Askari

Askari was a male lion. He was the founder and leader of the first Lion Guard, who discovered the Roar of the Elders. He was a distant relative of Kion.
As the leader of the Lion Guard, Askari and his team fended off a pride of evil lions who attempted to overtake the Pride Lands. After his death, he advised his distant relative Kion to rely on his own strengths rather than the Roar. Askari trained Kion how to use the Roar. Eventually, Kion relinquished his role as the leader of the Lion Guard, prompting Askari to praise him and advise him to use his talents to defend the Tree of Life rather than the Pride Lands.
==Biography==
===Early life===
Presumably, Askari was the second-born cub of the reigning monarch of the Pride Lands. As an adult, he discovered the Roar of the Elders at Cikha Escarpment, where he trained relentlessly to master its powers. Due to his prowess with the Roar, Askari became the leader of the first Lion Guard and assembled a team of the Bravest, Fastest, Keenest of Sight, and Strongest lions in the Pride Lands.
At some point, a pride of evil lions attempted to overtake the Pride Lands, but Askari and his Lion Guard foiled their plan by working together. Additionally, Askari established a historic treaty of peace with the elephants, which led to an everlasting kinship between the elephants and lions of the Pride Lands. This event came to be known as the Ukumbusho Tradition and was celebrated annually by the Pride Landers.
===Legacy===
Kion portrayed Askari in the Ukumbusho Tradition. He described how Askari had made peace with the elephants in order to keep the Circle of Life in balance.
Later, when the Lion Guard discovered a secret chamber in Pride Rock, they uncovered much of Askari's history. Makini explained that Askari and his Lion Guard had used teamwork to overcome a pride of evil lions who were threatening to overtake the Pride Lands.
At the Tree of Life, Nirmala mentioned that Rafiki had likely sent Kion to the Tree of Life due to Askari discovering the Roar of the Elders at Cikha Escarpment. Later, Janna told Makini of Askari's discovery of the Roar.
===Post-mortem===
Eventually, Kion journeyed to Cikha Escarpment, where he encountered Askari's spirit. Kion expressed a desire to give up the Roar of the Elders, but Askari praised his humility and offered to teach him everything the Roar could do.
Askari began to train Kion. During one session, he reminded Kion that only one who was willing to let go of the Roar of the Elders could master it, and Kion confirmed that he did not need the Roar to lead the Lion Guard. Askari then trained Kion to lift boulders, break apart rocks, and make pillars with the Roar. Bunga and Rani witnessed Kion practicing his Roar. Anga arrived and brought news that the Tree of Life was under attack. Before leaving, Kion told Askari that he was ready.
After Kion relinquished his role as the leader of the Lion Guard to Vitani, Askari appeared as a spirit in the clouds. The rest of the Lion Guard stared in awe, with Ono recognizing Askari for who he was. Askari praised Kion and informed him that he had finally mastered the Roar of the Elders. Kion wondered what good this did, as he was no longer the leader of the Lion Guard, and Askari reminded him that he could protect the Tree of Life instead of the Pride Lands. He later appeared in the clouds with Mufasa, Janna, and other Great Lions of the Past when Kion and Rani were wed.
==Physical appearance==
Askari was a large, broad-shouldered, and powerfully built lion. He had golden fur and a lush red mane that was striped with orange. He had pink inner ears, a white muzzle, a square jaw, and dark eye rims. His eyebrows were dark brown and exceptionally thick. He had yellow eyes with black sclerae.
==Personality and traits==
Askari was dignified and regal in bearing. He acquired much experience and wisdom from his time as the leader of the Lion Guard and served as a mentor to Kion.
==Appearances==
* The Lion Guard
** "The Ukumbusho Tradition" (mentioned)
** "Cave of Secrets" (mentioned)
** "The River of Patience" (mentioned)
** "Long Live the Queen" (cave painting)
** "The Lake of Reflection"
** "Triumph of the Roar"
** "Return to the Pride Lands"
==Trivia==
* Askari was voiced by Michael Luwoye.
* Askari's name means "police, police officer, cop" in Swahili.
* According to Ford Riley, Askari was Scar's birth namesake, but his name got shortened to "Scar" after he received his injury.
* Askari presumably had an elder sibling, as the Lion Guard is traditionally led by the second-born cub of the reigning monarch.
==References==
Category:Canon articles
Category:Characters
Category:Deceased characters
Category:Great Lions of the Past
Category:Leaders
Category:The Lion Guard characters
Category:The Lion Guard members
Category:Lions
Category:Males
Category:Pride Landers
Category:Pride Lands royal family