As of July 2026, Pixar is riding the record-breaking theatrical run of Toy Story 5 in Japan and worldwide, while preparing the festival-successful Iron Boy for a 2027 release and announcing its first cat-led feature, Nero of the Water City, also for spring 2027.
Toy Story 5 opened in Japan on July 3, 2026, following a US debut that earned approximately $160 million in its opening weekend. The film's worldwide box office has surpassed $585 million, exceeding the final totals of the first two Toy Story films. To support the release, Disney and Pixar rolled out 11 screening formats including IMAX, 4DX, and ScreenX, along with themed events such as a Toy Story Theater experience at eight Japanese theaters and a limited-time OH MY CAFE across four cities. VAIO also launched limited-edition Toy Story 5 laser-engraved laptops as premium collector items.
The Japanese dub cast includes M!LK member Yuto Sano as the new high-tech toy Smarty Pants, a role he landed after auditioning at Pixar's US headquarters. Fellow M!LK members Taishi Shiozaki and Yuito Yoshida made unannounced cameo appearances. Sano appeared at a Tokyo Disneyland parade with the full Japanese voice cast, and later at a stage greeting where he noted the positive social media reaction to his character.
Beyond Toy Story 5, Pixar has two upcoming features in the pipeline. Louis Clichy's debut feature Iron Boy won the Jury Prize, Audience Award, and Gan Foundation Distribution Award at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival 2026, following a Special Jury Prize at Cannes. It is set for a 2027 Japanese release. The studio also announced Nero of the Water City, directed by Enrico Casarosa of Luca, which blends hand-drawn painting with 3DCG and is Pixar's first animated feature with a cat protagonist. It is scheduled for spring 2027 in Japan.
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M!LK member Yuto Sano appeared at a stage greeting for Toy Story 5 and smiled at the 'mellow' reaction to his character Smartie Pants, a high-tech toilet training toy. Sano performed a line from the film and recalled friends asking how to play with the unfamiliar toy. Social media users described the character as charming, and Sano expressed surprise at the positive response.
VAIO has begun accepting orders for limited-edition Toy Story 5 laser-engraved laptops, released to coincide with the Japan premiere of the film. The special models are available on the VAIO F16 and VAIO F14 notebooks, sold through the VAIO Store. The laptops feature two laser-engraved top cover designs: "Buzz Lightyear and Alien," showing Buzz carrying an alien and aliens in a crane game; and "Best Friends," which includes Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and Bullseye. Buyers can choose from three body colors: navy blue, satin gold, and satin silver. The engraving is done by skilled technicians at VAIO's factory in Azumino, Nagano Prefecture. Each laptop ships with three original wallpapers and special Disney-logo packaging. The earliest delivery date is July 18, 2026. A campaign running until August 5, 2026 offers a 10,000 yen discount on the base price, and an additional 5,000 yen off for models with Intel Core 5 or Core 7 processors. The minimum price for the F16 is 181,500 yen, and for the F14 is 176,000 yen. Early buyers receive a free alien mascot called 'Hyotto' while supplies last.
Sano Yuto, who voices Smarty Pants in the Japanese dub of Toy Story 5, made a surprise appearance at Tokyo Disneyland on July 3. He rode in an omnibus with fellow cast members Karasawa Toshiaki and Tokoro George, greeting fans during a special evening parade celebrating the film's release.
Toy Story 5 opened in Japan on July 3, 2026, following a record-breaking US debut that earned approximately $160 million in its opening weekend. The film's worldwide box office has surpassed $585 million, exceeding the final totals of Toy Story and Toy Story 2. The Japanese dub cast includes Alice Hirose as the new character Lily Pad, with comments from the actress and details on theater bonuses.
M!LK members Taishi Shiozaki and Yuito Yoshida made unannounced cameo voice appearances in the Japanese dub of Toy Story 5, now in theaters. Fellow member Yuto Sano, who voices Smarty Pants, hinted that Shiozaki's role may be easy to miss on first viewing. The specific characters they play have not been disclosed.
Sano Yuto, a member of the vocal dance unit M!LK, has been cast as the Japanese voice of the new high-tech toy Smarty Pants in Toy Story 5. He passed an audition at Pixar's US headquarters and re-recorded about 80-90% of his lines after the initial dubbing session, working with the director to refine the performance.
Louis Clichy's debut feature 'Iron Boy' won the Jury Prize, Audience Award, and Gan Foundation Distribution Award at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival 2026. The film, which previously won a Special Jury Prize at Cannes, is set for a 2027 Japanese release. It follows a ten-year-old boy forced to wear an iron corset.
Disney and Pixar's Toy Story 5 will screen in 11 versions including IMAX, 4DX, and ScreenX. A themed Toy Story Theater event runs July 3-20 at eight Japanese theaters, featuring character seat decorations and a greeting video from the Japanese voice cast. The film opens July 3.
Disney and Pixar announced Nero of the Water City, a new animated feature set in Venice, Italy, about a black cat named Nero. The film is directed by Enrico Casarosa, who directed Luca, and blends hand-drawn painting with 3DCG. It is the studio's first animated feature with a cat protagonist. A teaser poster and trailer were released alongside the announcement.
A limited-time Toy Story 5 OH MY CAFE will open July 3, 2026, at five locations in Tokyo, Osaka, Aichi, and Miyagi. The cafe offers character-themed food, desserts, and drinks, plus exclusive merchandise and reservation bonuses. All menu items follow Disney nutritional guidelines.