Zuko’s arc made so much sense that I’m actually blessed. He’s set up as an out casted prince who just wants his honour and home back, but has terrible means of getting them. We learn about his abusive household but we also learn about his kind uncle, loving (before she left) mother and rich lifestyle that makes his desire to go back believable despite his awful father and evil sister. He was showered with propaganda so we don’t truly blame him, and despite being an antagonist he has some of the best morals out of the entire cast (Sokka and Katara were prepared to let him die when Zuko actively tried to save the General in the S1 finale despite all he put him through). Season one gives you an enemy with depth and personality, as well as understandable drive towards his goal. Season 2 shows Zuko coming to learn about the world outside the Fire Nation properly by living as a beggar, you’re even more sympathetic towards him especially due to his sister and even more knowledge of of the verbal abuse he was subjected to. You’re rooting for his redemption, even though he does some questionable things he still lets go of Aang (by freeing Appah) and, with time, he could have detached himself from the Fire Nation completely. Yet Azula’s offer is understandably tempting, everything he’s been working for for the past three years pitted against even more exile and probably death if Azula finds him again, you realise why he makes his choice. The beginning of season 3 shows how Zuko’s development has changed him, he’s met the people they kill in war and seen the heartbreak of their families. He’s got his father’s approval, his sister isn’t actively attacking him and he’s dating Mai- everything should be perfect. But he says himself that it’s not, it’s not what he thought and he’s confused between right and wrong, with a little more information about his past and just a couple of months back living as he always dreamed of he makes the decision to betray his family and help the avatar, and he come to that conclusion that the Fire Nation is bad on his own. He thinks about it and doesn’t swap sides after a rousing speech from Aang or an act of indescribable cruelty from his dad, instead he takes time and shifts sides over a while. The last half of season 3 is just his want to be properly redeemed, to make up for what he’s done and help take down his father. He’s not trusted, and understandably so, but he perseveres despite his thought that his uncle hates him. By the end of the series you’re just so proud of his journey, his turmoil and past make you sympathetic but his determination makes him a threat- when he becomes Fire Lord you can see how over the series he’s been beautifully sculpted to become the man he is. And to think, this all happened on a “kid’s show”.
