Ask John: The Lying King?

Question:
Is Kimba the white lion related to Disney’s The Lion King?

Answer:
According to official Disney statements, there is no relation between The Lion King and Jungle Emperor. This has long been a bone of contention between anime fans and the Disney empire. The similarities between Kimba and The Lion King, including the basis on Shakespeare’s Hamlet, an evil and ambitious uncle with a scar on his face, and the names of the main characters- Kimba (who was named Leo in the Japanese version, though) and Simba- are too significant to be considered pure coincidence. The official Disney company stance is that, while no direct relationship exists or was intended, many of the animators that worked on The Lion King watched Kimba on television as children, and their fond memories may have subtly influenced the production of The Lion King. That’s what Disney claims, but we all know better.