Let’s Talk About Sisu (Raya and the Last Dragon no spoilers page)

My ideal Sisu would be the one in the actual movie, but with a white mane like in the concept art. (And during the climax of the movie she has a upgraded version with all the frills/fins, idk haven't seen the movie so I don't know if that even happens.

Shiver me timbers!

I sailed on a pirate ship to watch this movie and I must say. It was not as bad as a lot of the reviews on YT are saying. But it wasn't their best. I don't know much about the culture that is represented here so i cannot speak for any problematic and or potentially harmful representation. As for Sisu herself... Hmm. I found her to be a tad bit grating in terms of personality. And by a tad bit, I mean a lot.

As for her design.... I like the old concept art a lot better. So much prettier and more detailed!

I liked Raya a lot. She was very different from the typical Disney princess personalities we see. She was a lot more down to earth, pessimistic, and grounded. But she is just as motivated to do the right thing and fix her world. I actually really liked Raya and she is a breath of fresh air.

One thing I will say that surprised me is this: there was absolutely no romantic plot line in the movie. Not even a subplot. Besides Moana and this movie, I cannot recall a single movie that did not have a single romantic plot or subplot for a supporting character. And it's... it's really nice to see media cultures normalizing not having a romantic relationship and being just as fulfilled and happy.

Even more, there are a lot of themes of women supporting women that I absolutely adore. Especially since society has kinda conditioned us to be "not like other girls" because girls are "vapid and shallow". The central theme of the movie (which I won't spoil) is incredibly relevant to today's time.

And to think that that made the whole thing by collaborating entirely on Zoom!!!

EDIT:

So, I am going to put this next bit in white text. Not because it is a spoiler, it is really open to the audience interpretation, but because it could be a bit controversial. Even though it really shouldn't be be and we need to stop trying to please everyone and make a stand. But at the end of the day, Disney is a company which needs to turn a profit. Still, I have been on the forum long enough to know this demographic and a lot of you would feel... "uncomfortable" reading this. In the interest of not starting any conflicts,  I am going to keep my exact opinions to myself. 

So read at your own discretion.  No, it's not inappropriate or anything. Highlight the text below to read it if you wish to. 

There is a LOT of q.ueer-coding in this movie. The actor who voiced the character even confirmed that they read into it that way as well and portrayed it as such. Even though it is "up to audience interpretation". I am just a little mad that the gestures exchanged between these two characters would have been perceived as inherently romantic if they were the opposite gender to one another. No questions asked. But since they are both of the same gender it is "open to audience interpretation". It's annoying that two characters of the opposite gender on screen cannot exchange these types of affections without it being considered romantic. Why can't a male and female just be friends? Furthermore,  the EXACT same exchanges between two same-gender characters is perceived as exclusively platonic. Anyone could agree that this is hypocritical. 

As an actual southeast asian, all I can say is... It's actually rather hard to depict dragons from southeast asia.

Like, from the myths, it's always a "A large serpent". I think it could be that other countries depicted theirs better? But if I remember correctly, some of those southeast asian dragons are actually from India, based from the naga? (And if you guys remember what a naga is, they're basically huge serpents with human faces, so HUE they got the human-face part right XDDD)

And then there's the serpent/dragon I remember from my country, which battled a god, and what I know is... From their bodies, became the first coconut tree. "The large fronds remind me of the god's wings, while the tree's trunk remind me of the serpent's scaley body".

There's also bakunawa, the moon-eater. It's always depicted as a large serpent, though I saw some fans making bakunawa as a dragon with a catfish head, and two wings that goes down its back.

You can't even see much of that dragon there X'D

I think the movie itself is largely inspired from Thailand though, so I think the Thai dragon/serpent design would work best for Sisu.

Okay now for Sisu's design.

I like the body, I love the ripple patterns on her body, and the colors. But the face... Could use a little work? It's just so barbie-like. The mascara, the killer eyebrows. SHE HAS BETTER EYEBROWS THAN ME. When one part of the movie where she was acting dragon-like, growling at someone? She didn't feel dragon. She felt like a puppy trying to scare me. If she maybe is... Like... Less pretty and more dragon-y or unique like her human form, she could've been better. And yes, I prefer the concept art. Especialyl the betta-like fins on her :'3

I did try make a redesign of her, but like I said. It's hard to design something that's rarely depicted, even from the real stories and myths themselves.

And then there's some from tumblr that I loved :D

(Image source: https://palossssssand.tumblr.com/post/641618788936269824/yes-i-wish-she-looked-more-like-an-actual-naga-we)

(Image source: https://painted-bees.tumblr.com/post/632908490802888704/raya-and-the-last-dragon-felt-like-a-bit-of-a)

I don't like the design, and I also don't like how the southeast Asian dragons were represented. sry  :p

Take away her legs and she will look like a fuzzy worm with Elsa's face

I don't know if this is the right place to post these (probably not) but seeing that some that threw in their take here and I just got done with the naga inspired dragon/hera/kumandrian or sisu redesign I figure I might throw my hat into the ring here as well, a complilation of all that I've done so far;

After <> Before

Simple edit with the attempt to keep as much similarity to the original as possible, as such I'd only shorten the snout, loose the lion mane and make the horn bigger. Editionally adding Goatee, fang and make her eyebrows the same color as her hair

Art ver.

Attempt 2, not actually Sisu but entire different dragon in a different design but try to keep the sassy feminine energy Sisu has. I like her, think I'm gonna call her Moraganakrut.

Verious tries and designs, including Sisa takes two (again, only loose her mane, make her snout shorter and her horn bigger) 

Lastly, just go full on HTTYD style...gonna turn it into a fan dragon lol