Hei Bai

"spirit"

- I know Hei Bai! We're close personal friends!

Hei Bai is a forest spirit that normally takes the form of a docile panda bear, but can turn into a large multi-armed monster when angered.

History


When the Fire Nation burned down his forest, Hei Bai transformed into its monstrous form and terrorized the nearby Senlin Village, abducting one villager every night for a few days. When Aang came, Hei Bai kidnapped Sokka, the next night, he was confronted by Aang who showed Hei Bai the acorns that covered the burned forest's ground. Aang told Hei Bai the forest would come back because of the acorns. Hei Bai's anger faded and he returned to his normal form. He took the acorn in his mouth and then left through the village's gate. From that gate sprouted bamboo, which is where the villagers stumbled through, unharmed, although Sokka seriously had to use the restroom. This may be why Sokka comments on there being no bathrooms in the Spirit World in The Avatar and the Fire Lord. Oddly, although Hei Bai is a panda, his statue is modeled after a brown or black bear.

In "The Siege of the North, Part 2," Hei Bai returns to give Aang a ride back to the swamp's gateway, he shoots a stream of light from his mouth onto Aang, sending Aang back into the physical world. In response to a rude comment from Enma upon Aang's departure, he transforms into his monster form and blasts the disrespectful monkey.

Hei Bai appears later in the online game, Escape from the Spirit World and helps Aang in his quest.

Hei Bai is very docile and friendly in his panda form; when he becomes angry, though, he changes into a six-legged, black and white monster that destroys everything in its path. Somewhat vengeful and very protective of his forests, Hei Bai generally keeps to himself and doesn't bother others unless they bother him first.

When Aang tries to get the Painted Lady to talk to him, not knowing it's Katara in a disguise, he mentions being friends with Hei Bai.

Trivia

 * "Hei Bai" (黑白, hēi bái) means "black white" in Chinese.
 * In his normal shape, Hei Bai is one of very few non-chimerical (non-hybrid) earth animals seen in the world of Avatar. Another such animal is Earth King Kuei's pet, Bosco, which is also a bear.
 * Hei Bai's monster form is based on the design of the Angels from the popular anime "Neon Genesis Evangelion" of which the creators are fans of.