Bolin

"earth"

- Wish me luck! Not... that I'll need it.

Bolin is an earthbender from a multicultural family who grew up on the streets of Republic City under the protection of his older brother, Mako. Despite a tough childhood, he always has a smile on his face and a lady on his arm.

History
When Mako was eight, he lost his parents to a firebender mugger, leaving Bolin as his only family. To survive, the brothers briefly did paperwork for the Triple Threat Triad.

At some point, Bolin found a fire ferret scrounging for food in the garbage and decided to take him in. He later named him Pabu, and soon the pair became close friends, constantly playing practical jokes on Mako. Some time later, Bolin, along with Mako and Hasook, formed a pro-bending team called the Fire Ferrets and competed in Republic City.

Bolin first encountered Korra when Toza caught her exploring the training gym inside the pro-bending arena. He introduced himself to her and invited her to stay for the match that his team was competing in, much to Mako's displeasure. After his team defeated the Tigerdillos, and finding out she was the Avatar, Bolin taught Korra a few pro-bending basics.

Later, the Fire Ferrets' spot in the championship was endangered when Hasook didn't show up for a match. Korra volunteered to take his place and Bolin agreed, forging the new team. In round three of their match against the Platypus Bears, he and Mako were cornered while Korra fell back to zone three. However, after Korra held her own and the opposition exhausted themselves, Bolin and Mako fought back, eventually winning by knockout and clinching a spot in the tournament.



Despite receiving a large sum of prize money for winning their last pro-bending match, the Fire Ferrets were still short on the funds they needed for the championship pot, because they had exhausted their funds to pay for the gym usage and other necessities required as a pro-bending team. Bolin then decided to use Pabu to earn some money at Central City Station as he had taught him to do some circus tricks, but his efforts were met with futility. He then encountered Shady Shin, who offered him the money he needed in exchange for helping the Triple Threat Triad with security. Later that day, Lightning Bolt Zolt, Shady Shin, some other Triads, and Bolin were captured by Equalists to be the benders that would be exhibited in Amon's "revelation." There, Bolin witnessed Amon's ability to take away one's bending, using the prisoners to showcase this ability. Just as Bolin's earthbending was about to be removed permanently, Mako arrived just in time to rescue him after Korra caused a steam explosion to cover their escape. Bolin and Mako attempted to escape, but were intercepted by Amon's lieutenant. After both were defeated, Korra launched a surprise attack against the Lieutenant, incapacitating him long enough to call Naga and escape with them.

Later, he showed up at Air Temple Island to give Korra a rose and a pastry to thank her for helping him escape Amon. When a messenger of Tarrlok arrived with flowers for the Avatar, Bolin asked Korra if this man was bothering her, he could deal with him, but after Korra explained him the situation, he calmed down. Bolin then attended a party Tarrlok hosted in honor of Korra, where he, excitedly, told her the news about Hiroshi Sato sponsoring the Fire Ferrets.

Prior to the tournament, Bolin attempted to approach Korra when they were left alone following a training session after Mako left with Asami. Back at home, talked to Mako about his feelings for Korra, but Mako advised him not to approach the Avatar about his feelings for her, especially during the tournament.

During the first match of the tournament, Bolin and the Fire Ferrets, very much in-sync defeated the Rabbiroos in short order. After the match, he charmingly approached Korra and showered her with compliments while asking to spend time with him, to which Korra finally agreed.

Bolin took Korra out to Narook's Seaweed Noodlery, a noodle shop serving Water Tribe Cuisine. During this meeting, they encountered Tahno. Bolin, explaining that Thano was a member of the reining Pro-Bending Champions, the Wolfbats, advised Korra not to stare at him. Tahno then approached them along with his posse and trash talked with Korra. Bolin told her to not touch Tahno, or they would be out of the tournament so Korra called on Naga to intimidate him. After the polar bear dog's roar startled him like Bolin had never seen, the two shared a laugh and moved on to the rest of their date, which included drinks and an overlook of Republic City at the top of a romantic Tower.

In the quarterfinals of the pro-bending tournament against the Boarcupines, the team struggled. Bolin noticed that Mako and Korra were clearly out of sync, and he stepped up his attacks in light of this. He led the team to a critical second-round victory to keep the team alive after a first-round defeat. When the third round ended in a tie, Bolin was chosen to participate in the sudden death one-on-one match. He defeated the opposition's earthbender, Chung, to clinch the match for the Fire Ferrets.

That night, went to deliver a large bouquet flowers to Korra. However, he caught her kissing Mako. The sight left Bolin devastated, and he ran from the scene crying.

Mako later found Bolin at Narook's the next morning. Mako came to take him home, but Bolin refused, stating he no longer trusted his brother. Mako lifted his brother onto his shoulders and carried him home, the earthbender still crying.

During the semifinal, Bolin vomited in the middle of the first round, as the entire team fell out of sync. Bolin was knocked out of the ring in all three rounds. In the third round, his shoulder was seriously injured before being thrown in the pool, and due to Mako's prior knockout, Korra was left alone in the ring.

On the way out of the water, the brothers apologized to each other for letting their interests in Korra divide them. They then watched as Korra scored a hat trick in one fell swoop, advancing the team to the championship against the Wolfbats. All three of them apologized and got back on even ground.

Korra then healed Bolin's shoulder, and the two complimented one another, sealing their friendship.

Personality
Despite his tough childhood on the street, Bolin is still a laid-back, naive, and fun-loving person, in contrast to his older brother Mako. He has a good sense of humor, but is still a very capable earthbender. He is also expressive, high-spirited, enthusiastic, and quite comfortable in his own skin. According to Mako, he has a "knack" for getting himself into trouble. He is typically an optimist and enjoys the attention he gets from his fangirls, though he is a novice in the world of dating. Despite differences between Mako's personality and his own, Bolin shares a close bond with his brother.

Abilities


As a skilled pro-bender, Bolin has developed good earthbending skills. Bolin describes his earthbending style as "light on [his] feet", which grants him greater maneuverability and evasiveness during matches. Bolin also employs pro-bending-like attacks along with more traditional earthbending outside of matches, sending disk-shaped rocks at the Lieutenant, and then defending himself with an earth wall.

Relatives

 * Mako (older brother)
 * Unnamed father and mother (deceased)

Trivia

 * Bolin's appearance was inspired by the early ideas of Toph, who was originally going to be male.
 * When Bolin and his brother started to compete in the pro-bending tournament, they were given a place to stay by Toza, a former pro-bender.
 * According to Mako, Bolin apparently has a habit of bringing "crazy fangirls" to the Fire Ferrets' changing room.
 * Korra notes that his "light on your feet" style of earthbending is more useful than the traditional style.
 * Bolin and his brother lost their parents to a firebender, much as Amon lost his entire family to one.
 * Bolin is occasionally nicknamed "Bo" by Mako and the kids in the streets, like Skoochy.