Tezuka started a new animation studio in the 1970s, Tezuka Productions. Further, the litigation in Japan over the ownership of Mushi's 1960s TV series did not prevent Tezuka, as the author of the story, from creating new adaptations of his novel. The adult lion retained his original Japanese name, so most Americans did not realize the two programs' relationship. It was eventually shown as a separate children's program, Leo the Lion, on the Christian Broadcasting Network during 1984. This was not picked up by NBC and was never shown as part of the Kimba series in America. Tezuka produced a 26-episode sequel in Japan, showing the further adventures of Leo as an adult. The TV series was based upon the first part of this only, showing Leo as a young cub. Tezuka's original 500-plus page Jungle Emperor cartoon novel told the life story of his lion hero, Leo (Kimba).
Meanwhile, variants of Kimba developed outside of the American public's notice. As far as the general public was concerned, Kimba was forgotten. Blurry bootleg Kimba videos taped off TV (mostly showing the station logo of Los Angeles' Channel 52, KBSC-TV, which showed one of the last broadcasts from August 1976 through July 1977) have been popular sellers at animation and comic book fans' clubs and conventions since then, but Kimba has not been available legally. Therefore there was nobody in a position to renew the Jungle Emperor/Kimba license when it expired in 1978. The litigation lasted for over two decades. Mushi Pro declared bankruptcy in 1973 and lawsuits were filed in Japan over Mushi's assets. NBC closed its syndication division in 1971 and sold its syndicated properties to National Telefilm Associates. Based upon a Japanese 1950s cartoon-art novel, Jungle Emperor by Osamu Tezuka, and later produced by Tezuka's Mushi Production animation studio in 1965-1966, the 52-episode series was licensed in America by NBC Enterprises for syndication for twelve years from its initial American airdate on September 11, 1966. Kimba, the White Lion was a popular TV cartoon series during the late 1960s and the 1970s. Kimba the White Lion is always ready to take on his next challenge! © The Right Stuf International.
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