You know that look. That specific, half-lidded, incredibly intense stare Nala gives Simba when they reunite in the jungle? It’s basically become an internet legend at this point. People call it the "Nala bedroom eyes" look, and while it’s definitely a bit of a meme now, there is actually a fascinating amount of animation history and color theory tucked into those bright sea-foam orbs.
When you look at Nala eyes, you aren't just looking at a random design choice. You're looking at one of the most deliberate character design pivots in Disney history.
The Color Mystery: Green, Blue, or Teal?
If you ask ten different people what color Nala’s eyes are, you’ll probably get three different answers. It’s weird. In some scenes of the 1994 original, they look like a striking, electric green. In others, they lean toward a pale, icy blue or even a muddy gray.
Honestly, it’s mostly a result of the lighting department working overtime.
In the "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" sequence, the animators used a palette of purples, deep blues, and warm golds to simulate the "golden hour" and moonlight. Because Nala’s eyes are a semi-translucent teal, they pick up the surrounding colors. In the harsh sunlight of the Pride Lands, they look much greener. This wasn't an accident. Disney’s lead animators, including Anthony DeRosa (who was the supervising animator for adult Nala), wanted her to stand out against the earthy, orange, and yellow tones of the savanna.
Contrast is king. Simba has those deep, fiery orange-brown eyes that blend with his mane. Nala? She cuts right through the frame.
Why Nala Eyes Changed for the 2019 Remake
Then 2019 happened. Jon Favreau’s photorealistic "live-action" (though actually 100% CGI) version took a massive sledgehammer to the original character designs. This is where a lot of fans got genuinely annoyed.
In the original, Nala’s eyes are arguably her most defining feature alongside her pale fur. They are expressive. They communicate sass, grief, and romantic intent. In the 2019 version, they made her eyes look like... well, like a real lion's eyes. Real lions generally have golden, amber, or yellowish-brown eyes. Occasionally, you’ll see a pale tawny color, but you almost never see that piercing 1994 teal in the wild.
By choosing "realism" over "character," the remake lost that "Nala eyes" magic. Without the stylized color, she ended up looking a lot like Sarabi or any other lioness in the pride. It’s a classic example of where technical fidelity can actually hurt the storytelling. The 1994 eyes weren't realistic, but they were iconic.
The "Pin-Up" Problem and Animation Tropes
We have to talk about the "look." You've seen the clips.
When Nala pins Simba during their wrestling match in the jungle, the way her eyes are drawn changed the game for Disney. It was one of the first times an animal character was given what many animators call "human-adjacent expressions."
The heavy lids and the slight upward tilt of the pupils were a deliberate choice to show she was no longer the "best friend" from childhood. She was a grown lioness. It’s a bit controversial because some people find it "too human," but from a technical standpoint, it's a masterclass in using eye shape to convey a shift in relationship dynamics.
Compare her eyes to Mufasa’s. Mufasa’s eyes are often wide, authoritative, and fixed. They represent stability. Nala’s eyes are fluid. They narrow when she’s hunting (remember her stalking Pumbaa?) and soften when she’s trying to convince Simba to return home.
The Genetic Weirdness of the Pride Lands
If we’re being total nerds about this—and why wouldn't we be?—the genetics don't really add up. Where did those green eyes come from? Sarafina, Nala’s mom, has a very brief appearance, and her eyes are generally depicted as a pale blue or green depending on the frame.
In the world of The Lion King, eye color seems to be a marker of "specialness" or destiny.
- Scar has those acidic, lime-green eyes that signify envy and villainy.
- Simba has the classic royal gold/brown.
- Nala has the teal/green.
Basically, the "hero" characters and the "villain" characters get the high-contrast eyes, while the background lionesses usually have more muted, realistic tones. It’s a visual shorthand to tell the audience: Pay attention to this one.
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How to Recreate the Nala Look (For Artists)
If you're an artist trying to capture that specific look, you can't just slap a green circle on a tan face. It’s about the "eye-liner."
The animators gave Nala a very thick, dark upper lash line that isn't present on the male lions. This creates a frame that makes the green pop. Also, notice the "sclera" (the white of the eye). In real lions, you don't see much white. In Nala, the white is prominent, which allows her to "roll" her eyes or look "sideways"—gestures that are vital for her sassy personality.
- Start with a base of #7FB5B5 (a muted seafoam).
- Add a darker gradient at the top to simulate the shadow of the lid.
- Keep the pupil large but slightly constricted if she’s in the sun.
- The "Glint": Always put a small white highlight at the 11 o'clock or 1 o'clock position. It gives the eyes "life."
What to Look For Next Time You Watch
Next time you pop on the 4K Blu-ray of the original, pay close attention to the scene where Nala first recognizes Simba. The way her pupils dilate is a subtle piece of animation that most people miss on the first ten viewings. It happens in a fraction of a second, but it’s what makes the "Nala eyes" feel so real despite being a cartoon.
If you're a collector or a fan of the franchise, look for the "Masterpiece Collection" figurines. Ironically, many of the cheaper toys get her eye color wrong, often painting them a flat, dark blue. The high-end collectibles usually get that "sea-foam green" exactly right, and that’s how you can tell the quality of the merchandise.
For those interested in the deeper lore of Disney animation, checking out the "The Art of The Lion King" book (the original 1994 release, if you can find a used copy) shows the early concept sketches where Nala actually had much darker eyes. Moving to the lighter green was a late-stage decision that arguably defined her entire character design.
Go back and watch the "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" sequence. Focus strictly on the eye-lines. You'll see that Nala "leads" the conversation entirely with her eyes, while Simba mostly reacts with his whole body. It's a fascinating bit of character-driven animation that still holds up 30 years later.
If you're looking to buy art or merchandise, always verify the eye color against a screenshot from the "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" scene; it’s the definitive reference point for her character design. Check the saturation—if it's too neon, it's not "movie-accurate," but if it's too brown, it's leaning into the 2019 "realism" that many purists tend to avoid.