Notice! Spoilers for Moana 2 ahead!
Moana 2 introduced Matangi, a woman surrounded by bats and with mysterious powers. Matangi, voiced by Awhimai Fraser, is initially introduced as a villain in the Disney sequel, as she announces that she works for the god Nalo and keeps Maui captive on her master’s orders. However, her role changes, making her an even more mysterious figure than before. Moana 2 didn’t give all the answers about Matangi’s character, which further implies that Disney may release more sequels or spinoffs in the future.
The 2024 sequel to Moana (2016) sees the titular hero of Motunui set out on a new adventure, this time with much greater stakes than before. Moana must sail across the ocean to find the island of Motufetū, which, in ancient times, served as the center for all island dwellers in the Pacific Ocean. Motufetū was cursed by the god Nalo, who believed that keeping the people divided would increase his own strength and power. To end this isolation, Moana must touch the submerged island in Moana 2and the enemy turned ally Matangi ends up being fundamental in his success.
Matangi’s Role in Moana 2, Explained
Matangi is morally complex
Matangi is initially an antagonistic figure in the Moana 2. She is first seen holding Maui captive, telling him that not only would he, a demigod, be destroyed, but the human girl he turned into a Pathfinder would be as well. Matangi also told Maui that she serves Nalo, the envious and vengeful storm god. It is implied that she was left to guard the portal of the gods inside the giant clam, which leads to the cursed island of Motufetū. However, instead of stopping Moana and her team from passing Moana 2Matangi helped them in their search.
Matangi told Moana that to achieve her goal, she must let go and lose herself – give up her power and control and trust her instincts. This worked, and just as Moana found her way, Maui and the rest of her crew appeared. It was then that Maui realized that Matangi kept him captive just so he could reunite and help Moana. The mysterious bat woman explained that if Moana broke the curse on Motufetū, then she would also be free from the service of Nalo and the giant clam where she was apparently imprisoned.
Matangi’s powers, explained
Matangi demonstrates some magical ability
Matangi is not exactly a god in Moana 2. Your power is not at the level of Moanais Te Fiti or Nalo from the sequence. She is most likely a demigodwhich explains his familiarity with Maui and service to Nalo, similar to a higher level god. Matangi has a close relationship with bats, which swarm around him and behave under his control. Gravity is also not an issue for this one to be in Moana 2 as she walks freely on the walls and ceiling (all very bat-like). Matangi’s abilities perfectly match his name, which is similar to the words for “wind” in several Polynesian languages. The character herself is like the fluid wind that comes from the wings of her bats.
Matangi’s abilities match perfectly with his name, which is similar to the words for “wind” in several Polynesian languages. The character herself is like the fluid wind that comes from the wings of her bats.
Matangi’s powers match well with his master, Nalo, as he was created to be the storm god in Moana 2. Wind is obviously a significant feature of a storm and can be damaging and dangerous. However, the wind can also be useful and important, guiding boats through their sails (or the parachute contraption Loto created to maneuver around Nalo’s cyclones). In this way, Matangi’s powers and role in Moana 2 are perfectly adequate. It is also interesting to consider that Maui is the demigod of “wind and sea”, which means that his role is also related to Matangi’s.
How Moana 2 hints at Matangi lore
Moana 2 Hints at a Deeper Story Behind Matangi
There is still a lot to explore about Matangi, but Moana 2 provided some answers about their tradition. During her song, “Get Lost,” Matangi mentions that she has been in Nalo’s service for 1,000 years, which likely began around the same time Maui stole the Heart of Te Fiti and was banished to his isolated island. Whatever agreement she has with Nalo appears to be against her will, and Matangi later mentions that he owed a “debt“to the godimplying that at one point she needed his services and is still paying the price centuries later. While it’s unclear exactly what happened, the stories of Maui and Moana may also provide some answers.
Maui was once human, but became a demigod when his family threw him into the ocean to die. In Moana 2Moana also becomes a demigod of sorts after sacrificing her own life. If Matangi is also a demigod, how Moana 2 seems to imply, then it’s likely that she was also a mortal human. Of course, the The Disney franchise has not yet confirmed this, but the door was left open in Moana 2 for Matangi and other characters to return in future sequels or spinoffs.
What Happens To Matangi At The End Of Moana 2 (And How She Could Return)
Moana 2 creates more stories for Matangi
Moana did not see Matangi again after she arrived at Motufetū and gathered all the people across the ocean. However, this character was introduced during Moana 2The mid-credits scene where she was seen talking to Nalo, in the flesh, about Moana’s success in breaking the god’s curse. Nalo mentioned that a human shouldn’t have been able to do what Moana did, to which Matangi replied – with his fingers crossed behind his back – that he had no idea how the girl had managed. Unfortunately, it is clear that Nalo is suspicious of Matangi, and he insinuates that she would still have to continue her service.
This mid-credits scene in Moana 2 is when Matangi mentions the debt she owes Nalo, stating that it has been paid through her 1,000 years of service and that she should now be free. Nalo seems to disagree, and his proclamation that he is just getting started implies that he will continue to use Matangi to do the worst to the people of the ocean. Although Disney has not yet confirmed a Moana 3 or any other type of spinoff, the door was clearly left open for a continued story. Although Matangi did everything he could to help Moana Moana 2the hero of Motunui may yet encounter this mysterious figure on his path.