Avatar: The Last Airbender/Characters/The Fire Nation

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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 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. 

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.

 "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.

  • 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 emotionally.
  • 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.
  • Big Bad: Season 2 and most of 3, with Ozai functioning as the Bigger Bad.
  • 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.
  • 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.

  "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 Mans 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.
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