Originally released by Media Blasters on DVD with a dub from NYAV Post, Discotek Media previously performed a license rescue of Jungle Emperor Leo. With a home video release out there, they’re now bringing out the film through various streaming partners – nicely time as The Lion King hits theaters no less. The latest partner is that of AsianCrush where the feature is now streaming in its original Japanese language with English subtitles here.
Originally released in 1997, the film was written and directed by Yoshio Takeuchi based on the original work by Osamu Tezuka. Akio Sugino worked on the character designs while animation was handled by Tezuka Productions. The film stars Masane Tsukayama as Leo, Chafurin as Jack, Chieko Baisho as Lyre and Danshi Tatekawa as Ham-egg. The English cast, directed by Michael Sinterniklaas at NYAV Post, includes Dan Green as Leo, Veronica Taylor as Lyre, Wayne Grayson as Jack and Ed Paul as Ham Egg.
Plot concept: This movie focuses on the last half of Osamu Tezuka’s revered saga of a white lion’s quest to become king of the jungle. Leo’s newborn cub, Lune, takes an interest to humans after discovering a music box in the wreckage of an airplane. At the same time, a greedy treasure hunter known as Ham Egg is leading an expedition team of rough-looking men on a trek for the fabled Moonlight Stones, which can supposedly save the world from an energy crisis. Two other humans, (who go by the rather wacky names of Dr. Moustache and Lemonade) try to stop Ham Egg’s mad destruction of the jungle. Later, a terrible virus sweeps through the jungle, poisoning many of the animals. Dr. Moustache comes to save them with a cure. The film culminates with a treacherous journey up the legendary Mt. Moon in search of the stones…
