Name: Lion-o

Race: Thunderian [Lion]

Occupation: ThunderCat Lord [Lion-o's father was Claudus, apparently the last ThunderCat Lord on old Thundera.  Lion-o officially became lord of the ThunderCats after passing the anointment trials, a test designed to make him defeat the other ThunderCats, without the aid of the Sword of Omens.]

Weapon: Sword of Omens [The sword possesses powers not completely understood, and can only be used for purposes of good.  Embedded in the hilt of the sword is the Eye of Thundera, which allows the holder to look through the space on either side of the eye and see various past and present events, a power referred to as sight beyond sight.  The sword can also grow in length, be used to summon the other ThunderCats, and will come when the owner calls for it.  The Eye of Thundera seems to be what really gives the sword it's power, and is said to be the source of the ThunderCats' power.  Few can reforge the sword if it is broken ["All That Glitters", "Mumm-Ra Lives"], but if harm comes to the Eye of Thundera, it can be a detrimental event to the ThunderCats ["Excalibur"].]

Special Abilities: According to what was seen during the anointment trials, Lion-o is as strong as Panthro, as fast as Cheetara, as intelligent as Tygra, and as cunning as the Thunderkittens - but everything is in relation to all of the other circumstances and events happening during the trials.  Lion-o is strong, and he can run fairly fast, but it isn't as if he has one super ability.  He might jump into things headfirst without thinking on some occasions, but a lot of what he lacks in common sense is because of his lack in experience.  He left Thundera a cub and emerged from his suspension capsule fully grown, which left him confused and faced with having to skip the end of his childhood and his teenage years.  He grows as the show progresses, especially as a leader, but still relies heavily on the knowledge of the older and wise ThunderCats, and of ghostly Jaga's advice.

Love Interests:  Because he was forced to go from being a child to being an adult practically overnight, it was likely difficult for Lion-o to understand any feelings he may have had for anyone.  There have been cases made for relationships between Lion-o and just about every other character that was ever introduced on the show [although I've yet to come across a pairing of Lion-o and Zaxx, but believe me, it's coming].  The most likely candidate chosen is Cheetara, especially because of the aparent interest she had in him ["Sixth Sense"].  Some argue Pumyra as a better choice, and others pick Willa (after all, she is royalty as well).  My personal choice has always been Wilykit, about five or ten years down the road.  I know what you're thinking - she's just a kid, he's a big old lion, how's that going to work?  Just remember, they were practically the same age when they left Thundera.  Then again, there are also those who think he and snarf are a little closer than they should be, but I think that came mostly from "A Night On Thundera", the earliest recorded piece of ThunderCats Fan Fiction.

Episodes of Interest:  Every episode is a Lion-o episode!  It's true, it's true!  But seriously, he shows up everywhere...I think he was supposed to be the hero or something, but many fans don't exactly think of him as the character they wanted to grow up and be like [I know I didn't...].  But if you're looking for some good Lion-o eps, the Anointment trials are a must see, as well as Return to Thundera (both the single episode, and the multi-part run).

Catch Phrase & Quotes:

"Thunder...Thunder...ThunderCats...HO!"
        -phrase used to summon the other ThunderCats, likely the most used line in the entire series

"Sword of Omens...come to my hand!"
        -used every time he loses the sword and needs to find it

"Jaga - Wait!"
        -how to know Lion-o still doesn't get what Jaga tried to tell him...

"Mistakes can be valuable - if you learn something."
        -to Panthro in 'The Ghost Warrior'

"I guess the joke doesn't seem all that funny when the joke's on you."
        -Lion-o, on tricking Snarf to think he was having a swimming cramp in "Tower of Traps"

Final Thoughts:  Lion-o is regarded by many as the king of smarminess, from all of his quaint speeches at the end of the show, and the entire do-gooder attitude.  Fans tend to either hate him with a vengeance, or love him to the point of posting his picture all over their sites.  

Have a catch phrase or quote you think should be here?  Just dying to add some info I missed?  E-mail me!