Woody, is the main character of the Toy Story franchise. As Andy’s favourite toy, he feels responsible towards his fellow toys and his owner Andy and is considered to be their leader. He is characterized by his loyalty and bravery. Being deeply devoted to Andy, he takes his role as Andy's favourite toy very seriously.
While Woody is portrayed as a heroic and compassionate character, his character is also flawed by being selfish and a bit self-centred. For example, in the first Toy Story film, Woody is jealous and insecure, when Buzz Lightyear arrives and becomes Andy's new favourite toy (Lasseter, 1995). This jealousy leads Woody to act mean and impulsively to undermine Buzz (Lasseter, 1995). This showcases Woody’s stubbornness, by refusing to accept Buzz as a friend. Despite initial conflicts between them in the first film, hence Woody is intimidated and therefore not very kind to Buzz, Buzz and Woody develop a deep friendship with Buzz (Lasseter, 1995; Lasseter, 1999; Unkrich, 2010; Cooley, 2019). Their dynamic evolves throughout the series, showcasing themes of friendship, teamwork, and personal growth.
Overall, Woody is a loveable character and often finds himself in challenging situations where he must navigate conflicts, demonstrate his leadership skills, and overcome obstacles to protect his friends. His character arc throughout the series exemplifies themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the importance of embracing change while staying true to oneself (Lasseter, 1995; Lasseter, 1999; Unkrich, 2010; Cooley, 2019).
Buzz, a main character in the franchise, is introduced as the new toy in the first Toy Story movie. This causes a bit of commotion within the toys, mostly thanks to Woody (Lasseter, 1995). He is a space ranger action figure who believes he is a real space ranger Lasseter, 1995). Often, he is portrayed as confident and heroic, always willing to go on daring adventures to protect the galaxy. Buzz’s character has a strong sense of justice, while also displaying vulnerability and self-doubt. For example, when he realizes that he is not a space ranger but just a toy (Lasseter, 1995). Nevertheless, he embraces his role as Andy's toy and develops strong friendships with the other toys, particularly Woody. Buzz is known for his catchphrase "To infinity and beyond!" and his adventurous spirit (Lasseter, 1995; Lasseter, 1999; Unkrich, 2010; Cooley, 2019).
Jessie is an energetic cowgirl doll, who is introduced in the Toy Story sequel. Known for her adventurous nature and bold personality, she balances Woody’s orderly and calm personality with her more free-spirited and loose personality. She is also shown to be compassionate and empathetic, especially towards toys that have been abandoned or forgotten. This is probably due to her history of being abandoned by being outgrown by her owner (Lasseter, 1999). Accordingly, Jessie has a deep longing for companionship and belonging. She brings a lively and dynamic energy and plays a significant role in the adventures of Andy's toys throughout the films.
Bo Peep is introduced as a secondary character in the first two Toy Story movies and a short appearance in the third. However, she reappears in the fourth movie as a major character. Bo Peep is a porcelain figurine character in a classic shepherdess attire, including a bonnet and a staff.
Especially in the first couple of movies, she is defined as Woody’s romantic love interest (Lasseter, 1995; Lasseter, 1999; Unkrich, 2010). She openly displays her attraction to Woody through flirtations (Lasseter, 1995). She is known for her gentle demeanour, romantic, gentle and “ladylike” character. However, given away by Andy’s mother, her evolved character rejoins the franchise in the fourth movie and becomes more of a leader among her toys (Cooley, 2019). Even her clothes have changed, as she is shown to be a capable and resilient toy, despite cracks in her hair, which act as a constant reminder that she is made out of porcelain (Cooley, 2019).
Image Credits:
1. Toy Story Woody Photos, www.freepngimg.com
2. Toy Story Buzz File, www.freepngimg.com
3. Toy Story Jessie Image, www.freepngimg.com
4. Bo Peep, pixar.fandom.com