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The adventures of a brave and optimistic little white lion, moral leader for good animals in a jungle surrounded by dangers.The adventures of a brave and optimistic little white lion, moral leader for good animals in a jungle surrounded by dangers.The adventures of a brave and optimistic little white lion, moral leader for good animals in a jungle surrounded by dangers.
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Although I remember Kimba from the early 1970s, it says here that the show began in 1966. This show was very popular in its day. Kimba wanted to turn all the jungle predators into vegetarians so everyone could live in peace and harmony. Actually it does sound like a show from the 60s. This show was based on a Japanese mangra (comic book)called Jungle Emperor. While there are some differences from Disney's The Lion King, there are enough similarities that somebody somewhere could have made a few bucks had they decided to protest. Kimba got into lots of fights with everything from mutant grasshoppers to saber-tooth tigers.
I recall seeing this as a child in the 60s and early 70s in black and white, and was a bit surprised to discover that it was actually a color series. (We only had a black and white TV at the time, as it happens...) This was beyond the resources of the production company, (which had earlier brought us Gigantor and Astroboy) so they partnered with NBC in the US for both financing and expertise in color animation. NBC also had considerable input into the direction of the story, some of it contrary to what the Japanese write wanted to do. The result was highly successful in both the US and Japan. A sequel, "Jungle Emperor Leo", which featured an adult Kimba (renamed Leo) with a less upbeat tone and more realistic violence, was declined by NBC and was not as popular in Japan as the original.
I bought the series on DVD a little while ago, so I was able to refresh my memory of this delightful series. Kimba is a white lion cub, son of great Caesar the white lion, king of the jungle. He has a goal, that all the jungle animals should live in peace. Inspired by human civilization, he convinces all the carnivores to adopt vegetarian ways and strives to single-handedly (pawedly?) bring about an agricultural revolution and cooperative living among the animals. Although he encounters significant animal resistance, his greatest challenges come from encounters with humans.
This works well, despite some awkwardness in the initial episodes, including a visit to Paris that's glaringly out of place. It helps that Kimba's the cutest little thing that ever beat up an adult rhinoceros. The theme music is addictive and unforgettable.
Significantly, some characters, general themes, and specific scenes were heavily "borrowed" by Disney for "The Lion King". This is discussed in the DVD interview with Fred Ladd, the NBC executive responsible for bringing Kimba to the US. The wise old baboon advisor, the enemy adult lion with the scar across one eye and the comic relief hyena henchmen, and the excitable avian companion are all present. Individual scenes include Kimba looking at his reflection in a pool and wondering how he compares to his father, visions of Kimba's parents in the clouds and stars, and a difficult trek across a desert. The moment in Mufasa's death scene where Simba comforts himself by snuggling next to the body is an echo of Kimba habit of curling up upon his father's pelt (recovered from the hunter who shot him) for comfort in moments of distress or self-doubt. "Simba", the Swahili word for lion, was a name considered for Kimba but rejected during series development. The theme of the exiled lion cub returning to regain the kingship from a vicious usurper was no doubt also inspired by Kimba. This is not to say that "The Lion King" isn't a fine piece of storytelling or excellent animation. It is, and needless to say the animation is far superior to that in Kimba. But the source of many of the ideas for "The Lion King" ought to be of interest to anyone who enjoyed that movie. This is rarely brought mentioned outside a fairly limited anime fan community.
I bought the series on DVD a little while ago, so I was able to refresh my memory of this delightful series. Kimba is a white lion cub, son of great Caesar the white lion, king of the jungle. He has a goal, that all the jungle animals should live in peace. Inspired by human civilization, he convinces all the carnivores to adopt vegetarian ways and strives to single-handedly (pawedly?) bring about an agricultural revolution and cooperative living among the animals. Although he encounters significant animal resistance, his greatest challenges come from encounters with humans.
This works well, despite some awkwardness in the initial episodes, including a visit to Paris that's glaringly out of place. It helps that Kimba's the cutest little thing that ever beat up an adult rhinoceros. The theme music is addictive and unforgettable.
Significantly, some characters, general themes, and specific scenes were heavily "borrowed" by Disney for "The Lion King". This is discussed in the DVD interview with Fred Ladd, the NBC executive responsible for bringing Kimba to the US. The wise old baboon advisor, the enemy adult lion with the scar across one eye and the comic relief hyena henchmen, and the excitable avian companion are all present. Individual scenes include Kimba looking at his reflection in a pool and wondering how he compares to his father, visions of Kimba's parents in the clouds and stars, and a difficult trek across a desert. The moment in Mufasa's death scene where Simba comforts himself by snuggling next to the body is an echo of Kimba habit of curling up upon his father's pelt (recovered from the hunter who shot him) for comfort in moments of distress or self-doubt. "Simba", the Swahili word for lion, was a name considered for Kimba but rejected during series development. The theme of the exiled lion cub returning to regain the kingship from a vicious usurper was no doubt also inspired by Kimba. This is not to say that "The Lion King" isn't a fine piece of storytelling or excellent animation. It is, and needless to say the animation is far superior to that in Kimba. But the source of many of the ideas for "The Lion King" ought to be of interest to anyone who enjoyed that movie. This is rarely brought mentioned outside a fairly limited anime fan community.
I used to watch this show when I was a kid .This and "Astroboy " were some of first Japanese animated TV -shows ,both inspired in comic books of the father of the anime ,Tezuka Osamu . Anime have changed a lot in the recent years ,so maybe for the fans this story would be a bit corny ,but I think that deserves the credit for being one of the first anime shows in the story ,and it is a very good choice for children . The recent movie of Disney , "The Lion King " have a clear influence of Kimba ,but I like both."Kimba the White Lion " could be a bit dated ,but for those who grow -up watching it ,would be reason for a sweet melancholy .
When I was a very little boy, there were only three or four TV stations. I was too young to "get" most of the programming, so my mom would sit on the floor next to me and try to explain what was going on. I'd be okay for a while but would soon get confused. I'd look up at her questioningly and she'd interpret what was happening in "kiddie" terms I could grasp.
In 1972 I enrolled in kindergarten and soon discovered "Kimba" was on right about the time I walked home. I loved it. The theme song was great and Kimba was nice without being sappy. All his animal friends were sincere and likable too. From then on, I didn't walk home from school, I ran so as not to miss any more than I had to (it came on at 3:30, just when school let out).
Of course, just as it became part of my daily routine...I suppose they'd call it "appointment" TV nowadays...the show was pulled and never returned. Still, I never forgot this was the first TV series I loved and watched regularly. I hope you enjoy it, too.
In 1972 I enrolled in kindergarten and soon discovered "Kimba" was on right about the time I walked home. I loved it. The theme song was great and Kimba was nice without being sappy. All his animal friends were sincere and likable too. From then on, I didn't walk home from school, I ran so as not to miss any more than I had to (it came on at 3:30, just when school let out).
Of course, just as it became part of my daily routine...I suppose they'd call it "appointment" TV nowadays...the show was pulled and never returned. Still, I never forgot this was the first TV series I loved and watched regularly. I hope you enjoy it, too.
The story follows the lion cub Kimba who lost his parents to human hunters. His father was shot by the hunters and his mother died when the ship carrying her and little Kimba sank. Alone, he must adapt to life. But with his friends he forgive mankind and tries to teach the animals the best of human kind. Including talking and school. The series follows Kimba and how he tries to adapt to being alone and teach the other animals human rituals. A good series for the entire family.
Did you know
- TriviaBecause of an FCC ruling in 1971 declaring networks could no longer syndicate programs they produced themselves, National Telefilm Asscociates (NTA) purchased the syndication rights for "Kimba" from NBC; this arrangement lasted until late September 1978. In the interim, however, two negative developments arose: (1) Mushi Productions, the animation company behind "Kimba," went out of business (bankruptcy) in June 1973; and (2) because of heightened "political correctness," some viewers were offended by the portrayal of a few human characters. With regard to Mushi's bankruptcy, however, NBC (carrying out orders from Japan) instructed NTA at the end of their "Kimba" syndication duties in 1978 to return all syndication prints, etc. of "Kimba" to NBC's New York offices; the prints and all other "Kimba" - related material were then stored away in NBC's warehouse "until further notice." In early 2005, however, after many years of waiting, Right Stuf Home Video secured the DVD rights to the entire "Kimba" series (presumably, the late Osamu Tezuka, an animator at Mushi who later formed his own Tezuka Productions company, held the rights to the "Kimba" characters after Mushi went under), and, to the delight of many fans, finally released all 52 original "Kimba" episodes - digitally remastered, of course - in an "Ultra" DVD collectors' box set in June of that year.
- ConnectionsEdited into Jangaru taitei (1966)
- SoundtracksKimba The White Lion
(Theme song: English version (1966))
Written by Bill Giant, Bernie Baum and Florence Kaye
Performed by Bill Giant
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