Kumandra Comes Alive in Concept Art from Raya and the Last Dragon

It’s been one year since we first travelled to Kumandra—and now Walt Disney Animation Studios’ epic Raya and the Last Dragon is nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 2022 Academy Awards®! The realism of this film’s setting and characters took animators years to achieve, and it all started with concept art, of course! Whether it’s Talon or Spine, Boun or Tuk Tuk, see how these people and places developed with our latest concept art gallery.

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Situated near the head of the Dragon River, Fang’s position at the source of Kumandra’s water has allowed them to thrive while other Lands are infested with Druun. By digging a canal, the people have protected and isolated themselves on a heavily fortified island. Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Raya and the Last Dragon” will be in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access on March 5, 2021.

In direct contrast to Heart, Fang’s design is sharp, sparse and cold – mirroring the belief system of its people, who are pragmatic and calculating in their struggle to survive. Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Raya and the Last Dragon” will be in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access on March 5, 2021.

Verticality and symmetry are very important to Fang’s design, as seen in this painting of Fang Palace, where tall banners, columns and sculptures lead the eye upward toward extremely high ceilings. These effects combine to give the feeling of reverence for royalty that is central to Fang’s personality, setting it apart from the other Lands of Kumandra. Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Raya and the Last Dragon” will be in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access on March 5, 2021.

Functionality is a key aspect of Raya’s clothing, so the design team looked to the breath¬able draping styles found in Southeast Asia, including the sabai top and dhoti pants, for inspiration. Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Raya and the Last Dragon” will be in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access on March 5, 2021.

Noi disarms with charm – so it was important for her design to incorporate a range of expressions. Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Raya and the Last Dragon” will be in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access on March 5, 2021.

The three Ongis that Raya meets in Talon were designed to look cute and approachable – round, soft and fluffy – which is the key to their hustle. Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Raya and the Last Dragon” will be in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access on March 5, 2021.

The design of Namaari’s costume is meant to have a hard edge, showing that she is not someone to be messed with. It references the color palette and geometric shape language of her Fang home. Even her stylish, half-shaved head incorporates strength through geometric patterns. Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Raya and the Last Dragon” will be in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access on March 5, 2021.

Dragons are central to the design of Heart Lands – taking inspiration from Southeast Asia, where sacred beings are venerated through physical representations and imagery. On the Heart Bridge, dragon statues made of karst limestone connect Heart Lands to the rest of Kumandra. Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Raya and the Last Dragon” will be in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access on March 5, 2021.

The Heart Lands’ distinctive round rock formation is home to the magical Dragon Gem and was inspired by the iconic limestone rocks found in Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay and along the Mekong River – the longest river in Southeast Asia. Visual development paintings of this important landmark captured the film’s striking visual potential early in production. Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Raya and the Last Dragon” will be in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access on March 5, 2021.

The dome-shaped Heart Fortress incorporates many intricate bas-relief carvings that honor the ancient dragons adorn its walls, drawing inspiration from temples such as Angkor Wat and Bayon in Cambodia, and Borobudur in Indonesia. The dragon carvings seen in this visual development painting are intended to protect the precious Dragon Gem housed within the Fortress. Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Raya and the Last Dragon” will be in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access on March 5, 2021.

Just like with Raya, functionality is important in Boun’s clothing, so the design team used draping styles found in Southeast Asia, such as dhoti pants, for inspiration. Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Raya and the Last Dragon” will be in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access on March 5, 2021.

Sisu’s rich blue tone ties her to water, and her fins and serpentine curves show that she’s an excellent swimmer. Her crest, a signature trait of the naga, has a water motif unique to the world of Kumandra. Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Raya and the Last Dragon” will be in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access on March 5, 2021.

$Tail’s few and scant structures emphasize the individualized lifestyle that has grown out of people’s disconnection from one another – epitomizing the fractured world of Kumandra. The bleak, desert landscape of Tail has led its people to be improvisational, recycling everything from clothing to buildings. Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Raya and the Last Dragon” will be in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access on March 5, 2021.$

The design of Tail is in direct contrast to Heart, where Raya feels safe in its lush and bountiful landscape. Tail captures the feeling of a loner wandering strange land, inspired by Western films. Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Raya and the Last Dragon” will be in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access on March 5, 2021.

His large shell and functional design means much of Tuk Tuk’s performance depends on his infinitely expressive face. Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Raya and the Last Dragon” will be in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access on March 5, 2021.

A warrior’s pragmatism is evident in Tong’s costume. He wears six different animal pelts and a traditional wrapped sampot pant in addition to armor and food items hanging from his belt. Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Raya and the Last Dragon” will be in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access on March 5, 2021.

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. Inspired by the Mekong River, the beloved “mother river” of Southeast Asia, the Dragon River is a crucial feature of Kumandra’s topography and the setting for much of Raya’s journey. Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Raya and the Last Dragon” will be in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access on March 5, 2021.

Visual development artist Kevin Nelson explored the idea of an ever-expanding pier built in different levels. Due to the drought brought on by the return of the Druun, new platforms would be built as the water recedes. Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Raya and the Last Dragon” will be in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access on March 5, 2021.

Talon’s merchants are the lifeblood of its economy, so the city’s design revolves around their drive to call attention to their wares. Bright colors, lights and patterns fill every inch of the city. Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Raya and the Last Dragon” will be in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access on March 5, 2021.

The color palette of white snow, black bamboo and maroon leaves heightens the epic feel of Spine. Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Raya and the Last Dragon” will be in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access on March 5, 2021.

Spine’s warriors are known for being as ferociously unwelcoming as the snowy, giant black bamboo mountains that they call home. Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Raya and the Last Dragon” will be in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access on March 5, 2021.

The Spine Lands are characterized by their giant bamboo which grows as big as redwood trees. Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Raya and the Last Dragon” will be in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access on March 5, 2021.

The harsh desert environment of Tail contributes to the storytelling by visually accentuating Raya’s bleak circumstances. Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Raya and the Last Dragon” will be in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access on March 5, 2021.