#azaad

[leopardsealz]

my beloved cheetahs (no ship tags pls!)

[mask-of-prime]

TLG: Final 10 Episodes Sketch Dump

September 2nd once again fell on a Labor Day, like it once did when the final 10 episodes of TLG dropped on WatchTLG (due to its early release on the old DisneyNOW app). The alignment of the exact day, month, and holiday five years later put me in the spirit to sketch away as I rewatched these episodes.

I was there when the countdown on the WatchTLG site had about an hour left. I hadn't seen a full episode of TLG until that point because I at the time thought I wouldn't be into it. I saw the synopses for these episodes leaked somewhere online and was doubtful yet VERY hopeful that the one with Vitani's Lion Guard was going to be a real episode simply because I wanted to see her in new content, regardless of my familiarity with the show.

When I binge-watched these final episodes with a friend, my relationship with the show improved as I went to watch the rest of the show over the next few months. I was so grateful to see so much content and worldbuilding for the TLK universe

Sketch descriptions under the cut:

1. Friends to the End

I've said this before in a review of this episode, but whether or not the writers intended this, their portrayal of irritability brought on by an anxiety attack is astounding. Kion's anxiety is piled up more and more when he's in a hurry to find a cure at the Tree of Life, Bunga repeatedly tells him he's becoming like Scar, and the rest of the group just "blind leading the blind"-in their journey SO badly because they're a bunch of unsupervised freshman-aged kids who are in their "Well I wouldn't go THAT far" or "Can I be the devil's advocate" phase.

This situation of fearing becoming like a shitty family member and being told you are by people when you're already in a vulnerable state is just SO vile and unfortunately so real. I found myself relating hard to this episode due to Kion's valid af anger in this episode, which is why I had to draw Kion claiming his "Don't you just wanna go apeshit??" era.

Kion is basically me throughout this episode and the entire first half of Season 3. It is SO HARD to get through this season sometimes when these same couple of lines keep coming at least once per episode. As soon as I hear Fuli saying "Uhh... Kion?" or "KION!!" I know exactly what's coming.

2. The Tree of Life:

Since we never get to see Sahasi and Ananda's color palettes they had in life, I took what I could make out from their spirit forms as well as some creative liberties, and came up with what they may have looked like on Earth.

Ananda is where Baliyo gets his freckles and dull, dark pelt, and where Rani gets her purple pupils, red nose, and dark tail. Sahasi is where Rani gets her richer pelt and where Baliyo gets his nose gradient, multicolored mane, and lighter tail color.

Fun Fact: According to some email responses from a member of the team who worked on TLG, they said that Sahasi was meant to be Janna's son, which for me, puts an end to a debate I had in my head where I was stuck between either him or Ananda being Janna's child: On one hand, I liked the idea of Sahasi and Surak being the foils of Mufasa and Scar, but also liked the idea of Ananda as Janna's daughter and heir since they looked so alike, as well as it solidifying the martriarchy headcanon I have for the Night Pride. Though the team member didn't straight-up provide Sahasi's relation to Janna and Surak as an absolute fact, rather it was simply the gist they got from the creation of Sahasi's character, it's an answer from a team member at all, which I can absolutely settle with. I decided to give him a similar fur color to Surak because of that.

3. The River of Patience:

I just HAD to doodle eepy Kion. It's like the one part of this episode that sticks with me outside the wholesome therapy dynamics and Kion heroically holding the flower between his teeth. This is basically him but if he fully succumbed to falling asleep waiting for the log.

4. Little Old Ginterbong:

Can I just say that I fucking LOVE Mama Binturong's character?? She's absolutely insane and constantly looks like an addict that needs her fix. She makes me nostalgic for some reason, and I think it's gotta do with her Mama Gunda vibes (which is odd because I wasn't even that young when I saw Tarzan II). I had to draw her doing the thing lol

5. Poa the Destroyer:

All I could think about throughout this episode besides the rare Evil Beshte is how insufferable Pinguino is. I mean it in kind of a good way, his personality is so ridiculous that he's made me laugh a few times.

6. Long Live the Queen:

Surprisingly, the sketch regarding this episode is probably the least expected subject matter out of anything I could've put here: An idea that's been forming in my head for a bit now was the idea of Bunga and Binga continuing the fostering/babysitting business of Bunga's "uncles". Bunga is shown to be a natural with young animals in a few episodes, and it continues in the subplot of this episode where he watches over Varya's cubs.

7. The Lake of Reflection:

The one thing that viscerally stuck with me in this episode was the unbelievably cute design they gave bby Cheezi. Had to sketch him.

8. Triumph of the Roar:

Obligatory Askari sketch because I actually love drawing him and making headcanons of his era. Looking back... he kinda looks like he's looking down at the events of the bottom drawing in slight disappointment.

9. Journey to the Pride Lands:

Drew Azaad (for what I think might be the first time) with the only thing he seemed to be doing throughout this episode -- taking any opportunity he can to comment about how much better cheetahs are at basically everything. He's fun to draw and I'd like to do more art of him one day.

10. Return to the Pride Lands

This is a sketch of what I deadass thought was gonna happen during this scene the first time I saw this episode lmao. At the time, the previous two episodes were fresh on my mind so I thought Kion was once again going to spam his tornado ability, but with Vitani as his subject for his demonstration. She already knew so little of the Roar as it was, given her absence throughout most of TLG's storyline, but could you imagine what she must've been thinking seeing how much Kion's Roar evolved?

[playlists-in-fall]

- my favorite filmi; various indian popular cinema industries included

aaj ki raat - don (2006)

aaja nachle - aaja nachle (2007)

aal izz well - 3 idiots (2009)

aaya re toofan - chhaava (2025)

amar akbar anthony - amar akbar anthony (1977)

anaganaga - magadheera (2009)

ankhiyon se goli maare - dulhe raja (1998)

anthapuramlo - rudhramadevi (2015)

aplam chaplam - azaad (1955)

apsara aali - natarang (2009)

are re are - dil to pagal hai (1997)

aura of ustaad - ustaad bhagat singh (2026)

azeem-o-shaan shahensha - jodhaa akbar (2008)

badtameez dil - yeh jawaani hai deewani (2013)

bhaje bhaaje - gopala gopala (2015)

bhale bhale banjara - acharya (2022)

bharata vedamuga - pournami (2006)

bho shambho - phullwanti (2024)

billo rani - dhan dhana dhan goal (2007)

bole chudiyan - kabhi khushi kabhie gham (2001)

chaiyya chaiyya - dil se.. (1998)

chal pyar karegi - jab pyaar kisise hota hai (1998)

chalak chalak - devdas (2002)

chale jaise hawaien - main hoon na (2004)

chamma chamma baaje re - china gate (1998)

chand sifarish - fanaa (2006)

chandra - chandramukhi (2022)

chikni chameli - agneepath (2012)

chola chola - ponniyin selvan pt 1 (2022)

choli ke peeche - khal nayak (1993)

chunnari chunnari - biwi no.1 (1999)

dard-e-disco - om shanti om (2007)

dastaan-e-om shanti om - om shanti om (2007)

deewangi deewangi - om shanti om (2007)

deewani mastani - bajirao mastani (2015)

dhindhora baje re - rocky aur rani kii prem kahaani (2023)

dhivara - baahubali: the beginning (2015)

dholi taro dhol baaje - hum dil de chuke sanam (1999)

dholida - gangubai kaithiawadi (2022)

dholna- pyar ke geet (2000)

dhoom taana - om shanti om (2007)

didi tera devar deewana - hum aapke hain koun (1994)

dil to pagal hai - dil to pagal hai (1997)

dilbara - dhoom (2004)

dola re - devdas (2002)

dosti - rrr (2022)

doubtwa - laapataa ladies (2023)

dulha bhi lajawab hai - haseena maan jaayegi (1999)

etthara jenda - rrr (2022)

fear song - devara pt 1 (2024)

ga ee ga ee ga ee - eega (2012)

gallan goodiyaan - dil dhadakne do (2015)

ghagra - yeh jawaani hai deewani (2013)

ghamand kar - tanhaji: the unsung warrior (2020)

ghar more pardesiya - kalank (2019)

ghoomar - padmaavat (2018)

gori gori gori gori - main hoon na (2004)

gulaabo - shaandaar (2015)

gulebakavali - bimbisara (2022)

gumma gumma - bhale thammudu (1969)

gun gun guna - agneepath (2012)

hamsa naava - baahubali 2: the conclusion (2017)

hawa hawai - mr. india (1987)

hey vaada vaada - kacheri aarambam (2010)

jaago narasimhaa jaagore - syeraa narasimha reddy (2019)

jhoomka gire re - mera saaya (1966)

jhume re gori - gangubai kaithiawadi (2022)

jimmy jimmy jimmy aaja - disco dancer (1982)

jinguchaa - thug life (2025)

jiya re - jab tak hai jaan (2012)

kali shakti - maa (2025)

kamariya - stree (2018)

kangna re - paheli (2005)

khal nayak hoon main - khal nayak (1993)

khalibali - padmaavat (2018)

kissik - pushpa 2: the rule (2024)

laahe laahe - acharya (2022)

lets rock soniye - bhool bhulaiyaa (2007)

lodi - veer zaara (2004)

lovely - happy new year (2014)

maahi ve - kal ho naa ho (2003)

maar dala - devdas (2002)

main aai hoon up bihar lootne - shool (1999)

main agar kahoon - om shanti om (2007)

maine pi rakhi hai - tu jhoothi main makkaar (2023)

malhari - bajirao mastani (2015)

mamatala talli - baahubali: the beginning (2015)

mannavanae mannavanae - puli (2015)

manohari - baahubali: the beginning (2015)

marjaani - billu (2009)

mauja hi mauja - jab we met (2007)

mehndi laga ke rakhna - dilwale dulhania le jayenge (1995)

mere dholna - bhool bhulaiyaa (2007)

minnat kare - paheli (2005)

morey piya - devdas (2002)

mourya re - don (2006)

my name is anthony gonsalves- amar akbar anthony (1977)

naa ready - leo (2023)

naatu naatu - rrr (2022)

nagada nagada - jab we met (2007)

nagada sang dhol - goliyon ki raasleeha ram-leela (2013)

namah shivaya - natyam (2021)

nee kosame - chandramukhi 2 (2023)

nimbooda - hum dil de chuke sanam (1999)

nippulaa swasa ga - baahubali: the beginning (2015)

o babuaa yeh mahua - sadma (1983)

o re kanchi - asoka (2001)

o saki saki - batla house (2019)

oka praanam - baahubali 2: the conclusion (2017)

om shanti om - karz (1980)

oo antava oo oo antava - pushpa: the rise (2021)

oru murai vanthu - manichitrathazhu (1993)

pal pal dil ke paas - blackmail (1973)

pallakivye - pournami (2006)

pardah hai pardah - amar akbar anthony (1977)

param sundari - mimi (2021)

phir raat kati - paheli (2005)

phullwanti - phullwanti (2024)

pinga - bajirao mastani (2015)

pyar kar - dil to pagal hai (1997)

raa raa - chandramukhi (2005)

ram chahe leela - goliyon ki raasleeha ram-leela (2013)

rama loves sita - vinaya vidheya rama (2019)

ramba hohoho samba hohoho - armaan (1981)

ranga ranga rangasthalam - rangasthalam (2018)

saahore baahubali - baahubali 2: the conclusion (2017)

san sanana - asoka (2001)

sar par topi lal - tumsa nahin dekha (2004)

satakli - happy new year (2014)

say “shava shava” - kabhi khushi kabhie gham (2001)

senorita - zindagi na milegi dobara (2011)

shaadi karke fas gaya - judaai (1997)

shah ka rutba - agneepath (2012)

shankara re shankara - tanhaji: the unsung warrior (2020)

show me the thumka - tu jhoothi main makkaar (2023)

silsila ye chahat ka - devdas (2002)

sivuni aana - baahubali: the beginning (2015)

sooraj ki baahon mein - zindagi na milegi dobara (2011)

sooseki - pushpa 2: the rule (2024)

sun dilruba - patthar ke phool (1991)

sun o dilruba dil ki yeh sada - aapas ki baat (1981)

swagathaanjali - chandramukhi 2 (2023)

tabaah ho gaye - kalank (2019)

tattad tattad - goliyon ki raasleeha ram-leela (2013)

teri mehfil mein kismat azmakar - mughal-e-azam (1960)

tharki chokro - pk (2014)

thoda resham lagta hai - jyoti (1981)

too cheez badi hain - mohra (1994)

tumhe jo maine dekha - main hoon na (2004)

tumse milke dil ka - main hoon na (2004)

udi - guzaarish (2010)

vashmalle - thugs of hindostan (2018)

vijayaho - bimbisara (2022)

wajle ki bara - natarang (2009)

ye ishq hai - jab we met (2007)

yeh ladka hai allah - kabhi khushi kabhie gham (2001)

yentha sakkagunnave - rangasthalam (2018)

zara sa jhoom loon main - dilwale dulhania le jayenge (1995)

zoobi doobi - 3 idiots (2009)

*note that instead of the artist, i have listed the film the song comes from. there are so many people involved with creating these songs (writers, singers, lyricists, etc) that i don't feel i can accurately attribute the "artist." i highly recommend researching the movies if you're interested in the creators of a specific song

[valentinbelleyh505]

The Lion Guard scenes that reminds me of some Melanie Martinez songs

cuz i was bored

Cry Baby

Pity Party

Play Date

Tag, You're It

[incorrectlionguard]

Azaad: Your friend is very even-tempered.

Kion, Bunga, Beshte and Ono, shocked: FULI?! EVEN-TEMPERED???

[tlg-confessions]

I would love to see more people explore the love interests introduced in season 3 (Azaad, Rani, Binga) outside of being love interests for their respective ships. (Of course Azaad and Fuli's technically not being fully canon)

Like I do completely understand if you do not like them as love interests but I would loveeeee to see more content exploring Binga and Azaad for example.

Binga would need a little...fixing...she...she's not the best written character, but I would like to see people just sorta explore her. What's her family like? Does she have a family at the tree of life? Was she born at the tree? What is her relationship with Baliyo? I will forever love the bear Binga headcanons (She's an asian black bear in my universe) so maybe explore the bear side of the world through her. Explore her relationship with the other guard members, and the other animals.

Or Azaad. What is his relationship with Rani and Baliyo? (I like to think Baliyo always tried to make friends with everyone when he was young, so he and Azaad were friends and thus Rani was included in that group sometimes) Is there a larger reason as to why he has his own territory despite he was probably meant to be a similar age to the lion guard? What is his relationship with other characters?

You don't have to like their ships at all, I completely understand it, but I would honestly kill for more exploration of the characters. Although I guess that goes for most of the minor characters in the lion guard. (the gorillas are my roman empire don't get me started. I know Majinuni and Hafifu are one-off joke characters and I don't know much about Dan and Phil but they seem like they'd be so interesting to me...Like, them learning to slowly become better princes, them growing out of childish tendencies, still keeping their silliness or whatever but growing into kings/princes, maybe still every so often fearing because they think they need to make King Sokwe proud...maybe it's just my daddy issues showing though. Also like what is their relationship with Shujaa? Never explored and I grieve for that every day...but seriously I think the fact they're another "kingdom" of animals is under-utilized by this fandom and franchise)

.

[the-always-enjoying-wali-ladki]

हाथों की लकीरों को घुमा दिया,

मिलना नहीं था, मिलवा दिया

ले ही आया दोनों को क़रीब

अजीब-ओ-गरीब, तरक़ीब लगाए नसीब

अजीब-ओ-गरीब

Haathon ki lakeeron ko ghuma diya

Milna nahi tha; milwa diya

Le hi aaya dono ko kareeb

Ajeeb-o-gareeb tarkeeb lagaye naseeb

Ajeeb-o-gareeb

[sammys-magical-au]

So TLG’s been over for like, years now and the release of the Mufasa movie has kinda retconned some of the plot of the show anyway but my Opinions on the finale/last season randomly came to mind and since I love to ramble incessantly I thought I’d put my two cents on all of it out there.

My main gripe is Jasiri and Janja being canon. Like, what? They were literally enemies? And don’t get me wrong, I’m all for a good enemies-to-lovers, but this wasn’t that, it seemed like it just came outta nowhere in a very “pair-the-spares” type way (which is a trope I hate anyway, for the record). I’m sure I’m not the only one who was pissed about that but it really just didn’t make sense, they had virtually no chemistry for the first few seasons and then suddenly they like each other?

Ofc I’m also bitter about that ship because I like Kion and Jasiri together, and Disney won’t show interspecies relationships to save their fucking lives, even if we’re talking about a children’s show about lions that sing every episode. This isn’t to say that I’m against Kion and Rani being a canon ship btw, I think they’re super cute too, I’m honestly just more upset that Disney was so desperate for Kion and Jasiri to not be a thing that they paired her with Janja out of nowhere. A total disservice to her character imo.

In a perfect verison of the story (or at least in *my* perfect version of the story, obvs not everyone would feel the same way as me so I wanna make that clear), Kion/Rani/Jasiri would make an absolutely adorable ot3 (because that’s how I solve liking two ships that contain the same character at once. I turn them into an ot3). Rani and Kion welcome Jasiri and her clan to the Tree of Life, so they can finally leave the Outlands, and for the first time in several generations, hyenas and lions live in harmony in one big pride/clan, and Rani asks Jasiri to become her queen alongside Kion as her king just to seal the promise for peace.

Yo I actually wanna write this au now 🤣😭

Also; this might be more of a niche ship but I prefer Fuli and Badili over Fuli and Azaad. Azaad is a cool character and all but Badili is more Fuli’s type imo. Ok I’m done now.