| "I finally realized he cares more about politics than his own children's safety. So we're here now, on our own." |
| — Michi explaining her estrangement from Ukano to Ty Lee.[1] |
Michi[1] was a Fire Nation noblewoman and member of a politically influential family. She was the sister of the warden of the Boiling Rock[2] and Mura, wife to Ukano, the former governor of New Ozai, and mother to Mai and Tom-Tom. While very proud of her social standing and supportive of her husband's career,[3][4] Michi ultimately considered her family to be more important than politics and status. After the Hundred Year War, Michi grew skeptical of her husband's decision to oppose Fire Lord Zuko until she decided to separate from him after he tried to indoctrinate their children against the new government.[1]
History[]
Early life[]
As a child, Michi grew up in a village, where she was told stories about the Kemurikage by her parents to ensure that she would behave.[1] After meeting and marrying Ukano, she gave birth to a daughter, Mai, in 85 AG, with whom she was strict and controlling. Though she and her husband loved Mai and supplied her with any material good she desired, Michi made absolutely sure her daughter behaved perfectly and to that regard,[4] told her stories of the Kemurikage to discourage her from misbehaving and safeguard her husband's political career.[1]
In 98 AG, Michi gave birth to a son, Tom-Tom.[3]
Life in Omashu[]
Two years later, her husband became governor of the recently captured city of Omashu, later renamed New Ozai by Princess Azula. One night, while Michi was out for a stroll in New Ozai with her children, they were attacked by the Omashu Resistance and nearly lost their lives, but were saved by Aang and Team Avatar. However, Michi mistook Aang, Katara, and Sokka for the assailants, unaware that they had just saved her life, and sent men to attack Team Avatar, who narrowly escaped.
Michi and Ukano were extremely relieved when Aang returned Tom-Tom to them.
Shortly afterward, Aang persuaded the resistance to leave Omashu. However, Tom-Tom sneaked out with them as they were leaving the city, which led Michi and Ukano to believe that the resistance had kidnapped their son. The governor's wife was inconsolable, so much so that the family arranged to trade King Bumi, their highly valuable prisoner, for the safe return of Tom-Tom. Although Mai called off the trade at the last moment, Aang later ventured into Omashu by night to return Tom-Tom safely to his family. Michi and Ukano were both extremely relieved to have their son returned to them safely.[3]
Leaving Ukano[]
When the Day of Black Sun came, King Bumi escaped his imprisonment and liberated his city, causing its Fire Nation residents, including Michi and her family, to flee.[5] Despite the end of the war and Fire Lord Ozai's deposition a few months later, Ukano remained loyal to the old regime and had lost his governorship, which resulted in a difficult time for Michi and her family. Although she was skeptical of her husband's decision to openly oppose Zuko's new government and not take an offer for a position within it, Michi continued to stay with him.
Michi left Ukano after learning of his attempts to indoctrinate Tom-Tom and Mai into the New Ozai Society.
However, their relationship fell apart in 102 AG after Ukano attempted to indoctrinate Tom-Tom and asked Mai to join the New Ozai Society, allowing Michi to realize that her husband cared more about political affairs than his children's safety. As a result, she and her children left to live with Mura, whom she assisted in running a flower shop.
Two years later, Michi was pleasantly surprised when she was visited by Ty Lee. Though saddened after recalling her breakup with Ukano, Michi quickly reassured a concerned Ty Lee that her current life was "wonderful" despite her previous hardships. When Ty Lee spotted Mai and left with her for the nearby teashop, Michi called after her daughter to come back soon enough to assist with closing the shop. After Mura argued that Mai should have some fun as she had been depressed lately, Michi smiled and noted that her daughter had not been "down", but simply herself.
Michi was present during Tom-Tom's abduction from the flower shop and provided a statement to the Domestic Forces alongside the rest of her family, expressing doubt over her daughter's claims that the kidnappers were the Kemurikage, whom she dismissed as fictional. Shortly thereafter, she bowed upon the arrival of Fire Lord Zuko and thanked the regent for taking an interest in her son's abduction.[1]
Personality[]
Unlike her perpetually disinterested daughter, Michi did not thrive on bleak situations. Instead, she was content to focus on raising her family and enjoy the privileges of her husband's office. She put high value on wealth and rank, as shown by her pleasure when her husband was promoted to Governor of New Ozai. In comparison to her daughter, Michi appeared to be rather emotional, often dissolving into tears during high-stress situations. Though Mai's pessimistic attitude sometimes upset her mother and Mai herself complained about her mother's rule-oriented attitude, Michi appeared to be caring, if slightly uninvolved, and urged Mai to enjoy Omashu.
Despite her elitist views, Michi was a caring parent as she was worried about her missing son Tom-Tom and was overjoyed at his return.[3] This is further seen when she did not support the acts of her husband especially when they endangered her children, all of which shows she has a kind heart.[1]
Relatives[]
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| Mura |
| Michi |
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Appearances[]
Avatar: The Last Airbender[]
Book Two: Earth (土)[]
- 203. "Return to Omashu"
Graphic novels[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 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.
- ↑ Avatar Extras for "The Boiling Rock, Part 1" on Nicktoons Network.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Ehasz, Elizabeth Welch (writer) & Spaulding, Ethan (director). (April 7, 2006). "Return to Omashu". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 2. Episode 3. Nickelodeon.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Mattila, Katie (writer) & Dos Santos, Joaquim (director). (October 19, 2007). "The Beach". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 3. Episode 5. Nickelodeon.
- ↑ Ehasz, Aaron (writer) & Volpe, Giancarlo (director). (July 19, 2008). "Sozin's Comet, Part 2: The Old Masters". Avatar: The Last Airbender. Season 3. Episode 19. Nickelodeon.