Jae and Datu kiss on Avatar: Seven Havens (Paramount)

Avatar: Seven Havens has introduced a canon gay couple, with airbender Jae shown on-screen with his boyfriend, Datu.

In the early episodes, which debuted on Paramount+ last week, Datu runs to Jae when he spots him and pulls him into a close embrace. Before Jae heads off, he gives Datu a quick goodbye kiss on the cheek.

The clip has been going viral on social media, with excited viewers posting their reactions. One person wrote in an X post: “HELLO GAY PEOPLE HELLO GAY PEOPLE HELLO HOMOSEXUALS IN MY AVATAR SERIES IT IS SO NICE TO MEET YOU.” Someone else said: “Jae and Datu are so cute I love them.”

Another fan prayed for a happy ending for them, writing: “Please keep Datu and Jae together, I don’t wanna see no love triangle miscommunication b******.”

Avatar: Seven Havens is part of Avatar Studios’ expansion of the Avatar: The Last Airbender universe, a franchise known for elemental bending, big political themes and a huge, multi-generational fandom.

Queer representation has also been a long-running conversation in the Avatar world, particularly around Korra and Asami. In 2024, the creators reflected on fan responses to that romance, with Michael Dante DiMartino writing that they had heard from “numerous fans” about how Avatar and Korra had helped them through difficult times, after the storyline broke new ground for children’s TV.

The series launched on Paramount+ on 9 October with the first three episodes of Book 1 available to stream. More episodes are set to drop across October, with episodes four to six on 16 October, seven to nine on 23 October, and episodes 10 to 13 on 30 October.

The first season is planned as 26 half-hour episodes released in two batches.

At New York Comic Con, Major Curda, who voices Jae, said the show’s canon gay relationship was “not a huge deal”, adding, as per The Hollywood Reporter: “Jae is a character. Here is this new character Datu (Topher Ngo), their boyfriend. It’s just such a wonderful exemplification of love is love.”

The show has also been renewed for seasons three and four at Paramount+, as announced at New York Comic Con, according to Deadline.

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