Joy 

Joy is back and ready to tackle teenagerhood – the joyous highs, the tearful lows, the blistering frustrations, nauseating changes and frighteningly awkward moments that Riley’s new teenage world has to offer. With Riley’s happiness as her first priority, Joy is determined to protect Riley’s Sense of Self and help her stay the same happy kid she knows and loves. Optimistic, lighthearted and bubbling with bright ideas for their girl’s future, nothing will derail Joy’s plan for Headquarters - that is, until new emotions move in

Anxiety 

A bundle of frazzled energy, Anxiety enthusiastically ensures Riley’s prepared for every possible negative outcome. Protecting the new teen from the dangers she can’t see, Anxiety is determined to make sure Riley fits in with her high school peers at all costs. Armed with meticulously organized lists and plans to make sure Riley never makes a mistake, Anxiety thinks ten steps ahead and isn’t shy about sharing worst case scenarios. Anxiety knows she’s a lot to deal with, but feels pushing Riley toward perfection means being that much closer to achieving her goals.

Anger

Hotheaded and stubborn, Anger is ready and willing to fight for what’s fair when it comes to Riley. He’s certainly passionate but can be overreactive at times — explosive even. Anger believes in setting boundaries, but isn’t afraid to steamroll over obstacles if that’s what he thinks is best for Riley.

Sadness

Sadness was just getting the hang of things before a group of new emotions arrived. Everyone understands how important her role is in Riley’s life, so Sadness is feeling more comfortable in her melancholy shoes these days. Though she may not have a lot of pep in her step, she’s all in when it comes to helping their girl endure the changes coming her way—even if that means taking on a crucial mission.

Fear

Fear protects Riley and keeps her safe from visible hazards both big and small – from rogue hockey pucks to papercuts. A walking caution sign, Fear dutifully steers her away from risky situations, imminent danger and serious threats. So, what if he’s overprotective? Someone has to stick to safety protocols!

Disgust

Now that Riley’s a teenager, Disgust’s radar for the painfully uncool is sharper than ever. Opinionated, brutally honest and committed to keeping Riley away from all things icky, Disgust is quick to turn up her nose at the first whiff of funky food, cringy comments, and refuses to partake in any activity that could lead to certain social death.

Ennui

Ennui is one of Riley’s new emotions, and she couldn’t care less. Bored and lethargic with a well-practiced eye-roll, Ennui adds the perfect amount of teenage apathy to Riley’s personality, when she feels like it. The best part? She doesn’t even have to get up off the couch — Ennui can work the console remotely using her mobile app. 

Envy

Envy may be small, but she sure knows what she wants. She’s perpetually jealous of everything everyone else has – and is not afraid to pine over it. Envy’s wishful thinking and fascination with the newest, coolest thing pulls her attention in all directions and longs for what Riley doesn’t have.

Embarrassment

Embarrassment likes to lay low, which isn’t easy for this burly guy with a bright blush-pink complexion. Shy and decidedly quiet, Embarrassment is ready to flop onto the Headquarters console at the first sight of social awkwardness. 

Riley Andersen

Riley Andersen is officially a teenager! On the cusp of entering high school, Riley’s world is about to change from the inside out. If Joy and the rest of Riley’s Emotions thought her toddler years were tough – they’re in for a wild ride. New friends, tryouts, and puberty – all while navigating a complex set of new emotions…what could go wrong? Inside, Riley is still that eternally happy kid her friends and family know and love, but with her Sense of Self rapidly changing, she struggles to balance the challenges of her new world.

Valentina

Valentina “Val” Ortiz is that girl – the one everyone, including Riley and her friends, look up to. Captain of the varsity hockey team, confident while kind to all, and effortlessly rocking a signature red streak in her hair, everyone is impressed or obsessed with Valentina. Best of all, she sees varsity potential in Riley – and Riley is…freaking out about it.

Teenaged Emotions

The idea of Riley entering adolescence provided filmmakers with the perfect canvas.
“We met with experts,” says Nielsen. “We read a lot of books and spoke with psychologists about what happens to the teenage brain—the expansion of their minds at that time. It became clear pretty quickly that there would be a lot of potential for entertainment with a new group of Emotions coming in and disrupting the core five that have just hit their stride in figuring out how to work together.”

Adds Docter, “The funny thing is, when we did research for the original film, it was pretty clear there are more than just five emotions. But the whole world and story was complex enough that we really needed to simplify. This sequel afforded the opportunity to bring in some of the emotions we hadn’t been able to use. Obviously, younger kids do feel things like embarrassment and envy, but I think our cheat that they only show up in later life works okay, given how loud they feel in our teenage years. It’s been a blast developing more funny, caricatured and relatable characters. That was the whole reason to make this thing in the first place!”

“There are definitely more complex Emotions that come with being a teenager,” Nielsen continues. “Anxiety has been a part of our story from the beginning, but the impact the last few years have had on all of us—especially teens—it seems like it’s the right time in history to be talking about it.”

Headquarters

Headquarters is the heart of the mind operation. It’s where the console is located—the high-tech panel with buttons and levers designed to help Riley navigate any situation alongside the Emotion best suited for the job. “There was an existing set for Headquarters in the first film,” says West. “But within minutes of the second film starting, a demo crew comes in—so we had to figure out exactly what’s been renovated.”

Belief System

Riley’s Belief System is imagined in the film, according to production designer Jason Deamer. “To accomplish what we had envisioned for the Belief System, nine different departments came together to work on the same sequence at the same time,” he says. “It was truly inspiring to be a part of such a large feat. The Belief System is made with glowing translucent elements in a dark blue environment that’s so powerful—a delicate technical and creative balance. We wanted it to feel breathtaking; we wanted to create a sense of awe when the Emotions go there.”

The Vault

The Vault is a high-security locale with an important purpose: being a teenager naturally comes with its share of secrets, so filmmakers had to have a place to store them. “It was a fun set because it was the first original mind-world set we built,” says sets supervisor Amy L. Allen. “It’s like a bank vault or the U.S. Mint—very secure and imposing, complete with marble floors. We wanted the audience to know instantly what it represents”

Hockey

Hockey is Riley’s passion and a big part of her story this time around, so the locations and sets were important to artists and technicians at Pixar. Says editor Maurissa Horwitz, “I went back and watched every hockey-focused movie I could find—I think more than a dozen—and took notes on what I thought would work for this movie in the hockey scenes. The one scene I was super selfish about cutting myself was the opening game—the story team did great action shots with really high energy. It was just super fun to work on—the team is at the top of their game. Riley is at the top of her game. Everything animation, effects, lighting brought to it makes the scene feel very real, and still lots of fun because you’ve got the Emotions running the whole show.”