Eiga Doraemon: Nobita no Esekai Monogatari (Doraemon: Nobita’s Art World Tales), the 44th film in the beloved Doraemon franchise, has debuted at the top spot of the Japanese box office, marking another successful entry in the long-running series. The film’s opening weekend success demonstrates the enduring popularity of Doraemon in Japan and its continued appeal to audiences of all ages.
Doraemon Conquers the Box Office
The film, which opened in Japan on March 7, 2025, sold 571,000 tickets and grossed 702,817,200 yen (approximately US$4.78 million) in its first three days. This strong opening not only secured the #1 position but also surpassed the opening weekend performance of the previous film, Doraemon: Nobita’s Earth Symphony, by 107%. This impressive start highlights the anticipation and excitement surrounding the film’s release.
A Visual Journey into the World of Art
Doraemon: Nobita’s Art World Tales takes Doraemon, Nobita, and their friends on a new adventure into a world inspired by medieval European art. According to the storyline, the group enters a painting and find themselves in a world called Artoria. There they meet Claire and Milo, children from Artoria, and Chai, a small demon with wings. Together, they must face a powerful foe to protect a legendary jewel.
Gadgets and Musical Themes
Trailers for the film have showcased exciting new gadgets, such as a dress-up camera and invisibility cloak, adding to the sense of adventure and wonder. The film also features an insert song titled “Kimi no Yume o Kikinagara, Boku wa Waraeru Idea o!” (An Idea That Makes Me Smile Comes to Me, While I Listen to Your Dreams!) by Aimyon, adding a musical element to the film’s narrative. Aimyon also performs the ending theme song “Sketch” for the movie.
Celebrating 45 Years of Doraemon Films
Nobita’s Art World Tales holds special significance as it commemorates the 45th anniversary of the Doraemon film series. This milestone highlights the franchise’s enduring legacy and its impact on Japanese cinema and culture. The Doraemon film series has become a cultural institution in Japan, captivating generations of viewers with its heartwarming stories, memorable characters, and imaginative adventures.
The Creative Team Behind the Film
The film is directed by Yukiyo Teramoto, known for her work on the Doraemon TV anime series and previous Doraemon films. She is joined by scriptwriter Satoshi Ito, who has also contributed to the Doraemon series. The film’s music is by Takayuki Hattori. Ōji Suzuka joins the cast as Paru, a mysterious art dealer.
Doraemon’s Enduring Legacy
The Doraemon franchise has achieved remarkable success over the years. By 2015, the Doraemon film series had already grossed over ¥100 billion and sold over 100 million tickets in Japan, surpassing Godzilla as the highest-grossing film franchise in the country. As of 2020, the films have grossed a total of ¥187 billion ($1.7 billion) worldwide. With 44 feature films, 2 special feature films, and 33 short films as of 2025, Doraemon continues to be a dominant force in the Japanese box office and a beloved cultural icon around the world. Doraemon is one of the highest-grossing non-English film franchises and one of the highest-grossing animated film franchises worldwide.
A Cultural Icon
Doraemon’s popularity extends beyond the box office. The character has become a symbol of Japanese culture and was even appointed as the country’s first “anime ambassador” in 2008. The Doraemon manga series has sold over 300 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling manga series of all time.
Other Films in the Japanese Box Office
While Doraemon: Nobita’s Art World Tales claimed the top spot, other films also made notable appearances in the Japanese box office. Wicked ranked second, earning 519 million yen (3.54 million USD). Live-action adaptations of manga series also held their ground, with Trillion Game and Under Ninja continuing their runs in the top 10.
