I was just wondering something. I've always liked the whole story and dynamic between Simba and Zira I actually found it more interesting than his story with Scar I always wondered why but eventually it hit me Simba and Zira are mirror images of each other, just hear all this.
Simba was the prince of the pride lands whose father was killed and usurped, the usurper than sent Simba into exile eventually he discovered the truth and sought revenge though he didn't kill Scar he did take revenge on his followers, after Scar's death Simba struggled to uphold the legacy of his father who held to near mythic levels doing everything the way he believed his father would want him to. He controls his daughters entire life refusing to allow her the freedom she wishes and at times keeping her from living the she wants. He refuses to let go of his hatred of Scar which causes him to mistakenly hurt his own daughter and nearly tear his family apart.
Any of this sound familiar or more accurately does all of this sound familiar. Zira was royalty whose loved one was killed then usurped, the usurper sends her into exile she seeks revenge while struggling to uphold the memory of her loved one basing every decision she makes off what she thinks he would want, controls her children's life, refuses to let go of her hatred of Simba which eventually hurts her entire family and tears apart.
Simba may as well be looking in a mirror the darker side of who he could've become. They constantly make similar decisions Zira rejects the Kiara and the Pride Landers Simba rejects Kovu. Zira ignores Kovu wants and needs to further her plans while Simba kind of does the same thing not even answering Kiara's question during we are one unintentionally but still. Zira rejects Kovu for not being Scar Simba reject him because he thinks he is they both exile him. Both blame others for the pain they cause, Zira blames Kovu and Simba for Nuka's death despite the fact that it's clearly her's. Simba blames Kovu for using and hurting Kiara not realizing it's him, poor Kovu he really is everyone's scapegoat.
Kiara did more than save the prides she saved her father he was still a noble person but Simba was on darker path at the time his hatred hadn't completely consumed him he still loved his family while Zira whose hatred completely consumed her forgot her love for them long ago as shown with Nuka's death that's the thing that separates them in the end Kiara could reach him while Kovu couldn't reach Zira.
I'm just wondering am I the only one who ever really thought of this did anybody else here notice it. I always really liked this about them, one of the things I really liked about Simba's Pride is despite being one of the main characters the Deutagonist I think, Simba is also one of the central antagonist of the movie he's not a villain Zira is clearly the villain but he's definitely one of the main obstacles Kiara has to overcome in fact he is Kiara's opponent she never really gets involved with Zira until the ending and both of Kiara's defining moments is when she finally confronts her father and tells him he's wrong. I find that bold I can't name many Disney's or really many sequels where the hero of the first is one of the antagonist of the second, naturally not everyone will see it this way but I do think it's an interesting perspective of it all anyone agree with me or at least kind of see my perspective if not then please put how you saw the Simba and Zira dynamic a different perspective is always welcomed.