Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender is a live-action adaptation series of the original animated series of the same name from 2005. Encompassing the story of Aang the Avatar who needs to master the four elemental powers to fight and save the world at war, it stars Gordon Cormier, Kiawentiio Tarbell, Ian Ousley, Dallas James Liu, and Elizabeth Yu as Aang, Katara, Sokka, Zuko, and Azula.
Out of all these characters, one of the most powerful ones is none other than Zuko. A firebender and a Fire Nation Royal, the character nicknamed ‘Zuzu’ by Azula and Kiyi even goes on to become Aang’s firebending mentor, determined to end the war. However, despite being so powerful, Dallas James Liu still believes Zuko would be defeated by one other powerful character: Iroh.
Dallas James Liu Believes Zuko Would Fall Short Against Iroh
Considering Zuko’s exceptional power and strength coupled with his determination to come victorious, it seems unbelievable that he could be defeated at the hands of anyone. However, the character’s onscreen portrayer Dallas James Liu still believes otherwise.
During a recent interview with WIRED where the cast of Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender had to answer some of Google’s most asked questions about the series, Liu shared his thoughts about the same when asked who would win in a fight between Zuko and Iroh. He said:
“I’m sure Zuko would get walked down by Iroh. [Everyone Laughs] I’m gonna be honest. You see, like, the chains, he’s the dragon of the west. He’s part of some secret society later on.”
Continuing, while Dallas James Liu did acknowledge just how strong Zuko actually is and how bold he could stand in front of his opponents, he stayed put on his decision that he would still fall short in a battle against Paul Sun-Hyung Lee‘s Iroh.
“Like, even though Zuko progresses as a fire bender throughout the series,” Liu admitted, “he’s just still not strong enough. Unfortunately.”
Well, to figure out if what Dallas James Liu has said is indeed true would be truly exciting if Netflix’s live-action version of Avatar: The Last Airbender brings this very fight into action!
How are Zuko and Iroh Connected in Avatar: The Last Airbender?
This one is for all those who have not seen the Avatar: The Last Airbender series and/or may not know about the relationship between Zuko and Iroh.
In Zuko’s storyline, there is a heartbreaking point when Dallas James Liu’s character unintentionally ends up disrespecting his father by speaking out of turn and refusing to duel with him. This leads to his father Ozai banishing him from the Fire Nation.
It was then that General Iroh stepped into the picture as Zuko’s savior. A retired Fire Nation general as well as a former Crown Prince of the Fire Nation, Iroh was the paternal uncle of Zuko. When Zuko got banished by Ozai, it was Iroh who took his place to become a wise mentor to his nephew.
Just like that, the wise and easy-going spiritual man Iroh established a relationship much more than that of just an uncle-nephew and a mentor-student with Zuko — perhaps another reason why Dallas James Liu respects him so much that he believes Zuko couldn’t win against him, ever.
You can stream Avatar: The Last Airbender on Netflix.
