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MountainLygon — RIP Ushari
#cobras #disney #fear #guard #ignorance #king #lion #naja #snakes #haje #ophidiophobia #ushari
Published: 2019-08-05 01:58:52 +0000 UTC; Views: 4736; Favourites: 46; Downloads: 1
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I'm rather miffed at the writers of TLG right now. They're supposed to teach zoology, yet they went out of their way to villainize venomous animals that are just as important to the circle of life as any. They still haven't given us a real reason for making Ushari a villain. I'm going to have to fix that episode. Stay tuned.Related content
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Ushari's main character trait was the fact htat he thought he was OWED respect. He never did a THING to earn it, he thought it should be given to him regardless. Add to the fact that he tended to CONSTANTLY get in larger animal's ways... sometimes it was accidental, but MOST of the time, he seemed not to respect others enough to realize that he shoulod moveto avoid the trampling he complained about.
And,if you'er going to mention Bunga stealing his kill, he was about to eat A BABY. One that the :ion Guard had just spent a good while trying to PROTECT. That makes it obviously NOT ok.
Ushari simply was an egotistic jerk, who failed to realize that he wasn't owed ANYTHING. People who think they DESERVE respect without earning it, seldom deserve ANY.
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I both agree and disagree with you. TLG chooses which animals will be evil or not based on their stereotype. They only change tune when adults complain. However, one has to remember that: 1.) this show is aimed at preschoolers, and as such, they need to simplify things, and 2.) Ushari was essentially bullied. Think about it. He gets trampled (twice) mistaken for a stick and thrown into tree, mistaken for twig and attacked by Bunga, and was basically assualted for trying to eat. Wouldn't anyone feel pushed to exact some vengeance? (Note: some real life murderers have been known to have been bullied in the past; one person I had to do a report on, commited mass murder at a McDonald's, because he'd been bullied because of his lame leg (caused by him contracting polio as a kid.))
That said, they never showed good/neutral venomous characters or redemption for any venomous animals. (A real shame, as Ora, a Komodo dragon, is one of my favorite reptile species. (If I wasn't positive it'd result in a deadly bite, I'd give one a hug.))
I actually have a set of animal short stories I should get around to writing, one of which basically tells kids that no, predators AREN'T mean, they're just doing what's necessary to survive, (The message may be somewhat undermined by the ending, in which the predator tries to eat his herbivore friend, but 1.) he was starving, and 2.) it's there as a reminder to not try to replicate the friendship at home...unless you WANT dead herbivores.) and the other is a parody of a children's story, where hyenas tell the scientific reasoning behind the actions they're despised for, but then a lion comes in and steals the show, simply because he looks awesome, despite the hyena pointing out lions' vicious actions like attacking other predators unprovoked and infantcide, until the hyena points if you imagine a HUMAN doing the same things as lions, you'd straight-up hate them.
That said, I do have a story that seems to undermine my story about predators not being mean, by having a vicious jackal who wants to be a man-eater, simply because he likes being top predator. However, this story is a tribute to my favorite Jungle Book character, Tabaqui (specifically, the novel version, who can be quite dangerous as opposed to the comic relief he usually is in adaptations.)
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Yes, I read them both. They're quite wonderful, but I'm not sure 2-7-year-olds (as that's what's Disney Junior's channel says it's intended for) could truly understand honor. Not saying you don't have valid points or amazing storytelling ability, but young kids seem to have trouble grasping (and retaining knowledge of) complex ideas.
And of course they didn't address Ushari's bullying: it wasn't intentional on the Guard's end, so they don't feel the need to apologize (because the show loves one of my pet peeves: Protagonist-Centered Morality).
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No offense, but when do the movies show protagonist-centered morality? When cub Simba thought being prince gave him immunity, Zazu informed that "technically, they can [do anything they want to him], as [they] were their land." That's the only thing I can think you'rereferring to.
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That's more along the lines of animal stereotypes. Protagonist-centered morality is when characters are judged as good or evil based on their actions toward the protagonist.
Suppose, for example, there is a character who slaughters innocent villagers by the thousands, but once helped save the mother of the protagonist or some other character simply because he thought she was hot; said character will easily forgive this guy, buy him a drink, and may even invite him to join the team. Then there is another character who routinely saves orphans from burning buildings who once used his resultant fame to woo away the love interest of the character. They will be an object of scorn. This alone would just be portraying a flawed hero (or a hypocritical villain if the character is evil) — the final piece of the puzzle is that the narrative is in on the myopia. There will be no warning signs that the protagonist is being unfair to the hero who saved all these people. No one calls them out on how disrespectful they're being to the memory of thousands of the mass-murderer's victims. This will not come back to haunt them. The protagonist is essentially acting as though, in certain respects, it really is all about them, and the author is clearly agreeing.
As for the treatment of the hyenas in TLK, as a kid, I just saw it as the fact lions and hyenas are enemies in real life. As I got older, I actually noticed the hyenas are bought over with food, and that Mufasa isn't really given a reason to chase off the hyenas and keep them in a barren wasteland. When Zazu goes, "Sire! Hyenas! In the Pridelands!" Mufasa doesn't go, "Okay, are they causing trouble? Are they attacking one of the lionesses?", he just goes off to chase them off.
The whole reason they give why leopards & hyenas can't live in the Pridelands in TLG is, in my mind, total bullshit. (The reason is, long ago, hyenas, lions, and leopards agreed to take their own separate territories, as too many apex predators would cause a strain on the prey populations.) In real life, lions are extremely territorial, and will kill other predators just because they're competition for the same prey. But that makes the lions look like jerks. Also, in real life, one "territory" in Africa will be filled with THOUSANDS of prey animals. For an ecosystem to work, for every one individual predator, there must be ten prey animals.
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His death came unexpected, but maybe it has something to do with his voice actor. I heard they were some trouble surrounding him, which was the reason Ushari was on hiatus for a long time. Maybe that's why they had to kill him off for good. I actually feel a bit sorry for Ushari. The LG didn't really threaten him like a pride lander, even to the point where they took his prey away. No wonder he turned evil in the end.
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Yeah. I admit I'm going to miss Ushari. He just wanted to live with no disturbance and now he's dead.
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when Ushari Died I cried but now we have Ora so I guess it's fine
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What happened to the skinks, the jackals, the vultures, and the croocdiles when Scar was no more?
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They either scattered or agreed to live at peace with Jasiri's clan.
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Hopefully the latter. But think Shupavu's gang will live somewhere without hornbills.
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Did you watch the episode?
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Sigh. People are going to complain no matter which animal they villianize. First it was Hyenas, then Jackals, then Crocs, then predators in general. Episodic shows like this; need antagonists for nearly every episode, with Scar gone and Janja and his crew turning good (something not enough people are giving the show credit for), they need new ones - Africa has only so many animals to choose from. Seems this show can't do anything without someone getting miffed.
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You are not understanding. The reason people are being frustrated with the Lion Guard is because there seems to be a certain bias against predators due to three things: lack of concrete evidence, lack of role variability, and fighting right away rather than reasoning or thinking outside the box first.
1. We've been told thousands of times that the hyenas, jackals, and vultures cannot enter the Pridelands because they have a tendency to overeat and throw off the balance of the Circle of Life. But here's the problem: Did we ever see the outlanders eat IN the Outlands? No. Maybe if there were a few scenes during the course of the series that showed them eating (at least carcasses) in the Outlands, then we would believe that there are enough resources in the Outlands and see that there is really no good reason for them to get into the Pridelands. But we didn't see any of it. Because of that, all we see are predators in a barren wasteland hence we would understand why they would want to go into the Pridelands. We tend to sympathize with the predators (despite them being villains) because we don't see any concrete evidence that proves that there are enough resources in the Outlands for the Outlanders to feed themselves with.
2. It's kinda annoying how the villain roles automatically go to predators. There were never any villains who were herbivores. "The Travelling Baboon Show" had the opportunity to make herbivores villains since the baboons were actually the ones in the wrong in that episode. However, that episode was the worst episode for me because after the Guard banished them to the Outlands, the hyenas were about to eat the baboons and then for some reason, the Guard suddenly comes back and protects the baboons from the hyenas EVEN THOUGH IT WAS THE BABOONS CAUSING THE MESS IN THE FIRST PLACE. If the Guard (or the Pridelands in general) wants nothing to do with the baboons, then the hyenas have the right to do what they want with them. Plus, the baboons were on the hyenas' territory, so the hyenas really had the right to eat them. The hyenas weren't in the Pridelands so they didn't do anything wrong. But the episode for some reason made it otherwise. That's why I hated this episode. The baboons were in the wrong. Not the hyenas.
3. I usually notice that new predators or any other tough animal, regardless of alignment or intended goal, get the automatic "get out of my property" treatment. Not all new tough animals that come into the Pridelands really intend to disrupt the circle of life (even the ones who just want a quick bite). Take Makucha for example in his first appearance. Yes, he went into the Pridelands to hunt Ajabu, but that was it. He was only after the okapi (which was never a local animal in the Pridelands to begin with) and not anything else. Another example is Mpishi. We don't know how much she was going to eat in the Pridelands. There could have been the possibility where she would eat a small animal and then leave. Besides, I can relate with her since I easily get tired of having the same food over and over again. That's why I get excited when I travel abroad. In the cases of Makucha and Mpishi, the Guard could have at least compromised with them since they are not like Janja who actually wants a whole herd. Lastly, there is Badili. Yes, he took over a galago-inhabited tree but that was an accident. And even when he admitted that he didn't mean to hurt anyone, the Guard still frowned at him. Also, what if he really couldn't take back his territory? The story would have been better written if Badili was frequently dependent on the Guard for assistance, but it made it look like Badili looking for a new home was a bad thing. In addition, in the current season, the Guard is travelling to new places and of course they will encounter new predators. But the thing is, I haven't seen the Guard try to reason with them first before fighting. As a result, it's like they think they still have authority in these parts when they clearly don't. The Outlands and the Backlands are at least near the Pridelands so it's easy for them to supervise activity in both areas. But these new areas are really not within the Guard's jurisdiction. To the new Predators, the Guard are just strangers. They don't know each other yet so there has to be reasoning first.
So those are the problems the show has. If anything, maybe within the show, there could be a diplomatic system or the practice of interspecies dialogue (similar to interreligious dialogue) so that animals can understand and be aware of other animals (in friendly terms of course) instead of just wanting nothing to do with them.
The only thing I agree with you on is Janja's redemption. At least that was a scene of doing what his parents couldn't.
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1) We barely see characters hunt IN the Pridelands. It's a show for toddlers, hunting is a very harsh reality. To compensate, there are lines referring to why the Outlands aren't as barren as they appear, many coming from and about Jasiri.
Jasiri: "I know Janja and his clan are greedy and it's more than their share.."
Janja (referring to Jasiri) "Her clan is always full, we're always hungry.."
Given that Jasiri and her breeding family, Janja and his clan, the Jackals, and supposedly the Outsiders; all live there without being ill from malnutrition, shows that they're just envious of what their neighboring 'town' has; and not because they're immensely suffering. And their suffering comes from their toxic attitude and bad choices, which is why Janja decided to join Jasiri's clan - to make a better future, rather than continue to cause their own problems by being criminals.
2) There weren't any herbivore villains in the original films either, so what? It's generally because herbivores aren't menacing or an immediate threat to anyone. They don't have claws, sharp teeth, venom etc. you know...things that people instinctually associate with danger. Lions are villains in all versions of TLK and other films, what difference does it make? I think you're forgetting that many good characters in TLG are predators too, including the main character. And there are good characters that come out of the Outlands, like Jasiri and her family, and Kovu. It's not clear cut one way or the other.
3) " I usually notice that new predators or any other tough animal, regardless of alignment or intended goal, get the automatic "get out of my property" treatment."
It's almost as if Kion is a Lion or something, and Lions are naturally very territorial. Again, it's about perspective of the central characters. The Pridelands is delicate, and they need to be sure no new predators get too comfortable and mess up the ecosystem, no exceptions. Even if Makucha was only after one Okapi, there was always the threat of him getting too used to being there and wanting to stay. As far as Mpishi is concerned, it's not the same as eating a new meal while traveling, it's more akin to raiding someone else's fridge without their permission because you're sick of the food you have at home - it's not as reasonable.
Badili was a nuisance to begin with, he invaded someone else's land that couldn't accommodate for him - like if someone broke into your house and slept on your roommate's bed - kicking them out of it in the process. Badili didn't tell them why he was there at first, so they just thought he was freeloading. They still befriended and helped him once they realized his problem, him looking for a new home WAS a bad thing, he needed to stand up for himself rather than back down from a bully, TLG helped him with that - but no one wants to acknowledge this when speaking of TLG demonizing all predators, people still conveniently finds ways to criticize them for it.
So no, I DO understand. People want realism, but only if it's fair. Nature isn't fair, the food chain is a hierarchy whether we like it or not, the Pridelands is too delicate for new predators, Lions are territorial, the villainy comes from the perspective of the central characters rather than an unfair prejudice, all exaggerated and 'false' characteristics of certain animals comes from the fantasy/story elements of the show's narrative - for this series is NOT a documentary, it's a show for little kids about a lion cub with a magic roar. There are problems in it for sure, but adults keeps analyzing it way too much.
Look, I don't care if OP thinks Ushari was a badly written character, that's fine - understandable even. But I drew the line at him passive aggressively accusing the writers of having a hateful prejudice without any direct proof, that was unfair and not substantiated.
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I guess what you are saying makes sense. But here is the thing: How would you feel if your favorite species of animal only cared about eating and got the same comeuppance over and over again?
If I'm not mistaken, I'd say the reason people are fed up with how the Guard manages things is because that the MORE INTERESTING animals are NOT located in the Pridelands. Gazelles, giraffes, and buffaloes are basically African equivalents of horses and cows, so to me, it's like you've seen one herbivore, you've seen them all, but there is more excitement when you see carnivores in action.
Also, are you seriously ignoring what I said about The Traveling Baboon Show?! It's the baboons who should suffer. NOT the hyenas.
Sigh. This is why I'm glad I got into Cuphead. The citizens of the game are different species, some bear the attitudes and characteristics of the predators in The Lion Guard, and by the end of the game, everyone is happy and gets along with the heroes. In addition, there are a dragon, a giant robot, a pair of cocky frogs, and a German Mortimer Mouse lookalike living on that isle. And no one has a problem with that!
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My favourite species of animals are feline, both big and domestic - who are CONSTANTLY made into villains, particularly in kids media. Shere Khan, Sabor, Claw, Scar, Zira, Nuka, Prince John, Makunga, Pete, Fat Cat, Dragon (Secret of Nimh), Claudandus, Cat R. Waul, Mr. Tinkles, M.A.D Cat, Smokey, Sylvester, Tom (Tom & Jerry), Azrael, Felicia, Si & Am, Yzma's second form, Lucifer etc. Do I need to go on? I don't care about it though, if the character is compelling; I don't give a single shit what animal happens to represent their human-esque motivations and personalities. It's irrelevant.
"...how the Guard manages things is because that the MORE INTERESTING animals are NOT located in the Pridelands."
So? How is that even a point? Weird thing to complain about if you ask me. The herbivores that appear in TLG are the ones most recognizable to children, they were the ones that appeared in the films too, the movies set up which animals exist there, not TLG.
"Also, are you seriously ignoring what I said about The Traveling Baboon Show?!"
I've only seen that one once, it was a long time ago - it was a weak episode, don't wanna watch it again, no comment.
Cuphead is pure fantasy, therefore so are the politics and hierarchies - TLG is set in natural Africa, not everyone gets along - just like real life. People need to start dealing with that.
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The roar and moving cave paintings are considered fantasy too you know.
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Obviously. But it's more grounded in reality than Cuphead is; just based on setting alone.
But yes, there are fantasy components to TLG's story narrative, just like the original films. Which is why people need to stop whining so much about the show not being realistic enough when it comes to animal representations. The original Lion King had elements of reality and fantasy - so why do people whine when TLG has the same qualitites?
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It was the way they did it. No one has ever heard of an introvert plotting to overthrow a king because they don't like ungulates. Ushari was a perfectly neutral character at first, but then they decided he should be a bad guy. They gave no reason behind it. Ushari's descent into villainy was so convoluted that I refuse to accept it as canon. I gave him a much better reason for becoming a villain; one that actually teaches about animals in the way TLG purports to do. My version of Ushari actually acts like a cobra.
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