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Doraemon
First tankōbon volume cover, featuring Doraemon
ドラえもん
Genre
Manga
Written byFujiko F. Fujio [ja][a]
Published byShogakukan
English publisher
ImprintTentōmushi Comics
MagazineCoroCoro Comic and other Shogakukan children's magazines
Original run1969 – 1996
Anime television series
Other manga
Other media
icon Anime and manga portal
A timeline of magazines in which the manga's chapters (blue) or its long stories (red) were published[3][4]

Doraemon (ドラえもん) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Fujiko F. Fujio [ja]. First serialized in 1969, the manga's chapters were collected in 45 tankōbon volumes published by Shogakukan from 1974 to 1996. The story revolves around an earless robotic cat named Doraemon, who travels back in time from the 22nd century to assist a boy named Nobita Nobi in his day-to-day life.

The manga spawned a media franchise. It was adapted into three different anime TV series in 1973, 1979, and 2005. Additionally, Shin-Ei Animation has produced over forty animated films, including two 3D computer-animated films, all of which are distributed by Toho. Various types of merchandise and media have been developed, including soundtrack albums, video games, and musicals. The manga series was licensed for an English language release in North America, via Amazon Kindle, through a collaboration of Fujiko F. Fujio Pro with Voyager Japan and AltJapan Co., Ltd. The anime series was licensed by Disney for an English-language release in North America in 2014, and LUK International in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Doraemon was well-received by critics and became a commercial success in many Asian countries. It won numerous awards, including the Japan Cartoonists Association Award in 1973 and 1994, the Shogakukan Manga Award for children's manga in 1982, and the Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize in 1997. As of 2024, it has sold over 300 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling manga series of all time. The character of Doraemon is considered a Japanese cultural icon, and was appointed as the first "anime ambassador" in 2008 by the country's Foreign Ministry.

Synopsis

[edit]
See also: List of Doraemon characters

Nobita Nobi is a ten-year-old Japanese school boy who is kind-hearted and honest, but also lazy, clumsy, and hapless, performing poorly in both school and sports. One day, a blue robot cat from the 22nd century named Doraemon is sent back to the past by Nobita's future great-great-grandson, Sewashi Nobi, to take care of Nobita so that his descendants can have a better life. Doraemon has a four-dimensional pocket in which he stores tools, inventions, and gadgets from the future to aid Nobita whenever he is faced with a problem. Although Doraemon is a cat robot, he has a fear of mice because of an incident where robotic mice chewed off his ears. This is why Doraemon lost his original yellow color and turned blue, from sadness.

Nobita has three main friends: Takeshi Goda (nicknamed Gian), Suneo Honekawa (Gian's sidekick), and Shizuka Minamoto, Nobita's best friend and love-interest. Gian is a strong, leading and domineering boy, but also loyal to his friends. Suneo is a wealthy and spoiled boy who uses his friendship with Gian to win the respect of other schoolmates. Shizuka is a gentle and kind girl who frequently plays with Nobita. Nobita has a crush on Shizuka; she is his prospective future wife (Nobita's future wife is initially Gian's younger sister). Although Gian and Suneo are Nobita's friends, they also typically bully and abuse him. Nobita normally responds by using Doraemon's gadgets to fight back against them, but Nobita has a tendency to get carried away with using the gadgets (or Gian and Suneo, if they steal it away), which typically results in unintended consequences for him and others.

In addition to Gian, Suneo, and Shizuka, Dorami and Hidetoshi Dekisugi are also recurring characters. Dorami is Doraemon's younger sister, and Dekisugi is a gifted student boy who as Shizuka's close friend, frequently attracts the jealousy of Nobita.

Production

[edit]

Development and themes

[edit]

Doraemon was written and illustrated by Fujiko F. Fujio, the pen name of Japanese manga artist Hiroshi Fujimoto.[5][6][7] According to Fujio, the series was originally conceived following a series of three events: when searching for ideas for a new manga, he wished a machine existed that would come up with ideas for him; during this, he tripped over his daughter's toy, and heard cats fighting in his neighborhood.[8] To set up the plot and characters, he used some elements from his earlier manga series, Obake no Q-Tarō, which involve an obake living with humans, with a similar formula.[9] Fujio said that the idea for Doraemon came after "an accumulation of trial and error", during which he finally found the most suitable style of manga to him.[10] Initially, the series achieved little success as gekiga was well-known at the time, and it only became a hit after its adaptation into an anime TV series and multiple feature films.[9]

Doraemon is mainly aimed at children, so Fujio chose to create the character with a simple graphic style, based on shapes such as circles and ellipses.[11] He used the same sequences of cartoons with regularity and continuity to enhance the reader's ease of understanding. In addition, blue, a characteristic color of Doraemon, was chosen as the main color in magazine publications, which used to have a yellow cover and red title.[12] Set in Tokyo, the manga reflected parts of Japan's society, such as the class system and the "ideal" of Japanese childhood.[13][14] Problems, if they occurred, were resolved in a way so as not to rely on violence and eroticism,[15] and the stories were integrated with the concept of environmentalism.[16] The manga also insisted on the ethical values of integrity, perseverance, courage, family and respect.[17]

In order to underline the crucial role of the younger generation in society, the manga's creator chose to have the act carried out in a "children's domain" where young people can live with happiness, freedom and power without adult interference.[18] As Saya S. Shiraishi noted, the existence of the "domain" helped Doraemon to have a strong appeal in various Asian countries.[18] During Doraemon's development, Fujio did not express a change in characters; he said, "When a manga hero become a success, the manga suddenly stops being interesting. So the hero has to be like the stripes on a barber pole; he seems to keep moving upward, but actually he stays in the same place."[19]

According to Zensho Ito, Fujio's former student, the "length" of time in the universe is one of the ideas that inspired Fujio to make Doraemon.[20] Frequently displayed in its stories is Nobita's desire to control time, and there exist time-control gadgets that he uses to satisfy that desire, particularly the "Time Machine", which lies in his desk drawer.[21] Unlike Western works of science fiction, the manga does not explain the theory nor the applied technology behind these tools, but instead focusing on how the characters exploit them to their advantage, making it more child-friendly.[22]

Origin of the name

[edit]

The name "Doraemon" can be roughly translated to "stray". Unusually, the name "Doraemon" (ドラえもん) is written in a mixture of two Japanese scripts: katakana (ドラ) and hiragana (えもん). "Dora" derives from "dora neko" (どら猫; stray cat), and is a corruption of nora (stray),[8] while "-emon" (in kanji 右衛門) is an old-fashioned suffix for male names (for example, as in Ishikawa Goemon).[23] Nobita's home address in Tsukimidai ("moon-view-heights"), Nerima refers to Fujimidai ("Fuji-view-heights"), where Osamu Tezuka's residence and animation studio is based.[13] The name "Nobita Nobi" refers to "nobi nobi", meaning "the way a young child grows up free, healthy, and happy, unrestrained in any sense".[13][24]

Gadgets

[edit]
"Anywhere Door", a pink door used as a gadget in "Doraemon"; users can travel anywhere on their wish by turning the door's knob
"Anywhere Door", a gadget in the manga series as seen in the Fujiko F. Fujio Museum.

Gadgets, or "himitsu dōgu" (ひみつ道具), are Doraemon's tools from the future, used to assist the characters. Fujio said that Doraemon has a total of 1,293 gadgets;[25] according to a 2004 analysis by Yasuyuki Yokoyama of Toyama University, there are 1,963 gadgets found in 1,344 sketches.[23] The most recurring gadgets include "Take-Copter", a small piece of headgear made out of bamboo that can allow its users to fly; "Time Machine", a machine used for time travel; "Anywhere Door", a pink-colored door that allows people to travel according to the thoughts of the person who turns the knob; "Time Kerchief", a handkerchief which can turn an object new or old or a person young or old; "Translator Tool", a cuboid jelly that allows one to converse in any language; and "Designer", a camera used to instantly dress-up the user.[23][26]

Saya S. Shiraishi wrote that most of the gadgets were "an impressive testimony to the standards of quality control and innovation that exist in the twenty-second century".[26] The gadgets are an essential part of the series so as to reflect a positive point of view concerning the association of technology in children, and to express the wishes of modern society.[27]

Conclusion

[edit]

The series ceased its original run in 1994 and was not given an ending before Fujimoto's death in 1996; this has since aroused numerous urban legends throughout the years.[28] One of the most well-known "endings" of the manga was by an amateur manga cartoonist under the pen name "Yasue T. Tajima", first appearing on the Internet in 1998 and made into a manga in 2005. The story takes place when Doraemon's battery dies, and Nobita later grows up becoming a robot engineer, potentially reviving Doraemon and live a happy life. Tajima issued an apology making his own ending in 2007, and the profits were shared with Shogakukan and the copyright owner, Fujiko F. Fujio Pro.[29]

Ryūichi Yagi and Takashi Yamazaki, the directors of Stand by Me Doraemon, confirmed that it had only one opening, while the ending has been rewritten several times.[30] Because of this, Shogakukan had to clarify that only if the marriage of Nobita and Shizuka is finalized will the mission be accomplished, and then Doraemon will return to the future.[28]

Media

[edit]

Manga

[edit]
See also: List of Doraemon chapters
Main tankōbon[31][4]
Title Note Label Volumes Chapter count Publication date Publisher
Doraemon The Complete Works of Fujiko F. Fujio 20 1326 2009–2012 Shogakukan
Doraemon Kindle Edition 200 1311 2013–2016 Shogakukan
Doraemon Chūkō comics: Fujiko Fujio Land 45 833 1984–1990 Chūōkōronsha
Doraemon Normal volume Tentōmushi Comics 45 822 1974–1996 Shogakukan
Doraemon Plus Tentōmushi Comics 7 145 2005–2006, 2014, 2023 Shogakukan
Doraemon Color Works Tentōmushi Comics Special 6 119 1999–2006 Shogakukan
Doraemon Volume 0 Tentōmushi Comics 1 9 2019 Shogakukan
Excerpt of "Doraemon" manga volume 1, where Doraemon made his first appearance by coming from the time machine, which lies in Nobita's desk drawer
The first appearance of Doraemon, who arrives via a time machine

In December 1969, the Doraemon manga appeared in six different children's monthly magazines published by Shogakukan: Yoiko, Yōchien, Shogaku Ichi-nensei, Shogaku Ni-nensei, Shogaku San-nensei, and Shogaku Yo-nensei. The magazines were aimed at children from nursery school to fourth grade. In 1973, two other magazines, Shogaku Go-nensei and Shogaku Roku-nensei (aimed at fifth-grade and sixth-grade students respectively), started publishing the manga. In 1977, CoroCoro Comic was launched as the flagship magazine of Doraemon.[32][33][34]

Since the debut of Doraemon in 1969, the stories have been selectively collected into forty-five tankōbon volumes that were published under Shogakukan's Tentōmushi Comics (てんとう虫コミックス) imprint from July 31, 1974, to April 26, 1996.[35][36] These volumes are collected in the Takaoka Central Library in Toyama, Japan, where Fujio was born.[37] Between April 25, 2005, and February 28, 2006, Shōgakukan published a series of five manga volumes under the title Doraemon Plus (Doraemon+), featuring short stories which did not appear in the forty-five original volumes;[38][39] a sixth volume, the first volume in eight years, was published on December 1, 2014.[40] Additionally, 119 unpublished stories were compiled into six colored-manga volumes under the title Doraemon Kara Sakuhin-shu (ドラえもん カラー作品集; Doraemon Color Works), published from July 17, 1999, to September 2, 2006.[12][41] Between July 24, 2009, and September 25, 2012, Shogakukan published a master works collection, consisting of twenty volumes with all 1,345 stories written by Fujio.[42][43] In December 2019, on the 50th anniversary of Doraemon, a "Volume 0" was published by Shogakukan featuring six different versions of Doraemon's first appearance.[44]

There have been two series of bilingual, Japanese and English, volumes of the manga by Shogakukan English Comics under the title Doraemon: Gadget Cat from the Future, and two audio versions.[45][46] The first series has ten volumes and the second one has six.[45] 21st Century Publishing House released bilingual English-Chinese versions in mainland China,[47] and Chingwin Publishing Group released bilingual English-Chinese versions in Taiwan.[48]

In July 2013, Fujiko F. Fujio Pro announced that they would be collaborating with ebook publisher Voyager Japan and localization company AltJapan Co., Ltd. to release an English-language version of the manga in full color digitally via the Amazon Kindle platform in North America.[49] Shogakukan released the first volume in November 2013;[50] by 2016, a total of 200 volumes have been published.[50][51] The English version incorporates a variety of changes to character names; Nobita is "Noby", Shizuka is "Sue", Suneo is "Sneech", and Gian is "Big G", while the food dorayaki is "Yummy Bun/Fudgy Pudgy Pie".[52] Also, by 2016, four volumes of the manga had been published in English in print by Shogakukan Asia.[53][54]

Shogakukan started digital distribution of all forty-five original volumes throughout Japan from July 16, 2015.[55]

Long Stories

[edit]
See also: Doraemon's Long Tales

Doraemon's Long Tales, also known as Doraemon's Long Stories, is a manga and movie series ongoing since 1979, featuring longer and continuous narratives about the characters' adventures into various lands of science fiction and fantasy. The series consists of twenty-four tankōbon volumes published from 1983 to 2004.[56][57]

Spin-offs

[edit]

Several spin-off manga series of Doraemon have been made. The Doraemons, a manga illustrated by Michiaki Tanaka based on Doraemon, was published by Shogakukan in six tankōbon volumes from 1996 to 2001.[58][59] Between 1997 and 2003, Shogakukan also published fifteen volumes of The Doraemons Special, created by Yukihiro Mitani and Masaru Miyazaki as a complement part of The Doraemons, including twelve from the main series[60][61] and three from the Robot Training School Edition.[62][63] Dorabase, a baseball-themed manga written and illustrated by Mugiwara Shintarō, is another spin-off of Doraemon; twenty-three volumes of the manga were published by Shogakukan from April 26, 2001, to October 28, 2011.[64][65]

Anime

[edit]
See also: Doraemon (1973 TV series), Doraemon (1979 TV series), and Doraemon (2005 TV series)
Timeline of Doraemon anime[66]

The first attempt of a Doraemon animated series was in 1973, by Nippon Television. After a January 1973 pilot named Doraemon Mirai Kara Yattekuru (ドラえもんが未来からやってくる; Doraemon Coming from the Future),[67] twenty-six episodes, each with two segments, were broadcast on Nippon TV from April 1 to September 30 of the same year.[68] The series was directed by Mitsuo Kaminashi with a voice cast from Aoni Production; Doraemon was voiced by Kōsei Tomita, then later by Masako Nozawa.[69] Later in the series, the animation studio, Nippon TeleMovie Productions, went bankrupt, and the masters were sold off or destroyed.[70] The series re-aired on Nippon TV and several local stations until 1979,[71][72] when Shogakukan requested Toyama Television to cease broadcasting.[73] Some of the segments were found in the archives of Imagica in 1995,[74] and some others were recovered by Jun Masami in 2003.[69] As of 2013, 21 of 52 segments are known to survive, two of which have no audio.[75]

Doraemon remained fairly exclusive in manga form until 1979 when an animation studio, Shin-Ei Animation (now owned by TV Asahi) produced an animated second attempt of Doraemon.[6] The series debuted on TV Asahi on April 2, 1979.[76] Ryo Motohira served as chief director from 1981, and Tsutomu Shibayama from 1984.[77] Eiichi Nakamura served as director of character design,[77][78] while Shunsuke Kikuchi served as composer.[76][79] Nobuyo Ōyama voiced Doraemon in the series; because of this, in Asia, this version is sometimes referred to as the Ōyama Edition.[80] In total, 1,787 episodes were produced and released in VHS and DVD by Toho.[81][82] On April 15, 2005, a major renewal premiered; it includes the replacement of voice actors and staff, and updated character designs.[83] The third series is sometimes referred to in Asia as the Mizuta Edition, as a tribute for the voice actress for Doraemon, Wasabi Mizuta.[80] It was released in DVD on February 10, 2006, under the title New TV-ban Doraemon (NEW TV 版 ドラえもん; Doraemon NEW TV Version) with a Shogakukan Video banner.[84][85]

In May 2014, TV Asahi Corporation announced an agreement with The Walt Disney Company to bring the 2005 series to the Disney XD television channel and Disney Channel in the United States beginning in the summer of that year.[86][87][88] Besides using the name changes that were used in AltJapan's English adaptation of the original manga, other changes and edits had also been made to make the show more accessible to an American audience, such as Japanese text being replaced with English text on certain objects like signs and graded papers, items such as yen notes being replaced by US dollar bills, and the setting being changed from Japan to the United States.[89] Initial response to the edited dub was positive.[90] The Disney adaptation began broadcast in Japan on Disney Channel on February 1, 2016. The broadcast offered the choice of the English dub or a newly recorded Japanese track by the Japanese cast of the 2005 series.[91]

The anime has been aired in over sixty countries worldwide.[92] It premiered in Thailand in 1982,[93] the Philippines in 1999,[94] India in 2005,[95] and Vietnam in 2010.[96][97] Other Asian countries and regions that broadcast the series include China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, and South Korea.[98] The series is licensed in EMEA regions by LUK International;[99] it premiered in Spain in 1993[100] and France in 2003.[101] It has also been distributed in South American countries, including Brazil,[102] Colombia,[103] and Chile.[104] In 2017, POPS Worldwide, a Vietnamese multimedia company, collaborated with TV Asahi to release the anime series on YouTube and other digital platforms.[105]

Films

[edit]
Further information: List of Doraemon films

As of 2025, there have been 44 annual feature-length animated films produced by Shin-Ei Animation and released by Toho.[106] The first twenty-five films are based on the 1979 anime, while the rest are based on the 2005 anime.[106] Unlike the anime and manga series, the films are more action-adventure oriented, taking the familiar characters of Doraemon and placing them in a variety of exotic and perilous settings.[107][108]

A 3D computer-animated film, Stand by Me Doraemon, released in Japan on August 8, 2014.[109] Directed by Takashi Yamazaki and Ryūichi Yagi,[110] it combines elements from the short stories of the manga series: "All the Way from the Country of the Future", "Imprinting Egg", "Goodbye, Shizuka-chan", "Romance in Snowy Mountain", "Nobita's the Night Before a Wedding", and "Goodbye, Doraemon ..." into a new complete story, from the first time Doraemon came to Nobita's house to Doraemon bidding farewell to Nobita.[109][111] The film was a box office success, grossing $183.4 million worldwide.[112] A sequel, Stand by Me Doraemon 2, also directed by Yamazaki and Yagi, was released on November 20, 2020.[113]

Short films, OVA and crossover

[edit]

Several Doraemon short films were produced and released between 1989 and 2004.[106] These include 2112: The Birth of Doraemon, a film about the life of Doraemon from birth before coming to Nobita;[114] Doraemon: Nobita's the Night Before a Wedding, a film about the events related to the marriage of Nobita and Shizuka;[115] The Day When I Was Born[116] and Doraemon: A Grandmother's Recollections,[117] the films about the relationship between Nobita and his parents along with his grandmother. Other short films focus on Dorami and The Doraemons.[106] In 1981, Toho released What Am I for Momotaro, a film about Momotarō, the hero of Japanese folklore.[118]

In 1994, an educational OVA was made, titled Doraemon: Nobita to Mirai Note (ドラえもん のび太と未来ノート), where the main characters express the hope for a better Earth. The OVA was released in DVD along with the 13th issue of Fujiko F. Fujio Wonderland magazine in September 2004.[119][120] A crossover episode of Doraemon with AIBOU: Tokyo Detective Duo aired on TV Asahi on November 9, 2018.[121]

Music

[edit]
Further information: List of Doraemon soundtrack albums

The soundtrack of the 1973 anime series was composed by Nobuyoshi Koshibe,[69] who also arranged the opening theme song "Doraemon" (ドラえもん) and the ending theme song "Doraemon Rumba" (ドラえもん ルンバ), both performed by Harumi Naitō.[68] For the 1979 anime, Shunsuke Kikuchi was the composer, who arranged "Doraemon no Uta" (ドラえもんのうた);[68][79] it had been performed by numerous singers, including Kumiko Ōsugi and Satoko Yamano.[122] When the anime got a reboot in 2005, Kan Sawada was the composer of the series.[123][124] There are four other opening themes, including an instrumental version of "Doraemon no Uta" performed by Twelve Girls Band;[125] "Hagushichao" (ハグしちゃお) performed by Rimi Natsukawa;[126] "Yume wo Kanaete Doraemon" (夢をかなえてドラえもん), the opening theme broadcast from 2007 to 2018;[127] and "Doraemon" performed by Gen Hoshino, broadcast since October 2019.[128]

Numerous collections of theme songs of the anime series and feature films were initially available in cassettes.[129] Since the 1990s, Doraemon songs have been released in CD, under the type of singles and compilation albums.[130][131] Soundtracks of Doraemon feature films have been released by Nippon Columbia since 2001 in the album series "Doraemon Soundtrack History" (ドラえもんサウンドトラックヒストリー).[132][133][134]

Musical shows

[edit]

Doraemon has been adapted into a musical, titled Doraemon the Musical: Nobita and the Animal Planet (舞台版ドラえもん のび太とアニマル惑星(プラネット), Butaiban Doraemon: Nobita to Animaru Puranetto). Based on the 1990 anime film of the same name, it debuted at Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space on September 4, 2008, running through September 14. Shoji Kokami was the director and writer, Makoto Sakamoto played Nobita and Reiko Suho as Shizuka; Jaian and Suneo were portrayed by Tomohiro Waki and Kensaku Kobayashi, respectively; Wasabi Mizuta voiced Doraemon.[135][136] The musical was later revived and ran at Sunshine Theater, Tokyo from March 26 to April 2, 2017,[137] then later in other prefectures including Fukuoka, Osaka, Miyagi and Aichi.[138] The 2017 revival is also directed and written by Kokami,[139] with Mizuta reprising her role;[138] Nobita, Shizuka, Jaian and Suneo were played by Yuuchi Ogoe, Hina Higuchi, Koki Azuma and Shō Jinnai, respectively.[140]

Video games

[edit]

Many Japanese-only video games based on Doraemon have been developed. For instance, in 1983, Bandai developed Dokodemo Dorayaki Doraemon (どこでも ドラヤキ ドラえもん), an arcade game inspired by Pac-Man.[141] Doraemon, a NES video game made by Hudson Soft, was released on December 12, 1986,[142] and became one of the best-selling games of that year in Japan with over 1.15 million copies sold.[143] On December 6, 2007, Sega published Doraemon Wii, the first Doraemon video game released on Wii.[144] Doraemon can also be seen in Namco's Taiko no Tatsujin rhythm game series, such as in Taiko no Tatsujin: Sesson de Dodon ga Don! (2017).[145] The first Doraemon game to receive a Western release was Doraemon Story of Seasons (2019).[146][147] Card games with Doraemon themes have also been made in several special occasions, sometimes to exploit the popularity of feature films.[148] In 2016, a special edition of Uno about the series' characters was released exclusively in Japan, as a result of a cooperation between Asatsu-DK and Mattel.[149] In April 2025, CTW announced Doramonn Comic Traveler (ドラえもん コミックトラベラー), the first online browser game based on the series, on its gaming platform G123.[150]

Merchandise

[edit]

In Japan, the Doraemon merchandising rights belong to Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, which has produced and distributed a wide range of products under its brand, such as toys, food, stationery, action figures,[151] gashapon, shoes, clothing, and others.[152][153] Several companies have collaborated on the creation and distribution of products on the series and its characters, including Sanrio,[154] Converse,[155] Moleskine,[156] and ESP Guitars, which has made guitars decorated with Doraemon characters;[157] a further partnership of Doraemon with Uniqlo led to a line of clothing designed by Takashi Murakami.[158] The Doraemon franchise has also collaborated with various Japanese brands, including Tsi Groove & Sports's Jack Bunny!! golf apparel brand,[159][160][161] Unicharm's MamiPoko diaper brand,[162] and the video games LINE Pop 2,[163] Monster Strike,[164] and Granblue Fantasy.[165][166] Viz Media owns the Doraemon merchandising rights in North and Latin America,[1] which has developed Doraemon-themed clothing and collectibles in collaboration with retail chain Hot Topic,[167] and themed Happy Meals in a 2015 collaboration with McDonald's.[168] Viz Media Europe (now Crunchyroll EMEA) manages the merchandising in Europe except Spain and Portugal;[169] LUK International has obtained licenses in these two countries.[170]

Characters from Doraemon have been used in advertising through specific agreements with Shogakukan. For instance, following the Cool Japan initiative promoted by the Japanese government, Sharp Corporation produced a series of commercials featuring the characters of Doraemon and Nobita, which were broadcast in several ASEAN countries.[171] In late 2011, Shogakukan and Toyota Motor Corporation joined forces to create a series of live-action commercials as part of Toyota's ReBorn ad campaign, which depicted the manga's characters two decades after being grown up, where Hollywood actor Jean Reno played Doraemon.[172][173]

Reception

[edit]
See also: List of non-Japanese Doraemon versions

General

[edit]

Doraemon is considered one of the best-known manga of all time, a true Japanese cultural icon,[9] and an essential part of family life of the Japanese post-war generation.[152] Akihiro Motoyama observed that "mothers who watched the movies when they were children are now taking their own children to see them".[152][174] It was also commercially successful: over 108 million volumes were sold in Japan by 1996.[175] The 1979[174] and 2005 anime series[176] also achieved high ratings on television. With the film Doraemon: Nobita's Secret Gadget Museum, the Doraemon anime film series reached 100 million tickets sold at the Japanese box office, surpassing Godzilla as the highest-grossing film franchise in Japan.[177] By 2015, it had sold over 103 million tickets, and was the largest franchise by numbers of admissions in the country.[178]

Doraemon was also a hit in other parts of Asia, and is considered an archetypical example of Japanese soft power,[179] although it has been published without a license in some countries.[180] The anime television series is available in over 60 countries,[92] and reportedly getting high ratings in at least 30 countries.[181] However, Doraemon has been less successful in Western countries, due to being viewed by many as a children-only series, and there were tight restrictions about publishing manga and broadcasting anime series the region.[182][183] The manga had sold over 170 million copies worldwide by 2012;[184][185] over 250 million by 2019;[186] and over 300 million by 2024.[187] Estimates show that Doraemon has generated at least more than $4.3 billion in merchandise sales by 2019,[b] and over $1.7 billion from feature films by 2020,[198] making it one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time.

Outside Japan, Doraemon achieved particular success in Vietnam,[199] with a record-breaking 40 million copies sold by 2006.[200] The manga was first launched there in 1992 by Kim Đồng Publishing House, but the copyright from Shogakukan was not fully acquired until 1996.[201][202] In 1993, the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture considered the manga's publication to be "an impactful event for the improvement of children, youth and adult's likings ... [Doraemon] is a comprehensively educational book series which has the effect of developing children's personality".[201] Doraemon is now a cultural icon in Vietnam, having been featured at many cultural events.[203][204]

Critical reception and analysis

[edit]

Doraemon has received favorable reviews. Critic Mark Schilling wrote, "For kids whose lives are often so regulated, Doraemon represents a welcome breath of freedom and a glimpse of a funnier, friendlier world where all dreams, even foolish ones, can come true."[205] Italian writer Massimo Nicora wrote that the manga "can be interpreted as a type of book that criticizes, with irony, the omnipotence of science that pretends to solve every problem with its tools", alluding to the fact that Doraemon's gadgets often end up making the problems even worse than they initially were, more than anything else. He added that it represents "the metaphor of the childish imagination, which always manages to find the most bizarre and original solutions, in a continuous game of transformation of reality".[206]

Some critics considered that Nobita's flawed personality and modest background is different from the special or extraordinary characteristics usually seen in other typical anime and manga protagonists; this portrayal has been seen as reasons of its appeal as well as the contrary, especially in the United States.[184][198] According to the Italian Parents Movement (Moige), in the manga, "the lazy Nobita does not know any kind of appreciable evolution", though there are still good points including "the criticism of bullying, the goodness that transpires from the little Nobita and the positive figure of Shizuka".[207]

In his 2000 article, Leo Ching explained that the success of Doraemon in Asia was due to reflecting Asian values such as imagination and responsibility, the same reason that Oshin, another Japanese cultural export, became well known there.[208] On the other hand, according to an analysis by Anne Allison, professor of cultural anthropology at Duke University, the strong point of it was not the variety of the gadgets, but the relationship between Doraemon and Nobita, which was particularly appreciated.[209] Jason Thompson praised the "silly situations" and "old fashioned, simple artwork", with Doraemon's expression and comments adding to the "surrounding elementary-school mischief".[46] On the manga's 50th anniversary, an op-ed published on Asahi Shimbun stated that the manga "has already become a contemporary classic".[210]

Awards, accolades and public recognition

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Doraemon has received numerous accolades. It won the Japan Cartoonists Association Award twice in 1973 and 1994, the former for the Excellence Award while the latter for the Minister of Education, Science and Technology Award.[211][212] In 1982, it received the first Shogakukan Manga Award for children's manga.[213][214] In 1997, the manga won the Grand Prize at the first Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize.[215] The 1979 series won the award from the Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs four times for best television series in 1984, 1985, 1988 and 1989.[216]

A 2006 poll among 80,000 Japanese fans for the 10th anniversary of the Japan Media Arts Festival placed Doraemon at fifth among the top ten best manga of all time.[217] The 2005 and 2006 surveys conducted by TV Asahi found the Doraemon anime ranked fifth and third, respectively, among the 100 favorite anime series of all time.[218][219] In 2010, a survey conducted by researchers of Tokyo Polytechnic University found that most responders considered Doraemon, along with Dragon Ball franchise, to be the anime series that best represents Cool Japan.[220] In a 2013 survey, Doraemon was found to be the best anime recommended for foreign people.[221]

Criticism

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Doraemon has been blamed for having a negative impact on children, due to the controversial traits of the characters in the anime. The character has received criticism in China, where some media outlets considered Doraemon to be a politically subversive character and that it was a tool of Japan's "cultural invasion".[222][223][224] Some education groups in Taiwan demanded the anime to be banned, as the plot involves bullying, which was feared would encourage campus bullying.[225] In 2016, a resolution to ban the Hindi-dubbed Doraemon anime series was submitted in Pakistan.[226] Around the same time, legal notices were served against several companies in India, targeting Doraemon and Crayon Shin-chan for bans (which did not materialize), as having an adverse effect on children.[226][227] Disney Channel India, the regional broadcaster of the anime, was banned in Bangladesh and Pakistan due to the non-availability of localized dubs for content including Doraemon.[228][229]

Cultural impact and legacy

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A shuttle bus featuring Doraemon
Shuttle bus featuring Doraemon to Fujiko F. Fujio Museum in Kawasaki
Doraemon at National Museum of Singapore
Doraemon and Anywhere Door statues at the National Museum of Singapore in October 2020

The Doraemon manga has inspired many other mangakas; these include Eiichiro Oda, the creator of One Piece with the idea of "Devil Fruits",[230][231] and Masashi Kishimoto, the creator of Naruto, who drew characters from anime shows during his childhood, including Doraemon.[232] The manga has also been referenced in Gin Tama and Great Teacher Onizuka.[233][234] The character Doraemon is considered one of the most recognizable cultural icons in Japan,[9][235] and one of the most well-known characters in manga history;[179] some critics compared his popularity with that of Mickey Mouse and Snoopy.[236][237] Mark Schilling noted that Doraemon's "Take-Copter" is familiar among Japanese people "just as Snoopy's biplane is familiar to most Americans".[238]

On April 22, 2002, in the special issue of Asian Hero in Time magazine, Doraemon was the only anime character to be named one of the twenty-two Asian Heroes, and was described as "The Cuddliest Hero in Asia".[239] A 2007 poll by Oricon shown that Doraemon was the second-strongest manga character ever, behind only Son Goku of Dragon Ball.[240] Doraemon is also referred as something with the ability to satisfy all wishes.[206]

In 2005, the Taiwan Society of New York selected Doraemon as a culturally significant work of Japanese otaku pop-culture in its exhibit Little Boy: The Arts of Japan's Exploding Subculture, curated by renowned artist Takashi Murakami.[241] In 2008, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs appointed Doraemon as the first anime cultural ambassador;[242] a Ministry spokesperson explained the decision as an attempt to help people in other countries better understand anime and to deepen their interest in Japanese culture.[243] On September 3, 2012, Doraemon was granted official residence in the city of Kawasaki, Kanagawa, one hundred years before he was born.[244] In the same year, Hong Kong celebrated the birthday of Doraemon 100 years early with a series of displays of the character.[245] In April 2013, Doraemon was chosen as Japan's ambassador in Tokyo's bid to host the 2020 Summer Olympics and 2020 Summer Paralympics.[246] He appeared in the 2016 Summer Olympics closing ceremony to promote the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.[247][248]

A Fujiko F. Fujio museum opened in Kawasaki on September 3, 2011, featuring Doraemon as the star of the museum.[249][250] The National Museum of Singapore held a time-travelling exhibition in October 2020 as a tribute to the manga.[251] After the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, Shogakukan released an earthquake survival guidebook, which included the main cast of the Doraemon manga series.[252] TV Asahi launched the Doraemon Fund charity fund to raise money for natural disasters in 2004[253] and 2011.[254] In 2020, the Mumbai's Sion Friends Circle group distributed food and books to children using mascots, one being Doraemon, to those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.[255] In Vietnam, a Doraemon scholarship fund was established in 1996,[256] and the Doraemon character has been used for education of traffic safety.[257] Doraemon's creator, Fujiko F. Fujio, received the Culture Fighter Medal from the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture in 1996 for his contributions to youth education through the manga.[258]

Many prominent figures have been nicknamed after the cast of Doraemon: politician Osamu Fujimura is known as the "Doraemon of Nagatacho" due to his figure and warm personality,[259] and sumo wrestler Takamisugi was nicknamed "Doraemon" because of his resemblance to the character.[260] In 2015, a group of people in a drought-affected village in northern Thailand used a Doraemon toy to complete a rain-ritual, in order to avoid controversies that would occur by using real animals.[261]

A parody of Doraemon created by Hikari Fujisaki, titled Nozoemon (のぞえもん), was first serialized in Nihon Bungeisha's Comic Heaven magazine in September 2014, with the compiled book volume released on June 9, 2015; however, it was discontinued in August 2015 due to content issues.[262]

Notes

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References

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Doraemon

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Doraemon is a Japanese manga and series created by Fujiko F. Fujio, centering on a robotic from the 22nd century who travels back in time to assist an ordinary but hapless elementary schoolboy named with his everyday problems using ingenious gadgets from his four-dimensional pocket. The manga, written and illustrated under the pen name Fujiko F. Fujio by Hiroshi Fujimoto (1933–1996), was first serialized in December 1969 simultaneously in six children's monthly magazines and continued until 1996, compiling 1,345 chapters into 45 volumes that have sold over 300 million copies worldwide as of 2025. The series blends , humor, and themes of friendship, perseverance, and the wonder of invention, with Doraemon's gadgets—such as the Anywhere Door for instant and the Take-copter for flight—often leading to comedic mishaps while highlighting Nobita's relatable struggles with school, bullies, and family. An adaptation produced by premiered in 1973, but the long-running version began on in 1979 and remains in production today, with over 2,000 episodes broadcast in more than 60 countries and recognized as Asia's top children's character. The franchise has expanded to over 40 feature films released annually since 1980, numerous specials, video games, and merchandise, cementing Doraemon's status as a that promotes and moral lessons for young audiences globally.

Overview

Synopsis

Doraemon centers on , a lazy and clumsy fourth-grade boy who struggles with schoolwork, bullies, and family responsibilities in contemporary . To alter his trajectory and secure a brighter future for his descendants, Nobita's great-great-grandson Sewashi from the 22nd century dispatches Doraemon, a robotic cat equipped with a four-dimensional pocket filled with futuristic gadgets, to live with Nobita and guide him toward self-improvement. The series' episodes follow a recurring structure where Nobita encounters everyday predicaments, such as academic failures or conflicts with peers, prompting Doraemon to intervene with innovative tools that often escalate the chaos before resolving it. These misadventures frequently involve Nobita's friends—his gentle crush Minamoto, the boisterous bully (Takeshi Goda), and the boastful Suneo Honekawa—leading to group escapades that blend humor, adventure, and occasional time-travel excursions that ripple back to influence the 22nd century. Throughout, the narrative underscores ethical dilemmas arising from misuse, such as on relationships or , ultimately reinforcing themes of hard work, , and personal accountability as the path to a fulfilling life. Resolutions typically see Nobita learning from his errors, fostering growth without relying solely on .

Characters

Doraemon is a male robotic cat from the 22nd century, measuring 129.3 cm (about 4 ft 3 in) in height and 129.3 kg (about 285 lb) in weight, who travels back in time to assist . He is scatterbrained yet helpful, equipped with a four-dimensional pocket containing future s that often lead to unexpected adventures. Originally yellow, he turned blue from sadness after a robotic mouse ate his ears, which also instills a deep fear of them in him. Doraemon has a particular fondness for , a sweet Japanese filled with . He was dispatched to the past by Sewashi Nobi to improve Nobita's life and alter the dismal future of his descendants. Nobita Nobi serves as the primary human protagonist, an easy-going fourth-grade elementary school student in Tokyo's Ward who is lazy, cries easily, and struggles with academics and sports. Despite his shortcomings, he possesses notable skill in shooting with a or and occasionally displays bravery in crises. His poor choices and habits contribute to the hardships faced by his future family, prompting Doraemon's intervention. Nobita relies heavily on Doraemon's gadgets to navigate daily challenges, forming the core dynamic of the series. Among Nobita's peers, Minamoto stands out as a kind, intelligent, and attractive neighborhood girl who excels academically and serves as Nobita's love interest. She enjoys playing the —though not skillfully—and eating sweet potatoes, while disliking lessons, and frequently becomes the unwitting target of Nobita's clumsy attempts to impress her, such as accidental bath interruptions. In the future timeline, she marries Nobita and becomes the mother of their son, thanks to Doraemon's guidance. Takeshi Goda, nicknamed "Gian" after the English word "giant," is a large, strong, and hot-tempered bully who dominates the local children through . He boasts an off-key singing voice that he believes is exceptional and often "borrows" others' possessions without returning them, though he shows loyalty by aiding friends in genuine peril. adores his younger sister Jaiko and lives in fear of his mother's scoldings, which occasionally prompt self-reflection. He frequently partners with Suneo Honekawa to tease Nobita but contributes to group efforts during adventures. Suneo Honekawa is a wealthy, narcissistic boy from a prominent family, known for bragging about his possessions to incite envy among friends. Talented in drawing, crafting, and sciences, he often excludes Nobita from social invitations while aligning with as his reluctant sidekick, though he harbors insecurities about his short stature and bed-wetting. Suneo inherits his fox-like facial features from his mother and maintains close ties with Shizuka and . Nobita's parents, Tamako Nobi and Nobisuke Nobi, represent typical mid-20th-century figures. Tamako, Nobita's strict homemaker mother, enforces discipline over his grades and behavior, often scolding him for laziness while managing household duties. Nobisuke, his laid-back father, works at an ordinary office job and indulges in hobbies like , , and occasional , providing minimal direct guidance but showing quiet affection. Sewashi Nobi, Nobita's great-great-grandson from the 22nd century, owns Doraemon initially and sends him back in time to correct Nobita's failings, which have led to familial poverty. Resourceful yet initially frustrated by Nobita's habits, Sewashi occasionally visits the present to monitor progress. Recurring characters include Dorami, Doraemon's younger sister who originated from a 1973 reader-submitted idea from Nara Prefecture and starred in her own manga series Dorami-chan serialized in the 1970s, a more responsible and optimistic robotic cat with superior specifications producing 10,000 horsepower compared to Doraemon's 129.3 and equipped with unique gadgets like the tulip-shaped Time Machine, who assists when her brother falters and has notable roles in feature films and merchandising campaigns; she favors melon bread and shares his aversion to cockroaches but excels in cleanliness and perfectionism. Hidetoshi Dekisugi, Nobita's classmate and academic rival, is a flawless genius—handsome, athletic, and effortlessly top-scoring—who politely interacts with as her intellectual peer, unknowingly fueling Nobita's jealousy. Stories often feature unique villains, such as alien invaders or mischievous entities, who challenge the group episodically. The characters' relationships revolve around a core group dynamic of childhood friendship laced with teasing and rivalry, where Nobita endures from and Suneo but finds solace in Shizuka's and Doraemon's . Doraemon and Nobita's bond evolves from reluctant guardianship to a familial partnership, with Doraemon acting as a strict yet caring guide to foster Nobita's growth. Sewashi's distant oversight underscores the long-term stakes, while Dorami provides sibling-like support to Doraemon, and Dekisugi serves as an aspirational foil without malice.

Creation and Production

Development History

Doraemon was created by Fujiko F. Fujio, the pen name initially shared by childhood friends Hiroshi Fujimoto and Motoo Abiko, who began collaborating in 1954 after meeting in elementary school in 1944. The duo used the collective pseudonym for their joint works until 1987, when they amicably split to pursue individual projects; Fujimoto then adopted Fujiko F. Fujio for his solo endeavors, including continuing Doraemon. Fujimoto drew inspiration for the series from his childhood fascination with robots and the influential of , envisioning a robotic companion to aid an ordinary boy in overcoming everyday challenges. The began on December 3, 1969, simultaneously in six children's magazines, including Yoiko and Shogaku Ichinensei, before later appearing in titles like . It continued monthly until March 1996, producing 1,345 chapters that were compiled into 45 volumes published by from 1974 to 1996. Over its run, the series evolved from early emphasis on adventures involving futuristic gadgets to more grounded stories imparting lessons on friendship, perseverance, and daily life, with Fujimoto's declining health toward the end but completing as planned. The narrative concluded without a definitive resolution following Fujimoto's death from on September 23, 1996, at age 62. This open-ended status fueled fan theories about tragic conclusions, which clarified in 2005 as misinterpretations, affirming the story's intent as an ongoing tale of Nobita's future improvement through Doraemon's guidance. Following Fujimoto's passing, his estate has authorized no new original stories, focusing instead on reprints, adaptations, and spin-offs, though unpublished notes led to the release of Doraemon Plus, a series of seven volumes from 2005 to 2023.

Themes and Inspirations

Doraemon's core themes revolve around , perseverance, and the consequences of laziness and technology misuse, often emphasizing through stories addressing and conservation, as well as anti-bullying messages that promote and social harmony. These elements reflect creator Fujiko F. Fujio's intent to fill readers' hearts with joy through depictions of everyday children's lives blended with , fostering values like courage, curiosity, and hope. is central, exemplified by the bond between Doraemon and Nobita, which underscores mutual support and the value of over material wealth. Fujiko F. Fujio drew inspirations from his rural childhood in Takaoka City, , where experiences of post-World War II optimism in shaped narratives of ethical progress and familial bonds. Influenced by Osamu Tezuka's , which portrayed robots as compassionate companions, Fujiko incorporated similar robotic helpers to explore human-robot relationships, while indirect nods to Western animations like informed the character's whimsical cat design. His time at the post-war Tokiwa-so apartment complex, a hub for young artists, further fueled a sense of communal creativity and recovery from wartime hardships. Moral lessons in Doraemon frequently highlight , with future-oriented stories encouraging ethical choices for by showing how misuse of advanced tools leads to backfiring consequences, teaching perseverance and the dangers of . emerges as a key human quality, as Fujiko emphasized Nobita's growth through and overcoming personal flaws without constant external aid. The evolution of themes in Doraemon shifted from adventure-focused tales in early volumes to deeper explorations of and social harmony in later works, mirroring Japan's 1970s-1980s economic boom and societal changes toward stability and environmental awareness. Initial stories targeted younger readers with simple, wondrous escapades, while subsequent narratives incorporated complex societal issues like anti-pollution efforts, adapting to older audiences amid post-oil shock prosperity.

Origin of the Name

The name "Doraemon" derives from the Japanese term doraneko (どら猫), meaning "stray cat," where "dora" is a colloquial shortening of nora (野), implying something wild or wandering, combined with the suffix "-emon" (衛門), a traditional ending used in historical Japanese male names for folk characters, servants, or commoners, such as in names like Uemon or Tazaemon, to evoke an image of a humble, , and supportive companion. According to Fujiko F. Fujio in his autobiographical manga "The Birth of Doraemon" and its anime adaptation "2112: The Birth of Doraemon," the inspiration for the name specifically drew from a stray cat observed on the terrace, while the character's round form was influenced by his daughter's roly-poly doll (okiagari-koboshi). This naming choice mirrors Doraemon's narrative origin as a flawed robotic discarded by its manufacturers in the 22nd century, much like a stray animal abandoned yet resilient and eager to aid others, and it preserves a sense of in the character's while highlighting its unconventional . Since its initial serialization in December 1969 in six children's magazines, the series has borne the straightforward Doraemon, centering the eponymous character as the focal point rather than emphasizing plot elements, a convention that persists globally where the name remains unchanged but adapted to local phonetic pronunciations, such as "Dōrāemon" in English-speaking regions. Culturally, the hybrid script of katakana for "Dora" (suggesting something exotic or emphatic) and hiragana for "emon" (conveying softness and familiarity) enhances the character's kawaii (cute) aesthetic in Japanese media, while the overall name draws from folktale traditions of benevolent animal figures, like tanuki or kitsune, that serve as magical aides to protagonists facing everyday hardships.

Gadgets

Doraemon's gadgets, known as himitsu dōgu (secret tools), are futuristic inventions originating from 22nd-century technology, retrieved from the robotic cat's four-dimensional pocket. Created by Fujiko F. Fujio, these devices number 1,293 in total according to the author's statement, though estimates from comprehensive analyses suggest up to 4,500 when including variations across media. They are systematically categorized into 10 high-level groupings, such as shaping reality and perception or expanding human capabilities, with 33 subcategories encompassing tools for time manipulation, spatial travel, physical alteration, and disguise. Key examples illustrate the inventive scope of these gadgets. The Take-copter, a small bamboo propeller attached to the head, enables flight by generating lift through rapid rotation, powered by a miniature motor until its battery depletes. The Anywhere Door functions as a portal for instantaneous to any location within light-years, simply by opening it and visualizing the destination, though it requires precise mental focus to avoid errors. The Time Machine allows travel to specific points in the past or future via a control panel setting dates and coordinates, but overuse risks timeline disruptions. Konjac is a jelly-like substance consumed to grant universal language comprehension and speech for a limited duration, typically one day, after which effects wear off naturally. The Copying Big Light emits a ray that duplicates objects or living beings illuminated by it, creating exact replicas with independent functionality, albeit with potential for comedic malfunctions if not calibrated properly. Most gadgets operate on whimsical mechanics, functioning as single-purpose, tangible items often limited by rules such as finite battery life, temporary effects, or inherent side effects like or reversal requirements. These derive from an in-universe catalog maintained by Doraemon, drawing on tropes to blend practicality with humor, such as built-in reversibility in transformation devices like the Flattening Iron. In the original , they total 1,293 official entries, with post-1996 fan expansions and adaptations adding unofficial variants, though no new canonical gadgets have been introduced since Fujiko F. Fujio's passing in 1996. However, the 2023 release of Doraemon Plus volume 7 incorporates previously unpublished chapters from Fujiko F. Fujio's notes, featuring new stories that introduce additional gadgets consistent with the series' style. Narratively, the gadgets propel storylines by resolving immediate conflicts for characters like Nobita, yet their limitations often underscore lessons on self-reliance when dependence leads to mishaps. This structure highlights human needs for convenience and security while injecting speculative elements that reflect broader technological aspirations.

Media Franchise

Manga

The Doraemon manga, created by Fujiko F. Fujio, began serialization in December 1969 across multiple Shogakukan magazines aimed at young readers, including educational titles such as Yōko, Kindergarten, First Grader, Second Grader, Third Grader, and Monthly Shōnen Gōgaku. The series concluded in 1996 after producing 1,345 individual chapters, which were compiled into 45 tankōbon volumes published by Shogakukan under the Tentōmushi Comics imprint from July 1974 to April 1996; however, it lacks an official final episode or conclusion, with "graduation" stories such as "Doraemon Returns to the Future" created for specific magazines but not serving as true endings, as the series was intended to depict eternal everyday adventures and ended unfinished following the author's death. Subsequent formats expanded accessibility, including a bunko edition released in 20 condensed volumes from 1991 to 1996. Digital releases followed with the Kindle edition from , spanning over 200 volumes released between 2013 and 2016, offering bilingual English-Japanese versions of the stories. The has been translated into more than 30 languages worldwide, with over 100 million copies sold worldwide. Spin-off series include The Doraemons (1995–1999), a 6-volume run by focusing on team-up adventures involving Doraemon and other robotic cats from the 22nd century, and Dorabase: Doraemon Super Baseball Gaiden (2000–2011), a 23-volume baseball-themed variant serialized in that reimagines the characters in sports scenarios. Additional short-form content appears in 22nd Century Doraemon, a collection of future-set vignettes. More recently, Doraemon Plus (2005–2023) compiled 7 volumes of previously unpublished sketches and stories by Fujiko F. Fujio under 's Tentōmushi Comics; no new original main series chapters have been produced since the author's death in 1996.

Anime Series

The Doraemon anime series has been adapted into three distinct television iterations since 1973, each building on the original by Fujiko F. Fujio while introducing updates in style, production, and voice cast to appeal to new generations of viewers. The series emphasizes episodic stories featuring Doraemon's gadgets aiding Nobita and his friends, with a focus on humor, adventure, and moral lessons. The first anime adaptation aired on Nippon TV from April 1 to September 30, 1973, comprising 26 black-and-white half-hour episodes, each containing two segments for a total of 52 stories. Produced independently of the later versions, this short-lived series received mixed reception and was not widely rebroadcast, with much of its footage considered today. The second series, produced in color by in collaboration with , premiered on April 2, 1979, and became the longest-running iteration, spanning 1,787 episodes over 26 years until its conclusion on March 25, 2005. This version established Doraemon as a staple of Japanese children's programming, featuring consistent weekly airings after shifting to a half-hour format in 1981. The series ended amid network programming adjustments, allowing for a production refresh. provided the iconic voice for Doraemon throughout its run. The third and ongoing series, also produced by for , debuted on April 15, 2005, with modernized computer-assisted animation, updated character designs, and a new voice cast to revitalize the franchise. As of 2025, it has aired approximately 870 episodes (over 1,465 segments) in a weekly format, continuing to adapt and expand on stories while introducing original content. Following Ōyama's retirement, assumed the role of Doraemon starting with this series, a change that was officially announced in March 2005. The has achieved widespread international broadcast, airing in more than 60 countries through various dubs and localizations. In 2014, Disney licensed the English-dubbed version for airing on across , expanding its reach in Southeast Asian markets. In , the series maintained strong viewership as one of the top-rated children's programs, with household ratings reaching 7.7% during episodes in June 2018. More recently, in 2025, released a new French-dubbed of 13 episodes (or 26 eleven-minute segments) on in starting October 3, positioned as an official "new season" after a decade without fresh dubs, followed by availability on Anime Digital Network.

Films

The Doraemon film series consists of 44 feature-length animated movies released annually in March since the inaugural entry in 1980, produced by and distributed by in . These films blend original stories with adaptations from the by Fujiko F. Fujio, typically centering on Nobita and his friends embarking on fantastical adventures aided by Doraemon's gadgets, often exploring themes of friendship, exploration, and growth. While most follow the traditional 2D animation style consistent with the TV series, select entries incorporate 3D computer-generated imagery for enhanced . Early films from the emphasized grand adventure narratives, such as the 1980 debut Doraemon: Nobita's Dinosaur, where Nobita hatches and raises a named Piisuke, leading to a prehistoric quest that highlights themes of responsibility and . This era established the series' formula of time-travel and world-building escapades, drawing directly from arcs while expanding them into feature-length spectacles. By the 2010s, the franchise experimented with 3D , notably in (2014), a two-part depicting Nobita's first meeting with Doraemon from the future; it grossed $186 million worldwide, marking a commercial milestone and introducing the series to broader international audiences through its emotional, gadget-minimal focus on character bonds. The films have achieved significant commercial success, with the franchise accumulating over $1.8 billion in worldwide earnings across its releases, as of 2025, though domestic Japanese grosses dominate due to the series' cultural prominence. Standout performers include Doraemon: Nobita's (2018), an original pirate-themed adventure that earned $47 million in Japan alone, propelled by its high-seas action and dynamics. Other top earners, like Stand by Me Doraemon 2 (2020), a revisiting Nobita's school life with upgraded 3D visuals, grossed $66 million globally, underscoring the enduring appeal of the series' heartfelt storytelling. Recent entries continue the tradition of innovative plots while commemorating milestones. Stand by Me Doraemon 2 (2020) explored Nobita's middle school years and budding romance with Shizuka, blending nostalgia with new gadget applications. Doraemon: Nobita's Little Star Wars (2021, released in 2022 due to delays) parodied space operas as Nobita leads a rebellion against an alien empire using Doraemon's inventions. Doraemon: Nobita's Earth Symphony (2024) followed the group into a musical realm where they compose symphonies to save a harmonious planet, grossing approximately $29 million in Japan. The 44th film, Doraemon: Nobita's Art World Tales (released March 7, 2025), marks the 45th anniversary of the series and transports the characters into a medieval European world within paintings, where they ally with new figures—artist Claire, knight Milo, and inventor Chai—to unravel an artistic mystery threatening creativity itself, grossing over $33 million in Japan and additional international earnings. Looking ahead, the 45th film, a remake of the 1983 classic Doraemon: Nobita and the Castle of the Undersea Devil titled Doraemon: Nobita and the New Castle of the Undersea Devil, is slated for February 27, 2026, updating the underwater kingdom adventure with modern animation techniques.

Video Games

The video game adaptations of Doraemon began in with Bandai's release of a Pac-Man-inspired maze-chase game for Japanese home computers and arcade systems, marking the franchise's entry into interactive entertainment. Subsequent titles expanded rapidly, with developers like , , and producing over 60 games across various platforms by 2025. These adaptations have primarily targeted the Japanese market, though select titles have received international releases, emphasizing Doraemon's gadgets in mechanics such as puzzle-solving and . Early console entries focused on action and adventure genres, with Hudson Soft's 1986 Famicom title Doraemon standing out as a hybrid action-adventure and game where players control Doraemon to rescue Nobita from enemies across multiple stages. This release achieved commercial success, selling approximately 1.15 million copies and ranking as the tenth best-selling Famicom game of 1986. Another notable early RPG was Epoch's Doraemon: Giga Zombie no Gyakushū in 1990 for Famicom, featuring time-travel elements and turn-based combat to defeat a threat, showcasing the series' shift toward narrative-driven . The franchise diversified into platformers, such as the 2006 Nintendo DS game Doraemon: Nobita no Kyōryū, a side-scrolling adventure tied to the film's dinosaur-themed story, where players utilize gadgets for jumping, shooting, and environmental interaction. RPGs gained prominence in later years, exemplified by Doraemon Story of Seasons (2019), a farming RPG co-developed by Brownies Interactive and Marvelous for , which blended Doraemon's characters with life-simulation elements and saw a Western launch in 2020 by . Its sequel, Doraemon Story of Seasons: Friends of the Great Kingdom (2022), continued the genre on Switch, PC, and , expanding multiplayer features and planetary exploration. Mobile and browser games proliferated in the , including puzzle and casual apps on and Android, often incorporating touch controls for gadget deployment. Platforms have evolved from dedicated LCD handhelds and the Famicom/NES in the to modern systems like , PlayStation, and PC, with many titles exclusive to . Numerous games serve as tie-ins to Doraemon films, adapting movie plots into playable formats—for instance, action-platformers based on annual theatrical releases to coincide with box-office runs. The most recent major entry, the browser-based online RPG Doraemon Comic Traveler, launched in April 2025 on the G123 platform by CTW Inc., allowing players to team up in a manga-inspired world for cooperative quests and gadget-based battles.

Other Adaptations

Doraemon has been adapted into stage musicals that bring its stories to live theater. The first such production, Doraemon: Nobita and the Animal Planet, debuted in 2008 at the Metropolitan Art Space, adapting elements from the and featuring songs and performances centered on Nobita's adventures with animal-themed gadgets. This musical was revived in , running initially at Sunshine Theater in from March 26 to April 2, before touring other prefectures, with the same director and key cast members reprising their roles to emphasize themes of friendship and exploration. No major new Doraemon musicals have been produced since the 2017 revival. Beyond core anime and films, the franchise includes numerous original video animations (OVAs) and short specials produced by , often focusing on standalone stories or holiday-themed episodes that highlight Doraemon's gadgets in concise formats. These OVAs, such as Doraemon: Come Back, Doraemon, serve as supplementary content expanding on character dynamics without tying directly into the main series arcs. Picture books, published by , adapt manga stories into illustrated formats suitable for young readers, including bilingual editions that introduce English vocabulary through Doraemon's adventures. Crossovers and references appear in other media, with Doraemon characters making cameo appearances in episodes of , reflecting shared broadcast networks on and mutual nods to their comedic styles. Music albums compile theme songs and soundtracks, notably the iconic opening "Doraemon no Uta" from 1979, composed by with lyrics by Takumi Kusube, which has been performed by various artists and remains a staple in anniversary collections. Merchandise forms a significant part of the franchise, encompassing , apparel, and lifestyle items managed primarily by (ShoPro) in . , a , handles English-language licensing and in the since a 2014 agreement, enabling distribution of official products like figures and apparel in during the . Notable collaborations include a 2015 McDonald's promotion in featuring Doraemon tied to the film Nobita's Space Heroes, offered as premiums to boost family engagement. has partnered on apparel lines, such as the 2023 "Doraemon Sustainability Mode" collection with plush and fleece items, and a 2025 UT graphic T-shirt series integrating Doraemon with Museum masterpieces for a cultural-art theme. The Doraemon Museum in Prefecture, opened on , 2011—Doraemon's birthday—showcasing original artwork, gadgets replicas, and interactive exhibits dedicated to Fujiko F. Fujio's works. Recent adaptations emphasize global collaborations, such as the 2025 Expo partnership between Visit Saudi and Doraemon's creators, featuring an interactive cultural exhibit called "Wonders of Arabia" at the Saudi Pavilion. This installation uses Doraemon animations to showcase Saudi landmarks, customs, and destinations, blending Japanese pop culture with Middle Eastern heritage to attract international visitors during the expo from April to October 2025.

Reception

Popularity and Commercial Success

Doraemon's manga series has achieved remarkable commercial success, with over 300 million copies sold worldwide by 2024, establishing it as one of the best-selling franchises of all time. In , the series has been particularly dominant, exceeding 100 million copies in alone since its inception, reflecting its enduring appeal in the region. The anime adaptations have also garnered substantial viewership, particularly in , where the 1979 series and its successors remain popular children's programs. The ongoing 2005 anime series continues to rank as one of 's top children's programs, maintaining high audience demand levels—10.7 times the average for shows in the country as of July 2025. Internationally, Doraemon has attracted massive audiences, including in , where it remains a staple for younger demographics. The franchise's theatrical films have been a major financial driver, collectively grossing over $1.8 billion worldwide as of . By , the series had produced 44 feature films, many achieving strong performance in ; for instance, the March 2025 release Doraemon: Nobita's Art World Tales ultimately grossed approximately 4 billion yen (about $27 million USD) domestically. In recognition of this global reach, Doraemon was appointed Japan's first "anime ambassador" by the in March 2008 to promote Japanese culture internationally. Recent expansions, such as the launch of a new French-dubbed season of the in October 2025 on platforms like and Anime Digital Network, have further enhanced its European market presence and viewership metrics.

Critical Analysis

Scholars have praised Doraemon for its promotion of and through the use of futuristic gadgets that encourage problem-solving and innovative thinking among young audiences. A qualitative study of Vietnamese teenagers highlights how characters like Nobita apply gadget-inspired solutions to real-life challenges, fostering reflective and imaginative approaches to and daily issues. This emphasis on aligns with broader , as the series presents complex scenarios that stimulate ethical and cognitive growth. The narrative also critiques by portraying gadgets as temporary fixes that ultimately underscore the primacy of emotional bonds and human effort over reliance, presenting technology as a double-edged . Nobita's character embodies this as a relatable —a lazy, underachieving boy whose everyday struggles with school, friends, and family resonate universally, making him an endearing figure who learns through rather than innate perfection. The simple, child-friendly art style, with its minimal evolution over decades, supports this accessibility, allowing focus on thematic depth without visual complexity. Japanese psychologist Rieko Soma coined the term "Nobita-Jaian Syndrome" in her 1997 book of the same name to describe attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), using analogies to the behaviors of the characters Nobita and Jaian (Gian). Nobita represents the inattentive subtype, characterized by difficulty concentrating, scatterbrained tendencies, and frequent failures leading to vulnerability to bullying, while Jaian exemplifies the hyperactive-impulsive subtype with impulsive actions, difficulty calming down, and aggressive tendencies toward peers. Although not a formal medical diagnosis, the term has been used in popular psychology literature to raise awareness of these conditions among children and has sparked discussions on the portrayal of bullying in Doraemon. Some critics argue that depictions of Nobita's victimization and Jaian's aggression may encourage imitation of school bullying among young readers, potentially exacerbating such issues. However, defenders counter that Nobita benefits from Doraemon's assistance, Jaian demonstrates a strong sense of justice, and long-form stories reveal Nobita's underlying resilience and courage, mitigating any negative influences. Critics have examined roles in Doraemon, noting reinforcement of stereotypes through characters like , who is depicted with traditional feminine traits such as gentleness and domesticity, reflecting broader Japanese cultural influences like and . However, the inclusion of robots like Dorami introduces more dynamic representations, with her design—featuring feminine elements like long eyelashes and softer colors—contrasting Doraemon's masculine traits while expanding the series' portrayal of in robotic forms. This duality highlights both limitations and subtle innovations in addressing within the . Post-1996 analyses of the manga's conclusion emphasize its unfinished quality as a symbol of life's inherent openness, allowing ongoing interpretations of growth and change. Additionally, 1980s stories, such as the film Nobita no Kyouryuu, incorporate eco-themes by critiquing and environmental disruption through depictions of illegal and ecosystem imbalance, using dinosaurs as metaphors to promote awareness of wildlife protection and among children. These elements reflect the era's growing environmental consciousness, urging ethical stewardship of nature.

Awards and Recognition

The Doraemon manga series has received several prestigious awards in Japan, recognizing its enduring appeal to children and its contributions to the medium. In 1982, it won the Shogakukan Manga Award in the children's category, honoring Fujiko F. Fujio's creation as a landmark in educational and imaginative storytelling. The series also earned the Japan Cartoonists Association Award for excellence in 1973 and the MEST Award in 1994, acknowledging its innovative blend of science fiction and everyday adventures. Posthumously for Fujiko F. Fujio, who passed away in 1996, Doraemon received the Grand Prize at the first Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize in 1997, celebrating its cultural significance and influence on subsequent generations of manga artists. The anime adaptations and films have similarly garnered acclaim, particularly through the Festival. For instance, the 2014 film won the Award of Excellence in the category at the 2015 ceremony, praised for its groundbreaking 3D animation and faithful adaptation of the source material. Multiple Doraemon films have been nominated or awarded in this festival over the years, highlighting the franchise's consistent excellence in animation production. Additionally, Fujiko F. Fujio holds a Guinness World Record for the most wins of the , with three victories tied to Doraemon and related works, underscoring the series' foundational impact on children's . Beyond artistic honors, Doraemon has been recognized in official diplomatic capacities. In 2008, the character was appointed Japan's first Ambassador by the , tasked with promoting Japanese culture and internationally through events and merchandise. In 2013, Doraemon was appointed as the first special ambassador for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic bid by the Tokyo 2020 team, embodying Olympic values such as respect and friendship. The franchise has also played a role in ; in 2015, the release of in helped ease bilateral tensions between Japan and , breaking box office records and fostering cultural exchange amid geopolitical strains. No major new awards have been bestowed on the core franchise since 2020, though its legacy continues through related honors. In January 2025, veteran voice actors (original Doraemon) and (Nobita) received posthumous Chairman's Special Awards from the Japan Academy Prize, recognizing their decades-long contributions to the anime's global popularity. The 2025 film Doraemon: Nobita's Art World Tales has been entered into several international film festivals, with anticipation for further recognition in animation categories.

Criticism

Doraemon has faced criticism for its portrayal of bullying, particularly through characters like Takeshi "Gian" Goda and Suneo Honekawa, who frequently tease and physically harass Nobita Nobi, with some observers arguing that the series normalizes violence among children. In 2014, civic groups in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, petitioned the National Communications Commission to ban specific episodes, claiming that Gian's aggressive behavior could inspire real-world bullying and serve as a poor role model for young viewers. While defenders describe these dynamics as realistic depictions of childhood interactions, international dubs have often edited or toned down such scenes to mitigate concerns over promoting aggression. The series has also drawn scrutiny for reinforcing gender stereotypes, especially in the depiction of Shizuka Minamoto, whose frequent bathing scenes are seen as objectifying and unnecessary fanservice that undermines female characters' agency. These elements have led to censorship in various international adaptations, such as shortened bathroom sequences in the 2005 anime dub and light bars added during TV broadcasts of the 2013 film to obscure nudity. A 2021 analysis highlighted how such portrayals perpetuate bias by limiting female roles to domestic or sexualized tropes, contrasting with more empowered male characters. Critics in several countries have accused Doraemon of , leading to bans or restrictions. In , a 2016 resolution by the Assembly sought to prohibit the series, citing its perceived promotion of "Hindu influence" through Hindi-dubbed versions aired on Indian channels. Similarly, Bangladesh's banned the Hindi-dubbed in 2013, arguing it hindered children's acquisition of the and exposed them to foreign cultural dominance. In , a 2014 editorial in The News condemned Doraemon as politically subversive, alleging its themes of friendship and gadgets masked efforts to culturally invade and corrupt Chinese youth amid Sino-Japanese tensions. In response to such critiques, the has incorporated public service announcements in later episodes to address and promote positive behavior, while 2020s scholarly reviews acknowledge outdated elements like roles and Nobita's laziness as products of 1970s-1980s but praise the series' overall emphasis on and growth. These analyses suggest that while problematic aspects persist, revisions in modern adaptations help balance enduring positives with contemporary sensitivities.

Cultural Impact and Legacy

Influence in Japan

Doraemon has become a prominent domestic icon in , symbolizing national pride and . In 2013, the character was appointed as the first special ambassador for Tokyo's successful bid to host the , highlighting its role in promoting Japan's on the global stage. The series is also integrated into elementary school curricula to teach moral education, with episodes and stories used to illustrate ethical lessons such as kindness, perseverance, and social responsibility. Additionally, the Fujiko F. Fujio Museum, dedicated to the creator and featuring extensive exhibits on Doraemon, opened in Kawasaki—Fujio's birthplace—on September 3, 2011, attracting visitors to explore the manga's origins and legacy. In Japanese pop culture, Doraemon has profoundly influenced subsequent generations of creators, including mangaka , who cited the series as a key inspiration for elements like the Devil Fruits in his work , drawing from Doraemon's imaginative gadgets to craft fantastical abilities. The franchise has maintained a strong presence through its annual theatrical film tradition, which began in 1980 with Doraemon: Nobita's Dinosaur and has continued almost every year since, becoming a staple of Japanese cinema and family entertainment. Doraemon plays a significant social role by promoting values aligned with 1970s environmental movements in , such as coexistence with nature and criticism of industrial overexploitation, as seen in storylines where gadgets aid in conservation efforts or highlight ecological balance. This thematic emphasis continues in contemporary contexts, including its selection as a guide character in the Japan Pavilion at , where Doraemon narrates exhibits on sustainable and recycling-oriented practices. A 2012 survey by the Education Research Institute found Doraemon to be the most recognized and popular character among Japanese children, underscoring its deep cultural penetration. The series has also received numerous accolades in , including multiple Japan Academy Prize nominations and wins for its animated films.

Global Reach

Doraemon has achieved widespread international distribution, with the anime series broadcast in more than 60 countries and dubbed into over 20 languages to accommodate diverse audiences. Notable examples include Hindi dubs aired on in since 2005 and Arabic versions distributed across the via networks like and TV. , the primary rights holder, oversees global licensing, enabling adaptations that resonate locally while preserving the core narrative of the robotic cat and his young friend Nobita. By 2024, the had sold over 100 million copies worldwide, with significant sales outside , particularly in , reflecting its appeal in markets like and . The series dominates in Asia, particularly in China, where the 2015 film Stand by Me Doraemon led the box office with earnings exceeding $50 million in its opening weeks, outpacing Hollywood blockbusters like Avengers: Age of Ultron. In Latin America, Disney has facilitated broad distribution since the early 2000s, with Spanish dubs airing on channels in Brazil, Colombia, and Chile, fostering a dedicated fanbase through localized broadcasting. Vietnam stands out with exceptional viewership, where Doraemon films have cumulatively attracted millions of audiences—such as 285,577 tickets sold in just three days for the 2024 release—contributing to over 40 million viewers across TV and cinema platforms. A 2025 collaboration with Saudi Arabia's Visit Saudi at Expo Osaka featured Doraemon as a cultural ambassador, blending Japanese animation with Arabian heritage to promote tourism through interactive exhibits. Regional variations often involve adaptations to cultural sensitivities, including in Western markets where scenes—such as those involving Nobita's —have been excised to align with health guidelines. In , local publishers have produced spin-off with Indonesia-specific localizations, such as altering and settings to reflect national contexts, enhancing accessibility for young readers. Despite these successes, Doraemon has encountered challenges, including a 2013 ban in over concerns that Hindi dubs hindered learning, and subsequent calls for restrictions in and citing perceived negative influences on children. In 2025, a French revival marked a resurgence in , with launching 13 new dubbed episodes on starting October 3, followed by broadcasts on Anime Digital Network, after a decade-long hiatus.

Enduring Legacy

Doraemon has pioneered the robot companion genre in and , establishing a template for benevolent, time-traveling mechanical aides that assist protagonists in everyday challenges and fantastical adventures, influencing subsequent works in Japanese media. This innovation contributed to the 1970s boom in , coinciding with the country's postwar economic high-speed growth period, where Doraemon's serialization from 1969 onward helped popularize elements in and boosted the medium's commercial expansion through merchandise and adaptations. Following the death of creator Fujiko F. Fujio (Hiroshi Fujimoto) on September 23, 1996, the franchise's preservation has been managed by his estate and collaborators, including the establishment of the Fujiko F. Fujio Museum in Kawasaki to safeguard original manuscripts and ensure the series' continuity without new stories from the author. Looking ahead, Doraemon's series remains ongoing into 2025 and beyond, with the 44th , Doraemon: Nobita's Art World Tales, released in March 2025, exploring themes of creativity through a medieval European art-inspired adventure, which grossed over 10 billion yen in and held the #1 position for six weeks. A of the 1983 classic Doraemon: Nobita and the Castle of the Undersea Devil is slated for 2026 as the 45th film, directed by Tetsuo Yajima, signaling continued investment in revitalizing core narratives for new audiences. Doraemon has profoundly shaped global perceptions of Japanese pop culture, serving as a emblem that promotes images of innovation, friendship, and futuristic optimism, thereby enhancing Japan's international . In modern analyses, the series inspires discussions on AI , particularly in , where Doraemon's portrayal of robots as empathetic companions has influenced national imaginaries of technology as harmonious partners rather than threats, informing policy frameworks like Society 5.0. Efforts to recognize , including Doraemon, as gained momentum around 2012 through Japanese advocacy, underscoring its role in preserving narrative traditions. The franchise marked its 55th anniversary in 2024 with widespread celebrations, including commemorative illustrations from artists like and official tributes highlighting its enduring appeal across generations.

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  104. https://variety.com/2015/film/asia/china-box-office-doraemon-1201510095/
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  108. https://doraemon.fandom.com/wiki/Doraemon_in_Indonesia
  109. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/20594364241278961
  110. https://blog.iias.asia/pop-pacific/doraemon-high-speed-growth-manga
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  112. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2025/03
  113. https://utsynergyjournal.org/2025/04/09/from-doraemon-to-diplomacy-the-role-of-manga-and-anime-in-japanese-soft-power/
  114. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/18752160.2023.2275987
  115. https://www.takshila.org.in/tjr/7.pdf
  116. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2025-08-23/rumiko-takahashi-marks-doraemon-55th-anniversary-with-crossover-art/.227934
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