Unlocking Riley's Mind: Every Inside Out 2 Character And The 5 New Emotions That Took Over

The landscape of Riley's mind has undergone a sudden and dramatic demolition, reflecting the tumultuous journey of becoming a teenager. As of this year, December 18, 2025, the beloved Headquarters from the original *Inside Out* is no more, replaced by a complex new system that must accommodate a whole new crew of emotions. This sequel dives deep into the confusing, messy, and hilarious world of puberty, introducing not just one or two, but five powerful new characters that fundamentally change Riley's personality and her relationship with the original core group: Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust. The film's genius lies in personifying the complex feelings that emerge during adolescence, leading to one of the most exciting and expansive character rosters Pixar has ever assembled. From the hyper-organized chaos of Anxiety to the lethargic apathy of Ennui, here is your complete guide to every major character and the full voice cast of *Inside Out 2*.

Complete Inside Out 2 Character and Voice Cast Biography

The sequel features a mix of returning fan-favorite emotions, a recast of two key characters, and an entirely new squad of teenage feelings, all centered around a now-13-year-old Riley.

• Riley Andersen: The main human character whose mind is the setting for the film. She is now 13 and navigating the challenges of high school and puberty.
  • Voiced by: Kensington Tallman
• Joy: The primary emotion, determined to keep Riley happy and in control.
  • Voiced by: Amy Poehler
• Sadness: The melancholic, yet essential, emotion.
  • Voiced by: Phyllis Smith
• Anger: The perpetually frustrated and fiery emotion.
  • Voiced by: Lewis Black
• Fear (RECAST): The nervous and safety-focused emotion. Bill Hader did not return for the sequel.
  • Voiced by: Tony Hale
• Disgust (RECAST): The sassy and judgmental emotion. Mindy Kaling did not return for the sequel.
  • Voiced by: Liza Lapira

The New Emotions: The Puberty Crew

As Riley hits puberty, four core new emotions arrive, causing a major upheaval in Headquarters. A fifth, unexpected emotion also makes an appearance, adding a layer of depth to Riley's evolving sense of self.

• Anxiety: The de facto leader of the new emotions, she is orange, highly organized, and frantic, representing the overwhelming feeling of needing to prepare for every possible future outcome.
  • Voiced by: Maya Hawke
• Envy: A small, teal-colored emotion who is constantly looking at what others have.
  • Voiced by: Ayo Edebiri
• Ennui: The personification of boredom and teenage apathy, she is purple, lethargic, and often seen reclining while operating the console via her phone.
  • Voiced by: Adèle Exarchopoulos
• Embarrassment: A large, shy, pink-colored character who wears an oversized hoodie and is characterized by his vulnerability.
  • Voiced by: Paul Walter Hauser
• Nostalgia: An elderly, warm emotion who fondly recalls past memories, often at inopportune times.
  • Voiced by: June Squibb

Anxiety and the Takeover: Why the New Emotions Are a Threat

The central conflict of *Inside Out 2* is the clash between the established, core emotions and the sudden, overwhelming arrival of the "Puberty Crew." The new emotions are not just additions; they are a disruptive force.

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Anxiety, voiced brilliantly by Maya Hawke, acts as the catalyst for this upheaval. Her goal is not to destroy Riley's happiness, but to ensure her future success by planning for every worst-case scenario. This hyper-focus on the future causes her to see the original emotions—especially Joy—as liabilities. In a pivotal moment that sets the entire plot in motion, Anxiety and her crew literally "bottle up" Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust and send them to the back of Riley's mind, effectively taking over Headquarters.

This storyline perfectly captures the feeling of a teenager suddenly being controlled by their worries and self-consciousness, pushing aside the simple, primary emotions of childhood. The internal struggle for control of Riley's mind becomes a race for the original emotions to return to Headquarters before Anxiety completely rewrites Riley's sense of self.

Diving Deeper into the Puberty Crew: Envy, Ennui, and Embarrassment

While Anxiety drives the plot, the other new emotions bring highly specific and relatable teenage feelings to the forefront, adding layers of topical authority to Riley's journey into adolescence.

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The Apathy of Ennui

Ennui, voiced by French actress Adèle Exarchopoulos, is the ultimate representation of teenage boredom. Her character design is languid and her actions are minimal; she often operates the Headquarters console with a single, tired finger via her phone, perfectly embodying the "I don't care" attitude that permeates the teen years. Her presence highlights the feeling of detachment and world-weariness that can make everything from school to social events feel utterly pointless.

The Sting of Envy

Ayo Edebiri’s Envy is a key player in Riley’s social development. Envy is the emotion that makes Riley compare herself to others, particularly her new, cooler high school friends. The character is small and constantly gazing upward, symbolizing the feeling of always looking up at others who seem to have more or be better. This emotion creates internal conflict and tension, forcing Riley to make choices based on a desire to fit in rather than on what truly makes her happy.

The Weight of Embarrassment

Embarrassment, voiced by Paul Walter Hauser, is perhaps the most physically representative of his feeling. He is a large, pink, gentle giant who is so overwhelmed by the potential for shame that he hides most of his body inside a large, oversized hoodie. His character underscores the intense self-consciousness that comes with puberty, where every social misstep feels like a catastrophe. His design is a brilliant visual metaphor for wanting to disappear when a moment of awkwardness strikes, offering both humor and vulnerability to the narrative.

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The Recasts and the Future of the Franchise

A significant point of discussion surrounding the film is the recasting of two original core emotions: Fear and Disgust. While Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, and Lewis Black returned as Joy, Sadness, and Anger, Bill Hader (Fear) and Mindy Kaling (Disgust) were replaced by Tony Hale and Liza Lapira, respectively.

This change was necessitated by various factors, but the new actors have seamlessly stepped into the roles, maintaining the established personalities while injecting their own fresh energy. Tony Hale’s experience with nervous, high-strung characters makes him a natural fit for Fear, while Liza Lapira brings a sharp, witty edge to Disgust. The continuity in the performances ensures that the focus remains on the dramatic shift caused by the new emotions, rather than on the returning cast.

The introduction of five new emotions—Anxiety, Envy, Ennui, Embarrassment, and Nostalgia—sets the stage for a much more complex exploration of Riley's mind. This expansion of the emotional universe not only makes the sequel a fresh and unique viewing experience but also opens the door for future installments or a potential series, exploring even more nuanced feelings like Guilt, Shame, or even the feeling of being "Cringe," as Riley continues her journey through her teenage years and beyond.