Simbala

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Simbala
GENERAL
The Lion King
Character	Simba
Character	Nala
Canonical?	Canon
Status of Relationship	Mates
IN FANDOM
Type (?)	Het
Also Known As	Nalba, Sala, Namba
Tropes	• Childhood Friend Romance

2

Simbala is the het ship between Simba and Nala from The Lion King fandom.

Canon

The Lion King

Simba and Nala have been best friends since they were cubs getting into trouble together. While being unaware that their parents plan for them to mate when it was time for Simba to become king, with Nala serving as his queen. The two having a strong friendship gave the adult lions hope that the will fall in-love when their older, and kept their plans for them quite so they couldn't ruin things between the two cubs.

On the day Simba was tricked by Scar to go into the elephant graveyard, he decided to bring Nala with him knowing that she'll want to explore it as well. With the adult lionesses around Simba had to tell Nala that they were going to the watering hole, while promising to tell her where they are really going when they get there. Having an idea what Simba was really planning got Nala to go with him. Once they mange to lose Zazu. After Simba informs Nala of their true destination the lion cubs began to form a plan to lose Zazu. Who ended up telling the two of their betrothal to one another. At first the two found the idea to be too weird from being best friends and gets Simba to state that he'll change those plans, once he becomes king. Nala supports Simba's statement as she reminds Zazu that he is the future. The cubs then tell Zazu of the perks that comes from being king, as they use the song and the other animals who joined in to help them escape the bird's watchful eye.

Once Simba and Nala were sure that they lost him they made their way to the elephant graveyard. Simba taking for Nala's plan got them in a "pin ya" fight, that Nala won both times as they struggle into their destination. The two were exited to explore the dark patch of land outside the kingdom and knowing the trouble they'll get in made it more exciting for them, until Zazu showed up. Followed by the hyenas who began to chase after the cubs, and when Nala was falling behind Simba attacked one the hyenas to protect her. Simba tried to protect Nala from them again when the three had the two cubs cornered, as he stands in front of his scared friend while trying to scar the hyenas off with a roar. After Mufasa arrived to save the cubs and then escorts them back to the Pride Lands, Nala tells Simba that she thought of him as brave. Nala was also seen looking back at Simba when she and Zazu were asked to continue on without them.

After Nala was told that Simba and his father were dead she cried for her friend she believed to be dead as his father. While having no idea that Simba was alive and living a carefree life outside the dying Pride Lands. Once a grown up Nala was tired of Scar's rule and left to find help, as well as food, she comes across a lion who didn't want her to harm his friends. At first Simba had no idea that the lioness was Nala until she pinned him down. Like Simba, Nala was overjoyed to see her best friend again, as well as them wondering why the two of them are far from the Pride Lands. As the two catch up in a beautiful setting, the lions began to fall in love with each other. Simba had hoped that Nala would decide to stay with him, but she couldn't leave behind the other hungry lions who need Simba to claim his birth right from Scar. The fear of facing his past and spent years believing that Mufasa's death was his fault, Simba didn't want to tell Nala his reason for not wanting to go home. Leading to them fighting as Nala asks Simba what happened to him to become that way and that she would understand his reasons if he shares them with her, but Simba still refused.

The next day Nala looks for Simba before learning that he had decided to face Scar after all, and decides to aid him. Simba was happy to know that he wouldn't be facing Scar or his past alone, as he asks Nala to find his mother and gather the other lionesses while he looks for Scar. Like Simba had assumed, Nala was shocked to learn that Simba was responsible for what happened to his father, until Simba got Scar to reveal that he was the true killer. After the battle was won and Scar defeated, Nala watches Simba take his place as the new king. Who names Nala his queen, as life returns to the Pride Lands. The two then watch in pride as their young cub gets raised into the circle of life as the future queen.

The Lion King II: Simba's Pride

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Nala does what she can to aid and support Simba, who is trying his best to be a good king like his father before him. She could also see that Simba was also trying to be a good father to their cubs, as the trouble they had got into as cubs had made Simba a bit overprotective of Kiara and was having trouble to trust Kion's choices. From seeing that they are just like him at that age. Even though Nala asks Simba to trust and have faith in them, but the scars of his past kept him from having faith in his mate's supportive wisdom and reassurance. Seeing Simba be distrustful and hard on others, who have done nothing wrong hurts Nala.

The Lion Guard

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Children

Kiara

She is Simba and Nala's daughter, Kion's older sister, and the mate of Kovu. She is the Second oldest princess of the PrideLands. She is the younger sister of Chaka, Kopa, and Aisha and the older sister of Shanti, Kion, Alida, Askara, Kila, Kali, Kura, Azula, Ahadi and Kasi. She resembles her father, Simba and her mother, Nala.

Kion

He is the son, and youngest child of Simba and Nala, and the younger brother of Kiara. He is also the older brother to Alida, Askara, Kila, Kali, Kura, Azula, Ahadi and Kasi. As the second-born child of the Lion King, Kion served as the leader of the Lion Guard, a team of animals who protect the Pride Lands and defend the Circle of Life. He was the fiercest member of the team before retiring and passing the role of the leader onto Vitani, although he still has the Roar of the Elders.

Songs

Can You Feel the Love Tonight | Sally Dworsky, Kristle Edwards, Nathan Lane, Ernie Sabella, and Joseph Williams

The final main song in The Lion King where Simba and Nala realize their feelings for each other, as well as Timon and Pumbaa realizing it means the end of their time with Simba

Fanon

Simbala is the one of the most popular canon ships of The Lion King fandom. Half of the ship's support also comes from those who love "best friends to lovers" couples, as well as animal couples. When Kiara and Kion found mates of their own, people began to view them as the second and third Simba x Nala.

Most of the ship's support is mainly focused on the first film and the brief moments from the third film. From feeling that Nala had disappeared in the second film, with Simba going against his mate who tries to get Simba to have faith and trust in the daughter he is overprotective of. Making people wonder if the two might be having problems, like most married couples.

Simbala has over 140 works on AO3. It is the most popular ship for both Simba and Nala, and the most popular in the fandom overall.

Fandom

FAN FICTION

Nala/Simba tag on AO3

TUMBLR

Simba x Nala tag on Tumblr

TIKTOK

Simbala tag on TikTok

Simbala posts on TikTok

Simba x Nala posts on TikTok