Home > Kimba the White Lion

Under his original name Leo, the lion, Kimba was the star of an anime series that enjoyed immense popularity in Japan, Australia, the United States and Europe in the late 1960s.

Much controversy surrounds the similarity of many elements of Kimba to The Walt Disney Company's The Lion King but because the original Japanese animator, Osama Tezuka, thought highly of Walt Disney, Mr. Tezuka's company declined to complain.

The following description could apply to both works: A young lion cub, who's in line to be king of the jungle, loses his parent. The parent's ghost encourages the cub, by appearing in natural forms such as clouds and rippling water, to be the best king he can be. The cub is helped by several sidekicks, two of whom include a wisecracking but cowardly bird, and a wise baboon. The cub must overcome enemies including his uncle, a lean older lion with a scar over one eye and two comedy-relief hyena sidekicks.

Jungle Emperor went on the air in Japan in October 1965. The episodes were usually completed less than a week before they were broadcast. In the United States, Kimba began production in November 1965 and appeared first on Los Angeles' KHJ-TV in September 1966, and in other cities in late 1966 and early 1967.

Leo's name was changed to "Simba" -- the swahili name for "lion". However, only a couple of days before the first episode was to be recorded, it was learned that the name "Simba" was registered. It was decided to play it safe, and the "S" in Simba was changed to a "K" to create a name that was absolutely original.

1 Chronicle

• 1950; Comic Janguru Taitei started at Manga Shonen (Comic Boy) magazine.
• 19651965 was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1965 calendar). Events January-February January 4 United States President Lyndon Johnson proclaims his " Great Society" during his State of the Union address. January 14 Prime Ministers of N; Anime series started as the first color TV anime series in Japan.
• 1966Events January January 1 In a coup, Colonel Jean-Bedel Bokassa ousts president David Dacko and takes over the Central African Republic. January 2 Strike of public transportation workers in New York City ends January 13 January 3 First Acid Test at the Fil; Janguru Taitei, the Movie (Dir. Eiichi Yamamoto ) released. Symphonic Poem Janguru Taitei (by Isao TomitaOne of the most renowned electronic music composers in the world, Isao Tomita ( ; Tomita Isao, April 22, 1932 ) was born in Tokyo and spent early childhood with his father in China. After returning to Japan, he took private lessons in orchestration and co) released.
• 1967Events January January 4 British motorboat racer Donald Campbell dies while attempting a water speed record in Coniston Lake. January 4 Algerian revolutionary Mohammed Khider is shot in Madrid. January 6 Vietnam War: USMC and ARVN troops launch " Operatio; Janguru Taitei, the Movie awarded the St. Mark's Silver Lion Award at the 19th Venice International Film FestivalThe Venice Film Festival Mostra Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica takes place every year in late August/early September on the Lido di Venezia in the historic Palazzo del Cinema on the Lungomare Marconi, in Venice, Italy. Its main award is the "Leone. New series anime Shin Janguru Taitei, Susume Leo! started.
• 19891989 is a common year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar). Events January January 7 Akihito becomes Emperor of Japan following the death of Hirohito. The Heisei period begins January 8 the Kegworth Air Disaster A British Midland Boeing 737 cra; Osamu Tezuka died. Remade TV anime series started.
• 19941994 is a common year starting on Saturday, and was designated the International year of the Family''. Events January events January 1 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) goes into effect January 6 Nancy Kerrigan is clubbed on the right leg by an; Disney's The Lion King released.
• 19971997 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar), and was designated the International Year of the Reef''. Events January January 3 NBC's Today Show Bryant Gumbel signs off for the last time January 8 Mister Rogers receives a star on t; New Janguru Taitei, the Movie (Jungle Emperor Leo. Dir. Hiroo Takeuchi ) released. Against former TV series (Susume Leo!), it has tragic last scene after comic version.