Ozai

  

This article is about the character in Netflix's live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender. For other similar uses, see Ozai (disambiguation).

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Ozai
Biographical information
Nationality	Fire Nation
Residence	Capital City, Fire Nation
Physical description
Eye color	Dark brown
Hair color	Black
Personal information
Allies	Azula
Enemies	Aang
Fighting style	Firebending
Political information
Position	Fire Lord
Predecessor	Azulon (as Fire Lord)
Affiliation	Fire Nation Fire Nation Royal Family
Chronological information
First appearance	"Warriors"
Last appearance	"Legends"
Portrayed by	Daniel Dae Kim

Ozai is the current Fire Lord of the Fire Nation, and father to Prince Zuko and Princess Azula. A highly accomplished firebender and ruthlessly-driven leader, Ozai considers it his destiny to unite the world under Fire Nation rule and finish the century-long war started by his grandfather, Fire Lord Sozin.

History

Funeral of Lu Ten

Following the death of his nephew Lu Ten in the waning days of the Siege of Ba Sing Se, Ozai's brother, Iroh, became heartbroken and lost all interest in conquering the Earth Kingdom capital. Together with his remaining men, they withdrew from the siege and returned home to the Fire Nation. Most people in the Fire Nation saw General Iroh's return as a failure and embarrassment, calling him a coward for retreating on the verge of victory, while his son died in honor of the Fire Nation. At the funeral, Ozai told his brother that Lu Ten had fallen a hero and would be remembered as such. He placed a hand on his grieving brother and assured Iroh that his nephew's sacrifice would be enshrined in legend.

Agni Kai and Zuko's Banishment

One day, during a meeting with his war council in the Throne Room, Ozai allowed Prince Zuko to attend the session to study and learn. When General Li explained the layout of Earth Kingdom forces along the southern coasts, noting the earthbenders used the cliffs as anchor points, which made any outflanking maneuver impossible. Desiring to test his heir's capableness as a strategist, Ozai asked his son for a suggestion, dismissing the general's reply. As all eyes turned to the young prince, Zuko advised a horns tactic. Calling the idea a folly, Ozai reminded his nervous son of General Li's rapport with the strengthened cliff position. Trying to save himself, Zuko suggested tundra tanks for climbing over the cliffs, which Ozai found idiotic as those tanks would be easy targets for skilled earthbenders. Displeased with his stuttering son's advice, Ozai sighed and asked the general for an idea. He advised using a division to draw their attacks while using encircling forces to pin the earthbenders down. Zuko asked how that division would survive in the centre of the earthbenders, only to realize they would be used as bait. Sternly, the Fire Lord described sacrifice as a necessary part of the war and inquired for what division. General Li suggested the 41st division, consisting of new and expendable recruits. Pleased, Ozai went to talk with his war ministers until Zuko declared that the plan was terrible, causing all eyes and ears in the Throne Room to turn to the Crown Prince. Turning around, Ozai watched with growing anger as Zuko loudly criticised the general's plan as horrifying for the soldiers and dishonorable of a high-ranking military general. Having had enough insolence, Ozai infuriatingly cried out for silence, echoing through the entire Throne Room. The Fire Lord noted this dispute could only end one way: Agni Kai.

Outside in the arena, Ozai told Zuko to prepare himself, who was surprised to know he would face his father instead of General Li, as the prince had insulted the Fire Lord's own battle plans and military. Zuko fell to his knees and bowed meekly before his father to rectify his mistakes to the insulted Fire Lord. However, Ozai told the reluctant Zuko to rise and face him. Facing no more insurrection, Ozai clasped off his robes with great anger and commanded his son to rise up. Just then, watching from the side with Azula and the war ministers, Iroh confronted Ozai and pleaded for his brother not to duel with his son. Coldly, Ozai stated the following duel would determine if Zuko had a right to claim such. Not wanting to cause further frustration in Ozai and knowing his brother's mind and power, Iroh reluctantly backed up to join the others, forced to see what would transpire. Finally making his son rise, Ozai urged him to fight for his life to earn respect. The frightened face of his son did not deter Ozai's mind, and he unleashed a quick shot of fire from a kick, which Zuko dodged. Igniting a ball of fire in the palm of his hand, Ozai shot it right at Zuko, who again evaded. Sending a flame wave next, the terrified Prince was forced to block the attack, which brought him off balance. The following fire blast, Zuko redirected behind him by cartwheeling it into a log. Ozai then pushed a powerful jet of fire from his fist, catching Zuko inside the stream of fire, who was desperately cutting it open to save himself. Casually overwhelming his son, Zuko fell back due to the sheer struggle to block Ozai's attack. Using a fire whip, Ozai made Zuko flip away twice. Putting his hands behind his back, Ozai stood still as Zuko finally fought back with a fire slash of his own, which he easily dodged. Putting himself on the defensive, Ozai desired to see the limits of his son's offensive firebending. Parrying Zuko's attacks three times, Ozai caught Zuko's right arm and used the opportunity to deliver a gut punch. Zuko grabbed his father's arm, only to be overpowered by his Ozai's greater strength. Pushing his son backwards, Ozai, knowing his son to be holding back, growled for Zuko to unleash everything. Blocking Zuko's attack, Ozai made the fire shoot upwards before resorting to keep his hands behind his back again. Tilting his head to dodge three consecutive flame kicks, Ozai parried Zuko's subsequent attacks and calmly repositioned himself as Zuko tried to sweep his legs. Countering a kick and two jabs, Ozai dodged another attack and grabbed Zuko's arm to give a new gut punch. Failing to land a new hit, Ozai left himself open to Zuko's fire attack, only for his son to hesitate and stop. Offended by the show of mercy, he grabbed his son's fist, and then Ozai extinguished the fire before flipping Zuko onto his back. As Zuko rose up, Ozai shot a light fire blast that scorched the side of his son's right shoulder. After a one-sided but intense duel, Ozai knelt beside his injured son, who grabbed his father for mercy. Calling his son's compassion a sign of weakness, Ozai decided to leave a permanent reminder of what such weakness could cost. With a solemn look, Ozai ignited a tiny flame that he moved closer to Zuko's face. Though not what he initially wished to do, Ozai permanently scarred the left side of his son's face by burning it, hearing Zuko scream out in excruciating pain. Unbeknownst to him, his brother turned his eyes to the horrendous scene while Azula watched on with sadistic interest. Ozai's eyes glistened with regret as his son received a mark that would forever haunt him.

Once Zuko's wound had been soothed and bandaged, he was put to rest in his chambers. As Ozai entered, Iroh explained his presence to be ill-placed. However, Ozai desired a word with his son. Telling his brother that Zuko's scar will never heal, Ozai still walked to his son's bed and assured him that the doctor stated he would recover. The news reassured Ozai that his son's body was rigid but told his hurt son that his spirit was weak. Acknowledging that Zuko held back during the Agni Kai, Ozai made it clear that his mercy was a sign of weakness, not strength. Sitting down by Zuko, the Fire Lord implored his son to sacrifice the weak to become stronger; he stated that ability is the defining trait of the Fire Nation, hence why the 41st division needs to be used as fodder. Hoping his son to see this, Ozai gave a final reminder to do this. To his disappointment, Zuko again refused to share his father's perception of weakness, noting that weakness can become stronger if given the chance. Frustrated and irritated by Zuko's continuing defiance, Ozai realised that brute force would not be enough. He bitterly stated that he mistakenly sheltered his son for too long, seeing the same traits he despised in Ursa. Concluding that the privileged life of the palace is ill-suited for learning, Ozai decided to banish Zuko from the Fire Nation, hoping the harshness of the world would toughen his son. Now calculating an excuse, Ozai made an immediate condition for his son's return from banishment to be accepted; only by finding, capturing and bringing the Avatar, the last and most significant threat to his rule, with him would Zuko's honour be restored. Aware that the Avatar had not been found by the preceding Fire Lords and alluded sights for nearly a century, Ozai gave Zuko an impossible task in all but name. Promising the worst punishments if he dared to place himself within Fire Nation territory, Ozai walked away even as Iroh told him not to banish Zuko. As a final punishment, Ozai gave the 41st division over to Zuko as crew and as another reminder of why he was banished. This way, Ozai rid himself of the 41st and gave Zuko a group of inexperienced soldiers to join his outdated warship on the journey. Thus, he designed a way to keep the Crown Prince away from his homeland. The Fire Lord then left his physically and emotionally devastated son to wallow in pain, never to see him unless with a captured Avatar.

With Zuko gone, Ozai would turn his attention to Azula, and although she was not in succession to the throne, she would be treated as if. However, to destroy the possibility of making his daughter like her brother, Ozai would push Azula to impossible standards, accepting only perfection.

The Avatar returns

The Hundred Year War had waged on for nearly one hundred years, all sides becoming weary of the conflict and Ozai seeing its ending through one lens: total victory or defeat. Almost half of the world had been conquered by the Fire Nation, and they were growing closer to complete conquest of the Earth Kingdom. Only two formidable cities stood left: the great city of Omashu and the impenetrable Earth Kingdom capital, Ba Sing Se. The Northern Watertribe stood as firm as at the start of the war, while the South had been severely weakened by all the Fire Nation raids to capture Southern Waterbenders. However, rebel uprisings within the Fire Nation capital increased as Fire Nation citizens began seeing Ozai's rule as tyranny and oppression. Ozai had placed Azula as a spy to phase out these insubordinate, delivering intel and gaining the rebels' trust. Ozai would eventually receive a message from an unknown Commander of the Southern Seas, Zhao, who had witnessed the return of the Avatar and that Prince Zuko had located him. News of this displeased and surprised Ozai, although he was glad his son's banishment had bore fruit.

One night, the rebels planned to slay the Fire Lord through Azula, who played the guise of a palace worker. Entering the Fire Nation Palace on the eve of night, several Fire Nation citizens sneak into the dark throne room armed with crude weapons. Only then did Ozai ignite the torches and increase the intensity of the flames by the throne, giving his guards a signal to swarm the rebels and encircle them with spears. The Fire Lord then entered, explaining that they must have come knowing that to commit treason would be a one-way trip. He asked the rebel leader if he expected the Royal Guards to willingly spare them after slaying the Fire Lord. The leader responded that he hoped all decent citizens of the Fire Nation would welcome Ozai's death. Faced with the word 'tyranny', Ozai phrased it into unity and prosperity, rhetorically asking if the Fire Nation had not become the most excellent place in the world, accomplishing peace by placing everything under one rule, his rule. His response was at what cost would the Fire Nation achieve its destiny, having already endured untold suffering and blood for ten decades. The comment angered Ozai, who warned the leader not to lecture him of loss. He sarcastically congratulated them on reaching the Throne Room, only to reveal that Azula had played them, showing he had planned for them to come here. Taking her side by Ozai, the rebel leader admitted that although their coup had been foiled, he was powerless to stop the Avatar from restoring balance to the world. Agitated, Ozai casually burned all ten rebels with a flick of his wrist as Azula watched. Azula mocked the dead rebels' belief that the Avatar was back, which Ozai asked to be left alone. Carefully taking Zhao's message from his robe, Ozai handed it over to Azula, confirming the rumour to be true. Using the opportunity to pull Azula's strings, Ozai noted her brother had done the impossible by finding the Avatar, just as he had asked. Walking off, Ozai manipulated Azula into competing against Zuko for her father's approval and to accomplish something similar.

Fixated on a map and the placement of his forces, Ozai listened as Azula verbalised her admiration for Zhao's accomplishments of finding the Avatar despite his limited resources. She complimented her father's ability to get the best out of his commanders, flattering his intellect and stating she would promote Zhao as Fire Lord. Far from ignorant of his daughter's lack of subtleties, Ozai voiced interest in her idea and ordered Azula to inform Colonel Shinu to have the Yuyan Archers ready. He also told her he would be redirecting some funds. When she walked away, Ozai corrected her that her brother, not Zhao, had found the Avatar.

Further pressuring her by praising Zuko for showing traits he desired in an heir, he shattered her confidence by calling her deeds as little more than 'coy whispers' to boost her own ego. Casting her a narrow look, Azula's face became bleak as she walked off, and Ozai smirked in satisfaction, having taken a jab at Azula's overconfidence and pushed her to better. Nevertheless, Ozai gave the Yuyan Archers to Zhao and promoted him to admiral. He later gave the newly-appointed admiral a massive armada fleet to conquer the Northern Watertribe, although it was secretly meant as a diversion.

Watching Azula's training, Ozai remained void of expression as his daughter displayed exceptional skills against a captured earthbender. Excepting nothing except the best, he made his advisors stop the bout. The advisor told Azula that Ozai saw her fighting skills as below average even though she bested the earthbender. Knowing this would force Azula to train even harder, Ozai stayed silent and gave an expressionless look and not one once of acknowledgement. For him, the pursuit of power came only when shredded of all mistakes or weaknesses, no matter how inconsequential. The next day, Azula refused to fight against any of the prisoners. Annoyed with this, Ozai told his daughter to stop playing, only for her to retort he was doing the same.

Nonetheless, Azula defied his command and turned her back towards him, immediately drawing Ozai's attention as he shot a warning blast before her. She swallowed and turned to face the Fire Lord, who expected her to do something drastic. His warning shot worked when Azula could generate lightning and shot the bolt above Ozai into the wall, a feat showcasing her dedication. Ozai finally gave Azula attention, shocking everyone, and Azula said she was done playing games at the palace. She challenged Ozai to test her by unleashing her onto the world, just as he hoped. Pleased with his daughter's tenacity and bending ability, Ozai gave an approving smirk and let her lead the assault on Omashu.

The Fire Sage told Ozai of the result of the Siege of the North, which had resulted in significant losses for the Waterbenders and the destruction of Agna Quel'a; however, even more significant losses of life for their armada, with almost the entire fleet being destroyed. Hearing that the city stood firm and the Avatar uncaptured, Ozai admitted disappointment with the effort, which resulted in defeat, though not unexpected. Ozai said that the prospect of conquering the North was more of a hopeful notion than a seizable reality, revealing that its true purpose was to draw the world's attention there. Meanwhile, he received a message that Omashu had been captured and claimed by Azula. Thus, only one obstacle remained in the Earth Kingdom: Ba Sing Se. To his surprise, the Fire Sage said that Zuko was present during the Siege of the North, and it was unknown if he had survived the battle. Feeling pity that his son had been caught in the crossfire, Ozai said that if his son had become strong, he would have survived; if not, Zuko would have proved weak and, therefore, unworthy as heir. Afterwards, they walked to the celestial charts, where the Fire Sage showed that they better understood when Sozin's Comet would return. With the Comet again imbuing firebenders with incredible power, Ozai would have the means necessary to end the war with the same method his grandfather Sozin had started.

Personality

Ozai has a formidable presence and a ruthless drive for victory, considering it a family burden to conquer the world and finish the war. He demands those around him live up to his impossible standards and shows little care for others, gravely wounding his son, Prince Zuko, during an Agni Kai and causing permanent scarring to his eye.

Relatives

Sozin

Azulon

Iroh

Ozai

Lu Ten

Zuko

Azula

Appearances

Avatar: The Last Airbender

• 102. "Warriors"
• 103. "Omashu"
• 104. "Into the Dark"
• 105. "Spirited Away"
• 106. "Masks"
• 107. "The North"
• 108. "Legends"

Trivia

• Ozai was described by actor Daniel Dae Kim as being "deliciously a villain" and that he saw him as "the Darth Vader of [the] show".
• The creators of the live-action series made a conscious decision to include Ozai more within Season One than he appeared in the animated series, intending to balance out the story and show him as a formidable figure and antagonist.

Preceded by Azulon

Fire Lord Unknown

Succeeded by Incumbent

See Also

• Ozai in Avatar: The Last Airbender
• Ozai in The Last Airbender