This week Pixar serves up its first original series with Win Or Lose.
The series follows an elementary school softball team, the Pickles, as they enter the championships under the leadership of Coach Dan (Will Forte). Each episode focuses on a team member or close family member in the week leading up to their big game, showing the perspectives of each member in the same events.
When the series opens, we meet ‘Coach’s Kid’ Laurie (Rosie Foss), who doesn’t pull her weight on the team, whether batting or out in the field. Her anxiety and self-doubt manifests into Sweaty (Jo Firestone).
But it’s not just the kids who are in focus, with early episodes also revolving around adults going through tough times. In ‘Blue,’ we see umpire and history teacher Frank (Josh Thomson) having difficulties getting back into dating. Meanwhile, in ‘Pickle,’ Vanessa (Rosa Salazar), mother of catcher Rochelle (Milan Ray), struggles as a single parent to her daughter and toddler.
Across the first four episodes provided for review, it’s immediately clear to see that Win or Lose is a smart series that should be on your radar immediately. With bright and visual animation that’s personalised for each main character, the short and sharp episodes offer a story full of challenges and hope for an array of characters.
3 Stars
Win or Lose is now streaming on Disney+ with new episodes every Wednesday.
