The movie also features the studio's first Southeast Asian princess, Raya, who goes on a quest to find a dragon and reunite the tribes of Kumandra, a land that had been fractured by wars and a plague. Raya is voiced by Kelly Marie Tran, who is Vietnamese American.

What race is Raya based on?

Raya and the Last Dragon is inspired by traditional Southeast Asian cultures. The production team consulted with Southeast Asia Story Trust experts to ensure an accurate cultural representation in the film, and they emphasized the importance of avoiding stereotypical portrayals of Asian characters.

Is Raya supposed to be Japanese?

Raya and the Last Dragon is a fantasy film set in the fictional land of Kumandra, but that world is inspired by the beautiful cultures of Southeast Asia. Writer Adele Lim emphasized that Kumandra is a fictional land, and that Southeast Asia served as its inspiration.

Is Raya supposed to be Chinese?

The story of Raya and the Last Dragon isn't taken from any specific legend or myth. But, as co-screenwriter Adele Lim, who is Malaysian, told IGN, Raya is symbolic of the Southeast Asian women she grew up with.

What does Binturi mean in Raya?

In Raya And The Dragon, “binturi” is an insult that basically means “traitor” – hence why it's Raya's preferred term for Namaari. It's part of the Kumandran dialect which was created specifically for the movie by language creator David J.

Raya And The Last Dragon Growing Up Full | Cartoon WOW

Does Raya have Lgbtq?

Therefore, Raya and the Last Dragon is the first Walt Disney Animation Feature to have a transgender character. If the protocol at Disney remains in the way it has been presented, it may not be the last time.

What does Namaari call Raya?

Namaari arrives just in time to hear Raya call her a binturi. She taunts Raya, calling her dep la (strangely beautiful) and demands to know why Raya is stealing Dragon Gem pieces.

Is Raya culturally accurate?

The story of Raya and the Last Dragon isn't taken from any specific legend or myth. But, as co-screenwriter Adele Lim, who is Malaysian, told IGN, Raya is symbolic of the Southeast Asian women she grew up with.

What country is Fang in Raya?

The fictional kingdom Fang draws on geometric architecture from Indonesia, while Talon is made up of floating markets reminiscent of those in Thailand. The titular last dragon, Sisu (voiced by Awkwafina), is modeled after naga, serpent-like creatures from Southeast Asian folklore.

Is Raya based on Thai culture?

Raya translates to “celebration” in Malay. It also translates to “one who leads” in Southern Thailand. When creating Raya, screenwriters Qui Nguyen and Adele Lim drew inspiration from female Vietnamese warriors like the Trung sisters. Nguyen also looked to his own mother for inspiration.

What is the Vietnamese influence on Raya?

1. Raya was inspired by a history of strong female leaders in Southeast Asia. According to co-writer Qui Nguyen, some of his inspirations include the legend of the Trưng Sisters, fearless Vietnamese warriors who fought to liberate the country from China's rule centuries ago.

Is Kumandra a real word?

Kumandra is a fictional land in Raya and the Last Dragon, that's based on Southeast Asian cultures. It is comprised of five separate clans who form the Land of the Dragon together. Now that the dragons are gone, Kumandra was under attack by a "dark sinister force" that only a dragon can defeat.

What animal is tuk tuk?

Tuk Tuk is a character in Raya and the Last Dragon. He is a third-pill bug, third-armadillo and third-pug hybrid, he is Raya's pet, with the ability to roll into a ball as a means of transportation. When he was younger, he was quite small.

What does the name Sisu mean in Raya?

Sisu's name is a Finnish word meaning courage, guts, grit, and determination which reflects the traits of her character.

How old is Raya supposed to be?

Physical appearance. Raya is an 18-year-old Southeast Asian girl of average height with a slender, slightly muscular build, tan skin, long black hair, and dark brown eyes.

Why did Raya and the Last Dragon flop?

It would eventually be released in theaters and on Disney's streaming service, Disney+, at a premium cost of $29.99. Due to the limited amount of theaters open at the time, the movie could not reach the box office heights of past Disney animated films like Frozen, Big Hero 6, Zootopia, or Moana.

What country is Kumandra based on?

Of course, the kingdom – which is made up of five different areas that together form the shape of a dragon – is not actually a real place, but it does take inspiration from a number of different countries in Southeast Asia, including Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand.

What are the 5 countries in Raya?

The kingdoms were named, Heart, Fang, Talon, Spine, and Tail. Heart was where Raya, the main protagonist, was brought up.

What countries does Kumandra represent?

Welcome to Heart

The Land of Heart's distinctive round rock formation is home to the magical Dragon Gem and was inspired by the iconic limestone rocks found in Vietnam's Ha Long Bay and along the Mekong River, the longest river in Southeast Asia.

Who is the Indian Disney Princess?

Princess Ananya, has been confirmed by the team, but they have also added that it's quite in the early stages and the team isn't even close to launching her. Having grown up with Ariel, Elsa, Rapunzel, and Snow White, having a Disney Indian princess is a big step towards cultural representation.

What cultures has Disney not represented?

The lack of Hispanic characters in Disney has been noticed by the fans of these animated features. Since The Three Caballeros, there has not been a main character who has been Hispanic.

Are Raya and Namaari lovers?

The voice actor of Raya, Kelly Marie Tran, claims she ships the duo. Kelly personally interpreted their relationship as romantic, and voiced Raya accordingly. Both commonly use nicknames for each other, including princess undercut, binturi(s), dragon nerd, and dep la.

What is the short name for Raya?

Nicknames: Aya, Rae, Ray, Ya-Ya. Variations: Raia, Raija, Rayko, Rayna. Namesakes: Raya Carmona, internet personality. Raya, the fictional character from the 2021 film Raya and the Last Dragon.