Animation studio Pixar take on their first Disney+ original animated television show with Win or Lose. In the eight episode series, Pixar return to their roots with a story following a middle-school softball championship league told in an anthology style, with each episode told from a different kid and adult that affects the baseball team’s performance.
The show is a return to form for Pixar, who of late have been consistently churning out sequels and shows based on existing properties. This feels like a massive step in the right direction for the studio, with the original story and fresh new animation style lending a sense of transcendence so that it feels like a true television production.
The first episode introduces the Pickles, the softball team led by coach Dan (voiced by Will Forte), whose daughter, Laurie (Rosie Foss), is hoping to find her self-worth in joining the team, proving to her dad – and herself – that she has the capabilities, even if she isn’t athletically inclined. Laurie has a blob monster that manifests every time she gets anxious called Sweaty (Jo Firestone), who attaches itself to her back and grows bigger in accordance with her self-doubt. Sweaty is invisible to everyone else in the show, and this is a mechanism used in other episodes for the other characters. The use of this narrative is new for Pixar and it serves as a reminder as to why we first fell in love with their stories back in the 90s.
The following three episodes explore how the characters process the emotional challenges surrounding divorce and their education, an ingredient that could prompt conversations between adults and younger viewers. It’s the kind of show that allows Pixar to push forward as a studio and dive into new ground while they are still operating in somewhat familiar territory. The second episode explores coach Frank (Josh Thomson), who is commanding when on the pitch but has turned into a recluse in the other areas of life. His inability to deal with complex emotions or people forces a shield and armour to surround him, shielding him from modern-day dating apps that evolve into a video game he needs to play to pass.
Visually, the animation style is a departure from the more realistic renderings lent to the likes of Soul and Inside Out 2, with the animation appearing more cartoonish and almost felt-like in each character’s design. Each human character and their accompanying monster allows for the manifestation of their fears to be crafted beautifully as a reflection of who they are.
Win or Lose is a solid contender for one of the best original series on Disney +. It successfully combines education and entertainment, allowing the company to craft something truly beautiful for their first long-form series. The show is an ambitious swing for the studio, though it manages to mostly hit a home run in the first four episodes available at the time of review.
We say mostly, as it’s important to note that the character of star player Kai (Chanel Stewart) was originally meant to have an episode discussing the character being transgender, but this was ultimately changed, with Disney stating “many parents would prefer to discuss certain subjects with their children on their own terms.” Given some of the other mature themes discussed throughout, this doesn’t quote resonate, but, for, aside from such an outdated view, Win or Lose proves a phenomenal debut as one of the best things Pixar has done in the last five years.
FOUR AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Win or Lose is currently streaming on Disney+, with two new episodes premiering every Wednesday.
