#though maybe i'll discuss the 'asylum' and zuko's figuring bc i've seen some cool posts abt that and i wanna insert my 2 cents

[comradekatara]

one aspect of azula in the spirit temple i don't think i've seen anyone discuss (because it's largely conjecture) is the form the spirit takes when presenting itself as human to azula. back when book 2 of lok was airing, there were lots of theories circulating that azula had an unacknowledged cameo as the shaman who helped to heal korra in "beginnings." i've even commented on this theory in the past. now, while this hypothesis remained unconfirmed for years, it feels as if this comic is lending credence to that idea with its undeniable imagery. i think this comic is suggesting, however subtly, that the spirit is taking the form of azula's future self.

azula's hair is as crucial in this comic as it is throughout the show. it's been a while since her breakdown during sozin's comet, so her uneven bangs have grown to slightly below her eyes. the fact that she has done nothing to "fix" these loose strands recalls her introduction, wherein "one hair out of place" was enough to upset her for fear of not being perfect. through azula's disgrace, she has shed her perfectionism (born of ozai's abuse), but the state of her hair also illustrates how frazzled and disoriented she feels, and how in not caring about her own presentation here, just how debased she has been since her initial fall from grace.

now, notice who mirrors those overgrown strands of hair in their own presentation. the spirit reflects azula's inner turmoil, not only by projecting manifestations of her desires and anxieties, but externally as well. this spirit essentially functions as azula's mirror (shattered mirrors of course being a hugely significant symbol within azula's psychological landscape).

note who else is framed by these two loose strands of hair:

while this shaman in lok is hardly identical to the spirit's humanoid form in this comic, this crucial piece symbolism (retroactively employed, especially considering that the shaman's loose strands are smaller, perhaps indicating a calmer mindset if we extend the logic of what it signifies) feels like a deliberate allusion on the parts of the writers and illustrators of the comic. they clearly don't have the leeway to say what form azula's future will take (they can't even "redeem" her, since it could potentially interfere with avatar studio's plans for other projects down the line), but by addressing this largely baseless fan theory of yore, it feels like the comic is intimating that in the grand scheme of things, despite how abject her conditions (both external and internal) may be now, she's gonna turn out all right.

#this is probably the only lok fan theory that was floating around at the time that i dont fully hate #as opposed to theories of sokkas progeny or katara being relegated to aangs housewife or whatever. which obviously suck so bad #azula in the spirit temple #azula #id in alt text #analysis #i have a couple more posts left in me after this about the comic #but i think my prev post abt it and then this one covers most of what i wanted to say #though maybe i'll discuss the 'asylum' and zuko's figuring bc i've seen some cool posts abt that and i wanna insert my 2 cents #but idk. anyway . one must imagine azula happy