N LITE, a multimedia company and anime studio with a presence in both the U.S. and Tokyo, has announced plans for a remake of Osamu Tezuka’s seminal work, Jungle Emperor Leo, widely known as Kimba the White Lion. The news was unveiled by Christiano Terry of N LITE during a panel at Anime Expo.
A Legacy Reimagined
Jungle Emperor Leo originated as a manga series by Osamu Tezuka, serialized from 1950 to 1954. This pioneering work tells the saga of Leo, a white lion born on a ship after his father, Panja, the king of the jungle, is killed by hunters and his mother is captured. His mother encourages him to return to Africa and become a leader like his father. Leo eventually escapes and is raised by humans before embarking on his journey back to the jungle to fulfill his destiny.
The manga’s profound narrative exploring the delicate balance between humanity and nature, and the laws of the wild, has led to numerous adaptations over the decades. The first television anime adaptation, which aired from 1965 to 1966, holds the distinction of being Japan’s first full-color animated TV program. Subsequent adaptations include a 1989 TV series, The New Adventures of Kimba The White Lion, and a 1997 theatrical film, Jungle Emperor Leo: The Movie. Each iteration has often explored different facets of Tezuka’s original story or introduced new narratives, reflecting the enduring appeal and adaptability of the source material.
N LITE’s Vision for the Remake
While N LITE has confirmed the development of a remake, specific details regarding its format—whether it will be a television series, film, or another medium—have not yet been disclosed. Similarly, the company has not indicated which particular part of the extensive Jungle Emperor Leo saga the new adaptation will focus on.
N LITE positions itself as a company dedicated to “bridging the magic of Hollywood, Japanese anime and storytelling from the culture,” aiming to bring “untapped stories to life for global audiences across film, TV, publishing and consumer products.” This mission suggests a potential fresh perspective for the beloved classic, possibly blending traditional anime aesthetics with contemporary storytelling approaches for a global audience. The remake of Jungle Emperor Leo represents a significant undertaking, bringing one of anime’s most influential and cherished narratives to a new generation.
