#the fortune teller episode was a zutara episode

[miss-sweetea-pie]

A zutara rant about Aunt Wu’s prediction.

As a proud Zutarian I personally love the idea about aunt Wu’s prediction that she gave Katara about marrying a powerful bender is actually hinting at Zuko being the guy.

But I did see some antics mention “Zuko isn’t a powerful bender and it’s mentioned a lot that he’s not that good, they didn’t even think he was a fire bender bah bah”

First off that’s very rude!

So let’s over, analyze the fortune teller episode. Looking back on that episode we noticed that Aunt Wu’s predictions are technically accurate, but not always as they seem. this gets confirmed by the end of the episode and how that one man smugly tells Sokka that the prediction, said the village wouldn’t be destroyed and it wasn’t. Or that one guy having a safe trip and almost getting attacked by a platypus Bear but the gang saves him, technically, he still had a safe trip.

So the whole prediction is “ I see great romance for you the man you’re going to marry, he is a very powerful bender.” 

(technically that wasn’t actually the whole prediction, considering A.ang was eavesdropping  and well Kat@ang is all about A.ang and his feelings but I digress)

So the first half I guess is more about your taste in romance. I don’t think or feel like the canon kat@ang is this great epic romantic personality. But hey i’m willing to admit it could just be my taste. However the show does give us an example of a really powerful romances between Oma and Shu. In story lore of a romance that is so great it has been remembered for centuries and has a city named after them and ironically it has the famous enemies to lovers trope. hmm Interesting.

What I can defend though is the part that mentions “the man you will marry is a very powerful bender” you see A.ang it is a very powerful bender and once he is a fully realized avatar, he will probably be considered the most powerful bender. but like I pointed out Aunt Wu’s  predictions have a catch or they’re not always as you expect. And she said, A (not most) very powerful bender that could technically be anyone right? considering there are masters for all the different elements and being considered a master is still very impressive and seen as an accomplishment Even if you are not the avatar. So her future husband could be a possible Master. Adding the fact that most of the masters are old so this person could not even be fully realized yet, Insert Zuko.

So people mention that he isn’t that great of a bender or he’s not that powerful and yes, the show does mention that, but also who tells us that? Oh right. His dad the literal villain. The people that try to put him down tell him that he isn’t good enough. personally, I also think the show try to contradict that by showing us moments. for example in book one he did take down Zhao and showed him mercy. (when I watch the show, I think Zuko is actually holding back a lot of the time because he does have a consciences. his whole arc was kick started by him, having a conscience  and being empathetic so I don’t think it’s crazy to imagine him holding back a little). so when Ozai calls Zuko weak it’s kind of similar to how he calls A.ang weak in the finale. But no one questions A.ang not being a powerful bender. Hmmm weird.

Also, the other reason why I think Zuko being the one in the prediction is just better for the story is because the idea that you can become a powerful bender just feels so satisfying to me. In the show people still need to find masters and grow their skills. we are shown that people get better at things over time if they apply themselves. I think that’s a really good lesson. A similar lesson is already applied with Katara I may add, so it’s pretty fitting in a way.

Also the fact that he learns the true meaning of fire bending adds a nice layer of depth. it isn’t just about the skill of fire bending It’s also about the mindset. It really goes to show how he really has become a better and powerful bender in the end.

[ekwolfwriter-blog]

The Gaang are on their way to the Northern Water Tribe when they are stopped by a stranger that tells them to meet a fortune teller named Aunt Wu - who claims to see the future with the help of a spirit that she as made contact with. The Gaang decide to go, but stumble upon a strange blindfold traveler that is more what they seem. Here destines being to change, people's hearts and mind being to shift and the future is not so clear. Meanwhile, Zuko once stead fast in his destiny, begin to questions it. And Iroh meets with a divine being that he is none to happy to meet. Is this all designed in the stars or merely chance that brought them to this point? Only the future will tell.

[thatbookgirl1118]

I cannot for the life of me find the original post (tumblr is a hellsite) but this was sent in an atla gc:

@the-badger-mole

and tbh i always kinda felt like kataang was weird exactly because of that one-sidedness??? like there's one episode of katara maybe sort-of seeing aang as a love interest (when the fortune teller tells her she'll marry a powerful bender), but then the rest of the show is her being passive in the relationship or actively pushing aang away (like their second kiss). and then at the end she just randomly decided "okay i like you i guess."

whereas aang got a bunch of pining moments and you actually believed he was in love with katara.

and most of their relationship was about how she helped aang - he did contribute to her character development over the course of the series especially as a bender of course but it didn't feel as emotionally/spiritually deep as katara's literal one episode sidequest with zuko.

but then someone else wrote "I would argue the opposite? Kataang is where Katara choose the peaceful nomad which subverts the trope presented where zutara is where she chooses the strong protector/combatant. Aang as a character is a subversion of the typical hero while zutara is like,,, coloniser romance idk"

and honestly... i kinda get that. aang was problematic in a lot of ways, but he was definitely a subversive protagonist, and i can see the power of allowing the woman to choose the pacifist vegetarian over the extremely obviously hot jock badboy. this is an incredible oversimplification of their characters of course, but the point stands.

Basically, Kataang is the ship we all logically want - the sweet, friendship-based, seemingly subversive one. But Zutara is the one that actually makes sense in the story, with these characters, not their tropes. Aang is subversive, but he and Katara are also kind of terrible for each other - he isn't mature or selfless enough for Katara, who needs someone to force her to take care of herself because she's always the one taking care of everyone else (wonder what that's like). That's why she and Zuko are so perfect, because he not only takes care of her, he makes HER prioritize herself. Aang... does not. He's pretty selfish, which yes is partially due to his immaturity (I personally don't count Korra as canon because it treated ALL the og characters terribly so I'm speaking purely from his 12 yo self), but it's also just a basic incompatibility thing. And Katara is actually equally bad for Aang - she enables him waaay too much, and he needs someone who doesn't. Who forces him to stand up on his own two feet and take responsibility. She's too much of a mother, and her relationship with Aang is too mother/older sister-ish.

With Zuko, on the other hand? Katara started out HATING him, forcing him to prove himself to her instead of handing him everything she had like she tended to do with Aang and Sokka. He had to earn her care, and as a result he appreciates it way more and demands way less of it. He's a far less selfish character generally for the same reasons, and is much more mature/has a better understanding of life and gray areas. Southern Raiders is a great example of this - he's down for whatever Katara decides because he understands that there's no one right answer, unlike Aang who simply preaches forgiveness. I'm not necessarily attacking Aang about that either - I do believe that grudges eat away at a person, and taking a life does haunt you, so forgiveness isn't necessarily bad advice. But it's not what Katara needed. Aang is great as a friend, but I don't think he's what Katara needs from a romantic partner. Zuko just... is.

[sokkastyles]

The fact that Meng, the girl in the fortune teller episode who had a crush on Aang, is voiced by Toph's voice actress, the fact that Toph and Aang have a lot of chemistry together, the fact that Toph, like Meng, is also made fun of for having an unrequited crush on a boy vs how Aang's crush on Katara is totally validated even when she tells him no...yeah I can see why zutara shippers also frequently ship taang, as ships that both prioritize a female gaze.

[kaorusan241]

Zutara fans in 2023 please interact because I simply can’t move on and have resorted to harassing my AMV commenters with ridiculously long replies

I MEAN

Even beyond the obvious things like their shared grief over their mothers, June making fun of Zuko over his “girlfriend” and the “Ember Island Players” episode, there are so many small things, like:

1. The cave in Ba Sing Se mirroring the crystals in the cave of two lovers and describing two lovers on opposing sides

2. The cave of two lovers episode including Zuko’s arc with Song, where he doesn’t allow her to touch his scar (unlike Katara later in the season)

3. The fact that lightning is something Iroh created from observing waterbending forms, and it’s what Zuko eventually saves Katara’s life from

4. Visual cues like in “the library” where it pans from Katara’s struggle directly through to Zuko

5. Katara opening up to Jet and Haru about her mother, and doing the same with Zuko

6. Mai’s reaction to Zuko’s fears in “the awakening” vs. Katara’s conversation with him in “Sozin’s Comet Pt.2”

7. The Painted Lady and The Blue Spirit, both masquerade as spirits

8. The fortune teller telling Katara that she will end up with a “very powerful bender” which could just as easily apply to Zuko

Like I could go on and on 😭 Also I’m sorry but if Zuko jumped in front of lightning for MEEE?? I would be kneeling to ask for his hand in marriage on the SPOT!! I swear with the slow motion and the music it’s still one of the most romantic scenes I’ve ever seen 🤧❤️‍🩹

[hereforthezutarastuff]

Thank you for all the peer pressure to post this. I needed it but also damn yall are relentless lol. I love the zutara fandom so much 

Here's the thing: I love the hug, right? I think it's a beautiful moment between two people that perfectly encapsulates the healing and growth between them. There’s suspenseful build up, there’s the rush to accept each other, there’s the hug lasting just a bit longer than it needs to. Chef’s kiss mwah amazing. 

What I don't see people talking about as much is the moment directly after it. And I say moment, but it’s 10 seconds of animation where Zuko turns and stares after Katara.

Like a hug in and of itself could be just friendship. This show is about friendship, and we get to see characters show physical affection for each other multiple times. But this moment? Where he turns and watches her walk away? Romantic. Here’s the chemistry people say they can’t see. I have to wonder.. What is romantic chemistry to them? For me, it’s actions taken for that person, it’s wanting to be close and thinking about each other, it’s mutually sharing, it’s not needing words to understand and having those conversations anyway, it’s the deep connection. All of which are shown throughout their relationship and specifically in THE HUG AND WALK AWAY scene. 

As @starry-nights12 points out, it’s a full body turn. He was still facing Aang, who Zuko knew he wanted to address in his next statement. Instead, Zuko and Katara continue to make eye contact as she passes him. He follows her with his eyes even after she has gone to see her brother. 

Why is just Zuko looking at Katara is so amazing? Thoughts are reflected by the actions we choose to do AND not do. Can anyone remember a time when Zuko didn’t want to look at Katara? I’ll give you a sec- jk, it’s in Ba Sing Se. Katara looks back, and he (pointedly) doesn’t look at her. Katara is still thinking about Zuko, and Zuko doesn’t want to think about the chance he might have just missed. And now that moment has been flipped on its head where Zuko is still thinking about Katara even after she’s leaving. He speaks about her needs and shows he wasn’t going to decide for her but help her through it anyway.

Another example of what Zuko doesn’t do is distract himself. Zuko for most of the series is extremely goal oriented. He focuses in on what he wants to accomplish and refuses to spend much time with other things. If Zuko isn’t on the path to his goal, it’s probably because of outside meddling. Season 1 - capture the avatar. Season 2 - capture the avatar and discover himself. Season 3 - discover himself and bring down his father. He goes on these side quests with Aang, Sokka, and Katara (in my opinion) to help right his wrongs, heal their relationships, and ultimately get closer to defeating his father. TSR even ends with him transitioning back into asking Aang how he plans to fight. But for this ONE MOMENT, after the mission is done and he’s gotten closer to his goal, Zuko allows himself to ruminate on Katara. He continues thinking about someone else, watching her in what I have to believe is admiration for her strength and dare I say it, a moment of peace and happiness at being closer to her. Do Aang or Sokka (individually) get a moment like that after their missions? Nope! It’s for Katara alone. 

Contrast this with how Aang looks at Katara. Mostly going off the Fortune Teller and any episode that has a shot where the camera pans up Katara, Aang looks at her and thinks she’s beautiful. He’s right of course, but beyond that he thinks “how do I get her to notice me? How do I impress her?” It’s mostly about him and what he wants, which is understandable. He's a kid. Aang is shown caring about his friends but mostly as a group. I think in all three seasons he only does like three things specifically for Katara and not just because he’s the avatar or because it would better the group. He.offers to teach her waterbending on the sly, gets her mother’s necklace back, and gives up the avatar state (something I don’t think she would have wanted if she knew. But she didn’t know because Aang and her didn’t have conversations that deep about their relationship whomp whomp). How does that compare to supporting her through her emotional healing? … I digress.

Beyond that, name me a time someone looks off into the distance at another character after a point of relationship growth, and it’s NOT an example of yearning?? I don’t have anything to back this up for but COME ON.

I well and truly believe Zutara was at least one sided canon. And I will DIE on that hill.

[shifuaang]

Why people Say Kataang was one sided? Can You Say a argument prove otherwise, and why zutarians can t accept the reality?

I’m just going to cut and paste directly from the video essay script I wrote about Kataang (that I’ll hopefully finish one day). Apologies for the long response, but I want to hit every point I’ve seen made by the fandom over the years. 

There are many things that Aang brings to Katara’s life that make their relationship balanced and healthy rather than one-sided as people like to claim. It’s quite obvious to most viewers why he would develop feelings for her - Katara is smart, beautiful, talented, generous, and an all around kind and good person. She cares for him and always looks out for his best interests. So what does Aang bring to the table?

Firstly, he offers her unwavering support and validation. If there’s one thing that Katara values and is proud of, it’s her bending and her heritage. Within moments of meeting her, Aang offers to fly Katara to the North Pole so that she can find a master to study under. In The Waterbending Scroll when she is feeling inferior and insecure about her bending, he reassures her and restores her confidence. In The Waterbending Master, he voices his frustration with Pakku not wanting to train Katara and then teaches her what he’s learned in secret because he knows how important mastering bending is to her. He throws all of his energy into helping her when he finds out she’s been masquerading as the Painted Lady knowing how passionate she is about saving the local village. 

Katara is self-sufficient and is the caretaker of the group. While she allows herself to be vulnerable with her emotions, she often relies on herself for support and is a rock for the people closest to her. Aang is the one person who can act as a caretaker for Katara, however, as he isn’t overbearing. Katara doesn’t need someone to be her constant guardian or protector because she is so strong-willed. This is exactly why Aang’s subtle and gentle reassurance is so welcomed by her. 

Secondly, he understands her and empathizes with her. There’s an argument tossed around about how Aang only fell for an idealized version of Katara and doesn’t recognize her flaws, which is a gross mischaracterization on fandom’s part. Aang is there for every mistake Katara makes, every grudge she holds, and every breakdown she has. They disagree about how to approach things on several occasions but always come to a healthy and respectful consensus, even if they don’t see eye to eye. 

A prime example of this would be The Southern Raiders, an episode that Zutara shippers tend to exalt as the epitome of why Zuko and Katara should be together as Zuko supports her on her quest to find her mother’s killer while Aang does not. In actuality this episode proves a better case for Kataang. Aang gently tries to persuade Katara not to do something he fears she will regret. He concedes despite disagreeing with her. He acknowledges that it’s something she has to do to find closure. Even after confronting Yon Rha, Zuko admits to Aang that he was right about what Katara needed and that violence wasn’t the answer. 

(Sidenote: It’s a bit baffling to me that people are alright with Katara stopping Aang from going into the Avatar State and unleashing his anger on the sandbenders who stole Appa, but they can’t understand why Aang would want to stop Katara from unleashing her anger on Yon Rha.)

Katara lost her mother and is the only bender of her tribe at the story’s start. Aang lost his father figure, his entire race, and is the only bender of his tribe as well. To say they have a profound understanding of one another’s pain and anger is almost underselling their connection. This, of course, doesn’t minimize the tragedies and suffering that other characters experience throughout the series, but it’s Aang and Katara who go on a journey of healing and discovery together. (I recommend reading this amazing meta about their relationship here.)

It’s also simply not true that Aang is obsessed or possessive. His crush on Katara gradually and organically develops; he doesn’t start to show romantic feelings towards her until well into season one during The Fortune Teller. When he does seek out her attention in The Warriors of Kyoshi, he admits later in the episode that he was being a jerk and apologizes for his behavior. He lets her go in Bato of the Water Tribe after realizing his mistake and doesn’t attempt to chase after her. He isn’t jealous nor does he try to prevent her obvious crush on Jet. Many argue that his course during The Crossroads of Destiny is selfish in that he isn’t willing to give up Katara to open all of his chakras, but he wouldn’t have left Guru Pathik if he didn’t have a vision of Katara being in danger. At the end of the episode he concludes that he has to relinquish all of his earthly possessions and does successfully enter the Avatar State.

Katara is the first to declare out loud that she loves Aang in a platonic way in the first episode of season two and is outwardly offended by him not wanting to kiss her in The Cave of Two Lovers. She feels deeply saddened by his pain. She is moved by him telling her how profound his feelings are towards her. She is openly affectionate with him. 

All of this could simply mean that Katara cares for Aang like a brother, but luckily we have Sokka to compare and see how monumentally different her relationship is with the two men she’s closest to. 

While it’s true that Katara often treats Aang in a motherly fashion, she does so with everyone in their group of friends and even total strangers. Maternal instinct is deeply embedded in her nature, and Zuko isn’t exempt from this once he becomes part of the Gaang. 

Katara isn’t incredibly affectionate with Sokka. They hug on occasion and will sometimes offer physical comfort to one another, just like Katara and Zuko. She’s very much touchy/feely with Aang, however, kissing him on the cheek, fixing his clothing, dancing with him, and cradling him close. 

She’s also very sarcastic and teasing when it comes to her relationship with her brother. She knows she can poke fun at him and pick fights with him, and once she and Zuko become friends, she treats him in the same manner. Katara becomes offended or even enraged if anyone dares to insult or joke about Aang.

She and Zuko both express their disgust at the idea of being romantically involved, both when the Ember Island Players imply that they had a thing and when June calls them boyfriend and girlfriend. When she hears Sokka point out that Aang is a powerful bender after Aunt Wu’s prediction, she shows no signs of distaste in realizing that Aang could potentially be the man she marries one day.

[sneezypeasy]

All of this is true, (not to mention the whole Meng subplot as well) but tbh the thing that killed it for me was that Katara looked disappointed when Sokka accidentally implicated Aang as the potential answer to her prophecy.

I was a Kataang shipper when I watched The Fortuneteller for the first time (Zutara and literary analysis in general hadn't really entered my brain yet), but I could tell the episode was baiting Kataang. Aang's crush on Katara was already apparent by now, but Katara's thoughts on the matter had never been revealed one way or the other, and with the sudden focus on Kataang this episode (the whole "will they won't they" thing bubbling up to the surface) I began to anticipate that this episode, we would finally get a long-overdue peek into Katara's mind on the subject. So I waited patiently the entire time, waited as Katara dismissed and ignored and dodged Aang (and the episode's question of "will they...?"), waited to see how that tension would finally get resolved... till the curtains drew almost to a close, at which point Sokka casually suggested Aang was the "powerful bender" Aunt Wu had foretold. Katara startles as she hears the question of the episode for the first time, and I sat there staring at the screen like "A-ha!"

...only to see Katara look almost crestfallen at the thought.

I mean, compare to how she looked when she was fantasizing about her future beau 😂

Idk, it felt to me like -

Aunt Wu: Guess what, you're gonna marry a very powerful bender ;)

Karara: 👀👀👀👀

Later: It's Aang, Aang's your future husband.

Katara: .....Oh. 😕

And at the time, as someone who'd been effectively baited by Kataang and the "will they won't they" dilemma - you have to understand, I would have been happy to finally see some promise for the ship. I watched that episode wanting to see a Kataang resolution... and I finished that episode feeling as let down as Katara looked. 😂 I did not see the Fortune Teller as affirming Kataang at all. I came away from it thinking, welp, if it does happen, it won't be happening any time soon. Oh well.

(I guess that's what happens when Mai's animator has to take a day off fjisosksjaakaas 😂😂😂)

it will never not be bizarre to me that kat.aangers use the fortuneteller episode as foreshadowing for ka when literally every possible interpretation of this episode is anti kat.aang.

if aunt wu's prophecies are unquestionably true, then kat.aang is DOA right off the bat because she explicitly says she doesn't see romance in aang's future. yet kat.aangers love to uphold the “powerful bender” prophecy as foreshadowing for kat.aang so… which is it? are aunt wu’s prophecies only eternally binding for katara but conveniently untrue when it comes to aang? because if katara marrying a powerful bender is unchangeable, then so is aang not being able to find love, so that’s strike no. 1 for ka foreshadowing.

now on the other hand, if we take aunt wu's prophecies as false, then our boy aang is free to do all the lovin’ he wants… but following the same logic, so is katara. and since her prophecy is the catalyst for her seeing him as a potential romantic partner at all, that’s strike no. 2 for foreshadowing.

finally, we come to the last interpretation and the episode's actual message: that destiny is real, but not immutable. throughout the episode, it’s clear that aunt wu's prophecies do come true, though not in the way that their subject(s) might expect. the future isn’t created through passive acceptance, but active agency. everyone has the power to shape their own destiny, and make their own choices.

this is the complete opposite of katara beginning to view aang in a romantic light solely because sokka makes an entirely on-the-nose comment about him being a powerful bender. because had katara not heard her prophecy, that would have meant nothing to her! how is this meant to be the spark that fuels the kat.aang relationship when it's entirely based on katara holding herself to a prophesized future instead of writing her own story, and hence antithetical to the fundamental theme of the episode?

which is also why so many people interpret this episode to be lampshading zutara, because the only way that all of these contradictory interpretations — aang isn’t meant to find love, katara is meant to marry a powerful bender, but both of them still have the power to shape their own paths — make sense is if the final scene was an intentional red herring… but that’s a discussion for another time.

[catie-does-things]

I can't fully commit to shipping Zutara, but your meta has definitely changed my tune on Zutara vs Kataang. Out of genuine curiosity however, say you were on the writing team and had to go along with making kataang canon, what would you have done to help rewrite the ship to make it better (I know you say that Katara doesn't get much out of their relationship, so what would she get out of the relationship?) (You can point me to a fic if that you've written about this already elsewhere).

To be honest, if I really could change anything at all, the very first thing I would do would probably be to make Aang and Katara the same age - either by making Aang older or Katara younger, but preferably the former. 12 and 14 is just an extremely awkward gap in maturity. I suppose if you wanted to keep the age difference but bump them both up a year or two that could also solve this problem. Or make them both 13. Whatever.

But more than just their actual ages, they would need to be written as emotional equals. When Katara mentions her mother’s death in The Southern Air Temple, for example, Aang should take more notice of this and make an explicit show of sympathy, rather than being solely focused on his own hopes for what he’ll find at the air temple the way he is in the actual episode. There are tons of opportunities for little tweaks like this throughout the show, and it wouldn’t have to be done every single time, but basically we would need to see Aang expressing understanding and emotional support for Katara in the same way she does for him.

To look at one more example, in The Serpent’s Pass, we see Aang still struggling with losing Appa and emotionally withdrawing from the rest of the group because of it. Katara notices this and is concerned about him, especially when Aang rejects her attempts to comfort him. This is resolved following the birth of the refugee couple’s baby, after which Aang says:

I thought I was trying to be strong. But really I was just running away from my feelings. Seeing this family together, so full of happiness and love, it's reminded me how I feel about Appa ... and how I feel about you.

And then they hug it out. It’s a sweet scene. But it’s all about Aang and Aang’s feelings, and it didn’t have to be that way. Aang could have also said something to the effect that he realized the strain his emotional distance put on Katara, and that it was unfair to her. This would have validated Katara’s feelings as well as his own, and shifted the focus away from being only about him.

Of course, if you’ve read my meta on The Southern Raiders, I talked a lot in that post about how Aang’s attempts to offer Katara moral guidance and emotional support in this episode came off as really immature and ineffective. This episode would probably need the most in-depth re-write to “fix Kataang”, but off the top of my head some things I’d change: Get rid of Aang’s initially dismissive attitude towards Katara’s desire to confront her mother’s killer, make his attempt at empathy focus more on the genocide of the Air Nomads and less on losing Appa, cut the false equivocation between Katara and Jet, have Aang present the concept of forgiveness in more nuanced terms, and maybe even have Aang go with Katara and Zuko to create more opportunities for him to offer her the emotional support that, in the episode as is, she’s only getting from Zuko.

And then I did briefly suggest a tweak to The Ember Island Players in this meta post. Basically, use the concept of the characters reviewing their past adventures to push Katara closer to realizing her own feelings for Aang - though she can still have reservations about the timing - instead of making her seem more confused than ever. And yeah, if we want this to be a fairly straightforward romance arc where they can just kiss at the end of the finale and that’s a satisfying resolution, then we should cut the entire balcony scene between Aang and Katara in this episode so as not to complicate things unnecessarily.

(If we do keep the balcony scene, then we need to make room for a follow up on it at some point where Aang apologizes for not respecting Katara’s boundaries.)

I could list a bunch of other little things I’d change (for example, in The Fortune Teller, have Katara make the connection that Aang is a powerful bender on her own, rather than because Sokka points it out), but none of them individually would make or break the ship. The general guiding principle is that Katara’s feelings need to be given the same narrative weight as Aang’s, which means they need to be more upfront, and Aang needs to be more supportive overall.

That is of course a lot of changes. If I had to “fix Kataang” by making just one change, it would probably be to cut the problematic scene in The Ember Island Players, which would still leave us with a one-sided narrative of the relationship, but at least one that didn’t undermine itself at the eleventh hour for no reason. In my personal opinion, however, while either approach to “Kataang done right” would be better than what we got, both would still fall short of the narrative strength and dramatic impact of Zuko and Katara’s relationship exactly as it was in canon, so there would still probably be a huge number of Zutara shippers.

[loopy777]

The fortune teller suffered greatly in my opinion because of the simple fact that i always found kataang relatively boring(Maybe thats why so many others became zutara shippers, the agreed with me, but just shipped her with someone else) so an episode dedicated to them isnt exactly what i would want out of an episode. Sokka was indeed good though.

I don't mind Kataang, but the problem is that there isn't a lot of it in this episode. It's cringe-comedy where we watch Aang failing to get Katara to understand his feelings. I've never been very big on cringe-comedy, myself, so I can't say if this episode is a good example of it or not.

Honestly, I think AtLA would have been improved by having Kataang get together at the end of Book Water or early in Book Earth (maybe 'Cave of Two Lovers'), and then just have them be a couple for the rest of the series. Finding ways to keep it from happening dragged it down, I think.

[thoughtsbynyx]

Part 2 of Why I Ship Zutara

(and why Kataang took the short way out)

*this time with pictures* (it’s longer than the previous but worth the read, bare with me)

part 1

GAang Dynamics 

(see Katara and Zuko’s portions I couldn’t figure out a way to incorporate them fluidly)

RoyalTeaLovingKookiness explains the GAang’s dynamic as well 

Katara is (the G)Aang’s Mother/Older Sister Cont. (and character develpment)

In the GAang. Katara “adopts” Aang almost as soon as she bends him out of the ice

She almost always looks after Aang, keeping him on task, helping him learn, being the rational voice they all need to hear sometimes

With Toph she’s less of a mother and more of an older sister that tries to steer their junior in the right direction (they bud heads and have a couple fights, but manage to have fun together and help with what the GAang needs)

She has to unlearn how to be a kid/teen because she learned to be a mom first

She bears a lot of the emotional work and trauma for the GAang, even before Zuko appears in Book 3

In Book 2 & 3 (mainly) she learns that she is allowed to be fun, immature, and selfish with what she needs/desires (which was something she’s been made fun of & had to apologize for)

She realizes and embraces the fact in Book 3 that she can be an individual person that follows what she wants without having to worry or care about what the others thing she should do (this also happens in the NWT, Ba Sing Se, and various places in the Earth Kingdom) (she becomes more assertive in what she needs/wants)

Zuko: the dad the gAang needed

He’s obviously educated (both in & out of banishment)

(Leadership skillz) He’s commanded a ship at 13

Has worked for a living wage at 16 (as seen by Jet, he can (barely) handle customer service)

When he was accepted into the group, he channels the only responsible adult he knows-- Iroh

making tea, reckless outings to help others, thinking ahead of oppnents and obsticles, letting them vent, providing shelter when they needed cover, dad jokes (”leaf me alone!”), and being a human shield

Look at FrostGaurdian’s post for more

Zuko’s Nature

In the Zuko Alone episode we can epsically see that he’s been in the shadow of his younger sister Azula

Throughout Book 1 he threw tantrums left and right

With his obession (read: hyperfixation) on honor, he was stuck in his “failure” against Ozai when he was 13

/\ \/ he relapses into this thinking when he joins Azula in Book 3

He took advantage of Iroh before they separeted, and even then he searched for his approval and validation

The Warped perception of Love and each other

It may not be obvious but Aang has an idea of Katara in is head that is not like her in the SLIGHEST (see Southern Raiders section)

He even points it out in the comics 

Image description: 

*13 and 12 year old Aang and Toph are discussing what it’s like having a crush* 

Aang: “Believe me, Toph, I know what it’s like to have a crush on someone, it can blind--” *Toph is unamused*

Aang: “ Yeesh, Sorry. What i’m trying to say is, sometimes you can like somebody so much that it affects your perception of them.”

Toph: “Kind of like how your perception is affected by your fuddy-duddy traditions”

With Katara in the comics it points out the “right kind of love” but referencing Zuko’s sacrifice in protecting Katara

Image Description: 

*Hakoda talking with Katara about love*

“So you know that the right kind of love-- the kind that’s real, that sacirfices--that kind of love doesn’t blind you. It actually helps you see“

In both instances it shows that Aang is putting Katara in a pedestal and doesn’t see her for who she is because of the crush he has on her.

The Fortuneteller

*Also even though Aunt Wu tells Katara she’s to marry a powerful bender it could’ve been anyone, not just Aang. Zuko, Azula, or Toph (maybe even be single forever and reject it all together because she’s a master bender) were also candidates. She didn’t get any more specific besides powerful bender*

a lot of the information that I gathered is from wednesdaywildheart’s post

This episode shows how Aang’s crush is just a crush, using Meng as an example

Meng points out how both their names rhyme “that rhymes with Meng!”

The Parallels

Like Aang is with Katara, she’s 2 years younger than he is

The “sparkles” show up when they both see their crush and plays the same music

They have tried to flirt the same way with their crush (and were both brushed off when their crush showed disintrest and indifference)

The Differences

Towards the end of the episode, Meng realizes and acknowledges that Aang doesn’t return her feelings and advances. She even tells Aang that she supports his feelings towards Katara

(This doesn’t happen until Book 2) When learning more about the Avatar State, and the Spirit World from Guru Pathik, Aang had to open all 7 chakras, however he couldn’t open the seventh (the Thought Chakra), refusing to let go of is attachment to Katara, blocking himself from the Avaatar State (which bit him in the butt (or back) when he faced Azula) 

(of course this could be because he’s 12, and hasn’t learned the difference between between, lust and Iove, platonic and romantic attraction yet) 

Ember Island Players

Catie-does-things goes in depth with analysis of this episode

You can’t tell me this wasn’t one the most Anti-Kataang, Pro-Zutara, Anti-Zutara, Anti-All three of them episode (besides Fortune Teller and Southern Raiders)

Even though the play is a mockery retailing Books 1 & 2, it does give a possible reason why Katara would choose Zuko instead of Aang, (“the Avatar? He’s like a little brother to me!”) and she even used a similar phrase in Book 1 (“he’s a cute little guy like Momo!”) 

Aang was lowkey OOC here, when it was stated by Actor!Zuko to Actor!Katara “aren’t you the Avatar’s girl?” to which Aang nods, a grim/serious look on his face (because of this he literally confuses canon with fanon, and at the intermission confronts Katara on a statement she never said herself, instead taking to heart what an actress portraying her said)

Literally one of the very few episodes where these two talk about their feelings toward each other (and it ends terribly)

Because Aang is 12 (and frozen for 100 years), he may not (completely) understand romantic and platonic boundries, getting upset at Katara, and not reading her (uncomfortable) body langauge before kissing her

Direct conversation from the episode: 

Aang:“But it's true, isn't it? We kissed at the Invasion, and I thought we were gonna be together. But we're not.” Katara: Aang, “I don't know.” Aang: “Why don’t you know?” Katara: “Because, we're in the middle of a war, and, we have other things to worry about. This isn't the right time.” Aang: “Well, when is the right time?” Katara: “Aang, I’m sorry, but right now I’m a little confused.”

To be continued in Part 3.....

some of what will be featured:

Southern Raiders (supposed to be here but this is wayyyy long)

Parallels

(Blue Spirit & Painted Lady, All Book Endings, Red & Blue ships, Lightning and Blood Bending, Oma & Shu)

[shadelorde]

- Aang is absolutely not a static character. He makes decisions and choices that push him in a way that allows him to move beyond what people expect of him. He’s become far more mature, and better understands his own beliefs. The reason they were not fundamentally changed is because these adults and others pressure him to give up his core values which come from a genocided culture-if the only way you know of character development is them being forced to change their fundamental beliefs, you have a shit sense of what makes a dynamic character.

-You’re a Zutara shipper, so let me ask you: are you not clearly projecting onto Katara to live out your fantasy of being with an uwu hot boy older firebender anyways? (Whose characterization you undoubtedly butchered but that’s a different conversation)

-Aang is twelve and is struggling with some jealousy. He’s twelve and doesn’t like sea prunes. How very terrible. (And may I point out the hypocrisy of again, a Zutara shipper whining about Aang disrespecting Katara’s culture when Zuko shows up in THE FIRST EPISODE and threatens Katara’s entire village in exchange for Aang, even grabbing Kanna?)

-The comics are complete bullshit writing for every single character and everyone knows that.

-Lot to unpack here for sure. Let me address these things in order. Yes, Aang, a twelve-year-old kid, kisses Katara without her consent. And then immediately afterwards feels terrible and berates himself. On the Day of Black Sun, the kiss is far more reciprocal and Katara reacts positively. Yes, Aang, a twelve year old kid, has a crush on Katara and daydreams about her. How completely terrible. He’s not a “Nice Guy”, he’s a kid who is kind. A nice guy explicitly acts nice in order to “get” a girl. Aang is shown repeatedly to act ethical because of his own internal values and is kind to everyone, not just Katara. (though of course, you whined about them not being challenged, so maybe you’d prefer if he was an asshole?) The Kataang ship is centered on BOTH pov’s, shown notably in the Cave of Two Lovers, the end of the Fortune Teller, The Headband, to name a few. You just can’t project onto Katara. (And AGAIN, may I add that Zuko grabs Katara without her consent while she looks visibly frightened in the Waterbending Scroll, and uses her necklace-the single most important thing to her-to blackmail her.)

-Aang values his culture because it was fucking genocided. He doesn’t hold it above other cultures, but uses his own to make his own decisions. In fact, other characters hold their culture above his and dismiss his, notably Zuko. (Calling him naive, dismissing his values as “airbender preschool”.) Other adults, such as in the Avatar State, use blackmail and put Aang’s friends in danger to force him to use violence.

-Wow. A twelve-year old not wanting to train. How completely unusual for twelve-year-olds.

-Yes, Aang keeps his values from a culture that was genocided by the Fire Nation, and uses them to defeat the current leader of the Fire Nation. As previously established, you clearly think a twelve-year-old keeping the values he was raised with is bullshit however. Somehow you think a kid who is trying to preserve the way of life that was genocided is entitlement and privilege. I’d call that pretty damn racist, actually.

-A traumatized twelve-year old? Running away from horrifying problems that should not be a twelve-year old’s responsibility in the first place? Never. How inconceivable.

-LoK’s writing all-around, like the comics, is completely inconsistent with ATLA.

It seems the only advantage you’ve been given for being a snobby “OG” fan is that you’ve been stewing in the same fandom wank for years.

It also seems as if overall, you want Aang punished for being an Air Nomad and holding to those values. Which is pretty racist, to be honest.

how are u gonna be an atla fan but be “anti aang” mf did u watch the show lmao

[sokkastyles]

I'm rewatching Atla and I realized I have zero idea what I am supposed to take away from the fortune teller episode. Like is she legit or a scammer? Because all her fortunes came true through the characters actions like in that's so raven. Sokka actually reminds me of Raven because in trying to prove aunt wu wrong he inadvertently shows that her fortune was right which I believe the villagers pointed out at the end of the episode.

But then the show seems to contradict and prove you can write your own destiny. But it also shows that even pass the episode all aunt wu said was true, like Sokka getting in his own way a lot or Katara ending up with a powerful bender and she is still kicking in legend of Korra.

Also other question do you think Zuko would believe in aunt wu like Katara or be a sceptic like Sokka. Because he seems to believe in destiny and things being pre-planned but I've seen people say he would be a skeptic but I think it depends on when Zuko meets her.

Sorry if this is a lot. I should probably just write it off as comedic and move on.

I think the message we are supposed to get is that we make our own destiny, which sometimes means that we create a self-fulfilling prophecy. That message is kinda muddled because the creators wanted to also use it to promote KA, and there are a lot of excellent zutara metas out there on that already so I won't rehash that. I'll just say that I really dislike the way the episode takes advantage of Katara's faith by portraying her as silly for believing in destiny - unless it's about Aang, that is.

I think the question of what Zuko would believe is more interesting, and I agree that it depends on where he is in his arc. Yes, he talks a lot about destiny, especially early on, but if book one Zuko met Aunt Wu, he probably would only listen if she told him things he wanted to hear, anything that could reaffirm what he already believed about his destiny being to capture Aang and return to the Fire Nation as Ozai's son and heir. I imagine that if she told him something that contradicted that, he would absolutely refuse to believe it, the way he refused to believe Iroh when he tried to tell him the truth about Ozai and his mission.

Book two Zuko I think might be kind of interesting. If Zuko ran into Aunt Wu during his Zuko Alone era, for example, he might be more interested in hearing what she had to say. Book two Zuko is searching for inner guidance and much more open to spiritual road signs.

Book 3 Zuko would probably not be interested, honestly. Zuko in book 3 spends a lot of time confused, but he's not looking for guidance from outside himself anymore. He's looking inward. He can't reconcile who he is with who he wants to be, and that's his big crisis. He's all about being true to himself, and no one else is going to tell him what his destiny is. And I think that remains true post canon. I do think Zuko comes out of the series more spiritually open and aware, but I think as a character he is very centered on reconciling his actions with his own beliefs, so I can't see him looking to someone else for guidance on his future.

[thoughtsofanexcitedspacechild]

Kataang: An In Depth Analysis

Hello again! I apologise for the inactivity. It’s been a busy month as far as school goes for me, so let’s just say I’m a lot busier solving chem equations and working on stuff for AP art. Don’t get me wrong though! These analysis and essay format posts are my favorite and I wish I could do them more often! Seriously, it’s the only thing that keeps me wanting to write! I’ve also decided that I’m going to make these little intro paragraphs separate to the actual essay, because while I’m at this, why not kill two birds with one stone and practice writing essays for my actual AP Lang. class? I mean I’m obviously not gonna turn them in or show them to my teacher, (unless this gets 1000 notes or more, in which case  I’ll show this to her ;)) but this is a good way for me to work on formatting a thesis and developing arguments, all while doing and talking about something I love! Speaking of which, let’s dive right on into today’s topic; the much debated, and thoroughly analyzed ship: Kataang. (Buckle your seatbelts hotmen, because this is gonna be one hell of a sky bison ride) I got inspired by a creator on Tik Tok that I follow, Amanda Castrillo, to write this. Her username is @theamanda2d and I highly recommend you go check her out and give her a follow. A lot of the arguments in this are my own, but I also sourced a lot of information and arguments for Kataang from her series “a case for Kataang”, which I highly recommend you go watch. I’ll insert her quotes directly so you know exactly where her points are coming from as well as mention where I elaborated on a point she made but didn’t directly quote her. I’ll also be sourcing a lot of information from the show and including exact episodes and scenes that support my case. So without further ado, here is my *unofficial* case for Kataang.

     In our lives, there’s usually one point at which most of us make a choice. That choice is to love someone. Yes, you heard me right. You make the choice to love someone. Of course, the feeling that most people know as love, but is really just sexual or romantic desires, tends to be confused with real love. Authentic love that comes from the choice to love someone. This kind of love persists through even through the darkest times. This kind of love truly does burn brightest in the dark. 

 It stems from a strong base of mutual understanding and friendship first, and doesn’t rely on a spark of passion to keep burning although it can fuel the flame that already burns strongly. There are many great examples of this kind of love, both in our own world and daily lives, but also in literature. One of the greatest examples of this, is the relationship explored between the fictional characters Aang and Katara from Avatar: the Last Airbender. (Oh, what? You don’t think Avatar is a legitimate form of literature? Pity, you must not have read my previous posts or even watched the show at all, because it IS.)

     From the time I first watched the show, I was rooting for them to end up together. Right off the bat, Aang and Katara have this instant connection. Within the first episode, they already become friends, and not only that, they act as if they’ve been friends for years, almost like they were meant to meet each other. Aang finally getting together with Katara just feels right, but there’s more to their relationship than the feelings that Katara and Aang both experience and the feelings that we the audience feel seeing them together. Throughout the series we see them both make the choice to love each other, not only as lovers, but as friends too. Their relationship thrives, and we’re able to see them both grow as people and better themselves because of each other.

Firstly I want to address the counterargument that many people bring up and that is that Kataang, in and of itself, is one sided. Fans (often Zutara shippers. More in depth analysis on why this ship DOESN’T work out realistically to come) will argue that Kataang is forced and one sided, and that Katara doesn’t share Aang’s feelings. Although I can see where this is coming from from a first time viewer’s perspective, this argument can be extinguished by looking deeper at Katara’s actions and intentions towards Aang. We see them bond as friends very early on in the series, but the earliest hint at a romantic relationship actually shows up in season one episode four, when they go to Kiyoshi Island. Katara acts snarky and jealous when Aang gathers quite a fan club of little girls. 

Nevertheless, when this fan club fails to stick around for Aang’s encounter with the unagi, Katara’s the one that’s there making sure he’s okay. (S1, Episode 4, The Warriors of Kiyoshi) This is ultimately foreshadowing for their relationship as a whole. Although his role as Avatar lands him many friends, and in this case fans, the only person that truly stays with him the whole time is Katara. She’s the one who shows up and has his best interests at heart. Most of her intentions are in fact platonic in this episode, but the hint of romance comes out when we see that Katara doesn’t like the idea of Aang with another girl.

     After half way through season one, specifically the Fortune Teller episode, we do see that Katara does in fact have feelings for Aang, albeit complex ones. In this episode we see her pester Aunt Wu for information about her future husband and she’s informed that he’s a very powerful bender. She doesn’t consider Aang until Sokka mentions that it freaks him out how powerful of a bender Aang is while Aang protects and saves the village from it’s demise by an erupting volcano. Her hopes were set high on a muscley, extremely strong looking bender, and I’d like to imagine that before her realization, Katara was probably picturing someone more like Haru or even post redemption Zuko as her future husband. For the first time, that image is replaced by Aang, and she doesn’t mind it. (S1, Episode 14, The Fortune Teller) We see these new found feelings develop further in the Secret Tunnel episode, when Katara is finally forced to confront the romantic feelings that she’s pushed down while trying to sort them out. At this moment, Katara finally acknowledges her romantic feelings and attraction to Aang. (S2, Episode 2, The Cave of Two Lovers) The creators intentionally showed us the story of the two lovers for a reason. “Avatar is a very smart show,” says Amada Castrillo, Avatar fanatic and creator of the Tik Tok and youtube series “A Case for Kataang,” “and we’re never told or shown anything for no reason...A war was keeping them apart maybe not physically, but romantically.”

     Later in the series during the season finale of season two we see her absolutely distraught when Aang nearly dies and she does everything in her power to save him. We see her almost break. Only when he wakes up does she feel better, and start to be happier again. She doesn’t care about anything else but making him feel better, and even when he does wake up, she still focuses mainly on healing him. Here we see Katara make the choice to love Aang both in sickness and in health. (S2, Episode 18, The Guru/The Crossroads of Destiny and S3, Episode 1, The Awakening) She of course would have done this for any member of team avatar, but the way in which she treats Aang when he’s nearly taken away from her points to the extreme love and affection that she carries for him every day. This happens multiple other times throughout the series, with many of the occurrences being in book three. When Zuko joins the Gaang, she flat out tells Zuko that if he were to hurt Aang, (not Sokka, not her, not Toph, but Aang specifically) she would personally see to his demise. (S3, Episode 11, The Western Air Temple, 23:30) (Some Points taken from, but not directly quoted from Amanda Castrillo’s “A case For Kataang Part Nine: Text and Subtext”) This is why the assumption that Kataang is one sided can be proven wrong.

     Two other arguments stem from the previous argument, one being that Aang is a simp, and/or that Katara is a trophy. First of all, the later argument is easily disproved by the fact that Katara is not a prize to be won. “Katara is, and was never a prize for Aang,” says Castrillo, “And to say that she was, grossly mischaracterizes and undermines her as a character.” (Amanda Castrillo, (@theamanda2d) “A Case for Kataang: Chapter 2, Katara the trophy) Katara is shown multiple times throughout the series being able to speak up and defend herself without Aang’s, or anyone else’s help. 

Aang, although viewed as a simp, is not. Yes he respects Katara, and all other women for that matter, but he doesn’t fawn over her. He allows her to defend and take care of herself. The definition of the word “simp” is the abbreviated term “simpleton”, meaning “a silly or foolish person.” Although Aang is silly at some points, he’s also not foolish. He’s a smart and capable individual that many fans fail to recognise as legitimate because of his innocence and softness. So no. Aang isn’t a simp that bases his entire self worth on his status with Katara.

     Another point that must be acknowledged is the fact that Aang and Katara are actually complementary characters. Although many people would bring up the argument that Air and Water aren’t opposite elements, the type of bender they are doesn’t necessarily tend to point to the exact type of person they are. The creators aren’t dumb, and the characters in this franchise are so well developed, that there are many sub personalities in each type of bending, and all of them can be analyzed further than the type of element they bend. Judging a character solely by the element they can bend is like judging a person on the color of their skin or a book by it’s cover, and when diving deep into each of their personalities, we can see that their personalities are actually complementary. Katara is high strung and anxious while Aang is usually calm and collected. Aang is very good at regulating his emotions while Katara is not. This aspect extends further than their personalities as well. Katara grew up in a very family oriented and close family while Aang only had one parental figure in the form of Gyatzo and occasionally a few friends. Katara is also more grounded and a home body while if he could, Aang would probably continue to explore whatever corner of the earth that he could. (Some points taken, but not directly quoted from Amanda Castrillo (@theamanda2d), “A Case for Kataang: Chapter 10, Balance”)

     Another thing that I found is that when looking at color theory, Aang’s signature orange toward the end of the series and Katara’s signature blue are actually complementary colors. I’d like to think that as Katara develops and explores her feelings for Aang, Aang’s color palette changes slightly. It goes from being red and yellow in the beginning when Katara didn’t know she had feelings quite yet, to eventually shifting to orange when we see her feelings start to fully become clear. I thought this was a super interesting detail and despite it being a bit far of a stretch, I think it must have been planned. If you consider the time when we see Katara start to develop feelings, it’s about the same time that Aang’s outfit choice shifts to orange. Of course, this piece of evidence is mostly based on my personal observation and knowledge of color theory, but it’s a detail that I personally found super compelling.

     Kataang also works because of the extremely well executed communication and dialogue that happens between them. There are multiple different examples throughout the series and as their character’s develop, we’re able to see a beautifully efficient and respectful form of communication between them. We see Aang clearly express his feelings of anxiety to Katara, and in return, Katara is able to help him and offer advice on what he’s feeling. Katara also is able to confide in Aang in return and oftentimes he’s the one that she’s most comfortable being vulnerable in front of. We see her almost mother Aang alongside Sokka in the first season, but her relationship with him changes and shifts to one where both her and Aang feel comfortable and contribute and receive equal care from each other.

     One issue in particular also comes to mind when talking about this ship, and that is the issue of boundaries. Counter arguments against Kataang often bring up one scene in particular, specifically in the Ember island players episode about halfway through when Katara confronts Aang on the balcony. (S3, episode 15, the Ember Island Players) Episode Aang is understandably upset with the way that he and specifically he and Katara’s relationship is portrayed in the play. He obviously has feelings for her and at that point we know that Katara also has feelings from a few episodes prior when they kiss before the invasion. That kiss was mutual, and she kissed him back, meaning that from that point on, both of their feelings towards each other are very clear. The night of the play on the balcony, Aang does cross a boundary that had been established. The kiss before the invasion made sense, and Katara didn’t do anything to stop him from doing it, and Aang had her consent in this case. Aang’s kiss on the balcony was a mistake, and in this case it was uncalled for, but many people misread Katara’s feelings of confusion. When Katara mentions being confused, she’s not saying she’s confused about her feelings for Aang. Since season one, we’ve seen her show multiple forms of affection towards Aang, and not only that, she was usually the one initiating the many hugs, cheek kisses, etc. 

She’s not confused about how she feels about Aang. She’s confused about the timing and if it’s a good idea or not. (Some points taken from, but not directly quoted from, Amanda Castrillo (@theamanda2d) “A Case for Kataang Part 7: The Camelephant in the room)

     Regarding the consent for the kiss, yes. That was Aang’s mistake. He’s human, and he did mess up there. But his intentions weren’t meant to harm anyone. He, like so many of us watching at home, read Katara’s confusion to be about him, and wanted to see what she really felt. Afterwards, he knows he messed up, and feels bad about it. “...[Aang’s] very self aware. He knows how he feels about Katara, and he’s said it multiple times...Aang is human. He f***s up. He says the wrong thing. He makes mistakes. And he was just as confused as Katara at this moment.” (Amanda Castrillo, (@theamanda2d) “A Case for Kataang Part Seven: The Camelephant in the room)

     Lasty, I want to acknowledge the visual and audio parallels portrayed in the show and how they can effectively work towards supporting Kataang. If you observe the angles at which characters are shown as well as the framing, it visually sets up and can represent how two characters feel about one another. First let’s consider the framing of a scene from the very first episode after Katara breaks Aang out from the ice. Aang is lying down and katara is directly positioned above him. When he wakes up from being trapped in an iceberg for 100 years, her face is the first that he sees. 

This positioning and framing is shown multiple more times throughout the series, establishing their strong connection. So is this one:

(For a better visual reference please see Amanda Castrillo’s video “A Case for Kataang Part Four: Parallels) “Its built up and set up for us time and time again. Their interactions aren’t framed like that for no reason. Scene framing matters.” (Amanda Castrillo, “A case for Kataang Part Four: Parallels.”

There’s also the fact of the score and what specific music points to what character or what mood the creators were trying to enforce with the music. Avatar’s score is genius and every song and note was hand crafted to set the tone for each scene and help explain what’s happening. (This is one of the many reasons Avatar would translate well to be a musical or even a ballet. Post/informal rant on this later to come.) There are many great examples, like how Azula is represented by a clash of chords, (To quote my previous post: “I love how Azula is just represented by a pair of clashing chords and when you hear it you know that she’s about to f*** s*** up.”) or that Aang has a lively flute melody that plays when he gets really happy/excited, but perhaps the best example of the use of music in the franchise is the use of the “Avatar’s Love Theme.” It’s my personal favorite song from the show, and it’s used extremely effectively and efficiently throughout the show to provide a very specific and recognisable feeling: romantic love. When you hear it play, Aang is ALWAYS with Katara. Go back and listen to the times where it plays, and it’s always when he and Katara share a special moment together. We only hear part of the melody for the majority of the series, but in the final episode, right towards the end when Aang and Katara are left alone on the balcony looking above the city by themselves, we hear it play again, and this time, we hear all of it. The kiss between them also happens right at the crescendo and peak of the music, emphasizing and establishing that Aang and Katara are officially canon. The music plays a huge part in this story, and all musical elements as well as visual point to Aang and Katara being a team, and not just that, but a romantic couple.

In conclusion, Aang and Katara are a couple that was meant to happen. Throughout the series, their love is shown through their undeniable chemistry, complementary characters and personality, and the visual and musical elements set up for us within the show. Aang and Katara love eachother very much, and although their feelings were often being confused by looming threats to their lives or tainted by the war they were both fighting, in the end they’re able to fully and completely allow themselves to love each other. Despite their romantic love, they are ultimately friends before they are lovers, and don’t rely on a spark of passion to be able to keep their love for one another burning. They love each other wholly and in so many different ways, and that my friends, is why Kataang works and will always work.

[kikiscastleinthesky]

THE SOKKASM ZUTARA

I’ve seen a lot of tumblr blogs that ship zutara and I decided that is time for me to open mine too. So, yes, I’m a zutara shipper. And for the time being, my posts are going to be dedicated principally to analyze the ships in ATLA. 

Disclaimer alert:  I’m not forcing anyone to ship zutara. And I won’t accept hate because I (and many others) may have a different opinion, If you are one of those persons I invite you to leave, don’t waste my time and yours, because I’m not even going to reply. Everyone has the right to ship whatever they like and want, without been mocked, harrassed and humiliated. 

Well... now that everything is settled: 3...2...1 go!

I’m starting with this small analysis, because every zutara shipper has been attacked on why zutara and zutara is horrible yada yada but, this ocassion I’m gonna use all the attacks we get and defend it. 

I. Zutara is way the worst toxic relationship:

You call Zuko the abuser, the toxic and the bad tempered? Then you     didn’t get a clue of his redemption arc.

You call zutara toxic for:

a)     giving your mother’s closure and final acceptance into the group?

b)     saving each other’s life?

c)     being the “leading co-parenting” of the group?

d)     support you when you’re about to beg for his uncle forgiveness?

II. The cave scene didn’t mean anything, and just think about it, they would never ever get along well:•      

  Of course, I misunderstood Zuko confessing his own grief, probably he just hates her.

When Katara opens to her mother sorrow like she never did with anyone was like no big deal.

 That part when she offers to heal his scar with SACRED water was totally illogical.

And being the first person who he let touch his scar really said to me that they were absolutely toxic.

 Yes, he betrayed her initial trust. And it hurt, but guess who betrayed worst? The man who for three years was his father. But nope, Iroh, should never forgive Zuko, for what he did. (Right? Katara was betrayed and she should bever have interest in him, so Iroh would never forgive his abuser, right?)

III. Zutara is about getting in love with your abuser:

The abuser love? When did Zuko abused Katara? When did he forced to do something she didn’t want? Did he ever physically abused her or sexually assaulted her? Even if he tied her to a tree, he never humiliated her, he never hurt her or overpass against her. Or are you trying to make up his whole plot to eliminate all his attacks towards team avatar only rest in the female character? (Have you forgot how he betrayed his uncle? Or even himself?)

IV. Zutara is an age gap, it would be underage thing. “You don’t like Aang because he is a child and still pair Zuko, being a minor.” You want to hypersexualize two kids (Aang and Katara) into having sexual interest.

Katara would have been dating an underage guy too. She would have been 18 and Aang 16. I know! Age gap only matter when the man’s older. Both Katara and Zuko had gone through puberty, and both were in adolescence, both shared the same maturity level. Yes dude, there a huge difference in being a CHILD and being a TEENAGER, yes, still minor, But with puberty hit already.

Actually, I still believe even being 11-12 you can get like a… spark… a hint. Even if its not a relationship whatsoever, and not having sexual interest of any kind. If you really want to see what closest we get to a “real” attraction and potential between kiddos that age, you get S1Mike and Eleven (stranger things) / you get Chihiro and Haku (Spirited away) / you get Pazu and Sheeta. (The castle in the sky) –Wooo, that really changes things right?

But yet there are people that believe shipping zutara is “pedophile” I thought in seriously not replying to this stupidities but, here I am, dismantling their theories.

So, this is real life. An adult person trying to sleep with a prepubescent kid. So… there is no support on this. Because a ship is about two fictional characters in a fictional story.

What about fictional pedophilia? Well, we can change that: Fictional pedophilia is a psychosexual disorder when you ship an adult fictional character (+18) to have a sexual interest in a fictional prepubescent child (-12) and / or attempt to engage both characters in sexual acts.

So step one… are either Zuko or Katara either an adult or prepubescent child? As you can see in the image at the right, both have gone through puberty. Step two, are you trying to a couple of minors to get sexually involved? No, this is a love story, not porn. And before you yell at me for the porn zutara comics/fics on the web, I guess you should see the porn Kataang /fics comics on the web too.

But I don’t hate any ship. So, technically, neither Kataang, nor Sukka, nor Yukka, nor Jetara, nor Maiko is pedophilia.

Ok, yeah yeah its not pedo, but is statutory rape, so yet it’s illegal.

Oh yes, if we state that 18 is the age where you are considered an adult (at least in my country) both are minors, your term is partially correct. But guess what would be statutory rape too?

Sukka (15) and Maiko (16-17), both implied to have sex relationships and canon during the series.

The episode "The Southern Raiders" became (in)famous among the fandom for what is a truly epic instance of this trope. Zuko bumps into a very flustered Suki on the way to Sokka's tent, and she hurriedly excuses herself. He walks into Sokka's tent to ask him a question and finds him pants-less and surrounded by flowers and candles. He even greets Zuko with a suggestive "Well helloooo..." before he realizes who itis. After a short talk, he rushes Zuko out and sticks his head out to call for Suki. And if there was any doubt, Sokka is shown the next morning fiddling with a flower necklace for no apparent reason... except to indicate that maybe Suki had been “deflowered”.

And yet, if Kataang had sex, it would be statutory sex at some point too: 16 and 18 -Conclusions: Statutory sex takes all ships equally.

V. Poor Aang he would be devastated.

Kid, he’s 12, in the comics he’s 13-14. Or what? Haven’t you guys had a broken heart ever? Your high school sweetie? Or Aang’s so frail to not be able to find love? To close himself for a better opportunity? Seeking your own happiness in not selfish. What is selfish is seeking your own happiness at the other expenses.

And even that, we all know what would Aang do if Katara starts a relationship with Zuko. (Even if it wasn’t Zuko, I highly doubt he would like Katara dating someone else) He would go on avatar rampage. That is NOT healthy, that is NOT romantic. That is extremely possessive and selfish to do. It’s psychotic. Because Aang cares more about himself than Katara’s feelings, even if she would be happier without him.

VI. Zutara is all about sex interest.

Well once more you mistake chemistry with sexual needs. Wanting me to sleep with my husband means I only use him for sex relief? If I find myself sexually attracted to anyone probably means I just want to sleep with that person and nothing else.

VII. A hug is all zutarians have to acknowledge zutara:

We have a complete extended analysis in all the small details, but we like to use that forgiveness hug because in that hug you have more potential that all the kataang scenes all together. We have thousands of complete analyses, pages dedicated exclusively zutara. 

VIII. Katara “fell in love with Aang” and it’s not one sided.

Uh... Nope, just because two persons are good friends it doesn’t mean they are a good couple. Yes, the way the both of them interact is absolutely beautiful, But not romantically.

Do we see Katara’s view on romantically being drawn towards Aang? Yes, we see it, and yes, unfortunately, is one sided.

How Kataangers complete this:

·       The fortune-teller: I didn’t see like “Wow omg the avatar is going to be my future husband!” But… was like “uh… really?… well, I guess it’s him” Zutarians and Aunt Wu are the base for many backs up theories. ;) Aang is not the only powerful bender you know? And actually, that episode is way trying too hard to demonstrate the crush Meng has for Aang and Aang has to Katara. How is even healthy to accept that sometimes persons don’t like you back and it’s not the end of the world.

·       The cave scene: I forgot that Katara is telling him to be her boyfriend and they will live happily ever after. And really, it all gets us to a real Oma and Shu theory. Not to mention that they were “forced” to kiss because their kids innocence believed if they kissed, they wouldn’t die, and that Aang messed up things as well. But if you see it beneath, if she was truly interested, she would have told Aang: “wow omg we kissed, ok. let’s give him a clue…” nothing, she goes back in treating him same as always.

·       The headband dance: Well that’s a fair point yes. Actually, I felt something different…unfortunately Katara later had to tell him not to kiss her.

IX. Zutara is because you projected on Katara and had a crush on Zuko, because Katara and Zuko were your favourite characters and because is the bad boy style romance.

My crush was Jet <3, and zutara was the most logical endgame for girls. Ask any girl, ANY 14 yo who would like to date: A high school, nice and handsome guy or a 7th grader that had potential to be her best friend. (See the logic) 

And nope is not like “Insert fav characters of the opposite sex to ship them” You need to see real development.

I don’t know why they stereotype Zuko as the “bad boy” – relationship archetype. Zuko is never seen to be the classic fuck boy who treats girls like shit and suddenly there comes a lady to change him. Maybe he is a “bad boy” (confused though) in S1 and S2, but his redemption arc is literally the answer of why he is not “bad boy” anymore.

If Katara was truly and really romantically interested then she wouldn’t have friendzoned Aang. Once? Nope 4 times. And also… are we forgetting kind of imagery…

Friendzoned  

 When Aang fixes her a small necklace with the fishing  thread.

 When he kissed her at the invasion. She didn’t  reciprocate it. (I’m not even mentioning the mommy proud speech)

 When he wanted to talk about the kiss in the western  air temple (Comic love is a battlefield)

 When he kissed her at the play and she had to told  him to back off.

 Strange imagery

 She was June Pippinpaddleopsokopolis (Aang’s  granddaughter)

When Aang got shot, she held his body in her arms in  the exact way Mary held Jesus in Pieta’s sculpture.

 She was Sapphire Fire. (Aang’s pregnant mother)

After they got married, in the book legacy, she said  she enjoyed most seeing Aang becoming a man. (Honestly ladies if I got a BF  the least I want is seeing how the kid transforms into a man)

I’m looking forward to watch you grow into manhood  as I did to your father (Katara’s letter to Tenzin)

 I’m really  trying to deny Oedipus complex here.

Still hard for me to track Katara’s love interest for little Aang since all we see is more a relationship mom/sister or Harry/Hermione. I have heard rumours that Bryke wanted to give the ship “mystery” and “expectation” but I think they really messed up, I didn’t see expectation or mystery, I saw a child insisting to a girl that didn’t reciprocate. It wasn’t even like she didn’t have much of a chance, because her love interests:

Was killed by Long Feng

Gave him a hideous mustache and disappeared him after Azula’s attack in the western air temple.

Forced to be attached to a toxic relationship.

Apart that all those points I’ve mentioned, Kataang is not a relationship for me. Staying in a formal relationship with the first person they met of the opposite sex at 14 -12 (guys not even Disney does that, jeez not even studio Ghibli) and not having any chance to experience any other relationship. Never experiencing a broken heart, or someone better. I think that it gives the wrong idea, telling guys that no matter how long they are placed in friendzone, eventually the girl will fall for them. They just have to keep insisting.

You could say, but what a hypocrite! Snow White was 14 years old when she went to live with that prince! Many princesses are 16! And not to mention that many men were the first they met! Like Aurora, Rapunzel, and Cinderella. Well, you are right at one point. But ... the interaction of these characters changes radically, mainly because they never "give cute kisses" to their future husbands, nor do they treat them like their brothers or their children and ... the men were never friendzoned, except for Naveen at the beginning. You see the real attraction of teenage girls with an older boy. And I'm not saying that they should never be friends or support each other. Mulan and Chang were allies, friends, they supported each other, they saved their lives. But at no time was there the kind of interaction Katara and Aang had.

If Kataang was to be endgame, we would see Katara’s reaction to Jet, totally different, THAT kind of reaction was what I was waiting. (That kind of reaction is what every princess do, at least one time)

The same chemistry we saw in Yukka / Sukka. Honestly, I saw more chemistry between Haru and Katara.

Or at least give us some character development like: Aang, I know my feelings where not as you wanted but now I decided I want to be with you because (list everything here except he being the avatar), I really like you, perhaps we can give it a shot. Or like several things that could clue us that she is interested (come on people, two persons can kiss/hug/ have sex and that doesn’t imply they will be together in a formal relationship) But all we got was: Oh, right, he’s the avatar... suddenly I fell for him and I’m gonna kiss him fully in the mouth and that’s how I’ll tell him and that all my confusion has magically disappeared.

X. I’ve never saw that kind of spark between them. Again, it was “Just a hug”

Yes! That’s initially the whole point of it, a friendship hug, the truth of why we don’t need silly blushes. Because that forgiveness hug shows their initial relationship, they are friends! All their love needs to come first from a truthful friendship, by the contrary of calling the “immediate falling” like Aang did for Katara, it shows us that friendship love can evolve into something more beautiful, and that’s why we like the ship, because all zutara shippers know Zuko and Katara wouldn’t fall in love like that all of the sudden, they have to create the romantic relationship, and that’s what we portray in the fics.

What makes Zutara exceptional is that he, sees her, he hears her, he listens what she had to do, at anytime he forced her to do something she didn’t. And before a “teenager adolescence ship” he sees her as a human, with feelings with own ideals and goals.

And there is a complete and extremely well based analysis in: The crossroads of destiny + The southern raiders + The lighting saving.

XI. The comics show us how toxic they really where.

Their interaction in the comics was something I like to call: destroying a character. Not only Katara, who turned to be that awesome badass to the submissive girlfriend. From how I see it in the series to the comics there’s all I have to say: That’s not my girl.

XII. How Katara could be queen of a country that almost aniquilates her tribe and killed her mother? It would be a betrayal.

I think this argument is out. Not valid. Is like saying a Jew can’t date a German because of the holocaust. (German doesn’t mean nazi, just as Zuko, who was from the Fire Nation and didn’t order Katara’s mother assassination, and not every citizen of the fire nation means a ruthless killer). Is like saying that a Japanese can’t date a us citizen because of the bombs in WW2. And even if we see it “political”, is like… an aphrodescendant can’t rule a country that is racist, then Mr. Obama would have never reached the presidency.

Two persons can unify them, because they can demonstrate that being from different country that initally has not good terms can reach peace. The union between those countries represents the power of maturity, of overcoming adversities and the power of forgiveness. *Our lands now connected by love* And I want her to be queen, I want her to rule, I want her in charge, I want her in power. Imagine all the potential she could have (politics, business, negotiations, rebuilding, restoration, education, public health!! ***faints***) Not only for the fire Nation but for the whole world! Imagine that once Zuko abdicated they left to the south pole and she opened a fighting school and a healing school of her own (like master Pakku, but now her students are given a medical license that acknowledges them as professional healers) And this is just an idea. Like these ideas are hundreds. It would have been the perfect feminist role model!

XIII. Since the beginning, Katara was always interested in Aang and she always supported him and was for him when he needed her. That’s proof they were meant to each other.

If a girl expresses faith in your abilities, she loves you, she hugs you, and she supports you clearly she’s completely into you. Because obviously female best friends don’t exist.

[thevictorianghost]

They put Katara in the corner

Okay so story time.

Forgive me, this is ramble-y! But I have a lot of... Thoughts(tm).

I re-watched ATLA this summer with my parents. It was the first time I was watching it with them, I watched it on my own when it ran on TV as a kid (in translated form at the time, because I didn’t speak English back then) and re-watched it in English as an adult last year with my best friend.

All right. So this re-watch with my parents. I skipped what I consider to be filler episodes (as my Dad has trouble understanding English, he prefers plot-relevant episodes, and I obliged because I dislike some of those episodes). I especially skipped episodes like The Fortune Teller, The Great Divide, The Beach and The Headband, amongst a few others (we didn’t skip a lot because ATLA has A LOT of great episodes!). I still explained what was happening in them and why they WEREN’T relevant to the plot.

(BTW as soon as I said “the Fortune Teller says Katara will find a husband in a very powerful bender”, my Dad was like “she’s gonna end up with the Avatar, obviously”, but my Mom immediately went “nah, nah, nah, just watch, she’s gonna end up with the Fire Nation guy, what’s his name again?” I love my Mom.)

As soon as the series ended I started to rant about Kat/aang and Mai/ko not making any sense. My Dad was so mad that M/ai and Zuko ended up together. I actually got to have an hour-long conversation with him about how Sozin’s Comet was disappointing, how it regressed A/ang’s character development and how Zuko and Katara SHOULD have ended up together. While he wasn’t that convinced during Season 1 (his favourite character was A/ang back then, but as the series progressed he told me the heart of the show was with Iroh and Zuko, especially in Seasons 2 and 3), now he ships Zutara.

Though she liked Zutara better, my Mom was... okay with Kat/aang and Ma/iko. She said “if they’re happy then we should be happy for them!”

Until I showed her this panel from the comics.

(Image description: Aang is surrounded by fangirls who compliment him on his show of airbending while Katara sits in the corner, forgotten.)

My Mom looked at the panel and then she told me, without missing a beat:

“Nobody puts Baby in the corner.”

Dirty Dancing is one of her favourite movies, of course.

That’s when it hit me. That’s exactly what Bry/ke did with Katara in the comics. They did what Baby’s father tried to do to Baby in Dirty Dancing.

(Image description: A screencap of Dirty Dancing where Johnny watches as Baby sits in a corner at a table, next to her father). There is light blue text badly written by me. An arrow points at “Baby in the corner” and another points at Johnny “The “dark and brooky boy who doesn’t care about her.””).

Except he does care about her.

(Image description: Zuko and Katara hugging in the episode The Southern Raiders)

(Image description: Johnny and Baby hold each other on a stage after he’s taken her out of the corner. They’re about to dance the final, most iconic dance sequence in the entire movie.)

So here’s my point. I’m so sad that Bry/ke took one look at Zutara and said “No way, kids! It wouldn’t have worked, it’s just dark and intriguing!”

The father in Dirty Dancing/Bry/ke wanted a perfect little girl who stayed silent and sat in the corner.

Who obeyed (”I shouldn’t have doubted Mike and Bryan!” anyone??)

Who didn’t speak her mind, who didn’t “dance with the wrong sort” (as in Zuko and Katara’s friendship never really being mentioned again and them never sharing any screentime in LOK).

At the end of ATLA, Bry/ke basically said: A/ang and Katara belong together so she’s going to follow him around like a puppy, not have a personality of her own, and sit in the corner to watch.

They put Katara in the corner.

(Also thank you to @araeph​ because I found the comic picture thanks to your Katara, Consumed by Destiny: The Promise!)