How Zuko’s Story Turned Avatar: The Last Airbender into a Masterpiece

#avatarthelastairbender #atla #zuko
[Remaster - Originally Published 9/24/2021]
After being dishonored by poor audio quality, and banished by copyright and restrictions, it has finally returned: a comprehensive look at the arc of Avatar: The Last Airbender’s most iconic character, Prince Zuko.
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On an unrelated note, if you are interested in xenofiction (or just want to help the channel), my debut novel, Winter Without End, is now available for purchase from Fenris Publishing in both ebook and paperback format:
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A post-apocalyptic story told through the eyes of a dog, Winter Without End follows a Labrador retriever who, after being abandoned by his human family in the aftermath of a devastating pandemic, makes an uneasy alliance with a wounded wolf in order to survive.
Additionally, two of my short stories, “Mark of the Stranger” and “The Merchant and the Martyr,” can be found in volumes 1 and 2 of our ongoing anthropomorphic historical fiction anthology, available here:
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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
02:42 Part 1: The Banished Prince
10:27 Part 2: The Dark Mirror
21:05 Part 3: The Fugitive
39:00 Part 4: At the Crossroads of Destiny
49:47 Part 5: The Price of Victory
58:00 Part 6: The Scars We Bear
01:09:18 Part 7: Redemption and Reconciliation
01:17:16 Conclusion
01:18:23 Credits
01:19:10 Post-Credits

[@krishdesai1980]

I find it really cool that Aang's story (the hero/protagonist) began with an act of selfishness (him leaving the monks in the Southern Air Temple) and Zuko's story (the villain/antagonist) began with an act of selflessness (him speaking out against innocents dying). Their parallels are so carefully and well thought out. The chemistry and little details between the hero Aang and the villain Zuko is what really makes this show amazing.

[@ShadowKamehameha32]

And both, at least to me, are the natutal reactions of a child in thier situations. Any child in Aangs position would have been terrified to learn that they were destined to inherit an ancient power and end an entire war. And any child in Zuko's case would've been against hurting innocent people, no matter the reason.

[@krishdesai1980]

@@ShadowKamehameha32 minus azula ig

[@aggressivefox454]

I wouldn’t say zuko speaking out of turn was out of selfishness per se. He had the consideration of the fire nation recruits in mind, but was disrespectful to the generals and his father for shooting it down like that

[@krishdesai1980]

@@aggressivefox454 exactly selfless. He disrespected the generals and spoke out to protect innocent firebender lives. He put his reputation at risk to save people he didn’t even know personally. That’s selfless, at least imo

[@aggressivefox454]

@@krishdesai1980 shoot I misread the comment. I read it as aang was selfish for leaving when he did and zuko was selfish for speaking out of turn. My bad

[@Moon-Vixen]

I don't remember where I saw it, but someone once pointed out that the true beauty in Zuko's story is the very moment he's introduced, because of Iroh. through Iroh we're shown that Zuko is someone who is loved, and worthy of love, by a character we're presented as someone to be liked by us. we barely know him, and yet we see he's calm, grounded, with a strong moral fiber, and most of all, he's kind and gentle. and if someone as kind and gentle as Iroh finds goodness in Zuko, so should we. and the entire rest of the series is built on showing us what Iroh saw all along, fulfilling the very first episode's subtle promise.

[@alexbones0001]

That’s beautiful

[@jacksonrooney5043]

This made me cry. Thank you

[@mattstorm360]

When you bring up Iroh, i think another moment that should be pointed out is where Zuko finds Appa but before he can do anything, Iroh find him and gets brunt with the conversation. Pointing out Zuko isn't thinking things through. He nearly froze to death. He's following a path that someone else assigned to him and eventually asks him the BIG question. "WHO ARE YOU? And what do YOU want?"

[@lconnerz100]

It’s a nice thought but that doesn’t show anything about zuko. It’s 100% about iroh as a character. It’s about him seeing good in everyone (except Azula). He even sees this in a guy that’s trying to mug him 🤣.

[@Moon-Vixen]

@@lconnerz100 hey, it's ok that it went over your head, things like this aren't really meant to be noticed by a casual viewer consciously. the fact that you don't/can't see it is just a sign of good storytelling.

[@js_musicmedia8981]

“Strike me. You’ve never held back before.” Was one of the most emotional things I’ve heard on TV. That scene showcases how troubled Zuko is in such a profound way

[@sarahlandis289]

And that tear streaking down along with the rain 💔😭😭😭

[@stratisclouds]

“I’m angry at myself!” Got me good

[@Grimpy970]

I think this scene was based on a very similar one you see in Forrest Gump. Lieutenant Dan is a broken man, a double amputee who genuinely desired a glorious death in combat as it was family tradition. In a dismissive, mean spirited joke, he sarcastically agreed to join the crew of Forrest's fishing boat if he could ever afford one. When they're out to sea, they encounter a nasty storm- it ends up being a hurricane that cripples the fleets of their competitors. Lieutenant Dan painfully hoists himself up on the rigging and shouts challenges at the storm. They either reach the calm 'eye' of the hurricane, or leave its effects very suddenly. Lieutenant Dan then throws himself overboard, and swims in a back-stroke reminiscent of a crucifix. Forrest then mentions that he thinks "Lieutenant found God that day" A very similar thing is happening to zuko here, and I can't shake the feeling that the two scenes are effectively twins

[@willy_b_coyote]

He found the Avatar and reclaimed his honor…. Just not the way he expected to.

[@wildgurgs3614]

Indeed it was not his father but his own actions that restored Zuko's honor. Just as Zuko forged his own destiny, so we forge ours with our own everyday actions and decisions including the ones that no one sees and have seemingly little impact on the world.

[@Onaterdem]

"You know, Prince Zuko, destiny is a funny thing. You never know how things are going to work out. But if you keep an open mind and an open heart, I promise you will find your own destiny someday."

[@feredox6655]

Destiny is a funny thing.

[@JustABalrog]

you know ATLA is on another level when a 1 hour and 20 minute video analyzing someone who isn't even the main character sites works by actual philosophers.

[@HEKVT]

The parallels between Zuko and Aang are amazing, I saw somewhere that mentioned Zuko's face being scarred because he faced everything head on, meanwhile Aang has scarring on his back showing that he chose to turn his back on the world and run away.

[@magickology]

Never thought of it that way. Genius

[@marink94]

But also, they both end with a scar from an Azula's lightning, Aang in the back, Zuko in the chest. And it could mean the same

[@MatildaV1980]

Omg, that’s brilliant! I’ve never thought of that, but it’s true!

[@watchyourback8877]

WOW, that is actually cool.

[@thisguy.-.]

I feel it's unjust given the fact that the scar is given from mistakes at Ba Sing Se, and especially in how it plays into the finale. If it came for example from being struck by lightning during his runaway, then it would be perfect provided he survives somehow. But otherwise it's not a great parallel to draw.

[@MichaelMarlow]

I've always found it ironic that the first villain of the show is really the character the shows the best examples of balance. Aang is the physical embodiment but in AtLA world Zuko is the character that most people could relate to, even characters in show. The more you learn about his story the more you can see how Zuko is extremely relatable to all walks of life. From a peasant to a King, Zuko knows about how they live. The show feels like it's Zuko's story and everyone else is a B character. He's the real hero of the show, he takes on the greatest burden, of turning against your own people to save them. Zuko goes against everything he was taught to do what was right.

[@vaeldrnero6251]

That’s because Zuko is the main character. He’s the frenemy of anime. He’s like vegeta or sasuke.

[@cookiemonster8184]

I was with you until you said it feels like Zuko’s story and everybody else is a B character, that’s going too far

[@spikem5950]

I always did feel like Zuko had the better arc for a main character. Yeah, Aang is the one it's named after, and he does have a good arc, but Zuko's is just so much more meaningful to me and feels so utterly instrumental to the show and the world as a whole. The war ends because of Zuko, rather than the cycle just perpetuating. In any other story an arc like his would have been the main character's. That's the real beauty of AtLA's writing, it isn't just about one person. There are two main characters to this show, they're just on different sides of the conflict for most of it. With most writers one main character being done so well is a feat in of itself, but they managed it with two here.

[@roseali8188]

You are right i only watch the live action and by the end of it the only character i love was zuko and iroh . some fan was mad that the creater are focus on zuko more than Aang because his scenes was the best in the show and every one was liked him more than all characters but actually that not the issue his character are better than other he never was a villain the fire nation force him to put a mask of cruelty because if he show some kind or love they shamely accuse him to be weak and even hurt him because of that so he learn from the hard way to not have feelings to not show feelings 😢 he are the best character like you said he are like a main character and other like b side character actually i have seen some reaction to the his scenes they all interest in zuko side story more than Aang they after seen the eps they keep mention zuko things it the same for me his scenes his fight was perfect

[@JB77776]

I love how Zuko's and Azula's bending reflect their character progression. The day he faces his father is the day we get to see him as a truly powerful bender. When he faces Azula during the comment. He displays bending truly worthy of a firelord.

[@willowwhisps1339]

28:20 I'd also like to point out that when Zuko leaves Iroh, he lets Iroh keep almost everything he stole, only taking necessities with him. Zuko always loved his uncle.

[@lockout6896]

“ the lotus tile was in my sleeve the whole time” and than Zulu throwing it makes me laugh out loud to this day

[@LusterDust]

I remember sitting down for the first episodes, airing on Nickelodeon for the first time, the same exact age as Aang was at the time, eyes bright and wide at this beautiful thing that I knew already went way past a normal cartoon. When Zuko threatened the water villagers and Aang heroically stepped up, I remember being taken aback, amazed that Zuko agreed without any bargaining or demands that he'd let the villagers go, so long as his true objective, capturing the Avatar, was reached. He nodded and left, no one being extra aggressive and spitting fire at the villagers for extra fear just 'cause Evil Things. That's what I based "honor" on after that. Zuko was my basis of honor as I grew to learn and understand it and he still is today.

[@dustingrimmmagic1067]

Not gonna lie, that's actually a great story!

[@stolentrevin]

"exact same age as Aang was at the time" baller 110 year old

[@QuatarTarandir]

@@stolentrevin 🤣

[@wildgurgs3614]

@@stolentrevin I meaaan...I'm sure he literally hadn't aged a day in that iceberg, so let's knock off 100 years

[@MamaGator]

This comment hits hard right now cuz yeah this all of this

[@aidanrmacgregor7537]

The frame when Zuko sees Song's scars and his eyebrows raise in shock, almost makes me cry every time. Just how he can be so appalled by the damage done in the war, the pain his nation had caused, yet so fiercely conflicted about his own destiny, is all there. 27:48

[@Yee-Haw_Bird]

Probably one of the best character studies on the platform. Glad to see it back

[@rottensquid]

This was really beautifully done. Zuko is a near-perfect execution of the villain redemption story. And when one casts even the most casual glance over fan fiction as a whole, it becomes clear how desperate people are to see redemption. I see something moving in that, in fans re-writing young villainous characters, like Draco Malfoy, for example, allowing them to grow out of their "evil," their damage, their selfishness. And what strikes me even more is how rare redemption appears in pop culture. Not to mention how much rarer it is to see it done this well. But I think this video demonstrates why it's so rare. Look at how meticulously Zuko's redemption is seeded, nutured, and allowed to bloom in its own time. It's not rushed. As you point out, his backsliding is an essential part of his growth. When he traveled with Uncle Iroh, Iroh's was the voice of wisdom. But so long as Iroh was voicing it, it wasn't internal. Zuko needed to be away from Iroh to find his own voice. But it was a bold choice. When characters like Zuko backslide, they run the risk of frustrating the audience, who can clearly see the better path and desperately want the character to just hurry up and be a better person. Mad Men lost a chunk of its audience when Don Draper abandoned his path of self-examination, dumped his therapist girlfriend, and married another fantasy girl. It's horrible to watch someone being duped by their own shadow, all the more so because we don't like admitting how it can happen to us. But that's what made this show so good. It didn't take the easy path to character redemption. It allowed Zuko to hit bottom. And part of hitting bottom is getting everything your shadow wants, and realizing how empty it is. The shadow is a hungry ghost, and what it craves feeds nothing alive, nothing that grows but hunger. That's why Azula functions as such a perfect dark mirror for Zuko. She has everything that he wants, except none of it nourishes her. It feeds only her hunger, and rather than sating it, makes it grow. Azula craves control, and like everyone, what she seeks to control are her own feelings. Because she's so gifted, she uses her genius to master her world, winning her father's respect, her friends' loyalty, her peoples' fear. But mastering everyone around her doesn't actually master her own feelings. That's her illusion, and one that was always doomed to fail her. It sets her up to maintain control of everyone and everything around her in order to keep her inner turmoil from overcoming her. And that control is impossible to maintain forever. And like Zuko, Azula too gets everything she wants, and it destroys her. Because even though she has everything, her inner turmoil doesn't go away. Until she became ruler of the Fire Nation, she always had something to hope for, something that would, at last, satisfy her cravings. When she discovers that it doesn't, that she still feels empty and unsatisfied, that's when she begins to fall apart. Because she realizes in her soul that, even if she controls the whole world, this empty feeling is beyond her control. Zuko's failure with his father, his ordinariness in contrast to Azula's brilliance, ultimately saved him. Because he learned to master the one thing she couldn't, his own soul. While Azula will always be tormented by unquenchable cravings. Zuko learned that his torment came from within. He needed something that didn't exist, his father's love. He let the illusions and lies of his world turn that need into a desire to win back his father's approval, to regain "honor," to master his world again. But once he realized the true nature of his need, he realized he already had it, not from the man he called father, but from the man who loved him unconditionally, and had been trying to give him what he needed all along. Azula, unable to look within, can never learn the true nature of her needs. Her brilliance taught her the wrong lesson, that anything in the world can be mastered. So she invested all her will in mastering everything in the world but herself. She remains a mystery to herself, unable to step outside and see who and what she really is, and really needs.

[@jordanriddle883]

i literally never wanted this comment to end. its so beautifully written.

[@rottensquid]

@@jordanriddle883 Thank you. I do tend to go on and on ad nauseam, so I appreciate your appreciation.

[@KillEmWithStyle]

Jung would be proud, and so would Uncle Iroh.

[@Meow-cutie]

@@jordanriddle883me too! I couldn’t have said it better. Love to see like-minded people. I love well-done character analyses.

[@EliteWW]

Easily one of my favourite videos on youtube, I’m glad to see this reuploaded. Thanks for this amazing work and lets hope the copyright gods leave it alone.

[@ThePseud0Legend]

I believe the reason it was taken down was because a certain group that took part in World War Two was mentioned in it.

[@ZuraStardust]

Copyright gods are straight up evil. How could they strike this masterpiece

[@king_big_pp]

Eh, he just summarizes everything that happen with Zuko in the series. If you watched the show and paid attention, this video doesn't offer much Edit: Nevermind, the Honor Supercut at the end makes this entire video gold

[@mauritshagedorn856]

@@king_big_pp🤡

[@moonshot3159]

bruh dafaq u talkin about this is just recap. I clicked on this expecting some deep analysis on zuko's writing.

[@zachrichardson5581]

I never understood why people don't enjoy the King of Omashu episode. Sure it's technically a "filler" episode as it does little to drive the central plot forward but it's still a lot of fun. Bumi is one of the more entertaining and enjoyable characters in the show and trying to solve the riddle of what his name is right along with Aang was good viewer interaction. Then learning about there past friendship was cool also. Plus that episode gave us the cabbage guy so it's automatically goated.

[@dx.feelgood5825]

Plus, it's an introduction to when we really start seeing how drastically the war changes things. The next time we see Bumi, Omashu has been taken over by the fire nation. And after that, we discover him to be in a secret society with Iroh, Jeong-Jeong, Master Piandao, and Pakku.

[@thecr3at0r75]

⁠​⁠@@dx.feelgood5825very true. It’s a great world building episode. It’s the first time we really get to see the practical uses of earth bending in a society. That then gets further fleshed out in Ba Sing Se. We also get the origin story of Omashu an episode earlier, so it makes sense to take some time exploring it.

[@dx.feelgood5825]

@@thecr3at0r75 and Bumi is also the only person besides Aang who lived before the war! He’s a walking history book!! Plus he also allows Aang to still experience *some* familiarity

[@thecr3at0r75]

@@dx.feelgood5825 don’t forget my man guru Pathik. Although Pathik knew Gyatso, he and Aang didn’t meet until the show. So that does leave Bumi as his last human tie to his old life and, like you said, give him that familiarity. Plus he gives Aang advise on what he should look for in an earthbending teacher and sets that next quest into motion proper.

[@dx.feelgood5825]

@@thecr3at0r75 ahhh that’s right. He only totally appears once, save for a hallucination, so it’s much easier to forget how goddamn old he is lol

[@Jack-kb5nb]

God, I always start tearing up at the sheer emotions that Zuko’s journey evokes in me. This show got me (and many other) through our childhoods and helped us grow into the people we are.

[@feredox6655]

I agree. I'm 15, I saw it first when I was about 11 or 13, it changed me then, but I rewatched it and it's changed me even more now. Over those few years, I have changed drastically as a person, I went through a sort of metamorphosis, in an extremely similar manner to Zuko's, and I think I'm still going through it. I'm much happier now and I know what I must do to become who I want to be, in order to accomplish what I want to, not what others want or what others expect. I was never extremely close to Zuko's past self but, when Zuko changed, with almost every scene he was in, I felt for him, and I kind of felt as though I was experiencing what he was. I didn't have an uncle iroh in my life but I feel as though in my mind he is my conscience, telling me what I want to be, what I need to do, making me think about what I am doing. The scene where he reunited with uncle iroh made me cry, he felt as though he would never forgive him for what he had done, and yet he welcomes him with open arms, I felt it most. I felt as though I could never leave the person I was behind, it has become who I am, who people see me as, the worlds perception of me, and yet this scene turned it all around. I have changed, I am a new person, a new me, I must be who I want to be, I must not label myself, I am free to change, I am not stuck in place destined to be who I don't want to be. I am open to even more change and I must embrace it, for destiny is a funny thing. I just had to let that out, my kind of, relatability with Zuko's journey is one of the main reasons I love this show, it's deep, complex, and extremely detailed world and especially it's characters. This show will always have a memorable place in my heart.

[@feredox6655]

I didn't realise I wrote that much 😅 but I don't mind, I feel kind of good now.

[@lilangel1773]

yup😞

[@leaferikson4244]

The scene where zuko redirects his fathers lighting but chooses not to kill him with it is arguably one of the greatest scenes in all of fiction

[@Thelnquisitor]

I took something different from the end of Zuko Alone and the “happy Zuko” from Bosing Se. The former showed him not so much that he was mistaken in revealing himself, but that he didn’t realize the horrible weight that identity held. It gave him a greater sense of the possible responsibility he bares for their suffering and situation. “Happy Zuko” wasn’t really Zuko. He never goes back to that personality after he leaves it because he wasn’t HIM. He was someone else. Zuko isn’t fully good when he’s just living a normal life. He HAD to redeem the Fire Nation. He couldn’t find or feel at home in the Earth Kingdom because he didn’t belong there. His DUTY was to the Fire Nation but not in the way he thought.

[@SnakeWasRight]

It would be fascinating to see a piece of media telling the story of ATLA from exclusively Zuko's viewpoint.

[@zebrisky]

That sucks the original got removed by copyright, but at least that gives me an excuse to watch this masterpiece again, especially now that it’s remastered. Hopefully this gets as much attention as it did when you first uploaded. Keep up the great work!

[@daxwolf455]

Did a section get removed? A section on that german police unit during the section starting at like 38:55

[@joshuamillerknight7530]

​@@daxwolf455yeah that was Reserve Police Battalion 101 in the book Ordinary Men by Christopher Browning.

[@daxwolf455]

@@joshuamillerknight7530 👌

[@bambooze1047]

Prince Zuko is one of my favorite characters ever created, In any form of media. His story is just epic.

[@rosamy2017]

Your commentary on committing evil acts because you are a victim is so so good. It’s so hard for people to understand that people can be good and evil at the same time, that doing good doesn’t absolve you but doing evil doesn’t have to condemn you. I’m glad you understand, and I hope others will too after seeing this video

[@sarahlandis289]

Great way to put that

[@justanotherguy55]

"The Storm" is my favorite episode in the series, for whatever reason it has stuck with me more than any other. Everyone being forced into indoor closed spaces telling stories in the dark just reminds me of the power outages my childhood home would get during thunderstorms. My family would gather around one another with some candles for warmth while my mother told me stories as I rested my head on her lap to ease my anxiety. I think "The Storm" is the reason I find so much comfort during rainstorms.

[@Dragontamer135]

I love how much of a sweetheart Zuko became. For some reason if he was real I see him being a huge dog lover.

[@swagguy7515]

top tier description 10/10 would regain my honor

[@purplehaze2358]

I really like the detail that the fire nation has superior technology to the other nations; fire, afterall, is heavily associated with, among other things, innovation and technological progress.

[@jimboanimations4041]

Plus, it makes sense in terms of worldbuilding as well. The fire-nation lived on a volcanic archipelago that was rich with metals, and their placement in the ocean forced them to become a sea-faring nation. They were pretty much set up to learn metal-working and get a navy.

[@clampowder9061]

@@jimboanimations4041imperial japan esque. japan as an island nation also lacked natural resources so they were forced to i bc add neighboring nations to fuel their population boom.

[@dredgen0268]

This show is so fucking deep. Like this show was made for kids. How is there this much philosophy in it?! God I love this show!!

[@michaelastadler8423]

that video actually made me cry. Zuko has the best character arc ever

[@beeupsidedown]

same

[@gabrieldevoogel6225]

As an abuse survivor who moved from the countryside to a city a few months back I never realized how hard Zuko in tales of Ba sing Se would hit me once I’d actually moved, it’s just… so much and done so well, I love this show

[@Meodoc]

The Zuko/Iroh dynamic has always been my favorite part of this TV show. Glad to see such an eloquent review on this great character!

[@sportluver98]

Avatar taught me so much about life. I didn’t have the best childhood and not many good role models and avatar taught me so many deep, moral, spiritual lessons that I wouldn’t have learned otherwise. I have the whole series on dvd and it gives me such comfort. The songs, the jokes, everything. I want to meet the creators and tell them how much it means to me

[@ianatkinson5509]

Highly underrated content creator right here. It isn’t hard to find creators that make content like this, it is hard to find the good ones. Excellent script, combined with fitting and well edited clips of the show to match.

[@done5044]

was sad that this video was put down or made private, super happy that I can watch it again

[@fanamatakecick97]

I’m only 17 minutes and 47 seconds into this video, and i see no reason why i shouldn’t have you in my subscriptions This video has such passion, it’s so genuine and encapsulating. Absolutely bravo, my good sir

[@ZhtnrB]

simply a masterpiece... tears in my eyes everytime i rewatch the series

[@Henle_]

I have a playlist of over 200 ATLA essays, and this video is one of the top ones. Out of every study I could find, this video continues to be a truly amazing work. Reupload 10/10!

[@amypetty5013]

Welllll I'm just gonna go stalk your page and find that playlist. (I've seen most of those from Hello Future Me, who I just came across a week ago or so).

[@Henle_]

@@amypetty5013 kzbin.info/aero/PLtz0UAqJWSHd0eW8snhgQbjYDWSPWt3-C

[@pajrc1234]

1:02:19 i wanna also point out that zuko's scar is not only the symbol of [his trauma which eventually leads him to end the cycle of violence], but it's also a symbol of the violence inflicted upon him for trying to do good (in that specific instance standing up for the fire nation soldiers they wanted to sacrifice). like it's the consequences of acting out against power, because they want to keep you in line. also the whole war meeting thing brings up another thing about culture and nationalism. zuko says that those soldiers are fighting for their country (or that they love the fire nation or something) and the generals just act like they're disposable. like, those soldiers love a nation that doesn't care at all for them, that only serves its own interests and is willing to use them as pawns to do it.

[@jamesabernethy7896]

I probably watched ATLA for the first time (aged almost 40) around the time that this video aired first time around. I watched it because of the coverage of another KZbinr. I really loved your Star Wars videos too, so well written and delivered. Avatar has such great writing and performances that can be appreciated by adults as well as children. Stories that are great on the outside but have so many subtleties to give them incredible depth. Great video.

[@amypetty5013]

Funny you say this. I'm 46 and just watched this series less than a month ago, prompted by a younger coworker's urging. I was aware of this series back in 2010 when the movie came out, but aside from watching maybe one or two episodes, didn't really bother with it. Now, I wish I'd given it more of a chance. Because *damn* this is one of the most sophisticated children's cartoons I've ever seen. It's incredible.

[@jamesabernethy7896]

@@amypetty5013 Although I'd been aware of the style through pop culture, if someone has showed me a picture I'd have been able to say that it was ATLA, but I wouldn't have been able to tell you what it was about. Overanalysing Avatar came up on my feed and was curious. I watched a few episodes of his then thought, i'd better watch the show then watch his stuff before I spoil everything. It's an incredible balance of things. Clever animations that is exuberant and wild when it needs to be then also subtle. Great voice acting that can really pull at your heartstrings. The writing is terrific, an arc with a journey to take you there. Characters who are children when they start but grow so much with the story. A lot of comedy but when things get real there is weight behind that pain. My favourite is Toph, but there are no weak characters. It would have so easy to make Aang annoying, but they made him so engaging.

[@jackrebble]

I find it hard to watch this video without becoming emotional, because it so wonderfully yet simply explains the character and journey of Zuko, which I personally have some similarities to. This is truly an amazing video, fueled by an amazing character. Well done :)

[@luneluna307]

i enjoyed watching this so much, i started tearing up during some scenes :( when he was screaming at the sky during the storm, his father burning him, his apology to uncle iroh aaaah 😭😭😭

[@SquigglyP]

This is one of, if not THE best video I've ever seen on Avatar. Pretty sure this was the video of yours I saw that introduced me to your work and made me instantly subscribe to your channel a while back. After watching most of your other stuff, I can confidently conclude that your videos are among the top-tier on this entire site in terms of insightful and intelligent video essay work. Your breakdown on The Fox and The Hound is one of my favorite things on youtube full-stop, as it articulated a few things that I had always felt but had never been able to really pinpoint as to exactly why I had felt the way I did about that film. Very glad to see this video back online.

[@wilfridjoseph6172]

Damn you went in depth, with the psychological aspect of this show.

[@Bageltin]

This video is a masterpiece. so happy to see you taking good care of it, cardinal

[@nightangelx1513]

Zuko really is a marvel in character development. It’s amazing what can be accomplished if you take your time and plan everything ahead. Take notes Hollywood.

[@imnotkiddingg]

there will never again be a show like atla, its a time capsule of the hard work creators in the 2000's put in for the sake of making something important.

[@mepedimepmepmop7519]

Nearly started crying when hearing that Music. There is no show more influential to my being than this. There is so much things they did right, and to think that all this happened under the premisse of being a „quirky kids show“ is nothing but crazy.

[@yentl]

I can never get enough of ATLA video essays

[@lanthelancer]

Let’s get this masterpiece back up to 500k.

[@N_Ihere]

I know I'm late but I wanted to add some extra points I love how at many instances, the show pans the camera over to one side of Zuko's face to symbolise the two paths. (I haven't watched it in so long, I kind of forgot :P) Also, at that scene in 1:08:08 it's animated so that it looks like Zuko is the one stuck behind bars, not Iroh, to show his internal struggle on the path to redemption, and that he is the one who is truly imprisoned. Also, I loved how creative and hilariously awkward Zuko was. At the last Agni Kai, he firebended like water in that one scene. There are also other scenes demonstrating how he uses different bending styles, showing how far he had gone and learnt. Zuko smiled so rarely that the scenes he smiled genuinely looked wholesome and goofy This video was wonderfully explained, especially on the redemption part and how the yin yang works. Love the content but tragic that it had to be reuploaded In good, there is evil: Aang In evil, there is good: Azula BALANCE: Zuko

[@bottomofastairwell]

i was gonna say. thought i already saw and LOVED this video. But in any case, it's a well done essay. so i'll like it again. Actually it's more like a freaking dissertation. But Zuko's character arc is easily one of my absolute favorites in television. (rivaled only perhaps by Spike from Buffy, because that journey is something to behold as well). Zuko's story is so moving (and as someone who comes from an abusive background, wildly relatable too). And i LOVE the way you break it down in this video

[@MikhaoMehrin22]

It's not only a story but a good reminder of fighting with your own darkness that anybody can find right path no matter how hard life will be. I saw Avatar first time in 2012 since then so many times I came back and left again Everytime I came back for Uncle Iroh wisdom and Zuko story his redemption arc

[@steel8231]

37:00 this scene still gets me, if he'd have had the wisdom of late series Zuko he might have said something like "We don't Choose our Fathers" which would have meant something totally different to him and the villagers.

[@LifeisReal1990]

At 18:12, seeing the visualization of Zuko turning his back on his nation's flag seemed to me that Zuko was just uncomfortable of laying on one position. I never did great at understanding literature and composition analysis topics, so seeing you explain Zuko's turning was more a body language thing made every scene much more detailed upon another viewing. Great analysis and great video!

[@trollmaster4523]

It's amazing that a video made by a single person in KZbin is a lot better than whatever Modern Disney is showing nowadays.

[@colorblockpoprocks6973]

you better be proud of how this video moves me to tears on, like, 6 separate occasions. fuck i love Zuko and i love you for making this for all of us!!😭😭💖

[@LOTRlover100]

I'm crying. Several moments in this series had me in tears every time I rewatch, Zuko reconciling with his uncle is definitely the one that has me sobbing. It's the type of thing I wish real families could find themselves living out more often.

[@sincerelyparand]

very annoying that the original video was removed but hey, there is one good side to it - the reupload put this amazing video back on my recommended feed, and i got to watch it a third time! :D

[@chefgoldblum1450]

I don't even know if I'll necessarily like all of your content or anything, but I HAVE to subscribe after this masterpiece of a video essay. So many video essays on youtube these days and many are absolute trash ramblings of someone who doesn't have a clue what they're talking about, and clearly is just regurgitating the same things other video essays have said. But you captured a critical viewpoint for what makes Zuko's story one of a generation and one that illustrates how to grow up to be a good man, and a good human.

[@cherishoneal9108]

I notice that, too. This video does a better explanation of Zuko that what I’ve watched before.

[@Dreadfulbandgeek]

I have watched this video probably 15ish times it is so amazingly thought out and presented. Honestly the best character study I've ever seen.

[@amenity7678]

the moment you mentioned carl jung and shadow is when this became one of my favourite videos ever. both shadow work and atla contributed to the biggest jump in my development, and now it all makes sense as in how connected it is.

[@gkitty3371]

Besides Iroh for obvious reasons, Zuko became one of my favorite characters as the series progressed. I loved that you pointed out how zuko kept his word and spared the water tribe after capturing aang. If that was any one else they would've kept attacking the defenseless village.

[@maytalacedo2942]

I didn't think this was reuploaded but I'm glad this came back this has to be the best video.

[@Cloruro-Sodio]

"It is time for you to look inward, and start asking yourself the big questions. Who are you? And what do you want?" Zuko's redemption is always emotional for me

[@lesliemonster92]

Your work is unparalleled, and the effort put into this essay is truly astonishing. This was always one of my favorite videos, and I'm so unbelievably happy you re-uploaded

[@donaldhanning1359]

I'm excited for this video. Zuko has HANDS DOWN the BEST character arc of any media I've experienced

[@timvanschuilenburg1524]

What makes this series so special is that today you next to never see such good morals and values portrayed in series today. So much that is shown in media today is ill moral and deranged

[@justhaku9240]

Objectively incorrect and wrong

[@sharkapuppet]

There morales aren’t as great as they Present them

[@Explodingstrawberry125]

"Come on, strike me. You've never held back before." This goddamn line man, gets me every time. A man who has been constantly beaten down after getting back up, to the point where he seemingly has no choice but to blame the world. He tries and tries but fails to get what he wants every time (at least what he thinks he wants, not really what he needs). While his efforts were mostly misplaced and misdirected, there was no way for him to know at that time, and certainly not at that age. Truly heartbreaking, and masterfully done by the voice actor.

[@Avarn388]

Nice to see this video remastered. My favorite of yours as it covers my favorite character in the entire series.

[@trazyntheinfidrip]

I went looking for this a few months ago and was distraught when I couldn’t find it. Glad to see it’s back up.

[@realSchusch]

Best video essay i saw in a long time! Thank you so much!

[@balancedboys]

This was a real treat! Thank you for deepening my already endless love for this show, and the character Zuko!

[@surejan3685]

So glad this got reuploaded. One of my favorite videos.

[@CheeseWithMold]

The best video essay I've seen on this site. Absolutely well done dude.

[@raynewood8468]

i started this video manly just to have something on in the background at but quickly i started truly watching it wanting to know what you learnd from the story and from the characters we all love thank you

[@benjaminh.morgan3193]

1:09:00 Reminds me of a line from an old Sara Groves song: “The places that used to fit me cannot hold the things I’ve learned. Those roads were closed off to me while my back was turned.”

[@tunajenkins4]

glad to see this video back up again. great job mate

[@sephirothhthemadman2379]

Bravo good sir. This was so well put together.

[@aqualad9601]

i wish i could properly put into words how much i love this video essay. god, your analysis is so potent and beautiful and reflects so well on the experiences that so many others go through in real life. i love you and i love this channel!

[@TamAnds]

God this made me so emotional by the end! I love this show and all of its characters but especially Zuko. Now I need to rewatch it again for like the 10th time.

[@justgaming6131]

This is one of the best videos I've seen in a very long time, it honestly bring tears to my eyes reflecting on the ups and downs in Zuko's life. I feel we all have a lot to learn from everything you speak of Cardinal.

[@ryanpenix2528]

Such a beautifully worded video essay, I feel like I needed to hear a lot of what you said 🖤 thank you.

[@Nazisarelame]

This video bangs and I’m relieved to see it on the platform again

[@krishdesai1980]

Just finished watching the entire thing, and I'm so glad someone made a video on this. Zuko is by far my favorite character in all of media entertainment, and you perfectly described what makes him so special. Your insight, dialogue, editing, score, and scenes were amazingly done. Thank you for this masterpiece of a video, you don't know how long I was waiting for an in-depth analysis and appreciation video of Zuko. You earned yourself a subscribed and a well-deserved like. Thank you.

[@nafizbinhabib9432]

This is my most favorite video on youtube! I don't know how much time I have watched this video. Kinda works as a mental therapy for me. I'm very glad it's back.

[@mediaman271]

Cardinal West, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you, for this video 😊❤

[@theresarat412]

No joke this video made me watch ATLA for the first time

[@dougdoug9223]

Hope you enjoyed it? I'm halfway through this video and I want to rewatch the show. Haven't watched it since 2011.

[@claydoughty7182]

Killlllllller video dude. The way you handled the chronology of his development was top tier

[@Vexmybeloved_]

God it's been a while since a video essay has gotten my full and undevided attention for an hour and a half like this. Didn't touch my phone or switch tabs once lol. Such an amazing video!!

[@splish_2]

oh my god this video is so intelligent and well thought out. My favorite analysis and further makes this show one of the best of all time in my eyes. Zuko's character is written so unbelievably well and is up there with one of the best character arcs ever

[@Iisho]

Strange but honest testament to how great this show is; i have an AtLA hoodie and though cool as it is, it is single handedly my most complimented article of clothing. I wear a lot of media merch and rarely does it get complimented. However, when i wear that hoodie it's uncommon to go a day without at least a comment on it. It always makes my day to see people get genuinely excited over this hoodie lol

[@kevinschreiner4179]

This is so well made! I had to stop a couple times to reflect on the things you said. Your ability to not just enjoy the series, but also see clearly what every episode wants to teach the viewer, is really astounding! Never would I have thought so deeply about the series alone. So thanks for the video!!

[@domicius]

Superb essay - and really helped me understand why I loved Zuko's arc so much

[@isobarkley]

my gOD this was so well argued. thank you for this meditation of such an amazing character journey

[@shaydilane2172]

This is a masterfully written character study and one of the best deep dives into Zuko’s character I’ve seen. Amazing work

[@tomcarlosimborio7528]

This is probably the best analysis video of Zuko I have ever seen. Maaaaaan, I cried. 🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲

[@zsabeliciousstranger7588]

So glad to see this back up.

[@jonnyjazzz]

What a great channel I came across! Thank you, sir!

[@Fligunem]

I still remember that when zuko and iroh met again and iroh told him he never hated him, a 12 year old me cried for the first time in years. One of the greatest shows ever made.

[@julianjason2068]

This is the video we don’t know we need and here we are. This is so deep and relatable! Bravo