Netflix’s live-action adaptation of the popular Avatar: The Last Airbender animated series is finally here, and we on Fiction Horizon are going to be covering the series, explaining all the changes from the original animated series, as well as some crucial story elements that you might be wondering about. The live-action series introduced Uncle Iroh early on, and we know that he is one of the most important characters in the whole series. In this article, we are going to discuss one specific scene that appeared early on in the animated series, when Iroh was able to see Aang in the Spirit World. How is that possible?! Keep reading to find out!
- Article Breakdown:
- In one of the early episodes of the original animated series, Uncle Iroh was able to see Aang riding on Roku’s dragon in the Spirit World, which was a major moment from the series.
- Due to Iroh being alive and the series still being in its first season, many fans are wondering just how Iroh was able to do this.
- The series never explained it properly, but there are several theories suggesting that Iroh’s previous visit to the Spirit World strengthened his bonds with the Spirits and that he was, thus, able to see Aang.
Iroh saw Aang in the Spirit World fairly early in the series
Avatar: The Last Airbender is known for the effort that the authors put into crafting the personalities and stories of its characters. And while the live-action series simply builds on that, it still succeeds in creating a world of its own, where known images have received a refreshing new depiction. Uncle Iroh is a character with a long-standing tradition, and he is unanimously considered to be one of the best and most important characters in the series.
Now, while there are many interesting aspects to Uncle Iroh’s story, this one is actually going to be related to his connection with Aang. Namely, although Iroh was a member of the Fire Nation, he was not loyal to its tyrannical rulers and helped Team Avatar on more than one occasion, which is why he was labeled as a traitor in his home nation. This also influenced his relationship with Zuko in a major way, but that is a wholly different story. What concerns us here is Aang.
If you remember the early episodes of the original animated series, you might remember a scene where Uncle Iroh notices Aang riding Roku’s dragon in the Spirit World. This was a major scene that foreshadowed Iroh’s connection to Aang and his journey, but it is also one of the more confusing moments in the series.
Iroh noticing Aang is not as problematic as the mechanism behind it. Even after all these years, we still don’t know how Iroh was able to see Aang so early in the series and how he was able to see him in the Spirit World when he himself was not a Spirit. Sure, we know that Uncle Iroh had been to the Spirit World after the death of his son, and we also know that he was a very skilled person, which gives us some background and a basis for this moment, but we still don’t know how it happened, which brings us to the second section of this article.
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The series never properly explained this, but there are some sound theories
As we’ve said above, the series never explained this scene. It happened, we moved on, and either the authors forgot about it, or it didn’t seem important enough to return to it, as explaining it wouldn’t change much. Still, we as fans want to know, and in our search for an answer, we have found several fan theories, and most of them claim the same: that Iroh’s previous visit to the Spirit World enabled him to form a bond with that world that later allowed him to interact with it even though he wasn’t part of the Spirit World. This… actually makes sense!
We actually agree with this, and it makes a lot of sense. Iroh was incredibly skilled, and he possessed many abilities that certainly put him above other characters. In that aspect, his previous visit to the Spirit World really does seem to be pivotal here, and the theory that he has managed to form a connection to that world, a connection so strong that it allowed him to interact with it even while he was alive, makes complete sense, and we can only agree with it here.
Have something to add? Let us know in the comments below!
FAQs
One theory surrounding the origins of this ability suggests that Iroh achieved enlightenment among the spirits when he journeyed there sometime before the series' beginning. Whatever happened there must have been fortuitous, as Iroh lived the remainder of his life as a friend of the spirits.
How can Iroh see Aang in the Spirit World Reddit? ›
After his son Lu Ten died, Iroh turned to the spirits in a desperate attempt to reconnect with Lu Ten and was successful in finding a way into the spirit realm. He learned a lot about the spirit's role in the world and gained the ability to see spirits due to this, though I believe he never reconnected with his son.
Who does Aang see in the Spirit World? ›
The dragon takes Aang to the temple on a crescent-shaped island to see Avatar Roku's statue. Aang finds out that Avatar Roku wants to speak to him about a comet and the only time they can talk is during the winter solstice.
How did Uncle Iroh visit the Spirit World? ›
Iroh crossed over to the Spirit World by meditation (he didn't go through a portal as 1. they weren't open yet, and 2. he said he left his body behind).
Who is the strongest avatar? ›
That said, Aang couldn't even dream of shattering a peninsula and creating an island. Kyoshi, on the other hand, effortlessly carved out a section of the Earth Kingdom like it was made of cake. Calling Kyoshi the strongest Avatar is an understatement, which is why she's ranked as number one.
How does everyone know Aang is the avatar? ›
As a result of Fire Lord Sozin's increasingly hostile attitude towards the other nations, the senior monks decided to reveal Aang's nature as the Avatar four years before the traditional age (Avatars are usually told of their status once they turn 16) and relocate him to one of the other Air Temples.
Did Zuko love Iroh? ›
At times, it seems like Iroh is the only person who can see the good in Zuko. And though Zuko, especially at first, appears ungrateful for his Uncle's teachings and guidance, it becomes increasingly clear that the wayward prince loves Iroh very much.
Is Iroh the most powerful in Avatar? ›
How strong of a firebender was Iroh compared to his brother and Azula? During the show I would say that Ozai is the strongest fire-bender followed by Iroh then Azula and Zuko last. Iroh is definitely stronger than Azula, but would not be able to beat his brother.
Is Iroh a good guy? ›
Iroh is a beloved character in Avatar: The Last Airbender due to his wisdom, mentorship, and transformation throughout the series. Iroh serves as a mentor to Zuko, helping him on his redemption arc and teaching him the difference between right and wrong.
Did Aang really see Gyatso in the Spirit World? ›
One night, while Aang was doing his daily meditation, Roku appears to Aang and takes him into the Spirit World. Once there, Roku introduces Gyatso, who greets Aang. After a lengthy conversation, in which he explains his last moments, he reminds Aang that his friends should be the most important thing to him.
Koh is a particularly creepy spirit in Avatar: The Last Airbender. If you show Koh any emotion, he will steal your face. Koh looks primarily like a shadowy spider, but he constantly changes his mask-like face into the ones he steals.
Why can Iroh see Aang in the Spirit World? ›
Some fans have theorized that Iroh was able to do this by himself because of how in-tune he was with the spirits. An early episode of Avatar: The Last Airbender showed that Iroh was able to see Aang, Iroh, and a spirit dragon flying through the sky, which humans cannot normally do.
Is General Iroh stronger than Ozai? ›
He says, "Even if I did defeat Ozai, and I don't know that I could..." which could indicate his moral reservations about killing his brother just as much as it could indicate doubt in his own abilities. Regardless, Iroh's feats prove superior at every turn.
Did Iroh find Lu Ten in the Spirit World? ›
Iroh eventually managed to access the Spirit World where he searched for Lu Ten, to no avail.
What makes Iroh so special? ›
Iroh is unique because instead of killing the last of the dragons, he learned from them. He learned the true meaning of fire bending. He learned that it comes from the BREATH, not the muscles. That's how Iroh got his nickname and what made him unique.
