Banagi

Banagi
Physical information
Gender	Male
Species	Hyena
Hair color	Black, brown, gray, and tan
Eye color	Black
Distinguishing features	•  Hump on his back  •  Spotted flanks
Biographical information
Status	•  Living (January 1990 version)  •  Deceased (May 1990 version)
Residence	Pride Lands
Affiliations	•  Banagi's clan  •  Ndona Pride
Titles	•  Leader of Banagi's clan  •  Prince of Banagi's clan
Relationship information
Allies	Baasho, Scar
Enemies	Kwashi, Mufasa, Nala, Sarabi, Simba, Zazu

“

We got a chance to be kings! ―Banagi to his clan

”

Banagi was a male hyena. He was the leader of a clan of hyenas in the Pride Lands.

When a rogue lion named Scar wandered into the Pride Lands, Banagi and his clan convinced him to challenge Mufasa for lordship of the territory. With the hyenas' help, Scar killed Mufasa and became the new king. However, when Mufasa's son Simba returned to the Pride Lands to claim his birthright, he defeated Scar and forced the hyenas' submission.

Biography

• The Lion King (January 1990)
• King of the Beasts (May 1990)

Early life

Banagi lived in the Pride Lands. He was the leader or prince of his clan, while his friend Baasho served as his lieutenant or second-in-command. For many years, Banagi harbored an intense hatred of Mufasa, wishing the king to be dead.

Alliance with Scar

“

Beetle or fly! Beetle or fly! Who does he think he is? His wives do all the hunting! ―Banagi on Mufasa

”

Two cubs, Simba and his friend Nala, inadvertently wandered into Banagi's territory. After attempting to trick the cubs into climbing into his mouth, the hyena gave chase. However, he was warded off by Kwashi the baboon, who snatched up Simba; Mufasa, who protected Nala; and Mufasa's loyal tickbird Zazu, who pecked at Banagi.

Not long after this, Banagi was angered at Mufasa for taking claim to his pride's catch. While the hyenas waited on the outskirts of the carcass, the lionesses took their fill. When the pride was ready to retreat, Simba spotted Banagi and roared a "kittenish roar" in his direction. Banagi merely looked away when faced by the cub's mother, Sarabi.

Banagi faces Simba and Nala.

Later, Banagi and his clan witnessed a rogue lion named Scar challenging Mufasa to a fight for dominance. After Scar lost the fight, Banagi tracked him down and complimented him on his fighting techniques. He then blamed Zazu for Scar's defeat and convinced him to join forces with the hyenas in order to defeat Mufasa. It took a bit longer to convince his clan, though he ultimately won them over with the notion that they would be made into kings come Scar's victory.

The plan went underway, and Banagi led his clan in building ranks around Scar as he challenged Mufasa. The hyenas joined the attack, driving Mufasa back, with Scar gaining the upper hand. With no chance of defeating his foes, Mufasa died, and Banagi ordered the hyenas to chase down and kill Simba.

During Scar's reign, Banagi calmed his every nerve and convinced him that Nala was interested in him, even though she was clearly terrified. He later ordered the lionesses to hunt for Baasho following the lieutenant's weary return from killing Simba.

Banagi stands among his hyena clan.

As Scar became more and more certain with his power as king, Banagi milked every advantage, harassing the lionesses to their limits. When Scar began to show more interest in Nala, Banagi grew suspicious, fearing for his own rank among Scar's companions. When Baasho was caught spying on the two in the forest, Banagi pleaded for his friend's innocence. Scar then turned on Nala, fueled by Baasho's accusations, and Banagi struggled to calm his frenzied leader.

Nala fled for her life, and Scar ran in pursuit, with Banagi and his followers in tow. As the battle began, Banagi led his clan to help Scar, but the hyenas were dispersed when baboons threw rocks at them from the trees. Banagi and his followers put up a fair fight against the baboons, but their attacks diminished completely when the lionesses seized control of the clan and dragged the leaders before Simba, who banished them to the desert. Banagi ran for his life alongside Baasho.

Early life

Banagi lived in the Pride Lands. He was the leader or prince of his clan, while his friend Baasho served as his lieutenant or second-in-command.

Alliance with Scar

“

And I've become intrigued with your strength, your single-mindedness, your...regal bearing. ―Banagi flatters Scar

”

Banagi and his clan attempted to intimidate a rogue hyena into joining their ranks. In the midst of the meeting, Simba crashed into the clearing, pursued by an angry warthog. With a quick nod from Banagi, Baasho and his clan mates sprang into action, driving the warthog away and saving the young prince from further harm. In the face of Banagi, whom he deemed his rescuer, Simba was in awe, and when the cub finally returned to his mother, he could not stop talking about Banagi. Sarabi, however, was upset that Mufasa owed Banagi a debt.

Sure enough, when the pride managed to catch a kudu, Mufasa gave the prey to Banagi and his clan in repayment for saving his son's life. The hyenas accepted the offer and feasted on the kill until they were driven away by Scar, a rogue lion. Enraged, Mufasa drove the rogue back, and Banagi watched with interest, his gaze fixed intensely on Scar.

Scar stands with the hyenas.

Later that night, Baasho alerted his leader to Scar's presence, and Banagi attempted to sway the lion to their side. At first, the rogue was not interested in the hyena's claims, but when Banagi revealed an army of hyenas hiding at the top of the ridge, the lion agreed to listen. Banagi then proceeded to tell him about their proposition.

The following day, Banagi lied to Mufasa that Scar was holding Baasho captive and wished to fight the king at the Fire Tree Bridge. At high noon, Mufasa confronted Scar, and a fight instigated. When Scar began to weaken, Banagi and his cronies came to the rogue's aid, only to be roared away, as Scar wished to face Mufasa alone. After Scar defeated the king, Banagi ordered his hyenas to kill Simba and not return without his tail between their teeth.

With Scar as king, Banagi and his clan were given many privileges. Banagi's suspicions were raised, however, when Scar began to grow close to Nala. Banagi instructed his cronies to kill Nala if she became too much of a threat. Daabi, a friend of Simba, happened to overhear the conversation and proceeded to warn Nala, who ran away before the hyenas could be rid of her.

The hyenas take over the Ndona Pride.

The next morning, Nala approached Scar at the riverbank and informed him that a new lion wished to face him in a fight at the Fire Tree Bridge. Banagi arrived, overhearing the conversation, and attempted to persuade Scar to not accept the new arrival's challenge, but Nala convinced Scar to fight the stranger anyway. Scar then forbid Banagi to watch.

In dejection, and under Scar's orders, Banagi escorted Nala back to Pride Rock, where she faked a fight with Sarabi over Scar's affections. Despite the diversion, Banagi noticed Zazu flitting away and ordered his clan after the tickbird. The hyenas followed Zazu straight to the fight between Scar and Simba. Despite Scar's anger, Banagi insisted on watching, even though Scar forbid him and his clan to participate. Insulted but wise enough to keep his mouth shut, the hyena stepped aside and instructed Baasho to kill the winner.

The fight went underway, and Simba emerged the victor, killing Scar and taking the title of king. Simba then called Banagi to him, but the hyena ordered his minions to attack. In obedience to their leader, the hyenas surged forward, but Simba grabbed a horrified Banagi in his teeth and used his body to knock aside the oncoming clan. After the hyenas were defeated, Simba ruthlessly threw Banagi off a cliff, and the hyena fell, screaming, to his demise. With their leader dead, Baasho and the remaining hyenas bowed before Simba, accepting him as their new king.

Physical appearance

• The Lion King (January 1990)
• King of the Beasts (May 1990)

“

Suddenly BANAGI, a yellow-eyed hyena with a hump on his neck that makes him look like Quasimodo, looms up before them. ―A physical description of Banagi

”

According to his concept artwork, Banagi was a large and powerful animal, even bigger than his fellow hyenas. He had an angular face and a severe hump on his neck, with broad shoulders and muscular legs. His fur was often depicted as being gray, though in one concept, he was given sandy fur, with darker legs and spots. His face was darker than his main body, with his eye rims and muzzle being black. His eyes were amber.

The January 1990 script notes that Banagi's eyes were yellow rather than amber. Following Scar's rise to power, Banagi gained much in size thanks to the overexerted efforts of the lionesses. His eyes were said to flash red when he was in a crazed state.

“

They are severe, muscular animals with huge shoulders and heads, overdeveloped jaws, gleaming teeth. ―A physical description of the hyenas

”

According to his concept artwork, Banagi was a large and powerful animal, even bigger than his fellow hyenas. He had an angular face and a severe hump on his neck, with broad shoulders and muscular legs. His fur was often depicted as being gray, though in one concept, he was given sandy fur, with darker legs and spots. His face was darker than his main body, with his eye rims and muzzle being black. His eyes were amber.

The May 1990 script describes Banagi as having the demeanor of a Venetian ambassador.

Personality and traits

• The Lion King (January 1990)
• King of the Beasts (May 1990)

“

What a delightful little surprise. Please don't stare. I'm very sensitive. And anyway, it's not me that makes that sound. A little birdy flew down my throat, and he's stuck in there. ―Banagi tricks Simba and Nala

”

Banagi was considerably short-tempered and tended to ignore Baasho's level-headedness. Despite this, his natural charisma gained him an ally in Scar and managed to sway his clan to his side on every issue. Like his fellow hyenas, Banagi was glutinous and greedy, and envied the lions for their power and privilege. However, he was not willing to do any of the work himself. Instead, he worked in the background like a puppet master, controlling his cronies in order to meet his own ends. Not even his good friend Baasho was treated as an equal.

“

[...]excruciatingly polite even while he threatens, an expert on the minutiae of protocol, a razor sharp perception of power, of who has it, and of how to use it when he does. ―A description of Banagi's personality

”

Banagi was a master manipulator, able to use charm and sweet words in order to win over allies. His temper rarely flared, even when he was angered or offended, and he tended to use subtle hints at fear to intimidate his subordinates into complying. Around those of higher rank, Banagi was a good actor, able to make himself seem insignificant and small while he manipulated his allies to his own ends. He was considerably good at flattery, especially toward the dim-witted Scar.

Appearances

• The Lion King
• King of the Beasts

Trivia

• The first part of Banagi's name ("bana") means "compress" in Swahili.

• Banagi is described as having a voice like that of Sydney Greenstreet.

• Although Banagi is written as the leader of his clan, a hyena clan is realistically led by a female.

• Banagi is similar to Fisi from Fight for the Throne; both are male hyenas who lead a clan, have a subservient second-in-command, and use a more powerful predator as their puppet king.