Moana 2’s Lightning God, Nalo, Fully Explained

Notice! This post contains SPOILERS for Moana 2

Moana 2 debuts Nalo, a new dark god of storms and lightning who serves as the film’s main antagonist. Ultimately, Nalo himself is largely absent from the Moana 2 besides the clear evidence of his power. However, he’s no less of a threat to Moana (Auli’i Cravalho) and her new crew, even with the help of his demigod friend Maui (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson).

In Moana 2Moana of Motunui is trying to sail further than ever as her village’s official Tautai, a leader and navigator tasked with finding new islands. As such, Moana receives clear insight into her ancestors after finding evidence of other villages and people beyond Motunui. That said, Moana’s vision also coincides with Nalo’s debut. To that end, here’s everything you need to know about Nalo in Moana 2his powers and his future as a major threat to the Ocean People.

How Nalo’s Curse Triggers the Events of Moana 2

Keeping the islands separate

Although it doesn’t appear much in Moana 2 itself, Nalo’s influence and power are certainly felt throughout the film. This is especially true considering the dark curse he placed on the ocean in the ancient past, the discovery of which kicks off Moana’s new mission with a new crew. As revealed in ancient stories and tapestries, it is revealed that Nalo wanted power over mortals and the Ocean People, so he sank the island of Motufetū beneath the ocean, a central island with mystical canals that helped connect the ocean and all its island villages together.

To that end, Nalo serves as a supernatural explanation for “The Long Pause”, a period in ancient Polynesian history.. Eastern Polynesia inexplicably was only discovered 2,000 years after the islands of Western Polynesia were found and colonized. Combined with the theft of Te Fiti’s heart in the first Moana film, the result is that the ocean was too dangerous to be explored further.

With Maui’s help and Moana’s own evolution into a demigod after sacrificing herself to save her people, the duo managed to raise Motufetū from the depths and restore the ocean’s connections with her people. As seen in Moana 2 In the end, discoverers from other villages soon head to this central island and meet Moana. Moana then brings them back to Motunui to meet her people, a clear sign that Nalo’s curse has been successfully broken despite her efforts and dark storm powers.

Nalo’s Powers, Explained

A great threat like a storm god

Despite his defeat in Moana 2Nalo’s confirmed powers certainly make him a force to be reckoned with. At the very beginning of the film, Nalo sends a bolt of lightning that nearly strikes Moana just before she receives a vision from her ancestors to find Motufetū, confirming his command over storms, which is proven at the end of the film when he gathers a full storm. of lightning and typhoons to try to sink Moana and her crew. Nalo seems to command marine life as well, at least some of its darker sea monsters.

Nalo can also force people into his service, such as the bat Matangi, who can also be a demigod. As seen in Moana 2, Nalo kept Matangi trapped inside a huge mollusk and tasked her with guarding the “Gateway of the Gods” that leads to Motufetū.. It also appears that Nalo can take away the power of demigods, as when one of his lightning strikes Maui, which caused him to temporarily lose his great strength and tattoos (at least until his power is restored by Ocean).

How Moana 2 Sets Up Nalo’s Return

Planning your revenge on Moana and Maui

Although Nalo’s curse has finally been broken, it appears he is far from done with the Ocean People and their heroes.. Wanting revenge on Maui and Moana, Nalo finally appears sitting on a throne in Moana 2 post-credits scene. He also teams up with Mantangi, with whom he is very unhappy.

Matangi hoped that helping Moana and Maui get through the portal would go unnoticed by Nalo. However, the storm god somehow discovered his mistake anyway. Likewise, it appears that she is still Nalo’s prisoner at the end of the film, despite her hopes that Maui and Moana lifting her curse would have also led to her freedom. As such, it appears that Matangi will have no choice but to assist Nalo in a potential Moana 3 (which has not yet been confirmed).

Additionally, Nalo and Matangi team up Moana 2 post-credits scene from none other than Tamatoathe giant crab of the first Moana film. A great rival of Maui who loves neither the demigod nor Moana, it appears that Nalo and Tamatoa may forge an alliance to get revenge and stop Moana and her people from further exploring the ocean now that he has been reconnected with his people and presumably villages in the entire South Pacific. Considering Moana is now a demigod, it wouldn’t be surprising if Maui and Moana fought Nalo directly in a possible third film.

Who plays Nalo in Moana 2?

Tofiga Fepulea’i

Nalo is voiced by New Zealand actor and comedian Tofiga Fepulea’i. Best known for her work as part of the comedy duo Laughing Samoans, Tofiga Fepulea’i had only a few television and film roles before her role in the Disney film. Moana 2. These films include 2019 Take the payment home and 2022 Ducks.

Despite her primarily comedy background, Tofiga Fepulea’i provides a rather intimidating and great villain voice to Moana 2 Nalo. Likewise, one would expect Fepulea’i to return to reprise his role as Nalo in a future Moana 3when and if the created sequel is officially confirmed by Disney. Additionally, it will be very exciting to see Tofiga Fepulea’i in an expanded role now that it looks like Nalo is apparently preparing to get his hands dirty and face the heroes directly now that his curse has been lifted at the end of Moana 2.

Moana 2 It’s now showing in theaters.