Kimba

-Kimba-

By Osamu Tezuka

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A Korean Money-box (below) 1989

- Kimba -

= Jungle Taitei (ジャングル大帝）=

-Jungle Emperor Leo-

Who lives down in deepest darkest Africa?

Who's the one who brought the jungle fame?

Who's the king of Animals in Africa?

Kimba the White Lion is his name!

When we get in trouble and we're in a fight

Who's the one who just won't turn an run?

Who believes in doing good and doing right?

Kimba the White Lion is the one!

- Theme song from "Kimba"

A reprint of an old Kimba poster (purchased from the Tezuka Museum, in Japan).

*The original poster was for the Manga of "Jungle Emperor Leo" (Shonen magazine), which was produced serially between 1950 and 1954.

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Baby Kimba is left orphaned following the shooting of his father "Panja" ("Caesar" in the US version) and the tragic drowning of his mother "Eliza" (Snowene), when the ship that they were held captive on, sinks off the coast of Africa.

With the help of other animals, little Kimba returns to the jungle and assumes the position of Emperor.

Kimba is guided in his auspicious position by the wise old Dan'l Baboon.

Kimba faces many problems, most of which are caused by his evil uncle "Babu" (Claw) and the gang of laughing Hyenas.

Man and in particular the hunter "Hamegg" (Viper Snakely) are of course also a constant source of problems for the young Emperor.

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Historically Kimba is an important turning point for Japanese Anime, as it was the first animated colour TV series, produced within Japan.

As with Astro Boy, the Kimba series was partially funded by NBC TV (USA).

In this series the NBC insisted on a greater control of the concept and they required that Tezuka refrained from showing the tragedy of nature (which was part of the original idea). The NBC also required that character Kimba did not get any older and remained as a cub. In the original Manga Kimba matured into an adult lion!

The grown up Kimba did however appear in the later series (1989) titled

"The New Adventures of Kimba the White Lion".

Kimba was created as the first truly Japanese / USA animated co-production.

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An original cel and matching drawing from an early Kimba episode (original season 1966).

A cel of Kimba from the second series (1966)

" "New Jungle Emperor: Onward Leo"

"Shin Jungle Taitei Susumu Leo!" (Japanese title)

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(above) A rare set of model sheets with matching painted guide cels.

12" x 10" (standard size for Mushi Productions)

Episode #49 - "The Day the Giant Tree Fell"

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A TV cel from a television advertisement for Mushi Productions.

Screen Credits for the original TV series -

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Produced by Osamu Tezuka

Directed by Eiichi Yamamoto

Animated by Mushi Productions

Music by Isao Tomita

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Coordinated in the USA by Fred Ladd

Supervised and recorded by Titan productions

Editorial supervision by Zavala-Riss Productions

Theme music (USA) by Bill Giant, Bernie-Baum and Florence Kaye

Voices (in ENGLISH) by Billie Lou Watt, Cliff Owens, Gilbert Mack and Hal Studer

-Kimba the White Lion-

All images are from Geoffrey Clifton's private collection

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ANIMATION UTOPIA