In Disney’s Moana 2, a new villain, Nalo, the storm god, emerges from the shadows. While the trailer initially highlights Matangi as the main threat of the sequel, Nalo’s influence proves to be far more significant. As a vengeful god, Nalo’s ancient curse drives most of the conflict, setting the stage for more intense showdowns in future films.
Here’s everything you need to know about Nalo, the powerful storm god who plays a key role in Moana 2 and beyond.
Nalo, voiced by New Zealand comedian Tofiga Fepulei, is a deity who has a larger presence in Moana 2. Unlike other villains, he does not need to make a grand entrance. His power is felt through storms and shadows, manipulating events from a distance.
Nalo’s ominous purple aura and storm-like appearance set her apart from other Disney adversaries. Her connection to the weather is just the beginning of her terrifying abilities. Nalo commands fearsome sea monsters and can even strip gods of their powers, as seen when he temporarily strips Maui of his strength and tattoos.
In an interview with ComicBook, Disney Animation’s chief creative officer Jennifer Lee explained Nalo’s dangerous mindset: “Nalo realizes that there is nothing more dangerous than the power of humans.
When they are together, they can do anything. The world becomes theirs.” This belief motivates Nalo’s ancient vendetta against humanity and fuels the film’s story.
Nalo’s backstory reveals his deep-seated anger towards humans. In the distant past, it destroyed the island of Motufetu, which was an important hub connecting various maritime communities.
This act of destruction isolated the people from each other, contributing to a historically long pause in Polynesian exploration. By sinking Motufetu, Nalo created a division that echoed across the Pacific, creating a separation that would last for centuries.
Nalo’s return in Moana 2 reveals her continued desire for control and revenge. He wishes to keep humanity apart and punish those who threaten his power. His curse on Motufeto and the resulting storms throughout the film are just a glimpse of the greater threat he poses.
Although he doesn’t appear on screen for long, Nalo’s influence is felt throughout Moana 2. Her storm and the purple sea creatures protecting Motufetto create a tense atmosphere, setting up a dramatic climax.
Nalo’s power is on full display when Moana, in an attempt to break her curse, touches the surface of Motufeto, triggering an explosive confrontation. In response, Nalo tries to kill Moana.
Despite this attack, Moana’s courage turns her into a god. This sequence reflects Nalo’s fear of unity, which he considers the biggest threat to his power. As Moana and Maui begin to recover from the curse of Nalo, the storm god’s influence grows, and the future of the Pacific islands is increasingly threatened.
Even though Nalo appears to be defeated at the end of Moana 2, the post-credits scene shows that he remains a formidable force. Sitting on a purple throne beside Matangi, the sequel’s reluctant villain, Nalo begins to plan his revenge.
To make matters worse, he forms an unlikely alliance with Tamatoa, the giant crab antagonist from the first Moana film. This new alliance hints at even bigger challenges for Moana and Maui in future installments.
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