First Grader
November 1966
With the success of the 1965 anime television series, Osamu Tezuka also decided to revisit Jungle Emperor (1950-54) in manga format – only this time for a much younger audience. Not truly a sequel, the 20 short stories, collectively known as Leo the Lion Cub (1965-67), were simultaneously published on a monthly schedule by Shogakukan in both Kindergartener and First Grader from April 1965 to March 1967 and (presumably as the readership got older) in both Third Grader and Fourth Grader from May to November 1966.
Although they are not actually part of the regular Jungle Emperor (1950-54) continuity, they often touch on many of the same themes and events. The artwork and character designs are quite similar to the 1965 anime television series, and they include some of the stories not drawn directly or adapted from the original manga.
As such, it should come as no surprise that though these stories were originally published under the title Leo the Lion Cub, they were eventually presented under the Jungle Emperor, and later Jungle Emperor: Onward Leo! brand – presumably to develop a closer tie-in with the tv series, especially as it moved into its second season on the air.
Publication Information and Chapter Summaries
| Chapter: 001 |
Title: The Robbers’ Rehabilitation (どろぼう退治の巻) |
| Published in: Kindergarten & First Grader |
Originally published: 1965/04 |
| Leo has been sent by his parents to live with Kenich and his family in Japan in order to learn how humans live. Although Kenichi’s father tries to teach Leo how to act like a human, even simple table manners are a challenge for the young lion. One day, when Leo overhears some robbers planning a department store heist, he enlists the help of the animals in the local zoo to give the thieves more than they bargained for. |
| Stars Spotted:
|
| Chapter: 002 |
Title: The Bullying Shark (いじわるなフカの巻) |
| Published in: Kindergarten & First Grader |
Originally published: 1965/05 |
| After a disastrous family outing to go see a movie, Leo is approached by a mackerel in the fish market. He pleads with Leo to do something about a shark that has been terrorizing the ocean dwellers. So Leo makes off with the fish, much to the chagrin of the shopkeeper, and the pair head out to sea. Once in the water, the fish produces a magic pill that allows Leo to breath normally underwater and soon enough Leo has sent the big bully packing. |
| Stars Spotted:
|
| Chapter: 003 |
Title: The Search for the Culprit (犯人さがしの巻) |
| Published in: Kindergarten & First Grader |
Originally published: 1965/06 |
| When Kenichi’s dessert goes missing, at first he suspects Leo but then realizes they’ve been together all day long. So Leo sets out to find the true culprits. Soon he tracks down two dogs hiding in the bushes. Although with Leo’s animal sense of smell he is easily convinced of their innocence, the dogs are being wrongfully accused by the humans because. Leo agrees to help them clear their names and they head off to a garbage heap in order to mask their scents. Soon Leo uncovers a ring of house-pet thieves and springs into action. |
| Stars Spotted:
|
| Chapter: 004 |
Title: Mary’s Mother (メリーちゃんのおかあさんの巻) |
| Published in: Kindergarten & First Grader |
Originally published: 1965/07 |
| Synopsis Coming Soon! |
| Stars Spotted:
|
| Chapter: 005 |
Title: The Chame-lion (カメライオンの巻) |
| Published in: Kindergarten & First Grader |
Originally published: 1965/08 |
| Synopsis Coming Soon! |
| Stars Spotted:
|
| Chapter: 006 |
Title: The Golden Egg (金のたまごの巻) |
| Published in: Kindergarten & First Grader |
Originally published: 1965/09 |
| Synopsis Coming Soon! |
| Stars Spotted:
|
| Chapter: 007 |
Title: The Journey to Africa (アフリカへの旅の巻) |
| Published in: Kindergarten & First Grader |
Originally published: 1965/10 | 1965/11 | 1965/12 |
| Synopsis Coming Soon! |
| Stars Spotted:
|
| Chapter: 008 |
Title: The Jungle Hospital (ジャングルの病院の巻) |
| Published in: Kindergarten & First Grader |
Originally published: 1966/01 |
| Synopsis Coming Soon! |
| Stars Spotted:
|
| Chapter: 009 |
Title: New Friends (新しい友だちの巻) |
| Published in: Kindergarten & First Grader |
Originally published: 1966/02 | 1966/03 |
| Synopsis Coming Soon! |
| Stars Spotted:
|
| Chapter: 010 |
Title: The Baby Dinosaurs (きょうりゅうのこどもの巻) |
| Published in: First Grader |
Originally published: 1966/04 | 1966/05 | 1966/06 | 1966/07 |
| Synopsis Coming Soon! |
| Stars Spotted:
|
| Chapter: 011 |
Title: The Turtle Toughs (らんぼうなカメの巻) |
| Published in: First Grader |
Originally published: 1966/08 |
| Synopsis Coming Soon! |
| Stars Spotted:
|
| Chapter: 012 |
Title: The Black Lion (黒いライオンの巻) |
| Published in: First Grader |
Originally published: 1966/09 | 1966/10 |
| Synopsis Coming Soon! |
| Stars Spotted:
|
<
| Chapter: 013 |
Title: The Growing-up Potion (おとなになるくすりの巻) |
| Published in: First Grader |
Originally published: 1966/11 | 1966/12 |
| Synopsis Coming Soon! |
| Stars Spotted:
|
| Chapter: 014 |
Title: The New Year (お正月の巻) |
| Published in: First Grader |
Originally published: 1967/01 |
| Synopsis Coming Soon! |
| Stars Spotted:
|
| Chapter: 015 |
Title: The Rain God (雨ごいの神さまの巻) |
| Published in: First Grader |
Originally published: 1967/02 |
| Synopsis Coming Soon! |
| Stars Spotted:
|
| Chapter: 016 |
Title: The Black Panter’s Plot (黒ヒョウトットのたくらみの巻) |
| Published in: First Grader |
Originally published: 1967/03 |
| Synopsis Coming Soon! |
| Stars Spotted:
|
| Chapter: 001 |
Title: The Red Rhino (赤サイの巻) |
| Published in: Third & Fourth Grader |
Originally published: 1966/05 |
| Synopsis Coming Soon! |
| Stars Spotted:
|
| Chapter: 002 |
Title: Boxing (ボクシングの巻) |
| Published in: Third & Fourth Grader |
Originally published: 1966/06 | 1966/07 |
| Synopsis Coming Soon! |
| Stars Spotted:
|
| Chapter: 003 |
Title: Man vs. Panther (人間対ヒョウの巻) |
| Published in: Third & Fourth Grader |
Originally published: 1966/08 | 1966/09 |
| Synopsis Coming Soon! |
| Stars Spotted:
|
| Chapter: 004 |
Title: The Great Hebihidora (大ヘビヒドラ) |
| Published in: Third & Fourth Grader |
Originally published: 1966/10 | 1966/11 |
| Synopsis Coming Soon! |
| Stars Spotted:
|
When a bunch of mysterious eggs float down the the river, the birds take it upon themselves to see them hatched. However, to everyone’s surprise, the hatchlings turn out to be baby dinosaurs! Although Leo agrees to raise them, things quickly get out of hand and the other animals begin to complain. So, Leo takes the baby dinosaurs upriver in search of their mother. Along the way they run afoul of a wooly mammoth, a giant predatory bird, and a massive dinosaur-eating insect monster. However, Just when it looks like they’re about to face a new foe, who should appear but their frantic mother. With the happy family reunited, Leo heads off for home on some rather unique public transit.
Leo
One day the animals of the forest are treated to a strange sight, a massive migration of turtles. At the end of the procession Leo meets the princess of the turtles who tells him that they have been chased from their lake by a band of giant turtles thugs that have claimed it for their own in an attempt to force the princess Into marriage. Outraged, Leo sets off to deal with the problem but soon finds that he’s no match for the turtles in the water. Undeterred, he gets the displaced turtles to dig a tunnel and drain the lake. On dry ground the turtle toughs are no match for Leo, and they are forced to slink away without their shells.
Leo
One morning, the peace of the jungle is broken by the sound of gunfire. Hunters have come in search of the dreaded black lion. After they’re driven off, the grateful black lion emerges from hiding and convinces Leo of his innocence. Although the animals grudgingly accept the new lion, when a series of attacks suddenly breaks out they quickly turn on him. Although Leo believes it is a case of mistaken identity, he is forced to hide his friend under Panja’s pelt to keep him safe from the angry mob. This gives Leo an idea, and after setting a trap he discovers that the perpetrator is actually a “baboon in lion’s clothing”. His name cleared, the black lion is once again welcomed into the jungle community.
