History Main / FieryStoic

This is one example of a PowerStereotypeFlip (of which this is a SubTrope), giving characters with fiery powers (or lots of firepower -- see KillItWithFire, MadBomber, and ThrowDownTheBomblet) a more serene, [[TheStoic stoic]], composed, wise, or just plain ''nice'' personality that contrasts with the destructive power of fire. It's often justified InUniverse by explaining that they need to maintain their cool to keep their chosen element from getting [[PowerIncontinence out of control]]. It can be equally justified that, as RealLife fire is ''not'' a toy, it is one area where the normal [[FourTemperamentEnsemble choleric personality]] actually has the fire-forged patience (heh heh) to keep their cool.

** [[CoolOldGuy Uncle Iroh]] is a laidback, goofy MentorArchetype who happens to be [[EvilOverlord Fire Lord Ozai]]'s brother. Early in the series, he's mostly played as his nephew Zuko's comic relief, though rather than a case of ObfuscatingStupidity, he really believes that one of the best lessons his nephew could learn is how to lighten up. Iroh is deeply kind, very wise, and one of the most skilled firebenders in the world -- though perhaps not necessarily as powerful as his brother, as firebending in particular ''is'' generally fuelled by strong emotion (though as it turns out, [[spoiler: it doesn't have to be, the original method focusing much more on its association with life rather than rage and hatred]], and he's considered to be the ''only'' person other than Aang who could conceivably beat Ozai in a straight fight).
** Many of the more prominent firebenders appear outwardly calm, but this is often a MaskOfSanity, one which AntiVillain Zuko tries but largely fails to maintain. Ozai, his daughter and [[TheDragon dragon]] Azula, and Admiral Zhao all derive significant power from their reserves of TranquilFury, but have [[HairTriggerTemper Hair-Trigger Tempers]] and eventually [[VillainousBreakdown crumble]] when their various plans start to fall apart. A large part of Zuko's CharacterDevelopment is about learning how to accept his anger and use it ''constructively'', and let much of it go, rather than being controlled by it like his father and sister.

** Mako is a firebender who can lightningbend, a trait associated in the series with detachment, cool-headed discipline, and a waterbender-like sense of flow, and the [[FoolishSiblingResponsibleSibling responsible sibling to his brother]], Bolin, a NiceGuy earthbender who [[spoiler:eventually learns to lavabend, thus combining his happy-go-lucky attitude with another sort of fire]]. The most excitable member of the trio is HotBlooded Avatar Korra herself, born of the Water Tribe but a much straighter take on the usual HotBlooded firebender stereotype, to the point where it's her go-to element -- her excitable and direct nature being the reason it takes her so long to master airbending.

* ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'': The Uchiha clan is associated with fire jutsu and many have at least ([[NotSoStoic outwordly]]) stoic temperaments:

* ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'': The Uchiha clan is associated with fire jutsu. One of the first jutsu Sasuke learned was fire-based and he frequently uses fire jutsu. Sasuke is an unemotional and aloof person on default.
** Although you could say, [[AloofBigBrother Itachi]] was the better example. Not only did he have greater fire jutsu, but also had [[ColorMotif red as a symbolic color]], from his eyes, Akatsuki cloak, ring and yes, even the fact he massacred his entire clan.

** Although you could say, [[AloofBigBrother Itachi]] was the better example. Not only did have greater fire jutsu, but also had red as a symbolic color, from his eyes, Akatsuki cloak, ring and yes, even the fact he massacred his entire clan.

** Pyra is a Fire Element [[LivingWeapon Blade]], but is a kind and demure young woman. Fittingly for the comforting "Hearth Fire" aspect of this trope, she's a SupremeChef as well.

* Grillby from ''VideoGame/{{Undertale}}'' has a head that's WreathedInFlames, but he's TheQuietOne.

* Blaze the Cat from the ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog'' series not only has fiery powers but is also a cold, aloof loner who keeps her emotions boiled up. Introverted or not, it's not a good idea to [[BerserkButton make her angry]].