Selasa, 23 Oktober 2007
princes azula
| Avatar: The Last Airbender character | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Azula | |
| Nationality | Fire Nation |
| Gender | Female |
| Hair color | Dark Brown |
| Eye color | Golden brown |
| Age | 14 |
| Position | Princess of the Fire Nation, Firebender, Head of the Dai Li |
| First appearance | "The Siege of the North" |
| Voiced by | Grey DeLisle |
Princess Azula is a fictional character voiced by Grey DeLisle in the Nickelodeon animated television series Avatar: The Last Airbender. Azula is a gifted firebender and highly favored crown princess of the Fire Nation, initially bent on retrieving her exiled brother, Prince Zuko, and delivering him to their father, Fire Lord Ozai. She is accompanied on her search by her childhood friends, Mai and Ty Lee.
Azula is the first female Firebender to appear in the series, and is the Firebender silhouetted in the opening credits of each episode.
Contents[hide] |
[edit] History
Azula was born to Prince Ozai and Princess Ursa about two years after her brother, Zuko. She was first seen in the audience at Zuko's ill-fated Agni Kai. She is named for her grandfather, Ozai's father, Fire Lord Azulon. Azula grew up in the riches, splendor, and privileges of being royalty in the Fire Nation. Her sharp wits and the fact that she is a Firebending prodigy gained her great attention and acclaim and quickly made her Ozai's favorite child. Her father began raising her as his true heir early on, taking her into his confidence and grooming her in politics while mostly ignoring Zuko. From the quality of her ship and soldiers, her favored status was readily apparent.
Even when she was only nine years old, Azula displayed her natural talents, along with her tendency for malice and perfection. When Ty Lee succeeded in performing a cartwheel after Azula had fallen over attempting to do her own, Azula replied by shoving her friend to the ground and laughing gleefully. When she saw the nine-year-old Mai attempting to hide her crush on Azula's brother, Azula used her acting and cunning to convince her mother to make Zuko play with them. "Playing" was quickly defined as forcing Zuko to tackle Mai into a fountain while trying to save her from a flaming apple on her head.
She had no desire to waste time playing around like a regular girl—the very sight of a doll disgusted her. She was much more interested in power, suggesting that her father would make a better Fire Lord than the heir apparent, her Uncle Iroh, whom she also dubbed "a quitter and a loser" for abandoning his siege at Ba Sing Se. Shortly after receiving this news, Azula and the rest of her family went before Fire Lord Azulon (whom she was named after), and she put on a spectacular display of her firebending prowess. She then smugly watched Zuko try the same performance and fail. When Azulon sent everyone but Ozai out of the room, Azula took her brother and hid behind the curtains—from there, she watched her father request the birthright of Fire Lord to be placed upon him. When Zuko fled in fear from the Fire Lord's anger, Azula stayed to watch with amusement. Azula then supposedly heard her grandfather sentence her brother to death—a fact that she wasted no time in slyly reporting to Zuko. She taunted him until her mother pulled her away for a talk; Azula was next seen playing with a knife that Zuko had received from Iroh, and coolly announced that their grandfather had passed away and their mother had vanished. Soon after, she was watching her father's coronation with delight. No love developed between her and Zuko throughout the next few years—when he was burned by their father in an Agni Kai, she watched with a savage triumph.
[edit] Story
[edit] Book 1: Water
[edit] Character Preview
During one of Iroh's flashbacks in "The Storm," Azula can briefly be seen within the audience observing the Agni Kai in which Prince Zuko receives his facial scar from his father. As Iroh narrates, he looks away when his nephew is burned, but at Iroh's side are the then-Captain Zhao and a then-unknown girl, both of whom look on eagerly.[1] Online speculation on who she was erupted as soon as the episode aired, and her identity was revealed a month later at the 2005 San Diego Comic Con. Originally set to be at the age of fifteen and entitled "Zula", the character was revealed to be Prince Zuko's younger sister.[2]
Azula makes a full, albeit cameo, appearance at the very end of the season one finale, The Siege of the North. She is shown kneeling before her father, Fire Lord Ozai, who, after commenting that Zuko is a failure and Iroh is a traitor, charges her with a mission.[3]
[edit] Book 2: Earth
[edit] Family Reunion
When Fire Lord Ozai branded Iroh a traitor and her brother Zuko a failure, she willingly obeyed her father's command for her to go and capture them, as seen in the final seconds of the first season finale. En route, she worked at perfecting her ability to create lightning with the aid of her advisors Lo and Li. In "The Avatar State", Azula attempted to capture Zuko and Iroh, (now considered traitors to the Fire Nation) luring Zuko with the false promise of being accepted home with open arms. When Zuko learned of the deception, though, he attacked her. She easily evaded his attacks, and struck back with taunts and brief attacks. However, she failed to finish her brother off, as Iroh redirected her lethal lightning attack away from Zuko and into a cliff, and then kicked her off the edge of the ship.
Counseled by her twin masters Lo and Li that the royal procession was not a wise choice to accompany her on her mission, she decided to abandon the unit, opting to find and recruit her childhood friends in "Return to Omashu." Ty Lee required some "convincing," but Mai was only too willing to leave the boredom of the conquered city of Omashu in favor of going on an exciting hunt—especially if it involved Zuko. While there, Azula renamed Omashu to the city of New Ozai.
[edit] A New Target
During this episode, Azula first encountered the Avatar. She and her new allies were almost able to defeat Aang and his friends, but their lack of preparation as well as a trump card delivered by a shrewd King Bumi enabled the three kids to escape. Soon after the battle, she named the Avatar as a personal target in addition to her brother.
In "The Chase," Princess Azula and her two friends relentlessly pursued the Avatar's group, using a Fire Nation tank train and Mongoose Dragons as mounts [4] to pursue them night and day. After wearing down the foursome, the three decided to split up as Aang tried to lead Azula and her friends away from Sokka and Katara's trail. Azula noticed the deception, however, and sent Ty Lee and Mai to follow Sokka and Katara, while she continued chasing down the Avatar. Azula encountered the Avatar in an abandoned town and prepared to fight him; she was interrupted, though, by her brother Zuko, who had tracked them and had his own plans for capturing Aang. Azula fought the two boys, and despite the fact that both mostly concentrated on attacking her, she dominated the fight, landing a knockout blow on Zuko and later trapping Aang beneath some fallen rubble. Victory was denied her, however, when Katara, Sokka and Toph, showed up to rescue Aang, while Iroh arrived to help Zuko. Cornered, she claimed to be willing to give in, saying that "… a princess surrenders with honor", but to everyone's surprise and dismay, Azula took advantage of Iroh momentarily being caught off-guard and seriously wounded him with a bolt of blue fire, then escaped as the four benders attacked with their respective elements.
Azula was not seen again until "The Drill" where she, along with her allies Mai and Ty Lee, were overseeing War Minister Qin's efforts to use a giant drill to break through the outer wall of Ba Sing Se. When the engineers reported an accident involving an ambushed engineer, stolen drill schematics, and further sabotage, Azula recognized that it was the work of the Avatar. Upon finding Aang, Katara, and Sokka attempting to break the engine's braces, Azula forced Aang and his gang to quickly flee. She sent Mai and Ty Lee after Katara and Sokka while Azula followed Aang, once again claiming personal ownership over the Avatar's capture. She caught Aang trying to bore a hole at the top of the drill, and they engaged in a brutal match. Her firebending nearly overwhelmed the young Avatar, but he continued to fight as the drill bored its way through the wall. The fight ended in a rather undignified manner, with the drill's slurry water pipes bursting and Azula slipping into Aang; both of them almost fell off of the drill. Azula tried to regain the advantage, but Aang was faster—by the time she had recovered, he was already on his way down the wall to destroy the drill. Azula gave one final strike with flame, but was a second too slow. Aang's powerful impact on the earthen wedge destroyed the drill and knocked Azula away.
[edit] Fall of Ba Sing Se
Following this incident, Azula took Mai and Ty Lee and began hunting for the Avatar's bison, once again following his trail of hair. When the princess and her companions finally came across him in "Appa's Lost Days," he was in a forest clearing being tended to by a group of female warriors—the Kyoshi Warriors. After a few snide remarks in which she dismissed the warriors as the Avatar's "fangirls," Azula and her friends initiated a fight. Azula engaged Suki in a swift one-on-one battle and managed to disarm the warrior and knocked her to the ground; however, she was distracted by another Kyoshi Warrior and turned to fight her instead. By the time she returned to Suki, the older girl had already driven Appa off with a flaming branch. Suki then proceeded to take a firm stance, whereas Azula merely condescendingly teased her again, before rushing in to battle—the girls clashed, but the rest of the fight was left unseen.
While Suki's fate is still unknown, it is made clear that the Kyoshi Warriors did not claim victory in this battle—at the conclusion of "The Earth King," three girls dressed in Kyoshi Warrior uniforms were welcomed by the Earth King—and the leader of the girls was unmistakably Azula in disguise.
Shortly afterwards, in the episode "The Guru," The Earth King revealed that he had had a troubling week, with Long Feng and the Dai Li planning to take over. Azula's initially smug amusement at the irony of the situation turned to a sudden concern, though, when he revealed to them that the Earth Kingdom had been planning to invade the Fire Nation—on the day of a solar eclipse. Azula was visibly caught off-guard by this information, and immediately began to consider what to do.
Afterwards, she confided to Ty Lee and Mai that she planned to take control of the Dai Li and take down Ba Sing Se from the inside. She developed a plan to inform the Dai Li of their true nature, and thus relay this information to their leader, Long Feng. The plan was successful, and Azula was taken by Dai Li agents in the middle of the night to Long Feng, who struck a deal with her. He gave her control of the Dai Li to overthrow the government in exchange for the Avatar.
Meanwhile, in the "The Guru," Katara discovered that Zuko and Iroh were in the city, and approached Azula, thinking her to be Suki, and informed her of her brother's presence. Azula revealed herself, and before Katara could warn anyone, Ty Lee took the young waterbender down. Azula proceeded to lock her in the crystal catacombs beneath the city and have a "family reunion" by sending a letter to Iroh and Zuko, telling them that the Earth King wished for them to serve him tea. Near the beginning of "The Crossroads of Destiny," the pair fell into her trap, and were surrounded by Dai Li agents. However, Iroh managed to escape them and the palace—Zuko, on the other hand, chose to stay behind to face Azula, challenging her to an Agni Kai. His sister nonchalantly turned it down, and he was overwhelmed by the Dai Li. He was then imprisoned in the same dungeon as Katara.
Finally, Azula unleashed her coup upon the city, and the Dai Li arrested the Council of Five, the Earth King's highest ranking generals, while she personally captured the Earth King. Sokka and Toph were arrested as well while attempting to warn the Earth King of the danger, and Azula sent them off to a separate dungeon. Immediately afterward, Long Feng arrived on the scene and commanded the Dai Li to arrest Azula, smugly proclaiming a double cross. Azula had the last laugh, though, as she gleefully explained that the Dai Li were so impressed by her that they no longer knew whom to follow. In a haughty and verbose speech, she denounced him for his lack of the divine right to rule—something she possessed and about which she boasted. She ended by commanding Long Feng to bow to her, since he could not compete with somebody who had been born to rule. He grudgingly obliged, saying that she had beaten him at his own game. She scathingly replied that he was "… never even a player."
Azula appeared one last time in the episode, shortly after Iroh and Aang found Katara and Zuko. Aang and Katara had been sent off by Iroh, while he remained behind for a moment with Zuko to bring him finally over to the side of good. However, his choice would not be complete without the devil upon his shoulder, and Azula was only too willing to play that part. Using the Dai Li to immobilize Iroh, she put her tongue and wit to the ultimate test, promising that her father would restore Zuko's honor and that she needed him—she promised him everything if he would help her. She closed the argument by leaving him to choose his own destiny and going after Katara and the Avatar. However, things were not going in her favor during the beginning of the battle, as her attacks could not break through their defense, and she found herself surrounded on both sides by Aang and Katara. Just when it seemed that she might lose the battle, her work came to fruition. Zuko arrived, and after a moment of consideration, chose to attack the Avatar. A long battle ensued and Azula attacked Katara only to be held back in a dire predicament, with one leg and one arm immobilized in water. Azula was saved by Zuko's timely intervention, and actually gave him an approving look before proceeding to fight the Avatar. After disabling him, she moved to end the stalemate between her brother and Katara. Together, she and Zuko easily overwhelmed her. The Dai Li joined them within a few moments, and Azula and her brother appeared unstoppable.
Aang then closed himself off in a chamber of crystal; the rest of the room stared as he entered the Avatar State. However, Azula positioned herself behind the Avatar, and used her lightning to strike the Avatar in the back before he could unleash his own assault. She would have been the Avatar's killer if not for Katara's timely recovery and swift waterbending; all the same, the Avatar was unable to fight, and Azula and Zuko were unquestionably the victors. As the siblings approached the defeated duo, though, they were blocked by the timely appearance of Iroh. He temporarily held off Azula, Zuko, and the Dai Li, allowing himself to be captured once Katara had made her escape with Aang. Later, in the throne room of the Earth King, Azula told Zuko that he had restored his honor by joining her, and that Iroh had been the one who had betrayed him—not the other way around. His honor was restored, she explained—for after a hundred years, she and Zuko had finally conquered the Earth Kingdom city of Ba Sing Se.
[edit] Book 3: Fire
[edit] Returning Home
In "Going Home Again," a canonical interlude comic featured within the second All-Avatar Nick Mag Presents edition, Azula is shown making arrangements for their return to Fire Nation. One of which is passing her position as ruler of Ba Sing Se over to Joo Dee, whom she views as the perfect person to govern in her stead, dubbing the former tour guide Supreme Bureaucratic Administrator. Azula then refuses to take no as an answer when a reluctant Zuko chooses to remain in Ba Sing Se. Gathering Ty Lee, the princess schemes to use Mai and Zuko's mutual childhood crushes to entice her brother's decision. With the false report of a meeting with a Admiral Liang, she sets the two up on a Fire Nation-themed dinner date, featuring the Dai Li agents serving as waiters. However, the ruse is uncovered when Zuko overhears Azula and Ty Lee giggling in the nearby bushes. The princess attempts to catch herself, claiming that she was just telling Ty Lee to stop messing around in the bushes. Neither Zuko nor Mai buys into the tale and leave off on a private walk around Ba Sing Se.
The following day, while boarding the ships, Azula looks on at Zuko and Mai speaking affectionately with one another and concludes that her plan seems to have been quite successful after all. She then turns to her chained uncle and wonders aloud if the prisoner will even survive the trip home. As she bids her brother farewell, Zuko suddenly makes the resolve to come with them back to the Fire Nation. Azula slyly tells her brother to do whatever he wants, as it's his decision.
In "The Awakening," Azula and Zuko return home and both are welcomed with open arms by the people, with a rally held in their honor to praise their successful efforts at the Earth Kingdom capital. Later at the old turtle duck pond, Azula and Zuko converse about Zuko's long-awaited meeting with their father. Zuko is anxious not only about the upcoming audience, but also that he must return to his father without the Avatar. Azula shrugs it off, once again restating her position that the debt is repaid by the Avatar being dead. At this, Zuko momentarily hesitates to agree in Aang's supposed demise. Azula however appears to disregard it and simply walks away.
When Zuko at last meets his father, it is revealed that Azula misinformed Ozai that he was the one who killed the Avatar. Perplexed, Zuko immediately goes to Azula's chamber to question her actions. Azula claims that she saw how worried Zuko was about not having the Avatar, she decided to give him the credit for his demise out of a generous gesture to repay his aid in the takeover of Ba Sing Se. Zuko refuses to believe her explanation, accusing her of retaining an ulterior motive. Azula nonchalantly points out how letting him have all the glory over slaying the Avatar could do little to benefit her, but insidiously acknowledges the fact that should it be discovered that the Avatar was indeed alive, all that glory would swiftly turn into shame and foolishness. She assures Zuko that he has nothing to worry about, as he already said himself, there's no way the Avatar could have survived. With that, the princess bids her deeply incensed brother goodnight.
Later on, after interrupting a picnic between him and Mai, Azula easily manages to trick Zuko into admitting that he had been making visits to Iroh's cell. Azula seemingly expresses concern for her brother, warning him that if others were to discover that he and Iroh were meeting, it would be assumed that they were plotting together.
In "The Beach," Azula, Mai, Ty Lee, and Zuko all travel to Ember Island for a brief vacation while the Fire Lord confers with his advisors in private. Azula takes advantage of this opportunity to experience life as a normal person for very first time, choosing to keep her and Zuko's true identity a secret. At a party the group attended their first night on the island, Azula confides in Ty Lee that she is jealous of how popular Ty Lee is with boys. She takes up advice Ty Lee gives her on attracting attention, but quickly reverts to her usual persona, scaring away the boy with whom she had been in the process of flirting. Later, Azula plays the role of interpretator as the group takes turns telling stories which provide deep insight about how their lives have been. When her turn comes, Azula states she doesn't have a sob story. However, she does softly admit that she was aware that her mother loved Zuko more and thought she was a monster, but callously adds that her mother was right. As a testament of their special day, Azula proceeds to lead the others into disrupting the party and trashing the host's home.
[edit] Personality
A dedicated nationalist, Azula relentlessly drills herself towards perfection and will settle for nothing less from herself or those that serve her. She exhibits a need to be the best among her peers; even as a child she was seen to react violently when another child would outdo her. She was likely spoiled by her father as a young child. She is rather vain and believes that power and domination are what makes a person strong.
She is also known for being one of the cruelest characters in the series. Her sadistic aggression and lack of remorse suggest that Azula could be a sociopath—her own mother, Princess Ursa even remarked, "What is wrong with that child?” In "Zuko Alone", her first reaction to hearing of her uncle Iroh's son Lu Ten dying in battle is to wonder whether this now makes her father the heir to the throne. In a similarly cold-blooded comment, when hearing that Iroh is ending his two year siege of Ba Sing Se due to grieve over his son's death, she dismisses him as a "loser and quitter". This cruel and seemingly total lack of compassion extends to all of her family, with the exclusion of her mother. She grins maliciously when Zuko is burned and scarred by their father, and eagerly watched to see her father punished by her grandfather in "Zuko Alone". She also did not seem to care when her mother disappeared or when her grandfather died, instead only appreciating her father's dishonorable gall in stealing Iroh's birthright to the throne. Another example of her cruelty comes in the episode of 'The Cave Of Two Lovers', when Iroh accidentally ingests the poisonous White Jade flower, and Zuko and Iroh are given the choice to either go seek help from the Earth Kingdom and certain death or the Fire Nation and Azula. The pair made the choice of Earth Kingdom, and the chance of death, rather than be handed over to Azula.
Most of all, she enjoys torturing Zuko, calling him "Zuzu", a nickname he detests and frequently tells her not to use. She derives pleasure from reminding him of his inferiority in their father's eyes, and causing him great embarrassment in front of both friends and family. She is likewise vindictive and ruthless in dealing with others and does not hesitate to threaten those who would disobey her or fail to fulfill her wishes.
Azula's proficiency in the Firebending art has not helped curb her attitude. Her characteristic blue flames symbolizes the power she possesses and constantly seeks to increase. Her apathy also accounts for her ability to create and direct lightning, the "cold-blooded fire;" according to Iroh, the skill requires complete control of all emotion, which would not prove difficult for Azula with her one-track mentality. Despite all of this, she is quite the tactician, as she can take advantage of the situation, regardless of how bleak, and turn into her favor, usually by expertly manipulating others. This is how she was able to escape capture from Aang's group, and capture Ba Sing Se.
In Book 3 however, Azula begins to display a more human side. She is shown to, as a result of her sequestered life of royalty, retain a considerable amount of social ineptitude, particularly in her display of uncertainty of how to act around boys. Her competitive nature surfaces during a Kuai ball game and later admits her jealously over how much attention Ty Lee received from others. Azula assumes the role of interpreter as Zuko, Ty Lee, and Mai each share revelations of their life experiences that shaped them into who they are. She even reveals that it hurt that her own mother thought she was a monster, albeit halfheartedly, as she goes on to state it was true.
[edit] The Blue Dragon
In "The Earth King," Zuko fell into a deep sleep and dreamed of himself as Fire Lord, counseled by two dragons. Grey DeLisle, the voice of Azula, voiced the blue dragon on the right of Zuko.
[edit] Abilities
Azula is revealed to be proficient in the highly difficult technique of creating and guiding lightning, a sub-skill of Firebending, and was the first character within the show to demonstrate its creation.
The most noticeable features of Princess Azula's bending are her ability to create lightning and her characteristic blue flames, both of which are much more intense than the red, orange and yellow fire normally used by Firebenders. In "Return to Omashu" Azula was seen using flames in previously unseen ways, such as jets of flames, whirling disks, and blades of fire. Also notable is her ability to produce a greater amount flames than most Firebenders without tiring, as she is shown to be able to maintain successive assaults for long durations of time. She has also demonstrated the skill to condense her flames, enabling her fire to cut clean through various objects. When formed into fireballs, the flames serve to be rather concussive, able to firmly pulverize objects such as stone. Azula is able to generate powerful shields of swirling flames which withstood the full force of four elemental attacks. She is even able to charge up her fire before releasing it, as was seen during her fight with Aang in "The Drill." The depth of Azula's potential came to a head in "The Crossroads of Destiny," where she is shown using her flames to propel herself forward almost similar to a jet.
She is also a skilled actress, which she uses often to deceive or trick the enemy, seen especially in "The Crossroads of Destiny", when she pretended to be afraid of Long Feng when purposely captured by the Dai Li. She has great self control, and is said to be "terrifying and inspirational" at the same time. It is due to her fighting prowess, mastery of Firebending, conniving mind, and her pursuit of absolute perfection that Azula managed to conquer Ba Sing Se where everyone else had failed.
[edit] Allies
As of the season two episode "Return to Omashu," Princess Azula is traveling with her old friends Ty Lee and Mai in search of Zuko and Iroh, who were now proclaimed to be traitors by her father, Fire Lord Ozai. They also seek to find and capture the Avatar. While Ty Lee did not want to join Azula on her mission, Azula's methods of persuasion (by ordering the circus ringmaster to make Ty Lee's performance in "Return to Omashu" increasingly more dangerous) were enough to change her mind. Mai, however, was more than willing to join Azula in her mission, claiming that her lifestyle in Omashu (now New Ozai) was deathly boring and needed a change. Recently, in "The Crossroads of Destiny," Zuko and the Dai Li join forces with Azula and assisted her in her coup against the Earth King.
[edit] Family
[edit] Fire Lord Ozai
Explicitly stated by Zuko, Azula is favored by their father, Fire Lord Ozai; Azula's cruelty and sadism is only matched by her father's. As Firebending prodigy and the favored sibling, everyone adored her and, judging by her ship and soldiers, she was given the better treatment. In the final seconds of the season one finale, Fire Lord Ozai gave her the task of capturing Zuko and Iroh. In the 1st episode of the third season, Azula demonstrates her lack of loyalty to even her own father; she is willing to lie, even to him, for her own ends.
[edit] Princess Ursa
Little has been revealed of the relationship between Azula and her mother, Ursa. It is known that she cared deeply for the neglected Zuko, despite her daughter Princess Azula having better Firebending powers. This is a direct contrast to her husband Ozai's feelings towards his children, who has stated that while Azula was "born lucky", Zuko was "lucky to be born." It is also seen that Azula was often scolded by Ursa for the unkind and disrespectful remarks she made about her brother, uncle, or grandfather.
In "Zuko Alone," Azula tells Zuko that his father was going to have to kill him after angering the then Fire Lord Azulon. Zuko tells himself that Azula is just lying, but as his mom gives him her final goodbyes, she states that everything she has done has been to protect him. Despite the fact that Ursa disappears on the same night that Azulon dies, it is unclear what exactly took place or how these two events are related. Ursa's ultimate fate is unknown. It is noted, however, that Azula seems to show no concern or sadness at all over the death of her grandfather or the disappearance of her own mother, especially when it becomes known that Ozai will be crowned Fire Lord; like her father Ozai, family seems to be pale in comparison to her desire for power.
In "The Beach", Azula remarks that her own mother thought of her as a monster, which would clarify their relationship somewhat. She then quickly stated she was right, but that her mother's opinion about her still hurt.
[edit] Zuko
Zuko, a.k.a. Zuzu (the nickname in which Azula had called him in "The Avatar State," "The Guru", "The Chase", and also in "The Awakening ") is Azula's older brother, but there is no love between the two. Even though she is the younger sibling, Azula has been known to lie to Zuko and take pleasure in torturing him; though Zuko knew that "Azula always lies" (as he repeatedly says in "Zuko Alone"), she was often able to manipulate him. This is most notable in "The Crossroads of Destiny," when she uses his hope of redemption to make him betray Iroh and join her in attacking the Avatar and conquering Ba Sing Se. It seems as if the two didn't always harbor hatred towards each other. As children they got along much better than as teenagers, but this may have only been because of the presence of their mother and/or uncle.
However, following their alliance, Azula relationship with her brother gradually begins to take a drastic change. She express concern over Zuko after discovering that he had been secretly visiting an imprisoned Iroh visits, warning him that if it were to be discovered that he was meeting with their uncle, it could be misinterpreted as conspiracy. During their vacation to Ember Island, Azula shares nostalgia and depression with her brother as they pay visit to their family's decrpeit summer beachouse. Along with Mai and Ty Lee, Azula later on helps Zuko realize why he is still so angry, assuming the role of interpreter as they each share revelations of their life experiences that shaped them into who they are. When her turn comes, Azula admits that she is well aware that their mother loved Zuko more, but unlike her brother, doesn't feel the need to care or spend her time complaining about it. Although, with each act of compassion towards her brother, Azula ensures to couple it with her usual coldheartedness, a peformance reminiscent to that of a love hate relationship. Azula condesendingly instructs Zuko to be more careful in regards to Iroh, ending her warning with with the use of his old nickname of "dum-dum" for effect. When Zuko finally brings himself to confide his feelings of uncertainty and confusion towards Azula, she impulsively deems him pathetic.
[edit] Iroh
Like Zuko, Iroh cares little for Azula. Even as a child, Azula had a considerably low opinion of her uncle; she referred to him as "His Royal Tea-loving Kookiness", promptly torched a doll he had sent her from an Earth Kingdom city he had recently held siege to and called Iroh a "quitter and loser" for losing heart and failing to capture Ba Sing Se after the death of his son Lu Ten. She also expressed excitement at the idea that he might die in battle, which would put Ozai (and her) in line for the throne. Once, in "The Chase," she attacked Iroh with a fire blast---after she had, as she put it, "surrendered with honor"---and severely wounded him. Unlike Zuko, Iroh is not blinded by emotion and can see through Azula's lies. Despite Iroh's tendencies to avoid unnecessary conflict, he knows that she is sadistic and will go as far as teaching Zuko more difficult bending techniques in order to help him defeat her. Iroh is the only other character who has been shown with the ability to create lightning,[5] and has demonstrated the technique of redirecting lightning, of which Azula has no knowledge. Azula also acknowledges him as her "Old Fuddy-Duddy Uncle". In "The Crossroads of Destiny," while Azula was trying to manipulate Zuko into taking over Ba Sing Se, Iroh was trying to convince him to let go of trying to restore his honor and "choose good".
[edit] Lu Ten
Not much is known about Azula's relationship with Iroh's son, her cousin Lu Ten. When, in "Zuko Alone," Ursa informs her children that "Iroh has lost his son. Your cousin, Lu Ten, did not survive the battle", Zuko is shown to be very shocked and sad by the news, while Azula is shown in the background with an unclear expression. Her feelings about Lu Ten, both before and after his passing, remain a mystery.
[edit] Relationships
[edit] Aang
Aang, as the Avatar, has become Azula's target along with her brother and uncle. In their first encounters, she nearly defeats him, normally forcing him to flee. However, he proves that, with newly learned bending skills, he can stand against her. In "The Drill," Aang defeats her in battle with a little help from Momo though the victory was hard fought. In "The Crossroads of Destiny," she attempts to take on Aang and Katara on her own but is clearly outmatched. Zuko however, quickly shows up and aids her in battle. After a long battle, and being out numbered with the recent arrival of the Dai Li, Aang attempts to go into the Avatar State, but is attacked by Azula before he can complete the transformation.
When Azula and Zuko return home, Azula informs Fire Lord Ozai that it was Zuko who struck the Avatar; shielding herself in the event that the Avatar survived the attack.
[edit] Mai
Mai seems to regard Azula as a friend, however, Azula treats her with as little concern as with she treats Ty Lee; in childhood, she was known for doing things like causing her brother Zuko to fall with Mai into the water in order to laugh at them when they were children. What is interesting to note, however, is that Mai does not necessarily fear Azula, as shown in the episode "The Drill," where Mai refused an order from Azula to chase Sokka and Katara in the drill's waste system ("She can shoot all the lightning she wants at me - I am not going in that wall sludge juice") She also allows Sokka, Toph and the Earth King to escape in "The Crossroads of Destiny," merely because she doesn't want to bother to fight them, and likely because they were willing to take the Earth King's pet bear Bosco off her hands. However, these incidents have occurred while Azula was not in the presence of Mai so it is unclear as to how Mai would have acted if her leader had been there in person. Mai seems hesitant to defy the princess outright, though she did fix her with a dark look while Azula's back was turned.
[edit] Ty Lee
Like Mai, Ty Lee regards Azula as a friend and even openly displays admiration for her, but ever since they were both children, she hasn't treated Ty Lee as such. Because Azula cannot stand to be "number two", even as a child, she shoved Ty Lee to the ground when she could do acrobatic flips that Azula couldn't. Azula also bullied an unwilling Ty Lee into joining her search for the Avatar, her brother, and uncle while she was doing a performance, forcing the ringmaster to set fire to the net underneath her and releasing the most dangerous animals. In "The Beach", she laughs when Zuko calls Ty Lee a "circus freak". Despite this, Azula has been known to be occasionally respectful and somewhat caring toward Ty Lee. When she makes Ty Lee cry by telling her that no boy cares for her as a person, she apologizes quickly and even admits that it was her own insecurity that shaped that comment.
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iroh
| Avatar: The Last Airbender character | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Iroh | |
| Nationality | Fire Nation  |
| Aliases | The Dragon of the West, Mushi |
| Gender | Male |
| Hair color | Grey (originally black) |
| Eye color | Hazel |
| Position | Firebending Master Former Heir to the Fire Nation throne Grand Master of the White Lotus General (retired) Former Jasmine Dragon Tea Shop owner Fire Nation political prisoner |
| First appearance | "The Boy in the Iceberg" |
| Voiced by | Mako† 2005-2006 Greg Baldwin Present[1] |
General "Uncle" Iroh is a fictional character voiced by Mako (in the first and second seasons) on the Nickelodeon animated television series Avatar: The Last Airbender. The elderly Iroh is a Firebending master, former Crown Prince and heir to the Fire Nation throne, retired General of the Fire Nation, and older brother of Fire Lord Ozai. Iroh accompanied his exiled nephew Zuko on his quest to capture Aang, the long-lost Avatar, in order to restore the young prince's honor and rights to the throne. He is now being imprisoned for crimes against the Fire Nation.
In July 2006, Mako, Iroh's original voice actor, died of esophageal cancer. Selection of another voice actor, Greg Baldwin, has been confirmed. In Chapter 15 of Book 2, "The Tales of Ba Sing Se," the short story "The Tale of Iroh" was dedicated "In Honor of Mako."[2]
Contents[hide] |
[edit] History
Iroh was the firstborn son of Fire Lord Azulon and Fire Lady Ilah. Iroh was destined to succeed Azulon as Fire Lord of the Fire Nation, but because of the mysterious events surrounding Azulon's death, and Iroh's abandonment of the siege on Ba Sing Se to grieve for his son, Lu Ten, Iroh's younger brother, Ozai, succeeded their father to the throne.[3]
Three years before the start of the series, an indulgent Iroh allowed his beloved nephew to observe a meeting of Ozai's war council—a mistake he would soon come to regret. In the council, Zuko spoke out against a general who planned to sacrifice an entire division of novice troops in battle as a diversionary tactic. Though Iroh silently agreed with young Zuko's assessment, the Fire Lord demanded that Zuko participate in a fire duel, the Agni Kai, for his insubordination. Zuko accepted, under the mistaken impression he would be dueling the General he'd insulted. However, because Zuko had spoken out in his father's war room, Zuko had disrespected his father. Iroh bore witness in the audience when Zuko fell to his knees in the arena, pleading for forgiveness and refusing to duel his own father. When Iroh's brother badly burned his own son's face, permanently scarring him as punishment for his cowardice and disrespect, Iroh looked away, unable to stand the sight.[4]
Zuko was afterward stripped of his birthright and exiled from the Fire Nation. However, one condition could restore his honor and throne and allow him to return home. Zuko was instructed to find and capture the Avatar. The Avatar was a perpetually reincarnated spirit of the planet manifested in human form, master of all four elements, and maintainer of balance between the Four Nations. This powerful being was the only threat to the Fire Nation's victory in its imperialist war against the other nations. Yet the Avatar had vanished a century ago—shortly before the Fire Nation's first strike. Three generations had conducted fruitless searches, and Zuko was to be sent on a quest that seemed little more than a fool's errand.[5]
[edit] Book 1: Water
Undeterred, Zuko sought to do the impossible, and Iroh accompanied him. The pair spent two years at sea, searching in vain for any sign of the centenarian Airbender the Fire Sages had described. Though Iroh was resigned to the futility of their mission, and whittled away his days with games, finally a day came when a strange beacon lit the skies off the coast of the South Pole. When Zuko investigated, he discovered that the Avatar had reappeared at last. Improbably, the long-sought old man was actually Aang, a twelve-year-old boy recently woken from a hundred years of suspended animation.[5] Thrown off-guard, Zuko underestimated the boy, who managed to escape their grasp.[6] Zuko and Iroh quickly engaged in hot pursuit, tracking the Avatar and his friends across the globe. However, Iroh forsakes his hope of ever returning home when he attacks General Zhao in an attempt to save the Spirit of the Moon, thus assisting Aang and all of the Waterbenders at the North Pole.
[edit] Book 2: Earth
As of Season Two, Iroh and Zuko had been branded traitors of the Fire Nation. After a confrontation with Azula, Iroh and Zuko learned of a plot to capture them and return them home imprisoned. After escaping from Azula's near victorious set-up, Iroh and Zuko cut their hair to symbolize their new life as fugitives unable to return home.[7] (Perhaps the tradition occurred during the feudal era of Japan, when the cutting off of a topknot symbolized exile from one's home, as seen in the Japanese Muromachi period film, Princess Mononoke. Also, during the Qing Dynasty in China, the Manchu rulers decreed that all Han people wear pigtails according to Manchu tradition, and cutting off one's pigtail was deemed a sign of rebellion.[8]) The two later took refuge in random Earth Kingdom towns acting as homeless beggars.[9] While Iroh was able to adjust to a life of simplicity, humility, and poverty, Zuko was not, and Iroh soon suspected that Zuko had been obtaining items for their day-to-day life by theft. The older man attempted to persuade his nephew that those who maintain hope in the face of adversity are the ones with true strength. However, Zuko thought otherwise, and the two separated.[10] The two were soon reunited, as Iroh covertly followed Zuko in case he needed assistance. When Zuko got in over his head in a three-way battle with Aang and Azula, Iroh intervened, as did Aang's companions. The six of them confronted Azula together, but she managed to wound Iroh with a fire blast to the chest, and she escaped.[11]
After recovering from his injury, Iroh decided to teach Zuko the advanced firebending techniques he would need to defeat Azula. He first tried to teach Zuko how to create lightning, but his nephew's emotional turmoil prevented him from making progress with the difficult art. Instead, Iroh taught Zuko a technique of his own creation—to absorb and redirect lightning, which he developed after studying Waterbenders. Zuko soon demanded that Iroh attack him with lightning so that he can redirect it, but Iroh refused to perform such a dangerous test.[12]
Iroh is a grand master of the secret society, the Order of the White Lotus; although what the group represents or does has yet to be seen. The Order of the White Lotus has members spread far and wide across the world—even in desolate remote villages of the Earth Kingdom. Iroh and Zuko sought their aid in avoiding the bounty hunters Master Yu and Xin Fu, who temporarily decided to seek the two fugitives from the firebending nation rather than pursue the Avatar and Toph. Since the people who protected Iroh appeared to be of the Earth Kingdom, the organization of the group may itself be independent of any particular nation. Also, the White Lotus appears to have at least some degree of bureaucratic influence, as it managed, on short notice, to produce fake passports and other paperwork to smuggle Iroh and Zuko into Ba Sing Se.[13]
With the White Lotus Order's help, Iroh and Zuko are able to make their way to Ba Sing Se as refugees. Once inside, Iroh gets them jobs at a tea shop.[14] During the episode "The Tales of Ba Sing Se," Iroh spends a day shopping in the city. In this episode, Iroh is displayed as a teacher as he grants wisdom and help to all those he encounters during his day of shopping. He later holds a small memorial service for Lu Ten, marking his late son's birthday, and tearfully noting he wished he could have helped Lu Ten.[2]
After weeks in Ba Sing Se, Iroh is given the chance to run his own tea shop, but Zuko has other plans. When Zuko attempts to capture Appa, Iroh confronts Zuko and tells him rather bluntly to stop trying to live the life people say he has to live. Iroh convinces Zuko to give up his alias as the Blue Spirit[15] and takes care of his nephew when Zuko is stricken by the negative effects of the mental metamorphosis caused by Zuko's actions. Iroh remains confident in Zuko and believes that Zuko will become the prince he was meant to be.[16]
When Azula offered Zuko a chance to reclaim his honor by helping take over the Earth Kingdom capital, he agrees. Iroh was last seen defending the wounded Avatar and Katara, giving them time to escape before he peacefully allowed himself to be captured. Iroh makes eye contact with Zuko before turning away, expressing shame at his nephew's decision.[17]
[edit] Book 3: Fire
In the episode "The Headband," Zuko secretly visits Iroh, who has been imprisoned in a tower. After threatening the guard to keep silent about the visit, Zuko attempts to talk to his uncle, only to have Iroh turn away from him and say nothing. Zuko later brings food to Iroh and asks for his help. He continues his silence, causing Zuko to become angry and storm from the room. A single tear then rolls down Iroh's face. In "Sokka's Master" Iroh has been misleading the guards by acting senile and delusional, in order to make them believe that their once great commander has fallen from grace and is now nothing more than a crazy old man. In reality, however, he is just as wise and wily as ever, and has been secretly training himself in prison. Through this intensive training, it is displayed that Iroh has become significantly more muscular in comparison to his former physique. Whether or not Iroh intends to escape his imprisonment and how remains to be seen.
[edit] Name
In "The Desert," Iroh's name was listed on a Fire Nation wanted poster in Chinese as 艾洛(Ài Luò) which translates as Chinese mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) by the Luo river in Shanxi province. Medically, mugwort are dried and set aflame on the ends of acupuncture needles. Since "The Cave of Two Lovers," Iroh and Zuko are known as travelers Mushi and Lee. Iroh, looking half-dead at the time with medicinal paste smeared over his sores, was given the name Mùshī ( 墓屍 ) which translate as 'grave corpse.'
In "The Crossroads of Destiny," Iroh revealed that he got his nickname "The Dragon of the West" not because of one particular incident or because of his ferocity in combat, but rather because of his aptitude at breathing fire. In Chinese mythology, the Dragon of the West is one of four Dragon Kings and is named Áo rùn (敖閏) or Ao Jun which translates as 'haughty surplus/intercalary.' Coincidentally, the name Áo rùn goes with Ozai's name transliteration to Áo zǎi ( 敖載 ) which translates as "haughtily load/year."
[edit] Personality
Easygoing, friendly and dryly good-humored, Iroh tends to treat his self-imposed exile as though it were an extended vacation.
Something of a hedonist in his old age, he focuses more on the pursuits of relaxation and amusements than on the pursuit of the Avatar. Iroh is particularly fond of a good cup of tea,[18] the strategy game Pai Sho,[19] and pleasant music. He founded a music night for the ship's crew (among whom he is popular), where he sings and plays instruments.[4] He later displays skill at playing the liuqin, singing lullabies to pacify a crying child.
Most likely because of his love of tea, he has shown himself to be an amateur botanist with knowledge of many plants, though misinterpretation of some plant characteristics had lead him to severe self-poisoning.[20]
His morals (with the exception of honor) are slightly lax, as he once pocketed perfumes from an abbey.[21]
Iroh can be quite the lady charmer when the need arises, as seen when flirting with various women throughout the series, and he has been addressed as "handsome" on multiple occasions.[21][22]
He also demonstrates a respect and appreciation for all cultures, which seems to be a rarity among those of the Fire Nation.[12]
Beneath the easy going exterior lies a wise man experienced in the world,[12] a formidable warrior, a crafty and brutal strategist,[3] and a powerful firebending master. So impressive is his firebending that he has displayed mastery of lightning, developed a new firebending technique,[12] defeated multiple Earthbenders in combat,[23] and even overpowered with ease a full squad of Fire Nation royal guards accompanying Azula.[7]
[edit] The Veteran
In his younger days, Iroh was a great general and war hero,[23] once known among his enemies as the "Dragon of the West" because of his unique firebending style of exhaling fire from his mouth. He first demonstrated this "breath of fire" technique in The Crossroads of Destiny to fend off numerous Dai Li agents to give himself and Zuko enough time to make their escape.[17] Though Iroh still commands a great deal of respect, he fell from grace with his one great failure. In a final bid for victory against the Earth Kingdom, he and his men laid siege to the capital city of Ba Sing Se for six hundred days. At one point, Iroh's forces even managed to penetrate the allegedly unbreakable walls, but they were soon driven back.[23] Iroh gave up the assault when his son was killed. While many, including Iroh, viewed this failure as a disgrace,[3] Iroh believed he did the right thing and later claimed that he and his men were tired after the long siege.[23] As a result of his long service in the military, Iroh knows many of the Fire Nation soldiers personally.[13]
In addition to his extensive military service, Iroh has endured other trials, including the death of Lu Ten, his only son,[3] and a journey to the Spirit World,[24] which has left him with respect for the other world and the ability to see spirits.[23]
Iroh is also the inventor of a unique firebending technique involving the absorption and redirection of lightning. This technique is seen in "The Storm," "The Avatar State," and "Bitter Work." He learned the technique from observing Waterbenders, who use their techniques to redirect enemy attacks back at the sender. Iroh taught the technique to Zuko but does not let him practice with real lightning.[12]
[edit] Firebending
Iroh is a well-known Firebending master in the Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom. He has a tendency to not involve himself in battle, but when he does partake in them, he displays great skill. One of Iroh's trademark abilities is his ability to create and redirect lightning.
Further, he has his famous "Breath of Fire," which resembles a dragon breathing flames on its opponent. He is old in age, but akin to King Bumi and Master Pakku, he is one of the most powerful benders of his nation. He managed to prevent Azula from murdering Zuko, and simultaneously kicked her over the edge of the ship before she could recover. He also managed to defeat four of Admiral Zhao's bodyguards swiftly and without injury. His mastery of Firebending allowed him to fend off dozens of Dai Li agents, along with Azula and Zuko, in The Crossroads of Destiny to save Aang and Katara.
[edit] Family
[edit] Prince Zuko
To his nephew, Iroh is a mentor,[18] firebending teacher,[12] advisor,[15] caretaker,[16] and most simply, "Uncle." The tolerant and even-keeled foil to Zuko's impulsiveness and disrespectfulness, Iroh tempers Zuko's anger with practical words of wisdom and a wry sense of humor. Though Iroh is a hard instructor, his merciless drilling in firebending basics has served to improve Zuko's skill.[5]
Because of Iroh's own status as a failure in the eyes of his country, Iroh has much sympathy for Zuko and pleads that he not be so relentless in his search. Although Iroh often teases his nephew, who impatiently balks at his advice, they care deeply about each other. Iroh even thinks of Zuko as his surrogate child in place of his lost son and worries over him accordingly. In turn, Zuko deeply loves his uncle and is greatly touched when Iroh indirectly praises him.[24] When Zuko was once confronted with the choice of tracking the Avatar or saving a kidnapped Iroh, he chose the latter with little hesitation.[23]
At first, both depended on each other in exile, becoming practically inseparable. However, as of the episode "Avatar Day," Zuko separated from his uncle to travel on his own. When Zuko and Iroh reunited in "The Chase," Iroh was severely injured by Azula, and Zuko became emotionally devastated, showing his deep concern for his uncle. Shortly after recovering, Iroh demonstrates to Zuko a technique he invented from observing Waterbenders on redirecting lightning-based attacks but would not let Zuko practice with real lightning, seeing the risk as too great. In "The Crossroads of Destiny," Iroh was betrayed by his nephew when Zuko and Azula took over Ba Sing Se. After he allowed himself to be captured by the Dai Li, he threw Zuko a disappointed glance before turning his head away, ashamed at Zuko's actions.
In Book 3's episode "The Headband", weeks after Zuko's betrayal, Iroh, now imprisoned, still harbors a deep sense of hurt from his nephew's actions. Even after Zuko tries to ask for advice, he just turns away, keeping silent. After Zuko leaves, however, Iroh is seen shedding a tear. Their current relationship as of now seems to have sustained significant damage, and is now that of only disappointment and hurt, on Iroh's part.
[edit] Fire Lord Ozai
Though little is known of Iroh's past relationship with his brother, his present feelings toward the Fire Lord seem cool at best. Quietly disapproving of his brother's methods in war, Iroh knows his brother is not a man given to understanding.[7] Thus he is far more sympathetic to Ozai's son, Zuko, whose punishment at Ozai's hands was far too cruel for Iroh's liking.[4] Ozai considers Iroh a traitor for his recent actions during the failed invasion of the Northern Water Tribe.[25]
Iroh is Ozai's older brother—their father, Fire Lord Azulon (son of Sozin), apparently favored Iroh and wished for him to inherit the throne. However, when Iroh's only son died, Ozai argued that Iroh should be set aside, considering Iroh had failed to capture Ba Sing Se (the Earth Kingdom capital) because of weakness, and because Iroh's son was dead, the bloodline would not continue. Azulon, enraged, threatened to inflict a great punishment on Ozai---according to Azula, Zuko's death, though whether this is true or not is unknown. Azulon mysteriously died before anything happened, however, and somehow, at his funeral Ozai was crowned, supposedly based on Azulon's wishes; the exact circumstances of how this happened are unknown. Iroh was too broken to challenge his younger brother as Ozai was crowned Fire Lord.[3]
[edit] Princess Azula
Princess Azula, who is Zuko's younger sister, Iroh's niece, and a firebending prodigy,[3] has been tasked with capturing Zuko and Iroh, who are considered traitors to their country (as of season two).[7] Vindictive and ruthless, Azula has no sympathy for her quarry, regardless of family ties. Iroh and Zuko likewise appear to return little affection. While Zuko, despite his rough attitude and constant irritation, respects Iroh, Azula thinks nothing of talking down to Iroh and giving him orders. This attitude was present even as a child; after a significant victory in battle, Iroh sent gifts to both Azula and Zuko, but Azula burned the doll he had given her, and even spoke gleefully of the idea of him dying in battle, as that would make her father Ozai in better chances for getting the throne; later, after his abandonment of his mission after Lu Ten's death, she denounced him as a "quitter and a loser."[3], In "The Chase," she openly attacks Iroh and critically wounds him,[11] and shortly after he describes her to Zuko: "She's crazy and she needs to go down." (Which surprised Zuko, as Iroh normally encourages him to try to get along with her better.)[12]
Iroh seems to see Azula as a spoiled brat with a shorter fuse than Zuko, but Iroh also knows that she is quite deadly in combat.
Iroh and Azula often seem juxtaposed to each other---they share above-average abilities in firebending, and both are capable of creating lightning, a very difficult firebending skill that requires a lack of emotion and peace of mind.[12][7] However, they seem to exhibit this ability for different reasons---while Iroh is mellow and pacificistic, Azula is cold and unfeeling. The two also represent the two forces Zuko has to decide between---during Zuko's dream, he sees two dragons, one with Azula's voice and one with Iroh's, each trying to convince him to follow their particular counsel.[15] Later this would come fruition in "The Crossroads of Destiny," where Iroh tries to convince Zuko to follow a new path, while Azula tries to convince him to ally with her in the hopes of receiving Ozai's affection. Zuko's choice to follow Azula apparently left Iroh with shame and sadness.[17]
[edit] Prince Lu Ten
Though initially not named during the first mention of him within "The Siege of the North, Part I,"[24] the name of Iroh's son was revealed as Lu Ten in the episode "Zuko Alone." Apparently Lu Ten fought alongside his father on the front lines and was killed in the Battle of Ba Sing Se. The picture that Iroh left under a tree in "The Tales of Ba Sing Se" describe him as a "Fallen General". With the loss of his son, Iroh collapsed emotionally and ended the six-hundred day siege of the Earth Kingdom capital.
After the death of Iroh's son, Ozai tried to convince Fire Lord Azulon to let him inherit the throne in the place of Iroh, who was his older brother. Because Lu Ten had been Iroh's only son (and only child), the bloodline would terminate at Iroh's death. Iroh, likely emotionally drained by Lu Ten's death, did not challenge Ozai's claim to the throne and came to see Ozai's neglected son, Zuko, as a surrogate son of his own.[3]
A young version of Lu Ten was seen in a memory Iroh had during the episode "Bitter Work." They seemed to have a good relationship. Another memory in the same episode placed Iroh at the grave of his deceased son, where Iroh stated that he would meet with Lu Ten again.[12] During the episode "The Tales of Ba Sing Se," Iroh went on a picnic alone, and held a small memorial for Lu Ten on his late son's birthday.[2] The Chinese characters on the picture (艾洛將軍 得勝再見 忠心的兒子路騰), when read in the traditional right and vertical way, translate roughly into "General Iroh, I will see you again when victory is obtained. Your loyal son, Lu Ten." 路騰 ( Lù T'éng ) means "road to gallop over."
[edit] Fire Lord Azulon
Not much is known about the relationship between Iroh and his father, other than that Azulon vigorously defended Iroh's birthright to the throne after Ozai suggested to Azulon that he be named successor instead of Iroh. With the mysterious death of Azulon, however, Iroh's birthright was denounced and Ozai became Fire Lord.[3]
[edit] Relationships
[edit] Admiral Zhao
Iroh viewed Admiral Zhao, Zuko's ruthless rival in the quest to capture the Avatar, as being less honorable than his nephew ever since Zhao lashed out in anger after Zuko defeated him in an Agni Kai—an opinion which he shared with Zuko as a form of praise. Zhao outwardly respected Iroh as a national hero (while taking every opportunity to antagonize Zuko).[18]
Zhao once offered Iroh a position as his general and military adviser when Zhao commandeered Zuko's ship and crew for an invasion of the Northern Water Tribe. After Zhao secretly engineered the apparent assassination of Zuko, Iroh accepted so as to provide covert support to Zuko, who was still alive and hiding aboard Zhao's own ship. Once Iroh was in his service, Zhao revealed a genuine contempt for Iroh's failure at Ba Sing Se and his reverence of the spirits. He ignored Iroh's sage advice not to trifle in the matters of the Spirit World and doubted Iroh's loyalty.[24] When Zhao threatened the Moon Spirit, Iroh promised that whatever Zhao did to the spirit, Iroh would return to him tenfold. When Zhao killed the Moon Spirit, Iroh's attack upon the soldiers guarding Zhao seemed to inspire fear in the Admiral, who then fled.[25]
[edit] Toph
When Toph temporarily left the team in "The Chase," she felt Iroh's presence and attacked him with Earthbending, knocking him to the ground. Apparently Toph apologized, as Iroh is seen next making tea for Toph and talking about how she is like his nephew, Zuko, though Iroh never names him. After Toph understands what Iroh meant by trying to do too much alone, they said good-bye and Toph returned to Aang's team.[11] Iroh saw Toph again later in the episode when she, Aang, Katara, Sokka, and Zuko pinned Azula in a corner during a fight. Distracted by seeing her again, he was struck by Azula's attack and was rendered unconscious for the rest of the episode and a small part of the next. Later, during the events of "The Crossroads of Destiny," Iroh approached her, Aang, and Sokka to enlist them to help in rescuing Zuko, and because of their friendship, Toph convinced the others to help him.[17]
[edit] Aang
Iroh, unlike his nephew, holds no hostility towards Aang and his companions. The pair had occasional meetings, usually with only minimal exchange of dialogue,[25] until "The Crossroads of Destiny." Aang, after learning of Toph's trust in Iroh, approached Iroh for advice. Aang wondered if he made the right choice of choosing his love for Katara over the power to control the Avatar State. Iroh reassures him that happiness is more important than power. Aang takes the advice to heart.
Later on within the same episode, following Zuko allying himself with Azula which resulted with a critically wounded Aang, Iroh intervenes and instructs Katara to flee with the unconscious Avatar. He then procedes to hold Azula and the Dai Li off long enough for the two to escape.[17]
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