Avatar: The Last Airbender/Characters/The Fire Nation: Difference between revisions

Everything About Fiction You Never Wanted to Know.
Content added Content deleted
VisualWikitext
m (→‎Combustion Man: Copyedit (minor))
Line 3: Line 3:


== Prince Zuko ==
== Prince Zuko ==
[[File:zuko10.jpg|frame]]
[[File:zuko10.jpg|thumb|200px]]
{{quote|Voiced by: [[Dante Basco]]}}
{{quote|Voiced by: [[Dante Basco]]}}


{{quote|"''I don't need luck, though. I don't want it. I've always had to struggle and fight, and that's made me strong. It's made me who I am.''"}}
{{quote|"''I don't need luck, though. I don't want it. I've always had to struggle and fight, and that's made me strong. It's made me who I am.''"}}


Even as the prince of the Fire Nation, Zuko has always struggled in life, particularly in matching his prodigy sister Azula and getting his father's acknowledgement. This came to a head when Ozai punished him for a percieved slight by horrifically burning his face and sending him into exile, refusing to let him return until he had captured the Avatar. (This was intended as a [[Snipe Hunt]], since Aang had been missing for a century.) Determined to prove his worth to his father, Zuko hunted Aang across the world for the first season while trying to find his own destiny.
Even as the prince of the Fire Nation, Zuko has always struggled in life, particularly in matching his prodigy sister Azula and getting his father's acknowledgement. This came to a head when Ozai punished him for a perceived slight by horrifically burning his face and sending him into exile, refusing to let him return until he had captured the Avatar. (This was intended as a [[Snipe Hunt]], since Aang had been missing for a century.) Determined to prove his worth to his father, Zuko hunted Aang across the world for the first season while trying to find his own destiny.


{{spoiler|Eventually, Zuko betrays Iroh and helps Azula take over Ba Sing Se. Granted amnesty for his actions, Zuko is finally allowed to come home. He has his honor restored, the adoration of a nation, the love of his life, and the respect of his father. And he finds himself lacking. After some soul-searching, Zuko finally realizes what Iroh had always tried to teach him. After giving Ozai an epic and well-deserved [[Calling the Old Man Out]], Zuko defects to join the Gaang as Aang's Firebending teacher. Though initially mistrusted, grudges dissolve into friendships and Zuko soon becomes a core member of the group. At the end of the series, Zuko becomes the new Fire Lord and strives to rebuild the world into an era of peace. And hopefully find his mother.}}
{{spoiler|Eventually, Zuko betrays Iroh and helps Azula take over Ba Sing Se. Granted amnesty for his actions, Zuko is finally allowed to come home. He has his honor restored, the adoration of a nation, the love of his life, and the respect of his father. And he finds himself lacking. After some soul-searching, Zuko finally realizes what Iroh had always tried to teach him. After giving Ozai an epic and well-deserved [[Calling the Old Man Out]], Zuko defects to join the Gaang as Aang's Firebending teacher. Though initially mistrusted, grudges dissolve into friendships and Zuko soon becomes a core member of the group. At the end of the series, Zuko becomes the new Fire Lord and strives to rebuild the world into an era of peace. And hopefully find his mother.}}

----
{{tropelist|Tropes exhibited by Zuko include:}}
* [[Adorkable]]: All of his attempts to be normal. "Hello! Zuko here!"
* [[Adorkable]]: All of his attempts to be normal. "Hello! Zuko here!"
** {{spoiler|"Why am I so bad at being good!"}}
** {{spoiler|"Why am I so bad at being good!"}}
* [[Ambiguously Evil]]: Zuko is the first antagonist, but is given enough sympathy points through out the first season that it is more than a bit hazy on which side of the fence he'll wind up. {{spoiler|After trying to be evil he decides it's not for him.}}
* [[Ambiguously Evil]]: Zuko is the first antagonist, but is given enough sympathy points through out the first season that it is more than a bit hazy on which side of the fence he'll wind up. {{spoiler|After trying to be evil he decides it's not for him.}}
** {{spoiler|[[Necessarily Evil]]: In [[Interquel]] [[Graphic Novel]] trilogy ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Promise]]''}}.
** {{spoiler|[[Necessarily Evil]]: In [[Interquel]] [[Graphic Novel]] trilogy ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Promise]]''}}.
* {{spoiler|[[Anti-Hero]]: Type IV or V ---> Type III on the [[Sliding Scale of Anti-Heroes]].}}
* {{spoiler|[[Anti-Hero]]: Type IV or V ---> Type III on the [[Sliding Scale of Anti-Heroes]].}}
** {{spoiler|He becomes Type IV or V again in ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Promise|The Promise]]''.}}
** {{spoiler|He becomes Type IV or V again in ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Promise|The Promise]]''.}}
* [[Anti-Villain]]: [[Sliding Scale of Anti-Villains|Type I-II]] in Season 1.
* [[Anti-Villain]]: [[Sliding Scale of Anti-Villains|Type I-II]] in Season 1.
** {{spoiler|1=Arguably [[Sliding Scale of Anti-Villains|Type III and/or IV]] in ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Promise|The Promise]]''}}.
** {{spoiler|1=Arguably [[Sliding Scale of Anti-Villains|Type III and/or IV]] in ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Promise|The Promise]]''}}.
* [[Aristocrats Are Evil]]: Part of his character arc in Seasons 1 and especially 2 is Zuko growing past his sense of aristocratic entitlement, personified in his {{spoiler|treasonous Blue Spirit persona}}. He steals not only for basic necessities, but basically whenever he sees something shiny. Zuko's aristocratic nature eventually becomes a positive motivator for him, to the point where {{spoiler|he vows to see Ozai overthrown and the Fire Nation redeemed}}.
* [[Aristocrats Are Evil]]: Part of his character arc in Seasons 1 and especially 2 is Zuko growing past his sense of aristocratic entitlement, personified in his {{spoiler|treasonous Blue Spirit persona}}. He steals not only for basic necessities, but basically whenever he sees something shiny. Zuko's aristocratic nature eventually becomes a positive motivator for him, to the point where {{spoiler|he vows to see Ozai overthrown and the Fire Nation redeemed}}.
* [[Arrogant Kung Fu Guy]]: Mostly in Season 1.
* [[Arrogant Kung Fu Guy]]: Mostly in Season 1.
* {{spoiler|[[The Atoner]]: After his [[Heel Face Turn]] he tries to make up for two and a half seasons of being an asshat.}}
* {{spoiler|[[The Atoner]]: After his [[Heel Face Turn]] he tries to make up for two and a half seasons of being an asshat.}}
* {{spoiler|[[Authority Equals Asskicking]]: Like his predecessors in the throne, in ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Promise|The Promise]]''.}}
* {{spoiler|[[Authority Equals Asskicking]]: Like his predecessors in the throne, in ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Promise|The Promise]]''.}}
* {{spoiler|[[Awesome Moment of Crowning]]}}
* {{spoiler|[[Awesome Moment of Crowning]]}}
* [[Back-to-Back Badasses]]: {{spoiler|With Aang as they face the Firebending Masters.}} Also with {{spoiler|Katara}} when they're training during the finale.
* [[Back-to-Back Badasses]]: {{spoiler|With Aang as they face the Firebending Masters.}} Also with {{spoiler|Katara}} when they're training during the finale.
* [[Badass]]: Through being [[The Determinator]].
* [[Badass]]: Through being [[The Determinator]].
* [[Bad Liar]]: Another trait that makes Azula and him [[Sibling Yin-Yang]].
* [[Bad Liar]]: Another trait that makes Azula and him [[Sibling Yin-Yang]].
* [[Bald of Evil]]: At first, before he cuts off his ponytail and starts to grow his hair out normally.
* [[Bald of Evil]]: At first, before he cuts off his ponytail and starts to grow his hair out normally.
** [[Big Bad Duumvirate]]: In season one, with Zhao.
** [[Big Bad Duumvirate]]: In season one, with Zhao.
* {{spoiler|[[Big Brother Mentor]]}}
* {{spoiler|[[Big Brother Mentor]]}}
* [[Birds of a Feather]]: With Mai. And in a non-romantic sense, with Katara.
* [[Birds of a Feather]]: With Mai. And in a non-romantic sense, with Katara.
* [[Break the Cutie]]: Before his banishment, he was an eager and happy young prince who wanted to learn everything he could to prepare himself to rule. After having a fourth of his face burned off by [[Abusive Parents|Ozai]] and being banished, he becomes a brooding teenager who can barely find anything to be happy about.
* [[Break the Cutie]]: Before his banishment, he was an eager and happy young prince who wanted to learn everything he could to prepare himself to rule. After having a fourth of his face burned off by [[Abusive Parents|Ozai]] and being banished, he becomes a brooding teenager who can barely find anything to be happy about.
Line 37: Line 38:
* [[Byronic Hero]]
* [[Byronic Hero]]
* [[Cain and Abel]]: Abel To Azula's Cain.
* [[Cain and Abel]]: Abel To Azula's Cain.
* {{spoiler|[[Calling the Old Man Out]]: Calls his father, Ozai, out for the monster and [[Abusive Parents|horrible father]] that he is and tells him that he's going [[Heel Face Turn|join the Avatar to defeat him.]] [[Offing the Offspring|Ozai does not take kindly to this.]]}}
* {{spoiler|[[Calling the Old Man Out]]: Calls his father, Ozai, out for the monster and [[Abusive Parents|horrible father]] that he is and tells him that he's going [[Heel Face Turn|join the Avatar to defeat him.]] [[Offing the Offspring|Ozai does not take kindly to this.]]}}
* [[Cannot Tell a Joke]]: His jokes are so bad they're made ''into jokes'' by other characters.
* [[Cannot Tell a Joke]]: His jokes are so bad they're made ''into jokes'' by other characters.
* [[Chick Magnet]]: Has ''almost'' as much onscreen romance as Sokka, plus a fan club and a bunch of random girls that swoon over him at the beach. And a massive [[Estrogen Brigade]]. However, he's sort of lacking in the charm department...[[Adorkable|which is his charm, come to think of it]].
* [[Chick Magnet]]: Has ''almost'' as much onscreen romance as Sokka, plus a fan club and a bunch of random girls that swoon over him at the beach. And a massive [[Estrogen Brigade]]. However, he's sort of lacking in the charm department...[[Adorkable|which is his charm, come to think of it]].
Line 47: Line 48:
** A not-quite-evil antagonist that seeks the approva of a parent figure
** A not-quite-evil antagonist that seeks the approva of a parent figure
** Desperately clings to a birthrate duty in contrast to the protagonist who runs away from his own.
** Desperately clings to a birthrate duty in contrast to the protagonist who runs away from his own.
** {{spoiler|[[Heel Face Turn]]}}
** {{spoiler|[[Heel Face Turn]]}}
** {{spoiler|becomes great friends with the protagonist via [[The Power of Friendship]].}}
** {{spoiler|becomes great friends with the protagonist via [[The Power of Friendship]].}}
* [[Deadpan Snarker]]
* [[Deadpan Snarker]]
* {{spoiler|[[Defrosting Ice King]]: It takes two and a half seasons but he thaws with [[The Power of Friendship]].}}
* {{spoiler|[[Defrosting Ice King]]: It takes two and a half seasons but he thaws with [[The Power of Friendship]].}}
* [[Determinator]]: He chases a ''flying bison'' on foot from the South Pole to the North Pole after three years of no leads at all.
* [[Determinator]]: He chases a ''flying bison'' on foot from the South Pole to the North Pole after three years of no leads at all.
* [[Deuteragonist]]: Or Tritagonist if you consider Katara the Deuteragonist.
* [[Deuteragonist]]: Or Tritagonist if you consider Katara the Deuteragonist.
Line 59: Line 60:
* [[Dual-Wielding]]: He's quite skilled with double broadswords. And there are those twin fire-knives that he tries (unsuccessfully) to battle Azula with.
* [[Dual-Wielding]]: He's quite skilled with double broadswords. And there are those twin fire-knives that he tries (unsuccessfully) to battle Azula with.
* [[Dueling Scar]]: His burn scar isn't quite the iconic version, but as a facial scar received in a duel fought in a militaristic culture, it's a pretty clear reference.
* [[Dueling Scar]]: His burn scar isn't quite the iconic version, but as a facial scar received in a duel fought in a militaristic culture, it's a pretty clear reference.
* {{spoiler|[[Easily Forgiven]]: Averted with the Gaang, but [[Up to Eleven]] with Iroh, who will always forgive him.}}
* {{spoiler|[[Easily Forgiven]]: Averted with the Gaang, but [[Up to Eleven]] with Iroh, who will always forgive him.}}
* [[Even Evil Has Standards]]: He spoke out against [[We Have Reserves|intentionally sending lines of inexperienced troops to die]] simply to wear down the enemy's defenses for their more experienced forces.
* [[Even Evil Has Standards]]: He spoke out against [[We Have Reserves|intentionally sending lines of inexperienced troops to die]] simply to wear down the enemy's defenses for their more experienced forces.
* [[Eyes of Gold]]
* [[Eyes of Gold]]
Line 66: Line 67:
* [[Facial Horror]]: However, that scar certainly doesn't affect him being the series' most famous [[Mr. Fanservice]] one bit.
* [[Facial Horror]]: However, that scar certainly doesn't affect him being the series' most famous [[Mr. Fanservice]] one bit.
* [[Fan Nickname]]: Zudork, Failko, Dorko, and Prince Zuko: The Master Cockblocker.
* [[Fan Nickname]]: Zudork, Failko, Dorko, and Prince Zuko: The Master Cockblocker.
* [[Fan Service Pack]]: His [[Character Development]] and gradual transformation into {{spoiler|a good guy}} also makes him more attractive.
* [[Fan Service Pack]]: His [[Character Development]] and gradual transformation into {{spoiler|a good guy}} also makes him more attractive.
* [[Fan Service with a Smile]]
* [[Fan Service with a Smile]]
* [[The Fettered]]: Season 1. And then it all sort of starts to crumble in Season 2.
* [[The Fettered]]: Season 1. And then it all sort of starts to crumble in Season 2.
* [[Freudian Excuse]]
* [[Freudian Excuse]]
* {{spoiler|[[Good Is Not Nice]]}}
* {{spoiler|[[Good Is Not Nice]]}}
* [[Good Eyes, Evil Eyes]]: His eyes indicate moral ambiguity and inner conflict right from the beginning, as [[Good Scars, Evil Scars|one is narrower than the other.]]
* [[Good Eyes, Evil Eyes]]: His eyes indicate moral ambiguity and inner conflict right from the beginning, as [[Good Scars, Evil Scars|one is narrower than the other.]]
* {{spoiler|[[The Good King]]: He eventually becomes Fire Lord.}}
* {{spoiler|[[The Good King]]: He eventually becomes Fire Lord.}}
* [[Good Scars, Evil Scars]]: His most distinctive physical trait, although the story of how he got it makes him much more sympathetic.
* [[Good Scars, Evil Scars]]: His most distinctive physical trait, although the story of how he got it makes him much more sympathetic.
* [[Hair-Trigger Temper]]
* [[Hair-Trigger Temper]]
* [[Happily Adopted]]: As of {{spoiler|his [[Heel Face Turn]].}}
* [[Happily Adopted]]: As of {{spoiler|his [[Heel Face Turn]].}}
* [[Heel Face Revolving Door]]: {{spoiler|[[Wham! Episode|Famously failed to make a]] [[Heel Face Turn]] [[Wham! Episode|in season 2]]}}, and then {{spoiler|finally settled on the Face side in Season 3.}}
* [[Heel Face Revolving Door]]: {{spoiler|[[Wham! Episode|Famously failed to make a]] [[Heel Face Turn]] [[Wham! Episode|in season 2]]}}, and then {{spoiler|finally settled on the Face side in Season 3.}}
** {{spoiler|And he comes back to this in ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Promise|The Promise]]''.}}
** {{spoiler|And he comes back to this in ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Promise|The Promise]]''.}}
*** {{spoiler|He doesn't really go ''evil'' in ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Promise|The Promise]]''; he simply discovers that doing a decision as a ruler to help one group of people can seriously hurt another, and tries to set up some sort of stable status quo instead of uprooting innocent colonists from their homes. Like always, he could be much more tactful about it, though.}}
*** {{spoiler|He doesn't really go ''evil'' in ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Promise|The Promise]]''; he simply discovers that doing a decision as a ruler to help one group of people can seriously hurt another, and tries to set up some sort of stable status quo instead of uprooting innocent colonists from their homes. Like always, he could be much more tactful about it, though.}}
* {{spoiler|[[Heel Realization]]}}
* {{spoiler|[[Heel Realization]]}}
* [[Hidden Heart of Gold]]: Well, from the heroes' point of view, {{spoiler|until his [[Heel Face Turn]], that is.}}
* [[Hidden Heart of Gold]]: Well, from the heroes' point of view, {{spoiler|until his [[Heel Face Turn]], that is.}}
* [[Hoist by His Own Petard]]/[[Beat Them At Their Own Game]]: Has the power to inflict this on opponents using [[Shock and Awe|Lightning-redirecting]], and the only one to use this ability in the manner this trope describes. Learned from Iroh, taught to {{spoiler|Aang.}}
* [[Hoist by His Own Petard]]/[[Beat Them At Their Own Game]]: Has the power to inflict this on opponents using [[Shock and Awe|Lightning-redirecting]], and the only one to use this ability in the manner this trope describes. Learned from Iroh, taught to {{spoiler|Aang.}}
* [[Honor Before Reason]]: [[Memetic Mutation|"HONOOOOOOOOORRRRR!!!!!"]]
* [[Honor Before Reason]]: [[Memetic Mutation|"HONOOOOOOOOORRRRR!!!!!"]]
* [[Honorable Enemy Ace]]: One could easily mistake Zuko for being a [[Royal Brat]] and a bully before his [[Heel Face Turn]], given how he invades the Southern Pole village and pettily pokes Sokka with his own war staff before demanding the Avatar's location. Episode two, however, reveals that Zuko is actually more honorable than most of the Fire Lord commanding officers: he will not land a cheap shot at a defenseless opponent in an Agni Kai, which Iroh commends him for in the challenge, and doesn't like burning down villages [[For the Evulz]]. The crew also notes that Zuko is a bully but will pull his own weight during an emergency on the boat. A lot of the series features Zuko struggling with that he thinks honor is, and how he eventually regains it.
* [[Hot-Blooded]] ''[[Incredibly Lame Pun|* facepalm*]]''
* [[Hot-Blooded]] ''[[Incredibly Lame Pun|* facepalm*]]''
** Yeah, we went there.
** Yeah, we went there.
* {{spoiler|[[Hurting Hero]]: Post-[[Heel Face Turn]].}}
* {{spoiler|[[Hurting Hero]]: Post-[[Heel Face Turn]].}}
* {{spoiler|[[I Am Not Left-Handed]]: When it seems he's lost to his opponent in "Zuko Alone". Then he starts Firebending.}}
* {{spoiler|[[I Am Not Left-Handed]]: When it seems he's lost to his opponent in "Zuko Alone". Then he starts Firebending.}}
* {{spoiler|[[I Am Not My Father]]: In Season 3.}}
* {{spoiler|[[I Am Not My Father]]: In Season 3.}}
** {{spoiler|[[Not So Different]]: In ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Promise|The Promise]]''.}}
** {{spoiler|[[Not So Different]]: In ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Promise|The Promise]]''.}}
* [[Important Haircut]]: When declared a traitor to the Fire Nation at the beginning of season 2.
* [[Important Haircut]]: When declared a traitor to the Fire Nation at the beginning of season 2.
** [[Expository Hairstyle Change]]: Every time something significant happens to him, his hair seems to change.
** [[Expository Hairstyle Change]]: Every time something significant happens to him, his hair seems to change.
*** {{spoiler|This happens again in ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Promise|The Promise]]'', where his hairstyle becomes similar to Ozai}}.
*** {{spoiler|This happens again in ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Promise|The Promise]]'', where his hairstyle becomes similar to Ozai}}.
* [[Inadequate Inheritor]]: Only for being an essentially decent person and not a sadistic monster.
* [[Inadequate Inheritor]]: Only for being an essentially decent person and not a sadistic monster.
* [[Ineffectual Loner]]
* [[Ineffectual Loner]]
Line 105: Line 107:
* [[Lightning Bruiser]]: It pretty much runs in the Fire Nation [[Badass Family|royal family]].
* [[Lightning Bruiser]]: It pretty much runs in the Fire Nation [[Badass Family|royal family]].
* [[Lonely Rich Kid]]
* [[Lonely Rich Kid]]
* [[Duty First, Love Second]]: {{spoiler|Mai is ''pissed'' that he runs off in the middle of the night to 'fulfill his destiny''.}}
* [[Duty First, Love Second]]: {{spoiler|Mai is ''pissed'' that he runs off in the middle of the night to 'fulfill his destiny''.}}
* [[Love Martyr]]
* [[Love Martyr]]
* {{spoiler|[[Luke, I Am Your Father]]: "Your mother's grandfather was Avatar Roku!"}}
* {{spoiler|[[Luke, I Am Your Father]]: "Your mother's grandfather was Avatar Roku!"}}
* [[Magic Knight]]: He's about equally good(as in, nigh-unequaled at sixteen) with firebending and swordsmanship, in a world where benders [[Linear Warriors, Quadratic Wizards|generally are too arrogant to bother with secondary fighting styles]].
* [[Magic Knight]]: He's about equally good(as in, nigh-unequaled at sixteen) with firebending and swordsmanship, in a world where benders [[Linear Warriors, Quadratic Wizards|generally are too arrogant to bother with secondary fighting styles]].
* [[Mad Dictators Handsome Son]]: More [[Abusive Parents|Horrifically Abused Son]], {{spoiler|as he doesn't defect for love--in fact, his [[Heel Face Turn]] ''interferes'' with his relationship with Mai (until ''her'' [[Heel Face Turn]]). But it still boils down to "Screw you, Dad! I'mma join the heroes!"}}
* [[Mad Dictators Handsome Son]]: More [[Abusive Parents|Horrifically Abused Son]], {{spoiler|as he doesn't defect for love--in fact, his [[Heel Face Turn]] ''interferes'' with his relationship with Mai (until ''her'' [[Heel Face Turn]]). But it still boils down to "Screw you, Dad! I'mma join the heroes!"}}
* [[Mark of Shame]]: That big thing over his eye.
* [[Mark of Shame]]: That big thing over his eye.
* [[My Name Is Inigo Montoya|My Name Is Zuko!]] [[I Am X, Son of Y|Son of Ursa and Fire Lord Ozai! Prince of the Fire Nation and heir to the throne!]]
* [[My Name Is Inigo Montoya|My Name Is Zuko!]] [[I Am X, Son of Y|Son of Ursa and Fire Lord Ozai! Prince of the Fire Nation and heir to the throne!]]
* [[Momma's Boy]]: Adored his mom. {{spoiler|Asking what happened to her is his last line in the original series.}}
* [[Momma's Boy]]: Adored his mom. {{spoiler|Asking what happened to her is his last line in the original series.}}
* [[Mood Swinger]]
* [[Mood Swinger]]
* [[Mr. Fanservice]]: The infamous shirtless Agni Kai in the third episode. Lampshaded in the beach episode with a [[Disturbed Doves|flock of birds]].
* [[Mr. Fanservice]]: The infamous shirtless Agni Kai in the third episode. Lampshaded in the beach episode with a [[Disturbed Doves|flock of birds]].
* [[My Greatest Failure]]: Originally, he believed it to be failing in his father's eyes and being banished. Eventually, he realizes that it was {{spoiler|betraying Iroh in Ba Sing Se}}.
* [[My Greatest Failure]]: Originally, he believed it to be failing in his father's eyes and being banished. Eventually, he realizes that it was {{spoiler|betraying Iroh in Ba Sing Se}}.
* [[Nerd in Evil's Helmet]]: He genuinely is good-looking and a true [[Badass]], and he's skilled at fighting, giving orders, and anything that doesn't involve social interaction. But sit down and have a conversation with the guy and you'll discover his [[Adorkable]] side pretty quickly.
* [[Nerd in Evil's Helmet]]: He genuinely is good-looking and a true [[Badass]], and he's skilled at fighting, giving orders, and anything that doesn't involve social interaction. But sit down and have a conversation with the guy and you'll discover his [[Adorkable]] side pretty quickly.
* [[Nice to the Waiter]]: In Book Two and onward.
* [[Nice to the Waiter]]: In Book Two and onward.
Line 121: Line 123:
* [[No Good Deed Goes Unpunished]]: "[[Tear Jerker|Zuko Alone]]" and "[[Nightmare Fuel|The Storm]]" are the most notable.
* [[No Good Deed Goes Unpunished]]: "[[Tear Jerker|Zuko Alone]]" and "[[Nightmare Fuel|The Storm]]" are the most notable.
* [[Not So Different]]: Two fold, one with Aang as they're both boys with a troubled past and lots of pressure put on them despite coming from different sides. And Azula where both worked to make their own way and try to get the respect of their father. It was just he was more morally grounded.
* [[Not So Different]]: Two fold, one with Aang as they're both boys with a troubled past and lots of pressure put on them despite coming from different sides. And Azula where both worked to make their own way and try to get the respect of their father. It was just he was more morally grounded.
* [[Noble Demon]]: Character development for him in Season 1. He goes from burning down the {{spoiler|Kyoshi Warrior's village}} in his pursuit of Aang to abandoning a later pursuit {{spoiler|to keep his soldiers safe.}}
* [[Noble Demon]]: Character development for him in Season 1. He goes from burning down the {{spoiler|Kyoshi Warrior's village}} in his pursuit of Aang to abandoning a later pursuit {{spoiler|to keep his soldiers safe.}}
* [[The One Guy]]: When hanging out with Mai, Azula and Ty Lee.
* [[The One Guy]]: When hanging out with Mai, Azula and Ty Lee.
* [[The Only One Allowed to Defeat You]]: Since the Avatar is his only shot at restoring his honor, he's not about to let anyone else take him in.
* [[The Only One Allowed to Defeat You]]: Since the Avatar is his only shot at restoring his honor, he's not about to let anyone else take him in.
Line 127: Line 129:
* [[Perpetual Frowner]]: "I'm never happy."
* [[Perpetual Frowner]]: "I'm never happy."
* [[Playing with Fire]]
* [[Playing with Fire]]
* [[Poor Communication Kills]]: {{spoiler|A lot of [[Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Promise|The Promise's]] plot relies on Zuko's [[Could Have Avoided This Plot|poor communication skills]].}}
* [[Poor Communication Kills]]: {{spoiler|A lot of [[Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Promise|The Promise's]] plot relies on Zuko's [[Could Have Avoided This Plot|poor communication skills]].}}
* [[Pretty Boy]]: In [http://piandao.org/screencaps/ep12/ep12-503.png a flashback]{{Dead link}} at age thirteen.
* [[Pretty Boy]]: In [http://piandao.org/screencaps/ep12/ep12-503.png a flashback]{{Dead link}} at age thirteen.
* [[Raven Hair, Ivory Skin]]
* [[Raven Hair, Ivory Skin]]
* [[Red Oni, Blue Oni]]: Red to his sister's blue, {{spoiler|though it's reversed after her [[Villainous Breakdown]]}}.
* [[Red Oni, Blue Oni]]: Red to his sister's blue, {{spoiler|though it's reversed after her [[Villainous Breakdown]]}}.
** {{spoiler|The red to Aang's blue (during their training).}}
** {{spoiler|The red to Aang's blue (during their training).}}
* [[Redemption Quest]]
* [[Redemption Quest]]
* [[Replacement Goldfish]]: For Iroh's son Lu Ten. However, Iroh loves Zuko just the way he is and doesn't try to mold him in Lu Ten's image. And since Iroh is Zuko's [[Parental Substitute]], it works out.
* [[Replacement Goldfish]]: For Iroh's son Lu Ten. However, Iroh loves Zuko just the way he is and doesn't try to mold him in Lu Ten's image. And since Iroh is Zuko's [[Parental Substitute]], it works out.
Line 137: Line 139:
** [[Justified Trope|Although in this case,]] [[Fridge Brilliance|Zuko has a good reason.]] He only started acting like a royal brat after his "lesson on respect" from his father—the flashback implies he was more upbeat and cheerful and not interested in being put up on a pedestal. Which makes sense: given his banishment came because he wasn't showing due respect to his father, respect would become a big deal in his mind.
** [[Justified Trope|Although in this case,]] [[Fridge Brilliance|Zuko has a good reason.]] He only started acting like a royal brat after his "lesson on respect" from his father—the flashback implies he was more upbeat and cheerful and not interested in being put up on a pedestal. Which makes sense: given his banishment came because he wasn't showing due respect to his father, respect would become a big deal in his mind.
* [[Royals Who Actually Do Something]]: Enforced upon him by Ozai but he already eager to learn how to be one of these.
* [[Royals Who Actually Do Something]]: Enforced upon him by Ozai but he already eager to learn how to be one of these.
* {{spoiler|[[Reformed but Rejected]]: For one episode... or four with Katara.}}
* {{spoiler|[[Reformed but Rejected]]: For one episode... or four with Katara.}}
* [[Scars Are Forever]]: Lampshaded in the series.
* [[Scars Are Forever]]: Lampshaded in the series.
* [[Scarily Competent Tracker]]: Lampshaded later, as when Aang goes missing, everyone looks to him.
* [[Scarily Competent Tracker]]: Lampshaded later, as when Aang goes missing, everyone looks to him.
* {{spoiler|[[Sixth Ranger]]}}
* {{spoiler|[[Sixth Ranger]]}}
* [[Smite Me, O Mighty Smiter!]]: Complete with rain and yelling at the sky.
* [[Smite Me, O Mighty Smiter!]]: Complete with rain and yelling at the sky.
* [[Speech Impediment]]: He has a distinct lisp that [[Vocal Evolution|gets less pronounced as the series progresses,]] but never really goes away.
* [[Speech Impediment]]: He has a distinct lisp that [[Vocal Evolution|gets less pronounced as the series progresses,]] but never really goes away.
{{quote|"It's like a thilver thandwich!"}}
{{quote|"It's like a thilver thandwich!"}}
* [[Stranger in a Familiar Land]]: {{spoiler|Returning home to the Fire Nation in the beginning of season 3 was everything he hoped for and yet he was still angry.}}
* [[Stranger in a Familiar Land]]: {{spoiler|Returning home to the Fire Nation in the beginning of season 3 was everything he hoped for and yet he was still angry.}}
* {{spoiler|[[Supporting Leader]]}}
* {{spoiler|[[Supporting Leader]]}}
* {{spoiler|[[Taking the Bullet]]: Rather, lightning, for Katara.}}
* {{spoiler|[[Taking the Bullet]]: Rather, lightning, for Katara.}}
* [[Tall, Dark and Handsome]]: Though only taller than his peers, [[Teens Are Short|adults tower over him]].
* [[Tall, Dark and Handsome]]: Though only taller than his peers, [[Teens Are Short|adults tower over him]].
* [[Tall, Dark and Snarky]]
* [[Tall, Dark and Snarky]]
* {{spoiler|[[Team Dad]]: [http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii175/Eternal_Light55/Bumi%20Vs%20Toph%20Comic/BvsT8.jpg Especially] in the [http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii175/Eternal_Light55/Bumi%20Vs%20Toph%20Comic/BvsT10.jpg comics].}}
* {{spoiler|[[Team Dad]]: [http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii175/Eternal_Light55/Bumi%20Vs%20Toph%20Comic/BvsT8.jpg Especially] in the [http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii175/Eternal_Light55/Bumi%20Vs%20Toph%20Comic/BvsT10.jpg comics].}}
* [[Teens Are Short]]: A bit [[Fridge Logic]]-inducing because he appears about [http://piandao.org/screencaps/ep9/ep9-694.png a head shorter than average-sized men]{{Dead link}}, but tall enough around the other Gaang members and Iroh to indicate that he should be at ''least'' the same height as said average-sized men.
* [[Teens Are Short]]: A bit [[Fridge Logic]]-inducing because he appears about [http://piandao.org/screencaps/ep9/ep9-694.png a head shorter than average-sized men]{{Dead link}}, but tall enough around the other Gaang members and Iroh to indicate that he should be at ''least'' the same height as said average-sized men.
* [[Took a Level in Badass]]: Remember in the first episode of Book: Earth, when he wasn't even able to land a hit on Azula? {{spoiler|After seeing the dragons Ran and Shaw with Aang, his firebending went up to par with Azula's, holding his own pretty well until he takes a lightning bolt shot at Katara}}.
* [[Took a Level in Badass]]: Remember in the first episode of Book: Earth, when he wasn't even able to land a hit on Azula? {{spoiler|After seeing the dragons Ran and Shaw with Aang, his firebending went up to par with Azula's, holding his own pretty well until he takes a lightning bolt shot at Katara}}.
** Actually most of it took place when he was on his own in Book 2, by the finale he's pretty much on par with Aang, Azula and Katara and he actually has the upper hand on Aang a few times.
** Actually most of it took place when he was on his own in Book 2, by the finale he's pretty much on par with Aang, Azula and Katara and he actually has the upper hand on Aang a few times.
* [[Troubled but Cute]]
* [[Troubled but Cute]]
Line 157: Line 159:
* [[The Unfavorite]]: To his father, at least.
* [[The Unfavorite]]: To his father, at least.
* [[Used to Be a Sweet Kid]]: The day his mother left was the day things got bad for Zuko....
* [[Used to Be a Sweet Kid]]: The day his mother left was the day things got bad for Zuko....
* [[Victorious Childhood Friend]]: {{spoiler|Mai's had a crush on him since they were small.}}
* [[Victorious Childhood Friend]]: {{spoiler|Mai's had a crush on him since they were small.}}
* [[Villain Ball Magnet]]: Season 2 through the first half of Season 3. Whenever he tries to do something good, it goes horribly wrong and paints him as a villain once again. Case in point: accidentally burning Toph's feet when she was the only member of the Gaang to trust him.
* [[Villain Ball Magnet]]: Season 2 through the first half of Season 3. Whenever he tries to do something good, it goes horribly wrong and paints him as a villain once again. Case in point: accidentally burning Toph's feet when she was the only member of the Gaang to trust him.
** {{spoiler|This happens again in ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Promise|The Promise]]''.}}
** {{spoiler|This happens again in ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Promise|The Promise]]''.}}
* [[Warrior Prince]]
* [[Warrior Prince]]
* [[Warrior Therapist]]: {{spoiler|Plays [[The Lancer]] to Sokka and Katara when they need to sort out their problems (after Aang does the same to him) but the brand of therapy he gives to Katara skirted the line of a [[Poisonous Friend]] (albeit unintentionally). [[Lampshaded Trope|Mocked]] when Toph points out that everyone else got to go on a life-changing field trip with Zuko, [[Ship Tease|grabs his arm]], and proceeds to take him for a walk-and-talk... and he tells her that they need to focus on finding Aang.}}
* [[Warrior Therapist]]: {{spoiler|Plays [[The Lancer]] to Sokka and Katara when they need to sort out their problems (after Aang does the same to him) but the brand of therapy he gives to Katara skirted the line of a [[Poisonous Friend]] (albeit unintentionally). [[Lampshaded Trope|Mocked]] when Toph points out that everyone else got to go on a life-changing field trip with Zuko, [[Ship Tease|grabs his arm]], and proceeds to take him for a walk-and-talk... and he tells her that they need to focus on finding Aang.}}
* [["Well Done, Son" Guy]]: Earning his father's approval is his driving force. {{spoiler|Later on it's his uncle's.}}
* [["Well Done, Son" Guy]]: Earning his father's approval is his driving force. {{spoiler|Later on it's his uncle's.}}
* [[What Would X Do?|What Would Uncle Iroh Do ?]]
* [[What Would X Do?|What Would Uncle Iroh Do ?]]
* [[The Worf Effect]]
* [[The Worf Effect]]
** [[Worf Had the Flu]]: [[Word of God]] has actually stated that he was impeded during his fight with Katara during the Siege Of the North by the fatigue and exposure from infiltrating the Water Tribe fortress. Had he been in good shape he would have won much more decisively.
** [[Worf Had the Flu]]: [[Word of God]] has actually stated that he was impeded during his fight with Katara during the Siege Of the North by the fatigue and exposure from infiltrating the Water Tribe fortress. Had he been in good shape he would have won much more decisively.
* [[Worthy Opponent]]
* [[Worthy Opponent]]
----



== Uncle Iroh ==
== Uncle Iroh ==

Revision as of 20:33, 2 September 2023


These characters hail from the Fire Nation.

Prince Zuko

Voiced by: Dante Basco

"I don't need luck, though. I don't want it. I've always had to struggle and fight, and that's made me strong. It's made me who I am."

Even as the prince of the Fire Nation, Zuko has always struggled in life, particularly in matching his prodigy sister Azula and getting his father's acknowledgement. This came to a head when Ozai punished him for a perceived slight by horrifically burning his face and sending him into exile, refusing to let him return until he had captured the Avatar. (This was intended as a Snipe Hunt, since Aang had been missing for a century.) Determined to prove his worth to his father, Zuko hunted Aang across the world for the first season while trying to find his own destiny.

Eventually, Zuko betrays Iroh and helps Azula take over Ba Sing Se. Granted amnesty for his actions, Zuko is finally allowed to come home. He has his honor restored, the adoration of a nation, the love of his life, and the respect of his father. And he finds himself lacking. After some soul-searching, Zuko finally realizes what Iroh had always tried to teach him. After giving Ozai an epic and well-deserved Calling the Old Man Out, Zuko defects to join the Gaang as Aang's Firebending teacher. Though initially mistrusted, grudges dissolve into friendships and Zuko soon becomes a core member of the group. At the end of the series, Zuko becomes the new Fire Lord and strives to rebuild the world into an era of peace. And hopefully find his mother.

Tropes exhibited by Zuko include:

"It's like a thilver thandwich!"

Uncle Iroh

Voiced by: Mako (original), Greg Baldwin (after Mako's death)

"Sick of tea?! That's like being sick of breathing!"

Zuko's and Azula's uncle and Ozai's brother, Iroh was once the heir to the Fire Nation throne a mighty general known as the Dragon Of the West. After the death of his beloved son Lu Ten, Iroh lost his thirst for conquest and retired. Afterwards, Iroh came to think of Zuko as his own son. When Zuko was exiled, Iroh went along with him to mentor and protect him. While he tends to act very silly most of the time, he is actually one of the most capable of the cast, and likely a match for Ozai himself. Also the Grand Master of the Order of the White Lotus.

  • Acrofatic: Season 1 and 2
  • Anti-Villain: Type IV.
  • Badass Beard: From Season 2 onwards.
  • Badass Grandpa: Still a powerful Firebender well into old age, enough so that Zuko tried to get him to challenge Ozai when Aang disappeared.
  • Big Good: Of the order of the White Lotus.
  • Breakout Character
  • Breath Weapon: "Did I ever tell you how I got the nickname Dragon of the West?" While he's not the only Firebender who can do this, this is his signature move.
  • Bunny Ears Lawyer: He is one of the greatest Firebenders in the world and the leader of an organization of Badass Grandpas who have all dedicated their lives to mastering their art/fighting style. He would much rather drink tea and play Paisho.
  • Cain and Abel: Abel To Ozai's Cain, though the two never fought directly. When he was given the chance, Iroh declined, as it was Aang's job.
  • The Caretaker: To Zuko.
  • Chivalrous Pervert: "I didn't see you get immobilised by the tongue..." "Shhh."
    • To elaborate, Nyla, June's animal companion has a tongue with neurotoxins that can paralyze anything that it licks. After a scuffle with Team Avatar, they tricked Nyla into hitting Zuko and June and Iroh "fell" on top of June, despite not getting hit. Zuko then comments.
  • Cincinnatus: Of the 'does not want power' type. He'd much rather run a tea shop and let his nephew run the nation.
  • Cool Old Guy: Friendly, funny, kick ass, and plays a mean game of pai-sho.
  • Cool Uncle: To Zuko, specifically.
  • Cultured Badass: Not only can he kick your ass in the battle arena, he can kick it in Paisho and tea brewing!
  • Dead Soldier Son: Inverted. It's implied that if his son hadn't been killed in the Battle of Ba Sing Se, Iroh would've been a different person rather than the cheery, yet tragic Cool Old Guy. Not necessarily evil, but he definitely would've been a powerful, feared Fire Lord after the victory.

"Leaves from the vine...falling so slow..."

  • Death Faked for You: Protected the dragons from being exterminated by pretending to kill the last of them himself.
  • Dirty Old Man: More of a chivalrous version, however.
  • Drink Order: Tea.
  • Eccentric Mentor: He's obsessed with tea, acts goofy, and is so casual you'd think he didn't know there was a war going on, yet he's the key to Zuko's character development and helps along Aang's and Toph's too.
  • Eyes of Gold
  • Foreshadowing: His White Lotus tile may not have seemed important when brought up during Book One, until you later find out about the Order of the White Lotus.
  • Generation Xerox: He more closely resembles his genocidal grandfather Sozin than his lanky father. There is double irony there, given that Iroh is far less of an asshole than Sozin was, and that he was his father's favorite (rather than Ozai, who resembled Azulon the most).
  • Grandpa What Massive Hotness You Have: That scene in "Sokka's Master." Dare you deny it?
  • Heel Face Turn: Subverted, as he was pretty much always a good guy. He just stuck with the Fire Nation to protect/guide Zuko. He showed his True Colors when he learned of Zhao's plans for the moon.

Iroh: "Zhao, whatever you do to that spirit, I'll unleash on you ten-fold! Let it go now!"


Princess Azula

Voiced by: Grey DeLisle

"My own mother thought I was a monster... She was right, of course, but it still hurt."

Zuko's younger sister and princess of the Fire Nation. As a Firebending prodigy, her father Ozai favored her over Zuko, though the two had an opposite relationship to their mother Ursa. Azula uses her position and power to torment Zuko and anyone else in her way. A skilled tactician, master manipulator, and brilliant fighter, she's easily one of the Gaang's deadliest foes. She describes herself as "a people person," but she really is only skilled in manipulating people through fear. Normal interaction eludes and bewilders her more often than not.

  • Alas, Poor Villain: True, she may have done awful things, but her fall is so catastrophic and heartbreaking it's near impossible not to pity her.
  • Arrogant Kung Fu Guy: She has this opinion of herself but her interactions with opponents are more psychological.
  • Ax Crazy: Keeps it in check for most of the series, but lets it all loose during her Villainous Breakdown.
  • Badass: Competes with Toph for the most Badbutt on the show.
  • The Baroness: Sexpot variety.
  • Be Careful What You Wish For/The Chains of Commanding: When Ozai gives her the title of Fire Lord when he ascends to Phoenix King, Azula is initially pleased at the authority she now wields... But the burden of being supreme leader starts eating at her sanity, her becoming more paranoid and psychotic as the days pass. By the time Zuko and Katara show up to face her in the grand finale, she's a total wreck.
  • Berserk Button: Never imply that she is less than perfect. Also, if you want to die in a painful and humiliating manner, say Zuko is better than her in any context.
    • The word "monster" is her personal Trigger, due to perceiving her mother considered her this. As such, she despises being thought as one. The tragic part is that no one has called or even thought of her as a monster, but her delusions won't let her see this.
  • Broken Ace: She's held as The Ace throughout the Fire Nation for being a Firebending prodigy and a master planner and manipulator, at the age of 14. She, however, has serious issues with perfection, and she gets even more broken in Book 3.
  • Broken Bird: Good lord...
  • Cain and Abel: Cain To Zuko's Abel.
  • Card-Carrying Villain:

"My own mother thought I was a monster... She was right, of course, but it still hurt."

    • While this was played for psychosis and self loathing in the finale, when first brought up it was in a "history will overlook that unsavory aspect of me" sense.
  • The Chessmaster: At only 14 years old, she comes up with a plan that successfully conquers a city that had remained standing for a century.
  • Consummate Liar: "I am a four hundred foot tall purple platypus bear with pink horns and silver wings."

Toph: Okay, I admit, you're good.

Azula: "For some reason, when I meet boys, they act as if I'm going to do something horrible to them."
Ty Lee: (laughs) "But you probably would do something horrible to them."

Mai

Voiced by: Cricket Leigh

"Victory Is Boring."

Daughter of very high class Fire Nation nobles, Mai was constantly forced by her parents to be quiet in order to keep up appearances. As a result, Mai finds no enjoyment in anything other than her childhood crush Zuko. As an expert with throwing blades, Mai was recruited by her old friend Azula to help her in her schemes. Although she does have a soft spot for Zuko, she's so apathetic to everything that she doesn't care about being Azula's soldier. At least, that's what Azula thought.

Zuko:"I like it when you express yourself." or "You're so beautiful when you hate the world."

"You want me to express myself? LEAVE ME ALONE!"


Ty Lee

Voiced by: Olivia Hack

"My aura has never been pinker!"

Daughter of Fire Nation nobles, Ty Lee made an effort to distinguish herself from her six identical sisters. After joining a circus, Ty Lee was forcefully recruited by her childhood friend Azula. Although she's an expert martial artist able to stop bending by striking pressure points, she's more interested in doing handstands and being girly than doing villain work. Nonetheless, she's easily cowed by Azula, making her a loyal, if very quirky, minion. At least, that's what Azula and Ty Lee herself thought.


Fire Lord Ozai

Voiced by: Mark Hamill

"I have all the power in the WOOOOOOOOOOOORRRRRLD!!"

Ruler of the Fire Nation and likely the most powerful Firebender on the planet, Ozai is the main antagonist of the series. A ruthless warlord and megalomaniac, Ozai is willing to burn the rest of the world to the ground so he can rule. He has little to no empathy for anyone, including his own children (though he's acts decent towards them if they prove themselves useful.) Aang must defeat Ozai before Ozai can harness Sozin's Comet and use it to end the war once and for all. After crowning himself Phoenix King and trying to annihilate the Earth Kingdom with the Comet's power, Ozai was defeated by Aang, relieved of his Firebending, and left to rot in a prison cell.

  • Abusive Father: You see that scar on Zuko's face? That's just the most visible mark.
  • Ambition Is Evil
  • Authority Equals Asskicking: Does it ever. The only benders in the world who have a chance of beating him in a straight fight are Aang and Iroh, meaning that Ozai is at worst the third most powerful bender in the world. Though that's a moot point after he loses his bending.
  • Beard of Evil
  • Badass: See Authority Equals Asskicking.
  • Bigger Bad: Leader of the bad guys, but he gets almost no screen time until...
    • Big Bad: ...the four episode finale, but his influence in the story makes him the main villain for the series.
  • Brought Down to Normal
  • Cain and Abel: Cain To Iroh's Abel, though they never fought directly. Ozai preferred machinations when dealing with his brother.
  • The Chessmaster: Like his daughter, he's a very capable strategist and manipulator. Unlike his daughter, he's usually too Drunk on the Dark Side to use it, and generally prefers to just set his problems on fire.
    • It appears as though he is flexing his Chessmaster abilities in The Promise.
  • Classic Villain: Representing pride and ambition.
  • Despotism Justifies the Means: He wants to rule the world in his own name, not as the ruler of the Fire Nation, so he promotes his daughter to Fire Lord and declares himself the Phoenix King.
  • The Determinator: He refuses to give up, even still referring to himself as the "Phoenix King", after losing his powers.
  • Drunk on the Dark Side: Just read his quote.
  • Equal Opportunity Evil: Quite evil, but no one can say he's sexist. Favors his (also evil) daughter over his son, has no problem with women serving in the Fire Nation military, and has no issue with making his aforementioned daughter the Fire Lord.
  • Evil Cannot Comprehend Good
  • Evil Is Burning Hot
  • Evil Overlord
  • Evil Mentor: To Zuko in The Promise.
  • The Evil Prince: In flashbacks.
  • Eyes of Gold
  • The Faceless: In Seasons 1-2.
  • Fate Worse Than Death: His final fate. To say he deserved it would be an understatement.
  • Faux Affably Evil: When he's not being abusive, he sounds civil, but in a cold and not-really-empathic way. He tells people what he thinks they want to hear, so long as what they want is to stay on his good side.
  • Freudian Excuse: It's implied he was The Unfavorite to Azulon. Considering he did the exact same thing to Zuko but worse, this gets him no points whatsoever.
  • A God Am I:
    • God-Emperor: Makes a claim at this towards the end with the new position of "Phoenix King".
  • Glass Cannon or Squishy Wizard: Reflects his fighting style if not his fragility. Unlike his brother and children who like to mix it up in close combat and are generally almost as dangerous without bending as they are with it, Ozai prefers to stay at a distance and blast his enemies with ranged attacks. In the absence of bending he even seems to consider himself outmatched by Zuko. Zuko was admittedly armed with swords at the time.
    • Not really: During the entire final battle from the begining until Aang enters the Avatar state he's chasing Aang down trying to get close. It's the Avatar who is backing away and running. Plus because Sozin's comet makes his attacks so much more powerful he doesn't need to be as close to attack effectively.
  • Hannibal Lecture: Toward Zuko in The Promise.
  • Hate Sink: Boy is he ever. He's pretty much your typical Evil Overlord from the get go, but what makes him into this trope is his horrendous treatment towards his family, especially his children. He derided and mistreated Zuko for not living up to his expectations, going so far as to burn his face and exile him, driving him into a pointless quest to capture the Avatar. He horrifically twisted his daughter Azula into becoming his Daddy's Little Villain, only to kick her upstairs, with his teachings breaking her psyche completely. There's absolutely nothing likable or sympathetic about him, and the Fate Worse Than Death he suffers is pretty much deserved.
  • Hot Dad
  • Humiliation Conga: Brought Down to Normal, mocked by teenagers and left living on the mercy of the son he abused.
  • Inferiority Superiority Complex: Heavily hinted in his relationship with his brother, in his own personal search of admiration and respect and lately in his Villainous Breakdown.
  • Kill It with Fire
  • Knight of Cerebus
  • Large Ham: In the series finale as The Phoenix King!
  • Manipulative Bastard: Plays on Zuko's emotions right until the kid Calling the Old Man Out.
  • Might Makes Right: Firmly believes that the Fire Lord's will is right by way of being the Fire Lord.
  • Misery Builds Character: He believes hardly in this as way of upbringing to his children.
  • Necessarily Evil: According to him in The Promise to govern a empire like the Fire Nation.
  • Nice Job Fixing It, Villain: He tried to smash Aang's earth shield only to hit the chakra that Azula had blocked, opening it, and immediately gets his ass kicked.
  • No Celebrities Were Harmed: His final solution to the Earth Kingdom is a literal Holocaust. To make the similarities even more obvious, it's based on an earlier genocide (Hitler mentioned the Armenian genocide before initiating the Jewish one by saying there would be no consequences for attempting it), and just like Hitler, his predecessor which barely could stand him suddenly died just after negating him supreme power (Hindenburg wins the presidential election, Azulon negates to give Ozai's precedence over his older brother Iroh).
  • Offing the Offspring: Was planning on doing this to Zuko when he was about 8-10 to appease his father. Attempted to do it again when Zuko announced his intentions to join the Avatar to help him defeat him.
  • Oh Crap He actually has his first moment of panic even before this when it looks like Aang is going to redirect his lightning right back at him. He doesn't use lightning for the fight after this. He didn't take it well when Zuko threw his lightning back, either.
  • Omnicidal Maniac: His Evil Plan in the finale was to wipe out the other two nations.
  • Orcus on His Throne: Strategically justified.
  • Parent Service
  • Pet the Dog: Rescues a young Zuko from drowning after a tide sweeps him into the middle of the ocean.
  • Prepare to Die: A rare, terrifying example: it helps that he waited until he had a solid claim to winning.

"You're weak -- just like the rest of your people! They did not deserve to exist in this world -- in my world! Prepare to join them! Prepare to DIE!!!"

Princess Ursa

Voiced by: Jen Cohn

"That's what moms are like -- if you mess with their babies, they're gonna bite you back."

Even as Ozai's wife, Ursa was a caring mother to their children. (Though she had considerable problems dealing with Azula.) She was one of the few people who consistently supported Zuko, and it came as a hard blow to him when she suddenly disappeared.

The reason for her disappearance was part of a deal with her husband Ozai: in exchange for not killing Zuko, Ursa would kill Fire Lord Azulon and make it so Ozai could take the throne. Though Ozai claims that she is now banished, it's unknown what finally happened to her.

Commander/Admiral Zhao

Voiced by: Jason Isaacs

"I had a pupil once who had no interest in learning discipline. He was only concerned with the power of fire - how he could use it to destroy his opponents and wipe out the obstacles in his path."

—Jeong Jeong

The power-hungry and glory-seeking Admiral of the Fire Nation. With his greater resources and army, he served as Zuko's rival to capture Aang in the first season. However, he considered the capture of the Avatar to be a minor project compared to his dream of KILLING THE MOON! While he did succeed, his actions were quickly undone by Yue, and he was killed by the vengeful Ocean Spirit.

"WE ARE THE GODS NOW!"

Combustion Man

"I've heard about you. They say you're good at what you do. And even better at keeping secrets. The Avatar is alive. I want you to find him. And end him."

—Zuko

A mysterious assasin hired by Zuko to hunt down and kill the Avatar. Relentless in his pursuit of Aang and seemingly unstoppable, he uses a unique form of Firebending by shooting laser beams that cause Stuff Blowing Up. Also known as Sparky Sparky Boom Man.

Fire Lord Sozin

Voiced by: Ron Perlman

"I've been thinking. We should share this prosperity with the rest of the world. In our hands is the most successful empire in history. It's time we expanded it."

Sozin is the man responsible for the destruction of the Air Nomads, father to Azulon, grandfather to Iroh and Ozai and great-grandfather to Zuko, Azula and Lu Ten (Iroh's son). As Fire Lord during Roku's era, Sozin plotted to take over the world as a way of sharing the Fire Nation's prosperity with everyone. Knowing that the Avatar would oppose his plans, he used the power of a passing comet to launch a devastating first strike on the Air Nomads, wiping them out (except Aang, who he missed) and leaving him free to wage a one hundred year war. Although he is now long dead, his comet will return to allow Ozai to do the same for the rest of the world. Also once close friends with Avatar Roku, ever since they were children. However, the two became distant due to Roku's duties as the Avatar and Sozin's plans for conquest, and Sozin betrayed him as soon as he had the chance.

  • Ambition Is Evil: Especially when it leads you to leave your former best friend to die.
  • Bait the Dog: Right before he begins his plans for conquest, he's personally helping to save his citizens from an erupting volcano.
  • Be All My Sins Remembered: Thinks this near the end.
  • Big Bad Friend
  • Creepy Monotone
  • Death by Irony: He started off as a nationalist that wanted to "share Fire Nation prosperity" with the world. By the end of his life, not only did he regret ever acting upon his ambitions, but he realized all too late that he couldn't do a damn thing to change it. It's a healthy dose of irony, karma and a rather tragic finish to what could've been a great leader (morally speaking).
  • Dragon Rider: Though according to Zuko, he's the one who started the tradition of hunting them for sport; by the time of the series, they are all extinct or so Zuko thinks, which seems ungrateful of him.
  • Evil Former Friend
  • Evil Plan: To Take Over the World. He didn't think it was evil at first and his descendents all continue carrying out this plan. Ozai almost succeeded.
  • Eyes of Gold
  • Karma Houdini: Subverted, rather surprisingly. He doesn't physically suffer for his actions, but he ultimately comes to realize that he crossed the Moral Event Horizon, betrayed his best friend and wasted his life on a wild goose chase to find the next Avatar. At the end of his life, Sozin dies a rather somber man, unable to enjoy his success or attempt to undo the damage he's done. The world let Sozin off, but his conscience didn't.
  • Posthumous Character: We learned of his backstory through a flashback-like episode, particularly by word-of-mouth from Roku and Zuko's history scrolls. Azula pitched in on the basics of Sozin's impact on the world at the beginning, too.
  • Predecessor Villain
  • Redemption Equals Death: Averted. He came to regret many of his decisons, but never got a chance at redemption.
  • Royals Who Actually Do Something: Despite having had a falling out with Roku years before, he was still willing to help him save Fire Nation citizens from an erupting volcano.
  • Utopia Justifies the Means: Actually ends up being an aversion, as he realized his utopia wasn't worth what he'd done to try and create it.
  • Was It Really Worth It?: At the end of his life, he decides that no, it really wasn't. Too bad his descendants didn't take a hint.
  • We Can Rule Together: To Roku.
  • Well-Intentioned Extremist: As illustrated by his quote.
  • White Man's Burden: Essentially what he's trying to do to the world. While his descendants weren't as interested in helping the world, they continued to preach this as propaganda.

Fire Lord Azulon

Voiced by: Walker Edmiston

"You dare suggest I betray Iroh? My first born? Directly after the demise of his only beloved son? I think Iroh has suffered enough. But you, your punishment has scarcely begun!"

Azulon was the Fire Lord before Ozai, son of Sozin, father to Iroh and Ozai and grandfather to Zuko, Azula and Lu Ten (Iroh's son). Famed for his military prowess and skill at firebending, he ruled the Fire Nation with an iron grip. He was a man with little warmth in him, sentencing men to death with a stunning callousness. Ozai seemed to have had as strained a relationship with him as he did with his own son, always seeking to earn his favour but always being met with scorn. After Ozai tried his patience one time too many, making an inappropriate bid for the throne, Azulon ordered Zuko's death, to teach his son a lesson in humility (not that it would have worked, considering Ozai was more than happy to do so). He died shortly after giving that order, making way for Ozai to succeed him as Fire Lord.

  • Abusive Father: Heavily implied that he was like that with Ozai.
  • Asshole Victim: All signs point to Azulon not being a very nice person. Word of God and background material show him as ruling the Fire Nation with an iron fist and carrying out the war against the other nations with brutality only matched by Ozai. Of particular note is the genocide carried out against the Southern Water Tribe's Waterbenders and the raids carried out against said tribes. (These raids eventually resulted in the death of Katara's mother.) Not to mention the fact that he was willing to have his innocent grandson killed just to prove a point to Ozai. Other than possibly Iroh, it's unlikely anyone really missed him when Ozai and Ursa killed him.
  • The Coroner Doth Protest Too Much: Blows up at Ozai over a proposal to disown Iroh one night, and dies of old age after naming Ozai his heir by the next morning? How... convenient.
  • Even Evil Has Standards: As his quote illustrates, he didn't appreciate Ozai's attempt to use Lu Ten's death to usurp the birthright from Iroh.
  • Posthumous Character
  • Thicker Than Water: He and Iroh, despite his failure.
  • Unreliable Narrator: The only knowledge we have of him and his actions (besides Zuko's memories) comes from two in-universe sources, neither of whom is bound by Villains Never Lie.


Lo and Li

Voiced by: Takayao Fischer

"Azula, we are concerned for you and your well-being!"

Lo and Li are a pair of elderly twins, who serve the Fire Nation Royal Family as Azula's advisors and Firebending mentors, despite not being Firebenders themselves. Every scene of theirs is with Azula.

  • Badass Normal: While Lo and Li are never actually seen fighting, it's clear that when you consider the attitude of the Fire Nation royals, being an advisor must mean you're pretty good at what you do. Word of God also states that they were driving the machine in "The Chase", meaning they have some proficiency with machines.
  • Creepy Twins: At first. In their last few appearances, they seem to become comic relief.
  • Even Evil Has Standards: When Azula started going crazy, they did their best to stop Azula from going overboard.
  • Evil Old Folks: Or at least devout patriots to an evil society.
  • Expy: At first, they seem to be Azula's answer to Zuko being with Iroh, but that doesn't come to pass.
  • We Were Quite The Lookers: In "The Beach", it's revealed that when they were young, they were quite beautiful.
  • Older and Wiser: They are advisors, after all.
  • Single-Minded Twins: They're constantly finishing each other's sentences or speaking in unison, and their physical actions often mirror each other.
  • Theme Twin Naming: Their names are the exact same, bar a single letter.
    • Their names are also completely different, barring a single letter.
  • What Happened to the Mouse?: We never do find out what happens to them after one of them is to be banished. It could be assumed that they left together instead of just one, given Azula's insanity at the time.
    • Alternatively, they both stayed but just stayed away from each other so Azula wouldn't notice.
Retrieved from "https://allthetropes.org/wiki/Avatar:_The_Last_Airbender/Characters/The_Fire_Nation?oldid=2027609"