Iroh: The Avatar Who Never Was?

Welcome to "Fan Theory Explained." Here’s the theory for today: Some fans believe that in "Avatar: The Last Airbender," Uncle Iroh could have become the Avatar himself—if only fate and Fire Nation history had turned out differently.

This theory didn’t start in the show’s canon, but rather on fan forums where viewers obsessively analyzed Iroh’s actions, backstory, and spiritual prowess. The theory gained traction on platforms like Reddit, where fans dissected scenes from both the original series and supplementary material, pointing to Iroh’s deep spiritual connection, his respect for all nations, and his knowledge of all four elements.

Let’s break down the clues fans point to:

First, Iroh’s spiritual acumen is unmatched among non-Avatars in the series. He’s the only main character outside the Avatar who can see and interact with spirits without fear, confusion, or aggression. In the first season, Iroh is captured by earthbenders and, when left alone, meditates so deeply he can see the dragon spirit in the Spirit World—a rare ability for anyone but the Avatar.

Second, Iroh demonstrates significant knowledge of all four elements. While he’s a firebending master, he teaches Zuko to redirect lightning using waterbending principles. In the "tale of Iroh" segment, he’s depicted doing breathing exercises and martial arts forms inspired by multiple bending styles. Fans argue this signals a deep, perhaps even natural, understanding of the foundations of each element.

Third, Iroh’s relationship to balance and harmony is unique among Fire Nation leaders. Throughout the series, he urges moderation, preaches the value of each nation, and even drinks tea with people from every background. The Avatar’s role is to maintain global balance, and Iroh consistently acts as a moral compass—steps beyond the typical role of a retired general.

Fourth, there’s Iroh’s history. He was heir to the Fire Nation throne, a decorated general, and once laid siege to Ba Sing Se, the last Earth Kingdom stronghold. Fans speculate that had Iroh not lost his son Lu Ten, he might have continued on the path to Fire Lord. Some believe that this tragedy sparked his spiritual awakening, which paralleled the Avatar’s own journey toward enlightenment.

Fifth, fans point to the moment when Iroh enters the Spirit World during the Harmonic Convergence. While this event is more prominent in "The Legend of Korra," Iroh chooses to remain in the Spirit World, interacting with spirits and later aiding the Avatar. No other non-Avatar human is shown making this choice or being so welcomed by spirits.

Now, let’s look at the strongest counterarguments.

The Avatar is not chosen by skill or spiritual merit, but by reincarnation in a fixed cycle: Water, Earth, Fire, Air. The only way for Iroh to become the Avatar would be to be born into the right nation at the right time, following the cycle. Canonically, Roku was the Fire Nation Avatar before Aang, and the next in line would be born into the Air Nomads. Iroh, as an older Fire Nation man, could never be the Avatar under this system.

Second, while Iroh is spiritually gifted, there's no direct evidence in the show or comics that he can bend more than fire. All multi-bending shown in the franchise is tied to the Avatar or to rare non-Avatar exceptions, like Toph’s metalbending, which remains an extension of earthbending.

Third, Iroh’s guidance to Zuko, and his spiritual insight, do not equate to literal Avatar abilities. His mentorship fills the narrative void left by Aang’s lack of living mentors from other nations. Fans may interpret this symbolically as "Avatar-like," but the show never blurs the line between Iroh’s wisdom and the Avatar’s supernatural destiny.

In terms of believability, the theory is compelling as a metaphor for Iroh’s role in the story. He embodies the Avatar’s values—balance, empathy, and wisdom—but canonically, he cannot be the Avatar due to the rules of reincarnation. Still, the numerous clues about Iroh’s spirit-world abilities and cross-cultural respect fuel the theory’s popularity because they’re so unusual for a non-Avatar character.

Why do fans care so much? Iroh is beloved for his warmth, humor, and tragic backstory. He stands as proof that wisdom comes from pain and growth, not just power. The idea that he could have been the Avatar speaks to fans’ desire to see kindness and balance rewarded. It also raises the stakes of his relationship with Zuko: by nurturing the future Fire Lord, Iroh indirectly shapes the destiny of the world, just as an Avatar would.

There’s also emotional weight to the theory: Iroh’s journey is marked by loss. The idea that he was spiritually qualified to be the Avatar, but destined for another role, gives fans a way to process the "what ifs" of his story. If Iroh could have been the Avatar, maybe Lu Ten would have lived. Maybe the Hundred Year War would have ended sooner. Fans project their hopes for a kinder world onto Iroh, making this theory a way to imagine a better outcome not just for the Fire Nation, but for everyone.

Beyond the text, Iroh’s ability to see spirits and his time in the Spirit World have led some to speculate about hidden connections to Avatar Wan, the first Avatar, whose journey also focused on uniting different cultures and battling isolationism. Some even argue that Iroh serves as the ultimate mentor figure because he represents what the Avatar could become after decades of struggle and learning.

For a concrete example, in the episode "The Siege of the North, Part 2," Iroh helps Aang and the Northern Water Tribe fight off the Fire Nation’s attack and even threatens his own country’s admiral for desecrating the Spirit Oasis. In that moment, he acts with the spiritual authority and moral imperative associated with the Avatar. However, the show makes clear that moral authority can be wielded by anyone who chooses growth and compassion, not just the Avatar.

In another instance, during Zuko’s training in redirecting lightning, Iroh explains the technique’s roots in waterbending, demonstrating his willingness to learn from other nations. This cross-discipline understanding is rare for firebenders and underscores his Avatar-like outlook—though it falls short of actual multi-element bending.

Finally, in "The Legend of Korra," Iroh’s permanent residence in the Spirit World is unique. No other living human chooses to remain there, and he seems to move freely, advising Korra and spirits alike. This deepens the theory’s appeal, since Iroh’s posthumous existence is the closest any character comes to living out the Avatar’s dual-world legacy without actually being the Avatar.

If this topic piqued your curiosity, here’s another fan theory worth diving into: Many believe that in Netflix’s "Stranger Things," Eleven’s powers are actually fueled by the Upside Down itself, not just by government experiments. This opens up a whole new perspective on Hawkins’ dark secrets and Eleven’s real connection to the mysterious alternate dimension.