I know you said you've gone over all this before, but I don't know/haven't heard a solid Kataag argument before. Personally, not my ship, but I'd like to know more why Kataag? (you know, aside from just canon).
Hey Ella! Yes, of course :) And don’t worry, I haven’t actually really discussed this on tumblr. I was involved in ATLA fandom a lot back in the day, but that was all on forums/Livejournal. (RIP I’m old.) But, even if I had, I’m always happy to share my thoughts. (I’m sorry ahead of time for this being long.)
So, I don’t ship Kataang because it’s canon, per se. I do tend to like a lot of canon ships, but I also love many that aren’t. I would legitimately ship Kataang even things had turned out differently. (I do wish the buildup had been written a little more strongly, but that’s not something that can be changed.)
A lot of shipping metas are written in the style of “Aang vs. Zuko,” in terms of which one is better for Katara. I tend to dislike this because I love both characters so much. So, my approach will focus on what Kataang is instead of what Z*tara is not. I also think that Katara’s choice was not about picking between the two of them, but between picking if she wanted to be with Aang or not.
Anyway, why I like Kataang! Which is what I like to focus on anyway :)
Their relationship is built on incredible friendship, from the very moment that Katara found Aang in the iceberg. From my own relationship experience, if you can have fun and enjoy time with your partner no matter what you’re doing, it helps you get through anything. Friendship is the best basis for a relationship.
Their relationship is also built on strong trust and respect. The ability to communicate disagreements in a healthy way. Yes, there have been times where Aang and Katara have butted heads, but they always resolved it by talking it through and not ignoring the issue. And they respect each other as equals.
They have a good sense of each other’s personality and quirks. Katara is fiery and emotional, so Aang is always good at soothing her and being the complement she needs. When Aang is flighty, Katara stays and helps him. They each understand why the other is prone to grief and rage, and try to stop the other from experiencing it. They make each other better, which is basically my criteria for a ship I love.
They support each other’s goals and dreams. Aang does whatever he can to help Katara learn waterbending and support her. Katara supports Aang in his trials and tribulations. They reassure each other when the other is insecure or going through something. They also jump to protect the other at a moment’s notice.
While they do have good complementary features, at the end of the day their values and beliefs are very much aligned. They want to help people. They want to make the world a better place. Aang doesn’t get mad that Katara lied to him in “The Painted Lady,” instead he praises her initiative and helps her destroy the factory, no questions asked. They are both optimistic, hopeful “goody goodies.” Katara could have killed Azula. Just let her drown in the water. But she didn’t; she chose to spare her. Same way Aang did Ozai. Neither of them forgave their perpetrators per se (I don’t think Aang ‘forgives’ Ozai or Sozin), but they used their forgiveness to form new bonds and give other people chances.
Aang brings fun, hope, and joy into Katara’s life. While she has been forced to grow up early because of the war, he allows her to experience being a kid and having fun. Having a partner that can bring joy to you in dark moments is something that’s very underrated, and the importance of hope. Each of them brings each other the promise of a better future, which is what they hold on to when everything else is dark.
And, I do think that all of these feelings also lead to romantic attraction. Katara and Aang have both gotten jealous, have both repeatedly thought of each other romantically. The first and last time kissing came up/happened between them, Katara initiated. I know there are frequent arguments of Aang being too young (looking) for her. But, Aang is one of the most mature characters in the show. (Just the way he dealt with the chakras—those are levels of trauma that people take years to work through if they do at all!) I am certain if Aang had been drawn a bit taller than Katara that people wouldn’t be so against them. In any case, I think that the show has shown Katara’s interest in Aang and that it’s mutual.
I’m getting a bit long and I don’t want to get out of control, but I think I got the main ideas out. I hope this helps see when I’m coming from and why I do love their relationship so much. I have a real weakness for characters that really try to be positive and good, despite all the reasons they have not to be, and I see that both embodied in Aang and Katara.
Note: Please don’t take this meta as me trying to preach or shift anyone’s thoughts—I’ve learned in shipping that’s not really a thing—I’m just explaining my personal feelings.
