Askari

Askari

Physical information
Gender	Male
Species	Lion
Fur color	Brown, cream, gold, and red
Distinguishing features	• Dark eye shades • Gold streaks in mane • Thick eyebrows
Biographical information
Status	Deceased
Residence	Pride Lands
Affiliations	• Great Kings of the Past • Lion Guard • Pride Landers • Pride Lands monarchy • Simba's pride
Titles	• Fiercest in the Pride Lands • Leader of the Lion Guard • Prince of Pride Rock
Relationship information
Family	Mufasa (relative) † Scar (relative) † Simba (relative) Kion (relative) Kiara (relative)

“

Only one who is willing to let go of the Roar completely can truly master it.

―Askari^[src]

”

Askari is a male lion. He is the founder and leader of the first Lion Guard, who discovered the Roar of the Elders. He is a distant relative of Kion.

When Kion doubts his ability to lead the Lion Guard, Askari advises him to rely on his own strengths rather than the Roar. Askari trains Kion how to use the Roar. Eventually, Kion relinquishes his role as the leader of the Lion Guard, prompting Askari to praise him and advise him to use his talents to defend the Tree of Life rather than the Pride Lands.

Biography

Background

“

Greetings, wise elephants. My name is Askari. I am the first leader of the Pride Lands' Lion Guard. You have nothing to fear from us.

―Kion impersonates Askari, as part of the Ukumbusho Tradition^[src]

”

Askari and his Lion Guard defeat a pride of evil lions who threaten the Pride Lands

Askari was presumably the second-born cub of the reigning monarch of the Pride Lands. As an adult, he discovered the Roar of the Elders at Cikha Escarpment, where he trained relentlessly to master its powers. Due to his prowess with the Roar, Askari became the leader of the first Lion Guard and assembled a team of the bravest, fastest, keenest of sight, and strongest lions in the Pride Lands.

At some point, a pride of evil lions attempted to overtake the Pride Lands, but Askari and his Lion Guard foiled their plan by working together.

Askari was known for establishing a treaty of peace with the elephants, which led to an everlasting kinship between the elephants and lions of the Pride Lands. This event came to be known as the Ukumbusho Tradition and was celebrated annually.

The Lion Guard

"The Ukumbusho Tradition"

Kion portrays Askari in the Ukumbusho Tradition. He describes how Askari had made peace with the elephants in order to keep the Circle of Life in balance.

"Cave of Secrets"

Askari appears in a cave painting. Makini explains that he and his Lion Guard had used teamwork to overcome a pride of evil lions who were threatening to overtake the Pride Lands.

"The River of Patience"

Nirmala mentions that Rafiki had likely sent Kion to the Tree of Life due to Askari discovering the Roar of the Elders at Cikha Escarpment.

Later, Askari appears as a cave painting in the Tree of Life. Janna tells Makini of Askari's discovery of the Roar.

"Long Live the Queen"

When Makini shows Rani the paintings of the Tree of Life, a painting of Askari using the Roar of the Elders is glimpsed.

"The Lake of Reflection"

Kion journeys to Cikha Escarpment, where he encounters Askari's spirit. Kion expresses a desire to give up the Roar of the Elders, but Askari praises his humility and offers to teach him everything the Roar can do.

"Triumph of the Roar"

Askari trains Kion to use the Roar of the Elders during the "The Power of the Roar" musical sequence

At Cikha Escarpment, Kion meets with Askari for more training. Askari reminds Kion that only one who is willing to let go of the Roar of the Elders can master it, and Kion confirms that he does not need the Roar to lead the Lion Guard.

At the Tree of Life, Bunga questions Rani on why Kion is not ready to use the Roar. Makini interrupts, explaining that Kion might be practicing his Roar at Cikha Escarpment, as Askari used to do so long ago. Bunga and Rani decide to visit him there.

Askari trains Kion, teaching him to lift boulders, break apart rocks, and make pillars with the Roar ("The Power of the Roar"). Bunga and Rani witness Kion practicing his Roar. Anga arrives and brings news that the Tree of Life is under attack. Before leaving, Kion tells Askari that he is ready.

"Return to the Pride Lands"

After Kion relinquishes his role as the leader of the Lion Guard to Vitani, Askari appears as a spirit in the clouds. The rest of the Lion Guard stares in awe, with Ono recognizing Askari for who he is. Askari praises Kion and informs him that he has finally mastered the Roar of the Elders. Kion wonders what good this does, as he is no longer the leader of the Lion Guard, and Askari reminds him that he can protect the Tree of Life instead of the Pride Lands. He later appears in the clouds with Mufasa, Janna, and other Great Lions of the Past when Kion and Rani are wed.

Personality and traits

Askari is dignified and regal in bearing. He has acquired much experience and wisdom from his time as the leader of the Lion Guard and serves as a mentor to Kion.

Trivia

Askari is voiced by Michael Luwoye.^[1]
Askari's name means "police, police officer, cop" in Swahili.^[2]
According to Ford Riley, "Askari" was Scar's birth namesake, but it got shortened to "Scar" after Scar received his injury.^[3]
Askari presumably has an elder sibling, as the Lion Guard is traditionally led by the second-born cub of the reigning monarch.^[4]

References

↑ Pedersen, Erik (September 4, 2018). ‘The Lion Guard’ Raids Broadway For Guest Voices On Disney Junior Toon. Deadline. Retrieved on September 10, 2019.
↑ Online Swahili - English Dictionary. African Languages. Retrieved on January 13, 2018.
↑
↑ Revealed in Disney's The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar (2015). Written by Ford Riley, and directed by Howy Parkins. Distributed by Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc.

Season 2 of The Lion Guard
"Babysitter Bunga": Absent	"The Savannah Summit": Absent	"The Traveling Baboon Show": Absent	"Ono and the Egg": Absent	"The Lion Guard: The Rise of Scar": Absent	"Let Sleeping Crocs Lie": Absent	"Swept Away": Absent	"Rafiki's New Neighbors": Absent
"Rescue in the Outlands": Absent	"The Ukumbusho Tradition": Mentioned	"The Bite of Kenge": Absent	"Timon and Pumbaa's Christmas": Absent	"The Morning Report": Absent	"The Golden Zebra": Absent	"The Little Guy": Absent	"Divide and Conquer": Absent
"The Scorpion's Sting": Absent	"The Wisdom of Kongwe": Absent	"The Kilio Valley Fire": Absent	"Undercover Kinyonga": Absent	"Cave of Secrets": Mentioned	"The Zebra Mastermind": Absent	"The Hyena Resistance": Absent	"The Underground Adventure": Absent
"Beshte and the Beast": Absent	"Pride Landers Unite!": Absent	"The Queen's Visit": Absent	"The Fall of Mizimu Grove": Absent	"Fire from the Sky": Absent

Season 3 of The Lion Guard
"Battle for the Pride Lands (Part One)": Absent	"Battle for the Pride Lands (Part Two)": Absent	"The Harmattan": Absent	"The Accidental Avalanche": Absent	"Ghost of the Mountain": Absent	"Marsh of Mystery": Absent	"Dragon Island": Absent	"Journey of Memories": Absent
"The Race to Tuliza": Absent	"Mama Binturong": Absent	"Friends to the End": Absent	"The Tree of Life": Absent	"The River of Patience": Mentioned	"Little Old Ginterbong": Absent	"Poa the Destroyer": Absent	"Long Live the Queen": Mentioned
"The Lake of Reflection": Appears	"Triumph of the Roar": Appears	"Journey to the Pride Lands": Absent	"Return to the Pride Lands": Appears

[1] Pedersen, Erik (September 4, 2018). ‘The Lion Guard’ Raids Broadway For Guest Voices On Disney Junior Toon. Deadline. Retrieved on September 10, 2019.

[2] Online Swahili - English Dictionary. African Languages. Retrieved on January 13, 2018.

[3] ↑

[4] Revealed in Disney's The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar (2015). Written by Ford Riley, and directed by Howy Parkins. Distributed by Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc.

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