Zito

Info

Relationships

Appearances

Quotes

Gallery

Zito
Meaning	Heavy / Tough / Thick
Gender	Male
Species	Elephant
Home	Ndefu Grove, Pride Lands
Former Home(s)	Kilio Valley
Alignment	Neutral/Good
Affiliations	Ma Tembo's Herd Pride Landers Kion's Army
Voice Actor	Nick Watt
Nicknames	Zits (@simbagaming)

“	You don't turn your back on family. Unless your back will save them from a falling tree.	”
–Zito, The Kilio Valley Fire

Zito is an adult, male elephant who resides in the Pride Lands and a member of Ma Tembo's Herd. He is shown to be a stubborn elephant, often complaining.

Appearance

Zito is a large, grey, bulky elephant with two large white tusks and a long trunk which is pale grey inside. His face contains wrinkles, and around his jet, black eyes are dark grey. Running along his back are several darker grey spots and he has a small tail with a dark grey tuft. He has four pale grey toes on his feet. His ears are pink, and his left ear contains two notches. Atop his head are three wisps of hair and some additional dark grey spots.

Personality

Zito is shown as being stubborn, impatient, ungrateful, and prone to complaining. He appears to take things very literally, as seen when Hadithi uses the quote, The higher you fly, the more they'll look up to you, where Zito points out that elephants can't fly.

In The Kilio Valley Fire, despite the Lion Guard 's best attempts to control the fires spreading in Kilio Valley, Zito remains unappreciative of their efforts, complaining over trivial matters and blaming the Lion Guard for eventually losing Kilio Valley, even though it was not their fault. However, he does seem to appreciate the value of family and has a softer side, as shown when he saves Kion from a falling tree. 

History

Playing with Bunga

The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar

When Bunga starts to sing Zuka Zama, Zito can be seen offering his trunk as a skipping rope with another elephant.

The Rise of Makuu

Zito appears to watch the Mashindano. He witnesses Makuu's win over Pua.

Can't Wait to be Queen

Attending Aminifu's funeral

Zito makes a brief appearance when attending Aminifu's funeral and paying his respects to him. A little bit later, he listens to Simba's final words closely and becomes shocked when the King mispronounces one of his words, claiming that he had poop on him. But just like Ma Tembo, he begins to laugh shortly after, finding amusement in the mistake.

Eye of the Beholder

After Ono injures his eye, he speeds off into the Pride Lands, desperate to prove his worth. When using his eyesight to look around, Zito is seen very briefly near the Lion Guard.

The Kupatana Celebration

Dodging Dogo

Zito appears during Kupatana, showing up at the same time as a crocodile. He celebrates the event with the rest of the Pride Landers, enjoying the blossoming of the baobab fruits up until Reirei's Pack attacks everyone. During the attack, he is startled by Dogo as he chases a hedgehog but settles down once King Simba drives the jackals out. He glares at the jackals angrily until they leave the Pride Lands, and he then enjoys the rest of the celebration, eating the baobab fruits.

Fuli's New Family

Fuli walks by Zito

He is seen as Fuli zooms by singing the song My Own Way while walking with his herd.

Follow That Hippo!

When Ono scours the skies, Zito appears in the background briefly.

The Call of the Drongo

Zito is briefly seen with an elephant calf resting at a watering hole.

Bunga and the King

Zito is seen performing at the Elephants' Concert. When Simba arrives, he listens to his family's version of Hakuna Matata.

The Imaginary Okapi

Zito can be seen during the song "Life in the Pride Lands."

The Trail to Udugu

Zito can be seen at the end of the episode when the royal family is gazing across the Pride Lands

Ono's Idol

"Elephants don't fly."

When Hadithi the legendary eagle arrives in the Pride Lands. he offers some words of wisdom to many of the animals. His quote, 'The higher you fly, the more they'll look up to you' confuses Zito, since the advice is only helpful to birds. Ono helps explain it in a way which that everyone can use, and Zito is grateful, thanking Ono and complimenting Hadithi on his wise words.

He later attends Hadithi's Royal Mud Print Ceremony and stays late enough to witness Ono's Mudprint Ceremony.

The Lion Guard: The Rise of Scar

Along with the other members of his herd, Zito is attacked by Janja and his clan. The Lion Guard arrives to protect them and defeat the hyenas.

Zito supports his leader

Later the hyenas attack again, targeting the baboons that have begun to follow the herd. Under Kion's orders, Ma Tembo and Ono lead the others to a dead end, and Kion uses the Roar to defeat Janja. With the hyenas gone, Kion questions Ma Tembo and is assured of the safety of the herd. They speak about the difficulties of the Dry Season, and Zito urges Ma Tembo to continue looking after Beshte states her safety to search for water.

When Ma Tembo finds a water source, Zito works with everyone to dig it out, and happily drinks with other Pride Landers. 

Let Sleeping Crocs Lie

Zito watches the Mashindano between Kiburi and Makuu.

Rafiki's New Neighbors

In an enclosed watering hole, Zito and two hippos enjoy a drink of water. Fuli warns them away due to lightning, but Zito is hesitant to believe her due to the lack of rain. The rest of the Guard arrives to lead them to safety after explaining how dry lightning works. But before they can leave, a lightning strike sets fire to the surrounding plains. Kion asks if Zito can spray them a path out, but after he tries, he states that there's not enough water.

On Kion's command, Beshte pushes a rock over the flames, and Zito and the other animals hurry on over. They watch Kion use his Roar of the Elders to stop the flames, and Zito offers Kion his thanks. After being warned to stay away from water until the storm has subsided, the Lion Guard race away to deal with another problem.

The Ukumbusho Tradition

Half-painted sunburst

In Mizimu Grove, Ma Tembo is ordering her herd around in preparation for the upcoming Ukumbusho celebration, with Zito and Johari assisting her. After Ma Tembo directs Makini to some fruit to use for paints, the mandrill gets to work, only for Zito and Johari to interrupt her. An impatient Zito reminds her that they need to be painted soon, which only causes her to become more stressed.

Later, as Zito receives his paint, Makini runs out, having painted the Lion Guard prior. He becomes furious with her for the mess, causing Ma Tembo and Kion to see what all the fuss is about. When Kion questions if the sunburst is necessary, Zito is outraged by his lack of compassion for tradition. After blaming Makini for messing up, Ma Tembo manages to persuade Zito to calm down while Kion suggests that Makini find more yellow paint. She does so and returns to finish painting Zito.

Zito wonders where the bees went

Later, having been painted, he takes part in the Ukumbusho. But when a swarm of bees arrives he panics, causing the Lion Guard to chase after him and the rest of the elephants that were in the show. He and Johari try to pass through Sehemu Pass, but they become stuck. Having learned how to stop the bees from attacking, Ma Tembo and Mtoto spray the two with dirt, removing the sunburst from their heads.

He returns to Mizimu Grove, where Ma Tembo agrees with Simba to make a new tradition, which does not involve wearing the paint on their foreheads. He and the other elephants return to their positions, and the new show begins.

The Scorpion's Sting

Zito attends the Kumbuka celebration for King Simba, singing along with Rafiki to Good King Simba.

The Kilio Valley Fire

Zito and Fuli put out the flames

When a fire breaks out at Kilio Valley, the Lion Guard works fast to put out the flames. But the blaze suddenly reignites, leading Zito to the conclusion that the Lion Guard didn't do a good job of getting rid of the fire entirely. He is called up to help put out the flames with the Lion Guard, where he works alongside Fuli and Bunga on the fire breaks. during their escape, the herd comes into contact with the Army of Scar. Outnumbered, they are soon led out of the valley to safety by the Lion Guard, leaving the valley to Scar's army.

Zito's lunch

Zito blames the Lion Guard for the loss of Kilio Valley, but Kion insists that he can find them a place to stay in the meantime. The cub leads the herd to Ndefu Grove, where Laini at first welcomes them to stay. But when the elephants enter the grove, their large size causes them to smash into the trees, knocking Laini and her galagos to the ground. Laini hints that Kion might be able to find another place for them to stay, and he leads them to Acacia Grove, where Twiga accepts them. However, when she sees how much Zito and the other elephants eat, she turns them away.

Zito sprays himself with dirt

As a last resort, Kion takes the elephants to Bupu and his herd, asking him to let the elephants stay just for a while. Bupu accepts, and the elephants start to celebrate by spraying themselves with dirt, which also falls on the Sable Antelopes. This behavior is deemed unacceptable by Bupu.

It isn't long before the antelopes do just that. Although the Guard pleads with the elephants to stay, Ma Tembo sees no other way. With Zito still blaming the Lion Guard for Kilio Valley's fate, the herd left.

Saving Kion

A short time later, Kion locates the herd and asks for their help with a fire in Ndefu Grove. Ma Tembo agrees, noting all Pride Landers to be family. Zito initially refuses to help, staying behind with Mtoto's Mom and the youngsters, claiming that he'd rather stay with the family that appreciates elephants. While in Ndefu Grove, a tree collapses and plummets towards Kion. Zito arrives to save him from being crushed, having finally decided that you don't turn your back on family (unless doing so will save them). 

Their new home

Zito goes on to assist the rest of his herd in putting out the flames, saving most of Ndefu Grove.

An elated Laini asks the elephants to stay, overwhelmed by their kindness after she had rejected them. The offer is accepted and even Zito warms up to the idea of staying in the grove. The herd move in and the galagos playfully clamber over Zito's trunk, much to his surprise. It isn't long before Zito is enjoying their company.

Cave of Secrets

Zito can be seen on a cave painting in the Lair of the Lion Guard.

Pride Landers Unite!

Trying to fight like crocs.

Zito and his herd help the Lion Guard protect the Pride Lands from the Outlanders. They attack Scar's Army when they try to take over Makuu's Watering Hole.

The Queen's Visit

Zito watches as Queen Dhahabu and her herd come into the Pride Lands and go up to

Bunga tries to push Zito

Pride Rock, also danced and sing along to Prance With Me.

The Fall of Mizimu Grove  

Zito comes to watch Timon and Pumbaa sing their song at the Mpando Mpaya celebration. Until the Army of Scar interrupts the party. The Pride Landers work together to stop them. Soon Scar comes and explains his plan to the Pride Landers. They all start to panic and run but the Lion Guard stops them. They all get upset that Simba never told them about Scar. They soon start thinking about leaving the Pride Lands. The

Happy to stay

next morning Kion has an announcement that Makini's Mpando Mpaya has survived the battle. The herds all decide to stay in the Pride Lands and Makini plants her tree.

Battle for the Pride Lands

Zito helps fight the Outlanders with the rest of the Pride Landers. Scar soon reveals himself on top of Pride Rock and says that the Lion Guard is gone, however Kion says that he's wrong and they're okay. The next day Kion leads everyone into the Outlands to attack. Later Kion and the guard comes out of the volcano and says that Scar has been defeated. Later, Zito says goodbye to the Lion Guard and Makini as they make their way to the Tree of Life.

Return to the Pride Lands

The strongest contest

Zito has become part of the Lion Guard competition between Kion's Lion Guard and Vitani's Lion Guard. He and Ma Tembo each stand on a huge boulder for the strongest members (Ma Tembo for Beshte and Zito for Imara). He complains to Ma Tembo about letting her talk him into it before she hushes him. As the competition begins, Imara and Zito initially fall behind, but due to Beshte getting sunburned, they take the lead and win the first round. Zito then watches Fuli and Anga's competition. He reacts in on Vitani calling for a mashindano and reacts in awe as Askari speaks to the Pride Landers and Kion lifting Pride Rock up with the Roar of the Elders. Zito then travels to the Tree of Life and watches Kion's wedding to Rani and his coronation.

Songs

• Bunga the Wise (song)
• My Own Way
• The Twelve Ways of Christmas (rehearse)
• Good King Simba
• Prance With Me

Trivia

• Zito's model is frequently reused in the series, and he can appear multiple times in one image.
• Zito's voice actor also voices Male Bushbuck.