We recently had the chance to view all six episodes of the upcoming Disney+ short series BAYMAX! and were pleasantly surprised to find a show that’s heavy on humor and heart but also with a surprising dose of healthy edutainment along the way.

As fans of the original BIG HERO 6 movie and its subsequent action-adventure animated series by the same name, we were expecting more of the same but BAYMAX! is decidedly different. The series episodes 7-9 minute stories that form an anthology of sorts featuring various healthcare related experiences of the show’s titular personal healthcare companion.

Each episode follows the affable, inflatable, protagonist on his healthcare journey helping citizens of San Fransokyo with various healthcare needs ranging from joint aches and allergies to sprained ankles and even menstrual cramps.

Yep, the show goes there and it’s a beautiful balance. Episode three features a character getting her first period and it goes miles further than any instructional videos shown during health class in school. The strides to normalize what Baymax deems regular biology is fantastic. Also, while a little on the nose with the character’s outfit, the transgender representation with a trans man talking about his preference is another amazing step forward.

The series sees the return of Scott Adsit as the voice of Baymax with cameos from role-reprising Ryan Potter (Hiro), Maya Rudolph (Aunt Cass) plus more including Emily Kuroda, Lilimar, Zeno Robinson and Jaboukie Young-White. The episodes are directed by Dean Wellins (Eps 1, 2, 6), Lissa Treiman (Ep 3), Dan Abraham (Ep 4) and Mark Kennedy (Ep 5). The screenwriter is Cirocco Dunlap.

On a scale of 1 to 10, our happiness is at a 10 and we’re ready for more visits from BAYMAX!

See it for Yourself

BAYMAX! bursts onto Disney+ starting today, June 29, 2022.