Everyone has a first favorite cartoon and for me it is Kimba the White Lion. I was 3 or 4 (I think) when I first saw this cartoon. I loved animals, all animals, but cats hold a special place in my heart. They always have and always will. Anyway, Kimba was a white lion cub with black ears who was set on making a better life for animals. He thought that a better life could be had through understanding and communication.

Kimba is one of my earliest memories. Growing up, I sometimes wondered if I had dreamed up this cartoon. Not one of my friends remembered it, thank God for the internet or I may still think it was a dream. Now I own the original movie, Jungle Emperor. What a wonderful thing to be able to share with my children!

Kimba the White Lion was originally a manga that was featured in "Shonen" magazine in the 1950's. Written by Osamu Tezuka (who also created Astro Boy), Kimba the White Lion was one of the first anime released in the United States. This series was a mix of Bambi and The Lion King all in one.

Kimba was the new King of the Jungle. His father, the old King, had been killed by human hunters. Kimba was being sent with his mother to live in a zoo, when he escaped. They had been on a boat and he swam with the help of some fish, guided by butterflies, to land. There he lived for a while with Roger Ranger. Roger Ranger later decides to go with Kimba to live amongst the animals.

Kimba wants to see peace and prosperity for all animals. His adventures focus on this task. He believes that the larger animals should eat vegetables, so that the smaller animals can also live in peace. He gets the animals to plant a farm and they start a restaurant. Dan'l Baboon, Pauley Cracker and Bucky are most often featured.

Dan'l Baboon is a wise old baboon who becomes Kimba's mentor. Pauley Cracker is a parrot who had lived with humans and was wise in their ways. He helps Kimba and the other animals understand how the humans do things. Bucky is a mischievous antelope who is Kimba's friend. There are also many other animals to meet in this series.

There are bad guys galore, but the main one is Claw. He is cruel and a bully. He has been ruling the jungle in Kimba's father's absence. His rule was a dictatorship in which he enjoyed absolute power. Kimba overthrows him, but Claw is always there seeking a way back to power.

Other bad guys are Viper Snakely, the famous and dastardly trapper/poacher who killed Kimba's father. He repeatedly tries to capture Kimba. There are also various bad animals such as Cassius, the black panther who hangs out with Claw, various hyenas who are friends with Claw, and the Black Four, four deadly black panthers who are ninja like assassins.

If your children liked The Lion King, I can almost guarantee they will like this cartoon. It is a wonderful cartoon that teaches children how to get along with others. It stresses using communication and understanding, not fighting, as a way of solving conflict.