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Iroh

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Iroh
File:Iroh ID BitterWork.png
Voiced byMako (season 1-2)
Greg Baldwin (season 3)[1]
In-universe information
AliasesThe Dragon of the West
Mushi (refugee alias)
GenderMale
PositionAntihero (Book 1)
Supporting character (Book 2 & 3)
NationalityFire Nation

Iroh (also known as The Dragon of the West, and most commonly referred to as "Uncle" by his niece and nephew) is a fictional character in Nickelodeon's animated television series Avatar: The Last Airbender. The character, created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, was voiced by Mako in the first and second seasons, but after Mako's death of esophageal cancer, Iroh was voiced by Greg Baldwin in the third season. The short story "The Tale of Iroh", in episode 15 of Season Two, "The Tales of Ba Sing Se", was dedicated "In Honor of Mako".[2]

Iroh is a Firebending master and a former Crown Prince of the Fire Nation, a race of people who can create and manipulate fire.[3] He is a retired General of the Fire Nation, and elder brother of Fire Lord Ozai. Iroh accompanied his exiled nephew, Zuko, on his quest to capture Aang, the long-lost Avatar, in order to restore the young prince's honor and rights to the throne.

In "Tales of Ba Sing Se", Iroh’s name was written as 艾洛 (aì lùo).

History

In the second season, Iroh was revealed to be the firstborn son of Fire Lord Azulon and Fire Lady Ilah; but when his brother Ozai became Fire Lord, Iroh took no action to claim his kingdom,[4] as he was grieving the death of his only son, Lu Ten, in the Siege of Ba Sing Se. In The Firebending Masters, Zuko states that Iroh killed off the last of their world's dragons, earning him the title "Dragon of the West"; but later learns that Iroh was secretly the dragons' pupil, and thus learned to derive his fire bending powers from vitality rather than from the conventional rage. In the 2 hour episode event "Sozin's Comet" it is revealed that he is a Grand-Lotus, or high-ranking member, of an international secret society named the "Order of the White Lotus", which is also composed of Katara's, Aang's, and Sokka's old masters: Waterbending Master Pakku, Omashu King and Earthbending Master Bumi, Firebending Master Jeong Jeong, and Swordmaster Piandao respectively.

Plot overview

When the story begins, Iroh is shown accompanying the banished Prince Zuko, searching in vain for the Avatar, the embodied spirit of the planet.[3][5] Upon discovering the Avatar and his friends, Zuko and Iroh pursue them throughout the serial's first season. At the end of season 1, Iroh is Admiral Zhao's chief adviser for his invasion of the North; but when Admiral Zhao threatens their world's spiritual balance, Iroh attacks Zhao and is subsequently blamed for the failure of the invasion.

At the beginning of Season Two, Iroh and Zuko are fugitives from the Fire Nation,[6] and take refuge in the Earth Kingdom.[7] Iroh later teaches Zuko certain advanced Firebending techniques necessary against Princess Azula, including one to absorb and redirect lightning, developed after studying Waterbenders.[8] Iroh and Zuko eventually reach Ba Sing Se, the Earth Kingdom's capital, where they live operating a tea-house until Azula convinces Zuko to help her conquer the city and defeat the Avatar. There, Iroh defends a wounded Aang and Katara after Zuko betrays him, and is imprisoned by Azula's new allies, the Dai Li.[9]

In season three, Iroh—held in Fire Nation prison—refuses to talk to Zuko after what he did at Ba Sing Se,[10] but eventually reveals that Zuko is descended from Avatar Roku. Though he poses as a psychologically broken man to the Fire Nation guards, Iroh remains mentally sharp, and when not observed he spends his time exercising his muscles.[11] During a solar eclipse, he escapes prison. [12] In the series finalé, he has reunited with the international Order of the White Lotus, and eventually forgives Zuko and declines his own right to the Fire Nation's throne. He later liberates Ba Sing Se from Fire Nation control. In the final scene, he is seen with the rest of the cast, relaxing at his new tea shop.[13]

In the sequel series The Legend of Korra, Zuko's grandson (therefore Iroh's own great-great-nephew) is named Iroh and is a member of the United Forces.[14]

Personality

Easygoing, friendly, and dryly good-humored, Iroh treats his self-imposed exile as an extended vacation. Something of a hedonist in his old age, he shows more interest in relaxation and amusements 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.[15][16]Nevertheless[8] he is a seasoned and wily strategist,[4] 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.

Iroh is particularly fond of food, good tea,[17] the strategy game Pai Sho,[18] and pleasant music.[19] He later displays skill at playing the pipa and other musical instruments, including the common instrument, the Tsungi Horn. Most likely because of his love of tea, he is an amateur botanist, though his misinterpretation of some plant characteristics leads him to accidentally poison himself.[20]. His character is best shown in his relationship with his nephew, Zuko, upon whom he imposes introspection.

Abilities

Iroh is a powerful Firebender; but his martial style tends to be less aggressive than others, although he is seldom shown vanquished except by his own disappointments. 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 it was possible that he could not defeat his brother in combat. Most notably, he is also the inventor of a unique technique involving the absorption and redirection of lightning, [8] although Firelord Sozin possessed a similar ability to redirect heat.[21] Iroh is the only character, besides the Avatar shown able to see spirits whilst in the physical world. His bodily strength, speed, and agility are much greater than suggested by his rotund form; but are suggested to improve further during his incarceration.

Appearance in other media

Iroh appears in the feature film The Last Airbender played by Shaun Toub. This version 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, Iroh was capable of generating fire without one.

References

  1. ^ "Voice Over: Greg Baldwin". SBV. 2006. Archived from the original on 2007-02-11. Retrieved 2007-02-19.
  2. ^ Director: Ethan Spaulding; Writers: Joann Estoesta, Lisa Wahlander, Andrew Huebner, Gary Scheppke, Lauren MacMullan, Katie Mattila, Justin Ridge, Giancarlo Volpe (2006-09-29). "Tales of Ba Sing Se". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 2. Episode 15. Nickelodeon. {{cite episode}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |transcripturl= (help); Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ a b Pittarese, Frank (2006). "Nation Exploration". Nickelodeon Magazine (Winter 2006): 2.
  4. ^ a b Director: Lauren MacMullan; Writer: Elizabeth Welch Ehasz (2006-05-12). "Zuko Alone". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 2. Episode 7. Nickelodeon. {{cite episode}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |transcripturl= (help); Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ Director: Dave Filoni; Writers: Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko (2005-02-21). "The Avatar Returns". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 1. Episode 2. Nickelodeon. {{cite episode}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |transcripturl= (help); Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ Director: Giancarlo Volpe; Writers: Aaron Ehasz, Elizabeth Welch Ehasz, Tim Hedrick, John O'Bryan (2006-03-17). "The Avatar State". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 2. Episode 1. Nickelodeon. {{cite episode}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |transcripturl= (help); Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ Director: Giancarlo Volpe; Writer: Tim Hedrick (2006-04-14). "The Swamp". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 2. Episode 4. Nickelodeon. {{cite episode}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |transcripturl= (help); Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ a b c Director: Ethan Spaulding; Writer: Aaron Ehasz (2006-06-02). "Bitter Work". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 2. Episode 9. Nickelodeon. {{cite episode}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |transcripturl= (help); Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  9. ^ "The Crossroads of Destiny". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 2 (Book 2). Episode 20. 2006-12-01. Nickelodeon. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |episodelink= ignored (|episode-link= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ Director: Joaquim dos Santos; Writer: John O'Brien (2007-09-28). "The Headband". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 3. Episode 2. Nickelodeon. {{cite episode}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |transcripturl= (help); Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ Director: Giancarlo Volpe; Writer: Tim Hedrick (2007-10-12). "Sokka's Master". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 3. Episode 4. Nickelodeon. {{cite episode}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |transcripturl= (help); Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ Director: Joaquim dos Santos; Writer: Aaron Ehasz (2007-11-26). "The Day of Black Sun Part 2: The Eclipse". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 3. Episode 11. Nickelodeon. {{cite episode}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |transcripturl= (help); Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ Director: Ethan Spaulding; Writers: Elizabeth Welch Ehasz, Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko (2008-07-19). "Sozin's Comet". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 3. Episode 58–61. Nickelodeon.
  14. ^ "Next 3 Locations unlocked on Nick.com Interactive site". The Last Airbender Online. Retrieved 04/20/2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  15. ^ "Bato of the Water Tribe". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 1 (Book 1). Episode 15. 2006-10-07. Nickelodeon. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |episodelink= ignored (|episode-link= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ Director: Giancarlo Volpe; Writers: Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko (2006-09-15). "The Drill". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 2. Episode 13. Nickelodeon. {{cite episode}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |transcripturl= (help); Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ Director: Lauren MacMullan; Writer: Michael Dante DiMartino (2005-02-25). "The Southern Air Temple". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 1. Episode 3. Nickelodeon. {{cite episode}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |transcripturl= (help); Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  18. ^ Director: Anthony Lioi; Writer: John O'Bryan (2005-04-29). "The Waterbending Scroll". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 1. Episode 9. Nickelodeon. {{cite episode}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |transcripturl= (help); Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  19. ^ Director: Lauren MacMullan; Writer: Aaron Ehasz (2005-06-03). "The Storm". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 1. Episode 12. Nickelodeon. {{cite episode}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |transcripturl= (help); Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  20. ^ Director: Lauren MacMullan; Writer: Joshua Hamilton (2006-03-24). "The Cave of Two Lovers". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 2. Episode 2. Nickelodeon. {{cite episode}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |transcripturl= (help); Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  21. ^ Director: Ethan Spaulding; Writer: Elizabeth Welch Ehasz (2007-10-24). "The Avatar and the Firelord". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 3. Episode 6. Nickelodeon. {{cite episode}}: External link in |transcripturl= (help); Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |transcripturl= ignored (|transcript-url= suggested) (help)
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