The Rise of Makuu

**"The Rise of Makuu"** is the second episode of the Disney Junior animated seires *The Lion Guard*. The episode first premiered on December 14, 2015 as a preview before making its official television debut on January 15, 2016.

## Synopsis

When a crocodile named Makuu takes over as leader of the crocodiles and his aggressive antics send the Pride Lands into chaos, Kionquestions whether to intervene or respect animal traditions. Blair Underwood (ABC’s “*Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.*”) guest stars as Makuu.

## Plot

Kion and his friends, Beshte, Bunga, Fuli, and Ono, are racing to the rescue of an animal crying for help. However, when the five arrive at the scene, they find a little hyrax stuck in a thorn bush. Annoyed at the false alarm, the Guard proceeds to free the hyrax, who is soon swallowed by a cobra named Ushari. Again, the Guard frees the hyrax who runs away in terror of Bunga's smell.

The friends travel to Big Springs, where Beshte shows off his home to his friends. Bunga attempts to get the fish to lick him clean, but they steer clear of his odor. No sooner has this happened when Pua, the leader of the crocodiles, approaches the riverbank and asks Beshte's father Basi if it's all right for the crocodiles to eat the fish. Basi politely declines, explaining that there are still not enough fish to feed the float, and Pua respectfully leaves. A young crocodile named Makuu, however, challenges him to a mashindano, thinking the float has a right to the fish in Big Springs.

Kion is disturbed by this turn of events and asks his parents about Makuu's challenge. Nala reminds him that his father had to fight Scar for leadership of the Pride Lands and Simba explains that he must recognize and respect the traditions of other species, even if he doesn't always agree with them. Meanwhile, Ono attempts to clean off Bunga.

Later, the animals of the Pride Lands gather to witness the mashindano, and Makuu manages to pull a victory over the aged Pua. Simba comes forward, recognizing Makuu's leadership, and thanks Pua for his service. Makuu then leads his float into the river, with Kion looking after him worriedly, wondering if the Pride Lands are in danger.

After Pua's defeat, the Lion Guard gathers in the Lair of the Lion Guard, where Ono makes another attempt to mask Bunga's stink. In the midst of the gathering, Kiara rushes up and warns Kion that the giraffes have moved into the baboon's forest. The Lion Guard rushes to the rescue, and Kion discovers that Makuu has invaded Big Springs, which has forced the other animals to switch habitats.

Kion confronts Makuu, asking him to leave Big Springs, but the crocodile refuses, mocking Kion for being unwilling to fight. Though Bunga encourages Kion to use the Roar of the Elders, the cub decides against it, not wanting to be likeScar and lash out in anger. Instead, Kion goes to Pua, asking for him to call for another mashindano, but Pua reminds Kion that Makuu is much stronger than him. He then advises Kion to back down if he's not willing to fight Makuu.

The five return to Pride Rock, where Kiara reveals that there's been an invasion of baboons. While the baboons run around in chaos, wrecking Pride Rock, Ono manages to use mint leaves to rid Bunga of his stink. Despite this small victory, Kion moves off to think and encounters Mufasa, who advises him to stand his ground.

Inspired by the words of his grandfather, Kion and his friends decide to demonstrate the Roar of the Elders on a grove of trees to show Makuu what he would be in for if he should attempt a fight. While Bunga, Fuli, and Ono set out to clear the grove of animals, Beshte and Kion confront Makuu. However, as they're clearing the grove, Bunga, Fuli, and Ono spot the hyrax sitting peacefully in one of the trees, and Bunga climbs up to bring him to safety. Ono gives the signal, and Kion roars into the trees, clearing them all of their branches. In awe, Makuu backs down and leads his float out of Big Springs.

After Makuu leaves, the animals return to their habitats, and Basi invites the crocodiles to return to Big Springs once the fish population spikes. The Lion Guard watches in satisfaction, and Bunga laments smelling so good, since the hyrax is now joyfully clinging to his back.

## Cast

* **Max Charles** as Kion
* **Atticus Shaffer** as Ono
* **Joshua Rush** as Bunga
* **Dusan Brown** as Beshte
* **Diamond White** as Fuli
* **Blair Underwood** as Makuu
* **Rob Lowe** as Simba
* **Gabrielle Union** as Nala
* **Eden Riegel** as Kiara
* **Kevin Schon** as Timon
* **Ernie Sabella** as Pumbaa
* **Sarah Hyland** as Tiifu
* **Madison Pettis** as Zuri
* **Phil LaMarr** as Shingo
* **Nick Watt** as Zito
* **Russi Taylor** as Mtoto's Mom
* **Kevin Schon** as Thurston
* **Gary Anthony Williams** as Mufasa
* **Christian Slater** as Ushari
* **Gerald C. Rivers** as Pua and Male Crocodile
* **David Oyelowo** as Scar
* **Kevin Michael Richardson** as Basi
* **Dee Bradley Baker** as Hyrax

## Appearances

### Characters

* **Kion**
* **Beshte**
* **Ono**
* **Fuli**
* **Simba**
* **Nala**
* **Makuu**
* **Pua** (debut)
* **Male Crocodile**
* **Basi** (debut)
* **Kiara**
* **Tiifu** (silent Cameo)
* **Zuri** (silent Cameo)
* **Timon**
* **Pumbaa**
* **Shingo** (cameo)
* **Zito** (cameo)
* **Mtoto's Mom** (silent cameo)
* **Thurston** (silent Cameo)
* **Ushari**
* **Zazu** (mentioned only)
* **Mufasa**

## Groups

* **Makuu's Float**
* **The Lion Guard**
* **Simba's Pride**
* **Basi's Pod**
* **Twiga's Herd** (no leader)
* **Thurston's Herd**
* **Big Baboon's Troop** (no leader)
* **Ma Tembo's Herd** (no leader/cameo)
* **Mbeya's Crash** (debut / no leader)
* **Swala's Herd** (no leader / cameo)
* **Vuruga Vuruga's Herd** (debut / no leader / cameo)

## Locations

* **Pride Lands**
	+ **Ukuni Woods** (debut)
	+ **Big Springs** (debut)
	+ **Pride Rock**
	+ **Hakuna Matata Falls**
	+ **Lake Matope** (debut)
	+ **Lair of the Lion Guard**
	+ **Grove of Trees** (debut)
	+ **Nyani Grove** (debut)
	+ **Acacia Savanna** (debut)

## Animals

* **Lions**
* **Honey Badgers**
* **Cheetahs**
* **Hippopotamuses**
* **Egrets**
* **Crocodiles**
* **Warthogs**
* **Meerkats**
* **Hornbills** (mention)
* **Hyenas** (mention)
* **Jackals** (mention)
* **Vultures** (mention)
* **Cobras**
* **Elephants**
* **Buffaloes** (debut)
* **Zebras**
* **Giraffes**
* **Rhinoceroses**
* **Baboons**
* **Gazelles**
* **Hyraxes** (debut)
* **Monkeys**
* **Fishes**

## Trivia

* Even though this was the episode to air, it is considered to be the second episode in the series.
* Nala refers to *The Lion King* when she tells Kion that Simba had to fight Scar for leadership of the Pride Lands.
* Makuu becomes leader of the crocodile float.
* Ono is revealed to be a neat freak in this episode.
* This is the second time Kion finds his way with Mufasa's advice. The first time was in *The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar*.