Mako


 * This article is about the character in The Legend of Korra. For the voice actor, see Mako Iwamatsu.

"fire"

- I did what I had to do to survive and protect my little brother.

Mako is a firebender from a multicultural family who grew up on the streets of Republic City as an orphan with his younger brother, Bolin. When his brother introduces him to Avatar Korra, his tightly controlled world gets a little more chaotic.

Background
When he was eight, Mako witnessed his parents being killed by a firebending mugger, leaving Bolin as his only family and his treasured red scarf as the only memento of his father Being the elder brother, he was forced to take on adult responsibilities from that point on, depriving him of his childhood. He often resorted to his firebending to protect himself and Bolin on the streets.

As an orphan, Mako did whatever was necessary in order to survive and protect his brother. This attitude brought him in contact with the Triple Threat Triad, for whom he was an accountant of sorts, though he never did anything outright illegal throughout his employment. After a while, the cooperation between the Triple Threats and the two brothers came to an end. Acknowledging the dangerous nature and moral ambiguity of their past, Mako was determined never to return to that life and explicitly forbade Bolin from associating with the Triple Threats in any way.

Mako and his brother first began competing in the pro-bending tournament when a former pro-bender, Toza, discovered them fighting in the streets. Toza offered the brothers a place to live in the attic of the Pro-bending Arena and let them work odd jobs to pay rent, which allowed them to focus on pro-bending. Mako eventually became the captain of their pro-bending team, the Fire Ferrets.

Meeting Avatar Korra
Initially, Mako scarcely acknowledged Korra, assuming she was just another one of Bolin's "fangirls". This caused the two of them to get off on the wrong foot; however, he later impressed Korra when he single-handedly defeated the Golden Temple Tigerdillos in the third round of a pro-bending match. Still, he seemed indifferent to Korra's presence even after he learned that she was the Avatar.

When Hasook did not show up for the final match prior to the tournament, he rejected Korra's offer to join the team, saying he would rather be disqualified than made a fool. However, Korra and Bolin ignored Mako's objections and Korra joined the team, much to Mako's annoyance when Korra had trouble picking up on the rules. However, after Korra held her own against a barrage in round three, enabling them to win the match with a knock-out, Mako thanked her, and for the first time truly accepted and complimented her.

Saving Bolin


Later, Mako, Bolin, and Korra were practicing for the tournament early in the morning when Butakha, the owner of the arena came to give the team their winnings of the last match. However, Mako saw this money disappear as swiftly as it came as Butakha immediately deducted their arrears and informed the team that they had to pay thirty thousand yuans for the championship's pot in order to play in the tournament or they would be disqualified. Bolin suggested that he could let Pabu perform circus tricks at Central City Station, but Mako shot this idea down, commenting that he would figure something out as usual and found work in a power company. When he returned to the arena after a hard day's work, he could not find Bolin. Believing he was with Korra, he traveled to Air Temple Island to ask her for his location. At her negation, they decided to go looking for him through the city. In Central City Station, they met Skoochy, who told them Bolin had been recruited to the Triple Threat Triad. When Mako and Korra made it to the gang's headquarters, they learned that Bolin had been captured by the Equalists in a raid and then set out to rescue him. However, their encounter with two Equalist chi blockers ended in their defeat. Due to Naga's intervention, they remained unharmed and traveled on to Republic City Park to find the protestor, who told them that Bolin was likely taken to the Equalist rally called "The Revelation".



At the rally, they discovered that Amon was going to demonstrate his power to take away bending forever on the kidnapped Triad members and Bolin. In order to save his brother, Mako ordered Korra to make a large sheet of steam erupt from devices in the side of the rally hall, which distracted the Equalists and allowed himself to rescue Bolin. When the brothers got outside, their escape was thwarted by the intervention of the Lieutenant, who attacked and overpowered them with his electrified kali sticks. Before he could do further damage, Korra disabled him with her earthbending and helped Mako and Bolin escape on Naga.

Meeting the Satos


A few days after the events of the Equalist rally, Mako was hit by a moped driven by Asami Sato when he ran across the street without looking. She quickly helped him to stand up and apologized. Although initially angered by the crash, Mako lost his train of thought and his temper the moment he laid eyes on Asami. After she recognized him as a pro-bender, she asked him on a date to Kuang's Cuisine as a part of her apology. Initially, Mako was hesitant, stating he did not have the proper attire for such a formal setting. However, Asami assured him that it would be taken care of, and Mako agreed, appearing love-struck as Asami left.

Upon his arrival at the restaurant later that evening, Mako was given suitable clothes. When the waiter attempted to removed Mako's scarf, he immediately stopped him. The waiter complied with the order and showed Mako the table, where Asami was already waiting for him. During their date, Mako learned she was the daughter of the successful industrialist, Hiroshi Sato, and was invited by her to personally meet him, an offer Mako gladly accepted. When Mako met Hiroshi the next day at Future Industries, the industrialist informed Mako that, after hearing Asami about his team and its financial problems, he had decided he would sponsor the Fire Ferrets' bid in the pro-bending tournament, provided that they would bear Future Industries' logo on their uniforms.

Mako later went with Asami to a gala in honor of Korra hosted by Councilman Tarrlok. Their relationship continued to blossom afterwards, and one of their dates took them to Republic City Park for a carriage ride. During this ride, Asami wondered why Mako never wore the scarf she had purchased for him. He confided in her the importance of his red scarf, being that it was the last reminder of his father he still possessed.

Romantic issues
On the eve of their first match of the pro-bending tournament, Bolin asked Mako's opinion about the idea of him dating Korra. Mako at first mistook the question as Bolin asking him what he thought of dating the Avatar, and said that she is great, but it made more sense for him to go for Asami. However, when Bolin corrected him and said he meant himself, he said that she was better as just a friend and that dating teammates is a bad idea. Meanwhile, Mako continued to remain involved with Asami, leaving a training session early to spend time with her.



After the Fire Ferrets won the first match of the tournament against the Red Sands Rabaroos, Korra spilled out her feelings to Mako, who apologized and stated that he did not feel the same for her. Though she was discouraged, Bolin cheered her up and took her out for a night in Republic City. Although Asami was with him, Mako observed them jealously as his teammates left the dressing room together. Following this, Korra returned to an irritated Mako, and they soon started an argument. Mako claimed that he was only worried about what Korra was doing with Bolin as he was looking out for him and did not want to see his brother get his heart broken. However, Korra accused him of being jealous, and the two departed angrily.

Their conflict almost caused the Fire Ferrets to lose their next match due to lack of teamwork, as neither of them were focused on the task at hand. When the match was brought to a tiebreaker, Bolin overruled Mako's decision to fight it out, stating that his head "wasn't in the game", which proved to be a smart move. After the match, Mako approached Korra and admitted to having feelings for her, but that he was confused because he liked Asami as well. He was interrupted when Korra suddenly lunged forward and kissed him. Although surprised by her actions, Mako sincerely returned the kiss. However, their romantic moment was witnessed by Bolin, who quickly fled the scene tearfully with a broken heart. After blaming Korra for the entire situation as she was the instigator of the kiss, he gave chase.

The next day, Mako discovered that his brother had spent the night at Narook's Seaweed Noodlery. Bolin refused to come home with him, stating that he was no longer his brother, rather a "brother-betrayer". Mako wound up carrying Bolin out of the establishment against his will. The older brother emphasized again that "dating a teammate was a bad idea", to which Bolin weakly responded, "You're a bad idea!".



The growing rift and mixed feelings began to divide the team, and they struggled in the semifinals. Mako even inadvertently hit Bolin in round two, and the team lost the first two rounds by a large margin. In round three, Mako was knocked out of the ring early for a second time, and an injured Bolin soon followed. Mako helped his brother out of the water, and as they ascended to the locker room with the elevator, they apologized for letting what happened with Korra divide them. They then watched Korra score an improbable hat trick to advance the team to the finals. When Korra joined them, Mako thanked her sincerely for not giving up on the team, and the team promised each other that they could still be friends despite of all the confusion.

The Pro-bending Championship
As Mako and his teammates prepared for the final match, they heard Amon interrupt a radio broadcast and threaten the United Republic Council with "severe consequences" if they allowed the tournament to continue. Korra and the team rode to City Hall on Naga to try and stop the Council from making this decision, but by the time they arrived, they learned that the Council had unanimously agreed to do so, much to their disappointment. Fortunately, just before Tarrlok declared the decision final, Lin Beifong entered City Hall. Demanding the Council show backbone and allow the tournament to continue, Lin offered the security of the Metalbending Police Force. The Council agreed to Lin's offer, and to the Fire Ferrets' excitement, the match continued as planned.

The championship proved to be a closely contended but controversially officiated match. The White Falls Wolfbats committed a series of illegal moves, which even prompted Mako to suspect that they had paid off the match's official. The Fire Ferrets lost via knockout in round three. After the match, the Equalists attacked the arena, primarily through use of electrified kali sticks and electrified gloves. These attacks also stunned the still water-bound Fire Ferrets, who were then tied up to a wooden post supporting the ring.



Fortunately for the team, Pabu was lurking in the vicinity. Bolin called the fire ferret over and motioned him to bite through the rope, which Mako initially dismissed as his brother making childish animal talk. After Pabu's successful rescue, Mako and Bolin made their way to the arena's concourse and anxiously waited Korra's return from pursuing Amon and the Equalists. When Korra returned following her rescue by Lin, Mako was the first to greet Korra with a big hug, telling her that he was glad she was safe.

A new home
In the aftermath of the Equalists' attack on the arena, the authorities closed down the building, forcing Mako and Bolin to move elsewhere. Accepting Asami's offer, the brothers moved to the Sato estate, where they got a taste of the high life. However, troubles soon arose when Korra overheard Hiroshi uttering a disturbing message about preparing a "strike" plan, suggesting he could be part of the Equalists. Mako, however, refused to believe Korra and bluntly stated that their friendship would be over if she continued her crusade against Asami's father, as he thought she only did that out of jealousy of his relationship with Asami.



When Korra's accusations proved to hold merit and a search of the Sato estate was carried out, he was ordered by Lin Beifong to stay in Hiroshi's workplace together with Bolin and Asami under the supervision of Officer Song, while she with Tenzin, Korra, and several metalbending officers made their way down a tunnel. However, when Mako heard a suspicious noise coming from the underground factory, he tricked the guard and knocked him over with a fire sneeze, and, with Bolin, ventured down into the tunnel, discovering that Hiroshi was not only an Equalist, but had also managed to overpower Korra and the others. Knowing that help was needed, he hoisted Korra on his back and was about to drag Lin away when he and Bolin were stopped by Hiroshi. Cornered with no way out, Mako and the others were rescued by Asami, who stunned her father and the Lieutenant.

Once the group escaped via airship, Mako apologized to Korra afterwards for not believing her, and accepted her offer to come live with her at Air Temple Island.

Forming Team Avatar


After moving to Air Temple Island with his brother and girlfriend, Mako became a part of what Bolin called the new Team Avatar along with Asami, Bolin, and Korra. Using a Satomobile, the four patrolled the streets of Republic City looking for Equalists. They soon found, defeated, and captured several of them, much to Tarrlok's dismay. The next night they went out again only to find that the police were arresting innocent non-benders, accusing them of being Equalists. While trying to defend Asami after Tarrlok's order to arrest her, Mako faced the police but was arrested as well. Korra was about to unleash her earthbending powers on Tarrlok and his policemen, but Mako convinced her that it was not worth it. She backed down, and he was taken to prison alongside his brother and Asami.

Searching for Avatar Korra


Some time later, Mako and Bolin, sitting in the same cell, were broken out of prison by Lin Beifong. After learning about Korra's disappearance, Mako seemed very concerned and set out to do everything possible to find her. The two brothers, Asami, Tenzin, and Lin then proceeded to search for Korra, whom they believed was kidnapped by the Equalists. After Mako and his brother successfully led them to an Equalist base under the city, they freed Lin's captured men. A short time later, Mako, after threatening one of the Equalists, pinning him up against the wall, learned that the organization had never attacked City Hall, nor did they have Korra, meaning Tarrlok was lying about their attack. Mako and the group then successfully escaped from the base and began making their way to City Hall, despite the Equalist's attempts to stop them.

When confronting Tarrlok in the City Hall, the group discovered that he was a bloodbender, but when they were about to attack, the Councilman retaliated, knocking them all unconscious with his dark ability. However, after they regained consciousness, they continued the search, and later found Naga wandering the streets of Republic City, carrying Korra. Mako, shoving Tenzin and Lin aside saying that she needed space, quickly carried Korra to Oogi, commenting how he was so worried about her and assuring her she was safe now whilst Asami looked upon them sadly.

The Equalists attack


After rescuing Korra, Mako took great care in making sure she recovered from the incident completely. After dinner on Air Temple Island, Mako entered the kitchen and requested more hot water to make tea for Korra. He was met with a sharp response from an irritated Asami, which urged Pema to leave allowing the couple to talk. Asami told Mako that she was hurt and upset that he had been spending so much time with Korra and revealed that she knew he and Korra had kissed and urged Mako to be honest about his feelings for the Avatar. The firebender was not able to come up with a response that satisfied Asami, making her walk away saying they may not have a relationship to speak of, leaving behind a frustrated Mako.

Soon after, the Equalists began attacking Republic City. Mako, along with the rest of Team Avatar, made their way to the city and recovered Asami's Satomobile. Mako burned the tickets the car had acquired since Korra had crashed it into a lamppost, after Bolin stressed about the tickets and he pointed out that the police had more important things to worry about, referring to the city being under attack. Asami assumed her position in the driver's seat and forced Mako to sit in the back with Korra, still angry with him. The Avatar asked him if everything was alright, which he sarcastically responded that it was "terrific".



The group then collided with a gang of Equalist henchmen who had captured Tenzin aided by mecha tanks. Mako aided in freeing the airbender by utilizing a combination of firebending and lightning redirection. When one of Hiroshi's mecha tanks shot out a wire to electrocute him, Mako managed to channel the electricity back to the machine using his bending, thus defeating his opponent. After the encounter, they flew back to Air Temple Island to defend it against Equalist airships. Upon arriving, they found that Lin, along with Tenzin's children, had successfully repelled the attacks requiring no further assistance from them. Later that day, the attacks pressed on however and Mako and his friends were forced into hiding in a water pipeline. He comforted Korra, which did not go unnoticed by Asami.

Stopping Amon
While hiding under the city, Korra and Mako stole Chi-blocker uniforms, and infiltrated Equalist rallies to stay up-to-date on Amon's movements. Korra was growing restless and increasingly more agitated at being branded a coward for "running away", but Mako advised her to be patient. The two rejoined Bolin and Asami (who was still acting jealous and agitated around Mako) and ate dinner with Gommu. Later that night, when neither of them could sleep, Mako told Korra that because of everything that's happened, he couldn't imagine his life without her. He went on to say Korra was the most loyal, brave and selfless person he had ever known. While Korra was flattered and reciprocated his feelings, Korra opted for them to get some rest when the United Forces' morning arrival.

When General Iroh appeared, the United Forces fleet was swiftly destroyed by the Equalists and their newly crafted air fleet. Korra managed to rescue the general, and brought him back to the hideout. Iroh decided that with the Equalist air fleet in power, it would be impossible for the remaining fleet to take back the city. With the group's help, Iroh and Mako deduced where the air fleet hangar was, and everyone prepared themselves to leave. Korra, however, refused to go, as she believed it was her duty to stay in the city and confront Amon. Rather than facing Amon by herself, Mako insisted on accompanying her, while Bolin, Asami, and Iroh continued on their path to take down the air ships. Mako and Bolin hugged each other goodbye, and Mako apologized to Asami about how crazy things had gotten between them, and told her that he wanted her to know that he still cared for her. Asami said she still cared for him too, and kissed him on the cheek, ending their relationship on a good note.

Mako and Korra returned to Air Temple Island hoping to ambush Amon, but they found Tarrlok instead. Tarrlok told Mako and Korra that he and Amon were brothers. He goes on to tell them about their childhood, and that Amon was actually a very powerful bloodbender. Mako realized trying to ambush Amon directly would be a horrible idea, but Korra theorized that if they were able to expose Amon as a bender in front of his supporters, the Revolution would crumble. Tarrlok apologized to Korra for his actions and the duo then left to attend Amon's rally at the Pro-Bending Arena.

Mako and Korra made it to the Arena, and Korra made an attempt to persuade Amon's supporters that he was really a waterbender and a bloodbender. However, Amon revealed his face and the "scars" he was given to the crowd, making his supporters believe that Korra was a liar. Mako then opted for the two of them to escape, but Amon revealed that he captured Tenzin and his family, and prepared to take their bending away. Korra begged Amon to let them go, and Mako fired a bolt of lightning at Amon, which he barely dodged. Mako and Korra then used their firebending to reach the stage, free Tenzin and his family, and escape out into corridors.



While Tenzin and his children escaped, Mako and Korra retreated and hid in one of the fitness rooms. Amon followed them, and began to bloodbend Korra, prompting Mako to try to stop him, but Amon subdued him as well. Amon proceeded to take Korra's bending away, and Mako watched in horror and anger. Amon approached Mako, still keeping a hold on him, however, Mako managed to fight Amon's grasp and blasted him away with lightning. Mako then proceeded to pick up a barely conscious Korra and attempted to escape, reassuring her that she would be okay. But Amon was able to catch up and stop Mako again with bloodbending. Amon complimented Mako on his ability to "get the better of him", and comments on what a pity it is for him to take away his superior bending skills. Meanwhile, Korra watched, and just when Mako was about to lose his bending, Korra knocked Amon away with an air blast.

Korra manages to blast Amon out a window and into the harbor in front of the Equalists. Amon's mask falls off and his "scars" (which was only make-up) fade away. As Amon is about to drown, he uses waterbending to propel himself out of the water in front of the crowd, losing his supporters. Mako tries to beat him down with firebending, but Amon escapes. Mako embraces Korra, who is still weak from losing her bending.

A new start with Korra
Mako and Korra are reunited with Bolin, Tenzin and his family, Lin, Asami, and Iroh on Air Temple Island, and watch Commander Bumi arrive. Later, Mako and the rest of the group go to the South Pole so Katara can try to restore Korra's bending. Despite her best efforts, Katara is unable to mend the spiritual block that is keeping Korra from bending water, earth, and fire. Korra emerges, and she quietly steps outside. Mako follows her, and tries to console her. Korra tells him to go back to Republic City; thinking that without her bending she's no longer the Avatar, and Mako shouldn't do her any favors by staying. Mako tells her that he doesn't care if she's the Avatar or not, and he explains that when she was kidnapped by Tarrlok, he thought he would never see her again, and it made him realize how much he cared for her. Mako tells Korra that he loves her, but it's too much for her to handle and she runs away on Naga. Tenzin comes to stand behind Mako and says that they must give her time to come to terms with what has happened while Mako looks on sadly after her.



Mako follows Korra out onto the tundra, and witnesses her going into the Avatar State for the first time at the cliff-edge. He watches in awe and delight, and when Korra comes out of the Avatar State, he smiles warmly at her and walks toward her with open arms. Korra jumps into his arms and embraces him, and tells him that she loves him too. The two kiss, and eventually return to their friends and families. While standing beside his brother, he witnesses Korra restoring Lin's earthbending; and Tenzin praising her as "Avatar Korra".

Personality
Characteristic of his stoic and brooding personality, Mako is generally aloof and indifferent, though he is not incapable of genuine kindness and a protective demeanor. It is implied that Mako has excellent control over his emotions, as he is able to bend lightning - a technique that requires the user to have a calm and steady mind. He tends to act in a critical and controlling manner, stemming from a life on the streets and a drive to protect his little brother, which forced him to take on adult responsibilities at a young age. In light of the brothers' pasts, he cares deeply for Bolin and is very protective of him. Living on the streets has given him a "hard-edge". He seems to relax when he is with Bolin, Korra, or Asami, or when he achieves something important. For instance, when Butakha gave him the winnings of the previous tournament, Mako had a large grin on his face.

Going with his hard edge, Mako has a very wrathful side to him as well. This is particularly evident when he threatens an Equalist Chi-Blocker when seeking information regarding Korra's whereabouts. This more than likely stems from his years on the street protecting his younger brother, and this side to him now extends to anyone close to him as well. Even though his hard past has brought out his serious side, he has a very loving and kind side, especially when he was around Asami and especially with Korra and Bolin, his two closest friends.

Firebending


Mako has shown considerable skill in the art of firebending, implementing a modern style of fighting that he uses predominantly in the Pro-bending Arena. Critics of the sport note his use of a distinct "cool under fire" technique, primarily involving a series of defensive weaving and dodging followed by quick successive spurts of offense, rendering Mako capable of defeating an entire pro-bending team by himself. Outside of pro-bending, Mako demonstrated great skill in traditional firebending combat. He can maintain his fire streams for a period of time for feats such as propelling himself through the air. He can also perform more advanced techniques such as the Breath of Fire.

Lightning


Mako is also skilled enough to generate lightning and redirect it. He has used lightning for a well-paying job at a power plant in Republic City and can effectively use it in combat. He is able to generate it quickly with little charging time and no arm movement and is also capable of maintaining the bolt for several seconds. He can also fire it with considerable aim, being able to hit speeding targets and controlling the charge of it to merely stun targets. While fighting several Equalist mecha tanks, Mako has also redirected the electricity channeled through their metal cables, using it to disable them. When restrained by Amon's bloodbending, he was able to maintain enough focus and calmness of mind to generate lightning, prompting Amon to praise him on his skill as the first bender to ever get the better of him.

Other skills
Mako has displayed considerable agility, being capable of jumping far and performing impressive flips, proving himself difficult to hit at a distance. Mako also has a considerable amount of raw strength: he effortlessly launched an Equalist agent a great distance, casually carried Bolin over his shoulder, and in anger hoisted an Equalist into the air with a single hand. He can also carry Korra in his arms and has done so twice, once after she escaped from Amon and Tarrlok and again when her bending was taken away.

While under the control of Amon's bloodbending, Mako was able to move his hand just enough to aim a bolt of lightning at Amon, something that took Amon by surprise considering his extreme strength in bloodbending. Later on, Amon admitted to Mako that he was impressed with his firebending skill, and that it was a shame that he would have to remove the bending of "someone so talented".

Relatives

 * Bolin (younger brother)
 * Unnamed father and mother (deceased)

Appearances
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Book One: Air (气)
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Trivia

 * Mako is named after Mako Iwamatsu, the man who voiced Iroh from Book 1: Water to Book 2: Earth, but died shortly after finishing his lines for Book 2. His name is a shortened form of the Japanese name Makoto (信), meaning "faithfulness".
 * The creators commented that Mako reminded them of Zuko, but without the angst.
 * Mako's "cool under fire" style of pro-bending bears similarities to the defensive styles of boxing, and the styles of iconic boxers such as Willie Pep and Muhammad Ali.
 * Mako's dark childhood is similar to that of Sokka, Katara, Jet, Asami Sato and Aang as all six of them have lost family members to firebenders. However, while Katara, Sokka and Asami only lost their mothers, Mako and Jet's parents were murdered right in front of them, though on the other hand, Aang lost his entire people to firebenders while he was sealed in an iceberg. Jet and Mako also both lost their family at age eight.
 * Mako's history is similar to Bruce Wayne's, known more commonly as Batman, in the sense that both of their parents were mugged and murdered in front of them at the age of eight. In addition, David Faustino, Mako's voice actor, had previously worked on an episode of the Batman animated series Batman Beyond, in his second voice-over role as the character Sean Miller, a troubled psychotic high school student who was a temporary ally of Batman (who in fact is Bruce Wayne's successor in the 2040s, Terry McGinnis), but later reverted back to his malicious nature when he nearly killed the episode's main antagonist out of revenge near the end of the episode.
 * Mako seems to show no regret for his powers, even though his parents were killed by a firebender.
 * Mako's scarf is very similar to Katara's necklace in the way that it is the sole memento of a deceased parent, although Mako's scarf came from his father while Katara's necklace came from her mother.
 * He is the first bender to stop Amon from taking his bending away.
 * Mako has appeared in every episode except "Welcome to Republic City".
 * Mako is the fourth known person to break free of a bloodbender's hold by their own doing, and the first non-waterbender known to have done so.