Baymax, Star of Disney's "Big Hero 6," Named Most Huggable Character of 2015 on National Hugging Day™!

BURBANK, Calif., Jan. 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- After much deliberation and even more hugging, Baymax, the lovable, personal companion robot and star of Walt Disney Animation Studio's action-packed comedy adventure and Academy Award® Nominated film "Big Hero 6," was today named Most Huggable Character of 2015 on National Hugging Day™!

The coveted award was presented by the Ambassador of Hugs, Kevin Zaborney, founder and creator of National Hugging Day™. Baymax humbly accepted the award from his residence in San Fransokyo where he attributed the honor to his "non-threatening, huggable design" and said he looks forward to spending the upcoming year giving and receiving hugs from all.

The Most Huggable Character Award coincides with this month's National Hugging Day™ held annually on January 21. National Hugging Day™ was created to encourage people around the world to show more affection in public. There is only one way you are supposed to celebrate the holiday: offer a hug to anyone and everyone you want.

Past winners of the Most Huggable Awards have included Joan Rivers who wrote after receiving her award, "I'm tempted to start saying 'Can we hug?' instead of 'Can we talk,'" alluding to her participating in a telephone company ad; Jeff Ondash (aka Teddy McHuggins); Tessla Queen (bingtopia.com); and Mata Amritanandamayi (Kerela, India known as the "Hugging Saint").

For more information, please visit http://www.nationalhuggingday.com/home, like us on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/pages/National-Hugging-Day-tm-January-21st, Tweet us at  @hugambassador.

Disney's "Big Hero 6" will be available nationwide on Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere February 3 and on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack February 24.

About National Hugging Day:
National Hugging Day,™ also known as National Hug Day, is an annual holiday created by Rev. Kevin Zaborney in Michigan, USA. It occurs on January 21 and is officially recognized by the United States Copyright Office. It was first celebrated in 1986 and has since spread to multiple countries. The purpose of the holiday is to encourage people to openly express themselves through hugging.  Offer a hug to anyone and everyone you want but remember it is wise to ask first. Whether you hug a family member or a stranger, the mental and physical health benefits are the same. For more information, visit www.nationalhuggingday.com.

About Disney's "Big Hero 6":
From Walt Disney Animation Studios ("Frozen," "Wreck-It Ralph"), "Big Hero 6" is an action-packed comedy adventure about the poignant friendship that develops between a robotics prodigy and an extraordinary robot as they embark on a life-changing journey to unravel the mystery behind a devastating event. "Big Hero 6" is directed by Don Hall and Chris Williams, and produced by Roy Conli. 

The film introduces Baymax, a lovable, personal companion robot, who forms a special bond with robotics prodigy Hiro Hamada. When a devastating turn of events catapults them into the midst of a dangerous plot unfolding in the streets of San Fransokyo, Hiro turns to Baymax and his diverse group of friends — adrenaline junkie Go Go Tomago, neatnik Wasabi, chemistry whiz Honey Lemon and fanboy Fred — who transform into a band of unlikely heroes.

Disney's "Big Hero 6" will be available nationwide on Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere February 3 and on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack February 24. For more information, visit http://movies.disney.com/big-hero-6.

©2015 Disney

Video - http://youtu.be/5F68hc2Fk4M
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150121/170405

SOURCE Walt Disney Studios