#a Zuko who is ashamed for failing to be as brutal as his culture demands and overcompensating elsewhere...that tracks with me | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

allgremlinart · 6 months

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my one . possibly controversial (? ) Zuko take is that I really don't think he's ever killed anyone...

*to be clear tho I am someone who does NOT take into account instances of cartoon physics. as in: scenes where a cartoon man is thrown from a height that would normally kill a human but as it is shown in the children's cartoon it is not implied to have caused death. that applies to instances of Aang “killing” people as well (EXCEPT for that scene in the b1 finale. those guys are all dead buddy...)

#but really tho - I think HE thinks he's ready and willing to kill - and he's spoken as if he is - but. like he couldn't even let Zhao die #and he HATED Zhao. idk I just can't get on board with the “hrg.. yes I've killed before and I'm used to it” Zuko I see in fics sometimes #a Zuko who is ashamed for failing to be as brutal as his culture demands and overcompensating elsewhere...that tracks with me #actually he failed to kill/mortally wound Zhao TWICE now that I think about it; in episode 3 too...#atla

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phoenix-king-ozai · 3 years

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Ozai's character and relationship analysis!

Ozai has unwavering faith in his daughter Azula's skills as a warrior, tactician, and manipulator to do outrageous feats such as conquering Ba Sing Se and capturing Iroh and Zuko. Ozai gave Azula a massive number of resources (give her the best ship in the nation), training (taught her lightning bending and how to breathe fire), and skills (manipulation and intrigue) needed for her mission.

I also assume if Azula wanted or need other allies or help Ozai would have given it to her if she demanded it. For example, Rough Rhinos, Yu-Yan Archers, and Bounty Hunters such as June and Combustion Man. Azula decided that she only need her friends Mai and Ty Lee for the protection of the Drill for the Conquest of Ba Sing Se and that she could manipulate Zuko into bringing Iroh and himself back to the Fire Nation due to their treasonous action in the North Pole.

Azula's conquest of Ba Sing Se was to be through the Drill but was foiled by the Gaang. She knew her father wouldn't accept a massive failure like this without another victory considering the massive loss in resources and money building it. Zhao probably would be demoted or executed for the failure in the North.

Ozai sees Azula as an extension of himself as a father, warrior, and teacher. Her victories are his glorious victories and her defeats become his shaming defeats. Ozai sees himself in his daughter for three reasons: They are both incredibly gifted Firebenders, they are both the second-born child that is neglected in favor of the first, and thirdly they have a cunning Machiavellian and imperialist mindset of their forefathers! Something that Ursa can't relate with Ozai or Azula.

Ozai while see does see his children as pawns, ultimately everyone is a pawn for the Fire Lord. Ozai and Iroh were Azulon's pawns. And Azula and Zuko were Ozai's pawns. Ozai did try to love and care for his children while they were young, and we have seen this in the show and even comics. He doesn't hate and despises his children but the traits that they have that make them less suitable for the position of Fire Lord.

Ozai is an imperialist first before a father. Ozai was raised to be this way by his father Fire Lord Azulon and his brainwashing by Fire Lord Sozin legacy. Therefore, he doesn't connect with Iroh abandoning the Siege of Ba Sing Se over Lu Ten death. Iroh should be proud that his son died to fight for his nation but ashamed that he failed to protect his son and avenge his death.

The sad reality of this man is that he gave up on himself and became a carbon copy of the tyrants that were his father and grandfather after years of what had to be endless mental and psychological abuse and neglect on Azulon's behalf. The old wikis say at some point that Ozai used to spend most of his time seeking guidance from the portraits of his ancestors in his youth, this speaks a lot about how alone he was.

Also, it is likely that Ozai didn't have any good role models to follow. I head-canon that after his mother died given birth to him. Azulon because dark, colder, and crueler especially to the baby infant that took his beloved wife away [ala Tywin and Tyrion scenario]

I see Ozai as the final cumulation of Sozin's vile, brutal, immoral cruel, toxic, and imperialist propaganda that he has pushed down on his son Azulon along with the rest of the Fire Nation Elite Nobility and Military culture and society. The Fire Nation is basic on the Imperial Dynasties of China, the Shogunates of Japan, and Fascist Imperial Japan. Not a good environment for an abused child who is despised by his father and brother for being the scapegoat of his mother's death in childbirth.

An Ozai redemption arc is POSSIBLE; believe it or not, the man IS NOT the living reincarnation of Vaatu. Granted, did burn Zuko and disowned Zuko, but that is because Zuko does not fit with the criteria of falling in line with Sozin, Azulon, and Ozai's own ideals of being strong, ruthless, cunning, vicious, and powerful Firebenders. Azula broke down due to the perfectionist mindset that Ozai instilled in himself. Ozai DOES NOT just TALK THE TALK, but he also WALKS THE WALK. He has ridiculous expectations of Zuko and Azula because these are the parenting traits of Sozin and Azulon.

An Ozai redemption would involve him coming to terms that his father's and grandfather's legacy and parenting beliefs are wrong and that he made a massive mistake in enforcing the same rules and traditions upon his children. Recognizing that love, compassion, and mercy aren't weaknesses but strengths. Rejecting the propaganda, racism, bigotry, and imperialist bushido of his forefathers. An Ozai redemption story would take quite a bit of time and the many bits of help of his family members [Iroh, Ursa, Zuko, and a healthy Azula] along with internal and external reflection after his EGO and PRIDE hits ROCK BOTTOM. Just like Vegeta!

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