Mako


 * This article is about the character. For the voice actor, see Mako (voice actor).

"fire"

- I'll figure something out. I always do.

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
At the age of eight, Mako saw a firebender mug, and subsequently kill his parents, leaving Bolin as his only family and his treasured red scarf as the only memento of his father.

As an orphan, Mako did whatever he felt he must in order to survive and, more importantly, to protect his little brother. At one point, he even began working for the Triple Threat Triads as an accountant of sorts, though throughout his employ he never did anything outright illegal. While Mako doesn't regret anything he and his brother did growing as orphans, he acknowledges dangerous nature and moral ambiguity of their past, and therefore, determined never to return to that life, explicitedly forbides Bolin to associate with the Triple Threats in any way.

Mako and his brother first began competing in the pro-bending tournaments when a former pro-bender, Toza, discovered Mako fighting in the streets. Toza offered the brothers a place to live in the attic of the 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 Korra
Initially, Mako scarcely acknowledged Korra, assuming her to be another 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 didn't show for the match prior to the tournament, he did not agree to Korra's offer to join the team, saying he would rather be disqualified than made a fool. However, after Korra held her own against a barrage in round three, allowing them to conquer their opponent the Platypus Bears, Mako accepted Korra, and later looked out towards her home on Air Temple Island.

The Revelation
Later, Mako, Bolin, and Korra were practicing for the tournament early in the morning when the owner of the arena came to take their pay. In order to play in the tournament, the Fire Ferrets had to pay thirty thousand yuans or they would be disqualified. To make money for the tournament, Mako decided to work in a power company. When Mako returned to the arena, he could not find Bolin, so he went to Air Temple Island to ask Korra 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 he 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. They traveled 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 could remove bending powers from benders permanently, and planned to demonstrate it on four benders: three members of Triple Threat Triad and Bolin. To save his brother, Mako devised a plan to make a large sheet of steam erupt from devices in the side of the rally hall, courtesy of Korra, in order to distract the Equalists and allow himself to rescue Bolin, which he did right before Amon attacked him. The brothers got outside where the Lieutenant attacked them, although Korra disabled him and Amon intervened in the pursuit of the three, allowing them to make it away safely, so they could spread the news about his power.

Meeting the Satos


Walking in the streets from the power plant, he was hit by a moped driven by Asami Sato. She quickly helped him to stand up and apologozied. The two then introduced themselves to each other, and Asami then asked him on a date to Kuang's Cuisine. Initially, Mako refused, stating he did not have the proper attire for such a business, however, Asami assured him that it would be taken care of, and Mako then agreed to the date, appearing lovestruck as Asami left.

Mako was later given better clothes upon his arrival at the restaurant. During their date, Mako learned she was the daughter of the millionaire industrialist Hiroshi Sato. The next day, she brought him to Future Industries to meet him. There, Hiroshi 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, though Korra did not seem to be thrilled by Asami's presence. Mako and Asami later went to Republic City Park for a carriage ride, where he revealed that his scarf was given to him by his father. After he told Asami that he lost his parents and that the scarf made him feel "safe", Asami revealed that she lost her mother at a young age, and rested herself against him, stating that he made her feel safe.

Personality
Having a stoic and brooding personality, Mako is generally aloof and indifferent, though he is not incapable of genuine kindness. He tends to be critical and controlling, 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 loosen up a bit when he is with Bolin and Korra, and also when he achieves something. For instance, when Butakha gave him the winnings of the previous tournament, Mako had a large grin on his face.

Abilities


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. This technique in combination with his superior agility proves to be extremely effective, rendering Mako capable of defeating an entire pro-bending team by himself. Mako is also skilled enough to generate lightning, which he uses at his job at the city's power plant.

Mako also has a considerable amount of raw physical strength, which was made evident when he effortlessly launched an Equalist agent across a great distance.

Relatives

 * Bolin (younger brother)

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 Katara, Sokka, Amon, Jet, and Aang as all six of them have lost family members to firebenders. However, while Katara and Sokka only lost their mother, Mako and Jet's parents - and in Amon's case, his entire family - 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 Batman's in the sense that both their parents were mugged and murdered in front of them at the age of eight.
 * Mako seems to show no regret for his powers, even though his parents were killed by a firebender.
 * Mako is revealed to be very self-disciplined, as lightning generation requires peace of mind and a constant state of emotional control.
 * 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.