Movies - TV
Avatar: The Last Airbender Borrowed One Thing From Neon Genesis Evangelion
By DEVIN MEENAN
Both the animated and Netflix live-action series of “Avatar: The Last Airbender” feature the heroes stopping to help a small village terrorized by the angry spirit, Hei Bai.
In both versions, Hei Bai is a bear-like six-limbed creature with an eyeless snake-like snout. The series’ co-creators revealed the design inspired by famous anime.
Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino said in their book, “Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Art of the Animated Series” that the design comes from “Neon Genesis Evangelion.”
“Evangelion” follows young children who pilot mechs against enormous and destructive beings called Angels. These Angels appear as horrifying and incomprehensible monsters.
“The Art of the Animated Series” only says that Hei Bai’s design was inspired collectively by “The Angels” without naming a specific one, though there is one likely candidate.
Hei Bai shares similarities with the more humanoid Sachiel, the Angel of Water, including its white-and-black color scheme and prominent shoulders.