Laval stands as the central protagonist throughout all official Legends of Chima narratives. Prince of the Lion Tribe and son of King Lagravis, he is heir to tribal leadership. His distinctive spiky red hair features a golden Lion Tribe crown. Laval possesses a beige torso, arms, and legs, with white hands marked by lion-like toes. His face includes a white muzzle, black nose, printed black smile, and yellow eyes. He typically wears a royal blue kilt adorned with gold and black Lion Tribe crests, a matching cape, knee pads, and a golden harness. The minifigure design incorporates straps for a CHI medallion, though the TV series often shows a single strap without the medallion.

Initially headstrong and mischievous, Laval favors adventure, pranks, and Speedor racing over princely duties, creating tension with his father who expects mature leadership. His exceptional racing skills earn him the title "king of the Market Day Speedor track." His closest childhood friend is Cragger, prince (later king) of the Crocodile Tribe. Their bond shatters when Cragger, manipulated by his sister Crooler using Persuader Plants, ignites tribal war. Cragger steals Laval's CHI during his "Age of Becoming" ceremony and frames him for taking the Crocodile CHI, causing Cragger's parents to fall into the Gorge of Eternal Depth, presumed dead.

The Power of the CHI conflict drives significant growth in Laval. During a battle with Cragger, he nearly drowns but overcomes his lifelong fear of water by recalling Cragger's advice on friendship, enabling him to swim and be rescued by the Lion Legend Beast. Despite the war, he consistently demonstrates loyalty and a drive to rectify mistakes, though impulsive actions sometimes escalate conflicts. Notably, throwing the Crocodile Tribe's CHI into the Gorge inadvertently creates the Crawlers. Later, giving CHI to Scorm leads the Scorpion Tribe leader to discard it, awakening the ancient Ice Hunters.

Laval gradually matures through the tribal wars. He learns the importance of rules and responsibilities from Lagravis, especially during CHI distributions where the king insists on sharing resources even with enemies. By the Quest for the Legend Beasts arc, he leads a united team of heroes from various tribes, including former adversaries like Worriz and Razar, focusing on protecting Chima's CHI and rescuing the Legend Beasts to restore balance. In the Legend of the Fire Chi saga, he spearheads the alliance against the Ice Hunters, forges a relationship with Li'Ella (a lion raised by the Fire Tribes), and participates in sparking another Great Illumination to save Chima from freezing.

Beyond the TV series, Laval appears in spin-off media. In *LEGO Legends of Chima: Laval's Journey*, he quests to stop Cragger from obtaining the Triple CHI Armor, traversing locations like Spiral Mountain and the Croc Fort, following a storyline distinct from the series. He features in *LEGO Dimensions* with gameplay abilities including activating special CHI powers, Super Strength, Acrobatics, Laser Deflection, and Sonar Smash. A brief crossover occurs in *Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu* season five, where he interacts with Lloyd Garmadon and Morro emerging from a portal into Chima.

Laval's fighting style centers on the "Crushing Lion Pounce." His hobbies include exploring Chima. Key relationships encompass his respectful yet complex bond with Lagravis, his romantic connection with Li'Ella, and his restored, though tested, friendship with Cragger following Cragger's redemption.