Zuri is a character who appears in the 2015 TV film The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar and its 2016 follow-up series The Lion Guard.
She is a lioness cub who is part of the Pridelander pride led by King Simba and Queen Nala. She, along with Tiifu, serves as a friend of Simba and Nala's daughter Kiara.
Background[]
Personality[]
Zuri is sassy, easily upset, dramatic, and sensitive. Despite being a predator, she doesn't like to hunt, preferring others to hunt for her. She has a considerably poor memory. Zuri has also displayed a complementary and appreciative side after being saved by Kion. However, she also was snobby and ungrateful when, in an alternate ending of the comic, "The Day of the Crocodiles", Kion saved her but got mud all over her fur.
Strangely enough, Zuri doesn't like the taste of gazelle, which she considers being "hyena food".
Physical Appearance[]
Zuri is a tawny-orange lioness with paler orange chest fur. She has a small tuft of fur on her head, light brown ear rims and softly-rimmed inner ears. On each ear is a pale marking in the shape of an oval. Her eyes are a distinct blue, and just underneath each of her eyes is a small pale brown marking. Her nose is maroon, and her claws are gray and shiny.
Role in the series[]
The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar[]
Zuri first appears when she gets her claws stuck in a log (as she was sharpening them, which she did to every tree she passed to keep them shiny), but is freed by Timon and Pumbaa, but ends up being knocked off the log by Bunga (which results in Zuri wounding her paw and breaking a claw) and uncovers a lair of bugs, to the delight of Timon and Pumbaa. Zuri is grossed out by the bugs but is comforted by Kiara and Tiifu. She along with Kiara, Tiifu, Kion, Timon and Pumbaa dance to Bunga's song "Zuka Zama". Afterward, Kiara sends Zuri back to Pride Rock to rest up.
The Lion Guard[]
"The Rise of Makuu"[]
Zuri along with Tiifu joins Kiara when she, her family, The Lion Guard and several other animals, watch the mashindano between crocodiles Makuu and Pua, which Makuu wins.
"Can't Wait to be Queen"[]
Zuri and Tiifu acted as Kiara's "advisers" during her temporary queenship forcing others to acknowledge Kiara as Queen. They later fail on the job when they let Kiara go to a meeting with Janja by herself. This causes Kion to go after his sister, but not before berating Zuri and Tiifu for not doing their jobs.
"Fuli's New Family"[]
Zuri along with Tiifu joins Kiara in being trained how to track by Nala. Unlike the others, Zuri is uninterested in hunting (which she considers overrated) and when Tiifu becomes jealous of Fuli hunting next to Kiara, Zuri replies that they should let Fuli hunt for them.
After the training is over, Zuri leaves with Nala, Kiara, and Tiifu.
Baboons![]
Zuri and Tiifu try to make Kiara look her best for the Royal Buffalo Wallow, which she is to open on Simba and Nala's behalf. However, the trio end up stranded on a island when a flood strikes the Pride Lands. With the help of the Lion Guard, the trio get off the island and go to the wallow.
The Rise of Scar[]
Zuri along with Tiifu, Kiara, Simba and Nala, meets Rafiki's new apprentice Makini, who will serve as Royal Mjuzi when Kiara becomes queen. When Kiara and Makini go to help Ma Tembo find water, Zuri and Tiifu attempt to follow them, saying that Kiara can't go looking for water without them. However, Nala (who wishes for Kiara and Makini to get to know each other) stops them and invites them to spend the day with her, to which they agree.
Relationships[]
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Zuri is the third lioness in The Lion King films to have blue eyes. The first being Nala (though her eyes are green/blue in the first, blue in the second film and green in the third film) and the second is Vitani.
- The parents of Zuri and Tiifu were not revealed. Though it is possible that their mothers are among the lionesses that appear in "The Ukumbusho Tradition".
- In the end of "Day of the Crocodiles," it is hinted that Zuri might have a crush on Kion.