The ships in Avatar The Last Airbender are wildly regarded as some to the best out there. Fans have been rooting for Aang and Katara to get together the first episode, and Sokka and Suki have also been a fan favorite relationship. Let's not forget the moody ship of Mai and Zuko. The reason why these relationships work so well is due to their believability. These characters have had screen time with their significant other about their relationships.
Therefore, the transition of their relationships makes sense. Though fans adore Kataang, many wonder why Prince Zuko and Katara did not end up together. There was a spark between them while they were imprisoned, but the two are still live two very different lives. Here are five reasons Zuko and Katara make sense as a couple, and five reasons why they don’t.
10 Make Sense: They Both Have A No-Nonsense Personality
Both Zuko and Katara are known to possess a very serious demeanor. Aang, as well as everyone else, has referred to Katara as a wet blanket. The nonchalant Iroh is always telling Zuko how he needs to lighten up. Although Katara’s nagging personality can be a bit much, they rely on it to keep them focused on their goals. Iroh admires how committed Zuko to a difficult task, as well.
9 Why They Don’t: They Will Fight A lot
Zuko is known to be a bit of a hothead—no pun intended. Throughout the series, he has argued with almost everyone, even his girlfriend, Mai. Moreover, Mai has pointed out Zuko’s temper tends to get out of control.
Katara can also be a bit argumentative. On multiple occasions, she has raised her voice at everyone around her. For example, once she lashed out at Aang when he was trying to help her with her waterbending. It's safe to assume that, if these two were a couple, they would argue quite a bit given their personality types.
8 Make Sense: They Have Will Have A Romeo And Juliet Romance
Seeing Zuko is from the Fire Nation, and Katara is from the Southern Water Tribe, their romance would be sort of forbidden. This makes for an interesting story beat similar to Romeo and Juliet.
Since the Fire Nation has been tormenting the Water Tribes for centuries, many Water Tribe members may not be fine with Katara dating Zuko. The same goes for people of the Fire Nation, as this may create conflict between the two nations. It can possibly unify everyone. Either way, there's potential for an excellent story beat.
7 Won't Work: Boring Couple
Katara and Prince Zuko are great characters. They both have grown in more ways than one throughout the series. However, as a couple, they would be derivative. It will just be another Romeo and Juliet scenario. That’s not to say it’s a completely bad idea; it can be interesting, but it has been done before. If romance is going to be implemented in a narrative, it needs to be interesting.
6 Make Sense: They Make A Great Power Couple
Seeing both Zuko and Katara are goal-driven, they possess the makings of a great power couple. Zuko has worked hard his entire life, so Katara never has to worry about him straying away from his goals. Katara constantly harasses Aang about taking his bending seriously, whereas,
with Zuko, this would be a nonissue. Katara is the same way. She never gave up learning waterbending, even when Pakku refuses to teach her when they were at the Northern Water Tribe. In addition, both benders would push each other to do better in their respective fields.
5 Won't Work: Too Similar
Sometimes familiarity in a relationship can be a bad thing. Aang and Katara are great a couple mainly because of their complete opposites. This allows their good qualities to rub off on one another; Aang can be a little too carefree, and Katara can be a little too strict.
The same goes for Mai and Zuko. Mai is a little more patient than Zuko. By being with Mai, Zuko will learn to be a little more patient. By being with Zuko, Mai will learn to be a little more outspoken. If Katara and Zuko were a couple, they will never change.
4 Make Sense: They’re Good At Communicating With Each Other
A key to a good relationship is communication, and both Katara and Zuko excel at this. During “The Southern Raiders” episode, The Fire Nation Prince became fixated on mending the relationship between him and Katara. He even went as far as to ask Sokka about how their mother died.
By talking to Sokka and later confronting Katara, he helps her find the man that kills her mother. This results in Katara forgiving him. Zuko may be stubborn at times, but he’s not passive like Aang. Katara is also open to communicating. For example, when they are both imprisoned together, they are able to talk to each other. Katara speculates Zuko isn't a bad person, he’s just confused. This is when she starts to trust him.
3 Won't Work: They Will Eventually Break Up
This ship seems like it will just be temporary. Sooner or later, the two will get sick of one another and call it quits. Albeit they have similar qualities, the two lack chemistry. Zuko is not the person Katara is supposed to be with. Katara is not the person Zuko is supposed to be with.
2 Make Sense: They Both Have A Relatable Past
Because both lost their mother to the Fire Nation at such an early age, they're able to empathize with one another. Zuko’s mother becomes banished, and Katara’s is murdered.
Both mothers willingly sacrificed their lives in order to save their children. Sometimes, it's difficult to talk about one's past with a significant other, seeing that they have never gone through it. These two, however, will not have that issue. By talking about it, this makes it easier for them to cope with their traumatic past.
1 Won't Work: Their Cultural Backgrounds are Too Different
Katara doesn’t come from a conservative culture, such as the Fire Nation. So, she may not want to live in the Fire Nation for the rest of her life. Katara may be a serious person, but she isn't like that all the time. She likes to indulge in fun activities, like penguin sledding. Most Fire Nation nobles will frown upon that.
The same can be said for Zuko. He didn’t grow up in a liberal nature, as his upbringing was a little more formal. They both would have to compromise and that seems unlikely. They both respect their cultures and ideals. It just wouldn't work.