Nala

### Relatives

Sarafina [mother], unnamed male lion [father], Mufasa [father-in-law], Sarabi [mother-in-law], Simba [mate], Kopa [eldest son; non-canon], Kiara [eldest daughter; canon], Kion [youngest son; canon], Kovu [son-in-law; married to Kiara], Rani [daughter-in-law; married to Kion]

## Physical description

### Eye color

Greenish-Blue

**Nala** is an adult female lion. She is the daughter of Sarafina and the mate of Simba, with whom she has a daughter, Kiara, and a son, Kion. She succeeds Sarabi as the queen of Pride Rock. She is an incarnation of Gabrielle Kleckner.

## History

Nala was presumably born during Mufasa's reign to Sarafina and an unknown male lion. As an infant, she was betrothed to Mufasa and Sarabi's son, Simba, the prince of the Pride Lands. Nala is first seen asleep, cradled in Sarafina's paws as Simba runs through the den, intent on waking his father for a morning lesson. Later that day, Nala is being bathed by her mother Sarafina. Simba greets her, whispering to her that he's just heard about a great place which they can explore. Nala points out through clenched teeth that she's in the middle of a bath, accepting her mother's cleansing licks while Simba is abducted by Sarabi and given a bath of his own. While her mother washes her lower back, Nala remarks that the place they're going to had better not be dumb. Simba reassures her that it's really cool, but Sarabi gets suspicious. Nala disapproves of this "place" being around the water hole, asking what's so special about it. Simba whispers through clenched teeth that "he'll show her when they get there," hinting that they aren't *really* going to the water hole. Nala realizes this immediately, asking her mother for permission to accompany Simba. She then joins him in charming Sarabi into letting them go, and equally disapproves of Zazu keeping an eye on them. As they tread toward the water hole, Nala asks Simba in a whisper what their true destination is, to which Simba responds that it's an elephant graveyard Nala responds with excitement, but Simba shushes her, reminding her that Zazu is hovering just above them. Nala asks how they can get rid of him, and the two cubs begin to whisper a plan to each other, something Zazu mistakes as them being romantic. The cubs glance at each other, shifting in confusion when Zazu mentions them being "betrothed" and similar terms they don't understand. Nala asks for clarification, and both cubs recoil in disgust when they realize that they are to be married someday. Nala comments that them being married would be "weird" and points out that since Simba is the future king, Zazu must do what he says when Simba states to do away with the betrothal. Zazu says he doesn't, not yet anyway, telling Simba that he's shaping up to be a pretty pathetic king. The two cubs proceed into "I Just Can't Wait to be King" in order to distract Zazu, trapping him underneath the underside of a rhino and bounding away. Nala happily remarks on how they lost Zazu, pointing out to Simba that the plan was her idea when he tries to take credit, and pins him when he decides to tackle her and teases him. He pushes her off and he tackles her again, only to be pinned and teased again. A geyser interrupts the two, and the cubs realize that they've arrived at the Elephant Graveyard. Nala wanders into the hyenas' home,
wondering if the elephant's brains are still inside its head. Simba begins to trot forward to find out. Zazu has caught up to them, though, and demands that they return to the Pride Lands, very aware that they are in danger. Before they can return, Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed exit the large skull the two cubs were intent on checking out and accuse the trio of trespassing. Zazu begins to herd the two out of the place, but the hyenas corner them, making it apparent that they desire the cubs as food, and while they're distracted, Nala and Simba make a run for it. Zazu is snatched from the air, and the cubs go back to find him, challenging the hyenas and ending up running for their lives again. Nala and Simba scale up a mass of bones, but the young lioness slides down toward the menacing jaws of Shenzi, but before the hyena can do any harm to her, Simba slashes the hyena across the face while Nala gets away. The two cubs attempt to climb an elephant skeleton but can't get a good grip, weakening the slim strip of flesh that they are jumping on. They fall through and are cornered in the deceased animal's ribcage. Nala hides behind Simba as he tries to scare the hyenas off with his kittenish roar, but Mufasa comes to the rescue, drowning out Simba's roar with his own powerful one. He beats, pins, and scares off the hyenas, turning his fury on Zazu and then Simba for disobeying him. As they trot away, Nala quietly tells Simba that she had thought he was very brave. The cubs walk through the clearing in silence, and Mufasa commands Zazu to take Nala home. She glances back at Simba, leaving the father and son alone. Nala is last seen as a cub the following night when Scar breaks the news to the rest of the pride about Mufasa and Simba's deaths in the gorge. She nuzzles against her mother's leg and sheds a single tear, looking on in shock and fear as the hyenas close in on Pride Rock. Many years later, Nala, now a fit young lioness, relentlessly chases Pumbaa through the jungle when he strays too far from Timon in pursuit of a beetle. She expertly keeps up with the warthog as he tries to throw her off by turning and twisting. Just as she lunges to kill him and Timon, Simba charges toward her, surprising her. The two fight, with Nala clawing at Simba's head, shoulders, face, and mane until he tackles her, and she uses her signature move, pinning him hard to the ground. When Simba says her name, she becomes surprised and gets off him, inquiring about his identity. It only takes her a second to realize that "Simba" is the name of the dead prince and that this is the same lion. The two greet each other excitedly, asking each other what they're doing in the jungle until Timon, confused as to why they are no longer fighting, breaks it up and demands to know what's going on. Simba introduces Nala to his two friends, and Nala is pleasured to meet them. She then turns her attention back to Simba, musing about what
will happen when everyone finds out that he's been here all this time. She unknowingly recites Scar's words exactly when she asks Simba what Sarabi will think. When Simba tells her that no one has to know, she tells him that everyone thinks he's dead as Scar had told the pride about the stampede. Simba asks her for more, but the lioness insists that it doesn't matter since he's alive and the true king. Timon scoffs at this, telling Nala that she has her "lions crossed." When Pumbaa begins worshiping Simba, the young lion tells him to stop. Timon corrects Pumbaa's word choice, laughingly saying that Simba isn't the king. He then curiously asks Simba if he is. Simba abruptly replies no, and Nala objects. He reinforces his argument, moving to walk off. Privately annoyed with Timon and Pumbaa's presence, Nala politely asks the two to excuse them for a few minutes. Once they are gone, Nala points out sadly to Simba how much his return will mean to everyone; especially her. Simba reassures her that it's okay, and Nala nuzzles him, telling him that she's really missed him. The two continue to nuzzle each other, their affection leading into "Can You Feel the Love Tonight", where Simba and Nala begin to fall in love. Simba gives Nala a tour of the jungle, asking her if she thinks it's a great place. Nala says it's beautiful but begins to ask again why he hasn't returned home if he's been alive this whole time. She is unsatisfied with Simba's answer of wanting to "get out on his own" and "live his own life," seriously telling him that they've really needed him at home. When he denies this, Nala again reinforces that he's the king, and again Simba denies this, claiming that Scar is. Nala tells him about the chaos that's been brewing in the Pride Lands under Scar's rule, telling Simba that if he doesn't return, everyone will starve.Once more, Simba says that he can't go back, moving to flee from Nala's questioning. Simba points out that Nala has left as well, but she counters by telling him that she only left to find help. Having found Simba, Nala realizes that he is their only hope. When again Simba denies and sarcastically apologizes to her, Nala tells him that he isn't the Simba she remembers and that she is disappointed in him. Simba again moves to get away from her, admitting that he is now
 different and grumbling at how her words reflected his father's. In turn, Nala grumbles that at least one of them sounds like Mufasa and is willing to take up their responsibility. This response infuriates Simba, and the two launch into a brief but heated conflict. Nala tries again, softly this time, to get Simba to tell her what he has been through, responding angrily when Simba refuses to tell her anything. After Simba decides to return, Nala is still in the jungle, looking for him. She finds Timon and Pumbaa in hopes that they know where Simba has gone off to. Rafiki tells them from atop a tree that "the king has returned." Upon hearing this, Nala is unable to believe that Simba has gone back, and after explaining the situation to Timon and Pumbaa, she runs off to assist him. ust as Simba gets an eyeful of his home which has been utterly destroyed by Scar, Nala appears by his side, Timon and Pumbaa in tow, and the four head toward Pride Rock. They sneak past the hyenas, using Timon and Pumbaa to lure some of the others away, and Simba tells Nala to find Sarabi and rally the lionesses while he looks for Scar. Sarabi is with Scar, however, so Nala herself leads the lionesses to Pride Rock just as Scar assaults Sarabi and Simba confronts Scar. Scar brings up Mufasa's death, and Nala confusedly asks what Scar is talking about. Upon hearing the "truth," the lionesses are shocked, Sarabi refusing to believe it. Nala shrieks in horror when Scar backs Simba over the edge of Pride Rock and is the first lioness to lunge forward when Scar admits that he, not Simba, is the one who killed Mufasa. After Simba emerges victoriously from his fight with Scar, he embraces Sarabi and Nala before taking his rightful place as king. The lionesses watch with relief and joy as Simba ascends Pride Rock and roars across his reclaimed kingdom with the lionesses roaring back in reply. Some time later, after the Pride Lands are restored to their former glory, Nala becomes Simba's queen. The two, along with Timon and Pumbaa, stand on the promontory of Pride Rock as they proudly watch the assembly of the animals below Pride Rock. Then Rafiki arrives, cradling their newborn cub, and Simba and Nala happily watch as Rafiki presents the next in line to the throne to the animals of the Pride Lands. Seasons later, Simba and Nala now have a daughter named Kiara. Nala's parenting approach contrasts with Simba's need to know that his daughter is safe. Nala first appears in the film as Rafiki presents Kiara to the animals. She looks on proudly as the animals admire her. She later appears in the first scene when she tells Kiara to mind her father. She then has a discussion with Simba after Kiara runs off to play by herself. However, Nala's advice to let Kiara roam is ignored when Simba sends Timon and Pumbaa to look after their daughter. She later appears when she, Simba, Timon, Pumbaa, and two other members of the pride arrive to rescue Kiara from Zira after seeing her with Kovu near the Outlands. When Zira leaves after having a confrontation with Simba, Nala notices that Simba wants to stay behind so he can discipline Kiara, and she returns with the others to Pride Rock. She later appears when she, Simba, Timon, Pumbaa, and two other members of the pride arrive to rescue Kiara from Zira after seeing her with Kovu near the Outlands. When Zira leaves after having a confrontation with Simba, Nala notices that Simba wants to stay behind so he can discipline Kiara, and she returns with the others to Pride Rock. Years later, Kiara has grown into a young adult. Nala talks to Kiara before her first hunt and nuzzles her affectionately. She next appears when Kiara is rescued by Kovu and reminds Simba that he owes Kovu their daughter's life due to royal protocol. She is present that night when Simba has a nightmare about trying to rescue his father during the stampede. However, she is fast asleep and remains silent after the nightmare. As Kiara and Kovu spend time together in the grasslands that night, Nala finds Simba on a hill, desperately trying to seek advice from the great kings of the past. She consults him, seeing the good in Kovu that Simba cannot see past due to Kovu being Scar's heir. Nala urges him to get to know Kovu more. Nala is then seen the next day standing next to Simba after he was injured in an ambush set up by Zira. She then sees Kovu arrive outside Pride Rock and watches Kiara go to greet him, only to be stopped by Simba, who believes that Kovu was part of the ambush. Nala looks on as Kiara tries and fails to get Simba to listen to Kovu. When Simba banishes Kovu from the Pride Lands, Nala's expression shows that she is shocked by his decision, before watching Kiara rush forward to try and stop the exile, only to be stopped by the other lionesses. Nala is not seen with the other lionesses when Kiara flees her father. Nala is present at the final battle when she confronts Vitani. Vitani taunts her about Kiara's disappearance, and the lionesses attack each other with Nala outmatching Vitani. After Kiara prevents Zira from killing Simba, the two fall down the gorge. Nala yells directions to Simba as he leaps into the gorge to rescue Kiara, who is stranded above the swollen river. As Simba rescues Kiara and helps her back up the ledge, Nala is relieved to see her daughter safe and sound, and the two embrace. After Simba reconciles with Kovu and the reformed Outsiders, Nala and the others journey back to Pride Rock, where she and Simba proudly witness Rafiki blessing the union of Kiara and Kovu. They then lead the procession, with the new couple Kiara and Kovu following them, to the promontory of Pride Rock, where they all let out a loud roar across the Pride Lands. Nala plays a minor role in this film. She appears for a brief second as a cub when Timon and Pumbaa get disturbed by Simba, Nala, and the animals singing "I Just Can't Wait to be King." She is later seen as a young adult when Simba reunites with her in the jungle, while Timon comments
that Simba's love for her will tarnish their friendship with him. This leads to Timon and Pumbaa trying to ruin Simba and Nala's romantic evening in the "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" sequence. Nala is later seen walking up with Simba on a hill (to which they rolled down from) toward the end of the sequence. Timon and Pumbaa later witness Simba leaving an argument he is having with Nala, and Timon assures Pumbaa that the romance between the two lions is now over. Finally, Nala is seen in an extension of the scene where she explains to Timon and Pumbaa about Simba's return. Nala is present when Rafiki and Simba come to the conclusion that Kion is to lead the new Lion Guard. She later witnesses an antelope stampede started by Janja and his minions, and watches as her son Kion leads the Lion Guard into battle. Nala is first seen when her son Kion returns to Pride Rock, admitting his misgivings about the mashindano between Makuu and Pua. Nala gently reminds him that Simba had used a physical fight to beat Scar, and Simba explains that although he is king, many animal species have traditions that he must recognize and respect. Nala later witnesses the mashindano between Makuu and Pua. When Kion expresses shock over Makuu's win, Nala grimly assures him that Pua has been defeated. Not long after this, Nala is absent from Pride Rock, as she is out hunting with Simba. While Kiara stays behind to watch over the Pride Lands, Nala meets with Simba and Zazu to begin their journey to Kilio Valley for a funeral. Along the way, Simba worries over having to give a tribute in the elephant language, and Zazu brags over his own skill in mastering animal languages. Unbeknownst to the trio, they have been spied on by Mzingo, who resolves to keep an eye on the doings of the Pride Landers. As Zazu teaches Simba elephantese, the king loses his patience and roars at Zazu, blowing him into a patch of grass. Nala dashes to her mate's side and reminds him that though he may not be an elephant, he is a king and that it is his duty to carry out this tribute to an old friend. Eventually, Simba and Nala arrive at Kilio Valley, where they witness the elephant herd placing flowers on the dead Aminifu's body. After meeting with the herd, Simba gives his tribute to the elephants, but instead of saying, "He had good on him," the standard elephantese tribute, he says, "He had poop on him." Though Simba and Nala are horrified at this turn of events, the elephants begin to laugh, and Aminifu's daughter, Ma Tembo, explains that her father always used to have poop on him and that it was often the cause of much laughter. When Simba and Nala return home, Kiara asks how the tribute had gone, and Nala answers that everything had turned out fine. She then asks how ruling the Pride Lands had gone, and though Kiara begins to stumble over her words, Kion jumps in, proclaiming that Kiara is going to make a great queen someday. At the Kupatana celebration, Nala stands beside Simba and their cubs as he gives his speech to the gathered animals. Nala directs Kiara and her friends, Tiifu and Zuri, in tracking gazelles. Nala is mentioned when Rafiki tells the story of her father. On their way to attend the first elephant concert of the season, the royal family finds themselves on unstable ground. Though Nala and Kiara escape the sinkhole that opens beneath them, Simba gets himself trapped saving his daughter. However, he insists that Nala go on ahead with Kiara, for it is tradition that the royal family be in attendance. Reluctantly, Nala agrees. After the concert, Nala and Kiara praise the elephants for their performance. Just then, Simba arrives with the Lion Guard, Pumbaa, and Timon. Together, all the animals perform "Hakuna Matata". Kion brings Beshte's new friend, Ajabu the okapi, to Pride Rock to meet with Simba and Nala. Kion asks his parents if Ajabu can become a Pride Lander, and the two agree to let him stay in their kingdom as long as he likes. Simba and Nala leave Kiara in charge of presiding over the Royal Buffalo Wallow. When Janja and his clan sneak into the Pride Lands, they run into Kion's mother, Nala, who orders Janja to return to his territory. Instead of heeding Nala's warning, Janja surrounds her with his cronies and orders an attack. Just then, Kion arrives and, seeing his mother in danger, uses the Roar of the Elders in a rage. The blast is so powerful that it not only knocks the hyenas back into the Outlands, but rebounds off a cliff and fractures the earth beneath Nala. As Nala struggles to keep from falling into the divide, Kion reaches down the cliff and pulls her to safety. Once on solid ground, Nala thanks Kion for saving her life, but he laments having nearly lost her. The rest of the Lion Guard approaches and affirms that they are all right. Kion surveys the damage done by his Roar and expresses shock that his rage had brought on such destruction. Following the incident, Kion refrains from using his powers to help the team. Bunga asks Kion why he is so reluctant to use the Roar of the Elders. Kion admits that he had nearly hurt his mother with the Roar, and Bunga points out that Kion had not done so on purpose. Despite this, Kion worries that he cannot control the Roar and should therefore never use it again. After reacting in horror to such a decision, Bunga reminds Kion that he is the leader of the Lion Guard and the fiercest in the Pride Lands, and Kion begrudgingly agrees to take his friend's advice. Later, Kion seeks advice from his grandfather, Mufasa. He explains what had happened when he had used the Roar in anger and confesses his fear that he will turn out like Scar. In answer to this, Mufasa points out that Scar had only ever cared for himself. He then asks Kion why he had used the Roar, and Kion explains that his mother had been in danger. Mufasa reminds Kion that Scar had never cared for anyone the way Kion cares for Nala, and he encourages Kion to speak to her about the incident. Kion heeds Mufasa's advice and meets with Nala. He explains to her what had happened with his Roar and begs for her forgiveness. Nala insists that there is nothing to forgive and reminds Kion that he had saved her life, both from the hyenas and from the earthquake. Despite her reassurances, Kion confesses that he might never use the Roar again, but Nala reminds him that the Roar is a part of him and that she trusts him to use it responsibly. As the two share a brief embrace, Ono arrives with news that Makuu has taken over the Flood Plains. Together, Kion, Nala, and Ono hasten to the scene of the crime, where Kion and Nala command Makuu to share the Flood Plains with the other Pride Landers. In answer, two of Makuu's cronies knock Nala into the water and carry her into the midst of the float, prompting Kion to nearly use the Roar in his fury. Before he can wreak havoc on the Flood Plains, he stops himself from roaring, and Nala calls for him to trust himself. Heeding his mother's advice, Kion uses the Roar to specifically target Makuu's float and keep Nala from being harmed. With the crocodiles defeated, the team praises Kion for his efforts, and Fuli comments that she had not known that he could use the Roar in such a way. Kion states that he had just needed to have faith in himself, to which Nala asserts that she has always had faith in him. When Kiara manages to track Kion faster than ever before, Simba
 comments on the success, and Nala declares that the cubs are ready for a
 special day. Together, the two descend Pride Rock to speak with their cubs, who are still playing and squabbling. Nala steps forward and tells Kiara and Kion that they are ready to accompany her on the Trail to Udugu, which is a special ceremony for royal siblings. Simba assures Kion that in the absence of their leader, the Lion Guard will be lead by Simba. After the talk, Nala leads Kion and Kiara along the Trail to Udugu. As they walk, Kion questions Kiara as to what she thinks will be waiting for them at the end of the trail, and Kiara answers that it will probably be animals excited to meet their future queen and her little brother. Kion argues that as leader of the Lion Guard, he would be received with such a reception, to which Kiara teases that they will have to see. The two cubs then begin to playfully race one another. Kion asks Nala how much farther they must travel, and she answers that Udugu is not an easy place to find. Kiara boasts that she will find Udugu first, and Kion takes chase, unintentionally steering them toward a steep cliff. Nala yells a warning, but too late, the cubs tumble over the edge and hang on by their claws. Just in time, Nala pulls them to safety and reminds them that they must find Udugu another way. After the rescue, Nala leads Kion and Kiara to a patch of thorns, which she insists is part of the Trail to Udugu. The cubs rush into the thorns and each try to take different paths, but both find themselves in too great of pain to continue. Suddenly, the two realize that Nala is gone and begin to cry out for her. Nala, however, watches them from the bushes and comments that they are now truly on the Trail to Udugu. Together, Kion and Kiara search for Nala, who is still missing. When neither cub turns up any leads as to where she is, Kion laments how they do not know where Udugu is and thus cannot possibly know where to find Nala. This gives Kiara an idea, and she begins sniffing for Nala's scent in the underbrush. She picks up her trail on a path through the trees, and she and Kion begin to follow it through. Once on the trail, Kion spots Nala's pawprints, and the cubs track them to the bottom of a steep cliff. Confused, the cubs wonder where Nala could have possibly gone. Kion and Kiara muse over where Nala could be, and Kion points out that Nala could have climbed up on a nearby ledge and followed a trail along the cliff. The cubs attempt to leap onto the ledge themselves, but are unable to get a firm grasp on the edge of the cliff. Realizing that they cannot reach the ledge on their own, Kion suggests that he give Kiara a boost so that she can continue tracking Nala. Kiara asks Kion how he will reach the ledge, and he admits that she is the better tracker and should therefore be the one to continue searching for their mother. Kiara then clambers onto Kion's shoulders and strains to reach the edge of the cliff. Eventually, she gets a firm hold on the ledge and pulls herself to the top of the cliff. There, she sees Nala, who greets her cubs warmly and bounds down from the ledge. A confused Kion questions why Nala had left them and not helped them find Udugu, and Nala explains that the cubs had found Udugu on their own. When the cubs react with puzzlement, Nala explains that "Udugu" is another word for "kinship" and that the two had found Udugu while working together to find her. Once the three return to Pride Rock, Simba reunites with them. He asks whether they had found Udugu, and the cubs explain that they had learned to work together as brother and sister. Kion then questions how Simba had fared with the Guard, and Simba admits that working with Kion's team had helped him find Udugu as well. He stresses the importance of Udugu and reminds the cubs that they will one day be responsible for the kingdom of the Pride Lands. Nala arrives with her mate, Simba, to praise the legendary eagle Hadithi, who is visiting the Pride Lands. She explains to her son, Kion, that Hadithi is a hero to animals all over the kingdom. She and Simba then invite Hadithi to a Royal Mud Print Ceremony, in which he will preserve his talon marks in mud forever alongside those of other heroes. However, during the ceremony, Hadithi admits that he had abandoned Ono to danger, and the Lion Guard races to the rescue. After Ono is saved, Ono is honored with the ceremony instead. Nala is mentioned by Kion when he tells Uroho that the Traveling Baboon Show should perform for the royal family at Pride Rock. Nala can be seen surveying the Pride Lands from atop Pride Rock with her mate, Simba. During "Path of Honor", Nala appears in a flashback to Kion's infanthood, smiling encouragingly at her son. Later, Nala is present for Makini's introduction to the royal family. When Kiara volunteers to help Ma Tembo locate water, Nala agrees that it would be a good experience for her, and she and Simba allow Makini to accompany Kiara as well. When Kiara's friends, Tiifu and Zuri, try to follow the pair, Nala halts them and offers to spend the day with them instead, much to Tiifu and Zuri's pleasure. Nala later appears in amidst the crowd of animals following Ma Tembo as the elephant searches for water. Nala watches the mashindano between Kiburi and Makuu. Nala watches as Makini paints a portrait of the royal family at Pride Rock. Nala attends the Ukumbusho Tradition along with the rest of her family and pride. Kion speaks to his family about partaking in a Christmas celebration for Timon and Pumbaa. Kion's mother, Nala, and sister, Kiara, quickly agree to the proceedings, but Kion's father, Simba, shows little interest in attending. With some persuasion from his mate and daughter, Simba eventually agrees, feeling that he owes it to Timon and Pumbaa for their help over the years. That night, Nala and her family attend Bunga's celebration rehearsal. The next day, Nala partakes in the "The Twelve Ways of Christmas" performance. Nala walks with her mate, Simba, during the musical sequence "I Do Have a Great Deal to Say". Nala is present during the Kumbuka celebration. When Simba is stung by a scorpion, she stays by her mate's side until he is healed. Nala appears in a painting during the musical sequence, "Wisdom on the Walls". Nala chastises Tiifu and Zuri after they call for the Lion Guard regarding their messy fur. Nala is present when Dhahabu arrives at Pride Rock to discuss a water treaty with Simba. Nala is present at Pride Rock when the Pride Landers gather to discuss whether they should leave the Pride Lands. She then follows Kion to Mizimu Grove to see Makini's baobab seed, which survived the previous fire, and watches as Makini plants the seed. When the members of Scar's army set fire to Pride Rock, Nala gets trapped on the peak with Simba and Kiara. However, Anga and Hadithi help carry the royal family to safety. After the rescue, Nala and her family witness the emergence of Scar's spirit in the flames. Scar taunts Simba for the demise of the Lion Guard, and Nala expresses fear for the safety of her son, Kion. No sooner has Scar revealed this when Kion appears before the Pride Landers, unharmed, to Nala's joy. Later, when Kion gets bitten by Ushari, a worried Nala, Simba, and Kiara visit him in the Lair of the Lion Guard, where Rafiki had been tending to him. Rafiki suggests that Kion visit the Tree of Life for healing, and Nala advises Kion to bring the Lion Guard with him. The family sees him off, and Nala gets assurance from Ono that the group knows the way to the Tree of Life. Nala then tells Kion that he will hopefully be home in time for Kiara's first hunt. Kion has a delighted reunion with his parents, Simba and Nala, at Pride Rock. Nala wonders why Kion still has his scar, and Kion explains that though his injury remains, the venom is gone. Fuli then introduces her friend, Azaad, to Simba and Nala. Afterward, the royal family, along with Kovu and Rafiki, explain how the Outsiders joined the Pride Landers. Nala comments that a lot happened in their absence and that she missed them. That night, Nala and her family witness the appearance of Mufasa's spirit in the heavens. Later, Nala witnesses the Battle of the Lion Guards, including Beshte's, Fuli's, and Anga's individual challenges. She also watches the final mashindano between Kion and Vitani. Nala attends Kion's wedding to Rani at the Tree of Life. Nala makes cameo appearances, usually as a cub. She is always seen
alongside cub Simba. She also makes an appearance in the opening of *Mickey's House of Villains*, where her and Simba's dinner is stolen by Ed. She is seen as an adult in the episode "Timon and Pumbaa" and *Mickey's Magical Christmas*. Nala appears briefly, greeting her son Kopa as he races to Pride Rock. She later joins her mate and son in their walk to the summit of Pride Rock. A strange adult lion is seen in the Pride Lands during Scar's reign. The
 pride is suspicious, but Nala is curious about this new lion. She is soon dared by Chumvi to talk to the lion face-to-face. She knows that rogue lions can be dangerous but wants to look brave. While approaching him, she runs into hyenas, but luckily, the mysterious lion saves her. Nala finds out that
the lion's name is Ni. She also finds out that he had to leave his pride, as young male lions
are driven from their prides when they are old enough to fend for themselves.While ascending Pride Rock, however, the pair were attacked by hyenas. Just as Ni was preparing to single-handedly take on the hyenas, Sarafina arrived, and she and Ni fended off the clan. After comforting her
daughter, Sarafina scolded Nala for leaving Pride Rock alone, and Nala told her mother of how Ni had saved her from a hyena. Hearing this, Sarafina invited Ni to meet the rest of the pride, and once again, Ni
consented. They finished the climb to Pride Rock, and Nala was reunited with Kula and Chumvi, the latter of which apologized to Nala for daring her. Nala forgave her friend, then proceeded to tell the pair about her adventure with Ni. Later, Nala, Kula, and Chumvi spent time with Ni while the adults rested back at Pride Rock. When the sun was low, Ni announced that it was time for him to leave, much to his companions' displeasure. Nala invited Ni to visit the summit of Pride Rock before his departure, to which he complied. While at the summit, Nala confided in Ni, telling him that she feels afraid if she doesn't take a dare. At this, Ni told Nala that lions who listen to the chattering of monkeys will never learn to roar. He then left, while a confused yet somehow satisfied Nala looked on. Nala is mostly wrapped up in the kidnapping of her son Kopa in this book. After being tipped off by the Buzzard Boyz, Simba and Nala lead a group of Pride Landers to save their son from a flock of vultures.In the middle of getting ready for an early afternoon nap, Timon and Pumbaa encounter Kopa, the young prince of Pride Rock. Shortly after the cub arrives, his mother, Nala, follows and questions Kopa as to why he is upset. When Kopa refuses to answer, Timon and Pumbaa suggest that Nala leave him with them so that they can cheer him up. Nala agrees and departs for Pride Rock, leaving Kopa with Timon and Pumbaa. *Save Nala* introduces Simba, the prince of the Pride Lands, getting chased by a group of gorillas, who wish to capture him so they can force Simba's father to do whatever they want. As Simba runs from the gorillas, a rockslide occurs on the mountain. At the end of the mountain, the gorillas assume Simba died from the rockslide, but Simba is hiding beside a pile of large stones. So, the gorillas decide to go after Mufasa, while Simba runs back to the Pride Lands, and on the way, it begins to start rain. A flash of lightning strikes a tree stump, and manages to strike Simba's tail tuft as well. Simba runs in pain into a river, and quenches the fire on his tail. Simba approaches his mother, Sarabi, who wants her to comfort him after being chased and burned. She asks her son why he is so afraid and trembling, to which Simba replied he's scared and will never be king. Sarabi again asks what's wrong, but Simba goes into a nearby cave as he chooses to stay in the dark. Some time later, Nala finds Simba, in the cave, and asks if he wants to come out to play, but he says no, and states he'll stay in the cave forever. Nala walks away, and Simba warns her to be careful as it is dangerous. Later, Simba overhears Sarafina, Nala's mother, asking Sarabi had she seen Nala lately. Sarabi replies she did, but that was hours ago. So, Simba wonders if something has happened to her, and decides to swallow his fears and go search for her. He leaves the cave, and sees Nala's pawprints printed on a trail, and follows it to the river. Along the way, Simba sees the footprints of the gorillas he encountered earlier, and assumes the gorillas have taken her. Simba jumps on a log in the river, which leads him to a
waterfall. He escapes a crocodile, and successfully finds the gorilla hideout, while seeing a gorilla guarding the main entrance. However, Simba finds a large crack in the hideout cave to which he can enter into. When he enters through the crack, he sees some gorillas with Nala as their captive. Simba lets out a roar in the cave, and the gorillas see the cub thinking he is a ghost. Simba's roar causes the cave stones at the top of the cave to fall on their heads. The gorillas flee in panic, while Simba helps Nala escape from the hideout. Finally, Simba returns Nala to her mother, and Nala tells Sarafina of how Simba saved her, and that she'll *marry* him one day. Sarafina applauds Simba's bravery, and tells Mufasa and Sarabi to be proud of him and that one day, Simba will be a great king. Malka, a lion cub, appears at Pride Rock after getting lost. He meets Simba and Nala first, and disgusts Simba when he compliments Nala, saying that she's good at fighting and has a beautiful name. *Simba and the Snake* begins by introducing Nala and her friend Snakey. At the start of the comic, Nala and Snakey are playing in the Pride Lands. Nala claims some of her friends are afraid of snakes, but Snakey is awfully nice. She then leaves the snake to go play with Simba. Meanwhile, when Simba is with his uncle, Scar, and tells him about his father's extensive kingdom. Scar claims that because Mufasa bossed everyone else around when he was just a cub, and suggests his nephew should do the same, as Scar claims everyone in the kingdom won't respect him unless he does. Simba
accepts the idea, and when he finds Nala, he demands her to race him all the way to the hills. Nala disagrees knowing the dangers, but Simba claims Nala is a coward, to which Nala decides to go, knowing they'll get in trouble again. By the time the cubs reach the hills, Shenzi and Banzai spot the cubs, and try to devour them. Nala notices the hyenas ahead, and Simba and Nala quickly climb up a dead tree to avoid them. Shenzi claims they'll fall off the dead tree like ripe fruit, but the dead tree
 breaks on Shenzi and Banzai's head knocking them into unconsciousness.The cubs escape, and rest near a river until a large gorilla pops up. Noticing that the cubs have been gone for a while, Mufasa sets out to find them. Later, Mufasa overhears Scar scolding the hyenas about letting Simba escape, and Mufasa angrily asks where Simba and Nala are. The hyenas tell Mufasa what they know, and Mufasa races to find the cubs about to be eaten by vultures. Mufasa scares the vultures away, and returns Simba and Nala back to Pride Rock. Some time later, Nala tells her mother and Sarabi that Simba has lost his confidence, but she knows a friend who can help. And so, Sarabi and Sarafina pretend to be attacked by Snakey. Simba arrives, and scares away Snakey, to which Sarafina compliments
Nala for restoring Simba's confidence, but Nala thinks Snakey deserves the credit. A few days later, a lioness mentions about how Simba won't talk about anything else except him scaring Snakey away. Nala looks on as Simba brags to the animals about him scaring Snakey. The story begins with introducing Simba and Pumbaa. Pumbaa is sad because Timon went on a holiday to the land of meerkats. A few seconds later, Zazu arrives and scolds Simba, saying that he can't watch over him when he just disappears. Simba tells Zazu to stop the argument, because they are not alone and Pumbaa just can't listen to arguments. Zazu then apologizes and asks why Pumbaa is so sad. Simba explains that Timon went on a holiday and Pumbaa is depressed. Even though the situation is unpleasant, Zazu tells Simba that the orders of Mufasa are more important and that it's time to go home. Simba says that he will bring Nala with him tomorrow. The next day, on the way to visit Pumbaa, Simba and Nala decide to play a little prank on Zazu. They hide in the bushes and Zazu tries to find them. When he jumps into the bushes, he gets wrapped in a bunch of leaves. The two then laugh. But when Zazu says that he wouldn't want to see himself jumping into the bushes, Simba gets an idea. The cub tells Zazu to try to cheer up Pumbaa. But Zazu declines the plan, because he doesn't want to be the clown. Nala then tries to tease him a bit, saying that he "isn't as funny as he thinks he is". Zazu then agrees to cheer up Pumbaa. The three then prepare a show for him. When Zazu comes in, Pumbaa starts to laugh, even though Zazu isn't enjoying it. Then, Timon comes in, annoyed that they were having a party and didn't tell him about it. When Pumbaa sees that Timon is back, he jumps on him. Then, the party continues. *Trouble in Paradise* begins with Simba surprise-attacking Nala, to which she tells him to stop. Simba asks Nala why doesn't she want to play with him, but Nala replies she does, but with Tama.The two cubs run off, and Nala tells Tama she has some place to show her. Simba is curious and follows the two secretly in between two cliffs, to which he finds them going inside a gap inside one of the cliffs. The gap inside the cliff exposes a valley filled with lively colors, butterflies, and beautiful flowers. Simba thinks the colors and butterflies are boring, and settles down for a nap, unaware a snake who spots the young cub from a branch. When Simba wakes up from a quick nap, a large snake hisses loudly at him, and sees six snakes all around him ready to close in on him. Meanwhile, Tama is being tickled on the nose by a butterfly, and Nala thanks Tama for going with her to the valley, and not Simba. Suddenly, the two cubs hear a cry from help. Tama wonders how Simba got here, to which Nala suggests he followed them here. Tama and Nala race to find Simba surrounded by snakes, and when they find him, they climb a tree, and onto a branch. The cubs bend the branch over to Simba, and Simba successfully climbs on. However, the snakes try to climb up the tree the three cubs are on. During that same time, Zazu spots the cubs, and wonders what they are doing in the valley. The cubs later decide to jump off the tree, and climb onto some rocks on the side of the waterfall. But, the snakes still continue to chase after the cubs, until Tama jumps onto a loose rock which pushes the snakes off the rocks on the waterfall. Simba, Nala, and Tama successfully climb on top of the waterfall, and see Zazu who try to take the cubs home to Pride Rock. Zazu explains his knowledge of the hidden valley, and suspects Simba knew of the entrance. Simba claims he didn't, as he followed Tama and Nala there. Finally, Simba claims the valley was no playground for cubs to which Nala replies, "Ack, Simba!".

## Physical Appearance

Nala is a lithe, slender, well-built lioness. Her fur is cream-colored, and her eyes are teal. As a cub, she has a pink nose, but as an adult, her nose darkens to brown. Both the inside of her ears and the small tuft of fur on her tail are tan. As a full-grown adult, Nala does not change much except for her fur, which becomes duller in color.

## Personality

Aided by the tempting adventure offers of her friend Simba, Nala is rambunctious as a cub and never known to turn down a chance at fun. Even the sound of a predator-infested elephant graveyard is enough to perk her senses, with her eager curiosity constantly leading her deeper and deeper into adventure; and trouble. Though brave and curious, young Nala can be understandably foolish, not understanding the troubles of flirting with danger. Her mischievous nature and carefree attitude are dangerous when mixed with her thirst for adventure. As a cub, Nala is known to be sassy, being defensive of her own accomplishments and giving her best friend cheek when prompted. Though Simba sometimes tries to claim her ideas as his own, Nala will not stand for being overlooked and is clever and strong enough to do something about it. Despite this, Nala is an encouraging friend, kind to Simba even when he makes an error. No matter what he says or does, she maintains the friendship, grieving heavily when he supposedly dies. Come adulthood, Nala has become much more mature, practically built on persistence and responsibility. Scar's poor reign has made her realize the importance of accountability, as she has seen firsthand what Simba's lack of interest in the Pride Lands has caused. She often tries to speak sense to Simba, standing as his
voice of reason, firm and resolute in her beliefs with a cutting edge to her argument. Nala isn't one to be stamped down with words, as she can hold her own in a verbal battle, parrying each of Simba's defenses with offenses of her own. No amount of yelling and accusations can beat down Nala's stubborn nature. Nala is also known to be a fearless and loyal friend, willing to stand up to the much larger Scar in order to help her friend assume the throne. She is also the first lioness to leap into battle, rendering her courageous and willing to fight both physically and verbally for justice. Her steadfast faithfulness in Simba and her ready assistance mark her a loyal friend who is willing to put aside her own fears in order to do what is right and help a friend.