Big Hero 6 was a Disney Animation hit upon its release in 2014, although it was overshadowed in comparison to the success of Frozen, which was released the year prior. It did, however, eventually spawn an animated series on the Disney Channel and now has a new show coming to Disney+. From the trailer released, along with several other announcements for Disney+ Day, it seems like the new show will focus on Baymax, the new series' titular character, and shows very little of any of the original characters from the film. This is leading many fans to question what happened to Hiro and the rest of the original crew.
The 2014 animated film followed Hiro, a young technical genius, as he deals with the loss of his brother, Tadashi, and puts his own skills to use to find the culprit behind his death. The Disney+ show will focus on Baymax, the robotic personal healthcare companion that Tadashi created that helped Hiro learn how to cope with depression and loss. Baymax is designed to help with basic health issues, from checking over basic body functions to full diagnostic capabilities. While Hiro fits him out with fighting and protective abilities as well, in the end, it's Baymax's emotional support and attachment to Hiro that help him heal.
Where Big Hero 6 Left Hiro
In 2017, the studio followed up with a series that aired on Disney Channel up until February 2021. That series acted as a follow-up sequel to the film, depicting the characters almost immediately following the events of Big Hero 6. Hiro is now a student at the San Fransokyo Institute of Technology, which was something he had been considering during the film, and his struggles as a student are shown throughout the show. The episodes also follow Hiro and his friends as they go up against a variety of high-tech villains and keep their city safe. Hiro seems to have come to terms with losing his brother and working alongside his friends both in school and in heroics.
Will Hiro Appear in Baymax!?
In contrast to the Disney Channel show, the Disney+ series seems to focus on Baymax, with no mention of any of the other Big Hero 6 characters other than Hiro’s aunt, Cass. Little else has been revealed about the plot, but it seems as though it will follow Baymax as he steps more into his role of “healthcare companion” and tries to take care of an assortment of unwitting patients. The trailer shows Baymax attempting to help an "elderly" woman find suitable exercise and acting as a model for a school health class, covered in Band-Aids. It’s unclear if the timeline will follow the events of the film/series, or exist in its own, unrelated timeline.
Baymax! is set to premiere on Disney+ next summer. Further details have yet to be announced.