Tribute to Masters Series -- Fujiko F. Fujio

Fujiko F. Fujio (藤子・F・不二雄) is a pen name of Hiroshi Fujimoto (藤本 弘).  He created many classic mangas (Japanese comics), with Doraemon (哆啦A夢) among his most famous series.

Doraemon was first released in 1969.  The story revolves around a lasting friendship between a robotic cat Doraemon from the 24th century and main protagonist Nobita Nobi (野比大雄).  Doraemon has a 4th-dimension pouch and stores many useful tools-of-the-future.  We all love those tools and dream of a day when our own Doraemon comes to our rescue.  

Among my favorite tools is the 4th-dimension door, which allows you to travel from one place to another in a second.  I LOVE traveling but am not the biggest fan of long hours flight.  What a relief if I can go from LA straight to Hong Kong to Paris to London!

Here are a few fun facts:

1. In the story, Doraemon is a mass-produced robotic cat.  These cats are all in yellow color.  Doraemon's ears were bitten off by a mouse one day – he freaked out looking into the mirror with his ears gone (poor cat!), and the fright turned him blue permanently.
2. The original series claimed that Doraemon was from the 21st century.  When I grew up, he was from the 22nd century.  Today, Doraemon is from the 24th century.
3. Doraemon was named differently in many Asian regions.  He was called "Ding Dong" in Hong Kong (meaning "bell", referring to the bell on his collar).  It was Fujimoto's dying wish to have his most beloved series given the original, intended name.  Today, Doraemon is called Doraemon among the new generation of kids across the world.



Fujiko F. Fujio (藤子・F・不二雄)


Artwork by Fujiko F. Fujio