Last reviewed on 2026-05-02
Joy
Original EmotionThe leader of Riley's emotions and the most optimistic. Glowing yellow with blue hair, Joy works tirelessly to keep Riley happy. In Inside Out 2, she must accept that not all emotions are hers to control.
Sadness
Original EmotionThe blue, melancholy emotion who often turns memories sad with her touch. In the first film, Joy discovers Sadness is just as important as happiness. Quiet, empathetic, and surprisingly wise.
Anger
Original EmotionA stocky, red emotion who constantly monitors fairness. Literally has fire coming from his head when furious. Speaks his mind bluntly and always feels justified. Great for detecting injustice, problematic in meetings.
Fear
Original EmotionA lanky, purple emotion who is constantly on high alert for danger. Nervous, cautious, and always overthinking worst-case scenarios. Despite his cowardly nature, Fear genuinely protects Riley from real threats.
Disgust
Original EmotionA green, fashionable emotion who protects Riley from anything physically or socially revolting. Highly opinionated, sarcastic, and style-conscious. Essential for navigating social situations and avoiding bad experiences.
Anxiety NEW
New Teen EmotionThe main new emotion in Inside Out 2 and the central antagonist of the film. Orange and frantic, Anxiety arrives with puberty and is always planning multiple steps ahead for every possible bad outcome. Well-intentioned but overwhelming.
Envy NEW
New Teen EmotionA tiny, teal new emotion who always wants what others have. Small in stature but big in wanting. Follows Anxiety and often looks up to others — literally, being the shortest emotion. Represents the covetousness of teenage years.
Ennui NEW
New Teen EmotionThe French-named emotion representing teenage boredom and apathy. Slouches on the console, scrolling a phone. Deep blue and perpetually unimpressed by everything. The stereotypical disaffected teen. "Whatever."
Embarrassment NEW
New Teen EmotionThe largest new emotion — a tall, pink, marshmallow-like figure who immediately turns red. Gentle and sensitive despite his imposing size. Hides behind others and speaks rarely. Represents the acute social self-consciousness of adolescence.
Nostalgia NEW
New Teen EmotionA warm, elderly emotion who represents longing for the past. Wistful and misty-eyed, Nostalgia appears occasionally to remind Riley of simpler childhood memories. A bittersweet addition to the emotional lineup.
Riley Andersen
Protagonist (Human)The 13-year-old girl whose mind we inhabit. Moved from Minnesota to San Francisco in the first film. Now a teenager navigating hockey tryouts, new friendships, and the chaos of puberty in Inside Out 2.
Bing Bong
Imaginary FriendRiley's beloved imaginary friend from childhood. Part elephant, part cat, part dolphin — made of cotton candy. Sacrificed himself in the Memory Dump so Joy could escape, one of Pixar's most emotional moments.
About Inside Out 2 Characters
Inside Out 2 (2024) is Pixar's sequel to the critically acclaimed Inside Out (2015), both directed by Pete Docter and Kelsey Mann respectively. The films explore the emotional landscape inside the mind of Riley Andersen.
The sequel introduces new emotions that arrive during puberty: Anxiety, Envy, Ennui, Embarrassment, and Nostalgia. Inside Out 2 became one of Pixar's highest-grossing films, praised for its deeply relatable portrayal of teenage mental health and emotional complexity.