u/Safe-Contact589

I'm talking specifically about academic performance, not overall intelligence or who is the smarter person.

Between Nobita, Gian, and Suneo, who do you think is the better student overall?

You can consider things like:

- Exam and test scores

- Homework

- Classroom performance

- Study habits

- General school knowledge

I'm curious because we often see Nobita getting terrible marks, Gian struggling in class, and Suneo acting confident, but the series doesn't always make it clear how they compare academically.

How would you rank the three from best to worst, and why? Feel free to use examples from any series, movie, or manga if you can remember them!

So everyone probably knows about the Dictator Switch. There are actually four different versions of the story: 1979 (S1 E101), 1995 (S17 E1345), 2005 (S1 E3), and 2013 (S9 E328b). In this post, I'm specifically referring to the 2005 version.

Nobita gets fed up with Gian and Suneo constantly bullying and annoying him, so Doraemon gives him a gadget called the Dictator Switch. Doraemon explains that it works like a dictator's power – by pressing the button while thinking of someone, that person is erased from existence.

Nobita goes outside, and when Gian starts bothering him as usual, he presses the switch and Gian disappears. The same thing eventually happens to Suneo and a few other people as well. Later, after returning home, Nobita remembers all the times his teacher, his mother, Gian, Suneo, and others scolded or troubled him. In frustration, he accidentally presses the Dictator Switch until, eventually, everyone has been erased.

At first, Nobita is shocked, but then he enjoys having the entire world to himself. However, as time passes, the excitement turns into loneliness. With nobody left to talk to or spend time with, he begins to regret his actions. Eventually, Doraemon appears, and by the end of the episode everyone is back, with Doraemon explaining that Nobita has learned an important lesson.

That raises a number of interesting questions:

- What exactly happened to everyone after they were erased?

- Where did they go?

- Were they truly erased from existence, or were they simply sent somewhere else?

- How did everyone return at the end?

- Did Doraemon help bring everyone back? If so, how?

- Some people describe the Dictator Switch as a kind of "moral gadget." What does that actually mean, and how does it work?

I feel like these questions have probably crossed many of your minds at some point, and they're likely among the most common discussions about this episode. I'm not sure if this has been posted before, but I wanted to start a proper discussion myself and hear what everyone thinks.

I'd love to hear your thoughts, interpretations, and theories!

So after making my post on the real-life references in Doraemon: Nobita's Parallel Visit to the West, I decided to continue this little series. This time, I'm covering the dinosaur movies: Nobita's Dinosaur (1980), Nobita and the Knights on Dinosaurs, Nobita's Dinosaur 2006 and Nobita's New Dinosaur.

I had already covered a few of these references in previous posts, but I wasn't completely satisfied with them. So I decided to revisit everything, expand the explanations, and compile all the major real-life references into one comprehensive post. So here we go!

1 FUTABASAURUS:

Futabasaurus is the species of prehistoric animal that Piisuke belongs to in both Doraemon: Nobita's Dinosaur (1980) and Doraemon: Nobita's Dinosaur 2006. After Nobita discovers a fossilized egg and restores it using Doraemon's Time Wrapping Cloth, it hatches into the friendly creature Piisuke, whom Nobita raises like a pet. Although Piisuke is frequently referred to as a "dinosaur" throughout the films, Futabasaurus was not actually a dinosaur. It was a plesiosaur, a group of marine reptiles that lived alongside dinosaurs but evolved separately. Futabasaurus was discovered in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, in the Futaba Group geological formation, from which it gets its name. It lived around 85 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous and swam through ancient seas using its four powerful flippers.

2. THE LATE CRETACEOUS PERIOD:

The Late Cretaceous Period serves as the primary prehistoric setting in all four dinosaur films. In the 1980 and 2006 movies, Nobita and Doraemon return Piisuke to this era after realizing he can no longer live safely in the modern world. In Nobita's New Dinosaur (2020), the characters also spend much of their adventure during the Late Cretaceous while searching for Kyu and Myu's true home. While in Doraemon: Nobita and the Knights on Dinosaurs, the heroes travel to the Late Cretaceous aboard the knights' time machine and witness the catastrophic asteroid impact that marks the end of the Age of Dinosaurs. The Late Cretaceous lasted from about 100.5 to 66 million years ago and marked the final chapter of the Age of Dinosaurs. It was home to many of history's most famous prehistoric animals, including Tyrannosaurus, Triceratops, Spinosaurus, Quetzalcoatlus, and countless others. Flowering plants became widespread during this period, dramatically changing Earth's ecosystems. It ultimately ended with the catastrophic asteroid impact that caused the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event.

3. HELL CREEK FORMATION:

The Hell Creek Formation is specifically mentioned in Doraemon: Nobita's Dinosaur 2006 when Doraemon realizes that Piisuke was accidentally transported there instead of prehistoric Japan after the Time Machine was damaged. This is a remarkably accurate scientific reference because Hell Creek is one of the most famous fossil formations in the world. Located across parts of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming in the United States, it preserves rocks dating to the final few million years of the Late Cretaceous. Fossils discovered there include Tyrannosaurus rex, Triceratops, Edmontosaurus, Ankylosaurus, Pachycephalosaurus, numerous crocodilians, turtles, fish, mammals, and plants, making it one of the richest windows into the world just before the dinosaurs disappeared. Because of its exceptional fossil record, Hell Creek has become one of the most intensively studied prehistoric ecosystems on Earth, helping scientists reconstruct what North America looked like shortly before the asteroid impact.

4. BERINGIA:

In the original Doraemon: Nobita's Dinosaur (1980) and Doraemon: Nobita's Dinosaur 2006, Doraemon and his friends decide to travel across Beringia after becoming stranded in prehistoric North America, hoping to eventually reach Japan. Beringia was a vast land bridge that once connected present-day Siberia and Alaska during periods when sea levels were much lower than they are today. Although it is most famous for existing during the Ice Ages rather than the dinosaur era, it played one of the most important roles in human history by allowing prehistoric humans, mammoths, bison, wolves, and many other animals to migrate between Asia and North America. Today, Beringia lies beneath the Bering Strait after rising sea levels submerged it thousands of years ago. While the movie simplifies its geography for storytelling, it introduces viewers to one of Earth's most significant ancient land connections.

5. TYRANNOSAURUS:

The Tyrannosaurus is one of the most frequently appearing prehistoric animals across the Doraemon dinosaur movies. In the 1980 and 2006 versions, it repeatedly threatens Nobita and his friends during their journey before eventually being tamed with Doraemon's Momotaro Dango. In the 2006 remake, it even battles Dolmanstein's pet Spinosaurus during the climax. It also appears prominently in Nobita and the Knights on Dinosaurs, where it chases Nobita and his friends through the underground world before being defeated by the Kappas. Later, another Tyrannosaurus is encountered after the group travels back to the Late Cretaceous. Tyrannosaurus rex lived approximately 68 to 66 million years ago in western North America and was among the largest land predators ever to exist, reaching lengths of around 12–13 metres and weighing up to 9 tonnes. Modern scientific research suggests it possessed one of the strongest bite forces of any terrestrial animal, exceptional eyesight, an excellent sense of smell, and highly developed hearing. Recent discoveries also indicate that young Tyrannosaurus may have possessed feathers, although adults were likely covered mostly in scales.

6. ORNITHOMIMUS:

Ornithomimus appears during the long prehistoric journey in both the 1980 original and the 2006 remake, where a friendly herd helps Nobita and his friends by carrying them across part of their route. Its name means "bird mimic," referring to its striking resemblance to modern ostriches. Ornithomimus lived around 76–66 million years ago in North America during the Late Cretaceous. Unlike large predators, it had a toothless beak, long legs, lightweight bones, and likely fed on a varied diet that included plants, insects, small animals, and eggs. Paleontologists believe it could run at speeds exceeding 60 km/h (37 mph), making it one of the fastest dinosaurs known. Fossil evidence also suggests that Ornithomimus was covered in feathers, further strengthening the scientific link between dinosaurs and modern birds.

7. BRONTOSAURUS:

Brontosaurus appears in Doraemon: Nobita's Dinosaur (1980) during Nobita and his friends' journey through prehistoric North America. The group encounters these enormous long-necked herbivores peacefully roaming the landscape, showcasing the incredible diversity of dinosaurs that once inhabited Earth. Brontosaurus lived during the Late Jurassic Period, around 154–150 million years ago, making it much older than the Late Cretaceous setting depicted in most of the film. It was a gigantic sauropod, reaching lengths of over 20 metres (65 feet) and weighing around 15 tonnes. For many years, scientists debated whether Brontosaurus was actually a separate genus or simply another species of Apatosaurus. However, in 2015, a detailed scientific study concluded that Brontosaurus was distinct enough to once again be recognized as its own valid genus. Today, it remains one of the world's most recognizable dinosaurs and is often used to represent the gentle giants of the Jurassic.

8. ELASMOSAURUS:

In Doraemon: Nobita's Dinosaur and Doraemon: Nobita's Dinosaur 2006, Nobita and his friends witness Elasmosaurus while searching for Piisuke in the prehistoric seas. Like Futabasaurus, Elasmosaurus is commonly mistaken for a dinosaur, but it was actually a plesiosaur, a marine reptile that evolved separately from dinosaurs. Living about 80 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous, Elasmosaurus is famous for its incredibly long neck, which contained around 72 vertebrae—one of the longest necks of any known animal. Despite its intimidating appearance, scientists believe it mainly fed on fish, squid, and other small marine animals, catching prey with quick sideways movements of its neck. Fossils of Elasmosaurus have been discovered in North America, helping paleontologists understand the incredible diversity of ancient marine reptiles.

9. QUETZALCOATLUS:

One of the most dramatic prehistoric creatures in Doraemon: Nobita's Dinosaur 2006 is Quetzalcoatlus, which attacks Nobita and his friends from the sky. Although many people casually refer to it as a flying dinosaur, Quetzalcoatlus was actually a pterosaur, a completely different group of flying reptiles that lived alongside dinosaurs. Named after the Aztec feathered serpent deity Quetzalcoatl, it lived around 68–66 million years ago near the end of the Late Cretaceous. With an estimated wingspan of 10–11 metres (33–36 feet), Quetzalcoatlus ranks among the largest flying animals ever known, comparable in size to a small airplane. Scientists believe it likely spent much of its time walking on all fours across open landscapes before launching into flight, feeding on small animals and carrion.

10. TRICERATOPS:

Triceratops appears during the climax of Doraemon: Nobita's Dinosaur 2006, where it joins other dinosaurs in helping defeat the dinosaur hunters. Although its role is much larger in the 2006 remake, Triceratops can also be seen among the dinosaurs inhabiting the underground world in Nobita and the Knights on Dinosaurs. Triceratops is one of the best-known herbivorous dinosaurs, instantly recognizable by its three facial horns and large bony frill protecting its neck. It lived during the Late Cretaceous, around 68–66 million years ago, sharing its habitat with Tyrannosaurus rex in western North America. Scientists believe its horns and frill may have been used for defense against predators, recognizing members of its own species, or even fighting rivals during mating competitions. Thousands of Triceratops fossils have been discovered, making it one of the best-understood dinosaurs in the fossil record. Because it lived until the very end of the Age of Dinosaurs, Triceratops has become an enduring symbol of the prehistoric world.

11. SPINOSAURUS:

The 2006 remake introduces Spinosaurus as the fearsome pet of the fossil collector Dolmanstein during the film's final battle. Instantly recognizable by the enormous sail running along its back, Spinosaurus is one of the most unusual large predatory dinosaurs ever discovered. It lived approximately 99–93 million years ago in what is now North Africa, much earlier than Tyrannosaurus. Unlike most giant meat-eating dinosaurs, modern discoveries suggest that Spinosaurus was semi-aquatic, spending much of its life hunting fish in rivers, swamps, and coastal environments. It possessed a long crocodile-like snout, conical teeth ideal for catching slippery prey, dense bones for moving through water, and a paddle-shaped tail that helped it swim. Measuring up to 15 metres (50 feet) in length, it may have been the longest known carnivorous dinosaur. Its battle with Tyrannosaurus in the movie is fictional, as the two species lived millions of years apart on different continents.

12. SINOSAUROPTERYX:

In Doraemon: Nobita's New Dinosaur (2020), Nobita hatches two baby dinosaurs named Kyu and Myu. Doraemon explains that they appear to be close relatives of Sinosauropteryx, while also suggesting they represent a previously unknown species. The real Sinosauropteryx lived about 125 million years ago during the Early Cretaceous in what is now northeastern China. It became world-famous because its fossils preserved clear impressions of primitive feathers, making it one of the first non-avian dinosaurs to provide direct evidence that many dinosaurs possessed feather-like coverings. Later studies even identified the pigment structures within these feathers, revealing that Sinosauropteryx likely had a striking reddish-brown body with a banded tail. This discovery played a major role in confirming the evolutionary connection between dinosaurs and modern birds.

13. CRETACEOUS-PALEOGENE EXTINCTION EVENT:

The Cretaceous–Paleogene (K–Pg) extinction event forms the emotional climax of Doraemon: Nobita's New Dinosaur (2020) and is also referenced in Nobita and the Knights on Dinosaurs (1987). In New Dinosaur, Doraemon explains that they have arrived at the moment when the dinosaurs are about to disappear forever, while Nobita and his friends desperately try to save Kyu, Myu, and the other dinosaurs without changing history. In Knights on Dinosaurs, the heroes witness the asteroid strike and the devastating tsunami that follows. In reality, this mass extinction occurred 66 million years ago and eliminated approximately 75% of all plant and animal species, including every non-avian dinosaur. Scientists believe the disaster caused worldwide wildfires, earthquakes, gigantic tsunamis, darkness from dust blocking sunlight, and a collapse of Earth's food chains. Although catastrophic, the event ultimately allowed mammals to diversify and eventually led to the evolution of humans. It remains one of the most significant turning points in the history of life on Earth.

14. CHICXULUB CRATER:

In Doraemon: Nobita's New Dinosaur (2020), Doraemon explains that the asteroid responsible for the dinosaurs' extinction struck the Yucatán Peninsula in present-day Mexico. This is a direct reference to the Chicxulub crater, one of the largest confirmed impact craters on Earth. Measuring approximately 180 kilometres (110 miles) across, the crater was formed when an asteroid about 10–15 kilometres in diameter collided with Earth at incredible speed. Although buried beneath the Yucatán Peninsula and the Gulf of Mexico, its discovery in the late twentieth century provided the strongest evidence supporting the asteroid impact theory of dinosaur extinction. Today, Chicxulub is considered one of the most important geological discoveries ever made because it helped solve the long-standing mystery of what caused the end of the Age of Dinosaurs.

15. GALLIMIMUS:

Gallimimus appears prominently in Doraemon: Nobita and the Knights on Dinosaurs (1987), where the underground knights ride these dinosaurs as mounts throughout much of the film. Gallimimus lived around 70 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous in what is now Mongolia. Its name means "chicken mimic", reflecting its bird-like body structure. With its long neck, toothless beak, slender legs, and lightweight skeleton, Gallimimus strongly resembled a modern ostrich and is believed to have been one of the fastest dinosaurs ever discovered, capable of reaching speeds of around 50–60 km/h (31–37 mph). It was likely an omnivore, feeding on plants, insects, small animals, and eggs. The film's portrayal of Gallimimus as swift riding animals fits remarkably well with what scientists believe about their speed and agility, making them one of the more scientifically plausible dinosaur "mounts" seen in fiction.

16. DIPLODOCUS:

At the beginning of Doraemon: Nobita and the Knights on Dinosaurs (1987), Suneo catches sight of a gigantic long-necked dinosaur emerging from the river, which closely resembles Diplodocus, although the species is never officially identified. Diplodocus lived during the Late Jurassic Period, around 154–152 million years ago, and is one of the longest dinosaurs ever discovered, reaching lengths of up to 27 metres (89 feet). Unlike many giant predators, Diplodocus was a peaceful herbivore that used its long neck to feed on vegetation and its extremely long whip-like tail for balance and possibly defense. It remains one of the most iconic sauropods in paleontology and has appeared in countless books, museums, documentaries, and films.

17. KAPPA (MISCELLANEOUS):

The Kappa appear in Doraemon: Nobita and the Knights on Dinosaurs (1987) as members of the underground civilization and initially capture Nobita and his friends before later becoming involved in the story's larger conflict. Unlike the dinosaurs in the film, Kappa are not prehistoric animals, but legendary creatures from Japanese folklore. Traditionally, Kappa are described as turtle-like yōkai with green skin, webbed hands and feet, a beak-like mouth, and a water-filled dish on the top of their heads that grants them strength. They are said to inhabit rivers, ponds, and lakes, and stories about them have been passed down in Japan for centuries. Depending on the legend, Kappa can be mischievous, dangerous, or even helpful to humans. The film reimagines these famous folkloric beings as inhabitants of the hidden underground world, blending Japanese mythology with its science-fiction adventure and dinosaur setting.

_______________________________________

So that's it! This took me a very long time to research, write, and put together, and it's probably the biggest post I've ever made on this subreddit. I really hope you enjoyed reading it and maybe even learned something new along the way. And if you have read this far, I really appreciate you! Thanks for reading!

I finally watched Doraemon: Nobita's Chronicle of the Moon Exploration in full for the first time three days ago, and I wanted to share my thoughts.

If someone asked me to define peak, this movie would honestly be one of my first answers.

Before watching it properly, I had a completely different opinion. I used to think it was confusing, overly complex, and honestly not that good. Those opinions came from only watching random glimpses of it on TV over the years. Now that I've finally seen the whole movie from beginning to end, I'm taking all of that back.

The movie genuinely surprised me.

The story is simple to follow while still being engaging, and the pacing is excellent. It never felt rushed or dragged out, and there was a great balance between the main elements of the movie.

One of my favorite parts was the Moonbit concept. Nobit and the other Moonbits were just so adorable. I couldn't stop smiling whenever they appeared. Those were definitely inspired by the 2009 episodes "Welcome to the Center of the Earth (Part 1)" and "(Part 2)", right?

Luca was a fine guest character. He was mostly likable for me and fit naturally into the story. There's nothing more to talk about him ig?

I also liked the concept of the Espals. Pretty unique I would say.

The animation is probably one of the only aspects that didn't completely impress me. Compared to some other movies in the same art style, it felt a little less vibrant and dull at times. It's not bad by any means, it just isn't my favorite visually.

My biggest criticism is that Gian and Suneo don't get much to do throughout the film. They have their moments, but compared to the rest of the cast, they feel somewhat underused.

And of course, I have to mention the ending theme. It was absolutely goated.

Overall, this film completely changed my opinion. I went in expecting something mediocre and came out wondering why I hadn't watched it sooner. It's now easily one of my favorite Doraemon movies. Talking about final rating, I would give it a solid 9/10.

That's all I can say. And as I always mention it: I am not a great movie reviewer or analyst. And these are, of course, just my personal opinions. If you disagree with any of my points, that's completely fine —everyone experiences movies differently. So I hope you guys enjoy my (probably terribly written) review 😅 and plus I'd love to hear what you guys thought of it as well!

One of the most fascinating time-travel paradoxes in Doraemon appears in the 1979 series, E35, "A Girl Like White Lily" and its remake in 2005, E16b. But I'm referring to the original 1979 version in this post.

In the episode, Nobita's father tells Nobita and Doraemon about his childhood during World War II. At the time, he lived in a village where children were forced to do farming and mining work from a very young age. Exhausted and overwhelmed, he once sat by a river, thinking about letting himself drift away with the current.

Just then, a mysterious girl appeared and gave him a bar of chocolate. That simple act of kindness lifted his spirits and gave him the strength to carry on.

Curious to witness the event for themselves, Nobita and Doraemon travel back in time. They wait for the mysterious girl to appear, but she never does. Meanwhile, Nobita gets soaked, so he asks Doraemon for dry clothes. Since Doraemon has no spare clothes, he gives Nobita girls' clothes instead. Nobita then asks to dry his hair, but Doraemon accidentally gives him a hair-growing cream, making his hair long enough to look like a girl's.

At that moment, Nobita realizes the truth. He asks Doraemon for a bar of chocolate, walks over to his young father, and gives it to him.

The "mysterious girl" his father had remembered all these years was actually Nobita himself in disguise.

Even more interestingly, the chocolate Nobita gives his father is the exact same chocolate his father later remembers while telling the story in the present.

And that's a predestination paradox: the event in the past only happens because Nobita hears about it in the future and then travels back to become the very person who caused it. The event has no independent origin, it exists because it always happened that way.

And there are like plenty of episodes in Doraemon like this. This was just an example. Share your thoughts on this!

One Doraemon episode features a fascinating example of a bootstrap paradox [1979 Anime, E1365, S17, 1995, "Danger! The Tiger Mask"].

Nobita and Doraemon are reading a manga when they reach a cliffhanger, only to discover that the latest chapter is the last one available. Desperate to know what happens next, they travel to the future and read the future volume.

After returning to the present, Nobita starts telling Gian, Suneo, and Shizuka what happens next. Coincidentally, the manga's original author walks by and overhears the conversation. He's struggling to come up with the next chapter, so he asks Nobita to tell him the entire story.

Instead, Nobita goes back to the future, brings the completed manga volume, and gives it to the author. The author simply copies the story and publishes it.

So here's the paradox: Who actually wrote the manga?

The future manga exists because the author copied it from the future, but those future volumes only exist because he published what he copied. The story has no true origin, making it a bootstrap paradox.

I know this is one of the most well-known Doraemon paradoxes across the internet, but I realized I've never seen it discussed on this subreddit. So I thought I'd make a post about it and hear everyone's thoughts!

The video I used for the subs:

https://youtu.be/sdH5VqXoNfM?si=TdeON0weQy3IVxxj

ENG LYRICS:

Like golden cymbals softly ringing, the sun whispers. "Come join the feast among the trees." Listen closely.

We wash our faces with bubble clouds and stroll with the gentle breeze. "Everything will be alright..." Let your heart grow wings and set it free toward the light.

A ribbon across the sky, woven from rainbows, is a gift for your smile. Let's make a wish—it's a perfect day for dreaming. May tomorrow be filled with happiness always.

We take a bite of cotton-candy clouds and rest in a grassy meadow. "Where does the wind go home to?" Let's ask the birds.

Draped in the sunset's lace, we race with the lengthening shadows. "I'll always be watching over you..." Beneath the shining evening moon, let yourself be embraced by its gentle light.

The stars become the sky's buttons, holding the curtain of the night in place. We'll meet again tomorrow—it's a perfect day for dreaming. If you never forget that smile in your heart.

"Everything will be alright..." Let your heart grow wings and set it free toward the light. A ribbon across the sky, woven from rainbows, is a gift for your smile. Let's make a wish—it's a perfect day for dreaming. May tomorrow be filled with happiness always.

May tomorrow be filled with happiness always.

After making subtitles for Kimi ga Iru Kara, I thought, why not do the same for my favorite Doraemon song, Yume no Hito? So here it is!

As with my previous translation, there may be a few translation or timing mistakes since I'm still learning, but I hope you enjoy it!

And yes... please IGNORE THAT WATERMARK again. 😭😅

Also, the video I used for the subs: https://youtu.be/can_XBG37LQ?si=vQKApd8P1uFewIY7

I really loved this song when I heard it in the movie yesterday, it honestly gave me goosebumps. Since I didn't know what the lyrics meant, I decided to translate it, and here's the result!

This is my first-ever translation video, so there may be some translation mistakes or timing errors. I did my best, though, and I hope you enjoy it!

And please ignore the ugly watermark. 😅

Also the video I used for this translation is this: https://youtu.be/eU5aAyvJ5qI?si=deBHm4N4Fk7LrwYv

So I rewatched Doraemon: The Record of Nobita's Parallel Visit to the West today for like the 1 millionth time lol. As many of you probably know, the film is heavily inspired by the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. Because of that, it contains a surprising number of references to characters, locations, items, and concepts from the original story. While I already have included some of them in my real life concepts series, but I am not still satisfied with them. So I thought it would be fun to go through the movie and collect EVERY reference I could find that was inspired by Journey to the West. Here are all the characters, concepts, and references I spotted while rewatching the film!

● SUN WUKONG (THE MONKEY KING): The entire movie revolves around the legendary Monkey King, Sun Wukong, whose character player is Nobita as we know. He is one of the most famous characters in Chinese literature and originates from the classic novel Journey to the West. According to the story, Sun Wukong was born from a magical stone and possessed extraordinary powers, including immense strength, shape-shifting abilities, immortality, and the power to travel thousands of kilometers in a single leap. He wielded the Ruyi Jingu Bang, a magical staff capable of changing its size at will. The character has become one of the most influential figures in Asian popular culture and inspired countless adaptations, including the creation of Son Goku from Dragon Ball. Nobita's obsession with proving that Sun Wukong was real directly references the immense cultural importance of the Monkey King throughout East Asia.

● JOURNEY TO THE WEST: That's the most obvious one, but still. The school play and the film's entire storyline are based on Journey to the West, one of China's Four Great Classical Novels. Written during the Ming Dynasty, the novel recounts the pilgrimage of the Buddhist monk Xuanzang and his supernatural companions as they travel westward to India in search of sacred Buddhist scriptures. The book combines mythology, religion, fantasy, folklore, comedy, and adventure, making it one of the most beloved literary works in Chinese history. Numerous characters, locations, and events in the movie are derived directly from this novel.

● TANG SANZANG: In the film, Tang Sanzang is played by Shizuka. The character Tang Sanzang is based on the real historical monk Xuanzang. Living during the 7th century Tang Dynasty, Xuanzang undertook a remarkable journey from China to India to obtain authentic Buddhist scriptures. His expedition covered thousands of kilometers across deserts, mountains, and foreign kingdoms. Upon returning to China, he translated hundreds of Buddhist texts and became one of the most important scholars in East Asian Buddhist history. Over time, his real-life journey became heavily mythologized and eventually inspired Journey to the West, where he appears as Tang Sanzang.

● ZHU BAJIE (PIGSY): Gian's role, Zhu Bajie, is another famous character from Journey to the West. Often called Pigsy in English adaptations, Zhu Bajie is a half-human, half-pig warrior known for his enormous appetite, laziness, and humorous personality. Despite his flaws, he remains a loyal companion throughout the pilgrimage. His pig-like appearance comes from Chinese mythology and serves as a symbol of human weaknesses such as greed and temptation.

● SHA WUJING (SANDY): Suneo's character Sha Wujing, also known as Sandy, is based on a river demon who later becomes one of Tang Sanzang's disciples. Unlike Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie, Sha Wujing is usually portrayed as calm, patient, and dependable. In Chinese folklore, he represents perseverance and humility. Although he receives less attention than the Monkey King, he plays a crucial role in helping the group complete their pilgrimage.

● THE BUDDHA: Nobita's dream of Sun Wukong confronting Buddha references one of the most famous episodes in Journey to the West. After gaining incredible powers, Sun Wukong became arrogant and challenged Heaven itself. To teach him humility, the Buddha trapped him beneath a mountain for 500 years. This episode symbolizes the Buddhist lesson that even the strongest individuals cannot overcome wisdom, self-discipline, and spiritual enlightenment.

● NIMBUS CLOUD: The flying cloud used by Sun Wukong is known as the Somersault Cloud. In Chinese mythology, this magical cloud allows the Monkey King to travel vast distances almost instantly. Similar flying cloud concepts appear in many Asian legends and later inspired numerous fantasy stories, cartoons, and anime. The image of a hero standing atop a floating cloud has become one of the most recognizable symbols associated with Sun Wukong.

● JINGU BANG: The Jingu Bang is Sun Wukong's magical staff. According to the original legend, it was originally a gigantic iron pillar used by the Dragon King of the Eastern Sea to measure ocean depths. Sun Wukong claimed it as his weapon after discovering he alone could wield it. One of its most famous abilities is changing size, shrinking to the size of a needle for storage or expanding into an enormous pillar. Doraemon's version closely follows this famous mythological weapon.

● 645 AD CHINA: The year 645 AD is not random. It falls within the reign of the powerful Tang Dynasty, often considered a golden age of Chinese civilization. This is also approximately the historical period during which Xuanzang returned from India after completing his famous pilgrimage. The movie deliberately chooses this era because it aligns with the real historical events that inspired Journey to the West.

● GOLDEN HORN KING AND SILVER HORN KING: The Golden Horn King and Silver Horn King are actual antagonists from Journey to the West. In the original novel, they possess magical treasures capable of capturing even powerful opponents like Sun Wukong. Their story is among the most famous demon encounters in the book and demonstrates the creativity and imagination of Chinese folklore.

● PRINCESS IRON FAN: Princess Iron Fan is one of the best-known female characters in Journey to the West. She possesses the magical Palm Leaf Fan, which can create enormous winds capable of moving mountains and extinguishing supernatural flames. She became so popular that she later appeared in countless Chinese operas, films, animations, television adaptations and in this film.

● BULL DEMON KING: The Bull Demon King is another famous figure from Chinese mythology and Journey to the West. He is traditionally portrayed as one of the most powerful demons in existence and is often described as a rival or former ally of Sun Wukong. His immense strength and intimidating appearance made him one of the most memorable villains in the novel.

● PALM LEAF FAN: The Palm Leaf Fan appears is the magical weapon of Princess Iron Fan. During the film, Princess Iron Fan uses it against Nobita, creating an enormous gust of wind powerful enough to blow him several miles away from her volcanic fortress. Near the climax, after the defeat of the Bull Demon King and the collapse of the castle, Doraemon and his friends use the Palm Leaf Fan to extinguish the volcano and stop the rising lava, allowing everyone to escape safely. In the original story, Princess Iron Fan possesses a magical fan capable of generating immense winds strong enough to move mountains, scatter clouds, and extinguish supernatural flames. One of the most famous episodes of the novel revolves around Tang Sanzang's group attempting to cross the Flaming Mountains, a region of intense heat and fire. To pass through safely, they must obtain Princess Iron Fan's legendary fan. Because of its importance in one of the novel's most iconic adventures, the Palm Leaf Fan remains one of the most recognizable magical artifacts in Chinese literature.

● PAGODA: A giant red pagoda is featured in the film after the demons escape from the Journey to the West game and alter history. When Nobita and Doraemon investigate the strange changes occurring throughout the city, they discover that a massive pagoda has suddenly appeared in the demon-controlled version of the modern world. Its presence serves as one of the clearest signs that the timeline has been transformed by the invading demons. A pagoda is a traditional East Asian tower characterized by multiple tiers and upward-curving roofs. The design evolved from the ancient Indian stupa, a Buddhist monument built to house sacred relics and scriptures. As Buddhism spread across Asia, pagodas became common features of temples in China, Japan, Korea, and other countries. They were often constructed as places of worship, meditation, or storage for important religious objects. Due to their strong association with Buddhism and ancient East Asian culture, pagodas frequently appear in stories inspired by Chinese history and mythology, making the giant red pagoda in the film a fitting symbol of the altered world created by the demons. While many pagodas have appeared across many Doraemon movies and even episodes, I would still like to include it.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

So that's all I could find in the film, it took me a lot of effort to make this post and hope you guys will like it!

​

AND HERE'S THE LIST OF NO. OF EPISODES BY YEAR:-

YEAR: NO. OF EPISODES

1979: 235

1980: 256

1981: 152

1982: 49

1983: 52

1984: 51

1985: 52

1986: 50

1987: 60

1988: 49

1989: 54

1990: 50

1991: 51

1992: 55

1993: 70

1994: 51

1995: 48

1996: 48

1997: 51

1998: 44

1999: 45

2000: 40

2001: 41

2002: 45

2003: 45

2004: 38

2005: 42 (OG + reboot)

2006: 42

2007: 36

2008: 44

2009: 42

2010: 38

2011: 43

2012: 40

2013: 35

2014: 35

2015: 39

2016: 41

2017: 38

2018: 42

2019: 37

2020: 52

2021: 51

2022: 52

2023: 48

2024: 47

2025: 49

I know it's a weird stat, but I still found it interesting enough to share with you!

Sources:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doraemon_(1979_TV_series)?wprov=rarw1

2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doraemon_(2005_TV_series)?wprov=rarw1

So I rewatched Doraemon: Nobita's Great Battle of the Mermaid King a few days ago after 2 years and didn't really enjoy it again as always. It felt a bit too slow-paced for my taste, and I never really got attached to the movie guest characters, so it was hard for me to get invested in the story. The plot was also pretty boring for me, and it just didn't give me that vibe that I usually get from Doraemon movies. I was honestly waiting in pain for it to end, lol. The songs were also pretty mid for me, but the animation was absolutely gorgeous.

That said, I did like the ending somewhat, and was probably my favorite part of the film. That's all I can and will say about it cuz I am not a great movie analyst or reviewer.

Overall, it's definitely not one of my favorite Doraemon movies and I will rate it a 5.5/10. And I was wondering what are your guys' thoughts on it? So give me your thoughts in the comments!

And please don't hate, these are of course just my personal opinions and everyone has different tastes and it's completely fine if you like this movie.

Like yesterday, I have another question and I've been thinking about this also for a while.

The 22nd century in Doraemon has some unbelievably powerful gadgets, but doesn't it seem strange that many of them are apparently available to the public? Some of these could be catastrophic if they fell into the wrong hands.

For example:

• Anywhere Door – You could instantly enter a bank vault, a military base, or any restricted place.

• Invisibility Cloak – Makes crimes like theft or espionage incredibly easy.

• What-If Telephone Booth – Lets you create an entirely different world based on a single "what if."

• Dictator Switch – Can erase a person from existence with the press of a button.

• Big Light & Small Light – Someone could shrink another person or grow into a giant and cause massive destruction.

• Momotaro Jirushi Dumplings – Can tame almost any creature, whether it's a wild animal or something far more dangerous.

• Future Diary – Whatever you write is destined to happen.

• Duplicate Mirror – Even though it can't duplicate money directly, it could duplicate valuable items indefinitely.

• Hoodwink Drink – Makes the opposite of whatever you say come true.

• Earth-Destroying Bomb – The name speaks for itself. Why does this even exist?

• Obtaining Bag – Instantly obtain almost anything you can think of.

• Black Hole Pen – Draw a circle around something and send it into a black hole.

• Ultra Stopwatch – Freeze time while you're free to move.

• Human Radio Control – Literally force another person to do whatever you want.

And these are only a few examples which popped in my head.

So my question is: How is the 22nd century even functioning if gadgets like these exist? Are there strict laws, licensing systems, safety restrictions, or are we just not supposed to think too deeply about it?

I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts or theories

And also, I don't know if it is already discussed or not but I wanted to discuss with you guys

I've always wondered about this.

Sewashi sends Doraemon back in time to improve Nobita's life so that the Nobi family's future becomes better.

But if Nobita's future changes drastically, shouldn't Sewashi's own life also change? Wouldn't he grow up in a completely different family with different experiences or maybe even become a different person altogether?

Yet Sewashi still remembers the original, poorer future and is able to send Doraemon back.

Is this a bootstrap paradox or I am just overthinking?