Aired on the TV Tokyo network from October 12, 1989 (Heisei 1) to October 11, 1990 (Heisei 2) (time slot: every Thursday from 19:30 to 20:00). 52 episodes in total. In program listings, it was later listed as "Osamu Tezuka's New Anime Jungle Emperor." Planning began in 1987. Alongside "Blue Blink" and "Legend of the Forest," it is one of the last anime projects personally handled by Osamu Tezuka. It received the 14th Agency for Cultural Affairs Encouragement Award for Excellent Television Films for Children in 1989. The setting was changed so that Leo does not speak human language, and except for the first episode using the first part of the original work, the story is original. The face of the young Leo was used as the mark for the Seibu Lions, which was expected to cause confusion regarding rights. However, Osamu Tezuka insisted, "That is not Leo, but Leo's father, Panja," and explained to the relevant parties that since only Leo's childhood appears in this work, there would be no confusion.