Simba

[TheRoguePrince]

Adult Simba also doesn't see fit to return to PrideRock, if he hadn't been interefered with by Rafiki and his magical interaction with Mufasa, Simba would still be lying around in that jungle, it was by no power of his own that he returned, only his fight was his job. Scar had betrayed him and he dearly wanted revenge for this, unfortunetely dear Simba didn't get quite the revenge he wanted and passes his hatred on to the so called: "Scar's heir" Cub Simba wouldn't have done this, infact, he probably would have befriended Kovu.

[Harvs]

I knew you would point that out. Simba does have some help from Nala, Rafiki, and Mufasa, but the decision is ultimately his to make. It's kinda like peer pressure, only with dire consequences. Simba didn't even know that Scar had betrayed him until he whispered in Simba's ear "I killed Mufasa". Scar kept trying to turn the tables by twisting words and bringing up the past. But lets not worry about Scar. Some birds go to great lengths to make sure that their young are in a safe environment. This is what Simba was trying to accomplish with Kiara. While we do discover that he lacks the knowledge to decide whether or not he should accept Kovu, he isn't closed to other wisdom. Nala's words of wisdom did in fact make it through Simba's defensive nature. I cannot argue with you on Cub Simba's friendly attitude, as he probably would have befriended Kovu. But when paired up with Zira's plan, would that truly be the wisest thing for him to do?

[TheRoguePrince]

We see here a redundancy, cub Simba trusts his family, and due to this, finds himself entrapped in a web of lies. He is not mentally prepared to engage the cunning of his uncle. Simba as an adult is still heavily influenced by others, but only Nala can get through to him is SP, he is completely isolated in his defensive bubble when it comes to all others. Simba might not even have accepted Kovu had Nala not said something. This defensive posture, while preventing pain, also leads to a life in which Simba is constantly worried about the possibility of betrayal...

[Yumacub]

What do you think Simba dreamt/thought about on his first night with Timon and Pumbaa?

[Harvs]

As a cub, Simba isn't able to compete with Scar's intellect. And even as an adult, Simba's cunning doesn't appear to be quite the equivalent to that of Scar's. However, we soon see that it is very close to Scar's, as Simba soon turns his words against him. But you have brought up an old point. Simba doesn't trust Kovu because Zira's tricky words in Kovu's cubhood. While Simba didn't like the outsiders already, by becoming "Scar's heir" Simba's distrust of Kovu was greatly increased, and for good reason. Through all the misery that Scar caused, Kovu is lucky that Simba even considered starting to trust him. I believe that after Nala talked to Simba when Kovu and Kiara were looking at the stars, Simba discovered how blind he had been. What it ultimately comes down to is no matter what his age, Simba needs life to punch him in the face for him to properly understand what he needs to do.

@ Yuma: What else would Simba dream about? His father's death of course.

[TheRoguePrince]

Are we at an understanding then? Simba is still a long way from being complete, he has learned much in adulthood, but also he has lost much of his childhood belief and trust in the good of others. Only Nala is there with words to console Simba and bring him to see that which he has missed. This is a deeply troubling subject for Simba in that he has been betrayed so much.

[Harvs]

I believe that we have indeed reached an impasse. While beauty is in the eye of the beholder, everyone has a different opinion on what the better age is. Cub Simba lacks wisdom and knowledge of the future that lies ahead. Adult Simba lacks the trust and decisiveness of being a king. But then again, being a prince/king is tough work. How could he truly know what was in store for him when he was a prince, and how could he remember the carefree nature of a cub as a king?

[TheRoguePrince]

The comparison involves setting two very different parts of one individual against one another, both cub and adult Simba have their advantages, but they both also have weakenesses unique to them. The process of growth significantly altered Simba and left him wisened, but also now distrusful and sometimes indecisive. This is not to say that he is a bad character or hero. I merely am suggesting that perhaps if Simba was given a little more time to develop he could be stronger. This is why I present Kovu and a better hero, perhaps not a better character, but more internally resolved.

[c3po]

simba is awesome lion and smart.

[KingKivuli]

I do believe im right in saying Simba is not just a well loved but well known character even by outsiders of the fandom, i cant blame them he is a good character and is well deserving of the love. I admit in SP when i was younger i hated him! but now im older and i know some back stories and what not i can understand where he comes from, id be the same if i had a daughter