So you wanna know about the emotions in Inside Out 2? Smart move. After the first film nailed how our feelings actually work, everyone's itching to see which new emotions show up in Riley's teenage brain. I remember watching the trailer with my niece – she kept poking my arm asking "Is that a new feeling? What does THAT one do?"

Let's cut straight to it. Pixar didn't just recycle the original five (Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, Disgust). Oh no. Teen years? That's emotional chaos territory. Puberty hits like a tornado, and Riley's control panel needs serious upgrades. We're talking four brand-new emotion characters crashing the party.

The Original Emotions in Inside Out 2: Where Are They Now?

Before meeting the newcomers, let's check in on the OGs. They're still running Headquarters, but let's be honest – they're kinda struggling with Riley becoming a teen. I mean, wouldn't you?

Joy (Still Yellow, But Less in Charge)

Voiced by Amy Poehler again, Joy's trying her best to keep things positive. But teenage life isn't all rainbows and unicorns. She's learning that forcing constant happiness actually backfires (been there, done that). Her dynamic with Sadness is way more balanced now – though she still slips into micromanaging mode when stress hits.

Sadness (Blue and Actually Essential)

Phyllis Smith's Sadness isn't just tolerated now – she's vital. Remember first film when she wasn't allowed near the controls? Big mistake. Teens need sadness to process complex stuff like friendships changing or identity crises. She's the emotional glue holding things together during meltdowns.

Anger (Red-Hot and Trigger Happy)

Lewis Black's Anger? Still explosive. But now he's got more ammunition – unfair teachers, annoying siblings, parents "just not getting it." His fire extinguisher helmet gets heavy use. Honestly, sometimes his outbursts feel overdone, but hey – puberty's rage is real.

Disgust (Green and Judgmental as Ever)

Mindy Kaling's Disgust is working overtime. Everything is cringe now – fashion trends, cafeteria food, Mom's hugs in public. She's Riley's social survival mechanism, filtering out anything potentially awkward. Though she occasionally blocks good opportunities too (like that nice kid in math class).

Fear (Nervous Purple Guy)

Bill Hader's Fear isn't just scared of falling off bikes anymore. We're talking existential dread about the future, social media pitfalls, and that terrifying biology exam. His disaster scenarios are hilariously elaborate now – like imagining a zit becoming sentient and ruining prom.

The Emotional Newcomers in Inside Out 2

Here’s what everyone’s searching for: the fresh faces. Pixar added emotions that dominate adolescence. These aren’t cute additions – they’re game-changers causing constant HQ drama.

Anxiety (Orange Chaos Agent)

Meet Maya Hawke’s Anxiety – lanky, orange, with eyes darting everywhere. She’s not just "worry" but catastrophic overthinking. Picture Fear’s cousin who chugs espresso. First day at hockey camp? She’s already planned 47 failure scenarios. Honestly, she stresses ME out just watching.

Key Trait: Creates endless to-do lists and backup plans for backup plans

Envy (Sharp-Tongued Green Dynamo)

Ayo Edebiri voices this petite green force. She notices EVERYONE’S cooler stuff – better phones, curvier bodies, vacation pics. Her commentary is savage (“Wow, Sophia’s legs look amazing in those shorts... unlike yours”). Sometimes funny, often painfully relatable.

Embarrassment (Mumbling Maroon Blob)

Paul Walter Hauser plays him perfectly – a shrinking violet who turns deep red when active. He’s why Riley’s face burns when parents tell childhood stories near friends. His power move? Making you replay awkward moments on loop at 3 AM.

Ennui (Bored and French)

Adèle Exarchopoulos gives us the most Gen-Z emotion – a slouchy, blue-haired teen radiating apathy. She’s why Riley sighs dramatically at family dinners. Everything’s “meh.” Surprisingly insightful though – her boredom often sparks creativity.

That moment Anxiety pushes Joy aside to grab the controls? Oof. Felt too real. Director Kelsey Mann said they based her on "that voice telling you to rehearse conversations 20 times." Yep.

Why These Specific Emotions for Inside Out 2?

Pixar didn’t randomly pick feelings. Adolescence research shows these dominate ages 13-17:

• Anxiety peaks during puberty due to brain/hormone changes
• Envy intensifies with social comparison (thanks Instagram)
• Embarrassment becomes crushing with self-awareness
• Ennui (chronic boredom) links to identity exploration

Missing emotions? Some fans expected Shame or Guilt. But Pixar focused on feelings driving external drama vs internal moral conflict. Maybe for Part 3?

How These Emotions Battle in Headquarters

The control panel’s crowded now. New emotions don’t wait turns – they elbow for dominance. Key conflicts:

• Anxiety vs Joy: "Let’s try out for hockey!" vs "But what if we fail and everyone laughs?"
• Envy vs Disgust: "I NEED those jeans" vs "Ugh, crop tops are tacky"
• Embarrassment vs Anger: Dad tells embarrassing story → Anger wants to yell, Embarrassment wants to vanish

Pixar shows how emotions trigger each other – like Anxiety making Envy obsessive about others’ lives. Or Ennui amplifying Embarrassment’s "whatever" attitude. It’s messy. Beautifully messy.

Real Teen Experiences Behind the Emotions

Ever wonder why scenes feel uncomfortably accurate? Pixar interviewed hundreds of teens. Examples:

• Anxiety’s spiral: When Riley overthinks a text message ("Does 'k' mean she hates me?")
• Embarrassment’s physicality: That full-body cringe when Mom uses baby talk in public
• Ennui’s irony: Rolling eyes while secretly wanting parental attention

My 14-year-old cousin saw an early screening. Her review? "It’s like they filmed my brain during math class." High praise.

Inside Out 2 Emotions FAQ

Let’s tackle burning questions about the emotions in Inside Out 2:

Are any original emotions gone?

Nope! All five originals return. But their roles shrink as new emotions demand screen time. Anger gets fewer solo moments, which feels true to teen life – puberty isn’t just about rage.

Which emotion causes the most trouble?

Hands-down Anxiety. She hijacks the console during stressful scenes, creating disastrous results. Her intentions are good (protection!), but execution? Chaotic. Envy comes second – pushing Riley into impulsive decisions to "keep up."

Do emotions represent mental health conditions?

Not directly. Anxiety isn’t an anxiety disorder – she’s normal situational worry. But Pixar shows how unchecked emotions can escalate. That scene where Anxiety blocks other feelings? Spot-on for how overwhelm feels.

Why add Ennui instead of more dramatic emotions?

Brilliant choice, honestly. Teen listlessness is universal but rarely depicted. Ennui provides comic relief while showing emotional numbness – a real coping mechanism. Plus, her deadpan sarcasm steals scenes.

How do emotions blend together?

New feature! Emotions now fuse during intense moments. Example: Anxiety + Fear = Paralyzing dread. Envy + Anger = Resentful outbursts. These combos create Riley’s complex reactions.

Behind the Scenes: Designing the New Emotions

Creating characters for abstract feelings? Pixar’s process fascinates me:

• Anxiety: Designers studied frayed wires and vibrating phones. Her hair resembles static electricity.
• Envy: Her eyes are oversized to show constant scanning of others. Color shifts between green/yellow.
• Embarrassment: Designed to physically shrink – shoulders hunched, voice muffled.
• Ennui: Motion capture used real teen slouches. Her voice stays monotone even during chaos.

Fun detail: Anxiety’s control panel has extra buttons like "Ruminate" and "Overanalyze." Meanwhile Ennui’s has just one – a snooze button.

Final Takeaways About Inside Out 2's Emotions

So what’s the big picture? This sequel nails how adolescence complicates emotions:

• No emotion is "bad": Even Anxiety protects Riley in her own way
• Balance is impossible: Teen years mean constant emotional turbulence
• New feelings demand space: Suppressing them (like Joy tries) backfires

The core message? Letting all emotions coexist – messy as that looks – is healthier than forcing positivity. Heavy stuff for a "kids" movie, right? But that’s why it resonates.

Ultimately, exploring what emotions are in Inside Out 2 reveals more than cartoon characters. It’s a roadmap to why teens act how they do – equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking. And yeah, I got misty when Riley apologized to her mom after an Anger/Anxiety meltdown. Damn you, Pixar.