Few animated sequels return with the kind of expectations Moana 2 carries. The original film left a lasting impression not only because of its visuals and music, but because its characters felt vocally grounded and emotionally present. With Moana 2 now earning multiple nominations in this year’s SOVAS Animation/Character categories, the conversation has shifted from anticipation to recognition. The film’s voice performances are not simply revisiting familiar ground. They are being acknowledged as some of the strongest animation work of the year.
This season, Moana 2 appears prominently across categories, including Outstanding Animation Character – Motion Picture – Best Voiceover, with nominations for Auliʻi Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson, as well as Outstanding Animation Ensemble – Motion Picture – Best Voiceover for its full cast. That kind of presence is not common for sequels, particularly those returning years after an original release. It signals that the film’s voice acting is not riding on nostalgia alone, but standing on renewed performance strength.
Returning to Iconic Roles With Growth, Not Repetition
One of the biggest challenges for voice actors in animation sequels is avoiding stagnation. Characters must sound recognizable, but not frozen in time. Auliʻi Cravalho’s return as Moana highlights how difficult that balance can be. Her nomination for Outstanding Animation Character reflects more than consistency. It reflects evolution. Moana’s voice in the sequel carries added confidence and emotional depth, shaped by both character growth and Cravalho’s own maturation as a performer.
The performance does not attempt to recreate the cadence of the first film line by line. Instead, it allows Moana to sound older, more assured, and more complex, while still preserving the warmth that defined the character initially. That progression is subtle, but it matters. In animation, where the voice anchors everything from movement to emotional tone, small shifts can define whether a sequel feels earned or repetitive.
Dwayne Johnson’s nomination for his role as Maui reflects a different kind of challenge. Maui is a character built on bravado, humor, and rhythm, and Johnson’s vocal identity is inseparable from the role. Yet voice acting demands a different discipline than live-action performance. Without physical presence, everything relies on timing, inflection, and restraint. Johnson’s return demonstrates an understanding of that difference. His performance remains bold, but it avoids exaggeration, allowing Maui to feel integrated into the story rather than dominating it.
Together, these individual nominations point to a larger truth. Moana 2 succeeds vocally because its leads approach the sequel as an opportunity to deepen performance rather than simply repeat what worked before.
A Full Cast That Sustains the World
Beyond individual performances, Moana 2 also received a nomination for Outstanding Animation Ensemble – Motion Picture – Best Voiceover, recognizing the collective strength of its cast. This includes returning and new voices such as Hualālai Chung, Rose Matafeo, Awhimai Fraser, Temuera Morrison, Nicole Scherzinger, Rachel House, Alan Tudyk, Jemaine Clement, and others. Ensemble recognition in animation is often overlooked outside of awards contexts, but in this case, it speaks directly to the film’s success.
Large-scale animated worlds depend on vocal cohesion. Supporting characters shape tone, reinforce cultural texture, and prevent the narrative from narrowing around just one or two voices. In mythology-driven stories like Moana 2, this cohesion is essential. The ensemble’s performance supports emotional continuity, ensuring that the world feels lived-in rather than assembled.
The casting and voice direction also play a critical role here. Maintaining tonal consistency across a broad cast requires careful coordination, especially when returning to a universe audiences already know. The ensemble nomination acknowledges that Moana 2 avoids a common sequel pitfall, where secondary characters fade into functional roles. Instead, the supporting voices actively contribute to the emotional and narrative flow of the film.
Why These Nominations Matter
Animation voice acting is often discussed in broad terms, but Moana 2 provides a clear example of how sustained performance quality earns recognition. Its presence across multiple SOVAS categories reflects a production that treats voice work as foundational, not supplemental. These nominations are not about novelty or expansion for expansion’s sake. They point to a sequel that respects character history while allowing performances to move forward.
In a year filled with strong animation contenders, Moana 2 stands out because it demonstrates how voice acting continuity, growth, and ensemble balance can coexist. Rather than relying on the legacy of the original film, it reinforces that legacy through disciplined, evolving performances. The result is a sequel whose voice work does more than support the story. It defines why the story still resonates.