Beshte

―Beshte's catchphrase[src] | ”

**Beshte** is a male hippopotamus. He is the former strongest member of Lion Guard. He currently serves as a member of the Night Pride.

## Biography

### Early life

―Beshte, as Janja, Cheezi, and Chungu steal an egg[src] | ”

Beshte was born to Basi. He lived in the Pride Lands as a member of Basi's pod.

As a youngster, Beshte befriended Kion, Bunga, and Fuli. One day, Janja and his lackeys, Cheezi and Chungu, attempted to steal an egret egg and take it back to the Outlands. Beshte suggested that they tell Simba, but Kion insisted that they did not have time and that they had to save the egg themselves. The four friends rushed to confront the hyenas, and Kion ordered Beshte to take out Cheezi. Once the hyenas had been defeated, Beshte and his friends gathered around the egg, which hatched into Ono.

### Calfhood

#### Dawn of the Lion Guard

―Beshte, as Janja's clan hunts[src] | ”

Seasons later, while playing Baobab Ball, Kion and Bunga hopped across a river using the backs of several hippopotamuses, including Beshte. As the two bounded past, Beshte greeted them warmly.

Later, after Kion became the new leader of the Lion Guard, he resolved to speak with Beshte. Along with Bunga and Ono, he journeyed to the watering hole and watched as Beshte created a water slide for several other hippopotamuses. Bunga asked if Beshte was going to be the Strongest member, and Kion confirmed this.

Afterward, Beshte joined Kion, Bunga, and Ono as they moved on to recruit Fuli. Upon finding her being chased by baboons, Kion ordered Beshte to lie down in their path. Then, as Fuli jumped over Beshte's back, Kion yelled, "Now!" and Beshte stood up, blocking the baboons' path.

After the incident, Kion gathered his friends and invited them to join his new Lion Guard. He attempted to show them the Roar of the Elders, but it came out as a squeak, to his shock and confusion. Just then, Simba arrived and chided Kion for his choice of Lion Guard members. He insisted that the Guard must be comprised of lions only and berated Kion for treating his role as leader like a game. Upset and conflicted, Kion left to think by himself.

While Kion was away, the rest of the team witnessed Janja's clan attacking a herd of gazelles. Kion reconvened with his friends and declared that only the Lion Guard could stop the hyenas. Beshte reminded Kion of what Simba had said, but Kion countered that they were the best Lion Guard, regardless of what species they were. He then bestowed the mark of the Guard on Beshte, Bunga, Fuli, and Ono.

Together, the five friends attacked the hyenas and drove them back into the Outlands. Kion finished the fight by using the Roar of the Elders to blow the clan out of the Pride Lands. Simba happened to witness the fight from a nearby ridge and realized that his son had been wise in his choice of teammates. He congratulated his son on the Lion Guard's victory and accepted the team as the new protectors of the Pride Lands.

#### Journey to Flat Ridge Rock

―Beshte[src] | ”

When Janja, Cheezi, and Chungu invaded the Pride Lands and chased after a herd of oryx, the Lion Guard raced to the rescue. As the hyenas fled toward the Outlands, Kion gave chase, while the rest of the Lion Guard calmed the herd. However, as Kion was crossing a river on a log, it broke beneath his weight, and he fell into the raging waters below.

The rest of the Lion Guard ran alongside the river after Kion, and Bunga even jumped into the river himself, only to start drowning. Beshte quickly leaped after Bunga and bore him to safety. Meanwhile, Kion managed to pull himself to safety on the opposite bank of the river, which was in the Outlands. Ono swooped down to check on his friend, and Kion admitted that the river was too rough for crossing. He then instructed his friends to meet him at Flat Ridge Rock while he attempted to navigate the Outlands and return home. Bunga claimed to know where Flat Ridge Rock was, but Kion sent Ono after the Guard to ensure they made it there safely.

Bunga led the Lion Guard into an area of dense jungle. After a few mishaps, including a run-in with Ushari, the friends realized that Bunga was lost. Beshte suggested that they talk to Mbeya, who knew the Pride Lands very well, and the Lion Guard agreed to the new plan.

Upon arriving at the watering hole, Beshte engaged Mbeya in conversation while his friends waited on the edge of the water. Eventually, the friends grew impatient and insisted that Beshte wrap up his conversation. Realizing that he had forgotten to ask about Flat Ridge Rock, Beshte rushed back to ask Mbeya for directions.

With Beshte in the lead, the Lion Guard continued to search for Flat Ridge Rock until Ono located it on a nearby ridge. Fuli speeded ahead of her friends, and the Lion Guard scrambled to catch up with her. Once the others reached Flat Ridge Rock, they complained that Kion never would have left them behind, and Fuli apologized for being over-eager.

While at Flat Ridge Rock, the Lion Guard overheard Kion using the Roar of the Elders and rushed to his defense. However, when the Lion Guard confronted Jasiri, Kion insisted that she was a friend, and Beshte declared that any friend of Kion's was a friend of his. Together, the Lion Guard and Jasiri walked to the border of the Pride Lands, where Kion and Jasiri exchanged fond farewells.

#### Conflict with Makuu

―Beshte[src] | ”

Upon hearing an animal's cries for help, the Lion Guard rushed to the rescue. However, when the team arrived at the scene, they found Pim stuck in a thorn bush. Annoyed by the false alarm, the Guard proceeded to free Pim, only for him to get immediately swallowed by Ushari. Bunga saved Pim and tossed Ushari away, only to nearly hit Beshte. In an attempt to get out of the way, Beshte hopped into a nearby mudpit and got covered in mud and flowers.

Along with his friends, Beshte went to Big Springs for a bath. While cleaning off, he showed his friends his home and demonstrated how the fish could lick his body clean. Just then, the friends overheard Makuu challenging his leader, Pua, to a mashindano. Beshte asked his father, Basi, for an explanation, and Basi explained that a mashindano was a crocodile tradition that determined their leadership hierarchy.

Later, the animals of the Pride Lands gathered at Lake Matope to witness the mashindano. With relative ease, Makuu managed to pull a victory over the aged Pua. After Pua's defeat, the Lion Guard gathered in the Lair of the Lion Guard. However, in the midst of the gathering, Kiara appeared and warned Kion that the giraffes had moved into the baboon's forest. The Lion Guard rushed to the rescue, and Kion discovered that Makuu had invaded Big Springs, which had forced the other animals to switch habitats.

The Lion Guard confronted Makuu and asked him to leave Big Springs. However, Makuu refused and mocked Kion for being unwilling to fight. Though Beshte, Bunga, Fuli, and Ono encouraged Kion to use the Roar of the Elders, he decided against it, as he did not want to be like Scar and lash out in anger.

The Lion Guard returned to Pride Rock, where Kiara revealed that there had been an invasion of baboons. With this added chaos, the Lion Guard was forced to make a choice, and Kion decided to demonstrate his power to Makuu. Beshte suggested that he use the Roar of the Elders on a grove of trees, and Kion agreed. Once at Big Springs, Bunga, Fuli, and Ono cleared the grove of animals, while Beshte and Kion confronted Makuu. When Ono gave the signal, Beshte informed Kion, who roared into the trees, clearing them all of their branches. Shocked by Kion's power, Makuu backed down and led his float out of Big Springs.

After Makuu left Big Springs, the animals returned to their usual habitats, and Basi invited the crocodiles to return to Big Springs once the fish population spiked. The Lion Guard watched in satisfaction.

(To be continued)

## Physical appearance

Beshte has a stout body with thick legs, dark gray-purple toenails, and three dark spots on his back. His main body is neutral gray, which becomes much paler along his chest and jawline. His inner ears are pale pink, and the area around his eyes is pale gray. He has a disproportionately large snout, with small ears and eyes, as well as thick eyebrows. His teeth are rather large, with two protruding over his upper jaw, and a patch of black hair sticks up from his otherwise bald head. His eyes are bright blue.

As a teenager, Beshte is taller, and his tuft of hair is longer. He also has the beginnings of whiskers, similar to those of his father, Basi.

## Personality and traits

One of the most popular animals in the Pride Lands, Beshte has a kind-hearted nature that never seems to run dry. His friendliness extends to everyone, as he acts like a big brother to the younger members of his pod, a friend to animals of all different species, and a protector of the Pride Lands at large.

Despite being a teasing character, Beshte is surprisingly sensitive, being especially tactful when his friend Kion is unable to use the Roar of the Elders. He is also the first of his friends to recognize that Kion needs some space, even pointing out to Bunga, Kion's best friend, what the cub needs. For an animal so large and full of life, Beshte has an appropriately large heart and never fails to treat his friends with kindness.

When it comes to the Lion Guard, Beshte is willing to do the hard work. His bravery is undeniable as he charges headfirst into battle, following Kion's orders without question. Though his nature is one of compassion and gentleness, he can be a force to contend with and will not stand for the Circle of Life being thrown out of balance. Beshte's principles are important to him, and he will fight tooth and nail to do what is right.

For all his good qualities, Beshte does have a flaw or two. He is very friendly, likes to socialize and be helpful, and this has actually caused problems for him (and others), such as when he shot the breeze with Mbeya when he was supposed to be asking for directions, and when he got distracted helping smaller animals when he was supposed to be making the Hippo Lanes.

## Appearances

* *The Lion King: Revisited*
	+ "Return of the Roar"
	+ "Lions of the Outlands"
	+ "The Rise of Scar"
	+ "Snow Day"
	+ "Hyena Resistance"
	+ "Pride Landers Unite!"
	+ "The Ultimate Showdown"
	+ "Battle for the Pride Lands"
	+ "Kiara's First Hunt"
	+ "The Unwelcome Stranger"
	+ "Love Will Find a Way"
	+ "Return to the Pride Lands"
	+ "Epilogue: An Important Coronation"
* *The Lion Guard Holiday Special*
* *The Lion King: Revisited*
	+ "Lion Guard: The Night Mission"
	+ "Lion Guard: Wild Schemes and Catastrophes"

## Trivia

* Beshte was voiced by Dusan Brown.

* Beshte's name means "friend, pal, buddy" in Swahili.

* Beshte's catchphrase "Twende kiboko!" means "Let's go, hippo!" in Swahili.

* Beshte's secondary catchphrase "Poa!" means "cool" in Swahili.