With Avatar: The Last Airbender back in the spotlight – thanks to the recently released Netflix series – fans have once again begun to wonder why the beloved Uncle Iroh didn’t become the Fire Lord of the series.
Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko received praise character universe is back (although the original creators are not involved in the new live-action series), as audiences are thrown into the middle of a world of nations ruled by warring elements.
While the new show has brought a lot of nostalgia to longtime fans, it also brought up a few head-scratching questions about the original Nickelodeon series.
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Uncle Iroh’s Claim to the Fire Lord Throne Explained
Some may wonder why Uncle Iroh (played by Star Wars star Paul Sun-Hyung Lee in the Netflix series) isn’t sitting on the Fire Lord’s throne Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Technically speaking, Uncle Iroh is best qualified for the role after his father Azulon’s death. In the animated series, Iroh is 10 years older than his younger brother Ozai (played by Daniel Dae Kim in the live-action film), meaning he should be next in line to the throne.
However, things don’t work out that way.
![Ozai Avatar The Last Airbender](https://images.thedirect.com/media/photos/2ozai.png)
According to the events depicted in Season 2 Episode 7 of the hit Nickelodeon series, Fire Lord Azulon’s dying request was to have Ozai follow him and not his older son Iroh.
It may not be that simple though, as it is heavily implied that Ozai killed his father to take the throne and rise to lead the Fire Nation.
Although initially broken by his brother’s betrayal, Iroh accepts that there is much more to life than his title and focuses elsewhere to find fulfillment.
![Avatar The Last Airbender Iroh Comics](https://images.thedirect.com/media/photos/3interimfirelord.png)
In Dark Horse character comics, there is a time when Iroh becomes the temporary Fire Lord while the young Prince Zuko has gone in search of his mother.
After the Fire Lord Ozai is defeated at the hands of Avatar Aang to end the series, Zuko is crowned as the new leader of the Fire Nation and takes the position his father once held.
However, the young prince still has no answers about his mother, so he sets out to find her, leaving Irohi in charge for several weeks.
Zuko eventually returns to retake his title as Fire Lord, and Iroh’s reign is only temporary.
Iroh & the Fire Lord title in the live action movie
![Netflix Avatar The Last Airbender Iroh](https://images.thedirect.com/media/photos/4iroh.png)
Ozai’s succession and how he ended up as a Fire Lord has yet to be addressed in the live-action movie Avatar: The Last Airbender in the series, as well as Iroh’s feelings around the title.
However, everything could change if the series gets the green light for a second season on Netflix.
While dealing with the story of Ozai’s rise to the position of Fire Lord Second Book: Earth (aka Season 2) of the animated series, it can be assumed that it would be a plot point explored in the second episode of the live-action show.
![Avatar The Last Airbender Ozai Daniel Dae Kim](https://images.thedirect.com/media/photos/5ozai.png)
Ozai and Iroh actors Daniel Dae Kim and Paul Sun-Hyung Lee spoke with The Radio Times while promoting Season 1.
Kim revealed that she hopes in Season 2 (which was recently renewed by Netflix) that there will be a scene where the two brothers “Discuss the fact that (Ozai is) the younger brother and talk about the succession and how that played out:”
“I’d really like to see a scene between us where we talk about being the younger brother and talk about succession and how that went.”
The Ozai actor also said he would “talk to writers” about his plans.
Animated Avatar: The Last Airbender the series is now streaming in its entirety on Paramount+, while the live-action series is available on Netflix.
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