The first trailer for Disney and Pixar’s first ever original series, Win or Lose, was released today. The series features one story told from 8 different perspectives, and highlights young and adult characters as they deal with various life challenges leading up to a championship softball game.
Based on the trailer, Win or Lose feels like a show that builds on many of the elements that made the Inside Out films such a huge success; showing various manifestations of emotions and thoughts in Pixar’s trademark cute and hilarious way. Pixar stories have a way of resonating emotionally with audiences that is the key to the studio’s success, and this series looks to continue that tradition.
At first, I wasn’t sure how the art style, which looks like a Pixar twist on claymation, would translate. But not only does it look great, but the manifestations of emotions and thoughts are done so well. I can already feel the emotional weight of the various characters and stories.
Like the Inside Out films, these kinds of stories are so important for audiences of all ages to watch, as they help us recognize the stressors, anxieties and fears that we are dealing with collectively. I’m excited that Pixar is leaning into more of these stories and look forward to the message that Win or Lose has to offer.
Win or Lose premieres February 19 on Disney+.
About Win or Lose:
Launching on Disney+ Feb. 19, Pixar Animation Studios’ first-ever original series “Win or Lose” features the intertwined stories of eight different characters as they each prepare for their big championship softball game—the insecure kids, their helicopter parents, even a lovesick umpire. A trailer for the new series, key art and stills are now available to download and share.
“I played softball growing up,” said Carrie Hobson, who wrote, directed and executive produced the series with Michael Yates. “Inspired by that experience, we felt fast-pitch softball was the perfect backdrop for the show. There are so many facets to playing sports that I love—it can bring out the best and worst of a person, the calmest person can lose their temper. And when it comes to winning and losing—the consequences are nothing, and yet, they’re everything. We really felt like it was the best arena for the themes we loved.”
According to Yates, the idea of spotlighting different perspectives was born of everyday life at Pixar. “Carrie and I were officemates on ‘Toy Story 4,’” he said. “We were both story artists on the film, and we would talk about a lot of things going on in the film, as well as things going on in the world—current events, news. We would always have different reactions or different interpretations of the same meeting. One of us would say, ‘That went great!’ and the other would say, ‘No! It was terrible, what are you talking about?’ We realized that our own experiences that we bring to the table change our perception of an event. We wanted to tell a story that illustrated all of that.”
“Win or Lose” features the voices of Will Forte, Rosie Foss, Josh Thomson, Milan Elizabeth Ray, Rosa Salazar, Dorien Watson, Izaac Wang, Chanel Stewart, Lil Rel Howery, Melissa Villaseñor, Jo Firestone, Flula Borg, Kyleigh Curran, Jaylin Fletcher, Erin Keif, Tom Law, Beck Nolan, Orion Tran and Rhea Seehorn. The series, which presents incredibly funny, very emotional and uniquely animated perspectives, is produced by David Lally, includes music by composer Ramin Djawadi and original songs by CAMPFIRE and Djawadi.
Ron is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of POC Culture. He is a big believer in the power and impact of pop culture and the importance of representation in media.
