Underrated Anime, Part 2: Tezuka Osamu's Jungle Emperor Leo
Posted: Sat May 28, 2005 15:22 -0700
OMG, what can I say that's bad about this film? NOTHING!
Not a single thing. It's superb in every way an animated film can be.
It has love, passion, good vs evil, and a relevant moral that everyone can understand.
This is, of course, based on Osamu Tezuka's epic Kimba the White Lion saga.
For continuity's sake, this particular film takes place towards the end of Kimba's life, when he is an adult lion and has both a mate and children.
Being a Tezuka film, there are obviously certain inside jokes and story elements that Tezuka otaku will be happy to see. For example, one of the characters, Dr. Mustache, is of course another variation of Tezuka's famous walrus-like character, Hideojayki Bahn. The villain is of course Mr. Ham-egg, one of the view villains that have a reocuring theme in Tezuka's work.
It's also one of the saddest films I've ever seen. Before Grave of the Fireflies, this was the first cartoon I ever actually cried after watching (I didn't cry during Bambi). As a matter of fact, the passing of Lyre (Kimba's lover and wife), is one of the saddest moments in the history of animation. Just seeing this beautiful, vibrant female taken down in the prime of her life by a sudden illness is rather sad. Her last words include this statement to Leo: "Leo, I love you.....you are.....my life....". It's simple.....yet so heart breaking that I always cry silently every time I see it....oh dear.....calm down, Angel....you're getting worked up over nothing......WAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!
sniff....ahem...anyway. Rest assured that's not the only important death in this film. There are ALOT. Oh, and don't thing of that last paragraph as a spoiler, either. Most people knew that Leonardo DiCapprio's character died in Titanic, but that didn't stop anyone from turning on the water works, did it?
Some notable chacters....
Leo, AKA Kimba, the hero of the story and beloved symbol of nature's purity.
Lyre, Leo's wife and lover. Beautiful and motherly, her passing is one of the most heartbreaking moments in the film.
Lune, Leo's son. Adorable and tenacious, he seeks to see the human world.
Mr. Ham-egg, sleazy and greedy, he represents the worst of humanity.
Dr. Mustache, the kindly veterinarian/explorer. He represents everything good about humanity.
These are just a few of the characters in this powerful film.
Quotes:
"It's gonna be dangerous for you Tommy if you don't SHUT UP!"
-parrot
"They missed the heart! YOu gotta take em' down with one bullet!"
-Mr. Ham-egg
"I've spent all of my years trying to preserve all life!"
-Dr. Mustache.
I can say no more. WATCH THIS FILM!
Sincerely,
Angelcake
P.S. Osamu Tezuka himself makes a couple of cameo apperrances. See if you can find him!
Not a single thing. It's superb in every way an animated film can be.
It has love, passion, good vs evil, and a relevant moral that everyone can understand.
This is, of course, based on Osamu Tezuka's epic Kimba the White Lion saga.
For continuity's sake, this particular film takes place towards the end of Kimba's life, when he is an adult lion and has both a mate and children.
Being a Tezuka film, there are obviously certain inside jokes and story elements that Tezuka otaku will be happy to see. For example, one of the characters, Dr. Mustache, is of course another variation of Tezuka's famous walrus-like character, Hideojayki Bahn. The villain is of course Mr. Ham-egg, one of the view villains that have a reocuring theme in Tezuka's work.
It's also one of the saddest films I've ever seen. Before Grave of the Fireflies, this was the first cartoon I ever actually cried after watching (I didn't cry during Bambi). As a matter of fact, the passing of Lyre (Kimba's lover and wife), is one of the saddest moments in the history of animation. Just seeing this beautiful, vibrant female taken down in the prime of her life by a sudden illness is rather sad. Her last words include this statement to Leo: "Leo, I love you.....you are.....my life....". It's simple.....yet so heart breaking that I always cry silently every time I see it....oh dear.....calm down, Angel....you're getting worked up over nothing......WAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!
sniff....ahem...anyway. Rest assured that's not the only important death in this film. There are ALOT. Oh, and don't thing of that last paragraph as a spoiler, either. Most people knew that Leonardo DiCapprio's character died in Titanic, but that didn't stop anyone from turning on the water works, did it?
Some notable chacters....
Leo, AKA Kimba, the hero of the story and beloved symbol of nature's purity.
Lyre, Leo's wife and lover. Beautiful and motherly, her passing is one of the most heartbreaking moments in the film.
Lune, Leo's son. Adorable and tenacious, he seeks to see the human world.
Mr. Ham-egg, sleazy and greedy, he represents the worst of humanity.
Dr. Mustache, the kindly veterinarian/explorer. He represents everything good about humanity.
These are just a few of the characters in this powerful film.
Quotes:
"It's gonna be dangerous for you Tommy if you don't SHUT UP!"
-parrot
"They missed the heart! YOu gotta take em' down with one bullet!"
-Mr. Ham-egg
"I've spent all of my years trying to preserve all life!"
-Dr. Mustache.
I can say no more. WATCH THIS FILM!
Sincerely,
Angelcake
P.S. Osamu Tezuka himself makes a couple of cameo apperrances. See if you can find him!
.