Besides Kiara: Who is Simba and Nala’s son in Mufasa: The Lion King?

The outcome of ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’, Disney’s new live-action film released last Thursday, the 19th, brought an exciting revelation to fans of the franchise: Simba and Nala have a new son! The young prince’s arrival not only expands the royal family’s legacy, but also sets the stage for future adventures. While the film revisits Mufasa’s past, its final moments show Simba, Nala and Kiara celebrating the cycle of life with the birth of the new member of the family.

In the story, Kiara interacts with Timon, Pumbaa and Rafiki, who narrates Mufasa’s inspiring journey — from his difficult childhood alongside Taka, the future Scar, to his rise as king. The plot enriches the franchise’s universe and reinforces its central message: the circle of life.

Back at Pride Rock, Simba and Nala introduce their cub, born in an oasis, marking a new chapter in the Pride Lands. Although the film does not reveal the baby’s name, everything indicates that he is Kion, Kiara’s brother in the series ‘The Lion Guard’.

Kion: the leader of the Guard

Introduced in the series ‘The Lion Guard’, Kion is the youngest son of Simba and Nala. He leads a team of animals who protect the Pride Lands, following in the footsteps of Askari, the order’s founder. With the ability to communicate directly with Mufasa, Simba’s youngest son receives spiritual guidance as he learns to be a fair and courageous leader. He is married to Rani, the queen of the Tree of Life, which solidifies his role as a link between different territories.

Kion is known for his integrity and determination, often facing internal conflicts over not wanting to follow the same path as Scar. This personality trait makes him a fascinating protagonist, especially if Disney decides to explore a collaborative dynamic between Kion and Kiara, mirroring but subverting the rivalry between Mufasa and Scar.

Kopa: Simba’s son in another version

While Kion appears to be Milele’s heir to continue the legacy in the new films, older fans of the franchise remember Kopa, the protagonist of the book series ‘The Lion King: Six New Adventures’. Kopa is a curious and adventurous puppy, who often gets into trouble due to his impulsiveness. He idolizes Simba, but also struggles with insecurities, hiding them behind a proud facade.

Like Kion, Kopa has great loyalty to his father and the Pride Lands, and his determination to help Simba overcome challenges is a testament to his strength of character.

The future of the franchise

With the birth of this new heir, Disney seems to be opening doors to further expand the universe of ‘The Lion King’. If Kion is indeed the cub’s name, he and Kiara could share the lead in future films, exploring their journeys as leaders. The contrast between Kion’s sense of duty and Kiara’s independence can make for a rich and exciting narrative.

Furthermore, the presence of elements from expanded media, such as ‘The Lion Guard’ and ‘Simba’s Pride’, suggests that the franchise will continue to draw inspiration from these stories to build the next chapter of the circle of life with Kion and Kiara in the center.

‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ is now showing in cinemas around Brazil!

Read more: Who are the white lions in ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’?