There are plenty of movies and anime series that feature characters who can manipulate elements, but very few have managed to obtain the kind of success that Avatar: The Last Airbender has. The series debuted on Nickelodeon in 2005, and although it was aimed at kids, it is the type of show that can be enjoyed by all ages because of the action and subject matter. The world of Avatar is split into four nations, and each nation specializes in a form of elemental bending.

Firebending is the only bending art that allows the user to generate this element from nothing, and it is known for its aggressive and intense fighting style. It's understandable why Aang could barely wield this element, since he could've staked his claim as one of the strongest Avatars around if this was the case. Fans of the franchise have seen a number of firebenders, but some are far stronger than others.

Updated on February 19, 2024, by Ritwik Mitra: Many fans are worried about Netflix's live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender. The news surrounding this series has been anything but positive, and fans can only hope that everyone is proven wrong once this show is finally released. Of course, even if this live-action adaptation turns out to be an abject failure, fans can still rest assured that the original animated series and its sequel exist, with the firebenders in the show being notable for being some of the most powerful characters in the show who have enough power to burn everyone and everything to a crisp when things get really serious. Here's who the strongest firebenders are.

20 Kiyi

Zuko's Half-Sister Who Showed Potential To Become A Powerful Firebender

• Debut: The Search Part Two (Graphic Novel)

Most fans have no idea that Avatar: The Last Airbender received an official sequel in the form of graphic novels that fleshed out the aftermath of Fire Lord Ozai's defeat and the world's return to normalcy. After the release of The Promise came The Search, which focused on Zuko's mother and his search for her.

A new character introduced in the second part of The Search is Kiyi, Zuko and Azula's half-sister who has some powerful latent firebending abilities. While the full extent of these powers isn't seen in the graphic novel itself, she does manage to awaken these powers in a moment of need, that's pretty impressive in its own right.

19 Mongke

The Leader Of The Rough Rhinos

• Debut: Avatar Day (Book Two: Earth, Episode 5 of Avatar: The Last Airbender)

Most people who served in the Fire Nation military in high-ranking positions are adept firebenders who can destroy most things if they get serious. Mongke is one such individual who decides to leave the service to form his freelance group.

He's pretty powerful and flexes his firebending skills time and time again. While he may not be as strong as some of the other notable firebenders in the series, that shouldn't take anything away from the sheer power he can display when things get serious.

18 Bujing

A Ruthless High General Of The Fire Nation Army

• Debut: The Storm (Book One: Water, Episode 12 of Avatar: The Last Airbender)

Becoming a High General in the Fire Nation Army pretty much mandates a person in this position to be as adept in the use of firebending as possible. Bujing's presence in the story stems from Zuko's flashback when he got a scar after speaking out against the general and his advice. This ended up offending his father, who engaged him in an Agni Kai and gave him a permanent scar.

While Bujing never really showed his skill with firebending, his high post makes it clear that he was a force to be reckoned with. Fans hoped they could see this heinous individual in action just once, but this never really transpired.

17 Mako

A Firebender Who Serves As One Of The Major Characters In The Legend Of Korra

• Debut: A Leaf in the Wind (Book One: Air, Episode 2 of The Legend of Korra)

Mako was a fairly skilled firebender, but most Avatar fans will remember him for being Korra and Asami's former boyfriend. He and his younger brother grew up as orphans in Republic City, where he came in contact with a criminal organization before becoming a Pro-bender.

Mako specialized in a more modern form of firebending, especially during combat, but he was well-versed in the traditional style as well. He was known for using defensive weaving and dodging patterns, which he then followed up with offensive flurries. He was also able to create and redirect lightning.

16 Shyu

The Leader Of The Fire Nation Capital's Sages

• Debut: Winter Solstice, Part 2: Avatar Roku (Book One: Water, Episode 8 of Avatar: The Last Airbender)

It's rare to see a firebender on the side of good, but that's precisely what makes Shyu such a major anomaly. He's one of the few firebenders around who realized that the plans for conquest by the Fire Nation were extremely destructive and were leading the world down a path of ruin. As a result, he stayed loyal to the Avatar, even going so far as to help Aang connect with Avatar Roku when the protagonist needed his help.

While he was imprisoned and branded as a traitor by the Fire Lord after going against his will, his loyalty was finally rewarded after Aang managed to take out Fire Lord Ozai and stop the Fire Nation from expanding aggressively. Shyu ended up serving as the leader of the Fire Nation's Sages and helped steer the country after its ambitions were overthrown.

15 Admiral Zhao

The Former Leader Of The Fire Nation Navy

• Debut: The Southern Air Temple (Book One: Water, Episode 3 of Avatar: The Last Airbender)

Admiral Zhao was the first real villain that Avatar Aang dealt with, and he was nearly responsible for the complete destruction of the Northern Water Tribe. During his invasion, he managed to get to the Moon Spirit, and he was able to kill it with his firebending.

He was trained by Jeong Jeong, and he went on to become one of the Fire Nation's strongest fighters. Contrary to Jeong Jeong's teachings, Zhao focused on the destructive side of firebending, which allowed him to develop powerful moves, and he was proficient in defense.

14 Lightning Bolt Zolt

The Former Leader Of The Triple Threat Triad

• Debut: The Revelation (Book One: Air, Episode 3 of The Legend of Korra)

The Triple Threat Triad was a criminal organization in Republic City that was known for committing crimes against non-benders. Zolt was the organization's leader, and he was known for being a very skilled firebender. Lightning bending is an extremely powerful specialized form of firebending, and Zolt mastered it.

His nickname was "Lightning Bolt" Zolt, and he was the one who taught Lightning bending to Mako. He was one of the only firebenders who could rapidly generate lightning in consecutive bursts and switch between fire and lighting effortlessly.

13 Combustion Man

A Firebending Assassin And One Of The Few People Proficient In Combustionbending

• Debut: The Headband (Book Three: Fire, Episode 2 of Avatar: The Last Airbender)

Combustion Man was the nickname given to the firebending assassin and bounty hunter that Prince Zuko hired. He was supposed to kill Avatar Aang, and he nearly succeeded thanks to his combustion-bending abilities. This is a telekinetic form of firebending which produces powerful explosive beams of energy from the user's forehead.

The intricate third-eye tattoo is what allowed him to channel his chi into his forehead, and unlike normal firebending, all he needed to do was inhale and concentrate on a target. His blasts could disintegrate large boulders with ease, and he could singlehandedly evaporate large bodies of water.

12 P'Li

A Long-Time Member Of The Red Lotus Proficient In Combustionbending

• Debut: The Earth Queen (Book Three: Change, Episode 3 of The Legend of Korra)

P'Li was a member of the Red Lotus, a militant group that wished to bring balance to the world by eliminating the Avatar and all of the world's governments. She and her friends attempted to kidnap Avatar Korra, but they were thwarted, and she was imprisoned at the North Pole for 13 years.

Other than Combustion Man, she is the only known firebender who is capable of combustion bending, and she uses the same third-eye tattoo. She could fire multiple shots in quick succession, and unlike Combustion Man, she could curve her blasts to hit her target from different angles and directions.

11 Zuko

Fire Lord Ozai's Ostracized Son Who Has A Change Of Heart

• Debut: The Boy in the Iceberg (Book One: Water, Episode 1 of Avatar: The Last Airbender)

Zuko was permanently scarred and banished by his father, and he hunted the Avatar in hopes of regaining his honor as Crown Prince of the Fire Nation. He started off as an enemy of Team Avatar, but after seeing the error of his ways, he joins the team and becomes Aang's firebending teacher.

It took time, but Zuko became a firebending master. Getting the blessing of Ran and Shaw definitely helped, with these firebending dragons allowing Zuko to believe in himself once again and become a competent firebender. He could redirect lightning, but in terms of actual combat, he was not as skilled as his younger sister, in fact, he was only able to defeat her with help from Katara and her water abilities. In The Legend of Korra, he is in his late 80s, but he is still a capable fighter.

10 Jeong Jeong

A Firebending Master Called The Deserter For Being The Only Known Survivor To Defect The Fire Nation Military

• Debut: The Deserter (Book One: Water, Episode 16 of Avatar: The Last Airbender)

Jeong Jeong was a firebending master and prodigy who preferred to use his bending for defensive purposes. He was an honored Fire Nation admiral, but he defected from the military after realizing what his nation and bending were doing to the world.

He was able to fend off Admiral Zhao and his men when they came for Aang, and he helped to liberate Ba Sing Se by creating immense walls of flames. He was Aang's first firebending master, but things did not go well because Aang lacked discipline at the time. That being said, Jeong Jeong proved to be a good teacher.

9 Fire Lord Azulon

Ruled The Fire Nation During The Vast Majority Of The Hundred Year War

• Debut: Zuko Alone (Book Two: Earth, Episode 7 of Avatar: The Last Airbender)

Fire Lord Azulon ruled for most of the Hundred Year War, and he was Zuko and Azula's paternal grandfather. He was 95 when he was assassinated, but he was still powerful despite his advanced age. In fact, his killers needed to resort to poison instead of fighting him outright.

Azulon was a firebending prodigy, but he was also a master strategist. He was directly responsible for the Southern Water Tribe's near annihilation. He also led his forces to victory in the Earth Kingdom by conquering Garsai and the Hu Xin Provinces.

8 Fire Lord Sozin

The Fire Lord Who Instigated The Hundred-Year War

• Debut: The Avatar and the Fire Lord (Book Three: Fire, Episode 6 of Avatar: The Last Airbender)

When he was younger, Sozin was best friends with Avatar Roku, but when he became Fire Lord, he thought about expanding the Fire Nation so that it could encompass the entire world. He often sparred with Roku when they were younger, and he would go on to become a powerful firebending master.

When Roku ordered him to stay out of Earth Kingdom territory, he unleashed a powerful attack, but Roku was able to overcome this thanks to the Avatar State and his mastery of all four elements. When the volcano on Roku's Island erupted, Sozin was able to absorb and redirect the heat, which is something even Roku could not do. He was a truly heinous individual who was responsible for driving dragons to the brink of extinction after deeming them to be trophies that only the most competent hunters could take down.

7 Azula

Daughter Of Fire Lord Ozai And A Firebending Prodigy Who Can Wield Blue Flames

• Debut: The Storm (Book One, Episode 12 of Avatar: The Last Airbender)

Azula was a Fire Nation Princess and Zuko's younger sister, and to this day she is the only firebender capable of producing blue blames. She was a true prodigy, and during her time, she was considered to be one of the strongest and most skilled firebenders alive.

She was capable of using lightning, an advanced form of firebending, and she used it to critically injure Aang while he was in the Avatar State. Unlike most firebenders, she could fight for long periods of time without tiring. She could even use fire to propel herself through the air like a jet. There's a reason why she's one of the most compelling antagonists in Avatar — Azula could easily wipe out most of her foes with ease and served as a major thorn in Aang and Co.'s side in the series all the way to the very end.

6 Iroh

Zuko's Nephew And One Of The Show's Wisest Characters

• Debut: The Boy in the Iceberg (Book One: Water, Episode 1 of Avatar: The Last Airbender)

Iroh was a Fire Nation General and the Crown Prince, but he lost the will to fight in the Hundred Year War after his only son died on the front lines. His younger brother then usurped the throne. He was able to breathe fire like a dragon, which was seen as an advanced skill, and he was the one who invented the lightning redirection technique.

Unlike other members of his family, Iroh believed in a balance between the four elements, and he incorporated aspects of each bending style into his own. When Sozin's Comet came, his true strength was revealed when he was able to break through the impregnable inner wall of Ba Sing Se.

5 Fire Lord Ozai

The Main Antagonist Of Avatar: The Last Airbender

• Debut: Winter Solstice, Part 2: Avatar Roku (Book One: Water, Episode 8 of Avatar: The Last Airbender)

Ozai was Zuko and Azula's father and Iroh's younger brother, and he is arguably the franchise's best villain. Like other Fire Lords, he was a firebending master, and at the time of his rule, he was considered to be the world's strongest firebender.

It was believed that only the Avatar was strong enough to actually beat Ozai in combat, but Aang was only able to do it after successfully reentering the Avatar State. Prior to that, Ozai overpowered Aang with relative ease and nearly killed him.

4 Avatar Wan

The First Avatar

• Debut: Beginnings, Part 1 (Book Two: Spirits, Episode 7 of The Legend of Korra)

Wan was the original Avatar, but he technically started out as a firebender because he was originally given the bending art by an Island Turtle who unlocked it through Energybending. He honed his skills by training with a dragon, and he eventually became the first human firebending master.

When he fused with Rava during the Harmonic Convergence, he could use all four elements at once, but firebending was still his preferred form of bending. Wan is responsible for developing high-level firebending techniques like jet propulsion and flame deflection.

3 Avatar Szeto

A Fire Nation Avatar Who Brought Great Peace To The Nation During A Time Of Turmoil

• Debut: The Avatar State (Book Two: Earth, Episode 1 of Avatar: The Last Airbender)

Szeto was the firebending Avatar before Roku, and he spent the majority of his life helping the Fire Nation. As the Avatar, his job was to maintain peace throughout the world, but he was born during a time when the Fire Nation dealt with multiple plagues, natural disasters, and civil unrest.

Instead of using force to set his Nation on the right path, Szeto chose to become a minister and a diplomat instead, and he was able to lead the Fire Nation back to a form of prosperity. As the Avatar and a natural-born firebender, Szeto was the strongest and most skilled firebender of his time

2 Avatar Roku

The Fire Nation Avatar Preceding Aang

• Debut: Winter Solstice, Part 2: Avatar Roku (Book One: Water, Episode 8 of Avatar: The Last Airbender)

The franchise's strongest firebender was not a Fire Lord or a member of the royal family. He was much more than a firebender. Avatar Roku was the Avatar before Aang, and if he had survived the volcanic eruption on his island, he would have stopped the Hundred Year War before it even started.

As a fully realized Avatar, Roku was a master of every element, including fire. He was so skilled with firebending, that he used it to calm the lava flow of the volcano. The Avatar is meant to be the strongest being in the world, and Roku is the only Avatar from the Fire Nation that fans actually got to meet.

1 Ran And Shaw

The Ancient Dragons Who Gave Birth To The Art Of Firebending And Taught It To Humans

• Debut: The Firebending Masters (Book Three: Fire, Episode 13 of Avatar: The Last Airbender)

It's only a given that the two dragons who introduced humans to the art of firebending itself would be considered the strongest firebenders of all time. The fact that Aang and Zuko met these dragons is a testament to how badly they wanted to master firebending, with the dragons deeming them worthy of understanding what this technique is all about.

Their appearance in the series is truly awe-inspiring and goes a long way in making the events of Avatar feel all the more epic and historic. The show has been praised to the moon and back for its impressive worldbuilding, and this scene is just one of the many places where it shines the brightest.