Iroh is one of the most beloved characters in Avatar: The Last Airbender. Before the series began, he was a ruthless general in the Fire Nation and was expected to become the Fire Lord.

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However, after his son passed away, he retired, his brother took his place as the Fire Nation's ruler, and he decided to become a more peaceful person, sharing his wisdom with his nephew over the course of the series. Fans liked him a lot because of how wise, caring, and funny he was.

10 Iroh Justifies Zuko's Actions In "The Storm"

Zhao, Iroh, and Azula from Avatar The Last Airbender

Before the series began, Iroh allowed Zuko to go to a meeting in the Fire Nation's war chamber on the condition that he wouldn't speak during it, knowing that he would be punished if he did. Unfortunately, Zuko spoke and was challenged to an Agni Kai by his father. Not wanting to fight him, Zuko begged for forgiveness, only to be seen as a weakling. Iroh looked away as he was given the scar on his eye and exiled until he captured the Avatar, not wanting to see his nephew in pain.

Zuko was willing to do anything to accomplish his goal and grew angrier as time passed. He even treated his crew poorly, causing Iroh to feel that it was necessary to tell them about the banished prince's past. Whether it be helping him on his journey or trying to get others to understand him, Iroh was always there for Zuko.

9 Iroh Fought Zhao In "The Siege Of The North Part 2"

iroh fights zhao's men from Avatar The Last Airbender

Though Zhao respected Iroh, he treated Zuko terribly, causing Iroh to dislike him. While pretending to work with Zhao, Iroh was with him when the Fire Nation attacked the Northern Water Tribe. Iroh warned Zhao that the waterbenders would be at an advantage when the moon came out. In response, Zhao told him that he planned to kill the Moon Spirit so that it wouldn't be a problem. When he was about to do so, Iroh tried to convince him to stop and even threatened him.

While Zhao did hesitate at first, he went through with it and Iroh attacked him. He was able to get away as other firebenders fought Iroh. Rather than trying to find Zhao, Iroh stayed with Katara, Sokka, and Yue as she gave up her life to bring back the Moon Spirit. As he and Zuko left the Northern Water Tribe, he was proud that, instead of trying to capture the Avatar, Zuko knew that he should rest.

8 Iroh Became Friends With Toph In "The Chase"

Iroh and Toph drink tea from Avatar The Last Airbender

After Toph, Aang, Sokka, and Katara went their separate ways, the earthbender met Iroh, who wasn't with Zuko at the time. He made her some tea and the two had a conversation that resulted in them becoming friends. Listening to what he had to say led her to decide to join Katara, Sokka, and Aang on their adventures again.

Shortly after, Iroh found Zuko, who had been fighting against Azula and Aang. At the same time, Toph reunited with her friends. Everyone teamed up to defeat Azula, who pretended to surrender only to attack Iroh. While the protagonists wanted to help him, Zuko was outraged and forced them to leave, taking care of his uncle himself.

7 Iroh Thought About His Son In "Tales Of Ba Sing Se"

Iroh cries at late son's memorial

"Tales of Ba Sing Se" is one of the most interesting episodes of the series, having small, individual stories for each of the main characters. In Iroh's section of the episode, he spent his day in Ba Sing Se helping people out, such as a crying toddler and some kids who got in trouble for breaking a window. He even helped a mugger who tried to rob him.

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Unfortunately, Iroh didn't have a great day no matter how many people he helped. During sunset, he cried and sang to himself as he thought about his son. At the end of the scene, the words "In honor of Mako" appeared as Iroh's original voice actor had sadly passed away.

6 Iroh Got His Own Tea Shop In "Lake Laogai"

Zuko and Iroh banter in Iroh's tea shop from Avatar The Last Airbender

After drinking some of his tea, Quon offered Iroh his own tea shop, which is something that he always wanted. Pao, Iroh's employer at the time, tried to convince him to stay with him, but Iroh was so excited to be able to do whatever he wanted with his own shop that it didn't matter what he was offered.

While things were getting better for Iroh, Zuko learned that Appa had gone missing. He searched for him as the Blue Spirit. When he finally found Appa, Iroh confronted him. He was able to convince his nephew to set the sky bison free and leave his Blue Spirit mask behind.

5 The Jasmine Dragon Opened In "The Guru"

happy iroh and zuko from Avatar The Last Airbender

Being able to do anything that he wanted with his tea shop, Iroh was excited to name it "The Jasmine Dragon." On the day of its opening, Zuko was very supportive of Iroh, glad to see his uncle's dream coming true, which Iroh was thankful for.

While the day was everything they could have wanted it to be, Katara, unfortunately, found out that they were in Ba Sing Se and told Azula, who pretended to be a Kyoshi Warrior at the time. Shortly after, Iroh received a letter stating that he was invited to serve the Earth King his tea, which made his day even better.

4 Iroh Wasn't Able To Save Zuko In "The Crossroads Of Destiny"

Azula and Zuko team up

When Iroh and Zuko went to the Earth King's palace, they discovered that they walked right into Azula's trap. Iroh was able to escape, but Zuko decided to stay behind so he could fight Azula, only to be captured. Katara had also been captured, and, in order to save their loved ones, Iroh teamed up with Sokka, Aang, and Toph.

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When Iroh found Zuko, he tried to convince his nephew to be good and let go of the person he used to be. Unfortunately, Azula was able to persuade him to join her and fight Aang and Katara. Iroh was ashamed to see Zuko team up with his sister. He also helped Katara and Aang escape but was captured in the process.

3 Zuko Confronted Iroh In "The Headband"

Zuko visits Iroh in prison

After Iroh was imprisoned, Zuko felt that his uncle should have joined him in fighting the Avatar and taking control of Ba Sing Se. He decided to visit Iroh and told him this, but, no matter what he said, his uncle refused to look at him. This angered the prince, causing him to leave.

However, he returned later on to give Iroh some food and asked for help. Once again, Iroh still wouldn't talk or look at his nephew, feeling hurt by his decision and showing that no matter how much he loved Zuko, he wouldn't blindly follow him nor watch him become a bad person.

2 Iroh Revealed That Roku Was Zuko's Great-Grandfather In "The Avatar And The Firelord"

Roku and Sozin from Avatar The Last Airbender from Avatar The Last Airbender

Despite still being behind bars, Iroh was able to give a scroll to Zuko that instructed him to learn about Roku and Sozin's past. The two were best friends before Roku even learned that he was the Avatar. However, they drifted apart over the years due to their differing views on the world and became enemies when Sozin began to steal territory from the Earth Kingdom.

25 years later, they reunited as Roku's home was being destroyed due to a nearby erupting volcano. Sozin originally wanted to help, but let Roku die after realizing that his death would allow him to do whatever he wanted. Zuko already knew this and confronted Iroh, who revealed the truth about their family. While it was no secret that Sozin was Zuko's great-grandfather on his father's side, Iroh told him that Roku was Zuko's great-grandfather on his mother's side. He was related to an Avatar all along.

1 Iroh And Zuko Reunited In "Sozin's Comet Part 2"

Zuko and Iroh hug from Avatar The Last Airbender

Zuko's greatest regret was betraying his uncle, especially after he realized that their other relatives were wrong and that he should've been on Aang's side from the start. While trying to track Iroh down, Zuko and his friends met the members of the White Lotus, who had helped the protagonists throughout the series. Their leader turned out to be Iroh, and they were happy to bring their friends to him.

Nervous that Iroh hated him and ashamed for what he did, Zuko hesitated to see his uncle. However, Katara reassured him that he would be forgiven. When they finally reunited, Zuko apologized, letting him know how awful he felt. To his surprise, Iroh pulled him in for a hug. As the two cried, Iroh let Zuko know that he was never angry at him, but sad that he lost his way. Now, Iroh could be proud of the person his nephew turned out to be.

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