Zuko Cosplay Guide: Embody The Prince of The Fire Nation

One of the most beloved shows from your childhood is probably The Avatar: The Last Air BenderThis was such an exciting adventure for any young child, whether they loved anime or not. Now that the show is on Netflix, it’s definitely brought back some nostalgia.

Of course, While most fans were team Aang, many couldn’t keep their eyes off of Zuko. Something about this fire lord Prince really stuck with people. Maybe his is a tragic backstory, his hilarious and loving uncle, or his change of heart. Not to mention he was many fans’ first crush.

All this makes him perfect for your next anime-based costume. If you want to learn how to make one of the most realistic fire lord Prince Zuko costumes, you found the right place. Let your inner Prince Zuko out with these fantastic tips and costume ideas.

Who Is Zuko

Zuko is a character from the popular Nickelodeon show The Avatar: The Last Air Bender. He is the villain when the show first starts. He has the ability to bend fire. This means he can create and manipulate fire on command. He is Prince of the Fire Kingdom. Zuko is on the hunt for the Avatar.

Zuko

When the Avatar is revealed to be Aang, Zuko tries to capture him. The Avatar is so important is because he is the only Bender that can master all four elements: fire, earth, water, air. Zuko was banished from the fire Kingdom by his father, Lord Ozai, when he refused to duel him. he hopes he can win back his father’s respect and way back into the Kingdom by capturing the Avatar.

 Zuko learned from his uncle, General Iroh, How to be a good person. With this, he joins the avatars team and agrees to teach him the ways of fire bending. Aang now has a proper teacher and a new friend on his team. from this point, new Zuko becomes a good guy. and he helps Aang restore peace to the nation.

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How To Cosplay As Prince Zuko

Get The Look Right

Prince Zuko is most notable by the scar he has Surrounding his left eye. He received this battle scar on his face before he was banished from the fire Kingdom by his father in a duel. He has his hair up or down what is most recognized, with his hair down covering his forehead. He wears a dark red kimono along with baggy red pants. He also has a long vest that is a slightly darker red outlined in gold. He keeps on similar boots also with a gold stripe up the front.

How To Make His Under Clothes

 Prince Zuko tends to wear layers of clothes. The bottom layer consists of a dark red kimono and baggy red pants. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Cloth dark red robe/ oversized dark red t-shirt with red string/dark red kimono
  • Very loose dark red non-form-fitting sinched thin sweat pants.

These are very simple to put together, and it makes for a seamless outfit. These are the ingredients to the costume. It should be noted you can wear whatever undergarments you feel comfortable in underneath as they will be hidden.

Step 1

(If you have a kimono go ahead and skip this step.)

Robe Technique

  • Cut the robe until it lines up with your upper thigh.
  •  If the robe has long sleeves, cut them so they are elbow length.
  • take the robe rope and tie it closed 

Helpful Tip: For a crisp uncut look, fold the ends where you cut an inch on the inside. Then either sew or use fabric glue at the halfway point of the fold. 

T-Shirt Technique

  • Cut your oversized t-shirt at a diagonal going up starting at your hip
  • If it reaches your upper thigh, you are fine, but if it goes lower, cut to your upper thigh
  • Sew or use fabric glue string or ribbon on the edge of the shirt where your belly button is on the left side of the shirt 
  • Sew or use fabric glue string or ribbon where your hip lies on the right-hand side of the shirt
  • Tie together for a kimono look

Helpful Tip:

For a crisp uncut look, fold the ends where you cut into the fabric an inch on the inside. Then either sew or use fabric glue at the halfway point of the fold. 

Step 2

Sinched Sweatpants


Zuko wears a loose-fitting pant that leaves a lot of room. These pants have to be roomy for his many battles throughout the series. There is not much to do with these but to wear them. They will go under the kimono but be tucked into his boots.

How To Make His Long Vest


This is a piece that Zuko wears over top of these under clothes. This represents the fire nation, and he is seen wearing it through most of the series. Here is what you will need:

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02/17/2024 05:24 pm GMT

Robe

  • Cut the sleeves off the robe (preferably with stitch rippers and take out the seem)
  • Cut now a 2-inch wide piece of gold fabric that stretches from the bottom of the robe around your neck and back down to the other side.
  • Sew or fabric glue this strip of gold fabric along the edge of the robe 
  • Take a 4-inch piece of gold fabric and tie it just above the belly button (This is your belt)

Dress

  • Remove the sleeves from the dress by cutting or with stitch rippers.
  • Cut up the middle of the front of your dress.
  • Cut now a 2-inch wide piece of gold fabric that stretches from the bottom of the robe around your neck and back down to the other side.
  • Sew or fabric glue this strip of gold fabric along the edge of the robe 
  • Take a 4-inch piece of gold fabric and tie it just above the belly button (This is your belt)

How To Make Shoes

Prince Zuko wears boots that come to just below the knee for most of his time on the series. Some of his time is spent barefoot. For the barefoot look, pull the bottom of the pants to right below your knee and let the rest of the pant legs drop around for a puffy effect. If you want to get the shoe look right, you’ll need: 

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Knee High Boots

  • Take a piece of flimsy black cardboard and fold the end into a cone.
  • Cut place the cone on the tip of the boot for a pointed look.
  • Pull the black sock over the boot to keep the cone in place.
  • Once the sock is on, cut a 2-inch hole on the sole of your shoe to prevent slipping.
  • Then sew/fabric glue/hot glue a 2-inch gold stripe from the tip of the point to the top of the shoe.

(Make sure you have your sweatpants tucked in before adding the sock)

Knee High Sock

  • Take a piece of flimsy black cardboard and fold the end into a cone.
  • Cut place the cone on the tip of a pair of shoes for a pointed look.
  • Pull the black sock over the boots to keep the cone in place.
  • Once the sock is on, cut a 2-inch hole on the sole of your shoe to prevent slipping.
  • Then sew/fabric glue/hot glue a 2-inch gold stripe from the tip of the point to the top of the shoe.

(Make sure you have your sweatpants tucked in before adding the sock)

Time For A New Doo

Zuko is known for his unique hair. Throughout the show, he is seen with multiple hairstyles, and people have definitely chosen their favorite. Black hair that comes down to the neck, completely straight, with bangs that form a triangle between his eyes. To achieve this, you can definitely buy a wig or get a haircut. A hot tip is to get some gel and style if you already have short hair.

Zuko’s Classic Scar


Prince Zuko is known for the scar that covers his left eye. He received this scar in a duel with his father before getting kicked out of the fire kingdom. This scar is the same no matter what outfit he is wearing. Here is what you’ll need: 

  • One glue stick
  • A concealer that matches your skin tone
  • Pink eyeshadow or blush
  • Dark red eyeshadow or blush

Here are the steps to creating the look:

  • Take your glue stick and apply it to your eyelashes, pulling them flat against your face. (it looks more natural go up with the natural brow of your face)
  • After it’s finished drying, take a blush brush and press pink eyeshadow or blush all over your left eye, eyebrow, and upper cheekbone. (pressing into the skin instead of swiping works best)
  • Add dark red onto the actual eyelid and eye area, lightly blending out. (take your time you can’t rush perfection)
  • Finally, if you like, you can add little lines in the lighter pink with the dark pink to help finish off the look.

FAQ

Question: Can I buy a ready-made Zuko costume?

Answer: Yes, you can buy any costume of Zuko and his shortlist of fits. His ensemble tends to be the simpler of the costumes. You can also purchase specific parts of his outfit if you would like to skip any steps in putting one together. For example, you can buy his red underwear or boots.

Question: Is Prince Zuko good or bad?

Answer: At first in the series prince, Zuko is the bad guy. He is trying to hunt down Aang because he is the to win back his father’s heart. But eventually, he has a change of heart and actually joins the Avatar’s crew and teaches Aang fire bending. This makes Zuko and good and bad guy. 

Question: Does Zuko love Katara?

Answer: This is a common question among fans because this is one of the biggest ships of the show. The truth is that Zuko does not love Katara, and she does not love him. Katara ends up with Aang. Zuko ends up with Mai, his girlfriend, on and off throughout the series.

In Conclusion: Final Touches

Zuko is one of the most beloved villains to hero arches. It helps to definitely get down his mannerisms and the way he talks. Things that would make for extra detailed cosplay it to wear honey-colored contacts. 

This costume is also fun to pair with friends. If you are planning to wear as a couple, consider Zuko and Mai cosplay. But if you have multiple friends feel free to do the Zuko, Aang, Katara, Sokka, and Toph. This group really saves the world. Not to mention a furry doggy friend as Appa might get some love.

No matter how you decide to do this cosplay, the important thing is to have fun while doing it. Be sure to watch the show to learn Zuko’s fire bending moves and master the way of bending. If you are cosplaying when it is dark outside, try a flashlight with an orange translucent film over the end. It could make for a firey show. 

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