“Raya” takes its visual inspiration from many countries, including Laos, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines. The team also traveled to Southeast Asia for research.

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 is the race of Raya?

If Raya is canonized into the Disney Princess franchise, she will be the second Asian Princess and the first Southeast Asian Princess.

What nationality is Raya supposed to be?

As Raya is from a fictional land, the concept of race and ethnicity doesn't totally translate one-for-one, but, generally, she is Southeast Asian. Raya is voiced by Kelly Marie Tran, who is Vietnamese-American.

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.

The Cultural Inspirations in Raya and the Last Dragon

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.

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 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.

Are Raya and Namaari dating?

Although Raya and Namaari are first pinned as enemies, there's a hint of romantic flirtation between the two figures in Raya and the Last Dragon.

What did 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 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.

What is Kumandra based on?

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.

Which country is heart in Raya?

Heart is one of the five lands of Kumandra that appears in Disney's 2021 animated feature film, Raya and the Last Dragon. It is an island located in the middle of the world, and is known for its lush rainforests and peaceful community.

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.

What race is Mulan?

About this DVD: Mulan is a young Chinese woman who breaks tradition and joins the Imperial army, accompanied by her guardian dragon, Mushu, to battle an invading army. In Mulan 2, Mulan and Shang are engaged to be married and must journey to a distant city in a valiant quest to save their beloved empire.

Why is Raya and the Last Dragon so bad?

'Raya and the Last Dragon' is far from perfect though. To me, it is too safe with not a lot of risk taking and trying to be a little too closely indebted to older Disney conventions rather than doing something new. The pacing can be off, with some of the storytelling later on feeling over-crowded.

What animal is it in Tarzan?

He is believed to have been born in 1930 or 1931 and was one of a number of chimpanzees whose owners vied to have recognised as the genuine movie-star. In fact, the original simian star of films such as 1932's Tarzan the Ape Man and 1934's Tarzan and His Mate was probably a composite of several animals.

How old is Raya in the movie?

Raya's Age In Raya And The Last Dragon

Raya and the Last Dragon challenges Disney tropes right and left, one of which is the fact that Raya, like her most recent predecessors, never had a love interest. For most of the film, the heroine was 18 years old.

What type of animal is Raya's pet?

Like all good heroes, Raya has an animal sidekick. She has Tuk Tuk (Alan Tudyk), who in this case is not a motorized three-wheel taxi, but an adorable Pug/Armadillo/Pill-Bug hybrid who curls into a ball that Raya rolls around on to cover ground fast.

What is Talon based on Raya?

The city of Talon was inspired by the famous floating markets found along waterways like the Mekong River in Vietnam and Thailand as well as the night markets of Thailand and Laos; its central location on Kumandra's Dragon River has made it a bustling trading port.

What is Fang based on Raya?

Fang is influenced by places like Cambodia's Angkor Wat. The land is home to Raya's friend-turned-rival, Namaari. Like Raya, Namaari is the warrior princess of her home land; she uses a combat style inspired by Muy Thai and Krabi-Krabong.

What are the 5 tribes of Raya?

Instead of being grateful for the dragons saving them at great cost, the people of the land become divided and are separated into five tribes, based on their placement along a giant, dragon-shaped river: Fang, Heart, Spine, Talon, and Tail.

Is Raya inspired by Avatar?

While fans may mean no offense in drawing these comparisons, they actually do more harm than good; yes, the movie and the show are similar because they are based off of the same cultures. One is not a ripoff. They are not the same exact stories.

Is Raya technically a princess?

Raya is a fictional character in Walt Disney Animation Studios' animated film Raya and the Last Dragon (2021). Created by screenwriter Adele Lim, she is voiced by American actress Kelly Marie Tran. The daughter of the chief of the Heart tribe, Raya is a warrior princess who is appointed the guardian of the Dragon Gem.