Kimba

Osamu Tezuka's

- Jungle Emperor Leo -

(The Movie、1997、100min.)

　　　手塚治虫の《ジャングル大帝》の劇場版

Kimba the White Lion

- The little white lion that was loved by a generation comes to the silver screen -

Original story by Osamu Tezuka　原作：手塚治虫

Screenplay by Yoshio Takeuchi (Library Division of Tezuka Productions) 脚本:竹内啓雄、手塚プロダクション文芸部

Directed by Yoshio Takeuchi 　監督:竹内啓雄

Music by Isao Tomita　音楽:冨田勲

Director of Photography by Yoshyuki Tamagawa　撮影監督:玉川芳行

Animation Production by Tezuka Productions, Shochiku

製作:手塚プロダクション、松竹

Executive Production by Takayuki Matsutani & Hajime Yuki

製作:松谷孝征、幸甫　

Production by Minoru Kubota, Sumio Udagawa, Chiharu Akiba

プロデューサー:久保田稔、宇田川純男、秋葉千晴

Character designs by Akio Sugino　作画監督:杉野昭夫

Leo / Kimba as an adult lion

At the foot of the mysterious Moon Mountain lives a white lion named Leo (Kimba), ruler of the jungle. He and his family live peacefully among the other animals in a lush habitat with which they have been blessed.

Humans have entered Leo's domain, shattering the peace in their relentless search for Moonlight stones, a source of exquisite wealth. Overwhelmed by greed, they have little regard for the living creatures of the jungle. The animals, disturbed by the occupation of their rightful home, must resist the intuders.

- The synopsis above was taken from the DVD cover of the film.

Tezuka's classic story has been reborn in this theatrical feature film.

Leo / Kimba

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"Pagoola" (above)

.Leo's son "Lune"
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Leo's daughter "Lukio"
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"Lune" (above)
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Pagoola's son "Bizo" (above)
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Leo's wife "Liya" and daughter "Lukio"




"Uncle Rhino"

All images are taken from cels within the collection of Geoffrey Clifton.

ANIMATION UTOPIA

Kimba

The New Adventures of -

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Kimba the White Lion

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("Shinsaku Jungle Taitei・新作ジャングル大帝")

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-1989-

by Osamu Tezuka.

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This second series of Kimba was directed by Takashi Ui

（監督：宇井孝司）

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All images are from Geoffrey Clifton's private collection

This second series follows Kimba from birth to maturity.

このシリーズには、Kimbaが生まれた時から大人になるまでの話が描かれている

ANIMATION UTOPIA

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

Astro Boy

-Astro Boy-

The date that Astro Boy was given life in the original Manga was April 7, 2003.

To mark this date in Japan and in other countries a number of companies produced a variety of collectable and limited edition products including Posters, Watches, Stamps and Statuettes.

(left) the box for the above metal statuette

(Above) A collectors watch which was limited to 500 pieces

*Tezuka Productions

Examples of the beautiful workmanship, on the limited edition, Tezuka Productions Astro Boy wooden watch cases

A cheaper, yet still charming girls wrist watch

Although Astro Boy had never really been as popular in "Western" countries as he was in Japan, by the late 1970's, Astro Boy watches, T-Shirts and other souvenirs were being sold as "Hot" items to trendy university students all around the world.

A Japanese limited edition phone card (above)

The fabulous Australian collection of Astro Boy DVD's

Although the toys above are cheap and mass produced - they are still Charming, as they reflect the primative simplicity of the early Japanese Astro Boy toys.

Small Japanese collectable Astro Boy model kits



Each of the above Astro Boy figures came in a clear plastic display case
The cases are designed to clip together


A postcard produced in Japan in 2003 to mark the birth of Astro Boy
Tezuka Productions / Sony Pictures Entertainment (Atom Dream Project)
*This is an advertising card - on the back is a small ad for the Mitsubishi "Colt"

The official 2003 Tezuka Productions calendar featuring the Birthday Boy

To some extent Astro Boy has now become overshadowed by more contemporary Anime characters.
Astro Boy however remains not only as cute but as the First truly human friendly robot and as the cartoon character which launched Japan into the world of Anime.



ANIMATION UTOPIA