The case for not hating Kiyi as a character:
A) fun character design
B) She is literally SUCH a good EXPANSION to Zuko, Azula, and Ursa's CHARACTER. She exists as a mirror to Azula ITS SO OBVIOUSLY THE INTENTION, I don't get how people don't see it.
An Azula that didn't have to live under her father's influence. A second chance at a daughter free from pain, a second chance to PROTECT a daughter. It's why Ursa is so distressed and protective of her when they go back to the capital in the comics.
An Azula that got to grow up loving her big brother, without having to see him as competition. That got to enjoy spending time with him without royal family politics in the way. "My little sister used to do things like that when she was a kid." A chance for Zuko to think about Azula, to reimagine her in a different context, to imagine what might have been. To see her as his little sister again.
Someone with the same spark as her big brother, but same cutting wit and cunning as her older sister and mother. A sick, cruel mirror for Azula to look into. Sick and cruel, until she doesn't let it be so. Until she can accept that this could have been her life, but it isn't, and that's all Ozai's fault. But she can still reach out and touch it, if she wants. If she just tries.
