Can an Adult Lion King Fan Enjoy The Lion Guard?

As someone who has been a long-time fan of the original The Lion King (TLK), I was curious about The Lion Guard (TLG). Despite initial doubts, I found that an adult Lion King fan can indeed enjoy the series, albeit with some caveats.

General Enjoyment and Multitasking

Initially, I found myself getting bored easily during the first few episodes of The Lion Guard. However, watching it while doing other tasks, such as ironing or scrolling through my phone, helped keep my mind engaged. By the time I reached the third season, however, the story became more exciting, and I didn’t need to multitask as much. I recommend keeping your hands and mind busy during the early episodes but can then fully immerse yourself in later seasons.

Characters and Story

As an adult fan of The Lion King, I found some aspects of The Lion Guard to be disappointing. While a few songs were catchy, and I particularly enjoyed the character of Jaziri—the “good” hyena—overall, the characters and the script felt quite shallow. I realize that some of this may be due to the series being aimed at a younger audience. However, given that The Lion Guard is based on the The Lion King, I was expecting more complex and nuanced storytelling.

When comparing The Lion Guard to other The Lion King media, such as the sequel Simba’s Pride and the live-action remake, it is clear that the series has its limitations. It’s hard to take the characters and story seriously, especially if you are a die-hard The Lion King fan. While some might argue that the only truly worthy member of the franchise is the Broadway show, it is still a valid point to consider the place of The Lion Guard in the canon.

Personal Experience and Fan Perspective

As a 29-year-old fan of both The Lion King and The Lion Guard, I can say that the latter is not always easy to take seriously, especially for adult fans. The series might have a few discrepancies, but I understand the desire to reconcile seemingly contradictory media within beloved franchises. However, if you watch The Lion Guard immediately after watching the original movie, or if you try to connect the two directly, it can be quite jarring and problematic.

For me, as an adult who is mildly obsessed with The Lion King, I have every released copy of the original movie, except for the last one. I find that The Lion Guard is off-putting in terms of its character portrayals and storyline. While I acknowledge that the series features a few of the original characters, such as Simba, Timon, and Pumbaa, it is clear that the voices and scripts are off. To me, The Lion Guard feels like a poorly executed show that lacks the depth and charm of the original.

Yet, I believe that an adult fan of The Lion King can still enjoy The Lion Guard, but only if it is treated as a separate entity. It’s crucial to recognize that The Lion Guard and the original The Lion King serve different purposes and cater to different audiences. While the original is a classic that resonates with viewers of all ages, The Lion Guard can be seen as a fun, light-hearted show that, while not as complex, still manages to entertain and provide meaningful moments.

In conclusion, an adult Lion King fan can indeed enjoy The Lion Guard, but it is important to embrace it for what it is—a separate show that doesn’t necessarily need to live up to the original’s standards. If you approach it with an open mind and enjoy it on its own merits, you might find it to be a delightful addition to your The Lion King experience.