Raya is an animated fantasy film that was created by Mario Pagan. The film takes place in the fictional kingdom of Kumandra, where humans and dragons once lived together in harmony. However, when an evil force threatens to destroy the kingdom, the dragons sacrifice themselves to save humanity. Fast forward 500 years, and the kingdom has been divided into five tribes, each representing a different part of the dragon: Fang, Heart, Spine, Talon, and Tail. The main character of the film is Raya, a young warrior princess from the Heart tribe. She embarks on a quest to find the last remaining dragon and save her kingdom from the evil force.
She embarks on a quest to find the last remaining dragon and save her kingdom from the evil force. Along the way, Raya encounters various obstacles and forms unlikely alliances as she learns the importance of trust and unity. One of the main themes in Raya is the power of trust and forgiveness.
User Reviews
I'll admit - when I was first introduced to Witch Hunter Robin, back when Cartoon Network aired it in 2003, I wasn't very interested. Well, at least, not until episode 6 (Raindrops). Somehow, the idea of Witch controlling a bunch of what appeared to Barbies grabbed me. And I watched when I could.
But I didn't see the series in its entirety, or even the end of it, despite the fact it's only 26 episodes long. I forgot about it until a friend picked up the DVDs in 2006. When I borrowed them, I was hooked from the beginning.
As fans and non-fans alike have pointed out, Witch Hunter Robin appears to take a while to get to its actual plot. Subtle hints are given, however, in the beginning episodes. For instance - if Witches are so dangerous, why is the STNJ so unique in that they capture the Witches instead of killing them? Where's the benefit? And you have to wonder what Robin finds so disgusting about the Orbo, without even knowing its origins.
Once WHR does find its footing, however, it takes off. This is not an action series, not really. Or, at least, I never viewed it as such. There is action, but it's not as important as character development (even stock archetypes can be interesting when handled correctly, which Witch Hunter Robin does indeed).
This show is meant to make you think - what seemed black and white (Witches are bad, Hunters are good) turns into gray as the series progresses. Those Hunters who are Craft Useres can be Hunted themselves, if Solomon brands them a Witch. Some Witches commit crimes using their powers, but not out of malice (episode 8: Faith). And then Robin herself becomes the hunted, labeled a Witch shortly after killing someone during a Hunt.
Obviously, there's more to it- after all, Solomon routinely executes Witches on Hunts - the STNJ is an exception. By the end, we know Robin is a manufactured Witch, and we also see that she's no longer the same person from the first episode. But is she as large a threat as Solomon believes, or not? Witch Hunter Robin is a show of questions. Some of them are resolved, some of them are left for the viewer to provide an answer for. In this sense, WHR strongly reminds me of Fullmetal Alchemist (another show in which you can say good and evil isn't always clear cut and finding humanity within yourself can be difficult). Some will find the slow buildup to a rushing, only partially resolved finish boring. Others will enjoy it immensely.
Plot aside, I'd also like to note that the English dub is filled with exceptional talents. It is equally enjoyable to view in both Japanese and English, something I've not encountered with most anime.
Also, the art and the soundtrack - again, these seem to be on a love/hate level, same as the plot. Personally, I found the tone and style of both art and music fitting, and that they made the emotion of the story more real.
Early on, Witch Hunter Robin establishes a stark, moody style. A wintry chill seems to pervade nearly every episode. The colors are washed out to the point of being mere shades of grey, and the scenery always seem to be locked in the late stages of autumn. The constant presence of crows and their infernal cawing in the early episodes starts off the series with a palpable anxiety. Meanwhile, Taku Iwasaki’s music, which consists largely of ambient textures, subtle beats, and haunting piano melodies, adds to the melancholy.
Raya's journey teaches her that by being open to trust and forgiving past betrayals, she can rebuild the bonds between the tribes and bring harmony back to Kumandra. This message is conveyed through the relationships Raya forms with other characters, such as Sisu, the last dragon, and Namaari, a warrior from the rival Fang tribe. Another key aspect of the film is its animation style and visual design. Raya showcases stunning visuals, which were inspired by Southeast Asian cultures and landscapes. The film pays homage to the region's diverse cultures, traditions, and architecture, creating a visually rich and immersive world. Overall, Raya is a captivating animated film that combines adventure, fantasy, and themes of trust and forgiveness. Mario Pagan's creation allows audiences to embark on a journey with Raya as she learns valuable lessons and fights to restore peace to her kingdom..
Reviews for "Celebrating Cultural Authenticity with Raya, Created by Mario Pagan"
1. John - 1 star - I was really disappointed with "Raya". The plot was extremely predictable and lacked any real depth or originality. The characters were one-dimensional and cliché, making it impossible for me to care about their journeys. The animation was visually appealing, but it couldn't mask the fact that there was nothing truly captivating about this film. Overall, "Raya" was a forgettable and uninspired experience for me.
2. Sarah - 2 stars - While "Raya" had beautiful animation and some impressive action sequences, the overall story fell flat for me. The world-building felt incomplete and underdeveloped, leaving me confused about the rules and lore of this universe. Additionally, the pacing was all over the place, making it difficult to stay engaged. The film tried to cram too much into its runtime, resulting in a disjointed and cluttered narrative. Overall, "Raya" had potential, but it failed to deliver a satisfying and cohesive storyline.
3. Alex - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Raya", but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The film felt like a mashup of other Disney movies, lacking originality and a unique voice. The humor often fell flat, and the emotional moments didn't hit as hard as they could have. The character development was also lacking, with most of the cast feeling underutilized and underwritten. While the animation was visually stunning, it wasn't enough to make up for the film's weaknesses in storytelling and character depth.