Doraemon has pulled another gadget out of his pocket and this time, it is the box office. Doraemon the Movie: New Nobita and the Castle of the Undersea Devil has struck a chord with Indian audiences, turning theatres into a nostalgia-fuelled meeting point for children, millennials and Gen Z fans.
In a cinematic market crowded with action spectacles and VFX-heavy blockbusters, the blue robotic cat from the 22nd century has proved that a familiar face can still make a big-screen splash. The film’s strong theatrical performance has brought together audiences across generations, with the franchise’s long-standing Indian fan base turning out in force.
TV Asahi head of animation sales & development, international business department Maiko Sumida shared, “We have been genuinely and happily surprised by the scale of the response, far beyond what we could have imagined. In India, where Doraemon is so widely known and warmly embraced, it is especially moving to see audiences connect so strongly with this heartfelt story from Fujiko F Fujio’s original work. What has been wonderful is that it is not only children coming to theaters, many adults who grew up watching Doraemon are returning and bringing that love back to the big screen. We believe the momentum was also fueled by our promotional efforts leading up to release, including visibility at events such as C.O.R.E. and Anime India, along with a strong digital campaign that helped create a real wave of excitement. We also put great care into the dubbing from Japanese into Indian languages, so that the emotion and nuances of the film would resonate naturally with local audiences. On behalf of everyone involved, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to our partners and to all the fans who have supported the film and made this success possible.”
The film’s biggest draw may be its ability to make different generations sit side by side. Children are discovering Nobita, Doraemon and their gang on the big screen, while adults who grew up watching the anime in the mid-2000s are getting their own trip down memory lane.
For many millennials and Gen Z viewers, the film works as a cinematic time machine. Parents who once rushed home to catch the show are now introducing the same characters to their children, creating a neat loop of childhood nostalgia.
Doraemon’s staying power in India is hardly a mystery. The franchise has spent more than two decades turning everyday childhood worries into stories with a universal appeal.
Nobita’s struggles with schoolwork, self-doubt and bullying remain instantly relatable, while Doraemon’s futuristic gadgets keep the sense of wonder alive. Underneath the gadgets, however, are the real engines of the franchise: friendship, family, resilience and the occasional lesson learnt the hard way.
Then there is the Hindi dub. The familiar voices, localised humour and distinctly Indian flavour have helped the franchise become part of the country’s pop-culture fabric. On the big screen, that familiarity travels with the audience.
The film’s performance also points to a wider shift in India’s theatrical market. International anime releases have traditionally been viewed as niche offerings, often concentrated in major cities. Doraemon the Movie: New Nobita and the Castle of the Undersea Devil, has drawn audiences beyond the usual metropolitan pockets, with strong turnout reported across T-1, T-2 and T-3 cities.
That makes Doraemon more than a nostalgia play. The franchise is showing that animation can command mainstream theatrical attention when a recognisable IP, emotional connection and strong localisation come together.
The fandom has also spilled beyond cinema halls. Fan clubs, cosplayers and casual viewers have taken to social media to share reactions to the film, while themed merchandise and pop-up activations have added another layer to the experience.
The result is a franchise that increasingly feels less like a television favourite and more like a shared cultural language. For fans who grew up with Doraemon, the film offers a familiar doorway back into childhood. For a new generation, it opens the door for the first time.
