Vitani
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| Vitani | |
|---|---|
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| First appearance | The Lion King II: Simba's Pride |
| Created by | Flip Kobler |
| Voiced by | Lacey Chabert (cub) Jennifer Lien (adult) |
Vitani is a fictional lioness character who first appeared in Disney's 1998 direct-to-video animated film The Lion King II: Simba's Pride, sequel to 1994's The Lion King. She was voiced as a cub by Lacey Chabert and as an adult by Jennifer Lien. She was originally named Shetani, but since the word means "Devil" in Kiswahili, her name was changed to "Vitani" which has no meaning. However, during the fight scene at the end of the film, Nala appears to say "Shetani" rather than "Vitani", pointing out the potential that the name was changed after production had already begun.
Vitani appeared in a cut scene, just after the presentation of Kiara. In this scene, she and Nuka race back to tell their mother that Simba's cub is a girl. The scene was dropped from the final film before it was inked.
[edit] The Lion King II: Simba's Pride
Vitani is the daughter of Zira, the sister of Nuka and half-sister of Kovu. Her father is not explicitly mentioned, but the film strongly hints it was Scar, which would make her the cousin of King Simba. She apparently has the most loving connection to Kovu given her concern about his safety as a cub.
Vitani has a somewhat minor role in the film. Near the beginning, she and Nuka have a brief conversation about Kovu, and a little later she participates in Zira's song "My Lullaby".
As an adult, Vitani is sent with Nuka to light a fire in the savannah so Kovu can save Simba's daughter Kiara. This is part of Zira's plot for Kovu to infiltrate Simba's pride. Later on she discovers that Kovu doesn't want to kill Simba anymore and reports this to Zira.
During the battle between the Outlanders and Pridelanders, when Kiara reminds Simba that "we are one," Vitani is the first of the Outlanders to realize that the fighting is pointless and that the Outlanders must attempt to become accepted by the Pridelanders and prove themselves worthy of forgiveness to survive. As a result, she is the first to cross over to Simba's side and defend his cause. Furthermore, when Zira then threatens Vitani for her defection, that act backfires into disgusting the other Outlanders enough to desert her entirely.
| The Lion King | |
|---|---|
| Films | The Lion King | The Lion King II: Simba's Pride | The Lion King 1½ |
| Characters | Ahadi | Kiara | Kopa | Kovu | Ma | Mohatu | Mufasa | Nala | Nuka | Rafiki | Sarabi | Sarafina | Scar | Shenzi, Banzai and Ed | Simba | Timon and Pumbaa | Tojo | Uncle Max | Uru | Vitani | Zazu | Zira |
| Songs | "Circle of Life" | "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" | "Be Prepared" | "Hakuna Matata" | "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" |
| Books | The Brightest Star | Friends In Need | Six New Adventures |
| Games | The Lion King | Timon & Pumbaa's Jungle Games |
| Other media | Original motion picture soundtrack | Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable | Rhythm of the Pride Lands | The Lion King's Timon & Pumbaa | Broadway musical | Festival of the Lion King | Festival of the Lion King soundtrack |
| Misc | Kings of the Pride Lands | The Lion King family | In popular culture |
| See also | "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" | Kingdom Hearts II | Kimba the White Lion controversy |
