Why Katara Should Have Chosen Zuko and NOT Aang

#Zuko #zutara #avatar
Zuko and Katara. Zutara. Kazuko. Zuko x Katara. Whatever you call them, we all know they were a better match than Kataang or Katara and Aang. The relationship makes more sense. The love they should have had will now be explored.

#avatarthelastairbender

[makingthestorybetter]

I'm noticing a lot of comments where people apparently only watched the first 2 minutes of the video and then left their opinion without watching the full thing. Please only leave a negative comment if you've watched the whole thing. It's fine if you disagree but simply disliking something based on the title affects the algorithm and it takes a lot of work to make these videos.

Also, because I'm pretty passionate about the subject, here are some thoughts to clarify any misconceptions and serious problems that Kataang shippers seem to be unable to address:

1. I said Katara was older than Aang in emotional intelligence and maturity
2. Katara is used as a trophy for the Avatar. Their last 3 conversations are all negative before they show them kissing in the finale. (Arguing about vengeance/justice, Aang kissing Katara when she doesn't want it, Aang yelling at Katara because he doesn't want to kill Ozai) Meanwhile, Zuko and Katara's last interactions are all very positive and shows them growing together. At best you can argue the writing was bad here and should have been changed.
3. There are multiple aspect to why Katara and Zuko should have ended up together. It's not JUST from the romantic side of things. This is clearly explained if you watch the whole video.
4. I am still waiting to hear how Aang is really good for Katara and how he contributes to the relationship. She does most the work and he just simps for her.

[qgicjmw]

I always thought Aang and Katara was such a weird pairing. Katara and Zuko would have made a lot more sense if the writers had just worked a little harder on that aspect

[moistboi]

"I hated who I have become more than I fear you" is such a good and impactful line.

[lexibrowning]

Also let's not forget that Dante Basco and Mae Whitman themselves said there was a spark between their characters that was hard to mask in the booth

[addictedtothewrittenword]

Louder for the people in the back.

There's also the fact that Aang leads a nomadic life, even after they're married, and that wasn't something Katara was on board with. She's literally in tears when Aang takes off without telling her, yet he still does it at the end of the show leaving Zuko, of all people, to pick up the pieces and comfort her in his absence.

Unlike Aang and Katara or Zuko and Mei, Katara and Zuko actually resolve their differences by talking them out as equals they don't get magically solved or conveniently forgotten.

Mei was still in love of the image of who Zuko was before he he left the FN and after he joined Aang, hence her not understanding the turmoil he's going through when he comes back home. She literally tells him he's betraying his country because she's never given thought to how the FN is on the wrong side of the war. She fails to grow in the comics either.

Katara is treated more like a reward Aang deserves because he's the hero of the story, and the hero always gets the girl even if it's at the detriment of the girl.

[ravenwaves]

When I was a child I supported Aang and Katara, but watching this series as an adult I felt much the same way you do. Zuko and Katara make more sense, and add more character depth across multiple story arcs.

[killersword]

If this had happened, it would be symbolic like you said. Plus...it would have worked out for Aang because I like him paired with Toph. Toph deserved so much better than what she got in Korra where two guys banged her and left. WTF.

[somnia]

Also Aang and Katara kinda feed into the narrative that the male protagonist ALWAYS has to be involved with the female co-protagonist as if it’s a common rule that would make things suck if it’s not pursued. News flash: he doesn’t have to? It’s just so forced that at times it gives me an headache at how tryhard the pairing is.

[scourge]

i also just rewatched the secret tunnel episode and tbh the song and the idea of "two lovers forbidden from one another because of war and finding their way out the tunnel" would suit zuko and katara much more

[armorbearer]

I am glad that you mentioned the Katara needs a mature lover (11:47). If we look at the men Katara showed interest to in the past(Jet & Haru), there is a pattern. Jet is an accomplished strategist and leader. He has some intense hatred for the Fire Nation because they burned down his village. His hatred blinds him at times and drives him to commit atrocities. Haru shares Jets hatred for the Fire Nation to a lesser degree. His father was taken by the Fire Nation at a young age and has been an obstacle to his earthbending since birth. Everyday, his village is bullied by Fire Nation troops. Although Haru is not a leader yet, he definitely has the potential to succeed his father in leading the rebellion. Both men are tall, strong, and emotionally opened up to Katara. If we compare them to Aang and Zuko, Zuko comes much closer to what Katara is looking for in a man.

[starwarrior]

Imagine, when someone sees Zuko's chest after his fight with Azula, they will remember that he will never love anyone as much as he loved Katara to the extent of taking lightning so close to his heart and potentially dying.

[olitaorru]

Finally! You're the first to say that by the end of season 2 Aang was written so that he had to detach himself from Katara in order to win. Having him enter the avatar state because of a rock, a stroke of luck instead of a conscious decision on Aang's part was really like a slap in the face.
Of course I also agree with all the other arguments, which are more well-known.

One thing I would like to add though, and which I always hear used as an argument by Kataang shippers, is that he brings out the best part of Katara. The problem with this is that as much as it is true that she is nicer in his company, this is given by the fact that she is the one who censors herself so as not to hurt/scare Aang. When Katara ends up exploding and shouting at others, Aang always treats her as if she was not herself. He does not seem to accept Katara's passionate side, which is at the core of her characterisation, that she is just like water that heals but can also destroy.

[SometimesAbel]

This was so well put! Throughout the entire series, I never felt a natural spark between Aang and Katara. Zuko and Katara made so much sense.

[dattebayo]

And the truth that katara is taller than aang i laughed so hard

[IBeMelissa]

I always felt Katara and Zuko understood each other on a much more emotional and mature level, compared to her and Aang. Plus the writers obviously teased us with their possible romance... They just made way more sense relationship-wise. When Katara told that story about the two lovers from different kingdoms who couldn't be together but found a way and brought harmony, I thought that would be reflective of her future relationship with Zuko too. The bonding cave scene in Ba-Sing-Se, both losing their mothers to the fire nation, Zuko literally helping her to find her mother's killer and trying so hard to make amends with her, The fact Zuko saved her life TWICE. Literally during the ending fight with Azula and what he did for her, I really thought they would confess or something. I'm not hating on Kataang...but I will always prefer Zutara sorry!

[randomwolffox]

(Zuko is also good with kids and seemed to like it when Katara hugged him)

I always thought Zuko would be better for Katara. They’re more similar than they are different and he seems to deeply understand her. Zuko is both a strong person and a person who doesn’t try to assert himself over her; even as enemies they fight as equals. He respects her.

Also I’m laughing at all these hate comments, most look like someone half illiterate wrote them

[sarahtrickey]

Letting go of attachments to people doesn't mean sacrificing a love or friend relationship with them, it just means that you can live your life and do what you need to do without needing them beside you - it's emotional intelligence versus co-dependence, "want" versus "need". Aang had unhealthy attachment to Katarra, he practically imprinted on her when he woke from the ice. That's an aspect that wasn't adequately resolved by the end of the show, and it resurfaced in LoK when his parenting style was revealed - so attached to his Airbender offspring he actively neglected his other children.

[samiapple]

you’re completely right. aang’s journey LITERALLY would have made more sense if Aang let go of Katara in the season 2 finale (or beginning of season 3 or even at the end of season 3 before fighting ozai) so that he can get into the avatar state. Additionally, Zuko’s arc wouldve come full circle if he ended up with Katara. The finale of the show set up Katara and Zuko together, at that point in time, the only things that made sense for them was for Katara to remain single, be with Zuko (or even Haru in a few years). Not her being with a person she mothered throughout the entire show

[Elfygaming]

First off, I don’t mind Katara & Aang, they are kinda sweet and all, and if they had avoided forcing them together at the end just after Katara said she wasn’t ready and needed time to think I would like it more. But I do remember reading somewhere that the creators didn’t intend for that either but had to add it so I get it. Still, despite the hints that Katara has feelings for Aang their relationship still gives of a brother/sister vibe to me from her side, and the romance when it happens feels a bit meh because of that, it doesn’t feel like a mature relationship between equals in the show at least.

Katara & Zuko just feels like a good pairing in comparison, yes it starts rocky, enemies to lovers and all but Katara does eventually forgive him and it turns out they work very well together and can also communicate which is a thing he doesn’t do as well with Mei. I’m also not that fond of Mei with Zuko, I like her character but I feel she and Zuko share too many of their bad traits to make a healthy couple. They both get very negative, aggressive and cynical so them being together feels doomed. While Katara could counter those traits by being positive, levelheaded and understanding. And like another commenter said, Mei doesn’t really seem to see/accept all of Zuko, just the parts she has seen, not the entire struggle he goes through about the fire nation, his family dynamic and what he really is/wants to do. Also does she ever acknowledge the fire nation’s actions as bad? She betrays Azula for Zuko yes, but other than that does she see the fire nation as being in the wrong? Because that is a big part of Zuko’s journey and redemption, to acknowledge the bad his nation has done and how he wants to change that into good. It doesn’t feel like she changes at all since they were kids while Zuko changes a lot.

Mei and Aang gives off first/teenage relationship vibes to me while Zutara felt like a more mature relationship. And while there weren’t many moments between Zuko and Katara that could be seen as romantic in canon what was there felt like a great start, like communication, acceptance and chemistry. At the very least, I feel Zuko should have ended up with someone else then Mei in canon.

[MissSarahDonut]

I never had anything against Kataang. But to me this will always be the ship of my childhood and nothing more. It made sense when first watching it at age 7-10 because they're the main heroes, and they're cute together. But growing up you realise that's not what relationships are about and how Zuko is a much more compatible choice for Katara. Tbh I don't see anyone better for Aang just because he's been so focused on Katara since the first episode so from his perspective Kataang still makes sense imo. But for Katara and Zuko, as well as for us viewers analysing the characters and situations objectively like you did, Zutara makes so much more sense and would've been MUCH better writing. Well done on the video!

PS as a girl who was once 14, I can tell you that realistically Katara would go for the edgy 16yo and not the 12yo goofball 😭😂