Thank you so much for reading! I also have super strong opinions about the fandoms I’m in but I also think it’s important to not let those get the best of you or attack anyone else. With the whole Zutara/Kataang thing, it’s way intense. Especially with the new wave of fans that came during the pandemic. I’m an anomaly, I suppose because I love them both and can see both of those ships existing and working. Zuko is a good foil for Katara because he has some of the edge and assertiveness that she lacks at times. She is kind and easygoing which he definitely lacks. Katara’s also a good partner for Aang because he’s a tad irresponsible but he’s also carefree and quick to have fun which is something she lacks. He learns responsibility and commitment to duty through her. I disagree with your points about the kiss and him seeing her as a mother figure for a few reasons but I respect your opinion and understand that it comes from your personal experience. Aang saw Katara as a mother figure because, owing to her trauma from losing her mom, she suffered parentification and acted like one. She assumed way too much responsibility because she had to and that led many characters including Sokka and Toph to see her as a motherly figure. About the kiss, I’ve seen people throw that argument around but I think it’s important to remember that they’re children. He was 12 (okay, 112 😂) and at that point, he hadn’t been through puberty. There’s very little evidence even in the supplemental graphic novels that he had much interaction with girls before he was frozen. Children make mistakes and they learn and grow and I just don’t agree with holding them to the same standards as adults. We could also examples of Zuko’s abusive behaviour (kidnapping, stealing, assaulting her gran-gran in the pilot episode, betraying and attacking her) as evidence against Zutara but I also don’t agree with that because he was a 16 year old with a buttload of trauma and he learned and grew. I think it’s possible to make arguments for and against either one of these ships. I’m happy toeing the line because it means I don’t get into long arguments with fanboys on Facebook 😅