Loved Raya and the Last Dragon?

Raya and the Last Dragon is a captivating, beautiful and exciting story that pairs intense martial arts action sequences with heart-felt moments of humanity and empathy. With so little time to really get to know the characters and explore the kingdom of Kumandra, it’s easy be left craving more and, as of writing this article, there is no news of a sequel or follow up series yet. Luckily, there are shows and movies you can watch right now that will give you more of what you loved in Raya.

G and PG Rated Shows

Avatar the Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra

If you are already familiar with the Nickelodeon series, this is an obvious choice, but if you haven’t yet seen the 2005 animation, you’ll find the expansive world-building and martial arts influences to be strikingly similar to Raya. Unlike Raya, which moves at lightning speed to tell a complete story in under two hours, the Avatar series offers several seasons of story and character development that make the world and the characters inhabiting it, well-rounded and enduring.

Avatar the Last Airbender follows a group of young friends as they journey across four divided nations on a quest to restore balance to the world.

If you've seen the live-action The Last Airbender, don't let it prevent you from giving the animated series a try. M. Night Shyamalan sacrificed the spark of fun in the original series and scrubbed characters of their personalities in favor of the visual spectacle of over-the-top CGI action sequences and it did NOT work.

The Legend of Korra takes place decades after the original series and many of the themes of trust, unity and the complexity of right v. wrong found in Raya are explored in-depth over three seasons, and the animated fight sequences are awe-inspiring. Did we mention that the characters can bend the elements and use them as extensions of themselves in battle? Both Avartar the Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra are currently available on Netflix.

Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts

Set in a post-apocalyptic, dystopian world where animals have mutated into gigantic, multi-limbed, self-aware versions of their ancestors and humans live underground for safety, Kipo is the story of a young girl who has been forced to leave her burrow and must learn to survive the dangers of the above-ground world. Like Raya, she meets butt-kicking friends on her journey who help her to navigate the strange new world and have faith in her mission to save it.

This is a Netflix Original series.

The Dragon Prince

Another Netflix Original series, The Dragon Prince also takes place in an expansive and diverse, yet divided world. Action-packed and full of humor, charm and magic, this series will also feel slightly similar to Raya in theme and the overall messages of unity.

Rated PG-13 +

The Southeast Asian representation in Raya is historic for American cinema, but there are films and film makers in Southeast Asian countries already telling their own stories. The following suggestions were created in the countries they represent but are rated for older audiences due to more graphic violence .

Arjun: The Warrior Prince

This story, based on the Mahabharata, is the retelling of the classic Indian epic hero, Prince Arjun. Filled with action and adventure, Arjun is exciting and bold, although the animation is less sophisticated than viewers are used to, even compared to other films from 2012. And, surprisingly enough, it is also a Disney film. Available on Netflix. Language: Hindi (English captions available)



Trưng Vương – She-Kings

This animated series of shorts from DeeDee Animation Studio, located in Vietnam, was created to highlight heroines in Vietnamese history. Fierce warrior women dominate their beautiful, vibrant 2D world as well as their foes. Be forewarned, the fights are brutal and bloody, so it is most definitely not for young viewers. Watch on YouTube. Language: Vietnamese (English captions available)

Legend of Muay Thai: 9 Satra

A 3D animated film from Thailand, 9 Satra is the story of a young man who must master an ancient martial art to save his kingdom. Although it is reported to have been released on Netflix in 2019, as of writing this article, it does not seem to be available. Language: Thai (English dub)