Review of the movie "Doraemon: Nobita and the Birth of Japan": A moving story and fascinating characters

Doraemon the Movie: Nobita and the Birth of Japan - A story of time travel and utopia

Overview

The Doraemon the Movie: Nobita and the Birth of Japan was released on March 11, 1989 and is the tenth film in the Doraemon theatrical series and the tenth feature-length film in the Doraemon feature film series. The film is based on the original story by Fujiko F. Fujio and was directed by Shibayama Tsutomu and produced by Shin-Ei Animation, Shogakukan, and TV Asahi. It was distributed by Toho and features a self-contained story in each episode, each 100 minutes long. The copyright is owned by Fujiko Productions, Shogakukan, TV Asahi, Shin-Ei, and ADK.

■ Story

Nobita and his friends decide to run away from home and create their own utopia in a Japan 70,000 years ago, where no humans existed. They return to the present, but are caught in a time-space turbulence and meet Kukuri, a primitive man who has traveled back in time to the present. Nobita and his friends learn from Kukuri that her fellow Hikari tribe has been attacked by the Kurayami tribe, and so they set off on an adventure to ancient China to rescue the Hikari tribe. This is a moving story that depicts friendship, courage, and hope for the future.

■Cast

Doraemon is played by Nobuyo Oyama, Nobita by Noriko Obara, Shizuka by Michiko Nomura, Gian by Kazuya Tatekabe, Suneo by Kaneta Kimotsuki, and Kukkur by Yoko Matsuoka. These voice actors play an important role in bringing out the individuality of each character and livening up the story.

■ Main staff

The screenplay was written by the original author Fujiko F. Fujio, the animation director was Tominaga Sadayoshi, the art director was Numai Nobuo, the cinematographer was Saito Akio, the sound director was Urakami Yasuo, and the music was Kikuchi Shunsuke. The supervisor was Kusube Daikichiro, and the producers were Bekkushi Souichi, Yamada Toshihide, Koizumi Yoshiaki, and Hatano Masami. These staff members worked together to successfully improve the quality of the film.

■ Main Characters

Doraemon is a cat-shaped robot from the 22nd century, who was sent to the present day by Nobita's great-grandson Sewashi in a time machine to help the lazy and crybaby Nobita. He pulls out a lot of secret gadgets from the fourth-dimensional pocket on his stomach. His favorite food is dorayaki, and he hates mice.

Nobita is a boy who is not good at both studying and sports, but he has a bright personality and a caring heart. He has a talent for cat's cradle, shooting, and napping that no one can beat. He loves Shizuka and wants her to become his future wife.

Shizuka is Nobita's classmate. She is beautiful and smart, so she is popular in class. She has a strong sense of purpose and hates crooked things. She is learning piano and violin, but her violin skills may not be that great.

Gian is a strong, violent, but very reliable bully. His dream is to become a singer, but he has an incredibly bad voice and is tone-deaf. He causes trouble for his friends when he performs at a concert in a vacant lot.

Suneo's father is a company president, so his family is very wealthy. He often brags about his wealth, making Nobita jealous. He tries to please Gian, and he also has a mother-boy side. His dream is to become a fashion designer.

■ Evaluation and impressions

The Doraemon movie "Nobita and the Birth of Japan" is a work that skillfully combines the science fiction element of time travel with the grand theme of creating a utopia. The setting of the story in Japan 70,000 years ago provides a fresh surprise to the viewer, and the contrast between the primitive age and the present day makes viewers think deeply about the value of humanity and friendship. In particular, the appearance of a new character, Kukkuru, adds a new perspective and emotion to the story.

In addition, the adventure scenes using Doraemon's secret gadgets stimulate children's imaginations and provide a sense of fun and excitement. The characters of Gian and Suneo also play an important role in depicting humor and friendship, and their growth and changes enrich the story.

The music is also one of the elements that enhances the film's appeal. Shunsuke Kikuchi's music effectively enhances the thrill of the adventure and the moving moments, stirring the emotions of the viewer. In particular, the music at the climax expresses the tension of the fight to save the Hikari tribe and the depth of friendship, leaving a strong impression on the viewer.

Overall, this is a film that the whole family can enjoy, offering hope and dreams to children, while also providing deep emotions and thought-provoking themes for adults. It is one of the most highly rated films in the Doraemon series, and you will find something new to discover no matter how many times you watch it.

■ Recommendation points

Here are some reasons why I recommend this movie:

• Themes of time travel and utopia : The setting of Japan 70,000 years ago provides a new perspective for the audience and skillfully combines the sci-fi element of time travel with the grand theme of creating a utopia.
• New character Kukkuru : The appearance of Kukkuru adds a new perspective and emotion to the story, leaving a deep impression on the audience. Through her character, viewers can rediscover the value of friendship and courage.
• Adventures using Doraemon's gadgets : The adventure scenes using Doraemon's gadgets stimulate children's imagination and provide fun and excitement. In particular, the adventure to ancient mainland China is visually appealing.
• Musical Effects : Shunsuke Kikuchi's music effectively enhances the thrill of the adventure and the moving moments, stirring the viewers' emotions. The music at the climax is particularly impressive.
• Portrayal of friendship and growth : The themes of friendship and growth are depicted through the characters of Gian and Suneo, deeply moving the viewer. Their changes and growth enrich the story.

Related information

The Doraemon movie "Nobita and the Birth of Japan" is one of the long feature-length series of the original manga "Doraemon", and is a work filled with Fujiko F. Fujio's rich imagination and deep human insight. The original manga was published by Shogakukan and is loved by many fans. The story was also featured in a TV anime series, and is widely loved by viewers.

Even after the release of this film, new Doraemon movies have continued to be released every year, with over 40 films produced as of 2023. Each film retains the essence of the original while introducing new stories and characters, providing viewers with fresh surprises and excitement.

The Doraemon movie "Nobita and the Birth of Japan" has also been highly praised overseas, and has a large fan base, especially in Asia. It has been translated into multiple languages, including English and Chinese, and is loved by children all over the world.

Conclusion

The Doraemon movie "Nobita and the Birth of Japan" is a moving work that skillfully depicts the grand themes of time travel and creating a utopia. The adventure scenes using the new character Kukkur and secret gadgets, as well as the depiction of friendship and growth, provide viewers with deep emotions and themes that make them think. Music is also an important element that enhances the appeal of this movie, and the music at the climax is particularly impressive. This movie is entertaining for the whole family, and you will discover something new no matter how many times you watch it. It is one of the most highly rated works in the Doraemon series, so we recommend that you give it a watch at least once.