Jasiri

"We're more similar than you think, Kion. Sisi ni sawa."

- Jasiri, Never Judge a Hyena by Its Spots Jasiri is a young female hyena that resides in the Outlands. She is the leader of both her clan and the Hyena Resistance.

Appearance
Jasiri is a fairly small and slim spotted hyena, though she displays strength when fighting Janja's clan. She has gray fur that bears a slight purplish tint. Her lower legs and paws are a very dark shade of purple, and her underbelly is a dull pinkish orange. Her tail is short and bicolored; most of it is deep purple like her paws, but the fur on the very bottom is much paler, the same color as her underbelly. Her eyebrows and ears both match the color of her mane and paws, and her inner ears are dull pink. On each side, she has three round spots, slightly darker than her main coat color, lined up vertically from her shoulder to the joint of her foreleg. Two smaller spots fleck her face on either side, and she has darker stripes along her neck as well as a streak along her spine. Her muzzle is the same color as her spots. She has large, deep blue eyes, encircled by darker fur, and a dark purple mane that is striped with brighter purple. Her mane is long and thick, with a lock in the front leaning toward her nose.

Personality
Jasiri is a friendly and communicative hyena whose personality is the opposite of Janja and his clan. Jasiri understands and respects the Circle of Life, whereas Janja's clan of hyenas only care about themselves. Jasiri even goes so far as to teach Kion himself a few points about the Circle of Life that he previously didn't understand. However, her ties to her species shine through in how often she laughs, and even Kion notes that the world is like a giant game to her. She is very determined, adventurous, courageous, fearless, brave, spunky, vivacious, effervescent, smart, and lively, and she has been described by her voice actor as zany and opinionated. She can be a bit provocative, teasing, and sassy, not to mention confident in her fighting skills, such as when she told Kovu "Any game your brother wants to play, I can play better! "  Her bravery is displayed when she takes on Janja's entire clan and the Outsiders. She can act territorial and a bit antisocial, though she appears to only act this way to those she does not trust.

Whilst Jasiri shows loyalty, her mind is not free of dissuasion. This is shown by how she was eventually led to believe Zira's lies about Kion's true intentions. But when Zira’s lies are revealed, she becomes frustrated with herself for doubting her friend.

When interacting with cubs, like Wema and Tunu, Jasiri is very caring, playful, and protective.

Despite her rivalry and dislike for him, Jasiri saves Janja from certain death, knowing she should help any hyena no matter what side they're on and that no one deserves the comeuppance Janja got. She is also shown to be welcoming and forgiving when she offers him to join her clan and their Hyena Resistance, and Janja hesitates. Despite his eventual refusal, Jasiri remains hopeful that he'll come around soon.

Never Judge a Hyena by Its Spots
When Kion gets separated from the rest of the Lion Guard, he finds himself lost in the Outlands where he meets Jasiri, a friendly female hyena who has been spying on him since he first entered her territory. Jasiri introduces herself and informs Kion that he is going to wrong way to Flat Ridge Rock, his desired location to meet up with the Guard. She tells him the correct direction. However, Kion ignores her, not willing to trust a hyena, and continues in the direction he was headed. Jasiri, amused, follows him. Along the way, Kion becomes tangled in a thorny bush after ignoring Jasiri's advice. Whilst Kion fears for the worst, Jasiri helps him out, amused at his accident. She then shows him the right way to Flat Ridge Rock, but soon notices that Kion is limping. Believing it to be partially her own fault, she decides to walk with him until his foot is healed. A short while later, they witness the Circle of Life in action when a chameleon snaps up a nearby fly. She becomes offended at Kion after he insinuates that she and all hyenas have no idea how the Circle of Life works. She then talks to Kion, explaining the hyenas' role in the Circle of Life when he reveals that he does not believe that any hyenas follow it. Jasiri sings We're the Same (Sisi Ni Sawa), with Kion eventually joining in, and he soon discovers how alike they truly are. Soon they arrive close enough to Flat Ridge Rock for the two to part ways. However, shortly after Kion leaves the Outlands, Jasiri is confronted by Janja, Cheezi, Chungu, and the rest of their clan. She begins to fight each of them one on one and manages on her own for a while. Janja gets tired of Jasiri playing around and quickly pounces on her, pinning her to the ground. Before Janja can do Jasiri any harm, Kion returns to save her, knocking Janja aside in the process. The fight continues until Kion and Jasiri are backed into a corner. Kion tells Jasiri to stay back, and she watches as he uses the Roar of the Elders to send Janja and his clan packing. The roar alerts the rest of the Lion Guard, who come rushing to Kion's aid. When Fuli sees Jasiri, she begins to growl, ready to strike the hyena. Kion explains that Jasiri is a friend, which causes confusion from Bunga, who whispers to Kion that she's a hyena. Jasiri is equally surprised that Kion regards her as his friend. Kion tells the Guard about Jasiri's ferocity in battle with Janja's clan and how not all hyenas are bad. The Guard soon accepts Jasiri, claiming that any friend of Kion's is a friend of theirs. Jasiri and Kion then part ways as trusting friends.

Lions of the Outlands
Jasiri ventures into the Pride Lands, where she finds Bunga and greets him. Kion arrives, and Jasiri informs him that she needs his help back in the Outlands. She explains that some lions have taken over her clan's watering hole and won't share it. They are surprised to hear that lions are causing trouble, but Jasiri assures them that she knows what a lion looks like. Kion decides to go to the Outlands to solve the problem, and Jasiri thanks him, then hopes that everything is a misunderstanding. On the way, Jasiri voices her initial doubts that Kion would help her, as this time the antagonists are lions, unlike their last encounter. Kion is still confident that the lions aren't being intentionally harmful, and Jasiri agrees that it took time for the pair of them to trust each other. They reach Jasiri's clan, where Jasiri introduces Kion to her sister Madoa. Jasiri notes that they all need the water, so Kion quickly leads her forward. He's telling her that lions are reasonable when Nuka pounces on her, angrily ordering her away. Kion comes to her rescue, and Jasiri stands by his side when Nuka, joined now by Kovu, threatens him. She informs the two lions that Kion's father is Simba, which causes them to take Jasiri and Kion to their mother, Zira. Jasiri crouches and glares at Zira as she approaches, but does not hesitate to tell the lioness that she brought Kion to the Outlands, and that Kion is her friend. Zira declares that she underestimated Jasiri, as she did not know Jasiri was friends with royalty, and Jasiri adds that Kion is the leader of the Lion Guard. She is confused when Zira suggests Kion use his Roar to give her water and looks beseechingly at her friend. She watches in awe as Kion roars at a cloud, producing a brief rainstorm. Jasiri asks if he knew of this power, and he denies. When asked, Zira states that she feels uncomfortable talking about the Roar in front of a hyena, to which Jasiri snaps that she just wants her watering hole back. In an undertone, she tells Kion that she doesn't trust Zira, but hopes that he will be able to convince her to share the water. Zira takes Kion for a talk, giving Nuka the opportunity to growl at Jasiri. Zira orders her son to play nice, and Jasiri bites at Nuka, startling him. She laughs and mockingly agrees to play nice. As they wait for Zira and Kion to return, Nuka becomes impatient and charges at Jasiri. Kovu intervenes and points out that Zira told them to be kind, but Jasiri laughs again and assures "Green Eyes" not to worry, confidently pronouncing that she can play any game that Nuka wants to play better than he can. Nuka makes to attack Jasiri, but Zira arrives, causing Nuka to hold Jasiri close and claim that they were just playing nice. Jasiri moves away, causing him to fall, and asks where Kion is. Zira says that they've reached an agreement; the watering hole belongs only to lions. Jasiri professes that Kion would never agree to such a thing, but Zira aggressively commands her to leave. Jasiri reluctantly complies. Dejectedly, Jasiri is heading back to her clan. She runs into the rest of the Lion Guard, to her surprise, and inquires what they're doing. They tell her that they're looking for Kion, and she notifies them that he's joined Zira. They recognize the name, and, when asked by Jasiri, assert that Kion would want no part of her doings. Jasiri is not shocked by this, realizing that she should never have believed Zira's words. She returns to Kion, who is surrounded by the Outsider lions, with the Guard. Laughing, she exclaims "Surprise!" as the group rushes to their friend's defense. She chases an Outsider lioness, grinning and snapping at her tail. Although Kion is hesitant to use the Roar due to the lies he had been fed from Zira, Bunga clears his head and Kion regains the courage to use the Roar of the Elders against them, forcing them far away. When Kovu, misses the blast, Jasiri glares towards him angrily until he leaves. With the Outsiders gone, Jasiri's clan is free to return to their watering hole. Back at the watering hole with her clan, Madoa reveals that she has changed her mind on how she views lions and is glad Jasiri has Kion for a friend. Jasiri adds that she's glad to have all the Lion Guard as friends, and Fuli agrees. Wema and Tunu approach Kion but soon flee after Kion assumes that they have gotten over their fear of lions, but Jasiri assures him to take it as a compliment to his ferocity.

Rescue in the Outlands
Janja's clan are looking for the jackals with hopes to ally them on Scar's side. Jasiri confronts him and, questions what he is doing in her territory. Janja protests. Jasiri mockingly asks if he remembered to mark his territory for the dry season, before marking the area with her paw. She offers them safe passage, but Janja would rather take it back by force. He attacks but misses. Jasiri jumps on top of him and kicks Cheezi, Chungu. Janja frees himself and pins Jasiri down. She quickly pushes him off and, knocks him back. Janja, angry at his defeat, asks her to "Cut it out". Jasiri replies by telling him to stop fighting and go back the way he came. Janja reluctantly agrees as he and his clan retreat.

Later in the day. Jasiri is playing hide and seek with Wema and Tunu. She finds the two cubs laughing behind a rock. She tells them that they're all going to look for Madoa. As they search for Madoa, Janja and his clan spot them. They quickly move into position. Janja yells to get Jasiri's attention as Cheezi and Chungu sneak up behind her. When the attack begins, she is separated from Wema and, Tunu. She successfully holds her own against six hyenas and rescues the cubs by pushing Cheezi and Chungu away before they can strike. Unfortunately, Janja manages to knock them into an open steam vent. Jasiri quickly tries to jump out but fails. Madoa realizes she can't fight all of them alone and goes to find the Lion Guard. Soon, the Lion Guard arrive, much to Jasiri's relief. She attempts to keep the cubs calm despite the rising lava and steam. After Janja's clan is defeated, Beshte pushes a large slab of rock into the steam vent. Jasiri and the cubs to jump on the large rock slab and ride it to safety. After Janja's clan retreat, Jasiri, and the two cubs join the Lion Guard, willing to fight against the hyena. Noticing that he is outnumbered, Janja leaves, promising Jasiri that it isn't over. With the clan gone, Jasiri thanks the Lion Guard for their help. However, she notices that Janja's attack was more aggressive and personal than before, certain that it was something deeper than territory issues. Kion is certain that it is down to the Dry Season since animals have been known to do crazy things during that time. Jasiri, Wema, and Tunu, part ways with the Lion Guard safe and, sound.

The Hyena Resistance
Jasiri peeks out of a cave and giggles softly, seeing Janja and the others slammed into a wall. When Kion has chased them out of the Pride Lands, Jasiri pounces on Kion. She says to him that she has noticed that the hyenas, jackals, crocs, and vultures all seem to work together, and asks Kion what is going on. Kion tells her about Scar, and Jasiri takes it properly, but knows she has to warn her clan. Kion then asks Jasiri if she and her clan want to stay in the Pride Lands. She thanks him for thinking about her, but softly declines, saying that home is home. They return to the Outlands, where Jasiri tells her clan about Scars return. Her clan is afraid, but she tells them about them forming a Hyena Resistance. Her clan was irresolution, but Jasiri reminded them of Kwetu ni Kwetu, Home is Home, and that they have to fight for their home. They all began to be confident and agree, to form a Hyena Resistance. When Janja walks through a canyon in the Outlands, Jasiri hears him and says that the Hyena Resistance will see about it. The resistance pushes a big rock down the canyon, causing a rock slide. Janja and his clan run away in fear, but come back. Janja then tries to climb up the rock slide, but falls and slides down. When Cheezi asks if this is how hyenas get things done, Janja answers that this is how hyenas don't get things done and goes back to the volcano. Jasiri hears it and says to herself, that it is actually how good hyenas get things done. Later when she hears Kiburi speaking of the new plan, she gets the Hyena Resistance ready, and they make a trap in the Pride Lands, where Kiburi and his float fall down. Jasiri and her resistance push a rock in the opening of Reirei's cave, blocking her from even getting out of her cave. When Kion and others have just chased out the hyenas and crocs, Jasiri and her resistance appear. Jasiri goes over to Kion and tells him, that the Hyena Resistance is a success, and tells Kion it is actually kinda fun messing up Scar's plans. Madoa comes to back to the Outlands after telling The Lion Guard about Scar's new plan. Jasiri is happy to see her, but Janja, Reirei, and Kiburi spoil it by sneaking into them. Jasiri asks them if this is one of Scar's schemes too. Janja is surprised that she knows about Scar. Kion and the guard then come, and they all start to fight. When Jasiri pushes Cheezi away, Janja confronts her and wants to show her how a real hyena fights. However, a crocodile accidentally hits Janja instead of Fuli and makes him fall into a steam vent. When Kion has roared the others away, Jasiri hears Janja asking for help. She doesn't hesitate and runs over to him, seeing that he is about to fall into the lava. She grabs Janja's mane and pulls him up, saving his life.

Shocked and confused, Janja asks Jasiri why she helped him. Jasiri replies she would have helped any hyena and says Sisi ni Sawa. Janja wonders if they're the same. Jasiri says that he and his clan don't have to be on Scars side, and he should join the Hyena Resistance. Janja hesitates, but ultimately rejects the offer and runs away, saying that they're not the same. Jasiri smiles, scenting Janja's empathy which makes her hopeful and confident he'll come around soon and whispers "we'll see".

Kion still offers Jasiri to stay in the Pride Lands, but he gets the same answer. Jasiri tells him that Scar can't hurt them if he can't find them, and runs away with her clan underground. Despite their concerns, Kion assures the rest of the Lion Guard that they've made the right and best of choices to protect their homeland.

Family

 * Madoa: Sister

Songs

 * We're the Same (Sisi Ni Sawa)
 * Kwetu Ni Kwetu

Trivia

 * A Jasiri plush toy was created by Just Play, and even shown on their website.
 * Sadly, it was never released, since Just Play cancelled their The Lion Guard range before it was mass produced.
 * Two hyenas at Disney's Animal Kingdom - Scooter and Zawati - possibly served as inspiration for Jasiri. These hyenas were introduced to the writers of The Lion Guard by Jill Mellen, who made the suggestion of a friendly hyena to the writers of the show.
 * Excluding Asante, Jasiri is the first hyena in The Lion King franchise to be on the side of good. This is due to the implied racism of the first film, as critics had assumed the hyenas as villains and the lions' prejudice against them promoted racism and discrimination.
 * She speaks with a slight, but noticeable Australian accent.
 * Jasiri was confirmed to be returning in Season 2 ahead of time along with Ushari, Makuu, and Reirei despite not being shown as much as them.
 * According to Ford Riley, Jasiri will return in Season 3.