The Lion Guard

The Lion Guard is an American animated television series that premiered with a one-hour television film in November 2015. The film will be followed by a television series on Disney Junior on January 15th, 2016. It will feature Kion, the son of Simba and Nala. The first season will consist of 24 episodes, and each will feature a song that 'balances authentic African sound with kid-friendly pop'.

Plot
The series centers around Kion, the son of Simba and Nala who is tasked with the daunting duty of being a Lion Guard, a group tasked with the perseverance of the Pride Lands. In doing so, he defies tradition by assembling a group of various animals, as opposed to a group of lions. These animals are Fuli the cheetah, Beshte the hippopotamus, Ono the egret and Bunga the honey badger.

During his adventures, Kion will also be receiving advice from the ghost of his grandfather, Mufasa.

Characters

 * Kion, voiced by Max Charles: Simba and Nala's son, Kiara's younger brother, leader of The Lion Guard, and the main protagonist.
 * Fuli, voiced by Diamond White: Kion's cheetah friend and a member of The Lion Guard.
 * Beshte, voiced by Dusan Brown: Kion's hippopotamus friend and a member of The Lion Guard.
 * Ono, voiced by Atticus Shaffer: Kion's egret friend and a member of The Lion Guard.
 * Bunga, voiced by Joshua Rush: Kion's honey badger friend and a member of The Lion Guard.
 * Simba, voiced by Rob Lowe: Nala's mate, Kion and Kiara's father and King of the Pride Lands.
 * Nala, voiced by Gabrielle Union:Simba's mate, Kion and Kiara's mother and Queen of the Pride Lands.
 * Kiara, voiced by Eden Riegel: Simba and Nala's daughter, Kion's older sister and Princess of the Pride Lands.
 * Timon, voiced by Kevin Schon: Simba's wisecracking meerkat friend.
 * Pumbaa, voiced by Ernie Sabella: Simba's and Timon's warmhearted warthog friend.
 * Rafiki, voiced by Khary Payton: A wise old baboon who serves as a shaman of the lions of Pride Rock.
 * Zazu, voiced by Jeff Bennett: A hornbill who serves as Simba's major-domo.
 * Mufasa, voiced by Gary Anthony Williams: Simba's father and Kion and Kiara's grandfather, who lives on in spirit.
 * Mzingo, voiced by Greg Ellis: A major-domo vulture.
 * Tiifu, voiced by Sarah Hyland: A young lioness cub.
 * Zuri, voiced by Madison Pettis A fashionista lioness cub.
 * Janja, voiced by Andrew Kishino: A cunning hyena.
 * Cheezi, voiced by Vargus Mason: A crazy hyena.
 * Chungu, voiced by Kevin Schon: A tough hyena.
 * Ushari, voiced by Christian Slater: A cobra.
 * Makuu, voiced by Blair Underwood: A crocodile leader.
 * Pua, voiced by Gerald Rivers: A former crocodile leader
 * Basi, voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson: A wise hippo and Beshte's dad.
 * Hyrax, voiced by Dee Bradley Baker: A little hyrax.
 * Rairai, voiced by Ana Gasteyer: A scheming jackal.
 * Jasiri, voiced by Maia Mitchell: A friendly hyena.
 * Kovu, voiced by Jason Marsden: An outlander lion cub.
 * Nuka, voiced by Andy Dick: An outlander lion.
 * Vitani, voiced by Lacey Chabert: An outlander lioness cub.
 * Hyrax, voiced by Dee Bradley Baker A little tree hyrax.
 * Mbaya, voiced by Howy Parkins: A wise old rhinoceros.
 * Porcupine Brothers, voiced by Phil LaMarr and Cam Clarke: A little Porcupines.
 * Dogo, voiced by Jacob Guenther: A little jackal pup and Rairai's son.
 * Ma Tembo, voiced by Lynette DuPree: An peacefull Elephant.
 * Mwoga, voiced by Can Clarke: A sneaky old vulture.
 * Twiga, voiced by Alex Cartañá: A giraffe.

Episodes
These episode titles are tentative.
 * Never Judge a Hyena by its Spot
 * The Rise of Makuu
 * Bunga the Wise
 * Can't Wait to be Queen
 * Eye of the Beholder
 * The Kupatana Celebration
 * Fuli's New Family
 * Fuli Speeds Ahead
 * Eye in the Sky

Production
The series was announced by Disney on 9 June 2014 on the run up to the first film's 20th anniversary that month and has been described as "The Lion King meets The Avengers".

Attention to detail and care to the storytelling is a key component to the series, as wildlife education experts at Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park will serve as consultants on stories for the show, and author and Swahili expert Sarah Mirza is the language and cultural advisor.

Development
The series' announcement came after a meeting between Disney Junior general manager Nancy Kanter and Disney chief executive Robert Iger. Iger suggested to Kanter that Disney Junior should consider producing content to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of The Lion King in 2014. Disney has 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 to launch a line of toys to tie into the television series.[2] Many new books inspired by the series will be released in late 2015 and early 2016. A full list can be accessed here.

A sneak peek of the show was given at Disney's D23 Expo from August 14–16, 2015.[9]

International releases
For a list of international dubs and releases, click here.