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Anime, a genre that has recently captured the hearts of global audiences, has long served as an inspiration for Hollywood filmmakers, earning them recognition among the greats. 30 years ago, Walt Disney Animation Studios’The Lion Kingmade its debut in theaters, eventually becoming one of the most successful franchises of all time, spanning film, live theater, streaming, experiences, and beyond.
Over the years, numerous anime films have not only captivated viewers with their unique storytelling but also inspired adaptations and retellings in some of Hollywood’s most iconic films.
After the immense success ofMufasa: The Lion King, the photo-realistic animated prequel toThe Lion King, Disney surpassed the $5 billion milestone, proving the franchise remains beloved by fans worldwide. While Disney’sLion Kingfranchise continues to break records and win over fans, many are unaware of the controversies regarding its alleged similarities to a 75-year-old manga that once put Disney in hot water.
The Controversial connection between Disney’sThe Lion Kingand a 1960s Anime
It’s widely known that Disney reigns over live-action remakes, and the success ofMufasa: The Lion Kingonly reinforces this claim. Disney has been producing live-action remakes of their most successful movies since the 2010s to varying degrees of success.
2019’sThe Lion Kingis Disney’s highest-grossing live-action remake film with an impressive $1.7 billion (Box Office Mojo) to its name. Though several Hollywood movies are among the most influential globally, many acclaimed American films borrow ideas from Japanese cinema, with Disney’sThe Lion Kingbeing no exception.
Disney defends its 1994 filmThe Lion Kingas completely original, but almost immediately, Disney’s claims of originality were challenged by people familiar with a popular 1960s animated series calledKimba the White Lion.
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Kimba the White Lionfollows the titular white lion cub who, through a series of misadventures, grows up to become king. Osamu Tezuka, alsothe creator ofAstro Boy, is behindKimba the White Lion, another influential series.
The manga debuted in the 1950s and later received an animated adaptation in the 1960s, an international animation landmark.
The similarities between these two movies are so significant thatThe Lion King’srelease stirred controversy amongKimbafans. From eerily identical scenes to character names reminiscent of each other, the two tales share uncanny resemblances.
It’s hard to overstate how popular the works of Tezuka — who died in 1989, around the same time Disney started work onThe Lion King— were in Japan during his lifetime. However, a comment fromThe Lion Kingvoice actor raises the question of whether Disney was truly unaware of the controversies surrounding Tezuka’s iconic manga.
Shocking Revelation fromThe Lion King‘s Simba voice actor
The plots ofThe Lion KingandKimba the White Lionshare some broad similarities. Both are coming-of-age tales about an African lion cub whose father is killed in the first act, butKimbaalso features human characters alongside animals and highlights the conflict between civilization and nature.
Interestingly, in an interview withThe Hollywood Reporter, Matthew Broderickshared their initial reaction to being chosen as Simba’s voice actor, revealing that they actually believed they were cast for the role of Kimba due to the plot’s similarities. He added:
I thought [they] meant Kimba, who was a white lion on TV when I was a little kid. So I kept telling everyone I was going to play Kimba.
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InThe Lion King, the primary antagonist is an evil lion named Scar, characterized by a black mane and a scar over his left eye. InKimba, the main villain is Claw, an evil lion with a black mane and a scar where his left eye should be, showcasing a ton of similarities between the two projects.
Kimba the White Lionis available for streaming on RetroCrush Amazon Channel or for free with ads on Pluto TV, Retrocrush.
Mehul Rolta
Articles Published :510
Mehul Rolta is a seasoned journalist with over 3 years in esports and soccer journalism. Transitioning to anime writing at Fandom Wire, Mehul shares his lifelong passion for anime about integrates professionalism. Dedicated to connecting the world of anime globally, Mehul shares thoughts and insights, communicating personal passion with professional insight.
