Avatar: The Last Airbender is an animated show that's famed for its deep and dynamic characters. Over the course of three seasons, many layers to each of these characters is explored, and there's more to each of them than meets the eye. This is also true of uncle Iroh, the kind uncle of the antagonist, Prince Zuko.
Iroh was once a famed general and next in line for the Fire Nation throne, but he learned the value of compassion, wisdom and peace. Now, he seeks to understand the world rather than conquer it, and he values compassion, peace and the beauty in everyday life. He is also a patient instructor and a fierce defender of justice and order, being a member of the White Lotus. Some other anime characters are roughly similar to Iroh too, even if they might not seem that way at first glance.
10 Mr. Yoshimura (Tokyo Ghoul)
Mr. Yoshimura is a kind older fellow, but that's not all he has in common with uncle Iroh. Like Iroh, Mr. Yoshimura has seen the violent side of his world and is a powerful fighter, but he's not the type to throw his weight around. He would prefer a world where his strength isn't even needed at all.
In the story, Mr. Yoshimura is kind and understanding, and he welcomed Ken Kaneki into his cafe (Anteiku), even when Touka Kirishima was skeptical of Ken's worthiness. Ever since, Mr. Yoshimura has been an advocate of ghoul-human cooperation and understanding.
9 All Might (My Hero Academia)
At first glance, the symbol of peace All Might is rather different than Iroh, being a middle-aged, boisterous hero who lets his fists do the talking. But deep down, All Might is gentle and compassionate, and he never actually enjoys fighting. What he enjoys is seeing courage and hope in the people's eyes when he arrives.
All Might looks after Izuku the way Iroh did for Zuko, and although All Might was an imperfect teacher, he did his best to draw out Izuku's potential, and he seeks to keep the world united under peace and hope, rather than divided with fear and hostility.
8 Jiraiya (Naruto)
Jiraiya of the Sannin is often known as "pervy sage" or "ero-sennin" by Naruto himself, since Jiraiya is a notorious womanizer. Despite his goofy behavior, Jiraiya is quite serious about trying to achieve world peace, and he once shared this dream with Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan. Then he shared it with Naruto.
Like Iroh, Jiraiya is dismayed by how fractured and wounded the world is, and he wants a world where people can laugh and love freely. He was a fine mentor for Naruto, teaching him the Rasengan and other secrets before meeting his end at the hands of Pain.
7 Isshin Kurosaki (Bleach)
Iroh was a paternal figure for Zuko, as his own son Lu Ten died in the battle for Ba Sing Se and Iroh considered Zuko more like a son than a nephew. Meanwhile, Isshin Kurosaki is a doting father who does his best to run a household after the tragic death of his wife, Masaki.
Isshin is goofy and whimsical like Iroh and Jiraiya, making an odd first impression. But his heart is in the right place, and he wants nothing more than to protect the innocent and keep people happy. Isshin gave up his powers to save Masaki's life, then maintained a friendship with Ryuken, despite the latter being a Quincy. Isshin also helped train his son, Ichigo.
6 Maes Hughes (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)
Another paternal figure in the world of anime is Maes Hughes, who was a friend of Colonel Roy Mustang's. Maes was also a doting father, just like Isshin and Iroh, and he made sure he survived the Ishval Civil War so he could return home to his wife and daughter. They meant everything to him.
Maes, like Iroh, values family and peace over glory and violence, and if there is no more need for soldiers like him, then the world is in good shape indeed. Maes had a warm personality and could cheer anyone up, and make them feel welcome in his home. He could defend himself if trouble visited itself upon him.
5 Makarov Dreyar (Fairy Tail)
Makarov Dreyar is a tough old man like Iroh is, but the similarities don't stop there. Makarov is the leader of the Fairy Tail guild, meaning he knows how to be a leader, like Iroh. He also has a hit and miss relationship with a younger family member. In this case, Laxus Dreyar.
The Makarov-Laxus relationship is not unlike Iroh-Zuko, where Laxus was once a happy boy until he grew bitter and self-obsessed, and Makarov waited patiently for the day when Laxus turned himself around. That day came, and now, Makarov gets along well with his electric grandson.
4 Thors (Vinland Saga)
Thors is a father and he knows that parenthood goes far beyond watching his child being born. Thors was once a terrifying berserker in battle, a Jomsviking, but he gave up his warrior life to create a peaceful life in distant Iceland.
Thors understands that no one truly has enemies, and there is no need for violence. Thors tried to teach this lesson to his brash son Thorfinn, and when the time came, Thors fought off enemy warriors without killing them, then gave his life to protect his crew and Thorfinn alike. Iroh would have done something similar.
3 Captain Whitebeard (One Piece)
Captain Whitebeard does have his differences with Iroh; for one thing, he is a pirate and marauder, rather than a man seeking to unite the world. Still, Whitebeard and Iroh would agree on a few things, such as the importance of family (whether or not blood relations are involved).
Unlike his nemesis, Captain Blackbeard, Whitebeard valued loyalty, trust, and compassion more than anything, and he was a father figure to all his crewmates. He was also ready to lay down his life for them, and he went down swinging when he faced the marines and Blackbeard at Marineford.
2 Byakuya Ishigami (Dr. Stone)
Byakuya Ishigami was the foster father of Senku Ishigami, and he was also an astronaut who spent time aboard the ISS with astronauts of other nations. Byakuya wasn't terribly close to Senku, but he had total faith in the boy's abilities, and when the energy wave petrified humanity, Byakuya was desperate to find a solution.
Like Iroh, Byakuya wanted to heal and save the world, and he spent the rest of his days trying to make that happen. He stubbornly hung onto hope that humanity would be saved, and he left a final, heartwarming message for Senku in a glass disk. Senku, who usually scorns human emotion, was almost brought to tears when he heard it.
1 Soichiro Yagami (Death Note)
Soichiro Yagami was a police officer, and he was also a doting family man. Soichiro was ready to make any sacrifice for his duty and for the sake of his family, and he had firm, unshakable ideas about justice and mercy on others. He couldn't stand Kira, who slaughtered criminals from afar.
Just like Iroh, Soichiro did his best to be a role model for his son and daughter, and protect them from all harm. He sought peace and justice in the land, NPA-style, and he gave his very life to try and make that a reality.