At the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, Pixar officially revealed a new character coming to Toy Story 5: LilyPad, a smart tablet and Bonnie’s latest obsession. This high-tech addition to the cast represents more than just a modern “toy”; she’s central to a timely, emotional conflict that many families will instantly recognize.
LilyPad isn’t just new; she’s disruptive, and not in the traditional villainous sense. She believes she knows what’s best for Bonnie. In her world, that means leaving behind old toys and embracing digital efficiency, educational apps, and productivity over imagination.
This mindset is heartbreaking for Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and the others. Their entire purpose is built around imagination, creativity, and connection. Now, they face a new kind of threat that isn’t malicious but rooted in a belief that their time is over.
Early Hints: The Concept Art That Foreshadowed It All
Last year, Pixar released a quiet but telling piece of concept art. It showed Bonnie in bed at night, face lit up by the bluish glow of a tablet screen. That image alone sparked speculation about Toy Story 5’s potential theme. Now, with LilyPad officially introduced, the message is clear: the film is ready to confront how childhood and the meaning of play have changed.
The Rise of Screens, and the Fall of Play?
It’s no secret that technology is reshaping childhood. Today’s kids, even toddlers, are growing up with tablets, smartphones, and digital assistants. Teens have easily adapted to this world, and many would rather scroll, watch, or tap than build new stories with their toys.
Andy didn’t have this problem back in the ’90s because the technology simply wasn’t there. Tablets didn’t exist, and smartphones weren’t in every pocket. Woody never had to compete with glowing screens, autoplay videos, or addictive mobile games. His biggest concern was staying out of Sid’s hands, not being forgotten on a shelf.
In contrast, Bonnie lives in a world of instant and constant entertainment. Her tablet sings, talks, teaches, and distracts. LilyPad doesn’t need a pull-string to share her thoughts; she speaks up independently. She doesn’t wait for Bonnie to imagine a game; she offers one on demand. She is the message.
When Batteries Die, Imagination Lives On
One possible resolution for Toy Story 5 could be to embrace technology’s natural impermanence. Devices like LilyPad, no matter how advanced, are ultimately bound by battery life, software updates, and inevitable obsolescence.
Over time, they malfunction, become outdated, or simply stop working, replaced by the next new thing. Toys, however, don’t rely on operating systems. They endure through touch, memory, and imagination.
Woody, Buzz, and the others don’t need charging cables or Wi-Fi; they just need a child willing to play. While LilyPad may dominate Bonnie’s attention for now, the film could explore how real connection, creativity, and storytelling outlast even the most advanced gadgets. In a world racing toward the future, toys might remind us that some things never go out of style.
We’ve Seen This Critique Before
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Disney has commented on children’s relationships with tablets. In the post-credit scene of Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018), a young girl is seen playing an innocent mobile game on a tablet. Things spiral into chaos when Ralph and Vanellope hack into the game, turning it from cute to terrifying. The girl, visibly shaken, drops the tablet in fear.
It was a humorous moment, but it carried a deeper message about the unpredictable nature of digital content and how little control parents often have over what their kids are experiencing onscreen. Toy Story 5 picks up that thread with LilyPad, showing how even “helpful” technology can push aside imagination, and how adults may not always see it happening.
Is There Still Room for Toy Story?
Toy Story has always been about change, about the bittersweet reality of growing up. Each film has found new ways to explore those emotional turns, from Andy giving up his toys to Woody finding a new path. But not everyone is convinced this latest chapter is necessary. Some fans felt Toy Story 4 already pushed the boundaries of closure. Others believe this is one film too far.
Still, if Pixar can weave today’s most pressing questions about parenting, screen time, and childhood into a heartfelt, character-driven story, Toy Story 5 may prove more timely than ever. It’s not just about nostalgia. It’s about confronting a world that’s changed, and deciding what’s worth holding on to.
