Liya
The Gentle She-Lion of the Jungle
Childhood friend of Leo, the protagonist of Jungle Emperor, and later becomes his wife as a female white lion. She has a kind yet strong-willed but timid personality. She supports the jungle companions and is also a family-loving mother lion.
Quotes
- To make the jungle livable, wisdom and courage are necessary.
- Protecting the family is the mission of the jungle king.
- Advancing without fear—that is true strength.
Trivia
- Liya's name was not revealed during the period she served Ryona in the story, but was clarified in later materials.
- In anime adaptations, Liya's gender was not consistent, but the 2009 version unified her as female.
- In the latter half of the original work, Liya dies from an epidemic, but some sequel animes changed it to a happy ending.
- Depicted as the wife of Leo, from whom the Seibu Lions' mascot character originated.
- Many actresses have portrayed Liya in stage plays and musicals.
- The Tezuka Osamu Fan Club Kyoto re-evaluated Liya's活躍 through the reprint of the original Manga Shonen version.
Alternate names
Liya
Leo's Childhood Friend
Leo's Wife
Profile
- Species
- Lion
- Gender
- Female
Appearance
- Overall appearance
- An elegant female lion with white fur. As she grows, she becomes a white lioness relied upon by her jungle companions.
- Eye color
- Brown
- Hair color
- White
- Distinguishing features
-
- White fur
- Gentle eyes
- Iconic items
-
- None
Personality and abilities
- Core personality
- Kind
- Detailed personality
- A childhood friend who has supported Leo since she was young, and after growing up, cherishes her family as his wife, while possessing a strong spirit and the courage to confront difficulties. Though she has a timid side, she is a devoted woman who does not hesitate to face danger for Leo.
- Keywords
-
- Kind
- Family-oriented
- Courageous
- Strong-willed
- Devoted
- Timid
- Caring for companions
- Affectionate
- Talents
-
- Leadership
- Animal communication
- Courage
- Skills
-
- Hunting
- Supporting allies
- Crisis avoidance
- Motivation
- To protect the peace of the jungle and the happiness of her family.
- Habits
- Sometimes scolds Leo in a firm, level-headed tone.
- Disliked situations
- Threats to the jungle, Illness, Family crises
History
- Backstory
- Appears in the original Jungle Emperor manga and various anime works. Leo's childhood friend, who becomes his lover and wife after growing up, as a white female lion. She once served Panja's wife Eliza and assisted Ryona, making her an important presence among the jungle companions. She gives birth to children named Rune and Rukkio. Rune is captured by humans, and Liya contracts an epidemic and dies, but her devotion and love for her family form one of the core elements of the story.
- Debut date
- October 6, 1965
- Work title
- Jungle Emperor
- Media type
- Anime
- Episode or chapter
- Start of the first TV anime series
Original manga serialization start
- Significant event
- Original manga serialization start
- Description
- Serialization of Osamu Tezuka's 'Jungle Emperor' began in November 1950.
1965 anime adaptation
- Significant event
- 1965 anime adaptation
- Description
- Appeared in the first Fuji TV network color anime series broadcast.
Marriage in 'Jungle Emperor: Go Leo!'
- Significant event
- Marriage in 'Jungle Emperor: Go Leo!'
- Description
- In the 1966 sequel anime, marries Leo and bears children.
Illness and death
- Significant event
- Illness and death
- Description
- In the original work, Liya dies from an epidemic, depicting her devoted figure who protected her family.
Appearance in 2009 special anime
- Significant event
- Appearance in 2009 special anime
- Description
- Appears in the near-future artificial island Neo Jungle arc and regains attention.
Relationships
Leo
Spouse
Childhood friends who later become husband and wife. Together they protect the jungle and raise children.
Rune
Child
Eldest son. Runs away to the human world.
Rukkio
Child
Eldest daughter with a gentle personality. Inherits her father and mother's feelings.
Leo
Best friend
Struggles together to build the future of the jungle.
Ryona
Ally
Served Panja's wife and taught Liya the laws of the jungle.
Jungle companions
Jungle companions: supporter
Media appearances
Jungle Emperor (1965)
Anime / Supporting
1965-1966 Fuji TV network
New Jungle Emperor: Go Leo! (1966-1967)
Anime / Supporting
Fuji TV network
Jungle Emperor (1989)
Anime / Supporting
TV Tokyo network
Jungle Emperor (1997 theatrical)
Movie / Supporting
August 1, 1997 Shochiku circuit
Jungle Emperor - Courage Changes the Future- (2009 special)
Anime / Supporting
September 5, 2009 Fuji TV network
Voice cast and creators
Yoshiko Matsuo
- Voice actor
- Yoshiko Matsuo
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- 1965 TV anime version
Haruko Kitahama
- Voice actor
- Haruko Kitahama
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- 1966 sequel
Sakiko Tamagawa
- Voice actor
- Sakiko Tamagawa
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- 1989 TV anime version
Chieko Baisho
- Voice actor
- Chieko Baisho
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- 1997 theatrical
Nanako Matsushima
- Voice actor
- Nanako Matsushima
- Language
- Japanese
- Version or series
- 2009 special anime
- Notes
- Voice acting debut
Osamu Tezuka
- Creator name
- Osamu Tezuka
- Role
- Original author
Related goods
Liya Figure
- Item name
- Liya Figure
- Category
- Figure
- Availability
- Regular
Jungle Emperor Keychain
- Item name
- Jungle Emperor Keychain
- Category
- Accessory
- Availability
- Limited