With less than one year to go until Toy Story 5 is officially released, Pixar is finally sharing the first images from the upcoming sequel. The movie should be released on June 19, 2026, and will see the return of Tom Hanks (Woody), Tim Allen (Buzz), Joan Cusack (Jessie), and a whole host of new Toy Story characters.

At Disney’s D23 event, Twitter user @BoardwalkTimes captured a never-before-seen image of Conan O’Brien’s new Toy Story character. O’Brien will depict Smart Pants, a smiling toy that appears to be shaped like a roll of toilet paper. Smarty Pants has three ʙuттons on its lower half, along with a screen that announces its name for any viewer. Check it out below:

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@DiscussingFilm also captured images from the D23 event, revealing the movie’s main villain: LilyPad. As the toys battle for attention against electronic enemies, the frog-like green and blue tablet serves as the ultimate threat. While it appears to be smiling, it has plans to completely undermine the toys.

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The other major characters revealed at D23 include Buzz Lightyear, though it is not the same Buzz that audiences have come to respect. Twitter user @ScottGustin revealed that the movie will feature a group of Buzz Lightyears, who have not necessarily had the same redemption arc that Toy Story‘s main Buzz did. Check out his post below:

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The image features four Buzz Lightyears, each posing in a dramatic action figure-like display. They all appear confident and determined, as they prepare for their inevitable next fight. They will appear in the first scene of the movie, which will see them stranded on a deserted island as they attempt to reckon with their newfound fates.

What This Means For Toy Story 5

The Toy Story cast has always been an ever-shifting group, as the movies have regularly introduced new toys, new settings, and even a new child star. The upcoming Toy Story 5 will only build on that legacy by offering viewers an opportunity to get to know a new style of toys, outside the traditional plastic heroes and piggy banks.

Electronic toys will more accurately connect to the reality that younger viewers are more familiar with today. While the first movie was released in 1995, when electronic toys were still in their infancy, they are remarkably prevalent today. Excluding them would only confuse the young viewers that family-friendly movies covet.

Toy Story 5‘s villainous electronic toys will promote a positive message about grounding children in reality, while also not shying away from depicting those new characters in earnest. The Buzz clones should also be a fun opportunity to reflect on the character development of the existing toys, given that Buzz started as one of them.

Our Take On Toy Story 5’s New Characters

It is difficult to judge new characters based on images alone, but these designs do appear to be completely effective. LilyPad is not the most intimidating villain in the franchise’s history, but its cuddliest characters have often been its most terrifying. If LilyPad can be as devastating as Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear, it should be an exciting production.

There is no reason to doubt Pixar, given this franchise’s previous success. Reviews have already highlighted that the opening scene is hilarious, so Toy Story 5 should at least have a great start. As more is revealed about these characters, they will undoubtedly become even more entertaining.