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This page comprises Ozai's relationships with other characters in the world of Avatar. Ozai's egocentric and megalomaniacal personality led to him having many enemies, even within his own family.

Relatives[]

To Ozai, family was nothing in comparison to his goal of world domination. Though Ozai was not always as cruel as he eventually became, he showcased a difficult temperament and was uncaring of the feelings of others from childhood. This prevented him from creating strong bonds with others.[1][2] As he grew older, Ozai remained extremely self-centered and became increasingly cruel, further damaging his relationship with his family.[1][3] For a short period of time after his marriage to Ursa, Ozai actually showcased genuine care for his family, but this outlook did not last.[4][5] While he may have had some respect for his talented daughter, Azula,[6][7] Ozai used his children solely to his advantage. By the end of the Hundred Year War, it was possible that Ozai had lost all love for his family because of their defeats[8] and betrayals,[9] given his cruel treatment of them.

Azula[]

"She's a true prodigy, just like her grandfather for whom she's named."
Ozai talking about Azula to Azulon.[6]
Ozai praises Azula

Ozai praised Azula for her early firebending talent.

Unlike Zuko, Azula was Ozai's pride, sharing her father's disposition toward cruelty and violence. Ozai always favored Azula, saying she was born lucky.[8] Ozai was always impressed by and proud of Azula's firebending abilities and intelligence.[6] and happily praised her as a bending prodigy after she demonstrated an early ability to consciously firebend. Even in such moments, however, Ozai seemed to mainly value his daughter as a potential asset.[10] As Ozai's dislike of Zuko grew over the years, so did his favoritism of Azula. When Ursa was exiled, Ozai was able to completely manipulate his daughter as he saw fit. From this point onward, Azula and Zuko had to live up to their father's extreme expectations, and even though Azula succeeded, she was pressured into becoming a perfectionist,[10][2] settling for nothing less than what would make Ozai proud. At most, Ozai also trusted Azula, believing her lie that Zuko slayed the Avatar.[11]

Ozai and Azula

Despite favoring her, Ozai still demanded constant respect from Azula.

During the solar eclipse, Zuko revealed to Ozai that Azula had killed the Avatar and lied to protect herself.[9] Even though Ozai seemed furious with Zuko, he seemingly did not punish Azula, since she was as calm and focused as ever during her trip to the Boiling Rock. However, the betrayal of her friends[12] caused Azula's mind to deteriorate, which permanently affected her relationship with her father. On the day of Ozai's coronation as Phoenix King, Ozai informed Azula that he would not be taking her with him on his mission to burn down the Earth Kingdom. At first, Azula was extremely upset, feeling her father did not want her and was treating her like Zuko. Ozai harshly silenced her, before calmly and more kindly telling her that he had decided to make her the new Fire Lord.[7] However, while this made her happy, he gave himself a larger title, Phoenix King, diminishing her joy in her ascension. Azula felt hurt and betrayed,[13] resulting in her descent into madness.[14]

Despite his apparent pride in Azula's prodigious firebending skills and sheer prowess,[6] it was clear that Ozai held little true, unconditional love for Azula. Like Zuko, she was largely a tool to further his own efforts of conquering the world. Azula was apparently aware of this, because after Mai and Ty Lee's betrayal, she was unable to handle a hallucination of Ursa's expression of pure, motherly love, and suffered a complete mental breakdown.[13] Even after his downfall and Azula's descent into mental instability, Ozai continued his attempt to use his daughter for his own gains. When Zuko allowed the two a private discussion in prison, the former Fire Lord provided Azula with information to topple Zuko.[15] Thanks to her brother and Ursa,[16][3] Azula later began to realize just how much Ozai had negatively influenced her, and she discarded her loyalty to him.[10][3]

Azulon[]

"Father, revoke Iroh's birthright. I am your humble servant, here to serve you and our nation. Use me!"
Ozai to Azulon.[6]
Ozai kneeling

Ozai and Azulon had a poor relationship, marked by respect but little affection.

Ozai and his father had a troubled relationship. Azulon favored Iroh over Ozai[17] who in turn respected his father more that he liked him. Ozai tried to gain his father's support throughout his life, such as when he named Azula after his father and demonstrated her military knowledge and firebending talent to Azulon as a way to earn his father's respect and recognition.[6] In turn, Azulon was concerned enough with Ozai that he hoped to ensure an auspicious marriage for him.[15] In the end, however, the two did not see eye to eye: When Ozai attempted to usurp Iroh's birthright, Azulon ordered him kill his own son, Zuko, as punishment. As he still respected his father's strength and had little regard for Zuko anyway,[6] he initially intended to comply with his father's order. Having realized that Azulon would never allow him to become Fire Lord, however, Ozai eventually conspired with Ursa to assassinate his father, poisoning him.[18]

Iroh[]

"Perhaps he can pass down to you the ways of tea and failure."
Ozai to Zuko on Iroh.[9]
Iroh and Ozai in their youth

Painting of Ozai and his older brother Iroh in their youth.

The relationship between Ozai and his older brother Iroh was always strained. While Ozai was an amoral, merciless egoist, his brother was a wise, compassionate cosmopolitan. Even when they were still young, the two regularly fought with each other over various matters; their personalities were too different for them to forge a close bond. While they were in school, however, Ozai and Iroh were on better terms for a short time, as Iroh admired his younger brother's successes at school. Later on, however, their relationship deteriorated further as Iroh began to realize the true extent of Ozai's ruthlessness and brutal ambition.[1] As result, the relation between the two of them evolved to a mutual distrust of one another. Iroh knew of Ozai's power-hungry personality, but feared his great power and placed his hope in the Avatar. Ozai, who derived satisfaction from the submission of others, despised Iroh with simple disdain. However, Ozai gave Iroh some respect as a member of the Royal Family and as an accomplished military general.[1][9][19]

Because Iroh was Ozai's older brother, he was to be next in line to succeed Azulon as Fire Lord. By the time of Azulon's late reign, it was evident that Ozai developed a deep hatred for his brother.[6] When Iroh abandoned the Siege of Ba Sing Se after his son Lu Ten had been killed, Ozai viewed his older brother's behavior as cowardly.[19] He consequently attempted to take advantage of Iroh's vulnerability and informed Azulon that with Lu Ten gone, Iroh had no heirs, so it would be more fitting for himself to be Fire Lord. Azulon denied this request and, intending to punish Ozai for seeking to usurp Iroh's birthright, ordered Ozai to kill his son, Prince Zuko. In the aftermath of this fallout, Ozai ultimately stole the throne from Iroh after Azulon's mysterious death.[6] Iroh did not resist this course of action and Ozai assumed the throne.[1]

Their relationship did not improve during Ozai's reign. Iroh was horrified by Ozai's decision to burn Zuko's face after their Agni Kai,[20] and never forgave him for his cruelty toward the young prince. Iroh further distanced himself from Ozai by accompanying Zuko on his quest, and tried to sway the prince away from the path Ozai had chosen for his son.[21] After Iroh betrayed the Fire Nation upon defending the Moon and Ocean Spirits from Admiral Zhao at the Northern Water Tribe, Ozai deemed Iroh a traitor and ordered Azula to bring him back in chains.[8] He did not regret leaving his brother to rot in prison[22] after his capture at Ba Sing Se.[23] Even after his own downfall and imprisonment, Ozai exhibited nothing but scorn for Iroh, referring to him as tea-loving, "traitorous brother".[24]

Lu Ten[]

"With Lu Ten gone, Iroh's bloodline has ended."
Ozai talking about Lu Ten to Azulon in a flashback.[6]

Barely anything is known about the relationship between Ozai and his nephew, however, it was shown that Ozai was very unsympathetic to Lu Ten's death as he tried to gain the throne by telling Azulon that with Lu Ten dead, Iroh's bloodline had ended.[6]

Zuko[]

"You will obey me, or this defiant breath will be your last!"
Ozai to Zuko on the Day of Black Sun.[9]
Zuko and Ozai

Ozai rarely afforded Zuko any respect.

Ozai and Zuko always had a complicated relationship. Though Zuko always wished to please Ozai, Ozai was never pleased with Zuko, saying he was lucky to be born while Azula was born lucky.[8] Ozai almost cast his newborn son from the palace as it was initially unclear whether Zuko was a firebender.[18] Later, Ozai actually tried to have a good relationship with his son,[5][25] though he continued to disdain his moralistic nature.[5][15][18] Ozai's attitude further worsened after a heated argument with Ursa during which she outed her desire for Zuko to have been the son of her true love, Ikem, and for him to turn out nothing like Ozai. Granting her wish, Ozai vowed to treat Zuko from then on "as if he were the son of a treacherous dog".[16]

What little tolerance Ozai had kept for Zuko eventually vanished when Zuko "disrespected" him by speaking against one of his general's plans. This resulted in Ozai burning Zuko's eye, permanently scarring his son in an Agni Kai in which Zuko refused to participate. Zuko was banished after the merciful display he had shown during the Agni Kai and could only return home if he captured the Avatar.[20] However, he finally won back Ozai's respect when he helped his sister conquer Ba Sing Se, betrayed his uncle, and killed the Avatar, the latter of which Azula lied about to protect herself in the case that the Avatar was still alive.[11] Though Zuko was never a favorite of his, Ozai allowed Zuko to speak on the War Room meetings afterward, using his son's experience in the Earth Kingdom as a valuable asset for his final conquest.[9]

Ozai and Zuko battle

Ozai was willing to kill his son when he defied him.

During the Day of Black Sun, Zuko resolved to join Team Avatar in their quest to defeat Ozai and bring balance to the world. Zuko confronted Ozai in his underground bunker during the eclipse and stated he was going to tell him the truth. Ozai, amused by this, let him speak, with Zuko then revealing that it was Azula who killed the Avatar, not him, and that Aang was alive and was likely leading the invasion of the Fire Nation capital. Zuko disowned his father and stated that he no longer wanted Ozai's love, subsequently announcing his decision to join the Avatar and to free his uncle from prison. While leaving, Ozai deemed him a coward and baited his son to stay until the eclipse ended by revealing what happened to his long-lost mother. According to Ozai, Azulon did order him to kill Zuko, something he would have done had Ursa not found out. To protect Zuko, she proposed a plan where Ozai would become Fire Lord and Zuko would live. By doing this she committed vicious acts of treason, resulting in her banishment. Zuko was nearly moved to tears by this news, though realized his mother might still be alive. Although Ozai acknowledged that possibility, he deemed a mere banishment as too merciful a penalty for treason and vowed that Zuko's punishment would be far worse. As the eclipse ended, Ozai fired a bolt of lightning at Zuko, intent on killing his son, though the prince redirected it and escaped before Ozai could retaliate, leaving his father to seethe in rage.[9]

Zuko openly showed his hatred toward his father with the rest of Team Avatar as he openly stated that Ozai was the worst father ever. He insisted that, as the Avatar, Aang had to kill Ozai,[7] a task in which Aang did not want to partake. Aang defeated Ozai by taking his bending away.[14]

Zuko visited his father in prison following the latter's defeat and was evidently satisfied with Ozai's loss of bending. As Ozai sarcastically thanked the new Fire Lord to grace him with his presence, Zuko answered that he should be glad Aang let him live and hoped that after some time in prison, Ozai would be put on the right path. Zuko went on to praise his father for banishing him, saying it was the best thing he could have ever done for him. When Ozai questioned Zuko as to his reasons for visiting him in prison, Zuko demanded to know the whereabouts of his mother.[14]

Ozai sickened by Zuko

Ozai demanding Zuko to leave his presence, sickened by the display of his son's alleged weakness.

Ozai did not reveal Ursa's location to Zuko, instead, he offered his son advice on how to be a good Fire Lord, given that he had the "wisdom of experience." Even as a prisoner, Ozai was not above manipulating and goading his son. When Zuko began to walk away, Ozai warned him that the throne came with many pressures that would change him, but if Zuko endured them, he would become great. Ozai predicted that Zuko would return later, a return which he awaited. His prediction held true, as a year after the Hundred Year War, with a developing crisis in Yu Dao, Zuko returned to Ozai's cell for advice.[24] After two sessions, Ozai had tried to persuade Zuko that it was his choice, as Fire Lord, that mattered. As the Harmony Restoration Movement failed, Zuko listened to his father. Ozai was willing to impart his philosophy and strategic thinking to Zuko, and seemed to care that his son actually showcased interest in these. Regardless, Ozai remained unwilling to accept any viewpoint other than his own, and whenever Zuko displayed opposition to Ozai's ideas or displayed his strong morality, Ozai reacted with domineering anger. This culminated in the former Fire Lord demanding that his son leave his presence, sickened by what he regarded as Zuko's weakness.[5] Later, Ozai tried to manipulate Azula into undermining Zuko's rule, evidently still aggrieved over his son's continued reign.[26]

Love interest[]

Ozai has only had one known love interest: his wife, Ursa, who was later banished.

Ursa[]

"Your mother did vicious, treasonous things that night, and for her treason, she was banished."
Ozai talking about Ursa to Zuko.[9]
Ozai and Ursa

Ozai and Ursa had a troubled and dysfunctional marriage.

Ozai was arranged to be married to Ursa on the wish of Azulon, in order to fulfill a prophecy that a union between them would result in a strong and powerful bloodline. However, in order for Ursa to marry the Fire Nation prince, she had to break up with Ikem, a relationship she never got over. On their wedding day, Ozai informed Ursa that she could never have any more contact with the people of her old life. However, the new Fire Nation princess did not heed this order and she attempted to send letters in secrecy to her parents and Ikem. These were intercepted on Ozai's order, however, and due to the content of one of them, detailing the possibility that Zuko was Ikem's son as opposed to Ozai's, the couple grew even further apart.[15] Consumed by jealous rage, Ozai ordered the death of Ikem, which he joyfully announced to Ursa, breaking her heart.[15][18]

Over the next years, their marriage became increasingly dysfunctional and spiteful, with Ozai mentally abusing Ursa. The two also clashed over their children's upbringing; Ozai evidently took twisted pleasure in undermining Ursa's attempts to instill morality in Azula and Zuko. When it became apparent that Azula was a firebending prodigy, Ozai noticed Ursa discomfort. He relished in coaxing her to praise their daughter as he did, knowing full well that Ursa was fearful over his future influence on Azula.[10] When Ozai later learned that Ursa wished that Zuko had been fathered by Ikem, as she despised Ozai's cruelty, he gleefully informed her that he would abuse Zuko just to hurt her.[18][16] Ozai's mental abuse of Ursa left her traumatized,[3] though she attempted to stand up to him until her eventual banishment.[18]

Their marriage finally came to an end the day before Ozai would be crowned Fire Lord.[6] As punishment for his audacity to be named heir apparent as opposed to Iroh following his son Lu Ten's death, Ozai was ordered by his father to kill his own son, Zuko, which he intended to do. However, in order to save her son's life, Ursa struck a deal with her husband. She would fabricate an untraceable poison, which Ozai could use as he pleased, if he would reconsider taking the boy's life. Ozai accepted the offer, albeit on the extra condition that Ursa was to leave the Fire Nation palace without her children and never return. As such, Ursa left the Fire Nation palace.[18] Ozai would later describe Ursa as a traitor for having helped to kill Azulon,[9] despite the fact that he had been the one to do the deed.[18]

Ursa confronts Ozai

Ozai was stunned when Ursa angrily confronted him in prison.

After her separation from Ozai, Ursa returned to her hometown of Hira'a and chose to ask the Mother of Faces to change her face and forget her memories, living as Noriko and marrying her childhood love Ikem, who had become Noren, and the two had a daughter called Kiyi. Ursa was later found by Team Avatar[16] and returned to the Fire Nation Capital. Once her memories of her marriage to Ozai were restored, Ursa suffered under repeated periods of intense fear; she was still traumatized by Ozai's abuse. After Kiyi was abducted by Azula disguised as a Kemurikage and taken to the New Ozai Society, Ursa chose to see Ozai imprisoned. Ozai spouted threats at Ursa, but she saw past his taunts and labelled him as a small man trying to be big, who lacked love for all of his family. Ozai was initially stunned by her defiance. As she turned and left his cell, Ozai angrily called after her to return and grovel before him. Instead, she walked away, returning to Noren and Kiyi in peace.[3]

Allies[]

Like family, friendship seemed to be irrelevant to Ozai in comparison to world domination. In the Fire Nation, his cruelty, disregard for others, political power, and superior bending prowess usually catalyzed respect and obedience. While he had some respect for the Fire Nation military that served him and his forefathers,[7][20] Ozai used his soldiers solely to his advantage.[20][27] In general, he saw all his subjects merely as extensions of his will;[5] accordingly, he demanded total obedience from everyone, including his family and government members. Ozai often tested the loyalty of his allies, and employed a spy network to look out for any potential dissent or treachery.[27]

Bujing[]

"After Zuko's outburst at the meeting, the Fire Lord became very angry with him. He said Zuko's challenge of a general's plan was an act of complete disrespect and there was only one way to resolve this."
Iroh to Jee about Ozai, Zuko, and Bujing.[20]
Bujing

Bujing in Ozai's war room.

General Bujing was a High General of the Fire Army renowned for his ruthless but effective battlefield strategies. He was a part of the Fire Lord's war council and shared Ozai's disposition toward cruelty and violence. Known for his calculating manner, sadism, and ruthless attitude, General Bujing had an obsession with victory even if it meant sacrificing inexperienced troops to gain a battlefield advantage.[28] During a war meeting in 97 AG, Bujing's proposed to use a rookie division of Fire Nation recruits as a distraction against an experienced battalion of earthbenders. Prince Zuko openly opposed the plan, with most of those present greatly offended at the boy's outburst. Ozai told his son that it was an act of complete disrespect and could only be settled by an Agni Kai, and Zuko accepted, not being afraid of the elderly Bujing.[20]

However, Zuko unexpectedly ended up facing Ozai instead. Bujing attended the Agni Kai as a member of the audience smirking upon seeing "justice" served to Zuko, showing his approval of Ozai's actions.[20] In a war meeting in 100 AG, Bujing applauded Ozai's plan to destroy the Earth Kingdom with the power of Sozin's Comet. His relish at hearing the Earth Kingdom's destructive fate showed how cruel Bujing was and how faithful he was to Ozai's political views.[7]

Qin[]

"The Earth Kingdom will finally fall and you can claim Ba Sing Se in the name of your father. Nothing can stop us."
Qin to Azula about Ozai.[29]
Qin smiling

Qin smiling as he thinks of Ozai's victory.

Qin was the War Minister to Fire Lord Ozai, acting as overseer of the creation of all the Fire Nation's war machines, and had been a Fire Nation emissary for years. He never met with, spoke with, or was mentioned by Ozai nor is it known if there was a difference highly unlikely though it is between Qin's relationship with Azulon and with Ozai. It is certain whatsoever that Qin shared Ozai's disposition toward cruelty and violence and Qin was largely a tool to further Ozai's own efforts at conquering the world.

What is known at the earliest is that out of devotion to Ozai, Qin came back to check in the mechanist's inventions regularly, which pleased Ozai because it consisted of destructive tanks and warships. When the time came, Qin made it so that the Fire Nation attempted to burn the Northern Air Temple to rubble after the mechanist's defection. The mechanist and his fellow refugees that lived in the temple pushed the invaders back completely.

However, the mechanist's latest invention was a hot air balloon with which the battle for the Northern Air Temple was won against the Fire Nation. During the battle, the balloon crashed into the nearby valley, right in time to be discovered by Ozai's loyal War Minister. Qin decreed with a sadistic smile that the defeat at the battle of the Northern Air Temple "would be the gateway to many victories" for the Fire Nation in Ozai's name at battles of the War in the future. Under Qin's supervision, the hot air balloon turned into a frequently used war balloon that enabled Ozai's military to control the skies.

The masterpiece of technology worked on under Qin's direction for many years was revealed before the walls of Ba Sing Se – a massive drill with enough power to tunnel through the wall once which he intended for his troops to storm the city from within. At the battle of the drill, Princess Azula oversaw Qin's expedition to penetrate the city's Outer Wall. This was the first time Ozai was mentioned by Qin when he said that the Earth Kingdom would finally fall and that Azula could claim Ba Sing Se for the Fire Nation in Ozai's name.[29]

What is known at the latest is that when the Drill fell into disrepair thanks to the invention of Avatar Aang and his friends, Ozai seemingly did not punish Qin, as Qin was next seen strolling down the halls of Ozai's secret bunker, where he came across Aang and his friends. When threatened by them, he quickly gave them directions to Ozai's chambers, where not Ozai, but Princess Azula awaited them.

Royal Procession[]

"My brother and my uncle have disgraced the Fire Lord and brought shame on all of us. You may have mixed feelings about attacking members of the royal family; I understand. But I assure you, if you hesitate, I will not hesitate to bring you down. Dismissed."
Azula to the Royal Procession about Zuko, Iroh, and Ozai.[2]
Royal Procession

Imperial Firebenders aiming their fire in Ozai's name.

The Royal Procession, also known as the Imperial Firebenders, was a unit of elite firebenders responsible for protecting members of the Fire Nation Royal Family, acting as their personal guards and accompanying them during military matters. Therefore, they served Ozai and Azula as personal soldiers and guards and prior to Zuko's banishment, him and Iroh as well.

While out to capture her brother and uncle, Azula was accompanied by at least thirty of these soldiers to carry out in her ship. Both the princess and her Imperial Firebenders had intentions of carrying out Ozai's will, though were initially unsuccessful in apprehending Iroh and Zuko. During the invasion of the Fire Nation capital on the Day of Black Sun, the Imperial Firebenders were seen in Fire Lord Ozai's secret bunker to serve as protection during the eclipse in the event that an enemy managed to breach the underground facility. As they were deprived of their bending, they were carrying spears, showing their faithfulness to Ozai.[9]

The Royal Procession was briefly seen at the coronation of Ozai as Phoenix King, supreme ruler of the world. Imperial Firebenders held up the banners of the Phoenix King, emphasizing their strong loyalty to him.[7] Imperial Firebenders were seen as part of the crew of Ozai's airship fleet, burning a large section of the Wulong Forest and defending the ships from intruders.[13]

During the time when Ozai declared himself the Phoenix King the uniforms of the members of the Royal Procession were a black inverted version of the original, i.e. whatever was black was red and vice versa. After Ozai was defeated and imprisoned, the soldiers of the Royal Procession pledged their loyalty to Zuko as the new Fire Lord.

Ukano[]

"My father has entrusted you with this city and you're making a mess of things."
Azula to the governor of New Ozai about Ozai.[30]

As a reward for his role in the siege of Omashu, Ukano was appointed by Fire Lord Ozai to serve as governor of the newly subjected city,[31] later renamed New Ozai by Princess Azula in honor of her father.[30] He moved there with his wife Michi and their two children, Mai and Tom-Tom. Though the governor cared greatly for his family, he proved to be an ineffective ruler whose faulty assumptions often led to poor decisions.

To resist Gov. Ukano's rule, the citizens of Omashu devised a plan involving the purple pentapuses. The next morning, all the citizens showed up with marks on their skin from the pentapuses' suction cups, making them look diseased. The governor ordered the citizens to be driven out of the city, thinking there was a plague. He later sent a messenger hawk bearing a message to the resistance.

His concern for his family also clearly came before his allegiance to the Fire Lord, as was demonstrated by his spontaneous offer to trade the captured King Bumi, one of the Fire Nation's most valuable and powerful prisoners, for his missing son, whom he believed to have been kidnapped by the city's resistance group. The governor never met with, spoke with, was mentioned by, or was in the presence of Ozai.

However, Azula mentioned Ozai in the governor's presence, remarking how even though Ozai had entrusted Ukano with overseeing Omashu the latter was nevertheless making a mess of things. When the Day of Black Sun arrived, King Bumi liberated Omashu and destroyed the Fire Nation palace in the city. Even though this was a significant victory against the Fire Nation, Ozai seemingly did not punish Ukano, as Mai and the Warden seemed at total ease in the events after this.

Vachir and the Rough Rhinos[]

"We've come to claim this village for the Fire Lord."
Mongke referencing Ozai.[32]

When he was a prince, Ozai tasked a Yuyan Archer named Vachir find and kill Ikem, Ursa's ex-boyfriend. Though Ozai initially approved of Vachir's skill and confident attitude, the archer failed to complete his task. The prince then cruelly ordered Vachir's dishonorable discharge from the Yuyan Archers' ranks.[18] Vachir would spend years trying to redeem himself in Ozai's eyes, eventually joining the the Rough Rhinos.[33]

Rough Rhinos

The Rough Rhinos attempted to round Zuko and Iroh in Ozai's name.

By Ozai's ascension to the throne, the Rough Rhinos were an elite group of Fire Nation komodo rhino cavalry, working on a freelance basis for the Fire Nation. There were five members of the group, each of whom specialized in a different type of weapon/fighting style; though each of their preferred weapons were not well adapted for close-combat.[33][32] Ozai knew of the unit's reputation for brutality and ruthlessness; accordingly, he trusted them enough to hire them to hunt down Onomu, a former Fire Army general who had defected to the Earth Kingdom and stolen secret war plans.[34] A few years later, the team tried to capture Iroh and Zuko for Ozai when the two fugitives were traveling through the Earth Kingdom.[35]

Zhao[]

"Save your stories for the Fire Lord. As far as I'm concerned, you're all guilty."
Zhao to the Great Sage about Ozai.[36]
Agni Kai audience

Zhao relished as he watches Ozai's wrath upon Zuko.

Zhao was an ambitious soldier, originally a lieutenant, followed by captain, later commander, and finally an admiral, in the Fire Navy. Zhao was among those who approved of Ozai's brutal punishment of Zuko,[20] and generally seemed to display substantial loyalty to Ozai through his words and actions. However, Zhao was deeply self-serving, and all his actions in support of Ozai also furthered his own goals.[36][37] Indeed, some within the military regarded Zhao as untrustworthy;[37] despite this, Ozai repeatedly promoted Zhao, evidently satisfied with the latter's performance.[37][36][38] In fact, Ozai seemingly accelerated Zhao's rise in the ranks,[38] eventually making him head of the Fire Navy, while the officer increasingly clashed with Prince Zuko.[39]

Ultimately, Zhao led a massive fleet to destruction in the Siege of the North. Though Ozai was furious at this turn of events, he seemingly blamed Iroh and Zuko more for the fleet's loss than Zhao.[8]

Enemies[]

Ozai has a vast list of enemies. He was hated by many people from both the other surviving nations and the Fire Nation. As Fire Lord, Ozai tolerated no opposition to his policies, executing or imprisoning any critics of his policies within his government and pushing the Fire Nation military to further its imperialistic war of conquest, even at the cost of countless civilian lives.[27][7]

Aang[]

"You're weak, just like the rest of your people! They did not to deserve to exist in this world ... In my world! Prepare to join them. Prepare to die!"
Ozai to Aang.[13]
Aang energybends Ozai

Aang used energybending to strip Ozai of his firebending abilities instead of taking his life.

Ozai never formally met the Avatar until the end of the War. When he found out Aang was alive, he took immediate action, promoting Zhao to Admiral to increase his chances of capturing the Avatar.[38] Ozai ordered wanted posters to be hung all over the Earth Kingdom to increase his chances of capturing Aang.[35][40] Even though he felt capturing the Avatar would be a great triumph, he never ordered a significant force to actively search for the last airbender, and after he was told by his children that the Avatar was dead, he believed them. Ozai finally faced Aang on the day of Sozin's Comet. The two were initially evenly matched until Aang's hesitation to kill Ozai gave the Phoenix King the advantage.[13] Ozai nearly defeated Aang and openly mocked him until he knocked him in to a rock, accidentally triggering the Avatar State. Aang easily overwhelmed Ozai while in the Avatar State, but instead of killing him, he stripped him of his firebending abilities using energybending. This resulted in Ozai's defeat and life imprisonment.[14]

Onomu[]

Onomu was a high-ranking and headstrong Fire Army general who took part in Ozai's war councils soon after his ascension to the throne. At one of these meetings, she voiced her opposition against Ozai's plan to focus on the conquest of Omashu. She realized too late that none of the other officers present dared to support her, whereas Ozai regarded her open criticism as grave insult. The Fire Lord planned to execute Onomu, but she managed to flee the capital in time and defected to the Earth Kingdom. Enraged at her having eluded him, as well as having escaped with secret war plans, Ozai hired Rough Rhinos to hunt her down.[34][41]

Team Avatar[]

"I am the Phoenix King, ugh!"
Ozai after being taunted by Sokka.[14]
Drooling Ozai after his defeat

A defeated Ozai and select members of Team Avatar.

With the exception of Zuko and Aang, Ozai never formally confronted the rest of Team Avatar. However, he briefly encountered Sokka, Toph, and Suki right after Aang defeated him. Seeing he was powerless, the three of them devised nicknames like "The Loser Lord", "Phoenix King of getting his butt whooped", and "king of the guys who ... don't win". Ozai could only lie down and drool while hearing those insults.[14]

It is interesting to note that Katara was the only full-time member of Team Avatar who never met Ozai even though she was likely the most influential member to him, aside from Zuko and Aang, as she defeated Azula.

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Avatar: The Last Airbender: Legacy of the Fire Nation, page 13.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Ehasz, Aaron, Ehasz, Elizabeth Welch, Hedrick, Tim, O'Bryan, John (writers) & Volpe, Giancarlo (director). (March 17, 2006). "The Avatar State". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 2. Episode 1. Nickelodeon.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 DiMartino, Michael Dante; Konietzko, Bryan; Yang, Gene Luen (writer), Sasaki of Gurihiru (penciling, inking), Kawano of Gurihiru (colorist), Heisler, Michael; Comicraft (letterer). Smoke and Shadow Part Three (April 12, 2016), Dark Horse Comics.
  4. O'Bryan, John (writer) & Spaulding, Ethan (director). (November 16, 2007). "Nightmares and Daydreams". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 3. Episode 9. Nickelodeon.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 DiMartino, Michael Dante; Konietzko, Bryan; Yang, Gene Luen (writer), Sasaki of Gurihiru (penciling, inking), Kawano of Gurihiru (colorist), Heisler, Michael; Comicraft (letterer). The Promise Part Two (May 30, 2012), Dark Horse Comics.
  6. 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 Ehasz, Elizabeth Welch (writer) & MacMullan, Lauren (director). (May 12, 2006). "Zuko Alone". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 2. Episode 7. Nickelodeon.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 DiMartino, Michael Dante (writer) & Spaulding, Ethan (director). (July 19, 2008). "Sozin's Comet, Part 1: The Phoenix King". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 3. Episode 18. Nickelodeon.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 Ehasz, Aaron (writer) & Filoni, Dave (director). (December 2, 2005). "The Siege of the North, Part 2". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 1. Episode 20. Nickelodeon.
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 9.7 9.8 9.9 Ehasz, Aaron (writer) & Dos Santos, Joaquim (director). (November 30, 2007). "The Day of Black Sun, Part 2: The Eclipse". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 3. Episode 11. Nickelodeon.
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Hicks, Faith Erin (writer), Wartman, Peter (artist), Matera, Adele (colorist), Betancourt, Jimmy; Starkings, Richard (letterer). Azula in the Spirit Temple (October 31, 2023), Dark Horse Comics.
  11. 11.0 11.1 Ehasz, Aaron (writer) & Volpe, Giancarlo (director). (September 21, 2007). "The Awakening". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 3. Episode 1. Nickelodeon.
  12. Hamilton, Joshua (writer) & Spaulding, Ethan (director). (July 16, 2008). "The Boiling Rock, Part 2". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 3. Episode 15. Nickelodeon.
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 DiMartino, Michael Dante, Konietzko, Bryan (writers) & Dos Santos, Joaquim (director). (July 19, 2008). "Sozin's Comet, Part 3: Into the Inferno". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 3. Episode 20. Nickelodeon.
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5 DiMartino, Michael Dante, Konietzko, Bryan (writers) & Dos Santos, Joaquim (director). (July 19, 2008). "Sozin's Comet, Part 4: Avatar Aang". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 3. Episode 21. Nickelodeon.
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 DiMartino, Michael Dante; Konietzko, Bryan; Yang, Gene Luen (writer), Sasaki of Gurihiru (penciling, inking), Kawano of Gurihiru (colorist), Heisler, Michael; Comicraft (letterer). The Search Part One (March 20, 2013), Dark Horse Comics.
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 DiMartino, Michael Dante; Konietzko, Bryan; Yang, Gene Luen (writer), Sasaki of Gurihiru (penciling, inking), Kawano of Gurihiru (colorist), Heisler, Michael; Comicraft (letterer). The Search Part Three (October 30, 2013), Dark Horse Comics.
  17. Avatar: The Last Airbender: Legacy of the Fire Nation, page 28.
  18. 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 18.5 18.6 18.7 18.8 DiMartino, Michael Dante; Konietzko, Bryan; Yang, Gene Luen (writer), Sasaki of Gurihiru (penciling, inking), Kawano of Gurihiru (colorist), Heisler, Michael; Comicraft (letterer). The Search Part Two (July 10, 2013), Dark Horse Comics.
  19. 19.0 19.1 The Lost Scrolls: Fire, Section "Uncle Iroh", in The Lost Scrolls Collection.
  20. 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 20.5 20.6 20.7 Ehasz, Aaron (writer) & MacMullan, Lauren (director). (June 3, 2005). "The Storm". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 1. Episode 12. Nickelodeon.
  21. Hedrick, Tim (writer) & MacMullan, Lauren (director). (November 6, 2006). "Lake Laogai". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 2. Episode 17. Nickelodeon.
  22. O'Bryan, John (writer) & Dos Santos, Joaquim (director). (September 28, 2007). "The Headband". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 3. Episode 2. Nickelodeon.
  23. Ehasz, Aaron (writer) & DiMartino, Michael Dante (director). (December 1, 2006). "The Crossroads of Destiny". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 2. Episode 20. Nickelodeon.
  24. 24.0 24.1 DiMartino, Michael Dante; Konietzko, Bryan; Yang, Gene Luen (writer), Sasaki of Gurihiru (penciling, inking), Kawano of Gurihiru (colorist), Heisler, Michael; Comicraft (letterer). The Promise Part One (January 25, 2012), Dark Horse Comics.
  25. Mattila, Katie (writer) & Dos Santos, Joaquim (director). (October 19, 2007). "The Beach". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 3. Episode 5. Nickelodeon.
  26. DiMartino, Michael Dante; Konietzko, Bryan; Yang, Gene Luen (writer), Sasaki of Gurihiru (penciling, inking), Kawano of Gurihiru (colorist), Heisler, Michael; Comicraft (letterer). Smoke and Shadow Part One (September 23, 2015), Dark Horse Comics.
  27. 27.0 27.1 27.2 Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Core Book, Version 1.0, 2022, p. 64.
  28. From older Avatar: The Last Airbender official site, originally on Nick.com. Encyclopedia now broken, archived at The Lost Lore of Avatar Aang - Character: General Bujing.
  29. 29.0 29.1 DiMartino, Michael Dante, Konietzko, Bryan (writers) & Volpe, Giancarlo (director). (September 15, 2006). "The Drill". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 2. Episode 13. Nickelodeon.
  30. 30.0 30.1 Ehasz, Elizabeth Welch (writer) & Spaulding, Ethan (director). (April 7, 2006). "Return to Omashu". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 2. Episode 3. Nickelodeon.
  31. Avatar Extras for "Return to Omashu" on Nicktoons Network.
  32. 32.0 32.1 O'Bryan, John (writer) & MacMullan, Lauren (director). (April 28, 2006). "Avatar Day". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 2. Episode 5. Nickelodeon.
  33. 33.0 33.1 Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Wan Shi Tong's Adventure Guide, Version 1.0, 2022, p. 127.
  34. 34.0 34.1 Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Wan Shi Tong's Adventure Guide, Version 1.0, 2022, p. 121.
  35. 35.0 35.1 Hedrick, Tim (writer) & MacMullan, Lauren (director). (July 14, 2006). "The Desert". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 2. Episode 11. Nickelodeon.
  36. 36.0 36.1 36.2 DiMartino, Michael Dante (writer) & Volpe, Giancarlo (director). (April 15, 2005). "Winter Solstice, Part 2: Avatar Roku". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 1. Episode 8. Nickelodeon.
  37. 37.0 37.1 37.2 From older Avatar: The Last Airbender official site, originally on Nick.com. Encyclopedia now broken, archived at The Lost Lore of Avatar Aang - Character: Commander Zhao.
  38. 38.0 38.1 38.2 DiMartino, Michael Dante, Konietzko, Bryan (writers) & Filoni, Dave (director). (June 17, 2005). "The Blue Spirit". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 1. Episode 13. Nickelodeon.
  39. The Lost Scrolls: Fire, "Fire Nation Arm/Navy" section, The Lost Scrolls Collection.
  40. Hedrick, Tim (writer) & MacMullan, Lauren (director). (October 21, 2005). "The Deserter". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 1. Episode 16. Nickelodeon.
  41. Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Wan Shi Tong's Adventure Guide, Version 1.0, 2022, p. 120.
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