Detailed review and evaluation of the first episode of Doraemon NTV video version

Doraemon (1973 Nippon Television Animation Version) - Looking back on classic anime

Doraemon, which aired on Nippon Television from April 1 to September 30, 1973, was the first animated series based on the manga of the same name by Fujiko F. Fujio. The series follows the adventures of Doraemon, a cat-shaped robot who travels to the present day from the 23rd century in a time machine, and his friend Nobita Nobi. As the original story had few episodes, the anime also contains many original elements. This article will take a closer look at the appeal and characteristics of the 1973 version of Doraemon, as well as its subsequent influences.

■ Story

Doraemon, a cat-shaped robot, arrives in the present day in a time machine from the 23rd century. His goal is to change the past (i.e. the present) of Nobita, an elementary school student who faces a miserable future. Doraemon gives Nobita, who is kind-hearted but not good at studying and lives a carefree life, various tools created by future science. Using these tools, Nobita deepens his relationships with his friends and overcomes difficulties.

■Explanation

"Doraemon" is originally a manga of the same name by Fujiko F. Fujio, and this 1973 anime was the first animated version of the manga. The basic setting follows the original, but since the original had few episodes, many original elements were added to the anime. There are three TV anime versions of "Doraemon": this one, which started airing in 1973, the one that started airing in 1979, and the one that started airing in 2005, but there are no clear names to distinguish between them. For this reason, this work is sometimes called "old Doraemon" or "NTV version Doraemon" (because the other two works are aired by TV Asahi).

■Cast

Doraemon was voiced by Kosei Tomita from episodes 1 to 13, and by Masako Nozawa from episodes 14 to 26. Nobita Nobi was played by Yoshiko Ota, Shizuka by Masako Ebisu, Gian by Kaneta Kimotsuki, and Suneo by Shun Yashiro. These voice actors brought their characters to life, creating characters beloved by viewers.

■ Main staff

The original work is by Fujiko Fujio (serialized in Shogakukan's educational magazine), the planner is Fujii Kensuke (Nippon Television), the planning cooperation is Shimizu Hiroji (Nippon Television), the producers are Kawaguchi Harutoshi, Yonezawa Takao (Nippon Television), Sasaki Kazuo, Hatakeyama Toshimi, the chief director is Kaminori Mitsuo, the scriptwriters are Yamazaki Haruya, Suzuki Yoshitake, Inoue Satoshi, Yoshihara Yukie, Umajima Mitsuru, Sonohe Zouji, the character designs are Takahashi Shigeyasu, Yamada Hidemi, the art director is Suzuki Morishige , Kawamoto Seihei, literary director Tokumaru Masao, director of photography Sugaya Nobuyuki (Studio Coral Reef), sound recording at Banchou Studio, developing at Toyo Development Laboratory, effects by Kataoka Yozo and Ogawa Katsuo (E&M Planning Center), recording at Kitayama Kenji, adjustments by Tanaka Hideyuki, editing by Nishide Eiko, music selection by Miyashita Shigeru, music by Koshibe Nobuyoshi, sound direction by Chikamori Keisuke, sound production by E&M Planning Center, and production by Nippon Television Animation.

The theme songs are as follows.

• OP "Doraemon"
• Lyricist: Fujiko Fujio
• Composer: Nobuyoshi Koshibe
• Arrangement: Nobuyoshi Koshibe
• Sung by Harumi Naito and the NLT Theatre Company
• Ending Theme "Doraemon Roomba"
• Lyricist: Yoichi Yokoyama
• Composer: Nobuyoshi Koshibe
• Arrangement: Nobuyoshi Koshibe
• Vocals: Harumi Naito
• IN "Love Doraemon"
• Lyricist: Yoichi Yokoyama
• Composer: Nobuyoshi Koshibe
• Vocals: Kosei Tomita
• IN "Doraemon in Kishi Land"
• Lyricist: Fujiko Fujio
• Composer: Nobuyoshi Koshibe
• Sung by Columbia Yurikagokai and NLT Theatre Company

■ Main Characters

Doraemon is a cat-shaped robot from the future that appears in Nobita's room and stays there. He is known for being able to pull out various gadgets from his pocket. Nobita Nobi is a poor elementary school student who is kind-hearted but timid. Shizuka is Nobita's friend, and Gian and Suneo are Nobita's classmates. These characters continue to be loved by viewers.

■Subtitle

The subtitles for the 1973 version of "Doraemon" are as follows:

• Episode 1: "Here Comes Doraemon!" "The Great Grasshopper Incident" (1973/04/01)
• 2nd episode: "The Wonderful Child on the Roof" and "Nobita's Ancestor" (1973/04/08)
• 3rd: "Cupid's Love-Love Strategy" and "Get a grip of their weaknesses" (1973/04/15)
• Episode 4: "Some cats are weak to mice" and "Beat the bully" (1973/04/22)
• 5th: "The Mirror of Pity" and "Mom and Dad's Wedding Anniversary" (1973/04/29)
• Episode 6: "The Cursed Camera" and "The Lottery Jackpot Plan" (1973/05/06)
• Episode 7: "Duel! Nobita and Gian" "Who am I?" (1973/05/13)
• Episode 8: "The Abe Controversy" and "The Mystery of the Haunted House" (1973/05/20)
• 9th episode: "The Quick and Slow Strategy" "Nobita is a Rain Man" (1973/05/27)
• 10th episode: "Ultra Mixer" "Wish Star Shooting Star" (1973/06/03)
• 11th episode: "The Mysterious Furoshiki" "Nobita's Grandma" (1973/06/10)
• Episode 12: "The Red Bat of Major League Baseball" "Men Win with Strength" (1973/06/17)
• 13th episode: "Gachako Appears" "The Talkative Lipstick" (1973/06/24)
• Episode 14: "Love the Camera" "Let's go on a date in the Milky Way" (1973/07/01)
• Episode 15: "The Weird Robot Car" and "The Smiley Soap" (1973/07/08)
• Episode 16: "I'm the Chief's Story" "It's Summer! Let's Go Skiing" (1973/07/15)
• 17th episode: "I hate report cards" and "Catch your own shadow" (1973/07/29)
• 18th episode: "Let's go to the sea in a submarine" "The twisted clock" (1973/08/05)
• Episode 19: "Camping commotion" "What is a forget-me-not?" (1973/08/12)
• 20th: "Air Conditioner Parasol" "Anytime Diary" (1973/08/19)
• 21st episode: "Homework ghost appears" "Weather box" (1973/08/25)
• 22nd: "Please Vote for Me" and "Manga Artist Training" (1973/09/02)
• 23rd: "A Wonderful Girlfriend" and "A Flower-filled Trouble" (September 9, 1973)
• 24th episode: "The Look-alike Crayon" and "Shizuka's Birthday" (1973/09/16)
• 25th episode: "I want to be an astronaut" and "The Lost Magomago Big Fuss" (1973/09/23)
• 26th: "The Nendron Uproar" and "Goodbye Doraemon" (1973/09/30)

■ Related works

Besides the 1973 version of Doraemon, there are also the 1979 and 2005 versions of the TV anime Doraemon. Each of these works is produced in a different style and direction, providing new appeal to the audience.

■ Theme songs and music

The theme songs and music from the 1973 version of "Doraemon" are as follows.

• OP1 "Doraemon"
• Lyricist: Fujiko Fujio
• Composer: Nobuyoshi Koshibe
• Arrangement: Nobuyoshi Koshibe
• Sung by Harumi Naito and the NLT Theatre Company
• ED1 "Doraemon Roomba"
• Lyricist: Yoichi Yokoyama
• Composer: Nobuyoshi Koshibe
• Arrangement: Nobuyoshi Koshibe
• Vocals: Harumi Naito
• IN1 "Love Doraemon"
• Lyricist: Yoichi Yokoyama
• Composer: Nobuyoshi Koshibe
• Vocals: Kosei Tomita
• IN2 "Doraemon in Kishi Land"
• Lyricist: Fujiko Fujio
• Composer: Nobuyoshi Koshibe
• Sung by Columbia Yurikagokai and NLT Theatre Company

■ Evaluation and impact

The 1973 version of "Doraemon" contained many original elements for the anime, as the original story had few episodes. This allowed viewers to enjoy new stories and characters. This was also the first TV anime version of "Doraemon", and it laid the foundation for the 1979 and 2005 versions that followed. In particular, Doraemon's character design and the voice actor's performance have had a major influence on later works.

The 1973 version of "Doraemon" was also praised as a work that gives children dreams and hope. The way Nobita overcomes difficulties using Doraemon's futuristic scientific tools gave courage and inspiration to viewers. These elements have been carried over to later "Doraemon" series and continue to be loved by many viewers.

■Recommendation

The 1973 version of "Doraemon" is a work that combines nostalgia and freshness. Since the original story had few episodes, it contains many original elements for the anime, providing viewers with new stories and the charm of the characters. This work was also the first TV anime version of "Doraemon", and it has had a major influence on subsequent works. It is a work that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike, so be sure to give it a watch.

Furthermore, the 1979 and 2005 versions, which were successors to the 1973 version of "Doraemon", were also produced in different styles and presentations, providing new appeal to viewers. By watching these works together, you can gain a deeper understanding of the world of "Doraemon".