Iroh

General Iroh (艾洛, Aì Luò), also referred to as Uncle Iroh, is a fictional character in Nickelodeon's animated television series Avatar: The Last Airbender. Created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, the character was voiced by Mako in the first two seasons and, due to Mako's death, by Greg Baldwin in the third season and the sequel series The Legend of Korra.

For other uses of a similar name, see Iro (disambiguation).
Iroh
Avatar: The Last Airbender / The Legend of Korra character
First appearance"The Boy in the Iceberg" (2005)
Created byMichael Dante DiMartino
Bryan Konietzko
Portrayed byShaun Toub
Voiced byMako
(2005–2006)
Greg Baldwin
(2007–2008, 2013–2014)[1]
In-universe information
Full nameIroh
AliasMushi (refugee alias)
SpeciesHuman
GenderMale
TitleGeneral of the Fire Nation Army
Crown Prince of the Fire Nation (formerly)
The Dragon of the West
Grand Lotus of the Order of the White Lotus
OccupationGeneral
Teahouse shopkeeper
Fighting styleCh'ang Quan
Shao Lín Quan
Lóng Xíng Mó Qiáo
Xing Yi Quan
FamilyAzulon (father; deceased)
Ilah (mother; deceased)
Ozai (brother)
ChildrenLu Ten (son; deceased)
Zuko (nephew/adopted son)
RelativesAzula (niece)
Ursa (sister-in-law)
Grandfamily:
Sozin (grandfather; deceased)
Izumi (grandniece)
Iroh II (great-grandnephew)
Unnamed Izumi daughter (great-grandniece)
NationalityFire Nation
Bending elementPrimary:
Sub-styles:

Iroh is a very powerful firebender—i.e., he has the power to telekinetically create and manipulate fire—and a retired general of the Fire Nation. He is the elder brother of Fire Lord Ozai, the ruler of the Fire Nation and leader of its campaign to conquer the other three nations.[2] During the narrative of the series, he accompanies his exiled nephew Zuko on his quest to capture the series's protagonist Aang to restore the young prince's honor and birthright; Iroh acts as a mentor who seeks to help his nephew become a better person than his father.

In the episode "The Tales of Ba Sing Se", Iroh's name was written as 艾洛 (aì lùo). The episode was dedicated "In Honor of Mako", who had died some months before the episode aired.[3]

Character history

Prior to the events in The Last Airbender, Iroh was the firstborn son of Fire Lord Azulon, but Azulon was succeeded by his second son, Ozai, following Iroh's retreat from public affairs[4] after his son Lu Ten died in the siege of the Earth Kingdom's capital Ba Sing Se, which had held against numerous successive Fire Nation efforts at capture during the duration of the Hundred Year War. Iroh had a vision early in life that he would be the one to capture the city, but the death of his only son broke his desire to continue in the effort; having always been driven more by a sense of duty than personal ambition, Iroh abandoned the siege.

Ozai, the far more opportunistic and ambitious of the brothers, attempted to convince their father that, owing to Iroh's shameful defeat, decreased standing in the nation, and lack of heirs, Ozai ought to be made heir to the leadership of the Fire Nation. However, Azulon was incensed at this lack of respect for Iroh's position and his loss and ordered Ozai to kill his own son, Prince Zuko, as an act of atonement. Instead, Ozai conspired with his wife, Princess Ursa, to assassinate Azulon and seize the leadership while Iroh was in mourning and disinterested in state affairs; with the life of her son on the line, Ursa did not feel she could refuse and assisted Ozai in a successful poisoning of Azulon, accepting banishment for her role. Ozai ascended to the position of Fire Lord: although the events immediately following Azulon's secret murder are never depicted in flashbacks, it seems that his death was explained as the result of natural causes and that the still-mourning Iroh had no interest in challenging his brother for control of the nation, instead acquiescing to Ozai's investiture as Fire Lord and entering a permanent semi-retirement from state affairs.

Iroh was believed to have killed off the last of the world's dragons, which along with his ability to breathe fire earned him the title "The Dragon of the West"; but in actuality he was secretly the pupil of the last two dragons, Ran and Shaw, and thus learned from them to drive his firebending powers from vitality rather than from rage as most of his contemporary firebenders did; Iroh lied about killing the last of the dragons to bring an end to the Fire Nation tradition of dragon hunts. He was a high-ranking member (Grand Lotus) of the international secret society known as the Order of the White Lotus.

Plot overview

When the story begins in Book One, Iroh is accompanying the banished Prince Zuko in his quest to capture the Avatar, a superhuman whose task to maintain world order makes him a threat to the Fire Nation's campaign of conquest.[2][5] Having learnt of the plan of Zhao, a Fire National admiral, to kill the moon spirit to take away the Water Tribes' power of waterbending, disrupting the natural order, Iroh attacks Zhao and is named a traitor.

During Book Two, he and his nephew are now fugitives from the Fire Nation.[6] After being gravely wounded by his niece Azula and cared for by his nephew, Iroh teaches Zuko a Waterbending-inspired technique of redirecting lightning, which can be generated by an advanced form of firebending which Zuko, with his unfocused mind, has been unable to master, but which his sister and competitor to the throne, easily commands, being a firebending prodigy.[7] Iroh eventually takes refuge in 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 his friends' escape from the conquered city.[8]

In Book Three, held in a Fire Nation prison, Iroh fakes despair while preparing himself for the solar eclipse, during which Firebending does not work.[9][10] Once the eclipse begins, Iroh escapes his cell, being a formidable opponent even without the use of firebending.[11] In the series finale, Iroh has called the White Lotus to free Ba Sing Se from the Fire Nation—fulfilling his childhood vision, but as a liberator, not a conqueror. After the war ends, Iroh is offered the Firelord’s throne, but he asks Zuko to be crowned instead. Soon after Zuko's coronation as Firelord, Iroh returns to Ba Sing Se to operate his tea shop; the final scenes of the series take place in that shop.[12]

In the comic book sequel The Promise, Iroh offers Aang and Zuko advice on dealing with the Harmony Restoration Movement, a movement that aims to expel members of the Fire Nation ethnic group from Earth Kingdom territory; he also invents bubble tea. In the comic book The Search, Iroh becomes acting Firelord while Zuko travels to locate his mother Ursa. Bored with his new title, he uses his authority to declare a National Tea Appreciation Day.

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 successor as Avatar, Korra, who is trapped unprepared deep in the Spirit World. In the episode "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 the anarchist terrorist 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.

Zuko's grandson is named Iroh in honor of his great-granduncle, and is a general of the United Forces, the armed services of the United Republic of Nations, a multi-ethnic nation founded by Aang and Zuko out of territories that were disputed between the Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom after the end of the Hundred Years War.[13]

Personality

Easygoing, friendly and dryly good-humored, Iroh treats his self-imposed exile like an extended vacation. Something of a hedonist in his old age, he shows more interest in relaxation and amusement than in his nephew's 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.[14][15] Nevertheless, he is a seasoned and wily strategist,[4][7] a powerful Firebending master and a loving and sagely mentor to his nephew. In general, Iroh's inherent nature and the course of his life have brought him to a philosophy that embraces peacefulness, harmony, and mutual understanding rather than conflict. However, when he is personally threatened or observes injustice and violence against the innocent, he is capable of becoming a fierce and intimidating adversary. Contrary to the direction in which his nation has moved in the years since his grandfather Sozin set it on a mission of conquest, Iroh would rather see the four nations live in mutual peace; though he has been unwilling to plunge his nation into civil war by asserting his claim to the position of Firelord (a station he does not want), it becomes increasingly clear that he views his nephew as possessing the potential to lead the nation down a better path, and when the time comes, he encourages Zuko to intercede to prevent the investiture of his sister, the callous and unstable Azula, as the next Firelord. In "Tales of Ba Sing Se", it is suggested that some of 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[16] the strategy game Pai Sho,[17] and pleasant music.[18] He later displays skill at playing the pipa and other musical instruments. 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.[19] His character is best shown in his relationship with his nephew, Zuko, upon whom he imposes introspection.

Firebending and special skills

Iroh is a retired general with a lifetime of combat experience and a reputation of honor, loyalty and integrity. Iroh is highly skilled in firebending; the Avatar show creators based the forms of this fictional form of combat upon the real-life Chinese martial arts techniques of Changquan, Shaolinquan, Lóng Xíng Mó Qiáo and Xing Yi Quan.[20][21][22][23] Iroh also taught Zuko how to redirect lightning, a technique he discovered by studying waterbending.

Reception

Iroh was a well-received character in the series. He was seen as Zuko's foil with him being the elderly, mellow and wise individual and Zuko being the young abrasive naïve prince.[24] 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.[25] In some circles, Iroh was viewed as an inspirational character, with his quotes on the series described as encouraging.[26] 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.[27] Reviewer Hayden Childs characterized Iroh's vignette as "a lovely piece of storytelling" and praised Mako's "amazing performance" in the character's short story.[28] Reviewer Matt London admitted to being "reduced to tears" while watching Iroh's vignette. He praised Mako's performance in voicing the character, while characterizing Ozai stealing Iroh's birthright as the next Fire Lord as "almost Shakespearean".[29] Reviewer Keval Shah termed the scene where Iroh sacrifices himself to allow Aang and Katara to escape Azula in the season two finale, "The Crossroads of Destiny", as "emotional". Shah praised the "superb development" of the character.[30] Iroh's appearances in the Legend of Korra series were also well received.[31] 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.[32]

Appearance in other media

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 chi.

He also appears in the video game Avatar: The Burning Earth, as a character in both the main story, and in multiplayer mode.

References
  1. "Voice Over: Greg Baldwin". SBV. 2006. Archived from the original on 2007-02-11. Retrieved 2007-02-19.
  2. Pittarese, Frank (2006). "Nation Exploration". Nickelodeon Magazine (Winter 2006): 2.
  3. 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.
  4. Director: Lauren MacMullan; Writer: Elizabeth Welch Ehasz (2006-05-12). "Zuko Alone". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 2. Episode 7. Nickelodeon.
  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.
  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.
  7. Director: Ethan Spaulding; Writer: Aaron Ehasz (2006-06-02). "Bitter Work". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 2. Episode 9. Nickelodeon.
  8. "The Crossroads of Destiny". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 2 (Book 2). Episode 20. 2006-12-01. Nickelodeon.
  9. Director: Joaquim dos Santos; Writer: John O'Brien (2007-09-28). "The Headband". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 3. Episode 2. Nickelodeon.
  10. Director: Giancarlo Volpe; Writer: Tim Hedrick (2007-10-12). "Sokka's Master". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 3. Episode 4. Nickelodeon.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. "Next 3 Locations unlocked on Nick.com Interactive site". The Last Airbender Online. Retrieved 2012-04-20.
  14. "Bato of the Water Tribe". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 1 (Book 1). Episode 15. 2006-10-07. Nickelodeon.
  15. Director: Giancarlo Volpe; Writers: Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko (2006-09-15). "The Drill". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 2. Episode 13. Nickelodeon.
  16. Director: Lauren MacMullan; Writer: Michael Dante DiMartino (2005-02-25). "The Southern Air Temple". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 1. Episode 3. Nickelodeon.
  17. Director: Anthony Lioi; Writer: John O'Bryan (2005-04-29). "The Waterbending Scroll". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 1. Episode 9. Nickelodeon.
  18. Director: Lauren MacMullan; Writer: Aaron Ehasz (2005-06-03). "The Storm". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 1. Episode 12. Nickelodeon.
  19. Director: Lauren MacMullan; Writer: Joshua Hamilton (2006-03-24). "The Cave of Two Lovers". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 2. Episode 2. Nickelodeon.
  20. The Lost Scrolls: Fire, page 159 of The Lost Scrolls Collection.
  21. http://www.kungfumagazine.com/ezine/article.php?article=1038
  22. "Nickelodeon's Official Avatar: The Last Airbender Flash Site". Nick.com. Retrieved December 2, 2006.
  23. Director: Ethan Spaulding; Writer: Elizabeth Welch Ehasz (April 7, 2006). "Return to Omashu". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 2. Episode 3. Nickelodeon.
  24. Kenny, Charles (August 19, 2012). "Avatar Character Analysis". The Animation Anomaly.
  25. McMahon, Colin (March 28, 2014). "The Wisdom to Be Learned from Uncle Iroh". The Red Rings of Redemption. Archived from the original on February 9, 2015.
  26. Edirisuriya, Anuradha (March 6, 2011). "Iroh's Inspirational Quotes". Wisdom, Justice and Love.
  27. Pahle, Rebecca (September 16, 2014). "Avatar: The Last Airbender Newbie Recap: "The Tales of Ba Sing Se"". The Mary Sue.
  28. Childs, Hayden (November 22, 2011). "Avatar: The Last Airbender: "Tales of Ba Sing Se"/"Appa's Lost Days"". The A.V. Club.
  29. London, Matt (May 12, 2011). "Avatar Rewatch: "Tales of Ba Sing Se" (episode 215)". TOR.com.
  30. Shah, Keval (2 January 2014). "The Biggest Problem with the Legend of Korra is the Unlikability of its Characters". Avatar: The Legend of Korra Online. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
  31. Kirkpatrick, Noel (November 9, 2013). "The Legend of Korra "A New Spiritual Age" Review: The Light in the Teapot". TV.com.
  32. Ferrell, Kaci (November 9, 2013). "The Legend of Korra season 2 episode 10 review: A New Spiritual Age". Den of Geek.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.