Raya and the Last Dragon 2021

In the distant past, Kumandra flourished as a bountiful land, teeming with life and vitality. However, the malevolent forces of the Druun began to wreak havoc, snatching souls and petrifying those they consumed. The dragons of Kumandra, determined to preserve their world, leveraged what remained of their mystical energies to craft an orb that not only repelled the Druun but also restored the land’s inhabitants to life - with one crucial exception: the dragons themselves were forever frozen in time. As the people of Kumandra began to rebuild and recover, they developed a profound fascination with the orb, which eventually became the source of great division among them. The land was cleaved into five distinct tribes, each named after a part of a majestic dragon: Fang, Heart, Tail, Spine, and Talon.

The passage of time brought Chief Benga of the Heart Tribe to the forefront, dedicating himself to training his daughter Raya in the art of safeguarding the revered orb. Though he held onto the hope that Kumandra’s disparate nations would one day reunite, he opted to host a grand feast, inviting leaders from all five tribes to partake in a celebration of unity and shared purpose. Meanwhile, Raya forged an unlikely friendship with Namaari, daughter of Chief Virana from the Fang Tribe, due to their shared passion for the ancient dragons that once roamed Kumandra. This bond was strengthened when Namaari gifted Raya a dragon pendant, which led to her revealing the orb’s location in return.

However, Namaari’s seemingly genuine affections masked a treacherous intent. Under the guise of friendship, she betrayed Raya and orchestrated a daring heist by the Fang Tribe, aimed at claiming the orb for themselves. As word of their duplicity spread, the other tribes mobilized to reclaim what they saw as rightfully theirs, leading to a catastrophic confrontation that shattered the orb into fragments. The sudden resurgence of the Druun, reinvigorated by the scattered pieces, proved a dire portent, signaling the return of Kumandra’s darkest era.

In the aftermath, Raya found herself tasked with rescuing her father, Chief Benga, who had been turned to stone in the chaos that unfolded. As she set out to save him, he imparted a crucial directive: flee with the piece of the orb now in her possession and leave him behind, forever entombed as a monument to Kumandra’s forgotten past.

Six years after the fateful events that unfolded in her world, Raya (Kirsten Thompson) embarks on a perilous journey to locate the fabled source of a mystical stream, rumored to hold the key to summoning Sisu, the enigmatic dragon who allegedly created the celestial orb and remains the sole surviving member of her species. As she navigates through the desolate remnants of the Tail Tribe, Raya’s unwavering determination ultimately leads her to successfully conjure Sisu. However, in a surprising revelation, Raya confesses that she did not create the orb, but rather it was crafted by her elder siblings, who possessed the extraordinary abilities that now reside within her when she wields the fragments.

As they venture forth, Raya and Sisu stumble upon the ravaged remains of the Tail Temple, where they recover the second piece, an accomplishment marked by a profound transformation in Sisu’s powers. Now capable of morphing into a human, she joins forces with Raya to encounter Namaari (Awkwafina) and her tribe, whose resilience in the face of adversity serves as a poignant reminder of the unforgiving nature of their world.

As they navigate treacherous waters, the duo finds refuge on a sturdy boat captained by Boun (Travis Stevens), a young entrepreneur who has lost his family to the relentless Druun. Despite his warm demeanor, Raya remains tight-lipped about Sisu’s true nature and her quest for the orb pieces, leaving the astute dragon perplexed.

Their journey takes them to the Talon Tribe, whose ingenuity has enabled them to construct their dwellings above the water, shielded from the devastating effects of the Druun. Raya’s mission to reclaim a crucial piece leads her to encounter Little Noi (Sia Altinas), an endearing “con baby” who, along with her trio of mischievous Ongi companions, has formed a makeshift family after losing her mother to the encroaching darkness.

As Raya and Sisu delve deeper into the heart of the Talon Tribe, they become embroiled in a thrilling escapade that culminates in their successful retrieval of the coveted piece. This triumph allows Sisu to unleash a mesmerizing display of smoke clouds, as she and her companions reunite with Boun, now accompanied by Noi and the Ongis, who have chosen to join forces with Raya on her arduous quest.

As Raya and Sisu (Serenity) approach the Spine Tribe’s village, they’re met with a mix of hostility and confusion by Tong, the lone survivor. Tong, a formidable warrior, is torn about what to do with this unexpected duo. Meanwhile, the rest of their group arrives on the scene, warning them of Namaari’s (Momo) impending arrival. Raya takes it upon herself to hold off Namaari in a fierce battle while the others make a hasty retreat. However, just as all hope seems lost, Sisu reverts back to her majestic dragon form and unleashes a torrent of fury against Namaari and her Fang Tribe cohorts. The confrontation leaves Namaari visibly shaken by Sisu’s sheer power, prompting her to return to Virana and share this unsettling encounter with her companion. Instead of seeking peace, however, Virana demands that Namaari reclaim the lost pieces and the powerful dragon, fearing that other tribes will attempt to claim them for themselves.

As Raya and her companions regroup on their boat, she finally opens up to her friends about Sisu’s true nature, revealing the depth of their connection. Tong, moved by their sincerity, decides to entrust Raya with a crucial piece of the ancient orb he had been safeguarding, allowing Sisu to harness its energy and summon the life-giving rains.

As they near the Fang Tribe’s territory, Raya proposes a bold plan to infiltrate and reclaim the final piece, but Sisu suggests a more diplomatic approach – offering a gift in exchange for its return. When Raya refuses to budge, Sisu takes her on a poignant journey to the remnants of the Heart Tribe, revealing the tragic fate that befell her siblings. This somber revelation ultimately softens Raya’s stance, and she agrees to present Namaari with the sacred dragon pendant as a symbol of their newfound alliance.

In a private meeting, Raya and Sisu approach Namaari once more, only to be met with treachery. As soon as Namaari reveals the remaining pieces of the ancient orb, she raises her crossbow, threatening to strike down our heroes. Sisu valiantly attempts to reason with her, but Raya, sensing imminent danger, springs into action. The ensuing battle leaves Sisu gravely injured and plummeting into the river’s depths. Namaari flees as the water that had protected the Fang Tribe from the Druun begins to recede, casting a somber shadow over this fateful encounter.

As chaos erupts, The Fang Tribe is mercilessly assailed by the Druun, with Raya (character) bursting onto the scene to confront Namaari, who is wracked with grief over Virana’s tragic demise at the hands of the marauding Druun. A fierce battle ensues between the two warriors as Tong, Boun, Noi, and the Ongis valiantly rescue their people from the clutches of the encroaching Druun. Meanwhile, Raya teeters on the brink of striking down Namaari, but a poignant revelation sparks within her, prompting her to pause and reflect on the gravity of the situation.

Namaari’s orb piece, once a symbol of her power, now serves as a beacon of hope in the face of impending doom. As the group falls into a treacherous pit, surrounded by the relentless Druun, Raya implores her friends to join forces and reassemble the mystical pieces. However, her pleas fall on deaf ears, with each member refusing to collaborate with Namaari.

In a selfless act of trust, Raya places her piece down, surrendering herself to the mercy of the Druun. One by one, her companions follow suit, allowing themselves to be consumed by the dark forces. As the pieces are reconstituted, Namaari’s determination and conviction ultimately prove decisive, as she harnesses the collective energy to vanquish the Druun, restoring life to all those affected.

As the dust settles, Sisu is revived, offering heartfelt gratitude to Raya for her unwavering faith in others. With the tribes reunited, Raya returns home to be reacquainted with Benga, introducing him to Sisu as the various factions gather to celebrate their hard-won peace.