Jungle Fever

Here's a cool announcement that slipped through my fingers last week.

One of Osamu Tezuka's most famous creations, Jungle Emperor Leo (sometimes known internationally as Kimba the White Lion), will be getting a new animated special this summer in Japan. It will be a new story set in the future and is said to be incorporating elements of "variety storytelling", but still be in step with Tezuka's original themes. Here's a description of the plot:

In this future story, mankind is plagued with the environmental destruction it did little to prevent. The United Nations entrusts a company called Eternal Earth to create "Neo Jungle," an artificial environment for the wildlife that faces extinction. Within this thriving miniature ecosystem, a young white lion named Leo is born. While the cub lacks bravery at first, he vows to "become the Jungle Emperor like my father someday!" One day, Leo encounters Ken'ichi, the son of the head of Eternal Earth.

Sounds pretty cool, and it's been confirmed that some incredible talent are working on it, including Code Geass director Goro Taniguchi and legendary character designer Yoshitaka Amano. I'll be keeping an eye on this!

Source: Anime News Network - Tezuka's Jungle Emperor to Return in Summer TV Special - Geass' Taniguchi, FF Games' Amano on New Jungle Emperor