In Moana 2, various elements of Moana’s world are expanded and complicated, yet one of the most intriguing details that the movie includes is that the goddess Matangi is seemingly stronger than Maui. Released eight years after the initial film, Moana 2 returns to the island of Motunui, where Moana acts as wayfinder and local celebrity. Given a quest to save the island of Motufetu and reunite the ocean people, Moana sets back out on her canoe with her band of friends and discovers a hidden world of magic and petty gods.

Among the many fantastical characters included in Moana 2, one of the most fascinating is Matangi. First presented as a villain, Matangi acts as Nalo’s enforcer. Her lair is hidden within the monster clam that keeps the Kakamora away from their home island. Although Moana and Matangi’s initial meeting feels dangerous due to Matangi’s capture of Maui, it eventually turns into a change of heart. Unhappy working for Nalo and inspired by Moana’s courage, Matangi helps Moana and her crew to find Nalo and defeat him. Presumably, Matangi will now act as a new ally to Moana if she returns.

Moana 2 Doesn’t Show How Maui Was Captured By Matangi

Why Moana 2 Doesn’t Show Maui’s Capture

Redemption arc aside, Matangi is also interesting because she defeats Maui. When we first meet her, Matangi is about to face off against Maui, who is hoping to take down Nalo himself. Just as the pair are about to fight, the scene ends, and the next time we see them, Maui is tied up and hanging from the ceiling. Clearly, this implies that Matangi won the fight against Maui, which may come as a surprise to some. Despite the incredible powers he showcased in Moana, Moana 2 humbles him by showing that he can’t win every fight he enters.

It is worth questioning why Moana 2 doesn’t show Maui’s capture by Matangi. The most obvious answer is that there simply wasn’t enough time. Arguably, Maui and Matangi’s plot was secondary in comparison to Moana’s journey, and didn’t really become important until Moana’s arrival. Furthermore, Moana 2 may have forgone an on-screen fight between Maui and Matangi so that it would be easier to redeem Matangi later in the movie. Though we can forgive her for tying Maui up, it would be harder if she truly hurt him. Therefore, audiences never get to see the true extent of Matangi’s powers.

Matangi Capturing Maui Suggests That She’s A More Powerful Demigod

Maui’s Defeat Also Reiterates That He Works Better With Friends

The most significant idea that Maui and Matangi’s fight implies is that Matangi is more powerful than Maui. In 2016’s Moana, Maui is presented as a superbly powerful being due to his status as a demigod. However, Moana 2 undercuts his power by allowing a full goddess, Matangi, to beat him. In the grand scheme of things, it makes sense that Maui would not be the most powerful being in all the world, but his defeat is still surprising. Really, it opens the door for more failure on Maui’s part, which could be far worse against a more dangerous enemy.

Then again, Maui’s defeat also says something else about him; he works better with friends. One of Maui’s biggest weaknesses is his self-absorption and overconfidence. After spending eons trying to win back his magic, he only manages to do so with the help of a human, Moana. The same goes for his fight with Matangi. Maui is definitely full of skill and strength, but the franchise has shown again and again that he is at his best when he has others to back him up. He lacks the finesse and authenticity that is Moana’s greatest strength.

Moana 3 Can Confirm Whether Matangi Or Maui Are Stronger

Moana 3 Must Introduce More Gods

Fortunately, the question of Maui’s strength is still up for debate. If Moana 3 happens, then there will be another opportunity for Matangi and Maui to face off against each other, though it may be in good fun rather than for actual stakes. More importantly, Moana 3 can introduce other gods and goddesses like Matangi who may have powers that are better, or at least different, from Maui’s. This will give audiences a better idea of the power scale within Moana’s world.

It is imperative that Moana 3 adds more gods and goddesses, not only for Maui, but for Moana. At the end of Moana 2, it is revealed that the тιтular hero has become a demi-god due to her efforts to raise Motufetu. If Disney wants to move forward with this narrative, then it will have to explain the extent of Moana’s powers and how they compare to others in the universe. Now more than ever, it is vital that Moana plays off Moana 2, and maps out how exactly this fantasy world functions.