Did Ozai REALLY Love Zuko? | #avatarthelastairbender

Did Ozai ACTUALLY Love Zuko? This Ember Island Scene Might Surprise You! (Avatar Theory)
Ozai's reputation as a ruthless firelord is undeniable, but what if there's more to the story? Dive into a theory sparked by a scene from the Ember Island vacation! Young Zuko's attempt to save a turtle crab takes a dangerous turn, leaving him caught in the current. In a shocking moment, Ozai jumps in to save him. Was this a flicker of genuine affection, or something else? Join the discussion and explore this intriguing detail from Avatar: The Last Airbender!

#avatarthelastairbender
#avatar #atla

[newhybrid]

Likely as much as Ozai can, at some points, it's stated by Iroh that there was always something wrong about Ozai since he was a child.
And he also doesnt seem to understand and feel many concepts about humanity, even laughing at a lot of them
That was the basis, a lack of ability to be humane.
The pure evil would come from his environment and Azulon, till eventually Ozai was even worse than him
No one is born pure evil, thats the point they tried to make with his picture as a baby.

He legitimately tried to kill him with lightning, so at that moment the answer is completely no.
He was willing to let him go till Zuko said he would join the Gaang and Iroh.
Closest to feeling that way was likely when Zuko returned from exile and before he learned the truth.
But i do believe that he would eventually feel some pride on Zuko as a Firelord.
The comics do development their relationship a lot more and they do often hint at him potentially feeling this way once Zuko would mature in the role

He did try to be a better father when Zuko&Azula were very young but i think he only did that in a way to prove his ability again rather than truly caring.
As in "Azulon failed in that regard so i will prove i am better at that too"

As Iroh says in the novels(that take place like 2 decades after Book 3), Zuko became the man Ozai should have been.
The writers made it a point that Ozai would look like an older Zuko to represent what he would have become if he was consumed by his rage
Likewise Adult Zuko represents what Ozai SHOULD have been.
Physically Zuko as a grown up is meant to be very similar to Ozaithe differences in clothing, facial hair(evil goatee), and ofcourse the scar are meant to show how Zuko is the good side but still very much connected.
He cant escape his legacy, he has to show it can be good and not only evil.

However Ozais version of love is dependent on his children's ability.
When Zuko didnt have yellow eyes(sign of firebending)as a baby he nearly cast him out of the palace.
He appreciated Zuko after hearing of his power from Azula.
This part btw wasn't a lie, Zuko did indeed showed far greater power than before in that instance.

Seeing how Zuko as a Firelord indeed became a powerful ruler and the Fire Nation prospered and evolved centuries ahead in advancements etc during his reign its most likely Ozai eventually felt genuine pride in him while in prison.

But we are talking about a person that attempt to commit genocide and kill millions of people with a smile on his face.
Was he destined for the pure evil he became? No one is but he was more naturally prepositioned for it, and the environment ensured it.
If he didnt become evil he would just be blank, nothing inside

[ThePrinceEffect]

He saved him because zuko was still a child and didn't yet showcase his early failure as a fire bender yet. So at that point ozai considered him his heir.

Remember at birth, ozai intended to kill zuko because he thought he didn't have fire bender eyes and him being a non bender is shameful

[kcirtapelyk]

He only saved him because he was his heir, not because he genuinely cared about him.

[LukeLeacy]

He prolly saved cause he is the first heir for him