Dusan Brown

Biography

The Lion Guard is an American animated children's television series developed by Ford Riley and based on Disney Animation's 1994 film The Lion King. The series was first broadcast with a television film titled The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar on Disney Channel on November 22, 2015, and began airing as a TV series on January 15, 2016, on Disney Junior. It is the second television series based on The Lion King following The Lion King's Timon & Pumbaa (1995–1999). The first two seasons take place within the time-gap in the 1998 film The Lion King II: Simba's Pride. The majority of the third and final season takes place in parallel with the film's second act, with the final two episodes serving as an epilogue to the film. The second season premiered on July 7, 2017, followed by the third on August 3, 2019, with the series finale airing on November 3 the same year.

== Premise == The Lion Guard is a group that serves to protect the circle of life, traditionally led by the second born of the King and Queen. Simba and Nala's son Kion finds himself taking up the title last held and tainted by his evil great-uncle Scar. Despite the tradition that the Lion Guard has always been made of lions, Kion appoints his friends Bunga the honey badger, Beshte the hippopotamus, Fuli the cheetah, and Ono the western cattle egret, and together, they set out to keep their homeland safe and protect it from animals who disrespect the Circle of Life. As leader of the Lion Guard, Kion is bestowed the Roar of the Elders, a powerful and devastating roar that can be corrupted when used in anger, and lost when used purposefully for evil. At the start of Season 2, the Lion Guard's mission becomes harder when Kion's evil deceased great uncle Scar returns as a fiery spirit and plans to destroy the Pride Lands. Scar forms an army consisted of animals from the Outlands. This eventually leads to an all-out battle between the Pridelanders and the Outlanders. By Season 3, the guards, now adolescents, successfully defeat Scar. Afterward, they leave the Pride Lands in Africa to locate the Tree of Life in Asia to cure Kion and Ono's battle injuries, Kion having received a venomous scar from Ushari the cobra and Ono losing his eyesight from the poisonous volcanic fumes while rescuing Bunga. Kion's team also gets a new member, a martial eagle named Anga who replaces Ono as the keenest of sight after Ono temporarily loses his eyesight, while the latter gains a new position as the smartest. Once reaching the Tree of Life, the Lion Guard assists in defending the haven from intruders together with the Night Pride, the group and family who protects the Tree of Life. After Kion and Ono are healed and their enemies are defeated, hyenas Jasiri and Janja (the latter having reformed during the final confrontation with Scar) come looking for them and alert them that Zira and her pride are back. The Lion Guard returns to the Pride Lands, only to find out that the conflict has already been settled. Zira's daughter, Vitani, has formed her own Lion Guard in their absence, causing an argument between them and Kion's Lion Guard. However, after seeing Vitani's confidence in becoming a leader even without the Roar, Kion allows Vitani's Lion Guard to succeed his Guard as defenders of the Pride Lands. Kion and his friends return to the Tree of Life where Kion marries the Night Pride's leader, Queen Rani, and is crowned king of the Tree of Life.

== Episodes ==

== Characters ==

=== The Lion Guard === Kion (voiced by Max Charles, singing voice by Aaron Daniel Jacob in season 3 except for "Battle for the Pride Lands") is a lion who is Simba and Nala's second-born cub, Mufasa's grandson, Kiara's younger brother, the Prince of the Pride Lands and the leader of the Lion Guard as well as its fiercest member known for his rebellious and kind-hearted personality. He serves as the main protagonist of the series. He often exclaims "Hevi kabisa!" and he often loses his temper when he gets angry. His and the Lion Guard's catchphrase is "Till the Pride Lands end, Lion Guard defend!" By the end of the season 3 premiere "Battle for the Pride Lands", Kion gets a scar over his left eye due to being bit by the cobra Ushari before defeating his evil great-uncle Scar. Kion and the Lion Guard then journey to find the Tree of Life to heal him. Once reaching the Tree of Life, Kion meets the protectors of the tree, the Night Pride, who guides him during his recovery process. He and the Night Pride's leader Rani fall in love during his journey and they become the rulers of the tree of life in the series finale. Bunga (voiced by Joshua Rush) is a honey badger who is the bravest member of the Lion Guard. He is Timon and Pumbaa's adoptive nephew and Kion's best friend. He often exclaims "Un-Bunga-lievable!" His battle cry is "Zuka Zama!" In season three he meets a honey badger named Binga, and they fall in love. Fuli (voiced by Diamond White) is a cheetah who is the fastest member of the Lion Guard, the only female member (before Anga), Kion's friend and second-in-command. She is also the first female animal to ever serve in the Guard as mentioned in the season 2 special The Rise of Scar. Her battle cry is "Huwezi!" In season three, she develops romantic feelings for a cheetah named Azaad. Beshte (voiced by Dusan Brown) is a hippopotamus who is the strongest member of the Lion Guard and Kion's friend. His friendliness extends to everyone, as he acts like a big brother to the younger members of his herd, a friend to animals of all different species, and a protector of the Pride Lands at large. He often exclaims "Poa!" His battle cry is "Twende Kiboko!" Ono (voiced by Atticus Shaffer) is an egret who is Kion's friend. Ono was the keenest of sight of the Lion Guard until his eyes were damaged while saving Bunga in "Battle for the Pride Lands". Ono respectfully relinquishes his original role to Anga, though Kion keeps Ono as part of the Lion Guard by giving him the new role of the smartest member, due to Ono's vast knowledge of all kinds of animals, the environment and much more. He often exclaims "Hapana!" In Season 3, he also often mutters "Nawaza" whenever he tries to think, most commonly when he tries to remember to locations on the map to the Tree of Life. He is the youngest member of the Lion Guard. Anga (voiced by Bryana Salaz) is a martial eagle who takes over as the keenest of sight from Ono at the start of season 3. Her battle cry is "Anga Lenga!"

=== The Lion King alumni === Characters from across The Lion King franchise return in this series:

Simba (voiced by Rob Lowe) is a lion who is Mufasa's son, Nala's mate, Scar's nephew and Kiara and Kion's father. He is the king of the Pride Lands and the leader of his pride. His father died when he was a young cub. Simba and Bunga share a history of having lived with Timon and Pumbaa, as pointed in the season 1 episode, "Bunga and the King". Lowe replaces Matthew Broderick, who previously voiced the character in the original film and sequel. Nala (voiced by Gabrielle Union) is a lioness, who is Simba's mate and Kiara and Kion's mother. She is the queen of the Pride Lands. Union replaces Moira Kelly, who voiced Nala in the original film and sequel. Kiara (voiced by Eden Riegel) is a lioness who is Simba and Nala's daughter, Mufasa's granddaughter, Kion's older sister, the princess of the Pride Lands and its future queen. Riegel also voiced young adult Kiara (replacing Neve Campbell, who voiced young adult Kiara in The Lion King II: Simba's Pride) in the series finale "Return to the Pride Lands". Riegel also replaces Michelle Horn, who voiced young Kiara in Simba's Pride. Timon (voiced by Kevin Schon) is Simba and Pumbaa's wisecracking meerkat friend. Timon is Bunga's adoptive uncle. Schon, who previously voiced Timon in Timon & Pumbaa and other various media, replaces Nathan Lane, who voiced Timon in the original film and sequels. Pumbaa (voiced by Ernie Sabella) is Simba and Timon's warmhearted warthog friend. Pumbaa is Bunga's other adoptive uncle. Sabella reprises his role from the original film and other prior appearances. Rafiki (voiced by Khary Payton) is a wise old mandrill who serves as a Royal Mjuzi (a Pride Lands word for knowledge keeper and advisor) for the Royal Family of Pride Rock. Payton replaces Robert Guillaume, who voiced Rafiki in all prior appearances. Zazu (voiced by Jeff Bennett) is a red-billed hornbill who is Simba's majordomo and supplies news via the Morning Report of the Pride Lands. Bennett replaces Edward Hibbert, who, in turn, replaced Rowan Atkinson in the original film as the voice of Zazu in Simba's Pride. Bennett previously provided Zazu's singing voice in the 2003 special edition of The Lion King for the song "The Morning Report". Mufasa (voiced by James Earl Jones in Return of the Roar, reprising his role from The Lion King and its sequels, and Gary Anthony Williams for the rest of the series) is Simba's late father and Kiara and Kion's grandfather who was the previous king of the Pride Lands in the original film before being murdered by his younger brother, Scar. Since his death, he lives on as a spirit that gives Kion advice on how to get through any tough plight. Scar (voiced by David Oyelowo) is Simba's evil late uncle, Kion and Kiara's great-uncle and Mufasa's younger brother. In his youth, Scar was the leader of the Lion Guard, gifted with the Roar of the Elders. During his young adulthood, he befriended a rogue lion from the Outlands, who leads him into the jaws of a cobra, who gave him his scar. In anger, Scar used the Roar to kill the lion and snake, however, Mufasa teased his brother and gave him the nickname of Scar, leading to Scar plotting to dethrone Mufasa, before abusing his power by using the Roar to destroy his Guard. In the years that followed the Lion Guard's downfall, Scar plots with the hyenas to rule over the Pride Lands, eventually leading to Mufasa's death, and Simba's exile from the Pride Lands. After being defeated by an now older Simba in a final vicious fight in the original film, he was mauled to death by the hyenas when he betrayed them by trying to pin the blame of Mufasa's death on them after initially blaming Simba. By the end of The Rise of Scar, Kion unintentionally summons Scar back as a fiery spirit in the Outlands' volcano after he uses the Roar in anger when Janja provokes him. Scar then begins to form plans to take over the Pride Lands and rule it forever. However, by the end of the third season's premiere Battle for the Pride Lands, Scar is finally exiled and sent back to the afterlife by Kion. Oyelowo replaces Jim Cummings, who, in turn, replaced Jeremy Irons as the voice of Scar in Simba's Pride. The Outsiders are a pride of offshoot lions that were loyal to Scar. After Scar's death, Simba exiled them from the Pride Lands. In the third season, they reform and join Simba's pride under Kovu and Kiara's future rule. Zira (voiced by Nika Futterman) is a lioness who is the matriarch of Kovu's family and the leader of the Outsiders. After the death of Scar, Simba exiled her and her clan from the Pride Lands. While Kion and the Lion Guard are on their journey to the Tree of Life, Zira attacks the Pride Lands, which leads to her death, as seen in Simba's Pride. Futterman replaces the late Suzanne Pleshette, who had previously portrayed the character. Kovu (voiced by Jason Marsden) is a lion who is Zira's youngest son and the younger brother of Nuka and Vitani. Before the series, he briefly befriended (and later fell in love with) Kiara. In Return to the Pride Lands, Kovu is now Kion's older brother-in-law. Marsden reprises his role from Simba's Pride and replaces Ryan O'Donohue who voiced Kovu as a cub. Nuka (voiced by Andy Dick) is an adolescent lion who is the oldest son of Zira and the older brother of Kovu and Vitani. Parallel to the third season of the series, Nuka died in the rush to catch Simba. Dick reprises his role from Simba's Pride. Vitani (voiced by Lacey Chabert) is a lioness who is Zira's daughter and the sister of Nuka and Kovu. Years later after she and her pride joined Simba's, Vitani formed her own Lion Guard in Kion's Guard's absence. Chabert, who voiced young Vitani in Simba's Pride, replaces Meredith Scott Lynn, who voiced young adult Vitani.

=== Supporting === Tiifu (voiced by Sarah Hyland in Return of the Roar, season 1 and The Rise of Scar and Bailey Gambertoglio in season 2) is a lion friend of Kiara and a member of Simba's Pride who is somewhat more sensible than her constant companion Zuri. Zuri (voiced by Madison Pettis) is another lion friend of Kiara and a member of Simba's Pride who is somewhat vain and hates getting dirty. Makini (voiced by Landry Bender) is a young mandrill who becomes Rafiki's apprentice. She is one of a few characters who know that Kion speaks to the spirit of Mufasa. In Season 3, she went along with the Lion Guard to the Tree of Life. Following Queen Janna's passing, Makini is made Rani's Royal Mjuzi. Vitani's Lion Guard are a group of lionesses seen in the series finale led by Kovu's sister Vitani who is the Fiercest member of her guard who take the role of the Lion Guard during Kion and his Lion Guard's absence, due to their journey to the Tree of Life. Shabaha (voiced by Fiona Riley) is the Bravest member of Vitani's Lion Guard, known for her level of insanity. Her fighting style is similar to Bunga, but whereas Bunga's bravery leaves him dimwitted, Shabaha's makes her slightly unhinged and often laughs maniacally in the midst of a challenge. Her catchphrase is "Bila hofu!" Kasi (voiced by Savannah Smith) is the Fastest member of Vitani's Lion Guard, noted to have Fuli's level of serenity. Though without the advantage of Fuli's cheetah speed, Kasi has more constant stamina as she is a lion and agility in part due to her thin build. Her catchphrase is "Haraka, haraka!" Imara (voiced by Rachel Crow) is the strongest member of Vitani's Lion Guard, given her tenacity. With a stocky build, she proves nearly as strong as Beshte. Her catchphrase is "Misuli!" Tazama (voiced by Sophie Reynolds) is the Keenest of Sight in Vitani's Lion Guard, as well as a supportive team player. While not able to fly like Anga or Ono, Tazama is capable of seeing in darkness and has some level of Ono's tact. Her catchphrase is "Hiyo kali!" Jasiri's Clan are a clan of friendly hyenas that resides in the Outlands. Unlike Janja's clan, Jasiri and her hyena clan respect the Circle of Life and mostly scavenge for food. When Jasiri learns from Kion that Scar has returned, she and her clan form a hyena resistance to aid the Lion Guard and help defeat Scar. After the season 3 premiere Battle for the Pride Lands, Jasiri and Janja's clan have unified as one and rule the Outlands with Jasiri in charge. Jasiri (voiced by Maia Mitchell) is a hyena living in the Outlands who is the leader of the clan and allies with Kion. In season 2, after learning of Scar's spiritual return to the Outlands, Jasiri forms the Hyena Resistance, consisting of her entire clan in an attempt to overthrow Scar as the leader of the Outlands. In season 3, Jasiri accepts Janja and his clan as members of her clan and after the defeat and destruction of Scar, Jasiri becomes the leader of the Outlands. Madoa (voiced by Maisie Klompus) is a hyena who is Jasiri's sister and is part of her clan. Tunu (voiced by Crimson Hart) is a hyena cub and brother of Wema who is part of Jasiri's clan. Wema (voiced by Fiona Hart) is a hyena cub and sister of Tunu who is part of Jasiri's clan. Makuu (voiced by Blair Underwood) is a formerly villainous crocodile who is the leader of the crocodile float, reforming from his troublemaking ways. Janja's clan are a clan of male hyenas that live in the Outlands. Initially, they disrespect the Circle of Life, but after being betrayed and almost killed by Scar, they join forces with Scar's enemies to help destroy him once and for all. After the destruction of Scar and the death of Ushari, Janja and Jasiri's clan merge as one and rule over the Outlands with Jasiri in charge while keeping the other Outlanders in line. Janja (voiced by Andrew Kishino) is initially a cunning, arrogant and vicious hyena, who is the leader of his all-male clan, later a friendly and loyal hyena. Cheezi (voiced by Vargus Mason) is an excitable hyena who is one of Janja's right-hand henchmen. Chungu (voiced by Kevin Schon) is an unintelligent hyena with a slightly heavier build than the other hyenas, who is the other of Janja's right-hand henchmen. Nne (voiced by Beau Black) is a stout but a sly and smart spotted hyena. Tano (voiced by Dee Bradley Baker) is a sloping but devious and smart spotted hyena. Mzingo's Flock are a parliament of vultures that live in the Outlands and is allied with Janja's clan and later Jasiri's clan following Scar's defeat. Mzingo (voiced by Greg Ellis) is a calculative vulture who is the leader of the parliament. He sometimes serves as Janja's spy and scout. Later in season 3, he reform as Jasiri's friend and ally. Mwoga (voiced by Cam Clarke) is a foolish and clumsy vulture who is the spy of the parliament. Azaad (voiced by Behzad Dabu) is a prideful Asiatic cheetah that the Lion Guard encounter in his canyon during their journey to the Tree of Life. He later helped them to the Tree of Life where he visited before and guided them down the fastest route to the Pride Lands where he later meets Simba and Nala. He is also Fuli's love interest. Askari (voiced by Michael Luwoye) is a lion and the leader of the original Lion Guard who was the second-born of the unnamed king and queen and a distant relative of Mufasa, Simba, and Kion. His spirit teaches Kion about how the roar works during Kion's journey to the Tree of Life. The Night Pride is a pride of lions who protect the Tree of Life. Rani (speaking voice by Peyton Elizabeth Lee and singing voice by Lana McKissack) is the leader of the Night Pride and Kion's love interest. Following the death of her grandmother, Rani becomes Queen of the Tree of Life. At the end of the series, she marries Kion. Her and the Night Pride's catchphrase is "With strength & respect, Night Pride protect!" Baliyo (voiced by Hudson Yang) is Rani's younger brother. His battle cry is "Ladai". Surak (voiced by Lou Diamond Phillips) is Janna's son and Rani and Baliyo's uncle. His battle cry is Jogina. Nirmala (voiced by Miki Yamashita) is the Night Pride's healer. She is the one who guides Kion in his recovery process. Her catchphrase is "Aramakaro". Janna (voiced by Shohreh Aghdashloo) is the former queen of the Night Pride, mother of Surak, and grandmother of Rani and Baliyo. She passes away in "Long Live the Queen". In "Return to the Pride Lands", her ghost is seen with the ghosts of Mufasa and Askari when Kion marries Rani with his Lion Guard agreeing to help the Night Pride protect the Tree of Life. Binga (voiced by Fiona Riley) is a fun-loving honey badger and Bunga's love interest.