Kimba the White Lion (1965)
A groundbreaking Japanese anime classic following a young white lion's journey to become king of the jungle.
Kimba the White Lion - Series Information
- Original Title: ジャングル大帝
- First Air Year: 1965
- Last Air Year: 1967
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (20 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 78
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: October 6, 1965 (Australia - G), October 6, 1965 (Brazil - L), October 6, 1965 (Spain - 12), October 6, 1965 (South Korea - 12)
- Networks: Fuji TV
- Alternative Titles: Leo, el rei de la selva (ES), Kimba, o Leão Branco (BR), Kimba, der weiße Löwe (DE), Jungle Emperor (US), Kimba the White Lion (JP), Kimba - O Leão Branco (PT), Jungle Taitei (FR), الليث الأبيض (SA)
- Production Companies: Mushi Production, Tezuka Productions
- Production Countries: Japan
Kimba the White Lion - Plot
The adventures of Leo, a young lion cub who becomes king of the jungle when his father, the previous king of the jungle is killed by a human hunter.
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Kimba the White Lion - Cast & Crew
Writers
- Osamu Tezuka
Main Cast
- Gorō Naya
- Yoshiko Ohta
- Hajime Akashi
- Hisashi Katsuta
- Junji Chiba
- Kazuyuki Sogabe
- Yoshiko Matsuo
- Kinto Tamura
- Kiyoshi Kawakubo
- Mayumi Tanaka
Kimba the White Lion - FAQs
What is Kimba the White Lion about?
Kimba the White Lion follows Leo, a young white lion cub who must claim his rightful place as king of the jungle after his father is killed by a human hunter. The series blends adventure and drama as Leo navigates the challenges of leadership, coexistence, and protecting his animal kingdom.
Is Kimba the White Lion the inspiration for The Lion King?
The similarities between Kimba the White Lion and Disney's The Lion King have been widely debated since 1994. Both feature a young lion cub destined to be king after his father's death. Disney has denied direct inspiration, but many animation scholars and Tezuka Productions have noted the striking parallels in character design, plot, and setting.
When did Kimba the White Lion first air?
Kimba the White Lion first aired on October 6, 1965, on Fuji TV in Japan. It holds the distinction of being one of the first color anime series ever broadcast, marking a pivotal milestone in the history of Japanese animation.
Who created Kimba the White Lion?
Kimba the White Lion is based on the manga Jungle Emperor by Osamu Tezuka, widely regarded as the 'God of Manga.' The anime was produced by Tezuka's own studio, Mushi Production, in collaboration with Tezuka Productions, bringing his beloved characters to life on screen.
How many seasons and episodes does Kimba the White Lion have?
Kimba the White Lion ran for 2 seasons with a total of 78 episodes. Season 1 comprised 52 episodes and Season 2 comprised 26 episodes. The series also includes 8 special episodes. Each episode runs approximately 20 minutes.
Where can I watch Kimba the White Lion?
Kimba the White Lion is available to stream in the United States on RetroCrush (via Amazon Channel and its own ad-supported service), Pluto TV, and Cineverse, all offering free ad-supported viewing. Check JustWatch for a full list of current streaming options in your region.
Is Kimba the White Lion worth watching today?
Kimba the White Lion remains a rewarding watch for animation enthusiasts and history buffs alike. As one of the earliest color anime series, it carries immense cultural significance. Its themes of leadership, environmentalism, and human-animal coexistence feel surprisingly timeless, and Osamu Tezuka's storytelling still resonates with audiences decades later.
What are shows similar to Kimba the White Lion?
Fans of Kimba the White Lion may enjoy other classic anime series such as Speed Racer (1967), another pioneering work from the same era of Japanese animation. For vintage anime with adventure and drama, Death Note (2006) and Saiyuki (2000) also offer compelling storytelling rooted in rich Japanese animation traditions.
More About Kimba the White Lion
Explore further details about this classic anime series through these authoritative resources.