You haven’t seen the characters of The Lion King this fashionable or this anthropomorphic, thanks to artist Marco Bernard.

Bernard, a freelance illustrator based in Los Angeles, told PopSugar that he came up with his Pridelands artwork project while watching ’90s Disney cartoon TaleSpin on Disney+ and Netflix anime show Beastars. He said that in Beastars, “there was a group of vicious lions, and I wondered what it would be like for Scar to be the leader of those lions,” he said.

In his Instagram descriptions of his artwork, it’s evident that self-isolation due to COVID-19 also fueled Bernard’s Lion King inspiration. In one post, he wrote, “Dear Diary, it’s been 3-lem days of Quarantine. I’ve lost my mind. This is what happens when you watch #beastars and #Talespin.” In another, he wrote, “Dear Diary, Day Umpteen of Quarantine thoughts. The internet has gone out of control. Therefore forcing me to [lose] control. I know I need to stop but y’all won’t let me. Dammit #Beastars. LOOK WHAT YOU’VE DONE.”

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“Pinned ya again” PRIDELANDS coming soon to @disneyplus and @netflix ???? Dear Diary, It’s been 3-lem days of Quarantine. I’ve lost my mind. This is what happens when you watch #beastars and #Talespin @itsjasonweaver come do the voice bro. Stickers and Prints in my bio Also everyone check out @ashlea_annya page, she wrote a short story by just looking at my drawings. . . . . . #timelapse#procreate#procreate5#scar#mufasa#anime#blackanime#netflixoriginal#tlk#thelionking#furry#furries#illustration#characterdesign#animation#disneyplus#simba#nala

A post shared by Marco The Artist ???????? (@mastermindsconnect) on Mar 24, 2020 at 12:05pm PDT

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Dear Diary, Day Umpteen of Quarantine thoughts. The internet has gone out of control. Therefore forcing me to loose control. I know I need to stop but yall wont let me. Dammit #Beastars . LOOK WHAT YOU’VE DONE. I hope @jasonmarsden sees this and brings Kovu life once again. FYI Kovu is not Scar’s son (link in bio to purchase prints) Thank your for sponsoring this pic @dirtydevil_6g6 ???????? . . . . . #timelapse#procreate#procreate5#scar#mufasa#anime#blackanime#netflixoriginal#tlk#thelionking#furry#furries#illustration#characterdesign#animation#disneyplus#kovu#tlk2

A post shared by Marco The Artist ???????? (@mastermindsconnect) on Mar 23, 2020 at 12:01pm PDT

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“As far as brains go, I’ve got the Lion’s share”. I’ve been watching #Beastars on #netflix It’s very strange but really good haha. This reminds me of Shere Khan from Talespin (who I’m probably going to add). . . . . . #timelapse#procreate#procreate5#scar#anime#blackanime#netflixoriginal#tlk#thelionking#furry#furries#illustration#characterdesign#animation#disneyplus

A post shared by Marco The Artist ???????? (@mastermindsconnect) on Mar 20, 2020 at 12:02pm PDT

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You’re walking to slow. You must Mufasa. Dear Diary, Day 7 of Quarantine. I’m drawing animals with human bodies. Send help. I’ve been watching #Beastars on #netflix It’s very strange but really good haha. Please someone stop me before its too late and I start writing actual stories. . . . . . #timelapse#procreate#procreate5#scar#anime#blackanime#netflixoriginal#tlk#thelionking#furry#furries#illustration#characterdesign#animation#disneyplus

A post shared by Marco The Artist ???????? (@mastermindsconnect) on Mar 21, 2020 at 12:01pm PDT

The art, featuring the characters in contemporary clothing (including Nala in Beyoncé’s Adidas x Ivy Park line and Simba in a suit Donald Glover would love), hit a chord with people on social media, becoming a viral hit. Bernard told PopSugar people have started writing fanfiction based on his art.

He called the online response “incredible,” saying, “I feel like in the world of COVID-19, people have a little something to look forward to with my drawings.”

You can see more of his artwork on his Instagram, and you can support his work on ko-fi.

READ MORE:

‘The Lion King’: Watch Donald Glover In The Vocal Booth With This Never-Before-Seen Clip

Surprise! ‘Beyoncé Presents: Making the Gift’ Documentary To Air On ABC

Photo: Marco Bernard/Instagram

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