Core Memory Orbs are objects of major importance from the 2015 Disney/Pixar film Inside Out and its 2024 sequel.
Role in the films
Inside Out
These special kinds of Memory Orbs contain a very special memory (an accomplishment and/or behavior trait), and it activates/creates an Island that serves as the basis of the host's personality and interest. Core Memories are distinguishable from the other memories by their much brighter glow. They are stored in the center of Headquarters. The Core Memories can be derived from any emotion. Riley's first five are yellow in color, meaning that Joy is the one who helped create these special memories. However, one core memory was created by Sadness on the first day of school when Riley started crying about her move to San Francisco. In which Joy immediately tried to get rid of, causing them to accidentally leave the Headquarters. During the events of the film, any memory Sadness touches would become sad and cannot be reversed. Alas, Joy tries to prevent her from touching the core memories.
When Joy and Sadness get vacuumed out of Headquarters, the core memories were with them. Without the presence of the core memories, the islands that build up Riley's personality began to shut down and eventually break down and fall into the Memory Dump.
With the installation of the new controls, it seems that all of Riley's new core memories were formed by two emotions working together.
Inside Out 2
The Core Memories appear momentarily in the sequel, and play a minor role because the Belief System and Sense of Self are introduced in it. Only five of the Core Memories that feed the original Personality Islands appear, so the rest of the Memories created now form part of Riley's Belief System.
Riley's Core Memories
- Hockey: When Riley was very young, she and her parents were playing hockey on the ice, and when she scored her very first goal, this core memory was created, and it led to the creation of Hockey Island, the island that shows Riley's love for hockey.
- Goofball: Riley was known for being a goofball when she was young, especially when her dad was chasing her while she was running around naked after her bath, this led to the creation of the core memory which would create Joy's favorite island: Goofball Island.
- Friendship: It is shown that one of the core memories led to the creation of Friendship Island, where Riley and Meg are walking side by side together.
- Honesty: Riley's known for being honest, especially when she broke a plate with a hammer, thus creating Honesty Island.
- Family: Riley's memory of her loving parents when she shared cookies with them created Family Island.
- Nostalgia: When Riley cried at school, a sad core memory was created. It's unknown what island this would make since it never got plugged in.
- Family (Version 2): After Riley rekindles with her parents, another family core memory was created. It is yellow and blue, as Joy and Sadness created this core memory.
- Friendship (Version 2): Anger said that the Friendship Island was expanded and they added the new "Friendly Argument Section". It is yellow and green, and shows Riley befriending Grace and Bree.
- Hockey (Version 2): Shows a new memory of Riley playing hockey, possibly recalling her talent in it. It is yellow and red, implying that she now plays aggressively while still enjoying the sport.
- Goofball (Version 2): It's the same memory of Riley when she was young, with she running around naked after her bath while her dad was chasing her. It is yellow and purple.
- Tragic Vampire Romance: Sadness likes this Island. Tragic Vampire Romance Island is a reference to Twilight, a vampire romance movie based on a book.
- Fashion: Disgust loves this island.
- Boy Band: Fear hopes this island is just a phase. In the sequel it is said the island has "broken up."
- Academy: It is shown with a globe with flasks.
Gallery
Trivia
- In the first movie, the last time the original Core Memories appeared was when Sadness made them sad, and the implication was that the change was apparently irreversible. However, the sequel reveals that Goofball Island is still feed by the same original Core Memory, now a mixture of joy and fear.
- Although no official answer has been confirmed, it is very likely that all memories (as well as the original Core Memories) regained their original color after Riley learned to accept sadness as important emotion; and in the case of the Goofball Island Core Memory, it not only regained its original yellow color, but also acquired purple as a secondary color, making it a mixed Core Memory.
