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The Rise Of Makuu
The Rise of Makuu
TheRiseofMakuu1
Attribution information
Director

Howy Parkins

Writer

Ford Riley

Production information
Series

The Lion Guard

Season

1

Episode

2

Production number

103

Air date

   December 14, 2015 (preview)
   January 15, 2016 (official)

Episode guide
Previous

"Never Judge a Hyena by its Spots"

Next

"Bunga the Wise"

Standing your ground doesn't mean you have to fight. It means you're not afraid to stand up to someone who you know is wrong, and show them you're not going to back down.
Mufasa to Kion[src]

"The Rise of Makuu" is the second episode of Season 1 of The Lion Guard, and the second episode of the series overall. It premiered on January 15, 2016.

Official synopsis[]

"When a crocodile named Makuu takes over as leader of the crocodiles and his aggressive antics send the Pride Lands into chaos, Kion questions whether to intervene or respect animal traditions. Blair Underwood (ABC's "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.") guest stars as Makuu. Set in the African savanna, "The Lion Guard" follows the adventures of Kion, the second-born cub of Simba and Nala, and his diverse group of friends, each with a unique skill, as they unite to protect the Pride Lands. "The Rise of Makuu" premieres on WATCH Disney Junior on December 14."[1]

Plot summary[]

The Lion Guard races to the rescue of an animal crying for help. However, when the team arrives at the scene, they find a hyrax named Pim stuck in a thorn bush. Annoyed at the false alarm, the Guard proceeds to free Pim, but the hyrax is almost immediately swallowed by Ushari the cobra. In response, Bunga frees Pim and tosses Ushari away. Though Pim at first hugs Bunga gratefully, he soon runs away in terror of Bunga's smell.

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Ono resolves to mask Bunga's smell during the "Don't Make a Stink" musical sequence.

The friends travel to Big Springs, where Beshte shows off his home to his friends. Bunga attempts to get the fish to lick him clean, but they steer clear of his odor. No sooner has this happened when Pua, leader of the crocodiles, approaches the riverbank and asks Basi if it's all right for the crocodiles to eat the fish. Basi politely declines, explaining that there are still not enough fish to feed the float, and Pua respectfully leaves. A young crocodile named Makuu, however, challenges him to a mashindano, thinking the float has a right to the fish in Big Springs.

Kion is disturbed by this turn of events and asks his father about Makuu's challenge. Simba explains that he must recognize and respect the traditions of other species, even if he doesn't always agree with them. Meanwhile, Ono attempts to clean off Bunga at Hakuna Matata Falls ("Don't Make a Stink").

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Makuu defeats Pua in a mashindano.

Later, the animals of the Pride Lands gather at Lake Matope to witness the mashindano, and Makuu manages to pull a victory over the aged Pua. Simba comes forward, recognizing Makuu's leadership, and thanks Pua for his service. Makuu then leads his float into the river, with Kion looking after him worriedly, wondering if the Pride Lands are in danger.

After Pua's defeat, the Lion Guard gathers in the Lair of the Lion Guard, where Ono makes another attempt to mask Bunga's stink. In the midst of the gathering, Kiara rushes up and warns Kion that the giraffes have moved into the baboon's forest. The Lion Guard rushes to the rescue, and Kion discovers that Makuu has invaded Big Springs, which has forced the other animals to switch habitats.

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Kion confronts Makuu after his float invades Big Springs.

Kion confronts Makuu, asking him to leave Big Springs, but the crocodile refuses, mocking Kion for being unwilling to fight. Though Bunga encourages Kion to use the Roar of the Elders, the cub decides against it, not wanting to be like Scar and lash out in anger. Instead, Kion goes to Pua, asking for him to call for another mashindano, but Pua reminds Kion that Makuu is much stronger than him. He then advises Kion to back down if he's not willing to fight Makuu.

The five return to Pride Rock, where Kiara reveals that there's been an invasion of baboons. While the baboons run around in chaos, wrecking Pride Rock, Ono manages to use mint leaves to rid Bunga of his stink. Despite this small victory, Kion moves off to think and encounters the ghost of his grandfather Mufasa, who advises him to stand his ground.

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Kion demonstrates the power of the Roar of the Elders to Makuu.

Inspired by the words of his grandfather, Kion and his friends decide to demonstrate the Roar of the Elders on a grove of trees to show Makuu what he would be in for if he should attempt a fight. While Bunga, Fuli, and Ono set out to clear the grove of animals, Beshte and Kion confront Makuu. However, as they're clearing the grove, Bunga, Fuli, and Ono spot Pim sitting peacefully in one of the trees, and Bunga climbs up to bring him to safety. Ono gives the signal, and Kion roars into the trees, clearing them all of their branches. In awe, Makuu backs down and leads his float out of Big Springs.

After Makuu leaves, the animals return to their habitats, and Basi invites the crocodiles to return to Big Springs once the fish population spikes. The Lion Guard watches in satisfaction, and Bunga laments smelling so good, since Pim is now joyfully clinging to his back.

Voice cast[]

Starring[]

Guest starring[]

Appearances[]

Trivia[]

  • Despite being the second episode in the series, it was the first episode to be released for viewing.
  • The episode includes a slight innuendo. While bathing at Big Springs, Beshte gets a wolf-whistle from a female hippo.

Media[]

References[]

  1. TV News Desk (December 23, 2015). Disney Junior Announces January 2016 Programming Highlights. Broadway World. Wisdom Digital Media. Retrieved on August 2, 2020.
  2. The Lion Guard. Disney+. Disney. Retrieved on October 5, 2023.


Season 1 of The Lion Guard
Never Judge a Hyena by its Spots    The Rise of Makuu    Bunga the Wise    Can't Wait to be Queen    Eye of the Beholder    The Kupatana Celebration    Fuli's New Family    The Search for Utamu    Follow that Hippo!    The Call of the Drongo    Paintings and Predictions    The Mbali Fields Migration    Bunga and the King    The Imaginary Okapi    Too Many Termites    The Trouble with Galagos    Janja's New Crew    Baboons!    Beware the Zimwi    Lions of the Outlands    Never Roar Again    The Lost Gorillas    The Trail to Udugu    Ono's Idol    Beshte and the Hippo Lanes    Ono the Tickbird
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