This story is an alternative ending to Osamu Tezuka’s classic tale of the Jungle Emperor. I have not read the manga. Sadly for me, and for many, it has never been translated into English.
But I have seen the American dubbed series and most recently the 1997 release of Jungle Emperor, Leo. My story is based entirely on this movie, which itself is only loosely based on the manga.

I mean no disrespect to the late Osamu Tezuka or his great work; after all it was he who dreamed of this wonderful character, Leo. It was he who dreamed a dream and wanted to share it with everyone.
Those who’s hearts and minds and spirits were captured by Kimba, myself included of course, were granted lessons of life, love, friendship, devotion, courage and compassion all in a character who was himself as imperfect as anyone. Unlike most superhero cartoons of the day, Kimba had weaknesses and he wasn’t always right. But he, and all of his friends, had a constant capacity to forgive, move on and rebuild. He was willing to accept anyone as a friend, no matter what they were or who they were. Osamu knew well what lessons he wanted to teach through his character, Leo.

As a child I didn’t always see the lesson, but I felt something in my heart that won me to the white lion for the rest of my life. As an adult I watch all of the old episodes fondly and see just what a wise and insightful man Osamu was. Osamu filled my life, my heart and my spirit with immeasurable joy by giving me Leo, The White Lion. Judging by all of the Kimba web sites out there and some in particular, I am not the only one who’s had his or her life profoundly affected by this great and gifted story teller and by Kimba.

Ever since Kimba went off the air in Australia I hoped and waited that one-day the old episodes would be released on video. In February 2001, I found them at “the right stuf” and oh my joy as I watched episode after episode again and again. In March I found Jungle Emperor Leo at “Kodacha” and Kimba was dead.
After knowing only the 1966 episodes and his happy life in them, the tragic circumstances of his death and the sadness of his later life overwhelmed me; no doubt strengthened by tragic events in my own life not so long ago. I was so saddened by the manner of his death that I just had to imagine it another way; there had to be another way. Well, no one can write the book of life as we want it, there are times when life can be full of joy and others when it just plain sucks. But as I was reminded by another fan of Kimba’s, “in fiction you can write life any way you want to.” So based on this, I began to lose many hours of sleep over many many weeks in the pursuit of other possibilities. Because, I believe, while there is life there are always possibilities. In the end, this story is the one that stuck.

I am not a story teller or writer. My scholastic education is minimal so I am sorry if the writing style is not that of a college graduate, but with my computer’s help I think we’ve done okay.
I must emphasize strongly that this story based on the movie not on the manga. For those who have seen and read the manga, please humor me and be patient. Because I haven’t read the manga I have had to get some advice from those who know more about Leo and Kimba than I do and draw inspiration from the cartoon series as well. Not to mention just having to use a little assumption and a lot of imagination. Before I wrote this story on paper I wrote it in my heart. I cannot change and would not dare to change the wonderful work of one of the 20th century’s most gifted storytellers.
This is not meant to be anything more than a fanciful flight into Leo’s world and a conciliation to myself and to anyone who was saddened by Leo’s ( Kimba’s) death.
My story begins shortly before Leo’s decision to sacrifice himself on Higeoyaji’s knife.
I welcome any views or opinions given honestly. kimbasdream@optusnet.com.au

This story is indirectly based upon Jungle Emperor, Leo; an original story created by Osamu Tezuka in 1950. The Manga, the 1965 series and the 1997 movie “Jungle Emperor Leo” and all of the characters directly referred to in this story are property of Tezuka Productions. With the exception of several characters created by myself, Shorai, Sonkei, Kennin, Chie, Hikari and Yorushi. Since Jungle Emperor Leo, is Japanese I have kept the names in my story written just as the voice actors pronounce those names in the movie and those character names I have created myself are Japanese words each with their own meaning. I would like to thank with all my heart, Tezuka Productions for all of their efforts in bringing to life with glorious modern animation the final chapter of Osamu Tezuka’s Jungle Emperor. I would also thank the American voice actors who gave life to Kimba for English speaking audiences. This story has been, and will continue to be a personal journey. Therefore, I ask that no part of this story be changed without my consent. As I wrote it I lived it, and as I continue to add to it I continue my journey through Kimba’s world. Osamu Tezuka created Kimba and his world and I have the honor and privilege to travel into it whenever I sit and write. If Osamu were alive today I would thank him for the joy, for the sadness and for all that he taught me through, Leo. Above all I would thank him for a significant proportion of my humanity.