History TearJerker / RayaAndTheLastDragon

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/raya_animationscreencapscom_6480.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:[[Film/AngelsInTheOutfield "You can't go through life believing that everyone you meet will one day let you down."]]]]

* There are a few sad moments in the prologue revealing what happened 500 years ago. First, there's the [[BittersweetEnding bittersweet conclusion]] of the war against the Drunn, where the humans are restored to life, but the dragons mysteriously remain [[TakenForGranite stone]]. Second, Raya states that there "should've been this [[HopeSpot big inspirational moment]], where humanity united over [Sisu's] sacrifice. But instead, [[HumansAreBastards people being people]], they all fought to possess the last remnant of dragon magic," setting up how cynical Raya herself has become toward humanity as a whole. Finally, Raya opines that the world didn't break until ''she'' came into the story, leading into the fact she [[ItsAllMyFault entirely blames herself]] for "breaking" the world. [[note]] Although trusting Namaari ''did'' lead to trouble, the blame mostly falls at the other tribe leaders' for breaking the gem.[[/note]]

** After the entire group turns to stone, Namaari is the only one left. She considers running away with the gem pieces, but decides to put the gem together to honor the trust put in her. When she does and nothing happens, Namaari looks devastated. Despite still having a chance to escape, Namaari decides that it's [[LastSurvivorSuicide just better to accept her fate and lets herself turn to stone alongside the others]].
* Even when the curse is lifted, there's hundreds of families who've lost (at most) six years worth of time that could have been spent with their loved ones. How many woke up to find children as grown adults (like Chief Benja), spouses who are a little older (like Tong's wife), or even elderly parents who could have perished during that time their adult children have been stone? It's ''Film/AvengersEndgame'' all over again.

* There are a few sad moments in the prologue expositing what happened 500 years ago. First, there's the [[BittersweetEnding bittersweet conclusion]] of the war against the Drunn, where the humans are restored to life, but the dragons mysteriously remain [[TakenForGranite stone]]. Second, Raya states that there "should've been this [[HopeSpot big inspirational moment]], where humanity united over [Sisu's] sacrifice. But instead, [[HumansAreBastards people being people]], they all fought to possess the last remnant of dragon magic," setting up how cynical Raya herself has become toward humanity as a whole. Finally, Raya opines that the world didn't break until ''she'' came into the story, leading into the fact she [[ItsAllMyFault entirely blames herself]] for "breaking" the world. [[note]] Although trusting Namaari ''did'' lead to trouble, the blame mostly falls at the other tribe leaders' for breaking the gem.[[/note]]

* The TimeSkip shows that Raya is living on her own, with Tuk Tuk. She's barely getting by with jackfruit jerky and foraging for anything edible. Yet, she selflessly shares her food with Sisu when the latter rummages through her bag, and is surprised when Sisu complements her cooking.

* There are a few sad moments in the prologue expositing what happened 500 years ago. First, there's the [[BittersweetEnding bittersweet conclusion]] of the war against the Drunn, where the humans are restored to life, but the dragons mysteriously remain [[TakenForGranite stone]]. Second, Raya states that there "should've been this [[HopeSpot big inspirational moment]], where humanity united over [[Sisu's]] sacrifice. But instead, [[HumansAreBastards people being people]], they all fought to possess the last remnant of dragon magic," setting up how cynical Raya herself has become toward humanity as a whole. Finally, Raya opines that the world didn't break until ''she'' came into the story, leading into the fact she [[ItsAllMyFault entirely blames herself]] for "breaking" the world. [[note]] Although trusting Namaari ''did'' lead to trouble, the blame mostly falls at the other tribe leaders' for breaking the gem.[[/note]]

* There are a few sad moments in the prologue expositing what happened 500 years ago. First, there's the [[BittersweetEnding bittersweet conclusion]] of the war against the Drunn, where the humans are restored to life, but the dragons mysteriously remain [[TakenForGranite stone]]. Second, Raya states that there "should've been this [[HopeSpot big inspirational moment]], where humanity united over her sacrifice. But instead, [[HumansAreBastards people being people]], they all fought to possess the last remnant of dragon magic," setting up how cynical Raya herself has become toward humanity as a whole. Finally, Raya opines that the world didn't break until ''she'' came into the story, leading into the fact she [[ItsAllMyFault entirely blames herself]] for "breaking" the world. [[note]] Although trusting Namaari ''did'' lead to trouble, the blame mostly falls at the other tribe leaders' for breaking the gem.[[/note]]

* There are a few sad moments in the prologue expositing what happened 500 years ago. First, there's the [[BittersweetEnding bittersweet conclusion]] of the war against the Drunn, where the humans are restored to life, but the dragons mysteriously remain [[TakenForGranite stone]]. Second, there's Raya's line ("[Sisu's Dragon Gem] should've been this [[HopeSpot big inspirational moment]], where humanity united over her sacrifice. But instead, [[HumansAreBastards people being people]], they all fought to possess the last remnant of dragon magic."), setting up how cynical Raya is towards humanity as a whole. Lastly, there's Raya narrating that the world didn't break until ''she'' came into the story, leading into the fact she [[ItsAllMyFault entirely blames herself]] for "breaking" the world. [[note]] Although trusting Namaari ''did'' lead to trouble, the blame mostly falls at the other tribe leaders' for breaking the gem.[[/note]]
* During their last conversation, Chief Benja tells his daughter he plans to help the five tribes become Kumandra again, only for the 12 year old Raya to write it off as "ancient history". Even before [[CynicismCatalyst Namaari's betrayal]], Raya had a little cynicism for one so young. What's more, Chief Benja explains he's trying to bring peace because he knows they'll tear each other apart otherwise. He says he doesn't want Raya to inherit such a world, which hits hard when you [[DramaticIrony realize]] [[ForegoneConclusion she will indeed live in such a world for six years]].
* While a young Raya and Namaari are socializing, they compare things and talk about which things they like better. It's a pleasant conversation until Raya asks Namaari whether she prefers stew or rice. Namaari is stumped, but not because she can't pick, but she reveals that it's the first time she's had rice in a while. Rice is one of the most ''common'' staple foods in SEA countries. The fact that Namaari, a princess who by title ''should'' live in luxury, can't even afford to eat ''rice'' shows how little resources Fang actually has. Not only does it provide [[FreudianExcuse context]] to why Namaari did what she did, it also implies that Namaari had likely been starving her whole life.
** Generally, watching Raya and Namaari get along as friends for a short-lived scene. It builds up how tragically, these two ''[[HopeSpot could've]]'' fostered a life-long friendship, being dragon nerds together and bridging the gap between Fang and Heart. [[ForegoneConclusion But that's not what happens]]...

* While he's successful keeping the other tribes at bay from the Dragon Gem, what causes Chief Benja to ultimately let his guard down? His catching young Raya's reflection in his sword, seeing his own loving daughter [[TroublingUnchildlikeBehavior poised to fight these other tribes to the death]] ''[[NotSoAboveItAll by his example]]''. It's a cruel irony that leads Chief Benja to realize that by defending the gem with hostility, [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone he's unwittingly going against what he's trying to teach Raya]].

** Second, building on the above, Raya [[ItsAllMyFault blames herself]] because [[MyGreatestFailure she trusted Namaari with the location of the stone]]. It shows the scope of how Namaari's betrayal greatly damaged Raya's outlook on life and lead the latter to believe that it's practically a ''sin'' to trust other people.

* Granted [[AssholeVictim she and the other Tribe Leaders]] are at fault for messing up the world, there's something [[AlasPoorVillain poignant]] about seeing the Chieftess of Tail (after the TimeSkip) reduced to a corpse helplessly clutching her shard of the Dragon Gem. Not six years ago, she was a proud leader of a people, alive and healthy, and now [[HowTheMightyHaveFallen she's literally a shell of her former self]]. She's a pathetic [[ShadowArchetype reflection]] of what Raya and everyone else would be if they had further clutched to the "trust no one" mindset that's destroying their world.
* Sisu has feelings of inadequacy compared to her siblings due to them possessing greater magic powers and isn't even sure why they trusted her with the Dragon Gem in the first place.
** It makes it somewhat HarsherInHindsight that she downplays the story as "a bunch of kids in a group project, and I'm just the kid who turned it in". She thinks ''so little'' of herself that she nearly didn't realize how much her brothers and sisters [[YouAreBetterThanYouThinkYouAre had faith in her]].

* Everyone that Raya meets has lost family to the Druun. It's especially sad to see Boun and Noi, a ten-year-old boy and baby, having to provide for themselves without parents, and Tong, the only non petrified member of the Spine tribe who lost even his own child.

* Granted she and the other Tribe Leaders are at fault for messing up the world, there's something poignant about seeing the Chief of Tail (after the TimeSkip) reduced to a corpse helplessly clutching her shard of the Dragon Gem. Not six years ago, she was a proud leader of a people, alive and healthy, and now [[HowTheMightyHaveFallen she's literally a shell of her former self]]. She's a pathetic [[ShadowArchetype reflection]] of what Raya and everyone else would be if they had further clutched to the "trust no one" mindset that's destroying their world.

* While he's successful keeping the other tribes at bay from the Dragon Gem, what causes Chief Benja to ultimately let his guard down? His catching young Raya's reflection in his sword, seeing his own loving daughter [[TroublingUnchildlikeBehavior poised to fight these other tribes to the death]] ''[[NotSoAboveItAll by his example''.
** And even when he ''does'' try the peaceful, diplomatic approach, Chief Benja's SacredHospitality and merciful choice ends up with him shot in the leg by a crossbow, [[NoGoodDeedGoesUnpunished among other things]].

* There are a few sad moments in the prologue expositing what happened 500 years ago. First, there's the [[BittersweetEnding bittersweet conclusion]] of the war against the Drunn, where the humans are restored to life, but the dragons mysteriously remain [[TakenForGranite stone]]. Second, there's Raya's line ("[Sisu's Dragon Gem] should've been this [[HopeSpot big inspirational moment]], where humanity united over her sacrifice. But [[RealityEnsues instead]], [[HumansAreBastards people being people]], they all fought to possess the last remnant of dragon magic."), setting up how cynical Raya is towards humanity as a whole. Lastly, there's Raya narrating that the world didn't break until ''she'' came into the story, leading into the fact she [[ItsAllMyFault entirely blames herself]] for "breaking" the world. [[note]] Although trusting Namaari ''did'' lead to trouble, the blame mostly falls at the other tribe leaders' for breaking the gem.[[/note]]

* When it appears that Namaari was going to defeat Raya, Sisu storms into the battle and stops the fight. All of the other warriors back off, but Namaari doesn't. When Sisu tries to intimidate Namaari into backing off by growling, instead of feeling Namaari is frozen in shock with a mixture of joy and fear even as Sisu launches at her and grows in her face. There is a small moment between Namaari and Sisu as they lock eyes and it's clear that Namaari is on the verge of tears from the encounter. Even if she is going too far, her trust and belief in dragons seemed to overwhelm her at this point and she is overcome by the fact that there is still atleast one dragon left alive. It is enough that Sisu breaks her growl when she see's Sisu's expression of tearful hope and hesitates before backing off to escape.

* When it appears that Namaari was going to defeat Raya, Sisu storms into the battle and stops the fight. All of the other warriors back off, but Namaari doesn't. When Sisu tries to intimidate Namaari into backing off by growling, Namaari is just is just frozen in a mixture of shock and terror. There is a small moment between Namaari and Sisu as they lock eyes and it's clear that Namaari is on the verge of tears from the encounter. Even if she is going too far, her trust and belief in dragons seemed to overwhelm her at this point.

'''Naamari:''' ''(crying)'' I don't care if you believe me. Sisu did. But you didn't trust her! That's why we're here. Do what ever you want. But you're as much to blame for Sisu's death as I am!

* There are a few sad moments in the prologue expositing what happened 500 years ago. First, there's the [[BittersweetEnding bittersweet conclusion]] of the war against the Drunn, where the humans are restored to life, but the dragons mysteriously remain [[TakenForGranite stone]]. Second, there's Raya's line ("[Sisu's Dragon Gem] should've been this [[HopeSpot big inspirational moment]], where humanity united over her sacrifice. But [[RealityEnsues instead]], [[HumansAreBastards people being people]], they all fought to possess the last remnant of dragon magic."), setting up how cynical Raya is towards humanity as a whole. Lastly, there's Raya narrating that the world didn't break until ''she'' came into the story, leading into the fact she [[ItsAllMyFault entirely blames herself]] for "breaking" the world. [[note]] Although trusting Namaari ''did'' lead to trouble, the blame mostly falls at the other tribe leaders' feet for breaking the gem.[[/note]]

** Second, building on the above, Raya [[ItsAllMyFault blames herself]] because [[MyGreatestFailure she trusted Namaari with the location of the stone]]. It shows the scope of how Namaari's betrayal greatly damaged Raya's outlook on life and lead the latter to believe that trust is too expensive to give to ''anyone'' outside Tuk Tuk.

** Generally, watching Raya and Namaari get along as [[friends for a short-lived scene. It builds up how tragically, these two ''[[HopeSpot could've]]'' fostered a life-long friendship, being dragon nerds together and bridging the gap between Fang and Heart. [[ForegoneConclusion But that's not what happens]]...

* Even when the curse is lifted, there's hundreds of families who've lost (at most) six years worth of time that could have been spent with their loved ones. How many woke up to find children as grown adults, spouses who are older, parents who could have perished during that time they've been stone? It's ''Film/AvengersEndgame'' all over again.