New Kimba Plush!

We have Kimba and Kitty plush toys! These are the largest such plush I have ever been able to find: Kimba is 8 inches tall and Kitty is 7 inches tall.

We also have just ONE copy of A Lion Called Christian in stock. Worldwide demand for this book is very high right now and they are very hard to find.

We also got limited quantities of previously-sold-out Kimba VHS tapes. Some people have said they like the "un-restored" look of the VHS tapes--it captures that "70s UHF TV" feeling.

Rumors abound concerning a DVD release of the 1989 Kimba series (aka The New Adventures of Kimba), but I have not been able to confirm them. If you know of anything concerning an upcoming release, please point me in the direction of some solid information!

Vintage Manga Art on sale

The title says it all. Matted and ready-to-frame Kimba manga art from original Japanese magazines. All at more than 70% off the original price.

And we found another couple of copies of A Lion Called Christian. An especially good find, as it allowed us to lower the price of this book, even as it gets harder and harder to find.

Individual Kimba DVD Volumes Back In Stock

We have VERY limited quantities of Volumes 1, 2, and 3 (2 disks, 10 episodes per volume) from the big Kimba Ultra DVD box. Demand for individual volumes is high enough that we want to keep them in stock, but not high enough that we don't risk losing money on having them in stock. And not many people buy Volume 4. I can't figure that out, especially since it contains such episodes as The Last Poacher (an especially good episode), Jungle Fun and The Pretenders (the only 2-part story in the series), and Running Wild (which directly inspired a major part of a certain famous theatrical feature).

On another subject, thanks to everyone who voted in the 1966 vs. 1993 poll. It appears there is enough interest that the 1993 version should be available. This may not be an easy thing to make happen, for a number of reasons, so please don't take it the wrong way when I say that, while I will be looking into making it happen, you shouldn't hold your breath waiting for it. I can almost be sure that the 1993 episodes won't be eligible for the full restoration treatment that you'll find on the other Kimba and Leo DVDs. And I hope everyone realizes that the 1993 versions are not the "New Adventures of Kimba" that were briefly available on VHS and may never appear on DVD.

A Lion Called Christian is back in stock.

I am so happy to see that so many people want to get to know the story of Christian the lion. There's been great demand for the book; so much so that it's getting really hard to find any more. I've got 2 more copies on hand now, and the way things look, that may be all I'll have for quite some time.

I've added some other Tezuka collectibles to the White Lion Shop--look at the far right panel. The big things are some Amazing Three toys, featuring the incredibly cute Bonnie Bunny. More good stuff gets added almost every day.

The poll (below) is interesting. I didn't expect many votes in favor of the 1993 version of Kimba. I will have to look into this further. The DVDs of this version that have come out so far have sucked big time--not anywhere near as good as the Ultra Edition box set that contains the 1966 version of Kimba. I won't settle for sucky DVDs.

What do Kimba fans want?

I am trying to make the White Lion Shop into everything the Kimba fan wants. So far, I have offered only the ORIGINAL, 1966 version of Kimba The White Lion on DVD and video. There is the other, re-dubbed version from 1993 to be considered, especially since it is only this newer version that shows up on TV these days. I want to know if you would like to see that version offered for sale here, as well. My introduction to both versions of Kimba can be found here. When you read that page, it will be obvious that I do not like the 1993 version, but I am not every Kimba fan--some people like the 1993 version very much.

Here's a simple little web poll so that you can let me know what you want:

Opinion Polls & Market Research

An Incredible Find!

Would you believe... Not only an original Kimba production cel, but the original background that goes with it? Click on the picture below!

Kimba Shopping!

The Kimba Shop is growing exponentially!

We've got Christmas ornaments, vinyl figure sets, plush toys, ready-to-frame artwork, and even original 1960s Kimba production cels! Lots more, too!

And as always there's the entire Kimba series on DVD, the Lost Kimba episode on DVD, and the ENTIRE, UNCUT Leo the Lion series on DVD.

Fast shipping to wherever you live, too!

Genuine Kimba Toys!

Something new has been added: Genuine vintage Kimba toys! I intend to constantly add new items you can buy. These are the real thing, discovered and brought over from Japan. All are on hand when they are listed, ready to be shipped by fast Priority Mail. Each description will be generously illustrated, so that you know exactly what each item is. These will almost always be one-of-a-kind items, and the list will be updated every day.

Do You Want the Kimba Manga to be Published in English?

On September 4, 2007, Publishers Weekly Comics Week published an interview with Ioannis Mentzas, Editorial Director/Executive Vice President of Vertical, Inc., publisher of many Tezuka works. As part of that interview, the possibility of publishing Jungle Emperor in English was discussed:

PWCW: Any interest from Vertical in licensing Kimba the Lion [a classic manga and anime work by Tezuka]?

IM: We’re interested, but the depiction of black people in Kimba is problematic. If everyone can for a moment put their sensitivity aside then we can do it. Otherwise people may be offended by the stereotypical drawing of Africans. A disclaimer might not be enough. And the author no longer being alive, it can’t be redrawn. If people promise to be understanding, we will publish it.

Of course, we would first have to talk to Tezuka Productions, too. They might have their reservations. I know for a fact that they are very careful about Kimba. They got into trouble in Japan in the early 1990s when certain groups said that it should be taken off the shelves—and it was. So they added a disclaimer and now you can buy it, but you don’t see it that much in bookstores.

The thing is, MW was part of a line I had in mind from the beginning. When we did Buddha and it was successful, we were confident that we would be able to do more Tezuka works. I had a lineup in mind; MW is the second to last, next is Dororo. After that, I’ll take requests.

Since he said he'll take requests, and since his email address is available on the Vertical, Inc. web site, it should be ok for me to publish it here: mentzas@vertical-inc.com

More DVDs!

We now have available the Kimba DVD "mini set"--Episodes 1 through 26 of the real, original Kimba series in all its digitally restored beauty. Click here.