Is Doraemon right for your family?

This review covers common concerns — screen for what YOUR family cares about.

Doraemon

TV

Doraemon (1979) is a beloved Japanese animated science-fiction comedy series that follows the misadventures of Nobita Nobi, a somewhat clumsy and unmotivated elementary school student, and his futuristic robot cat, Doraemon. Sent from the 22nd century by Nobita's descendant, Doraemon uses an array of fantastical gadgets to assist Nobita in navigating daily challenges, improving his grades, and dealing with his bullies, Gian and Suneo. The series, which ran for over two decades, blends imaginative science-fiction concepts with relatable childhood experiences, offering a mix of humor, adventure, and moral lessons about responsibility and friendship.

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Concerns

LGBTQ & Gender Identity

Medium

The series includes an episode where characters temporarily swap bodies and explore gender roles, ultimately reinforcing traditional gender identity. Fan discussions also contain speculative 'headcanons' regarding characters' sexual orientations, though these are not canon to the show.

In 'The Substitution Rope Story' (Episode 849), Shizuka and Nobita switch bodies using a gadget. Shizuka, in Nobita's body, takes a shower and finds herself naked, while Nobita, in Shizuka's body, struggles to fit in with girls' activities. The episode concludes with them realizing 'being in their own gender is the best'. Additionally, fan communities have generated 'headcanons' such as 'Nobita is secretly transgender' or 'Suneo is gay, and in the closet,' indicating a modern interpretive lens on character identities.

Violence

Medium

Doraemon frequently features slapstick comedy and bullying, primarily Nobita being physically harassed by Gian and Suneo. More intense instances include gadget-induced aggression and depictions of war, though graphic gore is absent.

Nobita is a frequent target of bullying, often being beaten up by Gian. In the episode featuring the 'Violence Clock' (Episode 285, 'The Hardship Timer'), characters are compelled to physically attack Nobita against their will, with Shizuka even chasing him with a knife, which can be particularly disturbing. Another episode involves Doraemon getting an arrow through his head during a time travel adventure to a 'small war,' which he simply pulls out.

Romance and Sexual Content

Medium

The series frequently includes bath scenes, especially involving Shizuka, which Nobita often accidentally witnesses. There are also instances of implied or accidental nudity and comedic uses of gadgets to induce romantic affection.

Nobita frequently and unintentionally stumbles upon Shizuka while she is taking a bath, a recurring gag noted as an 'inappropriate moment'. In 'The Dress-Up Camera' episode, Gian is depicted naked in the original Japanese version (though censored to underwear in some English dubs), and Nobita's underwear is revealed multiple times, contributing to suggestive themes. The episode 'Ah, Love, Love, Love!' involves Nobita using a 'cupid's bow' that causes various characters, including an 'ugly man' and Doraemon himself, to fall in love with Nobita, playing on themes of forced romantic affection for comedic effect.

Witchcraft & Occult

Medium

While not featuring explicit witchcraft rituals, many of Doraemon's futuristic gadgets simulate magical abilities, including spells, invisibility, and telekinesis. Some narratives also involve demons and voodoo-like curses within a fantasy or comedic context.

In 'The Magic Dictionary' episode, Nobita uses a gadget to 'write down spells, incantations, or actions that will then come true,' leading to instances like his mother flying on a broomstick and Nobita gaining invisibility and telekinesis. The episode 'The Cursing Camera' depicts a camera that creates dolls, where 'whatever harm befalls the doll, will also happen to the person,' effectively functioning as a voodoo-like curse. Furthermore, the movie 'Doraemon: Nobita's Great Adventure into the Underworld' introduces 'Demon Lord Demaon' who 'taught mankind dark sorcery' and is portrayed as a 'Demonic Tyrant'.

Substance Use

Medium

The series depicts alcohol consumption by adults and, notably, a gadget that allows children to experience drunkenness. Smoking by an adult character is also present.

The episode 'Drunken Lid' (Episode 752) features a gadget that enables users to experience intoxication from non-alcoholic drinks. Nobita, Doraemon, and Shizuka use this gadget for a 'drunken Cola' party, resulting in them 'dancing mindlessly.' Nobisuke (Nobita's father) is also seen getting drunk on beer. This episode was controversial and banned in some regions for 'promoting underage drinking'. Additionally, Nobisuke is depicted smoking, a habit that was reportedly toned down in later series adaptations, indicating its presence in the 1979 version.

Scary & Intense Content

Medium

The series occasionally delves into frightening or intense scenarios, including encounters with ghosts and demons, psychological distress, and high-stakes situations involving dangerous gadgets.

The episode 'The Fear of Tincture' (Episode 919) involves burned comic books turning into ghosts that terrify Nobita's mother, and later, Nobita's own ghost seeking revenge on him. Another episode, 'The Violence Clock,' escalates to a point where Shizuka is forced to chase Nobita with a knife, creating a genuinely high-tension situation. The movie 'Doraemon: Nobita's Great Adventure into the Underworld' also features a 'Demon Lord Demaon,' contributing to a more intense, supernatural threat.

Disrespect & Rebellion

Medium

Nobita frequently exhibits traits of laziness, dishonesty, and disrespect towards adults, often seeking shortcuts or using Doraemon's gadgets for personal gain or revenge against bullies. These acts of defiance are usually played for comedic effect but sometimes have serious consequences.

Nobita routinely shows disrespect towards his parents and teacher, often complaining about chores or homework and attempting to avoid responsibilities. In 'The Mad Watch' episode, Nobita actively complains about his mother's 'grumbling' and uses a gadget to manipulate time during her scolding, highlighting his rebellious attitude. A particularly stark example is 'The Dictator Switch' (Episode 101), where Nobita uses a gadget to erase people, including Gian and Suneo, from existence out of frustration, showcasing extreme defiance and disregard for others' autonomy.

Anti-Christian Themes

Medium

The series presents a predominantly secular and scientific worldview. While acknowledging generic concepts of 'God' and angels, it can sometimes treat biblical figures as mythological characters and shows a cautious or critical stance towards excessive religiosity.

One fan discussion notes the presence of 'God' and 'angels' in some Doraemon films and episodes, but also mentions a manga episode depicting 'Doraemon meeting Jesus Christ... also making him come back to life by healing his injuries,' which could be perceived as trivializing Christian faith. The series generally supports a 'Secular/ Scientific view of the world,' emphasizing human progress and evolution, which implicitly contrasts with a creationist worldview. Philosophical critiques of traditional religious concepts, such as a user stating 'God does not emphasis with humans because he is too different from us. He imprisions all who displease him in eternal suffering,' further illustrate a challenging perspective on the Christian concept of God.

Profanity

Low

The original Japanese series contains minimal to no strong profanity. Any notable use of 'foul language' has been attributed to specific, often low-quality, English dubs rather than the original content.

The primary language in the original Japanese 'Doraemon (1979)' series is consistently family-friendly, characteristic of a children's anime. While one Korean English dub is noted for 'frequent use of foul language,' this is a characteristic of that specific dubbing and not indicative of the original Japanese script or its general translations.

Other Notes

Target Demographic

Ages 8+ is recommended due to recurring themes of bullying, instances of suggestive humor, mild peril, and occasional explorations of mature themes like simulated intoxication and supernatural elements. While generally lighthearted, some content may require parental guidance for younger viewers.

Additional Notes

The 1979 Doraemon series, while primarily a children's show, is noted by some fans to have a more 'mature and playful' balance and 'emotional depth' compared to later adaptations. This means some of the 'medium' severity content, particularly in earlier episodes, might be presented with less overt hand-holding or clearer moral resolution than what contemporary children's programming offers. The long run of the series (1979-2005) means content nuances can vary across seasons. Parents should be aware that the cultural context of its original production in Japan may result in content (like bath scenes) being treated differently than in Western media.

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Is Doraemon right for your family?

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