I respect Kataang - I mean, it’s canon. They’re best friends. They had three amazing kids. I totally get it.

I do think there are some horrible misconceptions about Zutara, tho, and as a Zutara stan, I want to clarify a few things (not to argue, just to clarify)

I don’t think they should be together because it’s “sexy” or “bad boy+good girl” or “enemies to lovers” and all of that weird surface level stuff. I liked what they could have represented to each other - especially for Zuko. The ultimate act of forgiveness and grace.

In book 2, when Zuko is living a semi-normal life, he is very calm. Cool. Not cold, just cool. His harsh anger from the beginning felt almost forced, as if he was trying to be more like Ozai.
Katara has more of a natural fire to her than Zuko does. I find it enduring

Zuko and Katara has this big “we have natural compatibility but I betrayed you so you’re mad at me, I have to work to gain your trust, it turns out our compatibility is just platonic” arc in book 3. It felt like a loss to me because that symbolism could have been so much deeper.

Helping Katara find Yon Rha and letting her work through that process however she needed to was a level of support that is exemplary. Kinda scary, but very Zuko.
Katara forgave Zuko. Not easily, but he worked for it, because he cared (I’ll explain more in a bit)

As cute as Aang’s crush is throughout the series, I hardly ever got the vibe that it was returned. I got a sisterly-love vibe for most of the show, and it felt strange for the relationship to jump straight to romance. Especially when the crush was portrayed so one-sided.

Aang was a monk. Katara was probably one of the first girls he had ever met, and he crushed on her from day 1. It felt like the easy way out for the writers to have them end up together, especially when it was after he defeated Ozai. It felt like she was a trophy to me :(

I’m also a sucker for platonic relationships. I think they’re great. I kinda wanted Aang and Katara to stay best friends because they were so good as best friends. Their love and loyalty to each other didn’t have to be less because it wasn’t romantic.

I think the same way about Mai. I think it would have been really cool for Mai and Zuko to be really good friends. Platonic love is still strong, and Mai’s “I love Zuko more than I fear you” would still be powerful, in a different way. In a way that kinda lacked in the series.

Now, back to Zutara. Do I think they should have met, had sexual tension, and ridden off into the sunset while Katara excuses his behavior? Absolutely not. Quite the opposite, actually. Katara would have held him accountable in a loving way - Zuko deserved that.

Given all of Zuko’s childhood abuse, Katara being a healer is very symbolic. Her forgiveness has intense meaning on multiple levels, and him jumping in front of the lightning does, as well.

They also would balance each other out well. Zuko is methodical, has cracks in his moral code due to his upbringing, and has severe confidence issues. Katara is more impulsive, fiercely moral and loyal, and practically radiates confidence.

For me, it also matters that they would challenge each other. Ozai and Azusa were terrible to Zuko. Ursa and Iroh were gentle with him. Katara wouldn’t hold in her emotions - she would say why she felt the way she did. If she was angry, he would know.

But her forgiveness is what’s important - not because his behavior is excused. Because Zuko genuinely was a good person who was driven to do bad things. Katara would hold him accountable but still be loving, which is something Zuko rarely had as a child.

There’s the aesthetics of things, of course. Fire and water, blue and red, sun and moon, yada yada. But the depth of symbolism they could have had if Zutara was pursued is astonishing. Not just because of Zutara, but because of the platonic relationships they both lost in canon.

Katara being fire lady would also be a huge step forward for the unity of peoples. I mean, we know about Republic City, but imagine how powerful it would have been for the fire lady to be a master waterbender.

If you got this far, you’re really patient again, I’m coming at this from my personal perspective. I’m an aspiring author and have very strong opinions about plotlines/character arcs/symbolism in ways some people probably care less about. I totally get it

I hope this clears up some things for people who thought Zutara is just a horny ship. Feel free to dm me if you want to talk more about it!