Pixar has officially introduced a brand-new character for Toy Story 5: LilyPad, a high-tech, voice-activated tablet and Bonnie’s new favorite companion. The announcement was made earlier today during the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. Pixar Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter took the stage to unveil the next wave of stories from the studio, including a new original film titled Gatto, premiering in summer 2027.
Unlike previous toy additions, LilyPad brings more than just a fresh face to the beloved franchise; she brings conflict, commentary, and a challenge rooted in real life.
A Villain With a “Better” Plan for Bonnie
In Toy Story 5, LilyPad isn’t evil in the traditional sense. She doesn’t want to rule the toy box or destroy other toys; she wants Bonnie to grow up. To her, toys are outdated distractions from Bonnie’s “true potential,” which she believes lies in digital activities and preparing for the real world. From LilyPad’s perspective, she’s helping Bonnie by nudging her away from playtime and imagination.
This mindset sets her apart from classic Toy Story villains. She’s not driven by jealousy or control, but by believing she knows what’s best for the child. This presents a heartbreaking dilemma for the original toys, Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and the rest. They’re not just being replaced; they’re being deemed irrelevant by a machine that sees growing up as an end to childhood wonder.
A Conflict Parents Will Recognize
This dynamic introduces a powerful, timely theme that’s likely to resonate with kids and parents alike. Today’s generation is growing up in a world where screens are everywhere, from education and entertainment to social interaction. For adults raising children, the tension between letting kids explore technology and preserving imaginative, screen-free play is real and ongoing.
Toy Story 5 is shaping up to be more than a sequel; it reflects how childhood changes. It critiques the cultural shift toward digital dependency and acknowledges that technology is not going away. That makes this story so compelling: the solution can’t be as simple as “getting rid of the tablet.” After all, what would Bonnie tell her parents if her $300 device just… vanished?
Instead, the resolution will likely have to explore balance, how traditional play and digital tools might coexist, and how children can benefit from both when guided with care.
Is This the Right Time for Toy Story 5?
The Toy Story series has long been one of Pixar’s most emotionally resonant franchises, with each installment exploring growing up, identity, and letting go in new ways. Toy Story 3 was widely praised as a perfect ending, while Toy Story 4 stirred debate: some fans appreciated its introspective themes, while others felt it was one film too many.
Now, with Toy Story 5, Pixar is diving into a topic that feels both culturally relevant and emotionally charged. For some, this is exactly what the franchise should be doing: evolving with the times and asking bigger questions. For others, it might feel like another attempt to extend a story with a satisfying conclusion.
But if Pixar can deliver a thoughtful, emotionally grounded take on the digital dilemmas families face today, and do it through the lens of toys we’ve grown to love. Toy Story 5 could very well prove its place in the series. After all, growing up doesn’t just happen to the kids in these stories. It happens to the audience, too.
