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| Basi | |
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| Physical information | |
| Gender |
Male |
| Species | |
| Biographical information | |
| Affiliations |
Basi's Pod |
| Titles |
Leader of the Pod |
| Relationship information | |
| Family |
Beshte (son) |
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Basi is a hippopotamus who appears in The Lion Guard. He is the leader of the hippopotamuses, and the father of Beshte.
Appearance
Perhaps the largest hippopotamus in his pod, Basi is massive, portly, and well-built. His age is evident in the numerous hairs protruding from his muzzle and the notches in his ears, perhaps evidence of a past fight. Unlike his son, who is paler in color, Basi is dark brownish-gray, with a pale underbelly and dark rims around his eyes. Several dark spots dot his back, and his eyes are a murky green. A stunt patch of black hair sticks up from his otherwise bald head.
Personality
| “ | Basi: Makuu, once the fish population has built back up, you and the crocs are welcome to come back. All you have to do is ask. Makuu: I'll keep that in mind.
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A screenshot of Basi, reflecting his amiable and sunny nature
Much like his son, Basi is a gentle giant with a sunny disposition. No matter the species, whether he's speaking with a crocodile or a lion, Basi is amicable and open, willing to engage in conversation and negotiate according to the customs of the Pride Lands. Even in the face of adversity, such as Makuu's violent takeover of Big Springs, Basi maintains his temper and graciously offers the crocodile a chance to return once the fish have returned in plenty.
Being so learned in the ways of the animals, Basi is knowledgeable and wise. Despite being an animal with a very different way of life, he understands the customs of the crocodiles and how this affects his pod's everyday life. Unlike the inexperienced young Makuu, Basi grasps an understanding of the Circle of Life and how every animal must give and take in order to keep it in balance.
Information
Backstory
Basi is a hippopotamus who lived in the Pride Lands during Simba's reign. He presumably became leader of his pod sometime after reaching adulthood. He reared a single son, Beshte.
The Lion Guard
"The Rise of Makuu"
| “ | Pua: Basi. It's been many weeks. How are the fish today? Basi: More than last time, Pua, but not enough for your float of crocs. Swing by next week? Pua: If that's how it must be. Move on, my friends. We'll eat somewhere else today.
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Basi is first seen when Beshte brings his friends to Big Springs. While there, Beshte explains to them how the fish pick his hide and teeth clean, and Basi adds that the crocodiles eat the fish when the population spikes, thus fulfilling the Circle of Life.
In the midst of their talk, Pua, the leader of the crocodiles, approaches and asks Basi how the fish are faring. Basi suggests that the float come back next week, and Pua amicably agrees, leading his crocodiles away. However, before he can leave, he is challenged by Makuu, who accuses him of being afraid of Basi. The two arrange a mashindano, which Basi explains as being a physical contest that determines the leader of the crocodiles.
Basi with the Lion Guard at Big Springs
When the mashindano takes place, Basi watches alongside his son, Beshte. At the start of the event, Basi can be seen chanting, and in the midst of the brawl, he comments that Pua is too tired and weak to take on Makuu. Not long after this comment, Makuu wins, and Basi explains that as defeated leader, Pua is banished from the crocodile float.
Basi makes his final appearance when the Circle of Life is brought back into balance, with the crocodiles returning Big Springs to the hippopotamuses. As Makuu strides sullenly out of the water, Basi calls out after him, inviting him to come back once the fish are in plenty. He reminds him that all he has to do is ask, and Makuu promises to keep the proposition in mind.
"The Kupatana Celebration"
| “ | Simba: Your dad is sounding good, Beshte. Beshte: Thanks, Your Majesty. He's been practicing. It's not every day you get to be a part of a Kupatana celebration.
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Along with Mbuni and Twiga, Basi practices a song for the Kupatana celebration. Simba listens from a nearby hillside and compliments Basi's performance to Beshte, who tells the king that Basi has been practicing relentlessly. At the official celebration, Basi contributes his voice to the opening choral piece, and he watches in awe as the baobab blossoms begin to bloom.
"Bunga and the King"
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When Beshte witnesses Simba jump across a canyon with Bunga on his back, he quotes his father, who always says, "Live long enough, and you'll see everything."
"The Trouble With Galagos"
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When confronted with Shingo the giraffe stuck in a tree, Beshte once more quotes his father, saying, "Live long enough, and you'll see everything."
"Beshte and the Hippo Lanes"
After a big rainstorm, Basi and his son Beshte forge across the Flood Plains, creating paths called "hippo lanes." Basi explains to his son how it is a tradition for hippos to clear the way after a storm, since it is easy for animals to get lost trying to cross the Flood Plains. He comments that a hippo lane should be "straight and true," and tells Beshte that it will one day be his job to make hippo lanes through the Flood Plains.
Just then, Basi and Beshte hear a young rhino crying for help. They arrive in time to rescue him from Makuu and his float, whom they chastise for not honoring the rule that no animal is to be attacked while trying to cross the Flood Plains after a rainstorm. Makuu relents, but insults hippos for always following the rules.
Basi is injured while making hippo lanes with his son, Beshte
With Makuu gone, Basi and Beshte work to free the young rhino from the reeds. In the midst of the rescue, the young rhino is spooked by a flock of egrets, and he accidentally spears Basi with his horn. The two manage to free him from the reeds, and the young rhino promises to not cross the Flood Plains again until the hippo lanes are complete.
Shortly after the rescue, the rest of the Lion Guard arrives, and Kion explains that they had heard an animal shouting for help. Beshte reassures him that he and his father had saved the young rhino, and Basi comments that it is now time for him to return to the job. However, as he starts to walk away, he finds himself too injured to move. He tries to continue making hippo lanes, but Kion insists that he should not be putting weight on his injured leg, and Beshte adds that it is just not possible for Basi to be making hippo lanes in his condition.
Basi contributes to the Lion Guard's plans after they deliver him to safety
Bunga comments that the Flood Plains will dry up soon, but no sooner has he spoken when thunder rumbles in the distance. With the impending storm, Basi tasks Beshte with creating more hippo lanes, since Basi himself is too injured to walk. Though Beshte is hesitant to step up to the task, Kion reminds him that he is the strongest in the Pride Lands and that the Lion Guard believes in him. Beshte accepts the responsibility and heads out to clear paths through the Flood Plains, while the Lion Guard leads Basi to solid ground.
After the Lion Guard delivers Basi to safety, Ono arrives with news that a herd of sable antelope are refusing to leave their grazing grounds, even though another storm is on the way. Basi suggests that they lead the antelope to the other side of the Flood Plains, but Ono wonders how they will be able to cross the reeds. Basi reminds him that by the time the antelope arrive at the Flood Plains, Beshte will be done creating hippo lanes. The Lion Guard thanks him for the idea and then leaves to save the herd.
Basi comforts his son after Beshte admits to messing up the hippo lanes
Much later, Beshte messes up the hippo lanes by making them windy and twisty as opposed to straight and true. He goes to his father about the problem and admits his mistake. Basi comforts his son and confesses that he had been wrong to send Beshte into the Flood Plains alone. He then attempts to stand, and Beshte rushes to his aid. Together, the two enter the Flood Plains, with Basi asserting that they can make a straight and true hippo lane together.
Basi and Beshte work together to create a new hippo lane. As the two work their way across the Flood Plains, Basi struggles to keep up and tells Beshte to go on ahead of him. Beshte proudly exclaims that he will create a straight and true hippo lane and that he will make his father proud, to which Basi says that he has always been proud of his son. Unbeknownst to the two, Makuu and his float watch from the reeds, plotting a way to get rid of Basi.
Basi and Beshte create a new hippo lane together
After Beshte leaves, Makuu and his float corner Basi in the midst of the hippo lane. Just in time, Beshte comes back to defend his father, but Makuu gloats that he and his float have numbers on their side this time. Basi encourages his son to stand strong against the float, but Beshte reminds Basi that he is injured. He then tells his father to follow him through a new hippo lane.
With Beshte in the lead, the hippos begin to weave a winding trail through the Flood Plains, leading Makuu and his float on a wild chase. The two manage to cross over another hippo lane, but as the crocodiles move to follow them, they get trampled by Bupu's herd. The crocodiles pull back, winded, and Beshte chastises them for endangering the animals of the Pride Lands. In utter defeat, Makuu and his float swim off into the Flood Plains.
Later, Basi and Beshte overlook Bupu's herd grazing on the other side of the water. Kion arrives and compliments the hippos, with Bunga adding that everyone loves the new hippo lanes. Ono then tells Beshte that he is good at making hippo lanes after all, and Basi asserts that he had never had any doubt.
Voice Actors
- The Lion Guard - (2016–) - (TV series) - Kevin Michael Richardson
Gallery
 The Lion King Wiki has a collection of images and media related to Basi. |
References
Template:Appearances