FILM · 2021 · USA
Raya and the Last Dragon
24 archived facts 4 topics 1 source Last reviewed Oct 2026
24 Interesting Facts About Raya and the Last Dragon
Interesting Facts (21)
- #001
Raya's two-stick fighting style is based on Kali, the Filipino martial art also known as Arnis or Escrima.
- #002
Namaari's costumes were designed with sharp edges and hard shapes to create a direct contrast with the soft, colorful aesthetic of Raya's clothing.
- #003
Sisu was always planned to die in the film, but there were debates over whether she and the other dragons would return. The decision to bring Sisu back was largely the work of producer Osnat Shurer, who wanted to end on a traditional Disney "made your heart sing" note.
- #004
Raya's fighting style is mainly based on the Indonesian martial art style "Pencak Silat," while Namaari's fighting style is based more on the Thai martial art of Muay Thai.
- #005
Raya's sword was based on Indonesia's traditional dagger known as the 'Kris'.
- #006
The film's character art director, Ami Thompson, designed Namaari's facial features to resemble the ferocity of a cat or tiger. In some of Thompson's visual development art, Namaari's left arm is depicted as a prosthetic.
- #007
Raya and Namaari are the first princesses never to wear a dress or skirt in a Disney animated film; since Jasmine in Aladdin (1992), they wear only pants.
- #008
After Merida in Pixar Animation Studios' Brave (2012), Raya is the first (non-Pixar) Disney princess who does not sing, and the second Disney princess overall.
- #009
Sisu was based on the Nagas of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.
- #010
According to the film's original draft, Sisu was actually a male dragon known as Katsu and looked very much like a Chinese dragon. Katsu was also to be red in color and have a witty personality. Because Katsu resembled Mushu from Mulan too closely, it was decided to change the character.
- #011
The Tail Chief is the only chief who dies rather than being turned to stone by the Druun.
- #012
The species of Tuk-Tuk is named "pillbear" in the storyboard scripts.
- #013
The film's original release date was November 25, 2020, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic it was moved to March 5, 2021, in theaters and on Disney+ with premier access.
- #014
At the end of the credits, the film pays tribute to the more than 400 households that came together over the internet to make the film during the COVID-19 pandemic. The credits also list the 42 babies born to crew members during the film's production.
- #015
It is Walt Disney Animation Studios' first film to be shown in theaters with a short film since Moana (2016).
- #016
It is Walt Disney Animation Studios' first non-musical fantasy film since Brother Bear (2003).
- #017
Kumandra's Dragon River was inspired by the Mekong River, which runs through Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and China.
- #018
HIDDEN MICKEY: There is a hidden Mickey in the kitchen scene at the beginning of the film. As Raya and her father enter the kitchen, two strings of garlic hang in the upper right corner of the screen. The second garlic bulb from the bottom on the right string is the Mickey.
- #019
Talon was inspired by the famous floating market of Amphawa in Thailand.
- #020
Kelly Marie Tran replaced Cassie Steele because, according to producer Osnat Shurer, "there was a significant change in Raya's character. The original [voice actor] was, of course, wonderful and at the time fit Raya's character perfectly, and then the character changed a lot and so the voice needed to change, and Kelly just embodied Raya. The character changed and then changed even more, because there started to be a collaboration between the voice and the writer, the animators, and it takes on a completely different life. This is just one of those moments of creative change." Via CinemaBlend.
- #021
It is Walt Disney Animation Studios' first film made without any involvement from John Lasseter since Chicken Little (2005), following his departure from all of Disney's animation divisions.
Behind the Scenes (1)
- #022
Much of Awkwafina's dialogue was improvised and ad-libbed, similar to Robin Williams, who voiced the Genie in Aladdin (1992), and David Spade, who voiced Kuzco in The Emperor's New Groove (2000).
Characters & Cast (1)
- #023
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the cast had to record their lines at home while meeting with the directors online via Zoom.
Deeper Meaning (1)
- #024
The distinctive curved roof structure of the Fang palace resembles the "Rumah Gadang," the traditional houses of the Minangkabau people in Indonesia. Angkor Wat in Cambodia was used as inspiration for the interior design of the Fang palace.
Sources & editorial notes
Reference databases
- IMDb
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