Catra is one of the two main protagonists (alongside Adora) of the Netflix original series She-Ra and the Princesses of Power. At first she was a true friend to Adora but then Adora leaves for the Rebellion to become She-Ra which leaves Catra deeply hurt. She takes Adora's position as a Force Captain and fights against the Rebellion but in season 5 she redeems herself and helps defeat Horde Prime and save the universe. So far, this is the most popular incarnation of Catra.
What makes her sympathetic?[]
- She was horribly abused by her foster mother, Shadow Weaver, throughout her childhood (both physically and mentally).
- She was raised as a child soldier by the Evil Horde to fight against the Princesses and their Rebellion.
- She is not very good at making friends. Her only friend throughout her childhood was Adora and it's heavily implied that she was bullied by the other Cadets at the Horde.
- She had to live in Adora's shadow throughout her childhood which made her resentful and jealous even though she still cared about Adora.
- When Adora left the Horde to join the Rebellion, Catra felt hurt on a personal level which drives a lot of her actions.
- Even though she is abusive towards Scorpia, it's clear that she cares about her (has a few good moments with her, tries to protect her by making sure that she wouldn't rescue Catra when she is imprisoned and is emotionally devastated when Scorpia leaves her).
- She also cares about Entrapta, tries to protect her from Hordak's wrath and feels bad about zapping her and sending her to Beast Island.
- During her time as a Force Captain, she was abused and tortured by Hordak for her failures and at one point was even sent to the Crimson Waste to die.
- Tries to form a bond with Shadow Weaver even though the later has abused her. When Shadow Weaver betrays her trust and leaves her to join Adora and the Rebellion, Catra is emotionally devastated which causes her to become even more destructive.
- When Adora and Catra get into the dream reality, Catra's dream is to be loved by Shadow Weaver and respected by the other cadets.
- Becomes friends with Double Trouble. When the later leaves, Catra feels betrayed and breaks down.
- During her time at Horde Prime's ship, Catra starts feeling bad about the things she has done. She forms a bond with Glimmer and helps her escape to do one good thing in her life even though she knows that Horde Prime would punish her severely afterwards.
- Is subjected to mind rape and brainwashing by Horde prime to become part of his cult.
- Once she is saved by Adora, Glimmer and Bow, she joins the Rebellion, apologies to everyone and helps them defeat Horde Prime.
- When Shadow Weaver sacrifices her life for Catra, she starts crying even though Shadow Weaver had abused her.
- Confesses her love to Adora in the final episode.