One of Moana 2's new key characters was actually quietly featured in the 2016 Moana movie first. The 2024 sequel introduced several new figures in Moana's life, which was part of the appeal of the new film. Rather than the hero traveling across the ocean with only Maui, Moana had a whole crew working with her. Additionally, her family at home grew with the introduction of a new sister. Then, the history of Moana's family became more detailed, with names and more apparent roles assigned to her mysterious ancestors in Moana 2.
Moana's mission in the Moana sequel was to unite the people of the ocean who had been divided for centuries by Nalo's curse. Her ancestor, Tautai Vasa, gave Moana a vision inMoana 2, explaining that if she failed in this, the people of Motunui would eventually die out. Vasa had been one of the last Tautai on Moana's island, and it implied that he died attempting to reach the island of Motufetū to break Nalo's curse. His guidance was imperative to Moana's success, which makes his character profoundly important to Moana 2. Still, this isn't technically the Tautai's first introduction.
Tautai Vasa Was Actually In Moana Before Moana 2
Vasa Was Shown Several Times In Moana
Moana 2 is the first that Tautai Vasa was given a name, but he was first seen by Moana and audiences way back in the 2016 movie. When Moana first entered the cave containing all of Motunui's boats, she played the drum and received her first vision from her ancestors. Tautai Vasa was among those she saw leading the people of Motunui across the ocean. He is also seen passing on the chief's necklace to his son in Moana, who then went on to lead his people. At the time, he was simply a nameless ancestry, but Moana got far more up close and personal with Vasa's story in Moana 2.
Moana 2 Makes Tautai Vasa A Much Bigger Character In The Franchise
Tautai Vasa Is Essentially The Leader Of Moana's Ancestors
It was clear that Vasa was a chief in Moana, but Moana 2 gave him the additional title of "Tautai." Chief Tui explained that Tautai were the lead voyagers of the village, responsible for teaching the people to wayfind and explore the sea. Tui rightly felt that Moana deserved this title and honor, and a ceremony was performed that officially made her Tautai Moana. The moment Moana took this on, Tautai Vasa gave her an important vision and explained what she must do to save her people. Still, this wasn't the extent of his role in Moana 2.
Moana 2's biggest plot twist gives one of the film's characters a major upgrade that sets the stage for a potentially epic follow-up.
Tautai Vasa continued to guide Moana through her journey, and at the end of Moana 2, he was among the ancestors who came together to make his descendant a demigod. Vasa seems to be the Tautai among the Tautai—a leader of the deceased members of his line. He takes the shape of a glowing whale shark, similar to how Tala became a manta ray, and appears when Moana needs him most. It's evident that such a character will continue to be important going into any further Moana sequels and spinoffs—and it all started with his nameless appearance in the first movie.
Moana 2 is the sequel to the 2016 animated film Moana. Directed by David G. Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller, the film continues the journey of Moana as she embarks on new adventures, exploring the vast Pacific Ocean while encountering new characters and challenges along the way.
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Moana
Moana, the daughter of the chief of Motunui, is chosen by the ocean to restore the heart of Te Fiti, which had been stolen by the demigod Maui, causing environmental decay. Moana embarks on an epic journey across the ocean, teaming up with Maui to save her island and discover her own destiny as a wayfinder.
English (US) ·