9 Comments so far

1. Miniver on November 8, 2009 5:56 pm

   KittySmile’s link pretty much says it all, but there are actually even more similarities that are not mentioned on that page. For instance:
   1. Kimba’s arch-enemy was a black-maned lion with a scar over one eye named Claw. Simba’s arch enemy was a black-maned lion with a scar over one eye named Scar.
   2. Claw was assisted by two evil hyenas. Scar was assisted by three evil hyenas. (Wow, how creative, Disney added an extra hyena! )
   3. Kimba was aided and advised by a wise baboon named Dan’l and a self-important bird named Pauly. Simba was aided and advised by a wise baboon named Rafiki and a self-important bird named Zazu.
   3a. Just as a side note, Kimba was certainly no loner – he had the loyal support and friendship of many different animals, including Bucky the antelope (who was a bit like Timon, personality-wise), Hedda the River-Hog, Speedy the Cheetah, Dottie the Gazelle and many more. The bonds of friendship and its importance was often stressed in many of Kimba’s adventures.
   4. In addition to the friends listed above, Kimba had a little girlfriend named Kitty whom he eventually took for his mate after they both grew to adulthood. Simba likewise ended up “marrying” his childhood (cubhood?) sweetheart.
   Kimba’s original Japanese name was Leo, but the executives at NBC (the company that would broadcast the series) thought that this was too genertic a name. It was suggested that Leo’s name be changed to Simba for the English version, until someone pointed out that “Simba” was Swahili for “lion,” and that would be like calling the character “Lion the lion,” which was silly and redundant. Hence, the name Kimba was chosen, because it still sounded exotic and it rhymed with the Swahili word for lion.
   For more info, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kimba_the_W… and scroll down to “The Lion King Controversy.”
   ————————————–…
   Who lives down in deepest, darkest Disneyland?
   Who’s the one who brought Mike Eisner fame?
   Who’s the biggest gold mine to hit Disneyland?
   Simba (Disney’s lion) is his name!
   Who makes critics like Siskel and Ebert rave?
   Who has merchandizing by the ton? (Who-o-o?)
   Who makes Tezuka turn over in his grave?
   Simba (Disney’s lion) is the one!

2. Chanandler Bong on November 8, 2009 6:32 pm

   I remember Kimba the White Lion. Disney was accused of copying The Lion King from this cartoon, but their defense was Kimba is based on a Japanese folk story in which The Lion King is based.

3. Chanandler Bong on November 8, 2009 7:00 pm

   not sure but i did find KIMBA dvd’s at the 99 cent store!!!

4. ramblin guy on November 8, 2009 7:07 pm

   Oh, I remember this cartoon quite well. Yes I do think that they ripped this straight from the series.

5. marie on November 8, 2009 7:41 pm

   no i do not i remember kimba but to me it was a totally different story line

6. kittysmi on November 8, 2009 7:44 pm

   maybe just the name… there were on humans in the lion king it was more of a father/son coming of age type movie. where kimba was a boy, a lion and their adventures together

7. shaggyk9 on November 8, 2009 7:59 pm

   Muy pootential is to becoome the most drunked anserer on Yahoo! answerws and I’vee just acheeeved it…..

8. TheNasty on November 8, 2009 8:33 pm

   Hmm…… Not me.
   I only remember Voltron, Tanzorzi, Transformers, Rainbow Brite, He-Man, Shera, Smurfs, and Thurndercats.
   Anyone else remember these?

9. Chanandler Bong on November 8, 2009 8:54 pm

   I remember it, as well as a squel series, of sorts, called “Leo, the White Lion”. (I think that was the name.) It was about Kimba, all grown up, and his name changed to “Leo”. Leo could speak in human speech, and was king of the jungle. He set up a place where the animals could live, and grow their own food so that they wouldn’t have to hunt other animals. He and his mate had two cubs –another white male, and a regular-colored female, I think.
   No, I don’t think Disney swiped the story for “The Lion King”. The name, Simba, first of all, comes from the Swahilli for “Lion”. Second, I don’t recall Kimba having a wise baboon, a bird, a meerkat, and a warthog for friends. Kimba was pretty much a loner, and Simba always had friends of one type or another for friends.
   And I don’t recall Kimba losing his father to the treachery of the father’s own brother, or stampeding herd of wildabeasts. Also, I don’t recall Kimba having to fight said uncle –or hynnas– for his place in the pride.
   So, no, I do not believe Disney ripped off Kimba for “The Lion King”. Only the names of the main characters are simular, and Simba can site a real language as a sorce for HIS name. Where did the name “Kimba” come from, anyway?