WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for Moana 2.
Many of the new characters in Moana 2 add fun and exciting elements to the original 2016 film. Auli'i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson lead the cast of Moana 2which also features voiceovers by Awhimai Fraser, Temuera Morrison, Nicole Scherzinger, Alan Tudyk and Jermaine Clement. After releasing in theaters on November 27, 2024, Moana 2 earned a five-day Thanksgiving gross of $221 million domestically, which surpassed the record set by The Super Mario Bros. movie for the best five day weekend of all time.
All over Moana 2Moana travels to the distant seas of Oceania after receiving an unexpected phone call from her ancestors. She leaves her home island of Motunui and sets out to find others in the ocean, hoping to bring them together once again. It is revealed that Nalo, a wicked and powerful storm god, sank a crucial connecting island called Motufetu deep in the ocean to prevent the islanders from connecting. In Moana 2, Moana's goal is to discover Motufetu and bring together all the oceanic peoples. She is able to realize this ambition by the end of Moana 2 through the help of your most loyal friends and family.
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Kele
Played by David Fane
Kele is one of Motonui's oldest who makes his first appearance in Moana 2. As a mostly grumpy and non-verbal character, he is easily one of the most forgettable characters in Moana 2as he doesn't really add much to the film. Kele is voiced by David Fane, best known for his other work in Our flag means death, Next goal wonand The Messenger. According to D23"Kele is not as passionate about adventure as the rest of the crew. But he is passionate about the plants he grows!"It is unclear whether Kele will make an appearance in Moana 3 and perhaps he will have a reduced role if he returns.
Despite having a grumpy character like Kele in the world of Moana It's not necessarily a bad thing, it was an interesting choice to include him in Moana's journey throughout the highly anticipated sequel. Kele often acted as a foil to the rest of the energetic and optimistic characters in Moana's world, which ended up providing a better sense of balance and realism to the film as a whole. That being said, it mostly blends into the background throughout the Moana sequence and has demonstrated very little potential to evolve into a strong or main character moving forward at this time of growth Moana franchise.
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Moni
Played by Hualalai Chung
Moni was a great complementary companion to Moana throughout the film's new sequel and is an excellent and memorable addition to the team. Although he is also booked to have a secondary role as Kele, a native islander from Motonui, he is known for being a passionate storyteller and avid fan of Maui, almost like his "mini-me". Played by Hualalai Chung from NCIS HawaiiMaui naturally fits into Moana's mentorship team and could become a more permanent piece of her ensemble moving forward based on his great attitude and generally cheerful charisma.
If the Moana If the franchise wanted to branch out and create a Maui-specific spin-off film or television series, it might be a good idea to include Moni in that endeavor, as he would consider Maui an idol and mentor. There's also the natural consideration of Moni becoming a potential love interest for Moana, though this has yet to be introduced into the franchise at large. It would make sense for Moni to go in either or both of these directions moving forward. Because there are so many intriguing possibilities for his character, he remains one of the most memorable of all time. Moana 2 Who He also has a giant question mark on his head.
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Matangi
Played by Awhimai Fraser
Matangi is the secondary antagonist in Moana 2 and is mostly the only villain seen for most of the sequence. According to Disney WikipediaMatangi"is an eccentric bat-themed demigoddess who serves as the executioner of Nalo, the God of Storms." Voiced by Awhimai Fraser, Matangi essentially acts as the face of the opposing forces working against Moana and her counterparts throughout the film. Matangi was held captive for centurieswhich left her bitter and scarred. She is a reluctant ally of Nalo, the villain nearly invisible throughout the world. Moana 2.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Matangi is her superhuman abilities as a demigoddess. According to Disney Wiki, "As a demigoddess, Matangi possesses supernatural abilities. Some of which are vampire-like. She can climb walls and has agility and quick reflexes. She can also fly and levitate." This opens the door to several interesting features in Moana 3, which could even see Matangi switch sides and end up on Moana's team, as there already seems to be a barrier between her and Nalo. Matangi also seems to be a more approachable character than than Nalo, which could make her a highly compelling villain in the future. In Moana 2She was quite intriguing but still underused.
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Lotus
Played by Rose Matafeo
Of all the guidance supporting characters introduced in Moana 2Loto is by far the most memorable and has the most potential to become a true staple of the franchise as Moana's trusty companion. Played by Rose Matafeo from Fascinated by the stars and Golden Boy acclaimLoto also has a strong voice actress to support her as her character evolves alongside Disney's massive franchise. According to Disney WikipediaLotto "is the "smart but quirky" member of Moana's guidance crew along with Kele and Moni, who designs and maintains the ship during their search for the mysterious island of Motufetu."
Loto also has great potential to be a more integral player in the futuremainly because she has her own unique and precise skill set that will have practical uses for Moana's adventures in the future. She also displays glimpses of heroism throughout Moana 2which suggests that now that Moana herself has become a demigoddess, Loto could also evolve to enter the more mystical realm of Moana lore. Loto has a large base established by Moana 2 and as Moana's best friend besides her family members, she could have an even bigger role in the eventual Moana 3 and beyond.
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Nalo
Played by Tofiga Fepulea'i
Nalo, played by Tofiga Fepulea'i, is curiously only seen in human form at the end of Moana 2 during the mid-credits scene. As the film's main antagonist, his magical storm powers are not only seen on full display, but also felt intensely throughout the film. Moana 2considering he is Moana and her crew's biggest threat and strongest motivator. Nalo also had an indirect effect on the first Moana film, since it was her curse that prevented Moana from meeting other islanders in the first filmunbeknownst to her or the public at the time.
As Nalo gains strength by tearing the island's communities apart, he will face his greatest threat in Moana 3 after Moana successfully brings people together at the end of Moana 2. It was an interesting choice to leave Nalo as a dark but powerful figure. Moana 2as most villains are in the spotlight in the vast majority of Disney films. Moana 3 should reveal more of Nalo's personality, as his strength and power have already been demonstrated in recent Moana sequence. There is still, literally, a huge dark cloud of mystery and intrigue surrounding Nalo and all his power.. He remains an unmissable character in Moana 2 and a highly intriguing prospect for Moana 3.
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Simea
Played by Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda
Moana's little sister, Simea, is a great addition to the Moana universe. Unfortunately, as she remained behind on Motunui, Moana's home island, while Moana began her adventures in Moana 2She didn't get to have a very strong role in the film. Even though she is a little above childish age, Simea is a funny and sassy character who contrasts with Moana's bright and inspiring personality.. The two sisters work well together in the few scenes they have, especially during their emotional reunion in the final moments of the blockbuster sequel.
After introducing your character in Moana 2it's almost certain that Simea will have a larger role alongside her sister in the eventual Moana 3. The deep love and connection between Simea and Moana is well established in Moana 2 and must be the fundamental basis and launching pad that Moana 3 should take off. Considering the voice actor's age and inexperience, it makes more sense why Simea didn't have a bigger role in Moana 2. However, it appears to be the beginning of a promising acting career for Lambert-Tsudawho could very well be approaching adolescence when Moana 3 leaves.
Simea could have a more integral role in Moana 3 if the franchise underwent a huge time jump and made her part of the crew. The franchise could define Moana 3 at some point in the future to allow Simea to grow up and have a bigger role alongside her sister. Her small but unforgettable impact made her the best new character addition in Moana 2 from afar.
Sources: D23, DisneyWiki