Anime Review~Raya and the Last Dragon (2021)

Hello everyone! Each one of us is in search for those captivating stories that have some feeling in them and a lot of adventure in them too – and this is exactly what you get with Raya and the Last Dragon.

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With the first scene showing broken pieces of jewels spread out over an immense area, the movie is comparable to an incomplete puzzle that creates curiosity. During this time, we see misty mountains, as well as crumbling bridges which suggest combinations of both elegance and state of not being okay. It’s not only about creating the world; it is also a silent assurance that there will be marvels as well as hazards in this journey.

At the beginning of the film, Raya is seen at a distance from other people standing at the top of a rock with her hand wrapped around a divided pendant. The look on their face is defiantly brave but also vulnerable because deep down they don’t trust anyone after what happened in the past when those who were supposed to be united turned out to be traitors. As I felt responsible for joining my companions together again during school days, I could sense that kind of pressure or responsibility coming up again now. At that moment, I was sure that this was just beginning of a very demanding adventure during which both main character and I would have to overcome many challenges and forgive much.

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The story takes a different twist when Raya decides to enter an old temple with the hope of finding the very last dragon. It takes a lot of bravery and intelligence for her to be able to navigate her way through the temple which is full of glowing inscriptions and has floors, which keep on changing their positions. At that moment when she dropped below the floor level and everything turned dark, I felt like my heart was failing me. This part made me understand the true meaning of risk; it was not only about saving a kingdom but also surpassing the fear emerging from untrusted hope.

After some time, they are joined by an ally that they did not expect – Sisu, a dragon whose fun-loving character could not be more different from Raya’s tough exterior. They exchange dialogues effortlessly such that one sentence creates fun among listeners while the following one is emotional. I could recall grinning at the sight of Sisu creating water out of nothing in a hopeless moment hence turning it to an amazing one. But behind all this comedy, there was something more serious that lay deep; even in such dry places, hope can arise if someone is bold enough.

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Onward through the journey, it becomes clear that there are some central quandaries concerning these broken societies reconvening. Raya’s meeting with two warriors – Boun and Tong – exposes wounds as deep as theirs – shards of distrust hidden within every person too. These interactions were like those ones we have whereby it takes time before we can fully trust each other again, but there is always some progress being made towards it. The movie does not pretend that reconciliation is easy or straightforward; instead, it highlights every little step towards unity so that overcoming all odds seems truly deserved at last!

In the midst of all these serious scenes, there are also funny and poetic ones. An example is when symbolic river boats carry passengers over bright water currents. It shows that people have something in common that can unite them even if they still have some issues about it. The impromptu song of Sisu may be short but it goes directly to one of the matters - different parts are united give strength.

All these stories lead up to a great moment of decision: should the heroine give back her authority over the realm to a man from an enemy clan? At that very moment just before taking such risk I seemed not to breathe while fear of treachery struggled with hope for change. The act of passing on the Dragon Gem by Raya at long last is seen more than trusting a pal; rather, it symbolizes that hope is crucial and should prevail over pain.

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When we reach the final part with a new world after all damages repaired then we understand the point made by the movie; nothing like magic coming down but an effort seen and trust taken everywhere. It was at this point that I shut my eyes and thought about various reconciliation processes that I needed in my life; then, I became hopeful again. What makes Raya and the Last Dragon unique is its portrayal of distrust as something real and dangerous, rather than just another way to advance the plot – an approach that may prevent unity but can also lead to its creation. This is indeed an intriguing experience comprising adventure, humor, and humanity at its core. For those who have ever experienced or observed fractures within their relationships or families, this movie serves as a reminder that courageously overcoming such challenges almost always results in reunion with loved ones!