Learn It!

This person is claiming that it's weird of us to use pictures of Dallas and Kiawentiio in interviews for our fan art because "they hate Zutara."

But before I could even type a snarky comment, someone got to it first.

This ZK corrected them and said that the actors don't actually hate Zutara.

This person didn't address the fact that they were wrong and spreading misinformation and doubled down that we are still weird to them.

I decided to step in and reply with this.

Their response is that this is just "their opinion" and we don't have to listen. They're right that we don't HAVE to listen to this random.

What my issue is is that they're back tracking and trying to claim this as an "opinion." It's not. It's quite literally a demand. You're demanding we stop our "weird behavior". That's not how that works bud.

The person called them out for spreading misinformation again.

I called them out for trying to frame their obvious demand as just an opinion.

This person responded by saying "oh shit really?" I'm sorry, did the ZK not initially tell you that the actors don't hate Zutara???

But this is the real kicker!

Bro I wouldn't have found that stupid post if you didn't decide to put it IN THE MAIN TAG!

This person is claiming that it's weird of us to use pictures of Dallas and Kiawentiio in interviews for our fan art because "they hate Zutara."

But before I could even type a snarky comment, someone got to it first.

This ZK corrected them and said that the actors don't actually hate Zutara.

This person didn't address the fact that they were wrong and spreading misinformation and doubled down that we are still weird to them.

I decided to step in and reply with this.

Their response is that this is just "their opinion" and we don't have to listen. They're right that we don't HAVE to listen to this random.

What my issue is is that they're back tracking and trying to claim this as an "opinion." It's not. It's quite literally a demand. You're demanding we stop our "weird behavior". That's not how that works bud.

The person called them out for spreading misinformation again.

I called them out for trying to frame their obvious demand as just an opinion.

This person responded by saying "oh shit really?" I'm sorry, did the ZK not initially tell you that the actors don't hate Zutara???

But this is the real kicker!

Bro I wouldn't have found that stupid post if you didn't decide to put it IN THE MAIN TAG!

This person is claiming that it's weird of us to use pictures of Dallas and Kiawentiio in interviews for our fan art because "they hate Zutara."

But before I could even type a snarky comment, someone got to it first.

This ZK corrected them and said that the actors don't actually hate Zutara.

This person didn't address the fact that they were wrong and spreading misinformation and doubled down that we are still weird to them.

I decided to step in and reply with this.

Their response is that this is just "their opinion" and we don't have to listen. They're right that we don't HAVE to listen to this random.

What my issue is is that they're back tracking and trying to claim this as an "opinion." It's not. It's quite literally a demand. You're demanding we stop our "weird behavior". That's not how that works bud.

The person called them out for spreading misinformation again.

I called them out for trying to frame their obvious demand as just an opinion.

This person responded by saying "oh shit really?" I'm sorry, did the ZK not initially tell you that the actors don't hate Zutara???

But this is the real kicker!

Bro I wouldn't have found that stupid post if you didn't decide to put it IN THE MAIN TAG!

This comic is quite concerning to me.

It's framed as romantic. Aangsty.

I think it's anything but that.

Aang tries to pry an answer out of Katara about their kiss before the invasion. She avoids the topic, as she has done so before. Aang’s frustration produces a dangerous lava blast. Katara has to hide behind a pillar to avoid getting singed. Its dangerous. Its reckless. But Katara immediately redirects sympathy toward his fear of him being the one harmed.

Once again, it's Katara - despite nearly getting walloped - that reassures him. That she's 'fine'; even praising him. Her fright and the recklessness of what he did are barely acknowledged.

Now it's worth noting Aang doesn't deliberately try and hurt Katara, but its absolutely a point-blank showcase of Aang losing control and endangering Katara because he cannot consider her romantic boundaries.

Does he apologise? Yes. But in the end his actions are still framed as 'valid.'

This is a smaller transgression in the mess that is Kataang, but it’s so baffling to me. Like, wouldn’t you want to find your (future) significant other funny? And his response is quite rude and unnecessary. I made a comment on a post the other day about how Aang doesn’t seem to like Katara, and this is just one of several examples of him not seeing her as a normal human being, one who makes silly jokes so that her friends don’t miss her brother as much. He doesn’t even bother to pretend to be amused.

There’s been an uptick in discussion regarding Aang seeing nothing wrong with how Katara is portrayed in the Ember Island Players, and it goes to show how Aang just…doesn’t seem to enjoy Katara’s essence and personality. He’s so worked up about being played by a girl that he doesn’t give a damn about Katara being shown as an over emotional woman who lusts over the “enemy.” No matter that Katara’s passion, optimism, and hope is what fuels the plot and enables other characters to overcome their obstacles. In fact, he agrees with this slut shaming portrayal of her, and blows up at her during their conversation on the balcony.

Aang is such a terrible partner to Katara. He doesn’t stand up for her, thinks she’ll jump straight to murder when it comes to Yon Rah, doesn’t find her funny, abandons her when things get tough, and overall rarely provides her with the support that she lends him. Apart from thinking she’s pretty and can be his mommy-wife, he rarely thinks of her highly.

Character that is:

Badly written

The villain

The hero but badly written so their flaws were actually intended to be virtues

And the antis want to tell us we made it up.

Aangs characterization regarding his romantic relationships kind of follow the “nice guy” archetype. He’s 12 years old during the show, small, wide eyed, and over all very likable. He’s what any girl would want right? A nice guy who’s respectful and always sweet to the female lead, who wouldn’t want that? (I imagine that’s what bryke was thinking). Throughout the show, the writers depict his relationship with Katara through his eyes, making the watchers root for him, and genuinely want to see him succeed in his romantic endeavors. I’d say a certain amount of babying him happens in the show, but that’s to be expected because he is young. The creators (bryke) even pity him to a certain extent regarding his luck with Katara, using statements like “poor Aang”. I think this accurately reflects how watchers view him as well , seeing that’s how the creators want us to perceive him.

While Aangs crush on Katara is sweet, the show mainly develops their relationship in a way that makes you pity Aang, and want to see him “win her over”. It’s a classic “will they won’t they” story, and while I believe this trope can be used well, I don’t think it’s executed well in this story. I think it would’ve gone over better if we saw more of Kataras perspective regarding Aang but, there really isn’t much in the story that CLEARLY solidifies that she likes him romantically, and even if you were to argue that she had a crush on him towards the end of the series, that in itself is not explored fully, as we never spend enough time inside Kataras head.

I think what really hammers my point in is their interactions toward the end of season three. To be honest the writers really shot themselves in the foot writing their relationship. From the unfinished chakra ark, to Aang kissing Katara without consent twice, the writers show the viewers that it really is unclear if Katara likes him or not, and we’re left wondering if she is really is the best choice for him long term (and short term since he has to defeat the fire lord). There are a crap ton of debates out there regarding Aang kissing Katara. Honestly I feel like if you have to bend over backwards to prove she liked both kisses you’ve already lost the argument.

Let me make myself clear, consent is not something that is debatable, just because you’ve kissed someone in the past (since I think it’s canon that they kissed in the cave of two lovers), does not mean that consent carries through till the next time, especially if you aren’t dating the other person. Consent isn’t meant to be confusing, if you don’t know if someone wants to kiss you, you probably shouldn’t kiss them. If you aren’t clear on the other persons feeling towards you, you probably shouldn’t kiss them. Aang and Kataras relationship is strange (on purpose!) because the writers don’t want you to be sure about Kataras feelings towards Aang (really showing us how they view her agency…). Now, for the most part, the “kissing your partner unaware” is a pretty popular trope to use in romance media, particularly from the male pov but I’m not saying it can’t happen vice versa ( aka Sokka and Sukki season 1). However, the lack of clarity regarding where Katara stands within their relationship is what makes the first kiss not okay, in fact it’s only solidified later on because we NEVER KNOW what Katara thinks of it, it’s never brought up or acknowledged by the plot until the Ember Island Players Episode, where Aang DEFINITELY kisses her without consent again. I really want y’all to understand that CONFUSION IS NOT CONSENT. Saying “I don’t know”, or brushing off the other person also isn’t consent. My real problem with the writers approach at Kataang is that these instances are not seen as significant enough to be bright up again, and worse, Kataang becomes canon right after.