Ocean

The Ocean of the South Pacific is an expanse of sea that serves as a supporting character in Disney's 2016 animated feature film Moana. The ocean has a high level of sentience and acts as a legitimate character within the supernatural logic of the film's world. It spends a millennium searching for an individual capable of saving humanity when the world falls victim to a devastating curse, and ultimately chooses a young islander named Moana Waialiki. Over the course of the journey, the ocean becomes one of Moana's most trusted and significant companions.

Personality
Though loyal and utterly faithful to its companions, the ocean does follow the commands of others. It is completely independent, and will only act when it considers the circumstances absolutely necessary. To Moana, the ocean acts very much as a paternal guardian and is extremely supportive. Being responsible for choosing Moana as the world's savior in the first place, the ocean sticks by her side throughout the entire adventure. As mentioned, however, it is not entirely cooperative. Instead of helping Moana at every turn (which a force as great as the sea has the power to do) the ocean will only assist Moana after she has tried accomplishing a goal, herself. For example, when Maui escapes his island and leaves Moana floating in the sea, the ocean doesn't transport Moana to the stolen boat until after she attempts to swim to it on her own. Additionally, during the battle with Te Kā, the ocean does not fight the lava demon, rather it allows Moana to best the demon with Maui's aid, only helping after the two have fully committed themselves to doing so. It is not the ocean's job to save the world; it's only purpose in the adventure is to assist and it acts accordingly.

Maui appears to know the ocean quite well and provides some insight to its motivation to restore Te Fiti's heart. He notes that the ocean loved when he pulled islands from the sea, as Moana's ancestors will sail across it to find their new homes. The ocean enjoyed this feeling of purpose, and hoped to relive the experience once the world was safe from Te Kā's darkness.