Kovuka

Kovuka
GENERAL
The Lion King
Character	Kovu
Character	Nuka
Canonical?	Canon
Status of Relationship	Brothers; Nuka is dead
IN FANDOM
Type (?)	Family

Kovuka is the family ship between Kovu and Nuka from the The Lion King fandom.

Canon

Kovu and Nuka are the sons of Zira, with Kovu being the younger of the pair. Despite this, Kovu was the one chosen by Scar to become his heir and thus favored by Zira while Nuka was overlooked. Nuka came to regard Kovu as a "little termite", seeing him as little more than an annoyance. He went so far as to neglect his younger brother even when Zira had specifically tasked Nuka with babysitting Kovu.

During his first moments on screen in The Lion King II: Simba's Pride, Nuka can be seen muttering about Kovu and then questioning their sister Vitani about Kovu's whereabouts. When Vitani confronts him about his failure to keep an eye on Kovu, which he has apparently done more than once, Nuka retorts that Kovu needs to learn to be on his own. Nuka then complains to Vitani about being passed over in favor of Kovu, but the pair are then interrupted by Zira returning with Kovu. When Zira angrily confronts Nuka over his negligence, Kovu actually comes to Nuka's defense, claiming to have left of his own volition.

Later, Zira praises Kovu for inspiring her with a new plan, and Nuka expresses disgust; he later mutters Kovu's title of "Chosen One" in obvious annoyance. Nuka once again addresses Kovu, who is asleep at the time, as "little termite", but quickly conceals his dislike in response to a glare from Vitani. He later joins his sister in cheering-though with obvious lack of enthusiasm-for their brother as Zira contemplates eventually taking revenge on Simba. Kovu and Nuka would also appear together in "Lions of the Outlands", an episode of The Lion Guard television series.

In the episode, Kovu arrives as Nuka is in the midst of a confrontation with Simba's son Kion, and Nuka begs Kovu for help. Kovu reluctantly admits to Kion that Nuka is his brother, and Nuka then attempts to intimidate Kion with the fact that there are two of them against him. The brothers then square off against Kion and his hyena friend Jasiri, only to be stunned when Kion reveals his identity and expresses the belief that his father would welcome them and their family into the Pride Lands. Kovu suggests that they bring Kion to see Zira, and Nuka agrees with obvious malicious anticipation. Later, as Kion is speaking to Zira apart, Nuka goes to attack Jasiri but is halted by Kovu, who reminds him that Zira ordered them to treat the hyena respectfully.

Much later, and once again during Simba's Pride when Kovu is full grown, Nuka complains about being sent on a mission to assist his younger brother, and questions why Kovu needs his siblings' help when he's supposed to be so impressive. Nuka and Zira later observe from a distance as Kovu, who has been welcomed to Pride Rock on a probationary basis, speaks privately with Simba's daughter Kiara. Upon seeing Kovu allow Kiara to depart unharmed, Nuka attempts to claim that he would have acted differently but is silenced when Zira notes that Kovu is carrying out their plans. Following a failed attempt to kill Simba, Nuka is left buried under a pile of logs, and Kovu tries to free him before being knocked aside by Zira. After Nuka perishes, Zira accuses Kovu of being responsible, and Kovu is briefly at a loss before asserting that he is blameless for the situation. However, when Zira again blames Kovu for Nuka's death, Kovu is so distraught that he flees.

Fanon

This section is in need of major improvement. Please help improve this article by editing it.

Kovu and Nuka's relationship doesn't receive a great deal of attention in fan works. This likely stems from both their limited onscreen interactions and Nuka's obvious disdain for Kovu. The fact that Nuka dies in Simba's Pride also limits the possibility of their relationship being explored in post-canon works. Some works have done so, however, and typically tackle Kovu's grief over Nuka perishing.

There are 2 works tagged for the relationship on AO3.

Fandom

FAN FICTION

Kovu & Nuka tag on AO3