Wanted to share/elaborate on some of the headcanons I have for Azula that have developed over the years AND only got stronger as I write my fanfic "Azula's Saga" (both an AU and a Sokkla fanfic)
you can check out the first 9 chapters below
https://archiveofourown.org/works/55090894/chapters/139677961
(which is still being worked on, life's being life y'know?)
an earlier post I made said that I have the headcanon that Azula's Autistic. I believe this wholeheartedly and ALSO it's backed up by the show in many ways but the biggest one is the Beach Episode.
I also believe that Azula's Bisexual, though this is more of my own personal headcanon/bias (I myself am Autistic and Bisexual). this headcanon isn't as backed up by the show as well as evidence of her being Autistic.
to elaborate on her Autism, well, I believe that she's high functioning (like me) but also she masks like a TON. and growing up under Ozai? who demands nothing but perfection but also encourages the worst qualities? (aggressiveness, brutality, etc.)
yeah it makes sense why she thinks that this is right, especially considering Ozai's influence as both the only family present (Zuko and Ursa and Iroh not present) and the only true authority figure as well.
Diagnosis possibilities? well that's unlikely in a medieval world not only would Autism be poorly understood, but also consider the fact that Ozai scorched Zuko for speaking out of turn. Ozai is obsessed with control and political influence.
if Ozai learned that the prodigy of his bloodline is "flawed" or "broken", political fallout would be insane. also there's a high likelihood that Azula would have been misdiagnosed which would be a huge can of worms
does this excuse what she did? hell no. not at all.
I love Azula a lot, fave character in the ATLA franchise, but yeah she did some insane stuff.
but that's this little rant done!