Zutara: Exploring the VALID DEPTH of their Connection | an ATLA Analysis *Timestamped*

[@DayDayDoes]

🚨PSA🚨If it wasn’t already obvious, when I mention “Dante and Bryan” in the video, I’m talking about creators Michael Dante Dimartino and Bryan Konietzko, aka Bryke. Dante in my video is not to be confused for Dante Basco, Zuko’s VA, who is a cupcake and has done nothing wrong. Thank you for your time 👍🏽

[@missy7871]

I really appreciate your depiction of Katara in your art. The facial tattoo is such a sweet touch, and a really neat way to pay respect to her indigenous heritage. I’m indigenous and really appreciate it even if it’s not from my own. ❤ Also yes Zutara has so much going for it I will die on this hill that it being endgame would have been more fulfilling.

[@DayDayDoes]

@missy7871 omg thank you for noticing! I saw an artist on Instagram do it as well and it was like my world exploded because now I can never imagine Katara or Sokka without their Inuit tribal heritage. It makes so much sense and would have added a deeper connection to Inuit culture already heavily ignored in mass media. The same should be applied to any and all tribes when depicted on the big screen or in books bc hello?? how can you not??

[@stephaniewilliams6756]

Mandatory SneezyReviews mention. She has an entire hours long dissection of the very real subtext and thematic cohesion of their bond. Plus it's so funny I actually lol multiple times during it

[@biancateslaru]

The reason I don't ship Kataang is because Aang's feelings for Katara are a coping mechanism. This kid literally projected all his grief, trauma and sadness over losing the air nomads on Katara and depends emotionally on her so much to the point he develops an unhealthy attachment on her. He was set up to let go of his attachment in order to grow as a character and master the avatar state, but he gets an easy way out with a rock and a random giant lion turtle. His trauma and attachment, that were established at the end of book 2, are never explored. This is not how chakras work, it can not be fixed physically because it's energy and emotions or whatever. And this is not how character growth works either. I have many more problems with the canon ships, but it would take me forever to explain everything. "Get in losers we're stanning Zutara" video shows the writing's flaws perfectly and it explains how Kataang could be fixed, but also how Zutara would work from a writing perspective. I really recommend it. I wasn't interested in the romance or the ships of this show, but after watching her video essay I started to ship Zutara

[@LiciaRebecca]

Can we also talk about how they both moonlighted as spirit themed vigilantes? The Painted Lady and The Blue Spirit were both things that they did independent of eachother and it MAJORLY bothered me that it never jokingly came up as this super random thing that they had in common 😅

[@DayDayDoes]

OMG THIS! So many parallels! This couple basically writes itself!

[@moon7shinev150]

One thing I keep seeing from people who don't ship Zutara say that it's bad because Zuko is the son of the people who are oppressing Katara and her people so it's bad. Completely unacknowledging the fact that Zuko himself was physically and psychologically abused into thinking that way and then he actively learns from it and goes through challenges to fix himself, also he's 16. Meanwhile they ship Sokka and Suki completely forgetting that Sokka also oppressed women and then went through lengths to learn. I will never understand how literally everyone who worked on the show shipped Zutara and not have it end up canon. Fun fact apparently Sokka's voice actor thought that Katara was a red herring and that Toph would be Aang's actual love interest. Had that happen it would've Zutara as air and earth are opposites Also if you love Zutara you should check out Broken Flames by M.K. Ahearn. She's very open about the fact that the book was inspired by Zutara

[@psychotictrash2384]

I don’t think it should’ve been Toph and Aang I really like their friendship more.

[@Teekayhuey_TK]

Sokka and Suki is far different. Sokka never attacked a group of women trying to oppress them. Neither did he gain power and royalty based on the bodies of those women. Heck Sokka's thinking process is based on sound logic FROM HIS PERSPECTIVE. Sokka is the only teen male in the North Water tribe. This is because all the men went to war. All the women were left behind from his perspective women don't fight in wars. A massive issue with Zuko and Katara is that Zuko's people almost genocided her people. This is a huge matter because this isn't just racism, this is full-on killing and murder. All Katara knew was that her father was dead killed by the fire nation in war. A group Zuko presented himself as and attacked the Water tribe as other generals did before him. Zuko completely supported the war and wanted to be a part of it. Zuko didn't switch sides because he thought the Fire Nation was bad, he switched sides because the Fire Nation was going too far.

[@ExiledPlaton]

Just because they're voice actors fornthe characters doesnt mean they knkw better than anyone else

[@stardust948.]

So true all of this. Happy Zutara Week!

[@kkeomystic]

I remember when I saw the ending of ATLA i literally got so confused that Zuko and Katara didn't get together because I thought they were leading up to it. Legit I had to search up on google why they weren't canon, it really felt like they were ship baiting with them especially with how he took a lightning bolt for her? HELLO?? PS. I ain't trying to downplay the canon pairing, it's just my personal opinion that I think these two had more interesting chemistry.

[@amourtabb7859]

especially those last 4 eps where aang and katara fight twice and don't really resolve either conflict while she gets closer to Zuko. like girl so confusing😂

[@kkeomystic]

@amourtabb7859 I know.. I really found it weird that Aang kissed Katara without consent twice and they never talked about it, especially the one after the play where Aang got jealous of Zuko. It's obvious that Aang had feelings for Katara but it always looked like Katara was uncomfortable? 😅

[@detectivenora]

In my humble opinion i feel like the lightning bolt scene shouldn't be used as a valid reason to ship zutara, I mean think about it. Zuko had to learn and grow as a person, that includes developing empathy in the correct sense. If it was Sokka, Toph or Aang, Zuko would have still jumped in front of that bolt. It wasn't a gesture of romantic affection but a gesture of love in GENERAL. Thats why I think Zuko and Katara's friendship is so important. Because is a signof them BOTH getting over their past and developing a new moral compass.

[@kkeomystic]

@@detectivenora I actually agree to an extent, I don't think that the lightning bolt scene meant that Zuko had feelings for Katara or vice versa. The reason I mentioned it is because of the way it was executed, not the action of Zuko saving Katara in general. To me the way it was written made it feel like ship baiting, but that is just my interpretation of the scene while I was watching it, and I would've personally written it differently to not make viewers confused. (Not just this scene tbh, some other scenes) Either way I don't mind that they weren't canon, (if anything I feel like romance was the weak point of Avatar's writing but that's a whole different story lol 😅) I think your interpretation is really sweet though

[@tamerafarly7666]

I am a huge Zutara shipper. I like the dynamic.

[@DayDayDoes]

It’s the dynamic that seduced me 😩💕

[@tamerafarly7666]

@@DayDayDoes I think that they would have been a great couple. Also, it's funny that people think that Zutara shipper are good girl x bad boy. In most Zutara fics I read, he's a sweet, awkward, Goof. The bad boy image died in the Earth Kingdom when he tried to juggle and failed. Then again with "Zuko, Here"

[@kkeomystic]

@@tamerafarly7666 me too!

[@Maimuna23458]

@@tamerafarly7666what, do you like About Zutura pairing that instead you About their Dynamic, Together.?

[@missy7871]

This is a ship I won’t get over. Headcanon for the win!

[@ThePrincessCH]

Personally, I think they should have cut out the romance altogether and focused on Aang being a displaced child in time.

[@kkeomystic]

I actually agree, I don't think the writing when it came to the romantic relatonships in Avatar was very well written altogether (in my personal opinion). Other than Aang and Katara, I thought Sokka not having moved on from Yue and getting together with Suki so quickly felt quite rushed and a bit confusing. It made Suki feel more like a fling than a genuine romantic connection

[@adjadenisedoumbia9305]

I shouted "I KNOW RIGHT???!" as soon as i saw the title

[@dante3150]

i was a kataang but just for the first time i watched the show after that something just changed

[@jackcarraway4707]

Zuko + Katara = A Song of Ice and Fire

[@DayDayDoes]

OMFG I love the reference!! 😍

[@ChesireWaltz]

One day I'll get sick of Zutara discourse. Today is not that day, let's gooooo. Totally agree with what you said, especially that Zuko let her be HER. Even the ugly parts that were blood thirsty instead of acting horrified like Aang. Nice people get angry. Kind people feel rage. And I super wasn't a fan of Aang getting to feel his rage, like when Appa got kidnapped and he at best slapped those buzzard things out of the sky, at worst killed them, and got to work out his feelings on the sand benders to the point that he needed to be held back from hurting them and was met with compassion and not a lecture, but couldn't extend much understanding to Katara on her anger. And lets not talk about all the fire nation soldiers he drowned in the North Pole. With these two as a pairing, I also appreciate that even when they were mad or disagreed, they actually hashed it out, even though it got ugly especially at the start. I re-watched the show recently and it really struck me how Aang would blow up at Katara, she would try to placate him, and he would storm off to fume, at times with no resolution, idk... the last scene they had before they kissed in the finale. The last time Aang booked it (I mean just yelling at them and leaving, don't blame him for the lion turtle thing, he was in a trance) , it felt like Zuko and Katara were parenting Aang when Zuko told her not to go after him. When Zuko felt insecure about seeing his uncle again Katara supported him. And on the day of most important battle of their lives, they saw each other through it, risking their lives for each other, tag teaming their last fight of the show, ending watching the sky at the start of a well earned peace with his head in her lap? You would need to be blind to not see that framing for Zuko and Katara's interactions at the end could have easily been romantic; After nearly dying for her? Come on now. These are all moments you would expect to go to the end couple but... it went to Zutara instead which feels odd from a writing perspective vs the canon couple's last moments in the show. When I have mentioned it felt like Katara supported Aang more than he supported her people go well he's 12...but if I point out that I do think what Aang did was reasonable for a 12 year old in the show overall, and that he's sweet and yet at the same time I also think that makes him too immature for Katara, at least at that point in their lives, I'm wrong. Which is it? I'll also say as someone who watched this show near Katara's age, Aang always felt immature to me even when I was a kid too. IRL in the US she would have been a freshman in HS and Aang would be a 7th grader. Absolutely not lol.

[@DayDayDoes]

Yes girl I completely agree, all this and more you make fantastic points

[@olive9097]

Personally I’m still more of a kataang shipper, but this video was definitely insightful and I can understand the appeal of zutara more and the flaws in some of the arguments against it, so thank you for opening my eyes! While I still prefer kataang, I have more respect and understanding for zutara shippers after this, which I think is important

[@medtle1]

Considering how bad of a father and husband Aang turned out to be, maybe zutara was the better option after all. [Seriously, i am noticing this trend when it comes to sequel series based on the offspring of characters from the original series. When it comes to the original characters being written worse in the sequel series, that usually means there was some behind-the-scenes crap and disputes happening that made how those characters ended up in the original series (see how studio pierrot forcing naruhina at the last minute made naruto and hinata worse in boruto and how the proud family's creators' dedication to penny torture made it difficult for them to address certain topics in the louder and prouder and why penny's friends and family stayed stagnant as examples and why penny isn't allowed to have a different set of friends). When the original characters aren't ruined in the sequel series, it usually means that they were written as expected in the original series without or with little disputes behind the scenes (see Another (the sequel series to Furuba) and tokyo mew mew a la mode for examples). [Not sure where the bleach sequel with ichigo's kid and the inuyasha sequel with kagome's kid and all of those dragonball sequels and the mermaid melody pichi pichi pitch sequel fall under. The last episode of the 2nd season of digimon that shiwed everyone in the future was a mixed bag, since there was 1 ship people didnt mind, 1 ship that had mixed feelings, and people being mad that tk and kairi didn't end up together. Chibi moon appeared in sailor moon but there was never a full series about her. There is alsobthat short-lived rurouni keshin sequel with kenshin's kid, but considering the scandals the mangaka of rurouni kenshin had, that would be really uncomfortable to rank.]

[@starchildofthesun]

Also Mai is a totally toxic lover! THEY BREAK UP TWICE!!! Once in the show and once in the comics!

[@DayDayDoes]

The comic is so stupid, I don’t know why or what they tried doing with the break up Mai scene.

[@starchildofthesun]

@@DayDayDoes Well, she literally threatened Zuko to never break up with her so it makes sense Zuko couldn't bring himself to actually break up with her

[@DayDayDoes]

@ ooh that’s a good point, honestly I’m not a fan of her speech there because she never came across as someone who cared for what he goes through, just on her problems and how it affects her and that’s fair but when your in a relationship with someone you care about, you have to care at least a little and make an effort. Which is what I feel she never does from what I’ve seen

[@starchildofthesun]

@@DayDayDoes exactly Mai could never truly care about Zuko the way he cared about her, and even though my favorite line in the series is- "You miscalculated, I love Zuko more than I fear you" It's more because it sums up the only flaw Azula ever had that she could never love anyone than anything to do with MaiXZuko

[@ExiledPlaton]

Did you guys forget the part where Zuko was literally going crazy and taking advice from Ozai

[@abigailaceves9230]

Welcome back! For me, my OTP for the Avatar universe is Korrasami (please don’t hate me), I’ve seen a lot of video essay saying how Zutara has compatible chemistry. For me I don’t feel much chemistry between Aang & Katara as I feel it’s just one sided and even I’m surprised Zutuara was originally endgame before the creator was told to changed that.

[@samehere310]

zutara was never eng game the creator has said multiple times on panel that zutara was never in the plans at all

[@DayDayDoes]

@samehere310 false. There are interviews from writers inside the writing room with Dante/Bryan who championed the idea until D/B finally got their way, but even then, it kept being brought up as S3 progressed. In the end, it didn't happen in the final episode but it was discussed. Would have preferred they made the Katang subplot more smooth and less ambiguous when it came to Katara's feelings.

[@abigailaceves9230]

@@DayDayDoes yeah I do feel like the last romance in the Avatar franchise isn’t its strong suit.

[@haruzanfuucha]

@@DayDayDoes The creators are Mike and Bryan, also known as "Bryke".

[@bkwrm]

@@DayDayDoes Dante Basco is the voice actor of Zuko and captain of the Zutara ship. Michael Di Martino and Brian Konietzko aka Bryke, are the creators of the show and the ones who mocked Zutara shippers. No Dante slander! He's still fighting the good fight along with us all these years later. :) Happy to find a new pro Zutara video!

[@rileym7337]

My general attitude is that romance within the main group was wholly unnecessary. Sokka’s romantic arcs were important for his development and a nice side story, and it would make sense for people to have crushes on each other (aang on katara, toph on sokka) but considering these are a bunch of kids who are dealing with a lot, I’m surprised that romantic relationships and shipping were that prevalent in the show and the fandom. That said, if Katara was to end up with someone at the end I think Zuko is the best option. She never had to mother him at any point unlike the rest of the group. They clearly have a connection and complement each other well. It would’ve been kinda nice to see Aang getting over Katara and them having a good friendship. But that might just be me as an aroace who is obsessed with found family

[@DayDayDoes]

@rileym7337 An ending where they end with no one would have been PERFECT. Considering the main focus was ending the war and being forced to grow up early, having some time to focus on themselves before any romance option would have been ideal (maybe except Sokka, he earns some early onscreen romance lol). Any serious romance can be developed when they’re older in comics or with other media in the avatar studio

[@rileym7337]

@@DayDayDoesI totally agree that the comics would be a great way for them to explore relationships and be kids without it seeming forced. Like having Kataang be automatic endgame at the end of the series feels wrong. I wouldn’t be entirely opposed to Kataang or Zutara if they happened years after the fact, when they’re not in constant survival mode and given time to develop outside of that. I feel like during the series they don’t have time or emotional space to show a serious romance, especially considering everyone’s age. Any romance between two members of the gang would kind of have to be serious by default because of the depth of their relationship to one another.

[@Darya-t2q]

Zutara is my Roman Empire! I completely agree with all of the points mentioned in this video. I would also like to add the confrontation of Mai and Azula. I believe it would have been more impactful and meaningful if Mai came to higher motivations for changing her mindset, such as the brutality of the war or, as you said, her personal struggles caused by the war, and not just for her ex boyfriend, whose motivations and actions don’t even make sense to her. It sounded quite shallow of Mai. I also agree that Aang should have let go of Katara to control the Avatar state and defeat Ozai. This could have been more impressive than just getting to the avatar state by “accident”. Last but not least, Zutara is synonym of balance, peace, healing, and willingness to improve in all aspects. Their chemistry is so strong. Not even to mention how much well Katara would have served as partner of the fire lord for the post-war era. (Just remember her compassion and understanding in the painted Lady episode) Great Video!

[@DayDayDoes]

Thank you very much! 🥰 and yeah, Mai needed a little bit more substance which the beach episode alone wasn't going to be enough to cover.

[@Darya-t2q]

@ thank to you !! ☺️ you’re doing a great job 👏🏽

[@leavemealone802]

Being real. I only like them because Zuko is talher and older than Katara I saw Aang and thought he fitted better to be Katara's little brother, not boyfriend I thought that is how everyone saw it too? I didn't thought it would exist assays explaining why the ship works

[@unripetheberrby6283]

*No, I just liked (mostly) seeing the story as it was at first ^^'* didn't really like zutara later on, would've early on(was prepared for ships!) if I "saw" that's where the story may go, it didn't so I didn't. Hadn't seen them having much nice chemistry either, not if I didn't put it on myself and I hadn't felt the need at the time... ironic for a big shipper.

[@DayDayDoes]

Honestly, he wasn't that good looking as a character in S1 but when the pirate episode happened and he interacted with Katara, it was like a veiled was lifted and I saw The Potential if the show went in the Zutara direction, especially because Zuko was the much more interesting character who was complex and conflicted you could see signs of him being good once he realized all the bad he was taught were just lies. The dynamic was much more delicious, it also helped that his hair helped him look amazing at the end of S2. It is what it is.

[@LoreMiuthos]

I think the main reason why Aang got Katara at the end is because of a lack of romance characters for him. We got Meng from the fortune tellers Island.... that's it. Which is ridiculous, he is 12 years old when he meets Katara and she mostly acts like an older sister/mother figure to him. At least on her end, he may have never saw it that way but she did. I think if the writers wanted us to Really be behind Aang and Katara they needed to let Aang met and connect with other females of the show. He literally only connects with Katara, Toph, Meng, and That one girl from fire Academy who was already dating someone. The later two being just single-ish episodes. I just think there would have been more support if it showed Aang seriously considering someone else but at the end of the day he picks Katara, this could have also given Katara more moments to see Aang beyond the little brother/Avatar/friend lenses and think of him in a romantic light too. But that's just me

[@ChesireWaltz]

I can see that too, at that age 14-15 puts her in high school, 12-13 puts Aang in middle school and I would have sooner tried to swim across an ocean than have any romantic interactions with a middle schooler at her age!

[@Teekayhuey_TK]

11:49 Actually Aang trusted Zuko first in the Blue Spirit episode. Katara was only the second person to trust Zuko.

[@AnnabelPitman]

fr like ppl say she trusted first but aang did more than a season before

[@DayDayDoes]

I wouldn't call it trust, more like a tentative truce and understanding the potential good in Zuko for maybe one day in the future when he's not hunting Aang down.

[@Sariel_reuploading]

Omg she's back

[@DayDayDoes]

Present and accounted for 🫡

[@borjankosarac3645]

When you say “Dante and Bryce”, I’m assuming you mean Michael Dante Dimartino and Bryan Konietzko, often abbreviated as “Bryke” collectively? Yeah; while I think they’re largely decent people I never gelled with their passive-aggression towards Zutara shippers and suchlike. I would like to believe they wouldn’t do that now and have matured at least, but even then it’s pretty crummy to talk about your fans that way.

[@DayDayDoes]

You are correct in your assumption. I should make a pinned comment about that lol and hopefully they matured out of such childish hurtful behavior now but until I hear a proper apology, I’m a stay like Katara before the Southern Raiders episode and be a faithful hater lmao ✌🏽

[@UnshakenBuck]

My only problem with Zutara is how they hate on Aang and constantly ignore his character growth so I'd like whoever's reading this to read with an open mind. 1. Aang is extremely, almost unintentionally charismatic. Pretty much everyone Aang meets immediately likes him and IRL he'd probably be very very popular with, like what happens in "The Headband." Aang isn't some socially akward or annoying optomist and everyone loves him. 2. Katara kisses Aang on the cheek three times, suggests the kiss while blushing and being timid in the cave of two lovers before they actually kiss, is jealous when Aang dances with On Ji and initiates the final kiss. Saying their relationship was one sided is purposefully ignoring what Katara does while also painting it so Katara was forced into a relationship with Aang. 3. Aang in Book 3 is so so *so* much more mature then the one in Book 1 it's crazy and saying Katara thinks he's a goofy little brother is really disrespectful to Aang's arc. She even says as much in "The Night of The Black Sun." 4. In "The Southern Raiders," Aang is actually the supportive one, not Zuko. Aang tells Katara that he believes she has to take the journey but to forgive him instead of killing him. Zuko follows Katara and does nothing while Katara is about to kill her mothers' murderer despite the fact that Katara will definitely regret killing him later on. Aang telling her to forgive is naïve, but you can tell he has her best interests in heart. Zuko is trying to help Katara do what she *wants* while Aang is trying to help Katara do what she *needs* , which is more supportive? 5. I don't think you share this opinion with more radical Zutara fans but just in case you do, Aang did *not* sexually assault Katara in the play episode. Katara also did not say she didn't like Aang, she said that she doesn't think it's the right time because they have to end the war. Aang is a twelve year old thus is bad at romance and kisses her. He immediately calls himself an idiot and he definetly didn't do it out of malice or intent to harm. Anyone who says that is a weirdo and I doubt the vast amount of Zutarians think it anyway. Edit** I am not justifying Aang kissing Katara non-consensually. I am just explaining why he did it and how he had no actual bad intentions or malice while kissing her.

[@congobar3816]

Regardless of whatever people ship, Aang definitely sexually assaulted Katara by kissing her non-consensually. You're the weirdo for trying to justify that.

[@UnshakenBuck]

@congobar3816 I didn't justify it?? I agree it was wrong but it's not sexual assault because that means he did it for sexual gratification or malice which he didn't. I'll edit my comment now to make it more clear that I agree it was wrong.

[@congobar3816]

@@UnshakenBuck It's not about the "intent" of the perpetrator, it's about whether consent was given. Katara clearly didn't consent to it, so it can be considered sexual assault. You can't force kisses on other people. Katara wasn't even in a relationship with Aang but he was so possessive, even readily agreeing that she was the "Avatar's girl". He was horrible in that episode.

[@UnshakenBuck]

@congobar3816 Intent does matter in the state the show was made in. In California, sexual battery, outlined under sexual battery CA Penal Code 243.4, involves touching an intimate part of another person’s body without their consent *for the purpose of sexual arousal, sexual gratification, or sexual abuse*. This offense doesn’t require penetration, distinguishing it from rape or forcible penetration. For instance, grabbing someone’s genital area or breasts without their consent falls under this statute.

[@UnshakenBuck]

Avatar was made in California. In California sexual battery, outlined under sexual battery CA Penal Code 243.4, involves touching an intimate part of another person’s body without their consent for the purpose of sexual arousal, sexual gratification, or sexual abuse. This offense doesn’t require penetration, distinguishing it from rape or forcible penetration. For instance, grabbing someone’s genital area or breasts without their consent falls under this statute. Aang doesn't do it for sexual anything so he didn't sexually assault her.

[@SpiderandMosquito]

(Rythmically bonking you with a frying pan) Me: Not the ship! Not the ship, not the ship! Not the ship! Not the ship, not the ship - You: You do that one more time, and I'm going to throw you across the room! (I stop, look at the audience, grin, then wind up for the biggest bonk) Me: Not theeeee ship! (BONK! you throw me across the room into a wall) Me: weee OOF (Pauses) Me: AGAIN! Anyone who gets that whole bit, congratulations :) P.S. this is obviously just for show

[@Classic_Kody]

I personally see aang with toph, so i can agree with Zutara

[@ChesireWaltz]

Same! I think they balance each other the way Zuko and Katara balance each other. I like how Toph held her ground against Aang, challenged him, and didn't let him get away with bullheadedly applying his monk training to things that may not work outside of the Air Temple or in war for no other reason than that's how he was told things should go. I love Aang as a character, not as Katara's love interest, but he constantly got his way on things and a 3rd option so he wouldn't have to make tough choices on most things... except for Toph. Because no no no, you are facing that boulder. And I think making him have to confront things and compromise instead of getting his way more would be good for him and he could help her be more flexible in his own way.

[@TheComfyCouch310]

This is just my opinion, if you ship Zuko and Katara together that's perfectly fine as long as you're respectful to others who disagree with you, I personally see Zuko and Katara as just friends. Zutara sounds nice on paper but if it were to happen Zuko's character arc would have to be extremely rushed and Katara hated Zuko or at least was very hostile towards him throughout most of the show even more so after he betrayed her trust especially after opening up to him. It wasn’t until the Southern Raiders where she finally forgave him which mind you is like almost towards the end of the show, there were 5 episodes after the Southern Raiders left to finish the show, you can't possibly develop a romantic relationship in that amount of time. ATLA would had to have another season to develop Zutara.

[@dhwanishah8222]

One thing I can say about Zutara as a Zutara shipper is the Potential. It won't make sense in canon simply because for some reason Zuko still likes a girl who's emotionally distant and shuts him off and Katara likes a guy who she has to mother and coddle to the point that she doesn't tell him that he's being a bad father (which resulted in her becoming a housewife) and also also like you said it'll be rushed because they're friends for like 5 episodes. However this is like the only problem in the ship which isn't really a problem either. I just can't shake my head around the fact that Zuko and Katara as friends for a few episodes had more romantic chemistry with each other than Katara had with Aang. Like in reality, if Katara were to choose between Aang and Zuko, she'd choose Zuko, someone who she doesn't have to mother, someone who's mature, someone who can take of himself and her, someone who'll be a good father and won't end up making her a simple housewife while the other members are doing something, someone who'll accept her darkside, etc. Honestly there are too many reasons for me to ship Zutara and not Kataang. I only mentioned a few, but when I think about her future with Aang and Zuko, for me she'll be more happy with Zuko rather than Aang.

[@gaminginvirinch3339]

@dhwanishah8222 cope

[@clarissat867]

From what I know , most Zutara shipper would've been fine with an unclear ending, because indeed they weren't on good term long enough. Most ( myself included ) would've like something btw the 2 with how the world changed and how will change ever more, and maybe a hint they had some feeling, and a canonisation of their relationship later, in the comic.

[@DayDayDoes]

@clarissat867 exactly this

[@DayDayDoes]

@TheComfyCouch310 It's fine if you ship Kataang, so long as you don't belittle or get snarky with people liking Zutara still to this day. And it's funny, I actually see Aang and Katara as just friends more than Zutara. I just can't take Kataang seriously and unfortunately, LoK confirmed to me my feelings on why. Maybe I'll explain in another video. Also, as I said in the video, for Zutara to work, an open ending where Katara and Zuko are not together with anyone would have worked. A relationship like theirs takes time which could have been better explored in comics or future movies/series from the Avatar Studio.

[@javargriffin1771]

Yeah definitely still love this ship zutara should have been endgame it would have been interesting but the fire nation probably won't like that zuko married katara if they did married the people try to ozai back on the throne but zuko won't stand up for himself and katara would definitely speak her mind she would also have to learn to there ways and katara could also teach them about water tribes stuff

[@Iamgreat0078]

This is my opinion before the video, I feel like Zuko x Katara would have been very rushed since Katara HATED Zuko until the 3RD TO LAST EPISODE. Also they were hinting at Aang x Katara throughout THE ENTIRE SERIES! Again, it’s just my opinion so don’t attack me in the comments. It’s ok if you disagree

[@dhwanishah8222]

There were also alot of hints of Zutara Infact originally they were supposed to be a couple but 2 writers of the show decided against it because they wanted to do a babysitter fantasy, and a hero gets the girl trope and something about how they didn't get to be with their crush back in highschool, so like apparently this is the only reason Kataang happened.

[@ConstantinDOSSOU-vy1zo]

​@@dhwanishah8222this is the famous source Zutara fans use because they can't accept the ending .

[@dhwanishah8222]

@@ConstantinDOSSOU-vy1zo The writers said it dude, not me. It's not my fault that Zuko dating a girl who constantly breaks up with him, shuts him off and Katara dating a boy who doesn't have the emotional maturity to be in a relationship and where she has to coddle him and that he's not a good father to the point that their kids hate both of them and where Katara is busy taking care of the kids because of which she becomes a housewife is a good relationship according to the writers. I'm simply stating things which were said and shown

[@unripetheberrby6283]

Yeah that's what I was thinking of as a kid, like it'd just have to be a completely different story/focus and them be slightly different characters to actually work better...

[@paigeh7892]

@@dhwanishah8222 This is all false, Originally no ships were gonna happen at the end despite the fact that aang had a crush on her even in the original outline. At some point zuko was considered to be her endgame, but obviously the show doesn’t ever depict it. No tell tale signs of her being interested in a boy Romantically are ever shown with zuko. No blushes or jealousy. just pure disgust and embarrassment at the idea She would like him that way. So it couldn’t have been just been two writers, it had to be decided by the majority of people working on it. That Kataang made the most sense. Whether it’s the “hero gets the girl trope” or not doesn’t matter. That’s not exactly a reason to dislike something. That’s like not liking Superman because he ended up dating lois lane. They were friends before they got together, she showed interest before they got together. It’s just how Romance works. And if she’s coddling aang, she’s coddling zuko. She’s just a nice and compassionate person. However, katara thinks the world of aangs bravery. Wisdom, power, and maturity. And of course thinks he’s fun to be around. And honestly, he’s more mature than zuko. As shown in their field trip episode.

[@rebecamendez5456]

I actually think Zutara and Kataang are fine ships, but in universe Zuko and Katara did have against them the fact that she was hostile to him and Zuko was an enemy for most of the show at that point, unlike Aang who was a close friend and someone she could trust and just be with. Katara simply chose the one who was her friend and already had complicated feelings for, like, a natural proggression. But Zutara is fine too is complex and interesting, they have a lot of chemistry as friends and some similarities in personality to work. The only ship that I'm 50/50 is Mai and Zuko, just because Mai sometimes is sooo boring 😅, speciallybin contrast with everyone else, in the last chapters she feels that she doesn't belong in that friend group.

[@DayDayDoes]

You do realize that Katara forgives Zuko all that he did that made her such a hater. She literally forgave him and then proceeded to be by his side throughout the end. They can absolutely become a couple should they choose to be because there is a foundation of trust and friendship literally rebuilt brick by brick. She's not going to discard him as a suitor because he wasn't perfectly pure from the start. Humans don't work that way and she's much more compassionate and empathetic than to hold Zuko's actions against him when he did the hard work to make up for it through his actions for all parties involved. She literally forgave him, which is why the argument of Katara and Zuko wouldn't work because she hated him for so long doesn't work. Their future spouses don't have to be locked in just because someone else called dibs when they were 14.

[@pandoraarts7748]

20:03 Lol thats the reason why i wasn't angry they didn't end up together. I have this thing where I unabashedly hate my cartoon crushes partners. idk why, I cant stop it

[@starchildofthesun]

I agree, I'm on the side of Zutara because Aang, no matter how young he is PHYSICALLY, HE'S STILL 112 YEARS OLD. Katara is a 14 year old girl and Zuko is 16. The age gap there says all you need to.

[@DayDayDoes]

When it’s fantasy 112 is nothing weird, especially when Aangs mindset is a 12 yr old but for me, Aang’s needs are always centered and Katara remains relegated to the supporting role and considering they are different stage of maturity, I’d say Katara and Zuko would have fitted better naturally in the long run.

[@stephylynnpatch]

Look I'm all for Zutara, always have been always will be. Aang doesn't act like an old man, he doesn't look like an old man, his mind, behavior, life experience is that of a young boy. He's not an old man, it's not really an "age gap" Aang was in suspended animation for 100 years yes, but in all senses he is a 12 year old boy.

[@ExiledPlaton]

Hot take: Aang is more mature than Zuko mentally. Sure he has more fun, butthat doesnt mean hes immature. Iroh has lots of fun and is orobably the most mature character in the series.

[@stephylynnpatch]

@@ExiledPlaton I think when kids are young mature is like a sliding scale, he certainly is many times through the show. He is also immature too. All of them exhibit traits of maturity and immaturity

[@ExiledPlaton]

@stephylynnpatch I think people often mistake having fun for immaturity and mistake being brooding and stoic as maturity.

[@日本語へたくそガール]

Is that the official southern raiders script?? If so, the fact that they write ‘zutara-fueling synchronicity’ in the actual script and then the creators had the audacity to belittle and mock zutara fans to the point of making a mean-spirited slide show at a fan convention using actual fan art (probably mostly drawn by 13 year olds) is so so so f-ed up.

[@DayDayDoes]

Yup, you get it. It’s why I’m still a Bryke hater to this day

[@paigeh7892]

Pretty good Video. It’s a solid argument for the potential they had. And which is better is all just preference I do think the way zuko handled the southern raiders was pretty reckless and would have hurt katara if she got what she wanted . but I understand he was just on her timing. He eventually learned a lesson like her in that episode. Which is why he didn’t pressure her to kill him. Despite clearly being willing to speak for her and mock aang for his thoughts on it, until the end. Oh and I’m confident she’d still be “motherly” towards him. She only wasn’t briefly because she didn’t like him at all. But kindness and compassion is her default. She showed this in the cave, when she offered to heal his scar, when she’s reassuring him about Iroh and aang.

[@DayDayDoes]

Nah, if Zuko had an idea that Katara would legit murder yon rah, he wouldn't have suggested that field trip, because he's seen Katara and knows she's got a deadly fierce side (she threatened him with death and he knew she was serious) but also knows her empathetic softer side is stronger than her rage and hatred. It was something Katara had to figure out on her own and come to terms with. It's why he stays back and says nothing, just supporting her and backing her up should she need him. At least that's what I think. and for sure she would exhibit motherly tendencies towards Zuko because she's just that type of person but Zuko isn't one to be smothered or coddled by it like Aang, her brother or Toph (Sokka bc he's her brother and the other two because they're 12 and still young and naive, even if she herself is a young despite being forced to grow up). Sure he'll take it here and then because its nice to be thought of and taken care of but not to the point, where he doesn't offer his own "fatherly" energy (who is young but was also forced to grow up way too soon) to balance it out.

[@paigeh7892]

@@DayDayDoes i do think that he definitely thought she was gonna do it. That’s why he comes to aang with “you were right about what katara needed”. While previously going “we will be sure to do that guru goody goody”. Tells him “this isn’t air temple pre-school” . He fully believes revenge is her justice until the end. If you still don’t subscribe to this idea no biggie. It’s not like they confirm it either way. I just think the difference in the way he’s acting before they leave and when he comes back makes it seem like he learned a lesson. As for being coddled by it, sokka and Aang balance out kataras Motherly tendencies. Sokka considers himself responsible for her well being and keeping everyone on schedule. He’ll be the first to tell katara if what she’s doing is too dangerous. And does his job as big brother. Ready to tease and protect , did most if not all the fishing and hunting for their home And aang as shown in the southern raiders episode is perfectly willing to be her voice of reason. And is someone she relies on as a source of fun and hope. And steps in when she might not be thinking things through, like when he told her not to come with him when she was ready to try banish herself with him in solidarity. and aang and kataras whole thing is that he reminds her she’s not a grown up, and allows her to have fun. Supports her journey of skill and her wish to help people Of course as part of team Avatar they all have to grow up at least a little bit. They’ve seen and dealt with a lot and are trying to save the world.

[@amourtabb7859]

@@paigeh7892 certainly killing yon ra would've hurt katara but i feel the fanbase really gives no acknowledgement that living knowing your mother's killer will never face justice will hurt her too. Killing him wouldn't have been the perfect easy answer but aang and sokka weren't even curious about her anger. That "motherly" compassion that she always gives them wasn't returned. I often think after toph joined the group, Katara was the odd man out while the others have fun around her and make her feel like a stick in the mud. When Zuko joined the group she finally had her own group.

[@ExiledPlaton]

Honestly, if Aang was hot then most Zutara fans would just ship Kataang. In the cannon, Zuko and Katara are disgusted by the idea of them being together and people just like to ship the more attractive main characters together.

[@DayDayDoes]

This argument is so completely superficial it's almost funny. Even if 12 year old Aang was hot, it still wouldn't work. There is such a thing called character chemistry and Zutara's is the most interesting and better fit. Personally of course, the creators saw themselves in Aang and wanted him to get Katara despite numerous writers throughout the seasons wanting to swing elsewhere so to each their own.

[@ExiledPlaton]

@DayDayDoes Thats funny because Zutara is literally the definiton of a self-insert. Also what chemistry do the two have?? I can remember about three wholesome moments between them and the rest are just them trying to kill each other or just hating each other.

[@KhaoticTwilight]

I kinda see where your coming from but idk. It's kinda hard to make a twelve year old boy look hot. I get your trying to say people ship Zutara because those two are good looking which probably is a bit of a reason. I think Zutara is a good ship but I just don't like when people act like its cannon or use moments out of context to justify it.

[@haruzanfuucha]

​@ExiledPlaton Kataang was literally written to be a self-insert for the creators, but you people stay pressed about the non-canon Zutara lol.

[@KhaoticTwilight]

@@haruzanfuucha Maybe it was a self-insert, but that doesn't mean both characters don't like each other and it's not a good relationship. Zutara and most other non-cannon ships are self-inserts but that doesn't make it bad.

[@izachi-chan2432]

And yet another pairing that act like siblings yet y'all think it's shippable, just like NaruSaku 💀 y'all got some sister/brother complex going on or what? Katara is literally just the positive sibling figure that Zuko lacked his whole life

[@jv7ia886]

Nahh Kataang is too canonically they have childrens even them childrens have childrens bye

[@clarissat867]

Sometime I really wonder the mental sanity of people like you. Those type of video argue why it should've been canon , or why it would've made a good enough relationship to be good in canon. Saying what you say is just saying " but it's not canon " . Yes , we know, that why we argue it should be.

[@ivckrxs118]

just because they’re canon doesn’t mean it’s good. kataang was underdeveloped and felt rushed. They had the potential to be something far greater if the creators had made the finale ambiguous and left room for their relationship to blossom in the comics instead.

[@ruriva4931]

Nope nope nope. Zutara shippers almost baffle me more than Kora fans. Zuko would be such a weaker character if Zutara was a thing.

[@haruzanfuucha]

Kataang happening made no sense for Aang's arc. He was obsessed with Katara and he never wanted to be the Avatar. He had to learn how to embrace his destiny, but then he chose to keep his attachment to Katara instead of mastering the Avatar State. He even outright says the real reason he wants to save the world is because he wants Katara's love-not because it's the right thing to do. Aang literally became a fully realized Avatar with a fucking rock deus ex machina. Katara ends up with Aang after the war is over despite rejecting him for months prior. This ultimately turned Katara into a prize for Aang to win, a reward for his heroic efforts... even though Aang made no personal sacrifices and two asspulls were handed to him on a silver platter in the finale. The best option was for no ships to happen by the series finale.

[@frostbittenskater995]

​@@haruzanfuucha I agree. It honestly kinda bothers me that they stuck with aang being able to keep his attachment to katara despite needing to let her go in order grow. Their relationship could've developed and he would've become more than just a little kid with a crush. If he had let her go, he would've become a more independent character that could be on equal footing with her maturity wise. Instead they went the "you can have it all" route, and messed up their own writing in the process.

[@haruzanfuucha]

@@frostbittenskater995 Guru Pathik tells Aang that he must let go of all earthly attachments in order to master the Avatar State. Attachment in Buddhism refers to the clinging or desire for impermanent items, people, and situations under the belief that they will bring eternal happiness. This resembles the Buddhist concept of becoming detached to achieve enlightenment. However, how it works in ATLA is never made clear. Aang refuses to let go of Katara by claiming that he loves her, but in Buddhism, attachment and love are entirely separate concepts. Love is inherently good, while attachments are inherently bad and the root of suffering. From a Buddhist perspective, if Katara is Aang's attachment, it would mean that Aang's feelings for Katara are a selfish and possessive delusion rather than true love.

[@AnnabelPitman]

@@haruzanfuucha ok saying aang didnt want to save the world becuse its the right thing to do is crazy. hes known for having the most morals of anyone in the gaang. and wdym he made no personal sacrifices the kid is traumatized and lost all his people and litterly nearly died multiple times in the finale. for the last time katara was not some prize, and how is zutara any better. in canon katara and aang have a healthy and eqal relationship after the war.

[@haruzanfuucha]

@@AnnabelPitman No, I said the REAL reason why Aang wanted to save the world was because he was doing it for Katara. From Nightmares and Daydreams: Aang: Actually, staying up all night has given me some time to think. And I've realized some big things, Katara. Katara: What big things? Aang: I see everything so clearly now. What really matters. *Why I'm really doing this.* I'm doing it to save the world. *But more than that.* I'm doing it for the people I love. *I'm doing it for you, Katara.* Aang also said that he prioritized being with Katara OVER saving the world. He refuses to master the Avatar State because of his own selfish desire to retain his attachment to Katara. In Sozin's Comet: The Finale Battle, Aang straight up says: *I've sacrificed everything, even my ability to enter the Avatar state, for her.* It can't all be for nothing. Yes, I have a duty to the world. *But I love Katara.* Aang's people dying isn't a "personal sacrifice" because that was beyond his control. Aang himself admits that being with Katara is his motivation for saving the world and the safety of the world is even SECONDARY compared to his attachment to Katara. The narrative quite literally treats Katara as a prize for Aang. It is what he ultimately wants, and they end up together in the final scene of the series after he achieves his goal of saving the world. I don't ship Zutara (they didn't have enough interaction for me to care), I just think Kataang was poorly written and its fanbase is toxic as fuck. Kataang had to contradict the established rules of the setting just to happen, we barely see Katara's perspective whereas so much attention is given to Aang's side, and the ship had an imbalanced dynamic which the creators said was like a young boy crushing on his babysitter (ew). Kataangers are always gassing up their lame ship and act like people not liking Kataang is some sort of war crime. They even go seek out pro-Zutara videos like this one just to start drama and argue with people.