Doraemon’s limitless world sprang from humble briefcase. Post unpacks inspiration for manga ahead of Hong Kong show
- Jitsuko Katsumata, daughter of late Japanese manga master Fujiko F. Fujio, says father cherished ‘daily life’ inspiration in creating beloved characters
- Hong Kong will host its biggest Doraemon exhibition this summer, 135 large-scale models of robotic cat to pop up across city
Beloved manga character Doraemon wielded an array of fantastical gadgets in his adventures, but late creator Fujiko F. Fujio often relied on something much simpler – a humble briefcase.
Katsumata said she had fond memories of Fujio reaching for the briefcase that he carried with him wherever he went, jotting down flashes of inspiration for Doraemon’s tech, among other ideas, in a notebook inside.
“In my memory, whenever I accompanied my father on outings, he would gaze at the scenery outside and suddenly, as if struck by an idea, take out his notebook from the briefcase and start writing,” she said.
Among the futuristic items the blue-and-white robotic cat pulls from his magical pocket are a bright pink “anywhere” door which allows instant travel to different places, a “take-copter” used for flying, a cloth that can age or de-age both objects and people, as well as a flashlight for enlarging or shrinking anything it shines on.
Her father would also visit the toy section in department stores to see what was popular among children at the time.
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The World's First Doraemon Drone Show to light up Victoria Harbour on Saturday
“That’s why I believe that the magical gadgets in Doraemon were inspired by the scenes he observed in his daily life and the snippets he recorded in his idea notebook. He would then piece them together like a puzzle to create something,” Katsumata said.
Doraemon travels back in time from the future to help Nobita Nobi, a boy who often finds himself in trouble and relies on the robotic cat’s gadgets for help. Nobita ends up marrying childhood friend Shizuka Minamoto, another central character.
The manga was first created in 1969, with the Cantonese dubbed version of the cartoon TV series debuting in Hong Kong in 1982. It continues to be shown on free-to-air station TVB every Tuesday and Wednesday. Official comics translated into Chinese were first published in the city in 1992.
Katsumata said it was hard to choose her favourite parts of her father’s stories as she loved them all, but she had a particular fondness for the chapter “Nobita’s Wedding Eve”.
The story depicts the night before Nobita and Shizuka get married, with the latter hesitating as she is reluctant to leave her family. Her father steps in to help, embracing and counselling her as she struggles with her decision.
“On the night before my own wedding, I didn’t have a heartfelt conversation with my father. [But] reading this story reminded me of the warmth and love my father always showed me. It brings back many wonderful memories,” Katsumata said.
Katsumata, who is also CEO of Fujiko Pro, an anime and manga production company which creates content for and manages the Doraemon franchise, said her responsibility was to cherish the creations she inherited and protect them with utmost care.
“I believe that anyone who has watched Doraemon would know the idea that even the smallest dreams can come true,” she said.
“When you feel anxious or lonely, this series can become a companion by your side. Doraemon cleverly expresses emotions that resonate with each individual, which is why it has touched the hearts of so many people.”
Apart from Doraemon, Fujio’s other famous works include Obake no Q-Taro, Ninja Hattori-kun, Perman and Esupa Mami.
The coming show, Hong Kong’s largest-ever Doraemon exhibition, will feature 135 large-scale models of the beloved robotic cat and an animated short film incorporating signature elements of the city. It will run between July 13 and August 4.
