Zira's FULL STORY (mixed with my theories) | The Lion King II: Discovering Disney

Lurking in the Outlands and spending years plotting her son’s rise to power, Zira is seemingly diabolical. She abuses and manipulates her children and pride to further her own agenda in hopes of one day avenging her former leader Scar. Is it really that simple though? Is Zira truly evil or did Scar manipulate her into being his slave even after he dies? Hello I’m Isaac from Wotso Videos where we discuss fun topics for fun people and today we are going to examine the backstory of Zira. I examine Zira and provide my theories on aspects of her life while also providing her full story as it is found in the Lion King II: Simba’s Pride.
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I do not own the rights to The Lion King or The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride or any of the branding associated to the franchise. Discovering Disney is meant for educational purposes which does not take away from the original works, but instead helps build understanding on the cinematic universe.

[MadAngel]

I think that Zira was unstable, and weak minded. Scar knew this, and this why he could manipulate her. In her youth, Zira was probably been abused a lot, and over looked. So, abuse was probably the only thing that Zira knew, and usually, the abused becomes the abuser.

[deadnamedan]

I'm surprised there wasn't more mention of Scar's actual son, Nuka. To be rejected by his father and to see his half brother chosen to take in Scar's footsteps must've SUCKED

[dinosaur]

In a way I don't think Zira really is evil but at the same time I do... A lot of people see her as an abusive, heartless monster, including myself. I also thought Zira was abusive and heartless... until Nuka is killed, her reaction to his death is was made me think otherwise on her truly being evil, especially the deleted scene of Nuka's death when he says... "Well, I finally got your attention didn't I?" And she smiles warmly, down at him while holding his head in her paw. She loved her children, even though she didn't show it she loved them. Nuka, Vitani... even Kovu.

When she threatens to kill Vitani at the end out the movie for joining Simba's side I don't think it was out of evilness, I think she was hurt and betrayed. Everything had been torn from her. Her title as "queen" her beloved mate, the death of her eldest son and the betrayal of her youngest son. There was some many things against her she didn't know how to properly take it all in and in a fit of rage she blurted out her desire to kill her own children for betraying her.

Zira was depressed. I do fully believe that if Scar had lived and they were still together, she would have been a better mother to her cubs, she would have treated them with love. But because her whole world was torn apart she became depressed. Idk how familiar you are with the mental illness depression but it can really screw someone up. It can drive them to want to kill themself or even someone else. If Zira was already depressed before meeting Scar then meeting him and falling in love was like her happy pill. She felt happiness and fulfilment, when Scar was killed it's like quitting your medication cold turkey. Her body went into depression overdrive causing her to become obsessive, violent and abusive.

In short, I think Zira was a very sad lioness who fell in love with the wrong lion. I do believe she could have lived a much happier life if she hadn't fallen in love with Scar and remained loyal to Mufasa/Simba but just like real life.. you can't help who you fall in love with and her lust for Scar ended up destroying her in the end.

[MMLCGG]

No wonder Scar chose Kovu to become king. Scar didn't want the eldest son to take all the credit like how Mufasa did with Scar. So he wanted Kovu to accomplish Scar's dream by having the younger son become king unlike how the eldest son should traditionally receive the throne. Mind blowing!

[FantageSugarstar]

does anyone ever wonder if disney ever sees this and think " wow, they go into more depth than we do."

[FARSIKATZ]

None of them are evil, the entire family dealt with abuse, depression and severe abandonment disorders.

Scar was treated poorly by his parents where his brother Mufasa was always chosen before him to be the better lion..

the abused becomes the abuser, scar was abused as was Zira as was Nuka.. I think Vitani got somewhat lucky out of the family.

[sian]

Why is it that All the lion king's villan songs look so awesome they are so cool and edgy

[meagansanders]

How many times does it take for these lions to learn to stay away from cliffs? 🤔

[mrsupersonic]

Zira thinks Simba killed Scar but she doesn't know that Scar actually survived after Simba threw him off the cliff and the hyenas were the ones who really finished him off

[tbbes]

I think zira's death is misunderstood. Right before zira falls, she gives a look, as though realisation dawned on her that the child (kiara) she previously wanted dead was not an enemy. I think when shes trying to claw back up as she slips, its zira trying to reach for kiara's paw. I think she realised her mistakes and let go of her hate too late which is just terrible. If she had survived.. Who knows?

[anniedeshasier]

she is evil, but not THAT evil. she loved scar so much that she tried to get back at the ions that killed him. She hated them because they hated Scar, and she basically gave up her life just to do what would've made him happy. He would be happy to know that she wanted to get back at them, and when Kiara wanted to help, she said no because of their responsibility for the death of him.

[chickennuggets]

I agree that some part of Zira is compassionate. She didn't hate her children. During Nuka's last moments she really did care for him. Scar just took advantage of that loyalty

[christianmarshal]

I always thought Zira refused to accept Kiara's help because she didn't understand it. Unconditional love and acts of mercy were beyond her being that she had spent so long being completely consumed by her hatred, he thirst for revenge and he need to manipulate and exploit those around her. When Kiara offered her paw Zira swing at her paw as if deflecting an attack. She only saw Kiara as an enemy, she couldn't see her as anything else so sge saw the paw Kiara was offering to help as an attempt to finish her off. When Kiara said "I really am trying to help you."Zira didn't only look scared she also seemed surprised. She then realized that her enemy wasn't trying to kill her but to save her, but by then it was too late.

[Aaron-Miller-]

I don't think Zira is necessarily evil. She was just angry about the problems in her life and tried to solve them in the wrong way.

[rafaelperes]

She is just the best villain of Disney. She is, for sure, my favorite character.
I would like to see a movie about Zira, it would be such an interesting and deep movie...
Please listen to me Disney🙏

[Tarathathewookiee]

My own personal theory: Scar wasn't killed by the Hyenas. Somehow he manged to crawl away but was severely disabled by the attack. Zira and her pride cared for him. Scar lived long enough to see Kovu born and name him as heir. The clue to this is a line from Nuka; "Scar wasn't even his Father, he just took him in" To able to do that, Scar HAD to still be alive.

[lupusetmatrem]

No one is born evil. A person becomes evil usually depending on the environment they grew up in or some form of bad influence. Wich in this case the bad influence was scar. She probably is a good lioness and we see she tried to comfort her son when he died. She did what any mother would do, good or bad. Maternal instincts probably kicked in right when that happened.

[Annabee]

Love the theory of Ziras backstory. I personally would like to think Zira was a little bit older than Nala and Simba.

The idea that Zira was manipulated by Scar is perfect. However, I would personally like to believe that Nuka is biologically Scars and Ziras son. At some point during Scars reign Zira is one of the most loyal lions Scar had and gave her the opportunity to produce his heir, hence where Ziras obsession to please him proceeds to get worse. After Nuka is born Scar disowns Zira for not producing him a worthy heir. Zira being heart broken then starts to fall into deeper into her obsession, scolding Nuka and maybe even blaming him for her failure in Scar; she never gives Nuka the proper care and attention he needed, which leads to Nuka becoming obsessed to please his mother.

There was a deleted scene released where Scar tries to convince Nala into becoming his new Queen, but she refuses. Scar then proceeds to say "You know you really have no choice, one way or another, I always get what i want." So at some point Scar forces Nala to have his heir. Nala later has a little girl who we know as Vitani - since the only characters we see with blue eyes are Nala and Vitani. Scar is yet again disappointed and has failed to have male heir. With Nala falling into desperation and depression she sees herself unworthy to raise Vitani and hands her over to Zira to raise as her own. After that Nala runs away in hopes to find help for the Pridelands.

During Nalas absence something must've happened between either another pride or a few lone lions. The hyenas were order killed them after they were found trespassing onto the land, however Scar hears something rustling in a bush nearby. A small dark pelted green-eyed cub. Surprised with how much this young cub looked like him Scar took the cub back to Priderock where the cub is later given to Zira to raise as his heir and is named Kovu. Zira, now having a second chance to please Scar, focuses all of her attention into raising Kovu. This will also explain why Nuka dislikes Kovu, since he took all of his mothers attention and was basically left with nothing. This unrelated cub was Scars new heir, even though Nuka was Scars first born son.

Shortly after Nala returns with the rightful heir, Simba, and the battle for the Pridelands begins. Scars reign is finally over when Simba defeats Scar and is later killed by the hyenas. After Zira finds her beloved King lifeless becomes enraged and calls Simba a murderer, then proceeds to say that he has no right to the throne since Kovu was Scars heir. After the pride refuse to accept Scars heir Zira attacks Simba but is easily defeated by him; which leads to the banishment of herself, her cubs and her followers.

Zira is then focusing all of her attention into raising Kovu, just like how Scar wanted her to. Zira will have revenge. After Kovus interaction with Kiara, Zira finally has an idea to take vengeance. She manipulates and twists her pride and children, turning them into killers and loyal servants. The day finally comes, Kovu saves Kiara which forces Simba to accept him into the pride. Ziras plan is working out just fine until Kovu starts to fall in love with Kiara, betraying Zira. Enraged Zira takes her pride and follows Kovu and Simba to the burned ruins of the Pridelands, the attack happens on Simba and just when things were looking well for the Outlanders, Kovu yet again betrays Zira after he refuses to go after Simba. This then lead to Nukas burning desire to please his mother and finally show her his potential, which also leads to his death. His desperation causes him to being crushed by the logs, we then see Zira comforting her son during his final moments. In that scene we see who Zira actually was. A kind, gentle and caring mother but was deeply blinded and manipulated by Scar. Filled with fury she lashes out at Kovu, giving him the scar.

Now for the final battle. During the battle we see Vitani and Nala confront one another. Vitani says "Where's your pretty daughter Nala?" which makes me believe that Zira must've told Vitani the truth about her mother, and used it to her advantage. After Kiara gives her moving speech about the prides needing to come together to finally bring peace to the Pridelands, Zira demands Vitani to attack but Vitani realises the truth and refuses her. Vitani was probably a well respected member of Ziras pride, so once Vitani turned against Zira the other lionesses did too.

In the struggle between life and death on the cliff Kiara begs Zira to forget her hate and take her paw, but instead Zira refuses. The realisation doesn't hit Zira until it was too late, where we see Zira struggling to climb back up and ultimately falls to her death. But a part of me likes to believe Zira isn't dead. c:

[tonifermallex]

Why I'm subscribing: 1. The awesome analogy/ theory
2. DISNEY
3. You said have a magical day.
I love it dude! Keep up the amazing work!! OwO

[samrizzardi]

I think you exaggerate a bit when you say that Zira's insecurity was due to her physical weakness.

Zira demonstrated a willingness to fight Simba one on one which Scar never had. When she first sees Simba in TLKII, she actually positions herself to pounce on him, relenting only when Nala and the lionesses appeared. What's more, she actually seemed _happy_ to fight him, rather than feeling she had no alternative, as was the case with Scar.

This shows she was confident she could defeat Simba in single combat, and I don't blame her. Simba and his lionesses show a bizarre reluctance to use their claws and teeth in battle. Just watch the Simba v Scar fight and the final battle in TLK II. The pridelanders literally do nothing but slap their opponents, while Scar and the outlanders willingly bit and slashed at them.