The Lion Guard

The Lion Guard
Genre Adventure
Children's adventure
Developed by Ford Riley
Directed by Howy Parkins
Voices of
Opening theme "Call of the Guard" performed by The Lion Guard Chorus
Ending theme "Here Comes the Lion Guard" performed by Beau Black
Composer(s)
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 1
No. of episodes 13 (+ 1 pilot) (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s) Ford Riley
Production company(s)
Release
Original network
Original release November 22, 2015 (2015-11-22) – present (present)
External links
Official website

The Lion Guard is an American animated television series developed by Ford Riley[3] based on Disney's 1994 film The Lion King. The TV series was first broadcast with a television movie, titled The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar on Disney Channel on November 22, 2015[4] and began airing as a TV series on January 15, 2016 on Disney Junior and Disney Channel.[5] It is the second television series to be based on The Lion King, the first being Timon & Pumbaa (1995–1999). The Lion Guard is a sequel to the The Lion King and a midquel to its 1998 sequel, The Lion King II: Simba's Pride.

In March 2016, it was announced that the series has been renewed for a second season.[6]

Plot

The series centers around Kion, the son of Simba and Nala, the younger brother of Kiara and the prince of the Pride Lands, who, as second-born to the Lion King, becomes leader of the Lion Guard, a team who protect the Pride Lands and defend the Circle of Life.

Kion, along with his friends Bunga the honey badger, Beshte the hippopotamus, Fuli the cheetah and Ono the egret, fights off threats mostly by a hyena named Janja and his clan.

Characters

The Lion Guard

The Lion King alumni

The following characters from The Lion King franchise appear in this TV series:

Recurring

Antagonists

Episodes

Pilot (2015)
Title Directed by Written by Original air date U.S. viewers
(millions)
"The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar"Howy ParkinsFord RileyNovember 22, 2015 (2015-11-22)5.36[11]

Kion, the second-born cub of Simba and Nala, discovers that he has the ability to channel the roars of his ancestors, giving him great power, just like his great uncle Scar, who had the same power before him, but who tragically misused it. At the instructions of Simba and Rafiki, he forms a team called the Lion Guard to stop a group of hyenas, led by Janja. As Kion chooses his non-lion friends, Bunga the honey badger, Ono the egret, Beshte the hippopotamus and Fuli the cheetah to populate it, Simba scolds him. But when they save Kiara from a herd of stampeding gazelle and help defeat Janja and the hyenas, Simba realizes Kion has protected the Pride Lands and Kion is indeed ready to lead his new Lion Guard.

Songs: "Zuka Zama" sung by Bunga, "Tonight We Strike" sung by Hyenas and Mzingo, and "Kion's Lament" sung by Kion

Season 1 (2016)

The first season will consist of 24 episodes.[12]
No. Title Directed by Written by Original air date Prod.
code [13]		 U.S. viewers
(millions)
1"The Rise of Makuu"Howy ParkinsFord RileyJanuary 15, 2016 (2016-01-15)1031.28[14]

When Makuu wins a duel against Pua and becomes the leader of the crocodile float and invades hippo territory, chaos ensues for the Pride Lands. Kion is torn between fighting and surrendering and struggles to find a middle path to stand his ground to resolve the situation.

Song: "Don't Make a Stink!" sung by Ono, Timon, Pumbaa and Bunga
2"Never Judge a Hyena by Its Spots"Howy ParkinsKevin Hopps, John Loy, Ford RileyJanuary 15, 2016 (2016-01-15)1051.28[14]

When Kion winds up in the Outlands, he meets Jasiri, a friendly hyena who guides him to Flat Ridge Rock to regroup with the rest of his Lion Guard. As Kion and Jasiri travel to Flat Ridge Rock while trying to evade Janja's Clan, the rest of the Lion Guard struggle to find directions to Flat Ridge Rock.

Song: "Sisi Ni Sawa" sung by Kion and Jasiri
3"Bunga the Wise"Howy ParkinsJohn LoyJanuary 22, 2016 (2016-01-22)1041.48[15]

Due to a misunderstanding with Rafiki about the wisdom of honey badgers following Bunga averting a flood, the animals of the Pride Lands begin to think that Bunga is the wisest animal there is. But when his advice begins to cause more harm than good, Kion and the others must find some way to stop Bunga before it's too late.

Song: "Bunga the Wise" sung by Timon, Pumbaa and Bunga
4"Can't Wait to Be Queen"Howy ParkinsJack Monaco, John Loy, Ford RileyJanuary 29, 2016 (2016-01-29)1061.46[16]

Simba leaves Kiara in charge of the Pride Lands while he goes to say goodbye to an old elephant friend named Amanifu who has just passed away. Upon learning of this from Mzingo, Janja decides to take advantage of Kiara's inexperience and comes up with a plan to take over the Pride Lands.

Song: "Duties of the King" sung by Zazu and Simba
5"Eye of the Beholder"Howy ParkinsJack Monaco, John Loy, Ford RileyFebruary 5, 2016 (2016-02-05)1071.42[17]

While helping the Lion Guard driving away Janja's Clan following their attempted attack on a wildebeest herd, Ono temporarily loses his vision in his left eye. When Janja overhears the news from the vultures, he plans to take advantage of this. Meanwhile, Rafiki works on his paintings of the Lion Guard.

Song: "Outta the Way" sung by Janja, Cheezi and Chungu
6"The Kupatana Celebration"Howy ParkinsElise Allen, John Loy, Ford RileyFebruary 12, 2016 (2016-02-12)1081.77[18]

During a celebrated holiday in the Pride Lands, Kion and his friends rescue a jackal pup from Janja but soon discover that he is in a family of jackals and the matriarch, Reirei, manages to fool Kion into letting them stay.

Songs: "Jackal Style" sung by Reirei and "Kupatana Community" sung by Twiga
7"Fuli's New Family"Howy ParkinsElise Allen, John Loy, Ford RileyFebruary 19, 2016 (2016-02-19)1091.50[19]

The gang feel as though that Fuli has no family and invite her to join their individual activities, oblivious to the fact that she enjoys flying solo. Meanwhile, Bunga lets immunity go to his head after being told that he is immune to Ushari's venom.

Song: "My Own Way" sung by Fuli
8"The Search for Utamu"Howy ParkinsElise Allen, John Loy, Ford RileyFebruary 26, 2016 (2016-02-26)1101.26[20]

Bunga, Kion, Ono, and Beshte search for Utamu grubs. On the way, Bunga tells the story of how he met Timon and Pumbaa. Meanwhile, Fuli goes on a mission alone and overexerts herself leaving her vulnerable to an attack by Mzingo's flock.

Songs: "Utamu" sung by Bunga, Timon, and Pumbaa, "All Hail the Vultures" sung by Mzingo and the vultures
9"Follow That Hippo!"Howy ParkinsJohn LoyMarch 18, 2016 (2016-03-18)1111.19[21]

A young elephant named Mtoto idolizes Beshte and soon sees him in action when both of them are attacked by the hyenas.

Song: "Hero Inside" sung by Beshte
10"The Call of the Drongo"Howy ParkinsStory by: Elise Allen
Teleplay by: Kevin Hopps		March 25, 2016 (2016-03-25)1121.97[22]

Tamaa the drongo bird uses his talent to imitate the voice of any animal to gain food from others, but soon finds himself forced by the hyenas to help them in their shenanigans.

Song: "Bird of a Thousand Voices" sung by Tamaa
11"Paintings and Predictions"Howy ParkinsStory by: Elise Allen
Teleplay by: Kevin Hopps		April 1, 2016 (2016-04-01)1131.42[23]

Bunga thinks that Rafiki's paintings can predict the future and believes that Kion will fall from a high tree. Soon, he and the rest of the guard desperately try to keep Kion from climbing trees. Meanwhile, Janja, Cheezi, and Chungu plan an attack on the zebra herd.

Song: "Panic and Run" sung by Janja, Cheezi and Chungu
12"The Mbali Fields Migration"Howy ParkinsElise Allen, John Loy, Ford RileyApril 22, 2016 (2016-04-22)1141.38[24]

Under the suggestion of Simba, the Lion Guard leads a herd of zebras led by Muhimu and a herd of gazelles led by Swala to a new grazing ground located at the edge of the Pride Lands in Mbali Fields. One of their obstacles to get to Mbali Fields is the Outlands as the Lion Guard works to keep both herds safe from Janja's group.

Song: "Trail to Hope" sung by The Lion Guard chorus
13"Bunga and the King"[25]Howy ParkinsJack MonacoApril 29, 2016 (2016-04-29)115TBD

When Simba and Bunga get trapped in a sinkhole, it's up to the Lion Guard to save them. Meanwhile, Simba and Bunga realize that being raised by Timon and Pumbaa is something that they have in common.

Song: "Hakuna Matata" sung by Bunga, Simba, Timon, Pumbaa, Kion, Kiara, Nala, Ono, Beshte, and Fuli

Development

The series was announced by Disney on June 9, 2014 on the run up to the first film's 20th anniversary that month. Disney Junior general manager Nancy Kanter stated: "It's kind of like The Lion King meets The Avengers."[26] The series' announcement came after a meeting between Kanter and Disney chief executive Robert Iger. Iger suggested to Kanter that Disney Junior should consider producing content to celebrate the 20th anniversary of The Lion King in 2014. Disney had shown early footage to young test audiences, who were able to make suggestions, such as adjusting the look of the hyenas. Disney Consumer Products is launching a line of toys to tie into the television series, as well at book titles based on the series such as; Return of the Roar, Can't Wait to be Queen, Bunga the Wise, Meet the New Guard, Fuli Finds Her Place, Join the Lion Guard!, and Kion's Animal Alphabet.[27] A sneak peek of The Lion Guard was shown at the 2015 D23 Expo.[28] On August 12, 2015, a sneak peek was shown, with new information that the television movie was scheduled to air in November 2015, and was to be titled The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar.[29] On October 9, 2015, it was confirmed that Return of the Roar would premiere on November 22, 2015 on Disney Channel.[4]

In terms of giving The Lion Guard the same look as the original film, director Howy Parkins stated: "[W]e were very mindful to hold the essence of The Lion King, through the look of the background environments to the actual characters. We did extensive research and were also able to obtain some original model sheets. We want people to tune into the movie premiere and feel comfortable, like they are back in the world of The Lion King... The challenge with The Lion Guard was capturing the stunning beauty and look of The Lion King, so when one of my friends, Barry Atkinson, who worked on The Lion King as a background painter, became available we brought him in. He shared a lot of insight when it came time to look at examples that the new backgrounds artists had done. Then another friend of mine, Mike Surrey, came in to talk to the animators and the storyboard artists. He was the animation supervising director on Timon on The Lion King. So we’ve pulled in some favors."[30]

Speaking on the show's educational aspect and tone, Parkins said: "We have multiple characters and stories to tell, so we’ve used the Circle of Life as sort of a nice story arc to the entire series as well as the feature. For the research we’ve done, we’ve been able to take facts about the animals in the Serengeti and some of the habitat information and either work them into the stories or create entire stories based on an actual fact. Without being overly educational, we are very educational. It’s been a fun thing to run with through the entire storytelling process... [W]e have to be mindful of the two to seven audience. We have the music, the chase sequences, a lot of comic relief, as well as our villains, so there will be some dark moments. But we tend to pull back a little more than they did on the original movie or on a movie, for example, like Finding Nemo."[30]

Spin-off

A short-form series called It’s UnBungalievable starring Bunga and Ono premiered on Disney Junior and Disneynature on January 9, 2016. In the series, Bunga and Ono pick two animals to compete in contests such as "Who's Quicker?", "Who Has Better Hair?", and "Who's Hungrier?". The series features live-action animal footage provided by Disneynature.[31]

Broadcast

In Canada, Return of the Roar premiered on November 22, 2015 on Disney Channel and the series premiered on January 17, 2016 on Disney Junior.[32][33] In the United Kingdom and Ireland, Return of the Roar premiered on Disney Junior on February 8, 2016 with the series debuting on April 13.[34][35] In Australia and New Zealand, the pilot debuted on February 6, 2016 and the series began airing on February 28 on Disney Junior.[36] In Southeast Asia, Return of the Roar premiered on March 20, 2016 on Disney Channel (April 11, 2016 on Disney Junior) and the series premiered on April 17, 2016 on Disney Junior block in Disney Channel.[37][38]

Home media

The television movie of the series The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar was released on DVD on February 23, 2016.[39]

Soundtrack

The Lion Guard (Music from the TV Series)
Soundtrack album by Various artists
Released January 8, 2016
Genre Children, pop, world, soundtrack
Length 34:43
Label Walt Disney
The Lion Guard (Music from the TV Series)[40]
No. TitlePerformer(s) Length
1. "Call of the Guard (The Lion Guard Theme)"  The Lion Guard Chorus 1:03
2. "A Beautiful Day (Ni Siku Nzuri)"  Beau Black 2:16
3. "Zuka Zama"  Bunga 1:57
4. "Tonight We Strike"  Janja, Mzingo & Hyenas 1:56
5. "Kion's Lament"  Kion 3:24
6. "Here Comes the Lion Guard"  Beau Black 2:28
7. "We're the Same (Sisi Ni Sawa)"  Kion & Jasiri 2:33
8. "Outta the Way"  Janja, Cheezi & Chungu 2:00
9. "Duties of the King"  Simba & Zazu 2:01
10. "Bunga the Wise"  Timon, Pumbaa & Bunga 1:41
11. "My Own Way"  Fuli 2:18
12. "Jackal Style"  Reirei 2:10
13. "Panic and Run"  Hyenas 1:34
14. "It Is Time"  Beau Black 3:01
15. "Call of the Guard (Full Version)"  The Lion Guard Chorus 4:21
Total length:
 34:43

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "Lion King spinoff voice cast includes Rob Lowe, Gabrielle Union, James Earl Jones, and more - EW.com". Entertainment Weekly's EW.com.
  2. ↑ "Mercury Filmworks".
  3. ↑ "Disney's The Lion King to Continue with The Lion Guard". ComingSoon.net.
  4. 1 2 Beck, Jerry (October 9, 2015). "Disney's "The Lion Guard: Return Of The Roar" Set For Nov. 22 Debut". Animation Scoop (Indiewire). Retrieved October 9, 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Wagmeister, Elizabeth (December 9, 2015). "Disney’s ‘Lion King’ Revival Series ‘The Lion Guard’ to Premiere in January". Variety. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
  6. ↑ Steinberg, Brian (March 4, 2016). "Disney Junior Renews ‘Lion Guard,’ Orders ‘Vampirina,’ ‘Puppy Dog Tails’". Variety. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
  7. 1 2 3 "Lion King spin-off The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar sneak peek - EW.com". Entertainment Weekly's EW.com.
  8. 1 2 3 4 McCarthy, Tyler (August 12, 2015). "'Lion King' Sequel Series 'The Lion Guard' To Debut On Disney With Several Original Characters Recast". International Business Times. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Beck, Jerry (August 12, 2015). "FIRST LOOK: Disney Channel's "The Lion Guard"". Animation Scoop. Indiewire. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
  10. ↑ "San Diego Zoo". archived copy of Animal group names. Zoological Society of San Diego. Archived from the original on July 4, 2013. Retrieved 2014-04-22.
  11. ↑ Kissell, Rick (December 9, 2015). "‘The Lion Guard’ Off to Roaring Ratings Start for Disney Channel". Variety. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
  12. ↑ Owen, Rob. "Next generation 'Lion King'". Republican-American. Accessed 9 December 2015.
  13. ↑ "The Lion Guard episodes". Disney-ABC Press. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
  14. 1 2 Welch, Alex (January 19, 2016). "Friday cable ratings: ‘Gold Rush’ stays high". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  15. ↑ Welch, Alex (January 25, 2016). "Friday cable ratings: NBA on ESPN scores well, ‘Gold Rush’ continues to dominate". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 26, 2016.
  16. ↑ Welch, Alex (February 1, 2016). "Friday cable ratings: ‘Bring It!’ keeps its pace, ‘Gold Rush’ stays on top". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  17. ↑ Welch, Alex (February 8, 2016). "Friday cable ratings: ‘Gold Rush’ continues to dominate, ‘Deadliest Job Interview’ rises". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
  18. ↑ Welch, Alex (February 16, 2016). "Friday cable ratings: NBA Celebrity All-Star game scores well". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  19. ↑ Welch, Alex (February 22, 2016). "Friday cable ratings: ‘Gold Rush’ rises, ‘Bellator MMA’ scores well". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
  20. ↑ Welch, Alex (February 29, 2016). "Friday cable ratings: ‘Gold Rush’ stays on top". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 1, 2016.
  21. ↑ Welch, Alex (March 21, 2016). "Friday cable ratings: NCAA basketball dominates the night". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 26, 2016.
  22. ↑ Welch, Alex (March 28, 2016). "Friday cable ratings: NCAA basketball scores high". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
  23. ↑ Welch, Alex (April 4, 2016). "Friday cable ratings: NBA basketball wins the night". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
  24. ↑ Welch, Alex (April 22, 2016). "Friday cable ratings: NBA Playoffs score well". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  25. ↑ "The Lion Guard: Episode Guide". Zap2It. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  26. ↑ "The Lion King Getting Sequel TV Series, The Lion Guard, On Disney Junior". E! Online.
  27. ↑ "Catalog Overview". abovethetreeline.com.
  28. ↑ "Disney Channel, Disney XD & Disney Junior Stars Set for 2015 D23 EXPO". Broadway World. June 11, 2015. Retrieved June 11, 2015.
  29. ↑ Steinberg, Brian (August 12, 2015). "Disney to Revive 'Lion King' With 'Lion Guard' TV Series". Variety. Variety Media. Retrieved August 12, 2015.
  30. 1 2 Dickson, Jeremy (November 12, 2015). "The Lion Guard director dishes on how Disney re-animated a classic". kidscreen.com. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  31. ↑ Dickson, Jeremy (January 8, 2015). "Disney’s The Lion Guard gets short-form spinoff". kidscreen.com. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  32. ↑ "Disney's The Lion Guard: Return Of The Roar Primetime Television Movie Event Premieres Sunday, November 22 on Disney Channel" (Press release). Toronto: Corus Entertainment. October 9, 2015. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
  33. ↑ "Disney Junior’s The Lion Guard, an Animated Series Featuring the Adventures of Kion — Simba and Nala’s Second-Born Cub Debuts Sunday, January 17 at 11:30 a.m. ET/PT" (Press release). Toronto: Corus Entertainment. December 10, 2015. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  34. ↑ "The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar". TV Guide UK. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  35. ↑ "The Lion Guard debuts 13th April 2016 on Disney Junior". Primary Times. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  36. ↑ "The Lion Guard: the circle of life continues". Foxtel Insider. Foxtel. February 4, 2016. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  37. ↑ "The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar". Disney Southeast Asia. Retrieved April 7, 2016.
  38. ↑ "The Lion Guard: Series Premiere". Disney Southeast Asia. Retrieved April 7, 2016.
  39. ↑ "'The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar' on DVD with Exclusive Gift on February 23 - Stitch Kingdom". Stitch Kingdom.
  40. ↑ "The Lion Guard (Music from the TV Series) by Various Artists". iTunes Store. Retrieved January 7, 2016.

External links

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