Mufasa & Simba's Family Tree In The Lion King Explained

Dec. 21, 2024, 6:21 p.m.

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Mufasa & Simba's Family Tree In The Lion King Explained

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The Lion King franchise has grown to be absolutely massive since the original animated film was released in 1994, and now that Mufasa: The Lion King is expanding the world of the titular lion, here is a full breakdown of Mufasa and Simba's family tree. The Lion King franchise has always centered around Mufasa's hierarchy, with four generations of the family being highlighted throughout each of the many films and TV shows. So, here is every member of Mufasa and Simba's family that has been revealed in The Lion King and Mufasa: The Lion King, explained.

The 2019 live-action The Lion King remake brought Disney's iconic 1994 animated film back into the spotlight, although the film was nothing more than a retelling of the original story. Luckily, the live-action series is finally moving past this with the release of Mufasa: The Lion King, a prequel focusing on Mufasa and Scar's childhoods that tells how the former came to be king. Mufasa: The Lion King gives far more information about Mufasa and his family than has ever been known before, further fleshing out the branches of Mufasa and Simba's family tree.

Mufasa, Simba's Father

Means "King"

When discussing Mufasa and Simba's family tree, it only makes sense to start with Mufasa. Mufasa is the father of Simba, the husband of Sarabi, the grandfather of Kiara and Kion, and the adopted brother of Scar. Mufasa is the first lion king that is seen in the franchise, with him fathering young Simba and preparing him to be king throughout the first half of the 1994 original and its 2019 remake. Sadly, Mufasa is killed by Scar while Simba is still young, meaning that he never got to see Simba become king or meet Kiara or Kion in the flesh.

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Simba, Mufasa's Son

Means "Lion"

Simba is the protagonist of 1994's The Lion King and its 2019 remake, with him being a young cub at the beginning of the story and growing into an adult king with Timon and Pumbaa after his father's death. Simba is the son of Mufasa and Sarabi, the husband of Nala, the father of Kiara and Kion, and the nephew of Scar. As a child, Simba had a close relationship with his uncle, Scar. However, after returning to the Pride Lands as an adult and discovering that Scar killed Mufasa, Simba overthrew Scar and took his rightful place as king.

Afia, Mufasa's Mother & Simba's Grandmother

Means "Vigor"

Afia is a character who was first introduced in the 2024 prequel Mufasa: The Lion King, with her being the biological mother of Mufasa. Although Mufasa was adopted as the brother of Scar as a child, with him truly being raised by Scar's mother Eshe, Afia is still Mufasa's original biological parent. On top of being Mufasa's mother, Afia is also the mother-in-law of Sarabi, the grandmother of Simba, and the great-grandmother of Kiara and Kion.

Masego, Mufasa's Father & Simba's Grandfather

Means "Blessing"

Mufasa: The Lion King also introduces another key member of the Mufasa family tree, with this being Mufasa's biological father, Masego. Masego is also the grandfather of Simba, the father-in-law of Sarabi, and the great-grandfather of Kiara and Kion.

Sarabi, Mufasa's Wife & Simba's Mother

Means "Mirage"

Sarabi is an important character in the world of The Lion King, although she doesn't get very much screentime in the original animated film. Sarabi is the wife of Mufasa and the mother of Simba, as well as the grandmother of Kiara and Kion. Although Mufasa is tragically killed when Simba is young, Sarabi is still around after his death, with her living in the Pride Lands throughout Scar's authoritarian reign. Sarabi is even around to see that Simba is alive upon his return to the Pride Lands, giving the character a happy ending after all of the grief that she went through.

Related Where To Watch Mufasa: The Lion King - Showtimes & Streaming Status Disney has brought the Lion King franchise back with a prequel. Here's where to watch Mufasa: The Lion King in theaters, on streaming, and on digital.

Nala, Simba's Wife

Means "Gift"

In the original The Lion King story, Nala is the female lead of the film, with her being Simba's friend when they were both young cubs. However, the duo became separated after Mufasa's death when Simba left the Pride Lands to live with Timon and Pumbaa. Believing that Simba is dead, Nala is shocked to come across him years later while hunting. After convincing him to return to defeat Scar, Nala and Simba fall in love, with her becoming his wife. Simba and Nala have two children together, with them being The Lion King II: Simba's Pride's Kiara and The Lion Guard's Kion.

Kiara, Simba's Daughter & Mufasa's Granddaughter

Means "Princess"

Although Kiara is technically seen at the end of the original The Lion King and its 2019 remake, with her being the child of Simba and Nala that Rafiki holds up, she wasn't properly introduced until the 1998 direct-to-DVD sequel The Lion King II: Simba's Pride. In the film, a young Kiara falls in love with an outsider lion named Kovu, who unbeknownst to her belongs to a family who worships Scar.

Kovu, Kiara's Husband & Simba's Son-In-Law

Means "Scar"

By the end of The Lion King II: Simba's Pride's story, another member has joined Mufasa and Simba's family tree, with this being Kovu. Kovu is an outsider who was looked down upon by Kiara's family. Despite this, Kiara still loved him, with the two ending up together by the end of the movie. This makes Kovu Kiara's mate and Simba and Nala's son-in-law, with him finally being accepted into the family.

Kion, Simba's Son & Mufasa's Grandson

Means "Leader"

Kiara is not the only child of Simba and Nala, as the sequel TV series The Lion Guard reveals that they had another child: Kion. Kion is the prince of the Pride Lands and the leader of the Lion Guard, with him being the son of Simba and Nala, the grandson of Mufasa and Sarabi, the brother of Kiara, and the mate of Rani.

Rani, Kion's Wife & Simba's Mother-In-Law

Means "Queen"

Another member of Mufasa and Simba's family that was introduced in The Lion Guard is Rani. First seen in season 3, Rani was the leader of the Night Guard and became the mate of Kion, making her the daughter-in-law of Simba and Nala and the sister-in-law of Kiara.

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Scar, Mufasa's "Brother" & Simba's "Uncle"

Originally Names Taka, Which Means "Garbage"

The final member of the Mufasa and Simba family tree is Scar, although Mufasa: The Lion King reveals that he isn't related to the rest of the characters by blood. Instead, Scar took Mufasa in as a cub, with the two becoming adoptive brothers. This made Scar Mufasa's brother and Simba's uncle, although he wasn't around long, as Simba kills Scar at the end of The Lion King as revenge for Scar killing Mufasa.