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