The latest installment in the Disney & Pixar animated film series "Toy Story," "Toy Story 5" (directed by Andrew Stanton and co-directed by Kenna Harris), will be released in Japan on July 3rd (it will be released in the US on June 19th). A Japanese trailer, which gives the impression of being the culmination of the series that has depicted the bond between toys and humans, was released on June 5th.
"Toy Story" was Disney & Pixar's first feature film, with the first installment produced in 1995 and released in Japan in 1996. The story of a boy named Andy's toys coming to life and going on adventures when humans aren't looking, and the full CGI that brought toys like Woody and Buzz Lightyear to life, became a worldwide hit. The second installment was released in 1999 (2000 in Japan), the third in 2010, and the fourth in 2019. Throughout the series, actor Toshiaki Karasawa voices Woody in the Japanese version, and entertainer George Tokoro voices Buzz Lightyear.
In the latest film, "Toy Story 5," Woody leaves Bonnie's room and works with his friends to help abandoned toys. Jessie, a cowgirl doll, takes over as the "sheriff" of Bonnie's room and leads the toys, watching over the imaginative and shy Bonnie as she grows up. Bonnie loves playing with toys like Jessie and Buzz, but the other kids have grown out of their toys and are engrossed in tablets, making it difficult for her to connect with them and make friends.
When Bonnie's parents, worried about her, present her with a state-of-the-art tablet, the "LilyPad," her daily life is turned upside down. Seeing Bonnie engrossed in the screen like other children, Jessie worries that the smile that shone in her playtime is fading, and she asks Woody for help. Teaming up again with Woody and Buzz, Jessie rises to the challenge of bringing Bonnie back to life... As Jessie and the other toys begin to question their own existence, wondering, "Are toys no longer needed these days?", the dynamic duo of Woody and Buzz Lightyear join forces once more to confront the threat of "digital."
In the Japanese version, Jesse's voice will be provided by Yumi Kusaka, the new character Smarty Pants will be voiced by Hayato Sano Sano of "M!LK", and Forky will be voiced by Ryo Ryusei.
◇The Japanese trailer hints at a touching ending, focusing on the bond between toys and humans.
The newly released Japanese trailer begins with a flashback to the memories of Jessie, the cowgirl doll, and her former owner, Emily. Jessie was once cherished by Emily, but they experienced a painful separation when Emily grew up and stopped playing with toys.
After meeting Woody, Jessie found a new home and met many friends, including Buzz. However, in the latest film, when Bonnie acquires the latest tablet, the LilyPad, Jessie is once again troubled by the fear that she and her friends might lose their place in the world.
Meanwhile, Bonnie, engrossed in her tablet to keep up with her friends, loses the radiant smile that once shone during playtime. Heartbroken by this, Jessie decides, "We have to bring back the real Bonnie!" and, together with Woody and Buzz, sets out to rekindle their bond with Bonnie and restore her smile.
The "Toy Story" series has depicted the bond between toys and humans for 30 years. In today's age where smartphones and tablets are commonplace, what is the "true role" that toys can play? The Japanese trailer hints at a moving ending, with Jessie and her friends arriving at the answer that will bring tears to your eyes. "Toy Story 5" will be released nationwide on July 3rd.
