From listener darine_smith:

Just a quick heads-up, on your recent podcast for Republic City Dispatch you guys mentioned that Asami Sato looks a lot like Lust from FMA. If you go to Bryan Konietzko’s Tumblr he have a quick sketch of Lust along with an explanation that he created Asami like that character. Plus Emily, as soon as Bryan mentioned that he channeled those two female characters together, I immediately didn’t trust her BEFORE the show even started haha (EVILLLLL!) Thank you guys for the podcast, and please keep up the great work!

bryankonietzko:

Just a quick study I did a few months back of Lust from Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.

EDIT: Man, some of these notes are cracking me up. The way people run with ideas and speculation! Yes, many of us on the crew enjoy Fullmetal (especially Joaquim, who has praised its virtues for some time), but Mike and I were late to the party. We didn’t start watching it until well after we created Mako and Bolin. And I think I had already designed Asami before then as well, but as Lust is such a killer design, I’m fine with saying she was influenced by her, and flattered anyone would think so. And why would people think we don’t like anime? I am amused!