Jungle Emperor Leo [DVD]

The original movie as seen in the theaters. Very good picture quality too!

I could not ask for a better DVD of this movie, short of an anamorphic transfer. AnimeWorks has done very well with the film, providing subtitles that are very faithful to the Japanese dialog, and an English-dubbed track that is well performed and also true to the original. This is a movie I have wanted ever since it was released to video in Japan, and AnimeWorks' US release of it is great.This is hardly a movie for kiddies. The ending leaves adults traumatized, especially if they've been lifelong fans of Kimba The White Lion--this movie supposedly tells the second half of Dr. Osamu Tezuka's epic fable. But it digresses considerably from the original published story, and thoroughly ignores the universe created in the original Kimba TV series, perhaps in an effort to stand on its own and lose the "second half" stigma.What it achieves, however, is to reinforce the impression created by Dr. Tezuka himself when he created his second (sequel) series to Kimba back in 1966: that he really is only interested in writing for the young hero starting out in life. The sequel TV series, which covered most of the same story elements included in this movie, became the story not of the hero Kimba as an adult, but of the maturing of his cub Rune. Here, in Jungle Emperor Leo, the title character is mostly just a part of the background for Rune's story. Rune gets the interesting imagery, the engaging character, the hope and promise for the future.Not that Rune's story is a bad one, not at all, it's just that one wonders why the movie isn't titled "The Next Jungle Emperor, Rune".I said that Rune's story isn't bad at all, but it is a shame that they changed it so radically from what Dr. Tezuka wrote and published. They lost the deeper significance and lasting value of it.Really, if you want to know Dr. Tezuka's white lion epic, watch the Kimba The White Lion TV series (which, contrary to what "anime historians" want to tell us, is not very different in spirit from Tezuka's original story) and then track down the second season of the TV show, which is called Leo the Lion -- it is available in two versions: one is uncut and complete and the other has a lot cut out. Caveat emptor.This movie is probably better appreciated by those who don't know its roots.The production itself is superb. Isao Tomita provides the symphonic score, as he did for both original TV series, and again it is sweeping and powerful. The opening title sequence is an expansion of his original Jungle Emperor TV theme, and it produces goosebumps. The animation is for the most part lovely. CG and traditional animation are mixed, usually with great success. All the characters are done in conventional cel animation, very satisfyingly. I find myself wanting more time with the main characters; the movie seems to rush to the end.

I watched this a long time ago as a kid when Blockbuster was still up and running strong (RIP) and always loved it - but my Mom, an original Kimba fan, had other words to say about it.She said that the original show was more detailed, creepy and hard-hitting. Most notably, Kimba's not actually named 'Kimba' in the movie, the Dad dies differently, and a few other details are tossed up as far as family relation goes. a few characters from the original series don't show at all, such as the toucan.However, from someone new to the series who can't even remember the characters' names for the sake of this review, I thought it was - and still is - an excellent movie, especially from a Tezuka-collector's standpoint. Some stuff was kinda shocking, but as I said, I could take it as a kid way back when, so I bet kids could take this nowadays.All of that being said, I wouldn't quite recommend this for seasoned Kimba fans, but for those just getting into the series, this is a great way to introduce a modern viewer to the TV series.

Okay I'm the kind of person who doesn't care for anime BUT I LOVE this movie. I grew up with Kimba: The White Lion... I watched Jungle Emperor Leo when I was 6 and my mom never let me watch it again. I couldnt remember the name of the movie but it stuck with me for years then when I got married and moved out I searched and searched for this movie. Found it here, with one left in stock. I bought it on the spot! And it was everything I remembered it was! EPIC. Wonderful. Cute. Intense. A surprise around every corner! A deep story about animal vs man! And I understood why my mom wouldn't let me watch it again. It is violent. Not for kids!

Jungle Emperor Leo the Movie is one heartfelt tale that everyone should share with the family. There's a TV show based off these characters as well, in english it's known as Kimba the White Lion. I wish both the movie and the tv show could be remastered and released on bluray with both Japanese and English audios. The White Lion shows are one of my favorite anime out there.

This is an excellent opportunity for children to learn from the sacrifices parents do for their children and about the life core values. My 8 y.o daughter was amazed by the message that the story is based on.

MUSTACHE, I KNOW YOU

This was a nice movie that I can watch over again. I would recommend this movie. I will be looking for more like this. I will pass this movie down to my grandkids, who may think the Lion King was the first movie about a Lion. I think the Lion King was based on this movie. This was the movie that started it all. This movie brought back childhood memories that I thought were lost for ever.

Excellent film avec des doublages corrects.Néanmoins l'histoire, bien plus travaillée et moins gnangnan que celle du Roi Lion, la met malheureusement hors de portée des plus petits.Les notions d'écologie, de protection de l'environnement sont bien présentes et certaines scènes peuvent se révéler choquantes si on n'est pas là pour les expliquer.A réserver donc à un public d'enfants avertis (>5ans selon moi)

Exellent graphismes. Dommage que l'histoire (le scénario) en elle même laisse a désirer.Je rappelle que "Le Roi Lion" de Disney est tiré du "Roi Léo".