The Lion King: Was It A Knockoff? (Comparing "Kimba The White Lion" 1965)

“The Lion King“ was billed as Disney’s first big animated feature that wasn’t a retelling of a fairytale or previous story. And while the film took a lot of inspiration from Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” its originality was still praised by critics and audiences. Not everyone was impressed, though. After the movie’s release, many were shocked by its similarities to a Japanese-created American television cartoon series called “Kimba, the White Lion.” That cartoon, about African wildlife, began airing in the 1960s and was based off of a Manga comic called “Jungle Emperor Leo“ by animator Osamu Tezuka. Disney and the filmmakers quickly denied any influence. But there are way too many similarities with Kimba The White Lion and The Lion King. Via Gamespot. Posted By Persist