#the lion guard vitani

[kaythefloppa]

I have a lot of grievances over how Vitani's Lion Guard was executed in the finale, but I think the one thing that would've saved it [or made it less bs] is to have them all be different animals. Same characters, personalities, voice actresses (and maybe eye-color?), and you can even keep the all-female guard, just different species of animals that would've made the ending come full circle rather than having its narrative be circular.

Like, Vitani's the one-lion on the Guard who's the leader/fiercest.

Shabaha would be a caracal cat since those motherfuckers can jump high and compete with other, bigger predators for food (we were robbed oa caraca, in TLG anyways so this would've been perfect.

Tazama would be a Secratarybird since they can run fast but also have sharp vision as birds of prey.

Imara would be a South African Rock Python, her strength being her coils and jaw vice - In fact, they could've easily saved time and effort by just co-opting the rock python from Season 1, pulling the ultimate Chekov's Gun by turning a background character into a major game player in the finale (also serving as a heroic parallel to Ushari and giving us a non-villainous snake, not enough of which are shown in media)

Kasi as an African Wild Dog (known for their stamina unlike the cheetah, and again, don't get enough appearances in animated animal-based media sans Wild Kratts)

[darkmoonartwolf]

Yea idk why I thought of this couple

Here's some Vitani x Fuli

I like to think this is one of the rare times Fuli's feeling affectionate but she's disguising by playfully trying to rile up Vitani for a race.

[musenilla]

Sisi Ni Sawa 🦁✨

My sort of annual drawing of them + some extras!!

Of course in the hype of arcane my brain decided to make some lion king art. I swear I had these in my drafts for two months but couldn’t finish em because of art block. Anyways, my inspo is going haywire right now because of arcane finale, enjoy whatever these are for now 😔🫶

[mask-of-prime]

TLG: Final 10 Episodes Sketch Dump

September 2nd once again fell on a Labor Day, like it once did when the final 10 episodes of TLG dropped on WatchTLG (due to its early release on the old DisneyNOW app). The alignment of the exact day, month, and holiday five years later put me in the spirit to sketch away as I rewatched these episodes.

I was there when the countdown on the WatchTLG site had about an hour left. I hadn't seen a full episode of TLG until that point because I at the time thought I wouldn't be into it. I saw the synopses for these episodes leaked somewhere online and was doubtful yet VERY hopeful that the one with Vitani's Lion Guard was going to be a real episode simply because I wanted to see her in new content, regardless of my familiarity with the show.

When I binge-watched these final episodes with a friend, my relationship with the show improved as I went to watch the rest of the show over the next few months. I was so grateful to see so much content and worldbuilding for the TLK universe

Sketch descriptions under the cut:

1. Friends to the End

I've said this before in a review of this episode, but whether or not the writers intended this, their portrayal of irritability brought on by an anxiety attack is astounding. Kion's anxiety is piled up more and more when he's in a hurry to find a cure at the Tree of Life, Bunga repeatedly tells him he's becoming like Scar, and the rest of the group just "blind leading the blind"-in their journey SO badly because they're a bunch of unsupervised freshman-aged kids who are in their "Well I wouldn't go THAT far" or "Can I be the devil's advocate" phase.

This situation of fearing becoming like a shitty family member and being told you are by people when you're already in a vulnerable state is just SO vile and unfortunately so real. I found myself relating hard to this episode due to Kion's valid af anger in this episode, which is why I had to draw Kion claiming his "Don't you just wanna go apeshit??" era.

Kion is basically me throughout this episode and the entire first half of Season 3. It is SO HARD to get through this season sometimes when these same couple of lines keep coming at least once per episode. As soon as I hear Fuli saying "Uhh... Kion?" or "KION!!" I know exactly what's coming.

2. The Tree of Life:

Since we never get to see Sahasi and Ananda's color palettes they had in life, I took what I could make out from their spirit forms as well as some creative liberties, and came up with what they may have looked like on Earth.

Ananda is where Baliyo gets his freckles and dull, dark pelt, and where Rani gets her purple pupils, red nose, and dark tail. Sahasi is where Rani gets her richer pelt and where Baliyo gets his nose gradient, multicolored mane, and lighter tail color.

Fun Fact: According to some email responses from a member of the team who worked on TLG, they said that Sahasi was meant to be Janna's son, which for me, puts an end to a debate I had in my head where I was stuck between either him or Ananda being Janna's child: On one hand, I liked the idea of Sahasi and Surak being the foils of Mufasa and Scar, but also liked the idea of Ananda as Janna's daughter and heir since they looked so alike, as well as it solidifying the martriarchy headcanon I have for the Night Pride. Though the team member didn't straight-up provide Sahasi's relation to Janna and Surak as an absolute fact, rather it was simply the gist they got from the creation of Sahasi's character, it's an answer from a team member at all, which I can absolutely settle with. I decided to give him a similar fur color to Surak because of that.

3. The River of Patience:

I just HAD to doodle eepy Kion. It's like the one part of this episode that sticks with me outside the wholesome therapy dynamics and Kion heroically holding the flower between his teeth. This is basically him but if he fully succumbed to falling asleep waiting for the log.

4. Little Old Ginterbong:

Can I just say that I fucking LOVE Mama Binturong's character?? She's absolutely insane and constantly looks like an addict that needs her fix. She makes me nostalgic for some reason, and I think it's gotta do with her Mama Gunda vibes (which is odd because I wasn't even that young when I saw Tarzan II). I had to draw her doing the thing lol

5. Poa the Destroyer:

All I could think about throughout this episode besides the rare Evil Beshte is how insufferable Pinguino is. I mean it in kind of a good way, his personality is so ridiculous that he's made me laugh a few times.

6. Long Live the Queen:

Surprisingly, the sketch regarding this episode is probably the least expected subject matter out of anything I could've put here: An idea that's been forming in my head for a bit now was the idea of Bunga and Binga continuing the fostering/babysitting business of Bunga's "uncles". Bunga is shown to be a natural with young animals in a few episodes, and it continues in the subplot of this episode where he watches over Varya's cubs.

7. The Lake of Reflection:

The one thing that viscerally stuck with me in this episode was the unbelievably cute design they gave bby Cheezi. Had to sketch him.

8. Triumph of the Roar:

Obligatory Askari sketch because I actually love drawing him and making headcanons of his era. Looking back... he kinda looks like he's looking down at the events of the bottom drawing in slight disappointment.

9. Journey to the Pride Lands:

Drew Azaad (for what I think might be the first time) with the only thing he seemed to be doing throughout this episode -- taking any opportunity he can to comment about how much better cheetahs are at basically everything. He's fun to draw and I'd like to do more art of him one day.

10. Return to the Pride Lands

This is a sketch of what I deadass thought was gonna happen during this scene the first time I saw this episode lmao. At the time, the previous two episodes were fresh on my mind so I thought Kion was once again going to spam his tornado ability, but with Vitani as his subject for his demonstration. She already knew so little of the Roar as it was, given her absence throughout most of TLG's storyline, but could you imagine what she must've been thinking seeing how much Kion's Roar evolved?

[sethdomain]

Kion if he was a fucked up old man kitty plagued with mental illness and was suspected of conspiracy and asassination

[themischievousronster]

⚠️CW: Mild blood!

(Ignore the incorrect lyrics I’m too lazy to fix it)

I love Vitani and I love Mitski

[legitlionkingquotes]

(*after Vitani and Nuka set the savanna on fire*)

Vitani, carrying a watering can: Alright, alright, I'm helping. I'll clean up my mess.

Vitani: (*starts watering a flower*) See? I'm helping!

(*the flower bursts into flames*)

Vitani: Oh, that was gasoline. My bad.

[artist-issues]

Can we talk about how neat it was that The Lion Guard, a Disney Junior series, didn’t just skip over or write out the characters from The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride, which in many ways was darker and more mature than the first Lion King film?  I mean. They just said “‘Oh, you want us to make a series about Simba’s never-before-seen son, even though there’s already a canon sequel where it seems like Kiara is an only child? And that sequel also includes elements of betrayal and prejudice, and assassinations? And that sequel ends with one young son’s death and a mother who attacks her own children and would rather die than forgive and forget? Challenge accepted.”

They COULD HAVE just sent the main characters away to the Tree of Life and never brought them back. They could have left it with the one episode we got during Kiara and Kion’s cubhood where the Guard encounters Zira. Just throw the fandom a bone and carry on with their children’s show targeting 8 year-olds. But no. They really went for it and tried to wrap everything up neatly. I respect the effort at problem-solving. 

[sleuth-draws]

LOVESICK (part 4) - Close to You < prev | next >

Vitani has been acting strange.

Well, she always acts strange; that's kind of her thing sometimes. But stranger than usual.

Kiara has noticed that her friend can't quite keep eye contact anymore, often darting away quickly. When Kiara comes close to nuzzle her, groom her, even just to chat, she's been insistent on keeping more distance than usual, scooching away with an awkward and very unsubtle clearing her throat. On top of that, she's being leaving the den at night more and more to pace and grumble. Vitani might think she's being discrete but Kiara knows her enough to be able to tell when something's wrong. She's started to worry that her dear friend has started to lose sleep.

She's more than familiar with the old Vitani -- the quiet broody lioness who most times couldn't stand to stick around the pride, more out of habit than preference. She's reminded now of that Vitani.

There's no one she's enjoyed seeing come out of her shell more than Vitani. Except Kovu, of course. But she loves getting Vitani to crack that crooked smile of hers, getting her to loosen up and see that there's no immediate threat to look out for anymore. Kiara never bore witness to the atrocities Scar inflicted upon the Pridelands but she thinks witnessing how her new friends have been affected by Zira's tyrannical reign is the closest thing to it. The lack of food, the lack of support, the lack of love. She can't imagine what that's like.

Kiara does realize her privileged position; she's the Princess of the Pridelands for gods' sake. She knows she could never come close to knowing what it's like to suffer this greatly or to feel the after-effects of cruelty. But it's all she can do to check in on those who have.

So when her training lets out at the first sign of sunset, she spares Kovu a halfhearted nuzzle before going off in search of Vitani as she always does.

She's not at the watering hole, nor the fields, nor in the shady spot where they play-fought just a few days ago.

Hm. The Guard must have finished late today.

Kiara heads back to the Rock to visit the lair and approaches just in time to see Vitani exit with Imara at her side. The two are speaking with hushed tones and standing rather close. Vitani ducks her head in laughter and Imara nuzzles her side.

A pit forms in Kiara's gut. Huh. She must be hungrier than she thought. Yeah. That must be it.

Before she knows it, she's trotting towards them, calling, "Hey, Vitani!"

Her friend perks up instantly, those big ears of hers at attention. She looks hesitant but smiles at her nonetheless. Kiara grins as she makes her way over.

Imara nudges Vitani with her shoulder almost smugly, before bidding her goodbye and offering a respectful nod in Kiara's direction just as she comes face-to-face.

"Hi," Kiara breathes, only a little winded from her hurried journey over.

"Hi," Vitani breathes back, though she doesn't look tired at all.

Kiara tilts her head at her tall friend. "How was patrolling today?"

"Eh, it was fine. Imara just left to report to your old man. Had to chase off some mangy rogue who thought he could flirt with me and the Guard. Unfortunately, he was stubborn enough to let things get violent."

"Ugh, he sounds awful."

"Oh, he was," Vitani barks out an amused laugh, "But I knocked him flat and he ran away scared."

"Ha! You sure showed him," Kiara chuckles, finding herself circling around Vitani. She does things like this sometimes, stalking around Vitani as if hunting -- and at one point, Kovu as well -- and she doesn't quite know why. At this point, she's reasoned it's simply a natural habit. "How lucky we are to have you to protect us." She leans in to brush their sides together, nuzzling her cheek to Vitani's. "I missed you, y'know."

Vitani tenses but that's never been atypical. Touch has always been something her friend found hard to get used. "Oh, I, uh --" She clears her throat, thrown off her game. "I-I missed you too." She shakes her head. "But you just saw me yesterday, Princess!"

"I can still miss you!"

A snort. "Yeah, right."

Kiara is about to shoot a retort back when her nose starts to itch and a loud sneeze interrupts her, startling them both.

"Yeegh," Kiara exclaims, shaking her head and licking her nose, "Vitani!"

"What?"

"There's so much dust in your fur! No doubt from that fight. You seriously need a bath."

Vitani bristles. "Ugh, no way." She shakes herself out, ears flapping almost aggressively. "Look, I'm totally fi--" When she takes a step forward, her foreleg buckles and she stumbles, catching herself with the other foreleg.

"Vitani!" Immediately, Kiara is moving in to assist her.

"I'm fine, Kiara." Vitani grits. "It's just a sprain, nothin' I can't handle."

Kiara looks back towards the fields. Her mother won't be back with food a little while. "Come follow me."

"But --"

"Don't argue with me. Come on." Kiara headbutts Vitani's shoulder and though Vitani grumbles the whole way, they walk up Pride Rock together. There, several lionesses are resting out at the entrance of the den, grooming themselves and each other and sunbathing while they still have a sun to bathe in.

There's a round of greetings when the pair ascend, including Tiifu, Zuri and, surprisingly, Kasi, who are dozing in a pile together. Vitani stares as they pass; Kasi looks away in slight embarrassment.

They find a spot somewhere nearby, still warm from the sun, and Kiara gives a look that makes Vitani sigh loudly and plop down. Kiara settles in beside her.

"Hmph, good. Now..." Kiara leans in and starts grooming the fur on Vitani's neck; immediately Vitani jerks away. "Oh, come on, Vitani."

"I-I-I really think I can do this myself!" Vitani stutters.

"Don't be ridiculous," Kiara huffs. "You couldn't reach that neck of yours if you tried!" She leans in again and when Vitani dodges once more, she reaches with both paws to ensnare her head and hold it securely to her. Vitani struggles but doesn't go so far as to kick at her with her hind legs -- a great sign. "Ha. Good girl."

Vitani goes ramrod straight. Kiara pays her no mind and starts to groom the tuft on her head. Slowly, her friend starts to relax, though she maintains the tension in her shoulders, claws digging into the dirt. Eventually, that too leaves her, pressure rolling off her shoulders till even her claws, trained to be out at all times in attack position, start to sheathe themselves. She breathes a sigh and closes her eyes.

Delight fills Kiara's chest. There's something precious about this. Being able to just lie here in peace with someone once considered her enemy and relax together. To see her realize there's nothing to fear, at long last. Vitani has been scared for so long. She might not like to admit, but Kiara knows. Kovu has told her the hardships they all had to face at Zira's paws, Vitani in particular. He'd been blind to it, at first, giving in to Zira's hate-filled rhetoric and training. But the months after the war had allowed the siblings to open up to one another, where they'd previously been emotionally standoffish.

Vitani was the one keeping their family together. Her closeness to their older brother as both of Zira's neglected children and her admittedly enforced love for Kovu was bridged by her need to do right by her mother. She amplified the admiration for her younger brother among the Outsiders, she kept her older brother in line, and, greatest of all, she was the perfect soldier. Savage and wild and bloodthirsty, eager to fight and, lucky for Zira, eager to please. Because, however small, that was the closest she would get to actual love from Zira.

A transactional, militaristic relationship.

And when at last she defied her mother, she was quickly cast aside.

Where Vitani had loved Kovu superficially, as taught by Zira, there was also the real love of being the only sibling who truly cared for him. They're twins, after all, as easy it is to forget, uniquely linked. That love was smaller, unfostered, buried away, but it was there. Her betraying Zira was what made Kovu realize there was more that needed to be talked about. How could they leave things the way they were? After they'd lost their only mother and Nuka, after not even knowing their supposedly shared father, how could they go on not truly knowing one another?

The months of healing did them well. While Vitani had been reclusive at first, there were times where she was seen with Kovu and she looked truly happy. Now, they're closer than they'd ever been, and Kovu happily recounts their visits together to Kiara.

It makes Kiara wonder: does Vitani fear being cast out again? Is that why she's been so aloof? Is she afraid that the peace is delicate, that it'll all fall apart one day and her value will be reduced to nothing once again?

Kiara will do anything to keep her from feeling that way.

An easy rumble in Vitani's throat draws her from her thoughts. She's nearly clean now, her usually unruly tuft smoothed into a funny-looking cowlick, but Kiara is reluctant to let her go.

"Something's been bugging you lately, hasn't it?"

Vitani's eyes open and, regrettably, a small amount of tension comes back to her. She's quiet for a long time, as if calculating her response.

"It's nothing you gotta worry about, Princess. I'll be fine."

Perfectly calculated, in fact. Something that says she shouldn't press or pry, even jokingly. Something Vitani wants to sort out herself. And as much as Kiara wants to help with this, to get her sleep and ease again, she has to respect it.

"Okay," Kiara settles on, "But if you want to talk, or need help in any way, you know I'm here for you, right? I always will be."

Vitani tilts her head and looks earnestly at her. Her violet eyes are soft, softer than she's ever seen them. A thumping erupts in Kiara's chest.

"Yeah. I know, Ki."

"I-I really care about you," Kiara finds herself blurting, "You're my best friend."

"What? But I thought Tiifu and Zuri were your best friends," Vitani says, surprised, "Or, Kovu? I can never keep track."

"No -- I mean, well, yes, they are -- but I can have multiple!" Kiara sputters, suddenly nervous and not knowing why. "The point is, I...I feel so close to you. I couldn't stand it if you were hurting a-and there was something I could do to help you."

The whole exchange gives Vitani pause and she's quiet for a long moment.

Then, miraculously, terrifically, magnificently, Vitani allows herself to nuzzle the side of her face into Kiara's chest.

"You're my best friend too, Kiara." Vitani smiles that lovely, crooked smile. "I...really care about you too."

It feels as though a storm cracks through her.

She's shaken, almost vibrating in her pelt. Her fur is warm, her mouth is dry -- what is this? She prays -- oh gods, she prays -- that Vitani can't hear her thunderous heartbeat. It would be awful of her to ruin this moment.

But what is it that's afflicted her?

And where did the air in her lungs go?

[pizacat72]

Here's a headcanon of mine that I couldn't stop thinking about. Tw for major character death

The reign of Kiara and Kovu comes to be known as one of the most prosperous eras of the Pride Lands since Mufasa's reign. Though not without its struggles, their kingdom remains for the most part, at peace. Simba and Nala have long since joined the ranks of the Lions of the Past but not before they got to see their grandcubs.

The royal couple begins to train their firstborn cub to rule fairly and kindly. Vitani, Kion and their friends train the secondborn cub for their future role as leader of the Lion Guard. Timon and Pumbaa are gone but certainly not forgotten by their family and friends. The Circle of Life continues its unceasing turn.

Their pelts begin to gray but their love for each other remains unwavering. The cubs grow in wisdom and compassion. Though their joints have gradually stiffened, their kingdom remains protected. Everything is as it should be.

Still, the Circle of Life continues. Wars are fought, peace treaties are forged, diplomatic ties are strengthened. Vitani passes the torch to her successor. Members of Kion's Guard are mourned. Kion retires to the jungle with Bunga. Time stops for no one, not even Kiara and Kovu.

Kiara begins to grow more tired. The change is gradual, almost imperceptible at first. Long journeys to neighboring kingdoms take more effort. Naps during the day become more frequent for her to gather enough strength. Though she plays it off as exhaustion from a busy life at first, deep down, she knows. The sun is setting on her time.

Kovu becomes worried and is more reluctant to leave her side. He fears spending the rest of his life alone, as he has dealt with nightmares and intrusive thoughts from his past. He knows the rest of his family will still help him through it but Kiara is his strongest support in terms of helping keep the nightmares somewhat at bay.

Kiara becomes sad as she fights to remain with her family. She doesn't want to leave them alone. She wrestles with it for a while before finally seeing Simba's spirit for advice. He reassures her that she can always watch over them but also gently encourages her to accept that her time is up and to get her affairs in order.

Kion is sad and frustrated. Though the two of them argued fiercely at times, they became something akin to best friends. His favorite sparring partner will soon be lost to the stars. He becomes a bit more irritable and withdrawn, trying to hide it from his sister. Of course, she calls him on it.

As Kiara declines further, she comes to accept the end of her journey, whispering love and warmth to each loved one, with the occasional playful vow of haunting thrown in. She implores Kovu to seek her out whenever he needs it and he promises, nuzzling her one last time as she joins her parents in the stars at last.

[blade-liger-4ever]

Because I'm bored and kinda curious -

Lemme know what you think of these ships, and try discussing the pros and cons of them civilly (I know that last is asking a lot, but I wanna know what people make of these pairs.)

So go ahead. Choose one, and talk about it. I wanna hear your thoughts.

[kaythefloppa]

Nearly 4 years later, I'm still really salty that Vitani didn't get her own song in the final episode of The Lion Guard.

For reference: This is show featured Hamilton actors [all of whom get a minimum of 2 musical numbers for their respective characters], several longtime Disney stars such as Cam Clarke [who dubbed Simba's singing voice in Simba's Pride], has one of the characters from the Lion King Broadway sing alongside one of the Hamilton actors [to further emphasize the point, the song that they had sung for Season 3 was nominated for a Daytime Emmy], was able to afford some of the original voice actors from the movies and TV shows back, and even had fucking Dan and Phil in it, and as expected, also made them sing!! They all got songs, but not Vitani? Didn't Lacey Chabert sing in Anastasia? And aren't the VA's of the rest of her Guard evidently talented singers? [Fiona Riley as Shabaha sang as Binga earlier in the season].

I don't know if it was bc of time-constraints [which would've been fixed if they had made it an extended special like the pilot or the premiere episode] or if the budget was somehow mismanaged/too low to afford Willis, Beau, and the LG Chorus to score and sing any new songs for the finale [because if you think about it, the only songs in the finale are slightly tweaked reprises of earlier songs - The Departure Chorus from the premiere episode, and Long Live the Queen from the titular milestone episode, the last song in the series sung by any characters is Kion and Rani's love song], but still, I will die on this hill saying that Vitani deserved her solo and LG missed such a golden opportunity.

I don't care if it's in some new Disney + show, or in a new film, or a short-film, or some direct-to-video special or whatever, Vitani DESERVES HER SOLO.

[leopardsealz]

"get him, kovu!"

[devilsrecreation]

LET’S GO LESBIANS, LET’S GO

Oh my god, lesbians!

SAVING THE PRIDE LANDS WITH A BUNCH OF LESBIANS!!!!!

[mask-of-prime]

VG Bonus Art: Friendly Fire

Synopsis: Vitani is overwhelmed from trying to wrangle her disputing Lion Guard and tending the needs of on-edge Pridelanders terrorized by foes. On top of that, Vitani and Nuka's spirits have been fused for far too long until the possession becomes a parasitic inconvenience. The Fiercest, highly stressed and agitated, has been fueling her newly-found Fire Roar to the point where she can't control it, and neither can Nuka. At some point, the fire evolves into destructive, molten lava -- a new power she'd discovered on her own. Will her Lion Guard find a way to extract Nuka's spirit and cool her tumultuous temper?

It's, well... pretty past Halloween, now, but it is a special day nonetheless, it's the 5th Anniversary of when Vitani and her pals officially became the new Lion Guard (Return to the Pride Lands was aired on TV on November 3rd, September 2nd was their DisneyNOW/WatchTLG release). So I guess I'm celebrating the anniversary of them becoming a team by... tearing them apart...?

I have no idea if this would be an AU or if I can actually manage to fit this into the Vitani's Guard storyline somehow. Come to think of it, it kinda makes me imagine if Nuka's spirit would've remained within Vitani the first time they ever fused, like if a prolonged possession lasted several episodes/chapters (I wanna say the duration of Shouting Match to Speed Run?) until it became too much for both of them, disaster ensues in a manner typical of tropey werewolf episodes of cartoons, or at worst, an Akira type of disaster in which aggravated emotions and emotionally-charged supernatural powers fight each other to make for some gruesome body horror visuals (in this case, becoming a living volcano).

The lava dripping from Vitani's mouth lowkey reminds me of rabies, maybe this constitutes as an Infection AU like what everyone's been doing lately? lol

The title is a pun on the term "friendly fire" meaning to kill or harm a soldier who's on your side (Shabaha here seems to have been on the receiving end of that). I became aware of the term after the release of a Linkin Park song of the same name.

[life-in-toontown]

Look how they massacred my girl

She’s not supposed to be fluffy and pretty she’s supposed to be a scrawny, malnourished, mean-looking, murderous butch lesbian. I hate the fucking Lion Guard show so much

EDIT:

I drew Vitani before and after joining Pride Rock where she’s put on weight and muscle but still looks like her tough butch self instead of turning feminine