Tenzin's relationships

B This page comprises Tenzin's relationships with other characters. Tenzin is a quiet and calm man, with a great sense of responsibility toward the people of Republic City.

Aang
Tenzin was the only one of Aang's children who had inherited his father's airbending. As the only living airbending master, Aang taught Tenzin the art of bending air and, at some point, Tenzin mastered the skill and earned his arrows. The two developed a good relationship; the Avatar even built a new air temple for his son and his family.

Tenzin has a great respect for his father and still misses him. When he was in his boat heading to Air Temple Island, he looked sorrowfully up at Aang's statue, then solemnly bowed his head.

Being a member of the United Republic Council, Tenzin also feels a great responsibility for the welfare of Republic City and its inhabitants. His original desire to protect the metropolis, however, may have stemmed from the fact that his father founded the entire United Republic, along with Fire Lord Zuko, at the end of the War. If this is so, it shows how much Tenzin wishes to please his father, both then and now.

Katara
"'Hello, mother. I can't tell you how happy I am to see you, please help me.' - Tenzin to Katara in 'Welcome to Republic City'."

When Tenzin and his family traveled to the Southern Water Tribe compound, Katara was eagerly awaiting the arrival of her youngest son and her grandchildren. Once he arrived, Tenzin briefly bowed in respect to his mother. While growing up, Katara mentioned that Tenzin had always been rather serious, which provided a nice offset for the rambunctious attitudes of his siblings Kya and Bumi.

Kya and Bumi
Tenzin had a very different personality than his older siblings. While Kya and Bumi were always more rambunctious, Tenzin retained a more serious and calm demeanor.

Children
"'You must promise me that your teenage years won't be like this!' 'I will make no such promises.' - Tenzin speaking to Jinora in 'A Leaf in the Wind'."



As evidenced by Ikki and Jinora's reaction to Korra's accusing Tenzin of being a "terrible teacher", Tenzin has a very healthy relationship with his two daughters. They immediately hug him to comfort him when he appears crestfallen, and he is not at all surprised by their gesture. Sometimes, Tenzin is frustrated by how his children act. Meelo often gnaws on his father's head and falls asleep during meditation; Ikki is very active and talkative. However, he still loves them dearly.

Pema
"'Pema, let me help you.' 'Stop doting on me. I'm not helpless, I'm just pregnant.' - Tenzin and Pema in 'Welcome to Republic City'."



Pema and Tenzin got to know each other at Air Temple Island, where she was part of the Air Acolytes that had moved there to learn the ways of the Air Nomads. At that time, Tenzin was in a relationship with Lin Beifong, but Pema fell in love with him nonetheless. Albeit shy and scared of rejection at first, she eventually mustered up the courage to admit her true feelings to him. Those feelings were reciprocated by him, as he broke off his relationship with Lin and eventually married Pema. Together, the two started a family which consists of three airbending children, two daughters and one son, with a fourth child on its way.

Tenzin is very protective with Pema, especially now that she's pregnant, and wants to assist her in any way he can. Tenzin holds his wife's opinion in high regards and they live happily together on Air Temple Island with their children.

Lin Beifong
"Lin, with so much on the line it would be nice if we could help each other out, at least for one night."

"Like old times?"

"Like old times!" - Tenzin and Lin Beifong in "And the Winner Is...".



Lin and Tenzin seem to have a distant, yet professional, relationship. The two were romantically involved in their younger years, but Tenzin broke it off after Pema confessed her love to him. Since that moment, their own priorities in life started to draw them apart, and Lin even tried unsuccessfully to get Pema thrown into jail afterwards. Presently, despite there still being some tension between the two, they seem to regard each other with respect, as Tenzin managed to convince Lin to release Korra after she was detained by the Metalbending Police Force.

Korra
"' You... you were right. I've been scared this whole time. I've never felt like this before and I don't know what to do.' - Korra sobbing to Tenzin in 'The Voice in the Night'."



Tenzin allowed Korra to stay with him in the Air Temple after disagreeing with Lin's decision of sending Korra back to the Southern Water Tribe. Having Korra stay with his family changed his peaceful life, and his obligations increased as well. Aside from protecting Republic City as a council member, he also has to teach Korra airbending and the spiritual aspects of being the Avatar.

Being her teacher, Tenzin also plays the part of a father figure for Korra. For example, Tenzin prohibited her from joining pro-bending as she had come to the city to learn airbending. Although he eventually let her participate, Tenzin still kept an eye on Korra, like he did in the final tournament. Tenzin also noticed Korra's feelings of fear for Amon and asked her about her real reason for refusing to join Tarrlok's task force, telling her that it's okay to be afraid sometimes. At her denial, he re-assured her that she could tell him anything whenever she wanted. After the Avatar's encounter with Amon, Tenzin found her at Aang Memorial Island, where Korra finally admitted her fears. She cried and let Tenzin comfort her.

Tarrlok


Tenzin and Tarrlok are both councilors in Republic City. They have a contentious relationship and a long-standing rivalry, almost always disagreeing in every council meeting. When Tarrlok went to Air Temple Island in an attempt to recruit Korra into his task force, Tenzin was very hostile toward him and only reluctantly allowed him to stay. Tenzin and Tarrlok agreed for the first time when they both decided to shut down the pro-bending arena. However, Tarrlok recanted after Lin Beifong intervened.

Amon
Tenzin considers Amon a great threat to Republic City and is concerned about how the city would react to his revolution. Unlike Tarrlok, however, Tenzin does not favor any direct action against Amon, thinking it would escalate into a civil war.