I don't know if Azula needs a redemption arc, but she definitely needs a recovery arc and a lot of hugs.

A lot of people sleep on the walking tragedy of Azula. She's a compelling antagonist, but the older I got the more I realized how traumatized she was by the 100 year war too. Her screams of misery after the Final Agni Kai said everything.

Azula hasn’t need to be “good”. Seeing her not feel pain and be happy is enough for me. I wish she has someone who loves her unconditional the same way Ursa and Iroh loves Zuko

It would be a LONG journey for redemption. Possibly longer than Zuko's but possible with right person who can put up with A LOT

Fun fact: Bryke said if they were given a fourth season, they would have done a "Zuko style redemption" for Azula with Zuko himself being her Iroh. Like. Bruhhhhhh. That would have been PERFECT. I NEED this now

One of the reasons I feel a redemption story would be compelling is showing what healing is like for those who have been abused and had mental health issues. It shouldn't be pretty, caring for someone who has been through that rarely is, but the mercy of saving someone from the worst this world can do is so redeeming and beautiful. We often point our daggers at each other, ignorant of the reasons why people feel the way they do. Spit our venom and sit on our high horses taking the easy route of demonizing one another because we don't want to be inconvenienced by the harsh reality that some of us were not given a fair chance to know love, wisdom and compassion. That's what was stolen from people like me, and the way out is something we destroy in each other's lives when we attack them as people instead of the self-perpetuating negative cycle that put them there in the first place. There is no honor in hating someone else, but there is true glory in facing humanities' demons together as one people in the pursuit of a better tomorrow.

Zuko in the comics still loves her. He gives her a blanket and actually cares about her mental wellbeing. He comments on when she regains her composure. And with her obsession turning to changing him to be more like her, I think it would be interesting to see him change her to be more like him. I think she'll always be very flawed, and have a hard time being around others. She'll struggle to firgive herself for all that she's done, but in the end she can become a more neutral force, even a good force.

You are missing acouple of key information about the relationship between Azula Zuko Ozai and Ursa. First off in the books Ozai hated Zuko since birth because he didn't have the "eyes of a firebender" its implied that because fire benders are the only benders that can generate their element that they bend. They have a glint or internal fire that can be observed in there eyes at birth. Azula had this glint in her eyes. Ursa was geniually confused by why after extending all the love she had for Azula that Azula resented her so much. Its revealed in a dvd commentator set that Aaron the head writer for the show stated that it was going to be later reveled that Ozai basically gaslighted Azula into thinking her mother was afraid of her and that only he could appreciate her potential and ability and that Ursa was basically trying to sabotage her growth. This unknown gaslighting was what caused tension between the mother and daughter and leads to this lever of misstrust. In the books its discovered that Ursa was writing letters to both Zuko and Azula about how she misses them and how she is sorry that she had to leave and that she still very much loves both of them but guess what Ozai intercepted ever last letter to make sure he could keep his children under his control. Ursa didnt break her daughters trust Ozai broke that trust and used miscommunication between the daughter and mother to further push Azula to his side.

I definitely think that Azula needs to understand that Ozi was manipulating her.

That "everybody into the hole" bit at the beginning was gold 😂

Azula you need to trust people Azula: I'd rather swim in the Boiling Rock's water

One thing is that I think her turn needs humility. Some of her best roasts came back to bite her. "I'm a people person!" Her two best friends turn on her. "You were never even a player". Gets defeated by a non player. She will have changed when she utters the words "You have beaten me at my own game".

So, can Azula be redeemed? Absolutely! She is a teenager who has been mentally abused by her cold hearted father her entire life. I refuse to believe that she would be beyond redemption and hope. In a way I think her road to redemption has already started. Her downfall started when Ty Lee and Mei turned against her at the Boiling Rock and she hit rock bottom at the end of Book Fire and in the beginning of The Search. However, her redemption started in the end of The Search when she took distance to her father Ozai and to her old goals. Then in Smoke and shadow she tried to find a new role, but still being unable to leave her old mentality behind. It would be really interesting with a new book series where her redemption continues. However, that redemption cannot be fast or easy, but will take time with two steps forwards followed by one step back.

Lo and Li, they seem to care about her a lot. I'm surprised that they didn't become her pseudo aunties. They seem funny. And they could show azula how to use her bending for things besides fighting. Isn't there also a fun, performative side to fire bending? I'd also suggest a non-violent outlet. Zuko has a few from tea making and the tsungi horn. It could play into her finding what she, herself likes.

Azula is my favourite character and this video was mesmerising. One of the best videos that analyse her character I’ve ever seen

"C'mon - you need a hug" describes Azula in a nutshell

I’d like to see her spend time with Aang and live like and air nomad. No empire, royalty or father to twist her view of the world. Just time to focus on being alive, and finding peace in that

I feel like Catra was if Azula got a recovery and redemption arc at once.

Finally someone who understands the whole thing. Thank you

Iroh would be a great story, where both characters would grow. It would force Iroh to confront his own feelings with his brother, examine his relationship with Zuko (was it because he could be reached or was some of it a needy someone who couldn't function without an emotional support who could help patch the hole left by Lu Ten) and even further explore his feelings about his part in the war. A good story with the two would be them forced to interact and really go at each others mental and emotional weak points. Iroh could be pushed hard, but possessing the ability of self reflection, not holding on to frustration, and admitting he was wrong would be a great counterpoint that could force Azula to really question things and maybe open up to change and growth.

This is not a video about azula, this is therapy

Take away the fun princess warrior shenanigans, and this is a basic explanation of my life. Phenomenal lol

Amazing video, it's so good to find people that actually understand Azula's character, i also hope that whatever comes in the new Avatar Studios gives her the healing/redemption/happiness she deserves

i agree with these comments and saw the whole video honestly, i think the best people who would help azula on a road to recovery, redemmtion is a stretch, I'll say that now , would be rather aang or zuko aang is a person who is kinda hearted person who sees people who aren't all bad but given no choice but to take his foes down fo azula case since after the defeat of ozai, and finding her mother, he tries his best to get trough to her since he knows what revenge is like, same for zuko though he might not trust her easily at first but he will find a way to bring his sister back from the very darkness he once had.

When will Azula redemption arc come out? Atla fans wanna see it

I know a lot of ATLA fans (especially those who enjoyed TLOK) are also into She-Ra, myself included and especially. A lot of people always say that *Spoilers for S5* Catra’s redemption arc is a lot like Zuko’s, and I understand the comparison, but I think it’s much more similar to what an Azula redemption arc WOULD look like than what Zuko’s redemption arc DID look like. The two characters are both incredibly similar (highly competent and skilled women warriors manipulated by the people above them into becoming weapons, able to go toe to toe with the superpowered “chosen one” protagonist and their friends, deep personal ties to the good guy team, outwardly cool and confident but inwardly insecure and tumultuous) and neither of them had the “Uncle Iroh” that Zuko did. Both of them had to claw their way up entirely by themselves, and it was messy, and not linear, and compelling. Great vid!

Great video! I am surprised you didn't mention Mai and Tai Lee as much, I feel they really could have been Azulas true friends

Aaron Ehasz posted about plans for Azula's redemption and that Zuko would be the one to help her through it. He would put everything he learned from Iroh to the test and pass them down on Azula. I think it's possible that Ozai's the one who planted the whole mother-monster narrative into Azula's head. I think Aang and Azula would have the closest and most intimate bond out of all others, just slightly more so then Azula and Zuko. I've read several Azulaang AUs where Aang temporarily served as a Guru and she got all her chakras opened. I've made up my own mechanic where, due to Azula being a descendant of Aang's past life, Roku, Aang and Azula can have a strong spiritual bond, which will allow them to get to understand and no each other on a spiritual and empathic level. Their chakra sessions would cause their spirit bond to become stronger. While Azula can learn a lot from Aang, he can also learn a lot from Azula. She can show him the downsides of letting everyone walk all over him, she'd get him to embrace the concept of fire more and learn to what it is he wants. In Azula's smoke and shadow debacle. She once abducted children and plans to manipulate Zuko into acting like Ozai, which is despicable, but I haven't lost hope yet because in the search, she was dead set in killing her own mother out of some delusion that her death will solve all her problems but by the time Ursa's at Azula's mercy, Zuko convinces her to not go through with it and Ursa (even with amnesia) apologizes for not loving her enough, which causes her to hesitate. This all means that no matter what terrible idea she comes up with or how blindly and unhealthily she worships Ozai, whom he is loyal only to himself, a part of Azula still genuinely loves Zuko and that allows him to have influence over her. I've made a scenario, taking place after imbalance. Zuko asks Aang for help untracking down Azula, he does so the same way he did in the swamp but Aang accidently enters Azula's mind and that's when their spirit bond was created. Zuko lures him into the catacombs, she reads about Sozin's life story, Zuko reveals the plot twist about her relation to avatar Roku, she's in bigger shock and awe then Zuko and she begins to feel her mind slipping away again. Upon learning Azula's bond with Aang, she makes changes into her plan, instead of trying to manipulate Zuko into acting Ozai, she'll go after and try to corrupt Aang. The two end up in a psychological war, Azula tries to bring out the bad in Aang while Aang tries to bring out the good in Azula. Much later, Ozai's revealed to have an alias he used to temporarily join the white lotus. That alias is Xai Bau and the new Ozai society is the red lotus in disguise, all things that Azula is unaware of. By the time the red lotus shows itself and Ozai escapes prison, he officially betrays Azula and leaves her to be locked up in chains within his old cell. But Zuko comes to the rescue and reminds her about the promise he made that he won't turn his back on her again. Azula, unable to bottle up her emotions, cries ugly and uncontrollably like a toddler and desperately hugs and clings on to Zuko. Zuko hugs back, holds her, comforts her, soothes her and finally brings her back home.

I have a personal favorite Avatar Fanfic called Blue Rebirth that actually makes it's story a Azula redemption (or more like a rediscovery) story that starts off with an Amnesia Romance subplot. Though said subplot only lasts for about four chapters. Short and sweet.

Excellent follow-up on your first video. Your "Conditional Love" video already summed up what brought her to that heartbreaking breakdown, and now this video has made a brilliant summary of the obstacles in her way to redemption. Keep up the good work. ... Man, I gotta make my own A:TLA video soon, before EVERYONE says what I have to say...

Yet another great video! I definitley think if her mother hadn't of died when she was so young her mother would've guided her through her teens and disrupt her father phycological abuse, its so interesting to think of how this emotionally unstable character might have turned out if little changes had just been made in her childhood or even her adult life

I think azula is the most human when zuko and her friends went to that place

I love how you approached her so constructively. Amazing video!

This video was great. I believe she can be redeemed, and that the process needs to take longer than Zuko's to work. Btw, are you still working on that Tokka video suggestion?

Azula could be just like Xena, a reformed princess, out to seek redemption for her past sins against the innocent by using her formidable fighting skills to now help those who are unable to defend themselves. She'll meet her "Gabrielle" if you will, who unflichingly looks up to Azula- flaws and all- becuase Azula probably saved her from a worst fate (despite Azula revealing afterwards that she only did it for her own benefit). Compared to the child's own cruel life, Azula is a bit of a savior to her and Azula never had somebody not fear her and loves her unconditionally like this and begrudely travels with her on many adventures. Azula learns while meeting other unlikely unique friends that she can change and be accepted and not be seen as a monster. However, Azula's past comes back to haunt her when Zuko and friends are on the move to look for her since her prison escape (I mean, we all know she could) and now she has to reconcile her past and risk her present.

This is a great video I’m surprised it doesn’t have more views?? I feel like fans of atlab who like video essays about the show should watch this!!

I think Mai and Ty Lee could also help Azula make some revelations about herself. Ty Lee for obvious reasons: although she fears Azula at times, she genuinely enjoys being around her, isn't ashamed to share her feelings (and doesn't judge people for theirs, an example Azula could learn from) and believes Azula has some admirable qualities (just look at how she compliment her during the party in "The Beach"). Mai would be important because she never feared Azula, concretely proving that fear isn't necessary to her relationships, and that it is possible for Azula to make friends without fear. Zuko would also be important to working through her daddy/mommy issues because as her brother who grew up alongside her in the same environment, I can see them bonding over their childhoods, acknowledging their shared trauma and the way favouritism made them drift apart - like that moment they share in "The Beach" where Zuko talks about their childhood summers on Ember Island (the one where they quietly reflect on how things changed, with Azula's line "this place is depressing" seems to vocalize what they both feel at the moment) but on a macro level. This epic arc about shared familial trauma will feature a moment where the royal family sings about how they don't talk about Ursa.

I think Mae and Ty Lee could help Azula a lot. Of course, she has hurt them both immensely, and it would be completely justified if they wanted nothing to do with her. But I think they did genuinely care for her, in a way, and I think they could show her that she is not unlovable, and that joining “the good guys” isn’t so unbearable. To be clear, I don't think they are morally obligated to help her, and it would be completely reasonable if they distanced themselves from her as much as possible for the rest of their lives. I am simply stating that I think they, if anyone, have the capacity to help her. She already respects them more than she does most people.

god, I cried my eyes out watching this

great video I loved the way you juxtapose zuko and azula's childhood. I hadnt thought about it so thoroughly before.

This videos abaut characters and their emotions have no right to be so emotional. I almost cry, and i'm on the living room, next to people, if i was on my room i would be drowning on my own tears.

I 💜 Azula and this video :)

Azula needs spiritual work that is 100× times than the Pacific Ocean itself!It's possible but requires a lifetime of effort and peace

I think azula should get a dog

I don’t think Azula would ever be a very kind or loving person. She has a Machiavellian personality which means she would have this callus moral indifference thing in her probably for the rest of her life. With the Machiavellianism Personality trait it also explains her manipulativeness as well. So I don’t know if she could ever be like fully redeemed. Of course there is an argument to be made that she isn’t really evil either. Her personality wouldn’t really allow that. It would get in her way too much. But I think a key thing for her is that everything she exudes is really a facade. She wants to exude strength because she is actually weak. She wants to exude perfection because she is actually a mess. I think she might actually be one of the best written characters in the series. And I never really saw Zuko’s arc as a redemption arc. It always seemed an arc of finding who he truly is over an actual redemption. I think it also should be mentioned that if Zuko didn’t have Iroh. I don’t think he ever finds himself. I also believe that if it came to it I don’t think Azula could ever kill Zuko. Oh she may “try” but I don’t think she ever could. Zuko is almost the one person she doesn’t hate. I think it has to do with Zuko being the only one who understands the emotional abuse of their household. Although Zuko clearly bearing the brunt of it where it also included physical abuse. So point being I don’t believe she could ever be good. Her upbringing and personality sort of saw to that. I do think their is a path for her though. And it has been confirmed by the writers of the show at the time that if the show continued that there would have been a redemption arc for Azula. So whether they actually do it in the comics is up for debate.

"Azula has a lot of issues which is the biggest understatement of the decade " more like century!I agree with you that a redemption arc would be possible for Azula but it's going to be a longer and lot more thorny journey than Zuko after all she has done horrible things that can't be forgiven and burnt a lot of bridges in her relationship with her friends and family!If she wants to change then she needs express emotions such as the pain and unhappiness of Ozai's emotional manipulation and expectations and probably needs to trust Zuko and rebuild their bond as it's the first step in finding peace in her life

Don't compare zuko and azula it's better to be abandoned by your evil father cause you know his evil, but it's not easier to think that your almost perfectly kind mother hates you. if azula think Ursa hated her maybe that's make her feel bad about herself that's why she wanted to be perfect.

Imma say this now, but this is a very well crafted video. This needs more views.

Azula can still get redemption arc, since her story extends only several years after the Avatar the last airbender events. And since there is 70 year gap between Aang and Korra, much of this time when it comes to Azula is not known. Her fate in Legend of Korra is never addressed. In fact Zuko and his family are not fleshed out in Korra, unlike Toph or Katara and their kids and grandkids. It will depend how deep new Avatar studios will devle into 70 year gap between Aang and Korra and if they go with redemption.

Azula definitely needs a redemption arc, recovery is too cliche and predictable whereas redemption is something that the creators have been trying to do but couldn't because they wanted it to be perfect.

I 💜 Azula

I’m of the popular take her lack of a redemption is what makes her so interesting and tragic. But great video regardless!!

this video and the one about her and conditional love are AMAZING and INCREDIBLE and you're FANTASTIC

I’d think that Azula would need to learn from those who know her: Mae for finding contentment, Ty Lee for freedom, Zuko for acceptance of self, and Iroh just for Iroh. Team Avatar, while great, doesn’t know that much about her other than her evil…the aforementioned have the background info that lead to this point.

I know this is a little late, but you earned my subscription from this video. It is amazing how deep this show is and how we can still talk about and think on different things to this day.

It would be kind of awesome to see her reach a point in self-betterment where Iroh feels bad that he had never seen that potential in her, but then after pushing him away a bit in self-defense she grants him some comfort in the knowledge that it means the Fire Nation is in good hands with Zuko just like Iroh hoped it would be.

Omg…this is the most precious video I’ve ever seen! Thank you so much for this profound insight and for speaking it all out. I’ve analyzed azula myself but i couldn’t put it into words all that time. Even though she’s a fictional character i feel very emotional for her and thought that no one really understood her and her actions. Mostly she might have been viewed as a crazy person who’s selfish and bitter. I feel like its so important to understand the truthful complexities of a character like azula. There’s just so much that goes into it, than her being an intimidating cold cruel mean perfectionist suddenly ending on the floor desperate for help crying out her soul not being able to understand what is and has been going on with her. Once again thank you for sharing this content!🤍🤍🤍🔥✨🌙

A perfect season 4 would have mirrored season 1. Zuko and Team Avatar would rehabilitate Azula while navigating a fast changing world now that the 100 years war is over. Zuko and Aang now work together to fix important geopolitical issues -- they have finished their learning, it is now time for a fully realised Avatar and new Firelord to lead the healing process of the world. Azula is reluctant at first but reconciles with her mother. If not a fully loving relationship, at least a cordial one of understanding and respect. Aang would not be the kid who woke up alone after a hundred years, but is surrounded by the love of his friends, and the new love he has found -- Katara. Sokka and Suki become inspirational for the non-benders who see that they too have the power to reshape the world even if they don't have bending. Sokka continues to train as a swordsman and approaches the level of his master. Toph finally confronts her parents, unlike the girl who ran away, she finally gets them to see how royally they f*cked up before leaving to see to her newest family, her metal bending students. The Southern Water Tribe is doing well with the aid of Paku and the returned warriors under Hakoda. Bumi is still being Bumi, and finally rests in peace after having met his old friend one last time. The season would end with Zuko being the one who has to stay home for his people, while Azula sets out on her own journey of rediscovery. Instead of a banished prince off to hunt the avatar, we would have a broken princess now healing and setting off to heal what wounds her father caused.

great video always thought it was dumb when people say she can't have a redemption ark

I think when people think of a redemption arc they think of the character totally changing. Azula can have a redemption arc were she tries to make up for her mistakes or just be a better person in general while also keeping her destructive nature.

Wonderful analysis

This was the best video made on this theme as far as i can see. Thank you, i really aprecciated every second of it, like any other video on youtube made me feel.

ive been waiting for this one. turn it up!!

After doing some serious thought, I think the person who can HONESTLY be the key to Azula's redemption is little Kiyi. I feel like because Kiyi is so young and innocent, and doesn't know Azula that well other than the fact that she's her big sister, and due to her upbringing I think she could give Azula that unconditional love she so desperately needs. Azula naturally would be put off at first, because she would feel that Kiyi is a reminder of Ursa replacing her, but I think due to Kiyi's innocence and just her nature in general, plus the fact that is her flesh and blood, she would manage to slip through Azula's defenses. Granted at first Azula would find her annoying, but I could see Azula being very protective of her, and through her this could possibly help mend things in regards with Zuko since they both care about Kiyi in their own way. Don't get me wrong it would take a LONG time before Azula fully put any trust in Zuko, considering in her eyes Zuko took everything from her, but I do think if Zuko could weather the storm, I think he would eventually manage to reach through to her, not to the point where they would be all sappy, but Azula would be similar to how she was during the beach episode, affectionate, but still cheeky and sassy. This in turn would lead to one of her biggest hurdles to overcome at the same time, and that is Ursa. Despite her intents, Ursa did fail Azula in regards to making her feel unloved when it was her affection she wanted most. I could see Azula completely avoiding Ursa due to the sheer resentment and when they do interact as much as Ursa would want to try to make amends Azula would likely meet them with hostility, and Ursa like Zuko would have to endure it. I think Azula would point out how favorable she always treated Zuko instead of her, and how Kiyi was a replacement due to how much a monster she turned out to be. The amount of rage Azula would have would be like a wildfire, and sometimes you just have to let that fire burn out. I do think Azula would do this because she would want to maintain a position of power over Ursa, in hopes of dragging her down to her level, but upon seeing Ursa "kill her with kindness", something she isn't accustomed to having, this would put her in an unfamiliar territory, as Azula would want to dictate the terms, but upon seeing every attempt at hostiilty fail, and thus her position of power, it would make her vulnerable, like at the end of her fight with Zuko, and finally now at her lowest point she would break down and there she could finally heal, and hopefully Ursa would embrace her along with Zuko, and Kiyi. Hopefully at this point, Kiyi (and Zuko to a lesser extent) will have made an impact on Azula, as I don't think Azula would necessarily go out of her way to make the people she cares about cry (notice how she apologized to Ty Lee after she made her cry). It would sting her, but I think Ursa and Azula would bond through Kiyi and their mutual affection for the child, and through there the two can begin a healing process. Unfortunately there are too many scars left in Azula's heart and due to Ozai molding her, her core personality is intact, but I do think she can soften up in regards to her mother in which the two can have a respectful relationship. It may not be like Zuko's or Kiyi's but it will be hers and hers alone.

Besides just being a fun analysis of a fav character, I actually think this video out into words some of the issues I face when it comes to my own relationships. Your words about trust, conditional love, and loving oneself struck a chord with me.

This is one of the best character assessments ever seen

Hey. First of all, great video. Secondly, congratulations. Some time ago, youtube recommended me one of your videos. The quality was somewhat poor, but it had really good points, you demonstrated you made your research. I saw potential in you, and with this video you improved a lot. Altough your editing still has a lot to improve, it's significally better than before, and you make original and really interesting and valid points. Now, answering your questions, I think that what she would need is, not only inconditional love, but to realize she has it. I believe that both Ursa and Zuko would be ideal for this, since they love her, even after everything she did to them

BEAUTIFUL!!

Thank you for a very nice and well made video. I really enjoyed watching it. However, there is one thing I want to comment on. In the end you listed different persons who could teach different things to Azula. Yes, they could… but Azula would have to be really far on her way to redemption before she would accept teaching from most of them. For Azula to manage to redeem herself she definitely needs help though. She can`t manage it on her own… she needs her own “Iroh” to guide her, teach her and especially to have patience with her when she fails… and she will fail several times before she manage to reach her redemption. However, I don`t think that anyone in “Team Avatar” can be her “Iroh”… her and their relationship is too opposite for that. Azula`s mother Ursa can`t be Azulas “Iroh”… their relationship is too complicated, so I think the best one can hope for between them is a polite acceptance. I hope that a redeemed Azula and Ty Lee and Mei can again become friends, but both Ty Lee and Mei are too clearly Azula`s sidekicks for either of them to be her “Iroh”. Ironically enough Iroh couldn`t be Azula`s “Iroh”. He chose Zuko and Azula`s pried would never permit her to be “project B”. She can change… but not that much. As I see it there is only one person who can be Azula`s “Iroh” and that is Zuko. Partly because their shared experiences (they understand each other`s), but mainly because they both care for each other`s and love each other`s as brother and sister. Now many of you probably say: Zuko cares for and even loves Azula, but Azula doesn`t care for or love Zuko. No… I think she does… in her own messed up way and as much as Azula can allow herself to care for and love another person. Yes, she has always competed with him, but he is one of the few people that she has showed care for (like in the Beach episode). However, my main proof that she cares for Zuko is the fact that he is the only one that she calls by a nickname. All other`s are either addressed formally (mother, father, uncle….) or by their names (Ty Lee, Mei…) or in a condescending way (Katara and Sokka as “dirty peasants”). However, Zuko she calls “Zuzu” a nickname that is not condescending or hard, but actually surprisingly soft and loving. So, I think Zuko is the only one that can really get through to Azula because she respects him, cares for him and (even though she will not openly admit it) loves him as her brother.

Great video. Not entirely accurate at all times because the relationship of Ursa, Ozai, Zuko and Azula goes actually much deeper than that but the rest was pretty much spot on. I'm also not convinced it'd take her a *long* time to 'redeem' herself, because she is very smart and also self aware. She already knows her faults, she just needs to accept them and that can be done with the characters you mentioned. Especially Zuko/Iroh. There's no war or conflict anymore, her mother is right there where she can approach her, she just needs a lot of talking and convincing, but it could take her one or two years. Zuko took much longer because he's hotheaded, was in the middle of the war and was entirely convinced what he was doing was right to restore his honor and only realized at the end that what he was doing, wasn't him. Azula *already* realizes what she's doing or did is wrong (read the Spirit Temple solo comic) but is stubborn and holds onto those values because she has nobody around her. So like I said, 1 or 2 years of talking/mending and getting validated for it and she's probably going to be in a good place again. Not entirely a 'fully good' person as in friendly friendly with the avatar, but just back with her family and friends and just accepting to relax/be happy again. I hope this happens in her future comics/novels/animation, whatever comes next!

You know this gets me even more annoyed at the Smoke and Shadows comic; because the Search had such a good set up for Azula's "Redemption" or at the very least recovery. After finding out her mom did love her and being confronted with the truth, Azula running off on her own could have been a cool setup for a sort of soul-searching setup. Imagine her walking across the world meeting several different communities and such and having to not just interact with em but adapt to em as she deals with her own demons by meeting new people who might give her a different perspective or she even meets maybe a spirit who gives her spiritual guidance which can help her find herself. But nope, she's now putting on a Halloween costume and trolling Zuko while kidnapping kids. I was NOT a fan of Smoke and Shadow's plot.

The only people listed at the end of the video I agree with are Zuko & Uncle Iron & here's why: Everyone else listed is not her friend & does not care for her. The Gang isn't going to just accept Azula into the group, nor would she want them to. Azula was never shown to like or respect anyone in the main Gang, not even Zuko or Aang. Zuko & Iroh are family, know better than most what she's been through & what she needs. However, these two couldn't help Azula out with everything she needs to change. So, here's my altered list of potential allies / mentors for Azula's redemption Arc (and they are intertwined with Zuko & Iron helping her): Ty Lee & / or Mai: Ty Lee could help her with Trust, Self Value, *Letting Go & Surrender* , Vulnerability, Boundaries, *Emotions / Feelings* , & a sense of self *Worth* ❗Mai could help Azula with Trust, Self Value, *Surrender* , and *Boundaries* . Fire Sage Shu (or whatever his name is): The Fire Sage(s) could help Azula with *Letting Go & Surrender* too. Being loyal to the royal family, he's likely to be willing to help Azula. He would have *boundaries* though. And Fire Sage Shu, who specifically helped the Avatar, could help Azula form *relationships* to help her move on. The Sun Warriors: Trust & *Surrender*; the Sun Warriors could teach Azula a lot about Trust & Surrender. Just introducing her to The Masters Ren & Shaw would require a lot of trust on their part, but it is something I'm sure they'd realize is necessary. Azula needs to meet The Masters. Which brings us to... Fire Masters Ren & Shaw (Learning how to express herself, that fire bending isn't all about her negative emotions): The Masters Ren & Shaw can teach Azula so much & she needs the revelation that Aang & Zuko got when they met the last Dragons. The Masters can teach her: Trust, *Love* , *Vulnerability* , & of course Feeling. Azula needs Zuko & he seems to be there for her; but she needs others, too. Zuko can teach her: *Self Value* (I agree), Vulnerability, Boundaries, *Self Love* (once again, I agree) , & *Family Issues* (Daddy Issues, Mommy Issues, Family Issues). Uncle Iroh can teach her: *Vulnerability* , *Boundaries* , *Relationships* , & *Family Issues* (Daddy Issues, Mommy Issues, & Family Issues). OMG I left out *Ursa* ❕😱 Her *Mother* ❗*Ursa* could help, too.

How do you have less than a 1k subs! You're video quality is as high as Hello Future Me or any other video essay youtuber

So basically she's gonna be an overpowered Oogway after redemption.

Iroh cares for Azula but i also think Azula reminds him of his failure to guide Ozai to something better. Iroh is not perfect and i think he knows he is not the one who will bring her over the line. But he ows her an apology. I dont think he meant to chose zuko over Azula. Zuko was something that really needed attention asap. If Iroh didnt left with him he would have died. But she was still hurt by it and Iroh is wise enough to see that in her viewpoint she has a point. What i think she needs is Zuko although she doesnt know it yet. I find it hard to inmagine when i watched the series but Zuko is her older brother and she envied and admired his '' soft '' qualities,. Those qualities like being emphatic, caring and he allows himself to feel. Ursa admired this in Zuko and she said it while Azula was near. Although she became what Ozai wanted her to be but at ember island you could see that she had empaty and she could open herself up. She was in a few moments genuine with advice or compliments. Or cared why zuko felt the way he felt. But her facade came back instantly after that. Zuko can show her and let her see that she is capable of feeling and caring. She is still sees herself as tool with a purpose to something. Only Zuko can with unconditional love, while she trows fire at him and try to hurt him show that he trust her and have confidence that she is capable to feel and her feelings important to him. He trust that deepdown Azula is a good person. I think when she worked trough this and sees that she is good enough just the way she is. She want to give up her bending because all her life her bending was used tool and she was only defied by her bending skill. she was only perfect when her bending was perfect. The gift of bending will be a curse for her i think. She needs to see this and give up her bending willingly. At last she will talk to Ozai and tell him first the truth about what he has done to her. She is not his tool anymore because she gave up her bending freely. And she knows it will hurt when Ozai says: She will be no more use to Ozai. But Azula will have Zuko, Ursa, iroh, Tai lee, mei and team avartar. When Ozai lost his bending it was his ticket to jail. When Azule gives up her bending she will be free.

1:51 "Trust is for fools." Enter Zuko on the screen. Well, Zuko is a fool and "trust is for fools" so Azula can trust Zuko... Until he abandons her T..T

I'm just gonna add that Sokka is also a big brother who was allowed to have his sister's back. He could help Zuko show Azula what that's like.

This is my favorite video about Azula!

Great vid!

Love your videos!!

Amazing video

this is really good video!!

Call you said were uh good choices. Imagine she found Guru Pathik then accepted his guidance, or spent time with the personality of Monk Gyatso’s reincarnated host, Momo? She would treat the lemur peacefully while in a cell or be frustrated to emotional exhaustion.

Not only was she defeated, but her father was defeated, which most likely turned all her assumptions on its head. That could lead to her beginning to reevaluate everything and redeem herself. However, it could as well lead her into doubling down, blaming everyone else and consider them traitors to steal her birthright from her. Maybe she would need the Dragon of the West at first, because the Dragon of the West was a conquer and great general, and that would let Iroh in. As Zuko won't need as much help, Iroh would also have time to try to reach Azula that he didn't had before. Then, she probably need help of not just one, but from several if not all of them.

Deep

Healing someone like Azula is knowing how to heal a narcissist. You hit on a lot of points that I agree with. Like you said, she'll have to incentivize herself to change. But the worst narcissists will never try or put themselves into a position where they'll get to that point. As such, she'll never be able to look to those characters for guidance since she looks down on all of them, even if those lessons come from people similar to the characters you've mentioned. I think this solution is the 2nd major step in her redemption before the following. I also agree that she'll have to relearn everything again, no manipulation, no bending, no appeal to authority. She might have to get some temporary debilitating condition/injury that inhibits her own agency and bending. Maybe she'll be saved by an unknown tribe, and she'll have to learn how to coexist in order to survive without her usual tools until she can recover. Or the great thing about the ATLA universe is that the spirit world exists. No bending, plenty of unfamiliar entities that her manipulation won't be suited for, she can reinvent herself there. She may have to be assisted or come across something to help her gain access. This idea actually helped me discover that a new comic centered around Azula and a Spirit temple is dropping later this year, I wonder if this could be a route she could take. Aaron Ehasz confirmed that he wanted a redemption arc for her, so perhaps these things are all related. But his twitter thread indicates he thinks her redemption will be through Zuko's unconditional love for her, which I don't see that being realistic. While it could be a part of the puzzle, I just feel like his comments read more like a fan service resolution rather than one grounded in mental health. And Azula has a great opportunity for one.

I think a redemption arc is possible, but it needs to take its time to focus on her. I think there needs to be a whole story about her so that, like Zuko, she can understand why she needs to reform her ways and reconcile herself to others that she wronged, Most notably, her mother.

Azula had one bad day. And you know what they say about one bad day…🤡😈

You missed out on the chance to cut to shirtless Zuko when you said "without the looks" Xd

I want to see Sokka make fun of her for sure.

Azula should’ve gotten with Aang when they got older

Nice job

I personally believe it be best if she became an antihero. Azula has that pragmatic approach to every situation and is willing to resort to morally questionable methods to get the job done, not to mention her troubled personality. I think the antihero route is best, as Azula would do things a normal hero wouldn't, and knowing her she wouldn't always be doing the right thing for the right reasons.

29:24 good edit

What episode is the frame of 18:05 from? The one with Ozai and the blue sky... Is that from Aang's dream? Can't be right? What episode is that?

I love azula so much, she really represents the girlhood

Azula doesn't need a redemption arc. She's never going to be part of the "good guy" camp, but a healing arc? Absolutely. I think her road would be tougher than Zuko's because Zuko has always had the inherent knowledge that Ursa and Iroh truly loved him. I think Azula is on some level aware that she's created the monster narrative to explain away how Ursa made her feel. If we take the mirror scene as Azula talking to herself, everything Ursa said is something she knows subconsciously but can't access. As for her healing process, I agree with you that she needs all these things. But most of all, she needs a lot of time away from Ozai and away from everything she knows like Zuko did during his banishment. 1. First would be getting her to trust someone like Zuko trusts Iroh and Aang trusts Katara. A person to be her island and shelter against the storm. That would be Zuko. They can be civil as long as they're firmly rooted in nostalgia. But if he was there for her, not to get something from her or to monitor her, but to spend _genuine_ quality time with her, I think she would eventually open up. And maybe they could move past everything being a competition together. 2. She needs Ursa. All Azula has ever wanted was to feel loved. They do find Ursa in the follow up comics, in which Ursa says "I'm sorry I didn't love you enough." I think if Ursa showed up for Azula now, consistently and unconditionally, she could begin to see that her mother has always, always loved her just as much as she loved Zuko. 3. Toph just implicitly understands Zuko and Azula's messed up upbringing to a degree. She felt pressured to be someone she wasn't just like they did, but it was more subtle for her. I also think Toph coming from high status would help Azula not look down on her so much at the beginning and she might be more receptive to listening to her because of that. 4. If Ozai was the worst and Aang thought he was worth saving, shouldn't his daughter be also? I think Aang would have to work through a lot more with her than he did with Zuko because she did kill him and hurt several of his friends on more than one occasion. Also, Zuko showed redeeming qualities before he joined them like saving Aang from Zhao, letting Aang go to save his crew from a storm, and freeing Appa. But once he's through that, he'd be invaluable in helping her accept what happened to her. Accepting the trauma and moving past it. 5. Like with Aang, Katara would need to work through a lot to forgive Azula for her crimes. But let's say she forgives her. Opening Azula's emotions is basically like opening Pandora's box. She's gonna feel 14 years worth of emotions she never let herself feel. Anger, frustration, sadness, but worst of all guilt and self-hatred. Katara did a similar thing with Aang when he felt guilty about running away from the Southern Air Temple. 6. I think once she's gone through a lot of things, only then would she be able or willing to see Ozai for what he truly is. Plus, if she's gone through enough of the healing process maybe she'd be more open to Iroh and he might begin to see her how he sees Zuko. 7. Sokka could teach her how to live again. Because with all the trauma, how does one go on living? How does one still crack jokes when the world has fallen apart? Sokka did it and still found worth in himself despite not being able to bend. It's going to be a process and she'd probably relapse on multiple occasions but it's possible with a community to back her up.

🤓: Omg Azula totally needs a redemption arc she is such a tragic character. 🗿: We need an uncle Iroh spin-off.

Why no one talk about SUKI? She is one member of the gaang holy shit! Don't you think Suki would be great in a Azula redemption process? all the videos always say as if redeeming Azula should be part of Gaang but she already has her own group of friends which she didn't value, Suki was the only one who had a history of personal resentment with Azula (like gaang-outside Toph-had with Zuko, that didn't have a group of friends yet) a lot of people talk about how Toph could go on a field trip with Azula to reconcile with her parents but I would still prefer that in this case Iroh went with her (He lost his son to a cause that he thought was right, if isn't a great argument for her parents i don't know what would be). Let me know your thoughts about Suki being one of the people to help Azula become a good friend and understand the true meanings of "strength and honor". Also, can we talk how Kiyi is a lazy attempt by the creators to replace Azula in the comics? Kiyi would work much better (although I still love her) but her potential is wasted. she could be the glue that would bond Azula and Ursa together again, instead of just "bold cute girl" she looks a lot like Azula! if you take off Azula's militarized outfit you are left with just a confident and mischievous girl as well as taking the rage from Zuko remains a socially awkward boy who never gives up. By the way, why did they admit her after a breakdown? ok, my biggest problem isn't with that, it's that they left her as firebender if she was being given as mentally unstable she could be a danger to herself and others, in comics Katara overdramatizes what it means to remove someone's bending, but in cases like Ozai and Azula who have lost the connection with what bending really means (sun inside them, warming not hurting...) it could be what would make her change, as now she has nothing to think superior and I would be "defenceless" if you didn't count her incredible intelligence and physical ability, but everything that made her special... is gone. and at that point I think she would go into a more miserable state and go on to redeem herself and look more like Kiyi, having unshakable faith in Zuko and growing in humility until finally finding happiness and receiving her bending back being moved by the love she has to her family and friends and not seeing herself as a monster anymore. (This is a very large draft of how I envision her redemption but I hope you'll debate with me what you think about it)

A character like Katsuki Bakugou as a love interest would do wonders for Azula