I wasn't gonna have much to say about this episode. Just thought it was a fun episode. A few of those things that I was gonna say, included that I enjoyed the humour, was great seeing Makini again (I like her character development so far). Was also cool seeing Timon & Pumbaa again, though I lost it and was slightly confused about seemingly slightly pervy Timon rubbing himself against Fuli. xD Fuli was adorable in the episode, and especially when she was acting scary. She was also really cool and badass looking in the moonlight. And that shot of her and Kion singing and looking at each other... hmm, definite shipping material, if not hinting.
Speaking of the singing, apart from Fuli (whose VA is a great singer) and Beshte (who I was really glad finally got to sing a non-rap song) the rest of the TLG cast seem to be having a bit of trouble sounding young and in-their-character while singing. It's still good, but just something I noted. Also, I was really glad they didn't shoehorn Scar in.
That was all I was GONNA have to say. But then the episode hit its midway point, and wow... sorry, gonna ramble a lot here. This is one of the best episodes the show has done. It might be THE best episode. First of all, we FINALLY got to see more of Simba's pride!! Perhaps, at this point in the timeline, that's the entire pride. I'd be fine with that. I wonder why now, all of a sudden? Was it a budget issue before, or perhaps (and I'm just hoping here) they might actually be reading some of the feedback the older audience is giving them online? I'd REALLY hope that was the case. This makes me happy beyond belief, cause I was starting to doubt it'd ever happen. Secondly, the animation in this episode was SO good. Best it's been, and looked like it improved ten times just within this episode. The animation so far has always been the one thing in my mind that has kinda made me feel like... I dunno, not necessarily guilty, but somewhat "off" about watching the show. But if it keeps at this level (plus if the episodes keep being this good in general), then I will definitely no longer have to feel that way, and I can fully enjoy it without feeling like it's a guilty pleasure. I'm proud how far they've come, because now not only does this show have the most detailed backgrounds and character puppets in a Flash animated show, it now also has good animation ON TOP OF those elements, which is very hard to combine. The song was really good, and different. It felt like a required song, that mattered, was interesting to listen to and wasn't forced in. Sounded like the people who made the song, actually WANTED to make it, as opposed to a lot of the other songs. I loved the lore we got. That's the main thing for a life-long TLK fan about this show. It could explain so much lore from the TLK universe, and this episode delivered on that front. This is something I feel the show needs to focus on more, as it can be one of its best parts. Not only can it explain things from the movies, it can also build new lore and world within the series. And it can connect the series to and make it feel more like The Lion King this way. This episode also had the best Bunga moment in the entire series yet. Bunga has gotten much less annoying, but to see him save the day and that moral dialogue of bravery at the end... that was just great and emotional. THAT moment, with the background music and great delivery from both voice actors, felt like a CLASSIC Renaissance Disney movie moment. Perhaps the only time this series has yet gotten to such feel. Gotta admit, that part and the song, both got me a bit misty-eyed. I rarely cry at shows/movies, but I'll admit getting misty-eyed happens quite a lot with me, especially when I'm tired, but this is the first time TLG has done that to me. Finally, I couldn't help but notice... maybe just a coincidence, but I swear I heard a few notes of "Be Prepared" in the background music in the very last scene. Probably just me, but it definitely got my attention. I mean, the notes were there when I re-listened a few times but not sure if it was intentional.
Not sure if 10/10 episode overall, but I think this is as close to 10/10 as the show has gotten so far. Dunno if my personal favourite episode, but all things considered, I think probably the best episode from an unbiased point of view.