Kimba the White Lion Gets New TV Anime

Osamu Tezuka's classic manga and anime franchise Kimba the White Lion (Jungle Taitei), originally from the 1950s, will receive its fourth anime incarnation in the form of a new TV series this summer. The re-announcement was made at the ongoing Tokyo Anime Fair (where else), and I should mention that this will only be a TV special, not a full-fledged series. The idea is to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Osamu Tezuka, and also the 50th anniversary of Fuji TV.



Judging by this poster, it would seem that the new Kimba anime will be titled Jungle Emperor Leo. A brief staff listing was also revealed at the event, together with the story below - as much as can be discerned from this info sheet.

Director: Goro Taniguchi (Code Geass, Planetes)
Screenplay: Osamu Suzuki
Character design concept: Yoshitaka Amano (Final Fantasy)
Animation Production: Tezuka Production

Story
"Earth, 20XX - Human beings are bewildered by continuing environmental destructions on Earth. To preserve nature and protect animals, a project to generate an artificial jungle is launched. Assigned by United Nation, Kenza Oyama, CEO of Eternal Earth, is succeeded in developing man-made "Neo-Jungle", and all the animals grown up in nature are forced to live in it.
Leo, son of Panjya is a ??? of white lion grown up freely in the man-made Jungle. Coward Leo is always teased by other animals, nevertheless, he vows himself that he becomes the king of the Jungle like his father someday. (...)