A restoration of the lost version of the first episode has been made...
The first Kimba episode exists in two versions. I mean with the actors we know and love, including Billie Lou Watt as Kimba. There are some fascinating differences in the dialog, different accents for some of the characters... they were whole different productions. Until now, one has been completely lost.
What's different in the lost version?
Many Kimba fans feel is the "real" and best version of this episode. There are many differences in the voice characterizations and the script. But the biggest reason why this version is so important comes in the scene when Snowene appears in the stars. It has a mighty big addition to what everyone considers the defining scene of the entire Kimba series:
In the common version, Snowene appears outlined in the stars and says,
"White lion prince, so soft and furry,
swim to the shore, don't you worry,
someone watches, whatever you may do."
Kimba shouts "Mother!" and the rest of the scene is music.
But this lost version has much more to his mother's message:
"So keep on pushing on to another day.
Though the night is dark and long,
You can find the way.
Dawn brings you wings to fly on,
Wings that you can rely on.
Kimba, my little brave white lion."
Click here for a video clip from the end of this episode. (RealVideo format)
The Lost Episode also has an unusual instrumental theme song based on the original Japanese theme song.
WE NEED YOUR HELP! While the DVD of the Lost Episode is complete and fully enjoyable, based on the incredible find of a high-fidelity soundtrack recording, it is a reconstruction of the episode. We are still on the lookout for a complete film of this episode. Even another audio recording is still useful since the theme song had to be reconstructed. More materials must be out there somewhere, as a tape recording someone made from the TV, a 16mm film a collector hasn't viewed in years... PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let me know if you have such a recording or film.
A restoration effort to find and make available this lost version has been completed. Click here to read about it and get your own copy.