Zutara

Zutara is the het ship between Zuko and Katara from the Avatar: The Last Airbender fandom.

Canon
Zuko and Katara were initially enemies because Katara was working with the Avatar Aang while Zuko was trying to capture him so that he could regain his honor and return home from his banishment. Despite this, Zuko never harbored ill feelings towards Katara for trying to protect Aang. In fact, he tried to reason with her and explained that he just wanted Aang so that he could go home. The two later fought at the Northern Water Tribe when Aang was in the Spirit World and Zuko tried to capture him.

At some point, Zuko and his uncle became wanted by the Fire Nation so they had to travel as refugees. Azula shot Iroh with lightning and Katara tried to go help him and Zuko with her healing but the latter was panicking and scared Katara off. Later, Katara and Zuko were both imprisoned together underground in Ba Sing Se. Katara yelled at Zuko and cried about losing her mother to the Fire Nation. Zuko then revealed that he also lost his mother to the Fire Nation and sympathized with her. Katara eventually offered to heal Zuko’s scar with her spirit water but they were interrupted when Aang and Iroh arrived to save them. Azula offered to let Zuko return home if he fought against Team Avatar so he turned on them and Iroh. Katara was very hurt by this because she thought that Zuko had changed.

After being at home in the Fire Nation, Zuko eventually came to his senses and decided to join Team Avatar so that he could teach Aang firebending. Nobody trusted him at first and Katara was strongly against adding Zuko to their group. Even when he earned the trust of everybody else, Katara was still skeptical and threatened to kill him if he took even one step backwards. Zuko was upset that Katara did not trust him so he eventually helped Katara find the man who killed her mother so that she could confront him. Katara finally forgave him afterwards and hugged him.

Katara and Zuko were on much better terms and even sat next to each other when watching a play about themselves. While watching the actor of Zuko calling Iroh stupid, Katara asked if he really said that and Zuko lamented that he might as well have. Eventually, Aang went missing so the group found Iroh. While Zuko was at first hesitant to see his uncle, fearing that Iroh wouldn’t forgive him, Katara encouraged him to apologize. Iroh assured them that Aang would have to face Ozai. Katara accepted Zuko’s request to help him in his battle against Azula. She eventually shot lightning at Katara so Zuko jumped in the way and took the shot. Katara managed to finish the battle and beat Azula. She then went to heal Zuko while crying but succeeded. The two thanked each other. Katara comforted Zuko while he was watching Azula go insane. She later attended Zuko’s coronation as Fire Lord and was smiling.

Book One: Water
While Aang and Katara are exploring an old and abandoned Fire Nation ship, Aang accidentally triggers a booby trap. In doing so the ship releases a flare into the sky. Aang is able to get himself and Katara out using his air bending abilities. Having spotted the flare, Zuko watches them through binoculars, seeing Katara for the first time. Zuko locates Katara’s home, the South Pole Village in his continued search for the Avatar. He rams his ship into the small village before questioning the people about Aang’s whereabouts. Aang arrives back, before willingly giving himself up to Zuko so the village will be safe. Soon after Zuko leaves and Katara and Sokka go on a rescue mission for Aang. With Aang safe, they leave Zuko defrosting his ship.

An undisclosed amount of time later, Katara and gang help Haru, an Earth bender, free other Earth benders. During the ensuing chaos of the battle aboard a coal rig, Katara’s necklace is lost. In Zuko’s search for the Avatar, he finds Katara’s necklace, picking it up and gripping it in his fist.

Sometime later, Katara is teaching Aang a few water bending moves. Aang is a natural, leading to Katara growing frustrated at him already surpassing her in skill. Traveling to a nearby town, Katara steals a water bending scroll. Zuko and his Uncle Iroh stop in the same town, going into the same shop. Inside Zuko overhears pirates talking about Katara and the gang. Zuko is immediately interested in learning if one of them had an arrow on their head. Teaming up, Zuko and the pirates head out in search for the group.

Later that night, Katara sneaks out of camp to train using the scroll. Zuko and the pirates hear her and water slashing. Katara runs from a pirate, straight into Zuko’s arms, with Zuko claiming, “I’ll protect you from the pirates.” A ploy, as Zuko has Katara tied to a tree, where he attempts to make a deal with her: Aang for her lost necklace. Katara refuses. She and group are able to evade Zuko when Zuko and the pirates turn on each other.

The next time Zuko and Katara meet is at the Northern Water Tribe when Zuko sneaks into the Spirit Oasis where Aang is meditating in order to crossover into the Spirit World. As Aang can’t be disturbed, Katara takes it upon herself to protect him. As she’s telling Princess Yue this, Zuko reveals himself, telling her, “Well, aren’t you a big girl now.” The two engage in battle with Zuko commenting that Katara must have found a master to train her. Their battle comes to an end when Katara is able to freeze Zuko against an ice wall. The victory is short lived as it is now daybreak; Zuko gaining new strength with the rising sun. He frees himself from the ice block, before knocking Katara to the ground. Zuko kidnaps Aang, though due to the blizzard outside, he seeks shelter. Katara and group locate him when they see Aang return from the Spirit World back into his physical body. As Aang attempts an escape, Zuko challenges Katara to a rematch; with Katara quipping that it won’t be much of a rematch. Surrounded by ice and snow, she is able to easily defeat him in a swift movement. Aang insists on saving Zuko as he would die out there. Zuko comes to and makes an escape from the group without them knowing.

Book Two: Earth
Hunted by the Fire Nation, Zuko is now a refugee, though still not without hunting Aang. Azula, Zuko’s sister, is also hunting the Avatar. Zuko and Katara meet again briefly in an abandoned desert village. Following a battle, Iroh is injured when Azula fakes surrender, hitting him with lightning. Zuko kneels over his uncle, scared and angry. Katara offers to help him, though Zuko yells for her and the others to leave.

An undisclosed amount of time later, in the Earth Kingdom capital of Ba Sing Se, Katara decides to stop at a new tea shop before delivering a message to the Earth King. As she’s requesting a table, she hears Zuko reciting an order for tea to Iroh in the back of the shop and gasps in surprise before running off to warn the Earth King.

Zuko and Katara formally meet again inside the crystal catacombs of Ba Sing Se. Zuko is captured by Azula and the Dai Li, being pushed into the catacombs where he falls into Katara, also captured. Katara is immediately furious to see him, telling him that all he cares about is capturing the Avatar, and how spreading war and hatred is in his blood. She continues to say that he does not know the pain of the Fire Nation killing her mother. Zuko apologizes, and says that this is something they both have in common. Katara begins to soften at hearing Zuko’s apology. Katara apologizes for yelling at him, with Zuko telling her it doesn’t matter. She states how for so long whenever she would imagine the face of the enemy, it was his face. Zuko touches his scar and turns away. Katara is quick to inform him that she didn’t mean it like that. Zuko tells her that he’s realized he’s free to determine his own destiny, even if that means he’ll never be free of his mark. Katara mentions how perhaps he could be free of his scar, that she has healing abilities. Zuko is skeptical, dismissing it right way, as “scars can’t be healed”. Katara shows him the water she got from the Spirit Oasis at the North Pole, voicing it has special properties and that she’s been saving it for “something important”. Zuko closes his eyes, allowing Katara to touch him. The tender moment however is short lived as Aang and Iroh come crashing through the catacomb walls. With Aang there, he and Katara head out to help the others. As Katata is leaving, she turns back, looking at Zuko with a sorrowful expression.

A short time later, Katara and Aang are confronted by Azula. The two versus one has Azula silently concerned. Moments later, Zuko emerges, blasting fire and going for Aang. The battle soon switches to Zuko versus Katara. Katara is angry and sad as she had thought Zuko had changed. Zuko, in return, tells her he has. The four are joined by the Dai Li, severely turning the odds against Katara and Aang. Aang enters into the Avatar State, though before he could do anything, he is shot down by Azula. With help from Iroh, he gives Katara the chance to escape with Aang.

Book Three: Fire
During the eclipse, Zuko confronts his father, Fire Lord Ozai. He informs him of the truth, that the Avatar is alive and that he is going to join him. As the sun appears again, both men engage in a brief battle, ending with Zuko escaping. A short time later, Katara and the gang are leaving the Fire Nation Capital following their failed invasion. As they fly away on Appa, Aang’s bison, Zuko follows them in a hot air balloon.

The group arrives to the Western Air Temple as temporary safe haven, with Zuko arriving as well. Not long into being there, Zuko reveals himself, explaining that he’s “good now” and that he can teach Aang fire bending. Katara is immediately on guard, proclaiming, ''“You can’t possibly think any of us would trust you, can you? I mean, how stupid do you think we are?”'' The others agree with her, listing off reasons why Zuko can’t join them. Zuko gets down on his knees, offering himself as a prisoner. Katara water bends, harshly splashing him.

After Zuko leaves, Katara and Sokka talk about it. Katara questioning why Zuko would “try to fool them like that” and admitting how she did feel sorry for him while they were imprisoned together in Ba Sing Se, now believing that’s one of his tricks.

The following day, the assassin Zuko sent after Aang prior has located him again. Before the assassin can attack, Zuko swings in, ordering him to stop. When this fails, Sokka is able to take him down with his boomerang. With the assassin down, Zuko shows himself again, apologizing for his past actions, including the burning of Toph’s feet the previous night by accident. Hearing him talk about how a fire bender needs to be more careful while using, Aang agrees to have Zuko teach him, though not without asking what Toph, Sokka and Katara think first. With Toph and Sokka approving him, it’s Katara’s turn. Zuko sweats as he waits for her answer. Katara aggress, only as it’s what Aang thinks is right.

Sokka walks Zuko to the room where he’d be staying. Once leaving, Katara shows up at his door. Upon seeing her, Zuko smiles, immediately standing up to greet her. Before he is able to speak, Katara threatens to take his life if he shows any sign of treachery or harming Aang. She departs, leaving a visibly disturbed Zuko alone to ponder her words.

A few days later, the group is attacked by several Fire Nation airships, led by Azula. As bombs hit down, the air temple shakes. Zuko tackles Katara out of the path of falling rocks, landing on top of her in the process. Seeing as it’s Azula attacking them, Zuko stays back to hold her off. During their battle, both Zuko and Azula are knocked off the airship they’re on top of. Aang flies Appa to catch him, with Katara grabbing him and pulling him onto the saddle.

That night, the group is camping “like old times”. Zuko makes a lame joke that he could start chasing Aang around and try to capture him again. While everyone genuinely laughs, Katara says, without looking up, ''“Ha. Ha.”'' Sokka makes a toast to Zuko being their hero, ending with Zuko saying that “he doesn’t deserve this”. Katara agrees, before standing and walking off. Sokka questions “what’s with her,” with Zuko saying he wish he knew. As Katara walks off, Zuko stands to follow her.

Zuko finds Katara sitting alone by a cliff. As soon as she spots him, her mood drops further. Zuko questions her, asking why the others “seem to trust him now”, though Katara does not. Katara informs him that she was first person to trust him, back in Ba Sing Se, but he had turned around and betrayed her. Zuka asks what he can do in order to make it up to her. Katara tells him, ''“You really want to know? Maybe you could reconquer Ba Sing Se in the name of the Earth King. Or I know, you could bring my mother back!”'' With that, Katara pushes past him, hitting his shoulder with her own.

Zuko arrives back to camp, entering Sokka’s tent, intent on figuring out why Katara hates him. Upon Sokka asking him what’s on his mind, Zuko says, ''“Your sister. She hates me. And I don’t know why! But I do care what she thinks of me.”'' Zuko puts it together that Katara’s rage at him is connected to her mother’s death, as she’s mentioned that back in Ba Sing Se and at the cliff. Asking Sokka if he remembers anything of that day, Sokka does recall the detail of the flags that were waving on the Fire Nation ships – Sea Ravens. Zuko voices that those are the symbol of the The Southern Raiders.

The following morning, Katara emerges from her tent; finding out Zuko had sat there outside all night. He informs her that he knows who killed her mother and that he can help her find the man responsible. The two pack and ask Aang that they need to barrow Appa; Aang coyly asking if it’s Katara’s “turn to take a field trip with Zuko” now. Katara confirms yes. The four go back in forth, with Zuko taking Katara’s side, ultimately with Aang not giving his consent for them to take Appa.

That night, Zuko and Katara prepare to take Appa anyway. Aang catches them in the act and confronts them. He finally allows them to take Appa, believing it is a journey Katara needs to take. The two depart for guiding outpost that serves as a coordination station for the entire Fire Navy. They infiltrate the base, discovering that the Southern Raiders are currently stationed on Whaletail Island.

In the early morning, Zuko wakes to see Katara still awake, flying Appa. He watches her for a moment, before telling her she should get some rest, as she’ll need all her strength. Katara informs him that she has all her strength, that she’s no longer the helpless girl she once was. Eventually Katara does rest, with Zuko keeping a look out for the Southern Raiders. He spots their ship, waking Katara up. The two board the ship and eliminate anyone in their path. They come up the Commander of the ship where he questions who they are. Zuko remarks that if he doesn’t remember Katara now, he will soon. As Katara blood bends the man, she realizes he’s not the man that killed her mother. Zuko pins the Commander for information on the killer’s whereabouts, leading them to a man named Yon Rha.

Zuko and Katara stalk Yon Rha, having set up a trap for him to trip on. As he falls down, Zuko ambushes him as Katara comes up from behind, demanding he recognize her face. He soon does, as Katara uses the rain to make sharp ice spears. Katara decides not to kill her mother’s killer, leaving Zuko momentarily shocked. As Katara walks away, leaving Yon Rha sobbing, Zuko follows from behind.

At sun down, Aang praises Katara for not committing to violence and that forgiveness is the first step to healing. Katara tells him that she will never forgive Yon Rha. She turns to Zuko, smiling and telling him, “…But I am ready to forgive you.” She steps forward, before throwing herself into Zuko’s arms, dissolving into a tight embrace. They part, not before smiling softly at each other as Katara walks off.

Fanon
Zutara is the most popular ship within the Avatar: The Last Airbender fandom and has remained the most popular ship over all since the beginning of the show. It is even one of the most popular shippings in all of animation. Some fans began to ship them as early as Book One: Water but the pairing became more popular at the end of Book Two: Earth and halfway through Book Three: Fire. Many fans collected evidence of this pairing and a popular series of YouTube videos titled “Zutara Evidence for the Intellectual Dummy” was released to try and explain how Zutara was meant to be the endgame ship. This was confirmed in the “Avatar Extras” facts. Zutara nearly lost its spot as the most popular ship in the wake of the series’ finale when Katara got together with Aang, but it has experienced a resurgence in light of new material, returning Zutara to the number one ship.

Zutara has a lot of fanon. Also, an event called “Zutara Week” was started in 2008. Each day, there would be a theme and fans would draw fan art, write fan fiction, or even compile AMVs based on the prompt of the day. Zutara Week was such a hit that it stemmed many other weeks dedicated to ships, both within and outside of the Avatar fandom. Many fans were heartbroken when the Legend of Korra was announced and it was revealed that Aang and Katara had children, though some fans theorize that one or more of Katara’s children were fathered by Zuko as the result of an affair, particularly Bumi for having Fire Nation-like features. When it was revealed that Zuko and Katara were both still alive after Aang passed away, many fans began to hope that Zutara could happen in the Legend of Korra and began to write fan fiction about them getting together as elders.

Pairings of Katara and Zuko as the Blue Spirit is known as “Blutara”. This shipping usually includes Katara under her alias as The Painted Lady (not to be confused with the actual Painted Lady spirit).

Fandom
FAN FICTION
 * Zuko/Katara (TLA)tag on FanFiction.net
 * Zuko/Katara (LoK) tag on FanFiction.net
 * Zuko/Katara (LoK) tag on FanFiction.net

DEVIANT ART

TUMBLR

TWITTER

Trivia

 * Zuko’s voice actor, Dante Basco, was tagged in an Uno Meme tweet regarding Zutara, responding with “#zutara forever…”.
 * Episode director Giancarlo Volpe has mentioned he ships Zutara on his Twitter.
 * Azula’s voice actress, Grey DeLisle, ships Zutara.
 * Katara’s voice actress, Mae Whitman, voiced the love interest of Jake Long in American Dragon: Jake Long who coincidentally was voiced by Zuko’s voice actor, Dante Basco.
 * Katara’s voice actress, Mae Whitman, has a positive relationship with the ship and its shippers.
 * The artist of the Legend of Korra sequel comics, Irene Koh, is a Zutara shipper and has drawn fan art of the two together.
 * At 2012 San Diego Comic Con's Avatar Fan Panel, both Whitman and Basco have said that they thought the series was heading in the direction of Zuko and Katara becoming a couple. Both have headcanons that the two were in love but either remained unaware or in denial of it and that they were unable to pursue a relationship due to the poor timing of the situation.
 * In the Sozen’s Comet novelization, Iroh thinks Katara would make a good match for Zuko.
 * The non-canonical Avatar: Super Deformed Shorts plays up the ship tease between Zuko and Katara with Bending Battle having Katara think Zuko is cute, and School Time Shipping featuring Zuko wanting to ask Katara out to the dance. Katara rejects Haru, Jet, Zuko, and Aang in favor of going out with the Blue Spirit, who also happens to be Zuko’s alter ego.
 * Zuko’s voice actor, Dante Basco, is a Zutara shipper and is often treated as the “Captain” of the ship. At Nebraskacon 2013, Basco said that Zuko and Katara were “soulmates”.
 * He also sells Zutara merchandise.

Gallery

 * Zutara/Gallery

Variations

 * Jetkotara refers to the ship between Jet, Zuko and Katara
 * Maikotara refers to the ship between Mai, Zuko and Katara
 * Zutaraang refers to the ship between Aang, Zuko and Katara
 * Zutaroph refers to the ship between Toph, Zuko and Katara