Hodari

Hodari is a male gecko. He is a member of Makuu's float.
Hodari asked permission from Makuu to join his float, but the crocodile laughed at him and rudely rejected his offer. Shupavu and Njano overheard the exchange and invited Hodari to join Kiburi's float instead. Hodari took the skinks up on their advice and joined Kiburi's float, after which he taught them fighting moves he had picked up from Makuu's float. In the wake of the training session, Kiburi and his float launched an attack on Makuu's float, and Hodari decried his allegiance to them in order to save Makuu's life. Because of Hodari's bravery, Makuu named him an honorary member of his float.
Later, Hodari joined the Pride Landers in an invasion of the Outlands, from which they emerged triumphant over the Army of Scar.
==Biography==
===Early life===
Hodari lived in the Pride Lands. He dreamed of joining a crocodile float.
===Joining Makuu's float===
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, who had been 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. Though the crocodiles managed to reach safety on a nearby cliff, the stampede caused a rockslide that injured Makuu. Despite his injuries, Makuu insisted that he was fine and continued to train his float.
The Lion Guard left to continue their patrol, but Hodari halted Beshte. He then told Beshte that Makuu would need help since he was injured and that this could be Hodari's chance to join the float. He asked Beshte if he would introduce him to Makuu, and Beshte happily agreed. After the introductions, Hodari boasted about his strength and skills. The crocodiles merely laughed at him in response, which prompted Hodari to flee the scene.
Unbeknownst to the crocodiles, Shupavu and her minion, Njano, had witnessed Hodari's shame. Shupavu mused that a gecko who was friends with the Lion Guard could make a useful ally to Kiburi, a crocodile who was allied with Scar. The skinks then waited until Beshte had been called away to help the Lion Guard and approached Hodari, offering him a place in Kiburi's float.
In the Outlands, Njano pitched the idea of Hodari becoming a member of Kiburi's float, but Kiburi was doubtful since Hodari was a gecko. However, he allowed Hodari to engage in the traditional initiation spar and ordered Tamka to let the gecko win. Tamka did as he was commanded, and Kiburi allowed Hodari to join his float. With the gecko now among his crocodiles, Kiburi resolved to enter the Pride Lands and seize control of a real watering hole.
Later, Ono spotted Kiburi's float marching through the Pride Lands, and the Lion Guard rushed to stop them. Once there, the Lion Guard was met by Kiburi, who claimed to simply be visiting. He then introduced the team to his float's newest member, Hodari. He attempted to use Hodari's friendship with the Lion Guard to his advantage, but Kion was adamant about Kiburi's banishment and commanded the float to return to the Outlands. Kiburi reluctantly gave in, and the float left the Pride Lands.
As the float departed, Beshte confronted Hodari, asking him why he would be taking up with Kiburi and his crocodiles. Hodari took Beshte's comment to mean that he was wrong for trying to follow his dream and declared that they were no longer friends, to Beshte's devastation.
Back in the Outlands, Kiburi devised a new plan to attack Makuu and seize control of his float. He questioned Hodari on Makuu's battle tactics, and Hodari happily shared some of his moves. In the process, he inadvertently revealed that Makuu was injured and unable to engage in combat. This inspired Kiburi to invade the Pride Lands and defeat Makuu once and for all.
Meanwhile, the Lion Guard tried to warn Makuu that Kiburi was 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 Hodari's lessons to evade their attacks and effortlessly win. 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. During the fight, Beshte spotted Hodari in a nearby tree and expressed concern for him. This shocked Hodari, who had not thought Beshte would still consider them friends.
Meanwhile, Kiburi pinned 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, distracting him. He then yelled for Makuu to use the Wide Tailspin, which Makuu did, knocking Kiburi into the mud and freeing Makuu from his prone position. With Kiburi's float incapacitated, Kion used the Roar of the Elders to banish them back to the Outlands, effectively saving Makuu and his float.
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, and Hodari proudly accepted. The float then began to chant the gecko's name, welcoming him into their ranks.
===Battle for the Pride Lands===
During the Pride Lander invasion of the Outlands, Hodari attacked Tamka. Shortly afterward, the Lion Guard charged toward the volcano, and Hodari waved at them as they passed.
==Physical appearance==
Hodari is a small, slender gecko. He has bright blue skin, with a yellow underbelly, dark blue markings, and black eyes.
==Personality and traits==
Hodari is cheerful and optimistic. He is smart and quick-thinking, and takes pride in his small size. Above all, Hodari yearns to be accepted as part of a crocodile float.
==Appearances==
* The Lion Guard
** "The Little Guy"
** "Battle for the Pride Lands"
==Trivia==
* Hodari was voiced by Justin Hires.
* Hodari's name means "clever, smart" or "strong" or "brave" in Swahili.
==References==
Category:Canon articles
Category:Characters
Category:The Lion Guard characters
Category:Males
Category:Pride Landers