Inside Out 2’s Most Exciting New Characters Are A Bold Move For Pixar

Summary Inside Out 2 introduces new characters like Anxiety and different animation styles to push Pixar's boundaries further.

The sequel's blend of traditional and contrasting animation styles challenges the studio's iconic look and storytelling techniques.

Building on the original's inventive scene, Inside Out 2 seamlessly weaves in 2D animation, promising an exciting narrative and technical experience.

Warning: Contains potential SPOILERS for Inside Out 2Details around Inside Out 2's new characters not only reveal some significant information about the highly-anticipated sequel's story, but also prove how Pixar is using the movie to push boundaries. Nine years on from the acclaimed original, Inside Out 2 will tackle the next chapter in Riley's life, adding new emotions to the equation as she enters puberty. Given Riley's growth and development as a protagonist, the movie's unique premise means that more characters are almost a prerequisite. However, while each addition promises to bring something new to the table, some will be more significant than others.

While concrete information about Inside Out 2's story has been kept under wraps, new footage from CinemaCon has revealed what direction the movie will take. In total, 35 minutes of footage were revealed, providing information on the changes to Riley's personality islands, as well as the arrival of new characters like Anxiety. Judging by the footage, Anxiety, in particular, will be a major presence in the narrative. However, details from the screening also confirmed that the character will not necessarily be the most groundbreaking addition to Inside Out 2's line-up.

Related Inside Out 2 Voice Cast: Every New, Returning & Recast Character The Inside Out 2 cast is missing some major players from the first film, but the Pixar sequel is bringing back plenty of iconic voice actors.

Inside Out 2 Will Include Characters In Different Animation Styles

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The most intriguing revelation from the footage is that Inside Out 2 will feature a blend of Pixar's more traditional digital animation with contrasting styles. A description of the footage confirms that among the list of new characters will be "a video game character named Lance that Riley used to have a crush on" as well as a "deep, dark secret" that remains mysterious. Subsequent information (via THR) confirms that there will also be a "dog from a preschool show, spoofing Blue's Clues."

In isolation, these additions may not seem that consequential. However, what makes them particularly exciting is that they will be presented in different animation styles – a major break with Pixar tradition. As THR confirmed via tweet, the cartoon dog will be "2D animated", while the "Final Fantasy-esque video game character (will be) animated in the style of PS2." This development confirms that Inside Out 2 will not just continue to push the narrative boundaries established in the first movie, but also fundamentally challenge how Pixar movies look.

Inside Out 2 Using Different Animation Styles Is A Big Deal For Pixar

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While animated movies blending different animation styles is nothing new, it is a major development for a studio as recognizable as Pixar. While Pixar has never been afraid to evolve, the studio has become world-renowned for the unique look of its animated films. Since Toy Story's debut in 2005, its use of computer-generated imagery has been influential across the industry, and helped ensure that all subsequent Pixar movies are instantly recognizable from their competitors. By moving away from the signature animation style that has helped cement its reputation, the studio is taking a risk with Inside Out 2.

Related All 4 New Emotions In Inside Out 2 Explained The official trailer for Inside Out 2 has dived into the role Anxiety, as well as finally introducing Riley's three new puberty-inspired emotions.

Of course, Inside Out 2 is not the first time Pixar has challenged convention by combining animation styles. Back in 2008, Wall-e took the arguably even more daring step of introducing live-action into a Pixar movie, using real actors on recorded messages to provide context to the story. Similarly, Luca included footage from 1958's Big Deal On Madonna Street, while Turning Red incorporated elements of anime into its style. However, none of these examples take the contrast to such an extreme as Inside Out 2, suggesting that it will be a watershed moment for the studio.

Inside Out 2's New Animation Styles Build On The Original's Most Inventive Scene

Despite being a bold step for Pixar, one scene from the original Inside Out means that the sequel is the natural place to try out a combination of animation styles. In one of the movie's most innovative sequences, Joy, Sadness, and Bing Bong try to take a shortcut to reach the Train of Thought, but end up abstracting, regressing through multiple stages of animation. As the scene evolves, they transform from Cubist figures, to two-dimensional sketches, before becoming "non-figurative" as they rush to escape.

Both very tense and incredibly entertaining, the abstraction scene is a perfect example of how Inside Out 2 can seamlessly incorporate 2D animation, as well as other styles, into its story. While the original scene turns all the characters into different styles at once rather than mixing animation techniques on screen, it makes Inside Out 2's approach a natural next step. As a result, the movie is exciting both narratively and technically.