While Avatar: The Last Airbender introduced the concept of firebending, it wasn’t the first time nor the last that shows anime characters possessing fire abilities. From sons of demons to magical wizards, several protagonists have pyrokinetic abilities ranging from fire punches to fire breath to even summoning fire dragons.
The Fire Nation, especially Zuko and his sister, Azula, possessed great power but also some strong traits of anger and aggression. Some of the people on this list share the same qualities while others are just eccentric. Most are natural-born heroes and may have been the kinds of Firebenders who steered the nation away from violence and towards peace. Here are ten different anime characters who would have made formidable Firebenders.
10 Sasuke Uchiha (Naruto)
There is no one more fit to be a Firebender than Sasuke Uchiha. Not only does he possess the Uchiha Clan’s Fireball Juitsu but his affinity for lightning chakra produces his Chidori technique. His tormented personality is reminiscent of the princess of the Fire Nation, Azula. She was not only a firebending prodigy but her strong mastery even allowed her to produce lightning-like Sasuke.
Sasuke may not have become Hokage but with his many other extraordinary techniques including his Sharingan, he likely could have become the next Fire Lord.
9 Sabo (One Piece)
Sabo is the brother of Monkey D. Luffy and second in command of the entire Revolutionary Army. Similar to his other brother Ace, Sabo ate the Flame-Flame Fruit giving him the ability to create and control fire.
With this power he can perform the Hiken, turning his fist into flames and launching it at enemies. Like Mako in The Legend Korra, Sabo would have made an excellent Pro-Bender.
8 Charizard (Pokémon)
There are all types of dragons throughout anime, some fulfill wishes while others breathe fire but there are few dragons more famous than Charizard. Number six in the first 150 Pokémon and the evolution of one of the three starter Pokémon, Charizard was the main building block of what has become a 24-year-old franchise.
Although Charizard may not have been the inventor of Firebending like in Avatar, he is one of the most powerful fire type Pokémon. Ash’s Charizard was a bit sassy and wasn’t the most obedient but I’m sure he wouldn’t have minded being worshiped by a civilization of Sun Warriors.
7 Shinra Kusakabe (Fire Force)
In the world of Fire Force, there is no shortage of firebenders between second-generation pyrokinetic who can manipulate existing fire to the third generation that can generate fire itself. Shinra Kusakabe is one of the third generations and becomes a Fire Soldier for Company 8. Unlike others, Shinra possesses the legendary Adolla Burst, which is considered the original flame from the Sun God, Adolla.
Shinra’s fire shoots out from his feet, giving him the ability to fly and enhance kicks. Though Shinra is nothing like Fire Lord Ozai, there is no denying their familiar forms of launching into the sky as fire pushes out of their feet.
6 Shoto Todoroki (My Hero Academia)
There are few heroes at U-A who can master multiple elements and no one is more popular and skilled as Shoto Todoroki. The son of the number two hero, Endeavor, Shoto inherited both his father’s fire and his mother’s ice quirk giving him the ability of Half-Cold Half-Hot. Though he originally refused to use his fire ability due to hatred of his father, he later gains the confidence to take control of his power with some help from his classmate, Izuku Midoriya.
Control over both his abilities makes him halfway to becoming a full-fledged Avatar. If Shoto could just learn air manipulation from Shiketsu High’s Inasa Yoarashi and earthbending from pro-hero, Kamui Woods, he might even become as powerful as Aang himself.
5 Hiei (Yu Yu Hakusho)
As a fire demon, Hiei would have been an excellent Firebender with the hot temper to match. Similar to Zuko, Hiei started out as an antagonist but later became one of the strongest members of Team Urameshi. In fact, Hiei is the only member of the team to win every one of his matches in the Dark Tournament.
In addition to being an excellent swordsman and wielder of the Jagan Eye, his techniques include Dragon of the Darkness Flame, Fist of the Mortal Flame, and Sword of the Darkness Flame. I’m sure even Aang would have a tough time taking down this Firebending master.
4 Natsu Dragneel (Fairy Tail)
As one of the five Dragon Slayers, Natsu Dragneel would have been an excellent Sun Warrior. The Sun Warriors were an ancient society who inherited the first fire from the dragons themselves. Natsu was taught Fire Magic from his Dragon-Father, Igneel, making him one of the most powerful wizards in Fairy Tail.
Natsu’s techniques include Fire Dragon’s Roar, Fire Dragon King Mode, and Dragon Force. Unlike the Firebenders, Natsu is able to eat flames themselves, and in doing so enhances his strength. Out of anyone on this list he may have the most potential to use fire the way the dragons intended.
3 Roy Mustang (Fullmetal Alchemist)
Colonel Roy Mustang is known as the Flame Alchemist. He uses special gloves that possess a transmutation circle on them allowing him to manipulate the level of oxygen in the air. With the snap of his fingers, he can send flames through the air, roasting his enemies.
As a State Alchemist in the Amestrian Military, Roy would surely have fought alongside General Iroh and possibly even joined him for some of his famous tea.
2 Rin Okumura (Blue Exorcist)
As the son of Satan, Rin Okumura has control over the Blue Flames (the flames of Satan). With the aid of his demon-slaying blade, Kurikara, he is able to unleash his full power. Other abilities include Pyrokinesis and High-Speed Regeneration. Like all fire users, his weakness is water specifically holy-water which burns him due to his demon ancestry.
Similar to Zuko, Rin fights his destiny and fights along the side of good to take down his father. This son of Satan would have been a legendary figure in the fire nation and potentially worshiped for his inherent divinity.
1 Agunimon (Digimon)
Every season in the Digimon franchise has a leader of the group which can be usually spotted with a red/orange outfit, goggles on his head, and a Digimon with fire powers. Though Agumon from Digimon Adventure 01 is the most famous, it’s season four’s Agunimon who is the most qualified to be a Firebener. Digimon Frontier was revolutionary for making the DigiDestined themselves turn into Digimon.
Using his D-Tector, Takuya is able to Spirit Evolve into Agunimon who possesses the power of AncientGreymon and the Human Spirit of Fire. His attacks include Pyro Punch, Pyro Tornado, and Pyro Darts, and is able to shoot fire out of his hands and feet. Though he may look like a character from The Ember Island Players, he certainly would be a fearsome firebender.