Pixar hits a home run over the fence with a brilliant original animated series about facing life’s complex pressures. Win or Lose follows eight different characters over the week leading up to a championship softball game. The pre-teen players, their parents, coach, and umpire are all featured in a Rashomon-styled narrative where the same events are seen from multiple unique perspectives. Each episode imaginatively depicts the self-doubts and personal travails of trying to succeed at something you love. Kids and adults alike will be delighted while seeing an honest reflection of our faults and failures.
Journalists were provided the first four episodes of Win or Lose for review. The premiere, “Coach’s Kid,” introduces Laurie (Rosie Foss). She’s the worst player by far on her co-ed softball team, the Pickles. Laurie is wracked by low self-esteem and insecurity. Coach Dan (Will Forte), her father, tries to boost Laurie’s spirits, but he unintentionally favors the kids who perform better. Laurie’s misgivings hilariously manifest in a drop of perspiration named ‘Sweaty,’ which grows exponentially with her fears.
The Game of Life Throws No Softballs
4
/5
Release Date
February 19, 2025
Network
Disney+
Writers
Carrie Hobson, Michael Yates
Cast
-
Milan Ray
Rochelle (voice)
Pros & Cons
- A brilliantly creative exploration of life’s pressures.
- A Rashomon-styled delivery with different character perspectives.
- Hilarious and heartfelt in its honest depictions of failure.
- Focus on diversity may offend some and not go far enough for others.
We meet the Pickles and various adult characters at the playoff game before the championship final. The real story begins off the field as Laurie’s home life becomes the focus. Her parents are getting divorced; she’s learning to shuttle between them but is lost in the fray. Coach Dan and Laurie’s mom don’t see her crippling obsession with becoming a better player. Laurie resolves to do anything, including a grueling workout schedule, to not let her dad or the team down.
“Blue,” the second episode, truly delights as an adult takes center stage. Frank (Josh Thomson) is the softball league’s umpire and a teacher at the middle school. He prides himself on being fair and impartial, but is lonely and depressed as a single guy. Just as Laurie was bedeviled by Sweaty, Frank crafts imaginary armor to deflect parents’ insults, misbehaving children, and his own barriers to happiness. I almost fell off my chair laughing at Frank’s forced entry into the world of dating apps. Anyone who’s dealt with building social media profiles, swiping left or right, fruitless texting, and whether to be truthful, will feel poor Frank’s frustrations.
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The third and fourth episodes raise the dramatic stakes. Win or Lose is masterful in addressing mature issues between the intelligent Rochelle (Milan Ray) and her single mother Vanessa (Rosa Salazar), a wannabe influencer who’s just had another baby. They’re barely making ends meet with Vanessa trying to be a “cool mom” for her online fans while failing to stay employed. Rochelle, who’s trying to raise money to stay in the softball league, must be the responsible one to keep the family afloat. These scenes are raw and powerful with striking realism in wildly creative settings.
Astonishingly Creative Storytelling
Series creators Carrie Hobson and Michael Yates are seasoned animation veterans who’ve worked on thematically daring Pixar films like Turning Red and Elemental. They understand how to craft an entertaining children’s story while teaching valuable lessons. Visual flair is the first step in stealth morality. Win or Lose’s use of wacky CGI to illustrate the characters’ many woes is eye-popping without distraction. The bells and whistles enforce the teachable aspects by thoughtful design.
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Sweaty, Frank’s blue armor, and Rochelle’s transformation into a business suit with laughably oversized shoulder pads are examples of how the characters adapt to stressful situations. They change into something that’s not positive to shield themselves from hurt. No one wants to feel inadequate, unwanted, or the poor kid who doesn’t belong. We all have protection mechanisms that hide stark frailties. Win or Lose gives light to our dark thoughts and actions without passing judgment. This is a key tenet to the series, handled with nuance and an innovative expression that brings joy to sadness.
Leave Your Politics at the Door and Enjoy This Fun, Thoughtful Show
Let me tread carefully broaching the next subject. Pixar and Disney have championed diversity. Their products are meant for global audiences of all races, creeds, colors, and sexualities. Win or Lose has a multicultural cast. Some may find fault with this given the current political climate. Others may feel the series doesn’t go far enough. Recent revelations that transgender scenes were cut have caused a public uproar in some circles and vindication elsewhere. Both reactions might have merit depending on your point of view, but that’s a sad indictment of our hyper-partisan, bitterly divided times.
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Win or Lose needs to be viewed dispassionately. There’s absolutely nothing in it that should be a source of division and consternation. The series preaches community while addressing common problems with a wonderful blend of realism and fantasy. It shouldn’t be discounted because of false preconceptions or that one particular aspect doesn’t suit your lifestyle. We have to be better than that as a society. Win or Lose is a gem that transcends all boundaries. There’s something for everyone here and that should be applauded. I can’t wait to see the remaining episodes.
Win or Lose is a production of Pixar Animation Studios. The eight-episode series premieres on February 18th in weekly installments exclusively on Disney+. You can watch it through the link below:
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