Doraemon is one of the most popular manga and anime series in Japan. The main character Doraemon is a cat-shaped robot who came from the future. It was created by the famous manga creator Fujiko F Fujio. It was serialized in monthly elementary school children’s magazines from 1969 and it is still running today.
The manga has become a TV anime in 1973. The first series lasted a half year, but they made another series in 1973 based on a new story called Doraemon Returns. Then another series started in 2005 and it has been continuing ever since.
The TV program lasts only 30 minutes, but Fujiko also wrote longer stories for the movies. The first movie ‘Nobita’s Dinosaur’ was made in 1980, and then 40 other movies were made based on long stories.
The manga was translated into many foreign languages and published in many countries. The anime also has been broadcast in many countries. So, it is loved by many people around the world.
Story of Doraemon
It all starts on a New Year’s Day, when Doraemon suddenly appears from the drawer of Nobita’s desk. Doraemon comes from the future, and is with Nobita’s great-great-grandson, Sewashi. He has a problem with heavy debt caused by the bankruptcy of Nobita’s company. Sewashi came from the 22nd century to see Nobita to change the future, and he brought Doraemon to look after him.
Nobita is an unmotivated and lazy elementary schoolboy. He is often bullied by Jaian who is the boss of the kids. Jaian has Suneo, a luck-pusher, in tow. Doraemon has a four-dimensional pocket in his belly and he takes out various secret gadgets to save Nobita in any crisis. But Nobita has a tendency to overuse the gadgets which creates a backlash. He likes Shizuka, a kind-hearted girl. They may get married in the future.
What is the reason why children have loved this manga for such a long time? I think it is the lovable appearance and character of Doraemon, as well as the sympathy they feel for Nobita.
Doraemon Secret Gadgets
Every story has its own secret gadget, and it is said the total number of gadgets is over 2,000. Here are some popular gadgets that appear throughout the series several times.
Takecopter: ‘Take’ means ‘bamboo’ in Japanese and ‘copter’ comes from the word ‘helicopter’. If you put the takecopter on your head, you can fly.
Dokodemo-door: It means ‘anyplace-door’. It is a portable door that takes you to any places in the world you wish to go.
Time machine: It is in the drawer of Nobita’s desk. You can go either to the future or to the past.
Copy Robot: If you press its nose, you can make a copy of yourself. It first appeared in Fujiko’s other manga “Perman”.
Fujiko F Fujio
Fujiko F Fujio (real name: Hiroshi Fujimoto) was a manga creator and screenwriter who lived from 1933 to 1996. He was born in Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture. He created a partnership called ‘Fujikofujio’ with Fujiko Fujio A (real name: Motoo Abiko) who was born in Himi City, in the same Toyama Prefecture. They were classmates in elementary school and they always played together.
Other famous manga they created are “Obakeno Kyutaro (Little Ghost Q-Taro)”, “Perman”, “Ninja Hattori-kun” and “Kaibutsu-kun (The Monster Kid)”
Fujiko F Fujio Museum
Fujiko F Fujio Museum opened in 2011 in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture. They exhibit Fujiko F Fujio’s original drawings and related documents. The museum was planned by his wife, Fujiko F Fujio Production, and Kawasaki City because he lived in the city for 35 years. You can see a short anime movie in the theater of the museum.
They provide audio guidance machines in four languages; Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean.
Access: 10 minutes ride on the bus from Noborito Station of JR Nanbu Line. If you want to walk, it is 15 minutes from Mukogaoka-Yuen Station (Odakyu Line) or Shukugawara Station (JR Nanbu Line).
Entrance: 1,000 yen for adults / 700 yen for junior and senior high school students / 500 yen for over 4 years old to elementary school student
Hours: 10 am – 6 pm
*You need a reservation through the Loppi machine. These machines can be found in the Lawson convenience stores. They limit the number of visitors per day up to 2,000.
Takaoka City Museum
This is an art museum in Takaoka City, the birthplace of Fujiko F Fujio. Their main exhibitions are metal works and Japanese paintings. Later they added the Fujiko F Fujio Gallery in 2015 to exhibit his works. You can see Doraemon statues in several places in the city, for example in front of Takaoka Station.
Access: 2-minute walk from Ecchu-Nakagawa Station of JR Himi Line. Or a 20-minute walk from Takaoka Station
Entrance: The entrance fee varies depending on the exhibition.
Hours: 9.00 am – 5 pm
Your Japan Tour
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