There is a famous hypothesis that Iroh learned one more thing from the Air nomads. In the first season when the fire nation invades the northern water tribe, Zuko is shown to use a breathing technique (presumably taught by Iroh) to regulate his body temperature in the cold. It is speculated that this technique originally belongs to the air nomads, as stated by Tenzin in LoK season 3 (about how skilled air benders can withstand any temperature), and is also evident from how they don't show signs of getting cold even in the polar region while wearing regular day-to-day clothing.
I think it was a traditional firebending technique, from before the great war and the militarisation. I mean, we were told from episode one that firebending comes from the breath. Seems reasonable that such meditative breathing techniques existed
@@sylph4252 true, but that is related to the power of the fire bending. It could be entirely possible that at a time every fire bender was capable of controlling their temperature, but it is also possible that temprature control was something Iroh developed from air bending techniques (after all, Iroh and Zuko are the only shown to use it. But they are also the only ones who end up in a position to having to use it)
@@abhilashkp6864 actually, any firebender who can breath fire should be capable of the technique, as it is subtly implied that breathing fire is a higher level firebending technique. Iroh is a master and teaches it to Zuko, who teaches it to Aang. The only other firebenders seen using this technique are Ozai, and Azula, who are both masters as well. This makes sense, given the series states that firebending comes from the breath, so it tracks that mastery would grant the bender the ability to breath fire.
@@ItsThatKidGreg it's shown that extrema cold makes it harder and even impossible to use fire bending properly depending on conditions meaning cold could make a sufficiently cold fire bender unable to use this technic without training. But even if they could the trick may still have been developed by studying air nomads. After all look how many people can metal bend now after toph made up the technique the fire nation may use this trick wide spread but it could still have been developed the same way iroh made lightning redirection.
In a flashback, it shows the first thing Zuko and Iroh did after Zuko's banishment was search all the air temples for clues. Iroh could have speant this time studying Air Nomad teachings rather than searching for the Avatar
I like to think that when Iroh and Zuko were refugees, he seemed so on top of things (for example borrowing his neighbors spark rocks when Jet stole his) because he had travelled the world anonymously before, when he was discovering techniques from each nation.
At first I was wondering how the hell a Fire Nation General like him would get into the Northern Water Tribe to learn anything, but then remembered, oh yeah, Master Pakku is White Lotus too. Duh.
@MeatSim9- that’s a good one I didn’t think that deep I’m a simple man after all- my thought was well Iroh is a one man army when he chooses where he wants to go the people of every nation ask him where he would like to go and simply point him in the right direction so that they might be spared
🔥 Fire: Learning the meaning of fire bending through the dragons. Earth 🌎: Learning to use the defensive side of the fire bending. Water:Inventing the technique of lightning absorption & redirection. Air: Becoming knowledgeable with spiritual wisdom & maybe he met Monk Gyatso,who can be the air bending master of the White Lotus.
He was called “The Dragon of the West” because he “killed” the last dragon (he lied to protect them). Zuko mentions it to Aang when they were tested by the dragons
@@JahanMisra This was before his son died so he was still next in line for the throne. He likely intended to end the war after his ascension, sure, Ozai would have killed him somehow, directly or indirectly, but he didn’t know that at the time.
@@JahanMisra sorry but this is something really normal for this series character development, not because the character learned something or felt some complex feeling it means that magically it will immediately change, that is present in various moments of the series, so even if Iroh saved the dragons and got a new understanding of fire bending, that doesn't mean that he will magically change sides, he was a general, his nation needed him still, he only stopped hating the war after losing his son, even if he was a decent guy before that.
@@tonyallen3138 that was in the....erm, movie, that horrible movie, where 6 earthbenders needed to do a stupid dance to earthbend a pebble, and firebenders needed a source of fire, instead of being able to just create it, and also being afraid of fire...yes, firebenders, people that control fire, are afraid of it, that movie was garbage
Iroh got the title Dragon of the west when he met the dragons, that's part of canon. We also see him redirect lightning very briefly in book 1 before he does it to Azula
iroh said in one episide *you want to know how i got the title of dragon of the west?* And then he proceeds breathing fire. i honestly dont think the title has anything to do with the dragons, he just got the title because he's a one of a kind.
There is one slight thing wrong in this video. Iroh is first seen redirecting lightning in Book 1 Chapter 12, "The Storm." After he directs the lightning, he wears a shocked expression, and it is my head canon that that is the first time he performed it with lightning instead of practicing the movements.
If u see zuko vs azula at the final fight clearly u can see that zuko was implementing other bending styles into his firebending eg helicopter kick[airbending move that aang uses alot], using earth ending stances and even before that he moved his arms in a waterbending style when he tried to attack azula in ba sing se in season 2, zuko spent his time with team avatar wisely like how iroh taught him and I must say ZUKO WAS SUCH A BAD ASS AT THE FINAL FIGHT
And when Iroh tells Zuko after their fight with Azula in the abandoned town "it's time to resume your training" he teaches him to draw wisdom from all 4 nations. To which Zuko replies, "this sounds like avatar stuff" and Iroh tells him "drawing wisdom from many sources will make anyone stronger" (paraphrasing)
The other on this list would be Old Toph. She progresses so far into mastering earthbending she reaches a point all master benders reach (not even some avatars truly reach this.) That point being that all things are one. A cycle of energy. She listens so deeply into the vibrations of the earth she sees her own children and became connected with the spirit of the world, much as water bending leveled to blood bending which lead to the manipulation of the flow of the spirit in Chi Blocking chakra flows, Air benders and their formlessness connecting with the spirit world and then we see the evolution of fire benders in Iroh. Fire guided by the flow of water to create lightning, Iroh fights more like air benders when fighting multiple enemies, dodging and weaving. Striking his enemies down usually in a single precise blow like earth benders. All is one and one is all. Its one of my theories in Avatar the following can be done. Waterbending Fire = Steam, Vapor, Clouds, Humidity Control. Fire Air = Smoke, Dust and Static Based Lightning. Weather Manipulation. Earth Water = Mud bending done both by Toph and Katara which weve seen in attack on Ba Sing Se. However, water benders should be able shape walls and extract just the water to make Clay based walls. Water Air = Snow (Northern water tribe battle katara vs master had snow bending.) Snow flurries, Blizzard type attacks, Hail. Imagine removing all vapor from the air and stealing another benders water and sweat. Besides blood bending you could devastate other water benders.
@@LuciferMoringstar999 I think Iroh was strong enough to beat Ozi but never would due to his morals and he didn’t think it was his destiny. I remember him talking to zuko about it later in the last airbender
(1:14) Iroh also redirected lightning in Book 1 Chapter 12: The Storm, with natural lightning... the time against Azula was the 2nd time he was shown doing it. (2:21) According to Zuko it was long before he was born, which means definitely long before his failure at Ba Sing Se and the death of Lu Ten... and also because Iroh was known as the Dragon of the West before then as you say.
He might’ve also learned that fire is from the breath from Airbenders since they can Control their temperature with their breath or just from the dragons
@@bremc666 yea but the sozin got rid of the original bending and thought the citizens a more strict way of firebending. The only ones who bend like the old days are the royal family which explains why they are the only ones who breath out fire
Just saying I would assume he learned everything he needed about air from the library which is stated that he visited ... hence his spirit guide the wolf or he learned from the stuff the fire nation stole from the Airbenders ... maybe some air manuscripts .... last thing could have been him studying under the guy who taught the avatar about the Chakras at the air temple
In 'The Firebending Masters' Zuko says that the last dragon was conquered long before he was born by his Uncle (Iroh). And since Zuko is a kid during the time Iroh was conquering Basing Se and he's already known as The Dragon Of The West, I'm pretty sure it means that Iroh met the dragons before canon (when he tried to conquer Basing Se).
Uncle Iroh was beyond wise. I could feel emotion when he was on screen. And his music was so calm and beautiful. I could almost feel like I was drinking tea with him. Who else felt this way?
Avatar is considered to be a children's series but carries so many useful and beautiful teachings and philosophical concepts. Some are even taught by some religions. We need more of these positive series. Fun and teaching put together and able to reach large masses.
Iroh actually first demonstrated lightning redirection in one of the early episodes of Book 1, where he redirected a literal lightning away from their ship.
This makes me wonder what influence the regimented style of firebending most of the army exhibited had on his early development. He was heir to the throne, so he probably had private tutors who encouraged critical thinking while the highly regulated public school system for the commoners turned out soldiers. I wonder if he would have been more like Ozai or Azula if he hadn't gone to hunt a dragon.
Iron and Aang learning from each other would’ve been amazing, wish they would’ve included that. Does anyone know if there are any comics that touch on that?
Actually the first time Iroh used his lightning redirection was during the dangerous storm Zuko led his ship through. He used it to redirect a lightning bolt which was about to hit the ship into the ocean.
When Iroh learned something is immaterial. What is important is his way, he always tried to learn and expand his knowledge, not being bound or limited by others and their narrow mindedness. Iroh even taught others, even a man who was trying to rob him.
Iroh also uses various bender stances in the various seasons. When preventing the betrayal sneak attack against Zuko at the end of the duel, his stance is that of an Earth bender, standing firm and completely negating the attack. When he's chained and they have to fight for their freedom, his stance is similar to that of a Water bender using their tentacle-like ability. His movements change and flow through various stances and techniques with ease, and even when he does the big fire blast to destroy the wall, his stance once again turns to Earth bending, planting himself while launching a flame so powerful it tears through the sturdiest of defenses. Iroh was truly a master of all four elements teachings and techniques without the bending to go with them. Now Zuko walks his path with honor, and he is a better leader because of these teachings
Pat Morita the one who played Mr. Miyagi would have been perfect to play iroh in live action if he was still alive. From the height to the calmness to even the humour. RIP Pat Morita
I think those individuals who can freely roam in the spiritworld are usually has a deep connection or understanding to their spirit when they still alive. So much that after they passedaway they didn't vanished or lost
Iroh definitely gained some insight from the other elements, that’s for sure. He said it himself that if you draw on experience from just one place, it becomes rigid and stale.
Iroh also lightning redirection in season one episode 12 “the storm”. A typhoon hits the firebenders ship amd iroh redirects a lighting strike that was about to hit the ship(and comedically leaves iroh in a “zapped” state with his hair smoking.
I’ve always loved his character he is the sage who had lived his life and imparts his wisdom onto others. He doesn’t force it but allows them to come to their own realizations as they process his knowledge. Story wise he was the surrogate parent for a lot of the young characters. It was a truly Eastern aesthetic of looking for knowledge to improve as apposed to relying on raw talent and brute force.
I think we need a spin off of uncle irohs life from childhood to his passing. We would get to see and learn about his son and his wife. We also get to see how exactly he failed at ba sing Sai. We can see his failures and his successes. Everything he learned to become everyone's uncle iroh. It would also be heart warming if his first time projecting himself in the spirit world he can see his son and wife(I'm assuming she passed away since she is never mentioned in the show.)
Its mentioned a few times by Admiral Zhao that Iroh had a famous trip to the spirit world which is rumored to have put a fear of spirits in him. Maybe he learned some Air stuff in there, but that would explain how he could see Aang and Roku flying on Rokus dragon in spirit form
I like how his appreciation of tea ties into his understanding of all four elements. Tea is made from all four elements coming together in complete harmony.
hey so quick fact, he actually first redirected lightning in season one, he redirected a bolt of lightning from hitting the ship, though many gloss over this one since it was pretty fast and kinda played off as a cartoonish moment due to the fact iroh had the "burnt" effect where he looks like he's covered with ash.
Iroh was also a big fan of brewing tea which involves basic use of all 4 elements. Water obviously, fire to boil the water, earth for containing the water in clay pots and cups and air to properly cool the tea (certain pots are specifically sought after for how they pour out the tea with the right amount of air incorporation at the point of serving). It may be a stretch but there was a point in the series where he almost blew his cover by using fire to boil his tea.
As someone who has watched this show over and over since childhood, that scene where he sees Roku's dragon sticks out to me. Post War Iroh has Avatar level understanding of spirits and the spirit world. His sight ability that allows him to see spirits should have been intellectually explored. How does the average man all of a sudden (as far as we know) have the same ability that only Avatars are supposed to have because they are the bridges between worlds. Iroh was like a beam holding up the bridge and was able to see spirits. Even in adulthood it is something to think about.
1:17 this is actually not the first time we see that, we actually once see it in the first season where a lightning bolt will hit the fire nation ship but iroh redirects it
Much of this world is chaos zuko, but if you search for the beauty, you’ll free your mind and once this happens you’ll see there is a purpose for each process this world undergoes, and you might even learn something about yourself along the way.
we saw lightning redirection first on book one on top of the ship where he redirected the lightning from a storm. imo redirection from azula was his most perfect one shown after that.
After the death of his son in Ba Sing Se, Iroh grew disenfranchised with the war and the world. He traveled to try and reconnect with the world as a way of resolving his grief. In this time, he would begin to learn from the nations (reconnecting with world). It is just a speculation but I imagine part of this grief journey lead him to the Air Temples, where better to contemplate life, death, joy, suffering, and all the bits of life. Given his nations history with the Air nomads and his goals for Ba Sing Se prior to his sons death there is a lot for him to think on in those walls. Again, just guessuming, but while there he would have observed the remaining art and any texts that may still exist just out of curiosity and it would have likely furthered his own forms of thinking. Dealing with the grieving process in such a spiritually powerful place can lead to great spiritual epiphany, this was pretty much what Aang did with Guru Pathik. Going through that process and coming through the other side unlocks the chakras as we have observed. While his son was his greatest grief, his pride, his nationalism, and even his own strength of arms may have also been weighing on his soul in the wake of events, so there was a lot of opportunity to unlock chakras and connect to the spiritual. Air temple(s) may have actually been the first stop for him. The insight he gained there may have compelled him to continue traveling the world to seek a greater wholeness like the Air Nomads did. If their ways helped him with grief surely mimicking them a little bit more for a little bit longer could unlock greater wisdom. They never make clear how long or when Iroh came back his journey but we know he was no longer willing to fight for the Fire Nation and we know that he was home in time to witness his nephew's maiming and exile. He definitely connected with Zuko's grief and we can even seem him trying to nudge Zuko down the same healing path he took. Theorycrafting aside, anyone else hyped for the Yang Chin book coming this summer? I can't wait!
The fact lightning redirection is a waterbender move essentially Is cool It's even cooler that zuko used it to save katara, who is a water bender They could not be further apart from the start But he saved her using teachings from her tribes
Iroh was said to have slain the last dragon which earned him the title of 'Dragon of the West'. He was also firelord at the time but after his son's death and defeat at Ba Sing Se he abdicated.
Someone else has definitely said this if I scroll far enough, but "umm actually" We first see Iroh redirect lightning in the episode "The Storm" of season 1. He catches lightning from the storm and channels it into the water to save the ship.
Your video made me realize that because there was no avatar for 100 years.. the world truly needed balance. Iroh has been channeling the avatar energy .. just without the absolute power to change everything. But he has used philosophy!
1:15 actually the first time we saw lightning redirection was in the middle of book one in the storm when he does it with actual lightning (like 20 minutes in)
Iroh is the closest person to being the Avatar without the abilities of the Avatar (Avatar state, multi element bender). Iroh even taught/counseled Aang about some things.
I recall in an episode where he was talking with Zhou someone mentioned yes we have all heard of your incident with the spirit realm. I think that may have been where he had the chance to both open his eyes to new paths, and to also learn some of the airbending concepts.
I know this is supposed to be about jow Iroh is such a good character by what he learned, but before all of that can we appreciate that he drew a perfect circle with a stick?
I’m pretty sure that the beginning of season 2 isn’t the first time we see iroh redirect lightning. In season one when the are still on zuko’s ship searching for aang they get caught in a really bad thunderstorm and in order to keep the ship and it’s crew from getting hit by lightning iroh redirects it away from the ship and afterwards he looks all black and smoky and all of his hair is standing up as if he got shocked by the lightning. We didn’t know that he had the ability to redirect lightning at the time so we assumed that he got struck by lightning but he actually redirected it. That’s the first time we see him do that. Season 2 is just the first time he redirects a lightning attack that’s coming from another fire bender.
dont forget he got the name dragon to the west as he killed the last dragon in the west but in actuality he let it live and learned from it rather than kill it. love the video
1:10 We actually see lightning redirection even earlier. Sometime in the first season - when Zuko is pushing the ship crew there a bad storm - lightning strikes the ship and Iroh redirected it!😀
In one of his fights, someone throws huge boulders on Iroh and he just squats and doesn't even move. That's clearly an earth bender thing to just take the damage because you know you can withstand it.
I don’t know if this has already been addressed but I was wondering if you could do a video explaining if anyone could redirect Lightning or if it’s just firebenders and the avatar
I think the point of Iroh learning all the styles of bending(not the elements), was that it can make you a more rounded character and helps you reach a point of understanding or empathy of others, this is also why Sokka begins to improve as a character only after he is humbled as a warrior and learns from the other nations thus making him like Iroh. In Buddhism you need to reach a state of enlightenment and in avatar enlightenment only comes, in the case of the Avatar, when you have mastered all the elements. I feel the writers wanted us to try to do the same, to learn from other cultures and to use their own wisdom and knowledge to better ourselves so we too can reach a state of enlightenment.
Leaves from the vine Falling so slow Like fragile tiny shells Drifting in the foam Iroh is similar to Ramiel. They’re… perfection. Learn from all he see’s, Maybe Iroh was always the key to the message. Sunlight can glow magnificently but can also hide at times. The sun is what we see. Ramiel.
Iroh has to have interacted with the dragons before Ba Sing Say, he claimed to have killed the last dragon, that is what got him the title of Dragon of the West, instead, he learned from them, and said he had killed the last so no one else would go looking for dragons to kill.
Actually the first time we saw lightning redirection, the lightning struck the ship they were on during a storm, and he just redirects it like no biggie
Acctully the first time we saw iroh use lightning redirection was like season 1....lighting hits the ship and iroh redirects it and is shocked it works
There is a famous hypothesis that Iroh learned one more thing from the Air nomads. In the first season when the fire nation invades the northern water tribe, Zuko is shown to use a breathing technique (presumably taught by Iroh) to regulate his body temperature in the cold. It is speculated that this technique originally belongs to the air nomads, as stated by Tenzin in LoK season 3 (about how skilled air benders can withstand any temperature), and is also evident from how they don't show signs of getting cold even in the polar region while wearing regular day-to-day clothing.
I think it was a traditional firebending technique, from before the great war and the militarisation. I mean, we were told from episode one that firebending comes from the breath. Seems reasonable that such meditative breathing techniques existed
@@sylph4252 true, but that is related to the power of the fire bending. It could be entirely possible that at a time every fire bender was capable of controlling their temperature, but it is also possible that temprature control was something Iroh developed from air bending techniques (after all, Iroh and Zuko are the only shown to use it. But they are also the only ones who end up in a position to having to use it)
@@abhilashkp6864 actually, any firebender who can breath fire should be capable of the technique, as it is subtly implied that breathing fire is a higher level firebending technique. Iroh is a master and teaches it to Zuko, who teaches it to Aang. The only other firebenders seen using this technique are Ozai, and Azula, who are both masters as well. This makes sense, given the series states that firebending comes from the breath, so it tracks that mastery would grant the bender the ability to breath fire.
@@ItsThatKidGreg it's shown that extrema cold makes it harder and even impossible to use fire bending properly depending on conditions meaning cold could make a sufficiently cold fire bender unable to use this technic without training.
But even if they could the trick may still have been developed by studying air nomads. After all look how many people can metal bend now after toph made up the technique the fire nation may use this trick wide spread but it could still have been developed the same way iroh made lightning redirection.
Or the firebenders developed the technique to stay warm when on campaigns in the polar regions.
In a flashback, it shows the first thing Zuko and Iroh did after Zuko's banishment was search all the air temples for clues. Iroh could have speant this time studying Air Nomad teachings rather than searching for the Avatar
I like to think that when Iroh and Zuko were refugees, he seemed so on top of things (for example borrowing his neighbors spark rocks when Jet stole his) because he had travelled the world anonymously before, when he was discovering techniques from each nation.
At first I was wondering how the hell a Fire Nation General like him would get into the Northern Water Tribe to learn anything, but then remembered, oh yeah, Master Pakku is White Lotus too. Duh.
@MeatSim9- that’s a good one I didn’t think that deep I’m a simple man after all- my thought was well Iroh is a one man army when he chooses where he wants to go the people of every nation ask him where he would like to go and simply point him in the right direction so that they might be spared
Smh dumbest shit I’ve read
🔥 Fire: Learning the meaning of fire bending through the dragons.
Earth 🌎: Learning to use the defensive side of the fire bending.
Water:Inventing the technique of lightning absorption & redirection.
Air: Becoming knowledgeable with spiritual wisdom & maybe he met Monk Gyatso,who can be the air bending master of the White Lotus.
He was called “The Dragon of the West” because he “killed” the last dragon (he lied to protect them). Zuko mentions it to Aang when they were tested by the dragons
yeah it seems that he met the dragons and somehow still fought for the fire nation. bit of a plot hole imo
@@JahanMisra This was before his son died so he was still next in line for the throne. He likely intended to end the war after his ascension, sure, Ozai would have killed him somehow, directly or indirectly, but he didn’t know that at the time.
I remember fire nation guards losing their minds once he started fire bending just from him generating the fire by himself.
@@JahanMisra sorry but this is something really normal for this series character development, not because the character learned something or felt some complex feeling it means that magically it will immediately change, that is present in various moments of the series, so even if Iroh saved the dragons and got a new understanding of fire bending, that doesn't mean that he will magically change sides, he was a general, his nation needed him still, he only stopped hating the war after losing his son, even if he was a decent guy before that.
@@tonyallen3138 that was in the....erm, movie, that horrible movie, where 6 earthbenders needed to do a stupid dance to earthbend a pebble, and firebenders needed a source of fire, instead of being able to just create it, and also being afraid of fire...yes, firebenders, people that control fire, are afraid of it, that movie was garbage
Iroh got the title Dragon of the west when he met the dragons, that's part of canon. We also see him redirect lightning very briefly in book 1 before he does it to Azula
‘dragon’ is a rank granted to only those firebenders who have hunted and killed dragons
edit: i think
@@t0ad_ zuko said later that his uncle must have lyed about it, to protect the last dragons
iroh said in one episide *you want to know how i got the title of dragon of the west?* And then he proceeds breathing fire. i honestly dont think the title has anything to do with the dragons, he just got the title because he's a one of a kind.
He also does it with an open palm style, so this could've very well been him still developing it
@@t0ad_ he lied saying he killed the last one as to stop the hunting
There is one slight thing wrong in this video. Iroh is first seen redirecting lightning in Book 1 Chapter 12, "The Storm." After he directs the lightning, he wears a shocked expression, and it is my head canon that that is the first time he performed it with lightning instead of practicing the movements.
Thinking this exact same thing.
Thanks. I didn't know this
Won't lie, he had that expression that said "Huh, that actually worked."
He also does it more open palm style, so this could've been in development at the time
Natural lightning is way more potent than "bender" lightning. Another possible explanation is that he was surprised by the sheer magnitude of it.
If u see zuko vs azula at the final fight clearly u can see that zuko was implementing other bending styles into his firebending eg helicopter kick[airbending move that aang uses alot], using earth ending stances and even before that he moved his arms in a waterbending style when he tried to attack azula in ba sing se in season 2, zuko spent his time with team avatar wisely like how iroh taught him and I must say ZUKO WAS SUCH A BAD ASS AT THE FINAL FIGHT
Seeing how each element follows a different fighting style, it makes sense how he got the upper hand during that fight.
yo awesome point i just rewatched it thats amazing
Man basically did magic MMA
And when Iroh tells Zuko after their fight with Azula in the abandoned town "it's time to resume your training" he teaches him to draw wisdom from all 4 nations. To which Zuko replies, "this sounds like avatar stuff" and Iroh tells him "drawing wisdom from many sources will make anyone stronger" (paraphrasing)
@@hivemind2158 Honestly wish we had gotten to see how it would have ended had katara not joined the fight
I like how Zuko's story relates to Iroh's. He also wanted to join other four masters and create the white lotus and he was the avatar of the group.
And they were supposed to be the team avatar if aang weren't frozen
Iroh is one of the most well-rounded benders in the series especially with the skills that he gained from studying the other nations
The other on this list would be Old Toph. She progresses so far into mastering earthbending she reaches a point all master benders reach (not even some avatars truly reach this.) That point being that all things are one. A cycle of energy.
She listens so deeply into the vibrations of the earth she sees her own children and became connected with the spirit of the world, much as water bending leveled to blood bending which lead to the manipulation of the flow of the spirit in Chi Blocking chakra flows, Air benders and their formlessness connecting with the spirit world and then we see the evolution of fire benders in Iroh. Fire guided by the flow of water to create lightning, Iroh fights more like air benders when fighting multiple enemies, dodging and weaving. Striking his enemies down usually in a single precise blow like earth benders.
All is one and one is all.
Its one of my theories in Avatar the following can be done.
Waterbending Fire = Steam, Vapor, Clouds, Humidity Control.
Fire Air = Smoke, Dust and Static Based Lightning. Weather Manipulation.
Earth Water = Mud bending done both by Toph and Katara which weve seen in attack on Ba Sing Se. However, water benders should be able shape walls and extract just the water to make Clay based walls.
Water Air = Snow (Northern water tribe battle katara vs master had snow bending.) Snow flurries, Blizzard type attacks, Hail. Imagine removing all vapor from the air and stealing another benders water and sweat. Besides blood bending you could devastate other water benders.
Iroh and toph just have to be up there as some of the greatest fire and earth benders in the entire series
@@dambam2882 Toph is the best earthbender ever you could make a case for king bumi and iroh is the second strongest firebender right behind Ozai
@@LuciferMoringstar999 I think Iroh was strong enough to beat Ozi but never would due to his morals and he didn’t think it was his destiny. I remember him talking to zuko about it later in the last airbender
Same for the whole white lotus
Everyone in the white lotus takes from the other elements that's kind of the white lotus Philisophy
Uncle iroh was one of my favorite characters as a such a great father figure that taught zuko great life lessons 🌊🪨🔥🌪
(1:14) Iroh also redirected lightning in Book 1 Chapter 12: The Storm, with natural lightning... the time against Azula was the 2nd time he was shown doing it.
(2:21) According to Zuko it was long before he was born, which means definitely long before his failure at Ba Sing Se and the death of Lu Ten... and also because Iroh was known as the Dragon of the West before then as you say.
iroh most definitely learned from each nation.
no way he got that wise and chill without seeing every perspective on life out there.
He might’ve also learned that fire is from the breath from Airbenders since they can Control their temperature with their breath or just from the dragons
No it's a dragon thing
@@kc_h7h It may be dragon thing but it's probably not firebender thing otherwise coolers on the Boiling Rock would be useless.
@@bremc666 yea but the sozin got rid of the original bending and thought the citizens a more strict way of firebending. The only ones who bend like the old days are the royal family which explains why they are the only ones who breath out fire
the thumbnail is badass!!
Check the description box for the artist's original link!
Just saying I would assume he learned everything he needed about air from the library which is stated that he visited ... hence his spirit guide the wolf or he learned from the stuff the fire nation stole from the Airbenders ... maybe some air manuscripts .... last thing could have been him studying under the guy who taught the avatar about the Chakras at the air temple
Actually admiral zhao was the one who went to the library iroh had a journey to the spirit world
In 'The Firebending Masters' Zuko says that the last dragon was conquered long before he was born by his Uncle (Iroh). And since Zuko is a kid during the time Iroh was conquering Basing Se and he's already known as The Dragon Of The West, I'm pretty sure it means that Iroh met the dragons before canon (when he tried to conquer Basing Se).
Uncle Iroh was beyond wise. I could feel emotion when he was on screen. And his music was so calm and beautiful. I could almost feel like I was drinking tea with him. Who else felt this way?
How on earth was Iroh able to learn about air nomads when his grandfather Sozin already murdered them all?
Because Sozin didn't get to kill all airbenders. And as Iroh said, he became good friends with a curtain little boy nicknamed Twinkle Toes.
@@AntoineBandele Aang is the only one who survived coz he escaped early
@@AntoineBandele aang is the first and only air bender that iroh ever comes into contact with
Avatar is considered to be a children's series but carries so many useful and beautiful teachings and philosophical concepts. Some are even taught by some religions. We need more of these positive series. Fun and teaching put together and able to reach large masses.
I believe that between Irohs defeat, and Zukos burn, Iroh went on his trip around the world, becomming a member of the white lotus.
Iroh actually first demonstrated lightning redirection in one of the early episodes of Book 1, where he redirected a literal lightning away from their ship.
This makes me wonder what influence the regimented style of firebending most of the army exhibited had on his early development. He was heir to the throne, so he probably had private tutors who encouraged critical thinking while the highly regulated public school system for the commoners turned out soldiers. I wonder if he would have been more like Ozai or Azula if he hadn't gone to hunt a dragon.
Great stuff! Iroh is my favorite "older wise character" in an epic!
Iron and Aang learning from each other would’ve been amazing, wish they would’ve included that. Does anyone know if there are any comics that touch on that?
Actually the first time Iroh used his lightning redirection was during the dangerous storm Zuko led his ship through. He used it to redirect a lightning bolt which was about to hit the ship into the ocean.
Was about to comment that
When Iroh learned something is immaterial. What is important is his way, he always tried to learn and expand his knowledge, not being bound or limited by others and their narrow mindedness.
Iroh even taught others, even a man who was trying to rob him.
I would pay my entire life savings to get a clip fully animated of iroh escaping with the art style of the thumbnail like damn xD
getwrightonit.com/animation-price-guide/
@@AntoineBandele well damn five septims sure isn't gonna cover that x3
Iroh is my favorite character. Everyone needs an uncle like that.
Iron was our teacher for happiness and balance and asking us who we are and what do we want.
Iroh also uses various bender stances in the various seasons. When preventing the betrayal sneak attack against Zuko at the end of the duel, his stance is that of an Earth bender, standing firm and completely negating the attack. When he's chained and they have to fight for their freedom, his stance is similar to that of a Water bender using their tentacle-like ability. His movements change and flow through various stances and techniques with ease, and even when he does the big fire blast to destroy the wall, his stance once again turns to Earth bending, planting himself while launching a flame so powerful it tears through the sturdiest of defenses.
Iroh was truly a master of all four elements teachings and techniques without the bending to go with them. Now Zuko walks his path with honor, and he is a better leader because of these teachings
Pat Morita the one who played Mr. Miyagi would have been perfect to play iroh in live action if he was still alive. From the height to the calmness to even the humour. RIP Pat Morita
Bring back memories. Iroh, momo, appa and toph Carried the show for me
I think those individuals who can freely roam in the spiritworld are usually has a deep connection or understanding to their spirit when they still alive. So much that after they passedaway they didn't vanished or lost
Iroh definitely gained some insight from the other elements, that’s for sure. He said it himself that if you draw on experience from just one place, it becomes rigid and stale.
Iroh also lightning redirection in season one episode 12 “the storm”. A typhoon hits the firebenders ship amd iroh redirects a lighting strike that was about to hit the ship(and comedically leaves iroh in a “zapped” state with his hair smoking.
I’ve always loved his character he is the sage who had lived his life and imparts his wisdom onto others. He doesn’t force it but allows them to come to their own realizations as they process his knowledge. Story wise he was the surrogate parent for a lot of the young characters. It was a truly Eastern aesthetic of looking for knowledge to improve as apposed to relying on raw talent and brute force.
You’re forgetting his focus on stance (from earth bending) and fire coming from the breath (from air bending), as well.
Actually, we first saw Iroh redirect lighting back in Book 1 Ep. "The Storm."
I think we need a spin off of uncle irohs life from childhood to his passing. We would get to see and learn about his son and his wife. We also get to see how exactly he failed at ba sing Sai. We can see his failures and his successes. Everything he learned to become everyone's uncle iroh. It would also be heart warming if his first time projecting himself in the spirit world he can see his son and wife(I'm assuming she passed away since she is never mentioned in the show.)
Its mentioned a few times by Admiral Zhao that Iroh had a famous trip to the spirit world which is rumored to have put a fear of spirits in him. Maybe he learned some Air stuff in there, but that would explain how he could see Aang and Roku flying on Rokus dragon in spirit form
Boy that awkward rambling at the beginning about him not being the Avatar sure got me hooked.
Can we all just admit that the epicness of the thumbnail made us click?
I like how his appreciation of tea ties into his understanding of all four elements. Tea is made from all four elements coming together in complete harmony.
anyone talking about how iroh drew a perfect circle 3:19
hey so quick fact, he actually first redirected lightning in season one, he redirected a bolt of lightning from hitting the ship, though many gloss over this one since it was pretty fast and kinda played off as a cartoonish moment due to the fact iroh had the "burnt" effect where he looks like he's covered with ash.
Iroh was also a big fan of brewing tea which involves basic use of all 4 elements. Water obviously, fire to boil the water, earth for containing the water in clay pots and cups and air to properly cool the tea (certain pots are specifically sought after for how they pour out the tea with the right amount of air incorporation at the point of serving). It may be a stretch but there was a point in the series where he almost blew his cover by using fire to boil his tea.
LOL, you should see this: ruclips.net/video/qHCjUDMcC2w/видео.html
As someone who has watched this show over and over since childhood, that scene where he sees Roku's dragon sticks out to me. Post War Iroh has Avatar level understanding of spirits and the spirit world. His sight ability that allows him to see spirits should have been intellectually explored. How does the average man all of a sudden (as far as we know) have the same ability that only Avatars are supposed to have because they are the bridges between worlds. Iroh was like a beam holding up the bridge and was able to see spirits. Even in adulthood it is something to think about.
We first saw lightning redirection in the "The Storm" episode when he redirects a lightning from hitting zuko's ship
1:17 this is actually not the first time we see that, we actually once see it in the first season where a lightning bolt will hit the fire nation ship but iroh redirects it
Much of this world is chaos zuko, but if you search for the beauty, you’ll free your mind and once this happens you’ll see there is a purpose for each process this world undergoes, and you might even learn something about yourself along the way.
we saw lightning redirection first on book one on top of the ship where he redirected the lightning from a storm. imo redirection from azula was his most perfect one shown after that.
it was actually in book 1, we saw him redirect lighting during the episode "The Storm"
After the death of his son in Ba Sing Se, Iroh grew disenfranchised with the war and the world. He traveled to try and reconnect with the world as a way of resolving his grief. In this time, he would begin to learn from the nations (reconnecting with world). It is just a speculation but I imagine part of this grief journey lead him to the Air Temples, where better to contemplate life, death, joy, suffering, and all the bits of life. Given his nations history with the Air nomads and his goals for Ba Sing Se prior to his sons death there is a lot for him to think on in those walls. Again, just guessuming, but while there he would have observed the remaining art and any texts that may still exist just out of curiosity and it would have likely furthered his own forms of thinking. Dealing with the grieving process in such a spiritually powerful place can lead to great spiritual epiphany, this was pretty much what Aang did with Guru Pathik. Going through that process and coming through the other side unlocks the chakras as we have observed. While his son was his greatest grief, his pride, his nationalism, and even his own strength of arms may have also been weighing on his soul in the wake of events, so there was a lot of opportunity to unlock chakras and connect to the spiritual.
Air temple(s) may have actually been the first stop for him. The insight he gained there may have compelled him to continue traveling the world to seek a greater wholeness like the Air Nomads did. If their ways helped him with grief surely mimicking them a little bit more for a little bit longer could unlock greater wisdom.
They never make clear how long or when Iroh came back his journey but we know he was no longer willing to fight for the Fire Nation and we know that he was home in time to witness his nephew's maiming and exile. He definitely connected with Zuko's grief and we can even seem him trying to nudge Zuko down the same healing path he took.
Theorycrafting aside, anyone else hyped for the Yang Chin book coming this summer? I can't wait!
"Firebending comes from breath. Not from muscles." My favourite thing Iroh taught Zuko
Actually we first see his lightning redirection when he saves the ship from getting struck
We also briefly saw Iroh redirect lightning in season one during the storm episode
We actually seen Iroh re-direct lightning for the first time in Season 1 of ATLA. It was done in the episode, "The Storm"
Uncle Iroh learnt how to keep himself warm and taught it to zuko by learning from the airbenders.
Fun fact: The first time we see Iroh redirect lighting is actually in the first episode when Zuko's ship is about to be struck by it😁
The fact lightning redirection is a waterbender move essentially
Is cool
It's even cooler that zuko used it to save katara, who is a water bender
They could not be further apart from the start
But he saved her using teachings from her tribes
Iroh was said to have slain the last dragon which earned him the title of 'Dragon of the West'. He was also firelord at the time but after his son's death and defeat at Ba Sing Se he abdicated.
Well all I know is iroh was the best father figure and badass uncle you can have specially when his in serious mode
to correct you the first time we see Iroh redirect lightning was in book 1 episode 12 during the storm
Someone else has definitely said this if I scroll far enough, but "umm actually" We first see Iroh redirect lightning in the episode "The Storm" of season 1. He catches lightning from the storm and channels it into the water to save the ship.
Lightning bending is also influenced by air bending as it is an emotionally dethatched killing move. Which is why Zuko couldn't do it.
Your video made me realize that because there was no avatar for 100 years.. the world truly needed balance. Iroh has been channeling the avatar energy .. just without the absolute power to change everything. But he has used philosophy!
the first time we see lightning redirection is actually in the storm when iroh redirects a bolt of random lightning
1:15 actually the first time we saw lightning redirection was in the middle of book one in the storm when he does it with actual lightning (like 20 minutes in)
Iroh is the closest person to being the Avatar without the abilities of the Avatar (Avatar state, multi element bender).
Iroh even taught/counseled Aang about some things.
I recall in an episode where he was talking with Zhou someone mentioned yes we have all heard of your incident with the spirit realm. I think that may have been where he had the chance to both open his eyes to new paths, and to also learn some of the airbending concepts.
1:15 Wrong. We first see Iroh redirect lightning during season one in the episode "The Storm".
He basically became a guru of spiritual energy and knowledge taken out of each nation
Correction the first time that he did lightning redirection was the first season when lightning was going to struck the boat and he redirected it.
It actually goes even deeper as you can see the bending styles in his fighting.
I know this is supposed to be about jow Iroh is such a good character by what he learned, but before all of that can we appreciate that he drew a perfect circle with a stick?
There are many reasons why Iroh is my favorite Avatar character of all time, but this is one of the top reasons. In short, man is a chad among chads.
I’m pretty sure that the beginning of season 2 isn’t the first time we see iroh redirect lightning. In season one when the are still on zuko’s ship searching for aang they get caught in a really bad thunderstorm and in order to keep the ship and it’s crew from getting hit by lightning iroh redirects it away from the ship and afterwards he looks all black and smoky and all of his hair is standing up as if he got shocked by the lightning. We didn’t know that he had the ability to redirect lightning at the time so we assumed that he got struck by lightning but he actually redirected it. That’s the first time we see him do that. Season 2 is just the first time he redirects a lightning attack that’s coming from another fire bender.
dont forget he got the name dragon to the west as he killed the last dragon in the west but in actuality he let it live and learned from it rather than kill it. love the video
Iron's dirt-drawing skills are nest level
1:10 We actually see lightning redirection even earlier.
Sometime in the first season - when Zuko is pushing the ship crew there a bad storm - lightning strikes the ship and Iroh redirected it!😀
1:14 Actually the first time he redirects a lightning was in episode 12 "the storm"
we saw it before he redirect azula's lightning during the storm lightning came down to hit the ship but iroh did catch it and redirect it to the sea
lightning redirection was also shown in the earlier episodes of season one to prevent lightning from hitting the ship.
In one of his fights, someone throws huge boulders on Iroh and he just squats and doesn't even move. That's clearly an earth bender thing to just take the damage because you know you can withstand it.
The first time we see Iroh redirect lightning is in The Storm when he redirected natural lightning away from Zuko's ship.
I don’t know if this has already been addressed but I was wondering if you could do a video explaining if anyone could redirect Lightning or if it’s just firebenders and the avatar
Actually, we saw lighting redirection as far back in the episode called the storm from season 1
Also iroh redirected lighting in the beginning of the show I think it was like episode 4 or something when it’s storming and they are chasing aang
wasn't the first time we saw Iroh re-direct lightning when there was a powerful storm in book one?
I think the point of Iroh learning all the styles of bending(not the elements), was that it can make you a more rounded character and helps you reach a point of understanding or empathy of others, this is also why Sokka begins to improve as a character only after he is humbled as a warrior and learns from the other nations thus making him like Iroh. In Buddhism you need to reach a state of enlightenment and in avatar enlightenment only comes, in the case of the Avatar, when you have mastered all the elements. I feel the writers wanted us to try to do the same, to learn from other cultures and to use their own wisdom and knowledge to better ourselves so we too can reach a state of enlightenment.
I love your videos
Trying to do better with consistency. Did you see my latest YT short!? We are getting more novels!
@@AntoineBandelelet's go
He got stuck in the spirit realm when he was young and was able to see after he came out
Leaves from the vine
Falling so slow
Like fragile tiny shells
Drifting in the foam
Iroh is similar to Ramiel. They’re… perfection. Learn from all he see’s, Maybe Iroh was always the key to the message. Sunlight can glow magnificently but can also hide at times. The sun is what we see. Ramiel.
My favorite little head Canon is that Iroh has become the Tea Spirit
Iroh has to have interacted with the dragons before Ba Sing Say, he claimed to have killed the last dragon, that is what got him the title of Dragon of the West, instead, he learned from them, and said he had killed the last so no one else would go looking for dragons to kill.
Iroh also used lightening redirection in the episode Storm
He learned from the earth nation about how to break through solider metal with his bare hands
Actually the first time we saw lightning redirection, the lightning struck the ship they were on during a storm, and he just redirects it like no biggie
If Iroh was an avatar, he would be the beat avatar
Acctully the first time we saw iroh use lightning redirection was like season 1....lighting hits the ship and iroh redirects it and is shocked it works