Anger

Anger is one of the five core emotions living inside the mind of 11-year-old Riley Andersen in Pixar’s Inside Out (2015). As Riley’s embodiment of wrath and indignation, Anger serves as the fiery voice of injustice and unfairness within her emotional headquarters. Visually designed as a short, stocky figure dressed in a white shirt and tie, Anger literally burns with rage – flames erupting from his head whenever he becomes particularly incensed.

Voiced by Lewis Black, whose real-life comedic persona perfectly matches the character’s perpetually irritated disposition, Anger operates from a place of passionate conviction about what’s right and wrong. He’s quick to flare up when Riley faces perceived slights or injustices, whether it’s being served broccoli for dinner or having to move from Minnesota to San Francisco. His explosive reactions often clash with the other emotions, particularly Joy, as they navigate the complex landscape of Riley’s pre-adolescent experiences.

Despite his volatile nature, Anger genuinely cares about Riley’s wellbeing and believes his outbursts serve an important protective function. His righteous fury stems from a deep-seated desire to ensure Riley receives fair treatment and isn’t taken advantage of. Throughout the film, Anger learns to work collaboratively with the other emotions, discovering that his passion can be channelled constructively rather than destructively.

The character returned in Inside Out 2 (2022), continuing to represent Riley’s sense of justice and moral indignation as she navigates the choppy waters of adolescence with new emotional challenges.