With its picturesque setting, headstrong female protagonist, and catchy soundtrack, Disney’s Moana continues to explore Polynesian tradition in different ways. The innovation is most apparent in the character design of Maui, the demi-god who accompanies the heroine on her journey. Voiced by Dwayne Johnson, Maui is a physically imposing character, whose expansive arms and torso are covered in intricate tattoos.
The designs on his body are a scrapbook of the demi-god’s accomplishments, and they aren’t static, they move. You learn a lot about Maui’s life just by looking at his tattoos.
***Spoiler alert***
But now, Maui isn’t the only one who has intricate tattoos anymore. In Moana 2, the female protagonist nearly dies while reaching the island of Motufetu underwater. Somehow, she manages to touch the sunken island but while doing so the female protagonist almost loses her life. Maui rescues her and sings a chant, calling upon their ancestors, to breathe new life into Moana (Voiced by Auli’i Cravalho).
When she wakes up, a tattoo magically appears on her arm featuring the stars above the island of Motufetu.
Does the magical tattoo indicate Moana is a demi-god?
When Moana seemingly asks Maui, “So, does this mean…,” the demi-god answers, “That my tattoos are cooler than yours? Yes.” Additionally, in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Dwayne Johnson confirmed, “It’s safe to assume…that she becomes a demi-god,” before adding, “I really appreciate how it was executed and how it was written.”
Moana 2 is now in theatres.
ALSO READ| ‘Moana 2’ review: Disney sequel’s attempt to ‘go beyond’ sails high on spirit but can’t match the original
