Avatar: The Last Airbender: Why Zuko's Redemption Arc Works

Avatar: The Last Airbender's Zuko is often held up as an example of how to write a redemption arc well. The reason is that he's a complex character with a solid arc, which helps the entire process flow smoothly and the final result come off as a believable case of character development.

While Zuko is relatively unlikeable for the first few episodes, "The Storm" helps flesh out Zuko's backstory and explain why he got the burn scar on his face. During a strategy meeting, he spoke up against a general's plan to sacrifice new recruits in order to bait the enemy into a trap. This resulted in Zuko facing his father, Fire Lord Ozai, in a duel, Ozai scarring Zuko's face and then banishing Zuko to search for the Avatar. This proves that as flawed as Zuko is, especially his loyalty to a nation waging a war of conquest, he is a decent person at heart, which gives the redemption arc something to work with.

Zuko's time in Ba Sing Se shows how difficult it can be to change oneself.  Iroh convinces him to free Appa rather than use him as a hostage to lure Aang out, but Zuko then goes into a fever-induced coma as a result of his action. He emerges from his coma a changed man, but Katara reporting him to the authorities helps bring him into contact with his sister Azula again. Azula's manipulations convince Zuko to turn on Katara and Aang in the hopes of regaining his lost honor and returning home. The battle ends with Aang nearly dead, Iroh imprisoned and Zuko and Azula returning to the Fire Nation together.

Zuko then achieves what he wants- returning home and being welcomed back into his father's good graces- but it's not what he hoped for. First, realizes that Azula is using Aang's survival to blackmail him. Second, he had to betray Iroh, his true father figure, in order to do it. Third, he realizes that Ozai will stop at nothing to destroy his foes, including incinerating the entire Earth Kingdom. All these factors gradually help Zuko reach the necessary epiphany, resulting in him betraying his father on the Day of the Black Sun, then seeking out the heroes.

Even after Zuko permanently joins the heroes' sides, his actions still have consequences. Most of the heroes, save for Toph, are unwilling to trust him, and he is forced to prove his good intentions to them. He also feels guilt over betraying his uncle, but luckily for him, Iroh is kind enough to forgive him, and they reconcile before the final battle.

Zuko's redemption arc is strong because it happens organically. Unlike some instances in which a sadistic villain turns good immediately without having to deal with the consequences, Zuko has always had redeeming qualities, but has to struggle against his weaknesses to do the right thing, and then must make amends to those he has wronged. Good character development requires believable change, especially in shifts as dramatic as redemption arcs, so Zuko is a good example of a character who has the potential to change, but enough flaws that the change isn't an easy process.