- This article is about the girl Zuko went on a date with. For Mako and Bolin's grandmother, see Yin.
| "I have something for you, too. Now it's your turn to close your eyes." |
| — Jin before kissing Zuko.[1] |
Jin was a refugee of the Hundred Year War who lived in Ba Sing Se. At one point, she and her friends became entangled in the great conspiracy of the capital.[5] She also developed a crush on Zuko and asked him out on a date.
History[]
Early life[]
Born in 84 AG,[2] Jin's parents were Earth Kingdom citizens who had become refugees.[5][3] Though they struggled most of their lives, Jin's parents were strong and able to provide for their family.[3] At one point, Jin's parents were killed by Fire Nation military soldiers, leaving Jin with her sick grandfather Gong-Gong living in Ba Sing Se's Lower Ring.[2][5] Having once worked as an expert calligrapher, Gong-Gong taught his granddaughter enough so that she managed to get a scholarship for a literature academy. However, his sickness ultimately left the old man mentally absent and confused. Thus, Jin struggled to make a living and care for her grandfather, while also attending school.[2][5]
Finding employment as a deliverywoman at a local bakery, Jin befriended the owners who started to treat her like a daughter. Among this family was Susu with whom Jin developed an especially close bond. When Susu's father gambled away the bakery, however, Jin's friend was forced to take a contract job at the Upper Ring. The girl was determined to help Susu which led her to become involved with the "Silver Fangs", a criminal association which was rooted in Ba Sing Se's black market, upon meeting a boy named Xuan from the Middle Ring who had connections to the crime syndicate. Meanwhile, the capital's political and social situation grew increasingly fraught and tense, with Jin living a double life becoming entangled at the grander conspiracy and threats of a revolution.[5]
Date with Zuko[]
By spring 100 AG, Jin frequently visited the tea shop where Iroh and Zuko were employed, causing Zuko to conclude that she knew they were from the Fire Nation. Iroh, however, immediately contradicted Zuko's suspicions and told him that the girl had a crush on him. Jin came up to the counter to pay for her tea and to talk to him; after Zuko introduced himself as Lee, Jin finally built up the courage to ask him out on a date, to which Iroh said that Zuko "would love to". Excitedly leaving the shop, she said that she would meet Zuko there at sundown.[1]
When Zuko emerged from the shop, his hair combed and cleaned by his uncle, Jin immediately went through it to get it back to normal, before pulling him along to a restaurant in the Middle Ring of the city. Trying to make conversation during an awkward dinner, she asked some questions about Zuko and Iroh's background; not being able to tell the truth, Zuko blurted out that they traveled the world a lot as part of a traveling circus. Jin guessed that he was a juggler, to which Zuko reluctantly agreed and was forced to give a performance. After Zuko failed miserably at this, Jin took him to the Firelight Fountain, one of her favorite places in the city.[1]
Jin and Zuko spent time together at the Firelight Fountain.
Jin talked excitedly about how beautiful the fountain looked when the light of the lanterns reflected in the water, but was saddened to see that they were not lit when they arrived. Noticing her disappointment, Zuko asked Jin to close her eyes while he carefully used his firebending to light the lanterns. To thank him for lighting the lanterns, Jin turned to Zuko to give him a kiss, but Zuko interrupted her by holding a coupon for a free cup of tea in front of his face, to which she replied how sweet he was. She proceeded to say that she had something for Zuko as well for which he also needed to close his eyes. Obeying her request, Jin softly kissed Zuko on the lips; a gesture he hesitantly returned, before backing away. When she asked what was wrong, he simply excused himself by saying that it was "complicated" and that he had to go, leaving her standing alone.[1]
Fall of Ba Sing Se[]
Jin hid in the Pao Family Tea House as the Fire Nation military marched into Ba Sing Se.
After Princess Azula's successful Coup of Ba Sing Se, Jin was once again at Pao's tea shop watching in horror as the Fire Nation soldiers swarmed the streets of Ba Sing Se and secured the city completely.[6]
Shortly after the fall of the capital, Jin noticed Zuko walking with Mai. Addressing him as Lee, she asked who Mai was and was told that she was a friend from the circus, where she was a knife thrower. Joining the charade, Mai offered to teach Jin to throw knives and had Zuko stand in front of a fountain with a fish from a nearby market on his head. Mai explained that the trick was in the wrist, and she accurately hit the fish with an icicle. Amazed by the show of marksmanship, Jin tried as well, though when she threw the icicle, she barely missed Zuko's head, making him fall into the fountain.[7]
Personality[]
Though not aggressive or assertive, Jin was nonetheless a determined girl, pursuing her desires instead through her kind personality. She was an understanding young woman and a true romantic at heart.[1][3]
Relatives[]
- Gong-Gong (grandfather)[2]
Appearances[]
Avatar: The Last Airbender[]
Book Two: Earth (土)[]
- 215. "The Tales of Ba Sing Se"
Book Three: Fire (火)[]
- 301. "The Awakening" (flashback, no lines)
Avatar comics[]
Book Two: Earth (土)[]
- Iss. #13. "Going Home Again"
Avatar Legends novels[]
Trivia[]
- Jin (仁, じん) is a Japanese name meaning "gentleness", "tenderness", or "benevolence".
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Estoesta, Joann, Wahlander, Lisa, Huebner, Andrew, Scheppke, Gary, MacMullan, Lauren, Mattila, Katie, Ridge, Justin, Volpe, Giancarlo (writers) & Spaulding, Ethan (director). (September 29, 2006). "The Tales of Ba Sing Se". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 2. Episode 15. Nickelodeon.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Avatar Legends: City of Echoes. A nuanced exploration of darker themes set in the world of the popular Avatar universe.. Kirku's Reviews. Retrieved on May 23, 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 From older Avatar: The Last Airbender official site, originally on Nick.com. Encyclopedia now broken, archived at The Lost Lore of Avatar Aang - Character: Jin.
- ↑ The Ultimate Pocket Guide, page 4.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Avatar Legends: City of Echoes (Avatar Legends Book 1). Abrams Books. Retrieved on February 14, 2025.
- ↑ Ehasz, Aaron (writer) & Volpe, Giancarlo (director). (September 21, 2007). "The Awakening". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 3. Episode 1. Nickelodeon.
- ↑ Chan, May; Ehasz, Aaron; Mattila, Katie; Wilgus, Benjamin (writer), Ganter, Amy Kim (artist), Dzioba, Wes (colorist), Comicraft (letterer). "Going Home Again" (September 18, 2007), Nick Mag Presents: Avatar: The Last Airbender.