by jennytablina » Mon Sep 28, 2009 11:03 pm
I joined just so I could comment on this (but plan to stay!)
This new Kimba makes me think a little of Astro Boy 2003 in terms of the drastic plot change
Admittedly I was kind of surprised in the opening of the film: Leo seems a bit of a crybaby here and he's even afraid to jump over a small gap. Sort of reminds me of Lune from his introductory episode in Leo the Lion, so the character is more Lune than Leo really. Its a bit dissapointing if your expecting the brave outspoken Leo from the previous anime.
Yet, At the same time I recall Leo being a little bit cowardly and unsure originally in early parts of the manga, in the previous anime adaptions, that early phase was skipped pretty quickly in favour of the slightly older, more mature Leo. So in that respect I appreciate seeing more of baby/chibi Leo.
Plus this is an alternate universe, one where Leo has at least been able to spend time with his father instead of only having his pelt and the stories of those who knew him. I imagine that drastic change alone would effect his character, just as Tenma's constant tampering made Astro wonder about his past in the 2003 series.
The plot itself...makes not a lot of sense to me, maybe it will once I know what they are actually saying or something, but the motives of the people in charge seem awfully strange considering the scale of the project itself. How Keitichi turned out so good natured I'll never know
Really my inital concern was that this was going to be a super-kid friendly version of Kimba but it pulls through in the second half somewhat after getting past the introductory fluff. Though it does seem to scoot over what should be emotional moments in the story
In any case curious to see what the series brings! I'm hoping for a slightly matured Leo at least