This webpage is part of the Lost pages @ 60 years of Kimba the White Lion (Jungle Emperor)
Original URL: http://www.smn.co.jp/opinions/letter.html (shown without permission)

Letter to Buena Vista International


TO BUENA VISTA INTERNATIONAL:

We would like to give you our review and opinion of your "Lion King" animation movie.

Your "Lion King" movie reminds me of Osamu Tezuka's published manga story "Kimba the White Lion" in Japan. In other words, it is hard to believe the similarity of these twe stories is a coincidence.

All Japanese admired Walt Disney therefore it is very disappointing to feel doubt about your "Lion King" movie as it is presented today.

We Japanese are proud of Osamu Tezuka and we feel that his manga is a representation of Japanese culture.

The original "Kimba, the White Lion" is one of his most famous works. We feel it should live as the property of every Japanese. So, I feel it is not fair to hurt the value, respect and importance that "Kimba, the White Lion" has for them.

As least a sub-title to pay homage to Osamu Tezuka or a few lines paying respect to the story of "Kimba, the White Lion" should be included. If these lines were on the beginning of the movie then Walt Disney and Osamu Tezuka would both feel satisfaction.

This is my personal opinion expressed apart from Tezuka Production's opinion.

Yours sincerely

Machiko Satonaka.