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This is my personal thought on the matter of both couples (it's a really long rant, but really I'm for either one of these couples. I just wanted to analyze it.)-

for the ZUTARA:

Katara and Aang are a strong couple because they help each other grow stronger, they support each other, and get along great. In short they are the innocent first love couple, sharing their first kiss and growing close since the day they had met.

However, there are still some parts of their hearts that are more personal and deep that they've yet to touch upon. Aang has been opened with Katara almost always, but we hardly see Katara express herself to Aang as much. Somehow this gives the idea that she is more of a motherly/sisterly figure for Aang rather than a lover.

The whole idea of Katara healing Zuko sounds like a symbolic gesture that she can heal him both physically and spiritually. His confusion in who he is and what he should do is something i believe she can help in. She just has that naturally tranquil presence that seems to allieviate people. And in vice versa he can heal her anger and hatred towards the fire nation a little bit by letting her know that she is not the only one who knows the pain of loss from the war.

This new turn of events in the story is not only a strong choice to make, but a very good one in fact. Because when you think about it, what do you suppose makes a story more interesting when in the case of the lovers? The typical fairytale with the hero and the heroine? or the former villain-turn-good with the heroine? There is just something about that idea that makes things more complex.

speaking of which, this would also be a big obstacle for Aang as well. Obviously he'll be heart brokened when he finds out (hey, first love of his life stare ); but will he have the strength to accept this and let her go? If he truly cared about Katara, would he have the courage to let her love someone else?

for KATAANG:

Though Zuko and Katara have a much more indepth connection, they still have not even had the time to really develop as much as Aang and Katara have. The two have been together for so long, and have grown closer with each episode. From the time that Katara and Sokka found Aang within the ice berg, to the capital of Ba Sing Se, these two have had their shares of ups and downs together.

Whenever they are alone together, they often express personal beliefs or opinions. Zuko is a pretty closed book, and about the only one we have ever seen him open to was his mother and uncle iroh. whenever he is with someone other than his family, he doesn't seem to open up much. That would prove a difficulty for Katara and him to talk.

Aang and Katara even shared their first kiss together for crying out loud! (how convenient those lights turned on "after" the kiss stressed ) That episode I believed brought the two even closer as they began to grow intimately curious and interested in one another. The story of Oma and Shu really added that nice touch of connection between two pair of lovers.

Another thing to note is that Katara is possibly the first (and probably the only one) who has ever been able to bring Aang back from his Avatar State (The episode Appa had been captured). The look on her face was so intense that it felt as if she was much more than just his friend.

The question that teeters both couples:

The episode that intensifies the question of "Who Katara ends up with" is the Fortuneteller's prediction for her future:

She would fall in love with and eventually marry a POWERFUL BENDER.

The question is, WHAT TYPE OF BENDER? She never did say that it was THE Ultimate Bender , she just stated that he was A powerful bender. And Aang and Zuko are BOTH entitled to that description.

(i know i know, fortune telling isn't accurate: but it does have some basis in a way.)

-Well the series has a long way to go, and we have a lot of time to see where this is going. But whatever is thrown into this series, you can be sure that their is going to be quite a complex relationship amongst the three. wink

Well, I prefer Kataang. But this in-depth analyzation of Zutara nearly made me change my mind... You're good at that.

I actually think that both are equally likely, IF Zuko turns good (which he will, obviously). It's really hard to see who she'll end up with... And I'd feel really bad for Aang if it's Zuko.

But I support Kataang, and I also support Toko, so I have no reason to support Zutara. (Though I don't oppose it.)

I think both pairings have good arguments. I'm all about Zutara, but I don't mind Kataang and respect those that do. It's nice that people are being more open about Zutara these days, too.

One of the best Zutara arguments I've seen is this in an LJ shipping manifesto community: http://community.livejournal.com/ship_manifesto/152884.html

Enjoy xd

Love triangles of angst are always fun heart

well the thing is, the arguments for both are good, but youve forgotten one thing: katara and zuko never actually show a romantic interest about each other. im not saying they hate each other, but they dont spend a lot of time together, so id be surprised if they suddenly are all lovey-dovey. i just dont really see it happening...

Nyah, i'm always going to be a Kataang shipper, and I never even really HAVE liked Zutara.


See, it all started when that happened, if you ask me.
I dunno, I just can't see why they'd look good together... I disagree with the ying-yang theory, I think that a good couple doesn't HAVE to balance each other out- They can just be together! It's not all about zen or whatever. Even if Zuko is angsty and Katara is hopeful, Zuko will still be angsty.
Mm, I'm not sure who I can really see Zuko with, actually.....
(I CERTAINLY can't see him with Toph! xD)
((Maybe Sokka? O__O))
(((KIDDING.)))

I do agree that both shippings are possible, but I prefer the Zutara much better. You bring up a point that Katara has a more motherly/sisterly relationship (or at least acts that way) with Aang, and that's absolutely true. I agree with that. Katara has always been the more mature one, and she's always the mother figure. This is why I think that Zuko would be more appropriate for Katara rather than Aang, who is often kind of immature (afterall, he is only 112 years old!).

You also bring up another point that Zuko is a closed book and that he only opens up to select family members like his mother and Uncle Iroh. That's a valid point, but I think that's the exact reason why Katara and Zuko will fit with each other. Katara is a motherly figure, like I said before, and I think it would be natural for Zuko to find himself pouring his heart out to her. Katara is the kind of person who will stop and listen to you, and Zuko needs that kind of person in his life. There's a saying that opposites attract, and it's appropriate in every way: fire and water, a closed and moody person and an open person.

There's also the kind of story element to consider, as you said. Yeah, it's natural for the hero and the heroine to be matched up, but it's always a nice twist for the enemy (or once was) to get matched up with the heroine. I just think it'll be an interesting match.

Yeah, but one could argue in the same way against Aang/Katara. I don't see how Aang and Katara would look good together. He just looks way too young for her. & honestly, I don't see Aang "ending up with" anyone since he's the Avatar. 3nodding

Zutara has always been about potential and, like it or not, sexual tension. I know some shippers are crazy, but I honestly wouldn't care that much if it still doesn't become canon because there's always fanfics which are better anyway. ^^;