[quote="Panpardus"]I'm not sure how people are gleaning the angle regarding the Night Pride being the equivalent of the Guard for a separate pride. I'm assuming they're just another pride, maybe a more nomadic group that has fallen on hard times - hence a seeming adolescent as the group's leader and the line "he didn't leave us with much of a choice" - and moves into the Back Lands or something.[/quote]
It just made sense to me that because Rani is so young that she would not yet be Queen of her own pride. Although any of the reasons you have mentioned could be the reason for that. I also think if The Night Pride is just an actual Pride. It would eliminate the potential for Rani to be used all that much. If Rani is The Queen of her own Pride, they should have there own territory. Why would they then even come to The Pride Lands Multiple times (Even if they are nomadic)?
[quote="Panpardus"]Rani (and presumably the Night Pride) are apparently slated to appear in 7-9 episodes of the third season, so she's probably going to be important for wrapping up Kion's story. (Assuming the third season is the last one of the series.)
I like her design:
https://img00.deviantart.net/ffc3/i/201 ... bzhbzm.pngand if you notice, her proportions and stated position as "leader" of her pride makes me think she's an adolescent about Nuka's age, which in turn makes me wonder if this means that they'll age up Kion and the other lion cubs next season, especially if she's slated to end up being a romantic interest. That said, I can still see her overall arc with Kion starting out somewhat adversarial.[/quote]
I have a feeling she will be Kion's age because I don't think that they would introduce a new lioness that wouldn't be a potential love interest for Kion. However just because they introduce a love interest for Kion, that in no way signals the end of the series. It just shows us a very real way that they could end the series and provide an explanation as to where Kion (and The Lion Guard) were in the 2nt half of Lion King 2. Rani's introduction, even as a love interest for Kion. Does not even guarantee that Kion will wind up with Rani when they are older (He says not believing it for an instant. As he holds out some pathetic hope that Kion And Vitani might still wind up together...somehow).
[quote="gothprincesskiara"]I just heard Rani will be in season 3[/quote]
Yeah I am loving season 2 so far and now I already can't wait for season 3. I guess that is a good quandary to be in