Iroh's relationships

This page is comprised of Iroh's relationships with other characters in the Avatar world.

Azulon
"'You dare suggest I betray Iroh? My first born?' - Azulon to Ozai when the son suggested that he become Fire Lord instead of his brother, Iroh, in 'Zuko Alone'."

It is known that Azulon was a fierce defender of Iroh's birthright and thus felt outraged when Ozai suggested that Iroh should be stripped of it due to Lu Ten's death, further suggesting the favoritism toward his older son. Azulon felt Iroh's terrible pain after the death of Lu Ten and did not seem that angry at his son after he abandoned the Siege of Ba Sing Se. Iroh never attended his father's funeral as he was still on his way home.

Ozai
"'I've never known my brother to regret anything.' - Iroh to Zuko about Ozai in 'The Avatar State'."

Iroh's relationship with his brother was never shown very clearly during the series. While the two neither met nor spoke with one another during the series, both of them have been clear about how they feel toward each other: tension and mutual dislike. Ozai definitely bore resentment toward Iroh for being the first born son as he desired the throne, and attempted to convince their father, Azulon, that Iroh was not a suitable successor to the throne. Ozai also held little respect for his older brother and often belittled and spoke condescendingly about him, a trait he passed on to his daughter. Iroh on the other hand, while obviously not fond of the person his younger brother became, acknowledged that he was very powerful albeit merciless.

Lu Ten
"'My beloved Lu Ten, I will see you again.' - Iroh remembering Lu Ten during a flashback in 'Bitter Work'."



Not much is known about Iroh's relationship with Lu Ten, except that they were close. They loved to play together during Lu Ten's childhood. In a flashback, it was revealed that Lu Ten died during the Siege of Ba Sing Se led by Iroh. The loss of his only son was so overwhelming that Iroh gave up on what could have been his greatest military achievement. It was shown that Iroh still cared deeply about his son, as he made special arrangements for Lu Ten's birthday. He made a small shrine for his son, and lit some incense. Next to it, Iroh placed a picture of his son, on which Lu Ten wrote that he promised to see him soon after the war. Iroh seemed to have tried to fill this void in his life by trying to be a father to Zuko, since his father largely ignored or acted abusively toward him and his mother could no longer raise him.

Iroh should traditionally have become Fire Lord after Azulon's death, and Lu Ten would have succeeded Iroh had he not died in battle.

Zuko
"'Ever since I lost my son... I think of you as my own.' - Iroh to Zuko in 'The Siege of the North, Part 1'."



Iroh has always cared for Zuko. After Lu Ten's death, Iroh began to think of Zuko as his own son, and cared for him like a father. Iroh supported Zuko in every way he could and was a constant mentor to the troubled boy throughout the entire series.

Iroh was shown giving Zuko advice on how to defeat Zhao when the two faced off in an Agni Kai. At the end of the fight, Iroh stopped Zhao from harming Zuko from behind. Iroh voiced his affection for Zuko when they traveled toward the Northern Water Tribe. Iroh showed great sadness when he thought Zuko had died and he later confessed his fatherly nature to Zuko by telling him he thought of Zuko as his own. Despite Zuko saying he would be fine, Iroh still looked genuinely worried.

When Zuko and Iroh traveled through the large Earth Kingdom, they had to rely on each other more. Even though they were all each other had left, Zuko left Iroh for a short time. Iroh was not seen again until he and Toph met and shared a cup of tea and some advice. According to Toph, Iroh would not stop talking about Zuko. Before he and Zuko reunited, Toph suggested that Iroh tell Zuko that he needed him too.

Iroh resumed Zuko's firebending training and taught him how to redirect lightning, but would not shoot lightning at Zuko due to the risks.

Iroh later decided that he and Zuko would be safe from Azula's grasp if they fled to Ba Sing Se as refugees. During their stay there, Iroh and Zuko worked together in a tea shop in the city's Lower Ring, and they lived together in an apartment. Despite Zuko's obvious disdain for his life as a refugee, Iroh remained patient and constantly encouraged Zuko to look at the positives. He went so far as to encourage Zuko to find a nice "lady friend", and prompted Zuko to go on his date with Jin.

When Zuko learned that Aang was in the city looking for his bison, Iroh encouraged Zuko not to go looking for trouble. When Zuko tried to capture Appa, Iroh stopped him and insisted that he had to stop letting others control his destiny, namely his father. This encouraged Zuko to instead free Appa and abandon his identity as the Blue Spirit, whom he was dressed as during the capture.

The two return to their apartment after Zuko freed Appa, but almost immediately after arriving, Zuko collapsed to the floor with a terrible fever. Through his sickness, Iroh was by Zuko's side day and night to comfort him and care for him, knowing that his spirit would be cleansed as a result of his better decisions. Zuko started taking on a more positive attitude after he regained his health and the two were happy to work in their new tea shop in the Upper Ring.

Zuko and Iroh's relationship was jeopardized during the events that eventually occurred. Azula captured Zuko and asked him to help her conquer the city, which would earn Zuko his father's respect and possibly restore his honor. Iroh vehemently insisted that Zuko must do what his heart told him and not to give into another's demands. This failed when Zuko helped Azula defeat Aang and Katara and conquer Ba Sing Se. Iroh was later captured and was clearly ashamed of Zuko's actions. Zuko regretted his actions almost immediately.

During his time in the Capital City Prison, Iroh refused to speak to Zuko, who called him a crazy old man. In an attempt to calm Zuko's inner turmoil, he revealed to Zuko his relationship with Avatar Roku and that he could help restore balance to the world. Zuko eventually realized this destiny and joined Aang in his fight against the Fire Nation, but was too late to reconcile with Iroh, who had fled from prison during the solar eclipse.

Iroh and Zuko finally reunited prior to the arrival of Sozin's Comet, with a repentant Zuko begging Iroh for forgiveness. Iroh quickly forgave his nephew, stating that he was never angry with him, but was sad that Zuko had lost his way. Zuko affirmed this, but said Iroh helped him find it. Iroh later encouraged Zuko to take his place as Fire Lord, as he was the more suitable heir due to his reputation and what he had learned from his mistakes. He prompted Zuko to ask for help defeating Azula, since she would not give up the throne easily. Zuko asked Katara, who accepted the request.

Iroh's guidance to his nephew gave Zuko the strength needed to defeat Azula and to claim his rightful place as Fire Lord, and the desire to restore peace and unity to the divided world. Zuko and Iroh were on much better terms now that the Hundred Year War is over, and the two were happy to be serving their friends tea together in Ba Sing Se after that city's liberation.

Azula
"'She's crazy, and she needs to go down.' - Iroh speaking to Zuko about Azula in 'Bitter Work'."



Little is known about Iroh's relationship with Azula. While it was shown that Iroh cared for Azula when she was little, as seen when he sent her a doll from the Siege of Ba Sing Se, that attachment had since deteriorated, going as far as saying that Azula "is crazy and needs to go down" (these words were oddly prophetic as Azula did go insane and was defeated in the end while she was in this condition). Although he did not seem to be fond of her, he did knock her over instead of using his bending to disable her, suggesting he still harbored some small amount of affection for her. He also attempted to speak courteously toward her after the long time they did not see each other, however, she did not seem to return the favor kindly and insisted him to be silent while she spoke to Zuko. Azula almost killed Iroh when she struck him with blue fire, and Iroh had constantly advised Zuko not to give in to her deceit and selfish demands. It was he who insisted that Zuko face her one final time so that he could claim his rightful title as Fire Lord.

Toph Beifong
"'I met him in the woods once and knocked him down. Then he gave me tea and some very good advice.' - Toph to Team Avatar in 'The Crossroads of Destiny'."



Iroh met Toph by accident during her temporary leave of absence from Team Avatar. Alone in the woods, she felt someone move behind a large boulder. She quickly assumed her earthbending stance and launched a preemptive attack on an unsuspecting Iroh, whose only response was complaining of a sharp pain in his "tailbone". They were shown later having tea and talking about Toph's relationship with Aang and the group. Toph resented being told what to do and having to comply with rules and protocol within the group. Iroh then compared her sense of self-reliance and independence with Zuko's. He then stated that "there is nothing wrong with letting people who love you help you". Toph chose to acknowledge Iroh's words of wisdom and returned to help the gang. Having earned her trust, Iroh came to her for help when Zuko was captured in Ba Sing Se.

At the close of the series, they were shown sharing tea with the rest of the Avatar Family in their house in the Upper Ring of Ba Sing Se.

Aang
"'So, Toph thinks you give pretty good advice, and great tea.' - Aang to Iroh in 'The Crossroads of Destiny'."



There never was much interaction between Aang and Iroh. During the first time they met, Iroh aided Zuko in attacking Aang, and after that, they did not meet again for a while. Aang apparently did not hold a grudge against him for assisting Zuko. Aang found an ally in Iroh when they were defending the moon spirit from Zhao. Iroh helped out all of Team Avatar when they cornered Azula, but Iroh was hit by Azula's blue fire anyway. Iroh and Aang finally got up close and personal when Iroh went to request Toph's help in finding Zuko. While the two made their way toward the crystal catacombs of Ba Sing Se, Aang tried to get advice regarding the Avatar State from Iroh. Iroh said that because power was overrated, Aang had made the right choice in coming to Katara's aid.

Team Avatar
"'Goodbye, everyone. Today, destiny is our friend. I know it.' - Iroh to Team Avatar in 'Sozin's Comet, Part 2: The Old Masters'."



Other than Aang, Zuko, and Toph, Iroh had had little real interaction with the rest of Team Avatar. Naturally, they were enemies while Zuko pursued the group, but as Zuko gradually changed his ways, Iroh came to respect the group more and more. He never actually fought them in direct combat, and thus few hard feelings exist between him and the other members. He sought the team's help to save Zuko from Azula in Ba Sing Se, as she had also captured Katara. He saved Aang and Katara's lives when Azula and Zuko tried to finish them off. Iroh later helped the team to determine how they should assist in Ozai's final defeat when Sozin's Comet arrived. It is clear that he respected all of their abilities, as he did not argue when they chose their tasks, only offering encouragement. When the Hundred Year War was over, Iroh seemed to have befriended the entire team.