Why Zuko's Redemption Arc is Peak Character Development

Prince Zuko's character arc is one of the best in film and television. Period. His redemption is one of the most satisfying to watch, and it happens gradually, with serious aches and pains along the way. This video examines how it happens, why it is so meaningful, and philosophizes a little bit about virtue, as per usual.
#avatarthelastairbender #zuko

[@master_samwise]

So I know I don't talk a lot about Zuko and Iroh's relationship in this video, and that's somewhat intentional. It would have made the video unbearably long, and honestly their relationship is worth a video all its own.

[@kirbyspixiecraft]

Yes. Please make that a video.

[@kingbazinga4237]

Please make dat a video, we need it

[@Haras1370]

As good and influential as Iroh is to Zuko's story, I love that since book 2 they are somewhat separated and in the comics, he is not by his side. Zuko needed to grow on his own and find his own path, that is why I totally agreed with him choosing Azula's side at the end of book 2. His destiny was not a simple life in Earth kingdom, his life and destiny were to take his father's place and outgrow his toxic family and face the abuse they implemented on him. If he listened to Iroh then, he would not have a conclusion to his family life and there would always be this big " what if" in his life.

[@thegoldendiamond6762]

I ship Azula and Zuko

[@Eilonwy95]

@@thegoldendiamond6762 First off gross. Secondly, what is the relevance to this thread?

[@o00nemesis00o]

"Don't think less of yourself; think of yourself less." Words to live by.

[@Skin_Man]

Pretty sure that came from C.S. Lewis in his book Mere Christianity.

[@madelynlafferty2764]

Another quote but by G.K Chesterton "The angels can fly because they can take themselves lightly."

[@uraveragehoovy]

I get this quote, but I don’t really like it either. I think a better phrase is to think of others just as much if not more think think of yourself.

[@prashantsarkar821]

For me, the most interesting thing about Zuko's arc is in his betrayal of Iroh. In most movies and tv shows, when a character betrays someone, they soon realize that this wasn't what they wanted or that they've lost the thing that was most important to them, or something cliche like that. But in Zuko's case, he gets everything he's ever wanted. His "honor", his father's respect, Mai's love. Everything goes back to normal. But Zuko has changed, and he realizes that this is no longer who he is. It really is the perfect character arc.

[@kingalastor936]

That actually did kind of happen to Zuko right at the cave. He knew it was the wrong decision but could not resist the temptation. He could not even say anything to Iroh or even face him.

[@hiitsnicetomeetyou]

When *I* think of Zuko, the first thing that comes to mind is *"My honor!"*

[@Sentinential38]

thats rough buddy

[@ishapratap5224]

Hello, Zuko here.

[@LetyQ]

How about "my cabbages!" ?

[@somedude8339]

@@LetyQwhen you think of Zuko?

[@iceluvndiva21]

I tend to think of how he's damn near suicidial in his actions till book 3

[@Eilonwy95]

The best redemption arc in tv/film.

[@Speebleboppa]

For sure, the best redemption arcs have the characters stumble and fail along the path to change.

[@yeaboi8163]

100%

[@cruisethomas3244]

Thofinn

[@Jomama24200]

Yeah either Zuko or Anakin

[@yeaboi8163]

@@Jomama24200 aniken did 2 u turns

[@meganreese1486]

Ok, "Fire banishes darkness, warms the body...and most importantly, heats tea" is the most accurate line 😂

[@emperor_mozzy]

*Ahem* I think you mean "Hot Leaf Juice!"

[@tharun.s9718]

"How come someone from internet can say something so horribly "

[@NightmareScarecrow]

@@tharun.s9718Woah. Take a breather.

[@Icantdothisanymoreplskillme]

Sounds like something Iroh would say

[@meekaboi]

Toph never had a revelatory journey with Zuko because she had already learned what she needed, specifically that it's okay to rely on and ask for help from others, when she met Iroh. Great video, as always.

[@Eilonwy95]

Very true. She had her character arc for sure. Still would have been an awesome episode

[@master_samwise]

That's honestly a great point.

[@eoinwalker278]

I still think they could have written an episode where Toph teaches Zuko about being less stubborn/accepting help from others. Something along the lines of him trying to prove himself as useful to the gang, then he gets in over his head and she has to help him. But as someone who has made the same mistakes herself, she'd be the best one to show him asking for help makes you stronger as a team, not weaker as an individual. Maybe place it in-between the Aang and Sokka episodes since he does jump very suddenly to being a team player

[@chattycatty3336]

Iron really is the best 😂

[@Acacius1992]

Can't agree. Accepting help never made me feel stronger. Only more of a failure.

[@umadbroyo2388]

Zukos betrayal of Iroh was one of those key moments that made this show a masterpiece for me. Any other show would have used all the buildup to make Zuko a good guy. But that moment showed how such a huge shift is NOT easy and how seeking forgiveness for that action is not so simple, in his redemption arc!

[@Eilonwy95]

Spot on!

[@Leonard_Wolf_2056]

Zuko joining the gaang would be a giant leap and would at very least feel forced, as that would he would have to turn his back on his country which means turning his back on his father. For three years he had been trying to get his father's respect by trying to hunt the avatar. Turning away all that because his uncle "suddenly" wants them to save the world. I still would like to see what would have happened had Iroh managed to convince him.

[@seto_kaiba_]

TECHNICALLY Iroh betrayed Zuko. I mean-he did the right thing. But technically Zuko and Iroh were not the Avatar's allies at the point as far as he knew. He knew his Uncle didn't like the idea of continuing the hunt for the Avatar-but going against what he wants is not the same as betraying him. He didn't attack Iroh either-he just kinda stood there in shock. Now Zuko's shitty behavior in the aftermath of that battle is another story.

[@InternationalAwesomeFoundation]

I also love how they show that forgiveness is not so simple, and eventually we see that zuko doesn't even seek forgiveness so much as reconciliation. Iroh, though, has already forgiven him.

[@frogsam4228]

that moment when Zuko tells the sky "c'mon strike me, you always do" with heartburn's tears always hit hard

[@limaalphacharlie]

“You’ve always thrown everything you could at me, well, I can take it, and now I can give it back!” … “COME ON! STRIKE ME! YOUVE NEVER HELD BACK BEFORE.” That scene hits so hard. You’re not the crowned prince. You have no loyalties to the fire nation. You never really feel yourself cheering for Zuko. But damn, do you feel that with him.

[@Mabra51]

"Your honour was in my sleeve the whole time"

[@paria1763]

*grabs honor angrily* *yeets it into the abyss*

[@alexiswagner5388]

​@@paria1763 "WHY DIDN'T U GIVE ME IT EARLIER THEN THIS WOULD OF BEEN DONE ALREADY" 😅😂😂

[@kbarts316]

He went from the most hated to the most loved character. And it felt like a natural progression! That's rare for a lot of media.

[@kassemm823]

I always loved him except maybe ep 1

[@gamerdom4481]

Zuko had the best Evil guy to Hero guy redemption arc in cartoon history.

[@thegoldendiamond6762]

Azula x Zuko

[@isaiaholaru5013]

​​@@thegoldendiamond6762 NO NO STOP WHAT ARE YOU DOING WHAT ARE YOU DOING WHAT. ARE. YOU. DOING. NO STOP WAIT PLEASE NOOOOOOOOO

[@gamerdom4481]

@@thegoldendiamond6762 Ewww hell no!

[@larawalker]

​@@gamerdom4481what do they mean? I don't get it

[@Adeycoola]

​@@larawalkerIncest Zuko x Azula

[@shayminthedoctor9663]

What comes to my mind when I hear Zuko... Pain. Trauma. Rage. Wounded pride. But also Growth. Humility. And Acceptance. One of the best written characters i have seen in a show in a long time, and I love how people are still coming back to analyze his character.

[@thegoldendiamond6762]

Zuko x Azula is also underrated

[@samcochran8203]

​@@thegoldendiamond6762dude, that was one humorous answer from azulas voice actress at a q&a panel, stop while you're ahead

[@iceluvndiva21]

To me? He goes from a raging inferno to a warm bonfire and a guiding candle.

[@alguidoemblema153]

Also Honor

[@svartvarg9778]

​@@thegoldendiamond6762I see that you are from Alabama.

[@tommula19]

Only now I see that zuko's hair really reflects his change, from a pointy, threatening style with lots of edges, to a round, whole hair that shows how complete he became

[@limaalphacharlie]

Zuko always believed his destiny was to capture the avatar, and restore his honor. He did exactly that - though not in the way he thought. He made friends with the Avatar. And he restored not only his honor, but the honor of the fire nation as a whole. The war began with the Avatar and his close friend/fire lord drifting away and becoming opposing forces. The war ended with the Avatar and the Fire Lord/close friend coming together and restoring balance to the world. This is phenomenal story writing. There are parallels EVERYWHERE.

[@icankickflipok]

From a prince to a petty thief to a refugee and back to a prince then a rebel and then the Fire Lord. And every last bit of it, good and bad, all earned. Yin and Yang represented perfectly through Zuko’s Journey.

[@aris1869]

cool thing about Zuko: his scar is more than just rule of cool Usually a villain’s scar is a one-note tragic backstory or something to make them more scary. But it’s so much more than that with Zuko. The incident that caused the scar was traumatic and horrible and has a major impact on his character. It’s not just a cool character design, it’s important and thought through

[@speakevermore]

I totally agree and it also lends itself to great visual storytelling as well. I forget what episode it was, but i remember a scene where he was contemplating something and they showed the side of his face without the scar and then switched to the same shot, but showing the side with the scar. Its such a simple detail but it so clearly communicates his inner conflict in that moment

[@lojanta]

​@speakevermore it was when he was in conflict wondering to choose Azula and everything "he ever wanted", or Iroh and embrace the change. That was so brilliant

[@lojanta]

​@speakevermore This is also not the only visual storytelling we get with the scar. For example at the very beginning of the show, episode 2 or 3 when he challenges Zhao for Agni Kai, Iroh asks him if he remembers the last time he was fighting in an Agni Kai. The camera slowly moves, stopping at the side with Zuko's scar and then Zuko says "I'll never forget". There's more probably but I can't remember at the moment

[@ninakrishnamurthy6674]

Usually, a villain's physical deformity only serves to highlight how evil they are. It's a form of dehumanization- a physical manifestation of the "rot" in their soul. But Zuko's scar serves not to highlight his villainy, but rather his GOODNESS. He got the scar because he took a stand against something he KNEW was wrong.

[@RockMalcon02]

The fact that so many movies/tv shows nowadays are obsessed with not having a villain or "everyone being a good guy" in some form or "redeeming bad guys" but in a bad or unrealistic way makes me think of how good the characters and story was in ATLA.

[@HOLDENPOPE]

I too am annoyed with that trend. Sometimes a villain is just a villain, even in real life.

[@chelseahelsinki]

One thing I love about the way they wrote Zuko/Iroh is how they were able to maintain Iroh as an unwavering source of true wisdom and righteousness who didn't have, for lack of a better word, weaknesses. While this is usually done badly in media, I think they did a good job of acknowledging his past flaws and mistakes that led him to where he was, Zuko's arc feels like it was a mirror of Iroh's, and one that we could follow along with to see how Iroh got to where he is today.

[@vak.o]

Iroh definitely felt like someone who was once as flawed as Zuko then had somehow become a paragon of true virtue and kindness.

[@Mimi-dq5bv]

Much as I _wish_ the show had given us a Zuko & Toph Life-Changing Field Trip™, I completely understand why it wasn't given to us-- they didn't *need* it. Everyone else on the team had had bad experiences with Zuko in the past and needed to see for themselves how he'd grown and changed. Toph, on the otherhand, had no such experiences, was predisposed to liking him on Iroh's behalf, and was willing to accept him on board right away. (Even when he burnt her feet, she didn't blame him, because she had the maturity to understand that it was an unintended mistake, rather than a brutal attack.)

[@connorriggs2284]

First appearance in ATLA: I must capture the Avatar! First appearance in TLOK: The Avatar must be protected! Development, people.

[@seekingtruthministrys4119]

If this man truly understands the words he speaks on these video and doesn't just say it cause it sounds wise or accurate to the character mans gotta be an amazing parent

[@ledgnr197gaming5]

I love these Avatar videos, and I love that you analyze them through the lens of virtue ethics. It has made me want to look into virtue ethics more and explore how I can be more virtuous.

[@thegoldendiamond6762]

I ship Katara and Sokka

[@zacharynguyen7286]

@@thegoldendiamond6762don’t be weird

[@maggiem6209]

Zuko is my favorite character in Avatar. He's also the character I see most of myself in. He's honorable, perseverant and driven, but he's also prideful, wrathful and generally, as you put it perfectly, driven by shame. I like and dislike those traits in myself and I actually used a lot of Iroh's advice while trying to improve myself. I see a lot of my time in college in Zuko. I was very full of myself when I first set out on my path as a professional, and I was struck down by that pride and shame again and again. It was only when I accepted my faults and limitations that I narrowly avoided being flunked out. And I will graduate this year. What a beautiful thing, that Zuko was written how he is. Truly, this show is a _masterpiece._

[@bboss4412]

Zuko is one of the greatest developed characters of all time in my opinion and this video put into words what I had always thought so thanks for the great work on this and all your videos

[@thegoldendiamond6762]

They should've made Zuko x Azula canon

[@isaiaholaru5013]

​@@thegoldendiamond6762WTF WHY THAT'S INCEST

[@neitomonoma4699]

Zuko, Toph, Iroh, Azula, Katara. Avatar had some of the best characters in american shows.

[@youtubepunisher8695]

Agreed. No one mentions Aang tho 😂

[@syenous2454]

@@youtubepunisher8695 Meh Aang didn't really that significant of a character arc, at the beginning he was a happy go lucky kid and at the end he was a slightly more serious happy go lucky kid

[@curtiszyr]

To not mention the guy that went from being a village champion to leading a full scale invasion is crazy

[@JobZhong-zg6mt]

I thought it was so deep when zuko set free Appa and then got physically sick. Can this really happen?

[@andrewmeyer4124]

Probably not, however, I do think it would a serious mental strain, which is probably why the showrunners had him get physically sick to visually demonstrate the mental toll

[@enderger5308]

There could be some truth to it honestly. I’ve found that after enough emotional stress (say, the complete and rapid disintegration of your most core beliefs held since childhood and needing to hide said disintegration for safety), physical symptoms can manifest. For me, getting overly stressed (or overexerting myself) now results in what I (toung-in-cheek) call “the wrath of the Porcupine Gods” due to the feeling of having several porcupines shoved all over my body. These spots, if the wrath is triggered frequently enough, develop into stress welts.

[@nin2494]

These are called psychosomatic symptoms, I'm the same way that stress is correlated with cortisol and cortisol is a chemical- in this way the mental state CAUSES a physical symptom

[@Skin_Man]

@@nin2494 It could also be that heavy psychological strain weakens the immune system, causing an increased risk of contracting an illness, or allowing a latent illness to resurface.

[@armokil]

yes. not specifically this, but immense stress and mental issues have direct and major effects on ones physical health.

[@davidhenry7536]

I read some where that Zuko was a super late addition to the story. Ozai was going to be the person chasing the avatar and would send different fire benders after the gAang from the start. But the writers felt like he didn't have a pressence since he was so far away so they created Zuko. Its crazy that Zuko wasn't originally going to be in the show bc I can't imagine the story without him.

[@XiaoFury]

Zuko did learn something while with Toph for that short moment -how to administer tough love! Aang was missing, and that was the most important issue at hand. Sometimes you have to rebuke and chastise, even if it's blunt. The Word of God even says an open rebuke is better than secret love. I didn't like how Toph didn't get her field trip with Zuko, but her timing of wanting to share her sob story was way off.

[@alzaraza]

Tbh when I saw the series at the time they aired I was just an 8 year old kid with no idea about what zuko’s rage and obsession was all about, but now as an adult I rewatched the series and you can definitely understand the meaning through his actions and also you feel identified with the struggles he has during his journey. I have watched tons of more “serious” animes and animations during my lifetime, most of the characters are good from the beginning to the end, some others were bad and turn good just because, ATLA was intended to be a “kids show” but somehow managed to give an amazing character development and life teaching that most shows can not do. Probably it wasn’t intended but they hit way much more than the audience they were pointing at.

[@richardlandgraf1953]

I've been binging all of your avatar videos the last few days and this could not come at a better time. Keep up the great work.

[@master_samwise]

That's so cool to hear! I absolutely will.

[@lsixty30]

The genius of Iro planting the seeds of rumors of how just the prince is , while also of course giving the audience exposition, is so Iro.

[@siddhantchauhan1975]

What I love about the confrontation of zuko and ozai is the parallel to the their Agni Kai. There zuko both refuses to fight but the latter it’s a portrayal of strength, while the first is called weakness.

[@abangf]

As with anything its all balance, flaw tempered with growth. There is always two hands on the scale, tip one too much and all tips over.

[@LikeTheBuffalo]

"Your anger is a gift." - Zach de la Roche, Rage Against The Machine

[@ChunwunB]

When you think about it, ozai is the most counterintuitive character ever you challenge a 13 child who is your own son to a agni kai and cherry on top banished all because he chose not to fight u and show said respect that apparently wasn’t shown before I like the scene during the eclipse where zuko acknowledged this and it really shows how wrongfully treated he was and how it changed his life. Great redemption arc for a character who basically never had a family at all ( besides his mother and uncle)

[@-UnknownHero]

One of the best video essays I have ever seen, and watching video essays has been a hobby for me for at least 10 years by now. Every statement is spot on. A lot of aspects covered I have not heard in other video essays on Zuko that made me think "How could I/the author of a certain video essay miss that?". The amount of wisdom spit in this video is on a par with Iroh's. A very insightful analyzis!

[@master_samwise]

That is incredibly kind of you! Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@pontusolssonPrivat]

I really love that these types of opinions exist. I get so scared sometimes when i see these movies that completely miss the point and it feels like i am the minority in believing its garbage. This channel makes me regain sanity.

[@master_samwise]

We're all about regaining sanity here.

[@Teyl1]

How did he become emotionally mature? He had an amazing uncle and mentor.

[@MichaelMarlow]

Every time i watch a video that deep dives this show I just love it even more. it really is one of the best shows of its time. It's so deep yet easy to understand for the audience. Zukos story is especially amazing because a lot of his personal problems are relatable to a lot of us who had a bad upbringing and made a lot of bad decisions. A lot of us have been in some of the positions Zuko was in, trying to figure out what to do with yourself as things progress and you see through the fog that was placed around you. Many of us have felt lost like Zuko did, and had to find our ways through it. and them seeing him finally succeed.

[@SinHurr]

Zuko's character arc is so strong I often forget that the picture on the left in the thumbnail is even him. Shaggy pretty boi Zuko feels so *right*

[@chrissheehan5793]

I relate to Zuko heavily. Any errors I make, being my family’s eldest son I’ll tend to push blame on my younger brothers. I feel too much pride in myself I don’t make the effort to take blame and overcome my flaws. I will watch this video every morning to remember how my pride can be negative. Thank you for this lesson to you, Zuko, and especially Uncle Iroh

[@ayakhasokabo8816]

Uncle Iroh refering to Zuko: "Who are you? And what do you want?". Those questions hit hard especially when your still trying to figure out life.

[@bitterzombie]

I know it's not really a canon theory. But I really think Lin Beifong from Korra seems a lot like Zuko. She has a similar character arc, & several similar elements. They both have a mother with a distinctive bloodline that disappeared on them. She has a rivalry with her sister. A scar on her face given to her by a family member in a disagreement. She even briefly loses her bending, as the result of what could be considered a change in her perspective. Both of them go from upholding institutional values to following their own moral code, & both ultimately have to face off against their own family to fix problems that started in the past. There are just a lot of parallels to their stories, & the fact her father was always kept obscure, really made me wonder if Zuko & Toph ended up having an adventure that wasn't appropriate for a PG kid's show. She is around the same age as Zuko's daughter Izumi, & she kinda looks like her too

[@Markus2E5I6]

Lins father is kanto

[@humanzombieninja]

ye i too realised their simularities

[@jeangentry6656]

In some ways perhaps, but they are different. Toph didn't disappear, but she was inattentive to both her children, and they both strove for her love, and emulated her in two extremes- Su being the extreme end of Toph's rebellious nature and Lin being the extreme end of her mother's more stern elements. Su scarring Lin was an honest accident, while Ozai scarring Zuko was intentional and meant to shame him. Lin does break the law at times but her values don't change- she lives to protect people and uphold/enforce Justice. I agree that it takes a fight between siblings to settle matters, and that could be a reference to Zuko/Azula, but the fight between Su and Lin allows them to settle matters, and ultimately what they are fighting about is their mother. Unlike Zuko and Azula, the fight allows them to reconcile. Lin doesn't lose her powers because of a shift in perspective, she loses them because she stays true to herself and won't submit to Amon. I'll grant that Zuko and Lin have some similar personality traits such as a hot temper and a sour disposition, but Lin (perhaps because she is older and less conflicted) is quicker to make nice with the Avatar and even humble herself, as to have her bending restored she has to kneel before Korra.

[@matteo123730]

This video better hit over 1,000,000 Views 💯 What a great story teller and edit! Great Job!

[@master_samwise]

Thank you!

[@jeanlucdecoster]

“Vice is self-serving, and virtues are Others-serving” That’s gold.

[@pastnastification69]

7:32 Zuko made the wise choice of recognizing that they don't fully understand the threat that the unhinged Azula poses. So he goes first to give Katara time to see what she'll do against Zuko.

[@user-hi5bb3sh3p]

one of the most beautiful early setups is when we meet zuko in the first episode. when aang sends a bolt of radiant, zuko, who can see it (all the way to the battel ship he commends) give the order - to set a course towards the light. it is a foreshadowing of the rode he will take, the manner in which he will fight for it, as well as the ending goal. to reach the light.

[@TathagataMitraTom]

When one thinks of Zuko, the first word that comes to mind is 'My Honor'

[@master_samwise]

I can’t help but point out that those are two words. But I completely agree.

[@youtubeviewer4472]

Toph got to have a life changing experience with Iroh, and was able to pass positivity from Iroh to Zuko.

[@MelonLord44]

Dude, great video! These honestly make me so happy. Please keep making them!

[@master_samwise]

I absolutely will! So glad you enjoy them.

[@itskyansaro]

Always hoped, Zuko and Toph would be together in the end, they fit so well as formerly spoiled rich kids with different kinds of Parent problems.

[@fa1509]

Proverbs 11:2 “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom” Luke: [24] for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. ' And they began to make merry. [25] "Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. [26] And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant. Zuko to Iroh the Prodigal Son

[@connorcostigan8204]

Absolutely. I've always liked this parallel

[@EmeraldJinx3643]

dog it hurt me so much when zuko had his phase thing in ba sing sey before joining azula of all people

[@Green24152]

you don't put a "y" at the end of Ba Sing Se

[@EmeraldJinx3643]

@@Green24152 ok

[@francis4334]

This is a masterclass. As a man with a biblical worldview who is writing a novel with zero prior experience, you demonstrate for me how to share biblical truth in an elegant and gentle way.

[@thesourpatchkidd579]

A lot of people don't realize this because it's so rarely accomplished, but a good redemption arc isn't a hard thing to do. It just requires the proper patience and planning, which is usually why they fall apart. Most redemption arcs either feel rushed or unearned and it's usually because they are- a character polled well with audiences so now they want to keep them around or an actor has a lot of buzz so they want to give them a bigger role or budgeting issues make you have to speed up the pace of the story or as a writer you want to redeem a character but didn't account for how much that would take given how much they'd done so you just skip to the redemption and ignore the rest- lots of reasons that usually boil down to a lack of planning or a lack of patience. Zuko had such an amazing redemption arc because they'd always planned to do so and as such he was never really evil like his father and sister. Angry, aggressive, antagonist, but not evil. He was someone who could become just like his father if left with all his anger and hurt or could become like his uncle and it was up to the story to tell us which. Compare that to many other stories that go for the quick "redemption by last minute sacrifice/almost sacrifice" because it's easy and effective in the short term because you won't have to think about the character again. Or they'll retcon the story so that they can shift the blame for their worst deeds to someone else allowing them to be redeemed.

[@yoloswaggins7121]

I think Zuko has am advantage because this is a kid's show. It's difficult to redeem a character that has been shown to kill innocent people and have the audience accept it. That is why many stories go the route of having the character sacrifice his own life for redemption. But because avatar is a kids show, Zuko is never really shown killing anybody so we can accept his redemption.

[@eliza1498]

​@@yoloswaggins7121i think something to be noted is that, kid show or not, it never strays from the idea of murder and violence. the air nomad genocide and the explicit reveal of their remains comes to mind, as well as katara and sokka's mother kya getting murdered, zuko's mother ursa murdering fire lord azulon, zhao killing yue indirectly by killing the moon spirit, zhao, and later ozai himself, fully trying to murder zuko, and lu ten's death during the siege. none of these things are played with any sort of cartoonish leniency; it's all meant to clearly depict an intentional snuffing of life. hell, azula's character introduction is her threatening to kill the captain of her ship by tossing him overboard and letting him get crushed to death against the rocks -- she also later "kills" aang. it's not that the show couldn't depict zuko killing someone, it's that that's not who his character was.

[@yoloswaggins7121]

@@eliza1498 Yeah but we don't really see anyone being killed, and in particular the protaganists are simply not allowed to kill anyone because it's a kid show. If it weren't a kids show, Zuko would have undeniably killed people in the raid on Kyoshi village for example. And it's really difficult to redeem characters who have explicitly killed innocent people. The audience usually won't accept a happy ending for such characters which is why they usually achieve their redemption by sacrificing their lives, as was the case with Darth Vader. But because Avatar is a kid's show, Zuko is never shown doing anything explicitly terrible. He doesn't really hurt anyone despite being a quasi member of an aggressive imperial faction with a bunch of troops under his command. Though I will say that I am surprised that the show was allowed to show Gyatso's decomposed skeleton. That was pretty hardcore.

[@markhenrysplayroom]

To be humble do not think less of yourself but think of yourself less. Quotable quote.

[@ggpt9641]

It was good to hear about true humility once more. And to bring it up with King Aragorn and Firelord Zuko, that's some 2 contrasting characters to bring up humility huh?

[@master_samwise]

Humility is so important. Almost every truly good character shows incredible humility.

[@BLMann]

"Only by pride cometh contention, but with the well advised is wisdom"

[@badtiming2208]

What comes to my mind when I hear Zuko is HONOR.

[@tringuyen1754]

Avatar was such a beautiful anime

[@iluvgermanshepherds1794]

bruh if it was an anime every fight scene would be accompanied by a 20 minute explanation and become boring as fuck

[@fwuuton]

It was animated in korea and america. Japan's anime studios refused to animate this, they don't deserve credit lol.

[@jonsolo7343]

It's not an anime

[@ggpt9641]

And further thanks for putting anger, wisdom, prudence, persevering, and stubbornness into a clear light. It helped me, and I hope it'll help others.

[@Acacius1992]

Nope didn't helped me.

[@alexiswilson9335]

​@@Acacius1992How so?

[@ThiagoSilva-dv3ri]

Dude, you made me cry. Gonna watch it all over

[@JobZhong-zg6mt]

I aspire to write character arcs like this!

[@mrcupcake5309]

Zukos story could help a lot of people who are in the constant of seeking validation. Happiness, and pride comes from personal growth. Validation is temporary relief that isn't needed from others.

[@KoldSolSeaHazy]

Imagine me being a young adolescent and unknowingly watching one of the best character arcs in any show ever

[@briuiwnw7229nurjwnqoaakne]

I’ve been watching all your avatar videos and I love them.

[@abataylor7765]

7:01 To be humble, do not think less of yourself but Think of Yourself Less Beautiful

[@noahhoneywell9608]

I love this channel

[@denn1605]

12:14 for the past year ive been struggling with my own personal problems. This year i decided that instead of running away from my problems, i should face them and be a better version of my yesterday's self. When you said this, i instantly gave your video a like. I know im late to this video, but damn... It was so nice to hear someone else say something that ive been telling myself and others for the past few months. Good video, man

[@Mugruncher]

I LOVE your avatar analysis vids

[@master_samwise]

I'm glad you do! I appreciate the support.

[@luismaldonado1041]

Dude!!! You atree amazing. TLOTR ATLA, GOW and GOWR..., bravo. Your analysis is spot on!!! I've watched all of them. Subscribed!!!

[@SurplusOfLotus]

The tiny detail of useing the same font as avatar make it feel like it fits so perfectly

[@metal_fusion]

Born into a pack There's no choice but take orders to attack Locked up in chains, I get fed But the hunger still remains Not content to live this way Being led by the blind Got to plan my dispersal Time to leave them all behind - MGR: I’m My Own Master Now

[@falxblade1352]

...holy shit, why does that actually work?!

[@hollywoodrono]

As much as this video is about analyzing character growth in fiction, everything talked about should be applied to everyone's life. These vices to virtues help with becoming a better person and leader in our real lives. Great video.

[@ozymandias5257]

Avatar, the last airbender was exquisitely written & your commentary is excellent too. Thanks for revisiting this so deeply.

[@frogsam4228]

man I can't believe that I've spent around two hours here through your videos about the avatar, I guess I watched 5 if not 6 videos suggestion leads to another+ reading some comments under each I guess I've surpassed two hours so far

[@Didymus20X6]

One disappointment that I had in "The Southern Raiders" is how Zuko kept framing in terms of good vs. evil, but was clearly showing disdain for what he called "good" in that episode. My problem stems from the fact that, in episodes prior to that, he kept insisting that he was on the side of good; yet, for this one episode, seemed to reject that. You could argue that it was just one more way in which Zuko's journey was still facing setbacks. However, I have a better idea how it could have been handled. In Justice League Unlimited, there was an episode in which Huntress tried to murder the gangster who killed her parents. This put her at odds with the rest of the Justice League, and even got her kicked out of the team. The Question was the only JL member who supported her and helped her. But he had his reasons: it was to put her in the position where he could ask the question she most desperately needed to ask of herself: "Is this what you really want?" By siding with her, and supporting her need for closure, the Question earned her trust, but more importantly, showed that, of all the members of the JL, he was the one who most understood her need. She stopped the gangster, but spared his life. I feel that Zuko was doing the same thing there. He saw Katara's need to confront the man who murdered her mother, and he knew that she would never be able to move forward until she did. What if he was being the Question? What if he was simply allowing her to confront her need in herself, but also asking her, "Is this what you really want?" I don't think Zuko was rejecting good, not really anyway (and they should have refrained from having him state it in those terms), but rather rejecting the black-and-white morality that Aang was trying to impose onto Katara. But the ending shows Zuko really is the Question: "How do you plan to stop my father?" Aang's black-and-white morality is going to hinder him from stopping Ozai, and Zuko needs Aang to realize that. It's amazing how deep kids' shows can be sometimes. It's a shame that modern adult entertainment can't accomplish that anymore.

[@eliza1498]

i really like your interpretation -- truthfully, i've never read too much into this episode beyond, as you said, zuko intentionally challenging the black and white morality of "killing is bad, even if it's a genocidal dictator intent on world domination". i think something interesting that may support your comparison is the parallel to zuko's confrontation with the man who made _his_ mother disappear. although zuko had the opportunity to kill ozai during the eclipse, something ozai even acknowledges, zuko rejects the idea because "it's not [his] destiny". even after he finds out that ozai was behind his mother's disappearance, he reinforces his decision by intentionally throwing his aim when redirecting ozai's lightning back at him -- something we know would be fatal, as ozai did not know how to redirect lightning. zuko's presence in the southern raiders episode means something because not only has he also lost his mother, he has been in the _exact same situation_ of having the opportunity to kill the man responsible in an act of vengeance. interestingly, katara, just like zuko, makes the decision to spare yon rha despite being actively encouraged to carry it out - like ozai did to zuko, and zuko did to her. in this way, zuko does directly serve as the question, challenging her to think about how she intends to handle the struggle of killing or not killing. one last thing to support your interpretation is that zuko doesn't deride her for being "weak" the way you would expect someone who "hates" "good" to have done - he doesn't even seem surprised by her decision when standing in the background during her speech to yon rha. in fact, the only time he genuinely seems surprised is when he thinks katara _will_ kill him -- he only relaxes back to a neutral stance when she "drops her weapon" , as it were. katara initially wonders if it makes her weak, but ultimately comes to the conclusion that she doesn't need to have enacted revenge to move on, and that refusal to kill him doesn't mean forgiveness. zuko seems to have come to the same realization about ozai, finding peace in the aftermath of the war even if his father still lives, and understanding that he does not need to forgive him for anything he's done. even though the end technically goes with aang's decision in not killing ozai, they still reject the idea of it being black-and-white, as shown by katara refuting aang's claims that she has "forgiven" yon rha. i think this episode served as a good middle ground -- with the separation of mercy and forgiveness established, i think they could really have gone either way with making aang kill or not kill ozai while still not contradicting the fact that, at the time, killing ozai really did seem to be the only path forward. as a bonus, i think this may also serve as commentary on zuko's own redemption arc: zuko's decision to work towards redemption is not taken at face value, it's something he has to work for. even then, it's not portrayed as a given that katara, or any of the others, must forgive him for what he has done. katara decides to forgive him as a direct result of this episode and i think that symbolizes that, whether it was the intention of the writers or not, katara did truly feel that zuko fully understood the situation she was in and supported her decisions, just as the comparison you made to the huntress and the question.

[@bmac_15]

im 3 mins into this vid n all i wanna say is that ur extremely wise bro. u summed up everything abt that climb up the mountain of virtue perfectly. as someone who has had there own experiences climbing up that mountain everything u said was 100% correct. u earned a sub bro

[@WorldWeaver]

When I think of Zuko, the first thing I think of is 'Honor', just the same as the first thing I think of when I think of Kaladin. Is it strange that the people who see a lack of honor are also the people with it?

[@user-gk3dz3km3f]

the favorite character arc ever🧡I return again and again to his story through years in my own crisis periods💔 very helpful💔

[@chunkywombat3505]

Love your videos keep it up!

[@Shaman42069]

I really enjoy your videos, the analyses are really good! I also feel like I'm learning a lot from them, so thanks! I have a bit of feedback on the editing to possibly make the videos even more impactful: music, from the show or otherwise, can do a great deal in giving an already good video even more impactful. Perhaps consider adding some Avatar score in the background. Looking forward to the next upload!

[@nathaniellewis3835]

I love your video essays on Avatar, have gotten to read any of the Avatar comics yet? They do a great job of exploring the aftermath of the war and introduces some very interesting questions about protecting tradition versus encouraging progress. I'd love to hear your takes on them if you ever read any of them. The first comic you should read is the promise.

[@master_samwise]

I have not. I will have to check those out (when I get time lol).

[@lancealonte352]

I sense a catholic worldview in master samwise. cool

[@metal_fusion]

Writers and authors can have a field day with Zuko

[@theomerta2012]

I have watched ALTA around 30 times through to the end, but damn it, this video essay is making me crave another viewing

[@ethanglaeser9239]

Your discussion of Perseverance vs. Stubbornness reminded me of the demotivational poster: Perseverance - The courage to avoid the obvious wisdom of turning back.

[@omisoreoluwaseun9577]

I just realized the white lotus are the most patient people in the series

[@jahquestanderson9471]

18:52 My back. My back.

[@MikhaoMehrin22]

Just the words you have chose and everything you said So wisdomous it is applicable in real life also I feel I'm learning about virtue with this videos You must be an amazing intellectual deep person ❤️

[@crumpchump]

i really like how Zuko doesn't take on Iroh's advice until much later, i relate to that a lot. Growing up, you might hear all kinds of advice, but you likely won't understand until later in life.

[@makiroll218]

Even if he did capture Aang his father still wouldn’t show him respect or love him since he never loved or respected him. He never loved either of his children and it’s heartbreaking. He didn’t even love Azula. The only reason he favored her is because she was a prodigy and was extremely powerful. He loved the power, not her. Zuko is one of my favorite characters. ❤

[@Eilonwy95]

Exactly. I’ve seen far too many people insist that Ozai loved Azula at least. No, he didn’t love either of his children. He’s a selfish jerk. He just likes her usefulness.

[@yoloswaggins7121]

​@@Eilonwy95 I think he did kind of love her in that he was proud of her and saw himself in her. Like all Kings he also daw his children as political pawns obviously but I think he respected Azula

[@Eilonwy95]

@@yoloswaggins7121 I think he was proud that she was a prodigy and was useful to him. He may even have liked Azula in the way he saw himself in her. By my definition of love though, that’s not love. Love is not just liking someone as a person. If you use someone you aren’t loving them. Love is to will the good of the other for the others sake. Ozai never wills the good of anyone except himself so far as we see in the show. Ozai doesn’t love Azula. He uses her to do his own will.

[@iri02802]

The comics indeed show that Zuko 's arc is bot completely done and I love that. I cannot wait to see what the creators of the show will do in the future 😃😄

[@tadaa-kun2646]

You make me wanna watch all your uploads like a series marathon! ❤ love your vids man

[@master_samwise]

I appreciate you!

[@bowserbreaker2515]

This shows how there is always something new to say about Zuko's character.

[@matthew8505]

16:44 "Thats me. You may be wondering how i got here. Well, lets tuck in for a story"

[@ambroseasylum9777]

Let's also not forget that it was a very good redemption for Zuko thaz he spent most of his journey with his uncle Iroh who completly rejected the plans of the firenation to takeoverbthe other factions. He taught Zuko a lot on his journey as well and it might helped Zuko to self-reflect on himself even better. What he went through was horrendous: neglected and visibly burned by his father Ozai, having a troublesome relationship with his sister Azula etc. At first he thought he needed to prove himself to his father, bringing the honour back to his family by capturing the last Avatar to the point that he wanted to stop the firenation and their plans and also confronting his father and sister. All in all I absolutly love Zuko and especially in the pairing with Irohb🥺💜

[@kingflixh7472]

Zuko’s redemption arc is the goat for sure, but people honestly overlook Aangs redemption arc as well with him running away from being the avatar to being proud to be the avatar

[@chibiguardian7587]

8:35 Kratos lesson

[@master_samwise]

Kratos has so many nuggets of wisdom it's insane.