#I did not like season 3 but still love Toph

[thegabberwocky]

I introduce you to Judge Topher Bus

Original concept by @spxgeth11

[aangarchy]

My younger cousin (16) finished s4 of tlok. Here is her final opinion of the characters

Korra: "3 B's: badass, beautiful, bisexual."

Asami: "SHE GOT HER HAPPY ENDING LETSGOOO"

Mako: "y'know what he really came around. I hope he makes that prince his wife"

Bolin: "ngl. I hated him more and more each season. I'm sorry Bolin nation."

Tenzin: "i have mad respect for him since season 3. Korra grew up a lot but i think somehow he did too"

Kya & Bumi: "what did they do all season?" Me: "ngl i forgot" Her: "unimportant. they're both gay"

Kuvira: "finally another female villain. a win for feminism." Me: "you said that last season about p'li too" Her: "i meant every word"

Bataar jr: "and an absolutely pathetic man behind the female villain. Truly a setback for the patriarchy, we love to see it"

Lin Beifong: "turns out she didn't have just daddy issues but mommy issues too. Double whammy."

Suyin Beifong: "that's mother"

Toph Beifong: "FUCK IT UP GRANNY"

Jinora: "still the best character of this whole series and i stand by that"

Kai: "WHERE WAS THIS ASSHOLE???"

Ikki & meelo: "my mom told me if i have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all." Me: "what abt the other characters you openly hate?" Her: "those weren't CHILDREN"

Prince Wu: "is it weird that i kinda liked him even if he was pathetic? The ultimate kuzco."

Varrick & Zhu Li: "well this came out of nowhere but good for them"

Opal: "*whispers* is it bad that i really don't like her?"

[oneatlatime]

Any predictions for season 3, or are you planning to dive straight in?

You're not the first person who's mentioned s3 predictions, so I'll give it a shot, but I'm really not sure if I have anything to use to make predictions. S2 ended in a very final, end of arc kind of way. Lots of things have been tied up. I don't even know where they're all flying off to. Back to the Southern Water Tribe, since the Earth Kingdom's a bit of a bust? The Fire Nation's out of the question, the Northern Water Tribe probably has mixed feelings about seeing them again, maybe the Eastern Air Temple? Although even that might not be safe, since Aang's travel plans to said temple to meet the Guru were known by various Earth Kingdom generals. And that stupid King.

I think the Fire Nation contingent are going back to the Fire Nation, and I am looking forward to a Zuko with eyes at least somewhat open interacting with FN citizens/nobles/military etc. who are still completely drinking the kool aid. I think it's going to suck for Zuko. Should make for good TV though. Lots of conversations where both people are saying entirely different things while thinking they're talking about the same thing.

I said it before, but I'm worried for Iroh. He's for sure arrested, but is he going to be executed? Obviously I don't want that, but unless Iroh still has enormous popular support, and the Firelord's grasp on power is incredibly shaky, I don't see how permanently eliminating a traitor (from a FN perspective) can be avoided. Then again. Kids' show.

As for the Gaang? In broad strokes, Aang still needs to learn firebending to fully Avatar himself, then he needs to defeat the Fire Lord (who is quite the homebody apparently - seriously, where is this guy?). So next season Aang will shake off his lightning hangover, find a firebending teacher, defeat the firelord. He'll probably have to commute to the Fire Nation to find the Fire Lord first. No idea what he'll do in between those things. Perhaps inadvisable shenanigans? That would be in character. His biggest story arc all series has been learning to accept his status as Avatar, but between his talks with the Guru and opening his last Chakra in the finale, I think he's done it. So all that's left is the main plot and goofiness.

Katara has the same problem she had going into S2 - she's mastered waterbending, so she needs a new conflict/arc. S2 answered this demand by... having her hang around? What did Katara do this season? Bend a bunch, set up camps, tear down camps, wreck Jet, support Aang, be nice to Toph that one time, yell at people. I hope she gets something meatier in S3. I still think she should meet some good FN citizens that challenge her morals.

Sokka was also kind of just there this season, although if I'm being mean I'll say that he was also kind of just there for S1 too, which is why it doesn't feel as odd as Katara's lack of purpose. I loved his stuff with Suki. Suki is officially the glow up of the season. I loved their interactions together, and I love the growth she poked him into doing. I'd like to see more of that. So less a prediction and more of a hope: S3 Sokka develops the ability to rely on/trust others (or maybe realises others can be relied upon/trusted is more accurate), hopefully with Suki somehow involved. And I loved his dad too. I want to see more of that guy, but since a cardinal rule of kids' stories is getting rid of the authority figures asap, it won't happen.

Toph. Honestly I'm stumped. She already broke the universe. Where can she go from there? Unless she's going to devolve into an antagonist, which I absolutely don't want, I don't see how she can top her S2 plot. And Aang's got earthbending down, so I guess she'll be like Katara was this season: tagging along. Not that I'm complaining; I love me some Toph in any form. We have seen that she wants to make peace with her parents, sort of, probably? Or at least give them another shot? But I kind of don't want her within 100 miles of her parents. So I don't know.

Appa & Momo will hopefully be tagalongs in S3 too. I learned my lesson this season about wanting the animals to have character arcs.

I guess the antagonist in S3 will be the Fire Lord, finally. Who else is left? Zhao tried, he died. Azula tried, she won. Unless S3 has an Azula rematch. But would she want that? She's already proven that she won. She can go home and enjoy the spoils of her victory (which may or may not include Zuko - I'm kind of unclear on exactly how much agency Zuko is going to have in the FN, especially since I'm not actually sure that he has permission to be there as a free man - didn't the arrest warrant Azula was executing in episode 1 list both Zuko and Iroh?)

There's nothing left for the Gaang in Ba Sing Se, so I doubt they'll go back there. Frankly it's the FN characters who have roots there. I wonder what will happen to Iroh's tea shop? I wonder if his investors will find out who he is? I wonder if money talks louder than national loyalty? (It's the Earth Kingdom - the answer is yes) Wouldn't it be funny if Iroh busted out of imprisonment and went right back to serving tea? And everyone sent to find him would be thinking "this is the famed tactician the Dragon of the West - he's probably travelling the FN plotting a coup as we speak. That devilish mind of his must have safe houses set up all over the nation." When actually he's right back where he got caught, doing exactly what he was doing when he got caught, to great and not-very-quiet acclaim?

I think S3 might have an overall darker tone too, within the bounds of a kids' show. I don't know what place Ba Sing Se occupied in the mind of the average person in the Avatar universe (although refugees seemed to revere it), but the city's fall to the FN represents a very big FN victory. The Gaang will probably be the most underdoglike in S3. S1 was mostly stalemate, then a big FN defeat. S2 was opened with the FN taking Omashu and closed with them taking Ba Sing Se. The FN have never been in a better position, and I bet the NWT is safe from further invasion only until the FN have built their fleet back up. So even the few free areas could have an expiry date on their freedom.

This is rapidly devolving into rambles, so I'll conclude by saying I have no clue what's going to happen next season, and that's exciting.

[crystal-lillies]

General thoughts after watching Season 1 of Netflix's Avatar: The Last Airbender (spoilers may be present)

It's not bad. It's weird, but it's not bad.

No one asked for this.

No one asked, but we got it anyway. So what did we get?

It's not a 1:1 remake. I don't think, despite everything people have worried and griped about before the show's release, anyone wanted that either. It doesn't retain the same character arcs for everyone. Not just Sokka, but everyone.

At the same time, they still have arcs.

They're weird, they feel weird, because this show does what the Shyamalan movie doesn't, and makes an honest effort to capture the essence of the animated show, of the characters, of the world, and there is respect in its efforts.

There are musical motifs from the original. The set designs are out of the original. Many scenes are shot exactly like the original as homages.

And yet, storylines are merged together, elements from later seasons are introduced earlier, character interactions happen differently, character motivations are presented differently, and that feels weird.

We know the motions but when we the audience try to follow them, the show changes its direction and pulls a weird flex out of left field.

I won't say I agree with every major and minor change made, but I'm not enraged or disappointed in the same way as I was (and many of us were) after seeing the movie.

Instead, I'm more inclined to see where these new threads intend to go, and how the story we all know and love can be told in a different way.

Roku had barely a presence in this season, whereas in the original, he was more or less Aang's spiritual teacher. Instead, we've felt more from Kyoshi and Kuruk and Yangchen, and Aang has felt lost in his spiritual journey as well as his physical one.

Ozai, who was just a shadowy one-dimensional nightmare for most of the original first book, is now a more fleshed out figure, but one of confusing motivations. It's not the tonal whiplash of the movie, of the Ozai who legitimately worried and cared about Zuko's well being while also having still scarred and banished him, but one who is playing a 4-D chess game with his kids as the pieces and doesn't care who wins so long as one does.

I don't think it was the right call to have Zuko fight back in the Agni Kai before getting burned, but it gives a different dynamic to Zuko and Ozai's relationship that he's not the towering, shadowy Mark Hamill terror Zuko cowers before.

This Zuko seems legitimately convinced Ozai cares about him and all it takes is the Avatar to win his full love back, whereas there's still bitterness in the OG Zuko of book one. He knows Ozai favors Azula over him, he knows he's had to struggle well before being banished.

I also think not casting Dee Bradley Baker was a mistake. But they have time to correct that mistake.

All the kid actors, being green, of course do not stand up to expressive and gorgeous animation with brilliant voice acting. But they are all giving it their best, and I think they have what it takes to grow into the Book 3 Team Avatar if they get the chance.

The music got to me a number of times, particularly the instrumental renditions of "Leaves From the Vine."

Do we need this show? No absolutely not.

We have the original ATLA, and we always will. It's a timeless classic of our generation. Nothing could ever compete with it or ruin it.

However, I do feel like this adaptation is worth giving a chance to stand on its own. It may be far from perfect, but after watching it through, I legitimately want to see where it goes from here. I want to see this cast grow and change in their own ways. I want to see Toph in live action. I want to see Ba Sing Se. I want to see the new directions this story chooses to take to end up in the same place at Sozin's Comet.

But that might not happen if Netflix decides to cancel it, and I think that would be a shame.

I really do think it's worth seeing this show through, for better or worse.

Overall, as a show, I would give it a modest 7/10. (With individual elements skewing higher or lower throughout)

I don't like that it's only 8 episodes, but that's been a trend of other streaming shows also, across platforms, so I cannot fault NATLA alone for that.

You don't NEED to have seen the original to understand what's happening or get key details (unlike SOME adaptations have been doing recently). You can get a complete picture with just this. Is it as pretty or vibrant as the original? No. But it is still a whole picture (or, could be, with all three seasons).

It has great effects, sets, props, choreography, good music. It has SUKI. And JET. and JUNE. And THE Cabbage Man!

AND OMA/SHU ARE LESBIANS! I mean, I see that as an absolute win.

[pumpkinrootbeer]

Not enough Avatar fans recognize how good of a bender Bolin is bcuz he's mostly busy being played as comic relief. But even just at the end of TLOK he's praised by his personal hero Toph Beifong and is one of 3 known lavabenders, has gone toe to toe and bended alongside Toph's talented daughters and displays similar feats.

And he's shown to practice bending seriously and improve between time jump, b/c have you noticed that he observed and mastered the Red Lotus lavabender's lava glaive trick and uses it to cut through platinum in Book 4? That and Toph said that she'd be willing to teach Bolin metalbending b/c she brags about being able to teach anyone metalbending (Toph's metalbending school comics reference yay) & in the TLOK comics Toph is shown to go out of her way to leave the swamp & head to Rep. City to hang out with her granddaughter and her future grandson-in-law, so I'm betting Bolin's been getting some tutoring in and officially become one of Toph's students.

TLDR I hope Bolin shows up in the new Avatar series and shows up how strong he is at old age, b/c half his canon appearances so far are him at 16 and he's underratedly really good.

no because Bolin is genuinely an unparalleled bender. he has sheer power on the level of avatars, see how catches an entire building dropped on a room full of earth benders before anyone else and then was the only one holding it up despite TOPH BEING IN THE ROOM? for one.

he also has the drive to be good at his bending that we don't really see with mako or even really korra in the show. sure, we see korra learn air bending but then she's just frustrated it's not coming naturally. with Bolin we see him struggle with his bending and still become the best. see how quickly he mastered an element with No One to teach him or him throwing himself at metal bending over and over. Which I'm honestly torn if I want him to learn it? On one hand, literally op earthbender which is amazing yes please. On the other, I kinda like that metal bending, something that is traditional earthbending techniques taken to the extreme, is what Bolin struggles with.

It's pretty heavily implied Bolin and Mako had no formal bending teacher and are completely self taught. In fact, the times we see Bolin do the most traditional earthbending moves are in season 4, which takes place after the 3 year jump. This is also when he's working for Kuvira and is probably the only time he did get formal training in earthbending, so it would make sense he would incorporate that more.

and ive talked about this before but, Bolin is the quickest earthbender in the entire show. he is incredibly talented in his craft and no one else in the entire show bends like he does. like, okay. This?

that move? that spin kick he's doing? That's a fire bending move.

he's doing a fire bending move with earth. kinda like iroh's move for redirecting lighting, bolin's entire bending style is this quote "when you take (wisdom) from only one place it becomes rigid and stale. understanding others, other nations, will help you become whole" Bolin is an earth bender who grew up learning to bend by watching fire bending. and that is a huge part of why Bolin is such a unique and talented fighter.

tbh I hope he never learns metal bending because the contrast between him and toph is nice. Toph is someone who excels at traditional earthbending, to the point of inventing a new type of sub-bending. whereas Bolin is so skilled at adapting and integrating different bending styles that he's able to master a volatile element that is eath that behaves like water with properties of fire at 17 with no teacher.

so yeah I agree 100% I would fucking love to see Bolin older because he would be a fucking powerhouse.

[jasmine-tea-latte]

JTL's long but not as long as it could've been review of Netflix's ATLA

So.

I’ve finished watching the Netflix adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender and I have a lot of thoughts. Because despite some of the more questionable changes, I overall enjoyed this as an adaptation.

I wish I could say that I was surprised by the criticisms I'm seen so far, but unfortunately, I’m not. As much as I adore the OG series for being one of the greatest animated shows (or television shows, period), it’s been placed on a pedestal over the years and any adaptation of it will always be held to an impossibly high standard. And for better or for worse, a lot of fans have their nostalgia glasses on when it comes to the show, so any deviation from the source material is going to receive some form of backlash. I say this as someone who clearly still loves the show 19 years later, otherwise I wouldn't be here writing about it, ya know?

Anyways, if I had to give it a grade compared to the OG series, I’d give it a B- or a C+. If I’m grading it as its own thing, I’d bump that up to a B+ or A-. There are some elements (pun not intended) that definitely should have been kept in, and some changes that I thought were done well.

TL;DR – I had fun watching it even during the parts that made me cry, and the parts that made me say “… well that was a decision.” I’d love to see the last two books be adapted as well, if for no other reason than to meet Toph Mothereffing Bei Fong and see all of Team Avatar together.

(Also because I’d LOVE to see The Ember Island Players, especially if they managed to work in a few fun cameos. Can't you picture Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as Play!Toph and thee Dante Basco as Play!Zuko, hamming it up for all it’s worth? Shut up and take my money!)

(And of course, the Last Agni Kai for obvious reasons)

So I’d recommend at least checking it out if you’re interested. I’d also like to recommend that if you do, watch it from a pragmatic standpoint that it’s a condensed adaptation, not a shot-for-shot remake.

Some things that I liked, and some that I didn’t are below the cut:  

(SPOILERS, obvs)

Aang – I really liked this version of him, and though his actor’s still young, I thought he embodied the upbeat, playful side well. I also liked that they removed his one-sided crush on Katara, and – don’t shoot me for this – if they went with Kat@ang later based on how they did their characters in this first season, I wouldn’t be entirely opposed if it’s built on actual friendship and not an unrequited crush. (Still Team Zutara for life, but I don’t think that I’d *hate* it if the show went in this direction.)

Katara – I thought her actress did great when it came to portraying the nurturing, sensitive side. What I didn’t like was them removing nearly all of her feminine rage. Let her be angry! Let her lose her temper and be hot-headed! This post sums it up nicely. That being said, I do think she did well enough with the direction she was given. Here’s hoping we’ll see our girl eff some stuff up if we get Seasons 2 and 3.

Sokka – Fantastic and sarcastic. I really liked his actor’s interpretation of him, and it definitely felt more in line with the character we all fell in love with during the OG show.

Zuko – out of the main cast, I think his performance was the best. He had to step into a major role, taking over from a beloved performance that is still hailed as one of the greatest redemption arcs in modern media with a lot of expectations riding on his shoulders, and I think that his actor knocked it out of the park. It’s different from Dante Basco’s interpretation, obviously. But as I watched each episode, I kept thinking, “there’s our grumpy fire boy.” The scene where he’s throwing the temper tantrum over losing his journal, while Iroh’s standing back and watching? I thought to myself, “this boy is the worst, he’s perfect.” Plus the flashbacks to his life before scarring were done well, and even though I knew what was coming re: the Agni Kai against his father and subsequent banishment, I still got emotional.

Also, regarding the Agni Kai – on one hand, I feel like his absolute refusal to fight back was such an integral part of that scene and understanding who he is as a character. That being said, I didn’t *hate* that in this version he was pushed into defending himself, albeit by holding back. That one shot where he hesitates to attack Ozai, only for his father to use that same move against him moments later… oof.

My ONLY complaint with this version of Zuko is that he didn't say "honor" once.

Other thoughts I had:

🟣 I really liked that we got to see more of the Air Nomads and life at the Southern Air Temple prior to Sozin’s attack. I also liked the explanation the show gave of having all the Air Nomads gathered together for a festival celebrating the comet, which makes more sense if they’re all (allegedly) under one roof.

Additionally, witnessing the genocide itself… I was crying. Especially during the final showdown between Gyatso and Sozin, and the realization that we were witnessing Roku’s (former) best friend slaughter one of his other closest friends.

But why wouldn't they send the children out on the flying bison to escape instead of having them all cornered?!

🟣 I really enjoyed getting to see interactions between Ozai and Iroh, which was one of the biggest missed opportunities in the OG show.

🟣 MY GIRL JUNE. That is all.

The part where she flirts with Iroh was also a nice flip on what happened in the OG show, with his covert pervert crush and all. Plus Zuko’s face when she calls his “dad” cute? Peak Zuzu. Also, poor Iroh hahaha.

🟣 Suki! I really liked the Kyoshi Island episode, plus her awkward flirting with Sokka by kicking his ass.

🟣 I really wish the whole subplot of Kya’s necklace hadn’t been cut, tbh. The flashbacks involving her were good, and as devastating as it was actually seeing her death, it does hammer home the point what a horrifying experience that was (side-eyeing you, everyone making the jokes about Katara always bringing up her dead mother.)

🟣 THE SCARF SCENE. Nice try, Netflix, but I know better than to get my hopes up again from 5 seconds of slow-mo. Did I still screech when it happened, though? Ofc I did!

🟣 The twist with the 41st Division was bittersweet and I may have (okay, definitely) cried.

🟣 Combining Jet’s subplots with the Mechanist’s and putting them in Omashu wasn’t too bad. I do wish the message of “not everyone in the FN is evil” from Jet’s episode had made it into this version, tbh.

🟣 Overall, I liked Jet + the Freedom Fighters. Also, props to his actor for capturing the pretty boy / f*ckboi attitude well.

🟣 Loved Chong and the hippies, of course (SECRET, SECRET, SECRET TUNNEL, YEAH!) and I don’t mind that they were included this early.

🟣 I loved the change to the Cave of Two Lovers and having Oma and Shu be lesbians.

🟣 I feel like if the show’s renewed for a second season and we come back to Omashu, there’s a chance they could revisit the COTL with Katara and Aang this time around.

🟣 The random lady smacking Zuzu with a broom – “how dare you hit that child?!” – was hilarious, and Dallas Liu’s facial expressions of “wtf” and “fml” were a thing of beauty (starts at 1:40 in the video below)

🟣 CABBAGE MAN! I just love that they got the original voice actor, hamming it up and screaming at the sky.

🟣 I LOVED the Blue Spirit episode, and all of the flashbacks, plus the voiceover about masks and seeing past!Zuko contrasted to present!Zuko, as presented in this gifset? RIP my heart.

🟣 The flashback to Lu Ten’s funeral and showing Zuko being the only person to join his uncle, sharing a sweet memory of his cousin while Leaves from the Vine plays? Beautiful. Ditto to the flashbacks of Iroh standing up for his nephew prior to the Agni Kai and the scenes of them getting ready to set sail to search for the Avatar. “I don’t need a babysitter.” “How about a friend?” how about excuse you I did not ask for these emotions how dare you.

🟣 I actually liked the inclusion of Ozai and Azula + Mai and Ty Lee. I also loved the opening of Ep. 3, showing how she was able to infiltrate the team of rebels. RIP to Kevin Tran (in advanced placement), though.

🟣 I loved that Katara rallied the women waterbenders and they were able to help during the Siege of the North. I also liked her reaction when she's talking with Yugoda in the healing huts and realizes why she's been sent there. It gave us a glimpse of the fiestier / headstrong Katara we all know and love, and if the show gets renewed I hope we'll get to see more.

🟣 I really enjoyed them giving Aang and Zuko a few minutes to talk / form a connection after he was unmasked as the Blue Spirit. That was nicely done.

and finally...

Nothing else to add, just chef's kiss.

(gif source)

Anyways! I might make a more extensive list of my personal pros and cons, but for now, I’d still recommend giving it a shot.

[restinslices]

I liked the Twilight Lin Keui thingy idk if u watched Succession or Avatar the Last Airbender but can u do tomas,kuai liang and bi hans reaction to either of those shows and who their faves are?bi han is so azula coded

Off topic but do y’all make music playlists for y’all Ocs too? Shit is incredibly relaxing.

Bi-Han

You're so right about him being Azula coded 

Azula has to be his favorite character too. I refuse to take any criticism 

I think when Bi-Han watches anything he's probably on the villains side because sometimes they be spitting. They just have very harsh methods to go about these plans 

His favorite season I think would be season 2

Why? Ozai’s Angels obviously 

Season 3 is their downfall and season 2 is when they're all in their prime 

Plus the Ba Sing Se plot is something I can see him liking 

“See? Liu Kang is just like the king! Incompetent!”

Incorrect but that's an interesting theory 

He's such an Azula defender. He just like me fr 

Least favorite character? I wanna say possibly Commander Zhao because “how are you a Commander but you're terrible at your job?”

But I also wanna say Ozai

He could be his least favorite character because ya know, he's an abusive and manipulative sack of shit that turned his children against each other 

But he might understand his ambition and need to continue his family's legacy 

Depends on his mood ig

One of those people that saw Kyoshi for the 0.5 seconds she was on screen and immediately thought “that's my favorite Avatar”

As a kid he crushed on Ozai's Angels 

Because of the clothes alone he wanted to be apart of the Fire Nation but power wise we know that wouldn't have happened 

Oh the brainwashing of the citizens? That's unfortunate, but at least they're dressed amazing 

Pro Hama. She did nothing wrong. 

Thought blue fire was the coolest shit ever and thought Kuai Liang was ass because his shit is boring ass orange 

His favorite episodes are the season finales because it wraps everything up well and that's when the tension is extremely high 

In order it's The Crossroads of Destiny, Sozin's Comet (places 2nd because Azula lost) then The Siege of the North 

As a little bonus his favorite tale in The Tales of Ba Sing Se is The Tale of Toph and Katara 

Why do I think this? I think he likes the characters and also he enjoys watching little shits get what they deserve (the mean girls that insulted Toph)

Kuai Liang

So we're all agreeing that he definitely had a huge crush on Suki, right?

His love for female warriors that could put him on his ass started with Suki then he ends up marrying Harumi

She's a warrior right? 

Doesn't matter. She'll be dead in the next game anyway. MOVING ON-

Bi-Han wants to be apart of the Fire Nation and Kuai Liang wants to be apart of the water tribes 

As a kid he really wanted blue fire but it never happened 

Favorite characters I think would be Suki, Toph and Zuko

He loves all of them but these are his top 3

His favorite season is season 3 because it's the season that wraps up this amazing show from his childhood and it's done beautifully 

Favorite episode I think would be Boiling Rock 

It's the start of Azula's downfall and come on y'all, we saw Suki, Sokka and Zuko team up. Shit was fire (no pun intended)

He also likes The Beach because it emphasizes how broken the villains are and shows that at the end of the day, they were children robbed of a childhood 

Gets the appeal of Zutara but is a Kataang shipper 

Despises Ozai because of what he did to his kids and his people 

Honestly fuck Sozin, Azulon and Ozai

“Your people didn't deserve to live in my world!” shocked his little heart because damn, you still ain't got no remorse?

He watches this show very often as he grows up. It's never a show he forgets about 

Also fuck Long Feng

Forget all the brainwashing, it's keeping Appa that pushed him over the edge 

Definitely showing this show to his kids 

Too bad they won't live long enough to share it with their own children-

I'm done. Sorry 

Favorite tale is The Tale of Iroh 

Because… Iroh

Do I need to explain?

Tomas 

Probably had a crush on Katara 

I have no reasoning as to why. Like, with Kuai Liang it makes sense with who he marries later, but with Tomas I'm just “yeah that makes sense”

Heavily disagrees with people who call her annoying 

Yeah, she has her moments but she's not this terrible character 

As a child he was jealous of Aang because he got her in the end 

Yeah Tomas, just ignore the genocide of his people and the trauma he has-

You FOR SURE wanna be him 

Jealousy aside, he really likes Aang. I can see Aang being his favorite Avatar

Sokka is also a character he loves 

Tbh I think he loves everyone in the Gaang and while his favorite character is Katara, his second favorite switches from time to time 

Favorite season is season 1 because it kicks off this fantastic part of his childhood 

Unlike his brothers, he was fine with the element he has 

Yeah, he's smoke and not really an airbender but it's close enough 

Minus the genocide, they were living a good life (which is a wild ass sentence)

Knows all the ATLA conspiracies 

“Did you guys know there's a conspiracy that Ty Lee is a descendent of Air Nomads?”

“Did you guys hear this theory that Yue was supposed to be the Avatar after Aang but because he was in the ice she never got the Avatar spirit and that's why she needed the moon to live?”

“Do y'all think Sozin and Roku were hunching?”

Skips the Appa's Lost Days episode 

Favorite episode is The Cave of Two Lovers because it makes him laugh 

Everyone hates Ozai but you wanna know who's really on his shit list?

That old bitch that snitched on Haru

Kill him immediately 

The live action movie filled him with such a rage, he didn't know it was possible 

And because of that, he hasn't seen the live action show yet 

His favorite tale is The Tale of Sokka 

Why? It's just Sokka being a goober

[seyaryminamoto]

hello! I really like your meta about Zuko, and I'm so glad that I finally found a person who also thinks that Zuko in book 3 is a much worse person than he was in the book 1. I always thought that something was wrong with me, since literally no one sees this obvious fact for me! But I would like to ask you: What do you think about Katara in book 3? the fact is that she was my favorite character in books 1 and 2, and the way she was written in book 3 upset me a lot. it seems to me that they spoiled her character, but I can't explain why. Please share your thoughts!

Glad you've enjoyed my extensive meta on the fandom's fave, haha. I did write a lot about him, always nice to know my thoughts on the subject are still deemed relevant.

As for Katara... well, I have thoughts on her, too. My experience with her character is quite similar to yours, I'd say, because I too felt a lot better about her character in the first two seasons of the show compared with the third. I don't usually give this a ton of thought, but after your ask, I figured I'd try and figure out what exactly went down with her that made people like us feel so uncomfortable with Katara's portrayal at multiple points of Book 3...

For starters, I'll say I vibed with Katara a lot when I started the show for reasons beyond her being a great character or being written wonderfully: she could very well have been written mediocrely and I would have loved her anyway simply because I ran away from anime to ATLA in an era where anime kept shoehorning incest undertones into every sibling relationship, even in shows that didn't have that as a core subject. It happened at least twice that I can remember, I kept seeing people raving about shows where it WAS the core of it (I still do not understand the Oreimo deal, like, the minute I read that show's title I puked in my mouth and knew I'd never watch it), and I just needed... safety from that concept, I guess?

So when I went into ATLA, and the first sibling relationship you're exposed to is Sokka and Katara, two siblings who very much act like siblings? I was thriving. It was thrilling. I felt so refreshed that I think I didn't care much about the flaws of Book 1, despite my inability to sense direction for most of it, because thank the universe, it was a sibling relationship that made sense to me!

With that as an opening, I'd say that, initially, I thought Katara was fine for most of Book 1. In Book 2? She fell off the radar for me a bit simply because other characters are introduced that just appeal to me so much more than she does. I vibe better with characters like Azula, who tend to be the type of female character I just LOVE, and with characters like Toph, she's a tomboy, I was a tomboy (... was? x'D maybe I shouldn't use past tense...), so I gravitated much more towards those two by no real fault of Katara's core personality traits. Back in Book 1, there aren't as many main characters, so you don't have a lot of variety to choose faves from. It's not that strange, I think, that once the cast broadens, people's interest in certain characters can scatter too.

But then Book 3 happened, and I just couldn't enjoy Katara outside of episodes where she wasn't that important. The Katara-centric episode of Book 3 stand among my least favorite episodes of ATLA altogether, and among the least likely episodes I'd ever want to rewatch. I literally skipped over The Painted Lady in my first rewatches of the show, every bit as much as I skipped The Great Divide or Avatar Day, both of which annoy me a lot in the first two seasons. The Puppetmaster? Not even close to being an episode I could enjoy. Even the Runaway, that's supposed to be Toph-centric, ends up making me count down the minutes for it to end and I'm not even going to get started on The Southern Raiders and the absolute can of worms that episode is...

So, with all this being said, if we peel this particular cabbage open little by little...

After mulling it over, I've grown to suspect that Katara has major inconsistency issues since day one that most people don't particularly like to acknowledge, and that flew over most of our heads from the beginning of the show. She's pretty much portrayed to us as an empath, someone who has so much heart that she can't help but feel everyone's pain and suffer with them all the time. The fandom 100% acts like that's who she is (while also obsessively adultifying her unnecessarily, and forcing her into the mom!friend role, which... we'll talk about that later)

But this is also the same character who, when her brother banished Aang from the Southern Water Tribe as early as in episode 2, protested in a very particular way once Aang was gone. Which one of these statements sound more accurate to Katara's character, and a suitable protest for her to proclaim upon witnessing this injustice against Aang?

"Aang is alone! How could you send him away on his own? He could be in danger, Sokka! He's just a kid!"

"The Air Nomads are gone, Sokka! Where do you think he'll go? He doesn't have a home to go back to and you just sent him away!"

"You happy now? There goes my one chance at becoming a waterbender!"

If you ask the fandom? They'll most likely think that her reaction was either #1 or #2.

Surprise surprise: it was actually #3

I'm not saying she didn't show empathy towards Aang while Sokka was ranting at him, because she did. I'm not saying she wasn't willing to be banished along with Aang until Sokka asks if she'd choose pretty much a total stranger over their family and tribe, because she was. She absolutely did all those things.

... So why would she focus only on how he represented her one chance at becoming a waterbender once Aang is gone?

This feels off to me. I've never particularly liked that line. And you could absolutely say that Katara has every right to be mad at losing her chance to reclaim an aspect of her culture that she cannot connect to, but the way it was framed here? It absolutely makes Katara look more selfish than she actually was. The wording is not good. The show doesn't emphasize, at this point, that bending is such a core and crucial part of their culture and that Katara feels a major responsibility in being the ONLY person in the South Pole that can keep it alive. So it just comes off as a child's tantrum. Sokka's concerns were 100% valid too, even if he went about them while being a jerk (he is, indeed, an older brother...). He wasn't even wrong in the end about how dangerous Aang was to their tribe, since Aang's mishap with Katara on the ship gives away his position to Zuko, and it results in Zuko ramming a huge ship into their home and nearly killing people in the process. But you DON'T see the show fully framing it as though Katara and Aang did something wrong -- it was an honest mistake. We know it was. Sokka is framed as unreasonable for being so paranoid even though later events in the very episode prove he wasn't.

And that's... the crux of the issue with Katara's writing. If you ask me.

There are far too many instances where Katara makes mistakes that she's not held accountable for, that she doesn't apologize for, that run against the core logic and principles of her character and they either get shrugged off or overlooked. There are far too many situations where she acts out, and is a jerk at her jerk of a brother, even unprompted on occasion, and it's supposed to just be funny. One particularly stood out to me when I revisited it a few years ago, I can't really remember what for (maybe when I was writing Jeong Jeong's arc in Gladiator and I had a look at the fishing village...?), but it's the famous flashback episode in Book 1: The Storm.

The scene in question is... humorous. Supposedly. Katara is trying to buy fruit in the market but then realizes they have no money to pay for it. Not only does Katara piss off the vendor, but the vendor actually takes her rage out on Sokka once she realizes these kids won't give her any business: he gets kicked in the rear, as the transcript's description says. No one protests the woman's violent reaction, not even Sokka. Katara most certainly doesn't do it. But that's not all there is to it: Sokka doesn't hold what happened with the fruit vendor against Katara, they have a conversation on how they have no money and no food... and Katara offers him the golden ticket solution to their problems:

"You could get a job, smart guy."

Am I too feminist for thinking it's insane that Katara expects her brother alone to get the job? That she's not saying the THREE of them should get jobs? She and Aang are BENDERS! That's an asset most people aren't likely to find in any would-be employees in the central Earth Kingdom! So... wouldn't it be logical for all of them to do it? But no, instead, Sokka alone has to get the job?

And yes, I know, Sokka is the provider, Sokka is the protector, Sokka would do ANYTHING for his sister and the people he loves: you ask the fandom, though, and that's Katara instead of him. Moments like these simply do not exist in the fandom's eyes and, if they do, they're just excusable because Sokka is boring/weird/annoying/insert-demeaning-nonsense-here and Katara is a queen who can do whatever she wants.

Then, the consequences arrive once Sokka gets a dangerous job on a fishing boat and nearly gets killed in a storm. Aang is the one who shows concern about the potential storm when the fisherman's wife brings it up: from all I can see in the transcript, there's nothing from Katara. Sokka says they told him to get a job, so that's what he's doing, and there's no manifestation of concern from either of them about maybe joining him on this fishing trip to ensure he's safe. Instead, Aang is haunted by his past and Katara goes with him when he leaves, which, yes, is very important for context on the Air Nomads and Aang's life... and yet we don't really NEED for this scene to be Katara and Aang only. It could've included Sokka too. The plot of the second half of the episode would change? Likely. They could've come up with another idea, and not shown us a Katara who doesn't show concern for her brother's safety or any remorse when her unfair demands or expectations from him could result in catastrophic outcomes :') yes, she worries about Sokka's safety once the storm hits, but there's no sign of her feeling responsible for Sokka being out in the storm at all. No apology. Which is ironic, because Zuko apologizes to Iroh in that very same episode, hence, an apology from Katara to her brother could have mirrored that side of the story well, and they REALLY loved doing Zuko-Gaang parallel scenes like that, so it would have fit perfectly! Didn't happen, though.

Point being... Katara's compassion and empathy are not absolute. It's important to keep in mind is that they don't need to be! But precisely because she falters with them in moments where she REALLY shouldn't, with people as important to her as her own brother? It becomes very difficult to believe that she's the empath the fandom is convinced she is, and that the show's narrative tries to push her as.

The real reason why her failure to show compassion to Sokka in "humorous" situations feels so unnerving isn't because she's a typical little sister who takes her brother for granted (which is a perfectly logical/believable behavior!): it's because there are no consequences for it. Maybe at some point or another there were? But I for one can't remember many instances where Katara failed Sokka and it was framed as her fault and her responsibility. Let's look at other Book 1 instances that exemplify what I mean:

She freezes him to the deck of Zuko's ship, which puts Sokka in MAJOR danger, and she just tells him to hurry up as if it weren't her fault that he's frozen in the first place. We don't even see her making efforts to thaw him out of there when she IS the waterbender so it seems logical that she should be able to help with that (and if she's too inexperienced to do it? The least she can do to help her brother out of a dangerous situation is to TRY???). But apparently it's funny that she doesn't help him when it's her fault! So this is fine!

She endangers the entire group over the waterbending scroll, which, of course, the pirates had no right to have anyway and it's reasonable that she'd want it for herself... but she antagonized a group of fully adult, dangerous, potential murderous pirates, against Sokka's constant warnings that they shouldn't pick that particular fight. As far as I can remember? Her apologies on that episode are exclusively about how she hurt Aang's feelings by being jealous over his greater talents as a bender. Basically, nothing for Sokka, no apology for not listening to him about danger, making it worse when the very final moment features Katara proudly telling her brother that she won't steal things... unless it's from pirates. So lesson not learned because it's funny, again, to never acknowledge that Sokka has a point.

She actually cares about Sokka's fate in Jet! But the thing is... the narrative doesn't frame that as Katara's fault. Because it's not. Jet made his choices and he did awful things and he captured Sokka, lied and gaslit everyone, because he had a goal to fulfill and he used Katara to make that happen. As angry and upset as Katara is, it's not exactly shown that Katara is sorry for having trusted Jet when Sokka could have ended up paying a deadly price for it. She's angry at the betrayal, even in Book 2 it's constantly framed as though Katara is upset at him as an ex-girlfriend would be upset at her ex-boyfriend for lying to her rather than, you know, being pissed at him for nearly killing her brother + an entire village. My point is, the narrative framing never holds her responsible for Jet's choices. Which, again, she's not. But she IS responsible for her own choices... and one of those choices was disregarding Sokka's warnings about Jet. THAT was her fault, and her responsibility. She jumped to conclusions and assumed that Sokka was bitter and jealous that Jet was the charming cool leader Sokka could never be. There were no apologies to Sokka over that, either.

I could go on, and on, and on. The truth is, I bring all this up to show with solid evidence that Katara's writing was always a little... unstable. Weird. Disconnected from logic in many regards, I'd say. It's not logical/compatible to tell us that this character has the BIGGEST heart of the entire cast when she fails to show that heart to none other than her own brother, who is inarguably the person who she knows best and with whom she should share the closest relationship, even as her friendship with Aang grows and thrives. That makes no sense, thematically speaking.

Is it meant to be comedic? Yes, every bit as much as Iroh sexually harassing June was done for comedy's sake. That's not an excuse for characters behaving in ways that are thematically contrary to what they're supposed to be portraying... and along with that? No excuse for them facing zero consequences for that behavior. Which is, in fact, my main issue with these flaws from Katara: I have no issue with the writing choices in the scenes I listed just now! I take issue, however, with the lack of follow-up and consequences that you can BET, 100%, would have befallen Sokka if it had been him instead of Katara acting that way. He faced consequences even for things he didn't do, for comedy's sake: he wouldn't have gotten away with disregarding Katara's safety as often as Katara did with him, no chance at all.

Ultimately, these scenes in Book 1 are kind of ignorable in the larger scheme of things (or at least, that's how the fandom has always acted). Not a lot of people take any of this as major proof of characterization for Katara. You won't see a lot of fic writers showing her acting like this. Canon, though, often would go down this route for funsies, and the comics certainly did it plenty too, that I can remember. Part of the issue here is that, as funny as it is, it also makes Katara feel stale as a character, as does the Sokka-Katara dynamic, at large, because there's no progression for it. That's probably my greatest gripe with the Great Divide, believe it or not: it fakes being an episode where Sokka and Katara are going to be confronted over their conflictive tendencies, and the ONLY potential development in that basically-filler episode SHOULD HAVE BEEN Sokka and Katara learning to be a bit more harmonious and respectful of each other? ... And that's just not what happened at all. The status quo remains exactly the same after that episode, and it continues to be like that until the end of the show.

The real reason why Sokka and Katara are deemed the healthy siblings is because, of course, compared with the other main set of siblings in the show, these two appear to get along wonderfully. But the truth is, their relationship is not as dynamic as it deserved to be. And that's part of why Book 3 ends up failing in ways Book 1 might not have, while having similar flaws: Book 1 is when you're still getting to know these kids, and that's why I find its flaws far more forgivable than anything that comes later. When there's basically no development for that connection at all, Book 3 winds up falling flat with characters like Sokka and Katara and the bond between them.

All this being said... I'm not saying that Katara is terrible in Book 1. I still stand by the fact that I really enjoyed her character in many instances of this season, there absolutely are situations where she sasses Sokka that still make me crack a smile, and genuinely humorous situations that don't paint her in a questionable light over her lack of concern for her brother's safety. Her fight to earn the right to be trained as a waterbender is deeeeeply flawed but it's not her fault, it's more the misogyny of the writers/creators that decided that a betrothal necklace from his past would make Pakku unlearn all his sexism and get over his bullshit right after beating up a girl who was fighting tooth and nail to make him acknowledge her. That he only acknowledges her because he wanted to marry her grandmother is... uh... fuckboi behavior even when he's well over 70 years of age? XD

So, yeah, Book 1 still has my favorite Katara of the entire show even though I REALLY wish she wouldn't get away with things that other characters wouldn't get a pass for (... well... other than Zuko...). I can't enjoy her as much as I enjoy other characters because I really don't like it when characters aren't held accountable for serious mistakes they made.

Moving on to Book 2, though, and leaving behind my greatest gripe with Katara's Book 1 writing (lack of direct consequences/self-reflection on her part), Book 2's biggest sin when it comes to Katara is the beginning of the "mothering" trope. I honestly did not feel motherly vibes from Katara towards anyone in Book 1. Sokka is very often the one playing the responsible role, while Aang and Katara are seeing the world, practicing their bending, doing reckless and fun things. The entire thing about Katara being the mom friend started in Book 2 when she suddenly becomes the epitome of responsibility (well... kinda) when Toph joins the group. She still does sketchy stuff with zero consequences (I'll forever complain about how ice is not cold in this show, the kids she froze to the wall may have been dicks, but freezing someone alive that way should have resulted in serious health repercussions, just as ANY case of freezing someone alive should have, ffs, be it Zuko in Book 1's finale or Azula + Katara in Book 3's...), but once Toph is part of the group, she becomes the cool girl who's "one of the boys", and now Katara is "the mom". This dynamic gets forced into the story pretty much right after Toph joins the group. And after that? It doesn't really change for the better often. There are only a handful of instances where Katara wasn't acting wholesome and comforting and kind and compassionate in Book 2 (... particularly with Sokka, ofc), but the point where her dynamics, even with Aang, start to feel motherly is definitely Book 2.

And this adds to the issue, in the end: Katara's appeal as the main girl in the show is suddenly gone because Toph is here, and she's a way more unique character that the writers definitely were having fun working with, probably more fun than they had with Katara. So they had to find a new niche for her, I'd dare guess. Thus, instead of actually building up an awesome and solid friendship between Katara and Toph, they mostly just clash and collide. Toph is basically the ONLY character who gives Katara grief and isn't framed as in the wrong for it, which is its own set of issues (namely, Toph not being challenged enough by the narrative, which stunts her character growth), but among many things, we suddenly get shown that Katara is a girly girl who likes makeup and she ropes Toph into this when nothing we've seen so far suggests that Toph would be comfortable with that. Katara pushes her into doing things because they're the "girls of the group"... and it doesn't often look like Toph's feelings on anything are important when Katara is pushing her around for whatever purpose. I'm not saying Toph hated the spa day, she certainly had fun eventually, but even when the comics made a "Katara and Toph's day out" story, where Toph got to choose what to do for once, the story devolved into Katara's show anyway, and things concluded with Toph deciding they're better off doing girly things together when they want to hang out because Katara is just too intense for the things Toph would like to do.

This isn't even in the show, but it's basically a response to Tales of Ba Sing Se to try and even out Katara and Toph's one-sided dynamic, where Katara calls the shots of their entertainment... and even then, Toph doesn't really get what she's looking for. But Katara does get that out of Toph because all she wants is a girl to do girly things with and Toph provides that in the end, no matter how much of a tomboy she may be. Toph might just want a friend who loves the things she loves, and who knows, Katara could be that person! But the story never leads her in that direction so we never see that happen. And that's why that particular friendship never really... clicked for me. Their dynamics don't really feel enjoyable to me as they were written in the show, even though they very much could have been.

That's one thing I'll always give ATLA: the character potential and synergy they captured with that cast could be absolutely incredible. Team Avatar is so iconic because they really could work well off each other. A lot of teams in other media just aren't this good (... one of my main reasons to not enjoy Voltron and drop it in season 1 was my absolute failure to find any synergy between those characters, it felt like they all hated each other and I honestly did not enjoy their dynamics in the least), but Aang, Katara and Sokka have great synergy due to their different personalities in Book 1. Same when Toph joins them in Book 2. Zuko ABSOLUTELY could have been better in the group than he was if Book 3 hadn't devolved into the Zuko Woobifying Show by the second half, where the only writing priority was making him friends with everyone, and making them all feel sorry for him and have compassion towards him. But, broken down to his core traits, Zuko's personality would have resulted in solid chemistry with everyone else's if they'd gotten off that agenda anyway! So ultimately, ATLA has a big win in this respect that a lot of TV shows would LOVE to recreate but they simply haven't struck the right kind of balance in character traits.

Hence why the way they wrote Toph and Katara's dynamics kind of feels like a betrayal to me. Those two could have been a lot of fun, they have EVERYTHING it takes to be entertaining characters with not a ton of things in common and yet building a solid friendship that hinges on their differences. I've seen a fair few examples of that kind of dynamic in other media, and it absolutely would be possible with Toph and Katara. It's really unfair that they couldn't capture their dynamics in such a way that both characters would SHINE, rather than constantly resorting to conflicts between them that never seemed to truly be resolved.

So: Toph should not be a problem for Katara. She should enhance her character and doesn't because of writing failures. One of the core failures is "mom friend Katara", of course: there's nothing inherently wrong with Katara stepping up and taking care of people she loves, but there's something very wrong with it when she's suddenly portrayed as this motherly figure when she's doing things that Sokka had been doing just fine in Book 1. Main reason why this is the case? Sokka got dumbed down to full-time class clown for whatever reason in Book 2. While he has good moments, a lot of times they went WAY overboard with making him a source of comedy this season and that, too, contributes to mom friend Katara. Since Sokka is being so meh? We even feel relieved that Katara is there to keep things together because nobody can expect the other three to do it, right? But... Sokka was doing it in Book 1. And there's no real development to explain him NOT doing it anymore once Toph joins in besides "Katara is now the mom friend and Sokka is just here to be funny". It's not organic development: it's forcing tropes that just don't fit. And while Katara's mothering doesn't feel as unpleasant as it could here, it ultimately forces a new interpretation and portrayal of her character that honestly isn't all that interesting, most of all when the other characters are constantly portrayed as "more fun" while she's just here to keep them in line.

It just isn't the same Katara we met in Book 1, and it shows in spades. Book 1 Katara would have been hyped to join Aang and Toph in chaos while Sokka screams at them to behave themselves. Book 2 Katara is the one trying to keep the other three in line, and there's genuinely zero development that led things to that stage. It's not organic storytelling. There's no growth that leads to that, and so, it feels off.

But the core problem of all these flaws in Book 1 and Book 2 is that they roll together and snowball into something far greater that then proceeds to just... disrupt everything we thought we knew or understood about Katara. We've been told she's a kind person above all else, someone who cares about people close to her, someone who embodies hope and strength and love...!

... And then Book 3 starts, and we're actually facing a Katara who shifts into a wholly different person with the speed of a whiplash that we're left not knowing who tf this is anymore.

"Mom friend Katara" absolutely comes back in Book 3, why lie? She takes care of people, she tries to provide, she tries to be nice and sweet and then also enforces discipline on Toph (particularly) when she's being irresponsible!

But the reason why The Runaway is such an unpleasant episode is because Katara's behavior is dialed up to a thousand, and the conflict between her and Toph feels WAY too similar to what it was when they were barely getting to know each other in The Chase. Why are they STILL clashing over such things? There are occasional glimpses of friendliness there in The Runaway, sure! But they're not so strong that you actually feel like that friendship supersedes their conflicts and their propensity to bicker and argue and hurt each other. Toph blatantly calls her out on her mothering and fully canonically confirms that Katara is The Mom Friend™. Where Toph is annoyed but eventually complies with doing what Katara wants to do in Tales of Ba Sing Se, this time Katara makes a huuuuuge fuss over Toph's misbehavior and her scamming Fire Nation people. And you could argue that Toph has every right to do it, or that Katara is right to be worried, just like Sokka used to worry about such things in Book 1...

But what we get is a stale dynamic that repeats the same problems we saw in Book 2, as well as Katara coming off as rather hypocritical because she, too, did dangerous shit and picked dangerous fights where she shouldn't have, and ignored everyone who told her not to do it: she gave Toph that kind of grief over things Katara was willing to do back when Toph wasn't in the group (see the pirates thing), and she will try to stop Toph from having fun on her own terms when nobody has ever tried to stop Katara from doing that in hers. Of course, any Katara advocate would read this and go "you're missing the point: Katara was sad and upset that she was being LEFT OUT! That's why she was so mad about this!" Then the irony of the matter is that this argument STILL reflects poorly on Katara. She gave her friend a tough time, called her a wild child and a crazy person, went through her personal belongings because "she could tell Toph was hiding something from her", so she fully disregarded Toph's privacy... all because she couldn't say "Wait, you guys went scamming Fire Nation people? Damn, why didn't you wait for me! I would've gone too!", and there you go, problem solved! Katara's not left out anymore!

Yes, of course, that's not how it WORKS, people can struggle to identify what they feel...!

... And now it's my turn to say that that's not the point.

The point is that Katara said and did hurtful things to her friend. Things she eventually regrets, yes, but that she didn't have to do at all. This is the same person who fed Appa a bunch of food that made it look like he was sick, all be it to keep the group from leaving the Jang Hui river village so she could go out of her way to heal the injured and sick without telling anyone what she was doing. That, too, was a choice she made with no concern regarding how the rest of her team might feel about it: was she doing something nice? Sure! But it's not fundamentally different from Toph doing whatever she wants with zero regard as to Katara's feelings on the matter. Katara KNEW she was stalling their journey and that Sokka wanted them to move on: she didn't care about his feelings or priorities, and the story eventually frames Katara as being in the right for feeling that way. Here, she's in the inverse scenario, only it's with Toph rather than Sokka, and instead of realizing that she, too, has made choices that were irresponsible/dangerous/risky and STILL went all out with them, down to fighting whoever opposed her choices? Katara just doubles down until she, again, breaches boundaries and overhears Toph and Sokka's conversation, WHICH IS ANOTHER CAN OF WORMS DUE TO THE SOUTHERN RAIDERS FOLLOW-UP...

The thing is, Katara as a mom friend is not even a good thing. It's not conducive to fun or interesting storytelling, not in Book 2, not now. It doesn't make Katara a more interesting and dynamic character. The way she's portrayed isn't so she looks tragic for taking this role, it's all about forcing these kids into tropes that don't necessarily add up to who they have been so far. Katara's mom friend status is NOT treated with any compassion. It's not handled as a sore, difficult subject outside of the ONE conversation Sokka has with Toph that Katara overhears. And it's not centered on Katara's tragedy, on how she overcompensates for her mother's absence, it's centered on Sokka accepting her as a motherly person and encouraging Toph to do the same thing. The people who saw further depth in it probably haven't looked at the script itself in a long time: you CAN see more to it, but that's not the point of the scene. That's not where it's going. And the fact that such a tragic situation is what conduces Katara to take up the mom friend role actively makes it look like... she shouldn't have it. Why would she be the mom friend if she's just overcompensating for Kya's death? If she's taking up responsibility by thinking that no one else will (a blatant lie because, again, in Book 1 there's NO SIGN of this behavior and it's Sokka who's in a role of responsibility compared to her), it suggests that EVERYONE ELSE ought to step up and stop "relying" (and Sokka very much uses that word) on Katara being the mom friend. It's not a healthy thing. It's a coping mechanism that seems to be actively damaging Katara: and the story doesn't acknowledge it that way.

So... "mom friend Katara", dialed up to a thousand in Book 3, absolutely has a connection with why her character loses its sheen by this point in the story. There's no attempt to deconstruct this coping mechanism by Katara. No indication from the rest of the team that maybe Katara should get to be a kid just like them and stop being so uptight (even though VERY often she's not that uptight but the show very much tries to pretend she is). It's Katara's initiative to do a scam, it's not Toph or Sokka or Aang who think she needs to join in on the fun, she basically inserts herself in it. So basically, those three take the route of saying "that's what she's like, we just gotta bear with it", instead of actually helping her. If we'd seen that? Mom friend Katara would actually be a fun element to witness deconstructed by the story. And I'm not blaming either Katara or the other three for this:

This is EMINENTLY a writing problem.

Mom friend Katara is not a good trope. It could be if the point was to help her break free from it. It's not. It's simply weak writing that can't handle two girls with proactive, aggressive personalities and a ton of agency, a lack of creativity in realizing how much potential there could be in making Toph and Katara the absolute best of friends. It's seriously a disservice to the two of them that this trope literally blooms over Toph joining the show and then NEVER gets resolved or chased away. And when you have characters like Sokka or Aang kind of joining the bandwagon of "yeah, Katara's a mom!" when the two of them traveled with her in Book 1 and she WASN'T that at all? It makes matters infinitely worse.

So, if you ask me? This is the first thing that makes Katara feel more unpleasant than ever before in Book 3.

The second thing is even worse.

We return to accountability, as well as to illogical flow of thought when it comes to the writing of Katara: in Book 1, we see a hopeful girl who never speaks ill of her father or betrays any manner of displeasure or distrust towards him. No sign of her being conflicted by what Hakoda is doing: the focus is entirely on Sokka's feelings on the matter once it finally comes up in Bato of the Water Tribe, and Katara is a secondary matter, if even that.

This would be fine if Hakoda hadn't come up at all as a subject throughout Books 1 and 2. If Katara had never had the potential opportunity to see her father in any of these instances and had backed out from them for bigger reasons than... plot reasons.

For reference: she's excited, just as Sokka is, when Bato says he can bring the kids to meet their dad again. They're HYPED. We see no sign of Katara being upset at Hakoda for leaving at this point. The only portrayed reason why she and Sokka decide not to go see Hakoda is because they think Aang needs them more and they decide to forgive him for hiding the map. Katara, from the get-go, is not as angry at Aang for hiding the map as Sokka is. Clearly, Sokka wants to see Hakoda far more intensely than Katara does: even so, there's no sign anywhere here that implies that Katara harbors resentment or dissatisfaction towards Hakoda.

Book 2 gives us a similar situation: Katara declines going to see Hakoda and offers to be the one who stays in Ba Sing Se so Sokka can go see Hakoda himself. Sokka is soooo thrilled and thanks her and calls her the best sister ever and Katara very much says she is, indeed, the best. Which she's allowed to, worth noting, I'm not saying her reaction to Sokka's praises was bad, it's actually funny: but what I AM saying is that she knows how much this matters to Sokka and that's why she makes the offer she does. It's also VERY convenient! Because logic dictates that, if Sokka stays behind, he realizes the Kyoshi Warriors aren't themselves far faster than Katara does (even though, to be fair, Katara didn't really have much time to realize it at all), and we wouldn't have Aang suffering over Katara's imprisonment because the one in chains would be Sokka and then Aang might just go "oh okay it's just Sokka, I can go cosmic if it's not Katara"

... yeah I'm being sarcastic I actually don't think Aang wouldn't have saved Sokka, but they very clearly had Katara stay behind first and foremost for this specific purpose...

But Katara's acknowledgement that this is a good thing for her brother makes you REALLY wonder how much of a secret grudge she was supposed to feel towards her father at this stage of the story. The truth, in my opinion? She wasn't actually supposed to resent Hakoda as she did, let alone quite so harshly.

My sister personally told me that she thought Katara's anger at Hakoda was a fine storytelling choice when I told her I didn't like it. She told me Katara herself most likely didn't realize how hurt she had been by her father's leaving, that it wasn't until she was around Hakoda again that she understood she resented him at all, and that she had a lot more pent-up rage and frustrations than she had EVER acknowledged, and they burst out frequently in Book 3. Which, you know, is one possible explanation that tries to make this whole thing more palatable. From a human standpoint? This is valid.

... From a writing point? Not so much.

A Katara who struggles to understand her heart (which... is odd, tbh. As far as they portray her, Katara tends to know exactly what she's feeling, why she's feeling it, and she acts on her emotions rather than brains more often than not) would be portrayed as confused over her own rage at Hakoda. She would not have been written as a snappy teenager who hates her dad. She would have snapped at him and then apologized by reflex, unsure of what's come over her. We would see Sokka trying to mediate between them too, probably asking Katara what's her deal, and she would have no idea how to explain it. Katara would be avoiding Hakoda, knowing she loves him, not knowing why she seems to hate him now, afraid of saying things she shouldn't. Every time she snaps at him, she should worry about what she did, she should fear for Hakoda's feelings, she should reflect on what's going on inside her heart...!

... But that doesn't happen. And that knocks SO HARD on the concept of empath/compassionate Katara that it basically turns her into a whole different person.

As I've said countless times so far: it's not about Katara being perfect. I don't WANT her to be perfect. But I DO want the show to acknowledge that she's not. I want the flaws to REALLY read as flaws. I want other characters to react to those mishaps on Katara's part, and I want HER to reflect on what she's doing and realize she's messing up, just as she does when she hurts Aang's feelings in the Waterbending Scroll, which is most likely the best situation where Katara actually owns up to the exact mistake she made and feels genuine, palpable, obvious remorse for it. But when you feature Katara lashing out at Hakoda, and everyone just staying quiet because "uuuuh, awkwaaaard...", it feels off. Aang asks Katara, outright, what's her problem with her dad! And Katara goes "What? What problem?" She's acting like she's not even aware of the fact that her behavior is out of place, basically gaslighting Aang into pretending that she didn't do anything rude or mean to Hakoda. Aang literally saw it with his own eyes and is the ONLY person to bring it up.

To make matters worse? Katara has been with Hakoda for WEEKS. It's not like they just crossed paths two seconds before Aang opened his eyes. The implication is that she's been behaving like this, or her behavior has been deteriorating towards Hakoda with no one worrying about it or trying to make her reason with it. for that long. Sokka didn't do anything. Hakoda just took the teenage rants and left her alone because that's what she wants. And when the one person brings up that she's not acting like herself? Katara pretends nothing's wrong and acts like everything's fine and she's not acting any differently from herself. Whether she actually is just lying to Aang or ALSO lying to herself is a matter of debate... but what it suggests is she's unwilling to confront the gravity of her choices and how she can be hurting her father with them.

This is NOT to say that Katara has no right to be angry about Hakoda abandoning her in the Tribe. She has every right to be upset and feel forsaken. Their mother died, and Hakoda left with all the men of the tribe, and Sokka was left behind, tasked to protect everyone, and Katara apparently felt responsible for the whole village too: as valid as Hakoda's quest to fight in the war might be, it's not out of this world for Katara to harbor frustrations and resentment over what happened.

What IS out of this world, and particularly, not appropriate to her character, is that her way to convey those feelings was something she gave herself to, completely, only to reason with it once Aang was missing so that the episode would conflagrate her problems with Aang and Hakoda into the same thing.

This is basically a dark expansion of what we've seen in Katara's treatment of Sokka since Book 1: where it was typically "humorous" when she was a jerk to him and paid no price for it, this time it's not humorous. This time, you're supposed to see her being a jerk and then go "aaaaw, poor dear," even if you're not supposed to get mad at Hakoda because he is very much a decent dad. The show was trying to have its cake and eat it too with this situation, because Katara DOESN'T apologize to Hakoda for being unfair to him: HAKODA APOLOGIZES TO HER. Hakoda acknowledges the pain he caused Katara and the damage his leaving has wrought upon his children by apologizing and explaining how much he missed them... but Katara does not acknowledge the pain she inflicted on her father by acting out when he wasn't doing anything wrong. Is this teenager behavior? You could chalk it down to that, but that's precisely why teenagers can be a pain in the ass! And that's very much how Katara is being portrayed if she's unwilling to acknowledge she acted out and hurt someone she loves!

Her problems and resentment towards Hakoda magically go away after that single conversation. After this? She loves him. No hard feelings left. If her problems with Hakoda were this deep and difficult to navigate and work through, either she bottled them up in the rest of the show and stopped them from affecting her father... or she just got over it that quickly. Which would be very unrealistic because Hakoda apologizing for leaving doesn't change the damage Katara suffered through because he was gone. A single apology doesn't fix everything that people read into Katara's deep anguish in this scene and episode. And yet that's very much how the show portrays it: Katara is 100% fine in every single other interaction with Hakoda she gets past the first episode of Book 3. Does that make sense? Is that good writing? No, actually: it's literally digging up a problem, making it up last minute with zero lead-up to it, where the ONLY way to read "lead-up" is to pretend that Katara always had ulterior motives to avoid going to see Hakoda, even though we NEVER were shown that she was hiding anything, something that could be VERY easily shown in the story if they'd always had this in mind. The truth is that they didn't. They made it up for this episode, forced it in there, didn't even write it right because nobody reacts to Katara's behavior reasonably except Aang, and she gets away with it without even having to apologize. That's... not good form for any character, let alone Miss Responsibility and Empathy, is it?

This is why it's such a problem that Katara acted as she did towards her father. It's not because this is an unthinkable flaw: it's because there's very much no lead-up to it, kind of like there's none with Korrasami's big reveal in LOK's finale. It's because there's no follow-up to it either. It's because we don't see Katara living up to her supposed core character traits, where she should have a realization that her choices and actions and behavior have hurt someone else, someone she cares about. None of that happens.

And I will say: it's different when it comes to her clashes with Zuko and her reactions to him in the second half of Book 3. This is basically the MAIN thing the fandom gives her grief for and I hate them for it: she has every right and reason and justification to show no empathy or compassion towards a person who, as far as she could tell, took advantage of her compassion in Ba Sing Se, of Aang's compassion frequently across Book 1, and paid them back for all of it by joining forces with Azula and showing no concern to help Aang when Azula almost killed him. I am no fan of Iroh's... but Iroh jumped in to help Katara and Aang escape, at risk of being captured. Zuko stood beside Azula and did NOTHING to help those two leave. He showed zero concern for Aang's survival. He saw his sister potentially murder someone and had ZERO REACTION. So, no offense but full offense: Katara's unwillingness to trust Zuko is JUSTIFIED. Not only is it justified? It's CORRECT. It's the only writing choice that makes sense. Sokka getting over it relatively quickly feels off to me, no matter if the Boiling Rock adventure isn't as bad as others might be. Aang not holding a grudge for too long kind of fits because it is Aang... but Katara being that mad at Zuko? That's 100% fine. It fits. It works. And anyone pretending that what I said about Hakoda applies to how she treated Zuko is just completely biased in Zuko's favor.

Katara and Zuko do not have a secret magical powerful soulmates bond in canon. Their one instance of bonding comes after multiple instances of the exact opposite thing. Katara and Sokka were 100% down for leaving Zuko to freeze to death in the North Pole, and the ONLY reason why Zuko survives is because Aang can't let that happen to him. It's AANG'S compassion that saved Zuko. Katara felt none, AND SHE DIDN'T HAVE TO FEEL ANY. Let's not forget that!

Moving on to Book 2, Katara actually makes her first offer of kindness to Zuko and Iroh in the Chase when she offers to heal Iroh after Azula's attack. Zuko's reaction is to lash out violently and yell at her to leave: who, exactly, would feel inclined to think this poor beautiful sad boy just needs love when you OFFER HIM kindness and his reaction is, in a manner of speaking "go fuck yourself I'll handle this on my own"? And it's worth bringing it up because it feels like the fandom is hilariously misled into thinking the Gaang magically knows what Zuko is up to and how he's growing and evolving, as if they were part of the audience: they're not. The last time Katara saw Zuko before Ba Sing Se is literally when Zuko refuses her help. We're also talking about Fire Nation people: Katara has every right and every reason to believe that Zuko is refusing her help, not out of personal, internal strife he's dealing with and has no idea how to handle... she very much can read this as "inferior Water Tribe peasant, you will not heal my uncle with your wretched waterbending!" Because... let's be real, that's what Zuko looked like to Katara across Book 1. She has no real reason to think he's any better or different from that until their catacombs scene...

... And he stabs her in the back and joins Azula there. Right after "bonding" with her.

So let's be VERY clear on that respect: Katara has no real reason to forgive Zuko. She has no real reason to feel empathy outside of the show constantly trying to push that she's kind and compassionate with no boundaries, even if she forsakes that kindness and compassion at random whenever the plot requires it. But her death threats to Zuko? They're completely fine by me. I'd be pissed if she had acted any differently, and if anything I hate how easy Zuko had it to befriend everyone but Katara.

... Not to say I'm happy with how he befriended Katara either, but anyway...

As this isn't Zuko meta, we're not going to get into the true core glaring issues in The Southern Raiders, because ultimately, that episode paints Zuko in a disgusting light that his fans are constantly gaslighting themselves about. He was not beinga heroic good dude helping someone he connected profoundly with. His behavior leaves so much to be desired and proves he hasn't unlearned a lot of toxic things he had internalized. He didn't unlearn them in this episode, either. But the GREATEST sin Zuko commits in this episode, without a doubt, is bringing Katara on a journey that ultimately did NOTHING for her. The only person benefitting from it was Zuko himself. I've seen people pretend that Katara finally found closure: she did not do such thing. She learned what kind of scum killed her mother, but she did not forgive him nor did she kill him. Closure would mean peace. Katara did not find peace with the situation. She's shown troubled, sitting at that pier, miserable, when Aang talks with her, she's STILL angry. That's not closure. It never was.

What it was, however, was the journey where Katara thanked Zuko and forgave him because..! Uh... because...

... Why, exactly, did Katara forgive Zuko here?

He brought her to her mother's killer: she found no closure from it. In fact, she learned the VERY disturbing truth that she hadn't realized so far: HER MOTHER DIED SPECIFICALLY TO SAVE HER. Her mother sacrificed herself for Katara's sake. She CANNOT find peace with this reality in a single afternoon because holy shit, who would? Katara KNEW her mother had died. It's not until Yon Rha tells her what happened that she understands what happened in the igloo. Katara herself, her waterbending skills, and the target she painted on her own back because of something 100% out of her control, something that is NOT evil and that the Fire Nation was hellbent on destroying, are the reasons why Kya was murdered. This is DISTURBING SHIT to deal with. And the show completely sidelines this revelation and the dark impact it could have on Katara, which, seriously, is HUGE, way worse than what happened with Hakoda, because it very much could have triggered a profound self-hatred by Katara towards her own skills because how tf could her bending cause her mother's death?! Not to mention the obvious: who was that source? Who told the Southern Raiders that there was a waterbender? Who the hell is responsible, beyond the Fire Nation, for her mother's death?

There's A LOT to unpack here.

And none of it matters because Katara is just supposed to forgive Zuko for exacerbating and worsening her trauma regarding her mother's death :') funny how that works.

This IS the point where Katara should make a display of darker sides of herself that she didn't know or understand. THIS is where Katara turning dark like Aang did after Appa vanished would make PERFECT sense. With this revelation about Kya that's beyond disturbing: not with Hakoda... and certainly not with Sokka.

The cusp of Katara's worst is, by far, her behavior with her brother in the Southern Raiders. I know a million excuses have been made for this moment: my problem is NOT the fact that she lashed out at him as she did and said something DEEPLY hurtful. It's the fact that KNOWING, SEEING HE'S IN PAIN...

... does not matter to her one bit.

Instead of a trite scene with Zuko spouting shit he does NOT mean (aka "violence wasn't the answer... but lol go kill my father okay??"), we deserved a scene with Katara and Sokka talking this out. People pretend it's fine as it is: it's not. Katara has spent the ENTIRE show disregarding her brother's feelings in a myriad of ways: this time, it was way more painful and way more hurtful and SHE KNOWS IT. It's not funny. She's not amused. She's not being a shithead little sister. She's ANGRY. She's UPSET. She has every right to be! What she DOESN'T have a right to do is hurt her brother DELIBERATELY and then escape every consequence from doing that.

There's very much no way to spin that moment into making Katara a decent sister. There's no way she remains true to her core values of being empathetic, kind and wholesome when she will insidiously, vindictively hurt her brother this way. And what I said earlier about her overhearing Toph and Sokka in the Runaway? It actually gets a follow-up in this scene: Katara telling Sokka that he didn't love Kya as she did is basically her WEAPONIZING the information that was NOT meant for her as her alleged evidence that Sokka didn't care about Kya as much as she did. As if his inability to retrieve Kya's memory was NOT a manifestation of trauma, as if it were something he's FINE with! He's not! How guilty must he feel for that? Does that matter to Katara at all? Why... nope. Because all that matters at that point is her own rage, her own feelings, her own fury. Which is, then, entirely against the character we've been told she is.

The lack of apology or follow-up to this horrible moment will never stop being one of the absolute biggest misfires in one of the WORST written episodes of this show. Yes, I said it. The more I ponder The Southern Raiders, the more I realize it's an immensely flawed speedrun to establish a friendship that simply doesn't add up. Katara and Zuko becoming friends after this journey requires some wild, absurd leaps of imagination that, boiled down to basics, don't make any sense. There's no reason for Katara to decide she'll forgive Zuko after she regains enough clarity. Why does she forgive him? Because he proved he'd rather make her happy than defend his nation anymore? Ironically, at no point does Katara show any appreciation of the fact that Zuko is setting aside his firebending supremacist attitude completely for her sake. So maybe that's not it.

Ah... is it because of how he, and he alone, was ready to help her go on this journey of revenge...?! Why, ironically, the only reason why ONLY Zuko goes on this journey is incredibly artificial and fake: this IS intended as Katara's "field trip" with Zuko. None of the field trips make sense, from a logical standpoint, as duo journeys. I've mentioned it to a few people: Sokka and Zuko could have brought Toph with them to the Boiling Rock, a metal location where her abilities would be VERY useful, used her as a false prisoner and turned her in as a captured ally of the Avatar's, who 100% will bait him into coming here to rescue her so that the Fire Nation can get him next! A cover as strong as that one might actually get them further along on that rescue attempt than what they did in canon. But this CANNOT BE... because it was Sokka's field trip with Zuko so nobody else is invited, even if they're very much not doing anything else (as is the case with Toph). Aang? Why didn't everyone join the firebending discovery with Zuko and Aang? They weren't doing ANYTHING in the Western Air Temple at the time. They very much could have gone with them too. But they don't. And that's exactly why Katara's trip works exactly as it does: it's the solo journey with Katara and Zuko, and the ONLY way to make it work is to show Sokka and Aang completely opposed to the concept of finding Yon Rha. I'm not saying I think Sokka and Aang would have been on board if they're allowed to remain IC... but they could have wanted to go on this trip with Katara regardless of not agreeing with what she wanted to do. Hell, as is OBVIOUS: Kya is Sokka's mom too. His opinions, his feelings on this subject, should matter just as much as Katara's do, and fuck anyone who pretends otherwise. These two are NOT supposed to be the well-known unhealthy siblings Zuko and Azula, who each got one parent in their corner and therefore the other parent treated them like they were worthless or a monster. Hakoda and Kya were parents to BOTH their children, and any narrative or interpretation that attempts to say that ONLY Katara's opinion on Kya matters is immediately ruled out, for me, as absolute bullshit spouted by someone not worth listening to. Point blank.

Also, the fact that Zuko USES Sokka to gain this information about the southern raiders, and then doesn't even extend the chance to Sokka to join them? When Sokka is basically his new best buddy? That... does not make sense. It basically portrays Zuko as a disloyal asshole who takes advantage of his friends for his purposes and tosses them aside, disregarding their feelings whenever it suits him.

So Sokka's treatment at the hands of this episode is just deplorable. Both Zuko and Katara are HORRIBLE to him... but Katara is our focus here, she's actively hurts Sokka and then proceeds to not care. Because that's how she has operated so far, and that's how she always will.

Hence: we have a long, long tradition of Katara not treating Sokka fairly all across the show. The reasons why it's not a fair or balanced relationship at all is because Sokka typically pays the price for being a dick to Katara: either she inflicts the punishment herself, such as when he's disrespectful in the Drill and she smacks him with the slurry, or the narrative inflicts some magical punishment instead that CONSTANTLY proves that Sokka is not allowed to be a dick without facing consequences for it. Does he ALWAYS learn the lesson? Sure he doesn't! But the consequences for it NEVER stop. He doesn't get away with being a jerk to his sister. That's forbidden. But Katara? She's allowed to get away with it every single time! And the reason why it gets worse and worse is because we went from relatively silly/comedic things, in which Katara did not apologize because "it's funny that she didn't apologize", to NOT funny things at all, such as this scene in Southern Raiders. Even just a troubled glance at Sokka, or a slight hesitation after seeing how hurt he is, would be enough for me: there's NOTHING. She doubles down and keeps charging ahead. Zero thoughts or concerns given to her brother.

If this isn't why you have issues with Katara, well, I don't know why it might be the case in your case x'D But I absolutely attest that the combination of "mom friend", "selective compassion particularly when it comes to her brother" and "absolute imperviousness to consequences for her mistakes" are the things that fully caused my initial appreciation of her character to shift into ambivalence and then into full blown dislike once I reached Book 3.

Worth noting: THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE SHOW'S WRITING. Boiled down to basics, written by any more competent hands, I don't think Katara would have acted the way she did often, ESPECIALLY in episodes like The Awakening or The Southern Raiders. I categorically refuse to write Katara in my stories as someone who gets free passes for EVERYTHING she does. I also refuse to portray her as the mom friend, particularly in Gladiator. There's a lot of depth you can give this character! So much you can do, so much worth exploring... and canon just settled for stunting her and then only bringing her out to play in ways that make her unpleasant, not particularly bright and extremely resistant to character development even after allegedly learning lessons (see how her initial behavior around Hama, who shows red flags often, isn't all that different from how it was with Jet? There's only a handful of moments where it looks like Katara MIGHT be wary, and yet they're quickly overcome by her excitement, which Hama manipulates in her favor until she does the bloodbending reveal). So I'm NOT saying Katara had no potential... but I am saying the show itself failed her, big time, because of how she was written. A quick glance through the transcript of the Puppetmaster to confirm my memories that Katara shows no sign of concern over Hama when Sokka finds her suspicious reveals that, after Hama shows them her comb and that she's from the Southern Water Tribe, Sokka, and Sokka alone, apologizes for suspecting her of being sketchy. Nothing from Aang, even though he was part of it too. Nothing from Toph, either. And certainly nothing from Katara. Only Sokka apologizes. As usual.

So... what does this tell you? What does this tell any of us? That Katara's development is... erratic, at best. That it's not linear isn't a bad thing, but that it contradicts itself non-stop, that her core traits come and go willy-nilly as the plot demands it, that her motivations to do things (like forgiving Zuko) don't add up to her experiences or to any lead-up we've witnessed, is most certainly not good.

If I were to rewrite ATLA, the main characters I'd want to rewrite into making a lot more sense than they do, and making their arcs actually logical, are Zuko and Katara. I'd definitely add a few rewrites for Iroh, particularly to make him WAY more accountable for shit than he ever was, and to show he's not universally loved and shouldn't be, since people would have very reasonable grievances with him. I'd also rewrite a handful of things with Aang, too. Toph, full-stop, deserves a growth arc of her own beyond getting stronger and getting used to having friends. Girl has the range. They just never let her explore it. And of course, I'd change a fair few elements of Azula's writing as well. But I feel like no characters would warrant a deeper intervention than Zuko and Katara, precisely because they constantly fail to live up to all the stuff people keep pretending they're flawless exhibits of.

And this is one more issue we've got going on with Katara:

The fandom ABSOLUTELY has been unfair to Katara. A lot of people hate her for no reason. A lot of people who potentially have unexamined racism making their hearts' choices for them and they despise her just because she dared not have fully-white skin. A lot of people pick completely ridiculous things to get angry at her, such as people who HATE HER because she's "rude to Zuko". Just, fuck off. That's about the stupidest reason to hate this character and stupid reasons for that have been heard plenty.

But Katara's fans have become... reactionary. They appear think that any criticism to her character NEEDS to be fought off with "she was right tho" or "she has every reason to act this way" or "she's HUMAN she's allowed to make mistakes you heathen!! That's what a flawed character is like!"

Here's the kicker, though: if you have justifications and excuses for every little unpleasant thing Katara EVER does? You're basically taking a dump on her character yourself and saying she IS flawless.

Flaws in characters are bad things that cannot be justified. They can be funny! They can be annoying. They can be infuriating. But they're things that inconvenience other characters, that hurt them, that show they're not above or beyond doing harmful things! All of what I listed in this crazy long post are Katara's flaws. The reason why I don't like the way these flaws were handled are all the things I already have talked about: no accountability for flaws is basically saying that these flaws don't matter. No follow-up, no lead-up, means Katara is allowed to be as much of an ass as she wants to be and nobody cares: THIS IS NOT FAIR. This is not how ANY character should be written. This is the core reason why I've spent years feuding with Zuko and Iroh: they get away with shit they should NOT get away with, EVER. They're not held accountable for so much they should be. This happens to Katara too. particularly in her dynamcis with her brother. And when people see those flaws and just start listing reasons why it's actually okay? All you're doing is dehumanizing these characters to pretend everything they EVER do is fine.

Also worth noting... character flaws are the way characters grow. If a character is DEEPLY flawed, you know what kind of work you have cut out for you as a writer. If you're writing a story heavily steeped on character development? Then those flaws are VITAL to the work you have to do in order to develop these characters!

But when Zuko is unnecessarily violent and you're told "it's because his culture and family are!", you rightfully assume that as he drifts away from Fire Nation ideology, Zuko WILL grow less violent. Then, you watch how he picks an unnecessary fight with Aang in the finale because everyone's being lazy, an EXTREMELY violent fight at that, and you contrast his earlier behavior with it and... where's the difference, exactly? How did he grow or learn better if violence is STILL his immediate reaction to anything he doesn't like?

Thus, when Katara's flaws get overlooked, ignored, disregarded? What kind of development does Katara get, if none of her flaws are addressed in a way that makes it look like she's genuinely learned any lessons? At least, none of the worst, biggest, glaring flaws were addressed. None of the things that she SHOULD be troubled by and that she shouldn't be happy with herself over, especially after seeing how she hurts people with her actions. This isn't cool. This isn't a fun way to write a character. And it's so glaringly unpleasant when you can so very easily contrast this with the well-known terrible flaw Sokka displays early on: sexism! And then he gets his ass kicked by Suki and he learns to respect the Kyoshi Warriors... and we never see him displaying that particular flaw again. THAT is what growth looks like! What can we point to with Katara that remotely compares to this? That she accepted Zuko? Yeah, no, that sincerely could not count any less. Her personal arc CANNOT be about Zuko. That she got over her mom's death? She didn't. So that's not it either. That she helped Aang save the world? So her personal arc was about Aang and not herself? Was her whole role in the story to play Aang's cheerleader, then? Because if that's it... she was doing that just fine at it since day one. She's the only person who faithfully believed the Avatar would return well before Aang turned up in her life, if the first episode's introduction is to be believed.

So... what, exactly, was Katara's arc? If it's just her waterbending skills, then she's as stunted as Toph, unexplored and underdeveloped and left to just strengthen her fighting skills while Aang and Zuko and Sokka are getting full character arcs, even if very lowkey but very much effective in Sokka's case, where they develop and grow (or they should) into the men they're supposed to be to end the war! Why don't Katara and Toph get similar arcs? Why aren't they challenged on a level that actually provides them with lasting, solid, provable growth, where you can look at them where they started out and see how they ended up and conclude their journey was beautiful?

I insist... writing. Weak writing. Failures to understand/develop characters properly. And of course, lack of accountability in storytelling. I wrote that one focusing mostly on Zuko... but it's very much applicable to every character who fails to own up to the things they should and deserve to face consequences for.

Anyway... this is what I'd say about Katara atm. I'm not 100% sure this is everything because I might have overlooked some stuff that also made Katara's character kind of backfire (while I'm no Kataang hater, I 100% agree that the ship should have been written better too, and after writing them whenever I have, it's honestly kind of ridiculous how such an easy ship could get fucked over so badly by weird writing choices...). Whether you agree with these assessments or not, ultimately, there are valid reasons to feel offput by Katara and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Most of all when you DID appreciate and cherish the character once before, but her fans just jump to the conclusion that you must be a mindless hater to think she's anything but flawless (this, while claiming they love that she's flawed, then they proceed to reveal they have no idea what a flaw is...).

(final note: SORRY IT TOOK ME FOREVER TO ANSWER! Super lengthy answer to make up for it, I hope :((( sorry)

[unorthodoxx-page]

A Tale of Spirits quick thoughts!

First:  THANK YOU FOR THE NEW WAVE OF FANART!!!  I love it!  Seriously, though.  I know I saw it a thousand times, but it really means alot to me that people enjoy my writing enough to actually draw it!  💕❤💕❤

Now: We are finally done with the Omashu ‘arc’ so to speak!  

I’m not skipping the swamp episode (fully) because it’s an important clue that leads Aang to Toph, but we aren’t spending an entire chapter on it either.  It will be mentioned in Chapter 7.  

We are finally moving full speed into Toph joining the Gaang!  She and Raph will appear in Chapter 7!  I’m half considering making this one really long chapter (like I did in Recoil) but we’ll see how it plays out.  If I do mash two chapters together I’ll announce it here incase there is a delay.

Answering some Questions from my asks!

1. They are speaking Japanese when they slip into the language the Avatar world can’t understand.  I meant to add that to one of my end notes....oops.  

2. Donnie suggested chess because he was bored.  He had a notion that Azula would be good at it, but was pleasantly surprised at how quickly she picked it up.  Playing her does remind him of Leo though.  She’s still new, so it’s like playing a memory for him

3. In the first chapter!  When Donnie said he doesn’t do titles, he just....doesn’t do titles lol.  He didn’t do that because of the spirit thing, he was still getting his bearings at that moment.....He’s just not going to call someone Fire Lord lol 

4. Season 2? Season 3? Beyond?  So I’ve gotten a few questions about how close I’ll be sticking to canon.  I don’t want to give any major spoilers, but I have two very distinct paths I can take with this fanfic.  I haven’t decided yet (although I’m really leaning towards one particular direction) but you’ll know when I make the decision.  It’s a very pivotal scene.

5. The fire siblings are my favorite dynamics at the moment.  I think once Raph and Toph join the scene that might change, because I have interesting ideas about Toph and Leo (small hint).  But Azula and Zuko are the most... volatile?  That might not be the best word but it’s the only one that comes to mind.  

Again, thank you for the art!

[water-beats-earthbender]

Not to like complain about this again,,, but,,, God Zuko being 13 when he's burned and banished is just so important to his character and it makes so much of him make sense. Idk aging him up say, 3 years just doesn't work. Obviously what ozai did was horrific whatever age Zuko was. But Zuko was never going to last in the fire nation. He wasn't going to make it past 14 max. Unlike Aang, Zuko doesn't run from responsibility- if anything he runs towards it. That's why even at 13 he sneaks his way into a war meeting. It's why, when he hears a plan that would wrongly sacrifice an entire division of new recruits, he speaks out. Yes, (pre-scar) 16 year old Zuko would speak out against the plan, but he was never going to make it to 16 in ozai's fire nation.

Of all of the characters, Zuko's age is probably the most important when it comes to his backstory. Aang's age is also pretty important, but only bc a 15 year old aang running from being the avatar is not as sympathetic as a 12 year old aang told too soon. Katara and Sokka being 3 years older doesn't change much of their backstory regardless of where you add in the 3 years, same with Toph. Although, i do think a 15 year old Toph would have probably would have run away from home already.

Besides that, like Zuko being in the height of grumpy disrespectful teen angst during the show makes complete sense when he was horrifically burned banished at 13 and spent the next 3 years chasing a ghost. But Zuko at 16 being burned and banished would be more likely to recognize the quest for what it was. 13-14 year old Zuko is naive enough to believe that ozai wants him back. And like, i get that everyone of any age wants their parent to love them and that the hope that somehow it isn't a hopeless quest is powerful. And i know older teens and even adults give their parents chances when they know it's hopeless. But a 16 year old would be more likely to recognize that it's an impossible quest. A 16 year old freshly banished Zuko would still be in denial but not nearly as naive as 13 year old freshly banished Zuko. The main issue is that Zuko getting older means he becomes more aware of the world around him and thus he can't ignore the suffering that the fire nation causes to itself (the world too but Zuko couldn't see that unless he left the fire nation). As Zuko reaches 15 it just becomes unlikely that he'd never sneak out of the palace (and we know he has the skill to) and once he does sneak out he'd be unable to keep quiet and ignore any suffering he saw. Factoring Iroh's influence and a 16 yr old never banished Zuko would wise up to the problems of the fire nation.

I also can't help but notice that the 3 extra years of Iroh influencing Zuko aren't often factored into how different Zuko would be. A Zuko who isn't bent on chasing a ghost would be more easily influenced by Iroh. A freshly banished 16 year old Zuko who is old enough to notice the problems within the fire nation would be more open to Iroh's anti war stance. That Zuko would probably be mature enough for Iroh to actually discuss treason with. Iroh and Zuko were close before Lu Ten died. If Zuko had 3 extra years around Iroh without the trauma of his scar and banishment, season 1 Zuko would have been very different (even if he's still grumpy and angsty). To the point that, we'd probably have white lotus!Zuko.

On the flip side, lengthening Zukos banishment helps ease some of the issues from making him 16 when banished. But even Zuko would mellow out a bit after 6 years of chasing a ghost. Idk i was just reading a fic and put of nowhere they mention Zuko being like 19/20 and it totally took me out of the fic. Like season 2 Zuko's attitude does not work if he's aged up. To some degree, i just think Iroh would kinda get through to him with 3 extra years of tea and metaphors. And without the avatar actually showing up (which gives Zuko tunnel vision) Zuko would get worn down. He would notice the harm the fire nation is causing and his morals would set in.

[mah-o-daryaa]

The Element of Change

So recently, I wrote a meta regarding the parallels between Aang and Kuruk, and while writing that meta (more specifically, I was writing the part about their respective heritages), I had a sudden realization: Water Tribe Avatars are meant to be the most powerful in the Avatar Cycle. Let me explain.

To understand the elements, we first have to understand their core values, and what they represent (I'm starting to sound like Uncle Iroh lol). For the element of water, there are two particular descriptions in animated media that I remember very well. The first is obviously from Avatar: The Last Airbender, specifically in the episode Bitter Work (Book 2: Episode 9); when Iroh is teaching Zuko lightning redirection, he first gives a brief lesson on the four elements:

"Fire is the element of power. The people of the Fire Nation have desire and will, and the energy and drive to achieve what they want."

"Earth is the element of substance. The people of the Earth Kingdom are diverse and strong. They are persistent and enduring."

"Air is the element of freedom. The Air Nomads detached themselves from worldly concerns and found peace and freedom. Also, they apparently had pretty good senses of humor!"

"Water is the element of change. The people of the Water Tribe are capable of adapting to many things. They have a deep sense of community and love that holds them together through anything."

For now, we will focus on Iroh's lesson on waterbending. He says that water is the element of change. This is true, since water has three distinct states: Solid (ice), liquid (water), and gas (water vapor or steam). Waterbenders in the North and South Poles grow up adapting to their polar climate by bending the ice and snow, in addition to liquid water (we haven't seen anyone bend steam yet as of now, but waterbenders like Katara have been able to summon water from the atmosphere). Likewise, the Foggy Swamp Tribe adapts to their marshy habitat by learning plantbending; that is, to bend the water inside the plants. Hama invented bloodbending by adapting to the conditions of her dry prison cell, which lacked any liquid water for her to manipulate, and Katara was able to bend her own sweat to escape her and Toph's prison cell at the end of The Runaway (Book 3: Episode 7). If that's not resourceful, I have no clue what is.

Also, can someone please tell me how in the four nations did waterbenders learn to bend from the freaking Moon? I know that Tui and La's mortal bodies are koi fish, but that's still insanely OP to me. If that koizilla is the result of a 12-year-old Air Nomad Avatar merging with the Ocean Spirit, what would happen if a fully realized/adult Water Tribe Avatar merged with La?

The second description of water comes from one of my favorite shows that I used to watch: Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu. In the episode Stiix and Stones (Season 5: Episode 47), Nya begins her own training to become the Water Ninja, and Master Wu teaches her the properties of water in detail:

"To become water, you must find its qualities within yourself. While earth is strong and air is fluid, water can be both, strong and fluid. Over time, it's strong enough to carve this rock. Or if I use my cup to stop its flow, it can adapt. It's flexible, shapeless. You put water in a cup, it becomes the cup. You put it into a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Be water, Nya."

(The last three lines make a Bruce Lee reference, hehe.)

The above excerpt describes the qualities of water as a combination of the qualities of both earth and air by comparing water to both elements. Like earth, water can be strong and solid (ice), and like air, water can be gaseous, fluid and unpredictable (steam). However, most of the time, water exists in an intermediate liquid state: strong, yet fluid and adaptable; having a definite volume, but always changing shape.

"But Mone," you might begin to question. "What exactly does water have to do with the Avatar Cycle?" The answer is, I'm getting to it now.

To recap, the Avatar Cycle is the concept of the Avatar reincarnating in a cyclical order (fire, air, water, earth), and learning to master the elements in a similar order. Every Avatar is a reincarnation of the first Avatar, Wan. The identity of the Avatar is always changing (like the shape of water), but their duties stay the same (like its volume). As one might say, "Names change, but the streets stay the same." Or perhaps a human equivalent, "New person, same old mistakes." The same goes for the Avatar. For example, Avatar Yangchen reincarnates to Avatar Kuruk, meaning Kuruk is technically Yangchen, but he also has his own identity as the Avatar. Conversely, both Yangchen and Kuruk are technically Wan, too (and have the same duties as he did), but all three have their own distinct identities.

This could also be explained in terms of Raava, the spirit of light and order; she is the spirit that reincarnates with each Avatar. The Avatars of past and present may be from different cultures, have different personalities, and face different conflicts, but one constant is the bond with Raava. Raava's "container" may change with each cycle, but the Avatar's essence remains.

In addition, when the Avatar masters the four elements, he/she is also meant to understand and adopt the principles and philosophies of each of the four nations. As water is the element of change, and the people of the Water Tribes are naturally resourceful and adaptable, this means Water Tribe Avatars, like Kuruk and Korra, can easily adapt to different bending styles, and could thus naturally have a better understanding of the four nations.

This fluidity and adaptability of water are prominent clues to just how powerful a Water Tribe Avatar could potentially be. If you thought a regular waterbender was capable enough, wait until you see a fully realized Avatar hailing from either of the three Water Tribes. Kuruk's legacy as a waterbender, and thus his ability to adapt to any situation is exactly the reason why he was believed to a "go with the flow" type of person, the reason why he was a menace in hunting and on the battlefield, the reason why he excelled at almost anything he tried his hand at, the reason why he, more than any other Avatar in history, was able to adapt to, innovate, and combine the philosophies of the four nations together, into a single identity. Korra's legacy as a waterbender is the reason why she could control three of the four elements as a small child, the reason why she could endure mercury poisoning, which could have lead to instant death to anyone else, the reason why she was able to control the Avatar State immediately. Both Kuruk and Korra could and have demonstrated complete talent and mastery over the four elements, as well as the Avatar State.

This last detail can actually be explained with real-life physics. You ever realize just how quickly water can transform and vary from a gentle and peaceful stream to a violent tsunami? Me too, my dear mutuals.

(If only they had the chance to prove it. I guess they have to compensate their prowess and potential with terrible luck and reputations, both in-universe and in the fandom.)

Tl; dr: Waterbending is OP as hell. In fact, calling it OP would actually be the understatement of the century. Water Tribe Avatars are not weapons, they're the entire nuclear arsenal!

[mx-cottoncandy]

I hardly voice my own takes on here but...

I think it's really weird that all the previous Avatars tell Aang he shouldn't have friends.

Like think about it most of the Avatar stories that out so far is watching them making their life long connections. (Aang, Korra, Kyoshi and Roku in a minor sense) We watch how the friendships start, friendships deteriorate, love blossom. Importantly how some friendships last lifetimes.

(Image source)

I feel that line is so crucial to the story. Not only does this add more context to Aang and Gyatso friendship. A direct comparison is Katara is Korra's first mentor. It also sets up when Korra befriends Toph. They butt heads but Toph becomes Korra's mentor, funny enough in a spiritual sense. (I know Jinora is Korra's spiritual guide in the spirit world but in this circumstance Toph helps Korra reconnect with the world). It's told to the audience multiple times the Avatar can't do this alone. They need the friends they can depend on so the Avatar can do their job.

This is why in the Netflix adaptation feels off whenever they tell Aang to do this alone. Then Aang tells them no I'll do it with my friends. Like Aang speaks with each Avatar for their wisdom. If all their wisdom says you have to do it alone then what's the point of the conversation. The original show and books have shown you can't be a solo Avatar and your council matters.

What I'm trying to get at is changing the wisdom each Avatar gives changes how we view them. Roku is very diplomatic and patient. (Also he apologizes to Aang ) His patience being his downfall when Sozin betrayed him. Kiyoshi is blunt but with reason. Her introduction isnt a conversation with Aang. It's to answer why she murder Chin the Conqueror. Who was too stubborn to know he was outmatched and didn't retreat so fell to his death. More to say that Kiyoshi was a great force and she wouldn't hold back for anyone and she cares deeply for her people safety. Not much is said about Kuruk in the original show but his carelessness lead to his beloved's face being stolen. None of them mention at first to Aang you have to do this alone.

The Netflix show meetings feel alot like the season 3 final 4 episodes. Where Aang seeks advice on a very conflicting matter. Should he kill Ozai. All their advice is yes. This advice to kill is such a turmoil to Aang he ends up finding a new solution with help of course but still. The tone is way different. The only time their advice aligns is when it's about taking out the big bad. Roku failed to. Kyoshi has done so before. Kuruk failed to. Yangchen has done so before. They expect Aang to too. It's a heavy decision. You know what's not a heavy choice -

HAVING PEOPLE YOU CAN COUNT ON!!! SO WHY TF ARE THEY TELLING AANG NOT TO HAVE FRIENDS. IT'S HYPOCRISY TO TELL AANG HE HAS TO BE ALONE WHEN THEY ALL HAD FRIENDS IN THEIR LIFETIMES. THE ADVICE SHOULD BE ABOUT THE CHOICES HE MAKES TO SHAPE THE WORLD!. SINCE AANG'S BIGGEST FLAW IS THAT HE IS AVOIDANT!

If you can't already tell the Netflix show makes me mad. Instead of a adaptation or a retelling it's a whole narrative shift. The lessons are changed and the focal point of the original is gone. Aang always sticks by his friends. And his friends stick by him. He doesn't need to tell the previous Avatars that because they had friends too who did the same.

Tdlr: I think it's weird the Netflix Show has the previous Avatars tell Aang he shouldn't have friends because it's essential for the Avatar to have a trusted council.

Anyways rant aside

I'll be waiting for season 6 of The Dragon Prince Netflix.

[mood-2017]

feeling sooo conflicted after finishing the atla adaptation :/ I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't extremely excited and enjoyed watching it.

on one hand I think they stayed very true to the source material when it comes to the world building and I appreciated how there was at least an attempt to keep most of the key story lines from the first season and implement them into a whole other format (don't like how they left our jeong jeong and aangs first attempt at fire bending or water bending tho)

the two episodes I liked the most (5 and 6) were actually the ones that strayed the most from the original, they were very compelling imo and i'm a huge fan of gyatso

i could rant on and on about the tiny details I think they missed out on but the main thing that kept me from really enjoying this show was the lack of relationship building :/ katara gives this really compelling speech at the end to convice aang to come back to them and I really loved it but it lacked emotional impact since katara and aangs relationship was nowhere to be found all season long. I already made a post complaing about how they cut some of the most important parts of their relationship in the first 3 episodes and it still bothered me until the end.

I think a lot of people disregard the first season as the "worst" season of the show bc of how aimless, episodic and "childish" it is. and while I agree on some parts, to me the first seasons main goal was to lay the ground work, not only for the world building and the magic system but most importatly for the bond between our main characters. by the end you can feel how much of a family and how devoted they've become and how they're willing to risk their life for each other. in that regard, the adaptation totally missed out on that, more than on individual character arcs, story lines or any other details.

so yeah, the adaptation gaang right now feel like a lose group of casual friends and nothing more.. yikes

the show on its own would be very good if it didn't have this huge burden of being a atla adaptation so I'm still impressed with what they have done well and imo they can only improve from here on

that said, I'm still gonna look forward to the second season bc no way am I gonna miss out on live action toph lol hope they listen to the fans and change some things up and aren't afraid to implement some of their own ideas like they did in the 5th and 6th episode

[leantailean]

I think what i like about Toko is the way the too off them play off each other. Both are stubborn, blunt, loud and insensitive to others. Both came from a posh upbringing. Among other things it leaves them both a bit self-centred, which they both struggle with. Toph wants nothing but move away from home, while Zuko does everything to return to it. Toph hates rules, while Zuko is a stickler for honor (unless the ends justify the means, which usually benefits himself). Zuko is a terrible liar while Toph can turn into a doll on a dime while also being a human lie detector. They have one good eye between the two of them. They both have so much room to grow as people. There's billion things more like that really.

I can't tell you what specifically made me interested in romance between them. I think i just already read a few fics about them being friends it made curious how those dynamic would play out in a romance.

It's funny to see you liken Kataang to Toko. Since despite it's ubiquity if never really felt one way or the other for the former, nor do i think much about it. My guess the appeal of the ship would be what those too represent to each other, which would be quite different from the more interpersonal dynamic appeal of toko. But you point i out there some interesting parallels there.

I don't really hate season 3 myself, though i'd call it probably the weakest of all the seasons. Funnily enough the Zuko gaang interactions are something i'm mostly fine with. I mostly just find the way they team up a little clunky, as well as Zuko being unable to imagine why Katara would still be mad at him and the general asspullery of the finale. So i'm curious what you think about that.

Hello! Happy Holidays and thank you for our question! And sorry for a very late answer, I really want to start answering on time next year! You showed me at the the very interesting parallels between Toph and Zuko, and I’m entirely agree with you. I’m gonna repeat what I was saying in my last answer to you. I think that the reason of why Toko is not so popular is that fandom doesn't see them right. Fandom always tries to see Zuko as super restrained, manly and steady grown up guy loaded with mature decisions and endless amount of altruism. Meanwhile Zuko is just traumatised kid, and his trauma is what dictates a lot of his character traits that fandom refuses to see. His impetuosity, impulsiveness, anger, egoism, and tunnel vision. And his sometimes happening disregard of other people. And all this melts unites with his kind heart and moral compass. And all that mess is what making him so interesting and appealing character. But unfortunately all these traits are seen as “problematic” and even ugly, and fanom just tries to ignore all of this. As a result the real and complex Zuko's character always is out of any discussion.

Toph is, usually, completely disregarded and ignored by fandom at all.She is being seen as a “gremlin” or “little bratty sister”, and people refuse to see that she is one of the most complex and well-written member of gaang. She has lots of conflicts and difficulties. (I’m telling about all this very mess, hope I’ll have enough time one day to develop this idea better)

She and Zuko are very close in the very same traits that fandom tends to deny in Zuko. Egoism, stealthiness, disability to trust, stubbornness and arrogance. They would be a great pair because their basic character traits are so similar and it would be easier for them to understand each other.

I also always loves how atla narrative connects Toph and Zuko with Aang. Aang sees Toph in the vision, so their meeting was predisposed, and Aang and Zuko’s arcs similarity is basically the heart of the show.

As you noticed, Toph leaves her home for Aang, for Zuko Aang is a way home. And later Toph and Zuko’s stories mirror each other, because, like Toph did, Zuko leaves his cruel family to join the gaang as an avatar teacher.

I really like how toko is similar to canon ship that plays the key role in the whole storytelling, Kataang. As well as Kataang, Toko grows from support and friendship, develops for a long time. It’s 100% “friends to lovers” trope. As well as in Kataang, one of the pairing starts feeling some romantic feelings from the very beginning (It’s canon that Toph feels romantically about Zuko, it’s clear in many scenes, “That’s how I show affection” is one of the most prominent) while another partner have only friendly-platonic feelings. And also Toph was the first from the whole gaang who trusted Zuko and even almost argued with others standing out for him. This is very clear similarity to Katara who always eagerly protects Aang, attacking anyone who can harm him.

Another moment that will never stop to amaze me in relation between Kataang and toko is their colour schemes that are built on complementary colours.

Complementary colours are the ones that placed opposite one another on the colour wheel. They empower and supplement each other. In visual arts, and especially in animation and character design colour schemes are one of the essential tools of the storytelling. Complementary colours are emotionally appealing, they show to the viewer connection and harmony between characters. Orange and blue - colours of Aang and Katara are complementary to one another as well as red and green - colours of Zuko and Toph.

As for Third season I think that it was the weakest and terrible. It almost ruined characters of Aang, Katara, and, especially, Zuko and Iroh, transformed their complex and dynamic personality into two dimensional cliches. Lots of people complaining about comics for ruining characters, but actually it all originates in how third season destroyed lots of things. So called Zuko's redemption arc was lazily written, he was descended  from the most complex and interesting character into the rather boring banality. Honestly after that "redemption" Zuko became much worse person them he had been before it. Again very composite and ambiguous Iroh was transformed into some mix of Dumbledore, Gandalf and stereotypical and racist type of "asian wiseman". he was stripped of anything that was making him interesting and unique. And that terrible westernised redesign of Katara and Zuko, complete rethinking of clothes and armor of fire nation warriors that was obviously stolen from some RPG?

I can discuss why 3rd season is terrible for long time. that my super unpopular opinion

Thank you once again for sharing your thought about toko! I always happy to discuss these wonderful characters with you🖤

[unfriedough]

‘Forgiven’- Zuko x female!reader

Masterlist <3

An: HIYA!  Sorry for the long delay, also sorry if this comes out horrible - I'm sick!!!! Anyways, love u lots <3

Summary:

See request! (Set during the war - Zuko is still not firelord and stuff)

I ACCIDENTALLY DELETED THE REQUEST AFTER WRITING IT I'M SO SORRY ANON PLEASE FORGIVE ME.

THIS WASN'T MY IDEA, BUT THE REQEST ROUGHLY WENT LIKE:

"Lavabender!reader x Zuko where they argue and it's revealed she's a lavabender and stuff. Lots of fluff and angst but the ending is bitter sweet."

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE REQUEST ANON AND AGAIN IM SO SORRY I DELETED IT!!!

Warnings: bad angst writing, arguing, lowkey the beginning depicts zuko as how he would be in season 1!Zuko's also toxic in the beginning!

The day started out as ordinary as can be - a light breakfast, followed by stretching, and then firewood hunting. Zuko walked with you through the woods to find the oak, fiddling with his fingers.

“Stressed?” you smiled, leaves crunching under your gentle footsteps.

He rolled his eyes at your chirpy attitude, why were you always so happy? The world is about to end for goodness sake! You frowned, side eyeing him aggressively.

“You have something you want to share, prince?” god, he hated when you called him that - but you did it on purpose. 

Two can play at that game.

“Not that you would understand, peasant.” he practically used the same argument, but his tone was scary - and alot more hurtful.

You scoffed, mouth agape, “What did you just call me?”

He paused walking when you grabbed his arm to make him face you, “What? Are you deaf too?” 

Zuko yanked his arm out of yours, glaring at your retreating figure.

“What’s gotten into you!?”

“What’s gotten into me?” he laughed sourly, “What’s gotten into you?” the firebender jabbed a finger into your chest enough for you to feel it - but not enough for it to hurt.

Zuko’s face inched towards yours, your eyebrows raised. 

“What? What’s gotten into me?” you laughed in a bitter tone.

“You barely ever train!”

Your eyes widened, your hands reaching to clutch your heart. You never trained in front of him, you didn’t feel ready to share your firey power. Recently, you discovered you could bend lava, very weakly, but definitely bending nonetheless. You were confused at first - isn’t lava fire? But no, after mulling it over some more, you realised it’s closer to earth than fire. It was something that made you feel special - unique even! With Toph’s metal bending and seismic sense, you always felt overshadowed by the young prodigy. This was the one thing only you had, and you wanted to achieve a good level of bending before uncovering your golden secret with your found family. You hadn’t realised that in the process, you never trained before their eyes, and so to them, you never did.

“Zuko,”

He cut you off, “The rest of us are working so hard! And what are you doing?”

“I- I,” you thought for a second, “I don’t have to explain myself to you! You good for nothing, JERK!” 

“Good for nothing?” he repeated, a hurt look in his eyes.

You frowned, folding your arms before giving him a taste of his own medicine, “What? Are you deaf too?”

He winced, before swallowing the hard pill that was your words. “You’re insufferable!”

You clenched your fists by your sides, and began to walk away. “I wasn’t done!” he yelled out.

You earth bended a small rock to his knee, which caused him to roll his eyes before storming off. You stumbled further into the woods, picking up firewood, why does he have to be such a hothead? Once your basket felt close to impossible to carry, you made your way back to camp.

“Where’s Zuko?” Sokka asked.

You shrugged, “Don’t know, don’t care.”

Looks of shock passed around the group. “Is everything okay?” the avatar asked.

You found it hard to stay mad once faced by the worried boy, “Dandy.” you replied softly, smiling to sell your story.

Aang quirked a brow, before narrowing his eyes to something distant behind you.

“ZUKO! Where were you?”

The boy in question threw his basket of firewood onto the ground, “Doing what you asked me to.”

“That's a lot of wood. Maybe too much,” Sokka looked between you and Zuko.

Zuko smirked, facing you, “Maybe you should've used your energy for something a little more useful.”

Toph’s eyes widened. It’s no secret that Zuko could be unknowingly mean, but he was always so nice to you. What’s gotten into him?

You smiled a sweet smile in his direction, “Do we have a problem?”

“No. Just pointing out the obvious.”

Katara spoke up, only to be waved off by your hand. “It’s okay,”

You walked off, humming a tune as you handed Sokka the wood. The waterbender’s sibling stared incredulously at you.

The rest of the day moved rather normally, other than the random insult you or ZUko would throw at each other. Your heart ached, why was he so hostile? Why was he so concerned with your training?  

As the moon rose in the sky, and goodnights were passed around, everyone entered their assigned tent. As you laid there, you closed your eyes and listened intently to your surroundings. Once all movement was eradicated, you carefully got up and out of your tent. Stealthily, you moved into the forest, and located your favourite cave. You followed the path that you made not too long ago down to what felt like the core of the earth. Finally, you reached a lava pool, and began to breathe more heavily. The air was suffocatingly hot, and so you removed your jacket and shoes, socked feet touching the mildly hot floor. The warm colours illuminated your troubled features, making you look ethereal. Focusing, you began to make bending movements. It was like it was an intricate dance, your feet light but stable. Finally, you scrunch your face as the lava begins to rise, and you swish it around the small cove, gentle calming tunes leaving your mouth. A sigh left your shaky figure as the magma fell back down. You squealed, “YES!”, alas, you were finally getting somewhere with your ‘magic’. Your happy moment was soon interrupted by your noticing of a shadow. Quickly, you turned around, bending their feet to the floor. 

“Oh. It’s you.” you unbinded his feet, and bumped into his shoulder as you pushed past him to leave. 

“Did you just bend lava?” Zuko swallowed thickly.

“Yeah, and what about it? Think I'm too much of a failure to pull this off? Did you come to patronise me again?” you scoffed

“No I,” he stumbled back slightly, shaking his head. “I came to apologise.”

You narrowed your eyes, turning towards him, feeling as if the apology is insincere, and only to get you to shut up. He began speaking.

“You don't have to forgive me, what I said was out of line and just plain mean. I’m not justifying my behaviour, I just think you deserve a reason. It wasn't your fault, I just had so much pent up stress, and unfortunately, I took it out on you. I’m so, so, so sorry Y/n. You're not a peasant, you’re the best thing that's ever happened to me. Please, please don’t leave me.” tears spilled from his eyes, and you gently wiped them away, pulling him into your warm arms.

You held him for a few seconds, letting his sobs die down slightly.

“It’s okay Zuko.”

“But it’s not! You shouldn’t forgive me this easily!”

You frowned, as you knew exactly what he was thinking, “Zuko, you’re nothing like your father,” you landed a gentle kiss on his lips, the salty flavour of the tears entering your mouth. You rested your forehead against his, as he sniffled.

“I don’t deserve you,”

“You deserve the world.” you grinned.

So, maybe today was a little bit rocky. And sure, Zuko still hasn’t forgiven himself, but you can see the effort he’s trying to put in - and that alone, is enough of a reason to love this troubled teen - no matter how stupid he is.

An: I'm such an idiot I'm actually so sad I deleted it :( Hope you enjoyed this story, SEE YA! <3

[ciaossu-imagines]

Yeah, also since I read manga weekly, any spoiler that I do see usually isn’t major like that one. It really did. And like I said, I was with extended family and it was so difficult not to cry as much as I wanted to and I only managed to keep myself calm with the thought that there might be more to it, it might not be final beause he really is just such a fun character. That’s so nice to hear and I’m also excited to see you write about them 😃 Yeah, other people also predict autumn at the latest and it would make the most sense considering everything that’s happening in the story. Yeah, same here. Like I do really love the series and am always excited to read a new chapter every Friday evening (when there’s no break), it’s pretty much become my routine to read it after dinner, but even though I love it dearly and will probably at some point rewatch the anime, I wouldn’t say I love it as much as some of the other series out there. And I see. And that might also explain why I don’t love it as much as some other series out there beause of that.

From what I saw after a quick search, both Persona 3 and 4 have less than 100 chapters. Sure thing. Oh, that’s unfortunate to hear. I’m sorry that happened and hope that you’re still able to rest properly at some point. But still glad to hear that you’re doing well ☺ I see. And it is a nice thing that it lets you take a break from things since I feel like for a decent amount of people, it probably is. Thank you for saying that. Since I could look it up, I did a quick search and the manga of D. Gray-Man is still ongoing. Oh that’s a good mood to be in. It’s funny though beause I finished the Swordsmith Village Arc a few days ago so we might’ve been watching the series around the same time or might’ve swapped around. Again, saving you a Google search beause this girl knows it just from what’s in her head. The Mugen Train season isn’t Crunchyroll screwing up beause those 7 episodes actually aired before the actual second season (The Entertainment District Arc which is 11 episodes). It’s the movie’s plot, but with some added scenes, plus the first episode is entirely new stuff, and when I did my rewatch, I watched both because yeah, both are done beautifully in their own ways. That’s also an important thing to do. I see. Yeah, I also really like that character and I do think that I love him and Sanemi equally, at least I said so at some point, beause they’re both just so great in their own ways. And since we’re talking about the movie here, this is the movie that made me upset a few weeks ago that I was talking in our DMs about. And yeah, hopefully now that I’ve explained it, you can go on to watch yet another great season. Yeah, true to what you’re saying about Avatar. Yeah, same. Like Toph is my girl and I was just looking forward to seeing her again when I was doing the rewatch and like I don’t think I have an actual proper favourite beause I love all of the main gang for who they are. They’re just all so great.

Yeah. A part of me wants to say more but I won’t in case of any kind of spoilers but it’s a well-told story until the very end. Yeah. Like the only ‘extra’ stuff we get is those extra scenes from the Mugen Train season and the stuff I was fangirling to you about in our DMs. Yeah, understandable. And after you’ve watched it all, if you still want to hear Genya in Japanese, I could find some of my favourite moments of him. Though there is one scene (apart from his first scene in the Swordsmith Village arc which was just so very Bakugou. Like what he said is something Bakugou says very often) that I’m thinking of so yeah, if you want to hear him in Japanese, I’ll give you the episode and the time stamp after you’ve watched it all. No problem. Yeah, it’s very clear beause even though it’s all clearly the final arc, there’s still a clear division between the two mini-arcs. I hope not. Like as much as I love the movies, I don’t think they’d be able to do those 22 chapters justice. Like the Mugen Train was 13 chapters to give an idea and that movie was almost two hours long so it would have to be a very long movie and considering what happens (not that I remember everything), we do need breathers. But yeah, I do understand your dislike towards the tentacles but I do feel like that’s probably the worst. Yeah, Genya’s first scene isn’t his best moment, like Nemi’s first moments actually, but like with Sanemi you do kind of get to understand why he was being such a dick and was so inpatient at that point when you learn his story. And yay to that. And when you do, just tell me all your thoughts beause he’s just so great and precious and deserves all the love 😭

Yay. That arc takes place a few episodes after the Tenrou Island arc and Sting’s first appearance is the episode after that arc’s done to give you an idea of when it takes place. No problem at all ☺ I see. Will you watch the whole of Beyblade then? Like go from the original to the Metal Saga? Thank you. I finished A Sign of Affection and it was nice. But yeah, even though I liked watching it and the couple was cute, I guess I would have liked more development. Like there’s this one very romance centred anime and it’s just one couple, but there’s still slight misunderstanding that the guy the girl is actually interested in thinks that she’s into his really good looking and all around amazing best friend (who I till this day will headcanon as aro ace) but she’s absolutely into the main guy and it’s just so cute and sweet and sure I haven’t rewatched it sine first seeing it but it definitely left a good impression on me. It’s called Ore Monogatari or My Love Story if you’re interested. But yeah, now it’s onto Tokyo Revengers and then finally Iruma-kun.

Yeah and believe me when I say that I was worried that they wouldn’t properly adapt the main backstory that takes place during this match. And thank you for the understanding. I’m not sure yet to what extent it will be a let down but it really was such an important match, probably the most important math considering it’s been set-up sine the very first season. Really and I hope they don’t beause they teased what the next movie would be about, another important Karasuno match in a different way, but on that same day there’s another match that’s also really important beause my owl boy has such, such amazing moments during that math (and I love what he says before the match even starts) and his backstory is shown in it and I just hope that one day the studio will say ‘Actually we will not only adapt this match properly but also everything that we did in the movies and of course the time-skip’ beause sure, everything is important, but that match showed a glimpse into Bokuto’s development and I really do fear that we’ll never see it animated. Funny thing is also when it comes down to that Bokuto match I sent a screenshot of a moment of him and literally was like ‘I will cry when this is animated’ so maybe the studio saw it and was like “Okay, we’ll never animate it then”. And true. Like I said about the Mugen Train movie, that was 13 chapters and the movie was almost two hours long. Yay 😄 Be excited. And that’s great to hear about you appreciating all their characterisations and be free to say anything you want about it all in our DMs when you get to responding to me. Thank you so much for all of that. Yeah, we definitely do get to see all the Hashira fighting at some point, and some do get to shine more than others and that’s probably why we got that extra scene in the latest movie I went to, to show a bit of two Hashira fighting before the final arc. I see. Yay 😄 Really glad to hear that. I’ve been doing pretty well. Saw some Doctor Who episodes today, the first ones with the Master and he’s such a fun character to watch. Though a few days ago at my latest physio appointment my physiotherapist said something which I didn’t especially like and now it just won’t leave my mind. Like I mentioned while we were talking about stuff that since I’m disabled, I probably won’t be called in to do certain things and first she was shocked that I’d even use that word to describe myself which was yeah, whatever since I don’t generally have any reason to, but then later she said that I’m not as disabled as other people and that’s stuck in my head since since of course I know that, but I’m still much less abled than other people around and I know she never sees me at my worst but it still stings and I know it’d be weird to bring it up again to her so I just wanted to say it here in hopes of it helping in leaving my mind. But yeah, apart from that, been doing pretty well. Have done some more of my diamond painting and put all my Bokuto anime screenshots in order and really do love all the expressions he makes. They’re just so funny and nice. He’s such a gift and I’m really so grateful for him.

C

I’m glad that most spoilers you see are relatively minor, being a weekly reader. I’m definitely not. I’m usually either rereading series that I’ve read before and forget a lot of what happened in them or I’m reading completed series. There’s only a couple I follow that are still ongoing, and I tend to forget to catch up with them for a couple weeks or such and binge the chapters that I missed. I’m horrible at keeping up with a lot of things. It sucks that you got such a massive spoiler in a situation where you could do nothing about the information. I don’t think I could’ve stayed calm and I would have had to excuse myself to go read real quick and then would’ve been upset the rest of the night, so you handled it really well! And I can definitely see the argument for autumn, so we’re just going to have to wait and see, I guess. I didn’t know the manga updates on Fridays, so that was fun to learn. Thank you for that. It’s also interesting to hear that you kind of see some of my points and feel the same way in some regards. It’s really comforting to hear that and I feel really relieved reading that.

Yeah, both anime and manga wise, Persona isn’t too long. I’m just saving up money so I won’t feel guilty splurging on the Steam versions of the games, because I’ve really gotten interested and want to give the actual games a try! And thank you for that. I’ll admit to getting very little proper rest lately, but on the other hand, I’ve been being really productive and that’s always a great feeling to have. Accomplishment is always a feeling I really enjoy and aim to get, so while I’m trading some rest and relaxation, I still feel good about it. Thank you so much for the saved Google searches and I find it amazing that D. Gray-Man is still ongoing. I’m wondering if the manga went on hiatus or something, because it’s been years since I read it and I remember thinking it had to be pretty close to wrapping up! In terms of Demon Slayer, I’ve finished up to the end of the Swordsmith Village Arc, so all the episodes that Crunchyroll has. I haven’t watched more than the first movie though, because Crunchyroll doesn’t have that but can I just reiterate – I’m so pissed off my manga app doesn’t have the manga because I really want to read it. I want so much more story and hopefully some more character development, since I feel there’s a lot more that is going to happen and I feel like the anime might be cutting out small moments because of pacing and such. I’m just intensely curious as to where everything is heading and why certain characters are the way they are and I always feel I get better handles on that through reading than through watching. That being said, I have a couple minor complaints, but overall, I really enoyed it. Thanks again for the recommendation! I’m mostly just pissed I don’t have more of it, hahaha! I honestly can’t think of any of the Avatar characters I truly hated, because even the villains were largely really well done.

Thank you for avoiding spoilers – unless it was in the movies though, I’m pretty sure I’m caught up on the anime? Now, it’s funny because I was just complaining about fillers, but I enjoyed the little ‘fillers’ at the end of the episodes of Demon Slayer, I just want to put that out there. Also, Haganezuka is now my husband, just saying it. He amuses me so much and I just adore him. I will definitely take hearing Genya in Japanese, if you wanna send me any of your favourite moments through dm’s! Especially if, like you said, there are scenes where you can really connect the voices to the different characters! I hadn’t realized the movies covered so few chapters so I do take back my statement then, because yeah, that was a long movie, covered a lot well, but a movie definitely couldn’t be made out of that many chapters then, since I think most fans are not Lord of the Rings loyal to the point where they’d sit through a four hour long movie. Heck, I don’t think even I would do that for much else besides LotR! I genuinely wish I was learning more about both Genya and Sanemi, and I know more about them has to be uncovered later on and I’m hoping they’ll both get focus on them after this arc as well, because I really feel we’re just barely scraping the surface here! They introduced a lot of characters we’d just barely seen before in the arc and it felt like none of them really got the focus that they should have gotten for us to properly know them, just going anime only.

Oh, that is helpful to know! I’m probably going to speedread through Fairy Tail and then watch the anime, so I’ll meet Sting via manga first, though I’m excited to also hear all the characters since I remember having really strong voice ideas for a few of them when I first read some of it way back when. As for Beyblade, I’ll give each series a try, but I’ll probably skip any series that don’t catch my attention within four episodes – I always try to give animated shows at least two hours before I decide if I’m interested and like them or not. I’m glad you enjoyed A Sign of Affection! I actually know of Ore Monogatari! I keep getting recommended it and honestly, it does seem like a romance I might actually enjoy, so it’s on my watchlist though it’s not the first one I decide to watch any time I’m flicking through that list! We actually might be watching Tokyo Revengers at the same time then, since it’s my next anime! I hope we both enjoy it 😊

Wait, it was that important of a match? Like, there’d been build up for it since that early and they did all the fans dirty by not giving that match a full movie entirely focused on it? That seems really frigging awful, not even going to lie. I hope, if the movie is indeed about that, that the important Karasuno match is the movie and then you get an arc for Bokuto and that match, including episodes showing his backstory. To me, just as a creator, that is the way I’d go – a movie for the big match and then a three to four short arc dedicated to the smaller match with Bokuto’s team. I’m also really glad to hear that we get to see all the Hashira fighting at some point, because I am curious about some of them and kind of really hope for some more Giyu moments, not going to lie.

I’m so, so angry at your physiotherapist though. If you feel, because you know your body best, that you’re disabled in some way, then you are and her treating you that way is inexcusable. Knowing you like I do, I can also safely say that I adore you but yeah, I agree with you, I do also consider you as someone who has a disability. I also think you handle it amazingly well, are gracious in the face of it, and really admire how kind you are even dealing with everything you do. Don’t let that twatface of a physiotherapist get you down. If I could, I would take their kneecaps. I’m sorry my reply came so late and I hope you’re doing as well as can be expected! Hugs!