Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on March 2010

The Doraemon industry is still going strong—the animated TV show about a robotic cat from future has been on the air for 40 years, and a new feature film is released every year during spring break. Doraemon Nobita no Ningyo Daikaisen, the 30th in the series, takes place mainly under the sea: when his schoolboy playmate Nobita (voiced by Megumi Ohara) wants to go diving, Doraemon (Wasabi Mizuta) uses a device from his magic pocket to turn the streets into an underwater paradise. The catch comes when mermaid princess Sophia (Rie Tanaka) is somehow transported into this world from her sea haven. After she explains that her kingdom is being threatened by baddies who are controlled by aliens, Doraemon and his gang decide to help. Clearly influenced by both Finding Nemo and Hayao Miyazaki’s recent Ponyo, this underwater fantasy has graceful and goofy visuals that will keep both adults and kids engaged. Colorful and fun, the 2010 Doraemon succeeds at being childlike but not childish. English title: Doraemon The Movie: Nobita’s Great Battle of the Mermaid King. (90 min)