Zuko has one of the best villain redemption stories ever. Why does it work so well? How can you learn from it? How can you tell your own stories better? Let’s find out.

A good villain needs conflict. A good villain needs conflict. Your villain should be in direct conflict with your hero. This can be simple: Zuko wants to capture Aang and deliver him to the fire nation, but Aang wants to stop the Fire Nation and realign the world. These goals directly conflict and lead to antagonistic situations, conflict, but the best stories go deeper.

A great villain mirrors your hero in some way. A great villain is not just someone who opposes your hero. They are also someone who mirrors your hero in some way. They have something in common that makes them more interesting and complex. In Avatar, both Aang and Zuko want redemption for something they did wrong in the past. Aang feels guilty for running away from his responsibilities as the Avatar and letting his people die. Zuko feels ashamed for speaking out against his father and getting burned and banished. Both of them have to learn how to deal with their mistakes and move on. Aang has to forgive himself and do his best to save the world. Zuko has to realize that he was not wrong and that his father is a tyrant who doesn’t deserve his loyalty.

Some villains should not be redeemed. There are big-bads who represent evil. These should never change, like Sauron, Emperor Palpatine, or the fire lord.

Now there are big-bads, that never change, like Saruman, Emperor Palpatine, or the fire lord. But Zuko is not such a character. His story is awesome because he changes so much as a person. He begins as a bitter and obsessed prince who only cares about catching Aang and getting his father’s approval. But along the way, he travels with his uncle Iroh who teaches him a lot of things about life and wisdom. He encounters different people and sees how they live and suffer under the Fire Nation’s rule. He starts to question his beliefs and his role in the war. He doesn’t switch sides right away though. Like a real person, he messes up. And he messes up in big ways. Just when we are all rooting for him to switch sides, he reverts and helps his sister to kill the avatar.

Switching sides / redemption is messy and long. Zuko’s story is awesome because he changes so much as a person. He begins as a bitter and obsessed prince who only cares about catching Aang and getting his father’s approval. But along the way, he travels with his uncle Iroh who teaches him about life and wisdom. He encounters different people and sees how they live and suffer under the Fire Nation’s rule. He starts to question his beliefs and his role in the war. He doesn’t switch sides right away though. Like a real person, he messes up. And he messes up in big ways. Just when we are all rooting for him to switch sides, he reverts and helps his sister to kill the avatar.

He then gets everything he seemed to want. He gets approval from his father. He gets his life as a prince back. He even gets the love of his life back. But he is not happy. All of the growth he made, all of the lessons he learnt, they will not let go of him. He feels like he betrayed his uncle, he feels like he betrayed himself.

Finally, Zuko confronts his father on the day of black sun. He reframes his childhood as a series of toxic and abusive relationships that he has grown and moved on from. Zuko frames his father as moral bad. Bad for him, his nation and the world. In that scene he redirects his father's lightning, using the moves his uncle taught him. He walks away the better man.

Give the audience time with the new character. Perhaps my favorite part of the entire series, comes after Zuko’s transformation. The audience is given time to see the new Zuko. Still determined, still himself, still making mistakes, but also having fun, opening up, and becoming part of the gang.

Zuko’s redemption story is meaningful because it shows us that people can change, learn and grow. It shows us that change is not easy or linear, but a process that involves challenges and setbacks. It’s powerful. We can relate to his feelings of confusion, anger, guilt, and hope. We can empathize with his struggles and celebrate his achievements. Zuko’s story reminds us that no one is born evil or good, we are all a bit of a mess trying to find a better way forward.

Please learn from this character and make more like him!