Moana, the once-aspiring voyager who sang “How Far I’ll Go,” is setting sail again in Disney’s animated sequel, “Moana 2,” premiering on Nov. 27. Anticipation is high among fans after the film Moana (2016) soared in popularity last year, becoming the most-watched film on U.S. streaming platforms with 11.6 billion viewing minutes, according to Nielsen. Recognizing the film’s enduring appeal, Disney CEO Bob Iger confirmed the sequel’s theatrical release, stating, “We were impressed by what we saw and knew it deserved a theatrical release.”
The Moana series has become well-loved for its deep connection to Polynesian culture and for breaking away from the traditional princess storyline. Instead, it follows the courageous journey of Moana, the daughter of Motunui’s chief, who boldly states, “I’m not a princess,” before setting out on an ocean adventure. Although the original film drew a modest 2.31 million viewers in South Korea, falling behind hits like “Your Name.”, it has since gained a loyal fanbase, including stars like IU and Lee Su-hyun from AKMU. The sequel adds South Korean talent to the team, with animator Nara Youn and art director Joyce Lee bringing fresh visual storytelling that has helped make the series so successful.
Nara Youn, a 19-year animation industry veteran, joined Disney in 2013 after working with DreamWorks on titles such as “Frozen,” “Zootopia,” and “Moana.” Now the lead animator for Moana and Maui in the sequel, Youn explained, “The sequel explores themes of family, adventure, and heroism, with Moana—now the chief of Motunui—leading a journey across the Pacific. Audiences will encounter new villains and mythical creatures, like the lively ‘Kakamora,’ a coconut-shaped pirate character bound to make an impression.”
Set in the Polynesian Islands, Moana transformed the ocean into a character, mesmerizing viewers with its vibrant seascapes. Joyce Lee, art director for “Moana 2,” said, “We held countless discussions to capture the beauty of the ocean authentically. I aimed to illustrate its color shifts from shallow shores to the deep sea. Our lighting team closely studied water and light interactions to create a jewel-like glimmer, while the effects team infused energy through dynamic wave and spray animations.” Even the smallest details—like individual pebbles or blades of grass—were meticulously designed, highlighting the time and dedication behind every scene.
Though modern animation often relies on digital methods, Moana integrates traditional hand-drawn elements, exemplified by the moving tattoo “Mini Maui” on Maui’s skin, created by a 2D animation team. “As a demigod, Maui has muscle movements that are highly nuanced,” Youn noted. “Each main character undergoes precise adjustments—not only the eyes, nose, and mouth but even each eyelash, nostril, and joint. Rigging, the process of building an internal structure for character movement, involves 500 to 600 parts for human characters and can go up to 1,600 parts for larger entities like dragons.”
The buzz for “Moana 2″ is already clear: its trailer set a Disney animated film record with 178 million views within 24 hours, while early global presales have outpaced those for “Inside Out 2.”
