For many years, Avatar: The Last Airbender has continued to inspire and excite fans of all ages. The animated series has a memorable cast of characters, each unique in their abilities and quirks. With such a well-written ensemble, every fan of The Last Airbender has a different take on who the best is.

Every character in Avatar: The Last Airbender is an individual who stands out from each other. Katara’s backstory makes her one of Avatar: The Last Airbender’s greatest characters, here’s why.

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Kya’s Death Makes Katara Have More Sympathy

Katara and Sokka from Avatar

Katara spent her childhood and early teenage years living with her family in the Southern Water Tribe. Her mother, Kya, passed away when Katara and her older brother Sokka were very young. Kya was killed by an unknown firebender. It wasn’t until many years later while traveling alongside the Avatar, Katara learned her mother was killed by a Fire Nation naval group called the Southern Raiders. The Southern Raiders were a special group created to wipe out the last of the waterbenders living in the Southern Water Tribe. Katara was the last waterbender native to the southern tribe, but, wanting to protect her daughter, Kya lied, saying she was the waterbender they were looking for.

Though it would have been interesting to see Katara’s relationship with her mother develop further throughout The Last Airbender, Kya’s death impacted Katara in many ways, making her a more complex and interesting character. Kya’s death altered the way Katara speaks to and treats people throughout the story. Katara is a very caring and empathetic person -- she may have ended up this way even if her mother didn’t die, but fans will never know for sure. Katara reasonably uses her mother’s passing to build a connection with others. She does this out of understanding, to show people she can empathize with them through her own experience and let them know she understands what they are going through.

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Some Avatar: The Last Airbender fans may find Katara talking about her mother’s death annoying and say she weaponizes her trauma. It's no secret Katara doesn't hesitate to show her emotions, and this doesn't appeal to every fan of the series. Most fans see Katara as a strong female character, who could be a great role model for young viewers. After her battle with Master Paku at the Northern Water Tribe, Katara is no longer undermined for being a girl -- she is recognized for her powerful abilities. Although it is often mentioned within the series, Katara’s waterbending abilities rival Master Paku’s. After the events at the North Pole, Paku says Aang should get used to calling Katara “Master Katara”, showing he acknowledges Katara’s strength and waterbending prowess.

Katara may have ample physical strength, but her real charm and intrigue lies in her personality. Katara isn’t afraid to show her emotions; crying when she’s sad, or happy. Her fearlessness and the fact she doesn’t shy away from showing her vulnerability is a distinct character trait she possesses, and it sets her apart from the other members of Team Avatar.

Katara Sympathizes With Haru Over His FatherKatara and Haru from Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Katara brings up her mother’s death to other characters a few times throughout the series. For example, when the Team Avatar meets an eartherbender named Haru, Katara wants to get to know him right away.

The two become fast friends and Katara learns Haru's father was taken away for illegally earthbending and has been placed on a Fire Nation ship where he’s forbidden from bending. Their circumstances are much different, but Katara still connects with Haru, telling him she understands how he feels because the Fire Nation also took her mother away from her.

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Katara Empathizes With Zuko and Offers to Heal Him

katara zuko ba sing se

A similar sympathetic scene occurs between Katara and Zuko while they are trapped in the crystal catacombs beneath the Earth Kingdom city of Ba Sing Se. When Zuko is captured by an unlikely pair, his sister Azula and the Dai Li, he runs into Katara. Suddenly, Katara yells at Zuko, saying the only thing he cares about is capturing the Avatar and bringing him to the Fire Lord. She also accuses him of being born hateful and wanting to spread bloodshed and war. To Katara, Zuko doesn’t understand the true pain his nation causes its victims. Then she starts sobbing, claiming he doesn't understand the pain the Fire Nation has personally caused her. She then reveals to him that the Fire Nation took her mother away from her. Zuko apologizes and admits the loss of a mother is something they have in common.

Katara’s previously hostile demeanor softens, and she apologizes for yelling at him. Zuko shrugs off her apology and doesn’t say much more. Then, Katara admits whenever she imagined the face of their enemy, the only face she could imagine was Zuko. Zuko tells her he’s free to chart his own path and choose his own destiny, even if he can’t escape the mark his father gave him. Katara approaches Zuko and tells him about her healing abilities, and shows him the spirit water she collected from the Northern Water Tribe. She says the water is made up of special properties and may be able to fully heal or remove Zuko’s scar, freeing him from his father’s grip.

This scene is just one instance of Katara showing her deep empathy toward others. No matter how much hatred she feels toward Zuko up until that point, she stops airing her frustrations out on him once he reveals that the two of them aren't so different. Even if she doesn’t like Zuko, or care about him as a person, Katara is able to put her personal feelings aside and apologize for everything she’s said in order to try and empathize with Zuko. She allows him to voice his own frustrations with himself and his internal struggles regarding his father, even offering to use the special water she got from the Spirit Oasis to help him. This scene is a perfect representation of Katara’s selflessness, showing she is able to set her own grievances aside and be there for someone, even if the other person is one of her worst enemies.

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Avatar: The Last Airbender has many amazing characters shown throughout the series. And each character's backstory makes them unique some stories may resonate with some viewers. Katara's tragic and heartbreaking backstory is one of the reasons she is one of Avatar: The Last Airbender's greatest characters.