Willy, known as Willi in original German media, is a male drone bee created solely for adaptations and absent from Waldemar Bonsels' 1912 source material. He consistently appears as Maya’s closest companion across animated series and films, characterized by laziness, clumsiness, and frequent cowardice beneath a fundamentally good-natured disposition.

The 1975 anime amplifies these traits, featuring visible exhaustion bags under his eyes from prolonged napping. This iteration highlights jealousy when Maya befriends others like Alexander, prompting Willy to compensate by declaratively quoting "bee proverbs" and occasionally showing off despite habitual timidity. Though often reluctant, he sporadically displays bravery during Maya’s peril, embodying a "cowardly lion" archetype.

Later adaptations, particularly the 2012 CGI series, soften his extreme laziness and jealousy, portraying him as more active and accepting of Maya’s friendships. His academic struggles persist—marked by low grades and poor concentration—while he remains a recurring "butt-monkey" prone to mishaps or becoming a "distressed dude" needing rescue. Willy’s loyalty ensures he reluctantly joins Maya’s adventures despite initial protests. The CGI series subtly implies unspoken romantic feelings through reactions like blushing when Maya kisses his cheek.

Film adaptations expand his background, revealing a previously "friendless" life before meeting Maya and emphasizing his devotion to their bond. In 2018’s "The Honey Games," he briefly crushes on Violet but withdraws after her dishonesty. His relationships include Miss Cassandra as a nurturing teacher figure and Flip the grasshopper as a fatherly mentor. Despite unexplained absences in some CGI episodes, he endures as Maya’s steadfast counterpart throughout official media.