Pagoola (Pagūra パグーラ) is a stubborn African bush elephant who never trusts humans or human culture - however, he does praise Kimba for the cub's beliefs.
Appearance[]
Pagoola is a large Bull Elephant. Many interpretations of him show him with darker skin than other Elephants of his herd, making him more recognizable in comparison. He also has a more prominent forehead compared to the other Elephants.
In the 1989 series, his ears are more rugged, and "shredded" than other elephants. In episode 33 of this anime, he is shown to be missing part of his left tusk.
His missing tusk is shown prominently in his 1997 film incarnation, and his appearance in the Hon-o-Ji special.
Personality[]
Most of his incarnations depict him as a violent Elephant who, while not entirely supporting humans or human beliefs, does praise Kimba for his courage and determination in his goals. Despite his brutal nature, he does show to be protective and supportive to his herd and to his son Bizo, ready to fight off humans in order to keep his herd safe.
Kimba the White Lion (Jungle Emperor)[]
Referred to as "Kelly Phant" in the 1965 English dub, Pagoola is often shown to be at odds with Kimba thanks to his views on mankind and their ways, slightly similar to Boss Rhino in behavior. He is depicted as an antagonist in numerous episodes of the series, either fighting against Kimba and his beliefs of building humanity, or protecting his territory from trespassers. At the same time though, he does admit time to time how impressed he is and praises Kimba for his endeavours, even if he doesn't always approve.
In episode 44, A Friend in Deed, Pagoola gives Kimba a trail: bypass his defenses and he shall rescue Kenichi. As usual, he praises the cub, letting him and his friends pass. Also in episode 48, The Red Menace, he imprisons Kimba and Peewee inside a stone tower for stealing his herd's Elephant Grass, but later agrees to help Kimba build a barrier against the fire after Kimba rescues him.
Leo the Lion (Onward, Leo)[]
Pagoola with his son, Bizo
In the 1966 sequel series, he is first shown to be more tolerable of Leo, and even more supportive towards both him and his children Rune and Rukio. Despite this, he is still more forceful whenever it comes to defending the jungle: in episode 22 "Candle Rock", he willingly brings his whole herd to encounter and drive out Goba's herd when he hears from Bizo that invaders were coming.
He is still shown a distrust in humans, though not as strongly as the previous series.
The New Adventures of Kimba the White Lion (Jungle Emperor 1989)[]
He makes a few notable appearances in the 1989 series. His first appearance is in Episode 11 "The Law of the Jungle" when his herd arrives near Leo's Jungle. He and his herd threaten to invade the jungle since their find Bizo missing, but peacefully leaves upon Bizo's return. He reappears in episode 33 with a tusk missing.
Jungle Emperor Leo (1997 film)[]
.png){kind=link}
Pagoola appears within the film, his role similar to the 1966 adaptation. After a big fire sweeps through the jungle, caused by humans, he arrives to Leo's home and requests him to join his herd in seeking revenge. When Leo refuses, Pagoola briefly fights him and, in the end, announces that Leo's no longer his king before leaving. Later on in the film, he finds his son Bizo very ill from the spreading plague, and decides to let Mr. Pompous (Dr. Mustache) heal his son, wanting to save his life more than anything else. After his son is healed, he says he's most proud to have Leo as his king.
Jungle Emperor Leo: Hon-o-ji[]
He makes a brief appearance within the Hon-o-ji special alongside his son Bizo, showing discouragement in letting Paola stay in the Jungle. He is lighter-skinned than his movie adaptation, but is still missing his tusk.
Trivia[]
- Like in some films, Pagoola appears to be the leader of his herd, but in real life, elephant herds are led by a dominant female called a matriarch. It's possible that Pagoola's wife was the matriarch of his herd, and he took over after her death.