Anointment Trials are a series of special courses that every Lord of the ThunderCats must participate in. These trials originated on Thundera and form an important part of the ThunderCats' tradition. Since the leadership of the ThunderCats is hereditary and passed down from father to son, the trials are a way of determining if the holder of the title is truly worthy of it.
While never mentioned explicitly, it would seem likely that Claudus also underwent the Anointment Trials on Thundera before he became the legitimate Lord of the ThunderCats. After his supposed death in the destruction of Thundera, Lion-O automatically inherited the title. It was not until Lion-O's 20th birthday that Snarf told him about the Anointment Trials that he must partake in.
Starting on his birthday, Lion-O had to undergo five trials over a course of five days. The rules of the trials which must be followed are:
- Lion-O cannot use the Sword of Omens or the Claw Shield in the trials.
- Lion-O cannot accept any kind of help from any other person.
- The other ThunderCats are forbidden from assisting Lion-O directly in any way during the course of the trials.
The Trial of Strength[]
In Lion-O's first trial, he had to prove that he was stronger than the mighty Panthro. After spending the entire day overcoming a variety of dangers and obstacles that he faced en route, Lion-O finally reached Panthro at sundown. The two had a fight and were evenly matched, however during the trial there was an earthquake which sent a large boulder rolling towards and endangering the nearby Wollo Village. Panthro tried to stop it but couldn't and was injured, however Lion-O managed to save Panthro from being crushed before rolling the boulder away himself. Accepting that Lion-O had proven his strength, Panthro then handed Lion-O his belt insignia as a sign that he had passed the trial.
The Trial of Speed[]
For his second trial, Lion-O had to be faster than Cheetara in reaching a set finish line. Cheetara took the longer easier route while Lion-O went for the shorter more dangerous route. In the end the two met up when they have just five more miles to cover to reach the finishing line, and set off at the same time running at full speed. Although Cheetara took an early lead, she was unable to maintain her high speed for longer than two miles. This allowed Lion-O to steadily gain on her, taking over and crossing the finish line at the last second, winning the race and passing the trial.
The Trial of Cunning[]
The third day of the trial saw Lion-O go head-to-head against WilyKit and WilyKat in a race through the Maze of Infinity. The ThunderKittens, who are fully familiar with the maze, set up a number of booby traps and tricks to lead Lion-O astray and ensure that he never reaches the exit of the maze in time, however Lion-O has some tricks up his sleeve as well. Things are further complicated by the arrival of Monkian in the maze as well as the ThunderCats' discovery of the Under-Earthmen. In the end, using one last trick Lion-O manages to beat the twins out of the maze and wins this trial as well.
The Trial of Mind Power[]
The fourth trial pits Lion-O against Tygra who uses his mind power to create a host of illusions to confuse and terrify Lion-O. The Mutants also make the trial even more difficult for Lion-O. Eventually Lion-O confronts the memory of the destruction of Thundera and the helplessness he felt, but he is finally is able to focus his mind, overcome his fears and defeats Tygra to pass the trial.
The Trial of Evil[]
For his fifth and most dangerous trial, Lion-O must face and defeat his greatest enemy, Mumm-Ra. After successfully making his way into the Black Pyramid, Lion-O fights Mumm-Ra alone and, after learning that the mummy's sarcophagus is his source of power, tosses it into the cauldron, defeating Mumm-Ra and successfully completing all his five anointment trials.
A grand coronation ceremony is held at Cats Lair where Cheetara places the crown of the Lord of the ThunderCats on Lion-O. A number of the ThunderCats' friends and allies attend the ceremony and cheer on as Lion-O finally earns his title.