World Building: The Influence of Malaysia Elements in Raya and the Last Dragon (2021)

This research explores the representation of Malaysian cultural elements in the animated feature film Raya and the Last Dragon (2021), produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. Although the film is widely recognized as being inspired by Southeast Asian traditions and aesthetics, the specific contributions of Malaysian culture have received limited scholarly attention. To address this gap, the study investigates how selected cultural elements—including architecture, customs, mythology, artifacts, food, language, and art—are incorporated into the film’s design and narrative, and how these features contribute to the construction of its fictional world. The analysis identifies several elements that can be traced to Malaysian cultural heritage. These include architectural motifs that resemble traditional Malay structures, artistic patterns and designs with regional influences, culinary references familiar within Malaysian food culture, and mythological aspects that resonate with local folklore. By highlighting these aspects, the research contributes to a more nuanced understanding of how international animated films engage with cultural identity and representation. In particular, it demonstrates the ways in which Malaysian culture has informed the film’s world-building, while also being involved under a broader Southeast Asian framework. This study not only helps to address a lack of academic discussion on Malaysian influences within the film but also extends existing literature on cultural identity and transnational representation in contemporary animation.

World-building, Cultural Representation, Raya and the Last Dragon

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