Nala

Nala is the deuteragonist of The Lion King, a minor character in The Lion King II: Simba's Pride, a minor character in The Lion King 1½, and one of the supporting characters in The Lion Guard. She is the daughter of Sarafina and an unnamed lion, the best friend and later wife of Simba, the mother of Kiara and Kion, the mother-in-law of Kovu, the daughter-in-law of Mufasa and Sarabi, and the current Queen of the Pride Lands. Nala was voiced by Niketa Calame as a cub and Moira Kelly as an adult. Her singing voice was provided by Sally Dworsky.

History

Background

Nala was born at Pride Rock in The Pride Lands into the Pridelander pride to Sarafina and an unknown lion. At some point before or shortly after Nala's birth, her father died or left The Pride Lands, leaving Sarafina to raise Nala alone. In early drafts, she had a younger brother named Mheetu, who was scrapped.

At some point after Nala's birth, she was betrothed to Simba, the son of the Pride Lands' rulers King Mufasa and Queen Sarabi.

Films and Television

The Lion King

Nala is first seen as a cub briefly with her mother Sarafina sleeping inside Pride Rock when Simba goes to wake up Mufasa. She is then seen later that day getting a bath from her mother when Simba arrives and asks her to come with him to a cool place but when Sarabi asks where the cool place is, he says it is at the waterhole. Nala asks what is so good about the waterhole to which Simba says that he will show her when they get there. The two cubs are given permission by Sarabi to go, as long as the royal family's majordomo Zazu goes with them much to the cubs' dismay. As the trio get nearer to the waterhole, Nala asks Simba where they are really going and Simba replies that it is an Elephant Graveyard much to Nala’s excitement. Knowing Zazu won't take them there however, the two cubs create a way to get away from him by singing "I Just Can't Wait To Be King"

After the song, Simba and Nala are able to escape Zazu. After Simba calls himself a "genius" they begin arguing over who came up with the idea and deserves credit, with Nala countering every argument Simba makes. Eventually, Simba pounces on Nala to make her admit he deserves credit, but she easily flips him and slams him down, pinning him. She playfully chuckles and teases him "pinned ya", and he pushes her off him in embarrassment. Nala turns away with a satisfied smug look, feeling proud of herself for her victory, and Simba, seeing she's distracted, pounces on her again from behind to get revenge, but accidentally sends them both tumbling down a hill. Nala laughs the whole way down, while Simba struggles to stay on top of her, and right as they reach the bottom Nala once again flips and pins Simba in the same position they were in before, smirking down at Simba and bragging "pinned ya again" in a smug tone. They both realize they have stumbled into the Elephant Graveyard, where they are pursued by the hyenas (Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed). As they climb up a pile of bones to escape the hyenas, Nala loses her footing and starts to slide down towards Shenzi. Nala calls out to Simba, who rushes down and scratches Shenzi in the face, giving himself and Nala time to escape. The two of them are eventually cornered but are saved just in time by Mufasa (who had been told of what was happening by Zazu). Later that night Nala is seen being taken home by Zazu while Mufasa and Simba stay behind to talk. She is last seen as a cub mourning along with her mother, Sarabi, and the other lionesses after been told by Simba's uncle Scar that Mufasa and supposedly Simba died in a wildebeest stampede and watches in horror as Scar becomes king and allows the hyenas into the Pride Lands.

A few years later, a now young adult Nala travels far from the Pride Lands and tries to hunt a warthog named Pumbaa, who spots her and runs away. Nala chases after Pumbaa into the jungle and the latter gets stuck under a tree root and his meerkat friend Timon tries to protect him. Just as Nala closes in on them, a young male lion comes to their defense and attacks Nala. Nala pauses in brief shock at the sudden arrival of another lion, and is tackled and briefly pinned by the male lion before regaining focus and quickly breaking free from his grasp. The two engage in a fierce brief fight, with Nala clawing at the male lion’s mane and shoulders and both lions grappling and biting at each other, until Nala wins by flipping the lion when he attempts to tackle her again and violently slamming him down, pinning him. Nala holds down her defeated enemy while growling and glaring at him angrily, practically nose to nose with him as he looks up at her helplessly, but the lion’s anger was replaced with shock and wonder. The shocked lion then says Nala's name, much to her surprise, and she gets off him, allowing him to stand. When Nala questions the lion on who he is, he tells her that he is Simba. Nala is overjoyed to see that her friend is alive and learns that Timon and Pumbaa are Simba's friends. Nala then wonders what Sarabi and the rest of the pride would think about Simba being in the jungle all this time. Simba replies that nobody has to know to which Nala replies that everyone thinks he is dead as Scar had told the pride about the stampede. When Simba asks what else Scar told them, Nala insists that nothing else matters as Simba is alive and that means that he is the king. Simba replies that he is not the king and that maybe he was going be but that was a long time ago. Nala asks Timon and Pumbaa to give her and Simba time to themselves to which Simba agrees.

After Timon and Pumbaa leave, Simba notices Nala looking sad and asks what's wrong. Nala replies that it's like Simba is back from the dead and tells Simba that he doesn't know what this will mean to everyone what it does to her. When Simba reassures her, Nala says that she has really missed Simba before nuzzling him affectionately. Simba replies that he missed Nala too and nuzzles back.

The two young lions then travel through the jungle and begin to fall in love. While drinking by a lake together, Simba suddenly swings into the lake on a vine and pulls Nala in when she looks over. Nala quickly emerges gasping for air and swims out, soaking wet and having a terrified expression. Simba soon comes out next to her, dripping wet too, and she smirks at him, before jokingly shoving him back in as revenge and running off. Simba playfully chases after Nala into the jungle, where she lets him catch up to her and they begin to playfully wrestle like when they were cubs. While wrestling, Nala falls backwards with Simba on top of her and they roll down a hill together. They hold on to each other as they tumble down, rolling on top of each other in the process until they reach the bottom, resulting in Simba landing on top of Nala and finally pinning her. As Simba chuckles to himself over finally “beating” Nala, she surprises him by giving him an affectionate lick on the cheek as a reward for finally pinning her.

Simba is surprised by this and glances down at Nala, but just smiles up at him and gives him a seductive stare. Simba quickly returns the smile and the two lean forward and hug, embracing their love for each other as they nuzzle. Later, Nala urges Simba to return to Pride Rock, telling him about Scar letting the hyenas into the Pride Lands and there is no food or water. However, Simba refuses and storms off. The next morning, Nala comes across a sleeping Timon and Pumbaa and wakes them up and asks if they've seen Simba. Just then, Rafiki arrives and tells them that "the King has returned", causing Nala to realize that Simba decided to return to Pride Rock. When Timon and Pumbaa express confusion over what Rafiki meant, Nala gives them an explanation.

Nala along with Timon and Pumbaa follow Simba back to the Pride Lands and offer to help him. Whilst Timon and Pumbaa distract the hyenas, Simba tells Nala to find Sarabi and rally the lionesses whilst he looks for Scar.

Nala is later seen during Simba confronting his uncle, rallying Pride Rock's lionesses. She along with Sarabi are shocked when Simba claims that it was his fault that Mufasa died. Nala then calls out to Simba in horror as he is forced down Pride Rock by Scar. After Scar confesses that it was he, not Simba, that caused Mufasa's death, Nala, Sarabi, and the other lionesses charge forward to save Simba from being attacked by the hyenas. During the battle, Nala fights off the hyenas with the lionesses, Timon, Pumbaa, and Rafiki whilst Simba takes on Scar. After Scar's death and the hyenas have gone, Nala approaches Simba and they affectiontly rub heads. Afterwards, Nala, Sarabi, Zazu, Timon, Pumbaa, and Rafiki watch Simba ascend Pride Rock and roar in victory.

She finally appears during the final scene with Simba (now her husband), Timon and Pumbaa where her and Simba's newborn cub is shown to the other animals by Rafiki.

The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride

Nala is given a slightly minor role. Now a mature adult and is queen of Pride Rock. After their daughter Kiara goes off to play, Nala tells an overprotective Simba that she will be fine on her own but after Nala leaves, Simba sends Timon and Pumbaa to keep an eye on Kiara. Nala later appears with Timon, Pumbaa and two other lionesses where they along with Simba go off to find Kiara and find her with a cub named Kovu and his mother Zira who along with her pride The Outsiders where banished by Simba for being loyal to Scar. Nala and Zira briefly address each other before Simba orders Zira and Kovu to leave. After Zira and Kovu leave to return to the Outlands, Nala, her family and the others also leave return to Pride Rock. On their way back home, Simba stops with Kiara. Nala notices this and calls out to Simba, who clears his throat, signalling to Nala that he wishes to stay behind to talk with Kiara. Nala understands and heads back to Pride Rock with the others.

Nala is next seen years later when Kiara (now an adolescent) is starting her first hunt and tells her she will do just fine. After Simba spots a fire (which had been set by Zira's daughter Vitani and other son Nuka) near where Kiara is hunting, Nala goes with him and finds Kiara with another lion who is revealed to be Kovu, who had saved her from the fire (secretly under Zira's orders in order to infiltrate the Pridelanders and kill Simba to avenge Scar's death). Nala and Zazu convince Simba to let Kovu join the Pridelanders due to laws saying that all depts must be paid. The following night, Nala finds Simba watching Kiara and Kovu stargazing and tells him to give Kovu a chance.

The next day, she along with Kiara, is seen on Pride Rock standing next to Simba who was injured in an ambush set on him by Zira and the Outsiders. Nala then sees Kovu arrive and watches Kiara go over to greet him, only to be stopped by Simba, who believes that Kovu was part of the ambush. She then watches Kiara try and fail to convince Simba to listen to Kovu, before watching in shock as Simba exiles him from The Pride Lands. But unlike Kiara, she remains silent and doesn't actively protest against the punishment (perhaps believing that there was nothing she could do) and watches as Kiara leaves her side to stop the exile, only to be stopped by two other lionesses. Nala is not present with the other lionesses when Kiara confronts Simba for his decision before running into Pride Rock, presumably going to another part of Pride Rock to leave the two be, believing it was not her place to involved.

Nala later appears during the battle between the Pridelanders and the Outsiders, which she easily defeats Vitani, who taunts her over Kiara's disappearance (as she had left Pride Rock to look for Kovu), before Kiara and Kovu soon arrive and put the battle to an end and convince the Outsiders (sans Zira) to join the Pridelanders. Nala then watches in horror as Kiara tackles Zira (who had tried to attack Simba), sending them off a nearby cliff. Nala watches Simba climb down the cliff to reach Kiara, who is trying to help Zira. Nala then notices a nearby damn burst and warns Simba, who is still trying to get to Kiara. After Simba helps Kiara back up the cliff, Nala is the first one to meet her and the mother and daughter hug. Nala is later seen watching roaring happily with Simba, Kiara, Kovu (now Kiara's husband) and the other lionesses when Mufasa's ghost points out, "We are one".

The Lion King ½

Nala is seen briefly as a cub during "I Just Can't Wait To Be King" on top of the animal tower before it is knocked down by Timon.

Nala is next seen as a young adult reuniting with Simba as Timon and Pumbaa watch on. Not wanting to lose Simba, Timon and Pumbaa try to split him and Nala up during the "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" scene, only to accidentally make things even more romantic for the two of them. Later, Timon and Pumbaa see Simba storming off from Nala and believe that their plan worked, unaware that they had an argument.

Nala is later seen giving Timon and Pumbaa a futher explanation into where Simba went. She then tells them that Simba needs them now, before leaving.

The Lion Guard

Nala appears in the 2016 Disney Junior TV series The Lion Guard. It is set in the middle of The Lion King II: Simba's Pride and sees Nala and Simba having another cub together, a son named Kion.

Nala is first seen in the series's 2015 pilot film The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar with Simba and Rafiki at Pride Rock overhearing Kion's Roar of the Elders (which he had used to save his friend Bunga from two hyenas named Cheezi and Chungu). Hearing this, Rafiki declares that it is time for Kion to become leader of The Lion Guard (which is led by the second-born child of The Lion King). Simba is reluctant as he believes that Kion isn't ready for that responsibility as he is still a cub, but Nala agrees with Rafiki and encourages Simba to listen to him, before leaving the two be.

She is later seen with Simba and Kiara's friend Tiifu witnessing and watching in horror as Kiara gets caught in a gazelle stampede caused by Janja and his clan. Luckily, Kion and his Lion Guard (Bunga, Beshte, Fuli and Ono) are able to get the herd away from Kiara and get her to safety.

After Janja and his clan are driven away, Nala and Simba are shown to be proud of their son.

Nala makes recurring appearances throughout the series carrying out her royal duties and supporting her children.

In the Season 3 opener "Battle of the Pride Lands", Nala along with Simba and Kiara, becomes trapped on Pride Rock after it is set on fire by Outlanders that are in league with the spirit of Scar. Fortunately, Anga and Hadithi are able to help the trio escape. After the defeat of Scar and his army, Nala, Simba and Kiara go to the Lair of the Lion Guard and see that Kion had gained a scar from Scar's snake ally Ushari whilst Ono has damaged sight after saving Bunga from falling into the Outlands volcano. Nala along with the other Pride Land animals wish Kion and the Lion Guard along with Anga (who replaced Ono as Keenest of Sight) and Makini good luck on their journey to the Tree of Life where Kion and Ono can be healed.

Nala returns in the Season 3 finale "Return to the Pride Lands" (which takes place after The Lion King II: Simba's Pride) where she and Simba greet Kion after he and the Guard return from The Tree of Life. She later watches Kion's Lion Guard and Vitani's Lion Guard (who were formed in the usual Guard's absence) compete to decide who should be the Lion Guard for the Pride Lands. When it comes down to Kion and Vitani, Kion disbands his Lion Guard and makes Vitani his successor after seeing that she believes herself to be fierce among to lead the Lion Guard. Nala later goes to the Tree of Life with Simba, Kiara and Kovu and witnesses the wedding and coronation of Kion and Rani.

Background

Personality

As a cub, Nala is playful, spirited, and spunky. She and Simba are best friends. As cubs, the two were nearly inseparable. Unknown to them, they were betrothed at an early age, and both agreed that friends marrying each other were too weird once they discovered this fact. They got into many adventures, but when they were being chased by the hyenas, Shenzi was about to kill Nala when Simba saved her. Simba and Nala nearly died when the hyenas trapped them but were saved by Mufasa. Nala was heartbroken when Scar claimed that Simba died with Mufasa in the wildebeest stampede. As young adults, Nala was the lioness who brought Simba back to Pride Rock, to save them from Scar's tyranny. In the midst of all this, they finally realized their friendship had grown into a relationship, and eventually marriage as originally intended. As Queen of Pride Rock, Nala often acts as a voice of reason for Simba, trying to get him to see the light when his protective judgment gets the best of him.

In the sequel, Nala has become much more mild-mannered and motherly. She acts as the voice of reason to Simba, who is now being very protective of Kiara, and reminds him that their daughter Kiara would be fine. She also seems to be less judgmental than Simba. When Simba refused to trust Kovu simply because of his outsider status, Nala is able to see that Kovu is unwilling to follow his destiny as Scar's heir and thus is more trusting than Simba is.

Physical Appearance

Nala appears as a slender cream-colored lioness with teal eyes (though her eyes are a much bluer color in The Lion King II: Simba's Pride and green in The Lion King 1 1/2). As a cub, she had a pink nose, however, as an adult, her nose is brown. Both the inside of her ears and the small tuft of fur on her tail are tan.

Voice Actors:

1. Moira Kelly (movies) - English
2. Gabrielle Union (The Lion Guard) - English
3. Riko Hanamura - Japanese
4. María Fernanda Morales - Spanish
5. Sarit Vino-Elad - Hebrew

Adult Nala played Alice in Nala in Wonderland

She is a british girl

Adult Nala played Petunia Rhubarb in FunnyTales, FunnyTales in the Wild, and Threefold: The Heroes Who Don't Do Anything, alongside Kate.

She is a beautiful rhubarb and Larry's fiancé.

Adult Nala played Anita Radcliffe in Fourscore: Polar's Wild Adventure (Awesome Me 2)

She is a human and Roger Radcliffe's wife.

Adult Nala played Luna in Sailor Snow White (Disneystyle8)

She is a black cat

Adult Nala played Katara in Avatar: The Last Airbending Animal

She is a Water Bender

Adult Nala played Jenna in Simbalto

She is a Husky

Adult Nala played Miss Lilly in Wild West: The Cowcats Of Meow Mesa

She is a Heifer

Adult Nala played Princess Aurora in Sleeping Beauty (Coolzdane Style) and Ziraleficent

She is an Sleeping Princess

Adult Nala played Bambi's Mother in Bagheera (Bambi)

She is a Deer

Adult Nala played Adult Faline in Simba (Bambi)

She is a Deer

Adult Nala played Queen Leah in Sleeping Kiara

She is a Queen

Adult Nala played Adult Wendy in Bambi Pan Return to Neverland

She is Jane's mother

Adult Nala played Ariel in The Little Mer-Lioness, The Little Mer-Lioness II: Return to the Sea, The Little Mer-Lioness (TV Series) and The Little Mer-Lioness III: Nala's Beginning

She is a Mermaid

Adult Nala played Ariel (Mermaid) in The Little Mer-Lioness (DaveGrrrrrrruly)

She is a Mermaid

Adult Nala played Louise in The Meerkat Prince

She is Clara's Older Sister

Adult Nala played Rexy in Mammal Park, Mammal World and Mammal World: The Fallen Kingdom

She is an Tyrannosaurus Rex

Adult Nala played Princess Jasmine in Simbaladdin, Simbaladdin 2: The Return of Scar, and Simbaladdin 3: Simba and the King of Thieves

She is an Arabian Princess

Adult Nala played Evelyn Penswald in Simba and Kovu

She is Jason Jeremiah's love interest

Adult Nala played Swan Odette in The Lioness Princess

She is a swan

Adult Nala played Belle in Beauty and the Gorilla

She is a French maiden

Adult Nala played Chicha in The Meerkat's New Groove

She is Pacha's wife and Chaca and Tipo's mother

Adult Nala played Mrs. Tortellini in Danny and Bagheera

She is Corey's mother

Adult Nala played One of the Ladies Laughing at Aladdin in Kovuladdin

She is a woman

Adult Nala played Padme in Star Wars (CoolZDane Style)

She is a Princess

Adult Nala played Mai's Mother in Avatar The Last Airbender NuclearZeon Animal Style

She is a Mother

Adult Nala played Princess Yue in Avatar The Last Airbender Animal Style

She is a Moon Princess

Adult Nala played Fa Mulan In Nala (Mulan)

She is a Samurai

Adult Nala played Snow White in Noah, Nala and the Seven Animals and in Nala White and the Seven Animals

She is a Chinese Princess

Adult Nala played Rose in Sawyer in Wonderland

She is a talking flower

Adult Nala Played Jane Porter In Simbarzan

She is a Beatiful British Woman

Adult Nala played Kairel in El Arca (CoolZDane Style)

She is a Grumpy Lioness

Adult Nala played Ella of Frell in Nala Enchanted

She is a cursed young lady

Adult Nala played Cinderella in Nalarella

She is a Maid

Adult Nala played Dragon in Diego (Shrek)

She is a Female Dragon

Adult Nala played Hova in The Wild Animal Bully

She is a Female Ant

Adult Nala played Twilight Sparkle in My Little Animal: Friendship Is Magic (TomandJerryFan36 Version), and My Little Animal: Friendship is Magic (Twilight'sSpaceStar17 Style)

She is a Pony

Adult Nala played Elsa in Frozen (CoolZDane Animal Style) and Frozen (CoolZClassic Style)

She is a Snow Queen

Adult Nala played Bee in Canal Famille Planet

She is a Bee

Adult Nala played Muriel Goldman in Canal Famille Guy

She is Mort's Wife

Adult Nala played Bear Nita in Brother Lion 2 (My Version)

She is a female bear

Adult Nala played Trixie in Cartoon Story 3 (Austin A) Style

She is a Blue Triceratops Toy

Adult Nala played Herself in The Forest Book

She is Bagheera's Girlfriend

Adult Nala will play Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Demigod

In her teapot form.

Adult Nala played Wanda Werewolf in Hotel Transylvania (JimmyandFriends Style)

She is werewolf.

Adult Nala played Shira in Animal Age series (Otto Gameplays13 version)

She is a smilodon.

Adult Nala played Neera in Animal (2000)

She is an iguanodon.

Portrayals:

• In The Rescue Ranger King she is played by Gadget Hackwrench.
• In The Child King she is played by Zoe Drake.
• In The Spy King she is played by Kim Possible.
• In The Farm Cat King she is played by Becky Thatcher.
• In The Meta King she is played by Edelgard
• In The Kaiju King (BfischerStudios) she is played by Mothra
• In The Lion King spoof for 4000Movies she is played by Velma Dinkley.
• In The Pokemon Trainer King (1983Movies Style) she is Played by Raye/Sailor Mars (only 1994) and Misty (only in ash's Pride)
• In The Bear King she is played by Cindy Bear
• In The Dinosaur King (1994) she is played by Blue Eyes
• In The Goanimate King she is played by Gaston,Sunset Shimmer, War Machine, Lord Business,Diesel Gavin, Megatron, Baloo, Lois Griffin (Gun,Gloves, Goggles, and Vest),Macusoper Busters, Edith Gru,Mufasa, and Shere Khan

Gallery:

Main article: Nala/Gallery

Trivia

• Her appearances in the Stephen Squirrelsky and Friends' Movie Spoof Travels are Sleeping Beauty (Justin Quintanilla's Style), Aurorastasia, Despicable Me (Justin Quintanilla's Style), Jimmynocchio, and The Wizard of Oz (Uranimated18's Style) and will even be in more movie spoof travels.