Makuu

Makuu is a male crocodile. He is the leader of a float of crocodiles in the Pride Lands.
Initially, Makuu served under Pua. However, when Pua made decisions that Makuu deemed weak, he challenged his leader to a mashindano. After winning the mashindano and assuming leadership of the crocodile float, Makuu instigated a hostile takeover of Big Springs, which caused an upset in the habitats of the Pride Lands. In order to put the Circle of Life back in balance, Kion displayed the power of the Roar of the Elders to Makuu, who ceded Big Springs back to the hippopotamuses.
As leader, Makuu frequently clashed with the Lion Guard. However, when Simba invited him to attend the Savannah Summit, he accepted so he could better serve his float and the Pride Lands. Despite Makuu's changed nature, the other animal leaders refused to accept his reformation, and Twiga and Vuruga Vuruga set a trap of rotten fruit for him. Instead of retaliating in anger, Makuu declared their plot worthy of a crocodile and made amends with them and the other animal leaders.
Later, when the Army of Scar began waging war on the Pride Lands, Makuu and his float joined their fellow Pride Landers in fighting the army off and eventually defeating them altogether with an invasion of the Outlands.
==Biography==
===Early life===
Makuu lived in the Pride Lands. He was a member of Pua's float.
===Conflict with Zazu===
As infants, Kion and his friend, Bunga, accidentally wandered into the territory of Pua's float. The crocodiles reacted to the intrusion with hostility, and Makuu expressed a desire to eat the two cubs. Though Pua warned Kion and Bunga that they should leave, Bunga challenged Makuu, and Kion defended his friend, which further antagonized the crocodiles.
Just then, Zazu appeared and informed the crocodiles that Kion was Simba's son. Makuu proclaimed that the cubs had come to the float's water hole and challenged them, so they had every right to eat them. Pua agreed with Makuu, and so, seeing no other option, Zazu stepped into Makuu's mouth and offered himself in Kion's place. In order to not upset Simba, Pua allowed Kion, Bunga, and Zazu to leave the float's territory unharmed, which disappointed and frustrated Makuu.
===Bothered by Kion and Bunga===
While playing with Kion in the Pride Lands, Bunga hopped on Makuu's head, which annoyed him and caused him to emerge from underwater. He then growled at Kion, who had been about to follow Bunga.
===Becoming the leader of Pua's float===
When Pua, the leader of the crocodiles, refused to offset the Circle of Life by hunting the fish in Big Springs, Makuu accused him of being a coward and challenged him to a mashindano. Kion was disturbed by this turn of events and asked his father about Makuu's challenge. Simba explained that he must recognize and respect the traditions of other species, even if he did not always agree with them.
Later, the animals of the Pride Lands gathered to witness the mashindano, and Makuu managed to pull a victory over the aged Pua. Simba came forward, recognizing Makuu's leadership, and thanked Pua for his service. As Pua left, Makuu taunted him. Makuu then led his float into Lake Matope, with Kion looking after him worriedly and wondering if the Pride Lands were in danger.
After Pua's defeat, Kion received word that the giraffes had moved into the baboons' forest. The Lion Guard rushed to the rescue, and Kion discovered that Makuu had invaded Big Springs, which had forced the other animals to switch habitats.
Kion confronted Makuu and asked him to leave Big Springs. However, Makuu refused and mocked Kion for being unwilling to fight. Though Bunga encouraged Kion to use the Roar of the Elders, the cub decided against it, not wanting to be like Scar and lash out in anger. Instead, Kion went to Pua and asked for him to call for another mashindano. Pua reminded Kion that Makuu was much stronger than him. He then advised Kion to back down if he was not willing to fight Makuu.
After Kion encountered the spirit of his grandfather, Mufasa, he and his friends decided to demonstrate the Roar of the Elders on a grove of trees to show Makuu what he would be in for if he attempted a fight. While Bunga, Fuli, and Ono set out to clear the grove of animals, Beshte and Kion confronted Makuu. When Ono gave the signal, Kion roared into the trees, clearing them all of their leaves. In awe, Makuu backed down and led his float out of Big Springs.
After Makuu left, the animals returned to their habitats, and Basi invited the crocodiles to return to Big Springs once the fish population spiked. Makuu promised to keep the proposition in mind, while the Lion Guard watched in satisfaction.
===Kupatana===
Makuu snapped at a jackal pup for stealing his fish. Later, he attended the Kupatana celebration.
===Imitated by Tamaa===
Tamaa imitated Makuu's voice in order to scare small animals away from their food.
===Invasion of the Flood Plains===
Makuu overheard Kion stating that he would never use the Roar of the Elders again. Because of this turn of events, Makuu planned to make his move against the Pride Lands, only this time, he would invade the entire Flood Plains.
After Makuu and his float took over the Flood Plains, a mongoose who had been chased away happened to run past Fuli, who resolved to save the Flood Plains with the rest of her team. She hastened to the Lair of the Lion Guard and related what had happened to the Pride Landers. While Ono flew off to fetch Kion, the rest of the team departed to save the Flood Plains.
Once there, Fuli ordered Makuu to leave, but he simply laughed at her for having a leader who refused to use the Roar of the Elders. Despite her confusion at Makuu's claim, Fuli proclaimed that the Lion Guard did not need Kion's Roar to defend the Pride Lands. She then attacked Makuu and ordered Beshte and Bunga to take on the rest of the float. There was a brief struggle, but Makuu and his float managed to overpower the Lion Guard and trap them in the midst of the water.
Kion, Nala, and Ono hastened to the scene of the crime, where Kion and Nala commanded Makuu to share the Flood Plains with the other Pride Landers. In answer, two of Makuu's cronies knocked Nala into the water and carried her into the midst of the float, which prompted Kion to ready the Roar in his fury. Before he could wreak havoc on the Flood Plains, he stopped himself from roaring, and Nala called for him to trust himself. Heeding his mother's advice, Kion used the Roar to specifically target Makuu's float and keep Nala from being harmed.
===Attack on the hippo lanes===
Basi and Beshte heard a young rhino crying for help. They arrived in time to rescue him from Makuu and his float, whom they chastised for not honoring the rule that no animal was to be attacked while trying to cross the Flood Plains after a rainstorm. Makuu relented but insulted hippopotamuses for always following the rules.
Later, as Basi was helping Beshte make hippo lanes, Makuu and his float spied on them from the reeds. Beshte forged ahead, leaving Basi behind, and the crocodiles cornered him in the hippo lane. Just in time, Beshte arrived to defend his father, but Makuu gloated that he and his float had numbers on their side this time. Basi encouraged his son to stand strong against the float, but Beshte reminded Basi that he was injured. He then told his father to follow him through a new hippo lane.
With Beshte in the lead, the hippopotamuses began to weave a winding trail through the Flood Plains, leading Makuu and his float on a wild chase. The two managed to cross over another hippo lane, but as the crocodiles moved to follow them, they got trampled by Bupu's herd. The crocodiles pulled back, winded, and Beshte chastised them for having endangered the animals of the Pride Lands. In utter defeat, Makuu and his float swam off into the Flood Plains.
===Attack on Mwenzi===
Mwenzi the tickbird alighted near a swamp after having a fight with his friend, Kifaru. Ono warned him that Makuu and his float frequented the area. Despite Ono's warning, Mwenzi refused to trust him. However, he warmed up to Ono eventually, and the two started to leave the area. Just then, Makuu attacked, hurting Mwenzi's wing and knocking him into the branches of a tree. Ono managed to save him from Makuu but left to fetch the Lion Guard for help.
Meanwhile, Makuu continually knocked his tail against Mwenzi's tree in an attempt to dislodge him. He managed to jump up and bite Mwenzi's branch in half, leaving the tickbird with little room to maneuver. Before Makuu could try again, Kifaru arrived and charged at him. However, Kifaru misjudged Makuu's location and rammed into a tree stump, which trapped his horn in bark. Makuu saw Kifaru's prone position as an opportunity for larger prey and rallied his float to take down the rhinoceros.
Just then, the Lion Guard arrived and fought Makuu off. During the commotion, Mwenzi hopped down from his tree and instructed Kifaru on how to free himself from the tree stump. Once free, Kifaru used the tree stump as a weapon and helped free the other Lion Guard members from their entanglements. He rammed Makuu last, knocking him and the tree stump into the swamp, and yelled after him that that was what he got for messing with Mwenzi.
===Savannah Summit===
Mtoto the elephant informed the Lion Guard that several important Pride Landers were heading toward Pride Rock. Kion realized that it was time for the Savannah Summit, an important yearly event in which leaders in the Pride Lands discussed how they would proceed during the dry season. No sooner had he revealed this when Mtoto overheard a crocodile heading to Pride Rock, and Ono spotted Makuu en route to the Summit. Kion deduced that Makuu must be trying to spoil the event, and he and the Lion Guard took off to thwart the danger.
Once at Pride Rock, Kion tackled Makuu. Makuu protested that he had been invited, and Simba confirmed that he had invited Makuu to Pride Rock himself. With Simba's support, Makuu promised to take his duties seriously, much to the discomfort of the other Pride Lander leaders. Kion attempted to convince his father that Makuu was untrustworthy, but Simba insisted that all animals must be treated equally in the Pride Lands, no matter their past transgressions. He then tasked Kion with watching over the event in case the other animals decided to treat Makuu unfairly.
Together, the party proceeded to Mizimu Grove. Along the way, Twiga the giraffe and Vuruga Vuruga the cape buffalo spoke resentfully about Makuu's past actions and how readily Simba was willing to forgive him. However, Zazu interrupted their talking, and the group continued to Mizimu Grove.
Once at Mizimu Grove, the Lion Guard commented on how well the animals were behaving, though Kion remained unconvinced of Makuu's reformation. As they spoke, the Lion Guard noticed that Makuu was missing from the event, and Mtoto ran up with news that Makuu was speaking angrily near the watering hole. The Lion Guard took off to stop the danger and arrived on the scene to find Makuu arguing with Bupu.
Without asking for an explanation, Kion ordered Makuu to back off. Despite the Lion Guard's presence, Bupu attacked Makuu, who attempted to defend himself until Kion chastised him again, claiming that he would not let anyone ruin the Savannah Summit, "especially" not Makuu. Though Makuu was bothered by Kion's bias, he backed off in an attempt to not start trouble.
While patrolling the Pride Lands for trouble, Mtoto overheard Twiga speaking about Makuu and informed the Lion Guard of what he had heard. Bunga assumed that there was trouble, and Kion worried that Makuu would ruin the Summit. Together, the team took off to protect Twiga. However, when they arrived on the scene, Makuu was nowhere to be found, only Twiga and Vuruga Vuruga. Bunga proclaimed that Mtoto had heard Makuu, but Mtoto clarified that he had only heard Twiga speaking about Makuu. Twiga was quick to deny this assertion, and Vuruga Vuruga backed her up. The Lion Guard left, privately deducing that Twiga and Vuruga Vuruga were too afraid to tell the truth about Makuu because he had threatened them.
Later, Mtoto rushed up to the Lion Guard and proclaimed that Makuu was yelling at Bupu again, this time at Pride Rock. The team rushed to Pride Rock, where Kion tackled Makuu to the ground. Simba approached, furious, and exclaimed that Bupu and Makuu had been about to come to an agreement about sleeping situations for their respective species. An enraged Makuu accused the other Pride Landers of not trusting him and wondered why he should trust them when they were not willing to give him a chance. He then stalked off, enraged, with Simba calling after him desperately.
When Kion realized that Makuu may be being targeted by other Pride Landers, the team rushed to Mizimu Grove, where they saved Makuu from falling into a pit full of rotten fruit. Makuu realized that someone had set a trap for him, and Kion proclaimed that he knew how to find out who was to blame.
Later that day, Kion announced to the Summit that Makuu had fallen into a pit and lost his life in the struggle. A horrified Twiga and Vuruga Vuruga exclaimed that they had never intended for Makuu to get hurt. Just then, Makuu revealed himself and announced to the gathered animals that he had come to the Summit with the intention of helping his float and the Pride Lands but that he had only received distrust and hostility. The other animals feared his wrath, but Makuu merely prompted Simba to let the Summit go on.
With negotiations re-initiated, Simba complimented Kion for his work, and the other animals acted graciously toward Makuu.
===Interrupted hibernation===
Makuu was led into his float's hibernation cave by the Lion Guard. However, they were accidentally awoken by the Lion Guard when they tried to halt a stampede. Though enraged at first, Makuu went to Pride Rock to speak with Simba. Before leaving, he ordered his float to stay where they were.
In Makuu's absence, one of the crocodiles in the float, Kiburi, rallied the whole float and took over all the water holes. Upon discovering this, Makuu chastised Kiburi for disobeying him. Simba soon found a watering hole for the crocodiles to stay in, but it was small and cramped. Dissatisfied with this meager offering, Kiburi challenged Makuu to a mashindano, and the latter accepted.
Though Makuu won, he soon discovered that it had been a diversion so that Kiburi's followers could assassinate Simba. When Simba emerged unscathed, thanks to the Lion Guard's intervention, Makuu assured Simba that he had had no knowledge of Kiburi's plan. When Simba decided to defer Kiburi's punishment to Makuu, the latter stated that Kiburi and his followers were no longer part of the float, and Simba banished them from the Pride Lands. Later, after returning to their water hole, Makuu forgave Ono, whose fault it had been that the float had awakened from their hibernation, due to the fact that it was Ono who had discovered Kiburi's plan. When Simba asked if this was the new crocodile way, Makuu said that perhaps it was.
===Disturbed by Chama, Mzaha, and Furaha===
When Chama, Mzaha and Furaha stampeded through the crocodiles' water hole, they splashed mud on Makuu and his float, which prompted him to glare after the trio in annoyance.
===Saved by Hodari===
The Lion Guard saw Makuu training his float to fight and accidentally mistook it for a real fight. They started to break up the sparring but were warned to stop by Hodari, a gecko who was spectating from a tree. The Lion Guard quickly apologized to Makuu, who led his float in continuing their training. As they did so, Hodari mimicked their movements and professed to Beshte that it was his dream to be a crocodile, or at least an honorary one.
Just then, Ono spotted a herd of cape buffalo stampeding toward the crocodiles, and Kion yelled for the float to take cover. Though the crocodiles managed to reach safety on a nearby cliff, the stampede caused a rockslide, which injured Makuu. Despite his injuries, Makuu insisted that he was fine and continued to train his float.
The Lion Guard started to continue on their patrol, but Hodari halted Beshte. Hodari then asked Beshte if he would introduce him to Makuu, and Beshte happily agreed. After the introductions, Hodari boasted of his strengths and skills. Makuu and his float merely laughed at him, which prompted Hodari to flee the scene.
Later, the Lion Guard tried to warn Makuu that Kiburi and his allies were lurking in the Pride Lands, but Makuu insisted that his float could care for itself. Kion submitted to Makuu's request and led his team away from the float, unaware that Kiburi was watching from the shadows. The moment the Lion Guard departed, he and his float attacked Makuu, using the lessons given to them by their new member, Hodari, to evade their attacks and seize an effortless victory. Hodari tried to remind Kiburi that he could not be leader without calling for a mashindano, but Kiburi ignored the gecko and continued to mercilessly beat Makuu.
Ono spotted the attack, and Kion led his team into battle. Kiburi pinned down Makuu, and Tamka overcame Kion, which prevented him from helping Makuu. Hodari sensed the danger and told Beshte to carry him closer to the fight, as he had an idea. Beshte did as he was told, and Hodari came close enough to leap onto Kiburi's snout. With Kiburi distracted, Hodari yelled for Makuu to use the Wide Tailspin, which Makuu did, knocking Kiburi into the mud and freeing Makuu from his prone position. Kion then used the Roar of the Elders to banish Kiburi's float back to the Outlands.
Makuu approached Hodari and praised him for his bravery, commenting that he had the heart of a true crocodile. He then offered Hodari a place among his float, which Hodari proudly accepted. The float then began to chant the gecko's name, welcoming him into their ranks.
===Training the Pride Landers===
When the Lion Guard concluded that the Pride Landers must unite against the threat of the Outlanders, they gathered together Bupu's herd, Laini's group, Ma Tembo's herd, and Mbeya's crash. At first, the Pride Landers were tense, but Kion worked to defuse the tension and instructed the animals to race toward Bunga. However, the event soon got out of hand, for the animals tripped over the galagos and ended up in a heap.
After the disastrous event, Kion got the idea to call Makuu for help, as the crocodiles were used to teamwork. Makuu begrudgingly agreed to Kion's plan and resolved to help the Pride Landers get into shape for battle. However, his training proved to be too rigorous and ruthless for the other animals to master. At one point, he threatened to eat Boboka, and an incited Kion urged him to be kinder to his fellow Pride Landers. However, Makuu left in a huff and vowed to only look out for his own float should trouble arise.
Back at his watering hole, Makuu complained that the training had been a waste of time. Just then, the Army of Scar besieged Makuu's float, and Kiburi targeted Makuu. Ono witnessed the battle from above and reported his findings to Kion. Together, the Lion Guard and their Pride Lander allies stormed the watering hole in the defense of Makuu's float. In the midst of the battle, Janja and Kiburi attacked Makuu, but Ma Tembo and Kion saved him. After the army had been defeated and driven away, Makuu thanked the Pride Landers for their help and vowed to return the favor should they ever find themselves in trouble.
===Battle for the Pride Lands===
At Pride Rock, Makuu and Fuli watched the crocodiles spar in preparation for the fight with Scar's army. That night, after the vultures set fire to Pride Rock, Scar appeared in the flames, which shocked the gathered Pride Landers. As the fire died down, Scar disappeared, but the Pride Landers grew concerned about their chances against him, and Makuu questioned how they could defeat Scar if he could set Pride Rock on fire.
Just then, Janja and Jasiri arrived with information on how to defeat Scar. Simba was initially hesistant to trust Janja, but Makuu reminded him that he had given him a chance at the Savannah Summit when no one else would, then added that if Janja's information was not useful, he and his float would eat him. Kion agreed with Makuu and convinced Simba to at least hear Janja out. In turn, Janja informed the Pride Landers that only the most powerful Roar of the Elders could defeat Scar. Heeding Janja's advice, Simba readied an invasion force for the morning and sent the Pride Landers to get some rest.
The next morning, Makuu and his float assembled with the other Pride Landers to invade the Outlands. In the ensuing battle, Makuu fought Kiburi. Eventually, the Pride Landers defeated Scar's army, and Kion destroyed Scar's spirit.
===Lion Guard's trip to the Tree of Life===
Makuu's float arrived at Pride Rock with the other herds to say goodbye to the Lion Guard as they departed for the Tree of Life. Makuu and his float accepted high-fives from Bunga with their snouts.
===Battle of the Lion Guards===
During the Battle of the Lion Guards, Makuu witnessed Kion and Vitani's individual challenge. He reacted with awe when Askari appeared in the sky and when Kion used the Roar of the Elders to lift Pride Rock.
==Physical appearance==
Makuu is a large and powerfully built crocodile. He has green skin, with a pale underbelly and dark ridges on his back. He has black eyes.
==Personality and traits==
Initially, Makuu was arrogant and boastful, and loved to bask in the attention of others. He was quite a show-off and, unlike his predecessor, had no respect for tradition or the Circle of Life. He recognized no authority other than his own, seeing both Pua and Kion as weak and cowardly for working with other species. Since he only submitted to strength and power, Kion kept him in line with threats of physical violence.
Since his rise to leadership, Makuu has matured. He accepted Simba's invitation to join the Savannah Summit so as to negotiate with other leaders on how to survive the dry season and made an effort to not start trouble. Makuu is willing to forgive others for their mistakes and expresses gratitude when others help him and his float. Despite this, he still has problems with teamwork and can be provoked into acting irritably toward the Pride Landers.
==Appearances==
==Trivia==
* Makuu was voiced by Blair Underwood.
* Makuu's name means "ambition" or "arrogance, vanity, self-importance" or "pride" in Swahili.
==References==
Category:Antagonists
Category:Canon articles
Category:Characters
Category:Crocodiles
Category:Leaders
Category:The Lion Guard characters
Category:The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar characters
Category:Males
Category:Pride Landers