Cassie Steele was initially cast in the role until the character underwent changes and the filmmakers decided to find a different type of performer for Raya and replaced her with Tran.

The decision to focus on an Asian dragon resulted in Shurer arranging a trip for the creative team to visit Laos, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia for the purpose of conducting cultural research.

Shurer noted that Southeast Asia covers a vast area but that the people shared the same principles, including "a history of powerful women" which helped to shape the fantasy world they were creating.

[1] Following the research trip, Osnan brought onboard screenwriter Adele Lim, who was born in Malaysia and expressed delight that the film took inspiration from her culture.

[8] For Tran, who had previously been cast in Star Wars: The Last Jedi and was subjected to racist and sexist harassment on social media by fans, the scene was her way into Raya's character.

"[12] As a Vietnamese American, Tran commented that in her youth she never saw her culture represented anywhere and thus felt that the film presents the idea that anyone can be a princess or warrior regardless of their background or appearance.

[15] Shurer commented that being a female hero in a Disney film does not automatically define the character as a princess, but she considered the responsibility of being a leader in a divided world as important to Raya's success as being a warrior.

Hall said that despite technically being a princess due to being the daughter of the Chief of Heart, Raya is focused on being the Guardian of the Dragon Gem, thereby serving as an "aspirational kind of warrior character.

"[17] Nguyen, who is Vietnamese American, noted that Raya is Disney's first Southeast Asian princess and said that it was personally significant to see a character that "really represented me, our voice, our culture".

Noting that Asian American characters in film were often stereotyped as "stoic, serious, oddly obsessed with bringing honor to our family", he said that Raya was written to be "fun", "quippy" and "clever".

Lim was immediately drawn to the name Raya, explaining that in Malay language it means "celebration" and "evokes this joyful time where people come together around a lot of food".

She felt it was important that Raya has her father's idealistic ideas about building a perfect world and grows up wanting to protect it, and even after her heart is broken by betrayal she still maintains hope and continues to try and unify people.

She said that Raya successfully demonstrates various types of bravery, including physical combat skills, but also the ability to recognise when her anger or trauma is blinding her judgement and overcoming that.

Nguyen stated that Raya and Namaari's relationship needed a complex history to give the story more depth, as both characters are raised to be leaders but become enemies.

The three fight scenes that occur between Raya and Namaari were each choreographed differently and were designed to have a specific purpose for driving forward the story and the characters' development.

Amy Smeed, head of animation, said that with Nguyen's expertise in Southeast Asian martial arts and the choreography of stunt coordinator Maggie MacDonald, they were able to design the right fighting style for the characters.

[27] Raya's appearance went through numerous changes during the design process, as she needed to wear clothing based on traditional Southeast Asian garments that was also non-restrictive enough for combat.

The team collaborated with Steve Arounsack, associate professor of anthropology at California State University, Stanislaus, as part of the Story Trust, who was involved in the design of Raya's hat, which is shaped similar to a stūpa.

Kim said that the team wanted Raya to have an authentic appearance so they researched Southeast Asia to achieve cultural specificity in her features, such as the shape of her eyes and her prominent cheekbones.

Co-director John Ripa commented that a cloak with a high collar and a hat were added to provide protective covering that could be gradually peeled away as the story progresses and her character develops.

[27] In her youth, Raya is tested by her father, Chief Benja, for the role of the Guardian of the Dragon Gem, which gives the powers of Sisu and protects Heart from the Druun.

[36] Variety's Peter Debruge also lauded Raya for representing a new form of Disney heroine: "strong, independent and more intrepid than the young men who often fill such roles in live-action movies".

[37] In his review for the Los Angeles Times, Justin Chang wrote that Tran voiced Raya with "pluck and determination" while also noting the character's similarities to 21st century heroines such as Moana and Elsa.

[40] NPR's Glen Weldon called Raya, "the most compelling, most sympathetic and most layered Disney princess in the company's long history", noting her trust issues, complexity and flawed character.

[41] Aja Romano of Vox described Raya as a "wonderful protagonist, easily one of my favorite Disney princesses by a mile", noting the similarity to Korra from the Avatar: The Last Airbender franchise and praising her rivalry with Namaari.

[17] Jeva Lange of The Week felt that Raya was a considerable improvement on Disney's previous attempts to portray strong female characters, which she described as "cringe-inducing".

She opined that Raya "breaks with even the most progressive princess movies that Disney has made so far" by not having a love interest (unlike in Frozen and Brave), not being accompanied by a "funny" male sidekick or given "condescending 'girl power' scenes".

[44] Dale Bashir of IGN Southeast Asia described Raya as a "pretty kickass heroine", praising her depth of emotion ranging from being resourceful to vengeful.

[45] Writing for Digital Spy, Gabriella Geisinger found Raya's characterisation to be "refreshing" not only for adding more diversity to the line-up of Disney princesses but also for her nuanced character, particularly her cynicism and wariness of others.

[53] Hoai-Tran Bui of SlashFilm wrote that Tran was perfect as Raya and was impressed by the coolness of her portrayal in contrast to the rage she demonstrates in the combat scenes, which were "raw and unhinged".