Hei Bai

"spirit"

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

Hei Bai, also known as the Black and White Spirit, 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
Upon seeing the remnants of the once lush Senlin Forest which he protected, Hei Bai became enraged, and targeted the nearby Senlin Village blaming the villagers and attacking their home, not knowing that it was the Fire Nation who destroyed the forest. As a result of his anger, Hei Bai transformed into his monstrous form and terrorized the village, by abducting a villager each day. When Aang came, Hei Bai kidnapped Sokka the next night. In an attempt to calm down the angered spirit, Aang showed Hei Bai a acorn that covered the burned forest's ground. Aang told Hei Bai that 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 stalks, where the villagers stumbled through, unharmed, albeit requiring the use of a bathroom.

In "The Siege of the North, Part 2", Hei Bai returns to give Aang a ride back to the gateway out the Spirit World. 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.

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

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.
 * When Aang tries to get the Painted Lady to talk to him, not knowing it's Katara in a disguise, he mentions being good friends with Hei Bai.
 * Oddly, although Hei Bai is a panda, his statue is modeled after a brown or black bear.

Appearances
Hei Bai
 * Winter Solstice Part 1: The Spirit World
 * The Siege of the North, Part 2
 * Escape from the Spirit World
 * The Painted Lady

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