Maia is a young honeybee and the central character of her story. She was born in a beehive but chooses to live independently in a meadow, a decision that sets her apart from the other bees who remain in the structured environment of the hive. Her physical appearance is characterized by a round head, green eyes, and two thin black antennae with spherical tips. Her body features black and golden-yellow fuzzy stripes, which are notably the colors of a wasp rather than a bee. Her hairstyle consists of golden blond hair with short, rounded tufts.

Maia has a personality defined by her love for freedom, curiosity, and a strong sense of fairness. She is good-natured, happy, and displays a consistent willingness to help anyone in need, whether they are friends or strangers. Her adventurous and rambunctious spirit often leads her into trouble, as she is prone to exploring and taking risks that other bees might avoid. This desire for exploration over a routine life is a core part of her identity, as she consistently chooses adventure and new experiences over the safety and predictability of the hive.

Her primary motivation is to explore the world around her, make friends with the various inhabitants of the meadow, and ensure that everyone is happy and getting along. Her role in the story is that of a proactive and influential figure in the meadow community, where her actions frequently drive the narrative and affect the lives of those around her. She is known for being the most popular and influential person on the meadow, and she often influences the happenings there through her problem-solving and desire to help others.

Maia’s most significant relationship is with Willy, a drone bee who is her best friend. Willy often accompanies her on adventures, though he is typically more cautious than she is. Other key relationships include Flip, a grasshopper who is knowledgeable and acts as a mentor and fatherly figure to her; the Queen of the hive, who is benevolent and supportive of Maia’s independent lifestyle; and Cassandra, her teacher, whom she once saved, earning her favor with the Queen. Her most notable adversary is Thekla, a villainous and elderly spider who is a constant threat to the meadow's insects. She also has a dislike for various predators such as frogs, birds, and bats.

Throughout different adaptations and seasons, Maia’s character shows signs of development. In the original book, her journey is one of maturing from an adventurous and curious child into a responsible adult member of bee society. In some anime series, her personality is depicted as kind and helpful, though in a later season she becomes more bossy towards Willy and prone to arguments. Her living situation also varies; in older series, she lived far from her hive, but in a newer 3D series, she lives near the hive and interacts with its inhabitants daily. Her depiction of violence is also toned down in more modern, family-friendly versions, where she never uses her stinger to defend herself, unlike in earlier anime adaptations.

Maia possesses several notable abilities that aid her in her adventures. As a bee, she can fly. She is also very intelligent and resourceful, qualities that help her solve problems for her friends, such as helping a worm find a new home or helping a friend overcome a fear. Her strong determination and cleverness are her primary tools for getting out of the many troublesome situations her curiosity lands her in.