The latest chapter of the beloved bending saga arrived on Paramount+ this Friday, unveiling Avatar: Seven Havens as the newest installment in the franchise that began with Avatar: The Last Airbender and continued with The Legend of Korra. Set after Korra’s era, the series follows the new Avatar, Pavi, her sister Nisha, and an adventurous airbender named Jae as they navigate a world still healing from past wars.
Jae and Datu: the franchise’s first openly gay male characters
Within the opening episodes, Jae is presented with a boyfriend, Datu, in a scene that quickly became a viral moment. The clip shows Datu sprinting toward Jae, engulfing him in a warm embrace and pressing their faces close together before Jae delivers a quick, affectionate peck on Datu’s cheek. This tender exchange confirms that Jae is gay canon a milestone for a universe that has long hinted at LGBTQ+ representation but never solidified a gay male lead pair.
Fans on X (formerly Twitter) seized the moment, posting a cascade of celebratory messages. One user shouted, “HELLO GAY PEOPLE HELLO GAY PEOPLE HELLO HOMOSEXUALS IN MY AVATAR SERIES IT IS SO NICE TO MEET YOU” while another exclaimed, “There’s an openly gay man who’s a lead in Avatar Seven Havens yall!! Like this is what the fans want to see!!! Him and his bf are so cuteeeeeee!!!!” A third contributed a succinct declaration: “JAE IS GAY CANON.” The enthusiasm underscores how eagerly the community has awaited a concrete representation of gay romance within the series.
Fan response on social media amplifies the moment
Beyond the immediate outcry of joy, the conversation has broadened into discussions about broader inclusion across the Avatar multiverse. Reddit threads are already debating whether Jae and Datu constitute the first canonically gay male characters in the entire franchise, a claim supported by the lack of any previously confirmed gay male pairings. The fervor reflects a larger cultural shift, where audiences increasingly expect mainstream media to mirror the diversity of its viewership.
These reactions also highlight the power of social platforms to amplify representation moments. In a single day, the Datu-Jae introduction generated dozens of retweets, fan art, and speculative commentary, illustrating how a brief on-screen interaction can ignite a worldwide dialogue about identity, acceptance, and storytelling.
How the new couple fits into the Avatar universe and upcoming release plan
The inclusion of Jae and Datu dovetails with earlier hints that other central figures may belong to the LGBTQ+ spectrum. Earlier this year, the film Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender suggested that firebender Zuko could be bisexual, while long-standing characters Korra and Asami are already recognized as canonically bisexual. Jae’s confirmation therefore expands a pattern of deliberate, incremental representation that has been building across the franchise’s various timelines.
Avatar: Seven Havens is slated to run for 26 half-hour episodes. The first thirteen are scheduled for release in small batches of three or four episodes each, spanning the window from Oct 9 to Oct 30. The rollout plan for the remaining half of the season has not yet been disclosed, leaving fans eager for the next drop. This staggered delivery model not only maintains momentum on streaming platforms but also gives the audience time to digest and discuss each new development, such as the groundbreaking gay couple.
As the series continues to unfold, viewers can anticipate how Jae’s airbending prowess and his relationship with Datu will intersect with the broader narrative arcs of Pavi and Nisha. Whether the show will further explore LGBTQ+ themes or keep them as subtle background details remains to be seen, but the initial impact of Jae and Datu’s on-screen presence signals a clear intent to broaden the emotional palette of the Avatar world.
