Okay so, first of all, I was excited about the idea of Vitani becoming Leader of the Lion Guard at first, I think she is a good leader, so, I don't mind her at all. but, I don't think the writers made the most out of it.
Now, I know a lot of TLK/TLG fans have talked about this before, but, I wanted to tell you all what I think and which character would've been better suited to be part of Vitani's Lion Guard. Enjoy.
The writers of TLG decided it would be better to go back to having an all-lion Lion Guard, despite the message behind The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar, where it was established that an interspecies Lion Guard is more effective than an all-lion Lion Guard because they have a diverse set of skills on their side (Fuli's Super Speed, Ono's Bird's Eye View, Besthe's Brute Strength, etc.). So, I hate the way the write Vitani's Lion Guard because it contradicts the message of the pilot and other episodes, such as, "Pride Landers Unite", "The Fall of Mizimu Grove", "Battle for the Pride Lands". Plus, they had so many other characters to choose from. I think they should've recycle old characters from previous episodes who we've all seen work alongside or aid Kion's Lion Guard in the past. I also hate the fact that Vitani's all-lion Lion Guard have the same strengths as Kion's Lion Guard. Realistically and in the series, that wouldn't make any sense since there's no lion that can out speed a cheetah or can best a hippo in a strength competition. Plus, lions can't fly obviously, and therefore, don't have a bird's view of danger like Ono and Anga do.
Here's who I would've liked to see join the new Lion Guard.
Vitani (The Fiercest): I actually think she's a good successor for Kion, despite how bad the execution was and how it could've been much better. I do think she's a good leader. I also like the idea of her wanting to make up for all the trouble she and other members of Zira's Pride had caused in TLK 2.
Hamu (The Bravest): Because in the first episode where he's a newborn, we see him deliver a swift kick at Janja, sending him flying, so he's already shown to be as brave as Bunga. And then in "Babysitter Bunga", he seems to look up to Bunga more so than the other kids in the episode. He was the first one to kick the jackals several feet back when the kids were surrounded.
Mtoto/Chama/Young Rhino (The Strongest): I wouldn't have been opposed to having any of these three as part of the new Lion Guard. Mtoto has hung out and even aided Kion's Lion Guard in the past, for example, in "Follow that Hippo", he idolizes Beshte and even gets to assist him at the end. In "The Savannah Summit", he uses his infrasound to help the Lion Guard listen for trouble. In "The Ukumbusho Tradition", he even got to play the Strongest Elephant. Chama, on the other hand, did help save Rafiki and Makini from the fire in "Rafiki's New Neighbours", so, he would've been a good candidate. And Young Rhino was among all the kids who helped Bunga defeat Reirei's pack.
Mzaha or Mtoto's friends Kambuni or Kwato (The Fastest): Ostriches are the fastest bipedal animal in the world, reaching up to 70km/h at running. But, I wouldn't have been opposed to seeing Mtoto's other friend, Kwato again, we haven't seen since "Follow That Hippo", and zebras can reach speeds of up to 65km/h. Mzaha, is an antelope, so he's really fast as well and he also helped save Rafiki and Makini.
Ona (The Keenest of Sight): No other reason other than the fact that she's been around Ono before and he even did the Hamerkop family dance with her during the series finale. I think it would've been a nice if he got to take over his (former) role on the Guard. Also, episodes like, "Eye of the Beholder", "Ono's Idol" and even "Battle for the Pride Lands" show why it's a good idea to have a bird on the Lion Guard.
Dogo or Kijana (The Smartest): One, I think it would've been to have the new role, the Smartest, become a permanent addition to the Lion Guard instead of a one-time thing just for Ono. And two, I think it would've a nice send off for Dogo and/or Kijana. I think they should've got a redemption arc more than any other member of Scar's Army because they're children and a lot of their behaviour stems from Reirei's teachings. I think it would've been a good redemption arc for either of them. Also, jackals are really smart and I think it would've been interesting to see them use their cunning for good instead of evil.
Those are the animals I was been thinking would've been a good fit for the next gen Lion Guard.
Also, does anyone else feel like a big reason that Imara, Kasi, Shabaha and Tazama were created just to make Vitani's Lion Guard similar in age, just like Kion's Lion Guard. Because, I think that's kind of stupid tbh. We know absolutely about the old Lion Guard, their relationship with each other or the age difference between them. So, therefore, if Mtoto and his friend were to be a part of the new Lion Guard, it wouldn't have made much of a difference. We don't know if Vitani's Lion Guard were friends or if they just know each other.
The other alternative I would've liked to see
However, I've actually heard somewhere that the creators of the TLG really wanted to have an all-female Lion Guard for a change (which could be why Jasiri became an honorary member and also why Anga became a permanent addition, btw). But, still, there are plenty of female characters to choose from instead of animating new lionesses that are never going to be used again.
There are plenty of established characters that good be role models for all the young girls watching the show.
Here's who else I would've to see make an All-Female Lion Guard
Vitani (The Fiercest): Again, I don't have a problem with her leading the Lion Guard. Obviously, I do think it could've been much better executed, but I still think it was a good send off for her.
Jasiri (The Bravest): She is fearless alright, like Bunga. And we've seen her fight alongside the Lion Guard before on numerous occasions. I think this could've been a good for character, in addition to ruling over the Outlands after Scar was defeated.
Fuli (The Fastest): I think she should've stayed in the Pride Lands because she showed no desire to stay at the Tree of Life in the first place, and wanted to leave as shown as Kion was healed. So, I think she should've become part of Vitani's Guard.
A Female Member of the Pride Lands (The Strongest): I couldn't think of an extremely strong female character in the show. I suppose any member of Ma Tembo's herd would've the trick, or even Juhudi, who has obviously learned "Teke Ruka Teleza". Giraffes are very strong irl, anyway. Or maybe a female member of Basi's Pod (the ones who have a bit of crush on Beshte) would be a good candidate. I don't know, really.
Anga (The Keenest of Sight): As I already stated, Anga (like Fuli) showed no desire to stay at the Tree of Life at all, unlike Kion, Bunga and Beshte, and wanted to leave as shown as possible. Plus, we haven't exactly seen much of Anga before Season 3, so it would've a nice end to her character arc to see become part of Vitani's Guard. Plus, martial eagles can fly really, really high.
Kijana (The Smartest): Like I said earlier, I'm disappointed we didn't get to see what happened to Reirei's jackals after "Battle for the Pride Lands". It would've been nice to see if Dogo and Kijana got a redemption arc, as the two children in Scar's Army, I feel like they more worthy of a redemption arc. It would've been interesting to see her become part of the Lion Guard at the end and use her cunning and trickery for good.
Conclusion
So, what have I discussed today? Well, Vitani's Lion Guard shouldn't have been made up of lions and there were loads of other characters that could've been used instead to greater effect, and to show that Kion's way of thinking is actually more effective than all the old Lion Guard leaders. They shouldn't have contradicted the message behind the pilot episode. They should've just used older, more established characters. Dogo and Kijana are such missed opportunities for redemption, I will die on this hill.
So, let me know what you guys about this thread. Let me know if you agree with my choices or if you have your own and why? And please let me know you would have chosen to be part of the Lion Guard too. And if you have anything else you'd like to know, please let me know. Thank you.