Tanabi

Tanabi is a character in Disney's animated film The Lion King II: Simba's Pride. He is often misidentified and confused with other characters, leading to misconceptions regarding his existence and role within the Lion King universe.

Identity and Origins

Tanabi does not appear in the final cut of The Lion King II: Simba's Pride. He originated as a concept for Simba and Nala's son, predating the development of Kopa and Kiara. Early storyboards and promotional materials featured a young lion cub with a distinctly different appearance than either Kopa (in books) or Kiara (in the film). This cub was briefly considered to be named Tanabi.

Misconceptions and Fan Theories

The "Tanabi" name and the character design seen in early materials have fueled extensive fan theories and discussions. These theories often suggest that:

• Tanabi was Simba and Nala's firstborn son, who may have died or been lost.
• Tanabi represents an alternative storyline or a character that was completely scrapped.
• Tanabi is merely a placeholder name used during the development process and should not be considered canon.

Canonicity

It is important to note that Tanabi is not considered canon within The Lion King franchise. He was a discarded character concept that never made it into the official narrative. Kiara remains the canon daughter of Simba and Nala in the film continuity.