Zuko: Failure, Suffering, and the Paradox of Humility | Avatar: The Last Airbender 

Not a christian, but this is really good analysis dude. It's amazing how you use the lessons and experiences as a Christian yourself to delve into zuko. And you do it in a way that leaves more enrichment, through orthodox Christianity, giving another way to see uncle iroh's wisdom, and zuko as a man.

It is fascinating how zuko is able to control lightning after being humble enough to accept the the fight against Ozai is Aang's and resisting his father's temptation to fight him. Even with the lightning under his grasp, he doesn't shoot to kill. This video really made me see this not as a simple act of mercy, but the full growth of Zuko. He did what was right: he chose not to turn the fight for the world's balance into an internal feud and on a very satisfying level for me; shoved his moral growth and what he could have done right next to Ozai.

As someone who started out as a Christian that lost their way and just recently rediscovered God and my faith, this was a very amazing video to watch. Excited to watch more of your Avatar videos

One of the best breakdowns for one of the best characters in ATLA

This was absolutely excellent. Well done. I really appreciate the ways you illustrate your points not just by pointing to the source material but by drawing lines to other relevant sources like scripture, history and greek tragedy. Easily one of the best breakdowns of this character.

This is a really good dive into not just Zukos charicter, but the other firebending antagonists of the series. Your comparisons to Christian Theology were also very refereshing considering the current media (especially animation) landscape.

Absolutely love the usage of parallels and messages from the Bible, so happy to see more Christian content spreading to new corners

I LOVE the parallels you make from the lessons Zuko learns with the truths of the Bible. It explains why the show hits so deep within people♥️

This is an incredible analysis, I’m glad it’s getting some attention because it is very much deserved! Listened to it yesterday while at work, got me through the monotony of my shift.

this is incredible, I've seen analyses of Zuko from Taoist and Confucian perspectives, but having one from something more familiar rly made it all hit home somehow

Really appreciate this video, as a Christian myself, I love when the themes of my belief can be seen in a variety of fiction. I try to look for those themes in all stories I consume, but this really laid them out incredibly well for one of my fav shows. Love this video!

This video popped up in the recommended next to another video essay I was watching and I ignored it because my mind wanted something else, then I watched this, leading me to the one about soaring Ozai, I liked the channel, went to all videos, saw the genophage video and was like “huh I just watched a video from someone who said it was indefensible and I disagreed with them, that’s cool” watched that, finally saw the halo content, I love halo, subscribed and watched it, and great thing is I’m an Orthodox Christian well versed in all Abrahamic faiths so a lot of things you say are so easy to follow with, you sir have earned a much deserved and loved sub, this channel may have under 1000 subs but I wish I had found you even earlier and I hope you explode and I can be one of the OGs, cause your content, especially this stuff, is on point

10:11 Ok… I am in tears… I hit a bit of a low point in my life and have been in Ecclesiastes for the past few months and was watching Avatar videos for a sense of comfort… I needed to hear Solomon quoted here.

I haven’t seen something so well crafted in awhile, this is amazing

I randomly clicked on the video and started watching - with such good content i was surprised to see only 200 subscribers but that will change soon

The Zuko refusing the message of god bit made me chuckle, did not expect that from such a young voice.

What an amazing video! One of the best on Zuko's journey, and you know that's saying something with the sheer volume of content analyzing him! Also, on a slightly more personal note, as a recent convert to the Roman rite, I LOVED the theological viewpoints you brought up. Growing up as a Protestant, many of my more "traditionalist" friends' families wouldn't allow them to watch Avatar because of the clear representation of Eastern religions. As an adult, not only do I find this sad in terms of restrictive and closed worldviews, but also because ATLA (and the religions it draws inspiration from) have so much of beauty and truth to say about struggle, dedication, forgiveness, inner peace, and humility that often goes hand in hand with the words and actions of Christ. I will ALWAYS tear up at that scene of Zuko meeting Iroh in the tent. An incredible representation of true, fatherly love, and a perfect picture of the Father's true love. Keep up the good work, brother!

I love that you add Biblical references in your stuff man keep it up 🫶🏽🔥🔥

I'm not a Christian, but I do agree with alot of the morals explained here! Especially that last quote, one that says we should do what we can, while also trusting God to do the rest since we can't control everything. Great video!

Thing is, Zuko is a great example of the pros and cons of pride. While yes according to Christian theology pride is one of the seven deadly sins it's only because when pride goes unchecked it can lead to disaster. But let's not forget pride can be used for good (as can greed to a point as exampled in Fullmetal alchemist) as while it was pride that lead Zuko astray it's also what brought him to stand up to his father and join team avatar. Heck, there were times before when his pride did him well, he could have easily killed Zhao or burned down Katara's village, but pride stayed his hand in both cases as his pride would not allow such dishonor.

This video is beyond excellent! Such a nuanced breakdown and original take the Christian analogies makes me love it more. Please keep making content like this

13:00 Another example of the importance of humility similar to the one in this episode is Kuei backing down and surrendering to Azula after already being compromised. If held the same reservations about pride and honor, he would make the exceptionally foolhardy decision to -fight- instantly die without any counterbalance like Iroh in the equation. By living to fight another day-or to some, taking the “coward’s” way out-Kuei ensures the survival of an enduring legitimate monarchy postwar, the lack of which could have resulted in the largest internal political crisis in the world since Chin the Conquerer. In short, humility wins not merely because it is virtuous but also the sheer advantage it has in practicality when the self-imposed restrictions of honor-bound practices are completely untenable.

You did an incredible job making this video! Hoping your channel grows!

I decided to watch this random Avatar analysis video that RU-vid recommended to me, and I get a surprising Christian analysis on Zuko. Well done, my brother in Christ!!!! Thank you for bringing the Christian perspective to this series 👍👏👏👏

I appreciate how this was informative from a religious lens without being preaching. Masterful work, and i am gonna check out.your other vids.

This is the best analysis on the entire platform. Just boosting.

Amazing videos so far! Please keep them coming, an absolute gift diving into what I believe as some of the most important concepts as to what makes these stories so awe inspiring! You're one of the best already! Great job!

Great quality of the analysis, with very interesting reflection on Christian teachings, deep knowledge and understanding are visible here. I will be glad to see more from my fellow Eastern European content creator :)

Thank you for publishing this. The parallels between many sources, but especially the emphasis of scriptural truth and the gospel is beautiful and I thank you for allowing God to act through you with it-I found myself worshiping our Lord during the video with the references and quotations of scripture and theology. Peace and blessing to you and may you continue to shine His light!

This was one of the best character analysis I've ever seen. Ive watched a lot of Zuko and ATLA analysis over the years and this brings so much to the surface. Just goes to show that this series packed so so much into it's story that we can look at it almost 20 years later and still have so much to talk about. Loved the thematic parallels to the Bible. I love when people can find symbolism and meaning in stories from religion and real world events. AMAZING VIDEO!!!

Phenomenal video and wonderful insight bro keep it up! 🎉🎉🎉

Glad I stumbled upon this breakdown. Love the deep dive into this perfect series. Great video!!

Watching this video has helped me to realize that I am in a similar situation to zuko. I will instead chose to humble myself even when it’s difficult, I think this Gods will got everyone going through this sort of thing. Thank you for making this video…

Note: I even tried to use images to fix the copyright claimed sections but those kept getting claimed, insanely. So I did what I was able without basically reworking like 5 minutes of the entire video lol

This deserves more views, a masterful video

Bro your work is amazing please don't stop making that good quality content

This was an incredible video, I was so surprised to see how few subscribers you have! No doubt you'll grow though, can't wait for the next vid!:)

There's a Little zuko in us all.

Absolutely stellar work thank you for this video I really took a lot away from this ❤

Thank you man, this was beautiful

Great video man!

You've earned a sub, sir. This is great.

This analysis helped me think about Zuko's arc and relate it to my life. One of the reasons I love it so much is because in the moment where he was basically supposed to make the right decision (The Crossroads of Destiny), he still ends up choosing the wrong path. But ultimately he was able to come out the other side. It lets me know that we are never too far to be redeemed. Even Azula, she could've possibly done the same, even after all of the bad that she has done, only issue is she can't get her mindset to have that shift. Where Zuko was supposed to get everything he wanted, she was supposed to lose everything she thought she had. It's an interesting juxtaposition, I hope to be on the Zuko side of it all. Where I try to fit into this rigid spot that's expected of me, but it's not meant for me, I am supposed to be myself and through my own journey in life is where I will become who I was meant to be

this was really really good!!! keep it up :)

I found this to be a very interesting perspective!!! And I find it interesting how you could use comparisons in Christianity within a series loved by everyone ^^ it's nice for shows to bring people of different walks of life together!! Awesome job!

One of the best Videos ever

I'm not a christian, not religious at all in fact, but this analysis and your presentation were excellent. I enjoyed hearing a topic I've seen so many videos of in a slightly different light.

This video almost made me cry this is just avatar i guess

I LOVE this analysis!!! I've been looking for a good Zuko analysis from the point of view of Christian theology since he's one of my favorite characters in the show along with Sokka. Great job!!!!

Really good breakdown and analysis, best I have seen

Fantastic analysis. Well done

I'm going to watch Psychopass and Deathnote over and over and than I will write an essay with a little research and lessons learnt and can apply. How is your analysis so deep.

For me personally I see Zuko as someone that was set up in this cycle of suffering, not just by his own doing, but due to this pattern caused by the trauma he suffered. Which set him up for this pattern of trying to redeem himself in a way that he never could truly attain the redemption he wanted. As such I see Zuko as the scapegoat, banished into the wilderness. Cut off from the divine, seeing the divine as the accuser Azazel (it masking itself as if it is God). The Jungian Self projected outwardly onto the world and the family container and society, as rejecting deity of unattainable purity. Also think about the fact that with Zuko his quest was considered impossible by his father. Where the lived experience is that one is indeed self-loathing, feeling inherently unworthy and bad. Ozai by casting out Zuko trying to preserve his own image of purity and perfection, and casting out what he saw as weakness, something to be pushed into the shadow as sinful (compassion and doing the right thing), in Ozai's twisted world. So that Ozai and Azula and with it the Fire Nation could be seen as perfect, and pure. Making Ozai or Azula for a long time for Zuko the internalized accuser setting the standards, he is expected to achieve. So capturing the avatar. Where for Azula this same pattern sets up her insistent need for perfection. The issue with Ozai and the fire nation being that, because justice and mercy have been split apart, justice has become corrupted into nothing more then merciless wrath. Virtue becoming twisted into a tool of domination to a set of twisted standards, that can never be attained, and where anything that does not contain this sense of perfection of virtue is cast out as wicked and fallen, or a failure to be cast out.

This is an amazing analysis bro

Zuko reminds me of Aragorn. They both come from a people who has fallen due to the greed and weakness of their forefathers. But through their own redemption and battles they succeed where their predecessors failed and redeem themselves and their kingdoms.

This videos quality does not reflect it's popularity, well done.

Wonderful!

This was good. (Note: I’m not religious in any way shape or form. The fact that I even watched this video os crazy as I often click off of videos upon hearing religious connotations and such in it. So that’s praise for how good this video is despite me not being religious.) But honestly, it kinda felt like it turned into a sermon as it went on. Though, I understand that people would like to hear a Christian thing associated with a cartoon show. If that makes sense. I honestly wished it was solely focused on the actual topic in the title and had left religion out of it. Because yes it talked about humanity, it was deep in religion. Which not everyone relates to. Not everyone is religious. There’s nothing wrong about talking about it, but at the same time, if you’re going to explore this show with a religious lens, say it upfront. Because I clicked the video for a video on the show. Not half of it being basically extremely close to being a sermon. It just kinda felt really weird and like something was off about the video when you started talking more and more about religions topics in the video. And one may think my words to be harsh, but these are my honest thoughts.

excellent essay

28:04 This part is my favourite! I love how you spelled out what each part of his ancestry represents and how it manifests in him. I’m an ex-christian and even if this story of redemption makes sense as a secular one and I personally prefer it as such, it’s interesting to hear a religious view of it even if it makes me somewhat uncomfortable due to my previous believes. Awesome work ❤

I'm not Christian (I'm Jewish), but your video was great! Zuko's my favorite because of his fascinating and complex story. I feel we can relate to the show's stories and characters, finding connections across different cultures and religious perspectives. I wonder if more people feel the same, Valuing stories and viewpoints even if they're not from our own background.

This was a wonderful video, esp as someone raised on Christian values 😊 I'd love to see u break down the similar arc of Bakugou from My Hero Academia, another pride to humility story!

I am of two very different, contradictory opinions about this video. 1: I really like the judeao-christian lens you used to look at this series, especially because the binary 'good vs evil' works better through that scope. I was raised Christian but struggle with my faith almost daily. This was a very helpful perspective! 2: I think that by focusing on a judeao-christian lens, you're probably missing the intended message by the writers, who adopted more of a bhuddist mindset around the show. The concepts of good and evil don't really fit into that lens, just motivations and counters. Anyway, I really liked the video! I don't know what I would have done to mesh these two ideas, or even if it's possible. You filled in gaps that I had about my understanding, so I felt it was only fair to reveal gaps I found in yours. Keep up the good work!

This is an interesting take on zuko. I like the references of this biblically and it's interesting and makes sense to his character.

He wasn't drowned by the Ocean Spirit but was imprisoned in the Spirit World left to forever roam lost

I saw this commet on another video Book 1: Zuko tries to get his Honer back. Book 2: Zuko questions his Honer. Book 3: Zuko finds his Honer.

"Sometimes, what's left behind can grow better than the generation before, if given the chance." -- King Simba

Ain’t Christian but this was an amazing video

that was a wonderful analysis i really enjoyed how you used your Christian faith and weaved it into the video zuko was always my favorite character on the show and was always the most relatable for me.

I wasn't expecting the symbolism of religious and biblical references in the show, but I actually like this. I don't think anyone has done it like this. at least not that I heard off.

Interesting take, first time I saw a media analysis from a Christian perspective, Orthodox no less

I loved all the Bible references.

To all the people that hate you for your religion and your ideas screw them I've been pagan since age 13 and I've had anyone go from telling me to go to church literally buying me a Bible to actually I s*** you not grabbing me and praying for me and then telling me to repent and die and then I've had people that have heard I've been pagan and have actually came open with open arms and open eyes I respect you even though our religion has different houses I will respect anyone who is respectful enough to others You don't have to agree with my religion you just have to respect me Peace & Love be upon you my brother let love guide the way and let it hate never be a factor

I love that and wanna more from you waiting for next God bless you bro good luck for your journey God make you so much successful in journey

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. - Matthew 5:16

Great scripture references

How are you this good, and thank you ❤

I'd like to see you make a video about Iroh and the DCAU, specifically Superman

An excellent analysis! I really liked the comparisons to Christian theology.

Avatar and church you got my subscription

I really like how you incorporate the Christian principles in your character analysis, really looking forward for more videos like this

Excellent video. While it's good to reject the overly dogmatic and corrupted state of Christianity that's prevalent today, it's important to to not "throw out the baby with the bath water". Much like Avatar uses aspects of many eastern religions to portray and trach valuable lesson, Christianity still has important truths to teach us which are our salvation. I found it especially enlightening how you illustrated how sin/evil causes us to trap ourselves. It's a lesson well taught from a Christian perspective. Knowledge must come from many sources or it will become rigid and stale.

God bless you brother.

Are you going to post more avatar videos like this???

Zuko even admits in North and South that he knows,how bad guys think because he used to be a villain.

My boi ZUKO 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🔥 I’m a woman butI have always and will always identify with him..

Ah yes. An analysis of Avatar backed up with Christian references. I needed this.

Hated this as soon as it became a sermon.

I like the way you add Christian stories in this video their awesome good video zuko’s story is like a real life story being based off someone we all know I forgot the name but that’s all I would love to hear about avatar anti hero’s he became fire lord and now cleansing the sins of the fire nations Ozai and sozin and their four father caused a great inflict on the 4 nation and made it a serious enemy territory weapon and I Gotta say I’m glad iroh made zuko the better man he wants him to be

Avatar analysis + Christian perspective??? 🔥🔥🔥🔥🫡🫡🫡🫡

i wanna see Admiral Zhao fight Ozai

I disagree with the Christian interpretation, but it’s interesting to think about!

Describing Iroh's love for Zuko as Christ-like gave me, a lifelong agnostic, a better understanding of Christ-like love

Did you pan audio left?

I'm a Muslim In Quran Allah said Allah is the creator of all mankind And real Christianity comes from Isa (A) peace be upon him Through we have different beliefs but there are aspects that matches Which is obvious cause Islam teaches everything a man can see and the unseen world Here you said he didn't wanted to do it but his sin did it and demons give him nightmare In Islam we believe Demon bad jin or Saitan is our enemy and do astray us until we end up in Hell And the inner siner your talking about is something Allah gave all it's nafs Nafs are 8 types There are good and bad ones depends which one we listen to And bad nafs has the same mission to throw us in Hell May Allah grant us all Heaven as we called Jannah Zuko do help me in a all of way cause I myself is in constant battle with my Nafs So thanks for the video

10:10, what's the instrumental music that plays here?

I love how zuko becme irho

Pretty sure the avatar don’t got nothing to do with God but at least some quotes hit the mark.

Zukkko

38:14 Shhhhh. Shhhhh. Shhhhh