Disney has released the first teaser trailer for Raya and the Last Dragon, which is set for release next year after being delayed from its original November debut date. The animated fantasy film follows the warrior Raya as she travels the land of Kumandra in search of the legendary last living dragon, a creature that will help her defeat an evil force and restore balance to a divided land. Though the trailer doesn't reveal much about Raya's fantasy world, many who saw the trailer were quick to make comparisons to Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Both Raya and Avatar take place in Asian-inspired fantasy lands where dragons and other mythical creatures were a common presence before going extinct hundreds of years prior to the main story. Furthermore, both revolve around a chosen one who must bring balance to the world by defeating a malevolent force that threatens to destroy everything. In addition, one of Raya's looks appears like it was plucked straight out of Avatar's Water Tribe.
In Season 2 of Avatar, Aang, Katara and Sokka travel across the Earth Kingdom so that Aang can study Earthbending. The change in scenery meant that the Water Tribe natives needed to sport warmer attire, leading to Sokka and Katara's very popular sleeveless designs. During the Raya teaser's opening Indiana Jones-esque sequence, Raya's outfit and gloves are very similar to Sokka's Season 2 outfit; the only difference is Raya's wearing pants instead of shorts.
She also wears her hair in a ponytail, just like Sokka and Katara. Raya's ponytail design looks like a cross between Katara's original hairstyle and Korra's Water Tribe design from The Legend of Korra.
There are other similarities between the show and the upcoming film that go beyond clothing. The trailer provides a glimpse at four different tribes, each with their own colors and outfits. These divisions are very similar to the Four Nations of Avatar. Raya is also seen fighting a masked swordsman, whose face covering looks eerily similar to The Blue Spirit. As more information about Raya and the Last Dragon is revealed, the comparisons between it and Avatar are bound to increase, but these comparisons could work in the film's favor and attract a wider audience.
Directed by Don Hall and Carlos López Estrada and written by Paul Briggs and John Ripa, Ray and the Last Dragon stars Kelly Marie Tran and Awkwafina. The animated movie premieres on March 12, 2021.
