Avatar: The Last Airbender presented fans with so many iconic and badass moments. Some of the most memorable moments of the series came not from Aang, but from Zuko himself. His plot arc was full of character development and plenty of opportunities for epic battles.
It didn't hurt that Zuko was always capable of taking care of himself in almost any situation. More than that, he usually did so in a dramatic fashion. With all of that in mind, here are Zuko's ten most badass scenes.
Standing Up as a Child (And Paying the Price for It)
When Zuko was just a boy, he was the only voice that spoke up against the horrible plan that his father had laid out. Granted, Zuko ended up paying a horrible price for speaking out so, but that doesn't change the fact that it was the right thing to do.
More than that, it must have been so difficult to see his father approving of a plan that would cost so many lives. It's no wonder that Zuko couldn't keep silent on the matter.
Battle on Kyoshi Island
Zuko has a talent for getting himself into this grand and dramatic fights. One of the most visually stunning battles Zuko was involved in occurred in Kyoshi Island. Here he had been tracking the Avatar for quite some time, only to catch up with him here.
He raged through the streets, looking for the Avatar. Instead, he found the Kyoshi warriors. Despite that difficult battle, Zuko did actually come closer to winning than team Avatar would like to admit.
Seeking Revenge With Katara
After Zuko had seen the error of his ways and joined team Avatar, he still had a lot to atone for. One of the many things he did to gain acceptance was to help Katara get revenge on the man who took her mother away.
Together they raided a Fire Nation ship, followed by a raid in a much quieter location. Regardless of how dangerous it was, Zuko was willing to fight those of his nation in order to seek justice (or vengeance).
The Blue Spirit: Theft And Resistance
During one of the most desperate times of Zuko's life, he donned the Blue Spirit mask he became famous for. This was how he gathered food and money for himself and his uncle. In a way, it was also how he resisted what the Fire Nation was doing.
More than that, he was resisting his upbringing. He became a symbol to many who saw him, in a silent protest that was all his own.
Breaking Into the Boiling Rock Prison
Going off on a field trip with Zuko became almost a rite of passage to team Avatar, with Sokka claiming bids on the next excursion. Together, he and Zuko broke into Boiling Rock Prison – all to free Suki and the rest of Sokka's allies.
It was an intense series of events, with risk getting into the prison itself. There was even more risk getting out, as Zuko quickly learned. Here he battled the jailers – and his own sister. Once again. This time around the fight had more determination from both combatants, and it showed.
A Battle In the North
When Zuko went north (hidden on Zhao's ship), he faced two major battles. One of those battles was against Katara. Zuko had gone in with the intent, once again, of capturing the Avatar and restoring his honor.
What he found instead was a battle with a ticked off waterbending. The two fought a glorious battle, made all the more striking for the opposition of their elements.
The Blue Spirit: Saving Aang
When most fans think of the time Zuko donned his Blue Spirit mask, they're liking thinking of the time he broke into Pohuai Stronghold in order to free Aang. It was a bold and brazen move, one that put him at major risk.
Throw in the fact that he couldn't risk using his firebending, and it made the rescue mission all the more impressive. With swords and skill alone he battled dozens of enemies, doing everything possible to get Aang away.
Battling Zhao
The second battle Zuko faced while up north was against another firebender. The battle he had against Zhao. This was a fight a long time coming. Really, fans knew it would happen from the moment Zhao attempted to have Zuko killed.
That fact added to the satisfaction of seeing them battle, while behind them the firebenders lost to an entirely different and more powerful (La) threat.
Standing Up to Ozai
One of the hardest things Zuko had to do, aside from coming to terms with who he was and what he wanted to do with his life, was stand up to his father. Fire Lord Ozai. Yet he did exactly that. Zuko took advantage of the eclipse to tell his father how he really felt.
He berated his father. Given what happened the last time Zuko spoke out against his father, that was exceptionally bold of him. He then left his home with the intent of joining the opposing side; the Avatar.
Agni Kai With Azula
Last, but certainly not least, we have Zuko's most epic fight of the series: his battle against his sister, Azula. It was a battle of siblings, of right and wrong, of sane and insane. It was a fight the series had been building up to. It was also visually stunning, given the different colors their fires created.
There's a very good chance that Zuko would have won that fight fair and square. Instead, he took a hit intended for another (a cowardly move on Azula's part), proving that he is both compassionate and badass.