Zuko is one of the main antagonists of animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender. He was the rown Prince of the Fire Nation who was banished by his abusive father, Fire Lord Ozai, and tasked with tracking down the Avatar. He later turns against his tyrannical father, joins the Gang and becomes a noble and just ruler to the Fire Nation.
What makes him sympathetic?[]
- He loves his mother, who teaches him how to be a good person.
- During his childhood, he was abused by both his father, Ozai, and his sister, Azula.
- At some point, his mother ran away and left him alone with his father and sister.
- Has insecurities that he is not as talented as his sister and that his father appreciates her more than him.
- Was brainwashed from a young age into believing the Fire Nation's propaganda, that their war is justified because they bring prosperity to the world.
- A flashback shows that at a war meeting Zuko spoke up against a plan that would sacrifice many Fire Nation soldiers, showing that he is a good person.
- Because of this, his father, Ozai, challenged him to a duel, burned one of his eyes and banished him from the Fire Nation until he kills the Avatar ( a task that's considered impossible).
- Even though Zuko sometimes mistreats his uncle, Iroh, he still cares deeply about him. At one point he even endangers his own mission to save his life. He also visits Iroh when he is in prison even though he knows that this would put his own life at risk.
- In the very first episode Zuko promises that he would spare the Water Tribe village if Aang surrenders to him. Zuko keeps his promise which shows that he has a sense of honor.
- When he fights against Admiral Zhao in a duel, he fights with honor and doesn't do anything to his opponent once he is fallen to the ground unlike Zhao himself.
- Saves the life of one of his crewmen which shows that he cares about them.
- Saves a village from a band of Earth Kingdom soldiers who terrorize it. When the villagers turn on him after discovering his identity, he simply walks away and accepts their attitude.
- Falls in love with a girl and wants to stay with her but ultimately decides that his mission is more important.
- Suffers throughout the entire course of the show simply because he wants to prove himself to his abusive family and regain his honor.
- When he realises that his family is evil, he turns against them and defies his father.
- Joins the Gang, reconciles with them and becomes their friend and teaches Aang the Fire element.
- During his final confrontational with Azula, when he sees that a lightning would hit Katara, he jumps in its way and protects Katara with hos own body.
- After Azula's defeat, Zuko shows mercy to his sister and sends her to an assylum instead of sending her to prison like he did with their father.
- Falls in love with Mai and marries her.
- After his father's defeat, Zuko rules the Fire Nation as a just and noble Fire Lord and puts an end to the Hundred Year War which has claimed the lives of millions of people throughout the world.
Origin[]
Zuko was born in the Fire Nation capital to Ozai and Ursa. His mother was kind and compassionate, while his father was a harsh man. Zuko's father said that he didn't see the spark in his eyes for a typical firebender. One year after Zuko was born, Ursa had another child, a girl named Azula. Ozai favored Azula over Zuko because she was a prodigy in firebending. One day, during a war meeting, Zuko spoke out of turn, which resulted in an Agni Kai. Zuko refused to fight his father, whom he had displeased, and begged for mercy. Ozai wasn't forgiving, and promptly burned Zuko's left eye, hence the scar.
After the Hundred Year War, Zuko was crowned Firelord, and helped Avatar Aang build Republic City. In Legend of Korra, he tried to stop P'Li from escaping from prison but failed