Why Jasiri Is the Only Hyena Who Believes In the Circle Of Life

             Jasiri is the hyena Kion met in “Never Judge A Hyena By Its Spots,” an episode of The Lion Guard (TLG). She has a deep respect for the circle of life, unlike all of the members of Janja’s clan. She sings to Kion that they “both know a higher call, like every creature big and small / The circle of life should be what’s guiding us all.” Jasiri seems to think as highly of the circle of life as any good Pridelander even though she lives in the Outlands. The question then becomes: is she the only hyena near the Pridelands who understands and respects the circle of life, and why? I’ll be discussing multiple fan theories that try to answer this.

Jasiri’s Not the Only One

            While Jasiri is the only other hyena to appear in TLG who doesn’t belong to Janja’s clan, one fan theory is that Jasiri actually lives with another group of hyenas whom we haven’t seen yet. This would mean that there is the potential for an entire clan of hyenas who respect the circle of life and don’t want to throw it out of balance. Such a group could prove to be incredibly powerful allies to Kion and the Guard in their fight against Janja’s clan. This clan could have split off of Janaga’s clan (or the other way around) or they could have been a separate group from the start.

Jasiri Left Janja’s Clan and Went Solo

            Another possibility is that Jasiri left Janja’s clan by herself. This would imply that she was, in fact, the only hyena who cared about the circle of life because the rest of Janja’s clan has no consideration for the effects that overhunting would have (namely, another situation like Scar’s reign minus the drought). Janja and Jasiri definitely know each other by sight so it’s entirely plausible that Jasiri was once a member of Janja’s clan. She most likely grew disgusted with her clan mates’ complete disregard for the delicate balance of life in the Pridelands (and the Outlands, for that matter) and left to fend for herself.

Jasiri Was Part Of A Different Group and the Others Are Gone

            There is also the fan theory that Jasiri was in a different group, split off from Janja’s clan or otherwise, that has since been destroyed. The most likely reason why the rest of the group would be gone is that Janja’s clan killed them because it seems unlikely that they would leave or die of sickness or starvation and Jasiri would still survive. It seems slightly more likely that Jasiri would be able to escape an attack than starvation or sickness because she’s sly and quick. This theory works whether Jasiri’s group was a separate clan or a group that tried to leave Janja’s clan because both would give Janja and his followers a reason to attack them.

If the group was a separate clan, the attack might have been an attempted take-over and, in fact, Janja’s clan may have convinced some of those hyenas to change loyalties. Janja might also have ordered the attack because he didn’t want the competition for food, territory, and power. If the group had previously been part of Janja’s clan and then decided to leave because they didn’t agree with Janja’s overhunting practices it would make sense for Janja to order the attack because Jasiri’s group would be directly challenging his authority. Janja seems like the kind of character who would hold a grudge against anyone who purposely betrayed him, especially anyone who questioned his authority. Such a coup could explain Janja’s disdain for Jasiri when he sees her in “Never Judge A Hyena By Its Spots.” This is my personal headcanon and I like it because it makes Jasiri even more of a badass. Jasiri being able to survive alone after her faction was destroyed by hyenas who embody the very ideas she opposes just seems fitting. 

            What do you think? Let me know in the comments!