At the beginning of Avatar: The Last Airbender, Zuko truly embodies the modern philosophy of the Fire Nation — he's self-centered, aggressive, and, most of all, unable to connect on an emotional level with other human beings. Over the course of the story, his arc tends towards positivity and justice, and he gradually matures into an adept Fire Lord.
However, in his bid to deliver Aang to his father, which would theoretically restore his royal status, Zuko performs several deeds that he's certainly not proud of as an adult. These include abusing his power, rejecting kind overtures, deceiving those he loves, and so on. Many of these instances are technically forgivable, but a few of them are too outrageous to condone easily.
10 When He Attacked And Threatened A Defenseless Village
As soon as he observes the ray of light piercing the Southern Pole's sky, Zuko rushes to the Southern Water Tribe village, where Sokka tries to force him to leave.
This obviously fails, but the Fire Prince goes so far as to intimidate the innocent inhabitants with the destructive possibilities of Firebending simply because they refuse to divulge the identity of the Avatar. Fortunately, Aang's timely return avoids any actual damage, as Zuko is content to leave with him as his captive.
9 His Insulting Break-Up Process With Mai
Zuko finally comprehends the weight of all the mistakes he has been making and vows to make everything better by traveling to Team Avatar and offering them his services (but not before visiting the Fire Lord and stating exactly how little he thinks of Ozai.)
However, given that he has already embarked on a relationship with Mai at this point, Zuko decides to disclose his latest choice in a letter to his girlfriend, stating, "Dear Mai, I'm sorry that you have to find out this way, but I'm leaving." He doesn't seem to comprehend this problematic approach later, either, because he insists that it "is about the Fire Nation."
8 When He Would Rather Die In A Blizzard Than Free The Avatar
Zuko makes his way to the heart of the Northern Water Tribe, the Spirit Oasis, where he encounters Katara keeping a watchful eye over Aang (at the time in a trance.) She easily overcomes him, but unfortunately for her, the rising sun augments his Firebending to such an extent that she is instantly defeated.
Zuko then opts to lug the Avatar on his back across a field of pouring snow, regardless of the risks posed by frostbite or simply freezing to death. It's a good thing that Team Avatar airlifts him out of the blizzard.
7 When He Almost Incinerated Toph's Sensory Organs
Zuko begs Team Avatar to join in their mission, claiming that he would make a great Firebending teacher for Aang, a notion that is instantly and rudely dismissed by everyone involved. Toph is the only one who suspects that he might not have been lying with her Seismic Sense ability and goes to meet Zuko at his camp.
However, because she accidentally produces a loud sound, he immediately responds with a fire burst, which burns the skin on her soles. Given that her extremities are how she perceives the world, this is quite terrible for him to do. At least he acknowledges it, groaning that he's "so bad at being good."
6 When He Takes From Those Who Care For Him
Azula makes it sound like Zuko and Iroh are welcome to return, but her ploy unravels when one of her minions mistakenly refers to them as "prisoners." Both men consequently abolish their ties to their homeland but can barely get by after this point.
Zuko comes into contact with an incredibly kind Earth kingdom citizen, Song, who shares the common experience of being scarred by the Fire Nation. However, after Song's family give the uncle-nephew pair a hot meal, Zuko repays her by swiping her Ostrich Horse. The saddest bit is that she sees it happen but doesn't say anything.
5 When He Freed Azula
After everything that Azula has put him through, it makes sense that he places her in an institution after she begins having hallucinations and behaving in an uncharacteristically rash and paranoid manner.
However, in the comic continuity, he realizes that she's his only source of information as to where their mother has been hiding. He nonchalantly frees Azula and requests that Team Avatar allow her on the trip. That's not all: he also agrees to have her unchained, which, as he quickly realizes, is a terrible idea. It's just pure luck that his sister doesn't derail the entire thing.
4 Whenever He Constantly Mocked His Uncle
Prince Zuko's mood is unpredictable, but there's no reason for him to vent his anger in his uncle's direction, largely since it's directed at himself. What's worse is that Iroh is perennially loving and supportive of his nephew's endeavors, but the prince treats him like he's worthless.
This attitude has been obviously copied from his father, who displays a tendency for universal condescension, but this fact certainly doesn't absolve Zuko of his cruelty.
3 When He Challenged The Stormy Skies
Iroh makes it a point to discuss the overwhelming dangers of Lightningbending and tells his nephew that he would rather instruct him in a far less violent procedure, Lightning Redirection. Zuko is initially happy at this prospect, but his temperament sours when his uncle declines to "shoot lightning at [him]" (so that he could practice.)
The prince furiously announces that he would go look for his "own lightning" and scales a nearby hill and starts yelling at the sky. There's no way he could have performed any Lightning Redirection if a bolt had struck him in that emotional state.
2 When He Hired An Unstoppable Assassin
When Azula slyly suggests that the Avatar might have survived her attack, Zuko is thrown into a frenzy, mainly because Ozai believes him to be responsible for Aang's "death" in the crystal catacombs of Ba Sing Se.
To tie up any loose ends, he privately meets with a mysterious individual, later referred to as Combustion Man by Sokka, and offers him payment to assassinate the Avatar. This deed is especially egregious because the assassin refuses to quit the job even when Zuko tells him to.
1 When He Betrayed Iroh In Ba Sing Se
Of all the terrible things he has done or said in his life, the most disgraceful is his treatment of Iroh in Ba Sing Se. Faced with the opportunity to reclaim his dignity, as promised by Azula, he turns against his uncle at the last minute.
The look of disappointment on Iroh's face should have been enough to activate his nephew's sense of justice, but his misplaced enthusiasm overshadows every other feeling. Of course, Uncle Iroh doesn't even see the need to forgive Zuko; he is happy to see that he has found his way once more.
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