Zuko's relationships

This page comprises of Zuko's relationships with other characters in the series.

Fire Lord Ozai

 * "All I wanted was for you to love me, to accept me. I thought it was my honor that I wanted, but really, I was trying to please you. You, my father, who banished me just for talking out of turn! My father who challenged me, a thirteen year-old boy, to an Agni Kai! How can you possibly justify a duel with a child?" -Zuko confronting Ozai in "The Day of Black Sun, Part 2: The Eclipse"



Though Zuko was once moved to tears by his father's upbraiding of him in the Agni Kai arena, his present feelings towards Fire Lord Ozai seem mixed at best. He was resentful of Ozai's favoritism towards his sister, Azula, but it is unknown how much of this anger is directed at Ozai himself. Ozai had told his son he was "lucky to be born", (as opposed to his sister being "born lucky") and told Azula he considers Zuko "a miserable failure". Despite this, perhaps the most significant driving force behind Zuko's desire to regain his honor is that it will allow him to regain his father's love. Ozai welcomed his son home with open arms and pride in his false accomplishment: the slaying of the Avatar.

During the events of the Day of Black Sun, Zuko decided to join the Avatar in his quest to defeat Ozai. Before leaving, however, Zuko confronted Ozai in his underground bunker and faced off with him during the eclipse. Zuko revealed that it was Azula who killed the Avatar, not him, and that the Avatar was in fact alive. Ozai nearly fights Zuko out of rage at this revelation, but was helpless without his firebending, and would have had to face Zuko's swordsmanship. Zuko renounced his desire for his father's love, realizing that Ozai was incapable of love. He then announced his decision to join the Avatar and leaves, saying that it was the Avatar's destiny to kill his father. Ozai deemed him a coward and a traitor, and distracted his son by revealing what happened to his long-lost mother. According to Ozai, Ursa was banished in connection with the death of Fire Lord Azulon, who ordered Ozai to kill Zuko as punishment for his demands to replace Iroh as Fire Lord. Ozai had every intention of killing Zuko, but Ursa stopped him by helping him claim the throne. Zuko was filled with happiness and shock at this new knowledge, but when the eclipse ends, Ozai attacked him with a double lightning strike. However, Zuko redirected the lightning at his father as Iroh taught him to do, buying him time to escape and begin his mission to stop his father.

Zuko evidently began welcoming his father's demise prior to the arrival of Sozin's Comet, as he openly stated that Ozai was the worst father ever. He insisted that as the Avatar, Aang had to kill Ozai in order to save the world: a task Aang felt reluctant to conduct. However, after the battle, Zuko visited his father in prison, and is evidently satisfied with Aang's punishment on Ozai: The permanent loss of his firebending. Zuko hoped that maybe after some time in prison, Ozai will soon be redeemed, and he even praises his father for banishing him, as it helped him to realize his destiny. Ozai was no happier to see Zuko in his prison cell, than he was to see him in his underground bunker.

Before leaving, Zuko demanded to know where his mother is. It has yet to be seen what Ozai's answer was.

Uncle Iroh

 * "He's the one who's been a real father to me!" - Zuko to Ozai in "The Day of Black Sun, Part 2: The Eclipse"



Iroh is Zuko's uncle, mentor, Firebending teacher, adviser, caretaker and de facto father figure. The tolerant and even-keeled foil to Zuko's impulsiveness, Iroh tempers Zuko's anger with practical advice and a wry sense of humor. Though Iroh is a hard instructor, his merciless drilling in Firebending basics has served to improve Zuko's skill. Iroh was sympathetic to Zuko (having likewise fallen from grace due to an infamous military failure in his days as a Fire Nation General ) and pleaded that he not be so relentless in his search. Although he often teased Zuko, who impatiently balked at his advice, they care deeply about each other. He even thought of Zuko as his surrogate child, (his own son having died) and worried over him accordingly. Iroh was constantly guiding Zuko, and tried to help him to make good choices. In turn, Zuko deeply loved his uncle, and was greatly touched when Iroh indirectly praised him. When Zuko was once confronted with the choice of tracking the Avatar or saving a kidnapped Iroh, he chose the latter without hesitation. Both depended on each other in exile. Iroh was considered by the Fire Lord to be "a traitor", blamed for the failure of the siege of the Northern Water Tribe after he attacked Admiral Zhao for killing the mortal form of the Moon Spirit.

Zuko separated from his uncle and they both began traveling solo. This occurred after Iroh explained to Zuko that capturing the Avatar at this point would probably not immediately grant him his honor and throne. Zuko left, believing that they no longer had anything to gain from traveling together ("I need to find my own way"). Iroh discreetly continued to follow his nephew's trail, ensuring that if Zuko ever needed him, he would be there.

Zuko and Iroh rejoined during a battle with Azula and Aang's group. Their reunion was cut short, however, when Iroh was severely injured by Azula. Later, it is evident Zuko had been helping Iroh recover (going so far as to making tea for him). Once Iroh is recovered enough, he began to teach Zuko how to channel lightning through his body, but refused to aim one at him for practice due to the risks involved.

Iroh finally lost his temper, and berated Zuko for his lack of forethought in his plans-- in the most recent case, discovering Appa before the rest of the main cast does. While Iroh's words were harsh, Zuko ultimately seemed to respect the sentiments behind them, opting to release Appa-- knowing the bison will return to Aang. At the end of the episode, at his uncle's suggestion, he dropped his Blue Spirit mask into the lake, and it disappeared. He and Zuko arrived back at their apartment where Iroh once again congratulated him for letting Appa go, but Zuko said that he "doesn't feel right" before passing out on the floor. During Zuko's illness, Iroh gladly took care of his nephew. However, during a battle in the Crystal Catacombs, Zuko sided with Azula and betrayed Iroh. Iroh turned his head from Zuko, which signified that he was ashamed of the choices that his nephew had made.

Once Iroh was taken back to the Fire Nation as a prisoner, he refused to talk to Zuko, despite his frequent visits and his confusion. Iroh eventually broke his silence when he told Zuko that Avatar Roku was his maternal Great-grandfather. He told Zuko that he might be able to redeem their family and that he can restore balance in the world, signifying that although his nephew had betrayed him, he still had faith in Zuko. He then gave Zuko a crown which Sozin once gave to Roku; a royal artifact to only be worn by the crown prince of the Fire Nation.

During the events of the Day of Black Sun, Zuko chose to join the Avatar and decided to break Iroh out of prison. He would then ask for his Uncle's forgiveness for his previous betrayal at Ba Sing Se. However, Iroh escaped from prison himself long before Zuko arrived, and Zuko was forced to leave without him.

Zuko said often that Iroh was more of a father to him. Also, Zuko attempted to tell his new found friends Iroh's favorite tea joke, but was unsuccessful when he only remembers the punch line. He then told an Iroh-like proverb to Sokka, that apparently made "no sense at all".

Zuko expressed his guilt over betraying his uncle on several occasions after joining Team Avatar. Prior to the arrival of Sozin's Comet, Zuko learned that Iroh is the new leader of the Order of the White Lotus, and that his uncle intended on liberating Ba Sing Se. Zuko reunited with his uncle before the final battle, and sobs as he begged for his uncle's forgiveness. Iroh embraced his nephew in an emotional hug, stating that he was never angry with Zuko, just sad that he had lost his way, and is now happy that Zuko found his way to him. He was proud to find that Zuko has finally found peace with himself and his destiny, and the two finally make up.

Before departing to fight Azula, Zuko asked if Iroh will accept his rule as Fire Lord. Iroh said no, as Zuko is the far more suitable heir: an idealist with a pure heart. Zuko was unsure due to his history of misdeeds, but Iroh assured him that since Zuko has learned from his mistakes, he will know how to rule as a man of peace and love. Zuko was emboldened by his Uncle's wise words, and then asks Katara to join him in the facing of his sister.

When the war ends and Zuko became Fire Lord, he celebrated the victory with his uncle at the Jasmine Dragon, their tea shop in Ba Sing Se, which has been reopened. Zuko even helps Iroh to serve tea to their friends, just like old times.

Princess Azula

 * "Azula always lies." - Zuko repeating to himself in "Zuko Alone"



Azula is Zuko's younger sister by about two years. Azula seemed to take great pleasure in the punishment inflicted on her brother, and may hold a desire to inherit the throne. Zuko expressed resentment towards her, as she was a Firebending prodigy and the favored sibling. Fire Lord Ozai gave Azula the task of capturing Iroh and Zuko. Azula attempted but fails to capture them, (now considered traitors of the Fire Nation) luring Zuko with the lie that Fire Lord Ozai wanted him back home. When he discovered this lie however he angrily attacks her, but is no match for her fire bending abilities and skills in hand to hand combat. She enjoyed tormenting her brother, calling him by a disliked nickname, "Zuzu", and mentioning his inferiority in their father's eyes.

It was revealed in Zuko's dream state, that Azula had a great deal of influence over him (arguably rivaling his uncle's influence). This is only furthered when Azula successfully convinces Zuko to betray their uncle, aid her against Aang and Katara, and finally conquer Ba Sing Se. Azula later lies to her father and gives Zuko the credit for Aang's supposed death. Upon their return home, and very slowly, Azula seems to grow affectionate of Zuko, warning him of visiting their uncle. They also share both a nostalgic and depressing feeling after visiting their old beach home on Ember Island, and she helps him sort through his anger and his conflicted feelings of betraying Iroh, although she calls him pathetic for letting these feelings get to him.

Zuko revealed to his father during the Day of Black Sun that Azula was the one who took down the Avatar and that he managed to survive the attack. Although Ozai seemed to have dismissed this, Azula and Zuko once again faced off on top of a gondola out of the Boiling Rock prison. This time, Zuko fought Azula with relative ease, deflecting her signature blue fire with his new style of Firebending. Also, Zuko's love for Azula's friend Mai prompted her to defend Zuko from Azula by buying him time to escape from the Boiling Rock. This ultimately resulted in Mai abandoning Azula, as did Ty Lee when Azula tried to attack Mai. Zuko's role in Mai and Ty Lee's change of heart has left Azula angrier at Zuko than ever before.

Azula attacked Zuko and the gang at the Western Air Temple, with every intent to kill Zuko. Her determination was likely fueled by Mai and Ty Lee's betrayal of her at the Boiling Rock. During the attack, Zuko attacked Azula's airship, only to fall off. Just when she thought she's won, Zuko arrived on the captured airship, engaging Azula in mid-air. When Azula delivered the fatal blow, Zuko launched an equally powerful attack that blows both siblings off the airship. Zuko was saved, but Azula fell. However, she managed to propel herself towards a cliff and break her fall.

It was noteworthy that while Azula fell, Zuko showed regret that his sister was apparently going to die. However, this was quelled when she stopped her fall. Due to this, and Azula's affection for Zuko during their time together does display that at their best, the two do care about one another, but due to their upbringing (Azula through Ozai, and Zuko through Ursa and Iroh) and contrasting views on life, they cannot coexist together. Their relationship is arguably the most complex and dynamic presented in the series. There is bitterness, anger, resentment, and jealousy on both sides from the favoritism their parents show, but Zuko expresses this, and is therefore better equipped to deal with his jealousy. Azula on the other hand, being raised by Ozai, is taught that such expression and feeling are cowardly and pathetic. Thus, she forces these feelings to her subconscious, allowing them to build and forcing her to push them further down. They eventually boil over, and her inability to deal with them, as well as the previous betrayal of her only two friends Mai and Ty Lee, resulted in her apparent loss of sanity.

Zuko decided to face Azula during the arrival of Sozin's Comet in order to regain his birthright to become Fire Lord. He battles his crazed sister alongside Katara, and senses that his sister's descent into madness has weakened her. Azula challenges him to an Agni Kai, eager to finish off her brother, and he accepts. Their battle is vicious, and very closely matched. Eventually as she begins to tire Zuko gains the upper hand and begins to taunt her, calling her a coward for not using any lightning. In her frenzied state she takes the bait and prepares to fire it, as Zuko waits to redirect it and end their battle. At the last moment, she chooses instead to fire at a vulnerable Katara. Zuko dives in front of the bolt to save Katara, and despite not being in the correct stance manages to redirect most of the lightning, but the remaining energy leaves him incapacitated. So he is forced to watch as Azula continues her attack on Katara, unable to help. The battle ends in Azula's defeat when Katara chains her to the ground. Zuko is then healed by Katara, and the two of them look in horror and pity as Azula completely loses her mind, breathing fire everywhere and uncontrollably crying and screaming until she passed out. Zuko may harbor some sympathy for her fate seeing his reaction to her mental breakdown.

Azula is currently imprisoned in a mental health facility and it is likely that Zuko's relationship with her will never be fixed unless otherwise is revealed in The Last Airbender: Legend of Korra.

Princess Ursa

 * "Remember this Zuko: No matter how things may seem to change, never forget who you are." - Ursa to Zuko in "Zuko Alone"

Little has been revealed of the relationship between Zuko and his mother, Ursa. It was hinted that Zuko was his mother's favorite child, and the two were close. Zuko's sister, Azula, stated that Ursa had always liked Zuko better than her, as Ursa thought Azula was a monster. This was the opposite to her husband Ozai's feelings towards their children, who had stated that while Azula was "born lucky", Zuko was "lucky to be born".

She leaves under mysterious circumstances and has not returned. This is later touched upon when Azula claims that their father, Fire Lord Ozai, is going to have to kill Zuko after angering the then Fire Lord, Azulon. Before Ursa leaves, she tells Zuko that everything she has done has been to protect him. Despite the fact that Ursa disappears on the same night that Azulon dies, it is unclear what exactly took place or how these two events are related.

Zuko certainly seems to believe that she is dead; he tells Katara that he, too, has lost his mother to the Fire Nation. He is plagued by dreams where his mother was pleading to have him help her. During this dream, the blue dragon, which has Azula's voice, tells Zuko to "Sleep... just like Mother!". It could be a hint that Azula might have something to do with Ursa's disappearance, or that Zuko subconsciously believes she does.

Zuko visit the house where his family spent the holidays in the Ember Island when he was younger. There he finds a portrait of his family and begins to have flashbacks.

Princess Ursa is Avatar Roku's granddaughter, as Iroh revealed to Zuko. During the solar eclipse, Fire Lord Ozai reveals that Ursa was actually banished from the Fire Nation for certain treasonous acts, and that she is perhaps alive.

When entering Zuko's room after overhearing Zuko tell Azula, "Dad would never do that!", she pulled Azula out of his room, saying "It's time for a talk.". Ursa then learned that Fire Lord Azulon had commanded Ozai to kill Zuko, saying that Ozai must feel the pain of losing a first born as punishment for asking for Iroh's birthright to be Fire Lord. It is unclear if the death of Azulon is related in anyway Ursa's disappearance, as she disappeared that night. This shocking revelation gave Zuko renewed hope in seeing his mother again.

Zuko is seen talking to his portrait of Ursa during the Invasion of the Fire Nation, in which he states "I know I've made some bad choices, but today, I'm gonna set things right". It's possible that this is a practiced ritual for Zuko, as it's also possible he talked to her often when she was around.

After Ozai is imprisoned following his disastrous defeat during the arrival of Sozin's Comet, Zuko visits his cell and demands to know where his mother is. It is not known what Ozai's answer was, or if the question will be answered in The Last Airbender: Legend of Korra.

Prince Lu Ten



 * "He's probably sad that his only son is gone. Forever." - Zuko to Azula in "Zuko Alone"

Zuko's relationship with Lu Ten is primarily unknown, although it's evident that they got along well, as seen in one of Zuko's flashbacks of him; with him, as Lu Ten and Iroh are building a sand castle together. Further evidence is the fact that Zuko seemed very upset when his mother informed him and his sister of Lu Ten's death.

Also, unlike his father and Azula, Zuko defended Iroh's decision to abandon the siege of Ba Sing Se due to his son's death, noting that it was a greater loss to Iroh than the battle. They are cousins since Iroh is Zuko's uncle and Lu Ten is the son of Iroh.

Fire Lord Azulon
Little is known about Zuko's relationship with his paternal grandfather, Azulon. Zuko once tried to impress Azulon with a performance of firebending in order to get in his father's good graces. Azulon was displeased with Zuko's failure, angrily asking Ozai why he was wasting his time. Azulon seemed to care little, if at all, about his grandson, seeing that he ordered Ozai to kill his own son after Ozai proposed stripping Iroh from his birthright to the throne.

Avatar Roku
Avatar Roku was Zuko's maternal great-grandfather. Zuko did not personally know him, but he became good friends with Roku's reincarnation, Aang, after much hatred. He also read about Roku in Sozin's final testament, which accounted of their friendship and separation.

Mai

 * "You're so beautiful when you hate the world."
 * "I don't hate you."
 * "I don't hate you too." - Zuko and Mai in "The Headband"



Zuko and Mai's relationship didn't start until he joined his sister's side earning his return to the Fire Nation, but it was hinted that they had a crush on each other when they were little (confirmed by Azula). The first time they are seen kissing is during their set up "date" in the Earth Kingdom, and later on their way to the Fire Nation.

During a brief vacation to Ember Island they break up because of Zuko´s anger at himself but later make up, with Mai saying that he's the one she cares about the most. Before leaving to train the Avatar he leaves a goodbye letter to her, and later tells Sokka that he didn't want Mai to be seen as a traitor.

When a guard came to protect Mai, Zuko said almost proudly that she doesn't need protection. He locked her up in the cell and told her that he must help the Fire Nation. In order to help him and the rest escape, she betrayed Azula and told her that she loves Zuko more than she fears her (Azula). After the war is over and his coronation was about to start, she helped him get dressed and they renewed their relationship through a passionate hug and a romantic kiss.

Jin

 * "How was your night, Prince Zuko?"
 * "It was nice." - Iroh and Zuko in "The Tales of Ba Sing Se"



Zuko and Jin met once when Jin visited the tea shop he worked at in order to ask Zuko to go out with her. Zuko, astonished by her sudden request, was suspicious of Jin at first, because he thought she might know he and Iroh were Fire Nation. But Iroh, who thought Jin has a crush on Zuko, told Jin that Zuko will go on a date with her, which didn't please Zuko.

When Jin picked Zuko up, she rumpled his hairstyle and dragged him to a restaurant, asking him obligatory questions, but Zuko was literally taciturn. Nonetheless, Jin seemed to be satisfied with the conversation, even though Zuko vehemently denied that she would be his girlfriend.

After the dinner Jin showed Zuko her favorite place, a fountain which was usually illuminated by lanterns, but when they arrived there, the lanterns weren't lit. Noting her disappointment, Zuko asked Jin to close her eyes and he used precise Firebending to light the lanterns. Jin was excited and wondered how the lanterns got lit, but Zuko only smiled in response.

Zuko was obviously shy, because when Jin intended to kiss him, he gave her a coupon for a free cup of tea. However Jin finally kissed him and Zuko even returned it, for which one can assume that he might felt something for her as well, but immediately afterwards he broke away from her, saying, "It's complicated", and eventually left. Jin's facial expression revealed that she was sad and disappointed.

Back home, Zuko replied to Iroh that "the date was nice". It was obvious that Zuko enjoyed his date and kiss.

Jin briefly appeared again later, but did not seem to mind Mai being with Zuko.

Aang

 * "I can't believe a year ago, my purpose in life was hunting you down, and now…"
 * "And now we're friends."
 * "Yeah, we are friends." - Zuko and Aang in "Sozin's Comet, Part 4: Avatar Aang"



Aang, as the Avatar, was Zuko's greatest enemy and his long sought-after prize. Throughout the bulk of the series, Zuko's primary focus had been to capture Aang, who constantly eluded him. Even though the capture of the Avatar by anyone of the Fire Nation would assist his country, Zuko saw the capture and delivery of Aang to Fire Lord Ozai as the only way to restore his lost honor, so he went out of his way to impede rivals from capturing Aang before he did himself.

Zuko took on the titular guise of the Blue Spirit, a masked, dual-broadsword-wielding vigilante, in order to abduct Aang from the fortress where he was being kept by Admiral Zhao, who had managed to capture him. Zuko managed to escape with Aang, but once they'd made it a way down the road, Zuko was knocked out by the Yu Yan Archers precision shooting, and Aang unmasked Zuko. However, even upon discovering that his rescuer-turned-abductor was his major enemy, Aang still took Zuko with him when he escaped. When Zuko awakened, Aang spoke to him fondly and nostalgically of Kuzon, a boy from the Fire Nation who used to be his friend 100 years previously in the times before the war. Aang then asked, guilelessly, if Zuko thought that he and Aang could have been friends in another time. Zuko's response was to shoot a fire blast at Aang. Aang fled through the trees, but Zuko did not give chase.

While Zuko had a catatonic Aang in his custody during the Siege of the North, he spoke to him about his life philosophy of struggle being the genesis of strength and compared Aang to Azula, citing that everything came easily to Azula. Once Aang's friends came to rescue him, Aang once again chose to save Zuko's life when he insisted on bringing Zuko along rather than leaving him unconscious in a blizzard to die.

After Zuko was declared a wanted traitor of the Fire Nation, he still somewhat expressed a desire to capture Aang, despite evidence that this would, in all likelihood, no longer be enough to win back his honor and his birthright. Zuko confronted both Aang and Azula and engaged in a three-way battle with them when Azula refused to leave the capture of the Avatar to him, though Zuko began to join Aang and let his focus be solely on Azula. When Azula surprise-attacked Zuko's beloved uncle, Iroh, he didn't allow the Avatar or his friends to get near him. Zuko almost gave up in his pursuit of the Avatar later. The inner conflict resulting over this potential change in goals resulted with him dreaming that he had Air Nomad tattoos.

Despite Aang being the clear protagonist and Zuko initially being the main antagonist, their stories are often paralleled in the narrative structure of the show. Flashbacks of the incidents that changed their respective lives forever (Aang being told that he was the Avatar and subsequently running away; Zuko's Agni Kai against his father and subsequent scarring and loss of his honor) are shown side-by-side. Their attempts to progress in their bending while impeded by psychological blocks are also shown side-by-side. They are both marked men, with Aang having his arrow tattoos all over his body, while Zuko has a large scar on his left eye given to him by his father. Scenes of Aang struggling to cope with an unexpected betrayal from an Earth Kingdom general morph smoothly into Zuko facing a similar betrayal from his sister. Aang was shown displaying the same frustration about the lost of his honor as Zuko; echoing the same frustration Zuko has been uttering for the first two seasons, declared, "I need to redeem myself. I need my honor back". Both Zuko and Aang find out about their interconnected fates, with Aang being the reincarnation of Avatar Roku and Zuko being Roku's direct descendant (Roku's granddaughter is Zuko's mother). Both characters at some point state that they are ready to face the Fire Lord. Aang intends to do battle with Ozai, while Zuko is ready to confront his father about his feelings and choices. During that confrontation he announces his intention to join the Avatar and help him defeat Fire Lord Ozai. Zuko's confrontation with his father is mirrored with Aang's battle with Azula.

Zuko reveals himself to Aang and the others, and tells them that he's split off from Ozai, and that he wants to join their group and teach Aang Firebending. At first, Aang refuses to allow Zuko in the group, although he seems to consider it more seriously than the others when he sees Appa licking him. However, he relents after Zuko helps the group defeat the Combustion Man and Zuko expresses the need for restraint in relation to Firebending. From that point on, Zuko becomes Aang's Firebending teacher.

Aang appears to be friendlier towards Zuko than the others in the group. He is the first to accept Zuko, and has so far not made any sarcastic or unfriendly comments towards him. He even compliments Zuko by saying that he's "pretty smart". His liking for Zuko may have even deepened after their adventure with the Sun Warriors, and their learning the secret of Firebending.

Aang and Zuko become better friends as time wears on, with Zuko continuing to teach firebending to Aang and helping his friends to accomplish various tasks. While they take refuge on Ember Island, Aang does not take his training seriously and decides to have a beach party with his friends. Zuko becomes angry and attacks Aang in the Fire Lord's summer home. When he learns that Aang will face Ozai after the comet's arrival, Zuko informs them of Ozai's plan to destroy the Earth Kingdom. In preparation, Zuko taught Aang to re-direct lightning.

When Zuko made his opinion known that Aang must kill Ozai in order to save the world, Aang becomes very frustrated and criticizes Zuko's advice. When Aang went missing the next morning, Zuko is genuinely concerned over his disappearance and goes to great lengths to track him, confessing to Katara his worries about Aang are greater then his worries about fighting Azula.

Aang eventually does defeat Ozai and ultimately spares the Fire Lord by stripping him of his Firebending. At Zuko's coronation as Fire Lord, Zuko expresses pride at Aang's success, and the two embrace each other in a warm hug, as they have finally become friends. They promise the world that they will work together to restore the war-torn nations, and celebrate together at Ba Sing Se.

While they are spiritually related, as Roku is Zuko's great-grandfather, Zuko is never seen telling this to Aang, who seems unaware of his relation to Zuko.

Appa

 * "Appa does seem to like him." - Toph talking about Zuko in The Western Air Temple

As an enemy of Team Avatar, Zuko originally was an enemy of Appa. At Ba Sing Se, Zuko freed Appa from the Dai Li, gaining Appa's respect. While at the Western Air Temple, Appa was the first to approve of Zuko's entrance into the group, showing this by licking him. The fact that Appa approved of Zuko was one of the reasons Aang and the others accepted him into the group. The first time Zuko rode Appa, he stated that he thought "this thing would be a lot faster". Prior to the arrival of Sozin's Comet, Appa apparently felt comfortable enough to let Zuko steer him.

Katara

 * "I was the first person to trust you, remember? Back in Ba Sing Se! Then you turned around and betrayed me! Betrayed all of us!"
 * "What can I do to make it up to you?"
 * - Katara and Zuko in "The Southern Raiders" DO NOT add "Zutara" information; see the talk page



Katara is a Waterbender of the Southern Water Tribe and Aang's close friend and staunch defender, and thus, by association, was an enemy of Zuko.

The only trace of the Avatar and his companions that Zuko found on an Earthbender prison rig that they helped to liberate is Katara's tribal necklace, lost in the commotion. After capturing Katara with the assistance of a band of pirates, Zuko attempted to use the necklace as a bribe to get Katara to betray Aang's whereabouts, but she refused. Then, Zuko employed the bounty hunter, June, and her Shirshu, a tracking beast with a hypersensitive olfactory system, and used the necklace to track Katara, thus tracking Aang by proxy. However, when he did find Aang, the necklace was reclaimed and returned to Katara. June teased Zuko about finding his girlfriend that ran away and after seeing Katara stated that it was no wonder she dumped him, she was too pretty for him.

During the Siege of the North, after Zuko had made his way into the Spirit Oasis of the Northern Water Tribe, Katara was the only thing keeping Zuko from abducting Aang, who was in meditative fugue as he tried to solicit help from the spirits to defeat Zhao's attack on the North Pole. Due to having previously found and been trained by Pakku, a Waterbending master, and with her bending at its most powerful during the full moon due to Waterbending's lunar sympathy, Katara was more than a match for Zuko and initially subdued him. However, when the sun came up, lessening her power and increasing his, he overpowered her, knocked her out, and escaped with Aang. Later, Katara defeated Zuko with a second time during the full moon when she, Sokka, and Princess Yue had come to rescue Aang.

Also, Katara, along with Toph, Sokka, and Aang, attacked Princess Azula in unison with Zuko. Once Azula has disappeared, Katara tried to tell Zuko that she could assist the injured Iroh with her healing abilities, but ran off with her companions when Zuko violently demanded that they left him and Iroh alone.

He and Katara wer imprisoned in a crystal cave below the Earth King's palace. Katara initially yelled at Zuko, blaming him for the Fire Nation starting the war. Zuko seemed empathetic after Katara said that the war took away her mother, remarking that the actions of the Fire Nation had also taken his mother, Ursa. He also told Katara that he once thought his scar set him apart and made him different, but now believed he no longer needed it to determine his destiny. Katara offered to heal his scar with water from the Spirit Oasis. Before any action could be taken, Iroh and Aang broke them out of the prison. Despite the sympathy each showed the other, Zuko joined Azula in trying to capture the Avatar soon afterwards, and the siblings battled both Katara and Aang, making Katara bitter towards him in later episodes.

Zuko remembered Katara's offer to heal his scar using the sacred water from the Northern Tribe's spirit oasis. He suspected that Katara used the special water to save Aang and deduced that the Avatar could still be alive. However, he chose to hide this information from his sister.

DO NOT add "Zutara" information; see the talk page

Katara was the most unforgiving one of the group when Zuko asked to join. Later, privately, Katara spoke with Zuko, telling him that he if so much as made one glance at his dark side, one step out of line, gave her one reason to think he may hurt Aang, she would kill him, personally.

Despite this, Katara did seem to trust Zuko on some level as she did not protest when he and Aang went alone to the Sun Warriors city. She seemed to have grown somewhat used to his presence over time, if nothing else, only lightly mocking his joke. And again she showed trust in Zuko by not suggesting that he would hurt Sokka while they went on their "fishing trip".

Zuko confronted Katara on why she didn't trust him. Katara yelled at Zuko that she was the first person to trust him and then he betrayed her, all the while Zuko seemed disappointed in himself for his previous actions. After Sokka told him about the soldiers who killed their mother, Zuko realized who they are and later he told Katara that he knew the soldier, and they traveled together to catch him.

Despite the lingering animosity, Katara and Zuko were able to work amazingly well in tracking down the soldier, and when they did, Zuko forced the soldier to remember her face. Katara almost killed the soldier, but ultimately stopped herself. Upon returning to the gang's campsite, Katara finally forgave Zuko and hugged him warmly, knowing that he was worthy of her trust.

Zuko and Katara got along a lot better after their adventure and Katara took a liking to teasing the prince. In the play they watched on Ember Island, their characters had a relationship. Katara and Zuko were disgusted and slided away. Also, when June referred to Katara as Zuko's girlfriend, they both denied it, angered and embarassed. Before the arrival of Sozin's Comet, Zuko helped Katara to track down Aang, who had disappeared when he'd been pulled to the Lion Turtle island in a trance. Also, before Zuko faced his Uncle, the new leader of the Order of the White Lotus, Katara assured him that Iroh would forgive his past wrongs. When Zuko realized he had to defeat Azula and take his rightful place as Fire Lord, he asked Katara to help him, who gladly accepted. When they arrived, Zuko told Katara to stand back, not willing to get her injured. When Azula attempted to kill Katara with lightning, Zuko blocked the attack but since he changed stances he couldn't redirect all of it and was badly wounded. After Katara defeated Azula, she healed Zuko, and Zuko thanked her but Katara said she should be thanking him.

The two remained friends after the battle and they celebrated in Ba Sing Se.

Song

 * "It’s okay. They’ve hurt me, too." - Song to Zuko in "The Cave of Two Lovers"



Song was the young herbalist who treated Iroh when he mistakenly brewed and consumed the poisonous White Jade tea. When seeing that Iroh and Zuko were travel-worn, she invited them to her home for a good meal and rest. Zuko initially declined, not wishing to become too familiar with the Earth Kingdom and its natives at the time. However, he was overridden by Iroh who accepted the warm invite. As the evening progresses, Song continued trying to reach out to Zuko, knowing that he suffered at the hands of a firebender--all attempts were met with distanced acknowledgment until she revealed the scar she received the day her father was taken from her in a raid by Fire nation soldiers. It was at this moment Zuko appeared shocked, concerned and ashamed of his nation.

Disturbed by his feelings over Song's suffering, he tried to leave immediately and stole Song's Ostrich Horse, despite Iroh's protests. Song witnessed the theft and closes the door silently, crushed and disappointed.

Although the relationship was not resolved, due to the fact that they do not encounter each other again, the impact Song left upon Zuko was considered to be the start of his exceptionally gradual journey towards redemption.

Toph

 * "Ow! What was that for?"
 * "That's how I show affection." - Zuko and Toph in "The Ember Island Players"



Toph was probably the first and only one to trust Zuko after he proposed to join the group (apart from Appa). Being a living lie detector, she managed to sense Zuko's sincerity. Their lack of history, the fact that she understood Zuko's family life, and her relationship with Iroh could also be factors. Unfortunately, Zuko accidentally burned Toph's feet when she payed him a surprise visit in the middle of the night. She was then reduced to crawling and feeling the vibrations of the earth through her hands. The attack was an accident however, as he didn't know it was her at the time and humbly apologized after the fact, acknowledging that he must be careful when bending such a wild and dangerous element (the reason Aang decided he was a worthy teacher). She thus forgave him, stating that him joining will give her a chance to avenge her feet, albeit in a joking manner. When Zuko and Aang were unable to create fire, Toph didn't make fun of Zuko like Katara and Sokka did. Instead, she advised them to find and relearn from the original roots of firebending, upon which Zuko answered bitterly that the original Firebenders were all dead. During the play on Ember Island, Toph comforted him when the play reminded him of his horrible mistakes, and gave him a punch in the arm, stating it was how she "shows affection".

When Aang disappeared prior to the arrival of the comet, Toph hugged his arm and insisted that she joined Zuko during their search for him, stating it was her turn for a "field trip", in relation to how everybody else went on a life changing adventure with him (Zuko blushes at the sudden act). She and Zuko talked about their bad family relations and Toph expressed the lack of love she got from her parents. When Zuko shot her down due to their search, Toph was obviously offended. However, they made up almost immediately and have remained friends.

Do not add that Toph has a "crush" on Zuko

Sokka

 * "I know, I had the same reaction. After all he's done it was hard to trust him. But he's really proven himself and I never would have found you without his help." - Sokka to Hakoda in "The Boiling Rock, Part 2"



Zuko and Sokka never had much social interaction with each other at first. Their first encounter was a brief faceoff against each other at the Southern Water Tribe, during which Zuko attacked his village while Sokka zealously defended it. Zuko was the clear winner, despite Sokka's persistence. They met in other battles after that, mostly as foes , with one exception being when Zuko teamed up with Sokka and the rest of the group against Azula at a ghost town. Other than that, Sokka had constantly been opposed to assisting Zuko whenever Aang suggested it, clearly indicating how little Sokka trusted him.

During the Invasion of the Fire Nation, Zuko and Sokka are paralleled for the first time. Zuko learned that his mother may still be alive and Sokka learned that Suki was imprisoned by Azula. These discoveries occured at the same time and garnered similar reactions.

The two are properly introduced at the Western Air Temple. Sokka still didn't trust Zuko after their history, even going so far as theorizing that Zuko covered himself in honey to get Appa to lick him, a sign of affection from the bison. Despite his distrust of Zuko, Sokka did trust Aang and conceded to let Zuko join the group when Aang felt it was the best course of action. Sokka was seen showing Zuko to his room. Sokka was a bit uncomfortable, but Zuko friendly smiled at him, implying he had no hostility towards the other. Sokka remarks to Aang that escorting his former enemy was "really weird". Later, Sokka was much more comfortable in tormenting Zuko, going so far as to taunt him and make sarcastic remarks, like asking if he can watch him and Aang practice "jerkbending" and literally prodding Zuko with his meteor sword, trying to frustrate him enough to get his firebending back. Although he taunted Zuko, it appeared to be in a joking manner instead of a sign of true hostility unlike his sister.

Sokka had come to trust Zuko even more during their adventure on the Boiling Rock, tha served as a bonding point for the two, as Zuko and Sokka alone attempted to rescue the invasion forces from the prisom. During the journey, Sokka stated that he believed Iroh was proud of Zuko, and commended him for making the decision to leave everything he worked so hard for to to help Aang. While speaking with his father, Sokka stated that while he was distrusting of Zuko at first, he had proven himself on multiple occasions and was very trustworthy. The two were shown to be able to work together quite well; Zuko, the superior fighter of the two, often failed to think things through, like when, while keeping lookout for Sokka as he visited Suki's cell, he was questioned by one of the guards and immediately resorted to attacking the guard, which led to his capture. Sokka, on the other hand, may have less fighting ability but is an excellent strategist and keeps a clear head in tense situations. Sokka often depended on Zuko to execute his plans in the Boiling Rock, such as when Zuko started a fight with Chit Sang, unscrewed the cooler, and jammed the gondola's controls. Later, Sokka and Zuko fight Azula on top of the gondola: Zuko defended Sokka and deflected Azula's attacks while Sokka struck at Azula with his sword.

Following the events on the Boiling Rock their relationship was on a much better shape than it ever had been. After escaping Azula's attack on the Western Air Temple, Sokka toasted Zuko as the group's hero for helping hold off the Fire Nation Airships and Azula. Later Zuko asked Sokka about his mother's death. Despite Sokka's obvious discomfort with the subject, he trusted Zuko enough to tell him the story. This information in turn helped Zuko to make amends with Katara, who still hated him at the time.

With the War ended he and Sokka were still friends, as they were seen enjoying themselves at the tea house.

It should be noted that Zuko and Sokka share some similarities that may have had some indirect impact on how they got along. Both were the eldest children in their respective families and both had younger sisters to whom they have felt inferior to at some point, Zuko having not excelled in Firebending as quickly as Azula and not having the approval of his father, and Sokka not being a bender at all. Both had also lost their mothers and both were skilled at using some form of bladed weaponry. They were also the closest in age among the main children, aside from Aang and Toph.

Ty Lee

 * "I know you."
 * "No you don't! You're stuck in your little Ty Lee world where everything's great all the time!" - Ty Lee and Zuko in "The Beach"



Zuko and Ty Lee had rarely been shown interacting with one another, although Ty Lee seemed to consider Zuko as a friend and possibly a crush. Zuko began to put his arm around Mai asking "You cold?" Mai brushed him aside, and Ty Lee said "I'm freezing!" Mai's remark about her having "ten boyfriends" implied that she had a crush on about every boy.

Ty Lee showed an upset look while she and Azula left on the second gondola back to the Boiling Rock after their fight with Zuko, Sokka and Suki, possibly sad for Zuko, as the two had left him to drown in the boiling lake. Afterwards, when Azula confronts Mai, she strikes Azula down, to save Mai and by doing so, Zuko.

Ty Lee joined the Kyoshi Warriors after the War, and it can be presumed that they are still friends.

Suki

 * "Actually, we met a long time ago."
 * "We did?"
 * "Yeah, you… kinda burned down my village."
 * "Oh… sorry about that. Nice to see you again." - Suki and Zuko in "The Boiling Rock, Part 1"



Zuko and Suki unofficially met during when Zuko attacked Kyoshi Island in an attempt to capture Aang. Suki and her team of warriors fought to stop Zuko's rampage as his firebending was destroying her village. They were hopelessly outmatched and eventually defeated by Zuko, but bought Aang and his friends the time they needed to escape, but not before Aang extinguished the flames with the help of the Unagi. Zuko's attack was part of the reason Suki left home to assist the Earth Kingdom in their war effort.

Suki and Zuko finally met each other properly in prison. By this point, Suki had been imprisoned in the Boiling Rock by Azula and Zuko had reformed and joined the Avatar's gang. While they were serving hard time, Suki did not hesitate to remind Zuko about his attack on her village many months before. Zuko recalled this event and apologized for his wrongdoings. Despite the obvious animosity between the two, Suki cooperated with Zuko and Sokka in escaping the prison and freeing Sokka's father, Hakoda.

After their successful escape and a brief humorous evening interaction outside Sokka's tent, Suki and Zuko were on much better terms and presumably became good friends by the end of The War. She was seen hanging out with Zuko and the gang at Iroh's tea shop in Ba Sing Se.

Zhao

 * "Next time you get in my way, I promise I won't hold back!" - Zuko to Zhao in "The Southern Air Temple"



Zhao was a high-ranking and ambitious officer (originally a lieutenant, then captain, then commander, and finally an admiral) in the Fire Navy and Zuko's major rival in his attempts to capture Avatar Aang. Zhao and Zuko were constantly at odds as they attempted to stay one step ahead of each other in their pursuit of the Avatar. Their enmity seemed to stem from an earlier time however, as Zhao was seen in the audience of Zuko's Agni Kai with his father, smirking while Zuko was burned.

Zuko attempted to withhold the information that the Avatar had returned from Zhao, but Zhao discovered the truth anyway and decided to detain Zuko so that he would be unable to capture the Avatar first. This infuriated Zuko and in their subsequent argument Zhao mocked Zuko's plight, telling him that his father doesn't really want him back at all. Zuko then challenged Zhao to an Agni Kai in which he defeated Zhao by utilizing a strong foundation in the basics of Firebending that he had previously dismissed. Zuko, however, chose not to scar or kill Zhao upon his victory, and while he walked away, Zhao attempted a dishonorable attack that was blocked by Iroh.

Zuko ran a blockade of Zhao's ships and entered into Fire Nation waters in pursuit of the Avatar, thus violating the terms of his exile. Zhao allowed him to pass, however, in order to follow Zuko to the location of the Avatar and, once there, planned to arrest Zuko as well. Zuko figured out Zhao's plan and chased Aang in a smaller boat while Iroh and his crew lead Zhao away. Unfortunately, Zhao wasn't fooled and tracked Zuko to the Fire Temple. There he catched him, but Zuko got away when Roku began to destroy the temple.

Zuko took on the guise of the Blue Spirit, a masked, dual-dao-wielding vigilante, first to spy on Zhao and then later to free the Avatar from Zhao's custody. Zhao realized later that this was Zuko's alternate identity when he came to commandeer Zuko's crew in order to invade the Northern Water Tribe and noticed dual broadswords in Zuko's quarters. Zhao then hired the pirates with whom Zuko had had bad dealings at the Waterfall Lagoon to assassinate Zuko by blowing up his ship. However, Zuko survived and stowed away on one of Zhao's ships, pretending to be a soldier, and later engaged Zhao in a battle in retaliation for Zhao's attempt to kill him. During this fight, Zuko maintained that he had no choice but to act as the Blue Spirit, while Zhao insisted that he should have just accepted his failure with honor. Their battle, however, was interrupted when the vengeful Ocean Spirit, upset that Zhao killed its counterpart, the Moon Spirit, manifests a hand-like appendage of water and dragged Zhao away. Zuko reached out a hand to Zhao in an attempt to help him. Though Zhao initially tried to reach his hand, he then refused to accept his help. He is then dragged down into the water and killed by the Ocean Spirit, La, after the Moon Spirit, Tui, was revived by Princess Yue's sacrifice.

Jet

 * "I don't think you want me in your gang." - Zuko to Jet in "The Drill"



Zuko first encountered Jet, when they were both traveling on the ferry to Ba Sing Se. Jet approached Zuko after overhearing him complain about the quality of the food and suggested that Zuko assisted him and his gang in stealing better food from the captain's stores. Zuko accepted this offer and they worked together very well to complete their mission and deliver food to all the ferry passengers. Jet later told Iroh and Zuko that he was going to Ba Sing Se to make amends for past deeds of which he was not proud of. Iroh pointedly stated that he believes that people deserve second chances and can change their lives if they want to, clearly meaning this as a message to Zuko. Zuko, however, appeared to be unaffected.

Upon arrival in Ba Sing Se, Jet watched Zuko and Iroh from afar, and told Smellerbee and Longshot that he thought "Lee" would make a good Freedom Fighter. While the others insisted that they barely even know him, Jet retorted that Lee didn't get his scar from a Waterbender. Later on, he approached Zuko and asked him to join his group. Zuko rebuffed him, and Jet seemed disappointed. However, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Iroh's formally cold tea was suddenly hot and he quickly gathered that Zuko and Iroh were firebenders. From then on, he resolved to gather evidence against them, and turn them into the authorities.

Jet spied on Zuko and Iroh, trying to find proof that they were Firebenders. He followed them in the city, and to their new jobs in the tea shop. Smellerbee objected to this action, saying that Jet had no real proof that the duo were Firebenders and that even if they were, there was nothing to do. Jet, however, pressed on with his investigation. He sneaked into their apartment and stole their spark rocks, in a move that he hoped would force one of them to Firebend. This plan was foiled when Iroh simply borrowed spark rocks from his neighbor. Later on, Jet argued with Longshot and Smellerbee over the issue outside the tea shop. Jet reminded them of how the Fire Nation left them homeless, and why it is so important to fight them.

Finally, tired of waiting, Jet burst into the shop, Hooked Swords drawn, proclaiming Zuko and Iroh to be Firebenders. While the police officers in the shop tried to calm him, Jet insisted that the two waiters be arrested. When Jet walked threateningly towards Iroh, Zuko grabbed a pair of swords from an officer and the two began to fight. The fight carried them outside the shop and into the street, with Jet trying to goad Zuko into Firebending the entire time. The fight was broken up by the Dai Li, who arrest Jet based on the words of Iroh, the shop owner, and the soldiers who saw the fight.

Zuko was unaware that he would never see Jet again, as the young warrior was killed under Lake Laogai by Long Feng while fighting the Dai Li.

Zuko watched a play about the Avatar on Ember Island. When he saw the segment about Jet's death, he was shocked, and asked Sokka "Did Jet just...die?", to which Sokka replied that it was "really unclear".

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 to Combustion Man in "The Headband"



Zuko hired Combustion Man to kill Aang. Zuko rashly let slip that he hired him to kill Aang; he also revealed that Combustion Man is not the assassin's real name and denied Sokka's accusation that they were friends. Combustion Man tracked down the group at the Western Air Temple and was prepared to kill them. Zuko tried to get him to stop first by telling him the deal was off and then by offering more money to stop, however Combustion Man turned on Zuko and blasted him off the side. Zuko clung onto a vine, just narrowly escaping death. Although Zuko's attempt failed, it gave Sokka enough time to hit Combustion Man on his tattoo eye, blocking his chi and presumably killing the assassin in an explosion when he attempted to attack the gang again.