Moana is back. Honestly, it feels like it’s been forever, but the wayfinding chief finally returned to the big screen in late 2024. If you’ve seen the movie—or if you’re just trying to keep up with your kids' obsession—you know the world of Motunui got a lot bigger this time. It wasn't just a two-person show with a demigod and a teenager anymore.
Moana 2 characters names and pictures have been flooding social media, but there’s a lot of confusion about who is who and why they're even on the boat. This wasn't just a random voyage; it was a rescue mission for the entire ocean.
The New Crew: Who's on the Boat?
Most people expected another solo trek, but Moana actually put together a professional (well, mostly professional) team. This wasn't just for company. She needed specific skills to reach Motufetū and break the curse of Nalo, the God of Storms.
Loto: The Brains
Loto is basically the MVP of the sequel. Voiced by Rose Matafeo, she’s a young, high-energy engineer. You’ll recognize her in pictures by her short hair, a distinct tooth gap, and her ever-present adze tool. She’s the one who kept the canoe from falling apart when the storms hit. She’s brilliant, though she talks a mile a minute and definitely lacks a "filter."
Kele: The Reluctant Farmer
Then there’s Kele. If you look at his character design, he looks like a piece of weathered driftwood. He’s voiced by David Fane. Kele didn't even want to be there. He’s a legendary farmer who prefers dirt to saltwater, but he joined the crew to make sure everyone stayed fed. His knobby knees and grumpy attitude provide most of the movie’s grounded humor.
Moni: The Ultimate Fanboy
Moni is played by Hualālai Chung. He’s the island’s historian, but let’s be real: he’s a Maui stan. He knows every legend, every song, and every feat Maui ever performed. Seeing him finally meet the demigod in person is one of the funniest "don't meet your heroes" moments in Disney history.
The Family Dynamic: Simea and the Return to Motunui
One of the biggest emotional shifts in the sequel is that Moana isn't a lonely daughter anymore. She’s a big sister.
Simea, voiced by Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda, is Moana’s little sister. She is the absolute heart of this movie. When you see pictures of her, she looks remarkably like a mini-Moana, but with a different kind of spark. She’s the reason Moana feels so much pressure to get back home safely. The stakes aren't just about the village; they're about a little girl waiting on the shore.
Returning Favorites
Of course, the OGs came back too.
- Maui: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson returned, and yes, Mini-Maui (the tattoo) is still causing trouble on his chest.
- Chief Tui & Sina: Temuera Morrison and Nicole Scherzinger are back as Moana’s parents. Tui is much more supportive of wayfinding now, which is a nice change from the "don't go past the reef" vibe of the first film.
- Gramma Tala: Even though she passed away, Rachel House returns as the spirit of Tala to guide Moana when things get dark.
The Villains: Nalo and Matangi
Forget the lava monster Te Kā for a second. The threats in the second film are much more psychological and atmospheric.
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Nalo is the primary antagonist—the God of Storms. He’s the one who hid the island of Motufetū to keep humans separated. He’s massive, intimidating, and uses lightning like a weapon.
Then you have Matangi, voiced by Awhimai Fraser. She’s a mysterious, somewhat eerie figure who can control bats. Her design is incredibly cool—darker and more supernatural than what we usually see in Motunui. She serves as a secondary antagonist, testing Moana’s resolve in the deep ocean.
The Kakamora: Not Just Background Jokes
People often overlook the Kakamora, those little coconut-armored pirates. In the first movie, they were just a fun action set-piece. In the sequel, we actually get a bit of a tragic backstory.
It turns out they were also victims of Nalo’s curse. They were separated from their home island, which turned them into the marauding pirates we know. A new character named Kotu (a young Kakamora) actually helps Moana's crew. It turns the "villains" into allies, which was a pretty bold move for the writers.
What You Should Actually Know About the Visuals
When searching for Moana 2 characters names and pictures, you’ll notice the animation has leveled up. The water physics are better, sure, but it’s the character models that stand out.
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- Moana’s Age: She’s three years older now. She looks stronger, her hair is styled slightly differently for travel, and she carries herself like a leader.
- The Colors: The palette for the new islands is much more vibrant, using deep purples and electric blues to signify the supernatural influence of the storm gods.
Honestly, the best way to appreciate the new cast is to look for the "Wayfinding Crew" official stills. You can see the contrast between Loto’s sleek, inventive look and Kele’s rugged, "get me off this boat" aesthetic.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're trying to track down every single detail about these characters, there are a few things you can do right now.
- Check the Art Books: Disney released "The Art of Moana 2" which has high-resolution sketches of Loto’s inventions and Matangi’s bat-transformation sequences.
- Listen to the Soundtrack: Songs like "We’re Back" and "Beyond" give a lot of insight into the internal struggles of the new crew members that you don't fully get from the dialogue.
- Watch the Credits: There are brief glimpses of what happens to the Kakamora after they finally find their way home.
The sequel really succeeded in making the Pacific feel like a lived-in world with history and consequences. It’s no longer just about one girl and a demigod; it’s about a whole culture reconnecting with its past.
Keep an eye out for merchandise featuring Simea and Loto—they’re definitely the breakout stars that are going to be everywhere for the next few years.
To get the best look at the new designs, head over to the official Disney Animation Instagram or the D23 character gallery. They have the cleanest shots of the new crew and the storm god's various forms.