For all the people looking for my comic: www.webtoons.com/en/challenge/embers-h/list?title_no=444432

Avatar is absolutely made for kids. It's a show that doesn't talk down to kids. It treat kids like they can understand bigger ideas and is not just loud noise

Katara's mom died trying to protecting her of course she will feel her death deeper !! She throws her childhood to fill the void! And her brother sexism towards her and her father not around didn’t help ! She is just a child forced to be an adult in very small age too !

Gosh... "Unlike Sokka Katara was there" that's an argument I have had to make so many times!!

Calling Sokka out for his belittling of his sister's waterbending was a king move right there. Almost nobody points that out in all of the Avatar Video Essay Industrial Complex. In fact I think you're the first.

And the fact that people are forgetting that she literally saw her mother's dead body at a young age 😬

The Southern Raiders/Katara's revenge storyline is probably one of my favorite episodes of the entire show because it made Katara's character even more complex by showing that it is natural to feel angry and want revenge since someone like her is even capable of feeling such things. What was truly important about that episode though is that we shouldn't allow the loss of a loved one consume us and change who we are which is why Katara didn't kill her mother's killer.

The Puppet Master is indeed one of my favorite episodes. The way Hama forced Katara to learn that dark arcane technique. Passing not only her skill but decades of inclination of vengeance, dispair, and anger.

Back in the southern raiders episode, back in 2007, I never understood why everyone was surprised and startled by Katara’s revenge intention. Why should Katara being full of rage surprise us? Why, because throughout the show we are shown how loving she is? I didn’t think anything of that crap because no matter who you are, everyone has a dark side; even the nicest of people; shouldn’t all of us know that? Everyone is complex. Back when I was 7, I had a reading tutor who would hit me with a hammer anytime I got a question wrong, at 14 I was punched in the jaw by my aunt for something I didn’t do, and when I came back home from school to complain about the bullying I was experiencing, my aunts and grandparents did absolutely nothing, I suffered in silence of no one wanting to hear me out and you know what my principal told me? How is it after everything you went through, you remain respectful to all the elders and teachers at my school and never get into trouble at school and never showed any abusive behavior towards women? People are complex, I am complex and you don’t know what goes on people. Katara’s quest for revenge is nothing to be surprised about; we all have a duality.

Your editing made me really sad for Katara. Imagine how dark and depressing ATLA would be if you were to cut out all the jokes and light hearted moments.

Ah yes. Finally someone who doesn't scream "kAtArA tALkS aBoUt hEr MoM tOo mUcH!1!!1!" within the first minute. Edit: Thank you so much for the likes! I haven't had this many before :0

There are many Katara appreciation videos as of late. What's the trend here? Did the people, now having grown older realize how deep she was? Because I am amoungst these people.

YES! IVE ALWAYS BELIEVED THAT KATARA WAS ONE OF THE MOST COMPLEX CHARACTERS BUT HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO PROPERLY EXPLAIN WHY!!! IM GOING TO SEND THIS VIDEO TO EVERYONE WHO SAYS KATARA COMPLAINS ABOUT HER MOTHER TOO MUCH

One very interesting thing about the Fire Nation’s particular focus on Water Benders - There has to be a fear that when they started the war by killing the Air Nomads, they didn’t get the Avatar. That at any time, the Avatar might have died and then been reborn as a Water Bender. So from that perspective, their focus on eliminating all Water Benders from the tribe they can overpower makes a lot of sense.

I always go back and forward between Katara and Toph as my favorite characters, they are the best One of my favorite episodes is the Desert because it really shows Katara is the heart of the group, and it's only because her efforts keep them together that they survive

One of the reasons I do like her with Aang is because he helps her be a kid again

one concept i would've loved to have seen addressed more in atla was the fact that everyone in the gaang was a child of war and the trauma that comes with that.

I feel like fans treat katara older then she is like when she does something wrong or messes up everyone is on her case because she’s the mom of the group. Sure she’s mature but she is still a 14 year old girl. All because she is mature does not make her adult she is a kid who doesn’t have a mom and all alone. Not saying that the rest of the kids are not alone but everyone bashes katara instead of giving compassion and admiring how mature and amazing this young teen is

this is also reflected in episode 1 of season 3. where she felt conflicted with her dad. she want angry/frustrated/bitter that her dad left, but her early adulthood meant she had to see reason to it and couldnt just lash out, couldn't just feel it though, there's nothing to aim that blame to, it just is.

I read a theory that Hama's escape is the reason why the Southern Raiders went to the South Pole to capture the last bender. They didnt know Katara existed; they knew the last water bender had escaped their prison. Moreover, the Fire Nation used to capture; Kiya says as much. But the fire nation changed their policy. Why? Because a water bender was able to take control of Fire Nation bodies, and that's terrifying. So it is death to all water benders. So it is death to Katara's mother because of Hama's escape.

Your videos are by far the most insightful compared to other youtubers who make videos about ATLA. This video is really amazing.

Whenever I try to talk to people about Avatar, I always encounter a few handful of people who just absolutely hate Katara and think she's annoying and overbearing and say things along the lines of "who cares if her mom died when she was a kid? get over it what's the big deal shut up no one cares" No matter how much I try to debate her characterization and just repeat things that most analysis videos do, it's just waved aside like "Yeah whatever boohoo her mom died" I find those people are the same people that when it comes to anime, they only watch shounen or even worse they only watch DBZ and they only ever care about the action. These people just don't care about actual character nuance and development or writing or anything. When I mention shounen and DBZ it's not to say that they're devoid of any good character writing, but it's just all those people focus on. That's all they gravitate to and while of course that's fine, yknow to each their own, it's just so disappointing to know what they're missing all because they can't find the energy to focus.

I also think it was good that katara spared him because to me he's living a pathetic life now kind of as a slave of sorts and to me I call that poetic justice that he went from this threating fire nation soilder to this pathetic person

This reminds me of Antione Bandele's video about Katara having crushes on damaged people. Maybe Katara's Tragedy in Childhood influenced that, and if it is the case, then that's some clever writing.

I think the cool thing about avatar is that is made for both kids and adults. I just watched it now that is on Netflix. I'm 35. And it's seriously one of the best (animated) shows I've ever seen. It's got a lot of depth and mature content that is very enjoyable for an adult. I got my mom to watch it shortly afterwards and she even watched faster than I did. Just watched one season a day. And she told me she almost watched both seasons 2 and 3 in one day but she just wanted to pause and enjoy the season's 2 ending. We hold had videocalls commenting the show and all that... so yeah, it might have been crafted as a kids show... But it's surely so much more than that.

Hi Kato. Can I just say, thank you for making this? I was a parentified child, and am now a parentified teenager, and while my situation was not Katara's, I've always held her close in a way that I couldn't explain very well to those around me - I could see in her what I felt in me. Thank you.

You should also do a video about the tragedy of Jet. I feel like he is the one of the most overlooked and tragic characters in the franchise.

Let's not forget that the very reason the fire nation returned to the southern water tribe looking for a waterbender, they're not looking for Katara. They're looking for Hama, the one and only southern water bender to escape them. They assumed Hama would have gone back home, rather than hide in the fire nation. This is why they did not take Katara's mother prisoner. It's also likely that they killed any other still imprisoned southern water benders after she escaped, using a technique they hadn't seen before, to prevent it ever happening again. In an indirect (Direct?) way, Hama's escape is the reason Katara's mother was killed.

Thank you for doing Katara this much justice.

Katara love is needed. Great video Kato! Keep making ATLA content please.

I remember watching that episode as a kid and it left a huge emptiness inside me, I didn't know how to process it, but I think I was sad. I never forgot that, and it speaks to the brilliance of the series.

I'd just like to mention that at the beginning, you were talking about YA, but were using Middle Grade examples. YA is typically written with 13-17 year old characters and aimed towards that age range, while Middle Grade is aimed for kids around the age of 8-12. I don't think these terms are typically used in the film and tv industry, but I do like that you brought up the question of if ATLA was made for adults or kids. I'm sure the answer is both. Good stories should be able to work for all ages and our putting stories in boxes for certain ages doesn't do anyone justice. Pixar is a good example of this. Because it's owned by Disney and animated, people say they're for kids- but in The Incredibles we have a 40 something Bob Parr as our main character going through a mid life crisis. In Finding Nemo we have a parent whose wife's death leads him to be overprotective of his disabled son. They're told in ways that are entertaining for kids and not too violent or depressing, but that doesn't mean an adult can't get as much "entertainment" out of it. It's these sorts of stories that stand the test of time. The ones that include heart and depth. So I'd still say that ATLA was made for both adult and kids, just like Pixar movies. I can't tell you if their intent was "well, parents are going to end up watching this a dozen times, so we might as well make it enjoyable for them" or that they just wanted to make their content amazing, but I would assume the latter. Creators typically want to make something they'll be proud of and would watch themselves. Otherwise, what's the point? You know, something that'll quench ya. And ATLA? Nothing's quenchier. It's the quenchiest.

I love katara as a character and im just a dude think about all the kids and teen girls who saw her as an inspiration and a projection of their perfect self. I think the answer to your question is that this show is for everyone at any age

I think one of the reasons there’s such a passionate Zutara push is that the Zuko and Katara were the most dynamic and complex characters on the show. Aang may be the avatar, but he’s not much of a dynamic character. Certainly not on the level of Katara and Zuko.

This is pretty damn thoughtful. There are a lot of lenses to view Kataras isolation that I hadn’t considered. But you explained it so throughly & it helped me to have a deeper understanding of her psychology. Good stuff!

Man this made me like katara a lot more.

I think Avatar Legend of Aang, Star Wars and Harry Potter has one thing in common, they are made for kids, but aren't afraid to handle dark things. So, I think they all reach down to our inner child and yet keep our more adult self entertained.

I'm definitely in same boat as you in regards to going back to old stories I enjoyed as a younger person and having certain things pull me out. Like you said it's not that I'm looking down on it or like there's this huge gap in age (only just turned 23 myself) but those few years make a difference. And they way you integrated that feeling to examine Avatar was masterclass!

I love a katara analysis that doesn't bring up how she would be better with zuko or aang and actually looks at her as an individual character. Her character arc was great and I relate to that loneliness she feels immensely but what's important is overcoming those feelings which could easily turn into pure rage, great analysis.

Kato: The Promised Neverland is for a higher demographic Me: A 12 year old watching these 12 year olds

A video about my favourite episode of avatar, this episode always stuck out to me especially the blood bending which is just a terrifying and interesting ability

Kid are smarter than you think they are. Trust me it know.😬😬😬😬😬

Correct me if I’m wrong but in my opinion Katara reminds me of Shinobu Kocho of Demon Slayer like the way she adopted a motherly behavior to fill the void that her mother left definitely looks a lot like what shinobu did. Indeed before her sister died she was completely her opposite she was hot headed, tough and all but when her sister died (rip Kanae Kocho ) she completely adopted her sister’s behavior and habit like her way of smiling, her compassionate and optimistic nature and all. I really thinks that this can be way for some people to react to their close relation’s death. So Here it was just a link that I have seen between this two amazing and powerful characters !

Rage is an inferno,roaring & decimating all in its path, the only hope one has is that the unleasher's aim is true & burns to ash only what deserves it.

No one talks about this but Katara basically goes on the same journey like Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars Prequels. They both lost a mother, had childhood trauma, and at the very end both have a choice to either choose the light or the dark. We all know their outcomes but I would've killed to see an alternate version of the Legend of Korra where an older Katara is the main antagonist similar to Darth Vader. Katara can even wear a handicap outfit that looks similar to the masked lady due to how badly injured she got after betraying her friends.

Didn't Katara blood bend that Southern Raider WITHOUT a full moon? Just shows how powerful she really is.

Thank you for the Katara love😔

I was 10-12 when the series first aired and just rewatched it at 25 and I enjoyed it even more as an adult, it’s just as funny and epic as it was when i first watched but now I can see all the nuances in the themes and story better than I could as a kid

Katara spared her mother's killer not from warm kindness, but from icy contempt. She didn't kill him, but he was done.

I just watched the southern raiders episode again and found this video! Amazing

This video was awesome. Keep up the great work my man

I agree with a commenter here: it’s a show for kids, because it doesn’t talk down to kids. It shows how kids can and will have struggles, and that’s something most adults never seem to directly address with their own kids either.

Yon Ra sacrificing his mom was the most fucked up moment in this entire show.

I've been thinking about this a lot lately and I know you could say this with any story but just how the state of the world would be if things have gone differently or even if Susan had simply shared technology with other nations instead of conquering. However it does make me wonder how the various Nations got to be the size that they are anyway. I mean for example even if they're in kingdoms the air nomads still seem to have their dedicated territory. Perhaps with the exception of the air nomads there was masks war or something and an ancient Avatar decided to split things equally among the four nations

You have a new sub thank you for being so insightful this was amazing

8:47 that face

I have finished Avatar yesterday and I am already watching all the videos about Avatar I can find

2:31 That moment when the people who need to see this can't because the video is blocked in their country

You know the reason they said katara mom died was because Hama the first blood bender was captured during the last raid of the southern water tribe and when she was in jail she created blood bending and escape so usually the fire nation captures and detain they didn’t this time because they saw how powerful blood bending was and wanted to kill the water bender who escape so when they came back to kill Hama they came back looking for all water benders and in the southern water tribe katara was the only 1 so she was in risk of dying if not for her mom saying it was her but if Hama never escape and created blood bending katara mom would still be alive it makes her story more tragic ‼️

that thumbnail looks sick af

Kato videos are best videos

Fun fact: In the ATLA Fortuneteller episode, Aunt Wu predicted Katara would have her THIRD GRANDCHILD then peacefully pass away in her sleep. Even though, it was clear she was highly annoyed by Katara's constant questions, ALOK shows Aunt Wu was SO WRONG!

The fact that she gets so much flack for just being open about her trauma irks me to no end. How exactly would you live with the memory of seeing your mother's charred corpse at such a young age as well as the knowledge that she died protecting you?

thank you for this video

15 years that's how good the show is.

I found this Theory a few days ago and I think it adds yet another layer to what you're saying When the Fire Nation came and killed to Kataras mother she offered herself up to be taken prisoner something we know that they did not do but if they were looking for the last waterbender Katara A 10(?) year old why would they think it was an adult But however if they would not looking for her they were looking for Hama how about who had demonstrated very dangerous ability, who had made waterbending prisons no longer A possible option It all starts to make a lot more sense Katara's mother was killed because hama escaped now onto the part that adds a layer to what you were saying about Katara Hama anger Ripple out to effect far more than just herself and those she had attacked to infected others was it wrong for her to escape hell no but what was wrong with the fact that she instead of taking that anger and destroying the source of her pain( the firelord the high court Etc) used it to attack innocent people and because she made that choice she not only became no better than those That had cause her pain but had in fact become worse has she helped perpetrate more pain( even indirectly )on the very people on the very people she should have been protecting this makes katara's eventual stooping to her level and then Rising above all the more powerful because she not only had learned to forgive (or least move on from) the people she had been hurt by but she unknowingly broke a cycle they could have gone on for many generations

Is it accurate to say that Avatar is a show for kids that often treats kids like adults?

The thing about kids shows is, anything sold to children makes a ton of money, that means you can hire top tier writers. A great writer isn't made ungreat by limitations on language and violence

Just like the episode title, Hama tugged on the bloody heartstring of Katara by bypassing her sensibilities via their tribal connection. Katara being able to empathize was used against her. Her own "blood' (racial Water tribe connection) was used against her way before Hama bent her in person.

How do u know so much about character analysis Do u do literature or film studies

Did you ever hear the tragedy of Katara the powerful ? Its not a story the firebenders will tell you.

Great video.

and then when katara actually gets an episode to vent about how her emotional needs were never taken care of and lashes out at her friends the fandom hates her for it :/

Hama is the closest character TV has gotten to Lady Stoneheart, the one character who could have been in Game of Thrones but was dropped. If Avatar was aimed at an older demographic I imagine she too would have been nicknamed "The Hangwoman", "Mother Merciless", and "The Silent Sister." Let that one sink in.

no link to your web comic :(((( i cant find it

I always thought bloodbending doesn't sound so bad. I mean controlling someones body to make them stop resistig seems a lot less violent then punching them with water until they can't resist anymore

"oH mY gOsH kAtaRa iS sO anNoYinG sHe iS alWayS tAlkIng aBouT hEr MoM aNd sHe ActS lIkE sHe waSn'T sOkkA'S mOtheR eIthEr"

Well said.

Kato Korra aAng kaTara zukO

Are you going to finish the entire Percy series?

nowadays it's impossible to make a kids show like this.

I hate the promised neverland manga ending, nothing bad happened, but I hate what happened to Emma.

See this video of Katara is one of the reasons why I think she should have ended up with Zuko not with aang in the end I mean don’t get me wrong I like aang a lot but aang never truly understood what katara was going through or really supported her about it he was just like oh come on suck it up it’s going to be okay whereas Zuko would’ve understood and gave katara advice on how to deal with it and control her emotions because Zuko literally went through the same thing! Plus I think katara and Zuko should’ve both been the fire lord that’s just my opinion

Nice!

The feeling of being forced to grow up is one of the reasons I love katara

Where can I find your webcomic

Generally I can't stand the "child hero" storyline. I abandoned a lot of anime because it was nothing but pedo panty shots of apparently super-powered children. Unless it's a story where the child is growing up and you watch them progress, I guess Naruto is a good example, or as the Promised Neverland appears to be doing now, I generally roll my eyes at anything that mentioned high school or has children as the main characters. Avatar was diverse enough that it skirted past this, there are tons of support adult rolls that aid the child heroes involved.

2:00 Did you mean to say Prince Zuko?

I dont think many people had a chidlren ina medieval fantasy land

Is ATLA for kids or adults? Bad question, it's meant to be a family show, so it's meant for both.

Katara is 14, dolt. Nice video tho!!

Katara deserves better

EVERYONE PLAY SPELUNKY 2 ITS AMAZING

Idk I always hated Katara tof or whatever and and Azula probably because I hate people that don’t think about higher things and all there actions are just based on their emotions ex zukos actions are for honor and restoration glory a noble goal yang is for fulfilling his duties and enforcing justice and balance but the 3 I listed well all there actions are because they feel like it I’ve always been anti social but I’ve never understood feeling justified by doing things just because you feel like you should without philosophic theological or ideological reasons for doing it so I’ve never understood why people like Katara

You spoiled the orphanage show in the first minute. Rude.

"tragedy of katara" uhhhh what ab sokka?

Nobody : Katara: I lost my mother

1st

Facade of a mother that no child should be forced to do? Dude, she is 14, we all grow and make a role. Katara doing this wouldn’t change that

katara is less mature than sokka,because her excuse for being so bossy and telling everyone what to do is just " my mother died you wouldn't understand" while the same thing happened to sokka and he was left behind by the men of his tribe but he suck it up and kept trying to make sure everyone is okay, sokka also suffered as much as or even more than katara and yet he has never made up that excuse he never seeked for revenge,everyone is except toph has had more taken from them than katara and yet they never seeked revenge zuko started seeking revenge when he was on the good side, aang's race was completely whiped out and yet never swore to kill every single person in the fire nation and sokka lost his mother he was left behind by all of the warrior men and he neither of them ever cried about it once