The following contains spoilers for Moana 2, now playing in theaters.Moana 2 sets the stage for a third entry in the franchise and creates a new, incredibly interesting dynamic on account of Moana’s newly established Demigod status. The second installment centers around the Goddess and her journey across the ocean to break a curse set by Moana 2‘s Nalo, a perilous God of Storms. Moana (Auli’i Cravalho) must raise Motufetu out of the ocean to prevent the extinction of her people, though a near-death experience and ancestral intervention results in Moana 2‘s ending sequence confirming her Demigod status. This development promises an incredibly exciting future for the franchise.

Moana 2 was a huge success critically and commercially, with audiences praising the on-screen relationships between the characters. In particular, the interactions between Moana and her younger sister, Simea, appeared to resonate strongly with viewers. Moana has bestowed the тιтular character with a wealth of new powers and abilities to rely on in future installments. Similar to Maui (Dwayne Johnson), Moana’s Demigod status affords her a new spiritual weapon embodied in her oar, as well as tattoos akin to Maui’s. Naturally, this could be a decisive moment in Moana’s overarching story and there are plenty of new powers to explore.

Every Confirmed Demigod Power Moana Has

Moana’s New Powers Deepen Her Connection To The Ocean

Moana 2 offers limited demonstrations of Moana’s demigod powers, revealing only a portion of her inherited abilities during the ending. Perhaps the most important of the Demigod’s newfound powers is her wooden oar, which now functions as a key navigational tool. This bares some resemblance to Maui’s hook but allows Moana to manipulate the ocean, bending it to her own will — rather than shapeshift. Moana’s upgraded oar produces a golden streak across the ocean’s surface to act as a path. It’s likely that Moana’s ability to use these powers will be limited to when she has the tool at her disposal.

Additionally, Moana’s tattoo heavily signifies her new powers as a Demigod. Representing her connection to the realm of the Gods, Moana’s new tattoo is a sign of her new status, which can be seen on the тιтular character’s arm. Similar to how Maui’s tattoos visually represent his demigod experiences, Moana’s power is shown through the visual representation of her deepening bond with the ocean and her bloodline. It is likely that Moana’s powers will be inclusive of immortality, too. This is a given considering Maui’s inability to age, and often put himself in the direct line of injuries that would otherwise kill him.

How Powerful Moana Is As A Demigod Compared To Maui

Moana Is Arguably Now More Powerful Than Maui

Not only does her newly established status make Moana the most powerful Disney princess, but she now surpᴀsses the strength of the Demigod of the Wind and Sea, Maui. That being said, there are significant differences between the pair’s powers. Maui possesses a far more immense physical strength, and ultimately has the ability to shapeshift. While his abilities are still awarded by his Demigod status, much of Maui’s power derives from the properties of his hook. His extraordinary superhuman strength has seen him pull islands from the sea and move the sun, proving that Maui’s power is more overtly physical.

On the other hand, a lot of Moana’s strength comes from her courage and deep-rooted connection to the ocean. The importance of the ocean is first revealed in Moana, where it can be seen selecting her to venture across the seas to restore the heart of Te Fiti. It is clear that Moana has a unique connection to the ocean, which only becomes more powerful in the sequel as Moana is resurrected and granted further powers by her ancestors. Moana’s power formerly came from inner strength, but her new divine power drastically increases her abilities and allows her to surpᴀss Maui in many ways.

Will Moana Get More Demigod Powers In Moana 3?

The Potential Return Of Nalo Provides Moana 3 The Scope To Explore More

It seems unlikely that Moana’s Demigod powers will be limited to these select features. As a Voyager, Moana has the potential to project her powers on a far larger scale, as well as draw upon her ancestral lineage to discover new powers. Moana entering the Divine Realm in the second film means the Demigod is poised to be met with even bigger threats in the final entry in the trilogy, which ultimately means Moana must expand her skills. Disney is presented with the ideal opportunity to outline the full extent of her powers in Moana 3.

Moana’s ongoing struggle to balance her divine responsibilities with human desires is likely to be a recurring theme in the third film. The confirmation of Moana’s Demigod status means that the Disney princesses could hold complete power over the seas in a new installment. The power she already wields over the seas creates endless possibilities, and means that Moana’s powers could extend to controlling the weather or shaping lands. Not to mention, Moana’s tattoos serve as a visual indicator of Moana’s abilities, and their potential for expansion hints at a future of further powers.

What Moana’s Powers Mean For The Franchise’s Future

Moana’s Demigod Capabilities Could Have Disastrous Consequences For The Franchise

The most glaring consequence of Moana’s powers sets up a rather sad reality in the Moana franchise. Gaining immortality creates an enormously difficult task for the franchise, as it effectively means that the Demigod will come to outlive her family and friends. Of course, this was not an issue for Maui because he was abandoned at a young age, but as the franchise’s main character, Moana’s central role is to act as a leader for her people. This means that it’s more than likely she will watch her family die, and experience her younger sister outgrow her.

Part of why Moana has quickly become one of Disney’s most beloved princesses is because of how relatable she is as a character. Maintaining a balanced portrayal of her new powers from Moana 2 is essential to prevent her from becoming overpowered. If the franchise does this successfully, however, it opens up many exciting possibilities for the franchise’s future. Moana’s upcoming story provides a natural platform for introducing fresh characters. The studio could even take it one step further by enriching the narrative’s backstory by including more of the Gods and Demigods in Moana‘s expansive universe — as these figures are integral to the story.