Doraemon

[Andy Mancini]

Okay, I'm confused about something. According to the "100 Greates Anime Character of All Time", Doraemon tops the list. Another post said that it has running non-stop in Japan since 1979. Yet another one said that it's so popular in Japan, it's got it's on postage stamp. So, my question is, if Doraemon is so ungodly popular, why haven't we seen it in the US yet? I've looked for some dubbed (or subbed for that matter) episodes, but thus far, I haven't been able to find anything. Also, what makes it so popular? What is it? A comedy? A mech show? A show featuring naked midgets?

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

It's a simple kid's show about a robotic cat (I think) who comes from the future to aid this goofy boy named Nobita from not totally screwing up his life. (See, Nobita's great, great, grandson sent Doraemon on a mission. Nobita's descendents are living in poverty, and Doraemon is supposed to help change that :p )

Doraemon himself has many interesting devices in a "magic pocket" that causes various adventures. These devices can range from teleporters to gizmos which make yen. A lot of them involve the boy getting selfish/greedy/etc with Doraemon's devices and Doraemon and the boy's friends have to bail him out of trouble.

Why is it not here? Well, I imagine they didn't bring it here in the 1980s because it's very entrenched in Japanese life, and it's more whimsical than action packed. Why they don't bring it over here now? Well, good question. It's not a serial (though there are slight continuity changes like in The Simpsons), so they don't necessarily have to air it in order.

Not something that blows your mind, huh? Well, the show's appeal seems to be in its simplicity, history, and lightheartedness. Doraemon's gizmos are almost pure-wish-fulfillment devices, which stimulate children's imaginations. I mean, Americans went crazy over a cat and mouse trying to kill each other...who can say why things get popular?