Inside Out 2: Why Did Riley's Minnesota Friends Disappear?

Sometimes you’re just happy to see characters from your favorite movies and animated films. Everyone has their special figures and they've changed lives around the world! One movie series that captured a lot of attention, especially in how it depicted those powerful and emotional feelings is the movie Inside Out, showing us how important emotions really are in life. However, there is a hidden detail in Inside Out 2 that may actually speak to a real, often harsh, part of life for many of us! It is the friendships we form as kids.

Inside Out 2:

If you've been waiting for the second movie, well it's finally out! You can catch it in movie theaters or wherever you might find your animated features and check out "Inside Out 2," which goes even further with the world of this adolescent Riley and the special impact she had on so many fans as the main character from this movie series. Riley has been given more interesting moments that really make it such a memorable animated show! She has some big moments, showing viewers the reality of how moving can change things in your life!

Also Read: Inside Out 2: Is Joy a Lesbian? Evidence Suggests Riley's Sexuality is More Than Subtext

Inside Out 2: A New City, New Challenges:

If you didn't get a chance to see the original movie, well, it really makes things a little more intense! The first "Inside Out" was so powerful and captured the moment when this girl "Riley" was moving! It wasn't just her and her family, though. They also showed her best friends! As she left Minnesota and started her new adventure. Her friends were at a different school. While they had so much in common they also showed just how important friends were.

It was a powerful, memorable moment that captured all those big, meaningful parts of Friendship and getting the chance to grow close with those in your lives.

This change didn't really impact "Inside Out 2" very much. The director took a really special route and just shifted Riley's life. It was an incredibly subtle moment and an element of life that no one ever thought was all that crazy.

Also Read: Inside Out 2: The Meaning Behind Riley's Red Hair

Nostalgia in Inside Out 2:

Embarrassment, Envy, and Anxiety in Inside Out 2 Image

As "Inside Out" made its transition to "Inside Out 2". The series gave us a chance to get even more perspective of her life which meant we saw her moving from Minnesota to San Fransisco.

There was also this big, noticeable absence that shows up in "Inside Out 2" "Riley" had some brand-new friends and no one really asked about her Minnesota friends.

You can see this through all the various animated episodes, such as Riley's time going to a new school and the difficulty of going to another school where most of her Minnesota friends didn't make that move with her!
This might be one reason for that!

Fans have long asked if the "Minnesota" friends would still show up in these Inside Out episodes but it was just not going to happen!

Also Read: Is Inside Out 2 appropriate for younger children? Parents Guide For Sequel From Pixar.

Why Did Inside Out 2 Ignore Meg and Riley’s Friends in Minnesota?:

Riley listening to music in the car in Inside Out 2 Image

Those who watch these films will also know the character, "Meg," one of Riley's very best friends who was the most interesting one. Their connection felt so unique!

We might assume they kept their relationships even after "Riley" left "Minnesota." The truth is we only have glimpses into the animated films that are spread over a handful of days and so they never had a chance to reconnect in any substantial way. While, as fans, we'd love to think those connections from childhood would endure for life, it often gets really tough!

There is also a bit of a reality to these animated Movies.

The new film did include some really hard moments, ones that might make you think about all of the feelings and stress of moving.
It might even cause more anxiety when trying to fit into this new reality.

What made this even more heartbreaking? If you think that "Meg" is in these movies, she is totally gone. It also doesn't appear "Riley" was talking with her former friends, such as "Meg," through some form of technology. It just didn't really seem to be a part of their lives!

Also Read: Riley's Development, New Emotions, and Sense of Self Inside Out 2 Ending Explained

Moving On: A Harsh Reality of Life

Custom image of Riley from Inside Out 2 Image

Fans of this movie series have some amazing feelings from those heart-wrenching scenes. And to make this all even more realistic. This kind of shift happens! Friends do get separated.

It turns out there is a theory called "the proximity principle." It’s actually an interesting social psychological principle which means if people are living closer they have a higher chance to connect, especially if it's people at school.

Even with "Inside Out 2" we can see how these characters are able to connect, though we know that Riley's closest friends will no longer be part of the movie! This makes her friendships so special but may also remind those who watch the movie, that time and distance really do matter.

Will We See Meg Return?

Inside Out 2 Poster Showing Joy and the Other Emotions Squished Together Image

This is going to be an exciting movie series as it moves into its next iteration. What seems so fantastic for "Inside Out 3"?

As a true fan of this animated franchise and Disney and Pixar. We have been gifted so many amazing stories from them.

The series might take Riley on new adventures. It may even take Riley back home for another amazing nostalgic visit to Minnesota!

That might bring a super emotional return to Meg, the long-lost friend, but for now it seems the absence, it feels all too real!
While this does appear to be a new era for Riley, it is very possible she may get the chance to meet "Meg." in "Inside Out 3!" Maybe that moment happens in "Inside Out 3"! A truly epic meeting, that is full of emotion! That moment just might have Riley questioning what she wanted to do next in her life. For a fan, there's the desire to see that moment.

It turns out "Inside Out 3" may just go for that, but what we know from "Inside Out 2"? We can only guess and wonder as to why there are new storylines that bring some fresh, exciting perspectives!

Regardless if "Meg" is around! This Inside Out series continues to give audiences amazing messages to keep them reflected on the emotions that are just so critical in their lives. As well, these stories provide viewers with so much to be excited about.