One Piece references one of the most unique spirits in Avatar: The Last Airbender, Wan Shi Tong, in chapter 1135 but was this intentional by Eiichiro Oda?

SUMMARY

One Piece’s chapter 1135 introduces the head librarian of the Owl Library who is, by no surprise, an owl.
The owl, Bibelot, seems to be inspired by Wan Shi Tong from Avatar: The Last Airbender who brought his Spirit Library to the physical world to give humanity centuries worth of knowledge.
It’s unclear if Eiichiro Oda was inspired by the Nickelodeon show but if Bibelot’s arc is similar to Wan Shi Tong’s antagonistic behavior, it’s possible.

Spoiler Alert !!!
Spoilers ahead for Chapter 1135 of One Piece!

Different animated series are bound to inspire each other but in this unexpected move, Eiichiro Oda seems to have been inspired by Avatar: The Last Airbender. In the latest chapter of One Piece, the head librarian of the Owl Library in Elbaph is none other than a great owl named Bibelot.

He mirrors a certain spirit in the Nickelodeon show. Wan Shi Tong, who has spent centuries collecting knowledge for his Spirit Library, is speculated to be the inspiration for Bibelot. Their appearance as owls is the only true connection, but One Piece has referenced other pop cultures before.

Wan Shi Tong from Avatar: The Last Airbender. [Credit: Nickelodeon]

Since Oda is more than comfortable referencing celebrities and Studio Ghibli icons in One Piece, it’s not ridiculous to think he was inspired by Avatar: The Last Airbender. Wan Shi Tong is an especially memorable figure in the series after his reappearance in The Legend of Korra, making him one of the most consistent spirits in the universe.

Symbols of knowledge: did Wan Shi Tong inspire Bibelot from One Piece?

Bibelot from One Piece, chapter 1135. [Credit: Shueisha]

Owls have been the symbol of knowledge for centuries. It isn’t new for animated shows to make owls their head librarian or associated with libraries. Wan Shi Tong isn’t the only owl librarian. In that case, we could claim Eiichiro Oda was inspired by Winnie the Pooh. One Redditor did note the similarity.

Bibelot is Oda’s take on the wise, old owl archetype. One Piece hasn’t had the chance to be set in a library yet and the Elbaph Arc gave it this. With Jaguar D. Saul’s job as a history teacher, he naturally took the Straw Hats to the Owl Library. The head librarian is more silent in this chapter, observing the outsiders in his library.

Bibelot’s silence and behavior in the background of the chapter scream Wan Shi Tong from Avatar: The Last Airbender. While the owl didn’t ask for donations to the library as the spirit did, he looked suspicious of the Straw Hat Pirates. Perhaps that’s how his face looks in general but it wouldn’t be a surprise if the owl is as apprehensive about giving humans knowledge as Wan Shi Tong.

Very little is known about Bibelot, other than the fact that he enlarges the books and might be the Rear Rear Fruit user. In terms of his similarities with Wan Shi Tong, both of their purposes are to give knowledge to humanity. However, if Bibelot turns against the Straw Hats, it would confirm Oda was inspired by Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Is Bibelot likely to turn against the Straw Hats?

Lilith explains a bit about Bibelot from One Piece. [Credit: Shueisha]

The gigantification process of the books in Elbaph’s library isn’t explained beyond Bibelot might have the Rear Rear Fruit. This implies he nurtures the books to become bigger for the giants to read. Meanwhile, the owl is just perched on a branch.

Luffy being Luffy decided to cause a ruckus in the library, while the rest were discussing what they wished to learn from the books. It’s unclear whether the librarian was displeased by them and his impassive face doesn’t help. Elbaph hasn’t been predictable so far.

The main thing about Wan Shi Tong’s apprehension with humans is how they used knowledge to cause war and bloodshed. If Bibelot feels the same way, it’s entirely possible Eiichiro Oda was inspired by the Owl Spirit rather than another wise owl archetype.