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#REDIRECT [[List of Avatar: The Last Airbender characters#Iroh]] |
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| image = [[File:General_Iroh.jpg|250px|center]] |
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| name = Iroh |
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| age = 65 (series)<br />66 (comics) |
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| aliases = The Dragon of the West <br> Mushi (refugee alias) |
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| nationality = [[Fire Nation]] |
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| element = Fire<br>Heat<br> Lightning (generation/redirection) |
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| species = Human |
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| gender = Male |
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| hair = Gray (originally black) |
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| eyes = Brown |
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| position = [[Antihero]] (Book 1)<br> Supporting character (Book 2 and Book 3) |
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| appearance = "[[The Boy in the Iceberg]]" |
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| voice = [[Mako Iwamatsu]] (seasons 1-2)<br />[[Greg Baldwin]] (season 2-3, ''The Legend of Korra'')<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.sbvtalentagency.com/vo_talent_detail.php?id=93 | title = Voice Over: Greg Baldwin | accessdate= 2007-02-19 | year = 2006 | publisher = SBV |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070211040643/http://www.sbvtalentagency.com/vo_talent_detail.php?id=93 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-02-11}}</ref> |
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| relatives = [[List of Avatar: The Last Airbender characters#Ozai|Ozai]] (brother)<br>[[List of Avatar: The Last Airbender characters#Ursa|Ursa]] (sister-in-law)<br>[[Zuko]] (nephew)<br>[[Azula]] (niece)<br>Lu Ten (son, deceased)<br>[[List of Avatar: The Last Airbender characters#Azulon|Azulon]] (father)<br>Ilah (mother)<br>Rina (mother-in-law)<br>Jinzuk (father-in-law)<br>[[List of Avatar: The Last Airbender characters#Sozin|Sozin]] (grandfather)<br>[[List of Avatar: The Last Airbender characters#Roku|Roku]] (grandfather-in-law)<br>Ta Min (grandmother-in-law)<br>Izumi (grandniece)<br>Iroh Jr. (great-grandnephew) |
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}} |
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'''Iroh''' is a [[fictional character]] in [[Nickelodeon (TV channel)|Nickelodeon]]'s [[List of animated television series|animated television series]] ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender]]''. Created by [[Michael Dante DiMartino]] and [[Bryan Konietzko]], the character was voiced by [[Mako Iwamatsu]] in season one and season two and, due to Mako's death, by [[Greg Baldwin]], in season three and the sequel series ''[[The Legend of Korra]]''. |
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A retired [[General officer|General]] of the Fire Nation, a nation whose Benders utilize the [[classical element|element]] of fire, Iroh is the elder brother of Fire Lord Ozai.<ref name="NickMagScan04">{{cite journal|last=Pittarese|first=Frank|title=Nation Exploration|journal=Nickelodeon Magazine|pages=2|year=2006|issue=Winter 2006}}</ref> Though he accompanied his exiled nephew [[Zuko]] on his quest to capture [[Aang]] in order to restore the young prince's honor and birthright, Iroh wanted to help his nephew become a better person than his father. |
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In the episode "[[Tales of Ba Sing Se]]", Iroh’s name was written as 艾洛 (aì lùo) and was dedicated "In Honor of Mako".<ref name="Tales of Ba Sing Se">{{cite episode|title=Tales of Ba Sing Se|url=|airdate=2006-09-29|season=2|number=15|transcripturl=|credits=Director: Ethan Spaulding; Writers: Joann Estoesta, Lisa Wahlander, Andrew Huebner, Gary Scheppke, Lauren MacMullan, Katie Mattila, Justin Ridge, Giancarlo Volpe|series=Avatar: The Last Airbender|serieslink=Avatar: The Last Airbender|network=Nickelodeon}}</ref> |
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==History== |
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Iroh was the firstborn son of [[List of Avatar: The Last Airbender characters#Book 2: Earth|Fire Lord Azulon]], but when the time to choose his successor came, Iroh let his brother Ozai become Fire Lord,<ref name="Zuko Alone">{{cite episode|title=Zuko Alone|url=|airdate=2006-05-12|season=2|number=7|transcripturl=|credits=Director: Lauren MacMullan; Writer: Elizabeth Welch Ehasz|series=Avatar: The Last Airbender|serieslink=Avatar: The Last Airbender|network=Nickelodeon}}</ref> as he was grieving the death of his only son, Lu Ten, in the siege of Ba Sing Se. It was believed that Iroh killed off the last of their world's [[dragon]]s, earning him the title "Dragon of the West", but it was later revealed that he was secretly the dragons' pupil, and thus learned from them to derive his Firebending powers from vitality rather than the conventional rage. He became a Grand-Lotus (high-ranking member) of the international secret society of philosophers, teachers, and warriors known as the [[Order of the White Lotus]]. |
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==Plot overview== |
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When the story begins in [[Avatar: The Last Airbender (season 1)|Book One]], Iroh is shown accompanying the banished Prince Zuko in his search for the Avatar, a superhuman whose task to maintain world order made him a threat to the Fire Nation's campaign.<ref name="NickMagScan04" /><ref name="The Avatar Returns">{{cite episode|title=The Avatar Returns|url=|airdate=2005-02-21|season=1|number=2|transcripturl=|credits=Director: Dave Filoni; Writers: Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko|series=Avatar: The Last Airbender|serieslink=Avatar: The Last Airbender|network=Nickelodeon}}</ref> Upon discovering the Avatar, Iroh accompanied Zuko. Having learnt of Zhao's plan to kill the moon spirit to cancel Waterbending, disrupting the natural order, Iroh attacks Zhao and is subsequently named a traitor. |
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During [[Avatar: The Last Airbender (season 2)|Book Two]], he and his nephew are now fugitives from the Fire Nation. After being gravely wounded by his niece Azula and healed by his nephew, Iroh teaches Zuko a Waterbending-inspired technique of absorbing and redirecting [[lightning]].<ref name="The Avatar State">{{cite episode|title=The Avatar State|url=|airdate=2006-03-17|season=2|number=1|transcripturl=|credits=Director: Giancarlo Volpe; Writers: Aaron Ehasz, Elizabeth Welch Ehasz, Tim Hedrick, John O'Bryan|series=Avatar: The Last Airbender|serieslink=Avatar: The Last Airbender|network=Nickelodeon}}</ref><ref name="The Swamp">{{cite episode|title=The Swamp|url=|airdate=2006-04-14|season=2|number=4|transcripturl=|credits=Director: Giancarlo Volpe; Writer: Tim Hedrick|series=Avatar: The Last Airbender|serieslink=Avatar: The Last Airbender|network=Nickelodeon}}</ref><ref name="Bitter Work">{{cite episode|title=Bitter Work|url=|airdate=2006-06-02|season=2|number=9|transcripturl=|credits=Director: Ethan Spaulding; Writer: Aaron Ehasz|series=Avatar: The Last Airbender|serieslink=Avatar: The Last Airbender|network=Nickelodeon}}</ref> Iroh eventually takes refuge in the Earth capital Ba Sing Se, where he and Zuko operate a tea-house. Iroh is dismayed when Azula convinces her brother to betray them and is arrested while covering Aang and Katara's escape from the conquered city.<ref name="The Crossroads of Destiny">{{cite episode | title = The Crossroads of Destiny | episodelink = The Crossroads of Destiny | series = Avatar: The Last Airbender | network = Nickelodeon | airdate = 2006-12-01 | season = 2 (Book 2) | number = 20}}</ref> |
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In [[Avatar: The Last Airbender (season 3)|Book Three]], held in a Fire Nation prison, Iroh fakes despair while preparing himself for the solar eclipse, during which Firebending does not work.<ref name="The Headband">{{cite episode|title=The Headband|url=|airdate=2007-09-28|season=3|number=2|transcripturl=|credits=Director: Joaquim dos Santos; Writer: John O'Brien|series=Avatar: The Last Airbender|serieslink=Avatar: The Last Airbender|network=Nickelodeon}}</ref><ref name="Sokkas Master">{{cite episode|title=Sokka's Master|url=|airdate=2007-10-12|season=3|number=4|transcripturl=|credits=Director: Giancarlo Volpe; Writer: Tim Hedrick|series=Avatar: The Last Airbender|serieslink=Avatar: The Last Airbender|network=Nickelodeon}}</ref> Prior to the eclipse, Iroh reveals to Zuko that he is descended from Avatar Roku through his mother. Once the eclipse begins, Iroh easily escapes prison, described as being a one-man army even without his bending.<ref name="The Eclipse">{{cite episode|title=The Day of Black Sun Part 2: The Eclipse|url=|airdate=2007-11-26|season=3|number=11|transcripturl=|credits=Director: Joaquim dos Santos; Writer: Aaron Ehasz|series=Avatar: The Last Airbender|serieslink=Avatar: The Last Airbender|network=Nickelodeon}}</ref> In the series finale, Iroh is revealed to have called the White Lotus to reveal themselves and liberate Ba Sing Se. Upon being reunited with Zuko, Iroh tells him to become the new Firelord. Soon after Zuko's crowning as Firelord, Iroh takes residence in a new tea shop in Ba Sing Se; the final scenes of the series take place in that tea shop.<ref name="Sozin Comet">{{cite episode|title=Sozin's Comet|airdate=2008-07-19|season=3|number=58-61|credits=Director: Ethan Spaulding; Writers: Elizabeth Welch Ehasz, Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko|series=[[Avatar: The Last Airbender]]|network=Nickelodeon}}</ref> |
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In the comic book sequel [[Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Promise|The Promise]], Iroh offers Aang and Zuko advice on the Harmony Restoration Movement. He also reveals a new culinary invention—[[bubble tea]]—which Aang and Zuko do not enjoy. Iroh muses he is a man before his time. In [[Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Search|The Search]], Iroh returns to his birthright as Firelord while Zuko and Team Avatar locate Zuko's mother Ursa. Bored with his new title, he uses his authority to declare a National Tea Appreciation Day. |
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In the sequel series ''[[The Legend of Korra]]'', Iroh is revealed to have used a form of [[astral projection]] at the time of his death to become a resident of the Spirit World. In the episode "A New Spiritual Age", Iroh comes to the aid of Aang's reincarnation, Avatar [[Korra (The Legend of Korra)|Korra]], who had been trapped unprepared deep in the Spirit World. He set her on the right path and welcomed her to visit him anytime, in any of her lifetimes. In "Darkness Falls", having known them in life, Iroh encounters Aang's children Tenzin, Kya, and Bumi when they enter the Spirit World and provides them with hints as to the location of the spirit of Tenzin's daughter Jinora. Korra again encounters Iroh in "The Ultimatum," when she enters the Spirit World in search of Zaheer. Korra explains to Iroh that she is confused and doesn't know how to deal with the threat Zaheer poses to both the newly reformed Air Nation and the world. Iroh suggests that Korra seek Zuko's counsel, as Aang once did. |
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Zuko's grandson is named Iroh and is a general of the United Forces, the armed services of the United Republic of Nations.<ref>{{cite web|title=Next 3 Locations unlocked on Nick.com Interactive site|url=http://avatarthelastairbenderonline.com/3-locations-unlocked-nick-com/|publisher=The Last Airbender Online|accessdate=2012-04-20}}</ref> |
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==Personality== |
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Easygoing, friendly, and dryly good-humored, Iroh treats his self-imposed exile as an extended vacation. Something of a [[hedonism|hedonist]] in his old age, he shows more interest in relaxation and amusement than in the pursuit of the Avatar. Despite his age, Iroh is seen flirting with various women throughout the series, and has been addressed as "handsome" on multiple occasions.<ref name="Bato of the Water Tribe">{{cite episode | title = Bato of the Water Tribe | episodelink = Bato of the Water Tribe | series = Avatar: The Last Airbender | network = Nickelodeon | airdate = 2006-10-07 | season = 1 (Book 1) | number = 15}}</ref><ref name="The Drill">{{cite episode|title=The Drill|url=|airdate=2006-09-15|season=2|number=13|transcripturl=|credits=Director: Giancarlo Volpe; Writers: Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko|series=Avatar: The Last Airbender|serieslink=Avatar: The Last Airbender|network=Nickelodeon}}</ref> Nevertheless he is a seasoned and wily strategist,<ref name="Zuko Alone" /><ref name="Bitter Work" /> a powerful Firebending master, and a [[mentor]] to his nephew. Unlike most Firebenders shown, he holds great respect for the neighboring peoples and willingly opposes any common threat. In "Tales of Ba Sing Se", it is suggested that his perpetual optimism and generosity are a form of [[post-traumatic growth]] resulting from the death of his son Lu Ten. This can be seen in his song "Leaves from the Vine", which he sings on the anniversary of Lu Ten's birthday. |
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Iroh is particularly fond of food, good tea,<ref name="The Southern Air Temple">{{cite episode|title=The Southern Air Temple|url=|airdate=2005-02-25|season=1|number=3|transcripturl=|credits=Director: Lauren MacMullan; Writer: Michael Dante DiMartino|series=Avatar: The Last Airbender|serieslink=Avatar: The Last Airbender|network=Nickelodeon}}</ref> |
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the strategy game ''Pai Sho'',<ref name="The Waterbending Scroll">{{cite episode|title=The Waterbending Scroll|url=|airdate=2005-04-29|season=1|number=9|transcripturl=|credits=Director: Anthony Lioi; Writer: John O'Bryan|series=Avatar: The Last Airbender|serieslink=Avatar: The Last Airbender|network=Nickelodeon}}</ref> |
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and pleasant music.<ref name="The Storm">{{cite episode|title=The Storm|url=|airdate=2005-06-03|season=1|number=12|transcripturl=|credits=Director: Lauren MacMullan; Writer: Aaron Ehasz|series=Avatar: The Last Airbender|serieslink=Avatar: The Last Airbender|network=Nickelodeon}}</ref> He later displays skill at playing the [[pipa]] and other musical instruments. Most likely because of his love of tea, he is an amateur [[botany|botanist]], though his misinterpretation of some plant characteristics leads him to accidentally poison himself.<ref name="The Cave of Two Lovers">{{cite episode|title=The Cave of Two Lovers|url=|airdate=2006-03-24|season=2|number=2|transcripturl=|credits=Director: Lauren MacMullan; Writer: Joshua Hamilton|series=Avatar: The Last Airbender|serieslink=Avatar: The Last Airbender|network=Nickelodeon}}</ref> His character is best shown in his relationship with his nephew, Zuko, upon whom he imposes introspection. |
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==Abilities== |
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Instead of anger, Iroh based his bending style on the original firebending wisdom of the dragons and teachings of the Sun Warriors from whom he learned and whose secrets he kept. This philosophy emphasized the beauty and life-giving qualities of fire; thus, Iroh firebent without resorting to anger, hate, or lust, unlike his brother, niece and most other firebenders of his time. It is hinted throughout the series that Iroh is more skilled than his brother, Fire Lord Ozai, but they are never shown in contest, and Iroh himself once stated that he did not know if he could defeat his brother. Most notably, he is also the inventor of a unique technique involving the absorption and redirection of lightning;<ref name="Bitter Work" /> Fire Lord Sozin possessed a similar ability to redirect heat.<ref name="The Avatar and the Fire Lord">{{cite episode|title=The Avatar and the Firelord|url=http://www.avatarspiritmedia.net/episode_guide.php?ep=306|airdate=2007-10-24|season=3|number=6|transcript=Avatar: The Last Airbender. Episode Tanscript|transcripturl=http://www.avatarspiritmedia.net/transcripts.php?ep=306|credits=Director: Ethan Spaulding; Writer: Elizabeth Welch Ehasz|series=Avatar: The Last Airbender|serieslink=Avatar: The Last Airbender|network=Nickelodeon}}</ref> His bodily strength, speed, and agility are belied by his rotund form, but are suggested to improve further during his incarceration. Besides the Avatar, Katara, and Zuko, Iroh is the only character in The Last Airbender shown able to see spirits whilst in the physical world. |
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==Reception== |
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Iroh was an extremely positively received character in the series. He was seen as Zuko’s [[foil (literature)|foil]] with him being the elderly, mellow and wise individual and Zuko being the young abrasive naïve prince.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://animationanomaly.com/2012/08/19/the-avatar-character-analysis-iroh-and-zuko/|title=Avatar Character Analysis|first=Charles|last=Kenny|date=August 19, 2012|publisher=The Animation Anomaly}}</ref> Iroh and Zuko's relationship was praised for its authenticity and humor. Iroh is described as a "mystical buddha" who served as Zuko's moral compass.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://redringsofredemption.com/2014/03/28/the-wisdom-to-be-learned-from-uncle-iroh-avatar-the-last-airbender/|title=The Wisdom to Be Learned from Uncle Iroh|first=Colin|last=McMahon|date=March 28, 2014|publisher=The Red Rings of Redemption}}</ref> In some circles Iroh was viewed as an inspirational character, with his quotes on the series described as encouraging.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://anuradhaedirisuriya.wordpress.com/2011/03/06/irohs-inspirational-quotes/#more-13|title=Iroh’s Inspirational Quotes |
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|first=Anuradha|last=Edirisuriya|date=March 6, 2011|publisher=Wisdom, Justice and Love}}</ref>While many of the series other major characters were maturing throughout the course of the series, Iroh was already a "changed man" who already suffered tremendous loss and "matured" through that loss. Iroh's vignette in the episode "The Tales of Ba Sing Se", was described as an "emotional gut-punch" by reviewer Rebecca Pahle.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.themarysue.com/avatar-the-last-airbender-newbie-recap-tales-of-ba-sing-se/|title=Avatar: The Last Airbender Newbie Recap: “The Tales of Ba Sing Se”|first=Rebecca|last=Pahle|date=September 16, 2014|publisher=The Mary Sue}}</ref> Reviewer Hayden Childs characterized Iroh's vignette as "a lovely piece of storytelling" and praised Mako Iwamatsu's "amazing performance" in the character's short story. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.avclub.com/tvclub/avatar-the-last-airbender-tales-of-ba-sing-seappas-65107|title=Avatar: The Last Airbender: “Tales of Ba Sing Se”/“Appa’s Lost Days”|first=Hayden|last=Childs|date=November 22, 2011|publisher=The A.V. Club}}</ref> Reviewer Matt London admitted to being “reduced to tears” while watching Iroh’s vignette. He praised Iwamatsu’s performance in voicing the character, while characterizing Ozai stealing Iroh’s birthright as the next Fire Lord as “almost Shakespearean”.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tor.com/blogs/2011/05/avatar-rewatch-qtales-of-ba-sing-seq-episode-215|title=Avatar Rewatch: “Tales of Ba Sing Se” (episode 215) |
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|first=Matt|last=London|date=May 12, 2011|publisher=TOR.com}}</ref> Reviewer Keval Shah termed the scene where Iroh sacrificing himself to allow Aang and Katara escape Azula in the season two finale, "The Crossroads of Destiny", as "emotional". Shah praised the "superb development" of the character.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Shah|first1=Keval|title=The Biggest Problem with the Legend of Korra is the Unlikability of its Characters. |url=http://avatarthelegendofkorraonline.com/the-biggest-problem-with-the-legend-of-korra-is-the-unlikability-of-its-characters/5076/|accessdate=27 August 2015|work=Avatar: The Legend of Korra Online|date=2 January 2014}}</ref> |
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Iroh's appearances in the Legend of Korra series was also well-received.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/shows/avatar-the-legend-of-korra/community/post/the-legend-of-korra-a-new-spiritual-age-review-the-light-in-the-teapot-138394750354/|title=The Legend of Korra "A New Spiritual Age" Review: The Light in the Teapot|first=Noel|last=Kirkpatrick|date=November 9, 2013|publisher=TV.com}}</ref> Iroh's advice to Korra where he states “Even in the material world, you will find that if you look for the light, you can often find it; but if you look for the dark, that is all you will ever see.” was observed to bear a striking resemblance to philosophies contained in [[Rhonda Byrne|Rhonda Byrne's]] work [[The Secret (book)|The Secret]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.avclub.com/tvclub/the-legend-of-korra-the-new-spiritual-age-105364|title=The Legend of Korra "A New Spiritual Age" |first=Oliver|last=Sava|date=November 8, 2013|publisher=A.V. Club}}</ref> Iroh's introduction into the series was observed as a plot device to help Korra, who at that point was a somewhat unpopular character among fans and critics alike, become a more likeable protagonist.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.denofgeek.com/tv/the-legend-of-korra/28122/the-legend-of-korra-season-2-episode-10-review-a-new-spiritual-age|title=The Legend of Korra season 2 episode 10 review: A New Spiritual Age|first=Kaci|last=Ferrell|date=November 9, 2013|publisher=Den of Geek}}</ref> |
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==Appearance in other media== |
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[[Shaun Toub]] plays Iroh in the feature film ''[[The Last Airbender]]''. This version of the character is not as comedic as his cartoon counterpart, but retains his role as mentor to Zuko. Unlike other Firebenders in the movie, who require a source of fire to bend, Iroh can generate fire merely by using his [[Qi|chi]]. |
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He also appears in the video game [[Avatar: The Burning Earth]], as both a character in the main story, and in multiplayer mode. |
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==References== |
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{{Reflist|2}} |
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==External links== |
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<!-- Do NOT add any fanfic or fanart websites --> |
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*[http://nicktoons.nick.com/shows/avatar/characters/iroh.html Iroh] at [[Nick.com]] |
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{{Avatar}} |
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{{Portal bar|Nickelodeon|Animation|Television|2000s|Fictional characters}} |
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[[Category:Avatar: The Last Airbender characters]] |
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[[Category:Fictional members of secret societies]] |
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[[Category:Fictional characters with electric or magnetic abilities]] |
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[[Category:Fictional characters with fire or heat abilities]] |
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[[Category:Fictional generals]] |
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[[Category:Fictional wushu practitioners]] |
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[[Category:Fictional princes]] |
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[[Category:Dark Horse Comics characters]] |
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[[Category:Animated human characters]] |
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[[es:Anexo:Personajes de Avatar: la leyenda de Aang#Iroh]] |
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