Kimba is the central character of the anime known in Japan as Jungle Emperor. He is a young white lion cub who is born on a ship while his mother is being transported to a zoo, following the death of his father, Panja, at the hands of a hunter. This traumatic beginning defines his early life. During a fierce storm at sea, his mother encourages him to escape from his cage, and he is swept into the ocean. He survives with the help of fish who teach him to swim, and he is guided to land by butterflies, using the stars that form his mother's face for encouragement. After reaching land, he is found and cared for by humans. During this time, he learns about human culture and technology, observing its advantages, which plants in him the idea of bringing civilization and peace to the animal kingdom when he returns to his wild home.

Kimba is defined by a strong moral core and an idealistic personality. He is fundamentally a peacekeeper who believes in the value of all life and stands up for his convictions, even at great personal cost. He abhors violence and tries to avoid fighting whenever possible, though he is not without temper or the capacity for protective anger. A significant part of his character is the deep emotional wound caused by his separation from his mother, a source of lasting sorrow that he typically keeps hidden from others. Despite this, he is kind, caring, and loyal to his friends, often going out of his way to help them. His primary motivation is to fulfill his father's legacy of creating a safe haven for all animals, expanding that vision to include mutual understanding and communication with humans, which he believes is the only path to true peace.

In the story, Kimba is the prince and rightful ruler of the jungle, returning to claim his place as the successor to his slain father. His role is that of a reformer and unifier, attempting to establish a utopia where predators and prey coexist without violence. This often puts him in conflict with the harsh realities of nature and the other animals who are skeptical of his ideals. Key relationships include that with his mother, whose memory guides him; his love interest and childhood friend, Kitty, who becomes his partner; and his father, whose legacy he upholds. In later sequel series, he is depicted as an adult ruler and a father, though his parenting style is sometimes portrayed as strict and demanding towards his son, Rune.

Kimba undergoes clear development throughout the series. He starts as an innocent and idealistic cub who has endured great loss, shaped by his exposure to human civilization. He grows into a more confident leader, though he continues to grapple with the challenges of enforcing his pacifist laws. In some later adaptations, his character becomes more pragmatic, engaging in necessary battles and even considering lethal force, a departure from his earlier absolutist stance against killing. As an adult, he becomes a more serious figure, although prone to protective anger when his family is threatened.

Regarding his abilities, Kimba possesses the natural strengths of a lion but is distinguished by exceptional agility and speed, allowing him to dodge attacks with ease. He is a talented fisher, a skill that reflects his unwillingness to hunt other animals. The white lion lineage is sometimes described as having superior intelligence and vitality, and Kimba demonstrates great determination and resourcefulness. His journey begins with learning to swim from fish, a crucial skill for his survival, and he is known for using cleverness and diplomacy over brute force.