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But, come on! "The Bear of Love?" I mean, a bear doesn't love anyone! They don't think! They don't feel! I mean, they're...they're thieves!Kenai expressing his distaste for his totem.
I do miss things, but… you're my brother. I'll never leave you. Not ever.Kenai promising Koda that he'll never abandon him.
Kenai is the main protagonist of Disney's 44th full-length animated feature film Brother Bear and its 2006 direct-to-video sequel Brother Bear 2.
He is a hunter from a post-ice age Alaska who got transformed into a bear by the Great Spirits after he struck down Koda's mother, where it would teach him for doing so by seeing through the species' eyes. He is also the younger brother of both Sitka and Denahi, the adoptive older brother of Koda, and the husband of Nita.
In the first film, he is voiced by Joaquin Phoenix, who also played Merill Hess in Signs and Bobby Green in We Own the Night. In the sequel he was voiced by Patrick Dempsey, who also played Robert Philip in Enchanted and Dr. Derek Shepard in Grey's Anatomy.
Personality
Being the youngest of three brothers, Kenai was a childish and impulsive hot-head. Unlike his more responsible brothers, Denahi and Sitka, Kenai enjoys goofing around and shirking his work to engage in daring and entertaining activities. One thing that never changes about Kenai is his hot-temper and his overgrown ego, being very easily angered when others tease him for fun, but that doesn’t stop him from doing the same even though his own mockery tends to be much more aggressive and insensitive than those he receives from others, but he did become more gentle after he matured and became more empathetic.
Kenai used to be too single-minded, focusing only on the things he preferred most without considering the other aspects of life. Seeing bravery, strength and determination as the most important virtues, Kenai didn’t pay any mind or give any consideration to morality, kindness or love, thinking that a heart wasn’t as important as real strength. It was for this very reason that Kenai though being a man meant to be a strong person who didn’t waver and faced challenges with bravery. And for the very same reason he expected that these were the values he would follow to become a man himself, and got very disappointed that his totem, which reflected his spirit‘s strength of character, was a symbol by love. He did try to give a new experience a chance to see where it led because of Sitka‘s encouragement even though he was doubtful, but when his anger and frustration consumed him, he easily gave up on that chance without consideration of the consequences. Even though he was not interested in love, his attachment to his family was very strong, which is why he became very vengeful when he lost Sitka and didn’t try to harm Denahi when he was trying to kill him.
Originally, Kenai was very prejudging, seeing all animals as only emotionless and unintelligent creatures, and especially bears as unfeeling and unthinking thieves and monsters, even though he knew almost nothing about them. This reflected on his views, how he only saw bravery and strength as central points of importance, which were mostly displayed by instinct and action, which are the things that average people think that animals are only capable of.
Because he was immature, Kenai was irresponsible and reckless, inconsiderate of a duty entrusted to him and the consequences if he messed up, and overestimating himself and his abilities, jumping carelessly into dangerous situations, such as going after a bear and provoking it, thus risking his life and those of his loved ones.
Kenai used to be very self-absorbed and selfish, lacking empathy of others feelings and troubles, be they children or deceased. Such as willing to kill a bear he blamed for his brother’s death, believing he was enacting justice by doing so, when in truth he was only doing this to ease his own intense rage. Another sign of his selfishness was when he didn’t keep his promise or pay his debt to a child that helped him, only when it suited his own agenda.
After he was transformed into a bear, not only did his physical appearance change, but his own heart and character developed for the better with the help of the small bear cub, Koda, who taught him so much about nature, which opened Kenai’s eyes to the many fascinating facts he never knew about the world of animals. It was thanks to this enlightenment that Kenai expanded his horizons, no longer being so single-minded and losing sight of everything else, understanding the world around him in his new perspective. But still his temper was something that required a lot of patience, but Kenai himself began to understand how much it can hurt the feelings of those who are kind to him, making him regret his actions. But even fun and adventure with a small bear cub and going through the dangers of being hunted down like a bear, still didn’t change Kenai’s belief that bears are killers. Only after the end of his journey with Koda and being shown the compassion of bears, proving that they are kind and gentle animals, Kenai’s prejudice and cruelty towards animals disappeared, realizing the error of his ways, being able to connect his heart to those of others by giving them a chance and understanding how they feel, accepting their feelings and friendship. But as compassion and empathy grows, so did Kenai’s remorse, as he was devastated when he realized the bear he killed was Koda's mother and was further saddened when Koda disowned him upon learning the truth. This great grief he was feeling made Kenai feel like a cruel monster who had made all the people around him suffer because of his own selfish and hateful actions. Even though he understood that he had made so many mistakes that he believed he would never be forgiven for, Kenai’s survival instincts still remained, refusing to die despite his sins. But his selflessness had become far stronger as he endangered himself to save Koda more than once.
The great adventure he went through had completely changed Kenai, finally understanding the values of love and how to earn and show it. Seeing through another’s eyes was the key to make Kenai unlock the gentleness of his soul and for this very reason he was able to understand Koda’s feelings knowing how much he loved him, despite not being able to talk to him after turning into a human, and gave up his life as a human to live with the small bear cub, whom he loved as a little brother. Even though becoming a man in the end wasn’t what he had first expected, he was still proud to become one by becoming a bear, understanding that love really is the most precious gift, being surrounded by so many who loved him.
6 months later, Kenai had become a responsible and caring older brother, no longer being so reckless and hot-headed, and enjoying fun with his family and friends. He had also become much braver and especially when it came to protecting Koda from hunters, even if he was outnumbered. Kenai also became more reasonable and strategic when it came to dealing with enemies, since he thought about waiting for the raccoons to fall an asleep than fight them head on. He’s empathy had also grown when he was determined to get the amulet back without resting for Nita and comforted her when she was scared and felt guilty, but he also became careless with his little brother’s feelings, which nearly tore them apart had he not realized his mistake and embraced him with compassion. Because of his consideration of others feelings, he had it hard to be honest with his loved ones, not wishing to hurt their feelings or put a them in a difficult position, wishing to hold the pain himself, but he wasn’t very good at hiding his feelings, causing those that cared about him to worry nonetheless. Kenai’s attachment and love he has for his loved ones can also be so strong that even if they encourage him to be happy, Kenai’s true happiness is to be with those he loves and to never abandon them no matter, understanding the true meaning of love and sacrifice.
Biography
Brother Bear
Kenai was a young Inuit on the verge of becoming a man. He is first seen collecting fish with his brothers before returning to his village for his manhood ceremony where he will receive a totem necklace. Sitka has an eagle of guidance totem whilst Denahi has a wolf of wisdom totem. Kenai is tasked with tying the basket containing the fish up in a tree away from bears (which Kenai hates). However upon hearing that the village's shaman woman Tanana has arrived with his totem, Kenai forgets to tie the rope and leaves to go to the ceremony, causing the basket to fall. Kenai is dismayed when Tanana gives him a bear totem which represents love. Tanana tells Kenai to let love guide his actions and one day he will be a man and will place a handprint on a wall which has the handprints of their ancestors. After the ceremony, Kenai is teased by Denahi about his totem, but Sitka cheers him up by saying he too was at first unsure about his totem when he was first given it by Tanana, but now that he is older, he knows that it's about being a leader and keeping an eye on his brothers. When Kenai expresses his wish to put his handprint on the wall, Sitka tells him to be patient and to live by his totem. Just then, they find the fish gone and bear paw prints. Denahi berates Kenai for not tying up the basket properly. Kenai goes to try and return the basket.
Kenai finds the bear that stole the basket and attacks it. Sitka and Denahi catch up with him and fight the bear on a glacier. When the bear attempts to attack Kenai and Denahi, Sitka stabs his spear into the glacier, causing it to crack, sending him and the bear into the lake below. Kenai and Denahi see the bear emerge from the lake and run off. They go down to the lake to look for Sitka, but only find his totem and pelt, realising that he is dead as his body was taken by the Great Spirits. After Sitka's funeral, a vengeful Kenai, against the wishes of Denahi, decided to kill the bear at all costs and throws his bear totem into the ashes of the funeral pyre. Tanana picks up the totem, which Denahi takes and goes after Kenai. Kenai tracks the bear and kills it, but for acting out of hate rather than out of love as he had been commanded to do, Sitka and the other spirits turned Kenai himself into a bear as punishment for his actions. Denahi arrives moments later and sees Kenai in his bear form and the remains of Kenai's clothes, causing him to think that the bear in front of him killed Kenai. Kenai then falls into a river and bangs his head against a rock and falls unconscious. The next day, Kenai wakes up and discovers that he is now a bear. He is then told by Tanana that the only way for him to become human again was to travel to a mountain peak called, "the place where the (Northern) lights touch the earth." Along the way, however, Kenai meets two moose brothers named Rutt and Tuke and a bear cub named Koda, who has been separated from his mother. Koda made a deal with Kenai that if he would take him to a salmon run (where Koda thinks his mother will be), he will take Kenai the mountain where the lights touch the earth (which is next to the salmon run). At first Kenai did not like the young bear's company, but eventually he became attached to him.
During his journey, Kenai was pursued by Denahi, who cannot speak bear and wishes to avenge Kenai unaware that the bear is Kenai. Eventually, Kenai and Koda reach the salmon run and meet with Tug and the other bears. Later, the bears tell stories to each other and Koda tells the story of how he got separated from his mother. He says that she got separated from Koda after protecting him from hunters. Kenai realises that the hunters Koda was referring to were him and his brothers and that Koda's mother was the bear he killed. Horrified by his actions, Kenai leaves the salmon run in a fit of guilt and isolates himself from the other bears. The next day, Koda finds a depressed Kenai, who tells him that he has a story for him that is a man and a bear. When Koda says that he doesn't like the story, Kenai tells Koda that his mother isn't coming, causing Koda to realise that Kenai caused his mother's death and runs off in sadness. Unable to convince Koda that he is sorry, Kenai decides to go to the mountain himself.
Upon reaching the mountain, Kenai calls out to Sitka and sees a eagle shaped silhouette in the distance and believes it to be Sitka. However, it is then revealed to be Denahi, who attacks him. Just then, Koda (having forgiven Kenai) arrives and comes to Kenai's aid and tries to steal Denahi's spear. Denahi chases Koda and Kenai tries to stop him hurting Koda. After saving Koda from Denahi, Sitka arrives and returned Kenai to his human form, much to Denahi's surprise. Not wanting to leave Koda alone, Kenai, with the blessing of Denahi, returned to his bear form to care for Koda. Kenai and his brothers share one last hug before Sitka returns to the Great Spirits. For doing an act of love, Kenai was declared to have become a man by becoming a bear and places his paw print on the wall with Koda, Denahi, Tanana and the other villagers watching.
Brother Bear 2
Kenai and Koda wake up from hibernation and met Kenai's childhood friend Nita who haven been given the ability to talk to animals, asks Kenai to come with her to burn an amulet he gave her in childhood so she can get married to her fiancé Atka. Kenai and Nita begin to rekindle, causing Koda to think Nita will convince Kenai to became human again and so flees but Kenai tells him he would never do that.
After the amulet is burned, Nita bids farewell to Kenai and Koda and returns to her village to marry Atka. Koda follows Nita with Kenai following soon after, where they are attached by Atka and the villagers. Kenai is badly injured by Atka but Nita stops anymore from happening and declares her love for Kenai. The spirits turn Nita into a bear so she can be with Kenai and the two get married.
Relationships
Family
Sitka
Sitka is Kenai’s oldest brother, to whom Kenai held a deep love and a stronger affection than for his other brother Denahi. When he lived as a human, Sitka was always there for Kenai and helped his younger brother by giving him guidance on how a real man should act. Sitka‘s death was a painful experience for Kenai that made him focused into a path of vengeance for his brother by killing the bear he confronted, blaming it for his death, even though it was Kenai’s own fault for provoking the wild animal in the first place. Kenai was shocked to see his late brother’s spirit appear before him, but later got confused as to why Sitka would change him into a bear and partially blaming him for the troubles he was enduring as a bear, not understanding that killing a bear with vengeance was wrong. It was only near the end of his journey to the mountain where the lights touch the earth, after he discovered that the bear he had killed was actually Koda‘s mother, the little bear cub that had helped Kenai and grown attached to like a brother, that Kenai finally realized what he had done wrong (something that Tenana had mentioned, but not explained). This made Kenai drown in in sorrow and see himself as the real monster who had killed both Sitka and Koda’s mother. When Kenai reached the mountain, he begged Sitka to turn him back into a human, having lost sight of what else he could do now that Koda no longer loved him after Kenai confessed the truth. After witnessing Kenai‘s selfless act of saving Koda from Denahi, Sitka himself forgave Kenai for his mistake and temporarily turned him human only to turn him back into a bear, as for his wish to stay with Koda forever, something that Sitka respected. Kenai embraced his brother Sitka, bidding him farewell before he returned to the Spirit World, being grateful for his brother’s guidance in realizing the importance of love.
Denahi
Denahi is Kenai’s older brother. Kenai and Denahi had a funny brotherly bond. Because of Denahi’s constant teasing, they always ended up fighting, with Sitka being there to stop them, but still they loved each other and played pranks like normal siblings. It’s probably partially because of how Denahi treated him like a kid, that Kenai wished to prove himself worthy of being a man.
When Kenai made the mistake of not tying up the basket full of fish, which was stolen by a bear, and got reprimanded for it by Denahi, it made Kenai very angry that he decided to take matters into his own hands without anyone‘s help for once. After Sitka’s death, Kenai and Denahi’s relationship turned serious, with both brothers in opposite ideas about how they should act. Despite Denahi’s protests of killing the bear that they fought and warnings, Kenai‘s mind was set to do it, thinking that he doesn’t care at all about their oldest brother’s death.
After Kenai was turned into a bear by Sitka, his love for Denahi turns into fear, when he realizes that his brother doesn’t recognize him and is out to kill him at any cost, under the assumption that Kenai‘s bear form was the bear that killed Kenai, something that surprises Kenai, knowing that killing animals isn’t in his brother’s character. Despite his brother‘s constant attempts on his life, Kenai never fought back, despite having the strength to overpower Denahi, but only fought in self defense, and even tried to save him from falling into a gorge. These life threatening encounters made Kenai realize how bears themselves fear humans more than humans fear bears.
In his final confrontation with Denahi, Kenai still couldn’t bring himself to fight his brother, resorting to only fleeing and begging for mercy. However, when Koda saved Kenai from death and risked his own life to help Kenai, the latter ran willingly towards the danger, fearing more for Koda’s safety than fleeing from his dangerous brother. When he was turned back human again, Kenai and Denahi’s love is restored, the latter realizing what he could have almost done to his younger brother, if he didn’t know it was really Kenai all along. However, with Koda an orphan because of his own mistakes, Kenai wishes to be with him, but also feels conflicted, not wishing to abandon Denahi as well. But with Denahi assuring him that their bond will never be broken, despite Kenai’s choice, Kenai gives his brother a hug, to show that he feels the same way and promises to always be his brother.
Koda
Koda is Kenai’s adoptive little brother. Kenai loves Koda more than anyone or anything in the world and would do anything to make sure Koda is happy and cares about his wellbeing so great as to being the first thing he is worried about and would risk his own life to protect his.
When they first met, because of his dislikes for bears, Kenai found Koda annoying. At first he declined the help he offered him to get down from the bear trap Kenai had fallen in. Wishing to get rid of him, Kenai pinky swore to Koda that he would take him to the Salmon Run if he got him free from the trap, but he made the promise only as an excuse to get Koda to leave if he didn’t free him, thinking that Koda wouldn’t succeed. After he was freed thanks to Koda, he wasn’t grateful one bit and felt relieved that Koda ran away after noticing Denahi. Hiding in a glacier from Denahi, when Koda tries to show off that he could take the hunter down himself, Kenai makes fun of him by tricking him that Denahi was coming back. Despite running away in fear, he believed that together they would be safe, but Kenai objected, saying that he wouldn’t take Koda to the Salmon Run despite having pinky sworn. Even though Koda confessed that he was separated from his mother and felt scared with the hunter around, Kenai didn’t care until Koda claimed that the Mountain where the Lights touch the Earth, the location he wanted to reach, was near the Salmon Run. Despite accepting to accompany Koda to the way to the Salmon Run, Kenai rebuffed Koda‘s attempts of affection and friendship and called him „kid“ most of the time. However, as their journey through the wilderness became more fun and exciting, Kenai began to warm up to Koda and felt less annoyed from his stories, but still preferred him to stay quiet, and Koda began to see Kenai as an older brother he always wanted. After getting lost, Kenai returned to being annoyed with Koda again under the stress that he would never reach the Mountain. After being frustrated by Koda’s storytelling and accusation that it was his fault for getting lost, the two quarrel, and Kenai bursted into a fit of rage yelling at Koda, which made him storm off. But after cooling down, Kenai realized his mistake of yelling at Koda, who was just a cub, and went after him to apologize for his harshness. Continuing their journey, Kenai became more affectionate and protective of Koda, letting him ride on his back and playing around with him, and risking his life to save him from the Valley of Fire.
When they finally arrive at the Salmon Run, Kenai had created a bond with Koda, which made it hard for him to confess the truth that he wouldn’t be coming back after he parted ways with Koda. After having fun with Koda and the other bears, Kenai finally understood that bears were nothing like he believed, and were compassionate and kind animals, living in a perfect harmony that was better than any thing he had ever seen, seeing them as a real family.
During the storytelling among bears, Kenai confesses that after his great and difficult journey, he finally saw Koda as a younger brother who made his life full of adventure. After Koda’s turn of telling his story, Kenai is devastated and horrified to learn that Koda’s mother was actually the same bear he had killed. Their relationship completely falls apart after Kenai confesses the truth to Koda, which horrifies the young cub, who runs away heartbroken and hides away from Kenai while mourning the loss of his mother. Guilt ridden for what he did, Kenai sees himself as a monster, and calls out for Koda trying to explain that he regrets what he did, but incapable of finishing his sentence because of the guilt he was feeling. Realizing that he was never a bear to begin with, but a cruel man that had murdered an innocent bear which made Koda endure an even greater pain than he did, Kenai apologizes to Koda, feeling very sorry for killing his mother. While battling Denahi atop of the mountain where the lights touch the earth, Kenai is surprised to see Koda saving him from Denahi and rushes to save Koda from Denahi after he chases after him. Human again, when Kenai approaches a frightened Koda who recognizes him from before, but realizes that it’s really Kenai, their bond is restored with Koda forgiving Kenai for what he did, and Kenai himself understanding the meaning of his totem, the bear of love, realizing that love is the greatest power of all and it‘s always reborn in the form of new love. His love for Koda, made Kenai to choose giving up his life as a human, going back to being a bear, to be with his little brother bear forever.
After several months after the events of the first film, Kenai enjoys his life with Koda with their bond being stronger than ever. However, after agreeing to help his childhood friend, Nita, Kenai slowly becomes more attached to her, while neglecting Koda to the point of forgetting him, which causes Koda to wonder if Kenai still cares about him. The rift between the two began when Kenai was conversing more with Nita and paying no attention to Koda and then it broke apart when Koda was acting like a jerk to a poor frightened Nita and that causes Kenai to yell at him in anger, without realizing he hurt Koda’s feelings greatly, but Kenai pays no attention to that or Koda’s indifference for the majority of their journey, being focused more on Nita. When Koda eavesdrops on a conversation between Kenai and Nita regarding Kenai becoming human again, which Kenai admits that he has considered it, the bear cub becomes scared and upset and runs away believing that Kenai will abandon him, which shocks Kenai to hear his little brother say that. After Koda is rescued from an avalanche, Kenai at first is upset and disappointed that Koda almost got himself killed, reminding him that he cared for Koda deeply, but Koda countered that claim by saying that Kenai would leave him to stay with Nita instead. While Kenai admits that a part of him misses his former life, Kenai assures his brother that the love he has for Koda is more important to him, which is why he promises to never leave me, not ever, and hugs him tightly to show that he will always love him, while also feeling sorry for his harshness and for neglecting Koda during most of their journey. Despite helping Nita burn the amulet and parting ways with her, Kenai‘s heart was troubled realizing feelings he has for both Koda and Nita, but wishes to keep them hidden from Koda, not wanting to hurt the cub‘s feelings despite his encouragement to confess his feelings to Nita, which would cause a choice between both his brotherly bond with Koda and the romantic bond with Nita.
Kenai‘s relationship with Koda is put to the test a second time, after the spirits come to make Kenai human again, who Koda explains that it’s what he asked for Kenai so he could be with Nita. Kenai objected that decision not wanting to leave Koda. Even though Koda assured Kenai that he doesn’t mind and Kenai mustn’t worry about him and that all that he wishes is for his brother to be happy, Kenai still couldn’t do that, wishing to be with Koda, proving that his love for his little brother was stronger than anything else. After Nita accepts the offer to turn into a bear instead, Kenai and Nita get married with now both of them being happy together while also being there for Koda as a family.
After Kenai and Nita, the latter who had accepted to turn into a bear instead, get married, they live happily together now both being there for their little brother bear, Koda, who is happy to be with both Kenai and his new sister, Nita.
Romances
Nita
Nita is Kenai’s wife and childhood friend, that Kenai has always had romantic feelings for.
It’s unknown when or how exactly they met, considering that both came from different tribes, but they both developed a strong friendship and enjoyed every moment they spent together and found it hard to leave each other, which is why they made a promise to always be friends, with Kenai giving Nita his amulet, and Nita drawing a picture of them in Hokani Falls.
By the time they had grown up, Kenai and Nita‘s relationship had faded with the passage of time, both being more attached to their own lives and the responsibilities that they held for their own families. But still, their memories for each other remained, with Kenai dreaming about their old friendship and Nita always keeping Kenai’s amulet, even after all the years they grew apart.
When Nita was searching for Kenai in the woods, Kenai mistook her for a hunter and attacked her viciously to protect Koda, but became very gentle to her after he recognized her. Although he was glad at first that Nita could understand him thanks to the Spirits’ power and came to look for him, Kenai mistook it that she wanted to rekindle their friendship when she showed him the amulet he gave her and explained that it had bonded them together in the eyes of the spirits, but became disappointed when Nita told him that she intended to burn it in order to break that bond. Because of that, Kenai felt betrayed and angry that Nita wanted to destroy the keepsake he gave her, thinking that Nita didn’t care at all about their friendship anymore, which meant a great deal to him. Despite Nita claiming that it was only a childish relationship and that she needed to burn the amulet to be free to marry and it would only work if they did it together, Kenai refused and showed no interest in helping Nita and took it only into consideration after Nita pointed out that this very bond could cause the spirits to change Kenai back into a human to join Nita. Fearing that might happen and lose his brother Koda, Kenai reluctantly agrees to go with Nita to Hokani Falls and burn the amulet.
During the beginning of their journey, Kenai gets jealous at how fast both Koda and Nita become friends and also gets annoyed that both of them hold a low opinion of him and make fun of that, and their relationship becomes briefly sour when they quarrel over the loss of the amulet after Kenai’s failed moose matching attempt. But after seeing Nita crying and grieving, Kenai felt bad for her and partially responsible, which is why he spent an entire night searching for the amulet despite being a very difficult task. When they finally got the amulet back from the raccoons, Kenai expresses his joy after that dangerous and exciting experience, seeing that his old friend is still the same fun-loving adventurer that he knew long ago, but Nita took that as an insult, which caused that soon to be a rekindled friendship into brief dispute between them, but turned back into a progressive friendship after Nita‘s own moose matching attempt partially succeeded, and yet another brief dispute when both Kenai and Nita were bickering about which way to go to reach Hokani Falls. After Nita freaked out from a fish and fell into the water, Kenai founded very funny, but seeing Nita’s discomfort when Koda was overdoing it with the jokes, it made Kenai to lose his patience with Koda’ and yell at him for acting this way to poor Nita. When Nita confessed that she was afraid of the water because of the incident when they were kids, Kenai felt sympathy for her and assured her that together they could reach Hokani Falls the same way they got the amulet together.
As they continued through their journey, Kenai‘s friendship with Nita only grew stronger with many fun experiences that they shared, while neglecting Koda. With Kenai’s help, Nita even overcomes her fear of water and the two enjoy their time alone sharing stories, something that Kenai never did at first sight even with Koda. But during a private talk with each other, Kenai becomes a depressed that they will part ways like the last time in Hokani Falls and go back to their old lives, realizing that he wishes for their friendship to remain and maybe even make it a romance between them. But when Koda is rescued from an avalanche after running away, Kenai feels guilty and depressed that Koda thinks that his friendship with Nita is putting a rift between their brotherly bond, which causes Kenai and Nita to only continue their journey with only the objective of burning the amulet in mind. When they finally burn the amulet, despite their bond being broken, Kenai still has feelings for Nita which make him drown in sorrow at the thought of never seeing her again, but puts a brave face on for Koda to not get him upset as well.
Despite being unable to talk to Nita, he confesses his love for her in action, which Nita herself admits that she feels the same way for Kenai. But despite confessing his feelings to Nita and Koda himself encouraging Kenai to be with Nita as a human, his love for Nita still couldn’t make him leave Koda, who he had a much greater love for. Being in full understanding of that, Nita instead changes into a bear, making it possible for Kenai to marry Nita and become her mate, while also always being there for his brother Koda, making Kenai and Nita‘s relationship everlasting and happier than ever before.
Quotes
Koda:(Roars) Scared you again, huh?
. Kenai: Yeah.
Koda: Where are you been? You look horrible.
Kenai: Koda...
Koda: My mom says when you eat too much fish, just lie down.
Kenai: Koda... There's something I, uh... you know that story you told me last night?
Koda: Yeah.
Kenai: Well, I have a story to tell you.
Koda: Really? What's it about?
Kenai: Well, it's kind of about a man, and kind of about a bear. But mostly it's about a monster. A monster who did something so bad that the great spirits came down. There was all this wind, and lights, and they pulled him up, way-way up into the sky. And when he came down again, he'd been changed into a bear.
Koda: Whoa!
Kenai: Yeah. Only, he didn't know anything about being a bear. How to walk, how to drink, how to fish...
Koda: Just like you. (Giggles)
Kenai: Yeah. But lucky for him, he met this little bear who showed him how to do all those things. And, well, a lot more. A bear he'd do anything for. A bear that was like, um... Like a...
Koda: A brother?
Kenai: Koda... I did something very wrong.
Koda: What'd you do, Kenai?
Kenai: I... I killed a bear.
Koda: I...
Kenai: Koda...
Koda: I don't like this story.
Kenai: Koda, your mother's not coming.
Koda: No.
Kenai: I didn't know, Koda.
Koda: No!
Kenai: I swear, I didn't know! Koda! (Koda flees). Deleted scene where Kenai confesses to Koda about his mother's death.
Trivia
- Kenai is the first Disney protagonist to kill someone's parent (in this case, Koda's mother, which is why he got turned into a bear in the first place due to his sin).
- In the early stages of Brother Bear, Kenai's only brother was Sitka and he had a father named Chilkoot, who would have been the one who sacrificed himself to save Kenai instead of Sitka. However it was decided that this death would have been too similar to previous Disney film The Lion King (which involved the protagonist Simba's father Mufasa dying whilst saving Simba). Because of this, Denahi was created and Sitka became the one who sacrificed himself whilst Chilkoot appeared in Brother Bear 2 as Nita's father.
- Also in the early stages, a flashback would have shown a young Kenai and Sitka with their mother. For reasons unknown, she did not appear in the final film, though it is possible that it was becauseof time restrictions. It is possible that she passed away sometime before the events of the film as Sitka acts as Kenai's parental figure.
- Kenai's age is never stated. Though judging by the fact that he had a manhood ceremony in the first film, he is most likely aged between 16-18 as that is usually when a person comes of age.
- Joaquin Phoenix did not reprise his role as Kenai for the sequel due to scheduling conflicts and the fact that Phoenix doesn't do sequels. Instead, Patrick Dempsey replaced him. Both Phoenix and Dempsey share Kenai as their only voice acting role to date.
- Originally in Brother Bear 2, Kenai was going to turn back into his human form permanently in the end.
External Links
- Kenai on the Disney Wiki
- Kenai on the Near Pure Good Wiki
