Baliyo

―Baliyo's catchphrase[src] | ”

**Baliyo** is a male lion. He is a member of the Night Pride and a prince of the Tree of Life. He is the son of Sãhasí and Ãnanda, and the younger brother of Rani and Kovu.

When the Lion Guard first arrived at the Tree of Life, Baliyo mistook them for violent intruders and so instigated a fight between them and the Night Pride. During the battle, Kion used the Roar of the Elders on Baliyo, which caused Rani to forbid the Lion Guard entry to the Tree of Life. Later, after some encouragement from Janna, Rani amended her original verdict and allowed the Lion Guard to seek healing.

During the course of the Lion Guard's stay, Baliyo and the rest of the Night Pride teamed up with them to defeat an army of carnivorous intruders. There were frequent skirmishes between the two groups, which culminated in a final battle that ended with the defeat of the invading army.

## Biography

### Early life

Baliyo was born to Sãhasí and Ãnanda. He had an elder sister, Rani, and an elder brother, Kovu. As the grandson of Janna, he was a prince of the Tree of Life. At some point in his life, he joined the Night Pride alongside his sister, his uncle Surak, and the healer Nirmala. Additionally, he befriended a honey badger named Binga.

### Befriending Zuri

As Baliyo was taken to Pratibimba to remember his identity, a lioness cub named Zuri showed up. The two developed a fast friendship but were calmly separated by Janna and Nala, both acknowledging their cubs' teamwork.

### Meeting the Lion Guard

―Baliyo on the Lion Guard[src] | ”

After being alerted by Ullu the owl, the Night Pride arrived at the mountain pass to ward off the Lion Guard, whom they perceived as a potential threat. Baliyo spied on the group and deduced that they meant harm. Without consulting his leader, Rani, he attacked Kion, forcing the rest of his pride to attack. Eventually, Kion lost patience and used the Roar of the Elders on Baliyo, blowing him away from the mountain pass. An enraged Rani then forbid the Lion Guard entry to the Tree of Life.

The Night Pride returned to the Tree of Life to find that Baliyo was dizzy but unharmed. Baliyo wondered who the Lion Guard members were, but Rani dismissed his question and decided to report their skirmish to Queen Janna. Before she left, she ordered Surak and Nirmala to watch over Baliyo. Nirmala told Baliyo to follow her so she could administer a cure for his head.

After counseling with Janna, Rani informed the rest of the Night Pride that they were to invite the Lion Guard to the Tree of Life after all. Baliyo and his pride returned and escorted the Lion Guard to the tree. The Night Pride led the Lion Guard to Janna, who welcomed them for healing.

### First skirmish with Makucha's army

―Baliyo after fighting Makucha's army[src] | ”

Later, when Makucha and his allies, Chuluun and Ora, attempted to invade the Tree of Life, the Night Pride blocked their entry. Baliyo and his pride members defeated them easily by working together. Afterward, the Lion Guard arrived too late to help. Baliyo commented on Makucha by name, which made Kion realize that the army had followed the Lion Guard to the Tree of Life.

Later, the Night Pride fended off another attack by Makucha's army, this time by night. However, their third attack the following morning proved more difficult, as Ora bit and paralyzed Baliyo. Just in time, Kion arrived to help, much to Baliyo's delight.

### Mama Binturong's plot

―Baliyo on Makucha's army[src] | ”

While the Lion Guard, Baliyo, and Rani relaxed at a water hole, Bunga ate grubs loudly. While Fuli was annoyed at his chewing, Baliyo commented that Bunga was rather quiet for a honey badger. He then revealed that he was friends with another honey badger named Binga. Baliyo led Bunga to Binga, who swiftly befriended him and beat him in a grub-eating contest.

Meanwhile, Mama Binturong plotted to invade the Tree of Life by pretending to seek sanctuary from Makucha and his army. The army enacted the plan, and the Night Pride fell for it, accepting Mama Binturong for healing at the Tree of Life.

After successfully tricking the Night Pride, Mama Binturong returned to her allies and instructed them to kill Janna while she distracted the Night Pride. The plan went into motion, with the Night Pride falling for Mama Binturong's cries for help. In the meantime, Makucha, Chuluun, and Ora snuck over the border.

After luring the Night Pride with cries for help, Mama Binturong attacked Bunga and Binga. The Night Pride arrived, and Mama Binturong attempted to blame the honey badgers for the fight. However, Ullu arrived and informed the Night Pride of Mama Binturong's deception. Bunga and Binga then used their stench to defeat Mama Binturong.

### Clearing Beshte's name

―Baliyo on Beshte[src] | ”

Baliyo gathered with Kion, Nirmala, Beshte, and Fuli to watch Bunga talk about Binga in his sleep. After Bunga woke up, the group broke up, and Baliyo decided to sleep, as he was tired from a night of patrolling. When Beshte wondered what he should do, Baliyo suggested he look around the territory and meet new animals.

Later, a group of animals led by Pinguino reported to Baliyo about a menacing new animal who was destroying the Tree of Life's habitats. Baliyo told the animals to go home while he informed Rani of the problem. After fetching Rani, Baliyo ran into Pinguino again. This time, Pinguino complained that "Poa the Destroyer" had terrorized his home a second time. This made Rani realize Poa the Destroyer's true identity, as his name matched Beshte's catchphrase.

Together, Baliyo and Rani rallied the Lion Guard at the Tree of Life, where they explained the situation to Beshte. While Beshte was saddened and self-exiled himself from the Tree of Life, the others agreed to host a meeting during which Beshte could win back the animals' trust. Baliyo led the animals to the Tree of Life with Bunga, though he lost Pinguino along the way after Bunga revealed that Beshte would be at the meeting. When Beshte showed up later with Pinguino and had his name cleared, Baliyo watched in satisfaction.

### Janna's death

―Baliyo on Janna[src] | ”

Baliyo and the Night Pride saved a tiger named Varya and her cubs from Makucha's army. Afterward, Ullu arrived and told the Night Pride that Janna needed them right away. When the Night Pride arrived at the Tree of Life, they noticed a crowd of animals gathering and realized that Janna was dying. At first, Baliyo was afraid to go inside the Tree of Life, but with some persuasion from Rani, he agreed.

Once inside the Tree of Life, Baliyo nuzzled his grandmother, who told him that Rani would need his strength. Janna died peacefully, and Baliyo wept alongside the rest of the Night Pride. He later attended Janna's funeral. At Rani's coronation, Baliyo cheered his sister on.

### Working with the Lion Guard

―Baliyo to Makucha's army[src] | ”

One day, Makucha and his army launched an attack on the Tree of Life. The Night Pride challenged them, though Baliyo's yawning exposed how exhausted they were from a night of patrolling. The Lion Guard arrived in time to help, but Kion and Rani's dual leadership resulted in confusion.

Eventually, the Lion Guard and the Night Pride succeeded in driving off the army. Kion offered to patrol the Tree of Life during the day in order to give the Night Pride time to rest, and Rani gratefully accepted his offer. Unbeknownst to the team, Mama Binturong was spying on their conversation from a nearby tree.

Later, Ullu warned the Lion Guard and the Night Pride that Makucha's army was launching another attack. The Night Pride arrived, and Kion led the two teams in their attack.

In another attack, Makucha and his army snuck into the Tree of Life's territory due to Ullu falling asleep. The Night Pride arrived, only for the Lion Guard to take over the shift and defeat the army.

### Battle for the Tree of Life

―Baliyo after the battle[src] | ”

Later, Makucha's army invaded the Tree of Life with new forces. Ullu warned the Night Pride about the army's attack, and they rushed to the Tree of Life, only to be shut in by a giant rock pushed by Ora and his minions. With the Night Pride out of commission, the army attacked the animals at the Tree of Life.

Kion, Bunga, and Rani arrived, and Kion used the Roar of the Elders to defeat the villains. He then struck the rock at the Tree of Life's entrance with lightning, destroying it and freeing the Night Pride.

### Kion's coronation

Baliyo attended his sister Rani's wedding to Kion.

### Battle of Mount Kilimanjaro

Rani, Surak, Baliyo, and Nirmala were freed by Chuluun from being out of commission during the final battle against a resurrected Scar and his army. The battle ultimately ended when Mufasa used the Great Lions of the Past to drain Scar's spirit out of his body, at the cost of his life. Baliyo knelt out of respect for Mufasa, and he returned home with the Night Pride.

## Physical appearance

Despite being an adolescent, Baliyo is large, broad-shouldered, and well-built, being only slightly smaller than the full-grown Surak. He often uses his size to his advantage in battle, displaying raw strength and fighting prowess.

Baliyo's main pelt is dark brown, while his muzzle, paws, and underbelly are cream. He has brown ear rims, the tops of which are darker in color and the sides of which are lighter in color. Several spots dot his cheeks, the backs of his legs, and his rump. His eyes are blue and framed by bi-colored eye rims; while the upper shades are darker in color, the lower shades are lighter in color. Overall, he strongly resembles his sister Rani, as both have dark pelts, sections of cream-colored fur, ear rims, and spots on their legs. However, Baliyo's fur lacks the red undertones of Rani's.

Baliyo has several distinctions. As a member of the Night Pride, he has a lion's head marking on his right shoulder. Additionally, his mane is long, silky, and swept up at the front. It is dark brown streaked with lighter shades.

## Personality and traits

Baliyo possesses a cheerful energy that contrasts with his sister Rani's more serious nature. He is energetic and impetuous, often throwing himself into dangerous situations that require the intervention of his teammates. Despite this, he can be calmed down by his friends and family, and admits when he has made a mistake.

In times of trial, Baliyo is avoidant, preferring to ignore his problems. However, when pushed, he values his family members over his own comforts. He is shown to be extremely close to his relatives, having a deep love for all members of his family, which was especially apparent when his grandmother Janna died. He is also shown to be very close with his older sister Rani. The two watch out for each other in battle and prove themselves to be an effective team. Despite this, Baliyo can be somewhat prideful, as he dislikes it when his sister teases him by calling him "little brother," because he is taller than her.

As a member of the Night Pride, Baliyo is tenacious and hard-working. Even when fatigued, he accomplishes tasks to the best of his ability and proves to be a formidable fighter.

## Relationships

* Janna † - Grandmother
* Sãhasí † - Father
* Ãnanda † - Mother
* Kovu - Brother
* Rani - Sister
* Surak - Uncle
* Kion - Brother-in-Law

Allies* Simba's pride
	+ Simba
	+ Zuri - Love Interest
	+ Nala
	+ Sarabi
	+ Tiifu - Friend
	+ Vitani
	+ Kopa - Former Enemy
* Night Pride - Teammates and Close Friends
	+ Nirmala
	+ Bunga
	+ Fuli - Temporary Enemy
	+ Ono - Temporary Enemy
	+ Beshte - Temporary Enemy
	+ Anga - Temporary Enemy
	+ Binga - Best Friend
* Royal Mjuzis
	+ Makini - Friend
	+ Rafiki †
	+ Nefu
* Pinguino's rookery
	+ Pinguino - Close Friend
* Varya
* Feliks
* Pasha and Polina
* Chuluun - Former Attempted Killer and Savior
* Azaad
* Shujaa
* Ma
* Pride Landers
	+ Timon
	+ Pumbaa
	+ Thurston
	+ Hadithi
	+ Zito
	+ Laini
	+ Ma Tembo
	+ Makuu
	+ Bupu
* Jasiri's clan
	+ Jasiri
	+ Janja
	+ Cheezi
	+ Chungu
* Reirei's pack
	+ Reirei
	+ Goigoi
* Kiburi's float
	+ Kiburi
	+ Tamka
* Mzingo's parliament
	+ Mzingo
* Timon's colony
* Great Kings of the Past
* Dragon Pride - Former Enemies
	+ Maji - Former Attempted Killer
	+ Mosi - Former Captor
	+ Mama Binturong
	+ Makucha
	+ Ora - Attempted Killer
	+ Fahari
	+ Jiona
* Smun's prickle
	+ Smun
* Final Army of Scar
	+ Scar †
	+ Ushari †
* Outsiders
* Shupavu's group
	+ Shupavu
* Leo †

## Appearances

* *The Lion King: Revisited*
	+ "The Tree of Life"
	+ "Kiara's First Hunt"
	+ "The Unwelcome Stranger"
	+ "Love Will Find a Way" (cave painting)
	+ "Return to the Pride Lands" (mentioned)
	+ "Epilogue: An Important Coronation"
	+ "Makini Fables: The New Apprentice"
	+ "Lion Guard: The Leo Dynasty"
	+ "Lion Guard: Wild Schemes and Catastrophes"

## Trivia

* Baliyo was voiced by Hudson Yang.

* Baliyo's name means "strong, healthy, musty, powerful, durable, (long-) lasting" in Nepali.

* Baliyo's catchphrase "Lada'i!" means "Fight!" in Hindi.

* Baliyo is one of few male lions who lack whiskers.