Subverted when he gets older and in the 1989 series.
Invincible Hero: Subverted in most versions (including the 60's dub). Kimba is portrayed as a pretty strong leader and fighter but struggles in believing in himself when others doubt him, and sometimes his emotions and wild nature get the better of him despite his attempts to stay strong.
Also avoided entirely in the 2009 feature length TV special where Kimba started out as cowardly and severely lacking in survival skills.
Wide-Eyed Idealist: Kimba is absolutely determined to create a new, kinder jungle at any means. Even if it means forcing the carnivores (and thus himself) to give up meat entirely.
In the 1989 series, Kimba's struggle between idealism and reality is a crucial theme.
Distressed Damsel: She does maybe three things for herself. Kimba always has to rescue her...
Made worse in the movie. As it covers the second half of the manga, Lya/Lyre/Kitty's main role is to die. In the original this was heartbreaking and unexpected, without prior knowledge of the events though it comes off as "Mildly sad, but no big deal" as the uninitiated to the series' mythology know almost nothing about her.
The Atoner: Subverted hard in the manga. Just when he is about to give up hunting and retire for the sake of his daughter, he finally earns a crumb of sympathy from the audience... and then proceeds to lose it entirely as we learn what his job was before he became a safari hunter— specifically that he was an SS Officer posted in an internment camp. It stings worse when you find out the person blackmailing him, is a former captive of said camp, who simply won't let him retire until he helps obtain the moonstones.
