Bolin's relationships

This page is comprised of Bolin's relationships with other characters. Bolin is a fun-loving and fiercely loyal young man with a naivety towards the gray morality of the world.

Mako
"'We're brothers. We'll get through this mess.' - Mako to Bolin in 'The Spirit of Competition'."



Bolin and his older brother Mako lost their parents at the early ages of six and eight respectively. After the tragedy, they were left homeless. In order to survive, the brothers began working for the Triple Threat Triad by running numbers. One day, Toza saw them fighting on the streets. He decided to invite the brothers to live in the attic of the Pro-bending Arena in exchange for working various odd jobs to pay the rent. The brothers accepted, and together they formed their own pro-bending team, the Fire Ferrets.

Mako turned into Bolin's parental figure, taking care of him and always making sure that he was safe from danger. Mako had advised Bolin to avoid the triads. However, when Mako returned from work one day, he immediately noticed Bolin's absence. He promptly went looking for him out of concern, and was joined by Korra in his search throughout the city. When they witnessed Bolin's capture by the Equalists, and the existence and location of the anti-bender rally, Mako and Korra are willing to take the risk and attempt to rescue him. When they find he is about to be stripped of his earthbending by Amon, Mako quickly formed a plan to rescue him, and carried it out despite the danger.

Bolin trusts Mako enough to tell him about his feelings, such as his love for Korra. When the earthbender saw Mako and Korra kissing, he felt hurt and betrayed by his brother, and ran away in tears. Mako tracked Bolin down to Narook's Seaweed Noodlery in order to bring him home. Bolin was still greatly upset with Mako, to the point of calling him a "brother-betrayer" and saying that he was no longer his brother or friend. A frustrated but rather patient Mako then carried Bolin out of the restaurant, despite his crying and demands to be put down. Later, after both were knocked out of the ring in round three of the Pro-bending Tournament semifinals, the brothers apologized and were able to forgive each other, restoring their good relationship and demonstrating their strong bond.

Mako is sometimes dismissive of Bolin, such as when Bolin introduced him to Korra, or was eager to help with earning money for the tournament, or during the Equalist's ambush of the tournament finals, when he scolded Bolin for chattering at Pabu to get him to chew through the ropes they were bound with.

Their close, brotherly connection is also present when they are in Asami's pool, playfully dunking each other underwater. Their incredible teamwork is also notable, with a single glance at each other they are able to coordinate minor attacks in order to restrain Song so they could go help Korra.

Korra
"'Korra and I are perfect for each other: she's strong, I'm strong; she's fun, I'm fun; she's beautiful... I'm gorgeous!' - Bolin to Mako in 'The Spirit of Competition'."



Bolin first met Korra in the Pro-bending Arena gym, when she was caught wandering about the arena by Toza. He bailed her out, saying she was there with him, accidentally implying that they were "together". While his brother is initially dismissive of Korra, Bolin states that he has "...a good feeling, there's somethin' special about her".

As thanks for when Korra helped rescue Bolin from the Equalists, he brought the Avatar a small cake and a rose, much to her surprise but subsequent indifference. When a messenger brought Korra a large gift basket in the name of Tarrlok, Bolin expressed concern, immediately inquiring whether that "Tarrlok guy" was bothering her, as he was willing to have a word with him. When Korra laughed it off, saying that Tarrlok was just "some old guy" on the council, Bolin expressed relief.

Bolin asked Mako what he thought of Korra as a potential girlfriend, meaning for himself, though Mako mistook the question. When Mako told Bolin dating her was a bad idea, the earthbender stated that he and Korra were perfect for each other, confessing his crush. Eventually, after flattering her to cheer her up, he asked Korra out for a date. They went for food and drinks at Narook's Seaweed Noodlery, and also walked to a romantic tower in the city. Both enjoyed the date, however, Bolin was greatly hurt and disappointed when he brought Korra flowers and accidentally walked in on her kissing his brother. Fortunately, after winning the semifinals of the Pro-bending Tournament, Korra apologized to Bolin, who forgave her, and the two agreed to continue their friendship. Korra called him "one of a kind", something Bolin had called her earlier on their date.

After Korra returned from chasing the Equalists following their attack on the Pro-bending Arena, Bolin joined his brother in hugging her, showing how much he cares about her.

Pabu
"'The only one I can trust anymore is Pabu! Pabu loves me.' - Bolin to Mako in 'The Spirit of Competition'."



Bolin first met Pabu in Republic City, rescued him, and made him his pet. Afterwards, he joined Bolin in playing a series of pranks on Mako. When the team needed to raise money for the entry fee into the Pro-bending Tournament, Bolin and Pabu made an attempt at being street performers, with Pabu doing minor circus tricks. They earned a total of one yuan. During Bolin's emotional breakdown, Pabu joined him in overindulging on noodles. Pabu understands Bolin's instructions very well, as demonstrated by his performances and when the team was tied up following the Equalists' attack on the Pro-bending Arena. Bolin gestured for Pabu to bite through the rope, which the fire ferret quickly understood, freeing them from their trap.

Skoochy
"'He was performing some kind of monkey rat circus. And then..' - Skoochy to Mako and Korra when asked about Bolin in 'The Revelation'."

While Bolin lived on the street, he and his brother befriended Skoochy, a younger street urchin. Skoochy hangs out around Central City Station, a usual hangout of Bolin's. When Bolin went missing, Mako and Korra came to Skoochy for information, and he helped them, albeit at a "price". He told them how Bolin was recruited to help the Triple Threat Triad.

Triple Threat Triad
"'Heard you're a big time pro-bending player now. Not bad.' 'Uh, thanks.' - Shady Shin to Bolin in 'The Revelation'."



Bolin worked for the Triple Threat Triad while he and Mako lived on the street. To survive, the brothers usually "ran numbers" for the organization. Years later, when the Fire Ferrets needed to ante up thirty thousand yuans for the Pro-bending Tournament, Bolin made his way to Central City Station, having Pabu do circus tricks for money. While there, Shady Shin, a Triple Threat Triad member, recruited him to provide security detail for the triad in exchange for pay. This job was rather short-lived, however, as the Equalists raided the triad's headquarters shortly thereafter and kidnapped Bolin and the gang members.

Amon and the Equalists
"'Uh, hello. Amon, sir. I think there's been a big misunderstanding.' - Bolin facing Amon in 'The Revelation'."



The Equalists conducted a raid on the Triple Threat Triad's headquarters during Bolin's brief security detail. He was abducted alongside the gang members. Amon planned to use the captured benders to demonstrate his ability to take people's bending away permanently. Luckily, Korra and Mako were able to rescue Bolin before Amon could attack him. He later expressed his fear days after the incident, saying he still could not sleep well.

Bolin later encountered the Equalists again during their attack on the Pro-bending Arena. He was knocked unconscious when the Lieutenant stunned the Fire Ferrets with his electrified kali sticks. The team was then tied up to a support post of the ring, and left to face the dangerous explosions caused by the Equalists.