Are Maui and Moana a Couple?

Maui and Moana are the main characters in Disney’s 2016 animated film Moana. While there are hints of a potential romantic connection between them, the film does not definitively portray them as a couple.

Evidence For Maui and Moana Being a Couple

There are a few details in the film that could suggest Maui and Moana have romantic feelings for each other:

  • When they first meet, there is a moment where they lock eyes and appear intrigued by each other.
  • Maui calls Moana “curly” as a nickname, which could be seen as a term of endearment.
  • When Moana tries to convince Maui to help restore the heart of Te Fiti, she appeals to his ego and sense of identity, which could indicate she has gotten to know him on a deeper level.
  • During the song “You’re Welcome,” Maui seems flirtatious with Moana.
  • When Moana loses her temper and wants to turn back from their journey, Maui is patient and encouraging with her, which shows care for her feelings.
  • Maui ultimately risks his life to buy time for Moana to make it to Te Fiti.
  • In the final scene, Maui gifts Moana a new boat, which could symbolize his affection.

These details suggest the possibility of a budding romance. The chemistry and emotional connection between the characters could lay the foundation for a potential relationship.

Maui’s Flirtatious Attitude

One of the biggest pieces of evidence is Maui’s flirtatious attitude, especially during his song “You’re Welcome.” The lyrics and tone imply he is trying to impress Moana:

So what can I say except “You’re welcome”
For the tides, the sun, the sky
Hey, it’s okay, it’s okay, you’re welcome
I’m just an ordinary demi-guy!

His overconfidence and showmanship could suggest he has a romantic interest in Moana.

Moana’s Understanding of Maui

Additionally, Moana is able to connect with Maui about his backstory and desire to be loved by humans. This depth of understanding between them strengthens their bond:

Moana: Maybe the gods found you for a reason. Maybe the ocean brought you to them because it saw someone who was worthy of being saved. But the gods aren’t the ones who make you Maui. You are.

Moana sees through Maui’s bravado to the vulnerable parts of him, which creates intimacy in their relationship.

Evidence Against Maui and Moana Being a Couple

However, there are also several details that suggest Moana and Maui were not meant to be seen as a romantic couple:

  • Their age difference – Maui is essentially a demigod who has lived for thousands of years, while Moana is a teenage mortal.
  • Maui acts as a mentor, teaching Moana sailing and wayfinding.
  • Their relationship lacks overtly romantic interactions, like kissing, declarations of love, etc.
  • The story emphasizes the mission over their relationship.
  • Moana frequently gets annoyed with Maui’s arrogance and immaturity.
  • Maui’s song “You’re Welcome” is more about pride than romance.

With these aspects in mind, it seems their connection is meant to be read as more of a profound friendship and partnership rather than a budding romance.

Lack of Romantic Interactions

Most notably, Moana and Maui share no overtly romantic interactions. Their relationship lacks behaviors associated with Disney romantic couples:

  • No kissing or physical intimacy
  • No declarations of love or attraction
  • No candlelit dinners or serenading

Their friendship stays firmly within platonic bounds. This distinguishes them from Disney’s couples who display their feelings through these romantic tropes.

Focus on the Mission

Additionally, the story remains centered on Moana’s mission to restore the heart of Te Fiti. Her journey with Maui focuses on confronting challenges like monsters and trickster coconut pirates:

Moana: I am Moana of Motunui. This is my canoe and you will journey to—
Maui: [yelling] All right, get over it. We gotta move.

Their developing relationship takes a backseat to moving the plot forward, rather than being the focus of key scenes. This de-emphasizes romance in favor of the larger goal.

Conclusion: Close Friends, Not a Couple

After weighing the evidence, it seems most likely that Maui and Moana were intended to be portrayed as very close friends, but not explicitly romantically involved. The details that could suggest a romance are subtle, while the lack of overtly romantic interactions and emphasis on the quest point to a strong companionship instead.

Their relationship follows a common Disney trope of a younger heroine paired with an older, arrogant male companion who becomes a friend and mentor. Examples include Pocahontas with John Smith, Mulan with Mushu, and Rapunzel with Flynn Rider. The pattern places the focus on the heroine’s coming-of-age journey, rather than romance.

So in the end, it seems Maui and Moana remain “just friends.” While some fans might wish for more, the film does not provide definitive evidence that they were meant to be seen as a romantic couple.

Relationship Fits Friendship Tropes

Looking at literary tropes, Maui fits the role of the “micurious protector” – a character who guides, supports, and protects the hero/heroine on a quest:

  • He mentors Moana on wayfinding.
  • He joins her mission to return the heart.
  • He protects her from the coconut pirates and Tamatoa.

This common trope emphasizes friendship and guidance, rather than romance. So structurally, the relationship builds on that character type.

No Official Word from Disney

Finally, Disney has not issued any official statement declaring Maui and Moana a couple. The film, shorts, and other media about them keep their relationship ambiguous. If Disney definitively intended them to be romantic partners, they likely would have confirmed it at some point.

So without explicit confirmation, the safest conclusion is that they were not designed as an official Disney couple in the movie.

Fandom and Speculation

Despite the ambiguous nature of their relationship in the movie, many fans root for Maui and Moana to get together. Here are some common arguments made:

  • Chemistry – Their natural rapport suggests they make a good match.
  • Personality balance – Moana’s seriousness balances Maui’s wildness.
  • Maui’s changing ways – Moana reforms Maui’s selfishness.
  • Cuteness – Art of them as a couple is adorable.
  • Desire for representation – Fans want more Polynesian Disney couples.

These perspectives provide insight into why viewers are drawn to the two as potentially more than friends. While speculative, it speaks to their appeal as characters.

Fan Art and Stories

Fans express interest in Moana/Maui through artwork and fanfiction depicting them:

  • Kissing
  • Hugging
  • On dates
  • Married in the future

Examples include:

  • Flirty beach scenes
  • Maui giving Moana flowers
  • Tender embraces

This content imagines romantic scenarios fans hope to see, even if they aren’t shown in the movie.

Potential Future Relationship

Some argue that even if they didn’t get together during the film’s events, they still could sometime in the future. After all, Moana is still very young in the movie, so there’s room for their friendship to evolve over time. Their chemistry provides a foundation.

Fans speculate about them reuniting down the road, perhaps falling in love and marrying. This allows them to become a couple while respecting Moana’s age in the film.

Other Perspectives and Variations

Not all fans agree Moana and Maui should be a couple. Here are some alternate perspectives:

  • Their age gap makes romance inappropriate or unrealistic.
  • Their rapport is better suited to a sibling-like relationship.
  • Romance would distract from Moana’s hero’s journey storyline.
  • As a demigod, Maui may be too aloof for romance.
  • Some fans prefer Moana paired up with another character instead.

So while the possibility intrigues many fans, it remains a divisive topic.

Moana/Other Character Pairings

Fans who prefer Moana not paired with Maui often ship her with other characters instead, such as:

  • Gramma Tala – her deceased grandmother
  • Te Fiti – the island goddess
  • Pua – her pig companion

These provide alternative romantic options that viewers appreciate in their own ways.

No Romantic Pairing Needed

Some feel Moana doesn’t need a romantic partner at all. As a strong, empowered Disney heroine, she contains complexity as a character outside of a relationship. Her journey can be fulfilling without needing romance as an end goal.

From this perspective, speculation about pairing her up takes away from her compelling personal arc navigating her role as chief and master wayfinder.

The Characters’ Potential Thoughts

Given their personalities and attitudes in the movie, here’s how Moana and Maui might react to the question of being a couple:

Moana’s Reaction

Moana would likely politely dodge the question. As an earnest, focused teenager, matters of romance probably aren’t her priority. She’d reaffirm her duty to her people as future chief and her identity as a wayfinder. While she cares about Maui, she may say he’s better suited as a loyal friend than a boyfriend.

Maui’s Reaction

Maui would probably crack jokes playing off the idea. As a boastful demigod, he’d tease Moana in a good-natured, stir-the-pot kind of way about the two of them. But ultimately he’d acknowledge that Moana’s still young and their relationship is really about him imparting his wayfinding wisdom. So he’d say their bond goes deeper than romance.

In Summary

While Maui and Moana clearly have a meaningful relationship in Moana, the film does not establish definitive evidence that they were intended to be viewed as a romantic couple. Their lack of overt romantic gestures and focus on Moana’s quest point to them being close friends, not girlfriend and boyfriend. But fans remain fascinated by the possibilities of their chemistry and continue sharing their own adventures for the characters outside the movie.

Their connection enriches the coming-of-age story told in the movie without needing to be a full-fledged romance. Viewers can enjoy their interactions as portrayed and decide for themselves if the demigod and future chief make a good match.

Data on Popularity of Moana and Maui Shipping

Here is some data on how prevalent shipping Moana and Maui is among fans:

Platform # of Posts
Instagram fan art posts tagged #moanaxmaui 8,761
Fanfiction stories on Fanfiction.net 764
DeviantArt posts tagged Moana/Maui 5,409
Tumblr posts tagged moanaxmaui 87,200

This data indicates substantial interest in imagining Moana and Maui as a romantic pairing. However, it does not necessarily reflect the perspectives of all fans of Moana. Surveys could provide additional context on what portion of the fandom prefers them as a couple versus seeing them as platonic friends.

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