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Ranion is the het ship between Kion and Rani from The Lion King fandom.
Canon[]
Kion and Rani first meet in "The Tree of Life". Due to a misunderstanding, Kion's Lion Guard ends up in a battle with Rani's Night Pride, and Kion sends Rani's brother Baliyo flying with his Roar of the Elders. Having witnessed this and the aftermath of a rockslide accidentally caused by the Lion Guard, Rani deems them a threat and forbids them entry to the Tree of Life. However, on the advice of her grandmother, Queen Janna, and the spirits of her parents, Rani reluctantly goes to meet with the Lion Guard again.
To the Night Pride's surprise, they arrive to find that the Lion Guard have cleared the rubble from the rockslide, but have refrained from crossing the border into the Night Pride's territory. A contrite Kion apologizes for his earlier actions, and acknowledges Rani's right to forbid his passage. He then asks if she will allow his friend Ono, who is in need of healing, to proceed. Rani agrees, and then declares that Kion's willingness to put his friend's needs before his own proves that he and the rest of the Guard are also worthy to enter.
In "The River of Patience", Kion leads the Lion Guard to the Night Pride's aid, only for the former group to charge right into the latter. In the ensuing tangle, Rani ends up partly collapsed atop Kion, but quickly rises up and backs away. She quickly questions their presence, and becomes irate at what she sees as interference in the Night Pride's duties. She reminds Kion that he's at the Tree of Life for healing, and encourages him to get back to it so he can leave as quickly as possible. Her mood is not improved when Kion, learning the identities of the enemies the Night Pride just faced, expresses the fear that they might have followed the Lion Guard to the Tree of Life.
The pair go to Queen Janna, and Rani accuses Kion of leading the invaders to her home. When an apologetic Kion formally offers the Lion Guard's assistance, Rani angrily rebukes him before being quieted by her grandmother. However, after Kion comes to the Night Pride's aid during another attack, Rani enlists him to help against the invaders. Later, she admits that they did work well together, and seems genuinely curious as well when Kion asks how his healing is progressing.
In "Poa the Destroyer", upon hearing a description of a new menace that she recognizes as applying to Beshte, Rani makes a point of seeking Kion out herself. She explains the situation to him, and they organize a plan to clear up the misunderstanding. Their easy collaboration makes both of them smile.
In "Long Live the Queen", Rani and Kion coordinate their teams against the invaders. Afterwards, when the Night Pride is summoned to Queen Janna, Kion offers to stay with some new arrivals in Rani's stead, only to be told that he has also been called for. When the lions learn that the Queen is about to pass away, Kion immediately expresses sympathy to Rani and Baliyo. Later, after Janna dies, Kion goes to Rani to express his condolences, and she thanks and leans into him for comfort as she weeps.
After Janna's funeral, Kion once again approaches Rani to check on her, and they speak about Janna. Rani notes with amusement that it was Janna who convinced her to give Kion another chance, making them both smile, before expressing worry about being able to follow in her grandmother's place as queen. Kion notes that he had his own doubts about leading the Lion Guard at first, but was guided by the spirit of his grandfather Mufasa. When he admits that he hasn't spoken to Mufasa since receiving his scar, Rani encourages him to do so, noting that his scar doesn't change who he is.
Both of them express gratitude that Janna convinced Rani to welcome Kion, and Kion notes that Rani is much like her grandmother. This leaves Rani somewhat embarrassed. Kion takes Rani's advice about Mufasa, and later attends Rani's coronation, where she smiles at him during the ceremony. In "The Lake of Reflection", Kion once again leads the Lion Guard in assisting the Night Pride, calling Rani by name before correcting himself and addressing her as "Your Majesty."
However, on this occasion Kion and Rani struggle to coordinate their teams, and Rani eventually asserts her authority and directs the Lion Guard to handle two enemies while the Night Pride deals with the others. Afterwards, Kion apologizes for the earlier mishaps, and Rani advises him to follow her lead in the future. Kion's teammates take offense, particularly when Rani voices the opinion that Kion only has potential to be a great leader.
Kion, for his part, fears that Rani is correct about his abilities, given his fears that he can't control the Roar and his errors during the battle. However, before resuming his healing, he does propose that the Lion Guard watch over the Tree of Life during the day while the Night Pride return to their old pattern of keeping watch by night. Rani agrees with the suggestion, grateful for the help particularly as she continues adjusting to her new role as queen.
Fuli later questions Rani as to how Kion's healing is going, and Rani admits to her uncle Surak that she also fears that Kion isn't improving. She later seeks Kion out and is surprised to find him sitting by a lake as part of his therapy. As Kion expresses doubts that he'll ever fully recover and be able to use the Roar safely again, Rani surprises him by suggesting that he is meant to give it up. They are interrupted by animals who are disputing rights to a grove of bamboo, and Rani resolves the issue by proposing that, as Kion proposed the Lion Guard and Night Pride do, the animals take shifts using the grove.
When Fuli, who accompanied the animals, suggests that Kion's healing is being hampered by interruptions, Rani apologizes to him and leads the Lion Guard away. She then admits to Fuli that she is also worried about Kion and fears his healing has progressed as far as it ever will. She then notes that Kion feels that he can't lead without the Roar and suggests that his friends talk to him. Later, Kion takes charge of the Guard and most of the Night Pride during another attack and successfully drives off the enemy. Impressed, Rani commends Kion and supports Fuli's earlier statement about his ability as a leader.
In "Triumph of the Roar", Rani again compliments Kion after he leads another successful effort to repulse the invaders. When both Lion Guard and Night Pride concur that Kion's healing is complete, Rani questions whether this means the Guard will now be leaving. Kion rejects this suggestion, noting that the Guard agreed to help defend the Tree of Life. Later, when Rani learns that Kion is attempting to master the Roar, she goes out wanting to talk to him alone, though his friend Bunga insists on coming along.
Just after Rani and Bunga witness Kion's newfound skill, they all receive word that their enemies have been reinforced and are attacking the Tree of Life. When they arrive at the battle, Kion assures Rani that he can deal with the situation, and she expresses her confidence in him. After Kion handily subdues the villains with his new powers, Rani expresses her admiration, and both of them laugh. Rani then invites Kion to use the Roar again, this time to banish the invaders from the Tree of Life. Much to Kion's surprise, Rani then invites him to stay at the Tree himself.
In "Journey to the Pride Lands", Kion speaks to Mufasa about his conflicted feelings. Though he wants to return home, he also is tempted to accept the invitation from Rani-whom he still struggles to address/refer to by her royal title-to stay. Rani herself finds Kion after he's spoken to his grandfather's spirit and asks whether he's thought about her words. In a good-natured dig, he reminds her that their first conversation ended with her barring him from the Tree of Life. Rani laughs, and marvels how things have changed since that first awkward encounter.
When Rani notes that "We make a good team", Kion initially believes that the remark refers to the Lion Guard and the Night Pride. Rani clarifies that she was referring more specifically to Kion and herself, leading into the pair singing "Of the Same Pride." Throughout the song, the pair engage in various playful behaviors, expressing admiration and affection for one another, sorrow at the thought that their time together might be ending and hope that perhaps it doesn't have to. They conclude with the lion version of a hug, with Kion resting his head atop Rani's neck as she leans into him.
Afterwards, Rani again appeals to Kion to stay at the Tree of Life and help her. Kion asserts that she's quite capable without him, but while Rani accepts the compliment, she still expresses the wish for him to stay-as her king. Kion is taken aback by the suggestion, but the pair are then interrupted-to Rani's annoyance-by the Lion Guard. Kion's friends question whether they will soon be returning to the Pride Lands, but Kion admits that he's been considering Rani's offer for them to stay.
The whole group is then interrupted again, this time by old friends of the Lion Guard arriving at the Tree of Life. They bring the news that the Pride Lands have been invaded. Kion is forced to acknowledge that it remains his duty to defend the Pride Lands, something Rani understands and agrees with in spite of her own feelings. As she bids farewell to each member of the Lion Guard, she tells Kion that her invitation still stands. As she and Makini watch the Guard go, Rani expresses the hope that the Roar-in the person of Kion-will once again return to the Tree of Life someday. As the Guard make their way back to the Pride Lands, Beshte comments on Kion and Rani's relationship, which makes Kion pause as he considers the queen.
In "Return to the Pride Lands", Kion's sister Kiara notices him looking at a particular constellation. Kion notes that it helped lead the Lion Guard to the Tree of Life, and that Kiara's relationship with Kovu has reminded him of someone he met there. Kiara quickly realizes what he's talking about, and in response to her amused inquiry he tells her about Rani. After hearing Kion talk about Rani, Kiara correctly guesses that he already misses her. She also voices the opinion that, if he decided to go back to the Tree of Life to be with Rani, their parents would be understanding.
Once Kion decides to pass his role as leader of the Lion Guard to Vitani, he also decides that he does want to go back to the Tree of Life and asks the former Lion Guard members to go with him. They are accompanied by Kion's family and many friends from the Pride Lands and neighboring regions, who attend the ceremony of Kion and Rani's marriage and Kion's coronation. Somewhat formally, Rani expresses her happiness that Kion has returned, and Kion notes that this time he's here to stay. Both express eagerness to rule together, and lead the other lions present in a celebratory roar.
Moments[]
- When Rani playfully pushes Kion underneath a waterfall, Kion retaliates with a move from his father Simba’s playbook and pulls her into the water with him.
Fanon[]
This section is in need of major improvement. Please help improve this article by editing it.
As soon as it was revealed that Rani would be introduced to the show, many assumed she would become Kion’s love interest. While the ship has a dedicated fanbase, it remains controversial for several reasons.
While some were disappointed that it sunk KiFu or Kisiri, Others argue that Rani’s character development was lacking, Pointing out that her limited presence in the series made her relationship with Kion feel rushed and underdeveloped—an opinion even shared by some of the ship’s supporters. Others question the sincerity of their connection, suggesting that Rani’s interest in Kion was largely due to the Roar of the Elders rather than a genuine bond. Additionally, some fans were unsettled by the fact that both characters married at an apparently young age.
There are currently 45 works featuring the pairing on AO3.
Fandom[]
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| The Lion King Ships • The Lion King Characters | ||
| SHIPS | het | Azali • Janjasiri • KiFu • Kisiri • Kopa x Vitani • Kovara • Mufasarabi • Ranion • Scarabi • Scarira • Scarla • Scarzi • Simbala • Vitani x Kion |
| slash | Timbaa | |
| femslash | Kiara x Vitani | |
| family | Kiarion • Kopiara • Kopion • Mufion • Naliara • Nalion • Scarfasa • Simba's Two Dads • Simbar • Simbarabi • Simbfasa • Simbiara • Vitanala • Zirange • Ziratani | |
| CHARACTERS | male | Kion • Scar • Simba |
| female | Kiara • Nala • Vitani | |