Kenichi
The human boy who helps Leo and brings him back to the jungle
The human boy who saves the white lion Leo and brings him back to the African jungle. He has a courageous and kind heart, and is an important figure supporting Leo's growth.
Quotes
- I'll take Leo back to the jungle!
- Humans and animals should live together.
- Courage changes the future.
- The existence of Neo Jungle is wrong.
- Life must be cherished.
Trivia
- Kenichi's setting changes slightly between works, but he is always depicted as Leo's protector.
- In the original work, Kenichi is the boy who first helped Leo who was adrift in the Arabian Peninsula.
- In the 1965 anime version, Kenichi has the role of teaching Leo human language in human society.
- In the 1989 version, Kenichi's appearance and role differ greatly from the original.
- In the 2009 version, the name is 'Ooyama Kenichi', voiced by Akiko Yajima.
- The story of the Seibu Lions mascot character also feels the influence of Kenichi.
Alternate names
Kenichi
Kenichi
Ooyama Kenichi
Profile
- Species
- Human
- Gender
- Male
Appearance
- Overall appearance
- A boyish boy with a light and active impression. Clothing varies depending on the work, but he often lives in the African jungle.
- Eye color
- Brown
- Hair color
- Black
Personality and abilities
- Core personality
- Kind
- Detailed personality
- Supports Leo as he grows into a bridge between humans and animals, possessing a strong will and kindness that does not yield to difficulties. Contributes to interactions with the jungle by utilizing common sense and knowledge from human society.
- Keywords
-
- Brave
- Kind
- Strong sense of responsibility
- Compassion
- Curious
- Reliable
- Talents
-
- High judgment ability
- Crisis management ability
- Understanding of animals
- Skills
-
- Language acquisition (human language)
- Exploration and survival skills
- Mediation and negotiation skills
- Animal protection
- Motivation
- To protect Leo while aiming for coexistence between the jungle and humans.
- Favorite places
- Jungle, African land
- Person
- Leo, Hige Oyaji
- Disliked situations
- Harm to animals or nature, Conflicts
History
- Backstory
- Accidentally discovers and protects Leo who washed ashore on the Arabian Peninsula, accompanies the dangerous Ham Egg expedition to deliver Leo to the jungle. Eventually shipwrecks in the jungle and grows up in the wild.
- Debut date
- 1950-11
- Work title
- Jungle Emperor
- Media type
- Manga
Broadcast start of the first anime adaptation
- Significant event
- Broadcast start of the first anime adaptation
- Description
- On October 6, 1965, the first TV anime 'Jungle Emperor' produced by Mushi Production began broadcasting on the Fuji TV network.
Original manga serialization
- Significant event
- Original manga serialization
- Description
- Appears as a key character in the original manga serialized in 'Manga Shonen' from 1950 to 1954.
Theatrical anime film appearance
- Significant event
- Theatrical anime film appearance
- Description
- Appears as a member of the adventure in the 1966 theatrical anime version.
1989 remake anime appearance
- Significant event
- 1989 remake anime appearance
- Description
- Appears in the 1989 TV Tokyo anime version with some changes to the role and setting.
2009 TV special appearance
- Significant event
- 2009 TV special appearance
- Description
- Appears as one of the protagonists in the Fuji TV 50th anniversary TV special 'Jungle Emperor - Courage Changes the Future -'.
Relationships
Leo
Best friend
Kenichi helped Leo who had just washed ashore and delivered him to the African jungle.
Hige Oyaji
Mentor
Kenichi's uncle and supports him in the original work as his educator.
Merry
Friend
Kenichi's former classmate and a companion he met in the expedition team.
Ham Egg Expedition Team
Ham Egg Expedition Team: unknown
Media appearances
Jungle Emperor
Manga / Supporting
Serialized in 'Manga Shonen' from 1950 to 1954
Jungle Emperor (1965 TV Anime)
Anime / Supporting
October 6, 1965 to September 28, 1966, all 52 episodes
Color Feature-Length Manga Film Jungle Emperor (1966)
Movie / Supporting
July 31, 1966, released by Toho
New Jungle Emperor: Forward Leo! (1966 TV Anime)
Anime / Supporting
October 5, 1966 to March 29, 1967, all 26 episodes
Jungle Emperor (1989 TV Anime)
Anime / Supporting
October 12, 1989 to October 11, 1990, all 52 episodes
Jungle Emperor (1997 Film)
Movie / Supporting
August 1, 1997, released by Shochiku
Jungle Emperor - Courage Changes the Future - (2009 TV Special)
Anime / Supporting
Broadcast on September 5, 2009
Voice cast and creators
Nobuaki Sekine
- Voice actor
- Nobuaki Sekine
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- 1965 TV Anime Version
Kappei Yamaguchi
- Voice actor
- Kappei Yamaguchi
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- 1989 TV Anime Version / Some Parts
Akiko Yajima
- Voice actor
- Akiko Yajima
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- 2009 TV Special Version
Osamu Tezuka
- Creator name
- Osamu Tezuka
- Role
- Original author
Mushi Production
- Creator name
- Mushi Production
- Role
- Animation studio
Tezuka Production
- Creator name
- Tezuka Production
- Role
- Animation studio
Osamu Suzuki
- Creator name
- Osamu Suzuki
- Role
- Writer
Related goods
Leo and Kenichi Figure Set
- Item name
- Leo and Kenichi Figure Set
- Category
- Figure
- Availability
- Regular
Jungle Emperor Anime DVD Box Set
- Item name
- Jungle Emperor Anime DVD Box Set
- Category
- Digital
- Availability
- Regular