Customer Reviews

Kimba the White Lion - The King is Dead, All Hail the King (Vol. 1) [VHS]

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Five stars for "Kimba", my favorite TV show ever! This series struck a deep emotional chord that still resonates twenty-five years later.

The animation really is better than the AMAZON reviewer describes. Yes, it looks choppy compared to "Aladdin", but no more than old "Huckleberry Hound" cartoons, and certainly no more than most of the children's cartoons currently coming out of Japan. The craftsmanship shines in the richly drawn jungle backgrounds and the brilliant musical score (recorded by the Japanese Philharmonic Orchestra). The action is quick, with lots of plot crammed into each 25-minute episode. The characters are usually talking (fast) or running somewhere, creating a hyperkenetic feel.

But what sets this cartoon apart is the story telling and character development. Kimba the white lion loses his parents early in life, and inherits the nearly impossible job of bringing peace and justice to the jungle. He proceeds by taking clues from the better aspects of human civilization, for instance establishing a farm and an "animal restaurant" (in Vol. 2) to ameliorate the constant battles over food. He relates to the other animals of his "kingdom" more like a playmate than a ruler, being a pre-adolescent throughout the series. A pacifist at heart, Kimba only fights when he has to ... which turns out to be really quite often. He isn't perfect though, and his friends (or the memory of his father) sometimes have to correct him when he's wrong. He often struggles with moral dilemmas and self-doubt (as in the episode "Jungle Thief"), and sometimes he even comes close to despair. But he's the leader we all wish we had, and the leader we all wish we could be.

Granted, not everyone is going to like these cartoons. The animation pales next to higher budget films. And much of "Kimba's" appeal rests on its die-hard idealism, not pointed wit or irony. Is it just childhood nostalgia, or would I still like "Kimba" even if I saw it for the first time today? I can't be completely sure. But I do know this: "Kimba" was the only TV show I saw as a kid that actually had a positive influence on me. Watch it and decide for yourself if you like it; I'm an unapologetic Kimba fan. Go, White Lion!

My kids watched this show straight through and loved it. Thisshow tells a tale with moral values and it brought a tear to my eye tosee it again. Anyone who watched this show as a kid will definitely remember the wonderful theme song. The publisher has spent the time to make sure that the picture and sound are of good quality, not the scratchy prints I've seen on bootlegs out there. There are SO MANY Lion King scenes in this video that you'll be amazed. Watch episode 1 and then watch the other, and you'll see.

Great tape! My 5 year old son loves to watch Kimba. I regret that I hesitated buying this tape because of the other persons review. This tape brings back great memories, for all of us who were born around 1960. The shows on the tape are the earlier ones of kimba. The soundtrack and dialogue is just as I remembered it. It's a very simplistic cartoon by todays standards but, my kids and I still enjoy it. Kimba teaches kids and reminds adults the value of morals and doing what's right.

Not only was this my childhood favorite show, but speaking as a parent of two I have never seen a show with higher morals brought to life with great action. My children love it!

I remember this series since I was 5 or 6. It left me pleasant memories and a story of a good young lion that was a role model for me, even if I'm not a vegetarian.
I bought if for my daughter of 2. After the spectacular images of A bug's life and Lion King, at the beginning she snobbed Kimba the White lion, whose pictures are now a little bit disappointing and outdated. However, Kimba is a hero and the story is too strong that overcomes the age and wrinkles of the film. Apart from the first episode, where the authors hadn't kids in mind while writing the script, the following episodes are more digestible for a kid slightly older than 2.
I give a four stars for the sound which is old and it's not clear whether it is the tape or something else. Moreover, if you love special effects, Kimba is a bit too primitive.

Considering this show is reaching its 40th birthday, it is really good. The animation surpasses most made by americans at the time. Considering there's only 4 voice actors, the voices are still good. And there's no cheesy parts at all. The stories (like most anime)seems carefully thought out. A must for any anime fan at any age.

Im not saying that people who loved the show on NBC will like it. Im saying that fans of the director will hate it. First off, the dub is a little dry with only two voice actors who do the voices of the animals. Second, in the NBC version the episodes are all mixed up. So when you think you are seeing episodes 1-4, your actually seeing a group of episodes that don't match up in order. Anyway, I like the show and I think kids and adults should see it. Its an anime you can put right on the shelf next to Totoro and Kiki's Delivery Service. I only wished that the director could have lived to see the Lion King, but then again, he must have been turning in his grave when it came out. Still, if your looking for family anime in a anime market overcrowded with mecha and super powers, pick this one up.

Seeing Kimba again after 30 or so years is really something special, and will be for anyone who watched it way back when. Bought the video for my daughter and it became her favorite over all the Disney videos we have! Bought a second Kimba (DISASTER!) and she loves that one too... OK, the animation pales compared to today's, but the morality tales packed into each of the short stories, the fast pace, the personalities of the animals, etc. make it worthwhile watching. (Wait til your kids start singing, "who lives down in deepest darkest Africa"...... ). Enjoy it while its available!

Funny, I used to love Kimba as a kid and thought my 10 year old would too when I bought this tape. When I saw it again for the first time in 35 years, I thought what terrible quality and script. Meanwhile my 10 year old was loving it. You might think Disney should be sued for copyright violation when you see the amazing similarity with The Lion King. The theme song still haunts me.

Considering this show is reaching its 40th birthday, it is really good. The animation surpasses most made by americans at the time. Considering there's only 4 voice actors, the voices are still good. And there's no cheesy parts at all. The stories (like most anime)seems to be carefully thought out. A must for any anime fan at any age.