AtLA’s Uncle Iroh: Brew Some Tea & Meet the Dragon of the West
From mighty general to loving uncle, there’s no one more beloved in Avatar than Uncle Iroh. But who is this kindly sage?
Whether he’s serving tea, wisdom, or beatdowns, General (Uncle) Iroh of the Fire Nation is one of the most iconic characters in Avatar: The Last Airbender. His sage advice was integral in setting his nephew Zuko on the truly honorable path, and his skills helped turn the tide during Sozin’s Comet. He is undoubtedly one of the most powerful Firebenders around at the time of the show (likely even stronger than his brother Ozai), but he only shows his strength in times of great need. Without his kindness, guidance, and gentle strength, it is unlikely either Avatars Aang or Korra would have succeeded in their mission.
For all the love fans have for him, however, not much is known about his life before A:tLA, since he was not the primary focus. Because of that, little is known about this venerable warrior outside of what we see in this show. This explainer will hopefully bridge some of the gaps, as well as pay homage to one of the greatest characters in modern animation
Iroh’s Early Life
Iroh was born the eldest son of Fire Lord Azulon and his wife, Ilah. Though he was never close with his younger brother Ozai, he tried often to guide him. However, Ozai’s fiery temper and demeanor left them at odds, and he distanced himself. Iroh would later regret this decision, thinking that he could have perhaps led Ozai down a better path.
At some point, Iroh left the Fire Nation to seek the wisdom of the other nations. Since he was still beholden to his father’s military ambitions, he hoped to study the other nations to learn how to fight. On these travels, he gained insight into their way of life, and it, in turn, influenced his own skills. He also became associated with the secretive White Lotus organization, though when he actually joined the group is unclear.
A Prince Falls
As was expected of the Crown Prince, Iroh enlisted in the Fire Nation army, quickly proving himself as a tactical mastermind and deadly warrior. He made general in record time and even succeeded in breaching the exterior wall of Ba Sing Se, a feat thought impossible. He developed several powerful techniques and could even breathe fire like the Dragons that taught the Firebenders their skills. However, this meteoric rise was only a herald for a terrible fall.
Iroh had only one child, his beloved son Lu Ten. When the boy came of age, he too joined the Fire army and was assigned to Iroh’s battalion. While they maintained professional distance on the field of battle, they were beloved family in their off time. Unfortunately, during the Siege of Ba Sing Se, Lu Ten lost his life. Devastated by the loss of his son, Iroh abandoned the Siege and, when he returned home, found he was no longer the Crown Prince and heir of the Fire Lord. Shortly after, his father died.
Mourning the loss of his son, his father, and his birthright, Iroh pulled away from court. During that time, however, he became close with his nephew Zuko and would be integral in his philosophical training. When Prince Zuko was banished from the Fire Nation, Iroh accompanied him, assisting him in his search for the Avatar.
Why is Iroh Called Dragon of the West?
While journeying around the nations, Iroh went in search of the last dragon. When he returned from his quest, he claimed to have killed the final dragon. He had gained incredible firebending prowess, even able to breathe fire from his mouth. All of this, combined with his extraordinary tactical knowledge, gave him the nickname “Dragon of the West”.
However, as Zuko and Aang would discover many years later, Iroh had not slain the last living dragon. When Iroh sought enlightenment, he discovered a tribe of Sun Warriors, as well as a pair of dragons who were firebending masters named Ran and Shaw. They instructed him in the true ways of firebending, expanding his prowess and understanding. In exchange, Iroh swore to keep their location a secret, spreading a rumor that he had slain the last dragons in order to keep them safe.
Other Skills
Iroh is a man of many talents, both in and out of combat. As previously mentioned, he is an incredible tactician, and it was his insight that nearly brought about the fall of Ba Sing Se. He is an extremely powerful firebender, able to generate and redirect lightning, heat metal shackles, and summon massive waves of flame.
Iroh has also proven himself to be incredibly strong, especially during his incarceration. He was able to gain enough strength to break out of prison and neutralize the guards in the royal prison, and even in his old age, he has nearly superhuman martial arts abilities. He was also the Grand Lotus of the White Lotus during the events of the Hundred Year War.
Other than fighting, Iroh also brews a mean cup of tea. His personal favorite was Jasmine tea, and when he retired, he opened his own tea shop. While working there, he theorized tapioca in tea for the first time, bringing boba to the Avatar universe. Of course, Iroh is also known as a great spiritualist and helped guide both his nephew, Aang, and Korra in the ways of the spirit world.
What Happened to Iroh?
After the events of the Hundred Year War, Iroh retired to Ba Sing Se to open a tea shop. He stayed there for many years and even visited with Aang and Katara’s children. Aang and Zuko would visit him often, and he was always happy to have them.
When he decided his time on earth was done, he left his mortal body behind and ascended into the Spirit World. From there, he was able to talk with those who traveled through, guiding Avatar Korra and Aang’s children when they visited. Much later, he was able to reconnect with Zuko after the Spirit Portals were opened.
Voicing a Dragon
Iroh’s original voice actor was the late Mako Iwamatsu, who sadly passed away of esophageal cancer in July of 2006. Mako’s unique voice was irreplaceable, but the follow-up voice actor, Greg Baldwin, does an admirable job. Baldwin was a long-time student of Mako’s and put extra care into replicating the late actor’s voice. He voiced Iroh in Book 3 of A:tLA and throughout Legend of Korra. However, out of respect for Mako, he does not sing the iconic “Leaves from the Vine” song, leaving that solely to Mako’s legacy.
Iroh has had two live-action adaptations. In the oft-reviled The Last Airbender film, he was played by Shaun Toub. The much better-received Netflix special sees the actor portrayed by Paul Sun-Hyung Lee. Despite a divided fanbase, Lee brings a soft reverence to Iroh that is worth a watch.
