Zuko
Why I like them: I think the appeal of Zuko's character lies strongly in his conflict (for me, at least). From the beginning it's clear there is both light and dark in him and that he could go down either path (and he actually goes down both of them mceudhygj). That conflict, that ambiguity is excellent. And it's interesting to witness his journey, to see how his experiences, good and bad, shape and change him. To see him grow and learn and make mistakes and ultimately prevail as his truest self. The fact that he's a fucking badass doesn't hurt either.
Why I don't: Zuko in the latter half of Book Three doesn't interest me as much as he did in previous episodes, probably because by that time the conflict has at last been resolved and replaced by a genuine desire to teach the Avatar firebending, restore the Fire Nation's name (honour) and just generally...be good. Which are noble goals to be sure, but I still find Zuko by that time a lot less interesting than before. Funnier, but less interesting. Of course I still root for him and am happy to see him succeed because I know it was heavily earned, but I just don't enjoy his character as much as before.
Favourite episode: I'm gonna be totally predictable and say Zuko Alone.
Favourite season: I really love Book Two Zuko, but Book One is still my favourite for him.
Favourite line: „My father says she was born lucky. He says I was lucky to be born. I don't need luck, though. I don't want it. I've always had to struggle and fight and that's made me strong. It's made me who I am.”
Favourite outfit: Hm. He's had so many. Maybe the one he wore at the very end of the series. The greenish-brown one. It's similar to the one he wore at the end of Book Two, which is also excellent.
OTP: Jinko. They're my favourite ATLA couple. I know they only appeared together for a few minutes, but the impact they had in that time? Gigantic. It's the only time ATLA portrayed a romance successfully, imo.
BROTP: Don't have one, but he and Iroh are my favourite platonic relationship of his. My favourite relationship in the Avatar universe overall, in fact, platonic or romantic.
Headcanon: I'd like to think he went back and visited some of the people he met in exile, like Song (he owes her an ostrich horse, after all), Lee and Jin.
Unpopular opinion: I'm pretty sure what I said about Zuko in the latter half of Book Three above counts for this too. For another unpopular opinion: I don't like his long hair in Book Three. Die mad about it.
A wish: This is gonna sound crazy, but I lowkey wish Zuko and Iroh had stayed in the Earth Kingdom. Okay, for the sake of the Fire Nation, maybe not, but in some canon divergence or an AU or something. I totally think they could have carved out a normal, happy life for themselves in Ba Sing Se; we saw the beginning of that towards the end of Book Two before Azula showed up. I guess I just wish that we had gotten to see them in Ba Sing Se a little longer than we did, because they honestly peaked during that time, imo. Remember how happy Zuko was? God tier.
An oh-god-please-don't-ever-happen: Since ATLA concluded so long ago, this doesn't really apply here, unless the Netflix series fucks him up in some way.
5 words to best describe them: Hot-headed, tortured, impulsive, conflicted and, wait for it...honourable.
My nickname for them: Don't have one.











