Friday Flashback...

KIMBA, THE WHITE LION

"Kimba, the White Lion was one of the most popular TV cartoons of the late 1960s. The show came from Japan, where it began as a famous 1950s children's comic-art novel, Jungulu Taitei [King of the Jungle] by Osamu Tesuka, who was already popular for his Astro Boy character.

The TV Kimba is a simplification of the novel. Big-game hunters kill the mighty Caesar, king of the jungle, and capture his queen, Snowene. Kimba is born on the boat that brings his mother to a zoo in Europe, but he escapes, and he returns to the African veld. Caesar's old friends, led by wise old Dan'l Baboon, Bucky Deer, and Pauley Cracker the parrot, try to help Kimba realize his place as the young Prince, but Kimba wants to be more than a strong fighter like father. He is impressed by human civilization and he wants to create a similar animal civilization where beasts will not have to prey on each other. This stirs the opposition of many animals. Even the friendlier carnivores point out that he is basically asking them to starve to death.

Despite the serious tone of the story, the 52 episodes that were syndicated in America in 1966 were kept light and humorous, and were designed to be seen in random sequence. But the Japanese public familiar with the cartoon-art classic had some awareness of the chronology of the TV episodes.

Kimba begins as a babyish cub, acknowledged as the Prince but considered an impractical dreamer by all but his closest friends. Gradually, he accomplishes his goals (including finding a "Meat substitute" for the carnivores) and convinces the other animals of the value of his "civilization." By the last episodes, he is a husky teenager and his peaceful animal kingdom is solidly established."

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This is one of my favorite childhood memories. I was very young when I first watched Kimba, The White Lion... but the images and story (and catchy theme song) has stuck with me all of these years. The whole series is now available on DVD... so being the kid-at-heart that I am... you know that will be a purchase I make in the near future!!

Here are lyrics to the theme song:

Kimba (Kimba) Kimba (Kimba) Kimba (Kimba) Kimba (Kimba)

Who lives down in deepest darkest Africa?(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 and run?

Who believes in doing good and doing right?

Kimba the white lion is the one!

He's the greatest leader, there's no doubt of it.

He's the one we count on night and day.

When there's danger he can get us out of it--

Kimba the white lion leads the way!

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Have a great weekend, everyone!