I never forgot about this version of The Jungle Book. I remember first seeing this at some point, when I was between being a toddler and a preteen. Looking and thinking back on/to this, I was wondering if this is another example of anime judging from the animation style and I'm right that it is. Didn't know what this drawing style was called at the time when I was little/younger and since it is anime, this is the first (if not only one among others) anime that I ever saw and to which I was exposed. The first VHS tape from the series "Mowgli Comes To The Jungle" is haplessly the only one out of it that I own. But I rented and seen some of the other episodes (I don't think I remember ever seeing the whole series). It's somewhat hard to believe that in less than 2 months, it will be 20 years since this show premiered. It would be great if copies of a DVD set were released right now to commemorate its 20th anniversary. I don't even know for sure if it's even aired on American t.v. at all, and if it has, then I missed it and it must be such a rare anime. It's more worthy of taking some airtime/space than some, certain stuff that's on now.
I can't say for sure which version of Mr. Kipling's story I like more, since I'm partial to both this and Disney's, but I'd agree that it is the far more superior of the two. Because this one delves even deeper into the world of the hero Mowgli and the animals. For those who haven't seen it, I'll give one explanation of what the message of this is: A lesson on how people and animals have to learn how to coexist on the same planet harmoniously. Anyone who's ever heard of (if not read) the author's original tale knows the basics of how Mowgli is taken into the home of a pack of wolves and getting adopted after becoming an orphan, and is also looked after by a kindly black panther named Bagheera. Mowgli grows into his preteens and has adjusted to the wild lifestyle, but then he eventually has to leave for the "man village" and join his own kind. I like how most of the animals treat him well as they try their best to avoid Shere Khan from getting his claws into him, on the way to keeping him safe and in one peace.
I won't give away anymore of the story, particularly this take, especially since it's been so long since I've seen it and most of the episodes I've seen I don't remember quite as well as the first (probably because I used to watch that one a lot, so that's the only, really familiar one to me). In fact, I saw "Mowgli Comes To The Jungle" for the very first time in over a decade last night/early morning on Veoh, but when I watch the other episodes on there, I'll get reacquainted with them. This is one version and anime that's not to be missed. Highly recommendable because of the story lines, which is perhaps mainly for those. It's really captivating, which is why I say that's what makes it such a great take.
