This video was blocked by Viacom, and while I'm disputing it, I don't know how long it will be up, so if you'd like to see more of this kind of content, please consider supporting me and Supreme Leader Mishy here >>> www.patreon.com/hellofutureme (+Discord!) I've had a total of 13 hours sleep in the past 72 hours. It's 6AM here, and I'm so freaking tired, but here you go: Azula's psychology. Stay nerdy, Tim
Hello Future Me I know this is what you enjoy making and I just wanted to say good job on making your own book but I hope you make more how to train your dragon theories
Tim, you should rest, but then take the time to reach out to the lawyer at LegalEagle. He is looking for TH-camrs who have been unfairly targeted by copyright claims
i can not get over the fact that Avatar did a literal "filler beach episode" type episode and made it good enough that it comes into play in psychological character breakdowns
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I love that her personality is portrayed complexly and realistic, not a watered-down kiddie version of a downward spiral, but the real thing. Just one part of why I love this show
Exactly, I don’t even see Azula as evil it’s just her prior life molded her into what she is. She doesn’t senselessly kill or harm people it’s always just for her own gain
Darth Pancake Studios I see your point but look at her up bringing. She shows light compassion even after everything she’s been through and that says a lot
@@deoxal7947 The full sentence ‘My own Mother thought I was a monster. She was right, of course, but it still hurt’ The first bit had genuine emotion, while the other had a comedic effect.
I just realized that the reason azula was so triggered when mai said azula miscalculated and that she loved Zuko more than she feared her. The only other person to have loved zuko more than they feared azula was her mom Ursa. All those memories of longing for her mothers love and instead seeking to earn her fathers approval came rushing back at once. Her mentality about the world was once again shattered. She could not bear once again zuko of all people could be loved more than her. It must have completely shattered her psyche
It might just be me, but if a girl walked up and told me That my outfit was "So sharp it could puncture the hull of an empire-class Fire Nation battle ship, leaving thousands to drown at sea" I'd be flattered.
that moment where she’s been defeated and chained up was honestly heartbreaking. even though she is the antagonist, she is a deeply scarred character. her crying and breathing fire hysterically really got me.
And I looooove avatar soooo much because they really treated that scene with the somber tone it deserved. Like that fight was cRaZy visually stunning and the wHOLE SERIES built up to those 2 fights, so they could have given the fight between Zuko/Katara and Azula heart pumping adrenaline filled music and celebrated when she was defeated. But the backround music was somber and when she was defeated there wasn't celebration, they just looked at her saddly. She was a broken and abused 14 year old and the show recognized that and even tho its a cartoon knew the audience could understand that complex situation and character aaahhh I love it!!!
i got a strange mix of pity and impressed when she said that. pity cause she was genuinely hurt from learning her mother's feeling about her, meaning she cared for her mother's attitude toward her but also impressed that she sorta moved on and was still able to so much after that. keyword: sorta. she still had the inevitable mental breakdown. but again: she still got shit done
@@DeltaFrazzle I'm not so sure about that whole "moving on" bit. It never struck me that Azula really gave that much of a damn about what her mom thought of her at any point. She certainly didn't miss the woman after she left. As for "getting shit done", don't you think the kind of things she did kind of make that distinction meaningless? Stalin and Hernan Cortez also "got shit done" and the result was the massacre of millions of innocents. Details do kind of matter.
@@madpoetsociety2917 I think Azula cared very much about what her mom thought about her. I think she cared a lot about what many persons thought about her. I can't say that she missed Ursa, but it's always struck me that Azula was very good at repressing her feelings, including her feelings of doubt about herself. Once her confidence and world view started breaking down she lost that ability to repress those feelings. And I have to agree with @DeltaFrazzle. She did "get shit done". She had goals and plans that she was able to enact and accomplish, which made her a fearsome villain. The acts were bad, but she was very good at doing what she felt needed to be done.
I thought of it as her opening her feeling for that one moment. Because of everyone acting emotional about their past. That what I thought as child when watching the series.
I feel like whats cool about seeing azula as a villain is that we don’t get many female characters that are low empathy or sadistic because it’s not considered an inherently feminine characteristic.
@@King_Menelik I think it's the fact that Azula does have an emotional breakdown that is in some ways encouraged by her looks, which a lot of people consider to be a feminine trait, while the Kyoshi warriors are never portrayed experiencing smth like this (at least as much as I remember)
@@miglek9613 the point is the person who wrote that comment is just trying to say "feminine character traits" not LOOKS. its not hard to understand lmao
@SleepyWolf they’re not, but in media they kinda are. 9/10 times we see just an over the top sadistic villain in shows, movies or books, it’ll be a dude.
It shows how shattered her perception was of herself, I think. She says it to take the sting out of others calling her that, which is why she had the delusion of thinking her Mother thought of her as a monster. Its truly tragic.
She called herself a monster because it didn't hurt her very much, no matter the quip she threw in at the end. She believed she was a monster, too. It seemed to her that it was the only thing that she should be, and the constant praise she received for the accomplishments she had while acting in this manner didn't help. This is a point that is proven when Azula's delusional vision of her mother in the mirror told her she loved her not because it was what actually was true, because that wasn't the point. The delusional vision of her mother told her that she loved Azula because, Azula being Azula with her tendency to commit the most emotional harm to someone she's attacking, her subconscious instinct playing the part of the delusional vision *knew* that it hurt more than anything else. People who believe they're broken and "wrong" people are cut deeply when people close to them tell them things like that. It clashes with everything they've built themselves upon and has ramifications.
I used to think she just meant it as in he was gonna be in trouble (like we always say "my parent are gonna kill me" as an expression) but NOPE...she meant it like he was LITERALLY GOING TO KILL HIM!
All good Yo, idk what could be done but there are people that are not rescued. Azula may be a character but its happening somewhere still this second. Your tears are not in vain
In the context of the show yes. However post show comics do demonstrate that Azula has people who care for her. Zuko Ursa, Aang is optimistic that Azula can change. Even Katara when Aang said people change was supportive. Iroh in the search comics encouraged team avatar to bring Azula along for Ursa, implying that not just Zuko but Azula also can find a measure of peace. I think when Zuko told Azula that no matter what, Azula is still his sister, the words had deep impact on her. I think seeds of potential redemption had been planted there. It will be a long and difficult journey, but it is possible. Remember Zukos journey was not easy either with mistakes bad choices. Change is difficult. Nevertheless I did read great fanfics where Azula finds redemption. Also keep in mind that creators never tied up Azulas story. By Korras time after all these years there are no hints as to what ultimately happens to Azula. Azulas story so far extends up to smoke and shadow which takes place two years after the show. There are still 70 years before Korras era. A lot can happen in this time. I wish for redemption. ATLA is a show about forgivness and second chances. It is deeply moving to see Zuko trying to help Azula. And also heartbreaking to see Ursa crying for Azula.
"Banishing me was the best thing you ever did for me" After watching this vid is when I realised how true those words were Zuko's banishment threw him from the domain of his abuser right into the willing arms of Iroh his support system.
Now your comment, but with better punctuation: "Banishing me was the best thing you did for me", after watching this vid is when i realized how true those words were. Zuko's banishment threw him from the domain of his abuser right into the willing arms of Iroh, his support system Done, now it makes more sense
@@arthurthekyogre9155 1) Punctuation* 2) There should be a period at the end of the quote- "...you did for me." 3) Didn't capitalize the "I" 4) There should be no comma between "abuser" and "right" because they're not from separate clauses Does it make you feel cool to correct people's grammar for no reason? Cause I felt like a complete douchebag the whole time I was writing that comment.
Dude I got chills when Zuko instinctively repeated “Azula always lies.” As if it was a coping mechanism to get away from how chaotic his mind is and how conflicted he is.
It’s as if it’s his only dependent source of reality… even if everything else is muddled and conflicted, he at least knows one thing - that whatever Azula says is false. Off of that, he can slowly organize and differentiate everything else he’s confused about…
@@hozyaka You know, this kind of makes me wonder if Azula ever deceived Zuko by intentionally telling him the truth and then counting on him assuming that she's lying.
"I'm about to celebrate being an only child!" That line still creeps me out. I mean, she actually revels at the thought that her big brother is gonna get killed or worse, she's the one to kill him
I don’t blame her tbh. she’s always been outcasted and never truly loved unlike her brother. and this was all during her childhood, when children are influenced the most by environmental factors. she watched him grow up to be truly loved by his mother unlike her and her father- which their relationship was evolved around superficial power and fear.
It's funny, Aaron Ehasz originally planned to have a redemption arc for Azula (there was a twitter thread somewhere). I think about it a lot, and how cool it would've been, but I'm always lost as to the 'how'. How would she be redeemed? How would it logically make sense? It's pretty cool.
@@Mando_W yea, absolutely. I think Azula turned this way because nobody loved her. Ozai didn't love either of his children, and Ursa didn't love Azula enough.
Something I just realised is how Azula keeps only nonbenders around her. Her "friends" are nonbenders, her servants are as far as we know nonbenders, even her teachers, the Granny Twins, are nonbenders. This might be because she want's to keep the feel of superioroty, thinking firebenders (or benders in general) are superior to others or other styles of combat. Or it might be that she doesn't want the risk of anyone to chalenge her. She knows Zuko is less in skill, so she thinks he's not a threath to her. The only exeption is his father, who just happens to be Firelord. Arguably the strongest firebender in the world.
@@MrDrProfJMF Good point. I admit it's been a while since I watched full ATLA, so I don't remember every detail. But if I had to guess, I would imagine Azula has become so confident with her abilities that she does not see them as too big of a threath. That and possibility that she thinks firebending as superior element. OR Dai Lee and her goals aline enough that they can work together long enough. After all Azula was not planning to stay in Ba Sing Sei if I remember correctly
@@MrDrProfJMF its shown that the firebenders see earthbending as savage uncivilised brutality, so i think she'd hold earthbenders to the same level of worth, maybe even less than non-benders
@Jake The Christian interestingly, her father is voiced by a guy who also voiced joker in the animated Batman series. I guess great villains run in the family.
No matter how messed up Azula is, you can't deny that the line, "My own mother, thought I was a monster... She was right of course but it still hurt." Is ICONIC
@AngelUniverseYT I have been called a monster by my mother. I know its not true so I dont care. If it where true I would not care because then it would be true and not an insult.
@@whaleping I'd rather say it shows, how easy it is to interpret and find patterns in everything. And obviously I also agree, that it shows how much work and thought was put into the world and characters.
Tiffany Deng right right, when I was younger, it was just the fights that appealed to me, but because I rewatched the whole series now, I have deeply appreciated every single character
Anyone notice with Ty Lee that she went from wanting desperately to be a recognized individual to finding peace with the Kyoshi Warriors, who all dress alike yet retain their individuality? I liked that for tying up Ty Lee’s story. ❤️
Shes a Victim, but the Writers of the Show didnt seem to notice, so this is the One True Stain on this Show. The Life-Action-Movie aint one, that one just motivated people to re-watch the Cartoon, but this?
Love that for her. Btw in the upcoming comic "Azula in the spirit temple" Ty Lee actually beats Azula in one of her attacks. She chi blocks her arm when she's about to use lightning. When Azula is forced to retreat she yells after her "This isn't over Azula! I won't let you get away!" Or something along those lines. I really love that moment because it really highlights how far Ty Lee has come. She went from being Azula's reluctant friend to betraying Azula for her best friend by stabbing her in the back to openly fighting against her and besting her. Great character arc for her.
I would say even though the Kyoshi warriors are quite similar and act as a collective but they still retain their individuality which is definitely perfect for Ty lee
@Pai Mei I do agree but I think it also wasn't entirely her fault, she (1) didn't know how, (2) tried really hard but just couldn't connect with her daughter, and (3) didn't have enough time. That is my opinion at least :)
@@sageanimations2463 the difference is that Ursa actually tried to be a good parent but as every parent does she made some mistakes but Ozai never tried to be a parent he was just the fire lord and his kids were subjects,
Actually Ursa did exactly what any parent would do to make their child grow for better. The reason why she became “bad” at parenting Azula is Ve cause Oazi took over azula’s mind. So Ursa’s reaction was to manipulate Azula out of the beliefs that Ozai put into her and turn it against her. Despite siding with Zuko more. I believe if Ozai wasn’t like this. Both siblings would of been in great shape with the same exact Mindset from Ursa
@1 1 I respectfully agree, however in the book, Azula wasn't really the way she is, Mother did everything she could to help Azula but Ozai's belief got into Azula more no matter how Ursa tried, where Ursa failed at with Azula is not showing enough attention to her compared to Zuko and this only increased after Azula's mind has been overtaken by Ozai
Not related to Azula, but at the end of the series, when it's revealed that Ty Lee has joined the Kyoshi warriors, I noticed that Ty Lee overcame her deepest insecurity of being part of a "matched set," or being indistinguishable among her sisters/any group. However, the difference is that not only did Ty Lee get to choose to be part of this group (whereas you cannot choose to be part of your family), but Ty Lee also has a sense of individuality and sees her personal worth, which is why she can stand to be part of a group in which everyone looks the same - she can distinguish the parts of herself that make her special. I thought it was a subtle way for the show to round out Ty Lee's character arc and how she changed after standing up to Azula and defending Mai in season 3. The way ATLA handles side characters like Ty Lee is why I love the show sm.
I think it’s so great that even a minor character with less screen time gets a whole arc in basically two minutes between the beach ty lee portion and the kyoshi ty lee scene
There is a comic strip called 'sisters' which actually explores this very concept as Ty lee again thinks of quitting the kyoshi warriors....and overcomes her fears..
@@aniketpandey9633 I didn't know that! Ty for the recommendation :)) I am one of those people that watched atla for the first time when it came out on netflix, so I haven't gotten into any comics yet
I also think so but more because Zuko always had someone in his support unlike Azula. He always had his mother’s support and once she was gone Iroh took over the support. They’ve always nudged Zuko in the right direction.
As a psychology major, Azula has always been an extreme example of several mental conditions. In that way, she is fascinating to study. Thanks for this video!
I found the way Azula and Zuko struggled to socialise properly such a sad aspect of the series. You see both of them trying to speak to people their age normally and can’t seem to manage it without falling back on anger.
It's especially harsh because the point of that episode seems to be how war changes people It's similar to how veterans and even in writings how when veterans come back, they find it hard to engage with other people and socialize.
At least Zuko tried when he tried to socialize with The Gaang while Azula is totally struggling even having a quirky and cheerful friend like Ty Lee, she still fails.
Being as there entire lives where military service and war, it’s as if they only know how to function in that setting, it’s like peace isn’t in there DNA
I think Azula's mental breakdown was the first one I saw in my life that was straight forward. Most kids shows use metaphors to make the message of mental health and mental brekadowns, but Azula was the first one I remember where they went all out in the literal route.
It was really well written. As a kid, it was hard understanding complicated story lines. They used physical signs to show Azula descending into madness. Not wearing makeup, looking tired and stressed, then cutting her hair. I might not have understood all the dialouge from the characters but, it is very easy to see the physical changes. When Azula was fighting Zuko and Katara, her hair was a complete mess and she was laughing like crazy. I knew at that moment Azula was not the same cool, collected firebender.
@@AngelineL. Zuko said to Katara: she's slipping. That's when I realised she's not the same girl who nearly killed Aang cold-blooded and that Zuko knows Azula better than anyone
RIGHT. Can you imagine how that must've made Azula feel especially after what she has been through? Already felt she wasn't loved by her mom and then she basically says it to her face. That was soul cutting😔💔...
about azula's hair representing her desire for perfection: it's also shown both in the show in a subtle manner, and mentioned in the kyoshi novels, that hair is important to fire nation culture- topknots like the one azula and at some point, zuko wore represent social power, and the reason zuko's hair was like that in s1 was that he lost the agni kai and had to cut it to represent the shame of that loss. when you consider that, it makes sense that azula's hair is such an important represntation of her composure.
I feel like her hair, also represented her not being able to do basic things by herself, after she basically banished everyone in the castle, and had to do it by herself. I don't really know how that tie in Azula's character, but that's how I saw it
I mean, the comics and novels that came out after paint it in a very different light, but atleast at the time the episode came out, with the context available then, it was more a "she's a perfectionist with an intense superiority complex, completely and thoroughly failing at even the most basic things that almost everyone she views as beneath her can do easily"
Also a thing in Asian culture, especially in more ancient times. The hair was a status symbol. In Japan, cutting it off / short showed among samurai that you were stepping down from the position and that you would no longer enjoy a higher social status. In Ancient China, forcing someone to cut off their top knot was for the sake of humiliation and shame, and to show it visually. So it also has roots in Asian culture, which Avatar is based on.
Out of all the shows I’ve watched a kid, Azula was always the villain that felt intimidating whenever she appeared on screen. She was never a joke. They did her justice and during the beach scene I was hoping that was going to be her turn around but she never did. She was so complex and I felt a little sad for her during her breakdown. How different the world would have been if we got the season 4 instead of that cursed movie
This is honestly one of those rare shows that get better as you age. I was also 10 when it first came out. Watched it again in college and was blown away by its nuance and depth. When I watch it again I'll probably be even more amazed by it's effective story telling techniques. Few shows leave an impact like this one. It's quiet - people don't talk about the series that much irl anymore - but POWERFUL. It's influenced so many creators and writers since coming out, artists who will likely have gained their footing within the next few decades. It will be cool to see how many people site this show as their source of inspiration.
Most Anime Beach Episodes: full fan service Avatar Beach Episode: Deeply informative of character mentalities, motivations, and backstories as exposed by an environment they are not typically seen in.
now THIS is how you make a villain. azula is so complex and i’m really glad i watched this show when i was young. because even through she was an absolute menace throughout the show at the end i really did feel bad for her. and i think it’s important for children to sympathise with the villains to a certain extent. it gives the child perspective and shows that like in real life people are complicated. everything isn’t so black and white there are a lot of grey areas within a person. if i ever have kids they are definitely watching this show!!!
Nowadays movies for kids (and adults) no longer portray the villain as evil, but rather misunderstood. You can take that example in the Super Mario Bros. movie Bowser is appeared to look like some sort of chaos demon lord, but really he was just trying to impress a princess he has a crush on in a way he feels is the only way to win her heart and yet fails because destruction and kidnapping are not the correct way to earn a good person's affection or approval
Azula's story is 100% a tragedy--she's definitely still a villain, and definitely still a dangerous person who's made evil decisions, but I love how, instead of making her "good in disguise" (or even doing that to Zuko; he legitimately changed over the course of the show), they showed the circumstances that brought her to the point where she would make the decisions she did. As someone working to become an author, that's the kind of character development I want to learn to write. You can't condone their choices, but at least you can understand the *why.* @dustinm5202, I think what I said above is a much better alternative within a story to having the villain be merely "misunderstood". Evil actions are always going to be evil--but that doesn't mean we can't see and mourn the good person the villain *could* have been, had things gone differently. The fact that so many movies these days flip-flop the villains on us in a weird he-was-just-misunderstood "redemption" arc actually really bothers me because of that. In my opinion, Azula is still an evil person, but she could have been different, and the fact that she wasn't is what makes it a tragedy. Even as a kid, that last scene where she breaks down completely after her defeat made me feel bad for her, because if she and Zuko's positions had been reversed it would have been a seriously different story. ... Anyway. I'll just... get off my soapbox now... 😶
I WISH Korra had had a villain like Azula. She's so top-tier in her villainy that the good guys are forced to step up their game whenever they're dealing with her.
Zaheer is literally the only other villain that could match Azula in terms of writing, idk what you're talking about. They're both the two best villains in the show
Look I get that you guys like the Equalists and Zaheer, both are really great villains and I like them too. But Azula is something special. She does bad things not for a logical or philosophical reason, but for the twisted psychological reasons listed in the video. I think Korra would have benefited from being challenged by someone like that.
The thing about the rescue parent is so interesting! It also explains why Sokka didn’t feel the effects of his mother’s death nearly as bad as Katara, because Katara became his rescue parent.
Exactly, whereas Katara was forced to grow up too fast. Not only did she not have a stand in mother, she had to become one, and when Sokka thought about his mother he could only remember Katara. In a way her anger at her father for leaving her and Sokka was also like a parental anger, that he had left Sokka.
Damn that's honestly sad yet comforting in a weird way. And it hits deeper knowing that Sokka can't remember his mother's face, anytime he tries to remember it all he sees is Katara's
@@chinuaalibatya7345 yeah, he didn't seem to realise all the grief and pain Katara carried because she saved him from it, and she probably tried to hide it more from him the way a lot of parents do, so their children don't see them crying. Her anger at her mother's death was grief, not just from losing her mother, but from losing her childhood to become a mother to Sokka. She was also probably frustrated that she could never properly practise her bending, as she needed to take care of the village, and look after her brother.
The saddest line of azula is when she said “you can’t do this you can’t treat me like zuko” her whole life she thought of her self better than her brother. That her father loved her more. This was when she realized he was just using her to get the throne. The love she thought her father had turned out to be fake, that really must be hard on a young girl.
for me, i think in her core azula didn't really think herself as better than zuko, but was terrified of the consequences of acting like him because she saw what happened to him. because of that and the praise she gets for doing the exact opposite, she convinces herself she is better when she is just trying to survive in an abusive household. just my two cents, though
I think Azula had always been jealous of Zuko, to some degree. She still thinks of him as trash, yeah, but she's jealous because he has a close bond with their mother that she doesn't have. She's a very narcissistic person and if you know anything about narcissistic people, they are very driven to seek attention and are very insecure. She wanted the attention and praise from *both* parents, and maybe even from Zuko. It was important that everyone sees her as superior, as perfect, which is something she likes to throw in her brother's face. Even though in her mind she saw herself as better than Zuko, she seemed to view him as a threat, which is why she taunted him so much. I don't think she believed her father loved her and honestly I don't think she even understands what love is. I think it was more like...when you have a job and you outshine everyone and go above and beyond only for your boss to demote you, or fire you. Azula is afraid of failure, of weakness, so when her father didn't reward her as she saw fit, she was outraged. To her, Zuko symbolizes weakness and failure, so that's why she says "You can't treat me like Zuko!" I'm am 100% certain that Azula was already plotting to usurp the throne from Ozai. Any sign of weakness, she would have done away with him just as he had done away with his own father.
Well, I mean considering that the way Ozai 'punished' Zuko was by publically mutilating his face, I'm pretty sure that a big fear of Azula's was being treated like Zuko. So, I mean in that regard it's also a matter of survival in that household. "Don't be Zuko, and you'll survive" was probably her thinking
1 of her most obvious moments of average Humanity in my opinion because it implya that deep down, she knows Ursa, Zuko & Iron have a different moral compass then the 1 she has & the 1 her Dad does, which is a tiny bit more sadistic then hers, too
21:00 The fact that Azula attempts to comfort Zuko makes her descent even sadder. Azula is not the monster she portrays herself to be. It's a trait instilled into her by her father ( Her father being the only person that gives her validation) and a facade she keeps up to please him. It's Mai and Ty lee' s betrayal that puts her very being into question and unlike Zuko who had Iroh to help him through his own path Azula was alone. She wasn't a monster she was made into one.
eh she was definitely a monster in her own right. Ozai isn't the one who told her to make fun of Zuko being possibly killed, she did that herself, and felt no remorse about her cousins death
I don’t think that it’s solely Iroh’s achievement. Azula is not Zuko, and inherent qualities play as important part in personality development as extrinsic ones. Despite them, for the most part, growing in the same environment, the two ended up differently. Like they said in the video, Azula’s always been sadistic, lacked empathy and overall exhibited sociopathic tendencies. Also, big part of Zuko’s redemption is that he realised everything by himself. Yes, Iroh and others helped him, but he himself came to the conclusion. Iroh emphasised several times that only Zuko himself can redeem his honour, and only he holds his own destiny. Yes, it took him a lot of time, but eventually he figured himself and his issues.
Totally! You could even say that season 1 Zuko (and season 2 to a certain extent ) was showing signs of mental instability. He was emotionally unstable, easily provoked, lashed out at people with agressive actions as a solution to his problems and he was losing his sense of self and purpose. Without his mother reinforcing his values, his world was becoming incoherent, like Azula's became incoherent when she was denied her father's approval and her values were confronted to "love". If Iroh hadn't been there to show Zuko that his whole life didn't have to rely on his father's approval, he probably would've lost it too.
As someone who is studying psychology, watching Avatar more studying on Azula and Zuko's cases really gives you in depth look on what abuse does to a child's early development and their psychology.
Must be amazing to watch an amazing show for your study. As someone who wants to study psychology when im out of High School, I hope I can watch it again for "research purposes" :D
@@gloomy_nightflower7007 It’s surprising to see a lot of real life problems in a kid show. It’s just interesting to me about Zuko and Azusa specifically about their childhoods and how their parents treated them. I did take Early Childhood development and wow Avatar did show a great take on what happens to children with bad parenting. But yeah great show for studying it or have a good look in another way.
@@cursecuelebre5485 ikr! They did an amazing job on character development and depth, you were ofc rooting for Katara in that Final Agni Kai, but felt bad for Azula too.... oh I frikkin love ATLA!
I think a lot of azula’s complexity can be attributed to Grey DeLisle’s performance. She gives azula a kind of curiosity when she’s a kid, like she’s purposefully saying and doing things that she knows will get a fearful reaction. She’s a child imitating her father, seeing that acting in a way he finds pleasing will keep her SAFE. This, aligned with her intelligence and constant positive comparisons to her brother? The acting is TRAGICALLY accurate.
@@LKKdemigorl His therapy came in the form of his son's death unfortunately. Leaves from the vine... That song hurts. Especially knowing the real life connotations behind it; the voice actor for Uncle Iroh, Mako Iwamatsu, was dying from esophageal cancer. Supposedly the song was written for him. He died two days after recording the song for that episode.
Mai standing up against Azula is such an underrated moment, especially for someone who is so apathetic and was pushed to be quiet/not stir up any problems. I love Ozai's Angels so much
Mae standing up was impressive.. and I feel Ty Lee doing the same, within moments of seeing Mae turn is even more impressive to me. It's as if Mae broke the spell for Ty Lee.
That's called character development! No, but seriously. Ty Lee learns that she doesn't need to derive self-worth from her uniqueness. She instead derives it from her relationships. Or at least that's how I interpret the ending.
Myles Thomas she did! when she reveals that she joined them she says something like “after a few chi blocking lessons the girls and i are......” something i forget 😂
Azula is so well written that sometimes its difficult to see her as a 14 yr old girl but as, in her worlds, a monster. Probably one of the reasons why ATLA is arguably one of the GOAT in tvs is how Azula was portrayed and how she was parallel to Zuko in character development. As Zuko embraces his true self, Azula in comparison succumbs to her downfall. And I love how despite Azula being portrayed as more terrifying than Ozai and probably can be seen as the real antagonist, she was not given just an "antagonist" label. Her story didnt end with simply the girl who successfully took over basing se, or the girl who killed the avatar, or who almost became the first female fire lord, but in the end, she was portrayed as the broken daughter who longed for the love and acceptance of her parents and the girl who was just lonely. Such a masterpiece.
Also, how chillingly and remarkably terrifying she is as an antagonist. Like, for me, she is one of the best villains there is. it gives me chills and left me in amazement everytime she immediately formulate a plan or a conclusion or an accurate read on the on the other's psyche and intentions base on a fucking hunch or just from a single sentence she overheard in passing. And every fcking one of them were as spot on and just wow. If this girl wasnt so hell bent on her father's approval, she could probably rule over the world in one week and have the gaang dead in one day.
yea, though I think the flash back was in zuko’s perspective. also I feel so bad that azula prolly heard her mom say “what’s wrong with that child” like don’t say that to a child
@@nergal7236 she also straight up called her uncle a quitter for not staying on the battleground after his son died. Just because she’s a kid doesn’t mean she’s completely clueless. She was CLEARLY not clueless. You can argue she’s a product of her upbringing but don’t try and tell me she was unaware of the shit she was saying. She also literally told Zuko that his father was gonna kill him (and honestly I’m not even sure she was lying!!!), found joy in Zuko getting burned by Ozai, was happy at the actual thought of her brother being dead, etc.
I think a big contributor in what finally caused Azula to break is the moment she was tapped for Firelord. Think about this: she was working her whole life to be seen as worthy of being named Firelord, and when Ozai finally promised her that title, he immediately made a new position higher than it and gave that name to himself. Phoenix King. Suddenly the role she'd been working towards, that of ruler of the Fire Nation, most powerful position in the world, was relegated to Number Two. Right where she'd always been.
I think its more on the lines to finally be able to fight side by side with her father, the ultimate display of receiving approval from him. And being apart of destroying the world along side the only person she "loved and admired" And she was denied this. and relegated to not being apart of the event that will change the world.
Lord Kiyo I think it’s both. She has a superiority complex and narcissistic tendencies all the while still being a child that looks for parental approval. The two don’t mix well with a father with similar if not the same mental issues.
I think even without the Phoenix King to take away the true meaning of her new title her victory would have tasted like ashes to her. It was not really the title she had desired, deep inside it was something the title represented. The love of her father. She acts like a drug addict, who suddenly can´t get a high anymore from her favourite drug, power. She uses it, but feels nothing. So she tries it again and again, banishing people all around, but nothing makes her feel like before. And when she then faces Zuko it all comes crashing down. He is better in bending than her...but the worst thing is probably Katara. When she comes to his rescue and heals him she shows to Zuko what Azula had wanted most in her life, even though she never admittet it to herself, someone who cared for her. I´d say that´s what finally broke her, being alone and defeated in more than just the fight. She has nothing and Zuko has everything, even a former enemy who is happy to see him alive.
I think her break happened later than Zuko's but it was the same dilemma. You've accomplished everything you ever wanted but you stand alone among your accolades. Zuko, you succeeded but your Uncle is not around and he does not approve. Does anyone else's approval even really matter to you now? Azula you've accomplished everything you ever wanted but you stand alone in your palace. Your friends broke away from your manipulative and abusive exploitation and your mother never approved of your methods or your lack of empathy. The difference was a sense of honor and duty. Zuko found the path he must tread. Azula deluded herself into believing that her path was the right one and continued until her life fell apart around her.
The reason Toph is able to detect a lie is because when people lie, they instinctively feel guilty about it, which effects their heart rate... Azula lies to their faces but Toph can't detect it because Azula feels _no guilt_ from lying. Just something interesting to note.
Unlike the previous Firelords, she never sat still in the center. She was either walking around or leaning against a post. Almost like she doesn't want to be stabbed in the back (again).
@@ceeeceee8753 I guess when you delude someone to believe that they are the center of the universe and that belief system crashes... It's catastrophic.
@@kristianparalisan8909 it's more like when you manipulate and betray people over and over again you start expecting someone to do it to you because that's what you know, why wouldn't anyone do it to you? so yes technically paranoia😅
@@christinainez4005 The thing about abandonment issues and the paranoia that comes with it is that it's a self-fulfilling prophecy. You look at someone and think "they're gonna abandon me" and then, you do something that makes them leave or push them away. Confirming what you already think again and again.
On Ursa, on top of the physical and emotional abuse, it was a FORCED marriage. So you can add sexual abuse on top of that, since I'm pretty damn sure that there was no willingness there.
That makes so much sense. I've been wondering what would possess a kind person like Ursa to marry and have children with a war-mongering egomaniac like Ozai. The two just seem incompatible. But yeah, forced marriage explains it.
She’s the granddaughter of avatar Roku, so it was basically a power move. Super fucked up in every way possible considering Ozai’s grandfather abandoned Roku on the volcano that killed him
That scene in The Beach where she apologizes to Ty Lee for making her cry and admitting to her that she was jealous of her was always interesting to me. Maybe deep, deep down, her friends (or Ty Lee, at least) actually meant more to her than just the means to an end.
Yes. I think that was the one time she decided to bring herself down from her pedestal, to the level of her friend she really did actually care about. That one time.
it's sad that the part when she admits she was jealous isn't mentioned here :( it brings the interaction to a whole new level and it shows a lot of vulnerability and self awareness (I mean, for Azula)
That Pupi he never mentioned about Azula’s facial expressions when Ty lee was telling them about her problems Azula actually looked like she secretly cared but idk this vid dismisses the friendship she had with Ty Lee and Mai even though they were friends for years and them two were the catalyst to Azulas breakdown
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I really like to believe that is genuine, because it show that even if she passes that point of no return in the series, at least there, there was a small ray of hope for her
I think he would have followed to a lesser degree, he got positive attention from people other than his dad unlike azula. Speaking out at the war meeting isn’t something azula would do. He craves the approval but he’s stuck with a moral compass that generally disagrees with atrocities.
A young 14 years old child Not knowing what a mother's affection meant Knew her fathers love was conditional but still strived to get it Only to realise that she was being used as a weapon The only time she heard the words 'I love you' were in a illusion Azula truly wasn't born all that perfect after way
@@nathanjora7627 he killed 40 million and pluss he had a very loving mother and many friends pluss most fascist are normal people who just became so stupidly irrational when they could have been normal, pluss he seemed to have emotions for his friends but killed children as if it was like farting, many other things could be talked about but realy, Hitler was a cunt and should have died in the crib
A cartoon with better character development than almost all movies and series today.. sometimes I wish I could forget I've ever watched it just to enjoy it fully all over again..
Something I do when I feel like that, is to watch people reacting to the show for the first time, it reaaally brings almost the same feelings I experienced myself on my fist time, for ATLA, I would recommend The Normies, they have a playlist with their reactions to every episode, and you can see they have a great dynamic and their reactions are genuine
TV shows, in general, have better character development. They have more time to show the nuances and depth of their characters than in movies. Sure they're broken into 30-60 minute segments but 13 episodes is much longer than a mere 2-hour long movie. What make this different is that it tackles things most writers would not especially in a show targeted for children while making it easy to understand and comprehend. The protagonists have flaws and is often challenged, the antagonist has flaws and motives, every character has some king of arc which makes the whole world feel more real. There are films series that come close but didn't leave the same impact even with more time. Avatar was 1537 minutes long. The MCU excluding Far From Home had 3000. This show is a masterpiece and I forgot why I wrote this.
Sarah Abramova Agni is the God of Fire in Hinduism. Kai means release in Japanese, but more likely it’s a play on 大会 (taikai, literally big meeting) which is used for martial arts tournaments. So you can translate it to a tournament of Fire. Google translate only translated the Hindi section (Agni) but Agni Kai is using two different languages.
@@AllyrionWW thanks. I know Google Translate isn't very good, believe me, my French teacher banned us from using Google Translate. I just wanted an idea of the translation, but thank you for the information, it's a really cool fact!
Another interesting example of her ability to empathise, however limited, is when Mai talks about her childhood and how she was always quiet and her family only focused on her father's reputation. No one can figure out why Mai acts apathetic, not even herself, but Azula immediately understands. She says Mai acts the way she does as a defense mechanism because that's how she was raised. She was always told to keep quiet, and that is what she did. I just find it interesting that Azula was the only one to understand Mai as that would require empathy.
Understanding something and feeling it are two different things. Psychopaths can tell what you are feeling, they just aren't affected themselves by it and use it to manipulate you.
I think that line was meant to show how Azula can calculate a person very quickly, but that’s a very good observation you made! I didn’t even think abt that until you said something
Azula also makes a psychologically astute comment when she’s dressed as a Kyoshi warrior and pretending to empathize with the Earth King. She says something like “it can be devastating when you realize you can’t trust the people closest to you.” It’s clearly double entendre because she’s fooling the king right in front of his face, but it also speaks to how efficiently Azula processes social information. As a master manipulator she must be able to read people’s feelings quickly and accurately, in order to take advantage of them. Or perhaps there’s a part of her that does empathize. ATLA does a good job of showing the human side of everybody, and reality is a gray place. We will never really know what potential Azula may have to be a healthy and empathetic person if she addressed her childhood trauma.
@@oscarwilde9581 It's kinda weird how Azula is probably the best and deepest character in the series while Ozai was very shallow and cartoonish at the same time.
In the "Ember Island Players" one of my favorite parts is when Sokka reads the sources for the play off the poster and it includes "... a surprisingly knowledgeable merchant of cabbage(s)." XD
During the beach scene, Azula asks Zuko "there's a simple question you need to answer then. Who are you angry at?" and later she gives the possible answers of "is it dad?" "me?". And while she obviously knows logically that she and Ozai hurt Zuko big time, she also knows that *emotionally*, as in, she feels GUILT to the smallest extent. She had no reason to help him like that, and she wasn't even that invested. At that moment she just casually wanted to help him. It's something to think about.
I swear to god, every time EVERY TIME I watch something about Avatar the Last Airbender, it just even further solidifies it as a brilliant series for me. This show has so many layers of complexity and careful detailing to it that I would never even know where to begin with it.
@@nikolanguyen2509 recently I used to think that until a friend told me that it is better written than games of thrones, I gave it a try and it became my favorite series of a lifetime, I'm still sad that it's over
That's the primary advantage of developing the series the way they did. The whole series was already written and finished when the pilot episode was greenlit.
One thing that I really liked about the fire nation was that they didn't portray their women as being any weaker than their men. All of them have the potential to be equally as strong. This also seemed to hold true for the air nomads, but not for the water tribe (e.g. waterbending women are expected to be healers) or the earth kingdom (e.g. Toph's upbringing).
Toph was raised that way because she’s blind, so her parents thought she was weak. Although, now that I think about it, Toph is pretty much the only female earth bender
I think that those two were more isolated cases, the water tribe thing was only in the north (see: the puppet master), and there isn’t any difference in power perception between men and women in the earth kingdom from what I can tell, toph was thought to be weak because she was blind and also a child, not to mention that she chose to put forward that front to conceal her identity as the blind bandit
@@artemisfowldragon I doubt the custom of women being inferior only applies at the Northern Tribe. Look at Sokka from the beginning, his attitude to his sister and the Kyoshi warriors; but this is only my personal speculation considering I only pointed a single character amongst the Southern Tribe.
Makka's response was dead on also Pakku's anger over his fiance leaving him over accepting her "place" in society solidified the division of sexes in the N water tribe
I'd have to disagree because although the water tribe has strict positions for men and women(them being healers) in the tribe, the dont portray the women as weaker. Th his can be shown with how respected the women and cherished the women are for their healing and taking care of the tribe and Yue sacrificing herself. I do think the positions the men and women take are old fashioned, but the still show them as equals in how they contribute to the water tribe
I know I'm late to the party, but one thing I wish ATLA included was more interaction between Aang and Azula. These characters are the most tragic in the show for reasons that, while differ on some levels, are also eerily similar on others. Throughout the show, it's clear that Aang had much of his childhood taken from him. While the early years of his life allowed him the luxury of growing up as any other kid from the Air Nomads, the premature announcement that he was the Avatar took that away - something that he did not choose, or even want to be now dictated his life. Waking up in a world at war, Aang is thrust into this role further, with no option to be anything but what is expected of him. Even when Ozai is defeated at the end of the show, this does not change. The world is still turbulent, and is still in need of the Avatar. His people, the air nation, are still all but extinct save for himself. He will never get the opportunity to be normal, to be who he truly wants to be, because of forces out of control. And yet he doesn't complain, and continues to do what he believes is duty. Likewise, so much of Azula's life and the person she becomes is determined by things she cannot control. When she shows as a child a perfection and finesse that her brother lacks, her father takes an interest I'm her training and development into the killer she becomes, allowing Ursa to become invest more in Zukos life than she would be in Azula's. While she had the attention of her father, the only she needed and wanted was unconditional love. And yet, everything was conditional for Azula. She HAD to be perfect for her father's "love", since she would never receive it from her mother. In her final scene of the show, we see Azula chained, screaming and crying following the Agni Kai. I don't think it's because she lost, rather that in losing she is shown what she will never have: unconditional love, shown moments before by both Zuko and Katara. Because Azula, more than anyone else in the show, believes that she is a monster. Despite desiring that more than any amount of power, she truly believes that she can never be loved because of who she is. While we a broken girl in that final shot, all she sees in herself is a monster that can never be loved. I think these two, the two characters who have arguably the most tragic stories and realities in the show, would be the perfect duo for many reasons. The fact that they are polar opposites is the reason that they are perfect. The way that they would challenge each other in ways that no other characters could. And, despite the fact that are opposite in nature, due to their shared tragic stories they would also be able to understand the other on a level that no one else could. Aangs greatest strength, his inherent nature to unconditionally love all things, is the thing that Azula needs more than anything else. Likewise, in a world that now has a power vacuum created by the defeat of the Firelord, many threats would emerge to take his place would would require a cold, calculating mind to decipher and see through the lies and threats. While this is a nature that Aang does not possess and is probably incapable of possessing, Azula is a master in this environment and would help to show Aang the reality that the real world, and the people in it, don't always share his desire for peace. These two characters, especially Azula, would be able to grow and change so much, if they just spent more time around each other. In this perfect show, this is the only thing I wish we got to see more of in it. I always enjoy your videos, keep up the good work 👍👍
I hope we can have at least something similar in the comics, well Avatar Studios was created recently as well so hopefully we can get to see content like you said (or at least something similar) happening there too
While I see your point, the reason why they didn't do that was because they already had it; with Aang and Zuko. Zuko was the one that needed to find his own destiny and escape from his father's shadow, to finally realize that his own happiness matters, NOT his father's. He needed to realize that change was possible and that he was a good person, even though he was never the "perfect" son that his father always wanted, but he never had to be because his happiness was more important. Azula wasn't involved in the show from start to finish and is the exact opposite of Zuko. Unlike him, she saw no reason to change, or escape her father's thumb, but instead strived to be the "perfect" daughter that Ozai always wanted. Her arc didn't matter as the show didn't start with her trying to find the Avatar; that was Zuko. Aang asked Zuko if they could ever be friends, and in the third season, Zuko, in a way, took up Aang's offer and desperately tried to show everyone that he was on the path for good, even though he already was before that point, he just got lost in the process. While Azula's story is still tragic and a clear example of what abuse does to a child, at the end of the day, her changing wasn't the point; she already reached her breaking point and finally gave up and, in a way, Zuko could've been the same way. He could've honored his father and been a carbon copy of him, but he wasn't, and that led to him being happy and finally bringing peace, rather than destruction. Azula never had this opportunity and while I'm not saying that it was a one-sided experience for her and Zuko, at the same time, HE needed the redemption. HE needed to change, HE needed to be friends with Aang and the others and, I guess you could say, erase the sins of his father. Azula could've been that way, but chose not to be. Why does HER redemption arc matter in the grand scheme of things? In the end, her and Zuko's stories showed the positive and negative effects of child abuse, and how far a person will go to change and be the opposite of their parents, and how the other refuses to do so. If this was Azula's arc, then SHE would've been searching for Aang, become the Blue Spirit, and eventually friend turned foe. It wasn't the "goal", so to speak, for Aang to become friends with her AND Zuko, hence why Zuko's story was so impactful from start to finish. I'm not saying you forgot about this or anything/are wrong and this is just my perspective, but if Azula was that important to the entire plot in terms of change, then why didn't they do anything about it? Why did the show focus a lot more on Zuko AND his relationship with Iroh if Azula was supposed to change? Why make such a big deal out of Zuko and Iroh? Because Azula didn't matter in terms of redemption. If she did, they would've shown that from the beginning and while, yes, Zuko WAS a villain, he was nowhere near as villainous as Azula and Ozai. Especially when he had Iroh as a mentor and his mother who deeply loved him; Azula didn't, meaning there was no hope for her at all, and her fate at the end of the series was all her doing. She could've changed, she could've been happy, she could've walked away from Ozai...but didn't. Even her own friends turned against her because of who she had become. She had no one, no one to put her on the right path, including herself. I hope this makes sense, and while I'm obviously not saying that Azula is worthless or boring or anything like that, I still care a lot more about Zuko's journey than I ever did hers. She and Ozai were the true villains of the show; Zuko was just lost, but finally found his way, and look how that turned out. Also, with all due respect, I don't really understand why you said that Aang and Azula had the most tragic backstories. Yes, I believe you with Aang's side, but who was forced to fight their own father, had their face burned by their father, was banished from the Fire Nation, and was never loved by his father at all? Azula was the prodigy of Ozai, and yes he was using her, but overall, at least in his eyes, she was the much better child that greatly resembled her father in terms of personality and desires. Zuko was never that. He was the black sheep of the two and a great disappointment--again, only in Ozai's eyes--and nothing he did was ever good enough for him, and while Ozai never loved his children, Zuko had it ten times worse than Azula ever did but, again, look who changed in the end, while still having a good heart. Again, not saying that Azula's story isn't tragic, but she wasn't literally scarred for life and banished like Zuko was. Yes, they were both lost, but Zuko was always good; Azula wished she was good, but never made the effort.
It seems that iroh gained the wisdom through age and realization after failure and the death of his son.. Because when they talk about his past, they speak of him as this great warrior. Also when he spoke about the dreams he had as a child they would include him conquering places.
Sometimes it's just a a difference in people. Two kids can grow up in the same environment and be affected completely different. Maybe from the get-go, Iroh always had more compassion and love than Ozai, and Ozai always desired power more? I mean, when Iroh's son died, he was devastated. Azulon ordered for Zuko's death and Ozai didn't give a shit bc he didn't want Zuko to be his successor anyways! There's not a whole lot of backstory on Iroh and Ozai, but from what they tell us, it seems like Iroh was pretty ruthless as a general too, tho. He stood with his nation, leading destruction, death, and chaos. He believed he was destined to conquer Ba Sing Se, as if he was entitled to it. However, when he lost his son, his eyes were opened to what the war truly was. Throughout his life, he learned that if your wisdom is only taken from one source, it becomes rigid. Ozai, on the other hand, never seemed to come to that enlightenment.
I think iroh was very much like ozai before the death of his son at ba sing se, where he realizes that war and hatred do nothing but bring despair, which is why he steps down from being fire lord and agrees to go with zuko on his search for the avatar, so he doesnt end up like his father.
Peter parkers ass you’re right, but he didn’t actually step down from becoming Fire Lord: he had his birthright taken from him by his brother. Ozai (with Ursa as his accomplice) murdered their father, then doctored his will to say that Azulon’s last wish was for Ozai to become Fire Lord...Iroh was just too grief-stricken and worn down to fight it. There’s no real reason I’m correcting you, so don’t mean to offend, I just wanted some conversation lol
When I was young, I never understood why Azula lost the battle with Katara and Zuko. Surely, some little metal chains could be burnt by a skilled firebender? It happened before in the show. She could have used her feet, hell even her mouth, she spits some crazy fire while she is chained. But I now I interpret it this way: She lost to love again. Katara, after she chained her, didn't even look at her and went straight to Zuko. Because he's hurt and he's important to her. Because he's her friend and she loves him. The person who received love and consideration won. Katara isn't afraid of her, nor is Zuko. Love won, not fear. She was never loved and she isn't feared anymore. She is now nothing, so why fight? It doesn't matter anymore. "*I* don't matter anymore." And that is incredibly sad.
Azula suffered a psychological breakdown because her power over others through fear was destroyed by love and everything that she thought was real turned out be nothing but delusions in her head.
@@Pendrake I mean, to be honest. Of all the benders that Iroh has met it was a very easy solution. He knows how evil his brother is and how evil someone that sees him as a role model would be. And not all characters know the entire story, so they only knew the powerhungry fascist instead of the person she actually is. Atraumatized child who needs the love she never had.
werewolfassasyn healing is a two way street, a person has to be open and want to be saved. Azula never really wanted help, even when her whole world fell apart. Iroh could’ve held out a hand, (which he does several times with introspective remarks) but she never would’ve and did reached back.
As an adult azula definitely one of the most interesting personalities in the show. I get the sense she learned bad cooping mechanism early on or over valuing certain things to to point of blindness
Ugh this is kind of disappointing to me. Redemption arcs are overplayed in general, we already got like 3 really well developed redemption arcs in the show (Zuko, Iroh, and Jet) so I really feel like with how complex and developed Azula’s villainy and the backstory behind it all another redemption arc would kinda ruin it. Especially because we see a parallel with Zuko’s redemption because he had the love from Iroh to reverse his childhood trauma but Azula didn’t
Damn... they made a big mistake going to Nickelodeon. They should have pitched it to Cartoon Network. Viacom (who owns Nickelodeon) is a complete disaster. Just take a look they have nothing going for them. They own MTV which is also complete crap. They’re viewership is falling every year and don’t allow streaming networks to have their shows. Smh nicks golden era ended essentially when Ariana grande left the show to become a pop star. Even before that. 2000s were there golden age. 2010s they’re done and on there way out....
And that's the interesting thing, in the final fight between Katara and Azula, I kept screaming in my head at Katara to blood bend her. I know that, narratively, it is a power linked to the "dark side" of people and Katara only used it after its introduction once when she faced her mother's killer, and so I get why, again, NARRATIVELY she couldn't/didn't want to use it. Nonetheless, I think in a life-or-death scenario involving an enraged, mentally unstable Azula, you would sure want every tool at your disposal! Moreover, not only would Azula have hated it, but it would have been some sweet sweet narrative irony. Azula, the girl who needed to be feared and in control, essentially defeated by becoming Katara's puppet, and being shown to actually never have been in control of what's most important.
@@viepng At that point in the show? No, I don't think she could. Maybe in the comics which I'm not familiar with but it's never stated nor implied that she could do it without a full moon in the show. Everytime she did bloodbend, there was always a full moon involved.
8 months late, but a reddit thread brought up an interesting thing. You mention how Azula is a perfectionist, but it goes beyond her simple attitude. Her blue flames themselves are perfect combustion. In normal combustion (which is what I assume all firebenders perform to make fire), the chemical reaction leaves behind products that arent necessary to the chemical reaction, like soot or methane. This is what makes the fire orange when you burn wood instead of a pure fuel like gas. In perfect combustion however, your only products are water and Carbon dioxide, which has the effect of making flames blue. This might just be a coincidence, but I like to think that Azula is such a perfectionist that she learned how to do perfect combustion simply because she wanted even the most inane aspects of her firebending to be absolutely perfect.
@@moonlight_oats Well in perfect combustion the flame is hotter than in imperfect combustion. The color of the flames is more the affect of the increased intensity and heat from perfect combustion, when compared to regular combustion.
What's even more heartbreaking is that Zuko had someone he could lean on, trust, and who made him a better person and never turned his back on him; Azula never did.
I like how Azulas hair represented her need for perfection. I just want to point out that after a bit of her hair was cut by Katara's water slice, she was thoroughly incapacitated by Katara, who was also a prodigy in waterbending.
People always compare the parallels between Zuko and Katara when talking about Fire and Water but I truly think that the parallels between Katara and Azula are far more interesting. Analyzing Katara's amazing skills in empathy, being a prodigy in her art, her learning to work through her imperfections, and losing her mother compared with Azula's lack of empathy, being a prodigy in her art, need for perfection. and her relationship with her mother could make for an interesting video.
I find it a little funny... Azula has _always_ had her hair done. Any time we see her doing her hair, it's someone else washing it or brushing it. Now, she may not have had hairdressers whilst on the run after the Avatar, I admit that. But any scene involving her grooming is done by someone else. Then... during the scene where she shatters the mirror... she has no one to do her hair. She relies on herself and only herself, and she fails.
Also when Zuko call's Ty Lee a circus freak, and Azula laughs and then Ty starts to cry, you can actually see Azula being hesitant and regretting to laugh for a second. There is no longer smile on her face and she for that moment does regret her choice to laugh but then she brushes it off a bit later on
@Purple Emerald It reminds me a bit of how neurodivergent people don't always naturally grasp social cues and instead have to study them to understand what you're meant to do and why. Which, when combined with Ozai's dubious parenting, explains a great deal about her. The beach episode is tragic because Azula can only operate in scenarios where she can manipulate or intimidate her way into getting what she wants. Because that's all she can do.
One thing I really loved about Azula's story is that she was never physically hurt or beaten, and her mother didn't really seem to be mean to her, but yet Azula still suffered from emotional abuse. I think the show does a great job on showing that emotional abuse is really important and not as easy to spot as other forms of abuse (e.g. Zuko getting his scar)
I don’t know why, but I think that she was abused physically and dare I say sexually. I mean this is her father were talking about. He probably abused her in every way possible.
@@hennessygarciahg now you're reaching she just got drunk with power basically like Daddy's Money being selfish and mean and only knowing War that's why she can't get along with anyone else and especially when she loses her friends
Honestly the thing that gets me is that shes 14. That's a high school freshman, that's a child. She could have turned out different, and she deserved better
“I love Zuko more than I fear you” this could also have reminded her of her mother preferring Zuko and betraying Azula’s trust as her child. Now her friends Mai and Ty lee did the same thing and in the end the entire world did the same thing, they all chose the same path as her mother. Hence why she feels like now everybody could turn on her, using even more fear to keep people ‘on her side’. Hence why, when she’s schizophrenic, she believes her mother had been conspiring with and convincing everyone to take her down. She realises she can trust nobody through her path of fear so while everyone is leaving her she kind of realises her whole upbringing by her father had basically been a scam (hence how in her schizophrenic episode her mother tells her this, so she’s somewhat self aware) plus she NEVER received love, only psychological abuse. What could also be a take is that in the schizophrenic episodes, her mother isn’t being sweet to her, but she’s indirectly bullying her, the way Azula would do it. Her whole presence and loving approach creates the character of Azula’s nightmare who started and spread Azula’s misery to everyone else. the reason Azula cries isn’t because she gets emotional hearing the words of her mother. she feels bullied, but completely hopeless in her anxiety and distaste for loving attitudes. Her schizophrenic episodes are more like bad dreams.
I just re-watched ATLA on Netflix and when Azula saw her mother in the mirror, she was cold. Her voice was without emotion. When we see flashbacks of the mother with zuko, she had natural inflection in her voice. She was warm and caring. As a kid, I always thought the "mirror mother" was being sincere. I even thought that she was being sincere when I re-watched it as a 22 yr old. But it was because we saw the mother through zuko's eyes; not azula's. Why would "mirror mom" talk about her hair when its already cut? Its too late. Why would she say 'I love you' in that tone? It's very interesting. And one of the saddest parts of the series (imo) is when azula is alone in those chains. As a kid, I thought it was what she deserved. And now as an adult, I still think it was right in a sense that katara do that. She was out of control and trying to kill her. But what made it sad was when she stop yelling. She wasn't crying but sobbing/weeping. She was alone. No one was coming for her. Zuko had Katara. Mai had Ty Lee. Ozai had power (which to him was like a relationship). She knew that no one had her. She had no one. She knew she could break those chains, but if she were ever to actually need assistance, no one would be there. In all of the series she made choices that not even adults made. It made her seem that she was a grown woman with years of experience. But she was only 14. I cried when she cried. I felt bad for her.
Taylor Sanders Dude. Dude. If no one else has read this comment, I want you to know I did. And I’m going to remember it forever. I screenshotted it. Thank you.
@@Genpri thank you. This really was a great show in so many ways but my favourite is characterization. I always love dissecting characters as much as I can. Azula, although not my favoutite (toph stan now and forever) was the most interesting character analysis to me. She was a product of an abusive environment. No one reached out to her and gave her multiple chances like her brother. She was always an irredeemable monster. That's really sad to me. She needed a hug and to be told she was loved.
That movie was truly a shit show. Honestly no live-action film can grasp the artistry, homage to Asian and native culture, and character depth that the show portrayed. This show was truly a gem.
I think a live action could be done now with today's graphics. If not a 4 past movie series, then a series of mini-movies on Netflix or something... M. Night should not even be allowed to see the new movie after what he did to the live action. He's banned from all ATLA related media! His need to put a twist in every movie led to weird name pronunciations, and the good guys being light while the bad guys were dark. Tf was that about? Lol
Azula: can lightning bend, command an entire army, win the loyalty of the Dai Li, conquer cities, take control of Ba Sing Se, cut her own hair, give a speech, dodge every attack, and basically everything you can think of Also Azula: can’t pick up boys
I think what’s also important is how Ozai and Ursa show affection. Ursa talks with Zuko, hugging him and playing with him. Ozai just smiles, gives Azula vague acknowledgments and punishes people who wrong her. And that’s only when she isn’t annoying him. Azula doesn’t know what true love is. She wants love and affection, but all she got was superficial approval. She also uses Ozai’s tactics to express her love for her friends and brother. She isn’t physically affectionate and is mostly quiet except when giving superficial praise.
but he was really patient with her than w others, when she was arguing that she should join him on his conquest battle IN FRONT of servants and other people, he lets her talk a little and then tries to calm her by calling her name and names her his successor and new fire lord, zuko got his face burnt for speaking up against a general, so imagine what ozai would have done if zuko had been the one arguing w Ozai himself about injustice, i was surprised watching this that she didn't got burnt too because there were other people around and she was questioning his decision
@@mmgs1148 It's because Ozai is aware that Azula is the superior fighter, but he's also aware of the psychological hold his approval has on her. Think about who can do better without their bending. Even without her bending, Azula can fight pretty well. Ozai is nothing without his bending, as the finale points out. Plus, Ozai needs Azula on his side, to have faith in him, if he ever needs a trump card.
I became concerned about Azula when she started hallucinating her mother in the mirror. It was then I realized she was being tormented by her own thoughts and feelings. My concern for her got amped up to 11 when she lost to Zuko and Katara. She broke down and thrashing around and I actually thought she would hurt herself trying to get out of the chains. Azula on the surface is a monster, but deep down, she's a broken girl who just wants affection and love from her family.
I know, right ? all I wanted is Zuko just giving her a hug, but in the series, he only sees things as "good" and "bad" to realize that when theres darkness theres also light... (like yin and yang)
Ultimate Kyle well I don’t think that would’ve worked... I mean she was horrible to him when they were kids and also tried to kill him already. Zuko still tries to fix it in the comics and what does she do? Goes and starts kidnapping kids lmao
The saddest thing about Azula imo is that all her problems could have been prevented...even if she was born with some of these tendencies, if she had someone, even one person, there to truly guide her, show her different, take her away from the abuse and hatred, she could've grown into someone kind, someone who could deal with these complex emotions and fears. Zuko had Iroh, but Azula was alone...arguably, Zuko's banishment was the best thing that could have happened to him. He was free, and Azula was trapped, alone, under the thumb of a maniacal, delusional leader, with nobody to teach her what love was...
I completely agree, and while that is tragic, it doesn't excuse her actions, but at the same time, it's not her fault. She didn't go down that path on her own.
idk she had her mom... but even her mom was scared of her. i'm not saying she couldn't be saved but she definitely seemed to have a propensity towards evil from a young age.
I had known she was 14 for at least a couple years (after I watched the series for the third time), but hearing it again after the whole analysis just gives it a totally different and sad/disturbing vibe. The girl has literally only been alive for 14 years. Damn.
I really think that Azula was doomed by being born a prodigy - this gaining Ozai's approval in a way that causes her to continue to seek it out, and become further distanced from any of her mothers approval. Without finding much approval from Ozai, Zuko ends up leaning on his mother and is thus also more open to Irohs rescue as well. Being the prodigy golden child came with the cost of dooming her to isolation.
Keelan C, true. Talent can be a blessings and a curse. Azula’s environment was really not nurturing and loving at all. Plus they were the “Fire Nation” who spread their prosperity by conquering people. Ugh... talk about an environment.
@@sithlordshaun_ Azula is actually the same age as Katara which means that they're both 14 years old, but by the end of the show they turned 15 since the gap between season 1 and 3 is only one year apart. The one you're thinking is 16-17 years old is Zuko.
I know like damn she is one conniving, manipulative and vindictive 14 year old. Just goes to show how deep her abuse was though. That by the age 14 she would act how she does in the show.
![What happened to Katara after The Last Airbender? [ Avatar Explained ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/JQ_LQ0C4zfY/mqdefault.jpg)
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This video was blocked by Viacom, and while I'm disputing it, I don't know how long it will be up, so if you'd like to see more of this kind of content, please consider supporting me and Supreme Leader Mishy here >>> www.patreon.com/hellofutureme (+Discord!) I've had a total of 13 hours sleep in the past 72 hours. It's 6AM here, and I'm so freaking tired, but here you go: Azula's psychology.
Stay nerdy,
Tim
Thanks alot Tim
All hail Mishka
Hello Future Me I know this is what you enjoy making and I just wanted to say good job on making your own book but I hope you make more how to train your dragon theories
hm good
Tim, you should rest, but then take the time to reach out to the lawyer at LegalEagle. He is looking for TH-camrs who have been unfairly targeted by copyright claims
@@CORleader4 me and someone it seems mentioned this channel so heres hoping something good comes from it at least
i can not get over the fact that Avatar did a literal "filler beach episode" type episode and made it good enough that it comes into play in psychological character breakdowns
ikr?! like even their supposedly unimportant episodes are ICONIC
Except for the great divide.
Kye Dysarthria Tbh I liked it but it wasn’t the best. It was nice to know Aang could lie though.
@@hsmacaraig yes that was the best part I was so surprised that it was a lie I really believed his story haha
The 💝👇 Secret to Katara's Hairstyle
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The 💝👆 Secret to Katara's Hairstyle!
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I love that her personality is portrayed complexly and realistic, not a watered-down kiddie version of a downward spiral, but the real thing. Just one part of why I love this show
And we would've never gotten it as a child, and here we are, either random youtube recommendation, or wondering what was going through azulas head
Sew free free entertainment
PrincessAdriGirl I watched the series again recently, and so many things passed over my head when I was a kid
Exactly, I don’t even see Azula as evil it’s just her prior life molded her into what she is. She doesn’t senselessly kill or harm people it’s always just for her own gain
Darth Pancake Studios I see your point but look at her up bringing. She shows light compassion even after everything she’s been through and that says a lot
"She was right, of course, but it still hurt," is so tragic, because it's Azula catching herself being vulnerable and immediately correcting.
Thats true. She cant let her guard down for more than a second. Also shows how she internalised she's a monster.
its also played for comedic effect
and is pretty hilarious
I mean not really, she didn't change what she was saying half way through
@@deoxal7947 The full sentence ‘My own Mother thought I was a monster. She was right, of course, but it still hurt’ The first bit had genuine emotion, while the other had a comedic effect.
It’s shows just how much Ozai destroyed her
I just realized that the reason azula was so triggered when mai said azula miscalculated and that she loved Zuko more than she feared her. The only other person to have loved zuko more than they feared azula was her mom Ursa. All those memories of longing for her mothers love and instead seeking to earn her fathers approval came rushing back at once. Her mentality about the world was once again shattered. She could not bear once again zuko of all people could be loved more than her. It must have completely shattered her psyche
YES finally someone said that
I believe you're right
Yea...
hence why she almost lightning bended Mei
Yes, replace the word "fear" with "love"...(No, YOU miscalculated. You should have LOVED me more.)
It might just be me, but if a girl walked up and told me
That my outfit was "So sharp it could puncture the hull of an empire-class Fire Nation battle ship, leaving thousands to drown at sea" I'd be flattered.
You’re not alone haha I would be so interested 😂
Same, my friend.
because, *it's so sharp!*
Same. But at the same time awkward bc I'm straight.
Ikr
that moment where she’s been defeated and chained up was honestly heartbreaking. even though she is the antagonist, she is a deeply scarred character. her crying and breathing fire hysterically really got me.
It made me cry...I felt so bad for her. She sounded just like me when I'm breaking down from stress. Just like me...
That scene hurt so bad to watch. her sharp breathing, the fear in her eyes, rolling on the ground trying to escape.
Way to fuckin go, Ozai. You drove your “perfect” daughter insane.
And I looooove avatar soooo much because they really treated that scene with the somber tone it deserved. Like that fight was cRaZy visually stunning and the wHOLE SERIES built up to those 2 fights, so they could have given the fight between Zuko/Katara and Azula heart pumping adrenaline filled music and celebrated when she was defeated. But the backround music was somber and when she was defeated there wasn't celebration, they just looked at her saddly. She was a broken and abused 14 year old and the show recognized that and even tho its a cartoon knew the audience could understand that complex situation and character aaahhh I love it!!!
Yeah oh god that hurt. She’s so scared to fail and be treated like Zuko. Says a lot about both her characters.
“My own mother....thought I was a monster...”
“ *She was right of course, but it still hurt* “
i got a strange mix of pity and impressed when she said that.
pity cause she was genuinely hurt from learning her mother's feeling about her, meaning she cared for her mother's attitude toward her
but also impressed that she sorta moved on and was still able to so much after that.
keyword: sorta. she still had the inevitable mental breakdown. but again: she still got shit done
@@DeltaFrazzle I'm not so sure about that whole "moving on" bit. It never struck me that Azula really gave that much of a damn about what her mom thought of her at any point. She certainly didn't miss the woman after she left. As for "getting shit done", don't you think the kind of things she did kind of make that distinction meaningless? Stalin and Hernan Cortez also "got shit done" and the result was the massacre of millions of innocents. Details do kind of matter.
@@madpoetsociety2917 I think Azula cared very much about what her mom thought about her. I think she cared a lot about what many persons thought about her. I can't say that she missed Ursa, but it's always struck me that Azula was very good at repressing her feelings, including her feelings of doubt about herself. Once her confidence and world view started breaking down she lost that ability to repress those feelings. And I have to agree with @DeltaFrazzle. She did "get shit done". She had goals and plans that she was able to enact and accomplish, which made her a fearsome villain. The acts were bad, but she was very good at doing what she felt needed to be done.
I thought of it as her opening her feeling for that one moment. Because of everyone acting emotional about their past. That what I thought as child when watching the series.
This reminds me of a lot of "millennial humor", I wonder what the fuck is up with us
I feel like whats cool about seeing azula as a villain is that we don’t get many female characters that are low empathy or sadistic because it’s not considered an inherently feminine characteristic.
But well strangely she is I find her more feminine than the Kioshi warriors
@@King_Menelik I think it's the fact that Azula does have an emotional breakdown that is in some ways encouraged by her looks, which a lot of people consider to be a feminine trait, while the Kyoshi warriors are never portrayed experiencing smth like this (at least as much as I remember)
@@miglek9613 the point is the person who wrote that comment is just trying to say "feminine character traits" not LOOKS. its not hard to understand lmao
Beacuse we suppress those feelings better, because if they ever reach the surface it's over.
@SleepyWolf they’re not, but in media they kinda are. 9/10 times we see just an over the top sadistic villain in shows, movies or books, it’ll be a dude.
it’s easy to forget that she was only 14
Damn powerful and physically capable 14 year old.
Shi I’m 14
@@Oratata12 ..ok?
i'm 16 and i still don't eat the edges of my pizza
@@Oratata12 😂😂😂 brooo
One interesting detail I picked up on is that the only person the calls Azula a "monster" is herself.
🤔
everyone else was to afraid
It shows how shattered her perception was of herself, I think. She says it to take the sting out of others calling her that, which is why she had the delusion of thinking her Mother thought of her as a monster. Its truly tragic.
She called herself a monster because it didn't hurt her very much, no matter the quip she threw in at the end. She believed she was a monster, too. It seemed to her that it was the only thing that she should be, and the constant praise she received for the accomplishments she had while acting in this manner didn't help.
This is a point that is proven when Azula's delusional vision of her mother in the mirror told her she loved her not because it was what actually was true, because that wasn't the point. The delusional vision of her mother told her that she loved Azula because, Azula being Azula with her tendency to commit the most emotional harm to someone she's attacking, her subconscious instinct playing the part of the delusional vision *knew* that it hurt more than anything else.
People who believe they're broken and "wrong" people are cut deeply when people close to them tell them things like that. It clashes with everything they've built themselves upon and has ramifications.
And Zuko.
Young Azula saying “dad’s going to kill you” always creeps me out.
I heard this when i was i kid! I never looked to my sister in the same way!
Thanos is creeped out by a psyco princess, understandable
I used to think she just meant it as in he was gonna be in trouble (like we always say "my parent are gonna kill me" as an expression) but NOPE...she meant it like he was LITERALLY GOING TO KILL HIM!
Thats rough buddy
Me too! and when she said “really, he is” that always gave me shivers
"It was Azula who was left behind, who wasn't rescued"
Man, idk why made me tear up, I knew I felt bad for the girl but that really drove it home.
All good Yo, idk what could be done but there are people that are not rescued. Azula may be a character but its happening somewhere still this second. Your tears are not in vain
In the context of the show yes. However post show comics do demonstrate that Azula has people who care for her. Zuko Ursa, Aang is optimistic that Azula can change. Even Katara when Aang said people change was supportive. Iroh in the search comics encouraged team avatar to bring Azula along for Ursa, implying that not just Zuko but Azula also can find a measure of peace. I think when Zuko told Azula that no matter what, Azula is still his sister, the words had deep impact on her. I think seeds of potential redemption had been planted there. It will be a long and difficult journey, but it is possible. Remember Zukos journey was not easy either with mistakes bad choices. Change is difficult.
Nevertheless I did read great fanfics where Azula finds redemption. Also keep in mind that creators never tied up Azulas story. By Korras time after all these years there are no hints as to what ultimately happens to Azula. Azulas story so far extends up to smoke and shadow which takes place two years after the show. There are still 70 years before Korras era. A lot can happen in this time. I wish for redemption. ATLA is a show about forgivness and second chances. It is deeply moving to see Zuko trying to help Azula. And also heartbreaking to see Ursa crying for Azula.
@@AndalusianPhilosopher Can you tell me in a sentence what Art and Poetry mean to you?
@@TheAmazingSpider-Dude it comforts the soul for me
Me too I was getting really emotional about all the points he was summing up till the end I couldn’t take it anymore
I came to watch Avatar. I left with a psychology degree.
I came here to see a azula theory
Became dr.phil
I came here to have fun, left home and on my way to a psychiatrist :/
I came here appreciating a comment. I left loving the chain of replies.
and i come here to read the comments, no you're not ready.
This video does not teach you anything about Psychology.
"Banishing me was the best thing you ever did for me"
After watching this vid is when I realised how true those words were Zuko's banishment threw him from the domain of his abuser right into the willing arms of Iroh his support system.
Now your comment, but with better punctuation:
"Banishing me was the best thing you did for me", after watching this vid is when i realized how true those words were. Zuko's banishment threw him from the domain of his abuser right into the willing arms of Iroh, his support system
Done, now it makes more sense
Also, i have realized that right when Zuko said it (well at least the surface of it, didn't think too deep)
@@arthurthekyogre9155 Why did you waste your time commenting these things? Your correction isn't even correct.
@@adamteske2084 how so? I would love to know where my grammar was wrong
@@arthurthekyogre9155
1) Punctuation*
2) There should be a period at the end of the quote- "...you did for me."
3) Didn't capitalize the "I"
4) There should be no comma between "abuser" and "right" because they're not from separate clauses
Does it make you feel cool to correct people's grammar for no reason? Cause I felt like a complete douchebag the whole time I was writing that comment.
This guy took "what is wrong with that child" to another level
This guy could make a good movie writer or director, we need that.
@@wellthen4128 yes,(but your user is concerning......
Ursa : what is wrong with that child ?
This guy : here is my 1hour video explanation
@@wellthen4128
Finally! Somebody who's relatable!
When Ursa asked that Imagine he was there to tell her all this.
Dude I got chills when Zuko instinctively repeated “Azula always lies.” As if it was a coping mechanism to get away from how chaotic his mind is and how conflicted he is.
It’s as if it’s his only dependent source of reality… even if everything else is muddled and conflicted, he at least knows one thing - that whatever Azula says is false. Off of that, he can slowly organize and differentiate everything else he’s confused about…
@@hozyaka You know, this kind of makes me wonder if Azula ever deceived Zuko by intentionally telling him the truth and then counting on him assuming that she's lying.
Anyone else suddenly realizing that they spent 55 minutes on watching the gradual psychological decline of an abused child?
sameee
Yep. Tbh both parents were shit.
Me lmao and I didn’t get board of it either, not once. I was way more focused during this video than any lecture my teachers could give
She was evil from the start, just an evil person wanting to be accepted for being evil but could not quite get it.
Georgian Wolf people aren’t evil. Did you not watch the video?
"I'm about to celebrate being an only child!" That line still creeps me out. I mean, she actually revels at the thought that her big brother is gonna get killed or worse, she's the one to kill him
I don’t blame her tbh. she’s always been outcasted and never truly loved unlike her brother. and this was all during her childhood, when children are influenced the most by environmental factors. she watched him grow up to be truly loved by his mother unlike her and her father- which their relationship was evolved around superficial power and fear.
azulas draco in other words, it’s okay to kill Zuko because of that😒
MoomoolovesMamamoo girl what the fuck? when did I say Zuko deserves to be killed cause of that? where did the idea come from?
I thought that line was badass🥳she definitely needs counseling but boy was I hype when I heard that line
I honestly thought "Wtf" when I heard that line
The saddest part of Azula is thinking that maybe, just maybe, she could have been saved.
I think there was a twitter thread speculating on a redemption ark in a fourth season...
I feel like Iroh is what stopped Zuko from becoming like Azula, so maybe if Azula had an Iroh in her life, she could've turned out differently.
She broke fairly early in her life. Given the right guidance, she has a chance.
It's funny, Aaron Ehasz originally planned to have a redemption arc for Azula (there was a twitter thread somewhere).
I think about it a lot, and how cool it would've been, but I'm always lost as to the 'how'. How would she be redeemed? How would it logically make sense? It's pretty cool.
@@Mando_W yea, absolutely. I think Azula turned this way because nobody loved her. Ozai didn't love either of his children, and Ursa didn't love Azula enough.
Something I just realised is how Azula keeps only nonbenders around her. Her "friends" are nonbenders, her servants are as far as we know nonbenders, even her teachers, the Granny Twins, are nonbenders. This might be because she want's to keep the feel of superioroty, thinking firebenders (or benders in general) are superior to others or other styles of combat.
Or it might be that she doesn't want the risk of anyone to chalenge her. She knows Zuko is less in skill, so she thinks he's not a threath to her. The only exeption is his father, who just happens to be Firelord. Arguably the strongest firebender in the world.
That's a very interesting detail that I never noticed until now.
What about the Dai Lee?
@@MrDrProfJMF Good point. I admit it's been a while since I watched full ATLA, so I don't remember every detail. But if I had to guess, I would imagine Azula has become so confident with her abilities that she does not see them as too big of a threath. That and possibility that she thinks firebending as superior element.
OR Dai Lee and her goals aline enough that they can work together long enough. After all Azula was not planning to stay in Ba Sing Sei if I remember correctly
@@MrDrProfJMF its shown that the firebenders see earthbending as
savage uncivilised brutality, so i think she'd hold earthbenders to the same level of worth, maybe even less than non-benders
Azula doesn't keep nonbenders around her, she keeps skilled people around her
Azula is literally one of the best villians ever written.
@Jake The Christian interestingly, her father is voiced by a guy who also voiced joker in the animated Batman series. I guess great villains run in the family.
@Jake The Christian these two statements aren't mutually exclusive.
I completely agree.
How do you top that?
😂preminger comes next
No matter how messed up Azula is, you can't deny that the line,
"My own mother, thought I was a monster...
She was right of course but it still hurt."
Is ICONIC
But if she is right why would that hurt?
@AngelUniverseYT I have been called a monster by my mother. I know its not true so I dont care. If it where true I would not care because then it would be true and not an insult.
@AngelUniverseYT I dont like weakness. If someone insults you it matters not, its not like they actually delt any phisical damage to you
Baltu Lielkungs Gunārs Miezis Sometimes, the truth does hurt.
@@Trollestiatumblur Not to me, I have always been taut to keep no secrets and always speak the truth.
I love how he’s actually talking about the psychology of an invented character. I mean like, it shows how much detail they brought into the series.
Dat QueenieGurl says how simple it can be to create an individual.
@@whaleping I'd rather say it shows, how easy it is to interpret and find patterns in everything. And obviously I also agree, that it shows how much work and thought was put into the world and characters.
That’s. The. Tea. 👏🏻👏🏻
Tiffany Deng right right, when I was younger, it was just the fights that appealed to me, but because I rewatched the whole series now, I have deeply appreciated every single character
Not just character, even their world building is on point (See HFM's videos on atla's worldbuilding and post-colonial development)
Anyone notice with Ty Lee that she went from wanting desperately to be a recognized individual to finding peace with the Kyoshi Warriors, who all dress alike yet retain their individuality?
I liked that for tying up Ty Lee’s story. ❤️
Shes a Victim,
but the Writers of the Show didnt seem to notice,
so this is the One True Stain on this Show.
The Life-Action-Movie aint one, that one just motivated people
to re-watch the Cartoon, but this?
I didn't, good catch
Love that for her. Btw in the upcoming comic "Azula in the spirit temple" Ty Lee actually beats Azula in one of her attacks. She chi blocks her arm when she's about to use lightning. When Azula is forced to retreat she yells after her "This isn't over Azula! I won't let you get away!" Or something along those lines. I really love that moment because it really highlights how far Ty Lee has come. She went from being Azula's reluctant friend to betraying Azula for her best friend by stabbing her in the back to openly fighting against her and besting her. Great character arc for her.
I would say even though the Kyoshi warriors are quite similar and act as a collective but they still retain their individuality which is definitely perfect for Ty lee
Ursa: “what is wrong with that child?”
this guy: allow me to elaborate
@Pai Mei I do agree but I think it also wasn't entirely her fault, she (1) didn't know how, (2) tried really hard but just couldn't connect with her daughter, and (3) didn't have enough time. That is my opinion at least :)
@Pai Mei its not just ursa that messed azula up her psychology, it also had help from ozai
@@sageanimations2463 the difference is that Ursa actually tried to be a good parent but as every parent does she made some mistakes but Ozai never tried to be a parent he was just the fire lord and his kids were subjects,
Actually Ursa did exactly what any parent would do to make their child grow for better. The reason why she became “bad” at parenting Azula is Ve cause Oazi took over azula’s mind. So Ursa’s reaction was to manipulate Azula out of the beliefs that Ozai put into her and turn it against her. Despite siding with Zuko more. I believe if Ozai wasn’t like this. Both siblings would of been in great shape with the same exact Mindset from Ursa
@1 1 I respectfully agree, however in the book, Azula wasn't really the way she is, Mother did everything she could to help Azula but Ozai's belief got into Azula more no matter how Ursa tried, where Ursa failed at with Azula is not showing enough attention to her compared to Zuko and this only increased after Azula's mind has been overtaken by Ozai
Not related to Azula, but at the end of the series, when it's revealed that Ty Lee has joined the Kyoshi warriors, I noticed that Ty Lee overcame her deepest insecurity of being part of a "matched set," or being indistinguishable among her sisters/any group. However, the difference is that not only did Ty Lee get to choose to be part of this group (whereas you cannot choose to be part of your family), but Ty Lee also has a sense of individuality and sees her personal worth, which is why she can stand to be part of a group in which everyone looks the same - she can distinguish the parts of herself that make her special. I thought it was a subtle way for the show to round out Ty Lee's character arc and how she changed after standing up to Azula and defending Mai in season 3. The way ATLA handles side characters like Ty Lee is why I love the show sm.
Underrated comment, I haven't thought of it that way
I think it’s so great that even a minor character with less screen time gets a whole arc in basically two minutes between the beach ty lee portion and the kyoshi ty lee scene
Excellent observation !!!!! You just gave me another reason to love this series
There is a comic strip called 'sisters' which actually explores this very concept as Ty lee again thinks of quitting the kyoshi warriors....and overcomes her fears..
@@aniketpandey9633 I didn't know that! Ty for the recommendation :)) I am one of those people that watched atla for the first time when it came out on netflix, so I haven't gotten into any comics yet
Zuko didn't break mentally because Iroh took over as his father figure. Bless that Man
Fucker got to that in the video right after i wrote the comment
'
I also think so but more because Zuko always had someone in his support unlike Azula. He always had his mother’s support and once she was gone Iroh took over the support. They’ve always nudged Zuko in the right direction.
When Iroh said, "I think of you as my own son." That hit me in the feels.
Iroh is the GOAT, I love his goofy yet wise personality.
LesserSphinx that and the fact he’s naturally a more empathetic person I think judging off his behaviour as a child too
As a psychology major, Azula has always been an extreme example of several mental conditions. In that way, she is fascinating to study. Thanks for this video!
I'd love to hear a full diagnosis on her.
@@calebkopp7636schizo
@@calebkopp7636she probably has narcissistic personality disorder or something like that.
@@PandazillaaaMore like antisocial personality disorder imo she has narcissistic traits tho
Or you know, we could practice our own empathy by applying those to this fictional person and not treat her like a labrat?
I found the way Azula and Zuko struggled to socialise properly such a sad aspect of the series. You see both of them trying to speak to people their age normally and can’t seem to manage it without falling back on anger.
That's rough buddy
It's especially harsh because the point of that episode seems to be how war changes people
It's similar to how veterans and even in writings how when veterans come back, they find it hard to engage with other people and socialize.
At least Zuko tried when he tried to socialize with The Gaang while Azula is totally struggling even having a quirky and cheerful friend like Ty Lee, she still fails.
Being as there entire lives where military service and war, it’s as if they only know how to function in that setting, it’s like peace isn’t in there DNA
BKC-88 2.0 but peace =\=. being social. look how they are as kids, zuko would still be socially awkward no matter what upbringing.
I think Azula's mental breakdown was the first one I saw in my life that was straight forward. Most kids shows use metaphors to make the message of mental health and mental brekadowns, but Azula was the first one I remember where they went all out in the literal route.
Mine too!
Same! The first one I understood as a child.. it's insane that they portrayed it so well I was able to fully grasp and understand why
Yeah
It was really well written. As a kid, it was hard understanding complicated story lines. They used physical signs to show Azula descending into madness. Not wearing makeup, looking tired and stressed, then cutting her hair. I might not have understood all the dialouge from the characters but, it is very easy to see the physical changes. When Azula was fighting Zuko and Katara, her hair was a complete mess and she was laughing like crazy. I knew at that moment Azula was not the same cool, collected firebender.
@@AngelineL.
Zuko said to Katara: she's slipping.
That's when I realised she's not the same girl who nearly killed Aang cold-blooded and that Zuko knows Azula better than anyone
“...I’m sorry I didn’t love you enough”
Jesus that hit me hard
RIGHT. Can you imagine how that must've made Azula feel especially after what she has been through? Already felt she wasn't loved by her mom and then she basically says it to her face. That was soul cutting😔💔...
That response was somewhat muted because Ursa has no memory of that portion of her life having given it up for happiness.
toriyuh p Comic book
I cried a bit
@@jg4902 but their mother could see the hurt on Azulas face, she could tell from her anger, she wasn't loved enough.
about azula's hair representing her desire for perfection: it's also shown both in the show in a subtle manner, and mentioned in the kyoshi novels, that hair is important to fire nation culture- topknots like the one azula and at some point, zuko wore represent social power, and the reason zuko's hair was like that in s1 was that he lost the agni kai and had to cut it to represent the shame of that loss. when you consider that, it makes sense that azula's hair is such an important represntation of her composure.
Really? I thought Zuko's hair was cut, because the burn reached the backside of his head, and they had to cut it off, to let it heal properly
I feel like her hair, also represented her not being able to do basic things by herself, after she basically banished everyone in the castle, and had to do it by herself. I don't really know how that tie in Azula's character, but that's how I saw it
@@Snow-xd4rv that could have been part of it, but it's also canon in the kyoshi novels that cutting hair is a punishment for losing an agni kai!
I mean, the comics and novels that came out after paint it in a very different light, but atleast at the time the episode came out, with the context available then, it was more a "she's a perfectionist with an intense superiority complex, completely and thoroughly failing at even the most basic things that almost everyone she views as beneath her can do easily"
Also a thing in Asian culture, especially in more ancient times. The hair was a status symbol. In Japan, cutting it off / short showed among samurai that you were stepping down from the position and that you would no longer enjoy a higher social status. In Ancient China, forcing someone to cut off their top knot was for the sake of humiliation and shame, and to show it visually. So it also has roots in Asian culture, which Avatar is based on.
Out of all the shows I’ve watched a kid, Azula was always the villain that felt intimidating whenever she appeared on screen. She was never a joke. They did her justice and during the beach scene I was hoping that was going to be her turn around but she never did. She was so complex and I felt a little sad for her during her breakdown. How different the world would have been if we got the season 4 instead of that cursed movie
mY NaMe iS oNG
Joker: HAHAHA
what movie? there is no avatar movie in ba sing se 👁👄👁
Lucy Thomas don’t watch it it is very bad
@@ruthleeesss what do you mean joo dee? We've heard about it everywhere!
*Avatar the Last Airbender is a masterpiece says 10 yr old me*
**Avatar the Last Airbender is a masterpiece says 24 yr olde me**
the legend of korra is trash says everybody
This is honestly one of those rare shows that get better as you age. I was also 10 when it first came out. Watched it again in college and was blown away by its nuance and depth. When I watch it again I'll probably be even more amazed by it's effective story telling techniques. Few shows leave an impact like this one. It's quiet - people don't talk about the series that much irl anymore - but POWERFUL. It's influenced so many creators and writers since coming out, artists who will likely have gained their footing within the next few decades. It will be cool to see how many people site this show as their source of inspiration.
40 year old me :P
Sasa HAHAHA YESSSSSSS I feel the same!
Just watched it for the first time as a 24 year old, can confirm, is masterpiece. 😂
Most Anime Beach Episodes: full fan service
Avatar Beach Episode: Deeply informative of character mentalities, motivations, and backstories as exposed by an environment they are not typically seen in.
to be fair, we did get fan service from the beach episode in the form of Lo and Li
Daner Jimenez
Oh
Yeah
@@_DanerJimenez_ TIME TO HIT THE BEACH
It’s not an anime tho
@@_DanerJimenez_ why did you have to bring that image into my head 😟
now THIS is how you make a villain. azula is so complex and i’m really glad i watched this show when i was young. because even through she was an absolute menace throughout the show at the end i really did feel bad for her. and i think it’s important for children to sympathise with the villains to a certain extent. it gives the child perspective and shows that like in real life people are complicated. everything isn’t so black and white there are a lot of grey areas within a person. if i ever have kids they are definitely watching this show!!!
Nowadays movies for kids (and adults) no longer portray the villain as evil, but rather misunderstood. You can take that example in the Super Mario Bros. movie Bowser is appeared to look like some sort of chaos demon lord, but really he was just trying to impress a princess he has a crush on in a way he feels is the only way to win her heart and yet fails because destruction and kidnapping are not the correct way to earn a good person's affection or approval
Azula's story is 100% a tragedy--she's definitely still a villain, and definitely still a dangerous person who's made evil decisions, but I love how, instead of making her "good in disguise" (or even doing that to Zuko; he legitimately changed over the course of the show), they showed the circumstances that brought her to the point where she would make the decisions she did. As someone working to become an author, that's the kind of character development I want to learn to write. You can't condone their choices, but at least you can understand the *why.*
@dustinm5202, I think what I said above is a much better alternative within a story to having the villain be merely "misunderstood". Evil actions are always going to be evil--but that doesn't mean we can't see and mourn the good person the villain *could* have been, had things gone differently. The fact that so many movies these days flip-flop the villains on us in a weird he-was-just-misunderstood "redemption" arc actually really bothers me because of that. In my opinion, Azula is still an evil person, but she could have been different, and the fact that she wasn't is what makes it a tragedy. Even as a kid, that last scene where she breaks down completely after her defeat made me feel bad for her, because if she and Zuko's positions had been reversed it would have been a seriously different story.
... Anyway. I'll just... get off my soapbox now... 😶
I WISH Korra had had a villain like Azula. She's so top-tier in her villainy that the good guys are forced to step up their game whenever they're dealing with her.
Ifthe show hadn't been greenlit season by season either the ewualists or zaheer would have done the job nicely.
Zaheer is just as awesome as azula. And a better bender
Zaheer is literally the only other villain that could match Azula in terms of writing, idk what you're talking about. They're both the two best villains in the show
Look I get that you guys like the Equalists and Zaheer, both are really great villains and I like them too. But Azula is something special. She does bad things not for a logical or philosophical reason, but for the twisted psychological reasons listed in the video. I think Korra would have benefited from being challenged by someone like that.
The only person in ATLA that benefitted from it was zuko. Aang didnt grow from it. It was always ozai jr to aang.
The thing about the rescue parent is so interesting! It also explains why Sokka didn’t feel the effects of his mother’s death nearly as bad as Katara, because Katara became his rescue parent.
Oh my god. I never even thought of that. that’s genius
Oh my god that too
Exactly, whereas Katara was forced to grow up too fast. Not only did she not have a stand in mother, she had to become one, and when Sokka thought about his mother he could only remember Katara.
In a way her anger at her father for leaving her and Sokka was also like a parental anger, that he had left Sokka.
Damn that's honestly sad yet comforting in a weird way. And it hits deeper knowing that Sokka can't remember his mother's face, anytime he tries to remember it all he sees is Katara's
@@chinuaalibatya7345 yeah, he didn't seem to realise all the grief and pain Katara carried because she saved him from it, and she probably tried to hide it more from him the way a lot of parents do, so their children don't see them crying.
Her anger at her mother's death was grief, not just from losing her mother, but from losing her childhood to become a mother to Sokka. She was also probably frustrated that she could never properly practise her bending, as she needed to take care of the village, and look after her brother.
The saddest line of azula is when she said “you can’t do this you can’t treat me like zuko” her whole life she thought of her self better than her brother. That her father loved her more. This was when she realized he was just using her to get the throne. The love she thought her father had turned out to be fake, that really must be hard on a young girl.
for me, i think in her core azula didn't really think herself as better than zuko, but was terrified of the consequences of acting like him because she saw what happened to him. because of that and the praise she gets for doing the exact opposite, she convinces herself she is better when she is just trying to survive in an abusive household. just my two cents, though
I think Azula had always been jealous of Zuko, to some degree. She still thinks of him as trash, yeah, but she's jealous because he has a close bond with their mother that she doesn't have. She's a very narcissistic person and if you know anything about narcissistic people, they are very driven to seek attention and are very insecure. She wanted the attention and praise from *both* parents, and maybe even from Zuko. It was important that everyone sees her as superior, as perfect, which is something she likes to throw in her brother's face. Even though in her mind she saw herself as better than Zuko, she seemed to view him as a threat, which is why she taunted him so much. I don't think she believed her father loved her and honestly I don't think she even understands what love is. I think it was more like...when you have a job and you outshine everyone and go above and beyond only for your boss to demote you, or fire you. Azula is afraid of failure, of weakness, so when her father didn't reward her as she saw fit, she was outraged. To her, Zuko symbolizes weakness and failure, so that's why she says "You can't treat me like Zuko!" I'm am 100% certain that Azula was already plotting to usurp the throne from Ozai. Any sign of weakness, she would have done away with him just as he had done away with his own father.
Well, I mean considering that the way Ozai 'punished' Zuko was by publically mutilating his face, I'm pretty sure that a big fear of Azula's was being treated like Zuko. So, I mean in that regard it's also a matter of survival in that household. "Don't be Zuko, and you'll survive" was probably her thinking
1 of her most obvious moments of average Humanity in my opinion because it implya that deep down, she knows Ursa, Zuko & Iron have a different moral compass then the 1 she has & the 1 her Dad does, which is a tiny bit more sadistic then hers, too
@@emmaballantyne9937 you know what I get out of all these comments about Azula’s crappy childhood? Fuck Ozai
21:00 The fact that Azula attempts to comfort Zuko makes her descent even sadder. Azula is not the monster she portrays herself to be. It's a trait instilled into her by her father ( Her father being the only person that gives her validation) and a facade she keeps up to please him. It's Mai and Ty lee' s betrayal that puts her very being into question and unlike Zuko who had Iroh to help him through his own path Azula was alone. She wasn't a monster she was made into one.
🗿🗿🗿
eh she was definitely a monster in her own right. Ozai isn't the one who told her to make fun of Zuko being possibly killed, she did that herself, and felt no remorse about her cousins death
@@Snow-xd4rv it was Ozai who taught her Zuko was inferior....
@@nelliee6736 Obviously
@@Snow-xd4rv being born with psychological disorders doesnt make you a monster, being molded by your father's abuse and your mother's negligence does
If you think about it, Iroh is even more of an important character. He effectively saved Zuko from a fate identical to or even worse to Azula's.
Unironically Ozai saved zuko as well. Because of the banishment zuko managed to see the fire nation from a different perspective
By importance in the development of the story , maybe
But this video is about Azula's psychological complexity, not importance
I don’t think that it’s solely Iroh’s achievement. Azula is not Zuko, and inherent qualities play as important part in personality development as extrinsic ones. Despite them, for the most part, growing in the same environment, the two ended up differently. Like they said in the video, Azula’s always been sadistic, lacked empathy and overall exhibited sociopathic tendencies.
Also, big part of Zuko’s redemption is that he realised everything by himself. Yes, Iroh and others helped him, but he himself came to the conclusion. Iroh emphasised several times that only Zuko himself can redeem his honour, and only he holds his own destiny. Yes, it took him a lot of time, but eventually he figured himself and his issues.
Totally! You could even say that season 1 Zuko (and season 2 to a certain extent ) was showing signs of mental instability. He was emotionally unstable, easily provoked, lashed out at people with agressive actions as a solution to his problems and he was losing his sense of self and purpose. Without his mother reinforcing his values, his world was becoming incoherent, like Azula's became incoherent when she was denied her father's approval and her values were confronted to "love". If Iroh hadn't been there to show Zuko that his whole life didn't have to rely on his father's approval, he probably would've lost it too.
Hmm... But if Iroh could save Zuko, why not saving Azula?
As someone who is studying psychology, watching Avatar more studying on Azula and Zuko's cases really gives you in depth look on what abuse does to a child's early development and their psychology.
Agreed. Same with the movie The Breakfast Club.
@@juicebox9465 Ah yes one of my all time favorites, I had to watch it during sociology
Must be amazing to watch an amazing show for your study. As someone who wants to study psychology when im out of High School, I hope I can watch it again for "research purposes" :D
@@gloomy_nightflower7007 It’s surprising to see a lot of real life problems in a kid show. It’s just interesting to me about Zuko and Azusa specifically about their childhoods and how their parents treated them. I did take Early Childhood development and wow Avatar did show a great take on what happens to children with bad parenting. But yeah great show for studying it or have a good look in another way.
@@cursecuelebre5485 ikr! They did an amazing job on character development and depth, you were ofc rooting for Katara in that Final Agni Kai, but felt bad for Azula too.... oh I frikkin love ATLA!
Can we get: “The Psychology of Sokka on Cactus Juice” next
Martinez _2099 drink cactus juice! It’ll quench ya!
Sophia Ye Nothings quenchier... It’s the QUENCHIEST
“Is That A Giant MUSHROOM?”
“Maybe it’s friendly!!?”
@@arandomguy21 Mushroom friend!
only if its the exact same length as this video is.
I think a lot of azula’s complexity can be attributed to Grey DeLisle’s performance. She gives azula a kind of curiosity when she’s a kid, like she’s purposefully saying and doing things that she knows will get a fearful reaction. She’s a child imitating her father, seeing that acting in a way he finds pleasing will keep her SAFE. This, aligned with her intelligence and constant positive comparisons to her brother? The acting is TRAGICALLY accurate.
Can we get Grey Delisle some applause for her astonishing voice performance of Azula. No other voice actress could’ve done her justice
Yes, I agree completely. The voice actor did an absolutely incredible job with her character.
Grey DeLisle has done a lot of extraordinary voice acting.
tbh her Brazilian counterpart did an amazing job, it's truly perfect as well
I thought she was good, but not giving her that much praise.
The voice actor for the Romanian ATLA did an amazing job! A unique, strong and mysterious voice is what Azula need and is what she got.
In summary: Everyone in that family needs LOTS of therapy.
except iroh he's a saint
well, he already got his own kind of therapy, then Zuko got it
Even the therapist wold need a therapist
The therapist would need other therapists just to relax themselves after offering therapy for THAT family.
@@LKKdemigorl His therapy came in the form of his son's death unfortunately.
Leaves from the vine...
That song hurts. Especially knowing the real life connotations behind it; the voice actor for Uncle Iroh, Mako Iwamatsu, was dying from esophageal cancer. Supposedly the song was written for him. He died two days after recording the song for that episode.
The only time Azula was told that she was loved, was from a hallucination in a mirror
That's truly sad
😢
Didn't Ursa tell Azula she loved her when she was asleep before she left?
Fuck
GMDrandom 628 nah i’m pretty sure she just said ‘goodbye’
Mai standing up against Azula is such an underrated moment, especially for someone who is so apathetic and was pushed to be quiet/not stir up any problems. I love Ozai's Angels so much
Mae standing up was impressive.. and I feel Ty Lee doing the same, within moments of seeing Mae turn is even more impressive to me. It's as if Mae broke the spell for Ty Lee.
"filler" episodes in avatar are used for character development
Except the great divide
cindy the cringey
yeah that episode sucked
It's not filler then
@@mattika That episode isnt even filler
Only filler episode in this show is Tales of Ba Sing Se , which is a fan favourite.
BoerstaatTM DRM
Exactly, the fact that it isn’t even a filler makes it worse
Ty-Lee: I don't want to be a piece of a matched set
Also Ty-Lee: **joins the kyoshi warriors**
That's called character development!
No, but seriously. Ty Lee learns that she doesn't need to derive self-worth from her uniqueness. She instead derives it from her relationships. Or at least that's how I interpret the ending.
@@hoodiesticks I know, I was joking
HoodieSticks i love this comment, very well said
I wonder if she taught them her fighting style
Myles Thomas she did! when she reveals that she joined them she says something like “after a few chi blocking lessons the girls and i are......” something i forget 😂
Ty Lee: Well you’re the most beautiful, smartest girl in the world
Azula as an intellectual: Well you’re right about all those things
That line always killed me hahaha
The legend of the phoenix was responsible for that issue.
Azula in practice: [High Order Autism activates]
Don’t forget perfect
Azula is so well written that sometimes its difficult to see her as a 14 yr old girl but as, in her worlds, a monster. Probably one of the reasons why ATLA is arguably one of the GOAT in tvs is how Azula was portrayed and how she was parallel to Zuko in character development. As Zuko embraces his true self, Azula in comparison succumbs to her downfall. And I love how despite Azula being portrayed as more terrifying than Ozai and probably can be seen as the real antagonist, she was not given just an "antagonist" label. Her story didnt end with simply the girl who successfully took over basing se, or the girl who killed the avatar, or who almost became the first female fire lord, but in the end, she was portrayed as the broken daughter who longed for the love and acceptance of her parents and the girl who was just lonely. Such a masterpiece.
Also, how chillingly and remarkably terrifying she is as an antagonist. Like, for me, she is one of the best villains there is. it gives me chills and left me in amazement everytime she immediately formulate a plan or a conclusion or an accurate read on the on the other's psyche and intentions base on a fucking hunch or just from a single sentence she overheard in passing. And every fcking one of them were as spot on and just wow. If this girl wasnt so hell bent on her father's approval, she could probably rule over the world in one week and have the gaang dead in one day.
The scene when Zuko kept repeating, “Azula always lies” it really showed me how much Azula has messed up Zuko
yea, though I think the flash back was in zuko’s perspective. also I feel so bad that azula prolly heard her mom say “what’s wrong with that child” like don’t say that to a child
And she's the younger sibling. Dang!
@@inky5926 even if the kid borderline wished her uncle to die in the war
@@Rebelheart1985 shes a fucking kid of course she's going to be immature and not realise the power of her words
@@nergal7236 she also straight up called her uncle a quitter for not staying on the battleground after his son died.
Just because she’s a kid doesn’t mean she’s completely clueless. She was CLEARLY not clueless. You can argue she’s a product of her upbringing but don’t try and tell me she was unaware of the shit she was saying.
She also literally told Zuko that his father was gonna kill him (and honestly I’m not even sure she was lying!!!), found joy in Zuko getting burned by Ozai, was happy at the actual thought of her brother being dead, etc.
"So... how you likin' this party?"
*_forced laughter_*
That one moment is the only moment I have ever related to Azula
Like you can even relate to her treason.
1k likes, no comments? I gotchu famm
Lol
I think a big contributor in what finally caused Azula to break is the moment she was tapped for Firelord. Think about this: she was working her whole life to be seen as worthy of being named Firelord, and when Ozai finally promised her that title, he immediately made a new position higher than it and gave that name to himself. Phoenix King. Suddenly the role she'd been working towards, that of ruler of the Fire Nation, most powerful position in the world, was relegated to Number Two. Right where she'd always been.
I think its more on the lines to finally be able to fight side by side with her father, the ultimate display of receiving approval from him. And being apart of destroying the world along side the only person she "loved and admired" And she was denied this. and relegated to not being apart of the event that will change the world.
Lord Kiyo I think it’s both. She has a superiority complex and narcissistic tendencies all the while still being a child that looks for parental approval. The two don’t mix well with a father with similar if not the same mental issues.
Taneth that actually makes a lot of sense
I think even without the Phoenix King to take away the true meaning of her new title her victory would have tasted like ashes to her. It was not really the title she had desired, deep inside it was something the title represented. The love of her father.
She acts like a drug addict, who suddenly can´t get a high anymore from her favourite drug, power. She uses it, but feels nothing. So she tries it again and again, banishing people all around, but nothing makes her feel like before. And when she then faces Zuko it all comes crashing down. He is better in bending than her...but the worst thing is probably Katara. When she comes to his rescue and heals him she shows to Zuko what Azula had wanted most in her life, even though she never admittet it to herself, someone who cared for her. I´d say that´s what finally broke her, being alone and defeated in more than just the fight. She has nothing and Zuko has everything, even a former enemy who is happy to see him alive.
I think her break happened later than Zuko's but it was the same dilemma.
You've accomplished everything you ever wanted but you stand alone among your accolades. Zuko, you succeeded but your Uncle is not around and he does not approve. Does anyone else's approval even really matter to you now?
Azula you've accomplished everything you ever wanted but you stand alone in your palace. Your friends broke away from your manipulative and abusive exploitation and your mother never approved of your methods or your lack of empathy.
The difference was a sense of honor and duty. Zuko found the path he must tread. Azula deluded herself into believing that her path was the right one and continued until her life fell apart around her.
The reason Toph is able to detect a lie is because when people lie, they instinctively feel guilty about it, which effects their heart rate... Azula lies to their faces but Toph can't detect it because Azula feels _no guilt_ from lying.
Just something interesting to note.
Something I don’t see people talk about that much is that Azusa had eye bags under her eyes when she loses her sanity showing she wasn’t sleeping well
Unlike the previous Firelords, she never sat still in the center. She was either walking around or leaning against a post. Almost like she doesn't want to be stabbed in the back (again).
@@kristianparalisan8909 Yeah that paranoia was something else... banishing everyone without a second thought. Just waiting to be betrayed again.
@@ceeeceee8753 I guess when you delude someone to believe that they are the center of the universe and that belief system crashes... It's catastrophic.
@@kristianparalisan8909 it's more like when you manipulate and betray people over and over again you start expecting someone to do it to you because that's what you know, why wouldn't anyone do it to you? so yes technically paranoia😅
@@christinainez4005 The thing about abandonment issues and the paranoia that comes with it is that it's a self-fulfilling prophecy. You look at someone and think "they're gonna abandon me" and then, you do something that makes them leave or push them away. Confirming what you already think again and again.
The world is safe when people still talks about the avatar in 2019
They should after all.
As long as Korra doesn't screw things up
@@MarloSoBalJr I liked legend of Korra
Not gonna lie I’ve watched it all the way through twice this year and it’s only July, I bet I got another two runs in me before the big 2020.
@@josephrobertson9687 the way it should be
Everybody gangster until they realise she is 14
Isn’t zuko 16?
Tashmi Sabah he is
@@justsomegirlwithoutamustache yeah azula is younger than him they aren't twins
YOUR HONOR
"That's rough buddy"
On Ursa, on top of the physical and emotional abuse, it was a FORCED marriage. So you can add sexual abuse on top of that, since I'm pretty damn sure that there was no willingness there.
Yikes
Surely ozai raped her.
Ozai abusing terrible father dude
That makes so much sense. I've been wondering what would possess a kind person like Ursa to marry and have children with a war-mongering egomaniac like Ozai. The two just seem incompatible. But yeah, forced marriage explains it.
She’s the granddaughter of avatar Roku, so it was basically a power move. Super fucked up in every way possible considering Ozai’s grandfather abandoned Roku on the volcano that killed him
That scene in The Beach where she apologizes to Ty Lee for making her cry and admitting to her that she was jealous of her was always interesting to me. Maybe deep, deep down, her friends (or Ty Lee, at least) actually meant more to her than just the means to an end.
Yes. I think that was the one time she decided to bring herself down from her pedestal, to the level of her friend she really did actually care about. That one time.
it's sad that the part when she admits she was jealous isn't mentioned here :( it brings the interaction to a whole new level and it shows a lot of vulnerability and self awareness (I mean, for Azula)
That Pupi exactly
That Pupi he never mentioned about Azula’s facial expressions when Ty lee was telling them about her problems Azula actually looked like she secretly cared but idk this vid dismisses the friendship she had with Ty Lee and Mai even though they were friends for years and them two were the catalyst to Azulas breakdown
I really like to believe that is genuine, because it show that even if she passes that point of no return in the series, at least there, there was a small ray of hope for her
Zuko would've followed the same path if it wasn't for Uncle Iroh's unconditional love and guidance for him, and that's the tea.
And that's the hot leaf water
And that’s Iroh’s tea
I think he would have followed to a lesser degree, he got positive attention from people other than his dad unlike azula. Speaking out at the war meeting isn’t something azula would do. He craves the approval but he’s stuck with a moral compass that generally disagrees with atrocities.
A wonderful jasmine tea!
i don't remember the first part of the joke but leaf me alone
Most of us watched Atla as children.
CHILDREN.
They put so much beautiful effort and time into a CHILDREN'S SERIES.
As an adult I now understand why my dad loved watching this with me and my brother, it’s crazy how deep this show goes with everything!
I was a teenager to young adult watching this series. The character development is crazy. Everything about it is great.
My mom watched it with me. It was one of the only cartoons she watcjed with me and loved
Children shouldn't be exempted from good story telling, so I'm glad they did.
I was 10 when Sozin Comet part 1, 2, 3 and 4 aired and it's still the best ever series finale I've ever seen
A young 14 years old child
Not knowing what a mother's affection meant
Knew her fathers love was conditional but still strived to get it
Only to realise that she was being used as a weapon
The only time she heard the words 'I love you' were in a illusion
Azula truly wasn't born all that perfect after way
Even more proof that Avatar's quality is legendary
I mean, an hour long video about the psychology of the second villan 11 years after the show ended kinda shows how well it was made and received.
"People need loving the most when they deserve it the least."
Spirit. Oof. That’s so true.
Nathan Jora Well Hitler while a terrible person did have an abusive father who physically and mentally abused Hitler as a child.
Collin Helm which doesn’t answer the question of wether or not we should movie him ^^
(Which was, I hope, quite obvious a joke 😉)
@@nathanjora7627 he killed 40 million and pluss he had a very loving mother and many friends pluss most fascist are normal people who just became so stupidly irrational when they could have been normal, pluss he seemed to have emotions for his friends but killed children as if it was like farting, many other things could be talked about but realy, Hitler was a cunt and should have died in the crib
@@ShoreshFathi
And normal people can undo fascism.
A cartoon with better character development than almost all movies and series today.. sometimes I wish I could forget I've ever watched it just to enjoy it fully all over again..
One advantage to having the memory problems I have
@Brandy Nicole I'm gonna rewatch it. Definitely... Soon!
Something I do when I feel like that, is to watch people reacting to the show for the first time, it reaaally brings almost the same feelings I experienced myself on my fist time, for ATLA, I would recommend The Normies, they have a playlist with their reactions to every episode, and you can see they have a great dynamic and their reactions are genuine
TV shows, in general, have better character development. They have more time to show the nuances and depth of their characters than in movies. Sure they're broken into 30-60 minute segments but 13 episodes is much longer than a mere 2-hour long movie. What make this different is that it tackles things most writers would not especially in a show targeted for children while making it easy to understand and comprehend. The protagonists have flaws and is often challenged, the antagonist has flaws and motives, every character has some king of arc which makes the whole world feel more real. There are films series that come close but didn't leave the same impact even with more time. Avatar was 1537 minutes long. The MCU excluding Far From Home had 3000. This show is a masterpiece and I forgot why I wrote this.
@@supergirlprime4653 You had me in the first half not gonna lie
Both Azula and Zuko have such tragic stories... but the path Azula went down is so sad. I wish she had someone who had nurtured her.
Yup
Same
I wish iroh atleast tried with her, to get through to her
Feels like Zuko and Azula were basically the two sides of the same coin.
To be seen in the final Agni Kai, where each of them faces a path he/she could have ended with.
SirMarshalHaig Agni kai sounds like agony time
@@Grace-iv1ho when I wrote it in Google Translate as "agnikai" it translated into "fire" from Hindi.
Sarah Abramova Agni is the God of Fire in Hinduism. Kai means release in Japanese, but more likely it’s a play on 大会 (taikai, literally big meeting) which is used for martial arts tournaments.
So you can translate it to a tournament of Fire. Google translate only translated the Hindi section (Agni) but Agni Kai is using two different languages.
@@AllyrionWW thanks. I know Google Translate isn't very good, believe me, my French teacher banned us from using Google Translate. I just wanted an idea of the translation, but thank you for the information, it's a really cool fact!
Another interesting example of her ability to empathise, however limited, is when Mai talks about her childhood and how she was always quiet and her family only focused on her father's reputation. No one can figure out why Mai acts apathetic, not even herself, but Azula immediately understands. She says Mai acts the way she does as a defense mechanism because that's how she was raised. She was always told to keep quiet, and that is what she did. I just find it interesting that Azula was the only one to understand Mai as that would require empathy.
Understanding something and feeling it are two different things. Psychopaths can tell what you are feeling, they just aren't affected themselves by it and use it to manipulate you.
I think that line was meant to show how Azula can calculate a person very quickly, but that’s a very good observation you made! I didn’t even think abt that until you said something
Azula also makes a psychologically astute comment when she’s dressed as a Kyoshi warrior and pretending to empathize with the Earth King. She says something like “it can be devastating when you realize you can’t trust the people closest to you.” It’s clearly double entendre because she’s fooling the king right in front of his face, but it also speaks to how efficiently Azula processes social information. As a master manipulator she must be able to read people’s feelings quickly and accurately, in order to take advantage of them. Or perhaps there’s a part of her that does empathize. ATLA does a good job of showing the human side of everybody, and reality is a gray place. We will never really know what potential Azula may have to be a healthy and empathetic person if she addressed her childhood trauma.
@@oscarwilde9581 It's kinda weird how Azula is probably the best and deepest character in the series while Ozai was very shallow and cartoonish at the same time.
@@LucasCunhaRocha if you search deeper you'll figure out why Ozai and Iroh were so different: Azulon
Next video: “The Life of Cabbage Man”
I always feel bad for him whenever the gang destroys his cabbages.
Actually, it's thanks to the cabbage men we got the infamous ember players episode. It was mentioned in the episode that they got intel from him lmao.
Yes.
In the "Ember Island Players" one of my favorite parts is when Sokka reads the sources for the play off the poster and it includes "... a surprisingly knowledgeable merchant of cabbage(s)." XD
*MY CABBAGES!!!!*
During the beach scene, Azula asks Zuko "there's a simple question you need to answer then. Who are you angry at?" and later she gives the possible answers of "is it dad?" "me?". And while she obviously knows logically that she and Ozai hurt Zuko big time, she also knows that *emotionally*, as in, she feels GUILT to the smallest extent. She had no reason to help him like that, and she wasn't even that invested. At that moment she just casually wanted to help him.
It's something to think about.
I swear to god, every time EVERY TIME I watch something about Avatar the Last Airbender, it just even further solidifies it as a brilliant series for me. This show has so many layers of complexity and careful detailing to it that I would never even know where to begin with it.
cooldude56g ikr! And some people still think its a dumb show for little kids
@@nikolanguyen2509
recently I used to think that until a friend told me that it is better written than games of thrones, I gave it a try and it became my favorite series of a lifetime, I'm still sad that it's over
I know -- It's so fantastic and seriously amazing it blows my mind
I just finished binge watching the series and I love it so muchhh 😭❤️
That's the primary advantage of developing the series the way they did. The whole series was already written and finished when the pilot episode was greenlit.
One thing that I really liked about the fire nation was that they didn't portray their women as being any weaker than their men. All of them have the potential to be equally as strong. This also seemed to hold true for the air nomads, but not for the water tribe (e.g. waterbending women are expected to be healers) or the earth kingdom (e.g. Toph's upbringing).
Toph was raised that way because she’s blind, so her parents thought she was weak. Although, now that I think about it, Toph is pretty much the only female earth bender
I think that those two were more isolated cases, the water tribe thing was only in the north (see: the puppet master), and there isn’t any difference in power perception between men and women in the earth kingdom from what I can tell, toph was thought to be weak because she was blind and also a child, not to mention that she chose to put forward that front to conceal her identity as the blind bandit
@@artemisfowldragon I doubt the custom of women being inferior only applies at the Northern Tribe. Look at Sokka from the beginning, his attitude to his sister and the Kyoshi warriors; but this is only my personal speculation considering I only pointed a single character amongst the Southern Tribe.
Makka's response was dead on also Pakku's anger over his fiance leaving him over accepting her "place" in society solidified the division of sexes in the N water tribe
I'd have to disagree because although the water tribe has strict positions for men and women(them being healers) in the tribe, the dont portray the women as weaker. Th his can be shown with how respected the women and cherished the women are for their healing and taking care of the tribe and Yue sacrificing herself. I do think the positions the men and women take are old fashioned, but the still show them as equals in how they contribute to the water tribe
"The more Azula worships and gains the approval of her father, the more she feels that her mother is rejecting her."
That one hit me so hard.
Oof
I know I'm late to the party, but one thing I wish ATLA included was more interaction between Aang and Azula.
These characters are the most tragic in the show for reasons that, while differ on some levels, are also eerily similar on others.
Throughout the show, it's clear that Aang had much of his childhood taken from him. While the early years of his life allowed him the luxury of growing up as any other kid from the Air Nomads, the premature announcement that he was the Avatar took that away - something that he did not choose, or even want to be now dictated his life.
Waking up in a world at war, Aang is thrust into this role further, with no option to be anything but what is expected of him. Even when Ozai is defeated at the end of the show, this does not change. The world is still turbulent, and is still in need of the Avatar. His people, the air nation, are still all but extinct save for himself. He will never get the opportunity to be normal, to be who he truly wants to be, because of forces out of control. And yet he doesn't complain, and continues to do what he believes is duty.
Likewise, so much of Azula's life and the person she becomes is determined by things she cannot control. When she shows as a child a perfection and finesse that her brother lacks, her father takes an interest I'm her training and development into the killer she becomes, allowing Ursa to become invest more in Zukos life than she would be in Azula's. While she had the attention of her father, the only she needed and wanted was unconditional love. And yet, everything was conditional for Azula. She HAD to be perfect for her father's "love", since she would never receive it from her mother.
In her final scene of the show, we see Azula chained, screaming and crying following the Agni Kai. I don't think it's because she lost, rather that in losing she is shown what she will never have: unconditional love, shown moments before by both Zuko and Katara. Because Azula, more than anyone else in the show, believes that she is a monster. Despite desiring that more than any amount of power, she truly believes that she can never be loved because of who she is. While we a broken girl in that final shot, all she sees in herself is a monster that can never be loved.
I think these two, the two characters who have arguably the most tragic stories and realities in the show, would be the perfect duo for many reasons. The fact that they are polar opposites is the reason that they are perfect. The way that they would challenge each other in ways that no other characters could. And, despite the fact that are opposite in nature, due to their shared tragic stories they would also be able to understand the other on a level that no one else could. Aangs greatest strength, his inherent nature to unconditionally love all things, is the thing that Azula needs more than anything else. Likewise, in a world that now has a power vacuum created by the defeat of the Firelord, many threats would emerge to take his place would would require a cold, calculating mind to decipher and see through the lies and threats. While this is a nature that Aang does not possess and is probably incapable of possessing, Azula is a master in this environment and would help to show Aang the reality that the real world, and the people in it, don't always share his desire for peace.
These two characters, especially Azula, would be able to grow and change so much, if they just spent more time around each other. In this perfect show, this is the only thing I wish we got to see more of in it.
I always enjoy your videos, keep up the good work 👍👍
I hope we can have at least something similar in the comics, well Avatar Studios was created recently as well so hopefully we can get to see content like you said (or at least something similar) happening there too
While I see your point, the reason why they didn't do that was because they already had it; with Aang and Zuko.
Zuko was the one that needed to find his own destiny and escape from his father's shadow, to finally realize that his own happiness matters, NOT his father's. He needed to realize that change was possible and that he was a good person, even though he was never the "perfect" son that his father always wanted, but he never had to be because his happiness was more important.
Azula wasn't involved in the show from start to finish and is the exact opposite of Zuko. Unlike him, she saw no reason to change, or escape her father's thumb, but instead strived to be the "perfect" daughter that Ozai always wanted. Her arc didn't matter as the show didn't start with her trying to find the Avatar; that was Zuko. Aang asked Zuko if they could ever be friends, and in the third season, Zuko, in a way, took up Aang's offer and desperately tried to show everyone that he was on the path for good, even though he already was before that point, he just got lost in the process.
While Azula's story is still tragic and a clear example of what abuse does to a child, at the end of the day, her changing wasn't the point; she already reached her breaking point and finally gave up and, in a way, Zuko could've been the same way. He could've honored his father and been a carbon copy of him, but he wasn't, and that led to him being happy and finally bringing peace, rather than destruction. Azula never had this opportunity and while I'm not saying that it was a one-sided experience for her and Zuko, at the same time, HE needed the redemption. HE needed to change, HE needed to be friends with Aang and the others and, I guess you could say, erase the sins of his father. Azula could've been that way, but chose not to be. Why does HER redemption arc matter in the grand scheme of things?
In the end, her and Zuko's stories showed the positive and negative effects of child abuse, and how far a person will go to change and be the opposite of their parents, and how the other refuses to do so. If this was Azula's arc, then SHE would've been searching for Aang, become the Blue Spirit, and eventually friend turned foe. It wasn't the "goal", so to speak, for Aang to become friends with her AND Zuko, hence why Zuko's story was so impactful from start to finish.
I'm not saying you forgot about this or anything/are wrong and this is just my perspective, but if Azula was that important to the entire plot in terms of change, then why didn't they do anything about it? Why did the show focus a lot more on Zuko AND his relationship with Iroh if Azula was supposed to change? Why make such a big deal out of Zuko and Iroh? Because Azula didn't matter in terms of redemption. If she did, they would've shown that from the beginning and while, yes, Zuko WAS a villain, he was nowhere near as villainous as Azula and Ozai. Especially when he had Iroh as a mentor and his mother who deeply loved him; Azula didn't, meaning there was no hope for her at all, and her fate at the end of the series was all her doing. She could've changed, she could've been happy, she could've walked away from Ozai...but didn't. Even her own friends turned against her because of who she had become. She had no one, no one to put her on the right path, including herself. I hope this makes sense, and while I'm obviously not saying that Azula is worthless or boring or anything like that, I still care a lot more about Zuko's journey than I ever did hers. She and Ozai were the true villains of the show; Zuko was just lost, but finally found his way, and look how that turned out.
Also, with all due respect, I don't really understand why you said that Aang and Azula had the most tragic backstories. Yes, I believe you with Aang's side, but who was forced to fight their own father, had their face burned by their father, was banished from the Fire Nation, and was never loved by his father at all? Azula was the prodigy of Ozai, and yes he was using her, but overall, at least in his eyes, she was the much better child that greatly resembled her father in terms of personality and desires. Zuko was never that. He was the black sheep of the two and a great disappointment--again, only in Ozai's eyes--and nothing he did was ever good enough for him, and while Ozai never loved his children, Zuko had it ten times worse than Azula ever did but, again, look who changed in the end, while still having a good heart. Again, not saying that Azula's story isn't tragic, but she wasn't literally scarred for life and banished like Zuko was. Yes, they were both lost, but Zuko was always good; Azula wished she was good, but never made the effort.
Yeah I've always felt like in an alternate reality where azulademption happened her and Aang would be absolute besties
Ye
Uu
This just makes me wonder... What on earth happened to Ozai during his childhood to grow so differently from Iroh?
It seems that iroh gained the wisdom through age and realization after failure and the death of his son.. Because when they talk about his past, they speak of him as this great warrior. Also when he spoke about the dreams he had as a child they would include him conquering places.
Probably the same shit as Zuko and Azula
Sometimes it's just a a difference in people. Two kids can grow up in the same environment and be affected completely different. Maybe from the get-go, Iroh always had more compassion and love than Ozai, and Ozai always desired power more? I mean, when Iroh's son died, he was devastated. Azulon ordered for Zuko's death and Ozai didn't give a shit bc he didn't want Zuko to be his successor anyways! There's not a whole lot of backstory on Iroh and Ozai, but from what they tell us, it seems like Iroh was pretty ruthless as a general too, tho. He stood with his nation, leading destruction, death, and chaos. He believed he was destined to conquer Ba Sing Se, as if he was entitled to it. However, when he lost his son, his eyes were opened to what the war truly was. Throughout his life, he learned that if your wisdom is only taken from one source, it becomes rigid. Ozai, on the other hand, never seemed to come to that enlightenment.
I think iroh was very much like ozai before the death of his son at ba sing se, where he realizes that war and hatred do nothing but bring despair, which is why he steps down from being fire lord and agrees to go with zuko on his search for the avatar, so he doesnt end up like his father.
Peter parkers ass you’re right, but he didn’t actually step down from becoming Fire Lord: he had his birthright taken from him by his brother. Ozai (with Ursa as his accomplice) murdered their father, then doctored his will to say that Azulon’s last wish was for Ozai to become Fire Lord...Iroh was just too grief-stricken and worn down to fight it. There’s no real reason I’m correcting you, so don’t mean to offend, I just wanted some conversation lol
When I was young, I never understood why Azula lost the battle with Katara and Zuko. Surely, some little metal chains could be burnt by a skilled firebender? It happened before in the show. She could have used her feet, hell even her mouth, she spits some crazy fire while she is chained. But I now I interpret it this way: She lost to love again. Katara, after she chained her, didn't even look at her and went straight to Zuko. Because he's hurt and he's important to her. Because he's her friend and she loves him. The person who received love and consideration won. Katara isn't afraid of her, nor is Zuko. Love won, not fear. She was never loved and she isn't feared anymore. She is now nothing, so why fight? It doesn't matter anymore. "*I* don't matter anymore." And that is incredibly sad.
That's so deep and true. This coment deserves way more likes.
That's a very interesting take
Very well thought out!
More reasons that she deserves a good redemption ark
That is very sad... Beautifully said.
Azula suffered a psychological breakdown because her power over others through fear was destroyed by love and everything that she thought was real turned out be nothing but delusions in her head.
Moral of the story : uncle Iroh is awesome
werewolfassasyn he was right though
Uncle iroh is mvp, atleat 4 zuko
Hell yeah
@@Pendrake I mean, to be honest. Of all the benders that Iroh has met it was a very easy solution. He knows how evil his brother is and how evil someone that sees him as a role model would be. And not all characters know the entire story, so they only knew the powerhungry fascist instead of the person she actually is. Atraumatized child who needs the love she never had.
werewolfassasyn healing is a two way street, a person has to be open and want to be saved. Azula never really wanted help, even when her whole world fell apart. Iroh could’ve held out a hand, (which he does several times with introspective remarks) but she never would’ve and did reached back.
As an adult azula definitely one of the most interesting personalities in the show. I get the sense she learned bad cooping mechanism early on or over valuing certain things to to point of blindness
This reminds me of a Twitter thread by ATLA's head writer saying that, if they had gotten a 4th season, Azula would have had a redemption arc.
Aaron Ehaz's
Ugh this is kind of disappointing to me. Redemption arcs are overplayed in general, we already got like 3 really well developed redemption arcs in the show (Zuko, Iroh, and Jet) so I really feel like with how complex and developed Azula’s villainy and the backstory behind it all another redemption arc would kinda ruin it. Especially because we see a parallel with Zuko’s redemption because he had the love from Iroh to reverse his childhood trauma but Azula didn’t
Damn... they made a big mistake going to Nickelodeon. They should have pitched it to Cartoon Network. Viacom (who owns Nickelodeon) is a complete disaster. Just take a look they have nothing going for them. They own MTV which is also complete crap. They’re viewership is falling every year and don’t allow streaming networks to have their shows. Smh nicks golden era ended essentially when Ariana grande left the show to become a pop star. Even before that. 2000s were there golden age. 2010s they’re done and on there way out....
@@maggie1000 read the comics and weep, boy! her arc in that is really well done (so far) and it's still ongoing
I’d like that. If she got a love interest that would be a good parallel to her being unable to attract a male in the beach.
Azula who even hated when her own body wouldn't be controlled by her head, imagine how pissed she would've been if Katara blood bended her...
Idk why she hated her own body she’s beautiful
And that's the interesting thing, in the final fight between Katara and Azula, I kept screaming in my head at Katara to blood bend her. I know that, narratively, it is a power linked to the "dark side" of people and Katara only used it after its introduction once when she faced her mother's killer, and so I get why, again, NARRATIVELY she couldn't/didn't want to use it. Nonetheless, I think in a life-or-death scenario involving an enraged, mentally unstable Azula, you would sure want every tool at your disposal! Moreover, not only would Azula have hated it, but it would have been some sweet sweet narrative irony. Azula, the girl who needed to be feared and in control, essentially defeated by becoming Katara's puppet, and being shown to actually never have been in control of what's most important.
@@thehackingburger3002 Blood bending is only possible during a full moon. Thats why she didn't do it.
@@Sandszable katara is capable of doing it whenever
@@viepng
At that point in the show? No, I don't think she could. Maybe in the comics which I'm not familiar with but it's never stated nor implied that she could do it without a full moon in the show. Everytime she did bloodbend, there was always a full moon involved.
8 months late, but a reddit thread brought up an interesting thing. You mention how Azula is a perfectionist, but it goes beyond her simple attitude. Her blue flames themselves are perfect combustion.
In normal combustion (which is what I assume all firebenders perform to make fire), the chemical reaction leaves behind products that arent necessary to the chemical reaction, like soot or methane. This is what makes the fire orange when you burn wood instead of a pure fuel like gas. In perfect combustion however, your only products are water and Carbon dioxide, which has the effect of making flames blue.
This might just be a coincidence, but I like to think that Azula is such a perfectionist that she learned how to do perfect combustion simply because she wanted even the most inane aspects of her firebending to be absolutely perfect.
this is a good point! i thought it was just because she was a firebending prodigy.
And at the end, when she's spewing fire out of her mouth, it's no longer blue, further signifying her breaksown
Suga Sweet woah. I love the internet. That we can connect through things like this from thousands of miles away. You just hit me hard with that one.
I thought blue flames were formed when fire is really hot which I guess can also show perfectionism in a way...
@@moonlight_oats Well in perfect combustion the flame is hotter than in imperfect combustion. The color of the flames is more the affect of the increased intensity and heat from perfect combustion, when compared to regular combustion.
What's even more heartbreaking is that Zuko had someone he could lean on, trust, and who made him a better person and never turned his back on him; Azula never did.
I like how Azulas hair represented her need for perfection. I just want to point out that after a bit of her hair was cut by Katara's water slice, she was thoroughly incapacitated by Katara, who was also a prodigy in waterbending.
People always compare the parallels between Zuko and Katara when talking about Fire and Water but I truly think that the parallels between Katara and Azula are far more interesting. Analyzing Katara's amazing skills in empathy, being a prodigy in her art, her learning to work through her imperfections, and losing her mother compared with Azula's lack of empathy, being a prodigy in her art, need for perfection. and her relationship with her mother could make for an interesting video.
@@animeprinces12 i guess in many ways perhaps Katara and Azula were each other's foil.
I find it a little funny... Azula has _always_ had her hair done. Any time we see her doing her hair, it's someone else washing it or brushing it. Now, she may not have had hairdressers whilst on the run after the Avatar, I admit that. But any scene involving her grooming is done by someone else. Then... during the scene where she shatters the mirror... she has no one to do her hair. She relies on herself and only herself, and she fails.
@@VenomQuill she was royalty so she had servants
@@oooh19 Until she banished them all in a prolonged fit of paranoia, that is.
Also when Zuko call's Ty Lee a circus freak, and Azula laughs and then Ty starts to cry, you can actually see Azula being hesitant and regretting to laugh for a second. There is no longer smile on her face and she for that moment does regret her choice to laugh but then she brushes it off a bit later on
Yes i thought this "blink and miss" moment would be mentioned in the video too, sadly it wasn't but it's still an amazing video regardless
@Purple Emerald It reminds me a bit of how neurodivergent people don't always naturally grasp social cues and instead have to study them to understand what you're meant to do and why. Which, when combined with Ozai's dubious parenting, explains a great deal about her. The beach episode is tragic because Azula can only operate in scenarios where she can manipulate or intimidate her way into getting what she wants. Because that's all she can do.
@@shadowldrago I don’t think Azula is Beyond repair, I think that with enough therapy she can understand what it means to be a good person.
@@T0B3573R Agreed. Or at the very least, break Ozai's conditioning and be a better and healthier person.
@@shadowldrago I wished they explored that in the comics, I’m a empath and I want every victim to have some sort of happy ending..
One thing I really loved about Azula's story is that she was never physically hurt or beaten, and her mother didn't really seem to be mean to her, but yet Azula still suffered from emotional abuse. I think the show does a great job on showing that emotional abuse is really important and not as easy to spot as other forms of abuse (e.g. Zuko getting his scar)
I don’t know why, but I think that she was abused physically and dare I say sexually. I mean this is her father were talking about. He probably abused her in every way possible.
@@hennessygarciahg now you're reaching she just got drunk with power basically like Daddy's Money being selfish and mean and only knowing War that's why she can't get along with anyone else and especially when she loses her friends
I don't get how people say she was abused. She's never abused in the show, she's always congratulated by her father, never told to do better.
@@Otra_Chica_de_Internet her father basically brainwashed her and manipulated her and who knows what else he did
I don’t think the mother was emotionally abusing her
Honestly the thing that gets me is that shes 14. That's a high school freshman, that's a child. She could have turned out different, and she deserved better
“I love Zuko more than I fear you” this could also have reminded her of her mother preferring Zuko and betraying Azula’s trust as her child. Now her friends Mai and Ty lee did the same thing and in the end the entire world did the same thing, they all chose the same path as her mother. Hence why she feels like now everybody could turn on her, using even more fear to keep people ‘on her side’. Hence why, when she’s schizophrenic, she believes her mother had been conspiring with and convincing everyone to take her down. She realises she can trust nobody through her path of fear so while everyone is leaving her she kind of realises her whole upbringing by her father had basically been a scam (hence how in her schizophrenic episode her mother tells her this, so she’s somewhat self aware) plus she NEVER received love, only psychological abuse.
What could also be a take is that in the schizophrenic episodes, her mother isn’t being sweet to her, but she’s indirectly bullying her, the way Azula would do it. Her whole presence and loving approach creates the character of Azula’s nightmare who started and spread Azula’s misery to everyone else. the reason Azula cries isn’t because she gets emotional hearing the words of her mother. she feels bullied, but completely hopeless in her anxiety and distaste for loving attitudes. Her schizophrenic episodes are more like bad dreams.
damn dude
I just re-watched ATLA on Netflix and when Azula saw her mother in the mirror, she was cold. Her voice was without emotion. When we see flashbacks of the mother with zuko, she had natural inflection in her voice. She was warm and caring. As a kid, I always thought the "mirror mother" was being sincere. I even thought that she was being sincere when I re-watched it as a 22 yr old. But it was because we saw the mother through zuko's eyes; not azula's. Why would "mirror mom" talk about her hair when its already cut? Its too late. Why would she say 'I love you' in that tone? It's very interesting.
And one of the saddest parts of the series (imo) is when azula is alone in those chains. As a kid, I thought it was what she deserved. And now as an adult, I still think it was right in a sense that katara do that. She was out of control and trying to kill her. But what made it sad was when she stop yelling. She wasn't crying but sobbing/weeping. She was alone. No one was coming for her. Zuko had Katara. Mai had Ty Lee. Ozai had power (which to him was like a relationship). She knew that no one had her. She had no one. She knew she could break those chains, but if she were ever to actually need assistance, no one would be there. In all of the series she made choices that not even adults made. It made her seem that she was a grown woman with years of experience. But she was only 14. I cried when she cried. I felt bad for her.
Taylor Sanders Dude. Dude. If no one else has read this comment, I want you to know I did. And I’m going to remember it forever. I screenshotted it. Thank you.
@@Genpri thank you. This really was a great show in so many ways but my favourite is characterization. I always love dissecting characters as much as I can. Azula, although not my favoutite (toph stan now and forever) was the most interesting character analysis to me. She was a product of an abusive environment. No one reached out to her and gave her multiple chances like her brother. She was always an irredeemable monster. That's really sad to me. She needed a hug and to be told she was loved.
Taylor Sanders I agree 100%
imagine if we'd gotten that last season with Azula's redemption arc instead of that live action disaster...
That movie was truly a shit show. Honestly no live-action film can grasp the artistry, homage to Asian and native culture, and character depth that the show portrayed. This show was truly a gem.
Was azula in tge live action remake?
I've never seen more wasted potential then in the remake
I want them to come together and make the final book for avatar the last airbender
I think a live action could be done now with today's graphics. If not a 4 past movie series, then a series of mini-movies on Netflix or something... M. Night should not even be allowed to see the new movie after what he did to the live action. He's banned from all ATLA related media! His need to put a twist in every movie led to weird name pronunciations, and the good guys being light while the bad guys were dark. Tf was that about? Lol
@@brandonfoley7519 nah, I don't think she was mentioned. I'm afraid that if I rewatch to verify, the nightmares will start again.
Azula: can lightning bend, command an entire army, win the loyalty of the Dai Li, conquer cities, take control of Ba Sing Se, cut her own hair, give a speech, dodge every attack, and basically everything you can think of
Also Azula: can’t pick up boys
If that ain't a mood I-
Gorilla Face 😂😂😂😂 And have little duckies flying over their head
I beg to differ.
She canNOT cut her own hair
Meg Patterson 😂😂😂
Well, she did fetch Zuko from Ba Sing Se and also made the Dai Li follow her...
That counts as getting boys am I right?😂
I think what’s also important is how Ozai and Ursa show affection.
Ursa talks with Zuko, hugging him and playing with him.
Ozai just smiles, gives Azula vague acknowledgments and punishes people who wrong her. And that’s only when she isn’t annoying him.
Azula doesn’t know what true love is. She wants love and affection, but all she got was superficial approval. She also uses Ozai’s tactics to express her love for her friends and brother. She isn’t physically affectionate and is mostly quiet except when giving superficial praise.
but he was really patient with her than w others, when she was arguing that she should join him on his conquest battle IN FRONT of servants and other people, he lets her talk a little and then tries to calm her by calling her name and names her his successor and new fire lord, zuko got his face burnt for speaking up against a general, so imagine what ozai would have done if zuko had been the one arguing w Ozai himself about injustice, i was surprised watching this that she didn't got burnt too because there were other people around and she was questioning his decision
@@mmgs1148 It's because Ozai is aware that Azula is the superior fighter, but he's also aware of the psychological hold his approval has on her.
Think about who can do better without their bending. Even without her bending, Azula can fight pretty well. Ozai is nothing without his bending, as the finale points out.
Plus, Ozai needs Azula on his side, to have faith in him, if he ever needs a trump card.
I became concerned about Azula when she started hallucinating her mother in the mirror. It was then I realized she was being tormented by her own thoughts and feelings. My concern for her got amped up to 11 when she lost to Zuko and Katara. She broke down and thrashing around and I actually thought she would hurt herself trying to get out of the chains. Azula on the surface is a monster, but deep down, she's a broken girl who just wants affection and love from her family.
Repeating another comment I saw. The only person to call Azula a monster, was herself.
@@aussieendeavor3679 true
And she is 14.
I know, right ? all I wanted is Zuko just giving her a hug, but in the series, he only sees things as "good" and "bad" to realize that when theres darkness theres also light... (like yin and yang)
Ultimate Kyle well I don’t think that would’ve worked... I mean she was horrible to him when they were kids and also tried to kill him already. Zuko still tries to fix it in the comics and what does she do? Goes and starts kidnapping kids lmao
The saddest thing about Azula imo is that all her problems could have been prevented...even if she was born with some of these tendencies, if she had someone, even one person, there to truly guide her, show her different, take her away from the abuse and hatred, she could've grown into someone kind, someone who could deal with these complex emotions and fears. Zuko had Iroh, but Azula was alone...arguably, Zuko's banishment was the best thing that could have happened to him. He was free, and Azula was trapped, alone, under the thumb of a maniacal, delusional leader, with nobody to teach her what love was...
Really makes you think when you realize the music that plays during their agni kai is tragic instead of triumphant
I completely agree, and while that is tragic, it doesn't excuse her actions, but at the same time, it's not her fault. She didn't go down that path on her own.
@@monsterhanna6691 She should hence meet Koh the face stealer who could end her troubles.
Zuko even says in the show that his banishment was really good for him or that it was the best thing his father did for him
idk she had her mom... but even her mom was scared of her. i'm not saying she couldn't be saved but she definitely seemed to have a propensity towards evil from a young age.
The gut punch that was "she's only 14" at the end struck me like a lightning bolt. poor girl.
I had known she was 14 for at least a couple years (after I watched the series for the third time), but hearing it again after the whole analysis just gives it a totally different and sad/disturbing vibe. The girl has literally only been alive for 14 years. Damn.
@@Michael-McCollum I know! *cries for Azula*
I heard she was 16
I thought she was around 18 by the end of the series
greg77389 The whole show takes place over the course of one year, so at most she’d be 15.
That part where he said that Azula lacks certain skills to get what she wants because it goes against her mental framework hit me so hard.
The writers of Avatar after watching this video: Um . . . we totally meant to put all that in there.
😂😂😂😂
random person, LOL!
trueeeee hahahahaaa
It may be based on numerous true stories because our subconscious knows way more than our concious. (Kinda weird but it's actually awesome)
W... We just wanted to make a scary villain...
Um, I mean, yeah totally, psychopath definitely
I really think that Azula was doomed by being born a prodigy - this gaining Ozai's approval in a way that causes her to continue to seek it out, and become further distanced from any of her mothers approval. Without finding much approval from Ozai, Zuko ends up leaning on his mother and is thus also more open to Irohs rescue as well. Being the prodigy golden child came with the cost of dooming her to isolation.
Competence is a curse
"The curse of the talented is that they think they are entitled to greatness. But as a human you are only entitled to death"
Keelan C, true. Talent can be a blessings and a curse. Azula’s environment was really not nurturing and loving at all. Plus they were the “Fire Nation” who spread their prosperity by conquering people. Ugh... talk about an environment.
Looks like she was the one who was lucky to be born
I know the fact that having alot of peer pressure can really crack a person's sanity.
I still can't get over the fact that Azula was only 14-15 years old when all of this happened.
damn freshman
Ahsoka 521 I thought she was at least 16 or 17
ramenoli 💀
@@sithlordshaun_ Azula is actually the same age as Katara which means that they're both 14 years old, but by the end of the show they turned 15 since the gap between season 1 and 3 is only one year apart. The one you're thinking is 16-17 years old is Zuko.
I know like damn she is one conniving, manipulative and vindictive 14 year old. Just goes to show how deep her abuse was though. That by the age 14 she would act how she does in the show.