Hey could you spread some zuko positivity please? Sorry for asking at all but I've been seeing what seemed (thanks to tumbles algorithm) like everyone shitting on him, for like six whole months. (Got tags muted too)
Like I'm a zuko fan and I love people acknowledging his flaws, but every time that I've encountered some post talking about that, it's always like, in a not very nuanced way or recognizing how the writing itself could've failed his character and arc. (For example, one of the most common critiques I've seen to be about how he's a terrible friend, boyfriend, nephew, hypocritical, misogynistic for some reason, selfish and how his entire redemption arc wasn't driven by a desire to be better but to gain Iroh's favor back as a parental figure, how he's barely apologized enough for all the damage he's done, how he's overrated, writer's pet, colonialist, how he disregards everyone and never does anything for anyone despite a ton of characters doing noble acts for his sake, the lack of remorse when it came to how Aang supposedly died, how some ships will never make sense because he would never commit for a stable relationship that isn't one sided or where he doesn't out any work into, etc)
Like, sorry for the super depressing ask, but I wanted to see some positivity after having seen him being bashed on every post. Actually getting into the fandom has actually made me feel bad and ashamed for enjoying zuko, or just engaging in any content regarding his character. I tend to try and be positive and think that the message the character delivered still went through, but that the writing didn't fully commit to it beyond a sadly flawed or rushed level, but I don't actually know if there's anything good about his character anymore, or if the fandom's ruined it for me. I know I've referenced a ton of stuff, but you obviously like, don't have to address any of it, I just put some examples of things I've heard.
Hope you're doing awesome btw, thanks for reading this whole thing <3
Hello Zuko positivity anon! :3 of course I can share some Zuko positivity that's kinda why I made this blog lol. I wasn't really aware of the Zuko hate?? like I've seen some but I do think generally his arc and character is considered kind of like a pretty good standard for villain to hero arcs.
And definitely! There are flaws to be noticed. But I think it's okay for characters to have flaws I mean, I think they SHOULD have flaws. I think his entire character is based around him navigating his flaws yknow?
I think a lot of the stuff about him being a bad friend/partner/nephew comes from pre redemption, so I think talking about how bad he is in any kind of relationship kind of feels like it misses the point to me. He IS a bad friend, that's the point! He doesn't do well with relationships, and he learns over time to get over his bitterness and heal his relationships. He goes with the gaang to gain their trust time and time again because he wants them to know that he has changed. He goes straight into a fire nation PRISON and is subjected to kinda what I imagine a firbender's torture is to prove to Sokka that he aligns with them. He goes with Katara to help her find the man and supports her REGARDLESS of how she decides to deal with him because he wants her to know that he is on HER side and doesn't want to meddle with what she feels is right. He learns from the dragons, a species that was thought to be near extinct from what I remember? and trusts Aang and himself because this is BIGGER than him.
And when it comes to Iroh specifically, I can definitely agree that, yes, Zuko was pretty terrible to him. But none of that was against what Iroh wanted. Iroh loved him unconditionally, and WANTED to be there for him regardless of how he acted. There were certainly moments where he was hurt by him, but he loved him SO much. Zuko is definitely driven by Iroh to become a better person, but I don't think that means he's selfishly becoming better just for his own gain. He recognizes how much Iroh's support and guidance meant to him, and he wants to have him back so he can apologize and do his best to make up for all of the time he spent being aggressive towards him. No one HAS to be the one to be there for someone who is extremely struggling, it's not an obligation, but a lot of the time it is so important that there at least IS someone. Zuko needed that steady person in his life, and Iroh CHOSE to be that person. Iroh isn't a victim just because Zuko was rude and aggressive, because he wanted to be there and help him, and all of his teachings and guidance did ultimately help him grows as a person.
My first thought for colonialist was "...what?" The Fire Nation is, obviously, very colonialist, but I wasn't sure where the idea of ZUKO being colonialist would come from, but after thinking for a second I think I know? This comes from the comics, though, so bear with me it's been several years since I've read them
In The Promise, Zuko and Aang are on opposing beliefs about what to do with the Fire Nation people who have settled in the Earth Kingdom. The Earth Kingdom people, for the most part, want the Fire Nation people out of their land because they feel they've been ruled by them. The Fire Nation people, however, argue that they have built their lives for generations now. Many of them are no longer soldiers. They have married and had kids with people native in the Earth Kingdom. They have traditions and cultures that have been built to coexist with them. So the big question is.... what do they do about it? I don't remember exactly how everything happened, or really how it ended, but the whole point of that entire comic series is that Zuko is struggling to be a political figure. He is the fire lord, so he needs to make decisions that are the best for his people, but he also wants to right the wrongs that have been committed for a century. He isn't sure what he should do. I don't remember what the solution ended up being, I'm sure it was some kind of compromise, but he is not trying to erase the culture of the Earth Kingdom. He was trying to preserve the culture that had been built within the Earth Kingdom in certain areas after Fire Nation soldiers were stationed. There is, obviously, something to be said about the initial reason the soldiers were there was colonization and possibly genocide. That should absolutely not be ignored. But, in this fictional world, at least, the removal of the head of the country has changed the minds of the vast majority of the people in it, and they no longer WANT that war. They aren't interested in colonizing, they just want to keep the blended culture they have. (please note I haven't read the promise in a long time and I don't remember exactly how this was handled and if it was done well. this is just how i remember it)
Anyway, I think Zuko is generally done really well. He is definitely a flawed character, but the whole point is that he grows and changes because of the influences of the people around him, you know? You definitely shouldn't feel ashamed for liking his character, he's a great one! There's a reason he's regarded as a good standard for a redemption arc. His arc recognizes the immense struggle it is to change your mindset and beliefs, and undo what is essentially brainwashing. It's toned down for a kids show, but I still think him becoming PHYSICALLY ILL for doing a good act is extremely representative of the struggle. Like we all clown on it but it is REALLY hard. When you've thought a certain way and hated a certain person or group for so long, it feels impossible to do anything different.
I certainly hope fandom people don't ruin him for you for good! I've definitely had that happen to me for fandoms or characters I love. But I think as long as you stay within the sphere of people who get you, fandom can be really fun. I think he's a great character, and there's plenty of things to enjoy about him! From his silly awkwardness to his growth of deep emotional care, I think he's a really fun character.
Just have fun! If you like a character, like a character! I made a whole blog for it lol
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