
After the huge success of Frozen, Disney fans are eagerly awaiting the next Disney project! Well, Japanese fans have a really good reason to rejoice! Walt Disney’s Animation Studio’s new movie, Big Hero 6, will feature the first Japanese protagonist!
Although Frozen only opened in Japan two months ago, if you live there, you would think it just came out last weekend. Everywhere you go you hear the telltale “Ari no mama no” of the Japanese version of “Let it Go”. As fantastic as the movie was, you would think two months was enough for the fervor to die down and to get away from all the marketing. With Disney’s recent announcement, will fans be able to make room for this new movie? Hiro Hamada, a 14-year-old genius living in fictional San Fransokyo, will certainly catch some attention.
Called Big Hero 6, this movie draws its inspiration from the Marvel Comic of the same name. It will feature the aforementioned hero, his brother Tadashi, and his friends GoGo Tomago, Honey Lemon, Wasabi-No-Ginger, Fred and the puffy white robot friend in the trailer, Baymax.
Those familiar with the comic version will note a few changes. The main character’s last name has changed from Takachiho to Hamada. The setting will also change from Tokyo to beautiful San Fransokyo! Keen observers will note that San Fransokyo is a portmanteau of San Francisco and Tokyo. Baymax has also had an image makeover and has been reinvented as a cute and helpful robot.
▼That sweet, green monster…that’s Baymax in the comics!
While the trailer reminds us of another superhero movie, The Incredibles, those hoping to see some big name comic book characters in this movie might be in luck as Disney owns Marvel, so some well-known Marvel characters could crossover into Big Hero 6.
The movie is slated for a US release date on November 11, 2014, and in February for the UK. Given Japan’s track record for movie releases, who knows when it will make its debut in Japan! Whenever it does come though, Japan will surely want to see their first Japanese Disney hero!
▼A look at San Fransokyo
Images: YouTube (Walk Disney Animation Studios), Marvel
Video: YouTube (Walt Disney Animation Studios)
[ Read in Japanese ]




Disney meets manga — never before seen crossover announced for new Big Hero 6 movie!
Welcome back, Baymax! Disney’s Big Hero 6 getting sequel series
Disney’s Big Hero 6 gets anime short by comedian Tekken in Japan
Big Hero 6 ads in Japan leave out the action, moviegoers surprised to find awesome robot flick
Big (Bust) Hero 6 – Cosplayer recreates Disney’s Baymax using only her chest
Starbucks Japan adds new Sweet Potato Frappuccino and Latte to the menu, but do they deliver the taste of autumn?
Japan’s first fall color forecast for 2026 is here!
German woman rescued from Mt. Fuji after suffering altitude sickness symptoms, hiking to peak anyway
A real-world Pokémon Poké Ball hotel is opening in Japan at a still-secret location [Video]
Kyoto temple bans visitors from wearing kimono
American tourist in Japan arrested on charges of attempted murder and arson
Starbucks Japan reveals new Tsukimi Moon-Viewing drinkware and gifts for autumn 2026
Solo travel in Japan: $3 all-you-can-drink deal at this conveyor belt restaurant is a fun time for one
Japan’s revolving sushi restaurant king Sushiro coming to U.S. this fall with high prices, no tipping
Mini CRT-lookalike Final Fantasy figurines are awesome pixel art music boxes [Video]
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime calendars and diary planners for 2027
Solo travel in Japan: Hidden beer garden in Tokyo is a haven for single visitors
Hobonichi unveils new 2027 planners, diaries and stationery with One Piece, Suica Penguin, Hello Kitty and a must-buy Mini Techo
Farewell Final Ceremony announced for Tokyo’s life-size Gundam statue, will stream live
Family Mart releases new Human Made Cup Noodle in Japan, with freebies for Nigo fans
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
One Piece Day 2026 brings new art, music, and new cast announcements
Hikaru Utada sings new song in Shinkansen commercial for Japan’s Supreme Class cabins
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Big Hero 6 Baymax Cafe opening in Tokyo with adorable food that’s good for you too【Photos】
Get Disney treats at FamilyMart this winter — including Olaf-shaped chocolate steamed buns!
Are you satisfied with your sleep? If not, maybe you need an adorable Baymax bed
Disney brings some cherry blossom magic to its spring merchandise in Japan
Adorable Avengers, assemble! Marvel’s heroes getting the Tsum Tsum treatment in new mobile game
Serpentine Winnie the Pooh Year of the Snake plushies, Mickey and Baymax daruma arrive in Japan
Baymax mitarashi dango: The best rice dumplings you can buy or Disney-themed choking hazard?
Sneak peek visit to Tokyo Disneyland’s new Baymax and Beauty and the Beast fantasy worlds
Ghibli successor Studio Ponoc announces new theatrical anime for release this summer【Video】