Janja

**Janja** is an teenage Female Spotted Hyena that is a member and future matriarch of Shenzi's Clan, the daughter of Shenzi, the sister of Nne and Kubali.

## Appearance

Janja is brown and has varying sizes of patches of of darker brown on her muzzle, eyes, legs, and flank. She has a fluffy, brown tail, a black mane, pink inner ears, a gray nose, and amber eyes with yellow sclarae.

## Personality

Like her hyena ancestors before her, Janja is a greedy and selfish leader with no regard for the Circle of Life. Her unabated hunger drives her to extreme measures, as she is willing to stand against Simba and the Lion Guard, and her ruthless nature shines through in even everyday interactions. Janja is unforgiving to her minions and mercilessly mocks them in front of the clan, refusing to believe their excuses and stories. This is likely because her minions are not her friends; they are simply a means to an end, for Janja is crafty and uses her clanmates to do her dirty work for her. Despite her ruthless ambitions and sharp intellect, Janja is also a bit of a coward, usually only choosing to fight when the odds are in her favor, and she is known to promptly turn tail and run when faced with a fair fight.

## History

### Backstory

Janja was born to Shenzi along with her sister, Kubali, and brother, Nne. As she grew up, she was raised to be greedy and selfish, and only cared about herself. This cause Kubali to later leave the clan. Eventually, she met Cheezi and Chungu, growing to be their friends even if she didn't particularily like them. When Shenzi stepped down from leadership in Janja's adolescence, the latter took up the mantle and utilized Fisi as a second-in-command.

### Legends of the Lion Guard: Protectors of the Pride Lands

#### The Orphans

Janja and her clan attack Thurston's Herd at Chakula Plains, and she says that this will be too easy as the hyenas chase the zebras. This gets the Lion Guard's attention, and the group shows up just as the clan has driven the herd to Big Ravine. Just when Janja says that it's over, Kion slams her to the ground. After the battle, Kion blasts the defeated hyenas away with the Roar of the Elders. Later, Kion mentions Janja to Hanisi, explaining that someone like her could potentially harm him.

#### Team Play

Janja does not appear, but her clan plots to find Busara in Embamba Canyon.

#### An Unknown Threat

When Ono reports that a strange clan of hyenas is attacking Kasi and Imara, Fuli and Beshte ask if it is Janja's Clan, and he replies that he can't identify them.

### Legends of the Lion Guard: Battle for the Pride Lands

Janja is now an adult. She and her clan attack Vuai at Urembo River. The Lion Guard, Mhina, Anga, and Jasiri arrive to stop them, and Kion warns Janja to get out of the Pride Lands. She refuses, so Kion uses the Roar and sends them flying away. Janja and her clan later meet with various other antagonists at Broken Rock and the volcano. After some time, Janja and her clan attack Varya at Mekundu Cliffs, but they are defeated when Kion roars them away. They meet with Ushari and other Outlanders at Broken Rock, and Janja complains that they can never beat the Lion Guard. She is curious upon learning that Ushari has discovered a way to get revenge on the Guard and the Pride Landers - and that he now knows that Kion speaks to Mufasa. Janja scoffs, pointing out that Mufasa is dead, but the cobra urges her to think like Great Lions, something which the clan doesn't get. Janja adds that no great lion would dare help them, but Ushari mentions Scar, causing Janja to say that Scar died a long time ago. Later, after Ushari obtains a bakora staff needed to revive Scar, Janja is inside the caldera with him. When Kion roars in anger, the volcano erupts, and Ushari tries summoning Scar with no success. Furious, Janja demands where he is, and he says that their plan didn't work.

In a fit of rage, she picks up the staff and throws it into the lava, expressing her distaste of their failed plan to Ushari. Suddenly, a huge lion's head made of fire appears from the lava, and after sharing a glance with Ushari, Janja nervously asks if he's Scar, which the fiery lion confirms. While talking to Scar in the caldera, Janja says that it's not their fault they're losing, as the Lion Guard has way more reinforcements than they do. She is surprised to hear that they are gaining more allies, and agrees to stage an attack at Big Ravine, calling Cheezi and Chungu to her. The Lion Guard soon finds out that the hyenas are attacking Binga and head to Big Ravine to stop them. Janja cackles upon their arrival, asking how they are going to be stopped, and a fight breaks out. Kion charges into Janja and pins her to the ground, questioning if she's going to give up and go home now, but she retorts that they are tenacious. She throws him off, taunting that the Lion Guard will never win this war and they will lose everything they love when Kion remains confident that the Guard will prevail. She laughs, stating that it'll take more than them and the Pride Landers to win this war, but Kion pins her again. He gives Janja the option to back down and admit she's outnumbered; though Janja determinedly gets the upper hand, Kion sends her toppling away. Bunga and Binga then use their stink on the hyenas, causing Janja to cough in revulsion and call for a retreat. Returning to the caldera, she reports their failed attack to Scar, who says that they will soon take over piece by piece. When Janja inquires as to how they will do it, Scar replies that she'll see.

Later, Janja and her clan gather inside the volcano in another meeting with Scar, and Janja questions what his next plan is. Scar says that they must target Rafiki, as he can sense spirits like him, and Janja asks if they'll attack at his tree. Scar mentions that Rafiki is meditating with Makini at Mapango Cliffs, making her remark that the mandrill will never know what hit him. Janja's Clan and Reirei's Pack arrive at Mapango Cliffs, and Chungu asks Janja what the plan is. The latter responds that they will get rid of Makini and Rafiki, and they won't let the Lion Guard win this time. Mzingo flies up to them with a stick of fire in his talons, and Janja realizes that setting fire to the cliffs is the other part of Scar's plan. Chungu inquires about what they'll do when the fire reaches them, and she reassures him that they'll be halfway home when that happens. They spread out, but regroup when Rafiki fights back, and the Lion Guard arrives on the scene. Janja cackles that Kion won't win, and seeing Kiburi's Float on their way to help, she brings up how they have reinforcements now. During the fight, Kion pins Janja, though the determined hyena taunts him by saying that he'll have nothing left to fight for. Kion is confident he'll defeat her, but Janja kicks him off, and Kion then sends her careening into a boulder. Groaning in pain, she flees, and Kion pursues her. Janja approaches the Outlands border, which is engulfed in flames, and Scar suddenly appears.

Scar demands where she is going, and nervous, Janja asks what he's doing. The fiery lion responds that he's making sure the plan isn't ruined, urging her to go back, as no one is leaving until the Lion Guard is defeated. Unbeknownst to them, Kion has witnessed their conversation. The Lion Guard regroups, and Kion warns the Outlanders that this is their last chance to run back to the Outlands. Janja refuses, pointing out that it's only a matter of time before they defeat his family, and Kion proceeds to use the Roar, sending the Outlanders back. Shaken from what just happened, the lion admits that he saw Janja talking to a fiery lion's head near the border, and Rafiki reveals that Scar has returned. Back at Pride Rock, Kion tells his parents that he saw Janja speaking to Scar. Later, Scar orders Shupavu to fetch Janja's Clan and Reth's Pride for attacks. Janja and her clan attack Masikio's Drove at Lake Shangaza, and Kion sends Ono, Fuli, Bunga, Bupu, and Laini there to handle the hyenas. After they return, Ono affirms that the hyenas are going back to the Outlands. When Scar commences his war on the Pride Lands, he orders all three hyena clans to take over Chekundu Cliffs, and Janja questions if he's sure. Scar points out that there's zero chance the Lion Guard will win, and now determined, Janja agrees with him. The hyenas advance into the Pride Lands, alerting Zazu, who warns Simba at Pride Rock, and he tells him to inform the Lion Guard.

Zazu reaches the Guard, telling them that the Outlanders have invaded, and Kion assigns Bunga, Ono, and Anga to handle the hyenas. However, it soon becomes clear that the three are overwhelmed by the clans, and Simba orders Mozari and his Lion Guard to help them. They arrive on the scene, jumping into the battle, and Janja pins Mozari. He attempts to throw the hyena off, but her weight is too much, and Janja jeers that he isn't so tough now. Bunga then slams into her, and Mozari is finally able to throw her off, pinning her down. Janja watches Shenzi fight Soyinka, and she says that they must keep fighting, as they can't disappoint Scar this time. Shenzi comments that they're outnumbered, yet still battling back, and Janja states that they must keep doing so as well, adding that they are determined. Without warning, Anga flies toward her, and Janja gasps. Shortly afterward, Kion mentions that the Lion Guard is dealing with Janja and Kiburi at Ndefu Grove and Big Ravine, respectively. Later, Scar tells his army that if Kion roars at him, he'll be destroyed, and Janja asks if he actually wants that to happen. Scar confirms that he wants them to think that, and orders them to fight, but not stop the Lion Guard from reaching the caldera. Kiburi comments that Scar is smart, which is why they'll win, and Janja hopes he's right. Scar's Army advances, and the Lion Guard gets past them, but soon, Kion's forces drive them back into the Outlands.

## Family

* **Mother:** Shenzi
* **Brother:** Nne
* **Sister:** Kubali
* **Distant Relative:** Zuhour †

## Trivia

* In this version, Janja is a female hyena instead of a male and is the future leader of shenzi's Clan.
* Janja is voiced by Frances Conroy.
* Janja has a fear of scorpions.