Ozai's relationships

This page comprises of Ozai's relationships with other characters in the series. Like his daughter Azula, his cruelty and ego causes him to immediately gain enemies, making him hated and feared by almost everyone he comes in contact with. Ozai never has much sympathy for the people around him, even family, as world domination seems to be all he clearly cares about.

Relatives
To Ozai, family seems to be nothing in comparison to world domination. It has been hinted that at one point in time he seemed to care about his family more, though how much or for how long this lasted is never known. While he may have some respect for his talented daughter, Azula, Ozai uses his children solely to his advantage. By the end of the series it is possible that Ozai has lost all love for his family because of their defeats, betrayals and his cruel treatment of them.

Azulon

 * "Father, revoke Iroh's birthright. I am your humble servant, here to serve you and our nation. Use me." - Ozai to Azulon in a flashback of Zuko Alone



Little is known about Ozai and his father's relationship, however it seems that Azulon favored Iroh, as he was a strong defender of his birth right. It is possible that the way Ozai treats Zuko is because of the way Azulon treated him. It was also revealed that Azulon ordered Ozai to kill his own son, Zuko as punishment for trying to steal Iroh's birth right after the death of Lu Ten, which Ozai would have done if it was not for the intervention of Ursa. Ozai didn't seem very upset over his father's death, most likely due to the fact that his father favored Iroh over him. It may also be likely the reason why Ozai named Azula after his father and demonstrated her military knowledge and Firebending talent to Azulon is as a way to earn his father's respect and recognition.

Iroh

 * "Perhaps he can pass down to you the ways of tea and failure." - Ozai to Zuko on Iroh in The Day of Black Sun, Part 2: The Eclipse

Though not much is explicitly stated about the relationship between Ozai and his brother, it seems that one can compare it to the relationship between Azula and Zuko. While Ozai is an amoral, merciless egoist, his brother a wise, compassionate cosmopolitan. It is unknown if the brothers were ever on good terms; regardless, by the time the series begins the two of them mutually distrust the other. Iroh knows that Ozai is insane, but fears his great power, and places his hope in the Avatar. Ozai, who derives satisfaction from other's adoration, despises Iroh simply for his own disdain of him.

Because Iroh is Ozai's older brother, he should have been next in line to succeed Azulon as Fire Lord. By the time that Azulon had died, it is evident that Ozai developed a deep hate for his brother, perhaps angry that he was not the immediate heir to the throne (or on a more emotional standard that many members of his family such as his father, wife and son seemed to have a higher respect for Iroh than him). After Iroh's son died in the Siege of Ba Sing Se, Ozai was quick to take advantage of Iroh's vulnerability, and informed Azulon that with Lu Ten gone, Iroh had no heirs, so it would be more fitting for himself to be Fire Lord. Azulon denied this request, instead intending to punish Ozai for seeking to steal Iroh's birthright. In the aftermath of this fallout, Ozai ultimately stole the throne from Iroh after Azulon's mysterious death. Iroh did not resist this course of action, likely because he was too broken over Lu Ten's death, or because he in fact never sought power.

Their relationship did not improve during Ozai's reign. Iroh was horrified by Ozai's decision to burn Zuko's face after their Agni Kai, and tried to sway Zuko away from the path Ozai had chosen. After Iroh betrayed the Fire Nation upon defending the Moon and Ocean Spirits from Admiral Zhao at the Northern Water Tribe, Ozai deemed Iroh a traitor and ordered Azula to bring him back in chains. He did not regret leaving his brother to rot in prison after his capture in Ba Sing Se.

Zuko

 * "You will obey me, or this defiant breath will be your last!" - Ozai to Zuko in The Day of Black Sun, Part 2: The Eclipse



Ozai and Zuko have always had a complicated relationship. Though Zuko always wanted to please Ozai, Ozai was never pleased with Zuko, saying he was lucky to be born, unlike Azula, whom he said was born lucky. Ozai seemed to have tried to have been a good father when he was younger, but almost all his love for Zuko vanished when Zuko "disrespected" Ozai by speaking against one of his general's plans. This resulted in Ozai burning Zuko's eye, permanently scarring him in an Agni Kai Zuko never wanted to participate in. He was banished after the pathetic display he had shown during the Agni Kai, and could only return home if he captured the avatar. However, he finally won back Ozai's love when he helped his sister conquer Ba Sing Se, betray his uncle, and killed the avatar (which Azula lied about to protect herself if the Avatar was alive).

During the "Day of Black Sun", Zuko comes to the conclusion to join Team Avatar in their quest to defeat Ozai and bring balance to the world. Zuko confronts Ozai in his underground bunker and says he's going to tell him the truth, Ozai, amused by this, lets him speak. Zuko reveals that it was Azula, not he, who killed the Avatar, and that the Avatar was alive and was likely leading the invasion. Zuko disowns his father and states he no longer wants Ozai's love. He then announces his decision to join the Avatar and that he would free his uncle from prison. While leaving, Ozai deems him a coward and baits his son to stay until the sun comes out by revealing what happened to his long-lost mother. According to Ozai, Azulon did order him to kill Zuko, and that he would have done it if Ursa had not found out. To protect Zuko, she proposed a plan where Ozai would become Fire Lord, and Zuko would live. By doing this she commited vicious acts of treason, resulting in her banishment. Zuko is nearly moved to tears by this news. Before he can leave however, the eclipse ends and Ozai tries to kill Zuko by zapping him with a powerful bolt of lightning. Zuko redirects it and escapes before Ozai can retaliate.

Zuko openly showed his hatred toward his father with the rest of Team Avatar, as he openly stated that Ozai was the worst father ever. He insisted that as the Avatar, Aang had to kill Ozai, a task Aang did not want to partake in. Aang defeats Ozai by taking his bending away.

Zuko visits his father in prison, and is evidently satisfied with Ozai's loss of bending. Zuko hopes that after some time in prison, Ozai will be put on the right path, and he praises his father for banishing him, saying it was the best thing he could have ever done for him. Ozai likely harbors a deep grudge against his son for contributing to his downfall and Zuko becoming the Fire Lord instead of Azula. Before leaving, Ozai wants to know why Zuko is visiting him in prison, which leads to Zuko demanding to know where his mother is. It is unknown what Ozai's response was.

Azula

 * "She's a true prodigy, just like her grandfather for whom she's named." - Ozai talking about Azula to Azulon in a flashback of Zuko Alone



Unlike Zuko, Azula is Ozai's pride, sharing her fathers disposition towards cruelty and violence. Ozai always favored Azula, saying she was born lucky, as opposed to Zuko, who he said was lucky to be born. Ozai was always impressed and proud of Azula's Firebending abilities and intelligence. As Ozai's dislike of Zuko grew over the years, so did his favoritism of Azula. Without a mother figure, Azula and Zuko had to live up to their father. Azula succeeded, however; she was pressured to be a perfectionist, settling for nothing less, as Ozai wouldn't be as proud. Ozai also was very trustful of Azula, believing her lie that Zuko slayed the Avatar.

On The Day of Black Sun, Part 2: The Eclipse, Zuko revealed to Ozai that Azula took down the Avatar, and lied to protect herself. Even though Ozai seemed furious with Zuko, Azula did not seem to have had any signs of being punished because when she was next seen in The Boiling Rock, she was just as calm and focused as ever. However, the betrayal of her friends caused Azula to mentally crumble, affecting her and Ozai's relationship forever. On the day of Ozai's coronation as Phoenix King, Ozai informs Azula that he will not be taking her with him to burn down the Earth Kingdom. At first Azula is extremely upset, feeling her father does not want her and is treating her like Zuko. Ozai harshly silences her, but then calmly and more kindly tells her that he has decided to make her Fire Lord. This makes her happy, however, the damage was already done, and Azula still felt hurt and betrayed, resulting in her complete descent into madness. Although not overtly addressed, Ozai's decision to exclude Azula from joining him in the destruction of the Earth Kingdom may have been influenced by Azula's growing mental instability (a fact that he more than likely was aware of at the time) as well as from a growing mistrust of Azula and her true motivations following Zuko's revelation to him that it was Azula who was the one who slayed the Avatar.

Despite his apparent pride in Azula's Firebending and sheer prowess, it is clear that Ozai holds little true, unconditional love for Azula. Like Zuko, she is largely a tool to further his own efforts at conquering the world. Azula was apparently aware of this, and with Ursa's outlook on her and Mai and Ty Lee's betrayal, she was unable to bottle up her inner turmoil, leading her to complete insanity.

It is not known if Ozai or Azula interacted again after their respective defeats or what their feelings are towards one another at this point.

Lu Ten

 * "With Lu Ten gone, Iroh's bloodline has ended." - Ozai talking about Lu Ten to Azulon in a flashback of Zuko Alone

Barely anything is known about the relationship between Ozai and his nephew, however, it was shown that Ozai was very unsympathetic to Lu Ten's death, as he tried to gain the throne by telling Azulon that with Lu Ten dead, Iroh's bloodline has ended. Due to his strong dislike of Iroh he most likely didn't appreciate his nephew, viewing him as an obstacle in his quest to become Fire Lord.

Love Interests
Ozai has only had one known love interest, his wife, Ursa who was later banished.

Ursa

 * "Your mother did vicious, treasonous things that night, and for her treason, she was banished." - Ozai talking about Ursa to Zuko in The Day of Black Sun, Part 2: The Eclipse



According to audio commentary for Zuko Alone, Ozai and Ursa's marriage started out good even though it was arranged. However, because of their different personalities, they slowly grew apart. Together they had two children, Zuko and Azula. Their different personalities also shaped the lives of their children, each of them being favored by a different parent. Their marriage finally came to an end a day before Ozai would be crowned Fire Lord. According to Ozai, his father ordered him to kill Zuko. Ursa found out however, and she and Ozai made a plan where Ozai would be Fire Lord, and Zuko would be spared. Ozai stated that she committed vicious acts of treason, and for her treason, she was banished. Ozai didn't seem that upset that he lost his wife, as being Fire Lord was likely enough to make him feel better.

During the events on the Day of Black Sun, Ozai used his knowledge of Ursa's disappearance to distract Zuko, who had just announced his renouncement of loyalty to him. Ozai revealed to Zuko the true nature of Ursa's departure and even acknowledged that she might still be alive. He then attacked Zuko with lightning when the eclipse ended, only to be repelled by Zuko.

After Zuko was crowned Fire Lord upon his father's defeat, he demanded to know where his mother was as Ozai was in prison. It is not known what his answer was.

Enemies
Ozai has a vast list of enemies. He is hated by people from the other surviving nations and also from the Fire Nation.

Aang

 * "You're weak, just like the rest of your people! They did not to deserve to exist in this world. My world! Prepare to join them. Prepare to die!" - Ozai to Aang in Sozin's Comet, Part 4: Avatar Aang



Ozai never formally met the Avatar until the end of the series. When he found out Aang was alive, he took immediate action, promoting Zhao to Admiral to increase his chances of capturing the Avatar. Ozai also ordered wanted posters to be hung all over the Earth Kingdom to increase his chances of capturing Aang. Ozai finally faces Aang on the day of Sozin's Comet. At first they seem to be evenly matched in their fight. However, Aang's hestitation to kill Ozai gives Ozai the advantage. Ozai nearly defeats Aang and is openly mocking him, until he accidentally opens Aang's Seventh Chakra, sending him into the Avatar State. Aang easily overwhelmes Ozai while in the Avatar State, but instead of killing him, he takes his Firebending away using Energybending. This resulted in Ozai's defeat and imprisonment.

Team Avatar

 * "I am the Phoenix King, ugh!" - Ozai after being taunted by Sokka in Sozin's Comet, Part 4: Avatar Aang



Besides Zuko and Aang, Ozai never formally met the rest of Team Avatar. However he did breifly meet Sokka, Toph, and Suki right after Aang defeated him. Seeing he was powerless, the three of them came up with nicknames like, "The Loser Lord", "Phoenix King of Getting His Butt Whooped", and "King of The Guys Who... Don't Win" (which was comically made by Suki). Ozai could only lie down and drool while hearing those insults.

It is interesting to note that Katara was the only full-time member of Team Avatar who never met Ozai, even though she is likely the most influencial member to him aside from Zuko and Aang, as she defeated Azula. His ever changing opinions of Azula would also make it interesting to see what Ozai thinks of Katara.