Hero's Journey - Moana

The Ordinary World

Moana is a young girl who lives on an island called Motunui. Her father, Tui, is the chief of the island. Moana is bound to become the next chief of Motunui, succeeding her father after he steps down. Motunui is an island with many cultural traditions and stories, one including the mother island Te Fiti. Te Fiti’s heart, possesses the power to create land, and bring other islands into existence. Life on Motunui is good; everyone seems content and satisfied with their responsibilities, but not Moana. She grows into her role as the chief, but she can’t overcome her true desire: To go to the sea, where she feels she belongs.

Call to Adventure

Moana’s island begins to deteriorate because the heart of Te Fiti, a precious gem that belongs to the mother island, Te Fiti, was stolen. It grants life to islands by giving them flora and fertility. Moana must retrieve the heart and return it to her father, the Chief. Although, her father has one rule; no one is allowed to go past the reefs. The possibility of danger and fear that something bad may happen makes Moana feel anxious.

The Refusal of the Quest

After Moana’s grandma, Tala, falls ill, she orders Moana to leave the island to save their village. Moana refuses, claiming that she cannot leave her grandma in this condition.

The Refusal of the Quest

Accepting the Call

Moana is conflicted over her duties on this island, and her dream to travel the sea. But after contemplating and talking to her grandmother, she finds a small fleet of boats behind the cave. Tala shows Moana a constellation of Maui, a demigod. She says that Maui will be beneath it. Once she reached the water, her grandmother’s spirit in the form of a manta ray illuminates the water for safe passage.

Entering the Unknown

Moana “enters the unknown” when she begins her adventures, and sails past the reefs on her boat.

Entering the Unknown

Assistance

Throughout her journey, Moana is assisted by Maui the demigod, Hei Hei the chicken, Pua the pig, and her grandmother Tala.

Tests and Trials

After Moana ventures off on her mission, she is faced with many difficulties. First, she gets caught up in a sea storm, and washes up onto a deserted island. Next, she faced the Kakamora Coconut Monsters, a tribe of fierce pirates who attempt to take Hei Hei, and battle Moana. Shortly after, Moana safely defeats all of them, and moves on. The next challenge was when Moana and Maui entered the Monster Realm to reclaim Moana’s hook from the king crab, Tamatoa.

Meeting the Mentor

In the beginning of the story, Moana is mentored by her grandmother, Tala as she provides comfort, advice, and support. Though as the story progresses, Moana meets Maui, the demigod. Maui aids Moana during her quest, and his guidance is what allows Moana to save the islands, and restore Te Fiti. Tala inspires Moana to go on her quest, although Maui is the one who guides her through it.

The Ultimate Boon

Moana comes to realization that Te Ka is the heartless Te Fiti. She takes a moment to self reflect before sailing into the enemy territory. Moana must battle the goddess, Te Ka, in order to save Motunui, and fulfil her prophecy. With help from Maui, she is saved from being pulverised. Moana discovers that Te Ka is Te Fiti, and she holds up the heart to return to Te Fiti. After this, the world has returned to normal.

Reward / Treasure

Reward /Treasure

Moana has not only receive endless glory from her people, but she is now able to take her newfound knowledge of wayfinding back to her village. Te Ka transforms into Te Fiti following the restoration of her heart, and returns life back to the islands and seas, and restores peace.

Journey Home

Moana returns home safely to Motunui, and is rewarded a boat from her people. When Moana has finally made it back to her island, the village is euphoric. Their island is no longer dying all thanks to Moana’s bravery and perseverance. Moana has obtained new skills of wayfinding, a forgotten tradition and skill amongst her people, and Maui is rewarded with a magical fish hook from Te Fiti.

Status Quo

Life has returned back to normal in Motunui. The villagers rediscover wayfinding, and release the boats from the cave. Moana becomes the new chief of the island, succeeding her father, and places her stone on top of the mountain where all chiefs in Motunui history placed stones to claim their leadership and responsibility. Moana and the villagers sail out on their boats to go look for new islands.