Leo
King of the Jungle
A male white lion destined to become the king of the jungle, son of Panja. The protagonist of a story depicting his growth and adventures set in the African jungle.
Quotes
- Help the weak, crush the strong
- I am the king of lions, the king of the jungle must protect his comrades
- The jungle has changed, then I will change it
- What is life? Understanding that will make clear what must be protected
- My hide is my pride, a symbol of my father's will
Trivia
- Jungle Emperor is known as Japan's first color TV anime series.
- The opening theme composed by Isao Tomita is considered a masterpiece in Japanese anime music history.
- The Saitama Seibu Lions mascot is Leo, but its design is actually closer to his father Panja.
- During the original manga serialization, it was influenced by watching Disney's Bambi over 100 times, shifting to tragic themes.
- In America, it aired as 'Kimba the White Lion' and gained popularity.
- 'New Jungle Emperor Go Leo!' was not aired in America and was canceled after half a year even in Japan.
Alternate names
Leo
Jungle Emperor Leo
White Lion
Profile
- Species
- White Lion
- Gender
- Male
Appearance
- Overall appearance
- A male lion with white fur, youthful and brave yet showing a gentle expression. Characteristic white fur inherited from his mother Eliza and father Panja.
- Eye color
- Brown
- Hair color
- White
- Distinguishing features
-
- White fur
- Male lion's mane
- Powerful appearance similar to father Panja
- Iconic items
-
- Panja's hide
- Moonlight Stone (Moonstone)
- Symbolic mane
- Knowledge gained from human society
Personality and abilities
- Core personality
- Brave
- Detailed personality
- Raised in human society during his childhood, he was initially timid but developed strength and a sense of justice as he grew. He has a kind heart that protects the weak and strives to create order in the jungle. While utilizing knowledge from humans, he awakens to his pride as a lion and is respected by many animals.
- Keywords
-
- Brave
- Kind
- Strong sense of justice
- Leadership
- Wise
- Conflicted
- Proud
- Environmental protector
- Family-oriented
- Motto
- Help the weak, crush the strong
- Talents
-
- Overwhelming physical abilities as a lion
- Leadership in the natural world
- High intelligence
- Ability to learn human language
- Communication skills
- Skills
-
- Strategic planning
- Guidance in crop cultivation
- Leadership of animals
- Crisis response
- Spirit of self-sacrifice
- Motivation
- Protecting the peace and coexistence of the jungle, ensuring the safety of his companions, and inheriting his father Panja's will.
- Favorite places
- Panja's forest, Jungle, Moon Mountain
- Person
- Father Panja, Mother Eliza, Wife Riya, Best friend Kenichi
- Favorite foods
- Wild game, Vegetables learned in human society (field crops)
- Disliked situations
- Conflicts between animals, Human destruction of nature
History
- Backstory
- His father Panja, the king of the jungle, had his wife captured by humans and taken to a zoo, and was later killed by a bullet. His mother Eliza gave birth to the white male lion Leo on the capture ship, but Leo escaped from the ship, drifted to Aden, and spent his childhood in human society. Upon reaching adulthood, he returned to the jungle, inherited his father's legacy, protected the jungle's peace, and united the animals. He later had Rune and Rukio with his wife Riya, faced many hardships, and became an existence that guards the jungle with the resolve to make self-sacrifices.
- Debut date
- 1950-11
- Work title
- Jungle Emperor
- Media type
- Manga
- Episode or chapter
- Serialization start
1965 TV anime broadcast start
- Significant event
- 1965 TV anime broadcast start
- Description
- Produced by Mushi Production, aired all 52 episodes on Fuji TV network. Became widely known both domestically and internationally.
1966 theatrical anime release
- Significant event
- 1966 theatrical anime release
- Description
- A feature-length film version re-edited from the TV series was released in Toho theaters, winning the Silver Lion Award at the Venice International Film Festival.
1966 sequel 'Go Leo!' broadcast
- Significant event
- 1966 sequel 'Go Leo!' broadcast
- Description
- Aired as the second TV series but ended after half a year due to low ratings.
1989 remake TV anime broadcast
- Significant event
- 1989 remake TV anime broadcast
- Description
- Produced by Tezuka Production, aired all 52 episodes on TV Tokyo network.
1997 theatrical anime release
- Significant event
- 1997 theatrical anime release
- Description
- A new theatrical anime faithfully reconstructed from the original work was released.
2009 special anime broadcast
- Significant event
- 2009 special anime broadcast
- Description
- Fuji TV 50th anniversary and Tezuka birth 80th anniversary commemorative TV special anime 'Jungle Emperor - Courage Changes the Future' was broadcast.
Adopted as Seibu Lions mascot
- Significant event
- Adopted as Seibu Lions mascot
- Description
- Leo was adopted as the mascot character for the professional baseball team, gaining recognition across generations.
Relationships
Panja
Father
The king of the jungle and Leo's father. His death greatly influenced Leo's growth and mental formation.
Eliza
Mother
Leo's mother. She died during capture but ordered Leo to escape and return to the jungle.
Riya
Spouse
Leo's wife. Kind and devoted in raising their children.
Rune
Child
Eldest son of Leo and Riya. Curious and brave.
Rukio
Child
Eldest daughter of Leo and Riya. Kind and supportive of her brother.
Kenichi
Best friend
Helped Leo in human society and returned to the jungle together.
Higeoyaji
Mentor
Supported Leo's growth and joined in the search for the Moonlight Stone.
Koko
Teammate
Leo's friend, a parrot who often encourages him.
Jungle animals
Jungle animals: leader
Media appearances
Jungle Emperor
Manga / Protagonist
Serialization started in 1950
Jungle Emperor (1965)
Anime / Protagonist
October 6, 1965 to September 28, 1966, all 52 episodes
Jungle Emperor (1966 theatrical)
Movie / Protagonist
Released July 31, 1966, 75 minutes
New Jungle Emperor Go Leo!
Anime / Protagonist
October 5, 1966 to March 29, 1967, all 26 episodes
Jungle Emperor (1989)
Anime / Protagonist
October 12, 1989 to October 11, 1990, all 52 episodes
Jungle Emperor (1997 theatrical)
Movie / Protagonist
Released August 1, 1997, 99 minutes
Jungle Emperor - Courage Changes the Future
Anime / Protagonist
September 5, 2009 TV special
Anime Symphonic Poem Jungle Emperor
OVA / Protagonist
Released April 1, 1991
Voice cast and creators
Yoshiko Ota
- Voice actor
- Yoshiko Ota
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- 1965 TV anime version (1st series)
- Notes
- Childhood Leo's voice
Takashi Sotoyama
- Voice actor
- Takashi Sotoyama
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- 1966 TV anime version New Jungle Emperor Go Leo!
- Notes
- Grown Leo's voice
Megumi Hayashibara
- Voice actor
- Megumi Hayashibara
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- 1989 TV anime version
- Notes
- Childhood Leo role. Second half by Shinosuke Furumoto
Shinosuke Furumoto
- Voice actor
- Shinosuke Furumoto
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- 1989 TV anime version
- Notes
- Juvenile Leo role
Masatane Tsukayama
- Voice actor
- Masatane Tsukayama
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- 1997 theatrical version
Taeko Kawada
- Voice actor
- Taeko Kawada
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- 2009 TV special version
- Notes
- Child Leo's voice
Saori Hayami
- Voice actor
- Saori Hayami
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- 2022 CM
- Notes
- Voice appearance
Saburo Tokito
- Voice actor
- Saburo Tokito
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- 2009 TV special version
- Notes
- Panja role
Osamu Tezuka
- Creator name
- Osamu Tezuka
- Role
- Original author
Osamu Tezuka
- Creator name
- Osamu Tezuka
- Role
- Character Designer
Yoshitaka Kawashiri
- Creator name
- Yoshitaka Kawashiri
- Role
- Character Designer
Mushi Production
- Creator name
- Mushi Production
- Role
- Animation Studio
Tezuka Production
- Creator name
- Tezuka Production
- Role
- Animation Studio
Madhouse
- Creator name
- Madhouse
- Role
- Animation Studio
Osamu Suzuki
- Creator name
- Osamu Suzuki
- Role
- Writer
Eichi Yamamoto
- Creator name
- Eichi Yamamoto
- Role
- Director
Koji Ui
- Creator name
- Koji Ui
- Role
- Director
Hiroo Takeuchi
- Creator name
- Hiroo Takeuchi
- Role
- Director
Isao Tomita
- Creator name
- Isao Tomita
- Role
- Music Composer
Tomoyuki Asakawa
- Creator name
- Tomoyuki Asakawa
- Role
- Music Composer
Takefumi Hamada
- Creator name
- Takefumi Hamada
- Role
- Music Composer
Shogakukan
- Creator name
- Shogakukan
- Role
- Publisher
Kodansha
- Creator name
- Kodansha
- Role
- Publisher
Shochiku
- Creator name
- Shochiku
- Role
- Licensee
Related goods
Leo Figure
- Item name
- Leo Figure
- Category
- Figure
- Availability
- Regular
Jungle Emperor Plush
- Item name
- Jungle Emperor Plush
- Category
- Plush or doll
- Availability
- Regular
Leo Keychain
- Item name
- Leo Keychain
- Category
- Accessory
- Availability
- Regular
Leo Stationery Set
- Item name
- Leo Stationery Set
- Category
- Stationery
- Availability
- Regular