Had the pleasure of reading Kimba the White Lion.
This wasn't the original focus for this writing, but I can't help but let it be known that I would spit on whoever compares it to The Lion King.
The narratives are so wildly different that I cannot wrap my head around it. I understand the Television series is the cause for concern for some, and although that's understandable, some still claim ideas are stolen from the manga.
Some like to point to the animal protagonist being a lion and the antagonist having a scar and sidekicks. By this stretch of the imagination we can argue Ginga Densetsu Weed is clearly referencing the Lion King due to having a younger animal protagonist face off against an antagonist, and whose ancestors or fallen appear to guide him. It boils down the intricate nature of Kimba the White Lion as a larger story that spans many issues, versus the simple Hamlet lions made by Disney.
Both materials are incredibly entertaining and should not be compared on a matter of story, but rather on whichever scene the Animators decided to rob of the animated release.
With that out of the way, Kimba the White Lion, or as it's known, Jungle Emperor Leo, is just downright adorable. Tezuka's art style lends itself to be incredibly cute, especially with his noted inspirations being Disney's Bambi, and none of that is missed in Kimba. A lot of the focus seemed to be on roaming and exploring the possibilities away from Africa, as that's usually the habitat for anything lion-related to occur. With a title focused on the prime lion, a reader wouldn't expect so many pages full of businessmen, hunters, and passerby's discussing Kimba as opposed to showing him and his antics. This can be seen as a break from anything he's doing to describe a B-plot or a larger narrative, but I was honestly just skimming those pages like a kindergartner waiting for the next time I'd get to see Kimba.
Admittedly, Kimba is suited for a much younger audience, but I couldn't help myself. I do think it would be neat to see this IP come back one day in a meaningful way in the same way Osomatsu-san managed, but until then we'll have to settle for the decent story and the absurdly cute and anthropomorphized Kimba.
This wasn't the original focus for this writing, but I can't help but let it be known that I would spit on whoever compares it to The Lion King.
The narratives are so wildly different that I cannot wrap my head around it. I understand the Television series is the cause for concern for some, and although that's understandable, some still claim ideas are stolen from the manga.
Some like to point to the animal protagonist being a lion and the antagonist having a scar and sidekicks. By this stretch of the imagination we can argue Ginga Densetsu Weed is clearly referencing the Lion King due to having a younger animal protagonist face off against an antagonist, and whose ancestors or fallen appear to guide him. It boils down the intricate nature of Kimba the White Lion as a larger story that spans many issues, versus the simple Hamlet lions made by Disney.
Both materials are incredibly entertaining and should not be compared on a matter of story, but rather on whichever scene the Animators decided to rob of the animated release.
With that out of the way, Kimba the White Lion, or as it's known, Jungle Emperor Leo, is just downright adorable. Tezuka's art style lends itself to be incredibly cute, especially with his noted inspirations being Disney's Bambi, and none of that is missed in Kimba. A lot of the focus seemed to be on roaming and exploring the possibilities away from Africa, as that's usually the habitat for anything lion-related to occur. With a title focused on the prime lion, a reader wouldn't expect so many pages full of businessmen, hunters, and passerby's discussing Kimba as opposed to showing him and his antics. This can be seen as a break from anything he's doing to describe a B-plot or a larger narrative, but I was honestly just skimming those pages like a kindergartner waiting for the next time I'd get to see Kimba.
Admittedly, Kimba is suited for a much younger audience, but I couldn't help myself. I do think it would be neat to see this IP come back one day in a meaningful way in the same way Osomatsu-san managed, but until then we'll have to settle for the decent story and the absurdly cute and anthropomorphized Kimba.
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