Anime is seemingly everywhere these days, with the medium having transformed from a niche interest to a mainstream form of entertainment in recent years. Moana 2.

Kato's Blue Exorcist began its run in Weekly Shōnen Jump in 2009 and became incredibly popular following the premiere of its anime adaptation in 2011. The series has seen a bit of an irregular release schedule as of late, though remains ongoing, while the anime adaptation just wrapped its most recent season this past March. In between chapters, it seems Kato became inspired by the recently released Moana 2, which debuted in theaters in November 2024, and she likely wasn't the only one.

Moana Meets Shōnen Jump In an Unexpected Crossover

The Recent Disney Film Gets a Tribute From the Artist Behind Blue Exorcist

Kato's illustration includes the main cast of Moana 2, and prominently features the titular protagonist, voiced by Auli'i Cravalho, and Maui, voiced by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, front and center. Also featured are Heihei, Moana's comedic rooster sidekick, Pua the pig, her other cute companion, and Kotu, the coconut-like Kakamora who s the party in Moana 2. Replies to the post from fans were overwhelmingly positive, with many complimenting Kato's blend of her own art style with the iconic Disney style featured in the film.

It wasn't the first time the worlds of anime and Disney crossed paths, and it certainly won't be the last. he drew his take on Marvel's Captain America.

Disney Is Going All-In on Anime This Fall

A New Anime Series Based on a Disney Property Is Expected to Premiere In October 2025

Anime's interest in Disney isn't entirely a one-way relationship, as the iconic brand is expected to go all-in on the medium this October with the release of Disney Twisted-Wonderland the Animation. The show will be based on the three separate ongoing manga series under the Twisted-Wonderland name, themselves based on a mobile game, and is set to begin streaming on Disney+ this fall.

With anime's global rise in popularity, fans can expect to see far more of it in crossovers and collaborations with their other favorite properties. The recent Moana illustration by Blue Exorcist artist Kazue Kato is just the latest instance of the two worlds colliding, and it certainly will not be the last.