Get ready for some Marvel Comics inspiration in a Disney animated film! Big Hero 6 will detail what happens when the imagination and innovation from those two atmospheres collide.

Director Don Hall (Winnie the Pooh), enchanted by both Disney and comic books growing up, spoke to the audience on Friday at the Animation panel at the D23 Expo in Anaheim, CA, describing Big 6 Hero as “inspired by the culture of Japan… mashed up with America.”

Set in San Fransokyo, a mesh of two major cities of the world – San Francisco and Tokyo – draws influences from both metropolitan areas. It is an “origin story of not-so-super heroes,” focused on a 14-year-old named Hiro Hamada, who loses his older brother and connects with a robot to “heal his broken heart.”

The production team visited top schools and researchers in robotics to capture the look of Baymax, the aforementioned robot, who moves like a baby penguin, as Hall described. He is also quite gentle and compassionate, making him a good friend for Hiro.

These characters are accompanied by an assortment of diverse and unique personalities with varying ages and odd life experiences.

The concept art and early animation looks like nothing one has seen in a Disney animated film, as it seems electric and fast-paced, feeling very comic-like and comical – no pun intended. This will definitely draw fans of both Disney animation and Marvel Comics, even those unfamiliar with this more obscure entry.

Big Hero 6 flies into theaters November 7, 2014!

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