The term most commonly identifies a digital version of the or similar graphic novels that explore Riley's internal world.

These stories typically follow 11-year-old Riley as she moves from the Midwest to San Francisco. The plot centers on her five personified emotions—Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust—as they manage her experiences from "Headquarters".

The "Cinestory" format uses actual stills from the movie to create a graphic novel experience. Understanding the .cbz Format