How Old Mentors Return in Anime Like Star Wars and Why Fans Love It

In the course of the franchise, the young protagonists have often leaned on figures such as mentors, role models, and sometimes stand-ins for parents to help them along. Characters like Uncle Iroh, Tenzin, and past members of the Air Nomads serve as valuable sources of guidance, offering advice and bending teachings alike. This support could even transcend death, with Uncle Iroh imparting wisdom to Avatar Korra in the Spirit World.

Currently, fans are pondering: just how much is too much? It was great to see Iroh again in “The Legend of Korra”, but the characters can’t lean on their mentors forever. Eventually, some cast members will need to step aside to make way for fresh faces. Even three aging members of the Gaang came back to guide Korra in her later years, and a touch of that goes a long way. This raises the question: how many familiar characters should come back as wise mentors for Avatar Pavi in “Avatar: Seven Havens”, and when does enough become too much?

Why Anime Fans Love Seeing Old Mentors Return

An Old Mentor Is a Comforting & Familiar Presence

Many fictional tales introduce or reintroduce wise guides who can function as parental figures or providers of information, like in the Avatar series and Star Wars. For instance, when viewers witnessed Iroh’s return to meet Avatar Korra, they might have been reminded of Obi-Wan Kenobi communicating with Luke on Dagobah. Both Iroh and Obi-Wan served as mentors for the young heroes, providing strength but lacking experience. After their physical deaths, they didn’t vanish permanently; instead, they reappeared to help the heroes spiritually, as if nothing had changed. Neither Obi-Wan nor Iroh could continue fighting physically against the villains, but they didn’t need to do so. Fans appreciate the return of mentors because their presence is valued over their ability to fight alongside the young hero.

In many stories, such as Star Wars or The Legend of Korra, audiences tend to resonate more with the young protagonist rather than the older mentor figure. As a result, characters like Obi-Wan and Uncle Iroh serve as a reassuring guide and source of support during difficult times in life. Viewers often find themselves captivated by their emotional support, wise advice, and memorable quotes given to the young heroes. Both the hero and the viewer heavily rely on these mentors’ presence. For instance, it was no surprise that many Avatar fans were delighted upon seeing Iroh return in the Spirit World, not just for a familiar face, but for a comforting presence filled with unending support, guidance, and wisdom.

In the storyline, recurring mentor figures like Iroh in Avatar and Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars provide a strong, constant presence that anchors both the young heroes and viewers alike. Despite significant shifts in the world, such as the emergence of Amon and Unalaq in Avatar, or Luke’s confrontations with Darth Vader in Star Wars, these mentor characters remain steadfast sources of guidance for characters like Aang, Zuko, Korra, and Luke. Through thick and thin, Iroh and Obi-Wan were always present, helping to weave the narrative together seamlessly across time.

Returning Mentors Can Interact With the Avatar’s Cast in New Ways

Iroh & Zuko Are Friends With a Whole New Avatar

When characters such as Obi-Wan and Iroh reappear, viewers aren’t simply getting more of the same, but something novel: new dynamics between these mentors and other cast members, or portrayals of older versions of those characters. The comfort and nostalgia associated with returning mentors is skillfully balanced, and their encounters with the young protagonists will never mirror exactly what fans remember from the past. These interactions also breathe freshness and intrigue into the narrative, offering a glimpse into previously unseen facets of these mentor figures, allowing them to develop further even without being impressionable young heroes. Even for characters like Iroh, who appear to have experienced everything, there were unexpected twists when he encountered Korra in the Spirit World, and this was particularly true for Zuko himself.

In the captivating world of “The Legend of Korra”, I found myself venturing deeper into the realm of spirits alongside Iroh, which felt incredibly akin to being an Avatar myself as I stood by Korra in the Spirit World. This is a facet of Iroh’s character that was never explored during his time with Zuko or even spiritually enlightened Avatar Aang in “Avatar: The Last Airbender”. In fact, this aspect of Iroh’s guidance was entirely absent in the original series. However, the return of Iroh in “The Legend of Korra” opened up a rich opportunity for him to delve into his spiritual side and share his wisdom with a new Avatar like myself (Korra). Over time, and through my interactions with a spiritually uninformed Avatar such as Korra, Iroh was able to truly tap into his spiritual potential.

Over time, Zuko transitioned from a young character in need of guidance to becoming a wise guide himself, which greatly suited his character. Essentially, Zuko took on the role Iroh held when helping Korra, as the Avatar grappled with challenges. Unlike Iroh, Zuko didn’t return in spirit form, but he proved to be a wise and experienced guide. With Zuko being 70 years older than his last appearance at the end of Avatar, he felt like an entirely new character. He served as Korra’s advisor while also developing connections with fresh characters. Fans admired Zuko’s dynamic with characters like Aang and Katara, but now they can witness the fascinating interactions between the elderly Zuko and a brand-new Avatar who is significantly different from Aang.

Avatar Must Not Overuse the Obi-Wan Mentor Trope

Avatar Pavi Needs New Mentors & Friends, Too

Fans of the Avatar series have been treated to numerous instances of the Obi-Wan mentor trope after completing both Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra. Characters like Iroh and Zuko provided guidance for the new Avatar, providing a mix of excitement and emotional release for viewers. As we look forward to Avatar: Seven Havens, questions arise about how they’ll incorporate this trope and find the right balance. With Avatar Pavi being a young and troubled character in a devastated world that rejects the Avatar, her struggles could be overwhelming for someone of her age. It is expected that she will need the assistance of wise and benevolent mentors to help guide her through this difficult journey, and it’s possible that some of these mentors may return from the past.

By nature, the Avatar character possesses the ability to communicate with their past lives for advice and clarification. For instance, Aang consulted with his four preceding Avatars when searching for solutions. Later on, Korra received enlightening flashbacks from a middle-aged Avatar Aang, and even uncovered the origins of the Avatar Cycle from its first Avatar, Wan. Additionally, Korra conversed with both Iroh and Zuko, familiar figures from the past, enhancing the narrative’s resemblance to the Obi-Wan Force Ghost idea. Furthermore, elderly characters like Katara and Toph trained Korra and imparted their wisdom, making it appear as though the series was hesitant to depart from the era of the original Avatar: The Last Airbender.

It’s great to imagine beloved characters like Tenzin or Iroh returning as spiritual mentors for Avatar Pavi in a Force Ghost-like manner. However, it’s important not to rely too heavily on this trope. A subtle touch here and there would be sufficient, as too much could become repetitive. If Pavi encounters someone in the Spirit World, it could very well be Tenzin or even Iroh himself, given his spiritual expertise and connection to the spirit realm. But introducing an array of new mentors is crucial for moving the story forward into a fresh era. Having Tenzin or Iroh make a reappearance in a Dagobah-esque scene could be exciting, but it’s essential that the franchise strike a balance between honoring the past and embracing the future, allowing Avatar Pavi to guide us into a new phase of the story.

2025-05-18 06:03