The Disney character Simba is a lion. He is the central character of Disney’s The Lion King, shown first as a lion cub and later as an adult who becomes king of the Pride Lands.
Simba appears in the original animated film The Lion King, released in 1994. His story follows his childhood under the guidance of his father, Mufasa, and his eventual return after fleeing the Pride Lands. Simba must confront his uncle Scar, who caused Mufasa’s death and took control of the kingdom.
The character’s name comes from the Swahili word for “lion.” In the franchise, Simba is a male lion, scientifically belonging to the species Panthera leo. Nala is his childhood companion and later his mate, while Kiara is their daughter in The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride.
A common mix-up is confusing Simba with another animal character from the film, such as Timon, a meerkat, or Pumbaa, a warthog. Simba’s design and story also draw on traditions of royal succession and tragic drama, with the character often compared to Shakespeare’s Prince Hamlet.