Top 10 Best The Lion King Characters

"Everything you see exists together in a delicate balance. As king, you need to understand that balance and respect all the creatures, from the crawling ant to the leaping antelope."

What Mufasa said makes sense: Everything on this earth has a purpose. We may not understand what that is, but we must show respect to every living thing, even if it's something we don't like, such as mosquitoes or rats. Even Mufasa respected the hyenas. He didn't allow them to live in the Pride Lands, but he never abused them for fun. Clearly, Mufasa practiced what he taught. Such a wise and good king.

I have been a HUGE Lion King fan since 2002 when I first saw it. A few days ago, I saw the movie for the first time in 10 years. God, it felt different. From this point of view, I can really understand Scar: all he ever wanted was to be loved and appreciated because he was neglected as a kid. He was treated by both his father, Ahadi, and his older brother, Mufasa, like crap. Just watch the scene with the mouse, and you'll understand it.

Scar is smart, calm, and collected, while Mufasa is strict and bad-tempered and wants everybody to obey him. The first movie sends this message: if you didn't have luck once, you never will. In real life, it's NOT like that. That's why I prefer the second movie, where lovely Kiara chooses forgiveness instead of revenge. If you're reading this, Scar: we love you!

Simba is a good character. With his past dealings, especially the death of his father Mufasa, and realizing that his uncle is a crazed lunatic who killed his father to become king, he still maintains some positivity because of Timon and Pumbaa. If it weren't for these guys, Simba would have given up and might never have returned to claim his place as king.

If it wasn't for Rafiki and his father Mufasa as a spirit in the skies, he also wouldn't have gone back either. But who helped him grow up and become the person he is today? Timon and Pumbaa. Because of their humor, positivity, and support for Simba, I love them so much. And, of course, this is why I love Simba and The Lion King movie itself.

Not only are they the comic relief, but they are big parts of the movie. They helped Simba grow up into the king he became at the end of the movie. Without them, Simba would have died most likely without people to take care of him. Not only that, but also the fact that Rafiki and Mufasa (in spirit form) got to reach Simba and tell him to go back to be king since he was of the proper age.

They also distracted the hyenas willingly (even though Timon didn't want to do it at first) by doing the hula. Now that takes guts! This is why I love them so much, besides their silliness, care for Simba, and positivity.

I love Nala! She is my favorite character and the best female character. She fights for what she wants and was the best choice for a wife and queen.

Nala needs to be number one! She helps Simba and is loyal to him. She wants to convince him to do the right thing. She is just so pretty and kind and fights for what she wants. Also, how is Scar first? He is the villain that killed Mufasa and almost Simba, just so he could be king, which is so sad and dumb!

Nala is the best character in The Lion King. She deserves to be number one because she is cool, smart, brave, and awesome! She is Simba's best friend and girlfriend later on, and she becomes queen. Also, in the Broadway production, she has an amazing song called Shadowland as well as Can You Feel the Love Tonight.

Rafiki is so underrated as a character. He/she (Rafiki is female in the musical) is funny, wise, and a great character! Rafiki is my favorite character in The Lion King, even though I LOVE Timon and Pumbaa. Rafiki was made a she for the musical because Julie Taymor, the director, wanted a strong female lead. A.K.A. Nala really shouldn't be above Rafiki. Rafiki is the best part of the show. 'Nuff said.

A very wise character indeed. He gets important messages from Mufasa and helps Simba return to be the rightful ruler of Pride Rock. He can be humorous and silly (in a funny way, though), but he also teaches lessons during these moments, keeping the mood light-hearted but serious at the same time. This balance is hard to achieve, which is why I appreciate him.

He's totally the best character and totally adorable! He is funny and kind-hearted, plus a great father for little Simba (and a great singer). I don't think he should be number one because that spot belongs to Simba, but at least number two! Vote if you agree! Also, it kind of upsets me to see him and Timon so far away from each other in this top ten. They are inseparable.

Pumbaa is seriously one of the best characters. My cousin got Pumbaa for a play, and I got Rafiki. So, in my opinion, those are the two best characters.

I wouldn't say he had the best character arc. That goes to Simba. But he's one of the most relatable TLK characters, especially if you've ever felt like an outcast or a disappointment, not really belonging anywhere. And Kovu manages to stay kind and calm during those times, even though he's not very strong (neither physically nor emotionally). He's flawed and fragile. If you've ever felt the same, Kovu will definitely give you hope and make you feel less alone with, of course, the standard "be yourself" message, just done in a more serious manner.

I am Shenzi in The Lion King play, and not only is she the lead, but I think she is also the smartest of the hyenas. She has a pack of over 200 hyenas and can still deal with them after coming back to the Outlands after being beaten up and then having to listen to Ed laugh forever. Overall, I think she just deserves the most likes after being the only girl in the Outlands! She's got my vote for sure.

The hyena trio better not die in the live-action remake! If any of them do, that will probably be the most disliked moment in the movie. I want the hyenas to be let back in again by Simba after Scar is defeated. I don't want them to die (the trio, that is). That would be awful. Otherwise, I think the remake will be good. Or maybe great. Who knows? We have to see the movie to find out! God bless you all!

Ed isn't actually all that dumb. He is the first to notice Simba and Nala escaping in the elephant graveyard, nods in agreement with Shenzi's statement about the lions, and understands when Scar betrays the hyenas. If Ed were a complete nut, none of those things would have happened.

I love Ed. He's really funny and sweet. And not only that, he loves animals. And I love hyenas! Love ya, Ed!

Ed's a very cute hyena. Even though he's a bit dim, he still deserves some love!

The reason is that he can sometimes be kind of bossy, but he is very funny. He is also an important character. You have to give him credit!

Zazu is well-played and realistic as an advisor while also putting up with so much torment and abuse that you have to feel bad for him.

Zazu is such a savage. He's so sassy and makes the whole movie more entertaining. He also has a British accent, which is a plus.

I'm his biggest fan ever. He should be higher on the list. In fact, I was actually Banzai in a Lion King play, so he should be in the top ten!

People think he's the meanest, but he was just the most starving, so he needed food the most. I really love Banzai. He's awesome and adorable.

I was in a Lion King play, and I was Banzai. I loved him ever since. He's hilarious.

I like Sarabi. She's friendly, cool, calm, outspoken, and not afraid to stand up for herself. She was the only lioness that stood up to Scar. Her voice is low and sounds a little bit like Adele. She is very brave. I think she's a wonderful character.

I love her so much. She is kind, loving, devoted, fierce, and such a good mother. The school play at my school this year is The Lion King, and of course, I'm Sarabi.

She's cool, sassy, funny, and sarcastic at times, but she can be spunky and tomboyish too. What's not to like about this adorable tomboy lioness?

I love her character! She was sassy and adorable at the same time. I wish we got to see more of her during the movies.

I choose Vitani as number three because even though she changed over to the Pridelanders, she would have made a very evil mastermind.

The only reason she isn't higher is because she's from the sequel, not the main movie. Which is a shame because she's a better villain than Scar.

I choose her second because she is so cool. She wants revenge and practically sends war against the Pridelanders but gets knocked off by Kiara. So that's why I choose Zira as second.

She wants to reunite with Scar. How kind! She remembers him even though Scar is dead. How kind! I will rate her number four.

Everyone thinks Kopa dies. He doesn't. Those are just fake stories. Disney hasn't revealed a real story about Kopa.

It's a shame he isn't canon. I would have loved to know more about this cub.

He has a very interesting story. It would be great if they made something like a movie based on Kopa's story.

A friendly hyena with a gorgeous design, voice, and an amazing song. What more could you want?

She has the best humor in the world. She's adorable with Kion, and I love her!

What a cutie! Come on now, she needs more love!

I love her. She's my third favorite after Kiara and Nala. Okay, hear me out. She's arrogant, snarky, immature, reckless, laid-back, carefree, and irritating, but she's also kind, caring, cheerful, intelligent, brave, curious, and enthusiastic. She's not as snobby as Zuri can be sometimes and is more loyal to Kiara because of their friendship rather than just because Kiara is the future queen.

She has her moments of bravery, such as running back into the dark tunnel when she was scared just to save Kion, Bunga, Thurston, Muhanga, Zuri, and Kiara. She

Personally, I think his death is much sadder than Mufasa's. He just wanted his mother to love him, and he didn't even get that until his last few seconds of life. He is jealous of Kovu for very relatable reasons. I also feel bad for him because he doesn't have a canon mate. Everyone in his family does. Mufasa died knowing he was respected by his family. Nuka died knowing he would never be as superior as Kovu in his mother's eyes. And he was actually really close to killing Simba! But no, he had to bite the dust.

He was such an interesting character. But I don't like comments on this like "eww, he's infected," because no, he is only in that physical state because he has so much more on his mind that he doesn't even pay attention to his body.

Kion is the best. He is the leader of the Lion Guard (protectors of the Pridelands), king of the Tree of Life, son of Simba, and much more.

He is always protective of the Pridelands, and I also like his powerful roar.

Sarafina is a lioness hunter and mother who looks after her child, Nala. She is graceful and proud.

She needs more love and respect. After all, without her, Nala would have never been born!

I love Sarafina. She is my favorite lioness from the Pridelands. She is not in the movie much, but I still love Sarafina. She is a good mother to Nala.

Chumvi is Nala's best friend in the book Nala's Dare. Chumvi looks like Kovu and Simba.