Why we all remember and cherish Uncle Iroh from Avatar: The Last Airbender

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  • Опубліковано 22 чер 2020
  • This video explains why Uncle Iroh was such a well-written character, and what specifically made his character stand out in Avatar: The Last Airbender. His two major emotional moments are the memorial he holds for Lu Ten in The Tales of Ba Sing Se, and him hugging and forgiving Zuko at the end of Book 3.
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  • @liliks14
    @liliks14 4 роки тому +8941

    The fact that Toph liked him instantly says a lot about Iroh.

    • @jairusjackson4156
      @jairusjackson4156 4 роки тому +603

      Oh yeah, that's true actually. It took him like 5 seconds to win her over

    • @sumbody694
      @sumbody694 4 роки тому +468

      Yeah it took all of 30 seconds for Iroh to disarm Toph with his god tier banter.

    • @AkaiAzul
      @AkaiAzul 4 роки тому +307

      A person’s reaction to Iroh tells a lot about a person.

    • @greendayfecer
      @greendayfecer 4 роки тому +262

      Omg Iroh and tophs friendship. It’s the best example of instant friendship.

    • @kennyg7163
      @kennyg7163 4 роки тому +97

      I actually wanted to see flashbacks in LoK of more interactions with toph and iroh since in atla, we rarely get to see it. Imagine how disappointed i was.

  • @CFijWPG
    @CFijWPG 4 роки тому +4253

    When Zuko defied Ozai even slightly, he was met with lifelong punishment and shame.
    I'll bet that when Zuko reunites with Iroh in Book 3, he was expecting much of the same, having betrayed Iroh in a much more severe way than the act that got him his scar.
    Instead, he is met with unconditional love and forgiveness.

    • @love_and_venom
      @love_and_venom 4 роки тому +328

      And he doesn't know how to react to it. Thats how you perfectly write a character that has such a tragic past as Zuko

    • @Hannah-zc8gn
      @Hannah-zc8gn 4 роки тому +46

      Like the prodigal son

    • @imannatasha3302
      @imannatasha3302 4 роки тому +57

      I'm crying again 😩😭😭

    • @alenasenie6928
      @alenasenie6928 3 роки тому +38

      That was his only betrayal, the one he got the scar wasn't a betrayal, that time the betrayal was of the warlords sending the people to their death, not to a war they might die or to a battle with the odds against them, to their death, sure death.

    • @rosefragrance9351
      @rosefragrance9351 3 роки тому +15

      Awwww I didn't think about that now I'm crying again! THANKS 😭😥

  • @warrcoww6717
    @warrcoww6717 4 роки тому +1820

    Iroh: “I’m sorry, I only nag you because, well... ever since I lost my son...”
    Zuko: “Uncle, you don’t have to say it.”
    Iroh: “...I think of you as my own.”
    Zuko: “I know, uncle.”

  • @breezy3392
    @breezy3392 4 роки тому +5802

    I never noticed or examined Iroh's goofiness as being strategic before. Cool note

    • @ClintEPereira
      @ClintEPereira 4 роки тому +423

      Iroh probably learned about passive resistance and delay tactics from the air nomads. He's a smart dude.

    • @wickedwhisper4568
      @wickedwhisper4568 4 роки тому +240

      Rewatching the series and just noticed it on this watch, in season 1 where he was kidnapped by some earth kingdom soldiers he was using his goofy personally to delay, stall for time, get away/create a diversion, and leave a trail for zucco to follow with his shoe. He's way smarter than I remember

    • @calebharkemeister6278
      @calebharkemeister6278 4 роки тому +27

      @@ClintEPereira weren't the air nomads wiped out before he was alive?

    • @leila8701
      @leila8701 4 роки тому +34

      @@ClintEPereira They were wiped out so he didn't know the Air Nomads just Aang.

    • @shybandit521
      @shybandit521 4 роки тому +25

      I think he's just non-violent and he wants people to smile

  • @od3910
    @od3910 4 роки тому +4682

    Mentions tales from ba sing se
    Eyes: oh we crying now!

  • @poodn4559
    @poodn4559 4 роки тому +2443

    "I was never angry with you, I was sad because I thought you had lost your way"

    • @alejandrobernal4987
      @alejandrobernal4987 3 роки тому +63

      And now, we must cry.
      😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

    • @Trathien-
      @Trathien- 3 роки тому +24

      Bro pls, I dont wanna cry

    • @notjasonye9865
      @notjasonye9865 3 роки тому +16

      ‘Leaves from th- oh wait wrong place’

    • @jaceysmith6599
      @jaceysmith6599 3 роки тому +27

      Plz dont make me cry again. There are only 2 things that make me cry. This clip of iroh and zuko and trees by TOP

    • @randomdude3318
      @randomdude3318 3 роки тому +4

      ;__;

  • @niahoad
    @niahoad 4 роки тому +1651

    When he gets swoll and breaks out of his prison, he warns the a guard that threated him well. She takes a day off to spend with her family and has no idea that iroh didnt want hurt her.

    • @bobthebox2993
      @bobthebox2993 4 роки тому +329

      Imagine Iroh telling that to every guard and then being able to break out due to lack of guards

    • @grrumakemeangry
      @grrumakemeangry 4 роки тому +37

      BobTheBox lmaoo

    • @danielboughal7793
      @danielboughal7793 4 роки тому +277

      The Avatar equivalent of "you really shouldn't come to school tomorrow"

    • @kylefreeburg9353
      @kylefreeburg9353 4 роки тому +228

      Oh, she entirely knows. Just look at how she looks at him when he says "trust me, you don't want to be here for the rest of the day" or whatever he said

    • @senza4591
      @senza4591 3 роки тому +13

      Maybe you dont whant the typo "threated"

  • @sunnydeee_
    @sunnydeee_ 4 роки тому +2516

    Imagine if iroh actually had the opportunity to meet the air nomads and study their ways, like how they fight and live. I think he would learn to value life and people more than he already does, but not only that; can u imagine how crazy he would be if he was as agile and defensive as aang, but still had the powerful firebending he has, he would be utterly untouchable. 😳

    • @EtamirTheDemiDeer
      @EtamirTheDemiDeer 4 роки тому +378

      Guys...
      FLYING IROH
      FLYING, FIRE-BREATHING IROH
      *BEHOLD THE DRAGON OF THE WEST*

    • @AriosQarsute
      @AriosQarsute 4 роки тому +83

      @@EtamirTheDemiDeer Somebody draw this!

    • @Butterpony
      @Butterpony 4 роки тому +56

      Fuck now I wanna make something like this

    • @romano-britishmedli7407
      @romano-britishmedli7407 4 роки тому +64

      Mind... blown! O_o
      As if Iroh wasn't already powerful enough!

    • @Dango428
      @Dango428 4 роки тому +20

      I mean.... he's already kinda untouchable

  • @zukzuk5568
    @zukzuk5568 4 роки тому +2708

    This is why I get mad at people who say that this is only a "Cartoon"
    Even the simplest things in life can have so much meaning
    R.I.P Mako Iwamatsu

    • @cripplingdepression213
      @cripplingdepression213 4 роки тому +103

      Even Mark Hamill says it's too smart for a children show

    • @jairusjackson4156
      @jairusjackson4156 4 роки тому +62

      Leave em, they're the ones who are missing out.

    • @MiyashiruX
      @MiyashiruX 4 роки тому +45

      Meh, they're just traditionalists that still puts a stigma on animated works as just for "children". They'll die off one day so make sure that the newer generation won't pick up their mindset~

    • @daniellee8162
      @daniellee8162 4 роки тому +2

      Sounds like Japanime elitist

    • @stephanierachal6320
      @stephanierachal6320 4 роки тому +4

      Ok we're sad now

  • @Blooperfan94
    @Blooperfan94 4 роки тому +6151

    Iroh is a great model for modern masculinity.

    • @WiseSageBum
      @WiseSageBum 4 роки тому +662

      YES! He's willing to be vulnerable and acts as a supportive mentor while letting the people he cares about follow their own path

    • @marshdidit1676
      @marshdidit1676 4 роки тому +353

      A little louder for the people in the back

    • @marvit_bot
      @marvit_bot 4 роки тому +324

      For Modern ANYTHING*

    • @ahumanbeing7554
      @ahumanbeing7554 4 роки тому +35

      TheShreyax same

    • @jairusjackson4156
      @jairusjackson4156 4 роки тому +81

      Facts, Iroh is my role model

  • @lilhaierbro
    @lilhaierbro 4 роки тому +3469

    Our world needs more Uncle Irohs

    • @dickgori2623
      @dickgori2623 4 роки тому +148

      It's a heavy burden.. but why wish for more uncle irohs when you can be the uncle iroh? :)

    • @lilhaierbro
      @lilhaierbro 4 роки тому +53

      Dick Gori True 😩 Iroh is the blueprint

    • @CommanderM117
      @CommanderM117 4 роки тому +35

      @@dickgori2623 indeed my mentor figure was exactly like Iroh and i have the same name as him
      so i will strive to be like him

    • @ravenfrancis1476
      @ravenfrancis1476 4 роки тому +27

      Minus the whole "genocidal war criminal" part.

    • @krystinaleary3731
      @krystinaleary3731 4 роки тому +14

      But when the world needed him most he vanished 😔

  • @sophiecooper3624
    @sophiecooper3624 4 роки тому +1879

    My absolute favorite character
    He's amazing
    Everyone needs an uncle Iroh
    His reunion with zuko was so emotional not just for zuko and Iroh but for us as well cause we haven't seen Iroh just as long as zuko

    • @Butterpony
      @Butterpony 4 роки тому +16

      I think I’m definitely lucky to have like 4-5 uncles irl that are like iroh in little ways cause that just makes the world a little brighter ☺️

    • @lifesux1953
      @lifesux1953 3 роки тому +2

      Everyone should become Uncle Iroh

  • @ninabalton7804
    @ninabalton7804 4 роки тому +1542

    Having not been able to watch the last season as a kid, the second Iroh scene that always stood out to me (after the Tales of Ba Sing Se of course) was the speech he gave Zuko in Lake Laogai. "IT'S TIME FOR YOU TO LOOK INWARD AND BEGIN ASKING YOURSELF THE BIG QUESTIONS: WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT DO YOU WANT?!" I swear, now there's a little Iroh in my head always yelling that at me lol

    • @RileyJayDennis
      @RileyJayDennis  4 роки тому +117

      oof that's a great scene

    • @stm7810
      @stm7810 4 роки тому +4

      as a tulpa/fictive or is this 1 of those metaphors that neurotypical people use?

    • @ninabalton7804
      @ninabalton7804 4 роки тому +7

      @@stm7810 I meant it as a metaphor I guess? sorry if it was unclear. I can usually very distinctly picture a visual of that scene whenever I think about it and it feels like he's talking to me lol (and I'm not neurotypical btw)

    • @calimorales9880
      @calimorales9880 4 роки тому

      @@stm7810 I'd say it's the latter

    • @audreym3908
      @audreym3908 4 роки тому +6

      I got goosebumps reading that in Iroh's voice in my head. One of the most powerful quotes and questions in the show!

  • @sophies.9201
    @sophies.9201 4 роки тому +579

    did yall know this is the full lyrics to leaves from the vine
    "leaves from the vine
    falling so slow
    like fragile tiny shells
    drifting in the foam
    little soilder boy
    come marching home
    brave soilder boy comes marching home"
    "ash in the snow
    falling so slow
    like fragile brokwn hearts
    with no place to go
    little soilder boy come marching home
    brave soilder boy comes marching home"
    "He thought he knew
    what he was fighting for
    but the sight of blood made him question war
    poor soilder boy cold and alone
    bombs fall like rain hes all alone"
    "those leaves did grow
    from branches overgrown
    drifting slowly down
    resting in the snow
    little soilder boy
    taken from home
    fored to fight a war
    thats not his own"
    "Leaves from the vine
    changing so slow
    like empty, fallen souls
    looking for a home
    little soilder boy thought he could soar
    brave soilder boy died in that war"
    Like what that is so ridiculously heartwrenching

  • @lucashammontree5676
    @lucashammontree5676 4 роки тому +874

    The lore suggests that Iroh attempted to search for his son in the spirit world, and that is why he has a connection to it and could see Aang on the dragon. Powerful information that I truly appreciate :)

    • @jairusjackson4156
      @jairusjackson4156 4 роки тому +83

      Dang, well that adds yet another layer to him. He's honestly a character that deserves all the love he gets

  • @lunaudbjrg5457
    @lunaudbjrg5457 4 роки тому +494

    We STAN a healthy father figure! Iroh ❤️

  • @achillendimond2124
    @achillendimond2124 4 роки тому +644

    The most amazing thing to me when looking at Zuko’s apology scene is it compared to the Agni Kai. In the Agni Kai Zuko begged for mercy and forgiveness on his hands and knees and got half his face burned off by his own father, but when Zuko begs Iroh for forgiveness after completely betraying him Zuko is met with complete love and forgiveness.

    • @imannatasha3302
      @imannatasha3302 4 роки тому +69

      I just stopped crying why are u making me cry again

    • @pizzawashere8940
      @pizzawashere8940 3 роки тому +67

      "How could you forgive me so easily? I thought you'd be furious with me". He's so used to punishment from his family and the world, he's absolutely baffled at the kindness he's being shown ;~;

    • @DazzlingPotatoes
      @DazzlingPotatoes 3 роки тому +15

      @@pizzawashere8940 Zuko seriously deserves the best

  • @elsiemon
    @elsiemon 4 роки тому +435

    Tea is meant to be the synthesis of all the elemental forces for healing and unity, culture and tradition, hospitality. That’s why I think Iroh is meant to be the representation of these themes which is why he’s obsessed with tea.

    • @elsiemon
      @elsiemon 4 роки тому +17

      And you gotta love Mako. He’s a great voice actor- listen to him on the original soundtrack of the musical Pacific Overtures

    • @lej1020
      @lej1020 4 роки тому +2

      Off topic but my name is literally Ellie Simone

    • @pendragongameart
      @pendragongameart 3 роки тому +20

      Water: Steeps the Tea
      Earth: Helps grow the leaves
      Fire: Boils the tea
      Air: Brings the aroma to our noses
      Damn, I can be philosophical, what do ya know?

    • @lincolnexaron864
      @lincolnexaron864 3 роки тому +2

      The healing part is especially true, cos hot tea can bring relief to the body

    • @ARandomSpace
      @ARandomSpace 3 роки тому +5

      In an more scientific way it's Earth and Water: Tea ingredients
      Fire: Heats the tea up
      Air: Cools it down
      Tea is the balance element!

  • @Hey-Its-Dingo
    @Hey-Its-Dingo 4 роки тому +520

    He protecc
    He attacc
    But most importantly he got his nephew back

    • @madisonmorris7394
      @madisonmorris7394 4 роки тому +26

      At least one of his soldier boys came marching home. 😢

    • @connorscorner443
      @connorscorner443 4 роки тому +6

      @@madisonmorris7394 whhyyyy 😭😭😭

    • @itzmeloneh
      @itzmeloneh 3 роки тому +2

      Madison Morris imma go cry now 😭😭😭

  • @ENBYSS
    @ENBYSS 4 роки тому +723

    honestly Iroh is one of those characters that's timeless and will always be one of the best

  • @Iisho
    @Iisho 4 роки тому +840

    I'm sure someone has already mentioned this, but Iroh's song at the end of his part in The Tales of Bo Sing Se was a tribute to his voice actor, Mako. In fact, at the end there's a thing of text on screen saying "In honor of Mako". Mako was Iroh's voice actor up to that point and every episode after The Tales of Bo Sing Se is a different voice actor. Mako had cancer and knew he was dying. "Leaves From the Vine" was a song he sang for himself and was incorporated into the show to honor him. Mako died before the episode aired. When fans ask Iroh's new voice actor to sing the song, he refuses saying that it's Mako's song.

    • @enzoisrandomnessjl2332
      @enzoisrandomnessjl2332 3 роки тому +72

      Mako didn't even get to see the episode air. 🥺

    • @austinbutcher8106
      @austinbutcher8106 3 роки тому +61

      @@enzoisrandomnessjl2332 yes he did..in the spirit world

    • @O5-council_12
      @O5-council_12 7 місяців тому +5

      @@austinbutcher8106while drinking tea

    • @beam_me_up_scotty69
      @beam_me_up_scotty69 5 місяців тому +4

      Iirc Mako did play Iroh for the rest of Season 2, there was a small bit in 'Tales of Ba Sing Se' recorded by Greg, but for the most part Mako finished recording for Season 2

  • @MogwaiToboggan
    @MogwaiToboggan 4 роки тому +481

    I was a young adult when this show first aired and I feel it has helped me be the woman I am today. As a kid I was what my mom called fiercely independent, I would always be too ashamed to ask for help when I need it, it was a weakness, because I was so smart and capable. The lesson I needed to learn was from Iroh “Pride is not the opposite of shame, but it's source. True humility is the only antidote to shame.” This made me reevaluate all of my choices as an adult.

    • @matthewarant377
      @matthewarant377 3 роки тому +11

      Honestly it's such good advice. It's simple but so opposite to what we as humans naturally think.

    • @justinemot2282
      @justinemot2282 3 роки тому +4

      I had to come to this idea too to heal my soul. Only I did not have an uncle Iroh but religious texts.

    • @kingkylie9655
      @kingkylie9655 3 роки тому

      that advice is actually faulty because pride can be the antidote to shame depending on your case.

  • @Tandarok
    @Tandarok 4 роки тому +326

    I nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize

  • @gracielasea
    @gracielasea 4 роки тому +268

    There’s also the fact that he is an example of pure, genuine, parental love. Uncle Iroh’s example is the reason that I first noticed that the way my family treated me and my siblings wasn’t.. accurate?.. in regards to them claiming to love us. The full extent of that didn’t hit till later but his example gave me something to use as a standard of what actual parental love is.

    • @strohhut_tufi
      @strohhut_tufi 4 роки тому +11

      I don't think there is a need to differentiate between parental love and love in general. Iroh portraits true love

  • @cryxtheace3129
    @cryxtheace3129 4 роки тому +379

    nothing hits right in the feels harder than that hard, true, unconditional love Iroh gave Zuko. like damn...every time i see that hug i weep. What did Iroh say? something like, "I was never angry with you, only sad because I thought you had lost your way" ; _ ;

    • @r_bear
      @r_bear 4 роки тому +20

      crying in the video and crying reading the comments 😤

    • @dzeintra6230
      @dzeintra6230 4 роки тому +7

      @@r_bear I'll just stand here with a box of tissues for everyone who comes after.

    • @sarahp6512
      @sarahp6512 2 роки тому

      @@dzeintra6230 *takes a tissue* thank you very much

  • @librq6514
    @librq6514 4 роки тому +242

    the dragon of the west scene was epic

    • @r_bear
      @r_bear 4 роки тому +37

      "It's more of a demonstration, really."

  • @voidify3
    @voidify3 3 роки тому +175

    I saw a post one time which adds a whole other layer. So there's a scene in one of the early episodes where Iroh firebends and the fire is like inches from Zuko's face, but Zuko doesn't flinch at all. On a first watch, it just seems like some macho nonsense they do-- but on a rewatch, it's an unfathomably meaningful moment. In those unseen three years, Iroh has been building Zuko up from the trauma Ozai inflicted, grounding him in the basics of firebending, *teaching a kid who had **_half his face burned off_** to not be scared of fire,* and now he can do *that* and Zuko doesn't even flinch because he trusts that Iroh would never hurt him. And then in the agni kai against Zhao, there's a moment when Zuko is on the ground and Zhao has a flaming fist in Zuko's face-- there's a shot of the terror in Zuko's eyes, but instead of panicking, he channels all the fear and rage into turning the fight around

  • @misterluppus6727
    @misterluppus6727 4 роки тому +404

    It is very sad that our generation, raised by real, emotionally crippled men, had to turn to FICTIONAL men for love and support. I'm glad Iroh exists, even in fiction form.

    • @adrienlange9956
      @adrienlange9956 4 роки тому +29

      I wish Iroh was my dad, then I wouldn't be so traumatized lmao

    • @BLAM5980
      @BLAM5980 4 роки тому +2

      Speak for yourself, bud.

    • @awesomeawesome8350
      @awesomeawesome8350 3 роки тому +2

      Many men aren't emotionally crippled. I know my dad wasnt.

    • @jr8573
      @jr8573 3 роки тому +3

      This is a stretch. A big one too.

    • @_sstalker
      @_sstalker 3 роки тому +20

      Even if all men in the world were 100% mentally healthy Iroh would still be an example of what everyone should aspire to be. There's nothing wrong with being inspired by fictional characters and stories. Have you listened to him saying knowledge from a single source is stale and rigid? The interest thing about being a human is you can learn even from what may initially look trivial or silly such as a falling apple or a kid's show.

  • @tidepods5506
    @tidepods5506 4 роки тому +189

    If everyone had an Uncle Iroh in their life the world would be a better place.

  • @erincahalin6840
    @erincahalin6840 4 роки тому +177

    i loved iroh so much i named my first cat after him!

  • @sebastiannemeth-ramirez2160
    @sebastiannemeth-ramirez2160 3 роки тому +49

    For me, the exact moment when I realized I liked Iroh, was the scene when he was captured by the Earth Kingdom. They taunt him over his failures, trying to shame him. But he straight up says along the lines of "Yeah, I lost. After 600 days, we were tired and just wanted to go home. I freely admit my defeat." That was the moment I was won over. Here at least was a honourable, smart, and best of all, humble enemy, who turns out to not be villainous at all.

  • @__Oku__
    @__Oku__ 4 роки тому +115

    "I don't know how you don't cry at that moment"
    Me: literally having a breakdown the first ten seconds of the video

  • @BrigidNotBrigit
    @BrigidNotBrigit 4 роки тому +544

    I finally got around to watching ATLA for the first time during quarantine and it was such a joy. I’m so glad you’re still sharing analysis for this show! I love Iroh so much and this covered so many of my reasons!

    • @RileyJayDennis
      @RileyJayDennis  4 роки тому +20

      omg funnn glad you got to see the show recently 😄

    • @r_bear
      @r_bear 4 роки тому +4

      enjoy Korra next up!

    • @masonkelber4381
      @masonkelber4381 4 роки тому +3

      @@r_bear Good joke. Enjoy Korra, you're funny.

    • @ratboygirl
      @ratboygirl 4 роки тому +3

      @@masonkelber4381 korra seriously isn't that bad. definitely enjoyable.

    • @justanothergeek7626
      @justanothergeek7626 4 роки тому +1

      @@masonkelber4381 Hey, it's not a bad show, just not a masterpice like The Last Airbender was.

  • @MrDsleepyeyes
    @MrDsleepyeyes 4 роки тому +59

    *Spends 10 minutes looking in the mirror repeating a mantra*
    "You're gonna watch Tales of Ba Sing Se, don't cry. You're gonna watch Tales of Ba Sing Se, don't cry. You're gonna..."
    *Eyes turns watery with the plucking of the strings for 'Leaf on the Vine'. Hears Iroh wish his son a happy birthday. Spends 1 hr rolled up on the floor crying.*

  • @sparrowfox6943
    @sparrowfox6943 4 роки тому +119

    Bro imagine if Iroh had actually been an Avatar, I genuinely feel like he would be one of the best

    • @JOCoStudio1
      @JOCoStudio1 3 роки тому +32

      He'd never have been able to get through to all the people he did, especially Zuko, if he had such a title and obligations. Some people would ignore his teachings purely because he was the avatar. Much better as an unassuming old man.

    • @manicpepsicola3431
      @manicpepsicola3431 Рік тому +3

      @@JOCoStudio1 I agree with this wholeheartedly

  • @lemonaidebee966
    @lemonaidebee966 4 роки тому +85

    He protecc
    He attacc
    But most importantly...
    He just wants his son bacc.

    • @name.is.V
      @name.is.V 4 роки тому +3

      NO! YOU CANT MAKE ME CRY LIKE THAT!

    • @br12_
      @br12_ 3 роки тому +1

      Nice pfp lmao

  • @od3910
    @od3910 4 роки тому +245

    I love that everyone has started watching avatar. We are all watching the same thing its so adorable.
    Also you are amazing, so are your videos I hope you are doing well

    • @RileyJayDennis
      @RileyJayDennis  4 роки тому +17

      thank youu!! and yesss im loving the resurgence of atla discussions and memes 🙌

  • @isushimoon799
    @isushimoon799 4 роки тому +67

    Uncle Iroh is the father figure everybody needs

  • @whoneedsalife_4371
    @whoneedsalife_4371 3 роки тому +38

    I really loved when he went all out for the moon spirit, he was still kinda on the fire nation side, but he still understood that balance is nessary. He's honestly one of the best characters in Avatar, and all of them are so well rounded and well written. They a feel human, but I feel like Iroh had one of the best arks in the show.

  • @BYERE
    @BYERE 4 роки тому +80

    2:33 - That was also referenced in Legend of Korra, when Korra meets him in the spirit world. One of his most famous lines from those scenes is "Sometimes the best way to solve your own problems is to help someone else"... which pretty much sums up Iroh's character throughout TLA, whether it's helping the people of Ba Sing Se, giving advice to Toph when she storms off after her first argument with Katara, or guiding Zuko throughout the entirety of the series.

  • @maem7462
    @maem7462 4 роки тому +73

    Iroh’s travels made him him change a lot because he saw how human everyone else was and all the hatred they had for his people and that’s also basically what happened with Zuko as well. Zuko really started to change a lot during his travels. He always had potential for a redemption arc but when Zuko is traveling is when you really want him to have a redemption. It both humanizes Zuko and humanizes the other people besides fired nation in Zuko’s eyes

    • @rawkhawk414
      @rawkhawk414 3 роки тому +6

      My favourite part of his redemption arc is that he doesn't shake his addiction to the idea of honoring his father and nation until actually going back there and integrating what he'd learned while travelling. It's not just interesting because he goes bad to a bit good then bad then good again. It's interesting because we get to see him reconfront, with more maturity and wisdom, the circumstances of his home life and nation, and why he was banished in the first place--speaking out against the fire nation's cruelty and inhumane war tactics. It feels like he really earns his redemption, despite initially ruining ours and Katara's trust on his journey toward it.

  • @Therealfrostflower
    @Therealfrostflower 4 роки тому +79

    Uncle Iroh's wisdom has helped my mental health so much

  • @yuvalne
    @yuvalne 4 роки тому +265

    Iroh is the best-written character in all of fantasy.

    • @sunnydeee_
      @sunnydeee_ 4 роки тому +6

      Period.

    • @andreasjensvold9881
      @andreasjensvold9881 4 роки тому

      @@sunnydeee_ !!!!!!!!!

    • @br12_
      @br12_ 3 роки тому

      Jens Rupert ?

    • @awesomeawesome8350
      @awesomeawesome8350 3 роки тому +1

      Maybe not the best, but definitely up there.

    • @nathanswedan2676
      @nathanswedan2676 3 роки тому

      No. A couple characters from the Witcher fantasy saga, namely Geralt and Ciri, take that role. Then yes, Iroh.

  • @jairusjackson4156
    @jairusjackson4156 4 роки тому +43

    Iroh, deserves all the love he gets, he's a great character, a great father figure and I'm pissed he isn't a real person because I'd like to meet him!😣

  • @deborahp.2085
    @deborahp.2085 4 роки тому +64

    It’s nice avatar is getting a second resurgence now

  • @Blueberry_Koi
    @Blueberry_Koi 4 роки тому +61

    he is the literally the representation of the good aspect of taoism and confusionism

  • @worsethanyouthink
    @worsethanyouthink 4 роки тому +29

    Because he is the best most believable and straight up greatest mentor figure in any media

  • @kxt3301
    @kxt3301 4 роки тому +48

    atla is the best piece of cinematic art i’ve ever consumed. i’ve watched it about 4 times now over the years and i don’t think i’ll ever grow tired of it. everything about it is brilliant. the spirituality of their world is breathtaking, over the show you truly grow to care and love all of the main characters and a lot of other characters as well, and the morals of all of their stories is so well thought out. atla is, in my mind, a masterpiece. i love uncle iroh and some of the pieces of wisdom he gave to zuko and others in the show were things that at the time i needed to hear myself. i have genuine love for this show and all the characters.

  • @AsainNerdfighter
    @AsainNerdfighter 4 роки тому +43

    i'm just crying straight from the first mention of tales of ba sing se to the end of the video.

  • @tntkff9901
    @tntkff9901 4 роки тому +23

    One of my favorite Iroh moments from Book 1: when they hire a bounty hunter to look for the avatar,
    1) "We'll pay you your weight in gold."
    "Make it *your* weight and it's a deal!"
    Iroh: (laughs because he knows he's fat)
    2) "Care to have your fortune read, handsome?"
    "At my age, there is only one surprise left, and I would prefer it remain a mystery."
    3) (everyone is paralyzed)
    "Uncle, when did you get stung?"
    "....shhhhh..."

  • @Thulgore
    @Thulgore 4 роки тому +43

    Ba Sing Se was even more heartbreaking due to the passing of Mako =*(

    • @rangulfgimfang8322
      @rangulfgimfang8322 4 роки тому +7

      The first time I watched that episode i cried like a baby. I still do

    • @PancakeTheKat
      @PancakeTheKat 3 роки тому

      Who’s mako? Someone tell me

    • @praetorian9823
      @praetorian9823 2 роки тому

      @@PancakeTheKat the VA for Iroh

  • @mr-hoe
    @mr-hoe 4 роки тому +32

    happy father's day to the only parental figure ever

  • @mushydreams8927
    @mushydreams8927 3 роки тому +16

    “Of course zuko does his angsty zuko thing” that’s all of season one basically-

  • @RuviGaPo
    @RuviGaPo 4 роки тому +34

    We all need an iroh in our lives frankly

  • @demonknight5617
    @demonknight5617 4 роки тому +15

    As I just recently finished ATLA for the first time a couple of weeks ago, Iroh became one of my favorite characters in the whole series. The scene where he was at his son’s grave, I definitely was about to cry. He was so relatable to me because he lost his son. I’m only 14, but at the age of 9, I lost my dad, so I related to him a lot. It’s definitely hard to lose someone you care about so deeply, which is why whenever Iroh gets all sad, I get emotional. And, it is hard to feel like you couldn’t help someone, because I also felt the same for my dad.
    And, the scene where he forgave Zuko, I didn’t cry, but all my sappy emotions came through. I’m not one to show emotions because it’s hard for me to feel emotions, but Iroh is one of the only few characters who can bring out a sad emotion from me.
    I love Iroh. He’s so relatable, and he was the only one to make me feel sad emotions throughout the series. I definitely cherish him, and I hope that other people do too.

  • @dop9160
    @dop9160 3 роки тому +9

    Even though iron isn’t related to us, he lies in a special place in our heart

  • @praalgraf
    @praalgraf 4 роки тому +37

    man i wish i had uncle iroh as a dad
    also, i rly love these pop culture videos/ your analysis of them

  • @canofworms8029
    @canofworms8029 4 роки тому +30

    not to be dramatic, but i would literally die for Iroh

    • @madisonmorris7394
      @madisonmorris7394 4 роки тому +6

      I've only known Iroh for a week and a half, but if anything happened to him, I would kill everyone in this room and then myself. We need to go to the spirit world to find him.

    • @BLAM5980
      @BLAM5980 4 роки тому

      Bro, he’s a fictional character…

    • @amogus6770
      @amogus6770 3 роки тому

      @@BLAM5980 but if there is one out there

    • @user-di4vq3cy7d
      @user-di4vq3cy7d 2 роки тому

      This really show how much effects from a well written fictional character.

  • @Bigdaddy93413
    @Bigdaddy93413 3 роки тому +23

    Can you imagine how terrifying Fire Lord Iroh would have been if he never lost his son 😰

  • @jetstreamjackie3437
    @jetstreamjackie3437 4 роки тому +13

    This really recontextualizes the end of Book 1 for me. I never thought of it like this, but confronting Zhao was Iroh's 'crossroad of destiny'. He couldn't just sit back passively while his nation destroyed the very moon, let alone the rest of the northern water tribe. Very cool!

  • @Deadpool....
    @Deadpool.... 4 роки тому +10

    "Its time for you to look inward & begin asking yourself the big questions
    Who are YOU? And what do YOU want?"

  • @pixelfox1471
    @pixelfox1471 4 роки тому +56

    Imagine if Iroh actually became the fire lord instead of Ozai

  • @urielsantos9546
    @urielsantos9546 4 роки тому +14

    In THIS HOUSE we PROTECT AND LOVE UNCLE IROH WITH ALL OF OUR HEARTS

  • @nayelichavez8732
    @nayelichavez8732 4 роки тому +18

    Lu Ten didn't come marching home but Zuko did 😭😭

  • @JohnBoen
    @JohnBoen 4 роки тому +3

    I have been re-watching last airbender, and I can see how he has shaped me. Im in my mid 50s, and I watched with my kids...
    The scene where they are begging - he sings and dances while a guy swings a sword at his feet and mocks him. Iroh finally exclaims "What a nice man!" - This has stayed with me since the first time I saw it.
    When I grow up, I want to be like Iroh - maybe not as round...

  • @shiperobin
    @shiperobin 4 роки тому +10

    Never having known my own father, charachters like uncle Iroh have shaped me into the man I am today: a better man than my real father.

  • @chronictired1242
    @chronictired1242 4 роки тому +19

    When I saw the recommendation for this video I was like: " I am going to cry, at my dining table, at 12:41 PM. Lets do this."

  • @shadowofchaos41
    @shadowofchaos41 3 роки тому +7

    I literally cried my eyes out when Zuko and Iroh had that moment. I even knew about that moment beforehand and it still hit me. I am a grown 22 year old man and that right there will make a man cry.

  • @realityofanykind
    @realityofanykind 3 роки тому +11

    "He's the culmination of every other character's story packed into one". I had never seen it that way, I loved that!! I'd also never considered that he had been trying to help Zuko because he saw so much of himself in him too, and wanted to stop him from making the same mistakes he did.
    Finally, loved that you mentioned him being willing to deliver justice when needed. That's always been one of my favorite traits of him! That he's also perfected the complex balance between knowing when to be compassionate and understanding, and when to place some limits and stop letting others get away with things. Like, the scene you showed, when Zuko says Iroh must think that he should get along with Azula because they are siblings, it makes sense that he thinks Iroh would say that, because he's seen Iroh be patient, loving and compassionate with mostly everyone so far, even when people are disrespecting or challenging him. But then Iroh goes "No, she's crazy and she needs to go down," and that has always been one of my favorite lines from him, because despite how tragic Azula's past is too, he understands that she's not going to change anymore, or at least, not until she experiences some consequences for her terrible actions (and, actually, I think the feeling of that moment is better expresssed in the Spanish dub of the show, where Iroh says "She needs to be taught a lesson.")
    Same with the way he acted towards Zuko after his betrayal at Ba Sing Se. I really liked how he just cut him off emotionally. It always felt to me that it wasn't 'cause he might be angry or trying to get back at him, but rather because he sort of went "I've done all I could to help, so if you still want to be like this go ahead, but don't expect me to support or accompany you while you do it anymore." He placed some limits, even if he was sad for Zuko and still wanted him to be better. So he left him (mostly) alone to face the consequences of his actions which was, ultimately, a way of helping him, too. That's just another way in which Iroh expresses love for others, and also for himself and his beliefs, and I just love it SO MUCH!!
    Great video!

  • @dehro
    @dehro 4 роки тому +28

    "but Fire is the best!"
    Chibi-Iroh.

  • @teejaykaye4357
    @teejaykaye4357 3 роки тому +8

    You know Iroh has an eternal grip on your heartstrings when a UA-camr just *talking* about the best moments of Iroh gets your eyes watering...

  • @yadisfhaddad722
    @yadisfhaddad722 3 роки тому +10

    Iroh personifies the main principle of Taoism: Wuwei or effortless action. He goes with the flow of events, he always finds the peaceful way to engage with his environment, yet he's decisive and focused when necessary.

  • @NoobMaster-zw4oq
    @NoobMaster-zw4oq 3 роки тому +4

    I think we would all love to have Iroh as our uncle

  • @deanfukawa3260
    @deanfukawa3260 4 роки тому +6

    So sad that Mako, who voiced Uncle Iroh, passed away around the time of the "Tales of Ba Sing Sa" episode, sigh. His voice, humor and wisdom will be missed.

  • @poke_cactushobby3780
    @poke_cactushobby3780 4 роки тому +3

    The episode where he helps everyone hits so hard. The entire episode is covered in music, but when it gets to the end it is just him crying in silence. RIP Mako.

  • @daylilyanimation8939
    @daylilyanimation8939 4 роки тому +23

    Iroh consistently makes me cry, I love him, so much.
    I mean damn this video has almost made me cry twice 2 minutes in.

  • @alexbenavidez4500
    @alexbenavidez4500 4 роки тому +15

    So I was re-watching this series, as everyone is doing in lockdown, and I'm finding myself after near every episode that he shows up in, audibly saying outloud: "God, I love Iroh." Because I do. He's a brilliant character. He is purely empathetic and a genuine good person who only wants to help; even when he's working against Team Avatar, it's never with any malice. He was a bad person, blinded by his countries propaganda, and he doesn't just change himself and defect like Jeong Jeong, but internalised it and made a conscious effort in all forms of his life to help others, regardless of the circumstance
    He just wanted to see Zuko redeemed, and it is the greatest scene when he finally does.
    He is brilliant comic relief, and the scenes of him in prison pretending to be a dirty, senile old man is plain and clear about how he strategically uses his goofiness to fool others. He's incredibly intelligent and calculating, but is so in a benevolent way

  • @brookethebookquintana
    @brookethebookquintana 4 роки тому +4

    As someone who’s going through a big change in their life and also being someone who is just watching ATLA because they weren’t allowed to growing up, Iroh and his messages were so helpful to me. His teachings to Zuko really helped me detox from my own toxic family and also find myself in he process and thats why i loves him

  • @raulnatokapa
    @raulnatokapa 4 роки тому +5

    TBH in these days if he existed he would be cancelled, because he was a captian, did war, and that kinda stuff. No one would actually acknowlege that he changed his ways, helped Zuko, and was an overall genuine nice guy.

  • @maem7462
    @maem7462 4 роки тому +8

    The moment when Iroh forgives Zuko always makes me tear up even just hearing about it makes me tear up. While watching this video talking about that part made me cry

  • @ramasaputra6205
    @ramasaputra6205 4 роки тому +8

    I love how in the first season, they potrayed uncle iroh as this wise man, who only like drinking tea. While sooner we find out that uncle iroh was a former top General in the fire nation and the next succesor of the throne.

  • @MWittmann138
    @MWittmann138 3 роки тому +5

    Iron, defending the moonspirit, exclaiming that he'll unleash the tenfold of any harm, which will be dealt to it. I really enjoy that spot

  • @mellonlord4616
    @mellonlord4616 4 роки тому +2

    Tales of Ba Sing Se was so touching because we already cared about him. It's a very slow reveal with Iroh, showing his humor, hints at his power, his humility, his wisdom, his ambiguity with the fire nation, and the hints of his true depth. How much was hinted at and then we really finally saw it all come together in Ba Sing Se.

  • @MelonLord44
    @MelonLord44 4 роки тому +7

    I've also found that Iroh helped me to understand Zuko.
    AMAZING job articulating all of this by the way. I have no idea how to use words to communicate XD

  • @salty8202
    @salty8202 4 роки тому +7

    I just love him so much, we must protect him at all costs :,(

  • @alenasenie6928
    @alenasenie6928 3 роки тому +6

    Nobody can handle this 4 words "leaves from the vines", and after that everyone starts crying.

  • @AlasdairGR
    @AlasdairGR 4 роки тому +2

    Iroh has this infinite well of love and acceptance that I’m too young and probably too immature to comprehend. He just oozes kindness and understanding.

  • @zoneco9013
    @zoneco9013 3 роки тому +2

    I never considered the possibility of Iroh actively working to sabotage Zuko's hunt for Aang while still supporting him but it actually makes so much sense XD

  • @nathanielhellerstein5871
    @nathanielhellerstein5871 3 роки тому +3

    Iroh was a real human being. He spoke from the heart.

  • @avacadokid8740
    @avacadokid8740 4 роки тому +3

    I have watched Avatar: the last airbender so many times I've lost count but whenever "tales from Ba sing se" is on and when it's Iroh's turn I always ball my eyes out. Its amazing how the creators could make that happen everytime especially how they portrayed Irohs character...

  • @thomasedgerley7453
    @thomasedgerley7453 3 роки тому +2

    My favourite interpretation of Iroh is violently chill.

  • @cerealkiller4880
    @cerealkiller4880 4 роки тому +2

    As Aang once said “at our lowest point we are vulnerable to our biggest change” so with iroh losing his son and being in grief he was able to change his world view.

  • @izzy642
    @izzy642 3 роки тому +20

    When you don’t have an uncle iroh in your life: D:
    When you become the uncle iroh in others life’s: :D

  • @olive3963
    @olive3963 3 роки тому +4

    my first thought was aw this should be longer than 12 mins, but then I realised proving our love for iroh shouldnt take long at all

  • @KirikomiMoon
    @KirikomiMoon 4 роки тому +6

    Iroh really is an impressive character, whether he's bending his element, or guiding his spirit ❤️

  • @horses529
    @horses529 4 роки тому +3

    God, no matter HOW many times I watch Tales of Ba Sing Se I will always cry with Iroh's story. Just hearing Leaves From the Vine or the the line "if only I could have helped you" makes me start crying every time 😭

  • @darth-maul2932
    @darth-maul2932 4 роки тому +10

    "Leaves from the vine" was the last thing he did for ATLA before he died of throat cancer
    I am drinking tea when writing this R.I.P Mako
    (when he started crying those were real tears)

  • @kyoneko87
    @kyoneko87 4 роки тому +5

    I really love Uncle Iroh! He has taught so many lessons, when I was a young adult

  • @fatwalrus4011
    @fatwalrus4011 3 роки тому +3

    Would love to see a mini series on irohs travels of the world

  • @someguy6981
    @someguy6981 4 роки тому +4

    Iroh is the uncle we all wish we had... I love him.
    When the clip from Tales of Ba Sing Se came on. I wanted to hug him so bad...