The Lion King Annihilation

The Lion King Annihilation is an upcoming 2020 American-South Korean animated epic, adventure, musical, comedy-drama film released by Walt Disney Pictures, with under production by Mercury Filmworks, Walt Disney Animation Studios, and Disney Television Animation, as well as being distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. It serves as "part two" of the remaster of Disney's well-known 1994 animated film The Lion King, as well as being a direct spin-off/sequel of The Lion King Reborn, conjoining it with its 1998 sequel The Lion King II: Simba's Pride, and several episodes of its 2015 television sequel series The Lion Guard. The film was once again produced by Don Hahn, and score composed by Nick Glennie-Smith and Christopher Willis. While Darrell Rooney, Rob LaDuca, Jeannine Roussel, and Ford Riley served as some of the co-directors and producers for the previous film, Rooney and LaDuca worked as some of this film's main directors, while Roussel and Riley produced the film.

In its ensemble voice cast, it stars Matthew Broderick, Gabrielle Union, Neve Campbell, Max Charles, Khary Payton, Jeff Bennett, Joshua Rush, Diamond White, Dusan Brown, Atticus Shaffer, Maisie Klompus, Gary Anthony Williams, Landry Bender, Maia Mitchell, Behzad Dabu, Nathan Lane, Ernie Sabella, Madison Pettis, Bailey Gambertoglio, Christopher Jackson, Heather Headley, David Oyelowo, and Peyton Elizabeth Lee, alongside many actors and actresses reprising their roles from the previous film.

Synopsis
The fight against Scar and his army of Outlanders rage on to take over the Pride Lands by bringing it into chaos. Now to find the answer, Simba, Nala, Rafiki, Makini, Jasiri, Kion, and the Lion Guard must riddle the Pride Lands of Scar's presence once and for all in order to defeat him. The film later focuses on Kiara's relationship with Kovu as adults.

Plot
When the Guard manages to save Kiara, Janja taunts Kion until he uses the Roar of the Elders in anger and unknowingly summons Scar when the volcano erupts. Ushari and the hyenas are then able to speak with Scar's spirit in the volcano after dropping the bakora staff into it. Meanwhile, the Lion Guard and Kiara return to the Pride Lands safely, but are unaware that Scar has returned.

After the Lion Guard accidentally awakens Makuu and his float from their sleep during the dry season upon unknowingly sending a stampede near their sleeping cave, the Lion Guard and Simba work to find a new place for Makuu's float to endure the dry season. During this time, a crocodile named Kiburi conspires against Makuu which leads to them getting into a Mashidano as Ushari, under Scar's orders, persuades Kiburi to have his followers attack Simba. After he and his followers are kicked out of Makuu's float upon Kiburi losing the Mashidano, and banished from the Pride Lands upon the attack on Simba being thwarted by the Lion Guard, Kiburi joins Janja's clan and Ushari in working for Scar, who plans to unite all the animals of the Outlands and get them under his leadership as part of his plot to take over the Pride Lands.

While working to free Thurston's zebra herd from the dry river before the mud hardens, Kion has no choice but to use the Roar on a dark cloud to make it rain. The rain from the cloud not only frees Thurston's herd, it also causes a flash flood that sends Beshte into the Outlands. After Njano informs Ushari of Beshte's presence, Scar enlists Janja, Cheezi, and Chungu to assist Shupavu's group of skinks in laying a trap to get rid of Beshte at Rocky Plato. Meanwhile, the rest of the Lion Guard head to the Outlands to search for Beshte.

As Rafiki gets Makini ready to paint for Simba's family, he gets disturbed by the antics of three young animals; elephant Chama, who was formerly a part of Ma Tembo's herd, sable antelope Mzaha, who was formerly a part of Bupu's herd, and monkey Furaha, who was formerly a part of Tumbili's troop. Meanwhile, the Lion Guard works to keep the animals of the Pride Lands safe from the threat of dry lightning. When fire from the dry lightning threatens Rafiki's tree, Chama, Mzaha, and Furaha save Rafiki and Makini and work with the Lion Guard to put out the fire.

The tsetse flies have been causing problems in the Pride Lands. Due to the Tsetse flies' dislike of zebra stripes, the Lion Guard escorts Thurston's herd and Mbeya to a source of water. Meanwhile, Scar instructs Janja's clan to get rid of Jasiri, as she is an ally of the Lion Guard and interfering in the plans to get Reirei's pack on their side. Janja's clan end up trapping Jasiri, Tunu and Wema in a steam vent. This causes her sister Madoa to enlist the Lion Guard to help rescue Jasiri with the unlikely help of Thurston.

The Ukumbusho, a performance that celebrates the friendship between the elephants and lions of the Pride Lands is being held in Mizimu Grove, and Makini is tasked with painting sunbursts on the elephants. The Lion Guard plays the original Guard which was led by a lion named Askari. As Ma Tembo states that the Guard was made up of lions at the last Ukumbusho, Makini paints Bunga, Fuli, Beshte, and Ono to look like lions while Timon and Pumbaa help them in practicing their performance. Due to Makini using yellow flowers for the elephants' sunburst paint, a swarm of bees start swarming Ma Tembo and the other elephants causing them to go on a rampage. The Lion Guard then rushes after the elephants to calm them down and save them from the bees.

When Janja, Cheezi, and Chungu target the Tikiti melons which hold water that the elephants need during the dry season, Scar orders Ushari to enlist his ferocious monitor lizard acquaintance named Kenge to deal with the Lion Guard. His venomous bite temporarily paralyzes Kion, Fuli, and Beshte, causing Ono to enlist Makini to find a remedy to heal them faster while Rafiki is away. While Makini gets Ponya flowers for the remedy, Ono and Bunga are left to defend the Tikiti melons from Kenge and Janja's clan.

Rafiki tells Makini the story of how Timon and Pumbaa introduced Christmas to the Pride Lands during the time of year when a large star shines day and night. In order for Dandy Claws to deliver presents to Timon and Pumbaa, Bunga enlists the rest of the Lion Guard and the rest of the animals in the Pride Lands to help perform "The Twelve Ways of Christmas" by obtaining the different things for the song by Christmas morning.

Under Scar's orders, Janja, Cheezi, and Chungu kidnap Zazu while he is compiling the Pride Lands' Morning Report, and take him to the Outlands to get him to reveal royal secrets about Simba. After Kion reminisces about how Zazu once saved him and Bunga from Makuu and Pua's crocodile float when he was a little cub, the Lion Guard finds out that Zazu has been kidnapped by Janja's clan and head to the Outlands to save him.

When there is a water shortage in the Pride Lands, Simba instructs the Lion Guard to travel to the Back Lands to find the zebra leader Dhahabu and ask her if she is willing to share her herd's watering hole with the Pride Lands' animals. When they find Dhahabu and her herd they discover that she is a rare golden zebra. Along the way, they have to face Makucha, who he and his leap of leopards are preventing the zebras from getting their water source.

An electric blue gecko named Hodari wants to be in a crocodile float, but Makuu doesn't want Hodari in his float due to his size. Witnessing this happening, Shupavu and Njano get Hodari to be part of Kiburi's float. Kiburi then comes up with a plan to use Hodari by finding out all of Makuu's fighting moves and to get past the Lion Guard.

After Scar obtains the alliance with Reirei's pack, they work with Janja's clan to cause two different attacks in the Pride Lands at the same time, forcing the Lion Guard to split up to chase them down. In order to be in two places at once and to fool both Reirei and Janja's groups, Kion enlists the help of Tamaa to imitate the Guard's voices. Meanwhile, Scar orders Janja's clan to take down Rafiki while Reirei's pack causes a distraction elsewhere. The Guard realizes that Janja's clan are heading towards Rafiki and send Tamaa to confuse Reirei's pack while they go to assist Rafiki in fighting the hyenas. However, the jackals soon find out that Tamaa is tricking them and rush off to help the hyenas. During the battle, Scar appears in the flames of a nearby fire and speaks with Janja. Kion briefly witnesses Scar's spirit before it vanishes, but is unsure of what to make of it. With the help of Tamaa and Rafiki, the Guard wins the battle and Janja and Reirei retreat with their groups. In the area where Scar appeared, a scorch mark with a strange symbol remains. Rafiki recognizes it from paintings of the past as a sign of terrible evil, and goes off to consult the paintings to be sure.

On the next day, Scar gathers his army's fiction leaders Janja, Reirei, Kiburi, Ushari, and Mzingo, to which he announces that they will be taking down Simba and the Lion Guard. Scar then introduces them to his assassin named Sumu, who turns out to be a poisonous Tanzanian red claw scorpion, thus being the newest member of Scar's army. When Ushari confirms that Sumu's venom is reserved for a more Royal target, Sumu departs to take down Simba, and Scar declares that the day will be known as the day he returns, and defeats both Simba and the Lion Guard once and for all.

At Pride Rock, many Pride Landers, including the Lion Guard, Timon, Pumbaa, Ma Tembo's herd, Bupu's herd, Thurston's herd, Twiga's herd, Laini's group, and Mbeya's crash, have gathered for the Kumbuka ceremony, to which honors the day Simba defeated Scar. During the mist of it all, however, Sumu sneaks to the top of Pride Rock, and injects his venom on Simba's tail, to which his body reacts almost immediately to the poison. Simba suddenly collapses while Sumu sneaks away unseen and the celebration ends prematurely. When Rafiki inspects the bloated sting mark of a scorpion, the Lion Guard chase after Sumu; but he enters a hole which leads to the Outlands. Having made sure that the scorpion has left the Pride Lands, the Guard return to Pride Rock where they find a conscious Simba resting. Suddenly, Rafiki remembers the cure — volcanic ash. However, he warns them that it must be recovered by sundown. With the closest volcano being the one in the Outlands, the Lion Guard offer to retrieve it. Rafiki decides to send Makini out with the Guard, and she attaches a gourd to her bakora staff. With everyone set, they head out. In the Outlands, Scar congratulates Sumu that the plan was a success, and knows that the Guard would be on their way. He then orders Ushari to get the other Outlanders ready.

Proceeding with the plan, Kiburi, Reirei, Janja, and their respective gangs start to slow down the Lion Guard's progress through the Outlands. At last, they make their way up the volcano, where Makini swiftly pours a handful into her gourd, sealing it shut and re-attaching it to her staff. When they were just about to leave, Scar reveals himself and that he was behind the attack, leading the Lion Guard to work out that the crocodile, jackal and hyena attacks were planned as well. Scar commands for Ushari, Shupavu's group, Kiburi's float, Janja's clan, Reirei's pack, Kenge, and Mzingo's flock to surround the Guard and Makini. Trapped on a ledge near the boiling lava, Kion resorts to the final option. Scar warns Kion that using the Roar will simply cause the volcano to erupt, but Kion responds by telling Scar that he doesn't know as much about the Roar as he does, before using it in a similar manner to how he saved his mother from Makuu's float at the reptiles, Reirei's pack, and finally, Janja's clan, just before escaping.

During their escape, Scar sends Mzingo and his flock to retrieve the ash from Makini; Ono, Fuli and Bunga race back to help her, but Mwoga manages to knock the staff away from Makini, and the staff falls bottom-first into the lava. Seeing her having difficulty removing the gourd, Ono swoops in and severes the vines holding it. Kion then uses his Roar once again to send the vultures away, and they hurry back home as the Sun slowly sets. Meanwhile, in the Outlands, Scar proclaims that the war has just begun. Fuli informs Kion that she can reach Pride Rock in time, but that she cannot carry the gourd herself. Bunga then volunteers to ride Fuli and carry the gourd himself, and the two race ahead to Pride Rock. When Fuli trips slightly, Bunga is propelled forward. Pumbaa manages to grab Bunga on his back, and Rafiki is able to catch the gourd before it breaks. Later, Kion and the rest of the team arrive at Pride Rock, where Simba is weak, but recovering. Rafiki orders everyone to leave Simba to his recovery, but Kion insists that he must talk to his father. He then explains to Rafiki that Scar has returned, and Rafiki worriedly agrees that Kion must speak to Simba once the king has recovered.

On the next morning, Kion and Simba speak to Simba's father Mufasa, warning him that Scar has returned. Although the problem is beyond Mufasa's experience in dealing with the spirit of an evil lion from the past, he is certain that, between his son who has already saved the Pride Lands before from Scar and his grandson who is the leader of the Lion Guard, that they can defeat Scar. He leaves them with the message that "the wisdom is within the Pride Lands", leading both lions to believe that he could be referring to an animal. And Simba knows just who he may be referring to.

They return to Pride Rock and locate Makini, who is tasked with finding an animal named Kongwe due to her Royal Mjuzi status. Bunga offers his own advice, but the offer is rejected. Beshte mentions knowing Kongwe and, when Makini asks if he knows where she lives, he replies with Urembo River, a half-day walk from their current location. When Simba shows concern, Fuli steps forward to offer her assistance, confident that she can get there faster. It is accepted, and Rafiki announces that she will escort Makini. The trainee becomes excited and starts talking, causing Fuli to go on ahead without her at first. The rest of the Lion Guard agree to go on patrol.

While Makini speaks about her favorite animals, the two soon notice that they have reached Urembo Rivers, but neither of them know what she looks like, nor what kind of animal Kongwe is. While Fuli laments about not being able to find her faster, she stands on the tortoise by mistake. Kongwe offers her some sagely words, leading Makini to realize that this must be Kongwe. She goes on to say that the King wishes to speak with her and they begin to depart, though Kongwe offers advice which goes against Fuli's fast lifestyle. Although Makini is amazed by her wiseness, Fuli is positive that the trip will be a long one.

Meanwhile, the Lion Guard are on their patrol, when Ono spots four hyraxes running across an unstable stone bridge. Kion orders Ono to direct the hyraxes away from the crumbling bridge and he does so, just in time. With the hyraxes still thirsty and no other way to transport them across, Beshte proceeds to pick up a large rock nearby, and uses the broken bridge to escalate himself and the rock to the sides, creating a temporary bridge. The hyraxes run across safely, and Beshte is commended for the idea of "The Big B Bridge".

Back with Fuli, the cheetah is confident that if they keep up the pace, they'll arrive back at Pride Rock before sundown. But when she turns around, Kongwe and Makini have vanished. She finds them back a bit, where Kongwe has stopped Makini to observe (another) flower. Fuli reminds her that they also need to see the King, but Kongwe keeps returning to the subject of observation, leading Fuli to explain how she sees things when she's going faster. After her explanation, Kongwe thanks her for sharing it, then recoils into her shell to ponder Fuli's words. Elsewhere, Kion asks Ono to look out for Fuli and Kongwe. He is unable to see them, but suddenly notices a herd of elands trapped in a wildfire over at the Poromoko Crevasse. The Lion Guard race away to help them.

With Kongwe still in her shell refusing to move, Fuli decides to move the tortoise herself, turning to Makini for assistance. The young mandrill has an idea, and wedges her Bakora Staff into a rock, hoping to lift Kongwe with it. The end result is another broken staff. The two join forces to move her over a small ledge, causing her to be flipped upside down. When she lands, Kongwe finally comes out of her shell, asking if they have ever looked at the clouds before. Fuli wonders how they'll flip her back over, but Kongwe does so herself. With no other way of getting her back up, they traverse through the canyon.

They continue along the path until they come across a tree half rooted into the side of the canyon. Kongwe stops to marvel at it, and Makini places a hand on the tree, wondering about its location. When the tree starts to collapse, Fuli swiftly rushes in to save Makini. The apprentice suggests that maybe fast really is better, but Kongwe isn't so sure. Although safe, she is on the other side of the tree, unharmed, due to standing still and observing, with a little bit of luck. She also goes on to say that, had she not stopped them, they may all have been crushed. With no other way for her to get over the tree, Fuli and Makini resort to using a path through the Back Lands instead.

With Makini and Kongwe speaking among themselves, Makucha makes his presence known, assuring them that they're always 'welcome'. Makini mistakes his words for friendly banter and goes to introduce herself before Makucha reveals his true intention which is to eat Kongwe. Fuli steps between the leopard and her two associates, warning him away. Makucha succumbs to her wishes but warns her that she's in his territory. Makini marvels at Fuli's actions, but Kongwe appears disinterested. The group continues moving.

In the Pride Lands, Kion asks Ono to guide them to a group of elands, who are lost in the smoke. Despite Ono's advice, Kion, Beshte, and Bunga locate the elands regardless, and guide them away from the fire. Ono suggests getting them into the canyon, and Beshte starts to lead them down. However, a spark enkindles the bushes as he passes them, blocking the path. Ono searches for another way, but the narrowest part of the canyon is still not enough for the elands to jump. Noticing a large rock, Kion asks Beshte to provide another bridge up ahead. He does as requested, and the elands make it across to the safe side.

With no sign of Makucha, Fuli continues forward. Makini speaks with Kongwe behind her until Makucha leaps out. Once again, Fuli stands between him and the other two animals. This time, Fuli chases Makucha away, until he climbs up a tree. Fuli sinks her claws into the tree, but is unable to follow the leopard, or remove her claws. With Fuli trapped, Makucha approaches Kongwe, who hides in her shell. Makini appears behind her, using her broken staff as a nunchaku. This fails to have an impact on Makucha, who bats her away. The distraction works, and Fuli tackles Makucha again.

The leopard begins zig-zagging around, a technique which Fuli is unable to compete with. After chasing him off again, Kongwe tells Fuli that, in order to defeat the leopard, you must observe the leopard. Fuli angrily exclaims that she has observed him, and Makini suggests using shwari to help. With both Kongwe and Makini's advice, Fuli realizes that Makucha always zigzags and that there's no reason for her to mimic his actions.

Fuli approaches a resting Makucha and challenges him to another round. This time, she runs in a straight path, whilst Makucha zigzags as predicted. She pins him down and orders him to leave. Defeated, Makucha leaves. When Fuli admits to Kongwe that she just had to observe, Kongwe is amazed that a cheetah listened to a tortoise, adding that now she has truly seen everything. They converge paths with the rest of the Lion Guard at sunset, where Kongwe is introduced to everyone. When Kion speaks with Fuli, he is surprised to hear her mention the clouds, instead of replying to his question.

Soon, they return to Pride Rock, Kongwe confesses that not even she is sure how to defeat Scar. She claims that "it is the patient animal that eats the ripe fruit", which confuses all but Fuli, who translates for the others by saying that what she means is that they will find the solution eventually and that they just need to look. Kongwe assures everyone that she has seen many things, and that good will always triumph over evil, in time.

On the next day, however, the Lion Guard are in Kilio Valley, desperately trying to put out a fire. After extinguishing the blaze, they announce that the herd of elephants led by Ma Tembo (Lynette DuPree) can finally return home. Zito is still mildly annoyed that they were unable to save his favorite grove, but Ma Tembo is grateful. Suddenly, more flames arrive from the sky and rekindle the valley. Ma Tembo offers her three strongest elephants, Zito, Zigo and Johari, as extra help. She leaves them in the care of the Lion Guard and they get to work. Zito and Zigo assist Fuli and Bunga with the fire breaks, while Johari, Beshte and Ono work on putting out as many flames as they can.

Ma Tembo walks her herd away from the fire, but is stopped by the hyenas led by Janja. She orders everyone to protect the little ones and redirects her herd, only to discover the jackals led by Reirei and Goigoi waiting for them. With her only other pathway blocked by the crocodiles led by Kiburi, Ma Tembo is forced to back down. Ono overhears Janja's cackling, and quickly notices the danger. He reports to Kion, who knows that Scar is behind the situation. He orders Ono to leave the fire and save the elephants, and to tell the rest of the Guard and elephants the same. When the Outlanders start to attack Ma Tembo, the Lion Guard intervene. Outnumbered, and with the blaze reaching closer, they are forced to retreat. Ono scouts out a route, and Beshte creates a path for the elephants, while Bunga and Fuli keep them safe. Safe from the fire, Ma Tembo laments over her burning home. Kion apologizes, but Zito reacts angrily to the cub for not working faster. Ma Tembo accepts that her home will return, but turns to the Lion Guard leader for help in finding temporary accommodation. Kion is determined to help her with her request.

Back in Kilio Valley, the flames have died out, and the Army of Scar minions have gathered, pleased with their success. However, it doesn't take long for the respective groups to start arguing over, who performed the best, including the vulture parilament led by Mzingo. When Mwoga lands, Reirei points out that he's still holding a burning stick. The panicked vulture hastily drops the stick on the ground before waiting for a parliamentary response. To their surprise, Scar rises from the small flame. He orders them to remain in Kilio Valley, and reveals that his plan is to take the Pride Lands piece by piece.

Meanwhile, Kion leads Ma Tembo to her new home — Ndefu Grove. Although Zito has reservations, Kion assures him that the galagos are very welcoming. As if to prove his words, Laini greets them amiably. Before Kion can even explain the full situation, Laini gladly welcomes them into her home. But when the elephants enter the grove, their large size causes them to smash into the trees, knocking Laini and her galagos to the ground. Although Kion temporarily solves the problem by getting the elephants to stop, Ma Tembo realizes that they cause trouble for the galagos, forcing Kion to find them another home.

Kion moves the herd to Acacia Grove, where the herd of giraffes led by Twiga (Alex Cartañá) live. Since both animals are large and eat leaves, he believes it to be a perfect match. Although hesitant, Twiga accepts the proposal. But before the Lion Guard can leave, Twiga approaches them having witnessed Zito take down an entire branch. Worried that there won't be enough food to go around, Kion assures an angry Zito and his herd that he will find them a new home.

As a last resort, Kion takes the elephants to Bupu and his herd, asking him to let the elephants stay just for a while. Bupu accepts, mostly due to Kion's politeness with the request. Ma Tembo thanks Bupu, and the elephants start to celebrate by spraying themselves with dirt, which also falls on the sable antelopes. This behavior is deemed unacceptable by Bupu. Before he can throw them out, Kion asks him just to give him a little time, and leads the Lion Guard away. Kion asks Ono to check on Kilio Valley, to see roughly how long it will take before the elephants can go home. Ono does as instructed, and reports back that the hyenas, vultures, jackals and crocodiles are all there. It doesn't take long for Kion to understand Scar's plan, and believe himself to be the reason it was a success.

In Kilio Valley, everyone agrees that the place is a dump, except for Goigoi, who finds it cozy. Janja decides to appoint himself the leader, which arouses anger from the other animal groups. Refusing a parliamentary procedure as stated by Mzingo, Janja starts to tell everyone that he'll run the dump. Reirei states that she'll be the one to run the dump, followed by Mzingo, who wishes to run it democratically. They turn to Kiburi, who refuses to sing but confirms he doesn't, and then continue to argue with each other.

While Kion ponders what to do next, Ono notices the elephants being kicked out of their new home by Bupu's herd. Kion approaches the elephants and tries to reassure them, but Ma Tembo has made up her mind, and announces that she and her herd will be leaving the Pride Lands. Not knowing where to turn next, Kion leaves the Lion Guard and summons Mufasa. He explains what happened, and Mufasa gives his grandson some sagely advice about not doubting him. He leaves by telling him that how he deals with defeat is just as important as how he deals with victory.

Just as Mufasa's spirit vanishes, Ono alerts Kion to a new problem. A fire has broken out in Ndefu Grove. After checking on Scar's army, Ono reveals that they're too busy fighting, meaning the fire is natural. When they reach the grove, Laini pleads with them to save her galagos. Fuli, Kion and Bunga locate the galagos in a tree, and catch them when they jump. When Kion passes Beshte, the hippo warns him that he and Ono can't put the fire out fast enough. Kion races away to get help, while Bunga and Fuli reunite the galagos with Laini.

Kion reaches Ma Tembo's herd and explains the problem. Considering the Pride Landers to be her family, Ma Tembo agrees to help, ordering Mtoto's Mom to stay behind with the little ones. They set off, but Zito refuses to help, and stays behind with Mtoto's Mom and the younger elephant calves. Haven taken the route through Lake Kiziwa, the elephants arrive and quickly spray the blaze with water dispersed from their trunks. While Kion checks the area, a tree collapses. Zito arrives to save him from being crushed, having finally decided that you don't turn your back on family. Kion thanks the elephant, and the elephants use dirt to put out the remaining fire, saving most of Ndefu Grove.

After seeing them save their home, Laini thanks Ma Tembo's herd. She is amazed at their selfless act after she initially turned them away. Laini proceeds to invite her and her herd to live with them. After accepting their offer, Ma Tembo gazes out at her true home, and Kion promises her that they'll get her home back. Although Ma Tembo knows this, she is confident that Kilio Valley is just land, and, turning to see her herd, comments that they already are home.

The Lion Guard watch over the Outlands, waiting for Ono to return. When he finally comes into view, he is being pursued by Mzingo and Mwoga. Luckily, a failed attacked results in Ono's safe escape and he returns to the Pride Lands to report that he saw the hyenas on their way to Scar, and that the jackals and crocodiles are still in Kilio Valley. Before they can wonder what Scar is up to, they hear Thurston and his whole herd of zebras to flee. The Lion Guard swiftly leap into action and calm the herd down, questioning his behavior. Thurston reveals that a nearby rock was the problem. Although the Guard can't see anything, Thurston and his herd are firm that the rock was talking to them. Suddenly, Twiga approaches them with a similar problem, involving a talking tree. With Thurston about to panic again, Kion assures everyone that they will get to the bottom of it, and the animals start to leave.

The Lion Guard investigates the tree, but when Ono lands on a nearby trunk, he is startled when something runs over his foot. At first, Fuli comments that she can't see anything, when a chameleon accidentally reveals herself to them. She disappears and runs away, but Fuli is able to track her by scent. When she locates her, the chameleon brushes Fuli's nose with some grass to take away her scent. Bunga follows the chameleon up a tree, but she uses her tongue to grab a tree branch and smack him away from her. She lands on Beshte and skitters off his back, still running from the Guard.

Kion explains that they just want to talk, but at this point, Ono has worked out how she is able to hide from them, and quickly locates her, despite her still being camouflaged. When Ono explains to her that he can see her due to being the keenest of sight, she realizes that they are the Lion Guard, and introduces herself as Kinyonga. When her actions are questioned by Kion, she explains that she ran because they chased her, and how she was trying to be friendly, but forgot about her camouflage. When Bunga is confused by that word, Kinyonga explains how her special ability works. Kion is pleased to meet her, but asks her to be careful when camouflaged to avoid scaring animals. She agrees, and the Lion Guard depart.

Ono apologizes again for not getting a good look at the Outlands after being spotted, and Kinyonga overhears their dilemma. She offers to slip into the Outlands undetected for them. Kion hesitates due to the danger, but when Kinyonga understands about Scar's return having heard it from the skinks. She goes on to tell them that she's been to the Outlands before with no problem. Although still concerned, Kion accepts her offer, asking her to be back before sunset.

Kinyonga enters the Outlands, and evades detection from the vultures. She continues to the volcano and notices Cheezi and Chungu, who have been tasked with keeping guard. After spotting her, the two hungry hyenas leap onto the rock, not noticing her vanish in time. Despite this, Cheezi believes that he has eaten her. Kinyonga finally manages to escape to the Outlands Volcano where Ushari and the group of skinks led by Shupavu have gathered. She sneaks in.

Soon after, Janja enters and almost immediately starts to argue with Ushari, causing Scar to reveal himself. He orders Janja to enter the Pride Lands, enter the riverbank above Hakuna Matata Falls at night, and push the rocks into the river until it stops the water from flowing. When Janja questions what that will do, Ushari tells him that this will cut off a major water supply during the middle of the dry season. After the plan has been confirmed, Shupavu notices Kinyonga's shadow, and brings her to the attention of Scar. Ushari commands them to stop the intruder, to which the skinks, including Shupavu's second-in-command, her stealthy spy Nyeusi, and her seekers Nyata and Waza start to chase Kinyonga out of the volcano.

Back in the Pride Lands, the Lion Guard starts to worry. Ono believes that her camouflage will protect her, when Bunga suddenly pops out from behind a clump of grass, having used camouflage himself. Kion asks Ono to take a look, which is when he notices Shupavu and her skinks chasing Kinyonga. He reports back, and Bunga suggests entering the Outlands and taking on anyone they come across. But Kion states that they need to save Kinyonga, not start a battle. He then has an idea on how to enter the Outlands without being seen.

Shupavu and her skinks eventually chase Kinyonga to a dead end. She tries to blend in, but she is too scared, and her colors run wild. Suddenly, Shupavu hears a voice, and the Lion Guard reveals themselves, using improvised camouflage, with Bunga ordering them to beat it. Not wishing to fight, the skinks retreat. Kinyonga is impressed, but quickly explains Scar's plan to the Guard. With no time to lose, the Lion Guard return to the Pride Lands.

That night, Janja, Cheezi, Chungu, Nne and Tano arrive at the top of Hakuna Matata Falls, where they set the plan in motion. While Nne and Tano start straight away, Janja orders Cheezi and Chungu to push the biggest rock in. They do as commanded, but after commenting on the rock being "squishy", Beshte reveals himself. Janja questions what they're doing, and Kion speaks to him, leaving him wondering who spoke. One by one, the Lion Guard reveal themselves, chasing away Nne and Tano completely.

When Cheezi and Chungu run past, Kion speaks to Janja again, who recognizes his voice. When Kion reveals himself from some logs, he catches up to Cheezi and Chungu. When Cheezi questions where they came from, Kinyonga appears to tell them that they learned it from her. Startled by the chameleon, the trio run into the river, to Kinyonga's concern. Cheezi realizes that he didn't eat her earlier after all, just before they fall down Hakuna Matata Falls. After getting out of the water, Janja decides not to tell Scar about their defeat by the Lion Guard, and blame it on their "personas". Kion orders them to leave and they do as instructed. The cub turns to Kinyonga to thank her, but she is gone.

The next morning, Ono reports that he was unable to find Kinyonga. Kion still wishes to thank her, and hopes they'll find her. Noticing Thurston's herd by the rock from yesterday, the Guard approach it, and discover Kinyonga there, pretending to be the rock and speaking with Thurston. When asked why she left, she explains that she broke her promise not to scare anyone, having sent Janja's clan into the river by mistake. Bunga assures her that, when it comes to Janja and his hyenas, it doesn't matter, relieving her. She promises again not to scare anyone, but when Thurston notices her, he and his herd panic and run. Kion tells her that it's not her fault, and the Guard leave to sort out the herd, while Kinyonga vanishes into the grass.

In the Lair of the Lion Guard, the Lion Guard is examining paintings of previous Lion Guards, including Askari's, the very first Lion Guard, in an attempt to find a way to defeat Scar. However, none of the paintings mention battling against evil lions. When their spirits get low, Makini arrives and informs them that there are many paintings in the lair that they have not yet found.

When no clues are found, Bunga suggests fighting Scar head on, but Kion notices some suspicious paintings that are cut off by a large boulder After a lot of pushing, Beshte is able to move the rock away, revealing another passageway and the rest of the paintings, including one with the Mark of Evil. Makini brings the painting to life and explains how it seems to suggest that Askari's Lion Guard once fought a great evil, and how the secret to defeating that evil lies in a chamber deep within the lair. Makini stops them from entering at first, showing them a painting which warns them of dangers within. The Lion Guard is confident in their abilities and enters regardless, with Kion suggesting that Makini stays behind for her safety.

As the Lion Guard proceed, they discover another painting on the wall. Bunga tries to decode it in Makini's absence but fails. Beshte agrees with Kion that bringing Makini down could be dangerous when suddenly the ground beneath his feet breaks. The cracks spread over to Kion, Fuli, and Bunga, and all but Ono fall onto a rock slide. Ono notices some sharp rocks ahead, and Beshte skids to a halt, grounding himself. The rest of the Guard bump into Beshte, safe from harm. Fuli questions how they will return to land, but Kion notices another pathway. Reminding them that the chamber is deep, the Lion Guard follow it down.

When they arrive at the bottom, Fuli discovers another painting. Knowing that they are on the right path, the Guard continue forward, until they come to a crossroad. Bunga assures them that he has experience with caves and leads them down a route, only to wind up at a dead end. Bunga is certain that it's another secret passage and attempts to open it, but eventually gives in and concludes that it really is just a wall.

Meanwhile, Makini watches the tale of how Askari led some animals to Mizimu Grove. She moves across to view more paintings but notices how far she is from the entrance. Remembering that the first painting warned her that it was dangerous there, she turns back but soon halts when she remembers that all the paintings would have been painted by a Royal Mjuzi, like herself. She decides to view a couple more paintings.

The Guard continue their efforts to move forward but wind up encountering dead ends at every turn. Bunga tries once more to open a secret passage, but fails, leading Fuli and Kion to confusion. Noticing a tall rock, Kion asks Ono to take a look at what they're dealing with. Ono reveals that the entire area is a maze, much like in the painting they saw outside. He locates the path they're looking for and guides them out.

Elsewhere, Makini continues her examination of the paintings, when she notices the painting which Kion's Lion Guard first saw when they entered the new cavern. While looking, the pathway beneath her crumbles, and, after making the painting come to life, fears for the Lion Guard's safety. Without wasting another second, she leaps down the slide.

Ahead of her, Ono guides the rest of the Guard into a new area. They discuss how lucky they were to have both the strongest and keenest of sight with them until Kion realizes that the whole thing was a test to see if they were worthy of finding the secret. Bunga comments that only they would be able to progress that far, when Makini arrives, having followed their footprints in the maze. Kion is still a bit wary of allowing her to join them, but he's reminded that a Royal Mjuzi had to have been there to paint their adventures. Kion agrees to let her accompany them but also reminds everyone to be on the lookout for the next test.

They move through a passage and enter a chamber with a large canyon below, and an entrance at the other side. The gap between the paths is too big for anyone to jump. Bunga suggests that Ono is being tested again, this time for his flight until he's reminded that all previous Lion Guards were strictly lions. Makini calls them over, having found another painting, this time of the bravest lion. When she brings it to life, it shows him walking over the crevasse, seemingly on thin air.

Bunga decides to leap over the crevasse, much to the horror of his friends. But instead of falling down when his jump wasn't enough, he instead lands on what appears to be thin air. It doesn't take long for Ono to work out that there is, in fact, a bridge over to the other side, and that it's an optical illusion. The Guard cross over and Makini excitedly informs them that she'll paint the invisible bridge when they return. Fuli questions her on how she'll paint an invisible bridge, and Makini realizes that she can't.

In the next area, Makini notices another painting which suggests that they're close to the final chamber. However, a large boulder blocks their path. Beshte considers moving it but realizes that he's already had his test, prompting Bunga to reach the conclusion that maybe it's just a rock. After he knocks on the boulder, it comes loose, and everyone starts to run. Kion asks Ono to check for an escape route, but the passage is too narrow.

Fuli then has an idea. She stops and leaps onto the top of the boulder, reaching her claws in and running across it in order to slow it down. When this fails, she switches around and starts to speed up the boulder, pushing it along the walls in order for it to go around everyone. Everyone commends Fuli for her quick thinking, and they continue on their journey.

Bunga ponders on what Kion's test could be, but in doing so, he accidentally walks into a rock that sets off a small avalanche. With everyone trapped in total darkness, Kion begins to roar softly in order to get a feel for his surroundings. With the others stumbling over one another, Kion asks them to follow his voice, while he uses his roar to determine empty areas and locate a pathway out using his echo.

The group finally locate the exit and are in awe at the final chamber, which is decorated with small pillars containing more paintings. They are soon called over by Makini, who locates the story of what happened all those years ago.

According to the paintings, many years ago, a group of evil lions tried to take over the Pride Lands. In doing so, they nearly destroyed it. Thus, the good lions of the Pride Lands created an unstoppable force to defeat the evil lions, but only the worthiest in the Pride Lands would be able to find and use the force. When Kion questions where the force is, Makini directs him to another room nearby. Kion and Makini lead everyone into the room.

In the room are a pool of water and another cave painting. Looking to discover the source, Bunga leaps into the water but is unable to find any secrets in it. But Kion realizes what the force really is after seeing his reflection - it's them. Makini brings the painting to life to confirm Kion's belief, showing how Askari's original Lion Guard was formed to stop the evil lions.

Makini apologizes, with her belief that she could have noticed the signs earlier and thus saved the Guard the hassle of going through the tests in the first place. But Kion states how much they needed to go through them so that they knew they were ready. Filled with new invigoration, the Lion Guard peer up at the Mark of the Guard painting on the wall and cry out their catchphrase, ready to take on Scar.

The Lion Guard are on their way to their third dust devil, when Ono notices that it's closing in on Ukuni Woods. Beshte becomes concerned for the hyraxes who live there. Sure enough, two hyraxes fighting over a granadilla in a tree nearby are swooped away and become trapped in the dust devil. With Ono's alert, Bunga and Beshte are able to catch them as they fall.

Nearby, the dust devil comes to a halt, pushing a lead across Thurston's face. After getting the hyraxes back to their tree, Thurston approaches the Guard and voices his disgust at how the dust devil messed up his mane and a lead hit his head, ordering the Guard to stay on alert. Ono then calls for the Guard having noticed another dust devil at Chakula Plains, and the Lion Guard leave.

Thurston turns to his herd, to show them how the Lion Guard listen to his great advice, and proceeds to brag about how he's the real reason the Lion Guard are so successful. Nearby, Cheezi and Chungu listen to his words and the support of his herd, and decide that, with Janja away on a meeting to Scar, they could hand over Thurston to Scar to hinder the Guard's intelligence.

Thurston decides to leave his herd, when he is called over by the hyenas, who tell him that he's going somewhere with them. He recognizes them from a previous encounter, and sees them as no threat. When asked where they're going, the two tell him that they're going to a big party, with him as their guest of honor. With the additional promise of snacks if Thurston is there, the zebra agrees to go with them, and starts talking about how he didn't really wish to return to his herd anyway.

Elsewhere, the Lion Guard tackle another dust devil. In its wake, a pangolin has been covered by a branch. Fuli removes the branch and the pangolin uncurls, revealing in his own language that more pangolins were with him. Kion asks Ono to search.

In the Outlands, Thurston, Cheezi and Chungu get onto the subject of the Lion Guard, where Thurston informs them that the Guard have weak points. He recollects a day when the Lion Guard were subjected to some red fluffy flowers, which caused them to sneeze uncontrollably. Cheezi drags Chungu away to suggest using this knowledge to take the Lion Guard to Scar instead of just Thurston, and he agrees. They ask Thurston to stay put, and ask for more information on the flowers whereabouts and Thurston gives them a vague location, which Chungu seems to recognize. Once they leave, Thurston ponders if it was actually himself that sneezed at the flowers.

Back in the Pride Lands, the Lion Guard have located the remaining pangolins, when Cheezi and Chungu suddenly appear, gripping the flowers with their teeth. They threaten the Guard with the flowers, leading to confusion from everyone, and Bunga wonders if they should have brought them a gift too. The hyenas start tickling the Guard's noses, but when the plan doesn't work, Beshte tackles them both, sending them flying. Kion wonders what they were really up to, but another dust devil catches their attention.

In the Outlands, Goigoi is awoken by his mate, who orders him to find some food while she speaks with Scar. Goigoi is upset by how little faith she has in him finding anything, when he stumbles across Thurston, who has remained in place as promised.

Goigoi sneaks up behind him, but is surprised by Thurston's friendliness after he is noticed. Thurston explains how he is the guest of honor at a big party, due to his knowledge on the Lion Guard. When he tells Goigoi how much the hyenas enjoyed hearing of the Guard's weaknesses, Goigoi reacts with surprise, prompting Thurston to impart more of his knowledge. He explains how the Guard often misses him entirely due to his stripes, and Goigoi asks if he could defeat the Lion Guard with this knowledge. Thurston believes someone could do that, but questions why they would. Goigoi leaves with the hopes if impressing Reirei by defeating them, but after he's gone, Thurston remembers that it only makes him invisible when other zebras are around him.

Back in the Pride Lands, the Guard have almost finished dealing with another dust devil, but notice that Mbuni's flock have become trapped in a gully, with sand enveloping all but their necks and head. As they begin to dig them out, Goigoi arrives, his body covered in red berry juice to resemble stripes. Since the Lion Guard are focused on the ostriches, they don't notice the jackal nearby at first.

When they do, Goigoi continues to believe that he is invisible due to the stripes, even though he is clearly visible to them. He moves around a bit, still keeping the 'illusion' that he's invisible, and threatens to attack, when Beshte tackles him away. Defeated, Goigoi disappointingly leaves, while Fuli questions all of the crazy attacks.

Elsewhere in the Outlands, Tamka and Nduli decide to get some food while Kiburi attends the big meeting with Scar. They notice Thurston, who has fallen asleep and try to creep up to him, but Nduli steps on a branch which jolts him awake. When Thurston assures them that he was just resting his eyes, Tamka asks if he's going to 'panic and run'. When Thurston tells him that he's not going to miss the big party, Tamka assumes he means the big meeting, and Thurston explains that he's the guest of honor due to his Lion Guard knowledge, and assumes that they too, wish to hear about the Guard's weaknesses. He tells them that rubbing their tummies will cause them to go to sleep, and the crocodiles decide to bring back the Lion Guard to Scar in the hopes that they'll get to go to the next big meeting. They leave, and Thurston suddenly realizes that he was actually talking about himself again.

Meanwhile, the Lion Guard finish clearing the sand around Mbuni and Kion declares that it's time to take a break, when Tamka and Nduli arrive. The pair proceed to use their tails to tickle the Guard's tummies, but it doesn't take long for Nduli to notice that their plan isn't working. Knowing the reason they're acting strangely, Kion eventually grows tired of their antics, and uses the Roar of the Elders to send them away.

Back in the Outlands, Cheezi and Chungu meet up with Goigoi, and blame their failures on Thurston. Tamka and Nduli join them, and the group come to the conclusion that the only thing he's good for is eating.

Overlooking the Outlands, Kion voices his concerns to his friends, asking Ono to take a look. The egret then reports back that Thurston is in the Outlands, surrounded by the animals that have attacked them earlier. Although Fuli seems disinterested in saving him, Kion reminds her that he is a Pride Lander, and the Guard set off.

The Outlanders decide amongst themselves which part of Thurston each one is getting, when Thurston tries to intervene and help them learn what the tastiest part of a zebra actually is. He is knocked back by Tamka, who is sick of his stories. After a short while, Thurston offers them one final piece of advice: panic and run. They are confused by this advice, until the Lion Guard arrive.

The Lion Guard make quick work of the group, who follow Thurston's advice. But the zebra brings up the party to the Guard, and how they wanted to talk to him about the Lion Guard. They realize the reason for the crazy attacks, and Fuli suggests that he talks too much. Thurston partially agrees and starts to follow them home, promising that he'll be more quiet, but continuing to tell them this information all the way.

The Lion Guard defends the Pride Lands from a three-way attack by Janja's clan, Kiburi's float, and Reirei's pack. During the attack, Bunga attempts a complicated move with a stick, but performs it incorrectly and injures himself.

Eventually, the Guard defeats the Outlanders, who retreat to the Outlands. Bunga struggles to walk from his injury, and the rest of the team encourages him to visit Rafiki. However, Bunga refuses, insisting that he is fine.

Just then, Jasiri tackles Kion to the ground, having been watching the skirmish. She comments on how strange it is that all the Outlanders have been banding together, and Kion explains that they are all fighting under Scar's banner. He offers Jasiri and her clan a place in the Pride Lands for protection, but she insists that they must protect their turf. She then gets an idea.

Jasiri returns to her clan and persuades them to start a Hyena Resistance against the Army of Scar.

Later, Bunga visits Rafiki and receives instruction on how to fight with a stick. Each of Bunga's attempts ends in failure, but Rafiki encourages Bunga to keep practicing regardless.

Back in the Outlands, Jasiri overhears Janja plotting with his clan to take over Mizimu Grove with Kiburi and Reirei's groups. She sends Madoa to warn the Lion Guard, while she and the rest of the clan intercept Janja's clan. The plan works, with the Lion Guard defeating Kiburi and Reirei in Mizimu Grove, and Jasiri and her clan blocking Janja's access to the Pride Lands with a rock slide.

Janja returns to the volcano and informs Scar of what has happened. A displeased Scar plans another attack, this time on Big Springs, with Kiburi leading. Once again, the Hyena Resistance is able to thwart the attack. Scar orders another attack under Reirei's leadership, but the Hyena Resistance thwarts this attack as well.

After the three failed attacks, Jasiri celebrates the Hyena Resistance's success with Kion on the border of the Outlands and the Pride Lands. Unbeknownst to them, Njano and Shupavu overhear the conversation and report back to Scar. Scar questions Janja on Jasiri's status, as Janja had previously reported that Jasiri had fallen into a lava pit. Janja then confesses that the Lion Guard had come to save her. Scar orders Janja to lay a false trail for the Lion Guard and then attack Jasiri's clan.

Madoa informs the Lion Guard that Scar is planning their biggest attack yet on Mizimu Grove, unaware that it is a trap. She returns to Jasiri, only for the clan to be set upon by Janja, Kiburi, and Reirei.

Across the Pride Lands, the Lion Guard wonders why the attack is taking so long. Ono scouts the Outlands and catches sight of Jasiri's clan being attacked. The Lion Guard rushes to their aid and defeats the three groups.

In the commotion, Janja is knocked into a lava pit, and Jasiri saves him. Janja is stunned at her willingness to save him, and Jasiri explains that he could join the Hyena Resistance instead of allying with Scar. After a moment of hesitation, Janja refuses. However, Njano and Shupavu note his hesitation and vow to inform Scar.

After the battle, Jasiri and Kion solidify their alliance in overthrowing Scar.

The Lion Guard rushes to Pride Rock, following the sounds of Tiifu and Zuri yelling for help. However, once they arrive, they find that the cubs are simply distressed about how the heat is messing up their fur. Kiara arrives with her mother, Nala, who chastises the cubs for calling the Lion Guard for a non-emergency.

Beshte suggests that Tiifu and Zuri visit the mudpots at the edge of the Pride Lands to moisturize their fur. They agree enthusiastically and invite Kiara to join them. Nala worries that the edge of the Pride Lands is no longer safe, what with the threat of Scar, so she sends Kion and Bunga to watch over the cubs.

Together, the five travel to the mudpots and play in the mud. Muhangus the aardvark, who lives in a warren nearby, becomes annoyed at the noise and orders the cubs to keep quiet. Unbeknownst to the cubs, Njano and Shupavu are also watching their antics, which they report to Scar. Scar then orders Mzingo the vulture to set fire to the grasslands near the cubs.

Mzingo does as he is commanded, and the cubs find themselves walled in by flames. Kion, Bunga, and Kiara attempt to create a fire line, but the flames spread too quickly, and the cubs are forced to escape through Muhangus's burrow.

Once underground, Tiifu becomes frightened of the dark and has a panic attack, in which she desperately tries to escape the warren and ends up causing a rockslide that traps them underground. She then confesses her fears to her friends. The others comfort her and help guide her forward as they search for a way out.

Along the way, the friends encounter Kuchimba, a golden mole, who tries to protect his tunnels from them. Once he realizes that they are simply passing through, he offers to help them find their way out. Tiifu questions Kuchimba as to whether he is afraid of the dark, to which Kuchimba assures her that there is no reason to fear being underground. Eventually, he leads them to the end of his tunnel and instructs them to take the main tunnel out into the Pride Lands.

Once Kuchimba is gone, Kion realizes that there are several tunnels to choose from. As the friends continue navigating the tunnels, they hear nearby hooves pounding, and run into Thurston the zebra. They question Thurston as to which direction he had come from, but he is unable to recall where he'd been.

Just then, Kion gets the idea to track down Muhangus and ask him for directions. Kiara catches his scent, and Kion and Bunga dig through a tunnel wall to reach his warren. At first, Muhangus is loath to help the friends, but when Bunga threatens to move in with Muhangus, the aardvark begrudgingly agrees. He leads the friends to the end of the tunnel, where Tiifu delightedly takes off toward the light.

However, Thurston begins to panic, having just realized that they have been stuck underground. Tiifu rushes back and calms him, reminding him that there is nothing to fear in the dark. She then leads Thurston into the daylight.

Once above ground, the friends are met by Beshte, Fuli, and Ono, who were putting out the fire and searching for their missing friends. Bunga explains what had happened. Just then, Thurston wanders into another cave and begins to panic, so Tiifu races to help him out of the dark.

A gorilla warrior named Shujaa comes to help The Lion Guard in the battle against Scar.

When Timon and Pumbaa put on a show to lift everyone's spirits, they soon find they've set the stage for a showdown no one will ever forget.

To be continued

Cast

 * Main article: Cast and crew of The Lion King Reborn and The Lion King Returns

Son of Mufasa and Sarabi, who grows up to become King of the Pride Lands. Simba later becomes Nala's mate, and Kiara and Kion's overprotective father. Rob Lowe served as Broderick's "Simba consultant". Ian Harrowell respectively served as the supervising animator for Simba. Simba's mate and Queen of the Pride Lands. Moira Kelly, who previously voiced the character in the franchise, served as Union's "Nala consultant". Ian Harrowell respectively served as the supervising animator for Nala. The daughter of Simba and Nala, who grows up to become future Queen of the Pride Lands. A lion, who is Simba and Nala's second-born son, 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. As leader of the Guard, Kion possesses an intensely powerful ability known as the Roar of the Elders bestowed by the great lions of the past. A wise mandrill (or "silly blue-bottomed baboon", as Zazu calls him), who teaches Timon Hakuna Matata, as well as giving him faith in himself to do what he dreams of doing. Rafiki also serves as shaman of the lion king and presents newborn cubs of the King and Queen to the animals of the Pride Lands. The late Robert Guillaume was credited as Payton's "Rafiki consultant". Bob Baxter, James Baxter and Alexs Stadermann served as the supervising animators for Rafiki. An aardvark, who is Muhanga's mate. A hornbill, who serves as the lion king's majordomo. Edward Hibbert, who voiced Zazu in The Lion King II: Simba's Pride, served as Bennett's "Zazu consultant". Zazu was originally voiced by Rowan Atkinson in the previous film. A honey badger, who is the bravest member of the Lion Guard. He is also Timon and Pumbaa's adoptive nephew and Kion's best friend. Bunga's fearless and hot-headed nature is grounded in reality, as real honey badgers are aggressive and fearless. A cheetah, who is the fastest member of the Lion Guard, the only female member, Kion's friend and second-in-command. A hippopotamus, who is the strongest member of the Lion Guard and Kion's friend. A cattle egret, who is the keenest of sight of the Lion Guard and Kion's friend. A spotted hyena, who is Jasiri's sister and is part of her clan. Madoa has an expanded role compared to the previous film as she is a member of Jasiri's hyena resistance. Simba's father, King of the Pride Lands as the film begins. Since his death after being killed into a wildebeest stampede orchestrated by Scar, Mufasa lives on as a spirit that gives his grandson Kion advice on how to get through any tough plight. James Earl Jones was credited as Williams' "Mufasa consultant". Mufasa was originally voiced by Jones in the previous film. Tony Fucile served as the supervising animator for Mufasa. A young mandrill, who is Rafiki's apprentice. In this film, it is revealed that Makini is the daughter of Kitendo and Fikiri. A spunky spotted hyena living in the Outlands, who is the leader of her friendly clan and allies with Kion. In this film, 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 and those who are on his side. TBA. A meerkat and the son of Ma and his late Pa, who becomes Pumbaa's best friend and one of Simba's adoptive parents. Though somewhat selfish, arrogant, and withdrawn, Timon shows courageous loyalty towards his friends. He is also one of Bunga's adoptive uncles. Due to Lane's scheduling conflict with upcoming performances in two-part play Angels in America, Kevin Schon provided the rest of Timon's dialogues and singing roles credited as his "Timon consultant". Bob Baxter served as his supervising animator. A common warthog, who is Timon's "bestest best friend" and one of Simba's adoptive parents. Though slow-witted, Pumbaa is very empathetic and willing to trust and befriend anyone. Pumbaa is the other of Bunga's adoptive uncles. Bob Baxter served as his supervising animator. Zira's son and Nuka and Vitani's younger brother, who was "hand-chosen" by Scar to become King of the Pride Lands instead of Simba. Andrew Collins served as the supervising animator for Kovu. The leader of the Outsiders, Scar's most loyal follower and the mother of Nuka, Vitani, and Kovu. Kevin Peaty served as the supervising animator for Zira. Zira's son, Vitani and Kovu's older brother and the oldest male of Zira's family. Zira's daughter and Nuka and Kovu's sister. When Nala confronts Vitani during the final battle, she appears to say "Shetani" rather than "Vitani," pointing out the potential that the name was changed after production had already begun. The name "Vitani" means "battle" in Swahili, and the filmmakers may have changed her name to Vitani because "Shetani" means "she-demon" in Swahili. Interestingly, the word "vitani" is actually the Swahili word for both "ducks" (in the plural sense, where "kitani" is singular) and "linens," though it is unlikely that the writers would have known this. Kevin Peaty served as the supervising animator for Vitani. A cunning and ruthless spotted hyena, who is the leader of the clan of Outlander hyenas. In this film, when Jasiri saves Janja, she tells him his clan can join the hyena resistance, only for a speechless Janja to hesitate, then dismisses her offer before running away. Shupavu and Njano question about Janja's loyalty and decide to report his hesitation back to Scar. Sooner enough, a frightened Janja escapes under Scar's orders and joins the hyena resistance. A cunning snow leopard. A snow monkey, who is the matriarch of a snow monkey troop. A massively strong gorilla warrior, who helps the Lion Guard to fight against Scar. Kitendo's mate, who is Makini's father. Fikiri's mate, who is Makini's mother. Headley previously provided Nala's singing voice in The Lion King Reborn. A plains zebra with golden stripes, who is the leader of the herd. Bunga admires her greatly. Dhahabu was modeled after the late Zoe the Golden Zebra, who resided in Hawaii's Three Ring Ranch. The late leader of the first Lion Guard, who made a peace treaty with the elephants. Mufasa's younger brother, Simba's uncle and Kiara and Kion's granduncle, who overtaken the throne in the previous film. Scar was also once the leader of a Lion Guard, but the power went to his head and he began to believe that he should be king instead of Mufasa. He lost the Roar after he used it to destroy his fellow Lion Guard members when they refused to help him overthrow Mufasa. Jim Cummings, Tim Curry and Malcolm McDowell were all considered for the role of Scar. Cummings later served as Oyelowo's "Scar consultant". Scar was originally voiced by Jeremy Irons in the previous film. Andreas Deja served as the supervising animator for Scar. A lioness cub, who is the leader of the Night Pride. An unintelligent spotted hyena with a slightly heavier build than the other hyenas, who is the other of Janja's right-hand henchmen. A handsome yet dimwitted plains zebra, who is the leader of the herd. In countries outside North America, Thurston is renamed as "Punda Milia" in the film's credits. His name is also a tribute to Jim Backus, who played Thurston Howell in Gilligan's Island. Brendan Fraser was originally set to voice Thurston. A lioness cub friend of Kiara and a member of Simba's pride, who is somewhat vain and hates getting dirty. A lioness cub friend of Kiara and a member of Simba's pride, who is somewhat more sensible than her constant companion Zuri. Tiifu was originally voiced by Sarah Hyland in the previous film. A teenage fun-loving African bush elephant, who used to be part of Ma Tembo's herd. He, Mzaha, and Furaha are best friends and share a tree together near Big Springs. A teenage fun-loving sable antelope, who used to be part of Bupu's herd. A teenage fun-loving Zanzibar red colobus, who used to be part of Tumbili's troop. An Egyptian cobra, who often conflicted with Bunga and would get disturbed whenever the Lion Guard was near him. Upon Scar's spirit being unleashed, Ushari becomes a second-in-command to him in Scar's plot to unite all the animals of the Outlands in a plot to get revenge on the Pride Lands. An arrogant Nile crocodile, who was part of Makuu's float. He and his followers defied Makuu's orders which led to them working with Ushari. A clever and manipulative black-backed jackal, who is the leader of the pack. A fork-tailed drongo, who can imitate the voice of any animal. A Nile crocodile, who is the leader of his float. An electric blue gecko, who dreamed of being in a crocodile float. Makuu made him an honorary member of his float due to his bravery when confronting Kiburi. A yellow baboon, who is the leader of the Traveling Baboon Show. An African spurred tortoise, who is the oldest and wisest animal in the Pride Lands. A blind golden mole with a sweet singing voice, who lives underground. He helped Kion, Bunga, Kiara, Tiifu, and Zuri find part of their way back to Pride Rock when they were lost underground, and taught Tiifu that the dark is nothing to be afraid of. One news report erroneously stated that Kuchimba would be a character that would debut in Season 3 of The Lion Guard, despite him being a character that would debut in Season 2. An African bush elephant with a broken right tusk, who is the leader of the herd and the daughter of the late Amanifu, an old friend of Simba's, who was also the former leader of the elephant herd. An impatient and grouchy African bush elephant, who is part of Ma Tembo's herd. A young African bush elephant calf, who is part of Ma Tembo's herd. He also looks up to Beshte as his personal hero. Mtoto was originally voiced by Natalie Coughlin in the previous film. A cream-colored African leopard from the Back Lands, who is revealed to be the leader of his leap which is first shown when the Lion Guard was looking for water in the Back Lands during a water shortage in the Pride Lands. A stubborn sable antelope, who is the leader of the herd and values polite behavior. A calculative white-backed vulture, who is the leader of his parliament. He sometimes serves as Janja's spy and scout. An excitable spotted hyena, who is one of Janja's right-hand henchmen. A sneaky fire skink, who is the leader of her group. She dislikes being close to Pride Rock. A galago, who is the leader of her group in Ndefu Grove. A veiled chameleon, who helped the Lion Guard by spying on Scar in the Outlands. Amy Poehler was originally set to voice the character. An overconfident and unintelligent Nile crocodile, who is one of Kiburi's followers. A yellow wagtail, who becomes an unofficial member on Bupu's herd. A Nile crocodile, who is one of Kiburi's followers. A dimwitted jackal, who is Reirei's mate. A foolish and clumsy white-backed vulture, who is a member of Mzingo's parliament. An enormous and ferocious rock monitor, and acquaintance of Ushari, who dislikes being called "little" or else it will infuriate him. His venomous bite induces temporary paralysis. A cheerful ostrich, who is the leader of her flock. The former leader of the local Nile crocodile float, who appears in a flashback to The Lion King Reborn when Kion explains to Zazu that he remembers the day when he and Bunga first met Pua and his float. A Masai giraffe, who is the leader of the herd. An African bush elephant, who is part of Ma Tembo's herd. Russi Taylor, who voices Mbuni, previously voiced Mtoto's Mom. An African buffalo, who is the leader of her herd. An old black rhinoceros, who is the leader of his crash. An African bush elephant, who is part of Ma Tembo's herd. A baby spotted hyena cub and sister of Tunu, who is part of Jasiri's clan. A baby spotted hyena cub and brother of Wema, who is part of Jasiri's clan. A blue tongued rainbow skink, who is part of Shupavu's group and serves as her second-in-command. A poisonous Tanzanian red clawed scorpion and Scar's assassin, who was sent to sting Simba. An observant blue African striped skink, who is a member of Shupavu's group. A Zanzibar red colobus, who is the leader of his troop. He grew tired of Furaha's antics and sent him away. An African bush elephant, who is part of Ma Tembo's herd.
 * Matthew Broderick as Simba
 * Gabrielle Union as Nala
 * Neve Campbell as Kiara
 * Eden Riegel as young Kiara
 * Max Charles as Kion
 * Khary Payton as:
 * Rafiki
 * Muhangus
 * Jeff Bennett as Zazu
 * Joshua Rush as Bunga
 * Diamond White as Fuli
 * Dusan Brown as Beshte
 * Atticus Shaffer as Ono
 * Maisie Klompus as Madoa
 * Gary Anthony Williams as Mufasa
 * Landry Bender as Makini
 * Maia Mitchell as Jasiri
 * Behzad Dabu as Azaad
 * Nathan Lane as Timon
 * Ernie Sabella as Pumbaa
 * Jason Marsden as Kovu
 * Nika Futterman as Zira
 * Andy Dick as Nuka
 * Lacey Chabert as Vitani
 * Andrew Kishino as Janja
 * Kimiko Glenn as Chuluun
 * J. Elaine Marcos as Yuki
 * Christopher Jackson as:
 * Shujaa
 * Fikiri
 * Heather Headley as Kitendo
 * Renée Elise Goldsberry as Dhahabu
 * Michael Luwoye as Askari
 * David Oyelowo as Scar
 * Peyton Elizabeth Lee as Rani
 * Kevin Schon as:
 * Chungu
 * Thurston the Zebra Mastermind
 * Madison Pettis as Zuri
 * Bailey Gambertoglio as Tiifu
 * Jacob Bertrand as Chama
 * Cade Sutton as Mzaha
 * Mekai Curtis as Furaha
 * Christian Slater as Ushari
 * Common as Kiburi
 * Ana Gasteyer as Reieri
 * C. J. Byrnes as Tamaa
 * Blair Underwood as Makuu
 * Justin Hires as Hodari
 * Sinbad as Uroho
 * C. C. H. Pounder as Kongwe
 * AJ McLean as Kuchimba
 * Lynette DuPree as Ma Tembo
 * Nick Watt as Zito
 * Justin Felbinger as Mtoto
 * Steve Blum as Makucha
 * Michael Dorn as Bupu
 * Jonny Rees as Mzingo
 * Vargus Mason as Cheezi
 * Meghan Strange as:
 * Shupavu
 * Laini
 * Kinyonga
 * Nolan North as:
 * Tamka
 * Nyuni
 * Jorge Diaz as Nduli
 * Phil LaMarr as Goigoi
 * Cam Clarke as Mwoga
 * Kristofer Hivju as Kenge
 * Russi Taylor as Mbuni
 * Gerald Rivers as Pua
 * Alex Cartañá as Twiga
 * Virginia Watson as:
 * Mtoto's Mom
 * Vuruga Vuruga
 * Howy Parkins as Mbeya
 * Marieve Herington as Zigo
 * Fiona Hart as Wema
 * Crimson Hart as Tunu
 * Ford Riley as:
 * Njano
 * Sumu
 * Waza
 * Ace Gibson as:
 * Tumbili
 * Johari
 * Dana Davis as Additional Voice
 * Dee Bradley Baker as Additional Voice
 * Frank Welker as lion sounds

According to an interview, the characters Shenzi, Banzai and Ed are rumored to return in the sequel. However, it hasn't been confirmed whether their respective voice actors (Whoopi Goldberg, Cheech Marin and Jim Cummings) will return to reprise their roles.

Alfre Woodard, Sarah Paulson, Julie Kavner, Kevin Michael Richardson, Phil LaMarr, Ivy Bishop, Erica Luttrell, Beau Black, Virginia Watson, Jacob Guenther, Amber Hood, and Carla Hall were originally set to reprise their roles as Sarabi, Sarafina, Timon's Ma, Basi, Shingo, Juhudi, Baboka, Nne, Dogo, Kijana and Mipishi from the previous film. However, their lines didn't make it into the theatrical cut of the film. Sarabi, Sarafina, Shingo, Baboka, and Nne do appear only in brief non-speaking cameos while Basi is mentioned by Beshte.

Appearances
To be continued

Production
On July 27th in the year 2018, directors Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff announced that there would be a sequel for The Lion King Reborn and that he would return to direct the film. They stated:
 * "There were lots of episodes in The Lion Guard we could've used [at least] for The Lion King Reborn. But, many characters including Kinyonga, Kongwe and Kuchimba and episodes including "Rescue in the Outlands" and "The Ultimate Showdown" felt like too many characters and episodes for all of us. But the good news is that we will have these characters for the sequel, with many other actors returning from the previous film."

They have confirmed that the film will include The Lion King II: Simba's Pride, as well as Season 2 and 3 episodes of The Lion Guard including "The Rise of Scar", "Let Sleeping Crocs Lie", "Swept Away", "Rafiki's New Neighbors", "Rescue in the Outlands", "The Ukumbusho Tradition", "The Bite of Kenge", "The Morning Report", "The Golden Zebra", "The Little Guy", "Divide and Conquer", "The Scorpion's Sting", "The Widsom of Kongwe", "The Kilio Valley Fire", "Undercover Kinyonga", "The Ultimate Showdown", "Leaders in the Pride Lands", "Cave of Secrets", "The Zebra Mastermind", "The Hyena Resistance", "The Underground Adventure", "Beshte and the Beast", and the Season 3 finale possibly titled as "Leaders in the Pride Lands". When Myers has been thinking of if he should use the episode "Timon and Pumbaa's Christmas" or not, he could while he would not use this one in his version for Christians only, since it would be out of place for that. On July 31st, the film's title was changed to The Lion King Entity Chronicles. On August 3rd, it was announced that the film was now titled The Lion King Generations. However, a dozen days later, it was announced that the film would be titled The Lion King Returns in order to honor the title and a tribute for the 1992 DC Comics adaptation Batman Returns​​​​​​.

This will be the second The Lion King film to be shot in the 2.35:1 aspect ratio, as it was for the previous film.

On September 14th, a new teaser poster was released, while several characters had their lines taken out, including Sarabi and Sarafina's due to time. On October 25th, nearly one day ago that marks one year ago after Rafiki's original voice actor Robert Guillaume's death, the title was officially changed to The Lion King Annihilation.

Casting
On July 28th, Myers announced that Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, Gabrielle Union, Eden Riegel, Jason Marsden, Nika Futterman, Nathan Lane, Ernie Sabella, Khary Payton, Andy Dick, Lacey Chabert, Rowan Atkinson, Blair Underwood, Sarah Hyland, Madison Pettis, Joshua Rush, Diamond White, Max Charles, Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Landry Bender, Maia Mitchell, Atticus Shaffer, Dusan Brown, James Earl Jones, Christian Slater, Andrew Kishino, Ana Gasteyer, Common, Greg Ellis, Kevin Schon, Maisie Klompus, Lynette DuPree, Steven Blum, Michael Dorn, Vargus Mason, Dee Bradley Baker, Phil LaMarr, Cam Clarke, Rob Lowe, Meghan Strange, Alex Cartañá, and Nick Watt would reprise their voice roles as Simba, Scar, Nala, Kiara, Kovu, Zira, Timon, Pumbaa, Rafiki, Nuka, Vitani, Zazu, Makuu, Tiifu, Zuri, Bunga, Fuli, Kion, Rani, Makini, Jasiri, Ono, Beshte, Mufasa, Ushari, Janja, Reirei, Kiburi, Mzingo, Chungu, Thurston, Madoa, Ma Tembo, Makucha, Bupu, Cheezi, Saoghail, Goigoi, Mwoga, Jumla, Laini, Shupavu, Twiga, and Zito from the previous film, while it was announced that new additions including C. C. H. Pounder, Amy Poehler, Christopher Jackson, AJ McLean, and Behzad Dabu joined the cast as Kongwe, Kinyonga, Shujaa, Kuchimba, and Azaad. It was also announced that director Myers and Collin Dean were cast in undisclosed roles. On July 30th, it was announced that Kevin Michael Richardson, Ivy Bishop, Phil LaMarr, Patrick Fraley, and Gabriel C. Brown rejoined the original cast as Basi, Juhudi, Shingo, Jumbo Jumbo, and Nyeusi, reprising their previous roles from The Lion King Reborn. It was also announced that Seth Rogen and The Lion Guard developer Ford Riley joined the cast as Mooser and Waza, who had a non-speaking cameo appearance in the previous film; Frank Welker was announced to reprise his role as Ned the Elephant, and Strange was confirmed to voice Nyata, who had a silent cameo in the previous film.

On August 2nd, it was announced that Fiona and Crimson Hart joined the cast as Wema and Tunu, while their lines were previously re-dubbed by Sarah Jessica Parker, who is Broderick's wife. It was also announced that Alfre Woodard and Sarah Paulson will reprise their previous roles as Sarabi and Sarafina from the previous film. Two days later, it was announced that Dana Davis would return as Shupavu's third-in-command, the green emerald skink, from the previous film while John DiMaggio was confirmed to voice Machugwa, a broad-headed skink and one of Shupavu's trusted seekers. However, on the next day, DiMaggio would only be confirmed in a undisclosed role while Tommy Chong and Moira Kelly, the original voice of Nala, were confirmed to reprise their roles as Mbeya and a Outlander lioness from the previous film. Four days later, Jacob Gunether and Amber Hood had interest to reprise their roles as Dogo and Kijana from the previous film and they were officially confirmed for their characters' new scripts. On August 11th, Billy West was confirmed in a undisclosed role. On the next day, Myers announced Mpishi would appear as a member on the Army of Scar in both films, and Carla Hall was confirmed to reprise her voice role. Two days later, Myers announced that Rani would only appear.

On August 18th, it was announced that Kevin Schon and Phil LaMarr were cast as Chungu and Goigoi for the first film, while Gary Anthony Williams, Bailey Gambertoglio, and Justin Felbinger would voice Tiifu, Mufasa, and Mtoto, replacing Jones, Sarah Hyland, and Natalie Coughlin from the previous film, respectively.

On September 4th, Renée Elise Goldsberry was confirmed to return as the voice of Dhahabu while Michael Luwoye, Kimiko Glenn, J. Elaine Marcos, Heather Headley, and Christopher Jackson joined the cast as Askari, Chuluun, Yuki, Kitendo, and Fikiri, respectively. Seven days later, it was announced that Edward Hibbert would replace Atkinson as Zazu, due to him being busy.

On October 12th, it was confirmed that Neve Campbell will reprise her role as adult Kiara from the 1998 sequel. Seven days later, Jeff Bennett was cast to voice Zazu replacing Hibbert as the film's release date is changed to be in 2020.

Gallery

 * Main article: The Lion King Annihilation/Gallery

Transcript

 * Main article: The Lion King Annihilation/Transcript

Trivia

 * Main article: Trivia of The Lion King Reborn and The Lion King Annihilation

Gag Reel

 * Main article: Gag reels of The Lion King Reborn and The Lion King Annihilation

Soundtrack
On August 4th, it was announced that the film will include songs "The Faster I Go", "I'm Gonna Run This Dump", and "Now You See Me, Now You Don't" from The Lion Guard, while it will include songs "Upendi", "Not One Of Us", and "Love Will Find A Way" from The Lion King II: Simba's Pride. Later in September and further months, it was announced that songs "Wisdom on the Walls", "The Zebra Mastermind", "Home Is Home (Kwetu Ni Kwetu)", and "Nothin' To Fear Down Here" will be included. twenty-one days later, several songs from the previous film, including "May There Be Peace", "I Do Have a Great Deal to Say", "Big Bad Kenge", "Three of a Kind", "Gotta Look On The Bright Side", "Fabulous Dhahabu", "We're The Smartest", "Give The Little Guy A Chance", "I Have A Plan", "Good King Simba", and "Shujaa Ponda" were taken out and reused for this one. It is unknown whether it will include songs "Christmas in the Pride Lands" and "The Twelve Ways of Christmas".