Oyaji

Oyaji was the leader of a village on Kyoshi Island. Proud that Kyoshi Island had stayed out of the Hundred Year War and wary of outsiders who might threaten the island's peace, he was initially distrustful of Avatar Aang and his friends when they first arrived on the island, believing them to be Fire Nation spies. However, he later stood beside them and helped get his people to safety when the Fire Nation attacked.
== History ==
Oyaji was appointed to the position of village leader around 79 AG.
Oyaji was close with Suki, Mingxia, and their friends as they grew up in their village, but he could be strict when needed. After a pan of steamed buns went missing from the communal kitchen, Oyaji approached the girls and asked who had taken them. Suki said she did not know anything about the buns, and Oyaji expressed his disappointment that Suki lied to him and all the girls who wanted to be Kyoshi Warriors. As none of them owned up to taking the pan, he made the whole group of friends scrub the kitchen as punishment. He also supervised Suki and her friends when they had to do chores, such as collecting dumpling weed for the village.
Years later, Oyaji was the chief village leader when his people suffered a harsh famine. The village leaders refused to trade with the other nations, which put the lives of the people at risk. Suki and her friends managed to gather dumpling weed on the north of the island to replenish their food stores, but Mingxia still believed that they had to open the island, and petitioned Oyaji and the other village leaders. However, the leaders rejected Mingxia's request, which would lead to her choosing to leave Kyoshi Island and explore the rest of the world.
When Aang, Katara, and Sokka came to Kyoshi Island in late 99 AG, Oyaji, Suki, and the other Kyoshi Warriors were initially suspicious of Aang, not believing he was the Avatar. They were only convinced of his identity when he displayed his airbending abilities. After Prince Zuko and his forces landed on the island, Oyaji ran to Sokka and the Kyoshi Warriors to warn them of their approach. He later quietly thanked Aang after the latter used the unagi to extinguish the fires resulting from the fight between Aang and the Kyoshi Warriors and the Fire Nation.
As the Avatar and his friends had aided them despite being outsiders, Oyaji subsequently became more accepting of foreigners. This became relevant as the villagers had to rebuild their destroyed homes. For this, they needed resources, while also being more vulnerable to criminals. The village leader thus accepted the assistance of some adventurers who offered to support the Kyoshi Warriors in dealing with the activity of the Black Koi Pirates. The outsiders also acquired building materials, trading them to Oyaji and thus helping to fully restore the village. Later, Oyaji organized a celebration at the Kyoshi Monument.
A few months later, Oyaji helped Katara and Sokka in their quest to clear Aang's name after he was imprisoned in Chin Village. He explained the legend surrounding Avatar Kyoshi's weapons and clothing while sternly trying to keep the siblings from touching them and explained the meaning of The Birth of Kyoshi. He also informed Sokka about Suki's departure from Kyoshi Island and the influence Team Avatar had on her.
== Appearances ==
=== Avatar: The Last Airbender ===
==== Book One: Water (水) ====
==== Book Two: Earth (土) ====
=== Graphic novels ===
=== Avatar games ===
* Avatar: Generations
== Trivia ==
* Oyaji (親父, おやじ) is an informal Japanese word meaning "old man", which is used to affectionately refer to a father, long-time boss, or older relative; this reflects Oyaji's position in his village.
* Oyaji's design bears a resemblance to Ainu culture, specifically the use of full facial hair and his clothing, which resembles the Ainu attush.
* Oyaji was voiced by Catero Colbert when he performed a Dark Horse live reading of Suki, Alone.
* In Avatar Extras, Oyaji's name is incorrectly spelt as "Oyah".
* In Netflix's live action , Oyaji's role is instead given to an original character, , who is the mayor of Kyoshi Island and 's mother.
== Notes ==
== References ==
de:Oyaji
es:Oyaji
fi:Oyaji
fr:Oyaji
he:אויאג'י
nl:Oyaji
pt-br:Oyaji
ru:Ояджи
Category:A to Z
Category:Avatar: Generations characters
Category:Characters
Category:Earth Kingdom characters
Category:Graphic novel characters
Category:Minor characters
Category:Minor graphic novel characters
Category:Suki, Alone characters