Stand By Me Doraemon Opens in Cinemas on June 17 2015

Since its TV appearance in the '70s, Doraemon has been one of the most loved cartoon characters that emerged from Japan.  It is also one of the longest-running animated series the world has ever seen.  Created by Fujiko F Fujio, this adorable, time-travelling, gadget-wielding robotic cat first came out on print in the late '60s.  This June, Doraemon is back to conquer Philippine cinemas and capture Filipino’s hearts.

Stand By Me Doraemon combines some of the greatest episodes of the Doraemon series with some additional elements to create a new but nostalgic story.  The movie takes us to the suburbs of Tokyo where a 10-year-old boy named Nobita lives.   One day, a boy appears in front of him, claiming that he is Sewashi Nobi, Nobita's descendant of four generations later from the 22nd century.  With him is a 22nd century cat-type robot named Doraemon who helps people with its secret gadgets.  Sewashi says that his family is suffering because of Nobita's current miserable life due to bullying.  So in order to change this disastrous future, he will leave Doraemon with Nobita to serve as his caretaker.  Doraemon has a pocket from which he produces gadgets, medicines, and tools from the future.  Doraemon must see to it that Nobita can already stand up for himself and live happily before Doraemon can go back to the future. 

 

Fans of the Doraemon series may remember that the first encounter of Doraemon and Nobita was entitled "All The Way From The Country of the Future".  The story of their friendship is a real tear-jerker. 

          Stand By Me Doraemon  is the very first 3DCG animation of Doraemon, directed by Takashi Yamazaki and Ryuichi Yagi, who were also behind the series "ALWAYS: Sunset on Third Street” and “Friends: Naki on the Monster Island”, which caused a swirl of sensation all over Japan with its world-class 3DCG production. 

 

A unique filming technique was used for this award-winning movie.  The creators said, "Unlike the usual method of postscoring, dialogues and music/songs are recorded before filming.  For this movie, sounds, mouth movements, expressions, and the character movements are made after the voice actors record their parts.  Therefore, there is no discomfort between the sound and the animation.  Though it is animation, it has a feeling of a live-action film." 

On the advance screening of Stand By Me Doraemon,  many children were flocked in the theaters and were amazed and entertained by the film. Even the young at hearts and the kids of 90's like me will surely reminisce their childhood and will be touched by the story of the film. A truly tear jerker, heartwarming and a feel good movie to watch to.

Winner of "Japan Academy Prize for Animation of the Year" at the 38th Japan Academy Prize, and "Best Film Award" at Tokyo Anime Award Festival 2015, Stand By Me Doraemon is released and distributed by VIVA International Pictures and MVP Entertainment. Showing on June 17 in theaters nationwide.