Tadashi Hamada
Tadashi | |
---|---|
Big Hero 6 character | |
First appearance | Big Hero 6 (2014) |
Voiced by | Daniel Henney (Big Hero 6) |
Information | |
Family | Hiro Hamada (younger brother), Cass Hamada (aunt) |
Tadashi Hamada is a fictional character who appears in Walt Disney Animation Studios' 54th animated feature, Big Hero 6. The film is inspired by a Marvel comic book of the same name. He is voiced by Daniel Henney. In addition, Tadashi is ethnically Japanese.[1] In the film, Tadashi, a student at the San Fransokyo Institute of Technology, is the creator of Baymax, as well as the older brother of Hiro Hamada. Baymax, as described in the film, is a personal health care companion.[2]
Appearances
Big Hero 6 (2014)
Tadashi appears in Big Hero 6 as Hiro's older brother. Due to their parents being deceased, Tadashi is Hiro's primary voice of reason and father figure.[3] In the film, Tadashi and Hiro live in San Fransokyo with their aunt, Cass.[4] Although his age is not explicitly described in the film, Tadashi acts very mature for his age.[3] Additionally, Henney describes the character as "pure," even comparing Tadashi to an angel.[3] Tadashi is also a "tech-wizard" who conceives, builds and programs Baymax.[5][6]
"Tadashi is a good guy. He just is. He actually developed, built and programmed a state-of-the-art nursebot—a Healthcare Companion named Baymax that will likely help millions worldwide. But it’s his role as big brother that makes Tadashi truly special. Every kid needs a guy like Tadashi looking out for him, and Hiro knows just how lucky he is to have him in his life."
—Official Disney blog release (2014).[6]
In the film, Tadashi suggests Hiro attends the San Fransokyo Institute of Technology, as Hiro, like Tadashi, is gifted in robotics and engineering. Initially, Hiro dismisses the request, as he chooses to pursue monetary gain from illegal bot fighting.[7] However, Tadashi is able to redirect Hiro's intelligence, giving him a tour of the institution, and introducing him to his friends[4][8]--Honey Lemon, GoGo, Wasabi, and Fred. Tadashi also introduces Hiro to his own project, Baymax, a healthcare robot.[9] Tadashi designs Baymax to have a huggable build. The film's animation team researched at Carnegie Mellon University to help conceive Baymax's design. Directors Don Hall and Chris Williams wanted Baymax to be "appealing but also huggable."[10] Ryan Potter, who voices Hiro, states that Hiro sees Baymax as a representation of Tadashi.[3] The technological projects, especially Baymax, inspires Hiro to want to attend the school himself, and he begins working on his own endeavor in order to gain admission.[8][11] Hiro showcases his project, Microbots controlled by a neurological headband, at an exhibition held at the school.[4][12] Shortly after being accepted by Robert Callaghan, the institute's professor, the institute catches fire. With Professor Callaghan still inside, Tadashi runs into the institute in an effort to save him.[4] The building explodes with Tadashi still inside, killing him and as everyone else assumes, Callaghan.[12] Hiro, Baymax, and Tadashi's school friends mourn Tadashi, whose legacy remains present in the form of Baymax.[4][12] Following Tadashi's death, Baymax ends up taking over the role of being Hiro's emotional support.[4] A series of further events leads to the formation of the superhero team, Big Hero 6, who investigate Tadashi's death.[12] Prior to the film's climax, Baymax shows video tests of Tadashi to Hiro, revealing that it took Tadashi several dozen attempts to perfect Baymax's original design, and showing Hiro that Tadashi himself will live on in their memories. Portions of these tests are seen in the second official US trailer of the film.[13][14]
Korean version
In the Korean version of the film, Tadashi's name, which is of Japanese origin is changed to "Teddy," as to not offend Korean audiences.[15]
Printed media
Tadashi appears in the prequel manga, Baymax, which was released prior to the film's release, in August 2014.[16] Unlike other Disney properties that received a one-shot manga, Baymax is a full manga story which had the goal of previewing the film's story.[17] Tadashi also appears in other Disney books, such as The Art of Big Hero 6, and Big Hero 6: Hiro and Tadashi.[1][18]
Reception
A review by Manohla Dargis of The New York Times describes that Tadashi "isn’t much better," than the, "disappointingly bland maternal creation," Aunt Cass.[19] In her review, Dargis states that this is despite Tadashi being a, "hunky brainiac who studies at an institute of higher nerdiness alongside a Scooby Doo-like posse."[19] The Japan Times describes that Tadashi, "fits the normal Hollywood bill of a polite young Japanese male."[5] At one point in his review, Sam Adams of Indiewires "Criticwire" blog, writes that Tadashi has a "nurturing spirit."[20] Adams also criticizes Tadashi's death, calling it, "underplayed and unseen."[20] After mentioning another blogger's interpretation of why Hiro didn't want to lose Baymax, Adams writes that, "Even in retrospect, Tadashi's death isn't rendered significant."[20]
References
- 1 2 Patten, Fred (January 20, 2015). "Book Review: The Art of Big Hero 6". Animation World Network. Retrieved January 21, 2015.
- ↑ Palmeri, Christopher (October 31, 2014). "'Big Hero 6' Turns Godzilla Into Lovable Disney Robot". Bloomberg. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 Big Hero 6: Daniel Henney "Tadashi Hamada" & Ryan Potter "Hiro Hamada" Official Interview. ScreenSlam. YouTube. October 21, 2014. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Davis, Lauren (September 3, 2014). "How Disney Will Make You Cry Again With Big Hero 6". io9. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
- 1 2 Shoji, Kaori (December 17, 2014). "Disney's 'Big Hero 6′ reassembles Japan without the 'cultural cringe'". The Japan Times. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
- 1 2 "Baymax and the Big Hero 6 are Ready For Action". Disney Insider. July 14, 2014. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
- ↑ Croot, James (December 30, 2014). "Review: Big Hero 6". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
- 1 2 "Cast Announcement: Six Reasons We Can't Wait to See Big Hero 6". Oh My Disney. Disney. July 13, 2014. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
- ↑ Nicholson, Max (July 14, 2014). "Big Hero 6: Voice Cast and Character Images Revealed". IGN. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
- ↑ Blair, Elizabeth (November 7, 2014). "The Challenge Of 'Big Hero 6': How To Make A Huggable Robot". All Tech Considered. NPR. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
- ↑ McAnulty, Sofia (November 19, 2014). "Big Hero 6 is A Huge Hit". The Californian Paper. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 Wilkinson, Tyler (November 9, 2014). "'Big Hero 6′ Brings Revenge Tale Back To Disney". Boston College Heights. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
- ↑ Dornbush, Jonathon (September 25, 2014). "Puffy robot Baymax takes center stage in new 'Big Hero 6' trailer". Inside Movies. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
- ↑ Disney's Big Hero 6 - Official US Trailer 2. Walt Disney Animation Studios. YouTube. September 25, 2014. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
- ↑ Ashcraft, Brian (January 19, 2015). "Why Big Hero 6 Is Upsetting Some People in South Korea". Kotaku. Retrieved January 21, 2015.
- ↑ Schilling, Mark (July 16, 2014). "Disney Takes Unusual Promo Route With Japanese 'Big Hero 6′ Animation". Variety. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
- ↑ "Big Hero 6 Is 1st Disney Film to Be Previewed With Manga Series". Anime News Network. July 15, 2014. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
- ↑ "Big Hero 6: Hiro and Tadashi". Goodreads. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
- 1 2 Dargis, Manohla (November 6, 2014). "Happiness Is a Warm Robot". The New York Times. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
- 1 2 3 Adams, Sam (November 10, 2014). "'Disney Deaths' and 'Big Hero 6': How Children's Stories Process Loss". Criticwire. Indiewire. Retrieved January 19, 2015.