Paul Karmiryan Announces Role in Toy Story 5, Voices Armenian Character in Pixar Film

Actor and dancer Paul Karmiryan has announced that he has joined the cast of Toy Story 5, calling the opportunity to voice an Armenian character in the beloved franchise “surreal.”

In an emotional post shared on Instagram, Karmiryan said Pixar films were a defining part of his childhood and that he is still processing the fact that he is now part of one of the world’s most iconic animated series.

“This one feels pretty surreal,” Karmiryan wrote. “Like a lot of kids, I grew up obsessed with Toy Story and just about everything Pixar created. Their films are a huge part of my childhood, so having the opportunity to voice a character in the new Toy Story 5 is something I still haven’t fully wrapped my head around.”

Karmiryan also revealed that the character he voiced, Alexander Manoukian, is the first Armenian character he has ever portrayed.

“Seeing that kind of representation in a Pixar film means a lot,” he wrote, adding that the role carries a personal connection because his mother’s maiden name is Alexandra Manukyan. “The little kid in me is absolutely screaming right now, and the grown-up me couldn’t be more grateful.”

The announcement comes as Pixar prepares to introduce a new character with Armenian heritage to the Toy Story universe. The upcoming film will feature a new character named Blaze Manoukian, an 8-year-old girl who is half-Black and half-Armenian.

Blaze is described as a confident and independent child who loves animals and is expected to play an important role in Jessie’s storyline. The character is voiced by young actress Mykal-Michelle Harris.

During an interview with The Grio, co-director Kenna Harris said Blaze was created as part of Bonnie’s emotional journey in the film and quickly became one of Pixar’s favorite characters during production.

According to Harris, the character’s design also pushed Pixar to develop new animation techniques to accurately portray tightly coiled hair textures, representing a technical milestone for the studio.

Producer Lindsey Collins revealed that Blaze was among the most popular characters during audience preview screenings.

“She was like number two,” Collins said. “It was Jessie and then Blaze as the favorite character. It was parents who were like, ‘I just want my kid to have a friend like Blaze.’”

The addition of Armenian representation to the Toy Story franchise marks a notable cultural expansion for a series that has rarely explored Armenian identities in its more than three decades of global success.

Created by Pixar Animation Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures, the original Toy Story premiered in 1995 as the world’s first fully computer-animated feature film and went on to become one of cinema’s most beloved franchises.

Toy Story 5 was released exclusively in theaters on June 19, 2026, so it is currently playing in cinemas.  

The movie follows Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and the rest of the toys as they face a new challenge: children becoming more attached to technology and screens than traditional toys.

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