Will Forte
Coach Dan
Chanel Stewart
Kyliegh Curran
Izaac Wang
Erin Keif
Jo Firestone
Josh Thomson
Rosanna Jean Foss
Kai
Taylor
Yuwen
Lena
Sweaty
Frank
Laurie
Pixar Animation Studios has captivated audiences for decades with stories that blend humor, heart, and a deep understanding of human emotions. Their latest project, Win or Lose, marks a milestone as the studio’s first original long-form animated series, set to premiere on Disney+ on February 19. This groundbreaking series takes an innovative approach to storytelling, focusing on the diverse perspectives of a middle school softball team, the Pickles, in the week leading up to their championship game.
At its core, Win or Lose explores the emotional ups and downs that come with competition, teamwork, and personal growth. Rather than following a single protagonist, each episode shifts focus to a different character—including players, parents, and even the umpire—offering a fresh and relatable viewpoint on the same unfolding events. By doing so, the show highlights how perception shapes experience, and how victories and defeats—both on and off the field—are deeply personal yet universally felt.
This approach was inspired by the experiences of the show’s creators, Carrie Hobson and Michael Yates, who previously worked as story artists on Toy Story 4. “We would always have different reactions or different interpretations of the same meeting,” Yates explained. “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.”
Co-creator Carrie Hobson drew on her own childhood playing softball to shape the show’s setting. “Inspired by that experience, we felt fast-pitch softball was the perfect backdrop for the show,” Hobson said. “There are so many facets to playing sports that I love—it can bring out the best and worst in 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.”
Sports provide a natural environment to explore themes of self-doubt, resilience, and teamwork. Middle school is already a time of heightened emotions and self-discovery, and Win or Lose captures that beautifully, blending humor with heartfelt moments that both kids and adults will recognize from their own experiences.
Bringing these characters to life is an incredible voice cast, including 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 is produced by David Lally and features an engaging musical score by Game of Thrones composer Ramin Djawadi, along with original songs by CAMPFIRE.
Visually, Win or Lose sets itself apart with a unique animation style that blends Pixar’s signature warmth with a more stylized, expressive approach. Each episode features creative visual cues that reflect the inner world of the character in focus, whether through abstract representations of their emotions or dreamlike sequences that amplify their struggles and triumphs.
While Win or Lose revolves around a softball championship, its themes extend far beyond sports. The show delves into personal challenges like self-confidence, family dynamics, and friendship, making it a perfect watch for kids and parents alike. It reminds viewers that everyone experiences events differently, and that understanding another person’s perspective can change everything.
Pixar has long been a master of emotional storytelling, and with Win or Lose, they continue to push the boundaries of animated storytelling in fresh and exciting ways. Whether you’ve been part of a team or simply faced the ups and downs of life, Win or Lose is sure to be a home run for viewers of all ages.
Mark your calendars for February 19, and get ready to step up to the plate with Pixar’s newest heartfelt and hilarious series, Win or Lose!
