Leo [aka Kimba]

Also known as レオ (Reo)

Hello, My Name (in English) is…

Leo… a popular name for Lions, given that it comes from the latin word, leo, meaning… lion. However, many readers may know me by my English name, Kimba – which is based on the swahili word simba, meaning… lion.

Distinguishing Features

As one of Tezuka’s super-star players, Leo is well-known as a white lion with black tufts on the tips of his ears.

Status: Super Star (★★★★★)

Leo (also well-known as Kimba), is the central character of Tezuka’s most overtly environmentalist series. Leo is a white lion, and the son of Panja, the “King of the Jungle”. When Panja is killed by hunters, Leo’s mother is captured by humans and Leo is born into captivity. As a young cub he has to leave his mother to escape back to his kingdom in Africa.

Over the course of his adventures, Leo interacts a great deal with humans. He eventually learns to speak the human language, and so serves as an intermediary and peace maker not only among the different animal species but between humans and animals. The series focuses on interspecies relations, hunting, communication, and the cycle of generations from Leo’s father, to him, and to his successors.

Notable Roles

Although Leo’s appearances are primarily limited to the original Jungle Emperor (1950-54) and the animated series tie-in chapters, known collectively as Little Leo (1965-67), he has also made notable appearances in The Mooney Men [Manga Shonen] (1951) as well as the Black Jack (1973-83), chapter “White Lion” (1974), among a few others.

Manga Appearances

1950

Jungle Emperor (“The Birth of Leo“) as “Leo”

1951

The Mooney Men [Manga Shonen] as “the lion”

1952

Manga Classroom

1955

Chief Detective Kenichi (“The Case of the Gorilla”) as “the escaped Lion”

1965

Leo the Lion Cub (“The Robbers’ Rehabilitation”) as “Leo”
Leo the Lion Cub (“The Bullying Shark”) as “Leo”
Leo the Lion Cub (“The Search for the Culprit”) as “Leo”
Leo the Lion Cub (“Mary’s Mother”) as “Leo”
Leo the Lion Cub (“The Chame-lion”) as “Leo”
Leo the Lion Cub (“The Golden Egg”) as “Leo”
Leo the Lion Cub (“The Journey to Africa”) as “Leo”
Astro Boy (“Slippery Catfish in Imminent Danger”) as “Leo, a Champion of Justice”
Astro Boy (“Broadcasts from Outer Space”) as “Leo”

1966

Leo the Lion Cub (“The Jungle Hospital”) as “Leo”
Leo the Lion Cub (“New Friends”) as “Leo”
Leo the Lion Cub (“The Baby Dinosaurs”) as “Leo”
Leo the Lion Cub (“The Turtle Toughs”) as “Leo”
Leo the Lion Cub (“The Black Lion”) as “Leo”
Leo the Lion Cub (“The Growing-up Potion”) as “Leo”
Leo the Lion Cub (“The Red Rhino”) as “Leo”
Leo the Lion Cub (“Boxing”) as “Leo”
Leo the Lion Cub (“Man vs. Panther”) as “Leo”
Leo the Lion Cub (“The Great Hebihidora”) as “Leo”

1967

Leo the Lion Cub (“The New Year”) as “Leo”
Leo the Lion Cub (“The Rain God”) as “Leo”
Leo the Lion Cub (“The Black Panter’s Plot”) as “Leo”
Flying Ben

1969

Gum Gum Punch (“Oshishi”) as “a member of the magic gum heroes”
Rubbish Poetry as “a member of the audience”

1970

Gachaboi’s Biography as “Leo” (cameo)

1971

One Fool

1974

Black Jack (“Twice Dead”) as “a juror”
Black Jack (“White Lion”) as “Runaruna”

1978

Black Jack (“Move, Solomon!”) as “Leo” (poster cameo)

1980

Unico [First Grader] as “Leo” (animation company signboard cameo)