Reactors Reacting to LEAVES FROM THE VINE | Avatar The Last Airbender 2x15 "The Tales of Ba Sing Se"

[@JeshuaSquirrel]

I can't believe I just voluntarily chose to have my heart ripped out with this video. I love Iroh and RIP Mako.

[@BuzryHaproMandalorianHunter]

Dropping the cartoon version and the live action in one day is too much.

[@justAman548]

@@BuzryHaproMandalorianHunterrespectfully, the live action only hits if you’ve seen and understand the cartoon version

[@ginobrc1]

fr... is self inflicted torture at this point..

[@madelinegarber7860]

Bruh same! Why am I doing this to myself?

[@skeletalmesh9872]

"Yeah that was a super sad moment, I will now watch it TEN TIMES IN A ROW"

[@therivster]

As children, we thought we were saying goodbye to Lu Ten. As grown ups, we realise we were saying goodbye to Iroh. 😢😢😢

[@Kamina.D.Fierce]

It makes me wonder... Did Mako know his time was nearing? If I knew I'd be like that too.

[@msfluorescent]

​I think he did, and that's what makes it even sadder. I read somewhere that Leaves from the Vine is something Mako sang for himself, I believe. Which is probably why he's crying in the song. @@Kamina.D.Fierce

[@ndndave9241]

@@therivster Yo, I wasn’t planning on getting choked up twice on this video. 😐😐😐

[@marLamaDeo]

@@Kamina.D.Fierceapparently the lyrics of the song are about his younger self (mako’s)

[@KingMarkus222]

Why u gotta make me cry even harder all over again?

[@SunlessNick]

The second actor to play Iroh is asked a lot at cons to sing this, but he's always refused, because it's Mako's song.

[@BigBWolf90]

Greg Baldwin also refused to do the Aku opening monologue in the 5th season of Samurai Jack out of respect for Mako

[@SarumanTheStinky]

"Im a grown ass man I can do this" 🎶Leaves from a vine🎶 [starts bawling]

[@leevikaunismaa9652]

for me it is always the " if only I could have helped you", just breaks me

[@Osmundsaddler-4]

I laughed a bit

[@grantpflum6844]

Every. Effing. Time.

[@Chuck-PK]

so was Iroh

[@vernelia9495]

When he starts breaking down is when I just can't hold it anymore

[@peytonalexander5300]

Lu Ten’s face is based on a picture of Mako from when he was a young man. It really is incredible how much soul and heart they were able to pack into this show.

[@BigBWolf90]

@@peytonalexander5300 i think they said they specifically used pictures from when Mako was in the US Army

[@terra221]

A truly brilliant way to memorialize one of the GOATs.

[@recht_voor_zijn_raap5506]

This scene was made for a children show.. But it made grown men and women cry... Truly a masterpiece of a show.

[@METerrell]

It's a testament to Mako's acting, not just in this scene but up to this moment, so that everyone loves him so much it makes the viewers sad to see him mourn.

[@kaibaborp396]

@@METerrell also to the writing and production of this show in general. I truly think we will never get this level of quality from a kids show again, let alone an animation

[@mattwiley731]

I tell anyone who will listen it's one of the greatest shows ever made! It's easily the best animated show of all time. Avatar is for all ages. You're right, it's a masterpiece.

[@_BenJaminCroft_]

The words in the top left of Lu Ten's portrait can be roughly translated as: _"To General Iroh: See you after we win the war. Your loyal son, Lu Ten."_

[@drazielpalacios1737]

Damn! I didn’t know that… 😢😓😥😰😣😔

[@trajanfidelis]

😢😭

[@reedbecker]

Oh... no

[@brolytriplethreat]

It may have taken longer than Lu Ten expected, but Iroh did, in the end, win the war(by reconquering Ba Sing Se for the Earth Kingdom), and probably did reunite with his son in the Spirit World. Maybe. I dunno how death works in Avatar. They may use the word reincarnation but, for example, Roku is a distinct entity from Aang who can not only have a conversation with him, but that conversation can include information Aang not only isn't privy too, but that Roku could only have found out _after_ his death, in turn proving he's not some echo of the past and can even learn new things separately from his successor.

[@funnylilgalreacts]

This is so painful and theraputic. Thank you for including me 🖤

[@funkadesiac]

I love your reactions ❤

[@BanControl]

I was waiting for this episode from you specifically because I knew you would bawl

[@Kotten84]

This video is 14 minutes of absolute fucking torture.

[@Kamina.D.Fierce]

Did you notice they didn't end the episode on Iroh's tale? This is why.

[@Aethrin]

_"Women cry watching Titanic,"_ this, and _"Men cry watching Gladiator,"_ that, nah *everyone* cries watching Tales from Ba Sing Se.

[@nF_Rhythm]

Me, halfway through the video: "Why would I do this to myself??? 😭😭😭" *Continues to finish video*

[@sammylane21]

This episode gains a significant amount of emotional weight when you find out the significance of the song, who Mako was and what his acting career was like. The man had accomplished so much in his lifetime.

[@kylebrooks338]

Reactors: aw yay picnic with uncle.. oh no.. ohhh no (tears)

[@Alterego912]

Apparently, Lu Ten was modeled after Mako’s own old military photos.

[@TheMultiForge]

This scene hits hard, and then it hits harder when you remember, Iroh was the General of the Fire Nation Military at the time, so he would have given the order that lead to Lu Ten's demise, and he would have to live with that pain for the rest of his life, and remember that it was his fault, his command that lead to it. It's understandable why he chose to not become Firelord after that

[@freakda96]

More like Ozai was already appointed , he just didn't contested it

[@1993Warbirds]

@@freakda96 I mean if Iroh had even an ounce of ambition left after the trauma of losing his son (which he doesn't but hypothetically), he commanded the most powerful armies the Fire Nation had to offer. If he had actually wanted to claim his rightful place on the Throne, he could've. That's part of why Ozai writes his brother off as a sad and weak fool. Because not only did he lift the Siege as a response to Lu-Ten's death, but then didn't even try to unseat Ozai. In most people's eyes, Iroh was a broken man that was no longer worthy of the Throne, even if he had the birthright.

[@JohnnyBRad]

I think one small detail I didn't notice for ages is that as Iroh is setting up the memorial he's all smiles. There's joy in celebrating his son and his birthday but as soon as he settles in it's like it all comes rushing back and he can't hold it in.

[@ryderkreutzer8859]

I cry every single time I see iroh's story like he is the man we all want to be growing up then we remember that he became this man due to the pain of losing his son and then we are reverted to crying children who wants to give the old man massive loving hug.

[@GoGoGadgetJesus]

This was Mako Iwamatsu’s final performance before his passing. RIP, Mako 🕊️

[@jaytee6563]

Everybody gangster until Iroh starts crying

[@nicholaswilkerson4394]

Man. Even after watching this series at least twice a year since I was like 20 (33) this still ALWAYS breaks me. I hurt so much for Iroh

[@erenjaeger0794]

Here's one more gut punch. "Little soldier boy, come marching home." That line was a request.

[@TheLoneWolf_1013]

Aww no! I never thought of it that way. Why'd you do this to me! Now water is falling from my eyes!

[@talisavy1561]

How dare you? You made me tearbend.

[@savoff477]

The moment that always gets me is “if only i could have helped you.”… it is such a painful moment.. his whole character arc is so dependent on him helping zuko.. and when interacts with anyone else that is good in the series he helps them grow.. but he only wishes that he could be a better person for when his son was alive..

[@sammylane21]

Toph's voice actor reacted this episode even she got emotional.

[@cpob2013]

I've heard that this wasn't originally meant to be an anthology episode. The original plan was to have a solo Iroh episode like zuko alone. He was still going to have all his scenes in this episode, but the other characters parts were supposed to be flashbacks to irons past, raising his son at the palace and eventually besieging Ba Sing Se and getting the report that his son had been killed breaching the wall. "Tales of Ba Sing Se" would be both his terrible battle with death and destruction and a common man wandering the streets helping strangers along the way. Unfortunately Makos health deteriorated and could only do the parts here. So the wrote in the little stories for the others to fill the episode.

[@brolytriplethreat]

I've never heard this before, I remember hearing they just went to various writers for the show and had them pitch different skits to illustrate things the characters did in the time they were waiting for an audience with the Earth King. Despite listening to most of the Braving the Elements podcast, I do not remember a statement like the one you described.

[@KamilDevonish]

Avatar was a perfect show. But this tribute to Mako...chef's kiss.

[@Hovrice]

Every time it started over I started crying again. Why do I do this to myself

[@TheB0sss]

You know, sometimes you just need a good cry. This video showing up in my recommendations gave that for sure

[@adamburgess311]

You know you, I know you, you know that I know that you, I know you know I know you know you didn’t look it up

[@sargoni1322]

As a Gen-X kid, Mako was the ultimate wise man and funny guy in countless movies and voice overs. This short makes me bawl every time. For the fact that he was dying from Cancer and still he sang this song, knowing it would be his last voice over and the crying. ugh 😭

[@BigBWolf90]

What really hurts is when you realize that on Lu Ten's photo it says "To General Iroh, I will see you again when victory is obtained. Your loyal son. Lu Ten." *R.I.P. Makoto "Mako" Iwamatsu, thank you so much for your years of entertainment on film, stage & in voice work; you are greatly missed. See you down the road*

[@joshuareznicek1010]

Almost 18 years after the premier and this moment still effortlessly tears the hearts out of everyone who sees it, myself included. No matter how many times, we shall all weep for Iroh. RIP Mako

[@pataylor7164]

9:43 “oh Arorrrr”

[@KnightVision68]

The absolute longest i can hold out is up until the voice break... Just...just....damn...

[@windwalker5765]

They had the nerve to follow this with Appa's Lost Days

[@anthonyclark9159]

Mako had such a powerful impact on me as a child, Conan the Barbarian is my absolute favorite movie. I have been able to recite every word mako speaks in that movie since i can remember. When i watched Avatar Last Airbender I was so thoroughly pleased that my wizard was the voice of the sweetest character in that whole franchise.

[@happyhippiesurbanfarm]

You get home from school to watch a nice casual episode of Avatar and then this scene kicks you in the face 😂

[@pauldrake2245]

What a moment in this (“kids”) show’s tale of the human cost of war. We’ve know about this part of Iroh’s past, but they bring it home so perfectly here.

[@runebladez999]

It's truly amazing how much of an explosion of emotion there is the moment he says "Happy birthday my son"

[@TheWickedBob]

WHYYYY DID I WATCH THIS AGAIN ... 😭

[@Frazzledd]

I dont know why but everytime i watch this scene its like im experiencing it for the first time. It just pulls on my heart strings so hard

[@danielcassidy4481]

You know it's a powerful series when people shed tears for an animated program

[@Grimmjow-t1f]

3:13 im this girl anytime I hear iroh start that even all these years later i cry as hard as i did a little kid at that scene

[@StevenGlasker]

Cried every time I saw this, including the first time. That one scene is when I fell in love with this show. Both beautiful and powerful.

[@ConnerMacKenzie]

"Happy Birthday my son." HERE COME THE WATERWORKS.

[@SylaiseElvhenan]

Боже, я рыдаю! Каждый раз рыдаю, и снова, и снова напеваю - "Храбрый солдат идёт домой..."

[@GreatWhiteShark75]

Fact: The drawing of Iroh's son is actually a young picture of Iroh's voice actor Mako.

[@mattwiley731]

It's OK to cry, king. It's crazy, no matter how many times you see it, it rips you apart every time hearing Iroh cry for his son. R.I.P. Mako

[@JordanDavila]

_"Don't cry, uncle"_ That hits

[@AZM777]

A channel like this spreads solidarity through empathy and shared exp and that's pretty cool.

[@LactoseintolerantWis]

I'm a man of 30 with many family deaths in my life, and was able to hold back tears. But this.. always makes me cry

[@Adryanna90]

Literally cried for 14 minutes with everyone, over and over again. For freak sakes 😭 rip mako!

[@DivusMagus]

Seen this scene hundreds of times, never fails to make me tear up.

[@funisanartform]

Reactors: Noo... (sobs) Show runners: YESSSSS!

[@alexajgarnier]

Watched ATLA entirely during covid back in 2020 (few years late sorry). Despite knowing about the scene (never saw it but knew the reputation of it), my reaction at the start of it literally "oh no...." and the tears kept coming.

[@millennialskeleton2504]

Bro I haven't even watched the show and this shits got me sobbing

[@tracy4290]

It's a lovely show with a lot of humor and a lot of heart. Each episode is only about 20 minutes long, so it's a pretty easy watch. And if you're a little old-school and watch DVDs, those have some neat behind-the-scenes information about the real martial arts that they used as the basis for the different styles of fighting.

[@BuzryHaproMandalorianHunter]

I want to give him a hug so bad.😭😭😭😭

[@boussIRL]

I can't even imagine the metaphorical weight Mako was carrying. To know that the end was coming soon and still gifting us with one final emotional performance that was only enhanced by the fact that he too would be the "brave soldier boy" who "comes marching home." My heart 😭

[@darksharxz]

As a father with sons this always breaks me up.

[@FernandoAR760]

Everybody gangsta until Uncle Iroh starts singing 😭

[@madelinegarber7860]

Why am I putting myself through this? I love Iroh so much. He spends this whole story helping people and then it ends by showing that it’s all because he lost a son of his own and we see how much he’s still grieving that loss. Or rather we knew he’d lost his son before this, but this just reinforces the impact it had on his life. Something I love about ATLA is even as it’s portraying the fire nation as the bad guys, we’re also presented with universally loved characters like Iroh and complex characters like Zuko. It’s like the writers are telling us that there’s more to this nation that meets the eye.

[@Bleeds98]

This video just made me cry like 8 times as a grown ass man. I think I needed that, though.

[@ndndave9241]

yo! this episode, let alone the origin story of this particular scene, it slapped hard AF. will always get me in the feels when the final respect to Mako pops up.

[@shoon3032]

This show is a masterpiece. Grown ass man tearing up right now

[@CarBENbased]

While there are later lines that were already recorded, it's said that this song was the last thing Mako recorded before be passed. :'(

[@Maswartz226]

Nobody survives this scene with dry eyes. NOBODY

[@elmi17]

Facts that deepen the sadness. First, the picture of Liu Ten was modeled after a picture of young Mako, Iroh's first voice actor. Second, this was the last thing Mako recorded. Thirdly, given the first two facts, Mako, in a way, sang this to himself. RIP 💔

[@Kamina.D.Fierce]

Wait is that true? He recorded this song AFTER the rest of the season?! That means he really must have known his time was coming.

[@DBoone123]

I’m such a nerd and watched pretty much all of these reactors when they uploaded their reactions so I’ve seen the show like a million times

[@GSU_Beagles]

Everyone who clicked on this clearly hates themselves because they all clicked on to his video knowing they would cry the whole video. Even myself

[@tracy4290]

Nah, we just know when we need a good cry. It's healthy. Welcome to better mental health! ;-)

[@samuelaltamira7993]

Thank you, for not making it a mash up where they just put all reactors on at same time on the screen. This makes it so much more impactful.

[@grantpflum6844]

And THESE moments are why the OG Avatar will never be topped.

[@MarcoKitzer]

This is the saddest moment ever and shows why this show is the best show ever!

[@yessie5491]

What makes this extra sad is that this was makos last voice lines that he did and that he and everyone else was really saying good bye to him because he knew he was dying and as a tribute to him the animators drew the picture of Irohs son as a young Mako to be forever immortalized.

[@Coolguy365es]

The fact that Lu Ten and Iroh were waging war against Ba Sing Se but it was too much for them! Iroh finally realize there is no glory in war thus telling Aang he was wise to chose love instead of power

[@Adryanna90]

“Leaves from the vine-“ “NO!” Yeah same 😭

[@gabriellafreund3793]

The voice actor who replaced Mako said the only thing he won't do for fans is sing this song because it's Mako's song ❤

[@BigBWolf90]

Greg Baldwin is his name & i think he also refuses to do the Aku opening monologue for Samurai Jack

[@grkpektis]

The show makes it really easy to hate the fire nation but Iroh shows that there are good people even in the worst places that punish sympathy and reward cruelty

[@TheNukedNacho]

"What do we do about people who don't cry during 'Leaves From The Vine?'?" "We politely but firmly tell them to leave."

[@SellavinAtoms]

I saw this so many times, and I want to cry 😢

[@GrandSkeme]

It kills me because the voice actor was dying and was singing to himself.

[@wakkiwitch]

This is how you know that a series is something special, where even the filler episodes are so impactful and memorable all without noticing they are fillers.

[@briiickiii3356]

ive watched atla too many times to count and leaves from the vine STILL gets me every damn time man :(

[@adonayrivera8684]

Wow you put all my favorite reactors together. Thank you! ❤

[@rengiozanza128]

This is a theory but I'll leave it here, so that all this hurts more. On a battlefield, you don't lose your people on your own field, you lose them on the enemy's field. So the fact that Iroh does this under a tree on a random hill could very well represent that Iroh was never able to recover his son's body. He just died, and he was never able to give him at least a burial.

[@hunterackerman1697]

It's like Prometheus, having your heart ripped out, grow it back, only to have it ripped out again.

[@AtelierOfWeebs]

I don't know if it was the context, the reactors crying, or the hot sauce I'm eating, but this reaction video destroyed me

[@commanderkorra3316]

I've been crying for like 15 minutes now, so thanks lol. But seriously this was good.

[@Ashcash95]

Greatest cartoon ever, RIP MAKO the Og Iroh

[@MWSin1]

I'm not crying. I'm shedding manly tears.

[@simz88]

One day I will be able to watch this without crying, today is not that day

[@A-MR.E]

Every time you hear the song: No. Please. Not again.....

[@possessedpicklejar4762]

The scene never fails to get me tearing up

[@thealjohnsonshow2188]

Rest in peace to the original Uncle Iroh

[@badimirheli5450]

The Zuko/Iroh forgiveness scene in the tent next❤

[@JeshuaSquirrel]

@@badimirheli5450 , Zuko has one of the best redemption arcs in fiction.

[@atomicrevolution1]

Man hear "Leaves from the Vine", man cry.

[@HadesTheWarGod]

so I see we all chose to cry on this day.

[@duraeusentenu]

Not many cartoons as a child made me cry. This one made me absolutely bawl.

[@JeanSilva-pd4nr]

Glad this is becoming a universal experience to cry to this scene

[@atexandude8303]

It’s crazy how fast this gets me. Man.

[@LordBloodraven]

Well, my afternoons gonna be spent wiping away tears, thank you very much.

[@ReactTV1]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@elessartelcontar147]

Me: no I can watch it this time - Iron starts singing - Me: goddamn 😢😰😭😭😭😭

[@blipblops1396]

"Oh Ireeeeerrrr" lmao