Basi

―Basi[src] | ”

**Basi** is a male hippopotamus. He is the leader of a pod of hippopotamuses in the Pride Lands. He is the father of Beshte.

During the wet season, the newly appointed leader of the crocodiles, Makuu, forcibly took over Big Springs, driving Basi and his pod out of the area. However, with the help of the Lion Guard, the pod returned, and Basi offered to invite Makuu back once the fish population was in better condition.

Later, Basi and Beshte made hippo lanes through the Flood Plains. However, while trying to help a young rhino, Basi was injured, and so Beshte was forced to undertake the task alone. Inexperienced and alone, Beshte made the hippo lanes incorrectly, which prompted Basi to re-involve himself in the process. During the task, Makuu and his float attacked the hippopotamuses, but Basi and Beshte made winding hippo lanes through the Flood Plains that confused the crocodiles and led them right into the path of a sable antelope herd. With Makuu defeated, Basi and Beshte successfully completed the hippo lanes.

When Scar's spirit terrorized the Pride Lands, Basi defended Big Springs from an attack by his army. Later, Scar's spirit appeared in flames at Mizimu Grove and openly threatened the Pride Landers. Though Basi and his pod considered leaving the Pride Lands, they ultimately chose to stay and fight.

## Biography

### Early life

Basi lived in the Pride Lands. He was the leader of a pod of hippopotamuses who were based in Big Springs. During the wet seasons, he would monitor the fish population and coordinate with Pua, the leader of the crocodiles, as to when the crocodiles could feed. Basi took a mate, with whom he had a son: Beshte.

### Skirmish with Makuu

—Basi and Pua[src] | ”

Beshte brought his friends to Big Springs, where he explained how the fish picked his hide and teeth clean. Basi added that the crocodiles ate the fish when the population spiked, thus fulfilling the Circle of Life.

In the midst of their talk, Pua approached and asked Basi how the fish were faring. Basi suggested that the float come back next week, and Pua amicably agreed. However, before he could leave, he was challenged by Makuu, who accused him of being afraid of Basi. The two arranged a mashindano, which Basi explained as being a physical contest that determined the leader of the crocodiles.

When the mashindano took place, Basi watched alongside Beshte. At the start of the event, Basi chanted with the other animals. In the midst of the brawl, he commented that Pua was too tired and weak to take on Makuu. Not long after this comment, Makuu won, and Basi explained that as the defeated leader, Pua was banished from the crocodile float.

With Makuu as the new crocodile leader, he drove Basi and his pod out of Big Springs. However, after Kion's intervention, the Circle of Life was brought back into balance, and the pod returned to their home. As Makuu vacated the area, Basi called out after him, inviting him to come back once the fish were in plenty. He reminded him that all he had to do was ask, and Makuu promised to keep the proposition in mind.

### Kupatana

—Beshte and Simba[src] | ”

Along with Mbuni and Twiga, Basi practiced a song for the Kupatana celebration. Simba listened from a nearby hillside and complimented Basi's performance to Beshte, who told the king that Basi had been practicing relentlessly. At the official celebration, Basi contributed his voice to the opening choral piece, and he watched in awe as the baobab blossoms began to bloom. After the jackal attack, he glared at Dogo's brothers.

### Making hippo lanes

―Basi[src] | ”

After a big rainstorm, Basi and Beshte forged across the Flood Plains, creating paths called "hippo lanes." Basi explained to his son how it was a tradition for hippopotamuses to clear the way after a storm, since it was easy for animals to get lost trying to cross the Flood Plains. He commented that a hippo lane should be "straight and true," and told Beshte that it would one day be his job to make hippo lanes through the Flood Plains.

Just then, 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.

With Makuu gone, Basi and Beshte worked to free the young rhino from the reeds. In the midst of the rescue, the young rhino was spooked by a flock of egrets, and he accidentally speared Basi with his horn. The two managed to free him from the reeds, and the young rhino promised to not cross the Flood Plains again until the hippo lanes were complete.

Shortly after the rescue, the rest of the Lion Guard arrived, and Kion explained that they had heard an animal shouting for help. Beshte reassured him that he and his father had saved the young rhino, and Basi commented that it was time for him to return to the job. However, as he started to walk away, he found himself too injured to move. He tried to continue making hippo lanes, but Kion insisted that he should not be putting weight on his injured leg, and Beshte added that it was just not possible for Basi to be making hippo lanes in his condition.

Bunga commented that the Flood Plains would dry up soon, but no sooner had he spoken when thunder rumbled in the distance. With the impending storm, Basi tasked Beshte with creating more hippo lanes, since Basi himself was too injured to walk. Though Beshte was hesitant to step up to the task, Kion reminded him that he was the strongest in the Pride Lands and that the Lion Guard believed in him. Beshte accepted the responsibility and headed out to clear paths through the Flood Plains, while the Lion Guard led Basi to solid ground.

After the Lion Guard delivered Basi to safety, Ono arrived with news that a herd of sable antelope were refusing to leave their grazing grounds, even though another storm was on the way. Basi suggested that they lead the antelope to the other side of the Flood Plains, but Ono wondered how they would be able to cross the reeds. Basi reminded him that by the time the antelope arrived at the Flood Plains, Beshte would be done creating hippo lanes. The Lion Guard thanked him for the idea and then left to save the herd.

Much later, Beshte messed up the hippo lanes by making them windy and twisty as opposed to straight and true. He went to his father about the problem and admitted his mistake. Basi comforted his son and confessed that he had been wrong to send Beshte into the Flood Plains alone. He then attempted to stand, and Beshte rushed to his aid. Together, the two entered the Flood Plains, with Basi asserting that they could make a straight and true hippo lane together.

Basi and Beshte worked together to create a new hippo lane. As the two worked their way across the Flood Plains, Basi struggled to keep up and told Beshte to go on ahead of him. Beshte proudly exclaimed that he would create a straight and true hippo lane and that he would make his father proud. Basi asserted that he had always been proud of his son. Unbeknownst to the two, Makuu and his float watched from the reeds, plotting a way to get rid of Basi.

After Beshte left, Makuu and his float cornered Basi in the midst of the hippo lane. Just in time, Beshte came back 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 hippos 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 endangering the animals of the Pride Lands. In utter defeat, Makuu and his float swam off into the Flood Plains.

Later, Basi and Beshte overlooked Bupu's herd grazing on the other side of the water. Kion arrived and complimented the hippos, with Bunga adding that everyone loved the new hippo lanes. Ono then told Beshte that he was good at making hippo lanes after all, and Basi asserted that he had never had any doubt.

### Ode to Snow

One night, Basi attended Bunga's winter rehearsal. Things went well until the next morning, when everyone was leaning toward abandoning the project. However, right before the animals could depart, Bunga desperately explained the importance of the performance to both himself and Timon, which prompted the Pride Landers to change their minds. The next day, Basi took part in the "Ode to Snow" performance.

### Scar's attacks

―Basi[src] | ”

Ono informed the Lion Guard that the crocodiles, hyenas, and jackals were attacking Basi's pod at Big Springs. Alongside Shujaa, the team raced to the rescue and confronted the invaders. However, before the Lion Guard could step in, Shujaa heaved boulders and trees at the Outlanders, effectively driving them away from Big Springs.

Later, Ono informed Beshte and Shujaa that Big Springs was under attack and had been set ablaze. Beshte was forced to leave for Big Springs on his own. Beshte arrived and ordered Basi and the pod to stay in the water while he dealt with the fire. Together, the Lion Guard worked to put out the blaze and fight the invading Outlanders, but in the midst of the fight, Beshte injured his leg and was unable to move. Ono begged Shujaa for help, and the gorilla agreed to fight for the sake of Beshte. The Lion Guard and Shujaa managed to put out the remainder of the fire.

Sometime after the attack, Basi spoke to Beshte about the recent Outlander attacks. Suddenly, the pod was spooked by the antics of a baby hippopotamus named Kiazi. Beshte called out the incident as a false alarm, and Basi apologized to the Lion Guard for the inconvenience. Later, Basi joined the conversation about Makini's mpando mpaya and explained that his father had told him about Rafiki's mpando mpaya. Makini then invited Basi to her mpando mpaya, and he agreed, as he believed that it would lift the spirits of his fellow hippopotamuses.

At Mizimu Grove, Rafiki and Simba announced Makini's mpando mpaya. In the midst of the celebration, the Army of Scar attacked, and the Pride Landers rose up to defend themselves. Per Kion's instructions, Basi helped Beshte put out a fire that the vultures had started. The battle paused when Scar appeared in the flames and threatened to overtake the entirety of the Pride Lands. Frightened by Scar's unexpected appearance, the remaining Pride Landers, including Basi and his pod, fled Mizimu Grove. Before too much damage could be done, Beshte informed his father that they were safe, and the hippopotamuses stopped their stampede.

When the Pride Landers had regrouped at Mizimu Grove, Basi asked Kion why Scar's return had been kept a secret. This prompted Simba to approach the Pride Landers and admit that he had had knowledge of Scar's return for some time. Basi disapproved of Simba's dishonesty, but Ma Tembo noted that she understood why he had kept it a secret. After Simba's confession, the herds deliberated whether they should leave the Pride Lands, and Simba told them to inform him of their decision the following morning at Pride Rock.

The next day, Basi was set to make his decision when Kion appeared. He implored the gathered Pride Landers to follow him to Mizimu Grove before they decided to leave the kingdom for good. The herds obediently followed Kion to Mizimu Grove, where Makini's baobab tree seed had survived the fire. This inspired the Pride Landers to remain in the Pride Lands and work together to defeat Scar.

### Beshte's return to the Pride Lands

After Beshte returned to the Pride Lands from his trip to the Tree of Life, Basi arrived at Pride Rock and reunited with his son. At Big Springs, Basi and his pod joined Makuu's float and Ma Tembo's herd as Beshte was welcomed back into the kingdom. Later, Basi appeared at Mizimu Grove and listened to Rafiki announce the Battle of the Lion Guards. Afterward, Basi watched the various competitions. After the final round, Basi witnessed Askari speaking to the Pride Landers, followed by Kion using the Roar of the Elders to lift Pride Rock.

### Kion's coronation

Basi attended Kion's coronation at the Tree of Life.

### Mufasa's funeral

―Basi, during Mufasa's funeral[src] | ”

Basi attended Mufasa's funeral in Kilio Valley. Basi's pod brought flowers for his grave and witnessed Mufasa's spirit departing from the Pride Lands.

## Physical appearance

Basi is massive, portly, and well-built. He has sparse hairs on his muzzle as well as notches in his ears. Unlike his son, who is paler in color, Basi is brownish-gray, with a pale underbelly and dark rims around his eyes. Several dark spots dot his back, and his eyes are green. A stunt patch of black hair sticks up from his otherwise bald head.

## Relationships

Allies* Basi's pod - Subordinates
	+ Kiazi
* Night Pride
	+ Kion - Close Friend
	+ Bunga - Friend
	+ Ono
	+ Fuli
	+ Anga
	+ Rani
* Simba's pride
	+ Simba - Close Friend
	+ Nala
	+ Kiara
	+ Tiifu
	+ Zuri
	+ Kovu
* Pride Landers - Teammates
	+ Pua - Close Friend
	+ Makuu - Former Attempted Killer and Friend
	+ Ma Tembo
	+ Bupu
	+ Zito
	+ Laini
	+ Twiga
	+ Thurston
	+ Hadithi
	+ Timon
	+ Pumbaa
* Royal Mjuzis
	+ Rafiki †
	+ Makini
* Jasiri's clan
	+ Jasiri
	+ Janja - Former Enemy
	+ Cheezi - Former Enemy
	+ Chungu - Former Enemy
	+ Madoa
* Lion Guard
	+ Kopa
	+ Vitani - Friend
	+ Imara
	+ Kasi
	+ Tazama
	+ Shabaha
* Shujaa - Savior
	+ Reirei
	+ Goigoi
	+ Dogo
	+ Dogo's brothers
* Kiburi's float
	+ Kiburi
	+ Tamka
	+ Nduli
* Army of Scar
	+ Scar †
	+ Nne
	+ Tano
	+ Ushari † - Former Ally

## Appearances

* *The Lion King: Revisited*
	+ "Return to the Pride Lands"
	+ "Lions of the Outlands"
	+ "Snow Day"
	+ "Hyena Resistance"
	+ "The Ultimate Showdown"
	+ "Battle for the Pride Lands" (*mentioned*)
	+ "Return to the Pride Lands" (*not named; non-speaking*)
	+ "Epilogue: An Important Coronation" (*non-speaking*)
	+ "Lion Guard: Wild Schemes and Catastrophes" (*final appearance*)

## Trivia

* Basi was voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson.
	+ Richardson also voiced Tumbaa.

* Basi's name means "okay" or "stop" or "That's it!" in Swahili.

* Beshte often quotes Basi's words of wisdom.