Simba Zira, consumed by her resentment towards Simba, falls to her death. Simba finally approves of Kiara's love for Kovu and reconciles with his daughter, and accepts the two lions as the future king and queen of the Pride Lands. In "The Lion King 1½", a direct-to-video followup released in 2004, Simba appears as a less prominent character because the film's primary focus is on Timon and Pumbaa's behind-the-scenes role and involvement in "The Lion King", in which they appear as supporting characters. Although the two films technically share the same story and timeline, the plot of "The Lion King 1½"
Nala (The Lion King) voice of adult Nala." A straight woman character, Kelly described Nala as a sensible and nurturing yet authoritative character, while Amber Leab of Bitch Flicks described her as strong, independent and intelligent. According to Oh My Disney, Nala serves as "the proverbial glue that keeps "The Lion King" together", from whose perspective the audience watches the film because she "says EXACTLY what we’re thinking". Occupying the role of the film's female lead, Nala is "The Lion King"'s most important female character, who contributes to the film's "small romance element". Often identified as the film's deuteragonist, Taylor Orci of "The Atlantic"