Avatar: The Last Airbender didn’t have the best luck when it came to a live-action adaptation the first time around. But that seems to be changing with Netflix’s project. While the streaming giant previously accrued the reputation of creating disappointing live-action adaptations, they seem to be trying to change that with Avatar. Along with seemingly perfect casting, the streamer seems to be adding characters that M Night Shyamalan’s 2010 film missed out on.

Netflix’s live-action project will feature many spirits from the original show, as was reported earlier. And joining the confirmed ones is an important spirit in Aang’s journey.

Avatar: The Last Airbender live-action will have this important spirit’s appearance

Netflix seems to be doing it all to make its live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender a success, the first look of which will probably reach us sooner than later. A proof of this was the inclusion of characters like Koh the Facestealer, an evil spirit Aang comes in contact in the spirit world, and Wan Shi tong, a knowledgeable spirit in charge of the Spirit Library. These are spirits that play a pivotal role in Aang’s story in the series. So, it is natural that the streamer decided to include a spirit that had the most impact on our reluctant hero: Hei Bai, the Panda spirit.

Industry insider Daniel Ritchman, known for giving important scoops on shows and celebrities, recently revealed on his Patreon (via Knight Edge Media) that viewers will also see Hei Bai in the Netflix series. While he gave fans the good news, he didn’t mention who would be voicing this character. Given that Netflix has previously kept us in loop about casting news, we can be sure that we will know soon enough.

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Meanwhile, Hei Bai’s addition to the series means Aang’s story will likely be loyal to the original series. But why is the Panda spirit a needed element in Avatar’s storyline?

Why is Hei Bai important to Aang’s story?

Hei Bai’s character in Aang’s journey represents an ally, perhaps even a friend. The duo first met when Aang, Sokka, and Katara visit the Senlin Village, where people disappeared due to a displeased forest spirit. This spirit was none other than a destructive version of Hei Bai. After a confrontation, the spirit returns to its gentle form when Aang shows how the deforested forest will eventually grow back.

The Panda spirit is not a big talker and remains reserved unlike other spirits. However, it has always had the Avatar’s back whenever it mattered. A great example is how it helped Aang out of the spirit world after his first meeting with Koh the Facestealer. Hei Bai also helped heal the Avatar Spirit through the reconciliation of all of Aang’s previous lives. And it is this moment in the original series that the Panda spirit is an important addition because without it, Aang may not have a face anymore.

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What do you think of Hei Bai’s inclusion in the live-action adaptation? Share your thoughts in the comments.